Konohagakure: a haven for ninja, and a world of boredom for civilians. At least that's what Kiyoko thought. From Hokage Rock to the Academy, everything about her village celebrated ninja. For a civilian teenager like herself, the village was not just lame, but a waste of her time. The problem was that she didn't know what to do with herself. Fortunately, her parents were in charge of the Konoha library.

Kiyoko was not admitted to the academy as a child, because she couldn't become a ninja. Since that day, her parents had tried to reassure her. Its ok sweetie, there are plenty of great things to be other than a ninja. One day you can take over the library from us, they'd say. Her parents never even once asked her if she even wanted to be a ninja in the first place. The answer to that was no. So growing up a civilian wasn't a problem at all, until she became a teenager. As a child, spending all day, every day, doing nothing but playing was the perfect life. Now, her days were dull.

For what seemed like infinite days in a row, Kiyoko made her way to the library to make sure everything was ok.

It's not like anything will happen, she brooded, internally. The biggest offence would be stealing a book, but what would she do? Go after a ninja to get back a book. That was so ridiculous. So she just sat at the front desk and observed the people who came in.

There were currently two joys in Kiyoko's life, despite her dissatisfaction with her existence in general.

1) Writing. She enjoyed writing poetry. She'd get inspired by what she saw around her. Apart from thousands of books, which weren't very exciting, the library had visitors, so she'd write about them. Her write-ups were usually mocking, so she made sure no one knew about her notebook which she kept on her at all times.

2) Ayame Hikari. She was Kiyoko's best friend. Their parents were friends, so they had known each other since childhood. Ayame was in the same boat as Kiyoko, being a civilian and all. However, she radiated with optimism. Her parents owned a produce stand in the village market. Ayame loved working there, because she was a social butterfly. On her days off from the job, she'd come visit Kiyoko.

Concerning looks, the two friends were complete opposites. Ayame was just tall enough, just curvy enough, and blonde with blue eyes. Her skin was perfectly sun kissed, her hair was long and straight. Basically, she was what boys their age called a total hottie. Kiyoko was too tall and too skinny. Her wavy black hair never seemed like it wanted to get tamed, so she'd given up on it. Her skin was pale enough and her strange eye colour (seriously, who had pink eyes) got her the nickname of Banpaia. Sometime around the age of 13, she'd started hissing and showing her teeth at people who made fun of her. Now, she'd just ignore them. She couldn't grasp that at the age of 16, people, especially boys, could be so immature.

Kiyoko was writing about her favourite client to roast. He was always renting books about making friends, manners, or things of the sort. It amused Kiyoko that he would need to read up on that. She smiled when he came to her to borrow a book entitled How to Understand Girls. When he left, she took out her notebook.

As if some book

Could help you get a date

Perhaps change your outfit

Baka

She knew it wasn't her best work, but she wrote it down anyway.

Kiyoko smiled when she saw Ayame enter. At least she wouldn't be lonely all day.

‟I've come to take you out of your misery ˮ, she exclaimed, while sitting beside her friend.

‟You're not allowed to talk at that level of voice in the library ˮ, Kiyoko jokingly scolded.

‟Were you making fun of customers again? ˮ, Ayame questioned, noticing her friend put away her notebook.

‟Come on, you'd do it too if you were stuck here like me ˮ, Kiyoko defended herself.

The two girls stopped talking when two male ninja, about their age, entered the library. One was wearing shades, even if they were indoors, and his jacket collar hid half his face. The other wore a more appropriate black jacket. Kiyoko was shocked when she saw a huge dog following behind them.

‟Animals aren't allowed in the library ˮ, she called out.

The two guys turned around. One ordered the dog to stay put, as they approached the front desk.

‟Kiyoko, you can't tell them what to do. That's a ninken and he is from the Inuzuka clan ˮ, Ayame whispered into her friend's ear.

Unlike her, Ayame took great interest in the village's ninja. She even went as far as to reject advances from civilian boys, hoping to be asked out by a shinobi. Kiyoko didn't care about that type of stuff, ninja clans or boys, but she didn't judge her friend for it.

‟So what? Animals aren't allowed in the library ˮ, Kiyoko whispered back. She didn't have time to add anything because the two ninja had reached the desk.

‟What's wrong with Akamaru being here? ˮ, asked the brown haired guy with red fang markings on his cheeks. ‟He listens to everything I say, he won't cause problems ˮ.

As if wanting to support his owner, the dog braked.

‟But… ˮ, Kiyoko started, but was cut off by Ayame.

‟Please excuse my friend here, she isn't familiar with ninken. I know you need to stay together to bond and be good in combat or something like that. You are welcome to do your research as planned ˮ, Ayame smiled, waving them towards the collection of books.

The two boys, and the dog, went ahead. When they were out of ear's reach, Ayame turned to Kiyoko.

‟Did you see how cute he was? ˮ, she asked.

‟Who, the dog? ˮ, Kiyoko said, clearly uninterested.

‟No, his owner, Baka. ˮ, Ayame shot back. ‟I need him to ask me out on a date ˮ.

‟You've been asked out plenty of times ˮ, Kiyoko pointed out. ‟You rejected every single guy ˮ.

‟But they weren't ninja, and he is ˮ, Ayame said looking at the Inuzuka through her long lashes.

Across the room, Kiba and Shino were having a similar conversation.

‟Listen, there are no girls our age we could possibly go out with. Hinata is in love with Naruto, Sakura is in love with Sasuke, and Ino is just too bossy. That's why civilian girls are our best bet ˮ, Kiba reasoned.

‟Why drag me into this? I have no interest in this type of stuff ˮ, Shino replied.

‟There are two girls, one me. I can't ask one out and leave the other girl feel rejected. That's why I need you as my wing man ˮ, Kiba told his teammate.

‟Fine, but this is just once ˮ, Shino grumbled.

‟Let's just finish the research we were asked to do, and then we'll go talk to them ˮ, Kiba proposed.

‟Just out of curiosity, which girl do you pick? ˮ, Shino asked his teammate.

‟I'll take the cute blonde, so you'll have to ask out the dark haired girl ˮ, he replied.

Back at the desk Ayame was going on about how she and the Inuzuka would make such a cute couple, when Kiyoko saw that the two ninja were coming back towards them. She gently hit her friend on the leg, under the desk, to notify her.

Ayame smiled as the brown-haired boy stood before her.

‟Hi, I'm Kiba Inuzuka. I was wondering if you'd go on a date with me, beautiful ˮ, he told her.

‟I'd love to! ˮ, Ayame nearly squealed.

Kiyoko stopped paying attention, wanting to give them privacy in their moment. She understood that Ayame introduced herself, and they were making plans. Kiyoko sighed, because her friend always got what she wanted, after all.

Hearing someone clear their throat, Kiyoko looked up. The other guy accompanying the ninken user was standing in front of her.

‟I'm sorry to bother you, but if you want, would you accompany me to dinner? ˮ, he asked her.

Kiyoko turned behind her, almost expecting someone else to be the object of the question, but there was only her.

‟Um…ˮ, she hesitated.

‟Oh say yes Kiyoko! ˮ, Ayame, who hadn't missed one second of the action, pleaded her. ‟We can go on a double date ˮ.

‟Alright ˮ, Kiyoko said, not really to anyone, but they all heard her.

‟My name is Shino Aburame ˮ, the ninja with the glasses said.

‟Kiyoko Izumi ˮ, she replied.

The date was scheduled for tomorrow night at the Barbeque place. Kiba and Ayame made all the arrangements, while Kiyoko and Shino silently listened. When the guys and Akamaru (who would not be coming because he was definitely not allowed at the restaurant) left, Kiyoko had a question for her friend.

‟So do you know anything about the Aburame clan? ˮ

Ayame laughed.

‟They're the ones who host millions of insects in their body to use for battle. Sorry but you're coming no matter what, I need a wing woman ˮ, Ayame replied.

Well, at least something happened today, Kiyoko thought.