the past part 3

''Naruto! Can you please slowdown!'' Ino who chasing him, almost run out of air, they already to far from the school, but the whisker boy still didn't stop. walking to fast of those long legging legs of him, make the blonde girl explode her lungs for to much exhausted.

'' N-NARUTO!'' Ino shout again,giving her full strength.And for god shake at last, the yellow haired guy finally stop walking.

''Thank god you finally stop walking, my muscle on my legs gonna explode if we continue walking like that,'' talking continuously while chasing her gaps. ''- we need to come back and solve those problem, will still have time, before some teacher saw that artcle.'' Ino try to pull him back to the school but the Naruto is not even bugging on where he is. ''what are you still doing,come on idiot!'' shaking her voice Ino once again try to pull the yellow haired friend,

'' Ino-'' Naruto said, not even looking to the blonde girl and just looking on the ground. ''- there's no need to go back'' he said, ''

''what do you mean? we can still think a way to stop those article''

He carefully removed Ino's hand that was holding his grip.'' The teacher already know it, and that's why i can't go back-''

Pulling down both off her arms in her side '' what do you mean you can't go back ?''

Naruto show a slight, asymmetric smile, while one by one, his tears falling, make Ino can't stop herself to crying as well.

''t-they said i have no-(pause and make a long groan)

-no longer student there.'' holding his forehead Naruto cry continue to flow like a rain that continue to poured. '' m-my mother and my, father, they said even i'm not a good as every student here, they still proud to me, whatever i do as long as, is not bad, -

-so, i give my best to soccer so even that thing, they can proud to me, but now-'' the painful on his heart, disappointment and sorrow. Ino can feel it all and knowing she can't do anything for his friend make her heart crush into pieces.

'' -how can i face my family now? telling them that i'm become totally a loser.'' Ino hug him, tightly, somehow, at least, even a little. just a little she hope it can reduce the weight of sorrow he feels.

A couple days are already passed when Ino last saw the yellow haired friend of her, and those day Ino never missed a news about the emerald orb.

''Hey do you heard? Lee from class 2-4, go to school with two dark circle on his eyes, and they said Suigetsu one of Karin friends do it!And what shocking is Sakura order it''

''Karin asking money to the other student too and the pink bitch order it''

The chit-chat of the student become a noise sound to Ino's ears, there is no student here who does not open they mouth and talk about the pink haired girl. Sakura's name turn in to a most hateful name in the school, every place she go they all topic is the one and only the Bitch of this school and Ino's ears is immune to all rumors she heard, she act that she doesn't care, as if it's a stranger name.

''Hey Ino do you-'' One of her classmate rushing toward to her,

Facing her palm not far to her classmate face ''stop it, i don't want to hear it, my ears is hurt now, to all rumors you telling to me everyday'' frowning to her classmate and start to walk again,

''Is not about the B*tch-'' Ino just ignoring her until it shout the familiar name ''- its about your friend Naruto!!''

Ino, immediately halt, turn her head and listen to her classmate.

At her speed she could barely see the face of some student that she passed by, she run like a professional runner. After the news of the yellow haired boy returning to school Ino run toward to his classroom, and her eyes spark of happiness upon seeing the yellow haired talking to some of his friend.

''Naruto!'' Ino call,standing on the door while gasping her own breath. Every one on the class look at the blonde girl who walking toward now to the yellow haired guy that making a wide smile.

''Yo Ino, long time no see'' Naruto said waving his hand.

In the cafeteria the two friends continue they conversation.

''i'm glad you come back Naruto'' clicking the number of the drinks she choice, Ino bend down to get the can of soda to vending machine then give to the yellow haired guy beside her.

'' yeah, me too, i'm glad i'm back, i thought i can't go back to this school'' then drinks his cold soda.

''then?''

When Naruto notice that Ino what to heard the whole story, Naruto sigh and start to tell it to her.

''well- after the two attempt of my parents to ask for another chance from the school, they agree-''

''really that's good-''but Ino saw the gloomy face of his friend,

''- then why you making that sad face?''

Naruto smirk ''-they said, i can back to school, but i can't participate of any competition for soccer, having my name on the game can ruined to name of school'' for hearing it to Naruto, Ino lost a word.

'' -my mother, didn't agree to it and said, she just transfer me to another school so i can play soccer again, but i refuse-''

''why?''

''-i don't want to make then a problem again, transferring to another school, is to much work, so i said it's fine with me if i can't play soccer again, i just decided to focus on my study, even i'm not smart like that teme'' and laugh as if he forcing his self to accept his new future without his dream.

Naruto tap Ino's head when he see her long face while looking down '' don't worry on me Ino just focus on rehabilitation, i know you can still make your dreams come true, and beside being with my friends is enough for me, to stay this school'' then Naruto give his goodbye to the blonde girl and back to his classroom.

Many days as passed after they last talk. Naruto and her become busy in their own life, and so rare to see each other, so different from the past. The yellow haired guy always spend his time to his friend Uchiha, and the blonde girl hangout to some of her classmate and the pink haired girl was gradually becoming bad in the eyes of others,

''Mom, i'm going now '' rushing to put on her shoes when her mother peeking her.

"Don't forget your umbrella, the weather forecast said it's going to rain today" said by her mother.

"Okay" when she took her umbrella she resumed putting on her shoes when the door opened and a guy with a pony hair entered.

she frowned when she saw his cousin Shikamaru "if you're here to sleep to my room don't even try it! i already lock my room"

When this lazy guy always in her house, he always sleeping in her room with out asking permission and sometimes play video games with his girlfriend Temari

"Don't worry, I have no plans to sleep in your room today, I'm just here to hand over this letter, i think the carrier confused and delivered it on our house." his both hand hold his head, a sign that he really feel lazy to moving around.

'' letter? ''

he handed it to the blonde girl who was still sitting on the floor "yes..and it's looks like it's from -

-Sakura" Shikamaru said softly and looked earnestly at the blonde girl who was stopped by hearing the name of her former friend.

'' hm '' she just said, then stood up '' I'm going to school mom. ''

'' you don't want to read it?'' Shikamaru ask, but she didn't answer, Shikamaru groan, scratching his head. "what a drag, I'll just leave it here on the table." he said then went into the kitchen

Ino give a simple glance at the letter on the table before finally leave.

After two days of non stop raining, finally the bright sun smile again on horizon and as for Ino is another boring day, but since she need to graduate to go to university even it's to boring for her she can't do anything, she just go with the flow.

And it's been two day passed to since Shikamaru gave him the letter from the pink -haired girl but until now she still hasn't opened it.

while her head was resting on her desk, she heard one of her classmate

"I haven't noticed Sakura for a few days?'' the girl said.

'' yeah, you right, i didn't even notice it too'' the guy said

'' of course you can't notice it, no one pay attention on her since she become b*tch'' a small laugh came from the other girl.

''well as for me, is good she's not here, so our school become peaceful, having a bully like her, make me shiver all time i go to school''

their conversation about the pink haired girl continue, and the blonde girl just pretend she didn't heard it and just closed her eyes. Even she, haven't realize the absences of the pink haired girl, as if she really forget her existence.

another day passed but still the chair in the back still left empty and every one on the class doesn't care what the reason of her absences.

The sun was start to hide in the horizon again and the students are time to going home. the blonde girl walking alone under the orange sky when she noticed her cousin sitting on store while eating a popsicle . She immediately look away and just pretend she hasn't see him when suddenly it called her name.

'' Oi Ino''

She halt,raised her eyebrows and turn to him. when she see a flying popsicle toward to her. Ino frown give a death glare to her cousin for throwing a popsicle, which she immediately catch.

"Hey Shikamaru-" but the man who was sitting just now was already standing not far from her.

"Eat that, so your head become a little cooler," he said

Her blue eyes widened at what he said, and she looked at the popsicle she was holding, only now, she just realized that since a while ago her was feeling weird and she didn't know why she had been on a bad mood or feeling down.

'' thanks '' she smile, Shikamaru really know her well

''oh, do you know that the Haruno Corp. is so mess now ''

''huh?''

while holding his head with both hands and looking at the sky that turning in a dark blue now Shikamaru continue "-for a few days the C.E.O doesn't show up in the company and because my father is his adviser, he always busy and go home so late" he said.

Ino frowns because she doesn't know why her cousin suddenly says those things, what does she have to do with that, her father is a police and she never heard anything about the mayor issues to her father, and she really don't care about adult's business

'' Shikamaru I have no interest in that- ''

'' The mayor's daughter-

-is on a coma right now ''

the words the young man spoke were like a loud wind whispered in her ear,

''Sakura is on coma? w-what do you mean '' she snapped towards to him. Not even notice that the popsicle on her hand is starting to melting.

"I also don't know the story but because of that, my father are the one who do the mayor's work for the meantime until the mayor come back" Shikamaru could not continue what he was saying when he saw her cousin is already running away. He sigh ''what a drag''

Bending while holding her tremble leg not even bother if her hand is sticky because of the popsicle earlier, Ino hold her breath while waiting to some to open the huge gate. after hearing it from Shikamaru, with out of any second thought she immediately run toward to the house of the pink haired girl.

the maid with a sad eyes who opened the door for her

''Ayane granny where is Sakura?'' she ask still holding her breath for so much anxiousness.

Ayane only nod and ask the blonde girl to follow her. In the second floor, in front of the door to Sakura's room, Ino can't feel her legs, as if it hesitating to go inside even Ayane already open it.

''miss Ino?'' Ayane called make her sanity back and force her self to go inside. Every step she take she felt like her legs well going to fall any minute for so much shaking. every time her distances to the pink haired girl who lying in the bed become decreasing her heartbeat become weaker like the oxygen in her body slowly vanishing.

Her tears pouring continuously fall upon seeing the beautiful lady sleeping soundly to a huge white bed while her father is holding her hand, kneeling beside her.

how on earth that Sakura how making a huge fuss in school are just lying on the bed not even moving? The Sakura who making a cold glare not opening her eyes. Ino who walk toward to her bed, continue crying when Sakura's father talk'' Ino, why our Sakura become like this?Why my Sakura, my baby become like this?'' the old man said and start crying again.

Ino can't even look to the poor man who still holding Sakura's hand she can't answer those question cause either her doesn't know why.

why sakura-

-why the smilling Sakura vanish in their sight?

She entered her dark room sluggishly,after staying for one day in Sakura's house, Ayane take her home so she can rest. Standing in front of her bed with her gloomy eye Ino noticed a letter on her study table, and when she look it, it's a letter from the emerald orb, Her mother might put it there. It's almost a week when she first received those letter but until now she hasn't open it.

walking back to her bed, Ino draw a bitter smile on her lips upon seeing her name on the back of the letter with a draw of a pig head. '' that forehead, why she always draw a pig head on my name'' then she open and start to read it

Ino pig,

uhm I wrote this litter because .... wait why did I write?

"I don't know idiot your the one who write it"she chuckle upon reading the first sentences of Sakura's letter.

'' ah right! I remember now!

until know i still don't have a dream or plan for my future ''

"I've already known that crazy." Every time Naruto and her talking about they dreams, Sakura is just always listening to their story and then she smile saying '' i cheer both of you''

'' but -

-you know Ino, even if you don't have anything to think about wanting to do in the future, like the two of you. I have a wish ..

''a wish huh?'' Ino smirk

'' ..every day i wish to to the god one thing, if ever reborn again, I want to be Sakura Haruno-''

''you are Sakuro Haruno already idiot'' Ino said, while the tears on her eye one by one felt in her red cheeks

''-but I want, a strong Sakura like you or a naive Sakura like Naruto. ..maybe if I was just like both of you, don't you think our friendship would end like this?

-if only I were strong like you, i can shout or hit anyone if i'm angry with not holding back, like you always do, or i can say anything what i want to say, i can easily say that i like it or o hate some one, like Naruto.

if i can be strong i can-

-i can protect both of you,

Ino grip to her chest tightly, shaking for so much pain to those word ''protect?'' ''so do you want to say all of that, is your way to protect us? that's b*llsh*t!''

if i'm strong i can cry in front to every one, when i'm sad or upset . If i'm strong i can ask help easily with out hesitation, if i have a problem or if i scared.

You said before i'm pitiful, and your right about that..i'm really a pitiful, cause right now, all i can do is to run, away from all the people important to me, so they can't suffer more because of me.

''so you want to take the pain by yourself? is that it? your stupid idiot, your more stupd than Naruto! do we need your protection? if you say you having trouble we gladly give our hand to you!'' Ino said.

-and even i hurt both you, right now, i'm still hoping-

that can you hear me,

cause right now, i'm scared, i'm so scared ...

Ino....

..i don't want to be alone, so please!! try to see me on you gaze, and listen to my voice-

I-Ino HELP ME.

The voice that choke on her own throat, gripping of the letter in her chest, the letter that leave a mark on her heart. A symphony of pain. Ino's agonize voice drifting all over in her dark room.

The moon that hiding on the clouds make all the the light of the alley more bright .Ino who walking to the bright light of the tall pole, just got to her house after a couple of minutes journey. Her mind is back of the past make her not realize that she already in her house.

''Ino is that you?' her mother voice make to the young blonde girl back in reality.

'' yes mom, i just got home''

''why you go home so late'' her mother added.

''i just meet a friend '' taking of her shoes, Ino notice the unfamiliar shoes in their shoe rock

'' hey, mom, who's shoes is this?'' walking through the kitchen when suddenly a pink thing peeking on the door.

''Ino''

''eh? Sakura?'' the yellow haired girl jerk upon seeing her best friend sitting in their dinning table. ''what are doing here?''

'' I-i just drop by''

but Ino sense something so she frown and look strange to the pink haired girl that still sitting and eating some slice apple.

Sakura make a tiny sweat when she realize Ino doesn't believe on her '' actually i saw you walking n the alley earlier and your face seems that you thinking so deep, so i worry and go here,, but it's looks like i'm worrying of nothing'' Sakura said and smile

Ino daze is focus on her, then recalling the sleeping face of the pink haired girl in the past. She flinch, make a step toward to her, Ino look at her seriously.

''what is it?'' Sakura puzzle

but Ino doesn't answer, and simply pat her head, make Sakura cheeks heat up for suddenly doing stranger things.

look with warm in her eyes Ino make a silent promise ''this time, i swear, Sakura i will definitely hear you, and i promise i will never let go my gaze on you.''