Thank you for the reviews, keep them coming!
Enjoy!
The Party
Part two: Preparations
A tension had settled over Konoha, looming over the citizens despite the sudden heat wave that had stricken the village. Even though it was unbearable hot, it couldn't get the party from the minds of the younger ones. The preparations continued, only slowing down by minutes for some well-needed water breaks. Lying on his usual spot under the shadow of the tree, Naruto gazed up at the cloud free sky.
He was sweating so much that his clothes were soaked, but he could care less. He had just been working out for the past three hours and had now decided that he needed some rest. His mind was rushing, too much was going on and he tried to organize the mess in his head. The heat was not helping. It was also nearing lunchtime, but food was the last thing on his mind. Stroking some sweat from his forehead, he sat up and sighed.
What had Kakashi meant yesterday? Couldn't he just have told him instead of playing with him?! Clenching his fist, Naruto hit the ground.
"Damn… '… and try to open your eyes for once.' What the hell did he mean by that?"
Maybe Kakashi just wanted to mess with him? There definitely was something going on here, and since it involved him he had to find out somehow. But that wasn't the only thing that seemed to replay in his mind…
"Naruto-kun…"
He closed his eyes.
"I will never get married Hinata. No one will ever notice me for… me."
Hinata began to blush furiously, and thanked the gods that he had closed his eyes.
"I… I… I do."
He shrugged, there was too much to think about right now. Maybe he just needed some lunch? His stomach seemed to agree as it gave off a growl, and after heading home and taking a quick shower he began to prepare some lunch. Just as he was about to chop some carrots a loud knock came from the door. Naruto dropped the knife on the bench in surprise and went to open the door. Narutos eyes widened.
"Kakashi? What the hell?"
He could have sworn that the copy ninja had a smug look on his face. Naruto clenched his fist, trying to control himself.
"What did you mean yesterday?! Tell me now!"
Kakashi just held up his hands in a quick gesture, then he grabbed Narutos shoulder and guided him inside. Spechless, Naruto was lead to his small wardrobe.
"Now, what are you gonna wear tonight? Show me."
Momentarily forgetting his anger toward his former sensei, he realised that he hadn't given that any thought at all. He blinked.
"Uh… I don't…"
Kakashi smacked his hands together so loud that Naruto jumped at the sudden sound. The he grabbed the paralysed blonde and began to drag him outside.
"Good! Then come here we must prepare you and the other guys for tonight. You're all coming with me."
Kakashi didn't stop until they were outside some clothes shop, and as he let go of Naruto he wiped some sweat of his face. He gave Naruto a look.
"Rather hot today… Don't you agree?"
"……"
"Yeah, I thought so."
Naruto calmed himself down and gave him a death glare.
"So, you dragged me all the way here just to taunt me or something? I don't have any money! And why are we outside? It's… hot…"
He stopped his rambling as he saw the guys coming over. But it wasn't any of them that had caught his attention, it was Hinata! She was wearing black shorts, and a small shirt. He had never seen her in such revealing clothes, even if those weren't so dared compared to what most of the girls used to wear. He looked up, square in her face. She blushed and quickly averted her gaze, and all of a sudden Naruto found himself a bit uncomfortable.
"Hey idiot! What's with the face?"
Naruto shook himself out off it and gave Kiba a grin.
"I saw your face that's what!"
Shikamaru gave him a look, shifting to his usual lazy posture.
"That was lame."
Sasuke snorted, shifting his arms. Naruto sighed.
"Hey guys… Hinata, what are you doing here? I know we guys sucks at shopping…"
She flinched when he mentioned her name and she looked down, as she crossed her arms over her chest as if to cover herself up.
"I… I p-promised Sakura… I w-would shop with h-her… "
Shino corrected his glasses as he turned to Kakashi, leaning forwards slightly.
"I assume you wanted to tell us something important, since you so urgently called us here."
Kakashi twitched slightly as he could here an undertone of a threat in the young mans voice. As if to reinforce this fact, his insects buzzed slightly. Kakashi explained that he had called them for a much needed shopping. Naruto inched closer to Hinata, giving Shino a look.
"Oi, whats up with Shino? He is a bit more creepy than usual I would say…"
Hinata blushed, and began to fidget a little.
"I… He… "
Kiba smirked and leaned in to join their conversation, with a smug look on his tattooed face.
"Apparently, he was with a girl… Imagine bug man, with a girl!"
Hinata looked away as Kiba broke out laughing, but Naruto froze. He turned away from them, and began to walk inside. He couldn't quite get the sad tone from his voice as he shouted out to the rest of the guys.
"Let's get this over with! Kakashi, you owe me!"
For a second, they all stood rooted to the spot. Some confused in the sudden change in Naruto, some in the sudden realisation. Hinata's gaze fell to the ground as she clutched for her heart. Pain had filled her chest, and she did her best to fight off the impulse to run up and hug Naruto and exclaim her love to him.
"Naruto-kun…"
Kakashi grabbed Sasuke who was unprepared and dragged him inside.
"Yo! Let's go, I don't have all morning."
Sasuke tried to lose his senseis gripp but gave up and crossed hims arms with a sour look on his face.
"You're just going to read Icha Icha Paradise again, are you?"
Hinata decided to come with them inside, since she was so worried about Naruto. She found him standing beside a table with t-shirts. He was holding a yellow one up, absently inspecting it. Hinata stopped and just observed him. Clearly, he was thinking about something, because he never let go off the t-shirt, just kept starring at it. She couldn't take it anymore, he looked so sad.
"N-Naruto-kun… A-are you alright?"
He flinched and quickly turned his head in her direction, causing her too involuntarily take a step back. His eyes had a frantic look to them, and she blinked. Naruto found himself surprised as he starred at Hinata, and tried to compose himself. Forcing a smile, he dropped the shirt.
"Of course! Heh, I was just… Couldn't decide."
For a moment, he had been so absorbed in himself, his self pity, that he hadn't noticed her presence. He cursed for himself, trying to sort out the chaos in his mind. Why was he suddenly feeling nervous? He didn't wan't to embarrass himself in front of Hinata, the thought was unbearable! And he didn't want her to worry either… Wait, she was worried??
"Naruto!! T-shirts are not appropriate… At least not those. Come here!"
Naruto screamed as Kakashi grabbed him from behind and threw him over the store, landing on Sasuke.
"Get off me, you lowlife!"
Naruto rubbed his head and quickly got off.
"Oi! It wasn't my fault ugly! Sensei just threw me without warning!"
Sasuke rolled his eyes as he dusted off himself.
"And you call yourself a ninja? Pfe!"
Kiba, who had been standing beside Sasuke, smirked.
"Yeah, like when Kakashi grabbed you?"
All three off them suddenly turned as a scream was heard from the corner of the shop. Neji was holding Lee, who was trying to get away.
"Sorry my friend! It was just a friendly advice!"
Naruto perked up and gestured towards his green friend.
"Oi! Neji, what did he do?"
Neji gritted his teeth and growled.
"He… Wanted… Me… To.. try… spandex!"
Kiba broke down laughing, and Neji tightened his gripp on Lee whom yelped. Kakashi strolled over and bent away his fingers from the terrified teen.
"Lee, you should now better. Neji, don't attack your team mates recklessly."
Kiba snorted with laughter.
"Yeah, especially not when they are as smart as Naruto."
Kakashi went over to Kiba, whom gulped.
"Well, shall we start with you then Kiba?"
One by one, Kakashi 'helped' the guys with clothes, and lastly he grabbed Naruto whom watched as Hinata left. The copy ninja smiled under his mask as he noticed the boys sullen faces.
"Cheer up! Let's go eat when I'm finished with Naruto!"
Hinata wished that she could have stayed and seen Naruto, but she had promised Sakura and she would not go back on a promise. The pink girl was standing outside, and Hinata smiled when she saw all the girls and her eyes suddenly widened.
"Temari?"
The sand girl smirked.
"Yes, the sand has arrived. We got invitations too you know."
Hinata nodded, and Sakura gave her a suspicious look.
"Why where you in that store? Isn't that mens clothing?"
Hinata blushed and looked down on the ground.
"Uhm… W-well, I h-had nothing to d-do…"
Ino laughed and smacked Sakura on her back.
"Come on forehead! Let's go, why should we stand here? Let's shop girls, we have men to catch!"
Giving Ino a look, they all headed towards the perfect shop. Sakura gave a last glance back at the store, and then shrugged. She couldn't understand it, why was she so suspicious towards Hinata all of a sudden? Was she really worried that Hinata would talk to Naruto? No, she loved Sasuke… Then, why had she been thinking such… odd thoughts about him since that incident in the grocery store? And Naruto really loved her… He had done so since school. Maybe… No, not Naruto!
"Hey, Sakura!"
"Eh?"
She stopped and blinked. She had almost missed them as they entered a store. Was she really thinking that deep? Ino winked at her.
"If you're that distracted it will be no match for me to win Sasuke over you know!"
Suddenly, Sakura felt fear rip through her body. And it wasn't because of Ino's comment; it was because, she didn't care. She snapped back, as she was filled with anger at herself. She did love Sasuke!
"You will se Ino-pig! Just you wait and see!"
Marching inside, Sakura frantically tried to find something sexy. She would have Sasuke, and all would be fine! Wasn't this what she had wanted for years? Soemthing red caught her sight, and she found herself starring at a simple, yet perfect short dress. The straps were thin, and she would show off some cleavage in that dress. She smiled in triumph as she grabbed it. Tenten eyed her dress.
"That was quick Sakura. I hope I will find something good too."
She smiled back at Tenten and nodded.
"I'm sure you will. This shop is great! Find something good and we will go change!"
Hinata glanced over at Sakura and Tenten, and sighed in defeat. Naruto would never look at her if the others choose such dresses… And she wasn't as beautiful or nearly as good as the others… She didn't deserve him either way. Then, a hand on her shoulder made her drop the shirt she was currently holding. Temari and Ino were standing beside her.
"Need some help?"
Hinata was just about to answer Temari when Ino held her hand over her mouth. Hinatas eyes widened.
"Yes, you do! Come here!"
While Ino dragged Hinata around, Temari grabbed some dresses and then headed for the changing room. With a fearful expression, she was cornered… As she began to change, her thoughts drifted to Naruto and what he would say when he saw her in something like this. With a hand on her heart, she stopped for a moment and cast a glance at herself in the mirror as she whispered;
"Naruto-kun…"
At the same time, Kakashis group left the shop and headed for a place to eat. Since it was still a few hours left, the boys kept forgetting about the night and actually enjoyed themselves for a while except for Neji and Naruto. When Naruto had finished his first meal, he went over to the buffet to get a second portion. Absently he put some random food on his plate, before he was stopped by a nudge. He shook his head and discovered Neji was standing beside him, with an empty plate.
As he began to talk, he picked out some food he wanted.
"You're more depressed than I am. Why?"
Naruto laughed. Then he gave Neji a look that the he would never forget. Naruto was grinning madly, but his eyes was filled with an indescribable pain.
"Who would ever want to marry a freak like me huh? All they see is the kyuubi. I know it's your party… Which's makes it even more obvious. I will attend every party but never have my own."
Neji blinked, clearly surprised but at the same time not.
"You guys don't see it, because you can have someone that will stand by you. I can't. You should be happy."
Neji was to chocked to say anything as Naruto left his plate and left. To late he screamed after him;
"You're wrong! There is someone… Damn, you really are dense!"
Neji blinked, and realised that he had done something really out of his character. With a small smile he shook his head.
"Naruto, you really have some weird impact on people… I hope Hinata finally get her feelings off her chest this time."
Ashe sat down with the others, he calmly began to eat. Soon, everyone at the table was starring at him. Sasuke eyed him carefully, noticing the sudden change in his mood. The Uchiha heir was confused, wasn't he angry about the marriage thing a second ago?
"Kakashi, you have to take Narutos stuff to his apartment. He had to leave."
Kakashi lowered his book and peered at Neji.
"Oh? Sasuke, you take his stuff."
"WHAT!?"
"I have an important meeting with Kurenai."
Sasuke glared at his former sensei.
"No."
Kakashi turned his eye towards Lee.
"Then you will train with Lee."
Before Lee could open his mouth, Sasuke slammed his hand on the table.
"I'll do it."
Kakashi disappeared behind his book, currently deep in thoughts. There had definitely been some progress… Maybe. He sure as hell had starred at Hinata, but that didn't necessarily mean anything. If nothing would happen… There was always that wonderful little plan B. Kakashi smirked.
End Part two
To be continued in Part three: Calm before the storm
