From Present to Future

Chapter 5

A 13 year old Ino was walking down the street holding flowers in her hand. Soon she reached in front of a red house and knocked twice. The door opened, to reveal Mrs. Haruno standing there. She smiled at the young kunoichi and let her inside the house.

" I'm glad you could come. She has been really down since Sasuke left. I hope you can talk to her. She could really use a friend right now."

Nodding her head at what Mrs. Haruno said, Ino headed upstairs towards her friend's room.

Naruto whistled at this. " Are we going to see Sakura-chan's bedroom?", and smack. Said Sakura-chan ruthlessly bomped the whistling blonde's head.

"Shut up Naruto and watch. Say a word more and I will happily punch you straight through that wall". Well that gave the occupants of the room a live show of soon-to-be-next-Tsunade Sakura. No wonder the Sennin took her in her wings.

Ino now stood in front of her friend's room. Knocking, she opened the door, expecting a depressed Sakura but what greeted her was a sprawled-on-bed Sakura, with a book in hand, reading attentively. Not even noticing her coming in. Or maybe she did. Meh. Lets just get over with it.

" Hey forehead"

"Ino-pig"

A tic mark formed.

" You doing okay?"

" Why should I not be doing okay?"

Okay now that did it. The blonde girl stomped her way towards the bed, snatched the book out of the other girl's hand and slumped heavily on the bed beside her friend. The flower and books roughly placed on the night stand.

"Well/ Well" both started.

"You go" the pink haired said.

"Hmm". Even though a moment ago she knew what to say but now being put on spot she suddenly have no clue from where to start. But its now or never. So here goes nothing.

"Are you really okay, forehead?" Sitting up, Ino addressed her rival/friend. "I mean, I know, well, we know how you have always been obsessed over Sasuke and now, he has practically betrayed....."

"I will stop you right there Ino", the pink haired kunoichi said sternly. It seems she has things to clear.

" First, I was not obsessed with Sasuke. I liked him. Period. But...I never, no, I could never hold even a candle in his heart. It has always been someone else. And I guess, it will forever stay that way."

"Secondly, Sasuke has not betrayed Konoha. He is not a traitor. Anyone in his place will do the same thing. He needed this in order to break himself from his past. He did the right thing, just in wrong way. Please understand, okay"

Looking in her friend's eyes, Ino didn't find a trace of lie or hesitation, instead there was an understanding and determination. So she could only nod, happy that her friend is not hung up on the Uchiha's defection. She felt herself relax, like a burden has been lifted off her shoulders. She slumped back on bed. But then she remembered.

" So what is with these medical books then. And your mother said you were depressed."

" Well, Naruto suggested me these books. He also asked me to look for Lady Hokage and learn medical ninjutsu under her. Something about me having perfect chakra control and inhuman strength. And my mother is just being a mother." Sakura replied nonchalantly.

"Naruto did?" Ino questioned. It's hard to picture the blonde prankster to have such insight. But can't blame him. She, too, has tasted Sakura's inhumane punches and man, did they hurt.

"Hmm. We are no longer young Ino. I mean in ninja world. We can't always depend on our senseis to come save us, right?"

" Yeah. In fact, I too have been thinking of joining T&I dept, do some internship under my father or Anko."

"Really?"

"Yes. From Sasuke leaving, I think it has somehow changed all our view regarding ninja life. I mean, Choji almost died, Kiba and Neji ended up in ICU, Lee hurt and Shikamaru too has suffered quite a blow. My father said its just part of our growing, as ninja and as a person. Seeing them like that I realised. I never want to see them this hurt again. So, I am gonna train and protect them. Just like you", Ino finished with a smile adorning her face. Determination in eyes.

" Well it seems we finally agreed on something". Sakura smiled, happy to see such change in her long lost friend. May be they can work on their friendship back again.

Both deep in thoughts, the two ex-rivals found peace in each others company.

The projection ended. The occupants of the room chose to stay silent once again. But two persons were in deep thoughts, for somewhat entirely different reasons.

Inoichi Yamanaka has always disliked his daughter's blind admiration towards Uchiha Sasuke. Often times he wanted to scold her for not taking her ninja path seriously. But his love for her always overpowered. He has always held back his tongue when it came to his daughter's ninja skills. But seeing how the same Uchiha Sasuke, albeit indirectly, influenced his daughter in right path, perhaps he might not mind her likeness for the Uchiha as much as he did before. He nodded affirmatively at his own thoughts.

The other person in deep thoughts was none other than Shikaku Nara. Since when did Naruto became so insightful. From what his son has told him or he has heard from other shinobis, the kid is a total dunce, even lacking basic knowledge of ninja world. But seeing both Sakura and Ino's future, he knew the kid is not an absolute idiot atleast. In fact far from that. Someone who knew medical ninjutsu and its requirement can definitely not be an idiot. So what brought the change? Sasuke leaving? Perhaps. Or was he just pretending to be an idiot all along? Many ninjas do that in mission or during interrogations. Afterall, not once has the kid demanded to see his future. Judging from his nature, he should be the first one to jump around, announcing to see whether he became Hokage or not. But he has been pretty silent since start. Like afraid of revealing something.

The sphere glowed red again, gaining attention of everyone. All thoughts halted and the group watched the projection play again.