A Month For Two Days
A month, the chuunin had been training for a month straight without any break in sight. Naruto finished the run second, behind Lee. The pervy sage had send them on a ten mile run after having had them train all morning. Slowly the rest of the group made their way in. Kiba and Akamaru were next.
"I don't know how much more I can take," Kiba said.
"Don't give up! This is the Springtime of Youth!" Lee said, trying to rouse his fellow chuunin.
"You're crazy," Kiba responded, Akamaru barking an affirmative.
Before an argument could break out Jiraiya stepped in. "Calm down you two or I'll have you doing another three hours of jutsu practice."
Naruto chuckled when even Lee blanched at the prospect. He then turned to see Hinata and Tenten lead a small group in. Soon the only two left were Choji and Shikamaru. It took them about ten minutes longer than anyone else to finally arrive.
"All right, I have good news for you all!" Jiraiya exclaimed.
"We're going to die?" Shikamaru asked jokingly.
"No... you all have two days off. You aren't allowed to do any training during those days."
"Who would want to?" Shikamaru asked again.
"If that's all, you're all dismissed."
Naruto joined many of the others in a cheer at their good fortune. He was one of the few people who didn't mind training, but what the pervy sage was doing to them seemed inhuman. It was far worse than anything they'd done while he'd been away. Naruto quickly started working out what he was going to do on his break day. "Maybe I should try to get myself a date."
Naruto was a bit surprised by who came to mind. He walked up behind Hinata as they left the training field. The two of them had become rather good friends over the past month. There were many days the two of them would talk during their lunch break at Ichiraku. "Hey Hinata, mind if I walk with you for a while?"
"No, not at all," she said. Hinata mentally jumped for joy. Naruto was talking to her and she wasn't in the least bit nervous.
"How's the Sixty-four Palms technique coming?" Naruto asked.
"I almost have it! Maybe a few more times and I'll have it dead on. How about you?"
"Well, Jiraiya finally caved and suggested I first work on doing the two parts of the technique separately. Since then, things have been going a lot smoother. My problem right now is putting enough force in the throw."
"I'm sure you'll get it," Hinata said. As she finished she stopped to make the turn to her family's house. "Well, I have to go." She then turned, but was stopped by Naruto before she could walk off.
"Hinata, you want to go get some ramen tomorrow?" Naruto asked.
For the first time since her talk with Kurenai, Hinata was nervous around Naruto. "A d-date?" She asked.
"Yeah," Naruto said brightly.
Part of Hinata was doing the biggest most raucous victory dance ever, the routine included fireworks, confetti, the works. The other part just wanted to shrink away and run. She stood for a second until the victory dance part of her screamed about how this was what she'd always wanted. "Sure, I'll meet you at Ichiraku at noon." She stood rooted as Naruto walked off, then turned to head to her house. She was a bit surprised when she saw Sakura and Tenten standing there.
"About time," Sakura said.
"You both saw it all."
"Yeah, we started following you two after we saw Naruto flag you down," Tenten said. "We were afraid that we should have had Ino to take over you mind for a second to say yes."
"How did you know I wanted to say yes?"
"Because its been obvious to pretty much everyone but dunderhead that you've had a crush on him forever. I'm just glad he's finally over me."
Hinata smiled. "Could you two help me pick out something nice for our date tomorrow?"
"Why do you think we're here?" Tenten asked.
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When he got home Naruto quickly heated up some ramen and, as he did with all ramen, inhaled it. He felt like he could sleep for a week, but first took a quick shower and then collapsed on his bed. He fell asleep almost the instant his head hit the pillow. He hoped maybe he'd have a dream about Hinata or being Hokage, instead he got a meeting with the fox.
He realized where he was instantly. He tried to throw his mind from fox's lair, but it was no use. He made the familiar turn and found himself confronted with his cell. But the scene was changed from the last time he'd been there, a red gas was being emitted from the cell. The foxes eyes glowed with anger when he opened them.
"What are you doing to me?!"
"I have no idea what you're talking about. I'm leaving you alone just like Jaraiya told me to," Naruto responded. "Now let me go, I wanted to spend my sleep dreaming, not talking to you."
"You little brat, you're lying. You're slowly siphoning off my chakra! You're depriving me of my power! Give it back!" The fox yelled, hoping to frighten Naruto somehow.
"Whatever... I'm leaving now." Naruto concentrated and soon was out of the foxes prison and slipped into a dream where he was beating up Sasuke. "Well, it wasn't Hinata or being Hokage, but was still good."
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Even though she had the day off Hinata got up at the same time so that she could have breakfast with her father, sister and cousin. She was in such a good mood that she skipped to breakfast. Today she was going on a date with Naruto.
Neji looked up as Hinata walked into the room. He was already in his ANBU uniform. The only part he didn't have on was his mask, which he was only allowed to wear while on duty. He was forbidden to reveal his mask or his assumed identity to anyone. "Congratulations Hinata," he said. He knew how much she had been waiting for this day.
"What are you congratulating her for?" Hanabi asked.
Hinata decided she'd be the one to come clean. "I have a date with Naruto today." She looked nervously at her father. In the past, he had voiced ill feelings toward him, though she didn't know why. She was encouraged when he just nodded and went back to looking over some papers.
Breakfast proceeded quietly. Part way through Neji had to leave for work. He left a discouraged Hanabi in his wake, the girl was convinced if she pestered her cousin enough she'd get to see his mask. Eventually she got up to head off to the Academy, leaving Hinata and Hiashi alone. Hinata went to get up, but Hiashi stopped her.
"In the past I would have forbade you from even being near that boy if it could be avoided. But I would have been wrong. He's changed us, you, Neji and I, and definitely for the better."
Hinata smiled and sat for a moment longer, but that appeared to be all her father had to say. She got up and went back to her room to relax before she started getting ready.
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"This is troublesome," Shikamaru though. "On my day off she had to come." He trudged slowly toward the main gate of the village. He took a moment to look up at the clouds as he did. "They're the only things I can count on not to be troublesome," he thought. He turned the final corner on his path and saw Temari waiting for him.
"You're late," she said.
"You're here on my day off," he responded.
"I should be the one mad at you. I received word at the gate that the Hokage has said you aren't supposed to do any work today, except escort me. I'm loosing a day because of this."
"Serves you right. Where do you want to go?"
"How about my room. The usual hotel."
"Fine... this way."
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Bark.
"No Akamaru, I don't think that Ino has a dog. Sorry." Kiba and Akamaru made their way up the street toward the Yamanaka's flower shop/house. He hoped he wasn't making a mistake, but he wouldn't know that until he got there. He was a bit upset that Akamaru didn't seem to happy about the idea. He'd tried to explain it to the dog, but Akamaru still seemed like he felt betrayed. Kiba finally reached the flower shop and found Ino behind the counter.
"Hey Kiba, what are you up to?"
"Not much, just in the neighborhood and I figured I'd drop by." Kiba walked over and smelled a particularly nice smelling flower. "How's your day been?"
"Dad went to the bar and mom went out on an errand so I have to watch the shop. So, it could be better."
Not exactly the answer that Kiba was hoping for. I'm having a great day would have been ideal. "Hey, what are you doing tonight? I heard they opened a new steakhouse across town and I was going to go try it, you want to come with?"
Ino was a bit shocked by the question. She still held some feelings for Sasuke, but she knew that it was pretty useless to hold out that hope. "Maybe I should give Kiba a try. I could do worse," she thought to herself. She saw that Kiba was becoming nervous. "Sure, when were you planning on going?"
"Six," he said, a bit shocked.
"OK, see you then."
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Hinata ran down the streets of the village elated. This was the best day of her life. She had absolutely no worries. She smiled when the familiar sight of Ichiraku ramen stand appeared in front of her. She was wearing a shirt with a plunging neckline, at the other two girls' insistence, and a pair of nice shorts. She smiled when she saw that Naruto was already there. "Hi Naruto," she said, as confidently as she could. She was still a bit nervous about being on an actual date with him.
Naruto smiled as he looked over to Hinata from his seat. He felt lucky that Sakura had healed the bruises she'd put on him that morning. He'd fully intended on wearing his typical orange and black suit, but she'd insisted otherwise, violently. She'd actually dragged him out to a store where she'd forced him to buy a collared shirt and shorts. Naturally, he chosen an orange shirt. "Hey Hinata, you look very pretty today."
Hinata blushed as she took her seat next to Naruto. She had to assume that Sakura, Tenten or both had imposed Naruto's new clothes on him.
"Hey old man, I'd like a bowl of pork ramen. What would you like Hinata?" He was doing his best to stick to what Sakura had told him to do. He'd never known that dating could be so complicated.
"I'll have the same," she paused for a moment. "Did you hear about Neji?"
"Yeah, I still haven't run into him since he got accepted to ANBU. Hopefully he'll be the leader by the time I become Hokage. It would be good to have someone I can trust in that position. I could make you head of the trackers too, I think you'd be great for that."
"Thanks Naruto." She'd been considering a job as a tracker once she became a jounin.
"Here you go guys. Added some extra pork for my two favorite customers."
"Thanks!" Naruto was thrilled. "I'll make sure everyone knows about Ichiraku when I become Hokage!"
"I'll hold you to that," the old man replied.
Naruto managed to finish two bowls in the time it took Hinata to finish one. He made sure that he didn't burp, not that she hadn't heard him do it before. "You done?" He asked as she finished.
"Yeah."
"Here you go, old man," he said as he paid for all three bowls.
The old man smiled. "Are you two on a date?"
"Yeah." Naruto responded.
"Well, then I recommend you go by the ice cream shop down the road. The owner is a friend of mine. Tell him I sent you," Teuchi said with a smile.
"Sounds great," Hinata said.
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Sakura and Tenten watched as Hinata and Naruto walked down the street toward the ice cream stand. They both smiled as Naruto slipped his hand into Hinata's. This triggered a blush from the other girl, but she managed to continue with their conversation.
"You did a good job on him. He hasn't done anything rude yet," Tenten complimented.
"He knows I'll break his neck if he messes this up to badly. Hinata's been waiting on this date since we were in the Academy. Too bad Neji isn't off today. You guys could have done something."
"He couldn't get the day off because of the short notice. He managed to get tomorrow though and he promised to take me to that cute little café, you know the one."
"Yeah," Sakura sighed. "I wish Sasuke were here to take me to that café."
"With everyone pairing off we'd better find you someone before all the good ones are gone," Tenten said, hoping to distract her friend. "Maybe Lee or Shikamaru," she continued.
"Nah, they're both nice, but just not for me."
"You really should try to get over him. He may not come back, and even if he does, he may be changed."
Sakura didn't respond, she didn't want to think of that. "Hey, we'd better find a new place to watch them from. They already got their ice cream and they turned to head to the park."
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Kiba went over everything one last time in his head as he neared Ino's again. He'd cleared things with the restaurant owner to allow Akamaru in. He was all cleaned up as was Akamaru, much to the dog's displeasure. Most importantly, he had enough money to pay for dinner for himself and Ino. "Well, I think we should be just fine Akamaru." He grimaced at the dog when he didn't respond. "I'm sorry I had to give you a bath, but I want to impress Ino. Cheer up, we'll go play in the park tomorrow and you can get all smelly again."
Akamaru finally looked up at Kiba and barked.
They'd actually walked by the park on the way. Naruto and Hinata had been sitting on a bench talking. He'd smiled at the sight, Naruto was a knucklehead, but he was getting a lot better. On top of that it made his teammate happy, something he couldn't argue with. He knocked on the door as he walked in, "Ino?"
"Just a minute," she called down from her family's upstairs apartment.
Kiba stood for a moment enjoying the smell of the flower shop. One thing he enjoyed about being him was that he could enjoy pleasant smells more than most. He looked up when Ino came down wearing a casual, purple dress. "You look great," he said.
"Thanks," she then caught sight of Akamaru. "He's coming with us?"
Kiba shushed the growling Akamaru. "Yeah, he goes where I go." Kiba held the door for her and then led the way to the steakhouse. He was making sure to keep in mind the things his sister and mother had suggested to him. As he was going through the mental check list he realized that he hadn't said a word to her in a while. "Think... think... I need to say something to break the silence..."
"So, did you hear about Naruto asking Hinata out on a date?" Ino asked, saving Kiba.
"Yeah, I saw them at the park as I was walking over here. That makes two pairs recently," she said wistfully.
Kiba hoped she didn't hear him gulp. He could sense that there was a message underlying the comment, and that message was "Don't screw this up."
"How's your Multiple possession technique coming along?" Kiba asked.
"Its getting better, I can mostly control the second person now. My dad said he controlled ten people one time. I don't know that I'll necessarily ever get that many."
"Eh, I'm sure you will. Akamaru and I have almost learned our new jutsu, its going to be great." Kiba's nose twitched with the smell he was picking up, Ino was loosing interest. It was the smell he and Hinata generally let off when Shino started rambling on about bugs. "I've got to do something... and fast." Kiba raced through his mind trying to find a more suitable topic, eventually he found one. "Hey Ino, what are those yellow flowers in your shop called. The one's on the back wall, they smelled really nice." "Bingo!"
"Those ones, I never really noticed their smell..."
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Shikamaru was dreading tonight. There was no escaping it, he was going to have to have dinner alone with that troublesome girl. What was worse was that they'd already spent all day together. He'd managed to get Choji to hang out with him all yesterday and even eat dinner with them, but his parents had insisted that he have dinner with him. As usual, his dad was in the bar, eliminating that out. He could take her to eat dinner at his parent's house with his mom, but there was no way he could deal with two troublesome women at once. Even Ino was doing something tonight, he was backed into a corner.
He walked slowly toward her hotel to pick her up. She'd insisted that they go to a sushi restaurant. "Typical, she makes me pay and then chooses the restaurant. It would be one thing if I'd asked her on a date." That led Shikamaru to the most troublesome thing about Temari, he actually had feelings for her. He saw she was already outside the hotel, luckily she wasn't all dressed up because he wasn't.
"You're late," she said.
"Whatever," he decided any more of a response would be too troublesome. "Let's get moving. I'm hungry."
"Then why'd you show up late?"
"I just got hungry, so in my mind I showed up on time." He pasued. "Troublesome woman," he muttered.
"I heard that. You know, for someone who complains about how much trouble other people are, you're quite a bit of trouble yourself. Always late, and needing me to save your ass."
Shikamaru blanched at the mention of the time she'd saved him. She was always bringing that up. Sometimes he wished he had died.
"Whatever, you complained about me being late. Let's get going."
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Hinata wasn't used to girl talk. She generally wasn't included. But since the other night, she'd apparently become fast friends with the other chuunin kunoichi. Not that she minded, her father had always said she needed to make female friends.
"How was your date with Naruto last night?" Tenten asked innocently.
"It was good, but you already knew that." She looked at Tenten and Sakura. "I used my Byakugan when I thought we were being followed."
"Sorry," the girls said together.
"We just wanted to make sure Naruto didn't screw things up. We knew how much that date meant to you," Sakura said.
Though it frustrated her a bit that she was spied on, Hinata was happy they had good intentions. Its not like she had anything to hide. She and Naruto had sat in the park and talked for a few hours, then he'd walked her home and given her a hug. "How did your date go Ino?"
"Surprisingly well," she replied. "Kiba was boring at first. Just talking about jutsus and stuff. But then we started talking about flowers. He's surprisingly rather knowledgeable about their smells and how they go together."
"Well, the boy does have a nose that would put many dogs in this village to shame," Sakura said.
"On top of that, he was really polite. I think he even gave Akamaru a bath before the date."
"He must really like you," Hinata chimed in. "He would have had to make a pretty serious agreement with him to arrange for that."
"You really mean that?"
"Yeah," Hinata said. "Akamaru hates baths. The last time he had to give him a bath he had to agree to spend half a week's pay on treats for him."
"Wow..." Ino responded.
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"Things could definitely be worse. She's only yelled at me once since we got to the restaurant," Shikamaru thought. What's more, he was actually enjoying her company. Though he didn't let it on. It frustrated him though, she was so troublesome. Maybe it was some sort of genetic thing amongst Nara men, being attracted to women like Temari and his mom. "One of these days I'll get around to asking her on a proper date."
"Shikamaru, have you even been listening?"
"Yeah, yeah... you set off the ambush, then Kankuro hit them from behind and you hid your brothers under Gaara's sand to do so. Pretty good plan." Then an idea hit him. He'd heard Asuma say that she was a planner. "Ever played shogi?"
Temari reached across the table and smack him. "Have I ever played shogi? What kind of dumb question is that?"
"Alright, alright... just cool it. I'm used to dealing with Ino. She doesn't exactly run on all cylinders. OW..."
"Be nice."
"Fine, so I assume you'd like to play then. Let's head back to my apartment, I have a board there."
"I won't go easy on you just because you paid for dinner."
"And I won't go easy on you just because you're a... OW!" Shikamaru scowled at her. "Troublesome woman, she and his mom would get along great and that was a scary thought."
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"I guess I'll give him at least one more chance." She then turned to Tenten. "Speaking of dates, why are you even here? I thought Neji had the day off."
"He did," Tenten said in an irritated tone. "We were just walking out of the café when an ANBU walked up to us in full uniform and told Neji he'd been recalled from leave. He promised he'd make it up though... and he did kiss me again."
"I wonder why he got recalled?" Hinata asked.
"I heard the ANBU mutter something about Anko..."
"Anko's on assignment in the Land of Sound," Sakura said, she paused for a moment. "Maybe she found Sasuke!"
A/N: Well, how do you like it? Not my typical action, but every story needs some breaks from action. Just curious, Kiba/Ino, good or bad? Drop me a line with any suggestions or complaints. I can't fix it if I don't know its a problem.
