Title: Blind Love
By: MintStarr
Author's Note: Yay for Chapter 3! This was hard for me to write because there were so many things I wanted to put! I decided to post this because It's so late! I'm sorry for being late. I have chapter 4 started!
So enjoy Chapter 3 [:
World: AU
Pairing: Shikamaru Nara & Ino Yamanaka
Summary: Ino, tired of guys just liking her for her stunningly good looks decides to give Sakura a chance to give her a blind date. However this isn't just any blind date. 'Cause this time, she's actually blinded!
Chapter 3 – Blind Date.
"Okay so wear this." Sakura told Ino while holding a green handkerchief.
"What?" Ino asked with disbelief. "You want me to wear, what?"
"This. The handkerchief." Sakura answered as if it was the obvious thing in the world.
"Okay forehead, you're losing it."
"No I'm not Ino. Just wear the damn handkerchief around your eyes." Sakura said exasperatedly.
"How am I supposed to see?"
Sakura laughed, "You're not. Duh."
Ino stared at her now crazy best friend. "You're losing it. I get it."
"No I'm not! This is the only way you and him won't judge each other by the way you guys look. It's simple enough. He's probably wearing a blind fold too and you're wearing one too. It's all good."
Ino stared for what seems like forever until giving in to Sakura's ridiculous idea. She realized that this was a good thing. If she didn't see her date's face, she wouldn't start thinking whether he looked good or anything and just be able to judge his inside personality without bias. She sighed.
"Give it. But you better not be setting me up with some hairy ugly old man."
After what seemed like forever she was finally seated in front of who knows who. Sakura had to help her walk up the steps to the fancy restaurant that even she didn't know. And now she was seated she realized something, How am I suppose to order if I can't see the menu?
She felt so vulnerable not seeing anything. She could feel the air tickling her skin as she tried to grasp the situation. She kept looking around hoping she could see anything. Hell, she didn't even know if her date was sitting in front of her or not. She hoped this guy was worth it. If not, Sakura was going to face hell. Especially if this night was ruined because of this guy.
Sakura patted Ino's back before leaving. "Enjoy guys." She said .
Ino nodded, knowing that her date wouldn't probably see. Ino looked ahead and decided to talk first seeing( oh wait she can't see), hearing that her date would probably not say anything. "So uhm, Hi."
"Hn." The deep voice answered her.
"So what's your name?" she asked, trying a second time though inside she was already starting to see the failure of this blind date.
"No names said your friend."
"What?" Ino said unbelievably. "No way."
"Yeah. Don't ask me, ask your friend. And What's with this stupid handkerchief anyway?"
Ino cringed. "Yeah, I know. Ask my friend."
A frustrated sigh was heard in front of her and she noted that the guy had a low patience. Man, out of all men.
As Ino started cursing her luck in her mental mind she didn't realize that the waiter had already came by and spoken to her date, seeing that she wasn't answering him.
"Hey, girl."
"Oh what?" she answered snappily.
"The waiter just came by and said that Sakura already ordered for us." He said snapping back at her.
"Oh. Alright Thanks."
Insert awkward silence.
"So what do you do?" Ino asked, trying to lighten up the tension around them. She might as well try, seeing that she was stuck with this guy for a couple of more hours.
"I go to school."
"Really? Graduating this year?
"I'm in Graduate school actually."
Ino looked surprised, of course it's not like he can see it anyway. "How old are you anyway?"
"23 years old."
Same age as me. Damn, this guy must be a genius or something.
He talked again in the same uninterested voice, "I'm assuming you're barely graduating from college?"
Jerk. "Yeah. This semester actually." She said sounding proud of herself despite of the guy's intelligence level.
She heard someone's footsteps come closer and she felt a presence next to her. "Here's your orders."
She heard a plate being put down in front of her and another one across from her.
"Excuse me," Ino asked directing her question to the waiter.
"Yes Miss?" he asked.
"Can you at least tell me what I'm eating?"
She heard him chuckle at her, "You, Miss, are eating seafood alfredo pasta. I hope you enjoy."
She nodded, "Thanks."
"Enjoy your food." He said while walking away.
She felt around for her fork and plate and started eating hoping she didn't look like an idiot.
"This is just pathetic." The man in front of her muttered.
Ino laughed, "What? Missed your mouth?" she said getting the hang of eating without seeing.
"Shut up."
She laughed even harder. This was just great.
"Your meal is already paid." The waiter said chuckling. "And Miss Sakura has said you may not take off your blindfolds. If you want to leave, I"ll lead one of you out."
The man in front of her muttered, "Seriously?" he sighed.
Ino cringed, freakin' forehead. "Anyways," she spoke up. "I had a nice time, even with the blindfolds."
"Yeah." He muttered. "Anyways, I'll see you around?" he said standing up. She nodded, oh wait he can't see her. "Yeah. Uhm, Mr. Waiter? Are we allowed to say our names at least? It's the least I can do."
"Yes Miss." He said.
"It was nice meeting you." Ino said not knowing where the guy was. "I'm…"
He cut her off. "It was nice meeting you too. I'll be leaving first if you don't mind."
Ino looked crestfallen, "Okay."
"Waiter."
"Yes Sir."
Ino heard the two walk away and she just wanted to cry. That jerk, didn't even put any effort into this. What the heck? Damn Sakura. Gosh. Then again, I don't blame him. I'm quite put down with the whole blindfold and no names crap. But the jerk, the nerve of him. Ladies first!
"Miss?" the waiter was back.
"Yes?" Ino asked sighing.
The waiter sat down opposite of her. "How was the date?"
"What do you care?" she spat.
He chuckled, "Sakura's a friend of mine. And even though I find this amusing, I'm still hoping you enjoyed yourself. Even though this idea is sadly troublesome."
"I'm glad you find this amusing." She said, clearly pissed.
She heard him laugh again. She realized his laugh was very soothing and familiar.
"Anyways Miss. Would you like me to take you home now?" he asked politely.
"Don't I just wait for Sakura?" she asked, not trusting herself to go wit h this guy. Even if he is supposedly Sakura's friend.
"Go ahead. She should be coming now." He said, sounding a bit offended.
He stood up with the intention of walking away when Ino reached out and attempted to grab his arm.
Instead she got his hand. His warm hand, that brought shivers in her. Familiar shivers.
"Please stay. I don't want to be here alone."
He stopped moving for a few seconds then sat down again, mumbling "Troublesome."
She pulled her hand back, missing the warm feeling she got upon touching his hand. She fiddled with her hands sitting awkwardly.
He sighed and said, "So you're graduating this year."
Ino looked up, "Yeah."
He sighed and she heard him tap his fingers on the table, "I'm graduating too actually."
"Really?" she said. "Are you 23 years old too?" she said jokingly.
"Yeah."
"So do you work here part-time then?" she asked, trying to keep the conversation alive and hoping he wouldn't kill it like her failure of a date.
"Yeah. Can't pay tuition that easily like some people." He said.
She laughed, "Yeah I know what you mean. But my dad won't let me work. Says his "Little princess" shouldn't work until she graduates."
"Daddy's little girl."
"Am not."
"Are too." He said lightly.
She laughed. "Yeah so? Got a problem?"
She was enjoying this little banter of theirs.
"Ino!" Sakura's voice called out to her.
"Oh there's your friend. Say hi to her for me and be careful." The waiter's voice said right after.
Ino nodded.
"Oh yeah, before I forget. You're allowed to take off your blindfold now by the way." He said standing up and walking away.
"HEY! Why didn't you tell me before you jerk!" she said yanking off the blindfold and blinked, adjusting her eyes to the lights.
She saw his back while walking away from her while he said, "It's too troublesome."
She observed that he had the most weirdest hairstyle ever, his dark hair tied into an unruly yet familiar ponytail. What kind of guy had that long of a hair? She then was struck with a realization. Her heart leapt and she suddenly couldn't breathe.
Ino was about to go say something else when she felt Sakura turn her around. "How was the date!" Sakura asked excitedly.
Ino stared at her happy and expectant green eyes and while thinking of the small enjoyable conversation she had with the now familiar waiter and answered back with a , "Oh it was great."
Author's Note: I don't know how this came out. But there it is! I'm not sure if I'm proud of this. But Please read and review.