Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Well, thanks to the great reviews I got for the last chapter, I decided to extend the series. Thanks to everyone who reviewed!
Chapter Two: Sakura's Secret
"Naruto, you can't do it there!"
The blond shinobi rolled his eyes. "Shikamaru, you proposed to Temari in the freaking arena, so don't even talk."
The black-haired lay-about groaned. "Naruto, you are such a drag. That's different and you know it. Temari and I met on that field. It had meaning for us. Ichiraku's is your favorite ramen stand. It's a place you go for lunch on the spur of the moment. It isn't a place to propose. Even the training ground would be better."
"Shikamaru's right, Naruto," said a particularly large ninja to his right.
This time, it was Naruto's turn to groan. "Not you too, Choji."
"Sorry, Naruto, but Ichiraku's doesn't seem very romantic," said Choji
"Look," said Naruto, "If it hadn't been for Ichiraku's advice and support, (A/N, if you remember from my last chapter, Naruto was at Ichiraku when he met Sakura) I never would have gone looking for Hinata 6 years ago, and if I hadn't gone looking for her, she would be dead right now. So, directly or not, Ichiraku is the reason Hinata and I are together, and Hinata is even alive. Ichiraku's it is.
"Naruto! I would never have expected something so eloquent from you!"
Naruto fell of the couch in his and Hinata's apartment. "Bushy-brow! How did you get in here?"
Rock Lee stood behind the couch; in the same haircut and eyebrows he had 13 years ago, let alone 6. He looked almost exactly like his sensei, Mighty Guy, in appearance, clothing, and even eyebrows. His customary green jump suit was paired with a ninja vest that many male shinobi wore.
"I slipped in through the window. Perhaps you and Hinata should get better ones if you are to be married."
Naruto blanched. "Y-you heard that? Gah, that was supposed to be a surprise!"
Lee looked at Naruto with all seriousness. "Do not worry, Naruto, I will keep your secret of love!"
Naruto scratched the back of his head nervously. It was just like Lee to exaggerate things like that.
In reality, there were some who knew about it. Iruka-sensei and Ichiraku were an integral part in his decision. Once he made it, he told Kakashi-sensei, his male friends, and Tsunade baa-chan. The last one may not have been a good idea. After all, the sixth Hokage was prone to overindulging in sake, and, being her sensei, might leak this info to Sakura. This wouldn't be a problem, exept for two things: one, Sakura was one of Hinata's best friends. And two, the pink-haired medic could not keep a secret, especially when she was drunk.
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'Something's up,' thought Hinata.
The dark-haired kunoichi looked at the medic next to her on her right. They were in one of the few bars that were in Konoha. Usually, Sakura was drunk right now. Instead, she drank nothing but water all night. She was on her 7th glass. Ino, the blond kunoichi on her left, however, was drinking shots of the strongest scotch they had. As Sakura was much given to one-night stands, Hinata decided to (while Sakura's back was turned) use her Byakugan to see if she was carrying any "extra luggage". She wasn't. Since she usually drank to get rid of her emotional problems, Hinata could only deduce one thing: she was hiding something. Something big.
Once Sakura got up to go to the bathroom, (seven glasses of water will do that to you) Ino said, rather drunkenly, "So, what do you think it is?"
"Hm?" asked Hinata.
"Oh, come on," said Ino, "she's got a secret. I can reason about as well as a goldfish right now, and I can tell that. She's barely said anything all night. What do you think it is?"
"I don't know," said Hinata, "but if she's not drinking, it's big."
Ino's eyes widened. "You don't think she's pregnant, do you?"
"I thought that too, but I checked with the Byakugan, and it's just her chakra. It's something else, and I think it's something about one of us."
"Really?" said Ino, really worried now. "Like what?"
"I don't know," said Hinata, shaking her head, "but I'm gonna ask."
"Hold on," said Ino evilly, "I have a better idea."
Ino called for the barkeep, and whispered something to him. He smiled, and gave her a bottle with a clear liquid. Even from a distance, Hinata could smell the potency. Ino took Sakura's glass and put a small amount of the strange liquid into it. The liquid's color matched the water seamlessly.
At that moment, Sakura returned from the bathroom. "Hey guys, what's up?"
Before Hinata could say anything, Ino blurted out: "O.k., Sakura, spill it."
Sakura blushed as red as her dress. "What do you mean?"
"Sakura," said Ino, "drop the act. We know your hiding something, and we will get it out of you eventually, so you may as well tell us."
"I can't," whined Sakura, "I promised Tsunade-sensei. I shouldn't even know, she was drunk when she told me."
"Well," said Ino, "she doesn't need to know."
Sakura sighed and took a sip of her water. She felt an incredible calm wash over her (thanks to the concentrated vodka enhanced with chakra).
"Alright, fine," she said stupidly, "You want to know so bad, her it is: it concerns a certain blond shinobi, and a certain blue-haired kunoichi."
Hinata blushed furiously. A secret about her and Naruto? This was either really good or really, really bad. And, being a nervous worrier, she was leaning toward the latter. Was Naruto thinking about breaking up? Was he gay? Or maybe… no! 'IS HE CHEATING ON ME?!?!?!?!?!?!' she thought hysterically.
Hinata started to cry, already convinced he was cheating on her. Sakura, who had taken another sip, said, "Whoa, what's with the waterworks? Cheer up; Naruto's gettin' ready to pop the question!"
Hinata gasped, Ino squealed, and Sakura (after one more sip) passed out.
"Oh My God, Hinata!" yelled Ino, hugging Hinata fiercely. "He's gonna propose! I never would have thought he would be mature enough for that! I haven't been this excited since Shikamaru and Temari!"
Hinata was in shock. Here was a surprise! Here she was, bawling her eyes out, convinced that Naruto was cheating on her, and here was Sakura saying Naruto was going to ask her to marry him!
Reverting to her old, quiet self, Hinata said, "I-Ino? Do y-you think you c-could take Sakura home? I-I need to t-think…"
"Sure! Oh, this is so exciting! I'll see you later!" said Ino. he grabbed Sakura and carried her fireman style. Ino started walking in the direction of Sakura's apartment.
Hinata just sat there, thinking, still kind of in shock. She sat there until the bar tender said, "Hey, lady, you don't gotta go home, but you can't stay here." Hinata got up, left the bar, and stated walking home. She was half-way there when it hit her.
NARUTO WAS PROPOSING!!!!
"YESSSSSSSS!!!!" she yelled as she leapt in the air. She started skipping home-that's right, skipping-to the apartment that she shared with her future husband.
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Well, that's it! I hope I did good. Please, R&R. P.S., I know it sucks, I kind of rushed myself. Short, I know, but This is just to set the scene for the next one.
