#yamanaka flower shop

[luckyrave]

Dual Responsibilities of a Kunoichi: Ino Yamanaka

Being a kunoichi is never exactly an easy thing in the world of Naruto, and during their free time they usually take time to relax as much as possible. That is not the case when it pertains to mind-transfer ninja girl, Ino Yamanaka.  Many of us  know about her intelligence and prowess with the mind transfer jutsu whenever she’s out on the battlefield, but rarely ever is the other side talked about.  

We see as a young girl that Ino has another duty to fulfill which is to run The Yamanaka Flower Shop. This isn’t because she was forced to do out of like the family name, but more so because Ino wants to see people happy.  She knows the importance of having goals and understanding what somebody wants in the life they are living in.  Through these reasons we understand that Ino isn’t just some simple hopeless romantic girl thinking about love, and that there is a brighter picture to view in the world she lives in on a daily basis.  

Whether it’s being on the battlefield as kunoichi or a young woman selling flowers to the villagers; Ino understands the value of life and what’s worth living for. There may not have been a lot of focus we got in the series, but the instances that are shown to us of Ino demonstrates where her character stands as well as her personal values in life. 

A short rundown ver. tweet: https://twitter.com/7LuckyChi/status/1661011026224250887

That’s pretty much all I gotta say when it comes to the dual responsibilities Ino Yamanaka represents as a Kunoichi and a young girl running a flower ship  from yours truly, but I hope you all have an amazing day, night, etc. and remember show some love and appreciation for Ino Yamanaka!  .

[frankencanon]

the yamanaka clan are so funny to me...

they're literally like: yes hello we specialize in flowers and interrogation 💐😊

[artia]

Ino Yamanaka and Shikamaru In the world of Fallout

Naruto x Fallout

[brwnsugcr]

I like your top.

inoten + tattoo shop / flower shop au. rated e. word count: 10k

summary.

now, when tenten comes to work, she would squint through her glasses as she peers across the street, hoping for the slim chance of spotting a head of platinum blonde bobbing around the shop. a part of her feels kinda silly. it’s been a long time since she’s had a girlfriend. er…a girl, who's a friend. who just so happens to be flawless and confident and ooze all kinds of sex appeal. sheeesh.

this is a spicy one. enjoy ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

[minds-interlinked]

@asknoeloftheresistance asked: "Did You See that Dress? Outrageous!" ((To Ino,From Sakura Haruno))

"It was an absolute disgrace to the clothing community! Those neon colors clashed way too much, and don't even get me started on the design! So distasteful with all those frills on all the wrong places!" Ino was never one to shy away from voicing her opinions.

And really, whose idea was that?

"We've gotta find another place to shop at. I can't find anything I'd like to wear around here."

[imaginarianisms]

A blink & tilt of head. ❝Oh! I wasn't expecting to see you here, Uchiha-san. Are you looking for flowers for your mother? What can I do for you?❞

@historias-multorum liked for a one liner starter!

[citadelstorage]

Ino Removes Her Competition (Open RP)

Sakura walked out of the Yamanaka Flower Shop, and with a cocky grin grabbed the first person she saw on the street and dragged them into the nearest alleyway. "Hey! Come with me real quick ok?" Stopping in the alley Sakura looked at the person she'd grabbed and leaned back against the wall, raising her hands above her head to give them as good a look as they want. "So, I know this is sudden, but here's the deal, I *need* to get fucked, like now. So what would I have to do to convince you? I will do *anything* you want~." Internally Sakura was screaming in horror at what her body was doing, trying desperately to speak up, to say no, to get out of the alley, but no matter what she did, she wasn't in control, not anymore. Ino simply smirked internally, looking out through Sakura's eyes as she offered herself to the random person. Ino (Speaking to Inner-Sakura): "Sorry Sakura, but Sasuke deserves a *real* kunoichi, and you just aren't taking the hint, so I'm going to help you move on."

[ladykissingfish]

*Sakura comes to visit Kakashi’s apartment with baby Sarada*

Sakura: Sensei! I have the day off today so I did some baking! I brought you some cinammon bread because last time you —

Sakura: Wait. What the hell?

*Sakura looks around: Kakashi’s entire apartment is filled to bursting with every kind of flower imaginable*

Kakashi: *takes Sarada and squeezes her close before setting her on his lap* They’re pretty, right? *to Sarada* But not prettier than you, my little doll.

Sakura: Why on earth are there so many??

Kakashi: It’s a new thing that Gai and I are trying. When one of us does something that annoys the other, we have to give a flower to that person.

Sakura: And he’s annoyed you this many times??

Kakashi: Oh, this is nothing. You should see Gai’s place; the Yamanaka florist shop had to hire two new delivery vans just to bring all of my flowers to him.

Sakura:

[cacaocao123]

Naruto Imagines: Reincarnated! Gender Neutral! Reader

You’d like to say you aren’t a reckless person, but continuing to use a motorcycle with a flat tire in the rain is pretty reckless.

You were dying.

You’re not pointing fingers, but if it weren’t for that duck (yes a duck in the middle of the road), you’d have arrived at your destination without any mishaps or accidents (even with a flat tire).

Now, look at yourself. You’re in this mess cuz you couldn’t bear to live with a guilty conscience of turning that duck into roadkill.

TipTapTipTapTipTapTipTapTipTapTipTapTipTapTipTapTipTapTipTapTipTapTipTapTipTapTipTapTipTapTipTap—

Head was bleeding a lot. Your body was sore all over. Bruises and scrapes? Definitely many. Are your bones intact? Doubtful.

The blood mixed with rain water was terrifying. That all came from you? Fuuuuck. So this is why they strongly advise people to wear helmets. Maybe if you wore one, maybe you wouldn’t be bleeding this much. This one’s on you. Forgetting a helmet because you were in a hurry.

And to make matters worse, last you checked, time was 2:23 AM. And the area you’re around in was always secluded when it’s around those hours.

Conclusion: there won’t be anyone nearby to help you and chances of survival is slim. (Maybe none if you wanna be pessimistic.)

Phone…. Your phone is too far from reach to call for help. If you stay like this until morning, there won’t be any need to save you. Death claimed you before the ambulance could.

Shit. Your surroundings are getting darker.

Haha…

You’re really dying.

Never mind the helmet. Never mind the rain. Never mind your motorcycle with a flat tire. And never mind the duck the most.

You should have stayed home.

If second chances exist, you hope you never feel the need to be in a hurry ever again.

Drip

You died.

And opened your eyes to see an unfamiliar woman holding you to her chest.

\(^~^)+++(^~^)/

Long story short: you reincarnated.

You did get your second chance. A whole new shot at life. You thought nothing would stop you this time as you’re equipped with knowledge far beyond what an infant knows—

You were so fucking wrong.

You and your new family evacuated far away from the chaos caused by the Nine-Tails. Yes, the Nine-Tails: Kurama. From fucking Naruto. How you confirmed it was the Nine-Tails from Naruto? You saw the hokage stone faces while you ran for your lives.

When did you realize you’re in the Naruto world?

Just now. JUST NOW WHEN THE EARTH SHOOK AND YOUR LIVING ROOM CRUSHED BY A HUGE DEBRIS.

You sobbed into your new mother’s arms. You only remembered your past life today! Why only now!? This body was born a month before this mayhem! You could have planned an escape, but noooooo, whoever put you here was an asshole with their timing.

Second chances be damned. You should have stayed dead. If you aren’t gonna die from the Nine-Tails, there’s plenty more chances for you to die in the future.

Fuck Konoha and its high mortality rate!

Luckily, your family evacuated safely and everything was semi-okay now if you ignore an army of ninjas trying to stop the havoc. Sigh.

Okay, while everyone be panicking, you are gonna cope by planning out how to stay safe in this world of ninjas. First and foremost rule is to definitely avoid getting involved with canon. To do that, don’t ever meet or make a huge impact on important characters.

How hard could that be?

Easy-peasy, lemon-squeezy. Throughout your six years of living, you have cleverly avoided anything that would get you involved with the plot.

Mom wants to buy flowers from the Yamanaka shop and Ino is currently manning it? Look, mom, there’s another flower stall over that block and it’s nicer-looking and cheaper.

Dad is hungry for some barbecue? Uh-oh, Choji and his family are eating there. Dad, over there! A soba shop is offering a challenge! Finish the entire bowl and you don’t have to pay anything!

On your grocery trip, you and Itachi were about to reach for the same tomato and Sasuke was behind him? You smoothly turned your hand to reach for the closest vegetable beside the tomatoes and quickly payed for the goods without making eye contact with either Uchiha and skedaddled. You might be eating your most disliked vegetable for dinner, but nothing tastes more delicious than avoiding canon.

You leisurely walked through Konoha’s streets, celebrating your clean record of six years by eating your favorite candy. Last year, you had sakura mochi.

Keeping this streak will be easy as pie! You and your new family will definitely die from old age. Accidents? No, you only see yourself dying wrinkly and content!

“Look! The monster is crying! Wah-wah-wah, like a little baby.”

….. Of course. You round a corner and see tiny motherfuckers that ruined the sweetness of your candy. They didn’t notice you because you’re hidden and they’re too busy beating another kid up.

Not your problem, though. Time to get another batch to get that sweetness back—

“Ple-Please stop! It hurts!”

That voice?

On closer look…. Ah. You should have realized it when there’s “monster” and bullying in one situation.

Naruto Uzumaki.

The main character of the series named after him was beaten black and blue as he hunched on the ground, helplessly covering himself from the group beating. He got many bruises on his arms and you bet there’s more under his shirt. There was even nasty scrapes— did they just grab his hair roughly? He even has a huge cut on his cheek???

They were laughing. Laughter was supposed to sound innocent, free, and represent joy. But it wasn’t.

It was mocking. Sadistic. With the intent to hurt. This was the type of sound you’d never expect to come out from a kid’s mouth.

This wasn’t the first time you’ve seen Naruto getting bullied. From adults, teenagers, and kids the same age as you and him— they can be very horrible and cruel to someone more helpless and vulnerable than them. Even with the Nine-Tails in him, the current Naruto doesn’t fight back against them. (Not yet anyways.)

He was just a kid. A kid taken advantage of by ignorant masses solely because there’s no one better than him to take accountability for the casualties of Konoha during the Nine-Tail’s rampage.

It wasn’t his fault. It really wasn’t. Even if he knew anything about everything— about the beast sealed in him, his parents, and the village’s stupid reason of discriminating him—

It wasn’t his fault.

And again, you watch him become the outlet of their rage and sorrow.

And again, you walked away pretending you never saw anything.

You need to live long in this life.

This second chance…

“What did I ever do to you?!”

“Monster! Monster! Monster!”

…need to look away. This is just one of the many. He’ll get true friends later on anyways and have a happy ending unlike you with an uncertain future.

“I-I’m not a monster!”

He’ll face many trials and important character deaths for his character development. His problem now is lighter and isn’t as bad compared to what he’ll face soon.

“Hold his arms! He needs to learn his lesson!”

He’ll achieve his dream of becoming a Hokage, get married to the nicest girl, and have two kids and one of them is named Boruto and you never liked watching that show because it was better when you didn’t know there was aliens in a ninja world.

Yeah. He’ll be fine.

“Stop! Stop—“

THWAK!

“Ow! Who threw that!?”

THWAK! THWAK! THWAK!

“Ow ow ow ow!”

When did you become such a bystander? Did you die and save a duck just to be an asshole?

“You! The one with the candy! Why are you throwing rocks at us!?”

That duck probably had a sixth sense to know you were incoming. So even if you did not swerve the motorcycle into your death, they would just fly away before you could hit them and you would live without knowing you avoided said death.

But you took no chances.

You still swerved anyways, so that duck will be completely unharmed.

Maybe the reason why you’ve reincarnated is because the duck pleaded to a higher being to give you another chance?

“Hey! What are you standing around for? Come here so we can beat you up together with this monster!”

“Yeah!”

You suddenly let out a loud groan, surprising the bullies and Naruto. “My duck delusions are getting out of hand. My plan of 6 years is going off the rails. What next? I get a nice wife too?”

“What are you talking about?”

You looked at Naruto. He probably was shocked the most. You know no one bothered to stick up to him until you came around. That gaping expression of his really gave it away.

“Hehe. Hahahahah!”

“Are they… are they crazy!?”

Old or young, Naruto is still so easy to see through. He can’t even disguise the hope shining in his eyes! As expected of the knucklehead ninja and the comfort character of your childhood. Mini-you certainly did not waste watching everything (even the fillers!) so the you now can figure out what’s going through his mind.

You grinned, picking up a convenient-sized and convenient-placed plank and pointed it at them.

“Grit your teeth, punks! You’re in for a hugeeee ass-whopping!”

That duck better plead for your third chance too cuz you’re dying young again dattebayo.

[notsofastwawa]

Listen...I love Sai and Ino, they are such a cute couple

But, Ino and Shino 🤔

I like what a lot of people said about this ship, that Shino helps Ino with bugs infesting her flower shop and Ino brings him out of his shell. (Aside from Hinata) Ino actually listens when he speaks and will fight anyone/everyone if they talk over Shino.

Maybe he starts spending more and more time at the Yamanaka flower shop (Sakura teases Ino relentlessly about it)

[mandiips]

BORUTO-VERSE RE-IMAGINING

Fourth War Casualties

New Konoha

Hello Boruto fandom, Never once watched Boruto, never even got past the Kazekage Rescue Arc, personally I think Ikemoto is a bit off his rocker because- how in the world did you manage to make this world even MORE sexist but y'know

so I'm having fun with what i would have liked to see in the next gen, as an original fan, and I am desperately trying to get rid of the ninja brainworms that have gripped me before workflow picks back up. (I'm actually going crazy on Milanotes)

I did some other rough brainstorming in the past and this is kinda building off that: Boruto Hinata

Thoughts:

It strikes me as really odd, for how catastrophic and world-ending the fourth war was, that there were seemingly no major repercussions or casualties. That's just not realistic to me. More than one main character should've died. It gives more emotional weight to someone like Kiba, who doesn't have any big role beyond the War, and thus gives his character a purpose that isn't just "Im gonna be Hokage #57" (KANKURO IS ALIVE I AM SO SORRY KANKURO )

The front lines weren't the only places being targeted, villages and safe houses were under siege, resulting in countless civilian, genin, and chunin deaths.

Mei stays Mizukage instead of that spineless, random guy.

I have some ideas for the injuries that the "crippling wounds" category sustains, but it's important to mention that "crippling" only means "not fit for active shinobi duty" since that's the bread and butter job of ninja society, so the severity of the injuries varies greatly.

I'm also aware that medical ninjutsu is like a magic eraser when it comes to stuff like that, but I rationalize that medics were more concerned about helping their patients survive rather than making sure their patients will be able to fully recover. Everyone in the injured category went too long without the proper surgery because they wanted civilians and lower ranks to have access first. Even then, the medical team was stretched extremely thin, so- consequences.

Retired: again, in context of "retired from shinobi duty". Majority still have active jobs. Alongside T&I, Ino still runs her flower shop; Tenten sets up a weapons shop right next to it; Shizune is the volunteer hospital head, meaning she doesn't get paid much, and tutors/helps/does paperwork (Sakura is a top medic who occasionally visits for emergencies- she's mostly busy with medical-related missions); Kurenai and The Boys™ teach at the academy; Karui's teammate, Omoi, moved with her to Konoha and he is now the best babysitter in town- though really he mostly looks after Chōchō and Shikadai when their parents are busy. He lives with Karui and her family, they're like siblings.

Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon were all trained under Naruto during the blank period. However, Moegi was the only one able to reach her full potential because she managed to escape the War with no major wounds. She is now currently stronger than Canon Konohamaru Sensei was.

Marriages:

Nara Shikamaru & Nara Temari

Akimichi Choji & Akimichi Karui

Yamanaka Ino & Yamanaka Sai

Uchiha Sasuke & Haruno Sakura

Shinki, Mitsuki, and Kagura were all part of a Transfer Student Project. All willingly went, All are now full citizens.

I really didn't see Metal or any of the other evicted teammates serving a purpose to the Narrative.. Maybe Metal still exists in the future, the others I do not care about I'm sorry.

I just fucking hate Inojin

Kawaki was adopted when Boruto was around one (1) and a half. Himawari wasn't conceived yet.

Jonin Sensei and Teams:

Team Four (4): Shino, Sarada, Kawaki, Boruto

Team Eight (8): Karui, Iwabe, Kagura, Shikadai

Team Seven (7): Anko, Sai, Shinki, Sumire, Chōchō, Mitsuki

[loveforuchiha]

Sasusaku/Uchiha scenes that changed/removed in Naruto/Boruto:

Sakura and Sarada at the Yamanaka flower shop (removed)

Sasuke and Sakura forming part of the Hokage's personal escort (doesn't exist in the anime)

Context: a ninja who has been posing as a member of the Hokage's escort, infiltrates the crowd with three copies created with the Shadow Clone Jutsu. He named them: "A", "B" and "C"

Uchiha couple protecting the Seventh Hokage (doesn't exist in the anime)

Sarada worried and crying for her mother (removed)

Sasuke thinking about Sakura (removed)

Sasuke treats his friends badly just because his dad supports Itachi's mission (doesn't exist in the manga)

Context: In this (filler) episode Sasuke's family did not die, but he is not happy, as he is jealous of his older brother.

Sarada tells her dad not to forget his own family (doesn't exist in the manga)

Sasuke and Sakura communicating through their gazes (removed)

Sasuke and Sakura in a secret meeting (doesn't exist in the anime)

Sarada seems more concerned about a photo than her mom, who was kidnapped, and says she doesn't really know anything about her dad (doesn't exist in the manga)

[hinar3dx]

Valentine's Day

Hinata had been off on mission after mission after mission and hadn't really been keeping track of the calendar past the days she needed to have orders filled for the other clans. As such, she was completely thrown off when she saw more couples being extra loving and red everywhere.

It only clicked when she was passing in front of the Yamanaka Flower Shop that she realized it was Valentine's Day. She smiled at all the men who were thoughtfully picking out flower bouquets and concentrating hard on writing their loving message so neatly. It was nice, and she managed to ignore that stabbing pain in her chest.

She had no one who was going to gift her flowers.

She continued walking home from her latest mission and immediately retreated into her greenhouse. As she was taking off her ninja pouch, she spotted a rose on the table. She knew it could only be Itachi, wanting to comfort her during her first Valentine's without Sasuke. She picked up the rose and brought it to her nose, smelling it with a tearful smile.

Someone... cared.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, and she quickly hid the rose out of sight before opening it.

"Shikamaru?" She stepped aside to let him in. "How'd you know I was home?"

"Actually, it was just good timing. I was going to leave this with your maid, but she said you'd just returned," he explained. Out from behind his back, he pulled out a handful of roses and a stack of letters. "She also asked me to bring these letters with me."

"You got me roses?" She asked, unable to tear her eyes away from them.

"Not all of them." He started handing them to her one by one. "This is from Hokage-sama. Tsunade-sama. Ino. Sakura. This one is from me."

Hinata held them close to her chest, silently thanking all the people who were by her side. People she was too blinded by her pain to see.

"Thank you. I can't... express how much this means to me," She said, rubbing a tear from her eye before it could fall.

He smiled and handed her the stack of letters. "Don't forget about these guys."

She took the letters and flipped through them. Naruto, Gaara, Haku, her father even.

"Ah, I heard you were back, " Kakashi suddenly said, appearing out of thin air as he did. "Nice to see you, Shikamaru."

"Hey. I'll get out of your hair now. I just wanted to deliver these," the Nara said.

Hinata hugged him tightly. "Thank you." Shikamaru smiled and rubbed her back before taking his leave. "Please, come in, sensei."

He stepped in and took his usual seat. "I just wanted to see how you were," he said, setting a bouquet of colorful flowers on the table. "And to say, uh, Happy Valentine's Day. I know it's an important romantic holiday and all. "

She laughed at how clearly awkward he felt, but she was more touched by how he was going this for her regardless of that. She picked up the flowers and smelled them before smiling at him, happy.

"Thank you. Happy Valentine's Day."

Even though Sasuke wasn't here, even though she was in pain, she was still wholeheartedly loved by those around her.

Happy Valentine's, y'all! And happy Friday to those who don't celebrate it ❤️ (the poll isn't serious! It's just to send our sad girl some Valentine's wishes)

[13as07]

Spitting Image #1

(Ino Yamanaka)

[Art work is not mine! Credit to creamway]

Requested by: Myself

Word Count: 4,211

Warnings and/or Pre-Notes:

None romantic one-shot; more friendly one-shot vibes; also sorry it’s not as Ino centered as I planned it to be

Child out of wedlock (how sinful; says the smut writer) (Yoshiki is the name I chose for said child)

Kouhai means underclassmen for those that don't know

Part Two?

———————————————————————

"Shit, shit, shit," I mumble under my breath, rushing through the front door of the Yamanaka flower shop. I'm ten minutes late for the third time this week, a promised blowup from Ino waiting for me at the counter.

"Where is that dumb kouhai at?" Ino's voice rings out over the sound of the bell on the front door.

"Right here! I'm here! I'm sorry!" I rush out, struggling to tie the strings of my apron. "I'm sorry I'm late again, Yamanaka-San!" I mutter, bowing my head down, eyes set on our shoes as I wait for my verbal lashing.

"Kouhai," Ino hisses out, tone cold and eyes hot as she glares down at me. "I pay you to work from eight-thirty to four, not eight-forty to four."

"I know, I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

"You said that yesterday, and the day before that. How is it any different this time?"

"I'm really sorry, Yamanaka-San," I repeat, my tone a whisper this time.

"I will deal with you later. Your lateness won't be the reason for my lateness," Ino mutters, walking away from me, taking her anger bubble with her.

I stay in my bow until I hear the bell ring again and the shop door slam closed. "Damn it," I mumble, rubbing my eyes as I stand up straight again.

"Why have you been late so much this week?" A voice calls out, startling me.

A yap slips from me because of the sound, making me jump back and spill over a tub of flowers. "You have to be kidding me," I whisper to myself, blinking the angry tears from my eyes as the sound of the bucket crashing to the ground rings in my ears.

"I asked you a question, it's impolite not to answer," The monotone voice calls again.

I shift toward the sound, Yamanaka-san's husband falling into my sight. He reminds me of a tuxedo cat; ghostly pale, always in black, and seemingly hating everyone that's not Ino or their son. "I am sorry Yamanaka-San. I didn't mean to ignore your question. What was it again?"

My boss's husband - my other boss, I suppose - tilts his head a bit as he looks at me, a micro-scrunch of his nose appearing too. "Why have you been late so much this week?" He repeats, making my cheeks warm up in embarrassment.

"Family issues," I mumble, dropping to the floor to pick up the flowers I tipped over.

"What might those issues be?" Sai asks, kneeling on the ground as well, helping me plop the flowers back into their bucket.

"I don't think it's appropriate for you to pry into my personal life, Yamanaka-San. I am sorry for being late, it won't happen again. Now, please leave me alone," I husk out, anger coating my words and my eyes again. I tug the bucket away from him, turning my full attention to the mess I've made.

"Have I upset you?"

"No. Just... go away Yamanaka-San," I grumble, rotating the bucket away from the water still covering the floor.

"As you wish, Kouhai," Sai responds, smiling softly at me before he follows his wife's previous path.

The anger of my morning continues to brew as I clean up the spilled water. It's been six months since I gave birth to my son, Yoshiki. It's been difficult trying to find balance in my life since having him. I love him more than anything in this world, but without a support system, it leaves me feeling like I'm drowning.

Between his needs, my needs, bills, daycare, and work I feel like any moment one of the plates I'm holding is going to fall and break. The plate being my job at the moment. I'm lucky to have three thousand yen left at the end of the month, courtesy of the outrageous daycare bills. I need to find a cheaper daycare or one that opens earlier so I can make it to work on time. I can't afford to lose my job.

How the hell am I going to get and maintain another job if Yoshiki isn't in daycare? How am I going to afford daycare if I don't have a job? How am I going to afford our bills? Our rent? Yoshiki's formula and diapers and the million other things he needs? Why couldn't I just get out of the house on time this morning? Or yesterday morning? Or the morning before that?

My stress tears mix with the flower water I'm cleaning off the floor, only upsetting my spiral thinking even more. Maybe I'll get lucky and Ino will only tear into me again when she gets back instead of firing me. I can't afford to lose this job.

————————————

My heart feels like it's pounding against my rib cage as I listen to the nursery worker on the other end of the phone. "I'm sorry ma'am but he has a fever. There's no way we can keep him at the nursery."

"I'll come get him soon but I can't just leave work. You guys can't keep him a couple more hours?" I ask, already knowing the answer.

I twirl the phone cord around my finger, heated tears threatening to spill again today as I listen to the nursery worker explain once again why they can't keep him. "I can give you an hour to pick him up, but that's all we can offer. We can't risk any of the other children getting sick. I'm really sorry, ma'am."

"Alright, okay. I'll be there soon. Thank you," I mutter into the phone, the angry tears spilling down my cheeks. I slam the phone down, picking it up to repeat the action a few times.

Why can't one thing go right? Why can't I catch one break? What am I going to do? I can't ask to leave early after being late most of the week. That'll definitely get me fired. Ino is going to tear into me if I ask to leave early, she's going to fire me. I can't afford to lose my job, but I can't leave my baby at the nursery. I can't leave Yoshiki feeling ill and yearning for me.

"Do you mind not breaking the phone?" Ino's voice rings out, filling my chest with dread.

"I'm sorry, Yamanaka-San," I mutter, softly setting the phone down before using my fingertips to brush the tears off my cheeks.

"It seems that you're saying that a lot today."

"I know," I murmur, turning toward her, eyes cast to the ground as I work myself up to ask my question. "Yamanaka-San?" She hums in acknowledgment, arms crossed and foot tapping the ground. "I'm really sorry but I have to leave early today."

"Oh? Oh ya? You show up late all week, yell at my husband, take a personal call at work, and then attempt to destroy the store phone, but you need to leave early today."

"I know, I'm sorry. I'm dealing with some things at home and I'm sorry it's melting into work but - "

"You want to leave early? Fine, leave early, but if you leave don't bother coming back. You're unreliable," Ino husks out, glare pointed my way.

"Yamanaka-San, please. I really need this job - "

"Not enough to work your full shift, apparently. I already told you, you're done, fired, unemployed. I can't have an employee that constantly shows up late and dares to ask to leave early."

I open my mouth to fight back but I have nothing to say. I get where Ino is coming from, after all, she's running a business and that can't happen with an unreliable employee, with me coming and going unpredictably.

I let out a defeated sigh, untying my apron and laying it on the counter before I walk out of the shop. The ringing of the bell dances around my brain, forcing fresh tears to brew. A million things, mostly bills and money issues, run through my head as I start my path toward Yoshiki's nursery.

I don't have time to worry about money or bills or a job. My baby is sick and needs me. Yoshiki needs to be my main focus right now. I can worry about finding a new job once my baby is at home and his fever is gone. My son needs to be okay and healthy before I have time to worry about anything else.

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I let out a sigh as I watch my Kouhai walk out the door. Maybe I was a little harsh, we all have bad weeks, and I just made hers worse by firing her. But, on the other hand, I can't keep paying someone who can't keep their life together well enough to get to work on time.

     The front door jingles again. I snap my mouth open, preparing to deny the Kouhai's pleas for her job back.

     "Oh, hey Ino!" Kohan's - one of the members of the Konoha Barrier Team and a civilian of my clan - voice rings out, making my mouth snap closed. "Where's your Kouhai at?"

"Why do you care?" I snap out, glaring at him as the scent of infidelity waves my way, only solidifying my decision to fire her. I don't need drama filtering into my flower shop. "Don't you have a pregnant wife at home?"

Kohan chuckles at my questioning, only pissing me off more. "Yes, I do. Your Kouhai's son sat up by himself for the first time. She said she'd show me pictures next time I stopped in, so I was just curious if she was working today. I swear your cashier has the cutest kid in the world."

"What?" I ask, the word 'son' standing out in the explanation I just got.

"Your Kouhai has a cute kid?" Kohan repeats slower this time, his face scrunching up as he looks at me. "I think she said he's five months old, maybe six. She's got this picture of him in a duck onesie in her wallet, and it's the cutest thing in the world. She said the wife and I could have the outfit if we want since her son grew out of it already."

"My cashier doesn't have a kid," I say, a laugh following my words. What kind of sick joke does Kouhai and Kohan have going on? "She... she doesn't have a baby at home. I would have known that."

"I promise you she does. I don't know much about her home life aside from her son, but it sounds like the dad is MIA."

"What about her parents? Her mom is around to help with the baby right? Or her dad? A sibling or something?"

Kohan shakes his head no, sucking his cheek in to nibble on it for a second. "No, it's just the baby and her. She was raised by a single parent but from what I've picked up, they were one of the casualties of the war."

I let out another laugh, this one a panicked laugh. I just fired a young single mother for being late to a couple of shifts, and for needing to leave early without even asking why she needed to leave. I am a terrible person.

"Anyway, I'll stop in some other time. Let your Kouhai know I stopped by."

"Will do," I mumble, watching Kohan walk back out of the shop. Once the bell rings closed, I dash towards the phone, scrolling through the phone log. In big letters 'Konoha Nursery' is written on the call log. I fired a single mother because for some reason she had to pick her kid up early from daycare.

I. Am. A. Terrible. Person.

"Sai!" I yell, rushing around the store in search of my husband. "Sai, I'm going out, can you watch the store?! Oh, and please remember to pick Inojin from school!"

"Where are you going?" My husband asks, poking out from a random hidey-hole he's been in.

"I need to talk to Sakura about something."

"Oh, okay. I'll see you later, Dear."

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It's been two days since I had to pull Yoshiki out of daycare early. His fever has gone down a bit, but he's still warmer than he should be. My sweet boy is curled up on my chest. He's in nothing but his diaper and I've decided to lay with him on my chest, nothing but my bra covering my torso. Hopes that skin-to-skin will help his fever race through my head as I cuddle with him.

     If it doesn't I'm out of options. I'll have to take him to the hospital, not that I can afford it, but I don't know how else to help Yoshiki feel better. The only saving grace right now is that he fell asleep far enough up my chest that I can hear his breathing without having to press my ear to his chest. "I swear, God," I mutter, focusing on the ceiling. "If you take my baby, I'll never forgive you."

     I know it's an overreaction, I know it's just a fever and will probably go down soon, but I can't help but worry that it might be more. Reading all those baby books during my pregnancy has left me with the fear that any and everything will kill my Yoshiki.

It took draining all my savings to finally convince myself to go back to work. It terrifies me to leave him with strangers for so long every day. What if something happens and I'm not there to protect him?

A knock at the door cuts off my spiral thoughts before they have a chance to start, both making me grateful and sorrowful. The sound wakes Yoshiki, sending him into a meltdown from his still-present fever and from being woken up.

I gently hush him, patting him back as I crawl out of my bed. "You're okay, love. I know, I know," I coo, softly rocking us back and forth as I weave my way through our destroyed apartment. I haven't had time to clean up so stuff has been thrown around on any surface available.

"You're okay, I promise. It's okay, Yoshiki," I continue to coddle, rocking us as I stop patting his back. My hand is gone from him long enough to open the door before it's back in place, softly rubbing his boiling skin. "Hello, how can I help you?" I ask, aiming my voice toward the open door without fully paying attention to who it is.

My focus is set on Yoshiki, trying to calm him as I start my mental checklist for the hospital. I've decided I'm going to take him once the telemarketer is dealt with.

"I thought Kohan was kidding," the person says, tugging my attention to them. Standing in the doorway is my old boss. Ino's mouth is hanging open a bit, her exposed eye wide and jumping between Yoshiki and me. "That is a baby. You have a baby. How do you have a baby?"

I blink at the lady in front of me, not a hundred percent sure what to think at the moment. "Ino, you have an eleven-year-old at home. I'm pretty confident you know how a baby is made."

"Yes, I know how a baby is made. I'm asking how you have a baby."

"Two hundred yen margaritas and a moody Sand Shinobi in the village on a business trip."

Yoshiki is the spitting image of his father. A fluff of deep red hair and his father's pale opal-colored eyes. I swear the only thing my son got from me was eyebrows and the shape of his nose.

A bundle of blue stripes covers a part of my son's forehead too, almost like stretch marks, another trait he got from his father. I've asked his doctors about it and they've told me not to worry, that it's just a mark of a jinchuriki parent, nothing different than the Hokage's and his kids' whisker marks.

That's another thing that has me stressing. What's a jinchuriki? How's it going to affect Yoshiki's life? It can't be that bad of a thing if our Hokage is one... right?

Ino busts out laughter, sending Yoshiki into another crying fit. "I'm sorry, it's really not funny," She says as I try to calm my son down again. "It's really... it’s not funny, just how you said it... it's not funny, I'm sorry," She says between bundles of giggles.

"It's kind of funny," I mumble, walking away from the door, leaving it open for Ino to decide what to do. I can hear her shuffle into my apartment, closing the door behind her as I pull an ice pack out of the freezer. "Is there a reason you're here?" I ask, trying to shuffle Yoshiki enough to wrap the ice pack in a cloth.

"I wanted to talk to you about... earlier this week," Ino mumbles, making her way through the maze of random toys and clothes covering the floor. "Here, let me hold him while you do that," She adds, reaching her arms out for my son.

I'm reluctant for a moment, hesitant to let anyone besides myself and Yoshiki's daycare nurse hold him. After a beat I give in, carefully shifting him into Ino's arms. I'll take him the moment I'm done wrapping his ice pack.

"Dear lord," She mumbles, nestling Yoshiki into her arms. He screams, reminding me his lungs are working. "Your baby is the spitting image of Gaara. How'd you manage to get that man in bed?"

"Gaara?" I ask, my hands stalling for a second.

"Gaara is the dad... right? I mean... your son looks exactly like him."

"I don't know the name of Yoshiki's dad," I whisper, finishing the task at hand before testing the pack against my skin. "Like I said, it was a one-night stand," I mutter, quickly taking my son back. I situate him back into place, holding him against my chest as I rest the wrapped ice pack on his back.

Ino stares at me, blinking a couple of times as she struggles with her words. "I would be able to recognize him, obviously," I mumble, shifting Yoshiki a bit. "After all, my son got all his traits from his father. I spent nine months making him and he has the audacity to look exactly like his father," I tease a bit, trying to lighten the mood.

     She laughs again, a calmer giggle this time. "I feel that. I swear Inojin looks like his father more than he looks like me." I hum in agreement, constantly moving the pack across Yoshiki to hopefully help bring his temperature down. "Anyway, I'm pretty confident Gaara is the father of your kid. Even if he's not, your son has junchuriki marks, it wouldn't be that hard to find his dad."

     "It wouldn't?" I mumble, focusing on switching Yoshiki around to cover his chest and stomach with the cooling device.

     "No, there's only a handful of them. It's not a common thing."

     "Great," I mutter, letting out a sigh as new worries filter through my head.

“It’s not… all bad,” Ino mumbles, glancing around the room before she settles on me again. “Gaara is… he’s a little rough around the edges, but he’s a great uncle to Shikadai. That and he has - ”

“There’s a big difference between being an uncle and being a dad.”

“Ya, I know,” she mumbles softly before she smiles at me. “For now let’s talk about you coming back to work and figuring out a way to make things easier for you. We can worry about the Gaara thing later.”

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It’s been a couple of weeks since my conversation with Ino. I feel silly for not talking to her sooner. A new normal has settled over us, Yoshiki staying with me at the flower shop when the daycare is closed so I can work more hours, a later starting time so I don’t have to worry about being late, and the Yamanakas helping me with my son.

Ino watched him yesterday afternoon so I could go out for the first time in seven months. Do you know how nice that was? Getting some me time for the first time in half a year? I even get to sit down and eat now without having to worry about jumping up at Yoshiki’s every cry. Inojin is trying to talk me into letting him keep Yoshiki overnight one of these weeks. He’s grown attached to my little guy.

He also insists that my son ‘looks just like Uncle Gaara’ and that he ‘has the same eyes as Aunt Temari and Shikadai’. All this talk about the Gaara guy has my nerves a bit on edge. It scares me, thinking that someone so close yet so far away can demand to see my child, to have a say in my child’s life. I didn’t purposely leave my son’s father in the dark, I just figured I’d never find him again so why waste my time looking?

I will say, despite all the fear that comes with the possibilities of this Gaara person, Ino’s friend - Shika-something - Shikadai’s dad, had some tricks on getting Yoshiki’s fever down. He also said it’s normal for children of Sand Village descent to have fevers because of the usually hot temperatures in the Hidden Sand and their DNA morphing over time to counteract it. It is normal, it is just Yoshiki’s body adjusting, and soon enough he’ll be able to regulate his body temperature on his own.

Besides, there’s no guarantee that this Gaara guy is my baby’s father, and even if he is, who says he wants anything to do with us? That thought both feels good and hurts. I’ve done it all on my own, all nine months of the pregnancy, the childbirth, all seven months of Yoshiki’s life. If Gaara wants nothing to do with us, it won’t be that big of a deal. However, my son having his father while growing up is a nice thought to have too.

The bell at the front of the shop rings, a “Hello! Welcome in!” tugs from me as my eyes stay set on Inojin and Yoshiki.

“Hey, Ino,” a squeaky preteen voice calls out, instantly making Inojin chirp up.

“Sup, Shik,” he calls back, carefully standing up with Yoshiki in tow. The boys share some kind of new-gen handshake, my mind clicking the new boy into place as Shikadai. He’s the spitting image of his father too.

The two boys talk for a couple of minutes, Shikadai’s eyes constantly flipping between Yoshiki and me. Inojin was right, he does have the same eyes as my son. That doesn’t help my panicked thoughts. “What are you doing here anyway? You hate the flower shop,” Inojin asks, perking my interest a bit.

“My uncles are in town and Uncle Kuro already managed to piss off his wife, so he’s dragging Shinki and me along to help pick out flowers.”

“No shit? Shinki came this time too?”

“Inojin!” I snap out, giving him a warning glare. “No pouty mouth around Yoshiki.”

“Oh, right! My bad Kuohai!”

Shikadai’s eyes jump between my son and me again, a weird look on his face for a split second. “What’s with the baby?” He tries to whisper, eyes still running a mile a minute.

“Oh, Yoshiki? He’s the son of the girl that’s been working for my mom. He’s a chill dude, for being a baby and all. He looks a lot like your uncle.”

“Who looks a lot like me?” A deep voice calls out, overpowering the sound of the bell ringing. Standing in the door frame is a man with a black hood pulled over his head and dark purple markings across his face and neck. “Dear lord, who did Gaara knock up?” He asks, making panic spark in my chest.

“Okay, that’s enough Inojin,” I rush out, making quick steps around the counter and towards the group forming by the door. “I would like my baby back now,” I continue to panic, carefully swiping Yoshiki from Inojin’s arms.

“Hey! You said I could hang out with him during your shift!” Ino’s son complains, trying to swipe Yoshiki back from me.

“You can hang out with him later,” I mumble, slipping into the bathroom, quickly closing and locking the door behind me. So much for the new normal.

I sink to the tiled floor of the bathroom. Yoshiki is having the time of his life, smiling and babbling to himself as he looks up at me. “What are we going to do, Love?” I ask him, lifting him to press his tiny forehead against my own. “Why do you have to look so much like your daddy, huh? Do you think this Gaara guy is Dad? You think so?” I coo, pressing kisses to his cheeks, which only encourages his giggles.

A soft knock is pressed on the door, making Yoshiki smile even more. For whatever reason, his new interest is the sound of knocking. He seems to enjoy it quite a bit. “Hey, Kouhai?” Ino calls out, her voice followed by another knock. “We should probably talk.”

Probably.

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[sunstaar]

Here for You

Kakashi Hatake x gn!Reader

Word Count: 1,4k Ao3

Summary: Kakashi knew very well that he was lucky to have you in his life. Your words were like the balm to the wounds inflicted on Kakashi’s heart, for him, there was no better medicine than your presence in his life. You loved him unconditionally, the same way he loved you back.

Kakashi’s steps felt heavy as he made his way up the stairs, moving upward, one step after the other. After another headache-inducing round of missions with the Genin of his Team Seven, exhaustion has long settled into his bones. The most recent squabble between Naruto and Sasuke was still echoing in his mind, as was the intervention of the last member of the team, Sakura. With each time he spent with the three rascals, Kakashi could not help but compare them to the team he had once been a part of, the one of which he was the only member remaining.

The mere thought was a shot to his heart, one that made it squeeze painfully, the sight of the memorial stone flashing in his mind. For a moment, Kakashi stopped in the stairwell and leaned against the cold and bleak wall, his breathing coming out laboured from behind his dark mask. He squeezed his eyes shut to dispel the images flashing through his mind, though, to no avail.

Underneath his fingertips, he could feel the familiar feeling of the paper the Yamanaka flower shop used to wrap their flower bouquets, the way some wet spots littered the beige paper, droplets of water moving down the still-damp stems of the many flowers. It was a feeling he was unable to forget, one that accompanied the flashes in his mind. It was swiftly followed by the feeling of dried flowers in his hands, the ones he replaced week by week. It did not matter how fatigued he felt after long missions, how tense his muscles felt or how unbearable each step was, Kakashi was always able to drag himself all the way to the memorial stone, a fresh bouquet clutched in his hand.

Kakashi breathed in and out. The flash flood of sorrow threatened to pull him under, to drown him in a wave he so desperately wished to be able to escape. His hand moved to rest above the dirty material of his Jōnin vest, a feeble attempt to bring some comfort to himself. Underneath his own touch, he could feel his heartbeat steadily increasing, a telltale sign of his heightened emotions.

A curse rushed past his lips. His hand squeezed into a fist, his nails digging into the calloused skin of his palm.

His body felt heavy and as though there was no strength in any of his limbs remaining, as though he had been almost completely drained of all his energy. His legs threatened to buckle under his weight, so he shifted to lean himself further against the wall, his other hand moving to stabilize himself somewhat.

He was alone, there was no one to help him.

Breathing felt like a chore to Kakashi, each breath was another reminder that there was no one but him remaining. He was the only member of his team still breathing, the only one to have the liberty to take a breath and to let one out.

He could have saved them, no, he should have. Guilt was gnawing at him, eating him alive bit by bit. The sea of his own emotions he was drowning in was merciless, every bit the force of nature his conscious compared it to. He felt like a small ship taking on the harshest of seas, on an expedition that seemed to be never-ending, one hurdle after the other keeping him from the calmness he had once known.

Around him, everything began to spin, the stairs turning into one long, grey shape, blending seamlessly together. Kakashi felt the despair clawing at his throat, every breath like sandpaper.

Kakashi of the Sharingan, they called him. The Copy Cat Ninja.

“‘Kashi?”

There was only one person who dared to call him that, his rock in the turbulent waters, his light shining even in the most consuming of darknesses. You.

“Kakashi?” Soft. Calm. The waves of his emotions became smaller and smaller, a light seeping through the murky waters. “What happened?”

From the seamless blend of the walls and stairs stood out a figure. From what he could discern with his blurry vision, your brows were knitted together into an expression of concern, concern for him, he quickly realised. A frown tugged at your pretty lips, completing the picture of worry.

His fist moved from where it still was settled by his heart and unfurled, and Kakashi moved his hand toward his face, rubbing his charcoal eye. He could see you more clearly now, and dread sank into the bottom of his stomach, swept up by his very own sea of emotions.

Your hand moved toward him and settled on his shoulder. For a moment, he almost didn’t recognize your soft touch that only grew stronger as he flinched in your grip. His survival instinct fought against his consciousness, only soothed as you spoke to him again.

“Kakashi, are you okay?” Your voice was filled with genuine care and affection, as always.

He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. So, Kakashi shook his head.

“Let’s get you home first, alright?”

Home, yes, Kakashi wanted to go home, with you.

Kakashi nodded. He felt horrible for the way you looked at him, contemplating the most suitable approach for the situation he was in. Never would Kakashi underestimate you, he put his faith in you after all, but now, he could understand your hesitation when it came to moving him.

Your body moved to support his, one of your arms moving around his hip and settling on it, the other moving his arm to wrap around your shoulder. “Lean on me, ‘Kashi.” You told him, and so he did.

All the way up to the next floor of the apartment complex, you allowed Kakashi to lean the weight of his body on yours, not daring to rush him as you helped him move upward one step after the other. In comparison to the strong Shinobi you have always known, the Kakashi in your arms felt almost helpless, a sight that always had your heart breaking, one you could never get used to.

Once the two of you made your way to the door of your shared apartment, you shifted awkwardly to retrieve the apartment keys you had previously stashed in your pocket. They jingled as you got them out and inserted them into the lock, successfully unlocking the door before you pushed it open.

To Kakashi, things were happening almost in a blur. He could hear the familiar click the lock made as you unlocked the door, as well as the sound of the door falling shut behind the two of you.

“Let’s get you settled down.” The comforting lull of your voice held the dam in his heart together and kept it from breaking against his inner turmoil. Kakashi barely was able to pay attention to anything but you, the light guiding him home time and time again.

He felt almost weightless as you helped him settle down on the couch. Had he been in any other state, Kakashi would have worried about the dirt he was bringing into your shared apartment, but as he felt the couch dip beside him, the thought vanished as quickly as it had come.

“‘Kashi, do you want to talk about what happened?” Came from beside him, your voice filled with genuine care and affection.

Kakashi shook his head, unable to form any words. Were there even words to express the pain he felt, the guilt eating him alive? Instead, he leaned toward your body and almost sighed in relief as your arms enveloped him in a loving embrace.

You held him tightly, your hand moving to stroke his hair at a comforting pace. You whispered soothing words in his ear, reassuring him that you would always be there for him, that you wouldn’t leave him.

“If you don’t want to talk about what happened, then that’s fine,” You told him, pressing a small kiss to the crown of his head. “I’m here for you, ‘Kashi.”

“Thank you.” Kakashi managed to croak out, his voice hoarse with emotions.

You smiled softly at him, a string tugging at your heart. “I love you, ‘Kashi. You don’t have to face any of this alone, you hear me?”

Kakashi knew very well that he was lucky to have you in his life. Your words were like the balm to the wounds inflicted on Kakashi’s heart, for him, there was no better medicine than your presence in his life. You loved him unconditionally, the same way he loved you back.

His heart did not feel as heavy anymore as he leaned further into your loving embrace, cherishing the comfort that only you could provide.

[ladykissingfish]

In response to @alonleybutlovelyrose comment and follow-up to this 😊

*Sakura approaches Ino in the Yamanaka flower shop*

Sakura: Wow … I’ve never seen this place so empty before …

Ino: Valentine’s Day is our busiest day, Forehead. We re-stocked everything three times and got cleaned out.

Sakura: That’s crazy.

Ino: It is. I’ve got some good roses left, though. Let me guess; you’re in here to pick something out for Sasuke?

Sakura, blushing: N-no; that ship has sailed.  *moves closer to Ino* Oi, what’s that on your sleeve?

Ino: *looks down in surprise* What?

Sakura: *grabs Ino’s arm, bares her teeth and bites her*

Ino: *yelps and yanks her arm away in surprise* Ow!! What the hell ?!

Sakura, proudly: You’re MINE now, Ino-pig. And you’re going to go out with me tonight. Okay?

Ino: W-why did you bite me?

*Sakura looks at the flower shop door; Kakashi is dangling by his teeth from Gai’s arm and Gai is giving her a big grin and a thumbs-up*

Sakura: I made the right choice. Now what do you want to do?

Ino:

Ino, blushing and taking Sakura’s hand: Dinner and a long walk sounds good to me …