yakiniku_q | GIVE ME YOUR ANGST (FOR K)

GIVE ME YOUR ANGST (FOR K)

[Tsunade had warned her that sometimes there was nothing you could do to save someone. Sakura had thought she had gotten a taste of it, back when she could do nothing to save Sasuke from leaving the village. But she had a feeling that's not what Tsunade was talking about.

Medical ninjutsu could heal almost any wound -- Sakura could mend bone, stop bleeding, reattach limbs with the ease only her master mirrored. She sent families home together and thanking her and Sakura could only smile that someone didn't have to lose someone important and feel the pain she thought she knew.

It was the first time the patient had gotten to her a bit too late. Later than even she was able to fix. She hated feeling useless but as she pumped chakra into the body and lit the room aglow so the sweat shone on her forehead, she could feel precious life slipping away. The hand clutching at her coat grew limp and lifeless. A life she couldn't save.

The first one.

And the words 'help me' echoed in her mind. Still, she took a deep breath and cleaned up, sent the body to the appropriate place to be examined and all secrets extracted, and cursed herself as the bearer. The look of a heart breaking made Sakura's 'I'm sorry' choked. It seemed hardly enough of a condolence.

It was that mantra of apology in her head that pushed each step as she left the hospital. She didn't want to see anybody, she didn't want to do anything. She might have been content to sit in that room and hold the hand of the patient she couldn't save until her own her own heart stopped.

Tsunade had warned her sometimes there was nothing you could do. She hadn't warned her about the crippling guilt that came with it. Only as fate would have it in her moment of weakness and when she wanted to be alone, she spotted the telltale platinum blonde hair of her best friend/rival ahead of her. She stopped but there was no point in hiding or running away. That wasn't her, anyway.

Out comes a strained;]

Ino...

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[Sakura knows. Sakura knows death is a part of life but as a medic and someone who treasures life and has so man experiences from its up and downs to make her the person she is today, it hurts to see it taken away.

Sakura also knows she will get past this, she's just a very emotional girl.

A distraction did sound nice, she's just not sure if she'll be much fun. She looks uncertain about the idea but Ino seems to think it would help... at this point, she just wants to sleep or cry in the solitude of her own home because she hasn't gotten a chance to since it happened.

She looks at her glass of wine, considering.]

Just you and me?

I'll let you borrow some clothes, I'll put some makeup on you and do your hair!

[Say what you will about Ino, but she knows style. As over the top as her personality and clothes may be sometimes, she would never put Sakura in anything that looked less than fabulous. She says, off to the side, in a whisper:]

And then we'll find cute guys to buy us drinks.

[They could sit there and debate life and death all night but Ino truly things Sakura needs some Pretty Girl Therapy.]

[Everything but the makeup and hair. It's not that Ino's style wasn't great and trendy and made all the girls jealous, it was just a lot of tugging and painting and Sakura knew when she went home she was going to have a good crying jag and she didn't want to ruin her hard work.

She can't keep the smile back, nor does she want to. There's a soft laugh, affecionate and directed at Ino for just being herself and... such a good friend.]

I guess I don't have to worry that I don't have any money on me then.

[It's a yes. She'll let her do the makeup and hair. Sakura does like making Ino happy more than she doesn't want to worry about smearing her face later.]

Have I taught you nothing? Pretty girls never pay for drinks!

[And Sakura is really very pretty, even if she has a few lingering self esteem issues. She has that natural sort of cuteness that Ino envies just a little. She is also a smaller pants size, which Ino also envies. One time Ino tried to borrow a skirt from her and it took both of her teammates to pry her out. Not very appealing.

Ino has a section of makeup that is exclusively for Sakura's use. Their coloring is very different (Ino is definitely a summer, while Sakura is clearly a spring), so once in a while when Ino visits another country, she picks up something she thinks would look good on her friend (this doesn't include jewelry or clothes, which she also tends to randomly buy for Sakura).

Needless to say, Ino treats Sakura 600000% better than anyone she dates and they are probably all secretly jealous.]

Sit on my bed and I'll get everything ready~

[In seconds, the blond has her arms full of hair product and makeup. True ninja speed.]

[They should just date instead it would make everything a million times easier and they're halfway there anyway.

Sakura moves to the bedroom with her wine glass in tow, not quite done with it yet as she sips and watches Ino's blur of blonde hair,getting everything ready. She sits crosslegged on the duvet, holding her glass in both hands.]

Ino?

[There's a swell of gratitude Sakura feels just for knowing Ino. That she chose to gave her that ribbon. In fact, she spots it hanging on her mirror and she nearly scrambles in her haste to get to it. The wine glass clinks delicately as she sets it on a surface.]

This is...

[Honestly? They already do everything a long term/married couple does, except have sex. And even some long term couples don't do that very often. Everyone had learned long ago not to mess with Sakura, because Ino is a vicious, somewhat crazy person who now had T&I training under her belt. Post war, they learned not to ever utter a negative thing about Ino (and really, there was a lot to talk about) because Sakura would punch them into next week.

Their relationship was special and sacred to Ino and everyone knows it.

She looks over to where Sakura is after dumpling all her supplies on the bed. The look on her face is unreadable for a moment.]

Oh.

[Then Ino gives a little laugh.]

If you can believe it, that was one of the few things that actually survived Konoha getting destroyed.

[Sakura can see Ino mourning the loss of her closet and going to look for anything that might have survived and suddenly pulling out a tattered red ribbon. One she's holding in her hands. The ends are frayed and there's small holes but she still brushes her hair back over her shoulders and pulls the ribbon under, tying it on a bow.

The face that looks back is so different from the one she remembers who wore that bow last. Her face has matured and there's a fire and confidence in her eyes that wasn't there before. She smiles, eyes glazing over before she shakes her head and turns to Ino.]

Do you have anything to match this? I'd like the wear it. I know it's sort of childish but--

[Can't help it. It really means a lot to her. And when Ino is here for her when she needs, when she's hit another milestone in her life, she wants to wear it again. It will give her the strength to persevere if she can't find it within herself.]

[It takes Ino a few minutes to formulate the right words-- any words, really-- because this is making old feeling resurface. She vividly remembers the day Sakura had returned this ribbon to her. At the time she had been sad but proud that Sakura could stand on her own. A tiny part of her-- the selfish, 12 year old part-- had been miffed that Sakura didn't need her as a pillar of strength anymore.

Of course, they had both matured quite a bit since then and had settled into a very comfortable friendship/rivalry that wasn't much a rivalry anymore. They were equals; exactly what both Ino and Sakura ultimately wanted.

Tears sting the back of her eyes, much to Ino's horror. Not sad, exactly, but not happy, either. Just emotional.]

Keep it. It's yours, anyway, right?

[Ino has to turn back to rifle through her closet for an appropriate outfit because it's a good distraction.]

[As Sakura closes her eyes, letting those same words echo through her as they had when she had given the ribbon back to her, she lets her tears run down her cheeks. They're wiped away with the back of her hand though so Ino doesn't see.]

Yeah. I will.

[Thank you

This time, definitely she would. When she turns back around, she's smiles again and going through the ton of makeup on the bed. She didn't even know what some of it was. When she was younger, she had a couple eye shadows and some nailpolish. That's as much as she could afford being a ninja and all they knew as twelve year olds. After Kin had mocked her for trying to be sexy, she hadn't touched it besides the going out every so often.

And only because Ino got on her case if she didn't do SOMETHING when they went out.]

What's this stuff?

[She starts unscrewing the cap to some bronzer, looking confused and intrigued at once.]

Edited (WRONG ICON) 2014-02-09 22:03 (UTC)

Maybe we should try to make that old ribbon more fashionable, though. It's all hole-y and torn.

[Ino lays out some outfit choices on the bed, mostly things with ties so that they could fit Sakura's slimmer figure. Lots of light greens and blues; colors that always look good on Sakura.]

That's to make yourself look a bit more tan. Ever since the Suna Sun Poisoning incident, I've decided to stop torturing myself and just brush some of that stuff on when I want to look less glow-in-the-dark pale.

[There were some blondes like Naruto and Temari who could tan without burning. Ino? Ino wasn't one of them. She had learned that the hard way.]

How short are you willing to go skirt-wise?

[The ribbon is fine how it is, Sakura thinks while reaching up with her free hand to brush the unraveling ends. As if she's protecting it from Ino's criticism. She kind of likes it like this because like the two of them, it's seen its share of pain and grief and is a little worn down and mature.]

You're not as bad as Sai.

[She dips her finger into the powder and pulls it back brown, smudging it on the back of her palm quickly and peering down at it and twisting her wrist so the light hits it differently. How could such a tiny container make someone tan??

Since she's already in the shortest skirt she would allow herself to wear she looks down at the navy article she has on.]

... This short?

Naaah, let's go a little shorter! You have great legs, we need to show them off!

[Ino throws an extremely short khaki-green skirt at Sakura that has a couple of buckles on it. It looks like it came out of Anko's closet-- cute but definitely with a "I might screw you, then eat you" feel to it. Ino isn't exactly known for her modesty; when you've got it, flaunt it! Plus, it would probably get Sakura a lot of positive attention, which she so desperately needs.

Before Sakura can say anything:]

Don't argue, just try it on.

[Ino has already decided on that skirt. She is just appeasing Sakura by pretending to let her make her own choices.]

[Sakura knew she had pretty nice legs. Sometimes other ninja would stop and stare. She even caught Kakashi-sensei double-taking. But Sakura still had her own style and that was 'cute but comfortable'.

Her cheeks puff out before she lifts the skirt up and appraises how short it is. Definitely shorter than her current skirt. Definitely shorter than she likes. But she is partial to the buckles since it reminds her of her normal medical skirt she wears out on missions.

Well, it wouldn't hurt to just try it on.

After shimmying out of her pajamas and looking longingly at her navy skirt on the bed, she tugs the shorter one up her legs and then lets it settle as low as possible without it slipping off. The hem is still only a couple inches from showing off her underwear. She tugs it down helplessly, cheeks flushing.]

I can't wear this. I absolutely can't wear this. What if someone sees? What if someone I know sees?

[WHAT IF NARUTO OR SASUKE SEE?]

Then you'll have to perform some medical jutsus on them, because they're going to have a heart attack!

[Ino is radiating glee as she throws a fishnet shirt at Sakura to go with the skirt. The shirt is fairly modest, because the real star of the show was that skirt. And Sakura's butt.]

You look hot!

[She knows her friend will fold under the weight of compliments. Ino just has to butter her up enough to get her to leave the house.]

[That's the corniest (AND TERRIBLe BECAUSE THE RECENT CHAPTER AND HEARTS) thing ever. She catches the fishnet and inwardly groans at Ino's weird thing with this type of clothing until she compliments her.

Cue pleased blush. She's only putting it on because it's one of Ino's least revealing clothes and it's similar to her own. Just... more fishnet. She tugs her hair out of the neckline and finally looks at the mirror. It--

Wasn't bad. Of course, the skirt was the only real problem. Sakura likes the way the old, red ribbon looks with it all though and she turns to look at the back.

Whoa. Her butt looked good in this skirt. But it's still WAY too short. Way too short. And Ino still wants to do makeup and Sakura is kind of dreading that even if she will probably look great.]

What are you going to wear?

[Changing subjects is a tactic Sakura uses frequently.]

[It is a very good tactic, especially when she asks Ino a question about Ino, because Ino loves thinking about herself. You're good, Sakura.]

Hmm... That is a great question! Maybe some cute shorts?

[The tiny white shorts in question are more like hot pants that cover the essentials and only the essentials. Ino shifts through more clothes in her closet, bypassing some very obviously male shirts. Some of them have been "liberated" from old boyfriends, her teammates, and some of their friends.

But mostly guys she's slept with.

So shameless.]

I don't know, do these shorts make my butt look big?

[Ino definitely has a butt complex. Ever since the day Kiba jokingly proclaimed she had a big ass, it has always been in the back of her mind. That bastard.]

[Of course, Ino looks amazing in them. But Sakura wouldn't be caught dead.

That's not like Ino. She usually thought she was perfect in every way. For a moment, Sakura isn't sure how to respond.]

Wh-- No. Of course not.

[Understanding dawns on her face. Ino had complained about the bastard saying such a thing.]

Is this about Kiba?

[She'll kill him.]

Maybe I have been slacking in actual physical training and gained some weight! Augh, I need to lose ten pounds ASAP STAT.

[This is such a lie, it's not even funny. Every time Ino talks about going on a diet, she ends up forgetting about it in 2.5 seconds, especially with Chouji feeding her left and right.

She decides not to comment about Kiba, because Sakura might actually punch a hole through him. Instead, Ino goes about inspecting every inch of her butt in the mirror.]

You're so lucky you're so skinny!

[Now she's being ridiculous. She's not even sorry when she deadpans;]

Gain any more weight and you'll actually turn into a pig.

[Ino was so absurd about her weight especially because she was perfect. She was curvy in all the right places and had a bust that made Sakura horribly jealous. It wasn't like Hinata's bulges but it was definitely something for Sakura to envy while she was stuck with her A cups.

Woe.]

[Oh, Sakura and her A-cup angst.

Ino grimaces and pokes at her thigh, before giving up. No point in worrying about it now, not when they were going to go out and have people buy them things! She cheers up at the thought.]

Let me put some makeup on you! I'm confident I can make you look so beautiful that no one will notice your wide forehead~ ♥

[She says this with love, of course.]

[THEY'RE FINE! EVEN IF THEY'RE SMALL.

Okay, she did call her a pig she was sort of expecting it. Doesn't make her any less pissed off though. She slaps a hand to her forehead, covering the seal and glowering at Ino.

For as proud as she is that she has the seal, a part of her (the insecure part) still ached that it was there of all places. She knew what she was getting into and her forehead is a symbol of accomplishment and overcoming odds and matching the power of some of the strongest people she knew.

But it's on her forehead.]

They'll notice the seal first. [She tries to say it confidently because Ino doesn't have the seal, and only her and Tsunade do but

forehead.]

[Ino knows she has taken it just a step too far; Sakura has always been sensitive about the size of her forehead. It doesn't matter how old they get, how powerful she has grown, old scars are hard to erase. But really, does anyone actually care about the size of Sakura's forehead except Sakura and a handful of mean little girls? Ino never thought so. She's still totally popular (if you counted guys like Lee and Naruto).

Laughing, Ino takes Sakura's hand away from the seal. She gives her friend's forehead an amicable little kiss before patting her cheek.]

Awww, don't be angry! You have a "wide, yet charming forehead", Sakura~

[Ino cannot help herself because younger!Sakura's idea of romance is just hilarious. Wide and charming forehead... oh younger!Sakura, you will forever be Ino's favorite person.]

[She tries to fight it but Ino wins out in the end with Sakura blushing bashfully but still frowning. Mostly because of the cheek pat.

God, no. Not the wide, charming forehead. She'd rather not talk about her forehead at ALL thanks.]

Just make me beautiful, will you?

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GIVE ME YOUR ANGST (FOR K)

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WELP I FORGOT SHE PUT ON PJS

IT'S OKAY ILU

ILU2!!

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