Hinata's thoughts
Naruto's thoughts
Just to clarify, they are drinking some alcohol but in this story 16 is old enough to drink. If you don't like it, then just stop reading right now. And as a side note, those are actual drinks. Don't ask how I know their names, cause I'll never tell.
Hinata ran as fast as she could. Her legs were throbbing and her lungs were screaming for air, but she really didn't care right now. She needed help A.S.A.P. She quickly turned the corner and continued running. When she saw her destination, she started to sprint as fast as her legs would take her. She was finally there. She reached up and knocked furiously on the door, all the while trying to catch her breath again.
Sakura opened the door and was surprised to find a panting Hinata on her doorstep.
"…..H-h-h-el-p…."
Worry shown in Sakura's eyes. What could have possibly brought Hinata to her house so fast that she couldn't even breathe? Now she was asking for help. It must have been serious.
"What's wrong Hinata-chan? Are you okay? Did something happen?" Sakura could only stand and stare as Hinata tried to regain enough breathe to try and speak. When she did say something, it came in short gasps while she still had her hands on her knees.
"….I-it's N-Naruto-kun…."
Now Sakura was really scared. What had happened to Naruto?!? He was practically a brother to her, and to see Hinata here like this made her think something really bad had happened.
"What about Naruto? Is he okay? Hinata, what happened?"
Hinata was finally able to get enough breath in her lungs to stand up properly. She was never doing that again. It had felt as if something was constricting her ribs right into her lungs. She stood and looked into Sakura's eyes, seeing the worry in them.
"He asked me to hang out and I don't know what to do!"
Sakura let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. It was nothing serious! Thank heavens! Hinata was really scaring her out of her wits. Then, something clicked in her head. Naruto asked Hinata to hang out? HANG OUT?!? Not date??? What was wrong with him?
"He asked you to hang out? Just to hang out? Those were his exact words?"
"Y-yeah pretty much, why? I-is something the matter Sakura-chan?"
"No, nothing at all. So, what do you need my help on?"
Hinata started to nervously fidget with her fingers. It was a bad habit she really needed to break.
"I kind of needed your help on, well, pretty much everything. I have no clue how to prepare for something like this Sakura-chan."
Sakura only smiled. It was obvious how much Hinata really cared for that dobe. She was going through so much just to get his interest. Sakura motioned to her clothes.
"Okay Hinata-chan. First thing's first, since you were obviously just training, you need to take a shower to get refreshed. Take a nice long bath to relax you because you obviously need it. I'll meet you at your house in about half an hour. Is that okay?"
Hinata only nodded. They said their goodbyes and Hinata started off to her house, trying to go as slow as physically possible. Man, was she sore.
I will never EVER do that again as long as I live. Muscles I didn't even know I had hurt!
When she finally got to her house, she did exactly as Sakura instructed. She filled her tub full of water and just sunk in.
I just hope tonight will go okay.
As promised, half an hour later, Sakura was at Hinata's doorstep with tools in hand. When Hinata finally opened the door, she looked a lot calmer than when she arrived at her house panting that morning. It was as if that bath scrubbed all her troubles away. Sakura walked into the apartment after Hinata and started to rummage through the supplies she had brought. She brought out an outfit especially for tonight.
That is waaaayyyy tooo short.
"Um, Sakura? I don't think I should wear that."
Sakura just looked at her. "Why not?"
Hinata was eyeing the outfit. "It looks a little to…how do I put this…revealing for me."
"But I thought you and Naruto were going to 'hang out'."
"We are."
"Then, what's the problem? It's a normal outfit Hinata, trust me, there are people that go out in things more revealing than this. It's just casual 'hanging out' attire."
I just hope people don't think I'm some kind of slut.
Hinata reluctantly put on the outfit and Sakura started applying make up and contemplating shoes and hairstyles.
> > > >
Oh no! If I don't hurry I'm gonna be late.
By the time she arrived outside of XLR 8 it was already ten minutes past the time she was supposed to meet Naruto. She hurried inside and at once covered her ears. The music was deafening. She looked around.
XLR 8 was the most popular night club in all of Konoha. There was a bar going from one side of the room to the other and the other side of the club. The music was loud and the dance floor was covered by different colored lights. On one of the sides of the club there were many tables, and seated on one was Naruto.
Hinata slowly made her way through the crowd to Naruto's table.
"H-hi Naruto-kun."
Naruto spun around and the image he saw took all the air out of his lungs, like a punch to the gut. Hinata was wearing a short black skirt, revealing her creamy legs. She was wearing a red spaghetti strap shirt, revealing just enough of her cleavage to keep Naruto staring. When he realized what he was doing, he quickly stared at the floor in an attempt to hide the blush creeping up his face. Hinata only giggled at his antics.
"um, hi Hinata. Glad you could make it."
Glad you can make it?? What the hell was that? Pathetic!
"Well, I'm glad you invited me."
Whoa, were did that come from?
"So, do you want something to drink?"
"Um, sure. Just a sour apple martini for me."
Naruto pulled out a seat for her and when she sat, he headed to the bar to get them their drinks.
It was only when he was walking away that Hinata noticed something was different about him. Was it his hair? His eyes? Wait! Were was his orange suit?!? He was wearing a plain black shirt and jeans. Well, she couldn't say she was expecting this. Naruto made his way back with two drinks in hand. He handed Hinata her margarita and sat down with his Adios. After taking a few swigs of the drink, Hinata started to feel a little calmer. (Alcohol will do that to you. Liquid courage.) Naruto put the empty cup down and looked over at Hinata.
"Hinata, do you maybe want to go dance?"
Hinata just smiled and nodded her head. She got up and grabbed Naruto's hand and led him to the dance floor.
Wow, I can't believe she's taking the lead. Hinata really has changed.
Oh my gosh! I'm holding Naruto's hand! Okay, Hinata, don't do something stupid. Oh no, you're gonna fall any second now. Or you'll wake up. This can't be real.
When they got to the dance floor, they started dancing, not looking into each other's eyes as much as humanly possible. While she and Naruto were still dancing, Hinata remembered the conversation she had with Sakura while she was getting ready.
,',',',',',',',',',',Flashback,',',',',',',',',',
"So Hinata, what's the game plan for tonight?"
Hinata looked up blankly at Sakura. "What do you mean?"
"When are you gonna tell Naruto that you like him?"
Hinata's natural blush started to overpower the blush Sakura was applying.
"I have to t-tell him?"
Sakura just looked at Hinata as if was the most obvious answer in the world.
"Of course you do! The sooner he knows, the sooner you'll both be very happy."
"But I don't even know if he likes me or not. Can't I just find out first?"
"Hinata that can take forever. You need to tell him tonight and hope for the best, if not, you're gonna spend you whole life thinking 'what would have happened if I had told him then instead of three years later'."
Hinata knew she was right. By the time she had finished fixing her hair, she had decided. She was gonna tell Naruto her true feelings tonight.
,',',',',',',',',End Flashback,',',',',',',',',
When the song ended, Hinata was brought out of her thoughts by a hand touching her shoulder.
"Hinata-chan, are you okay?"
Hinata just nodded and started to fidget with her fingers again.
"N-Naruto-kun, I have to tell you something."
"What is it Hinata?"
Why is she getting nervous all of the sudden?
"I like….Kiba?!?"
Naruto felt as if someone punched him in the gut. Kiba?!? She liked Kiba?! He felt a string in his heart strain, as if about to be snapped.
Hinata looked at the expression on Naruto's face and then realized what she just said.
Oh no! He took it the wrong way! That's not what I meant!
"Naruto-kun, I didn't mean it like that. I just meant that Kiba just walked in. Kiba and what looks a group of people."
So she didn't mean that she liked Kiba. YES!! Wait, why do I care who she likes anyway? What is wrong with me lately?!?
Hinata's words started ringing in his ears. A group of people? He turned to were Hinata was looking and sure enough, there was Kiba. The group was Shikamaru, Ino, Sauske, and Sakura. They were all looking around for a place to sit when Ino spotted Naruto and Hinata. She waved at them and everyone turned to see who she was waving to. All their jaws fell to the floor when they saw the pair on the dance floor. Hinata just waved back and led Naruto back to the table.
When they were seated again, the whole group came and joined them at the table.
Naruto got up wearily. "I'm gonna take shots at the bar. You guys wanna come with?"
Shikamaru, Kiba, and Sauske got up and walked with Naruto to the bar, leaving the girls at the table. When the guys left, Sakura and Ino immediately scooted closer to Hinata.
xsxsxsxsxsxsxs The Guys xsxsxsxsxsx
When they arrived at the bar, Naruto ordered four shots of vodka.
"Cheers"
They all downed the liquid in one gulp. Naruto could feel the burning in the back of his throat as the liquid went down. Kiba was the first to speak up.
"So, Naruto, are you here on a date with Hinata-chan?"
I wish. Thanks to me, we're just hanging out.
"Nope. We're just hanging out." He ordered another shot and downed it quickly then ordered another.
Shikamaru looked at Naruto. "Are you feeling okay?"
"Just great" He drank the other shot and ordered another.
"You better be careful dobe. I don't feel like dragging your drunk ass to your house." Sauske took another drink of his beer.
"Thanks for your concern teme." He took another shot.
Kiba took the shot glass away from him. "Take it easy man."
Naruto ordered a water to calm his stomach a little and leaned his elbows against the bar. He was watching Hinata and the girls giggling like mad.
I wonder what they're talking about.
xsxsxsxsxsxs The Girls xsxsxsxsxsxs
Sakura went to sit down next to Hinata. "So, how's it going so far?"
Ino leaned in closer to hear her answer. "Are you guys really on a date?"
"It's not really a date. We're just hanging out. And so far it's going great. We had drinks and were dancing and I was about to confess but then I saw you guys walk in and I lost my nerve."
"We are so sorry Hinata! We usually have bad timing but this time it was horrible. We ruined it for you." Ino looked terribly sorry and Sakura just nodded.
"It's okay you guys. He would have just rejected me anyway. I mean, it's so obvious that he doesn't like me that way. The sooner I realize that, the easier it'll be."
Hinata made a sad smile as she stared at Naruto taking his frustration out on shot cups.
It hurts but I know it's true.
Sakura looked appalled. "How can you say that?!? You can't give up! This battle has only begun! By the time the last shot is fired, you'll see just how much he likes you."
Hinata tore her eyes away from Naruto and looked at Sakura with sad eyes.
"I already told you Sakura-chan, he doesn't like me like that. To him I'll always be the shy creepy girl and a fellow shinobi."
Ino looked deep in thought, and then her face broke into a wide grin. "Hey, Hinata I think I know how we're gonna get him to confess."
Hinata moved her eyes from Sakura to Ino. "How?"
"The same way I got Shika to confess. He got so jealous every time I talked about Sauske around him, that one day he just burst. He told me that I should look at what's right in front of me rather than looking at someone I could never have. The key to any man is jealousy."
Hinata just looked at her as if her hair was on fire.
Make him jealous? Naruto-kun jealous? Yeah, right.
Sakura squirmed with anticipation. "That's a great idea Ino! I know a perfect contender too." She pointed her finger at the guys at the bar. In particular, Kiba.
Okay, now she's lost it.
"Kiba? You want me to go out with Kiba to make Naruto jealous?"
Sakura nodded. "Why not? He doesn't have a girlfriend, you know him well, and you know he would do it as a favor. All you have to do is hook him up with that one girl that stayed with you last month while she visited the village. You know he had a huge crush on her."
"Wow forehead, you really thought this one out."
"Yep Ino-pig, I have. What have you got to lose by asking Hinata. Nothing. And if all goes as planned, we'll know soon enough if Naruto has a crush on you or not."
Sakura and Ino burst into giggles as they saw the expression on Hinata's face.
"Don't worry Hinata, me and Ino will arrange a 'hang out' between the whole group tomorrow. All you have to do is show up, dress sexy, and we'll take care of the rest.
> > > > >
Naruto was dropping Hinata off outside of her apartment complex.
"Thanks a lot Naruto."
Naruto grinned. "No problem Hinata. Are you gonna go hang out with the gang tomorrow?"
Hinata nodded. "I'm excited. I hope it goes okay."
"What do you mean? We're just hanging out again. Nothing could possibly go wrong."
That's what you think.
"I guess you're right. Goodnight."
She turned around and headed up to her apartment.
Goodnight Hinata-chan.
Naruto started his engine again and headed towards his house.
When he fell into bed, a thousand thoughts ran through his head at once.
Why do I feel this way? It's just Hinata. I mean, last week I still liked Sakura. Now, since I saw Hinata outside Ichiraku's that day I can't get her outside of my thoughts. What is wrong with me? I mean, why am I feeling like this?
After long moments of restlessness, sleep finally overtook the young shinobi.
We get to 'hang out' again tomorrow. Can't wait.
TBC…
So sorry for taking so long to update. School sucks. Homework should be made illegal!
Anyway, thank you for everyone who has reviewed. I hope you liked this chapter.
Please review and tell me how I'm doing!