|✔|Konoha Academy's Betrayal |Sakura x Kiba|

45.) Amends

I can't explain what propelled me forward as I walked the familiar path into the other side of town. I take that back I do know, I owe Ino the biggest apology of my life. I was a horrible friend and treated her worse than she really deserved. For months I have been reciting my apology and only now have I found the courage to actually approach her.

I walk by Kiba's house and a small smile plays on my lips. Without thought I flash back to relaxing in the family room with him eating popcorn and watching scary movies. It's was an enjoyable time, the two of us curled up in a blanket on the couch. I know I shouldn't replay the afternoon in my head as much as I do, but I liked being that close to him. Then the image of falling into the snow on top of him comes and the familure tightning in my stomach starts. I wanted so badly to kiss him that afternoon, but it didn't happen. Truth is I have no idea if he feels the same way, and if he doesn't I don't want to lose what we have now.

I take a deep breath as I get to Ino's front door and knock. My stomach clenches as the door opens and Ino stands there in the door way with a sneer on her face. "Well, well. If it isn't Sakura." Ino sneers at me.

I bow my head and search for the right words. I have no idea if Ino will speak to me let alone ask me inside so that we can speak. "I have no idea what to say to have you listen to me Ino." I say quietly.

There is a pause and I'm suddenly terrified that I upset Ino. "I'm listening." Ino says quietly nodding and stepping back to let me into her house.

I haven't been over this thresh hold in a very long time, yet everything in the small house is still the same. I wonder if I have managed to catch Ino on a good day or if she has felt the same way I have been feeling, the pull of mending a friendship that didn't need to end the way it did.

"We can go to my room." Ino says leading the way back down the hallway to her room.

My nerves are getting the best of me now. Everything that I want to say to her, to apologize for is a jumbled mess in my head. I don't want to screw this up.

Ino takes me into her room and shuts the door. "Soooo," She draws out as she flops down on her bed.

I stand awkwardly by the door, unsure of whether I should just stay where I am or sit on the bed with her.

Ino sighs dramatically. "Sakura, don't just stand there." She says a little annoyance in her voice.

I quickly go and seat myself on the bed next to Ino, who is now sitting cross legged. I look over at her, trying to find my words. We were so close before Sasuke, best friends actually. I was so horrible to her, especially when Sasuke finally asked me out. It physically hurts me how horrible I was.

Like best friends who haven't spoken in years our voices sound in unison. "I'm sorry."

Shock followed by relief floods through me. She's sorry too? I'm not sure if I should believe her. On the other hand, it would be so good to have my friend back. "Ino, it's me who should be sorry. I was so horrible to you last year. And best friends don't try and steel crushes." I say in a rush as I try to get out everything that has been going through my mind the last couple of weeks.

Ino smiles warmly and grasps my hands tightly. "And I shouldn't have reacted the way that I did." She says sincerely.

I return her smile. I can't believe that this is going so well. I may actually have my good friend Ino back, how cool is that?! I bite my lip as the awkwardness starts to settle in the room.

Ino nudges me. "Sakura you have such pretty lips, you shouldn't chew on them like that." She scolds me with a smile.

I chuckle and look over at her. "I really have missed you." I say quietly, hoping that my truthfulness isn't over board.

Ino giggles in response. "Me too, I mean Temari is a hoot but she's by no means girly. I'm in for some serious girl time." She says in an exasperated tone.

I laugh. For once in the past months I actually laugh and I realize that apologizing to Ino has healed me more than I had ever imagine it could. My speech has literally failed me.

Ino gives me a serious look now. "It's inevitable so let's get it out of the way. What happened with Sasuke? I want the truth rather than all the rumors that have been going around." She asks.

I take a deep breath. It's true what she says, the topic will come up eventually and mind as well lead with it and get it out of the way. "I found out he was cheating on me." I say flatly.

Ino's jaw drops as she just stares at me. "No..." She breathes in disbelief.

I nod and look at my hands. I really am afraid of Ino calling me a liar and that Sasuke would never do something like that. I just seemed to get my friend back, I don't want to lose her all over again over the same thing.

Ino shakes her head. "That's just so gross!" She says disgusted. "I never would have pegged him for a cheater." She mumbles looking at me.

I shrug trying to keep the sting in my chest small. While I am over Sasuke what he did has left me scared, it will take time to fully be over something like that. "Me ether." I say quietly, fidgeting with my finger nails. I haven't really talked to anyone about me and Sasuke breaking things off, so talking about it is more awkward than anything.

Ino sighs and leans back on her hands. "On a lighter note, I see you have gotten close to Inuzuka." She says raising her eye brow at me.

I chuckle and a smile spreads across my face, a reaction that I have just come to accept. "Yea, he's a close friend of Hinata's." I say.

Ino laughs loudly. "Sorry to break it to you Sakura but you totally have a thing for him!" She exclaims with a grin.

I feel my face heat. "No way!" I defend myself putting up my hands. "Kiba is a nice guy but I don't like him like that." I deny, but deep down I know that she is right. I can already feel my feelings changing and the fact that the slightest thought of him makes me smile should be a dead give away.

Ino rolls her eyes at me. "Oh please. Don't think because we haven't been talking that I don't pay attention. I have seen the way that you look at him." She says with a smirk.

I look at Ino almost horrified. If she thinks that I like Kiba, has he noticed too? "Ino really, that's just ridiculous." I insist with a nervous chuckle.

Ino sighs and folds her arms across her chest. "Just you wait. It will hit you hard. And then I will say I told ya so." She teases with a wink.

I shake my head and roll my eyes at her. "Not going to happen Ino." I say wanting her to be one hundred percent wrong.

She shrugs but continues to smirk at me until we both start to giggle. It feels so good to have Ino back. Hinata will be surprised, because I didn't tell her that I was going to do this. But I know that she will be happy that we are getting along again. And that's all that really matters to me at this point in time.