I Do Not Own Naruto or Any of Its Characters

A/N: Hey everyone this is my 2nd and I really hope everyone enjoys it. This story is also slightly AU due to the fact that there will be no mentions of war, Sasuke is back, and there will be mentions of cell phones, ect.

Chapter 1

Hinata smiled as she made her way to her new office. She had just completed her nurse's exam and was quickly offered the job as the Academy's nurse. Hinata actually really wanted to work at the school, so when Tsunade offered her the job she was more than happy to accept.

Iruka sighed as he stood in the doorway of his classroom. He was getting a new group of students to start of the new school year. Iruka often asked himself why he even bothered teaching sometimes, but then he would remember the smiling faces of the child that hit his first target, or improved on a new jutsu. He decided a long time ago it was well worth the headache.

Hinata smiled as she shyly greeted a few colleagues she passed on her way to her office. She stopped when she reached the door the read 'Nurse's Office'. She opened the door and turned on the light. The room was pretty big. It contained three beds, an exam table, and the shelves were stocked with everything she would need. Hinata smiled and made her way towards the desk at the back of the room to get settled in.

Hinata watched the clock and noticed it was time for lunch. She didn't have anyone come see her which was technically a good thing. Hinata couldn't help but feel a little sad that no one needed her so far. She then sighed and made her way to the teacher's longue carrying her small lunch box.

The room was filled with teachers happily chatting with one another. Hinata felt a little out of place because she was the only one from her graduating class working at the Academy. She saw a few familiar faces, but decided to sit a small table for two in the corner of the room to eat her lunch. Hinata always felt awkward around people she didn't know. Even though she had worked hard to overcome her shy nature, it would often surface at times like this. Hinata was much better when dealing with children, which was part of the reason she wanted to work at the Academy rather than in the hospital.

Iruka sighed as he made his way in the longue. He had given the students a quiz to see where their level of shinobi knowledge was. He was walking towards his usual spot when he needed to be alone to read, but noticed there was someone already sitting there. Iruka frowned a little but continued to walk towards his destination. It wasn't until he was standing right in front of her did he realize who she was.

"Hinata-san…" Hinata looked up to see Iruka standing before her with a small smile. Hinata blushed a little and smiled back. "Hello Iruka-sensei."

"Mind if I join you?" Hinata nodded and smiled. "Yes, please."

Iruka took the seat across from her and began to unpack his lunch. He didn't mind that it was Hinata sitting in his usual spot. He knew with her there he would still be able to get his work done without someone disturbing him. "So, Hinata-san, I didn't know you were teaching here now."

"Oh, n-no Iruka-sensei—" Iruka held up his hand. "I haven't been your sensei in a long time so there is no need to refer to me as such," he said with a smile. Hinata blushed and continued. "I'm the new nurse…"

Iruka laughed. "Obviously or you wouldn't be wearing that white lab coat." He couldn't believe he hadn't notice it at first. "So have you been busy today?"

Hinata shook her head no. Iruka could tell she was a little down about not having much to do today. "I wouldn't worry if I were you. It's only the first day. Once things really get going you're going to be too busy to think." Hinata smiled.

Iruka had completely forgotten about grading his quizzes because he was too wrapped up in talking with Hinata. She was indeed a sweet girl, well woman now. She was easy to talk to and Iruka was actually looking forward to eating lunch with her again tomorrow. She was still soft spoken, but her stutter was practically gone, which was a good thing.

"Will you be sitting here tomorrow?" Iruka asked. Hinata nodded. "Well I will see you then Hinata-san." Iruka picked up his folder and remains of his lunch. "Have a good day," he said walking away.

"You too," Hinata said and he turned around and gave her a wave. Hinata smiled and cleaned her spot. She had enjoyed eating with Iruka. He was still as nice as she remembered. Hinata blushed at the fact he wanted to eat with her again. Maybe they would become friends…or maybe more. Hinata blushed darken at her thought. She found him attractive, but she was sure he wouldn't be interested in her that way. Hinata sighed and headed back to her office.

The day had come and gone and Hinata still didn't have a patient the whole day. "Knock, knock…" Hinata stood up and saw Iruka standing in the doorway. She smiled and walked towards him. "Good evening Iruka-kun…" Hinata said with a blush. Iruka smiled at the fact she used kun at the end of his name. "I was just leaving and I saw the light on, so I decided to say hi."

"I was just leaving," Hinata said walking out of the room with Iruka. "Did you have anyone come by?" Hinata shook her head. They continued to walk in silence until they were at the road in front of the school. Iruka scratched the back of his head in a nervous gesture. There was an awkward silence between them and he wasn't sure what to say. She was just standing there blushing. "I uh, I could walk you home…"

"Oh, n-no you don't have too."

"It's no problem really, and plus the Hyuga compound isn't too far out of my way." Hinata smiled. "I live in my own apartment now."

"Oh, well I could still walk with you. Which apartments are you living in now?" Iruka asked.

"The Valley," Hinata answered as they began to walk. "Really? That's weird I live in the Valley too. I've never seen you there before."

"I only move there this week. Tonight will be my first night staying there." Iruka nodded and they continued to walk. Iruka couldn't help but smile when he would catch Hinata staring at him. It was different having someone look at him the way she did. He was sure it was just a small crush due to the fact he was being nice to her. He was sure she was just looking for a good friend to talk to while she was at work.

"So which side are you on?" Iruka asked. "The right side…" Hinata answered.

"Same here. What floor?"

"Third…" Iruka gave her a confused look. What was the likelihood of them being on the same side and on the same floor?

"Iruka-kun, are you ok?" Hinata asked noticing his facial expression.

"Oh, sorry about that," he said rubbing the back of his head. "I was just a little lost in thought."

"It's ok.." Hinata was beginning to think that maybe Iruka didn't like her very much. He was being polite because that's just what kind of person he was. She was sure that they would never become anything more than friends.

"15…" Hinata looked at him. "Your apartment is 15 I bet."

"Yes, how did you know?" Hinata asked.

"Well it only makes sense. We're on the same side, same floor, and I can only conclude us being neighbors."

"You're 14?" Hinata asked a little too excited. Iruka smiled. "Yeah, so I guess that means we can walk to work together, but only if you want to."

"YES!" Hinata quickly covered her mouth as she turned a new shade of red. She couldn't believe she yelled that out like that. It didn't help that Iruka was now laughing at her little outburst. "S-sorry."

Iruka put his hand on her shoulder. "Don't be. I'm actually glad you want to walk with me." They both stood in front of their doors. Hinata stood there for a while wanting to say something. Anything for that matter but she couldn't think of anything to say. Sometimes she wished she was as vocal as Ino. Ino would know what to say now. "Are you ok?"

"Y-yes, I'll see you tomorrow." Hinata quickly entered her apartment shutting the door behind her. She let out a long breath. She was too shy for her own good. How was she ever going to get any guy to like her if she started acting weird every time she's around them? She kicked off her shoes and sat on the couch. She took out her phone to seek advice from her best friend.

To Ino: I need your help! =/

To Hinata: Is everything ok Hina-chan!?

To Ino: I need your advice on how to get a guy to notice me…

To Hinata: U should come over, like now! Naruto is Sasuke's right now so I'm not busy at all. Oh or I could come there!

To Ino: Would mind coming over here…please! .

To Hinata: On the way! =D

Hinata sat her pink phone on her end table. She was really glad to have someone like Ino to ask advice from. She herself was still as shy as a school girl while Ino had all the confidence in the world.

Ino walked happily towards Hinata's door when she saw Iruka about to knock on it. "Hey Iruka-san!" Iruka turned to see Ino standing behind him with her hand on her hip. "Oh, hello Ino-san…" There was a short moment of silence before Ino broke it. "You going to see Hina-chan too?" she asked.

Iruka blushed a little and cleared his throat. "Uh, well I was just going to ask her about…uh work! Yeah work, you know since we're both at the Academy now." Ino raised her brow. "She's a nurse and you're a teacher so…" Ino waited for him to fill her in only to be interrupted by the door opening.

Iruka was glad for that because he really didn't feel like explaining himself to Ino. She could just as bad as Naruto when it came to not letting up until she got the information she needed. "Oh Ino-chan, Iruka-kun…"

"Ah, hello Hinata-chan I was just going to ask what time you wanted to leave in the morning." Hinata blushed and smiled. "I normally leave for work at 8."

Iruka smiled. "8 it is then." Iruka quickly walked into his apartment leaving a confused Ino with a blushing Hinata. "Want to come in Ino-chan?" Hinata asked. Ino nodded her head and followed her friend into the apartment.

"So what was that all about?" Ino asked sitting on Hinata's couch. Hinata smiled. "We decided to walk together for work in the mornings, that's all."

"You two seem really friendly," Ino said causing Hinata to blush. "Well w-we are friends…well at least I think we are.." Hinata really didn't know if she and Iruka could be considered friends yet or not. He was really nice to her and seemed genuinely interested and walking with her to work so it was safe to say that they were friends.

"Mhmm…but away, tell me about this guy. I'm dying to know who he is." Hinata took a deep breath and hoped Ino wouldn't be too surprised by her new love interest. Ever since she got over Naruto and Ino started dating him, she hasn't really looked at anyone else besides Iruka. He was kind, caring, and not to mention handsome; so it really wasn't a big surprise when she found herself falling for him.

"Iruka-kun…" Ino blinked. Ino wasn't sure she understood why Hinata mentioned Iruka's name. She just waited for Hinata to finish what she wanted to say, because now she was really intrigued. "I'm in love with him…"

"Wait, what?" Ino asked staring at her friend.

Hinata took a deep breath. "I'm in love with Iruka. I know it's strange but I am."

"When did you start to feel this way about Iruka-san? I mean, wow. This is good news Hina-chan!" Ino was a lot happier than Hinata had expected her to be. Hinata wasn't sure what to expect but she was glad Ino was happy for her.

"Well you remember last year at Naruto's birthday party?" Hinata asked and Ino nodded her head yes. "Well he and I talked for a while and he showed me the best time. Even though I know he was drunk that night and probably doesn't remember, but it was one of the best nights of my life." Ino smiled and took Hinata's hand in hers. "Ever since that night I've been admiring him from afar."

"Whatever you need Hina-chan I'm here for you." Ino was jumping up and down on the inside. She and Naruto were just talking about hooking Iruka up with someone and who better than her dear friend Hinata. Though Naruto never mentioned Hinata's name as an option Ino was sure Naruto would agree they would be perfect for each other.

"I just want him to notice me as more than the shy stuttering girl from the academy," Hinata said.

"Don't worry Hina-chan, when he comes to get you for work tomorrow he won't know what hit him." Hinata was a little nervous at Ino's statement, but she had to trust her. When it came to men Ino knew what she was talking about, she just hoped Iruka liked whatever Ino had planned.

A/N: Tada! It's done! The first chapter of my 2nd fanfic. I am pretty happy about how everything turned out. Please feel free to leave me any pointers on ways to improve and make my story better. I am very open to my readers' opinions.

Until next time Ciao! =)