Chapter 2: Dates and Suckers

Since Naruto had made it to the bus stop in time, he was filled with relief and all seemed to be going as planned. He had an entire strategy all mapped out in his head: first, he would go to his office and find Sakura Haruno waiting there. Then, he would apologize for his slight tardiness, and ask to make it up to her by taking her out to dinner. Whatever followed after that would be taken care of by his charm and good looks.

As he mulled over how perfect the day would play out, Naruto grinned impishly at how handsomely ingenious he was.

No more dates set up by Jiraiya…was the first of many reveries that mounted his adrenaline. As Naruto continued to daydream about finally snatching a girlfriend, he started to realize how much embarrassment and shame not having one had caused him all these years. Now, he wouldn't have to make up stories on the spot in front of his friends as to why he was still single. Now, he wouldn't have to watch cheesy romance dramas and work overtime just to forget that he had nothing to do on a Friday night. Now…he could live.

Just as the blond anticipated that nothing could splinter his brimming exuberance, he felt his heart drop with his first steps on the bus. He was last to board, and every single seat was taken – except for one.

And of course, it just had to be the one next to the girl with the bubblegum hair. The one that had shot him down with a simple, yet ridiculing stare. And to make matters worse, he had thrown one of his own contemptuous eyeballs back. Naruto knew, then and there, that this commute could not possibly end without some episode of awkward tenseness.

Walking over to the seat where she sat, he took in her appearance as she was engrossed in a thick paperback novel.

Must be smart…he couldn't help but conclude.

Feeling slightly intimidated, he knew that in order to not get flattened by her criticisms, he would have to act at least just as smart.

Inhaling a block of oxygen, he puffed his chest out and asked in his deepest voice possible, "Excuse me, ma'am, is anyone sitting here?"

The pink-haired girl saved the current spot in her book with a careful finger. When she tilted her head up to look at Naruto, all he could observe was the intensity of her laser-like eyes piercing straight through his, and her brow that was furrowed in either puzzlement or exasperation. She pointedly glanced down at the empty seat, and simply stared back at him.

After a lengthy three second pause, she said in a voice like silk, "Of course not."

Naruto nodded emptily, and all confidence fleeted from his eyes. In an attempt to cancel the stupidity she made him feel, he cleared his throat loudly while sitting down. It was as if the small commotion could distract him from his own self-conscious thoughts.

Although she had only said three words to him, he knew the implied meaning of her bothered inflection: are you blind? The seat is empty!

Naruto took a glimpse at the silver watch on his wrist, a lavish gift from his godfather that he never left his apartment without. For some odd reason, the delicate leaf engraved just below the circular frame reminded him of his hometown in Japan.

7:18…I should probably call Sakura to tell her that I'll be a little late…girls dig a guy who can communicate…

Naruto took out his brick of a cell phone and eventually found the client contact information sheet buried within the jumble of papers in his briefcase. He had only just begun dialing the first few numbers when he swore he felt eyes from the side staring at him so intently, he thought he'd need another index card to patch up the hole that it would burn into his shirt sleeve.

With a swift twirl of the head, he found that the prime suspect was still deeply absorbed in her work of fiction.

Uneasily returning his attention back to the phone in his hand, Naruto concluded that he was just letting her previous scorn get to his head. However, faster than anyone could take notice of, he gave her one final fleeting look – just to be safe.

Well, the last thing I need is this crazy lady criticizing my outdated technology and tardy habits.

He shuddered as he imagined a multitude of unwanted, but possible reactions.

How irresponsible it is to leave a client waiting!

What a slob!

I didn't even know bricks still existed!

Look at me – I'm so smart because I read books on my commute.

Naruto filled his head with disgust for the woman as he fashioned his own hypothetical voice for her. He decided that he could not afford to chance anything.

A bit too abruptly, He stood up and mumbled, "Excuse me for a second."

She didn't even give him a second thought.

He scurried up to the front of the bus, trying to keep his balance as they went over a speed bump. Upon reaching a location that was just out of hearing distance from the pink-haired woman, he dialed his client's number again, and apprehensively put the brick to his ear.

Meanwhile, the pink-haired girl was deep into the intriguing plot of her book. She was reaching the suspenseful climax, biting her bottom lip harder and harder as she neared the end of the chapter. Tension was escalating at an alarming rate, while the grip on her book tightened with each passing second. Right when she was about to discover who killed the main character's father…

BZZZZZTTT!

She jumped a little in her seat, startled by the vibration her cell phone made. She took the phone out of her pocket and checked the screen.

"Unknown caller…" she noted softly to herself.

She inhaled a deep breath, quickly realizing how rigid she had become, and got ready to put on her higher-pitched "phone voice."

She pressed the answer button and said with a candy-coated pitch, "Hello?"

Upon hearing Sakura's amiable inflection, Naruto's face lit up.

She must be hot, Naruto thought excitedly with a grin.

To give a good first impression that would eventually help him earn a date with her, he tried to sound as cool and masculine as possible.

"Is this Sakura?"

"Yes."

"Hello Sakura, this is Naruto – Naruto Uzumaki."

"Hello."

"You scheduled to meet with me in a few minutes, correct?"

"Oh yes, I'm terribly sorry. I'm running a bit later than I anticipated. I'm actually still on my way there. Have you been waiting for me all morning?"

Naruto did some quick thinking; this is my chance to look good in front of her. The blond thanked the heavens for making his morning even more perfect than he had predicted.

New plan. Get to my office before Sakura. Impress her. Ask to meet up again sometime to discuss business in a more casual setting…the coffee bar down the street will do…

Naruto tried to sound convincingly realistic, but still impressive, as he fibbed, "Oh it's nothing. I go to the office early every morning. I just like to keep on top of things. Punctuality is one of the first things my mother taught me. Take your time; I'll be here for a while anyway."

Sakura was no dim-wit. She knew overkill when she heard it, and it made her suspicious. She had been in many relationships before and knew manipulative nature by heart.

But there was just something about making guys feel like they're so close, and yet she never liked them at all that amused her. A cruel sick joke, as most might say. But Sakura would argue: that's what life is. Naruto Uzumaki was no exception.

"Sounds wonderful. I'll see you soon then." Sakura said cheerily.

"Great. See you."

"Bye."

"Bye."

After hanging up, they were both left grinning.

Naruto, believing he had scored a date. Sakura, believing she had scored a sucker.