⏪ Back in Time! (HELP!) [Sakura Timetravel AU]

13: Closer or Further? (SasuSaku)

With the Chunin Exams getting ever closer, genin and other ninjas were rushing to the market to stock up on supplies for the big event. Sakura had noticed this occurrence throughout her life. Thinking back on it, she remembered as a little child asking her mother about the tournament.

To think that wasn't too long ago...

Now, she was going to be participating in it.

I have to get some supplies before they run out for the month! I get being prepared, but they are HOARDERS.

Stepping around lines of people, she nervously eyed her shopping list which was beginning to crumple up due to her bumping into people frequently. "Oops, sorry!" Were the words that were beginning to come out of her mouth many times.

Getting tired, she stopped at a small area in front of a shop with a couple of people loitering around- but not too many. The door to the shop opened abruptly, ringing the bell installed on the top of the door.

Sakura turned her head to see Ino walking out. The girl was tying her apron behind her, which meant that she was probably starting her shift then. Not wanting to delay Ino from doing her job, Sakura kept silent and watched as the blonde walked over to the display flowers.

Ino hastily grabbed ahold of a watering can and filled it up, tending to the thirsty plants. Sakura watched for a little bit longer before leaving her position in front of the store.

"Sakura! Don't think I didn't see you, at least say hi!"

Sakura turned around with a nervous stare but quickly switched to a warm one when she saw Ino's friendly smirk. "Good morning, Ino."

"Well, good morning to you too. What's up with you being all shy? I thought we worked some things out," she teased, turning around to trim a bonsai plant.

"Well... you know the Chunin Exams are coming up, right?" Sakura fidgeted with her shopping list.

"Of course, everybody's been talking about it lately, not to mention Asuma-sensei recommending my team to join," she stowed her large trimming scissors back into a small container, "He's been pushing us hard to prepare for those exams, sometimes I wonder why I even agreed. Ugh, I got up kinda late this morning too."

Sakura chuckled, "So that's why you came out a bit late today to tend to the flowers."

"Mhm, but I've also gotten better with my sensory skills. I detected you already before I went out!" Ino pointed at the pink-haired girl smugly, walking over to her with a bit of swagger in her step.

"That's amazing, Ino. I've been busy training too, so I'm out here to get more ninja supplies for the Exams." Sakura glanced at her list: Lethal weapons, high-grade poisons, first-aid, chakra supplements, etc. There was a lot she had yet to purchase.

"Huh, cool. Anyways- why don't we talk about something more interesting? How have you been doing with Sasuke-kun?"

Sakura sighed, she knew that Ino was going to initiate the love rival conversation one way or another. She shook her head, "Umm, nothing much really. We've definitely been focusing on training more than interacting-."

"Whaaat? Where did the old you go?... Stop being a pushover and try something already, it's no fun if you aren't doing anything!" Ino rolled her eyes at Sakura, prompting another sigh from the pink-haired girl.

"Ino-."

"Mark my words, Sakura! By the time the Chunin Exams start, I'll be so strong that Sasuke-kun can't even keep his eyes off of me!" Ino smirked, "At this point, you're going to be left in the dust... Well, I've gotta go back to watch the cashier. See ya, Bill-Board brow." Ino waved goodbye and went back inside without another look.