So this is actually my first Naruto fic. I was putting it off coz I was nervous about it…seemed too challenging. It features most of the Naru gang in a news magazine office as journalists. SasuHina.

Please review if you like it! Criticism is appreciated, but please don't flame me…

Hinata's co-worker scooted her chair from her desk around to Hinata's. She caught her stare at the dark-haired young journalist in the work area a few steps ahead.

"Every single girl loves him," Sakura smirked as she brought the cup of coffee to her lips and sipped. "Honestly, I wouldn't get my hopes up. The other girls know the rule by now: look but don't touch."

Hinata tried not to pay too much attention to Sakura's comments. She tried to pull her eyes away from the guy, but he captivated her.

I wish I could walk over there and wrap my arms around him. Kiss him. Touch his hair with my fingers.

But she knew she couldn't. As much as she may have grown in her confidence, she could not approach him. She was still shy. She still worried about other people's opinions, and she didn't find speaking in a loud voice necessary or normal.

Sakura let out a giggle and Hinata came back to reality. "Want to know something exciting?" Sakura didn't wait for Hinata to nod. She went ahead, ecstatic. "I've been talking to him a lot. I mean, I know him more than anyone here, haven't I?" Hinata wondered if she realised what a stupid question she had asked. "So, anyway - oh my gosh, I'm so excited to tell you this. I think we're going to be such good friends - I think he might actually like me. Like, seriously." Sakura squealed quietly and Hinata forced a smile.

Sakura sighed and put a hand on Hinata's shoulder and smiled. "I like you. I think we'll become good friends. Let's hope we get teamed up for the exclusive, huh? Fingers crossed!"

And with that the floss-pink-haired girl swivelled in her seat and slid back across to her work cubicle.

Hinata sighed. Sakura had everything - perfectly cut Victoria Beckham-style hair, short black skirt, dark purple turtleneck, and a few bracelets and rings on her hands. Her black velvet boots looked stunning with the rest of her outfit and she walked with pride every time she left her work area. Hinata just wore a pair of black jeans and a blue sweater. She supposed she could pull off her real style - but she didn't want to.

Am I too shy? Not enough confidence? Am I scared people will think I'm a show-off?

Maybe. And maybe she should just be thankful that she had reached Global Hour magazine and was meeting people. She peeked over her cubicle wall at the journalist and felt annoyed Sakura had not told her his name.

"Hey," a voice came. Hinata collapsed back into her chair, blushed, and all but ran out of the office building. The girl giggled. She had her blond hair pulled high into a ponytail, and she wore a peasant-style white top with wide-leg jeans. She looked like a hippie, and Hinata wondered if she actually worked there.

"Sorry to startle you." She glanced over at the man and grinned. "You crushing on Sasuke too, huh?"

Hinata felt her face heat up and she sighed. What could she do, deny it? She figured it was a bit too late to try to be discreet. "Is that his name?"

The girl nodded. "You're new here, aren't you?" Hinata nodded and introduced herself.

"I'm Ino. It's nice to have you join us." Hinata had heard that many times, in her other jobs and television. She wondered if anyone ever said it with sincerity. This girl seemed to mean it though, and Hinata smiled.

"Well, I should tell you about Mr. Perfect over there himself, if I still caught you checking him out." Hinata turned red again.

"He's the senior editor. The youngest ever, actually. He holds a record."

"How old is he?"

Ino grinned. "Are you ready for it?" Hinata nodded. "Twenty-four."

"No way."

Ino nodded, grinning. "So quiet and serious, though." She rolled her eyes toward Sakura. "I see you've met Miss Priss over there. She's always flirting with him."

"Does it work?" Hinata asked. Ino gave a loud sarcastic laugh and everyone turned to stare. She glared at each one of them.

"What are you staring at?" she demanded. "Get back to work!"

Everyone turned back to their screens and Hinata giggled. Ino waved a hand in the air as if to wave something off. "Enough about him. Tell me ab-"

"Ino…"

The girl cringed and looked up at the tall, pale-haired man.

"Yes sir?"

"Where should you be?"

"Woooorrrrking."

"And…?"

She smiled at the man. "I'm going, sir."

The man left the workplace and Ino grinned at Hinata. "That was the boss. Chief Kakashi. There's no messing around with him." She leaned over Hinata's desk and whispered, "We'll go out to coffee at the break, OK?" Hinata nodded and Ino scampered back to her cubicle. Hinata glanced at her screen and began typing.

Review please…arigato!! XD