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It had been five years. Five years since we sat on those swings, talking about everything and nothing at the same time. Life’s so carefree when you’re ten. When you don’t have to care about trends, or gossip, or stereotypes.

Five years. We had talked about stupid things. Like ice cream. He had wanted to know my favorite flavor, I remember. I said chocolate, without thinking. Actually I had never been a fan of chocolate ice cream. I would rather have strawberry. But strawberry reminded me of Sakura, who I had not been speaking to. And chocolate...he reminded me of chocolate. Sweet and smooth, and fun. Although he was very lazy. Plus his hair was the exact color of chocolate ice cream. He had said her preferred vanilla. I nodded. That made sense. Vanilla was sweet and simple. Like I had been.

Now, at fifteen I am sitting on the same swing, staring at the sky. Months. It had been months since we had spoken. I had acted stuck up, told him I was too cool for him. My bright blue eyes filled up with tears. He hadn’t been mean or anything. He looked hurt, at first, but covered it up with a look of boredom. “Alright Ino. That’s fine.” Then he walked away with Chouji, who patted his back sympathetically.

My hands balled up into fists. Was I really so blind, so stupid? I knew how I felt about him, but was afraid. Afraid of what people would say, afraid to scare him away. So I got angry. And turned into a b***h.

Balancing on the swings, I pulled my knees into my chests, resting my chin on them, tears streaming down my face. I missed him. Really missed him. We had always been friends. Always. But what was I supposed to do, beg for his forgiveness? He wouldn’t. He’d just tell me to stop embarrassing myself.

Slowly I started to sing, a song I remembered from when I was younger. I wasn’t sure how good my voice sounded, but at that moment I didn’t care.

“Found myself today Oh I found myself and ran away
Something pulled me back. The voice of reason I forgot I had
All I know is just you're not here to say, what you always used to say
But it's written in the sky tonight
So I won't give up. No I won't break down. Sooner than it seems life turns around. And I will be strong. Even if it all goes wrong
When I'm standing in the dark I'll still believe
Someone's watching over me.”

My blond hair waved in the wind, and I let out another sob. I had lost my best friend and-

Suddenly a chocolate ice cream cone appeared in my line of sight. “You said chocolate. Do you remember?” A familiar voice whispered and my head shot up.

“I...yes. I remember.” I whispered, taking the ice cream. He reached down and brushed a few tears away, before sitting in the swing next to me.

“Prove it.” He said, watching me. “Prove that you remember when we were friends, prove you remember those times. And then explain why you wanted to give me up.”

“I...five years ago. We sat on these swings and talked. About everything...and we got to ice cream flavors. I remember because I felt stupid, because I loved strawberry ice cream but all I could blurt out was chocolate.” I sniffled, licking my ice cream appreciatively. “It’s grown on me now...” He smiled, and I took that as a good sign. “And...When we were eight, at the beach. You threw me in...Because Naruto and Kiba dared you...and then I tackled you...” I giggled, blushing and he smirked.

“You were cute, chasing after me with a toy shovel, in your little blue bathing suit.” I blushed deeper and stuck my tongue out. “We were best friends....why would you want to get rid of that?”

“I...I was afraid. I like you. A lot. Too much. People where saying things...I was afraid you’d run. I had to publically say something...I just didn’t realize how awful it would be...” The tears started again. “I missed you! I couldn’t stand it...” I sobbed. “Everyone just sat back and watched as I sunk into a depression. I started remembering stupid things, like the time you let me brush your hair. I always loved your hair. Then I started coming out here every night.”

“I know. I watched you sit out her for hours every night, crying. But...I didn’t know what to do. I thought you had made it very clear you didn’t want to be around me.” By now the ice cream was melting, and I cleaned it up quickly.

“I never meant it to be like this...” I said softly, staring at him. Sometime, while I was sobbing, he had gotten up, and was now standing over me, staring down intensely.

“Then take it back. Please take it back.” He sounded frantic. I nodded quickly.

“Of course I take it back! I-” He cut me off, kissing me suddenly. I pulled away after a few moments, warmth spreading through my veins.

“I’ll get strawberry next time.” He said, kissing the top of my head.

“No. I like chocolate just fine, Shikamaru.”