Chapter 10

YAY! Ten chapters in and I'm starting to get responses. So far it seems most of you like my story. Keep giving me feedback because I really appreciate it and I haven't finished the story so if you have any suggestions for furthering the plot don't be afraid to throw your ideas out there. XOXO

First Dates and Second Encounters

By the time Midori got back to her apartment building Lee was sitting there waiting for her on the front step. He got up and his jaw dropped. He thought, "This girl is hotter than Sakura. What am I getting myself into? Calm down Lee. She only asked you out to cheer you up."

"Hi Lee." Midori said and then Lee realized he had been staring.

"Oh. Hello Midori. You look amazing!"

"Haha, thanks. I had some outside help. I'm not usually one for dressing up."

"You're beautiful in your everyday clothes" Lee said in spite of himself.

"Thank you Lee" Midori replied blushing furiously.

"Well let's head to the restaurant. I'm looking forward to getting to know you better Midori."

"Me too Lee. I've got about a million questions to ask about Konoha and all of the other ninja in the village!"

And with that the two went on talking and didn't notice how late it was until the restaurant started to close.

"Oh Midori I'm sorry! I've probably bored you to death talking this long. If you are ready to escape me I'll walk you back to your apartment now."

"No. I've enjoyed our conversation so much! It's right up there with how good the curry was. Would you like to go somewhere and get a drink together before calling it a night?"

"I don't drink, but there's a club that a lot of the Shinobi go to just to drink and dance. Would you like to go hang out there?"

"Oh well if it's not your scene I don't want to impose."

"No. It's not for moral reasons that I don't drink. I just…have a low tolerance…and well… it's kind of embarrassing. I go there and dance all the time though."

"Well I'm not much of a dancer, but you make it sound fun so lets go."

Upon entering the club they were assaulted by heavy smoke and neon lights followed closely by Ino and her boyfriend. "Midori! I was hoping Lee would bring you here. I want to introduce you around. This is my boyfriend and teammate, Choji."

"Nice to meet you Choji. You're an Akamichi aren't you? I read about the research your family has done on soldier pills. I have lots of questions I'd like to ask you."

"I'll tell you anything that isn't a family secret. You seem well informed. Did you research the clans of Konoha before coming here?"

"Not intentionally, no. I read a lot as a child and some of my favorite books were those about the life and people of other countries."

"Well," Ino cut in, "looks like we are all going to get along fine. Come sit at our table with us." As they sat Ino ordered a bottle of sake; Midori and Lee both ordered bottles of water. "You can drink if you want. I won't be offended." Lee whispered to Midori as the waitress walked away. "I don't need to drink to have a good time. After we sit a minute let's dance okay?"

"Sounds great." Back at the door Naruto and Sakura walk in. Their date had gone well even though they argued with and insulted each other just like they always had. They got along a little better than usual though because they were both so thankful to finally be official. As they walked in Naruto spotted Midori and Lee sitting with Ino and Choji. "Hey everybody!" Naruto yelled as he bounded up to the table. "Whoa, Midori-chan, you look hot!"

"…thanks Naruto." Midori stammered due to Sakura's fiery glare.

"Yea nice dress. Looks familiar though. Don't you have something like that, Ino?"

"Uh…" Ino began, not wanting to embarrass Midori. Midori helped by cutting in, "Oh Ino and I met today and she was kind enough to let me borrow this dress. I never made much time for going out in the Stone Country so most of my clothes are only for practical uses," Midori smiled up at Sakura sweetly to show that she could not be baited. "I'm going to get a drink," is all Sakura replies as she stalks off towards the bar. Naruto, quite confused, scratches the back of his head and makes a bad situation worse by asking Midori to dance. Midori glances at Lee and when she is unable to read his expression, decides that he must not care if they dance together first. "Sure Naruto" she replies with an almost fake bright smile. Lee is a little crushed as he watches his date being led away to the dance floor. "Is it just my fate to have every girl I like end up with Naruto?" he thinks to himself. "You shouldn't have gotten your hopes up. She's a Princess after all. They don't go for normal guys like us." Lee looked up to see who was reading his thoughts and it was Shikamaru, looking down at him with understanding eyes. "Well I haven't known any other princesses, but this one didn't act like you'ld think the stereotypical one would. She's sweet and down to earth and even a little…uh…"

"Goofy?"

"Yeah. Like she's a little unsure of herself. It's really cute."

"I know. We shouldn't get too attached though. She's only here for a year." At this point the silent yet intently listening Ino comes in with, "Don't be so sure Nara. If the princess proves herself, the Hokage may offer to let her stay."

"But why would she want to?" Shikamaru questioned, "This isn't her home."

Choji responds, "Come on genius. I thought you at least would pick up on it. That girl has seen a lot of pain. She's lost as a result of it. I don't think she's found "home" yet." Ino, truly respecting the wisdom of her boyfriend's words simply says, "That's where we come in."

Midori didn't feel clumsy twirling on the dance floor with Naurto. He didn't know the steps any better than she did, but he was so confident that she just followed and it didn't feel like they were even making mistakes. She could feel the heat of Sakura watching them but tried to ignore it. Hopefully, in time Sakura would see that she posed no threat to her and Naruto. She glanced back over at Lee and gave a little sigh. He was now talking to her cute tour guide fro the other day. He wasn't even a little jealous that she was dancing with this gorgeous blonde boy. She thought they had really connected over dinner. Guess he just wanted to be friends. Midori comes out of her thoughts when she realizes that Naruto is talking and she is ignoring him. "And Sakura even let me hold her hand while we walked here from the restaurant."

"You didn't make her eat ramen did you?" Naruto frowned, "That is what I suggested first but she wanted BBQ so we had that instead."

"That sounds good. Lee and I had curry. He said ya'll had been to the curry of life shop too. I had a mission close to there once. That stuff is incredible."

"Yea I don't think Neji liked it much though." Naruto tells the story of Neji and Ten-Ten's reaction to the curry and Midori lets out a clear bubbly laugh. Sakura downs her sake and storms off loudly. Naruto, noticing this begins to go after her, "No. Let me have a talk with her. She needs to understand I'm not a threat." With one last furtive glance at Lee, who is staring at his water bottle, Midori goes off after Sakura. She finds her on the balcony crying. "Hey."

"What do you want?"

"To reach an understanding."

"Okay. Understand this. You're ruining everything! I wish you would just go back to where you came from."

"Okay. Now you understand this. I'm not going anywhere, but I'm also not trying to steal your boyfriend. Naruto is crazy about you. You don't have to like me but don't stop me from being friends with him or Lee. You can't have them both you know."

"I love Naruto."

"I respect that."

"This doesn't make us friends."

"That's okay."

"Okay then…thanks."

With that a still jealous but mostly embarrassed Sakura goes back into the bar and asks Naruto if they can leave. After they say their goodbyes and go Midori is still not back so Lee goes to look for her, with both Shikamaru and Choji's words in his head. He finds her on the balcony staring up at the stars. He notices that her eyes are wet. "Was Sakura mean to you?"

"No. I just realized it's going to take a long time for me to win over the entire village. I want to stay here Lee and to do that people have to like me, but I can't seem to be anybody other than myself."

"What's wrong with that?"

"I didn't have many friends in the Stone Village. Why would it be any different here?"

"People are unique. Perhaps you'll find a place to call home here in Konoha."

"Thanks Lee. That is exactly what I needed to hear." She gives him a hug which he doesn't immediately return because he's stunned. She views this as she's overstepped her boundaries so pulls back quickly only to have Lee pull her back in and kiss her tentatively on the lips. "Oh Lee." "I'm sorry I thought maybe…" "No I do like you! I just thought you didn't like me." With that she kisses him.

A bitter sweet smile plays on Shikamaru's lips as he strolls away from the balcony. He was disappointed he hadn't asked her out when he had the chance, but glad Lee found someone to be with. She would have been too troublesome for him anyway.