Yamanaka Ino saw many more customers today. Ninja after ninja visited their flower shop to buy flowers. Some for their loved ones, others for their friends. Oh! Someone was at the front desk.
Ino put up her trademark business smile.
"A bouquet of white lilies? That will be 250 ryo."
The gruff man in front of her had a frown etched into his face. He didn't respond, didn't look at Ino. He paid his money and grabbed the flowers.
"H-hey! Don't grab them like that, or you'll crush the stem!"
The man acted as if he had not even heard her well intentioned words.
*Ding ding ding*
That was the bell to the doors being opened and closed. Even though she had been so nice and polite to him, the guy hadn't even bothered with the most basic of courtesies before he just left. Ino had many customers like this today.
This surge of business was a result of the tragedy that had just befallen the village. Her family's flower shop, an innocent business that sold flowers to people seeking to woo a lover, honor their loved ones, or maybe spice up a marriage had become a reviled place that merely profited off the village's misery.
Ino held her head in her hands as she leaned forward against the counter. A frustrated huff fluttered the beautiful blonde lock of hair that fell across the side of her face. It was just the morning, and yet... She wanted everything to be over already.
*Ding ding*
"Welcome..."
A familiar looking man entered the store. Something about his brown hair, or maybe it was a feature on his face. Ino however would've remembered his name if she knew him. The guy was a muscular hunk, and he was around her age too! Her mind must be playing tricks on her.
"Hey, Ino." Saul smiled. "I'm looking for some red roses. Are they in season now?"
Wait, it was coming back to her. This was Saul, that skinny civilian dude who graduated with her class! She had noticed it a little when they were back in the stadium, but when in the world did he start looking like this!
"No, they've just gone out of season. But our shop is the best of the best in Konoha, our flower breeders use special techniques to extend their time in bloom! Follow me and I'll show them to you."
Saul walked with the busty woman through the shop. Now that Ino was out of the academy, she had taken to wearing much more revealing clothing. She wore an elegant dress that really only covered her tits, along with a side slit skirt that showcased her long, beautiful, and toned legs. After reaching the end of the store, she turned and gave a faint smile.
"See anything you like?"
Yes. As Saul gazed over the woman, his mind raced with different ideas and possibilities. And then he recalled exactly how the woman had begun liking Sai.
"I'll take these roses, please."
Ino began walking back to the counter with him. Saul made conversation.
"So, how have you been since the Ninja academy? I have to say, you look really beautiful in this new getup."
Ino blushed. What the hell was this guy even saying right now? She liked Sasuke! Not some... Some guy she barely even knew.
"W-what do you mean by that, huh!?"
"It was just an observation. What, you didn't like it?"
"Well I guess I can't fault you for saying it. It's only the truth, after all."
Ino covered her mouth and giggled at Saul's deadpan reaction.
"So who are the flowers for?"
Saul's casual flirting indicated to Ino that he was not like the other clientele that entered the store. There's no way he'd have the kind of mood to do that if he had lost anyone. Yet, if the man was buying flowers for some girl, then why was he flirting with her?
"These flowers are actually for a sick teammate of mine. Have you heard of Kurama Yakumo?"
Ino nodded. "Wait, she's your teammate?"
"Yeah. Yakumo gets sick pretty easily, and I think the combination of the Chunin exams and what happened after was a little too much for her."
"But red roses... Wouldn't that be too much? She's a girl after all. If you're giving her these, then...."
"No no, it's not like that!" Saul laughed, "Yakumo has loved flowers even before she was a ninja! I wanted to give her some flowers to help her feel better."
"I see! Then, could I select the flowers then? Red roses send a certain, special message that I'm sure you aren't trying to convey."
"What exactly does giving red flowers mean?"
Ino gave a teasing grin. "Sorry, that's not for me to say."
The blonde Yamanaka picked out an arrangement of flowers of different colors. A multicolored, beautiful bouquet that all fit in a small, glass vase. She certainly knew what she was doing.
"Thank you Ino. I'll certainly come here again if I ever need flowers."
"Of course! You're welcome anytime, Saul. That will be 450 ryo."
He paid the full amount, then picked out a red flower from the arrangement and handed it over to Ino. The blonde woman stared at him questioningly.
"That's for you to keep. I don't want to be sending the wrong kind of message to Yakumo, after all. Have a great day, gorgeous!"
*Ding ding ding*
Saul left the store.
Ino thought for a moment, blushed, and then stored the flower underneath the desk to take home later. Saul, huh? She'd keep this flower, so no other girls got the wrong idea about him.
A little while later Saul knocked on the door to Yakumo's. The sickly girl opened the door, smiling, then coughed. Saul entered the house with the vase in hand, with a white sheet draped over the top. This was so it would be a little more of a surprise.
"What brings you here today, Saul?"
"You were on my mind this morning, and I wanted to visit."
The brown haired woman looked up at him with a little heat in her gaze. Still, she kept up her friendly demeanor.
"Mmm. You were on my mind too, Saul. How long do we have together?"
Saul had actually planned to go to the Hospital first thing this morning to begin learning the regeneration technique while also doing his part at the hospital. He was sure they were currently swamped. However he had asked Hinata to check on Yakumo on a whim.
Once he found out Yakumo was sick, Saul decided to give her a visit. He was not like Kito, who would conserve his chakra and make sure the most people possible had a fair shot at survival and recovery. Those who were closer to him mattered infinitely more. Not to mention, he felt like the surprise flower gift would brighten an otherwise miserable day for the woman. That's why he took a stop at the Yamanaka flower shop before heading over.
"As much time as you want, Yakumo. If we absolutely need to, I'll send clones with the transformation technique to take our place at the Hokage's funeral."
"Saul!" Yakumo chided, with a slight blush, "I would never suggest such a thing!"
"I'm just saying I'd do that for you."
The woman felt warm inside. She felt better already.
Saul laid her down on the couch, and then sent a shadow clone into the kitchen to begin preparing her something to eat. Yakumo relaxed deep onto the couch. Shortly after, Saul covered her with a blanket. Wow. This guy... When he was here with her, it truly felt like she was at home.
"What did you bring with you? It's not food, is it?"
Saul wagged his finger.
"Not yet, Yakumo. We're doing something else first."
Saul formed the hand seals for the Mystical Palm Ninjutsu. Then, he placed his hand on her chest.
Author's Note: I planned this scene ever since Cruzen commented on one of those chapters to introduce Ino LOL. It takes a while to get there, but it's finally written. What do you all think about Ino?
From my research, the girl is an Ojou sama type. She has an arrogance founded in her looks and appearance. In addition, she takes great efforts to maintain her figure. Her interest in Sasuke was actually born over a rivalry with Sakura more than anything - what she actually wants is men to pursue her. So she'd require a lot of effort from the MC to maintain interest. She's more of a femdom type of character.
Do you guys like her? If so, I'll add her to the list.
Also if you can support me on SubscribeStar that would be great. Remember - the more supporters it has, the more chapters that will be written for everyone. I'd really appreciate your support!
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