Chapter 81: Chapter 81
It suddenly didn't seem so impossible, though that doesn't explain why Naruto was so horrible in school. Clowning around is fine and all, but when it came time to actually doing the work, Naruto was always a failure. The blond loud-mouth was a paradox Ino couldn't ignore because she knew her mind simply wanted to think about the biggest event in her young life since graduating from the Academy. The event that turned her from a girl to a woman now made Ino hyper-aware of Naruto, despite how pathetic he is… 'or appears?' she wonders.
It almost made Ino happy when Asuma informed them he wouldn't be marrying Princess Tomoko. Not because she hadn't liked the princess when she got to meet her—Tomoko-hime even said she looked like a family member. Like many in the village, Ino was impressed by the grandeur of the royal daughter and was looking forward to the announcement of a wedding; partly because it would be such a momentous event the entire village would celebrate and also because she would get to buy a new dress.
No, Ino was happy because the news of it was more distracting than thinking about her urges. More so when she learned that Asuma apparently has a sweetheart within the village. He had come into the shop after the princess left to buy roses. Red roses. As a student of botany and flower arranging, Ino knows what red roses mean. They're the unmistakable expression of deep emotion, whether it be love, respect, admiration, devotion, heartfelt regret, and sorrow. And any florist worth their petal knows twelve roses mean 'be mine,' or 'I love you.'
Considering the princess was gone, it wasn't hard for Ino to deduce Asuma-sensei had a special someone in Konoha. Initially, it made her wonder about honor and duty to one's village. She never thought Asuma-sensei would prefer not to marry the princess until she saw his face as he purchased the roses; which could only mean he'd do it out of duty. Simply put, it was expected of him. He clearly loved whoever this woman was far more than his face expressed for Princess Tomoko. It was a salacious thrill that thankfully had nothing to do with Naruto. This distraction made Ino feel like she could breathe, and the Yamanaka heiress was desperate to know who this woman was.
Ino doesn't recall anything from the bathhouse talk or from some of the older girls working for her Clan. She had even asked Shikamaru. The pineapple-head was too bored to care but when Ino promised to wake him up every time he tried to go to sleep, he deduced Asuma's sweetheart was either a Jōnin-sensei or a Special Jōnin. When Ino asked her mother, she mentioned how reserved Asuma is about his private life, primarily due to being the son of the Hokage and that meant most of the woman seen with him never lasted.
Despite her curiosity to know the identity of this kunoichi, what was more interesting was the fact that he came back three days later and then four days after that to buy a dozen red roses, which told her he either had multiple women, or he was really really sorry to one who wasn't having it. She wished him luck the latest time he came in to purchase a dozen long stem roses.
Sitting alone in the shop waiting for any customer to come in and distract her from her medical scroll on 'Basics of Water Release,' and her unsuccessful exploration of her sexual awakening. Ino plans to try her vibrator again once her mother returns when the bell above the door finally rings, automatically making her sit up, close the scroll, and speak with practiced cheer, "welcome to Yamanaka's Flower Shop."
Ino's happy to see her mother return, though she's talking about orders with a woman she's never met—likely a potential client—which means she'll have to wait a little longer before she can run to her bed and relieve some pent up stress.
"I'll only be a few minutes sweetie," her mother calls as the pair head into the hallway leading toward the greenhouse. Assuming the potential client simply wants to see their wears, Ino guesses her mother will be five minutes tops as she starts removing her apron. As it often happens when Ino is ready to leave, the chime above the door rings again, automatically prompting Ino to cheer, "welcome to Yamanaka's Flower Shop," while at the same time hoping this won't take long.
Tying her apron back in place, Ino immediately recalls the beautiful kunoichi as Team Eight's sensei. Ino's only seen the ebony-haired sensei in passing around Hokage tower and remembers thinking, 'with her long dark locks, large red eyes, and shapely athletic body, that's a woman who stands out.' Women like her make Ino, along with other girls, wish she can grow up faster to have a body like that. "Ah, Yūhi-sensei, how can I…" Ino greets with a smile that quickly sours.
"Afternoon, Yamanaka-chan," Kurenai smiles her greeting. Before Kurenai even makes it to the register, she notices how frightened the young blond is, frozen in panic at the sight of the exotic flower in her hand. So terrified was the girl, that Kurenai began to wonder if the potted flower was a poisonous plant she was unaware of. "Ino-chan?" Kurenai calls, dispensing with the honorifics.
Ino's head snaps up to the beautiful sensei. The question of why she has a Fire Slipper Orchid, one of the rarest flowers in the world, in her possession is on the tip of her tongue when she hears her mother call out from the back. "I'm nearly done, sweetie."
Instantly Ino thinks about the deal she made with her parents; keep the profit of the rare orchid's sale or allow the Clan to try and cultivate more; which of course will take no less than fifteen years. Ino had decided not to ask Naruto if there were more orchids. She didn't want to see him. She didn't want to feel urges. She didn't want to lose control… at least not with the Dead Last. For the thousandth time, Ino thinks how much easier this would all be if her deflowering happened with Sasuke-kun rather than Naruto. Clearly, there were more Fire Slipper Orchids, and for some unholy reason, Kurenai-sensei had one.
"Where did you get that… sensei?" Ino nearly snaps, only barely recalling Kurenai-sensei is her superior and respect is due. Hearing her mother return with the potential client, Ino knows she doesn't want her mother to see the orchid. It would raise questions of who discovered this 'golden' garden that Ino didn't want to be answered. She didn't want anyone to know Naruto gave her the orchid all those weeks ago. And now, to her dread, Kurenai-sensei may answer those questions for her.
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