Chapter Four: Rivals and Friends



Sakura set the box on the table and gingerly opened the lid. She stepped away from it and heard her bare feet pad on the tile floor. She stared at the tea packets. “I’m not so sure anymore,” she sighed.

“I don’t even know what’ll happen! Sure Tsunade’s beautiful now, but everyone’s different. What if I turn into some hulking beast? What if something bad happens and I’m worse off than I am now.” She hugged herself shivering and swallowed hard, “But I really want the guys to notice me. I’m already eighteen years old and I haven’t even been kissed.” She bit her lip, “But there’s always Lee. He’s been the greatest ever since we were just kids. He likes me just the way I am. So does Naruto. So why should I have to change?”

“Well,” she thought, “Tsunade never really said anything about ‘development’. She just said it would give me strong bones and more stamina. And if I could keep up better, no one would worry.” She smiled. “That’s a good enough reason for me! It’s worth the risk!”

She looked at the tea. She swallowed again. “Maybe I’ll think this through in the bathtub.”

Sakura slipped out of her top a she made her way up the stairs to her tidy bathroom. She dropped the top before she opened the door and slipped out of her bottoms and left them there. Such menial things as putting dirty clothes in the hamper didn’t matter today. She slipped out of her pink panties and left them on top of the pile. Living alone had its high points.

She sat on the edge of the huge tub and turned on the hot and cold water. She adjusted the knobs to achieve the perfect degree of warmth. Her feet began to tingle as she dropped the stopper and shifted it to keep the water from flowing down the drain.

She took her feet out and stretched upwards. She popped her shoulders and cocked her hips to feel that same sweet release.




Naruto walked the streets of Konoha warily. He had to keep on the lookout for Kakashi. Naruto stepped lightly. He saw the flower shop that belonged to Ino’s family. He stepped in and waved at the blonde. She smiled, “Hey, Naruto, what can I do for you?”

He shifted uneasily, “I need something for this girl. You know, a present for girl. For Sakura.” He smiled at her nervously, “But you can’t tell anyone, okay?” Ino laughed, “Confidentiality is key to this business.”

“How about some sprigs of cherry blossoms?” she asked.

“That’s a little cliché,” he said, “I need it to stand out and say ‘DATTEBAYO! I LOVE YOU, SAKURA!’”

She nodded. She picked out a purple orchid. She wrapped a ribbon around the lip of the flower’s planter. “Then this is it. It’s special, just like Sakura.” She added brightly, “And it’s a potted plant that’ll keep growing: like your love.” Naruto’s eyes lit up, “That’s awesome! Ino! You’re totally awesome!”

She smirked, “Damn straight.” Naruto handed the money over to her and held the plant carefully. He’d leave it on Sakura’s porch tonight so that she’d wake up to a special gift. He smiled. It was perfect.

He trotted carefully to his apartment and set down the plant. He grabbed a bottled water and read the care instructions carefully: partial sun, keep moist, keep in temperate climate, fresh water only, no tap water. He carefully poured a little bit of water into the planter and smiled. “Now all I need to do is buy her some chocolate!”

Naruto walked out of his apartment and locked it with his key. He skipped down the stairs as if he weren’t touching the ground at all. He leapt all the way to the candy shop. He was surprised to see who was there.

Lee was purchasing a good-sized, red velvet, heart-shaped box of what would be candy. Lee smiled at him, “How are you, Naruto?” Naruto smiled back, his grin larger than even Lee’s, “Good, and you?”

“I’m doing very well actually,” he said, “I’m buying this for the fair Lady Sakura.” Lee would have been a modern knight-in-shining-armor if he had been handsome. “I’m going to ask her out tomorrow.” Naruto slapped Lee on the back, “Good luck! I’m gonna ask her out today!” Lee smiled at Naruto, “I wish you the best of luck too, friend.” Lee and Naruto clasped hands, “For love!”

Lee waved goodbye and was on his way. “That guy’s attitude is infectious!” said Naruto happily. ‘What a good friend,’ he added internally, “But there’s no way I’ll lose Sakura’s heart to him!” he screamed in he middle of the candy store. The proprietor stared at him, “Can I help you young man?”

Naruto grinned, “You betcha! Can I get a medium box of your best Belgium chocolates? Oh! And a pretty box too, but not heart-shaped. It’s gotta be white too. And can you wrap it with an orange ribbon? Please?”

The poor proprietor of tasty treats smiled awkwardly, “Can you repeat that slowly, please, Naruto?” The poor man listened to Naruto’s request and was glad he could fulfill it quickly. He liked Naruto, but that boy just went to fast at times, even now.

Naruto handed him the money gratefully. The man noticed Naruto drop a generous tip into the jar next to the cash register as Naruto thanked him again. As Naruto walked out, the man listened to the bell tinkle, and smiled, “That’s one fine young man.”