On his way to Ino's house, Anyo passed a flower shop. After a moment's thought, he stepped inside and casually picked out a cosmos.
Arriving at Ino's front door, Anyo knocked.
"Come in," a young woman's voice called from inside.
Anyo pushed the door open and entered, greeted by a rush of floral fragrance. Ino, her short blond hair tied back and an apron around her waist, was carefully tending a roomful of plants and flowers. Enveloped in their fragrance, she looked like a fairy among the blossoms.
Anyo could not help praising it. "What a lovely fragrance!"
"Haha, you certainly know your flowers." Ino laughed and turned around, only to see Anyo, with his white hair, imposing build, and handsome, sharply chiseled features. A gentle smile rested on his face.
Ino stared, stunned. Her face flushed involuntarily, and even her smile froze. Inside, she screamed with excitement, Who is he? He's so handsome! Have we met somewhere before?
"These are for you." Anyo handed her the flower he had bought.
Ino accepted it in a daze, looking utterly flustered.
Somewhat amused, Anyo asked, "Aren't you going to invite me to sit down?"
"Oh, of course. Please... please sit." Ino hurriedly cleared a space for Anyo to sit.
Once seated, Anyo got straight to the point. "Let me introduce myself first. My name is Uchiha Anyo. I came to see you because I have something I'd like your help with."
Before Anyo could finish, Ino answered reflexively, "Sure, no problem."
That readily? I haven't even said what it is yet. Wonderful. Looks like that flower wasn't wasted. Anyo's smile deepened.
Soon, the two were chatting. As the only female ninja in the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, Ino was actually quite doted on. That much was clear from the Chunin Ninja Exams in