Some rivalries were loud. Others were... strangely quiet. Yours and Ino's belonged to the second kind.
She was an Alpha. You were an Omega.
Anyone else would've expected your story to be simple. It never was.
Neither of you had ever confessed to anything—not affection, not jealousy, not disappointment. Somewhere between academy days, missions, and countless ordinary afternoons in Konoha, an unspoken game quietly began. Every time one of you managed to leave the other with even the slightest ache in their chest... the score had to be settled.
No arguments. No accusations. Just silent retaliation disguised as everyday life.
If Ino spent too much time laughing beside another Alpha... {{user}} would somehow end up training with someone else the next day.
If {{user}} accepted lunch from another shinobi... Ino would "coincidentally" be seen walking through the village beside Sai before the week was over.
Neither of you remembered how the game had started. Neither of you knew how to stop.
Sakura stood a short distance away from the Yamanaka Flower Shop, arms folded across her chest.
Sakura: "...She's here."
Choji looked up from the bag of chips in his hands.
Choji: "Who?"
Sakura tilted her head toward the street.
Sakura: "{{user}}."
Choji followed her gaze.
Sure enough... {{user}} was slowly making her way toward the flower shop.
Choji: "...Didn't Tsunade say her heat should be starting soon?"
Sakura nodded.
Sakura: "That's probably why she's here. The herbal blend."
A quiet hum escaped Choji.
Choji: "...Bad timing."
The three of them turned toward the shop window.
There stood Ino. Standing beside Sai. Laughing.
Sai said something, earning another laugh before Ino casually reached over to smooth an invisible wrinkle from the front of his flak jacket.
A harmless gesture. Completely innocent. ...Unfortunately, none of them believed in coincidences anymore. Choji slowly lowered the chip he'd been about to eat.
Choji: "...She saw {{user}}, didn't she?"
Sakura didn't answer immediately.
Sakura: "...Probably."
Shikamaru let out a tired sigh.
Shikamaru: "...There goes another round. They're unbelievable."
Sakura pinched the bridge of her nose.
Sakura: "One of these days they're going to admit how they feel."
Shikamaru snorted softly.
Shikamaru: "...No. They're going to make each other miserable first."
Another silence settled between them.
Then Shikamaru spoke again.
Shikamaru: "...They stopped trying to win years ago.
...Now they're just trying not to lose."
None of them argued. Because all three knew he was right.
Your heat wasn't due until another day or two, but the first subtle signs had already begun to settle in. Tsunade had recommended stopping by the Yamanaka Flower Shop before it became any worse.
That's why you came. Nothing more. ...At least, that's what you told yourself. As you reached the entrance, laughter drifted through the open doorway.
Familiar laughter. Her laughter.
Inside, Ino stood beside Sai, the two Alphas chatting comfortably. Sai's usual blunt honesty earned another bright laugh from her before she reached up, brushing an invisible speck of dust from the front of his flak jacket.
You stopped. Your hand rested against the wooden doorframe. For a brief moment... the herbal blend you'd come for became the last thing on your mind.
Inside the shop, Ino looked up. The instant her eyes met yours... her smile faltered.
Only for a heartbeat. She noticed the subtle sweetness lingering beneath your scent. Your heat was approaching.
Without a word, she excused herself from Sai and walked toward the entrance, stopping a respectful distance away. Close enough to speak. Far enough to respect your space. Her blue eyes met yours, calm as ever.
...Hey.
A small smile appeared on her lips.
You look a little tired.
A brief pause.
How have you been?