Tunnel of Destiny

Chapter 3 - Blushes and Tears

The silence was intense. Kiba stood there, between a speechless Naruto and Sakura awaiting Naruto's answer.

"Well..." pushed Sakura as she waited for his answer.

Naruto looked on at her, still looking into her eyes until he sensed someone walking up to them from behind. Hinata had made her way back to them from seeing Kurenai who told her that her cousin, Neji, left a message for her to see him as soon as possible. She looked at Naruto from her distance and stopped walking to avoid getting closer. Naruto's eyes meet with Hinata's and then went back to Sakura's.

"I...uh.." Naruto stammered but then realized his answer with a deep breathe. "Im..sorry, Sakura-chan but, Hinata already asked me" Said Naruto looking downward then into Sakura's eyes.

"Oh, okay. Well i guess I'll see you at the festival then." Sakura said as she turned her body in motion of walking away. She gave a quick grin and smile to Naruto as she turned her back and began to walk away secretly beginning to build up tears in her eyes from Naruto's answer.

"N-Naruto-kun" Said Hinata walking up to Naruto all at the same time blushing

Naruto turned to Hinata and smiled. "I know you were going to ask me before Kiba showed so I will accept. I will be your date to the festival" said naruto with a grin.

Hinata couldnt believe what she was hearing. It was the happiest day of her life. Naruto was her date. She began to blush as she looked off to the side. Kiba smiled at the two and looked back to notice Sakura was walking away slowly. She seemed sad.

"Hmm..." Kiba muttured as he jumped once again upon Akamaru and rode to catch up with her leaving Naruto and Hinata alone.

"Sakura" came a voice directed at Sakura. Sakura turned around to see Kiba riding up next to her.

"Hello Kiba" Sakura greeted him with a smile and moistened cheeks from her wiping away her tears.

Kiba examined her facial expression carefully,. "Are you okay?" he asked her

"Im fine, why do you ask?"

"Because, I know you like Naruto..." Kiba said

Sakura remained quiet.

"You love him, dont you?" Kiba asked with widened eyes

"...I...don't know.." studdered Sakura as her tears began to weld up again

"Well, maybe its not all hopeless for you two to be together." said Kiba as he formulated a plan

"What do you mean?" asked a now teary eyed Sakura

"Jiraiya's Tunnel of Destiny. If you and Naruto end up in the boat together, you will know that you were destined to be with him." Said Kiba slamming his fist into his palm from his idea. Sakura's eyes widened.

"Thats a great idea!...only one problem. I dont have a date." Sakura said sadly.

"Well, how about you ask Shino?"

"No, I cant stand bugs"

"umm...Shikamaru?"

"No, I believe he has a date anyways. I think I over heard him saying he was going with Temari" explained Sakura. She looked down at the ground thinking of who she could go with when it hit her. "Sai" she said looking up. "Sai is my only chance of getting in"

"Nice plan but he seems quite...reserved." said Kiba

"That doesnt matter. As long as I can get to Jiraiya's Tunnel of destiny when Naruto does." Sakura said happily.

"But what if you dont end up with Naruto at the end of the ride?" Asked Kiba with a questioned look upon his face.

"...I have to...i just have to...I love him...' she said under her breathe.

Kiba smiled greatly, "Well, I hope everything turns out alright for you." he said giving her a quick wave of his hand and riding off on Akamaru, "Cya"

Sakura smiled as she began to think of her ending up with Naruto at the end of the ride but quickly faded as she looked behind her and saw Naruto with Hinata in the distance smiling. She had no time to lose if she wanted to pull off her plan. With that, Sakura ran forward in search of Sai.

Back to Naruto and Hinata, who was now blushing extremely were talking about the festival. Naruto was grinning as Hinata was smiling and blushing.

"Well Hinata, are you excited! I cant wait for the festival. Its going to be great!" he said with a big smile

"Y-yeah." she said shyly then noticed that she had to go meet with Neji for something. "W-well i have to go n-now."

Naruto smiled at her. "Okay"

Hinata blushed slightly as she couldnt bring herself to leave him. "O-ok-kay, bye N-Naruto-kun" she said quickly moving her feet to turn around but before she could walk away she felt a hand grasp hers. Her eyes widened as she turned to see Naruto holding her hand and smiling at her, looking deep into her eyes. Hinata's blush was erupting like a volcano and was only intensified when Naruto drew her close to him with a quick pull of her arm. She flung into his arms leaving little to no space between them. Naruto embraced Hinata in a hug as his arms tightened around her. She couldnt believe what was happening.

"This night will be the best night of my life. I just know it" Naruto whispered to Hinata. "Thank you for being my date, Hinata"

Naruto was still hugging her, he nuzzled his head against hers as their hair ruffled together. Naruto could feel Hinata's nervous tremble and soothed her with his hands massaging he back slightly.

Finally, Naruto let go of the hug and Hinata backed away slightly as she did her best to hide her extreme blushing. Naruto could only look on at the blushing Hinata with a smile and chuckle as she smiled back while looking toward the ground. She then turned her head upward to look at him one last time for that moment with a sweet smile, then began to walk over to see Neji, leaving Naruto with a smile upon his face.

I think that chapter was abit emotional for Sakura's side of the story but i think it turned out okay. Next chapter coming soon. Please Review so I can get some feedback on how the story is so far. I hope you are liking it. Thanks