Untitled

Thank you for those who read my first story and special thanks for those who review it. Happy reading!

I don't own Naruto and its characters.

Chapter 2 – Girl's Day Out

Sun rays creep through the curtain waking up a slender figure who curled up behind a blanket. She moaned before opened up her eyes. Ino got up from bed with a smile on her face. Today was the day when she and the girls from Konoha 12 spent the whole day just the four of them and without any boys. She called it a girl's day out. They usually went shopping or just hang out on one of the tea shop talking or exchange the news aka gossiping. She went to her bathroom and took a shower. Thirty minutes later she finished showering and peaked to her closet then decided to wear something casual. She decided to wear a blue sky sleeveless Chinese top and dark blue pants that reach just below her knees which she brought last month. She also attached her kunai pouch on her right thigh just in case she needed it. Well… as a shinobi you always have to be prepared for anything that might happen let just say when suddenly they're being attacked by others village or some criminal organization who wants to destroy Konoha. That actually happened in the past.

Ino looked to her mirror and she brushed her long blonde hair. She pulled her hair up into a pony tail and braided it. After she's done, she went down stair and walk to the kitchen to have some breakfast before going out to spend the day. When she reached the kitchen she was surprised finding her teammates and best friend sat on the chair at the dining table. "Shikamaru?"

"Oh Ino. Finally you came!" Shikamaru was looking up to her lazily before he sipped his tea.

"What are you doing here?" Ino looked at him confused. "Have we been summoned?"

"Well, actually Kurenai-sensei asked me to babysit Asuka-chan this morning while she's shopping." Shikamaru continued, "It's troublesome but I've been summoned to Hokage's office for mission debrief."

Ino smiled at him, "Daijoubu yo Shikamaru! I'll look after her. Besides it's been long since last time I've spent time with her."

"Aa"

"But I still need to go to the hospital to take some file to be signed by Tsunade-sama." She told him while sat down on the table. "Why don't you pick her up and we meet at Hokage's office while I fetch those files?"

"Hmm sound's good." They ate in silent and sometime talk about the past when they were still genin.

"You surely are late Sakura!" Tenten said or rather shouted when she saw Sakura walked toward their table. Today they're meeting at the Dango Shop that located on a business district in Konoha. Sakura only sighed and took a seat beside her best friend and ex-rival, Ino.

"What's happen Forehead? Is Kakashi-sensei's bad habit finally rubbed on you?" teased Ino.

"Oh shut up Ino." Sakura huffed. "It's his fault that we're late to our appointment with the doctor."

"So how's your pregnancy Sakura?" asked Hinata when Sakura finished telling the waitress her order.

"It's fine." Sakura answered while rubbing her belly. "I can't believe I will be a mother." She smiled genuinely.

Ino giggled at her best friend, "Actually I can't believe that you've been married in this young age, Sakura, to your sensei no less."

Sakura frowned, "He's not my teacher anymore when we're dating, Ino-pig." This made Ino more giggled and made Sakura shoved her shoulder lightly to stop her giggling.

"Have you decided a name for your child, Sakura?"

"Well, Kakashi and I haven't talked about the name yet. But I guess I know what a perfect name to give to our baby."

"And…?" Tenten asked curious.

"Well, I'd like Obito if it's a boy."

"It's a good name Sakura." Hinata smiled appreciatively. "And what if it's a girl?"

"I'm sure that your baby will be a boy Sakura. So no need a girl's name." Ino said a matter-of-factly as if the baby has been born before Sakura could even open her mouth to answer Hinata's question. The other three could only frown at their blonde hair friend.

"Ino, we still don't know the gender of my baby. How could you say so confidently that it would be a boy?"

"I don't know Forehead. It just that I'm really sure it's a boy. Besides, I really want to have a cute and adorable little nephew to play with." Ino's eyes gleamed and she lost in her own thought until Tenten decided to change the topic by asking Hinata about her latest mission. They talked from one topic to another, sometimes laughed between their stories ignoring other customer glances toward their table.

They've been listening to Tenten who's been telling them now about her latest mission with Sasuke and how his behaviour annoyed the hell out of her. "Really, I wonder how the two of you liked and chased someone like him when we're younger!"

"That was a long time ago, Tenten. We're just being a silly kid!" Sakura giggled recalling the memories of how she and Ino used to fight over him.

"Yeah, besides didn't you think that he's handsome back then, Tenten." Ino smiled slyly at her.

Tenten frowned and glad that Hinata saved her, "I think every girl in our age thought him like that back then."

"Hmm… true but obviously not you Hinata. You've always had eyes for Naruto." Hinata blushed at Ino's comment. Everyone went silent obviously lost in their own thought. Talking about their time as a genin brought back many memories. They've been through a lot from being a silly fan girls or a timid girl in Hinata's case to become a fine young woman and capable kunoichi. Their friendships become strong as time passed. Not only four of them, their bond with the boys become strong as well.

"Speaking of Uchiha…" The other three at the table looked up to a soon to be mother who broke the silence suddenly and glanced sceptically at Ino.

"What?" Ino asked warily. She felt uneasy by the way Sakura spoke and glanced at her. This couldn't be any good, she thought to herself sipping her drink.

"Are you and Itachi dating?"

"NANI?" Tenten shrieked. Hinata gasped. While Ino choked on her drink.

"Since when…?" Tenten asked Ino.

"How…?" Ino asked Sakura once she regained her composure.

"How I figured out?"

"NO, Forehead!" Ino yelled. "What I mean is how could you ask something ridiculous like that?" Ino took a deep breath to calm herself.

"I heard the nurses talked about you and Itachi when I visited the hospital today…" Sakura continued before Ino could interrupt her, "They spoke how you and Itachi slept together…" At this baby blue eyes went wide. "… and that he picked you up this morning at hospital to have a date after help you delivered files to Tsunade-shisou."

Ino jaw dropped. She's too shocked to even utter a single word.

"So…?" This time Tenten pried her. "Since when you and Itachi-san been a couple, Ino?"

Three pairs of eyes stared at her waiting for her to reply Tenten's question. But Ino's mind wandered off somewhere else. How come they thought she and Itachi were dating while she barely knew the man, unlike Sakura who thought him as a big brother, not more than Sasuke's brother and heir ~or now the leader after his father died during the clan's massacre~ of his clan. She also hardly has familiar encounter with him unlike with Shisui and Sasuke, hell she even knew his mother well enough than knew him. What she and Itachi have was only a formal greeting when they meet and an awkward moment. True, that she and Itachi had fallen asleep in the hospital bench. But that's because she was unconscious and Itachi was exhausted from his mission that ended they're cuddling together. And it's not count as a familiar encounter on her book but an 'awkward moment'. Not to mention that happened almost a month and half ago. And about this morning, she recalled occurrence that happened at the hospital…

Ino sorted out patient files mostly shinobi's files to be signed by the Hokage when an annoying voice called her, "Ino!"

Ino looked at the voice source that came from the hospital hallways. "Shisui-san, Uchiha-san." Ino greeted them when they arrived at her side. "Yamanaka-san!" The later greeted her back politely while the other one just grinning like an idiot.

"Came to visit a friend?" Ino asked. Itachi nodded.

"Ah Ino, what are you doing here?" One of the nurses asked her. "Isn't today is your day off?"

"It is. I just came to pick these files then drop them to Tsunade-sama."

"Sou ka." She smiled before walked away. Ino continued to her work so she didn't see Shisui's eyes glint in amusement. Oh, what a good timing! He smirked inwardly. But Itachi saw it and he felt uneasy.

"Shi…" He wanted to warn his cousin but unfortunately Shisui beat him by saying, "Ne, ne… Ino-chan, you want to go to the Hokage Tower too?"

Ino turned her head and regard him, "Yes. Why?"

"Well, Itachi here would like to escort you there!" He pushed Itachi lightly on his shoulder, "Oh I'm already late to my appointment," and ran away outside in a second, "Ja ne!"

Itachi glared at his figure while Ino just stared dumbfounded. What…? When she looked up and met Itachi's gaze suddenly she felt nervous and her stomach felt uneasy under his intense gaze. Blush appeared on her cheeks when she spoke, "You don't need to escort me Uchiha-san."

"I'm… I'm fine by myself."

"It is fine Yamanaka-san. I'll be going there as well."

"You do?" Ino asked for assurance. Itachi nodded his head.

"Um… well if you insist, but I still need to sort out these files so…" Ino trailed off.

"Take your time Yamanaka-san."

She genuinely smiled at him. "Okay, it won't take a long time." Itachi nodded and said he would wait for her at the Hospital lounge before he left her.

"Uchiha-san?" Ino called when she reached at the lounge. "Ah… sorry to make you wait."

Itachi looked up and made his way toward the girl who's holding pile of files that seemed heavy. "Do you need some help?" He asked her. She shook her head but Itachi took more than half of the files she's holding. Ino blushed slightly and mumbled something like 'sorry' and 'thanks'. Itachi only nodded and began walk away to the front door with Ino following behind him.

Ino didn't see anything wrong with her encounter with Itachi this morning that would show any sign which made people thought they have any sort of relationship. But apparently people thought otherwise.

"Ino!" Tenten waved her hand in front of Ino's face. "INO! EARTH TO INO!"

Ino snapped from her reverie and looked irritating at Tenten, "Mou, Tenten! No need to yell at my ears!"

"You've been space out Ino. Is there something wrong?" Hinata asked concern.

Sakura smirk. "Why, Ino, thinking about your boyfriend?"

"Off course, not! Besides which boyfriend do you mean, Forehead?" Ino said irritating.

"Oh I don't know, someone with the name Uchiha Itachi, perhaps?" Sakura raised her eyebrows mockingly. Tenten let out a small chuckle.

"Look Sakura, Itachi is NOT my boyfriend!" Ino continued, "We aren't dating!" Ino huffed and crossed her hands in front of her chess.

"Hai… Hai…" Sakura continued, "Whatever you say, Ino. I'm tired. I guess I'm going home now."

"Well, I think we should go home as well." Hinata suggested. Tenten and Ino only nodded their agreement. They walked out the shop and went separate way to their own home.

Ino lay on the bed and stared at the ceiling. She sighed when she remember what Sakura had said to her today. She didn't understand how come people think Itachi and I were dating. Come to think of it, why is she thinking about that? It's not a big deal, it's just a gossip. It would flow away like a wind. She knew very well that's not true. Itachi would never like someone like her. Who is she when compare to him? She's just a chuunin and a medic-nin while he's an ANBU captain, a prodigy and a leader of his clan. There are so many girls who were dying just to be with him out there. She shook her head and sighed, I guess I just need to ignore the gossip and focus on my study. I still need to improve my medical ninjutsu. With Sakura temporarily off duty, we're lack on a field medics. I don't have time to deal with some stupid gossip. With that thought she drifted off to sleep. She doesn't know what wait for her the next following weeks.

Thank you for reading! Please review...

- Rurippe -