Author's Notes: Hello all! Well here we have two of my favorite characters from Naruto who will probably never interact meaningfully anywhere outside of fanfiction. Which is why we write these things, right? Please read and review!
Disclaimer: If you really thought I owned Naruto, I'm flattered.
Denial
"You should just ask her out."
"And why would I want to do that?"
Yamanaka Ino planted her hands stubbornly on her hips. "It's obvious you like her! Are you just going to keep her waiting forever?"
Hyuuga Neji kept walking, forcing Ino to trot to keep up with him. "Are you even listening to me Hyuuga?"
"Yes, I'm just actively ignoring you." Neji wondered what cruel trick of fate had declared that today he would be forced to deal with Konoha's number one matchmaker.
Ino was infamous for it, mostly because she was so persistent. If she took an interest in your love life you were widely considered doomed. Neji cursed the fact that he'd let her sneak up on him. He should have known when Kiba and Shino both excused themselves hurriedly.
They would face his retribution later.
"Tenten's a great girl you know." Ino prattled on. "Strong, smart, pretty. Even you can't ignore that, Hyuuga."
"Tenten is a strong kunoichi." Neji said, "And I respect her for it."
"Oh what a load of bullshit." Ino sneered at him. "A strong kunoichi? Is that the best you can do? You're in the deepest state of denial I've ever seen! How stupid do you have to…" She looked up into the pure white eyes that were currently displaying signs of byakugan. "Um…sorry about that last comment."
Neji was itching to cut off one or two chakra points, but restrained himself. "So if I am in denial Yamanaka, where exactly does that put you?"
"What?" Blue eyes widened. "I'm not in denial about anything."
"Even about the fact that you are obviously harboring a crush over Nara?" Neji raised a skeptical eyebrow. "I suggest you tend to your own love life before you tamper with anyone else's."
"Shikamaru?!" Ino laughed nervously. "You've lost it Hyuuga if you think me and that lazy-ass will ever…"
"Get together? I would bet you if I had any use for money. Good day." Turning down a side street he began to make his escape.
Ino remained frozen where he'd left her. "You're crazy…how dare you insinuate I…there's no…I…"
"Oh and Yamanaka?" Neji turned to regard her. "If you ever try to talk to me about Tenten again I will shut off your chakra faster than you can blink."
She could only stare.
Neji waited until he reached the next street over to smirk.
