AnimeCrasherz: My first attempt at writing something somewhat serious. (not stupid/random/crackfilled) Keep your hands and feet inside the vehicle at all times. Hope you like it.

(It's in Sakura's P.O.V. But it's more of a Hinata story.)

Invitation to the Kyuubi Festival

"So you're going, right?" I asked my friend Hinata while I fiddled with little pieces of grass and flowers I tore from the ground.

"I think so..." she replied reluctantly, a thoughtful expression on her pale face. "A-although, I would like it if I could go w-w-with..." her voice trailed off and she blushed. I couldn't fathom how she could have such a huge crush on Naruto.

Hinata and I were sitting in a grassy meadow on the outskirts of Konoha, just relaxing. We didn't have any missions and were taking advantage of the free time. The annual Kyuubi festival was coming up - the day where Konoha celebrated Kyuubi being sealed away. I, of course, was confident about asking Sasuke on a date with me. Hinata... different story.

"Hinata, you should ask him. Maybe you'd be surprised." I nugded her. But I pretty much knew my reassuring words would be in vain.

"N-no. Maybe I should just go with you, or maybe Shino and Kiba would like to..." she said, looking genuinely depressed.

I frowned; I'd had enough of this. Standing abruptly and brushing the grass off of myself I said, "Well Hinata, if you're not going to ask him, then I will." I began to stomp away, determined to set Hinata and Naruto up for a date.

"W-w-wait! Sakura-chan! You can't!" She stammered, getting up and following me.

"Things will be fine, Hinata. You just watch!" I sprinted away, into Konoha's bustling streets.

I ran as fast as I could, bumping into a few people here and there. ...okay, lots of people. But I had to get to Naruto's house before Hinata caught up! (A/N: I don't know if she REALLY knows where Naruto lives. But seeing as he's her teammate it's not THAT unlikely.) Hopefully he was home.

Hinata followed closely behind, but fortunately she was too polite to bump into people without a proper apology, so I was losing her quickly!

Faster and faster I ran, gasping for breath. Finally, I made it to Naruto's little apartment!

Panting, I skidded to a stop in front of his door.

Ding, Dong...

I heard some scraping noises coming from inside, and then...

"GOOD AFTERNOON, SAKURA-CHAN!" Naruto answered the door with a big, surprised smile. "What's up?"

"Well... Naruto..." I began, still trying to catch my breath, "I... was thinking... first off... do you have any... plans, the day... of the Kyuubi festival?"

A look of deep pain twisted Naruto's features for a second at the mention of the Kyuubi festival. I couldn't understand why. "Kyuubi festival? No..."

"That's great!" I cheered, brightening up. "Why don't you come... to the Kyuubi festival with me and... Hi-"

Naruto interrupted me. I was expecting some kind of rejection, like maybe he had plans on that day. How would I break the news to Hinata?

What he said shocked me.

"YAY!" Naruto glomped me. "SAKURA-CHAN! I WOULD LOVE TO GO WITH YOU! I'VE NEVER BEEN ON A DATE BEFORE!" He let go of me and stepped outside, closing the door behind him.

"N-no! Naruto-kun, you-" I stammered.

He interrupted me again. "Well, Sakura-chan, I have to hurry, Iruka's taking me out for some ramen. I'll meet you at your house the day of the Kyuubi festival!" He hugged me again, and dashed off with surprising speed before I could say anything.

I slumped down to my knees, utterly defeated. Poor Hinata. Poor me! I brought Naruto's hopes up, just to have to dash them down and humiliate him? I needed to come up with a plan, but the Kyuubi festival was tomorrow!

"I'm the stupidest girl on earth..." I slumped down and held my face in my hands.

"I'M THE LUCKIEST GUY ON EARTH!" was the last thing I heard as Naruto ran around the corner.

AnimeCrasherz: Do you guys like it? Is it good? Or should I just delete it as a lost cause?

REVIEW PLEEEEEEEEEEEZ!