Finding Love

By kiwi4me

Summary: She had always done what she was supposed to, so why does her heart hurts so much?

Ino continued smiling as she listened to the female explain her project.

She's grown, hasn't she? she thought looking to where the pale eyed Hyuga was pointing.

"… does… does that sound good?" she questioned.

"That sounds great Hinata chan," Ino looked to the door when she heard it open, "… onii san, welcome home."

"Ino chan," his eyes shifted to the other female, "… Hinata chan, I didn't know you were coming over."

"I… I just… I just wanted to talk to Ino chan… about… my project," she stuttered blushing.

"Oh, that's right," Naruto said, "… Shino won't be back for a while."

"I hope you didn't mind," Ino stood up heading to the kitchen.

"Not at all," Naruto smiled, "… it's nice to see other faces in here," he finished causing the pink to deepen on the shy female's cheeks.

"Are you saying you are tired of my face?" Ino questioned handing him a glass of water.

"Huh?" Naruto looked confused before he quickly added, "… no… no not at all Ino chan! I like seeing you here! It's not what I meant to say."

"It's okay onii san," she giggled, "… what do you think of Hinata chan's project?"

Naruto looked at the board and read the title before his eyes fell on the meanings and little exerts from literature. He glanced at Hinata who seemed to be looking at him for any sign. He smiled and nodded.

"It looks good," he admitted leaning back.

"T… thank you Naruto kun," she blushed deeper causing Ino to laugh.

"What about you Naruto kun?" Ino questioned, "… how was your time with Sakura?"

"Oh," Naruto nodded, "… we are almost done. She said she just wants to make sure everything is perfect."

"That's good," Ino nodded, but she couldn't help thinking something was quite off with his statement, "… I'm sure you will be over more often then?"

Ino saw him shake his head and gave an excuse, but at the corner of her eyes she saw the Hinata's shoulders tensed. A question popped into her head. Was what she doing really helping the situation? It seems she was playing an instrument with different tones on each cord.

She inwardly sighed.

To think, the others (guardian angels) who aren't doing their job.

"What about you and teme?" Naruto frowned, "… is he going to come over again or something? Cause I don't want to see that bastard here."

"Don't worry onii san," Ino spoke up, "… I have finished the project."

"Already?" Hinata questioned.

"Yes," she smiled.

-o-o-

"It has been a month Naruto," she voiced as she placed the plate before him.

"Already?" Naruto couldn't help the surprise, "… that was fast."

"Yes it was," Ino nodded sitting beside him with her plate.

She knew she only has two months left to help him find love. She glanced at the blonde as her thoughts ran around. There are two prospects. Obviously he always liked Sakura. Whether he still feels the same, she knew his feelings were wavering. He hadn't really talked about her like before, nor did he mention her at all. Then there was Hinata. The two of them seemed to be getting along quite well disregarding the fainting spells once in a while. The only thing that worries her would be his intentions. Are they just friendly feelings or more?

She waited for him to finish.

"Naruto," she spoke up seeing him sigh with happiness.

"Yeah?" he questioned smiling at her.

"Do you still like Sakura?" she questioned watching him carefully.

"Um," he leaned forward before he shifted his gaze away from her.

So it seems I was right, she concluded, he doesn't feel the same.

"Hinata?" Ino added.

"She's… nice," Naruto decided to say.

Hm, maybe he is alone because of his indecisiveness… she frowned.

"Do you have feelings for either of them?" Ino asked wondering if she wasn't doing her job correctly.

"Well…" Naruto paused, "… why are you bringing this up?" he tried changing the subject.

"We need to speak of this," Ino reminded, "… it is my job to find you love. If you don't have feelings for either one of them, then I will move on to others."

"Others?" Naruto looked confused.

"Sasuke isn't the only one with a fan club," she smiled seeing the shocked look on his face.

"M… me?!" he questioned incredulously, "… really?!"

"Hai," she sighed taking a sip of her drink.

"You didn't answer my question Naruto," she reminded him, "… do you or do you not like Sakura Haruno?"

It was quiet for a moment and Ino waited patiently for him to speak. He could tell he was confused, but this was needed to be done. He had to see into his heart what he feels in order for love to come.

"Not… not like before," he confessed.

"Do you have feelings more than friendship with Hinata Hyuga?" Ino continued as if she was interrogating him.

"I…" Naruto looked torn and she felt sad for doing this to him, but it was needed, "… no."

She sighed. Who should she look to now?

"Do you like anyone?" she questioned hoping for any form of help.

"Um…" he seemed to be blushing and Ino smiled.

This was good. If he was blushing like this for a female, then her job would become much easier. His blush quickly disappeared and there was a sad look on his face. Ino immediately was taken back.

"Naruto?" she questioned concerned.

"She…" he looked at her and offered a thin smile, "… she and I… I don't think it would work."

"Why do you think that?" she questioned with the tilt of her head.

"It…" he paused shaking his head, "… forget it."

"But Naruto," she started, "… if you like her, you should tell her."

"You see…" he laughed but she found it to be sad, "… I can't."

"Why not?" Ino could feel a little frustration with his answers.

His eyes held hers and Ino felt a small glimpse of realization hitting her. He couldn't be… could he? Was he talking about her? She felt heat rise to her cheeks. His eyes seemed to be looking straight through her and she inwardly frowned. This can't be right. This just can't be.

"She's too beautiful for me," he replied to her question and Ino felt as if the world was spinning.

He stood and Ino continued staring at him as if what he had just said did not register in her ears.

"Come on, we'll be late," he smiled softly and headed to the door.

Ino followed close behind, but her heart continued to beat against her chest.