Description: What happens when Ino wants to figure out who Naruto truly is and what he hides behind that mask of his? Love happens.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, Kishimoto does.

Chapter 1: A New Goal

The sun was slowly going down, the sky was orange and it reminded the young woman who sat upon the 4th Hokage's stone head of a man who she didn't really think much about. Naruto Uzumaki from what she knew and was told was a kind and gentle guy and he wouldnt hurt anyone unless they were the enemy. She remembered him saying that he gets his strength by protecting the people who are precious to him, and she would always ask herself if she was one of those people.

Back when she was 13 and found out Naruto was the one who protected the village from Gaara she didn't truly believe it but as time went on she did, she would sit and wonder why he never bragged about it or any of his other accomplishments. Letting out a sigh she closed her eyes.

"I'm going to spend more time with him...I want to make up for how I treated him back then." Ino said quietly as she opened her eyes.

Minutes past by and the sun was almost completely down, the sound of footsteps caught her off guard and she quickly twirled around, she was in her civilian attire but she could still fight. Stopping herself she relaxed as she saw an orange outfit.

"Ino? What are you doing up here all alone for?" He asked walking towards her.

She turned back to the sunset and smiled as Naruto walked up beside her.

"Watching the sunset...kinda lame for me to do, dont'cha think?" She asked looking up at the 17 year old.

Naruto gently shook his head and turned his head to look down at Ino who had been looking at him.

"I...come up here all the time to watch it, i've always wanted to bring someone up here with me but Sakura-chan is to busy and still likes Sasuke and other people are normally busy." Naruto quietly said turning his head towards the sunset.

Ino punched him lightly in the arm and continued to smile up at him.

"What was that for, Ino?!" He yelled.

"Did you ask anyone else to join you up here...other than Sakura?" She asked.

He shook his head, blonde hair waving a bit in the motion.

"Naruto, if you don't mind we could make this our thing and come up here every night together and watch the sunset, just the two of us." She said quietly.

Naruto blushed slightly as Ino shyly looked away.

"That would make me happy, Ino." He paused moving so he was now in the direction she was looking and he could see she was slightly embarrassed for even suggesting it.

"Thank you." Naruto finished giving her a smile.

As time past the sun had gone down and the two blondes simply sat there back to back, closing her eyes Ino could feel Naruto's heartbeat. It was soothing and she almost didn't hear the the question he asked.

"Are...you my friend?" Naruto asked quietly.

Ino opened her eyes as he asked the question.

"I know...I used to be mean to you a lot...but we are friends in my eyes.

She felt Naruto nodding his head and she was happy.

"I want to know more about you and I would like you to open up to me...what I mean is...I would like it if one day you would take that mask off and show me who you truly are." Ino said pushing off his back and gently wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Will you promise me, that you'll do that?" She asked.

Naruto looked at her giving her a smile.

"I'll do my best." He said which caused Ino to smile.

In the spree of the moment Ino pecked his cheek and stood up.

"Do you mind taking me home?" She asked.

Chapter 1 End