Not Your Average Fairy Tale

Part 11: Girls Day Out

Sakura and Hinata combed through the kimonos in shop. Hinata's eyebrows furrowed slightly as she decided on which kimono would best fit her and her features.

Sakura grinned at her, "Find anything you like," she asked as she held up a red kimono pattern with golden flowers up to her skin. Sakura smiled softly as she decided that she would go with this one.

"I-I don't know," Hinata said softly as she gently touched the delicate fine silk that made kimonos. Sakura walked over to her and glanced at Hinata before glancing down at many colors. "Well, you're skin is very light, any color would go nicely with your skin tone, but you should chose something darker to contrast with your skin and match your hair."

Hinata nodded as she took in Sakura's advice. Moving over to another rack of kimono, Hinata found the perfect one. The main pattern was a dark midnight blue and it was designed with lavender flowers and white trails to make it all the more prettier. As Hinata stared at the perfect kimono, she realized that even the silk shimmered.

"Did you find something," Sakura asked, walking over to her shy friend. Sakura let out a small gasp and smiled. "This would look so good on you, Hinata! Sasuke is sure to love it!"

Hinata's face turned a violent red. "S-Sasuke-kun, w-well, I-I don't think he'll ask me after I've ignored him for the past couple of weeks."

Sakura smiled knowingly at the girl. "Let me tell you a secret about Sasuke," Sakura said in a small voice. "He's a very determined person. If something or someone interests him enough he won't let it go that easily. I'm sure Sasuke will be asking you to the festival."

Hinata's eyes widened for a moment as her blush faded. "Y-You're right, Sakura-chan, thank you."

Sakura grinned at Hinata, "No problem."

As the two girls shared a giggle, the owner of the shop,a plump middle aged woman with silver hair and kind eyes smiled at the two kunoichi. "If you're ready, I can help tailor your kimono."

"Yes please," Sakura said as she and Hinata took their selections and followed the woman.

X

Hinata and Sakura stared at their reflections in the mirror. Sakura turned this way and that, inspecting every aspect of herself. She smiled kindly at the woman. "You did a great job, thank you so much!"

Hinata shyly looked at her own reflection. She glanced at Sakura who looked radiant in her kimono and beside the pink-haired girl, Hinata felt as if she couldn't compare, that not even the shimmering silk could help her.

Sakura looked at Hinata and smiled, "You look beautiful," Sakura exclaimed, clapping her hands.

Hinata's eyes widened at Sakura's comment. Sakura stood next to Hinata and smiled. Taking another look in the mirror, Hinata compared herself to Sakura. Sakura of course, still looked beautiful, but so did Hinata in a different way. Sakura was radiant because of the bright colors and happy smiles, but Hinata looked elegant with her dark features and shimmering silk.

The woman smiled, "The both of you look excellent. Might I suggest some hair accessories for your kimonos?"

Hinata and Sakura shared a look before smiling and nodding. "Yes please!"

X

Another hour later, Hinata and Sakura laughed as they glanced at themselves in the mirrors. They had spent an hour trying on hair accessories and doing each other's hair. Sakura had settled for putting her shoulder length hair in a complicated knot, adorning her hair with a gold colored clip that had faux emerald flowers dangling from it. Again Hinata noted, Sakura looked radiant.

Hinata's hair was less complicated, but nonetheless beautiful. Her long dark locks had been swept into a low hanging ponytail that hung over her right shoulder. The clip that�fastened her hair had a shinny red flower. Shorter strands of hair delicately cascaded down the side of her face. Her hair that was bundled had several rhinestone beads clinging to random strands of hair, appearing as though her hair were the night sky with stars scattered all around.

Sakura stepped back and surveyed Hinata. She let out a soft sigh and smiled. "You look so beautiful! Sasuke-kun will love it!"

Hinata blushed a little and smiled at Sakura. "T-Thank you, and I'm sure Naruto-kun will love the way you look as well!"

Sakura grinned, "I hope so."

As a silence passed between both girls, a loud rumbling erupted. Both Hinata and Sakura blushed as they realized they were ravenous.

"Let's go out to dinner," Sakura insisted with a smile. So far, her plan was going nicely. At the end of dinner, Sasuke was supposed to appear and ask Hinata to the Tanabata Matsuri.

Hinata nodded, "Okay," she said as she removed the clips and rhinestones from her hair and put them into a box that the owner gave to her to put her accessories in.

As both Hinata and Sakura purchased their items, they smiled gleefully for they had found exactly what they wanted. As Hinata held her boxes close to her and waited for Sakura to pay for her items, she smiled to herself and thought of Sasuke. I really do hope he asks me to Tanabata Matsuri. And if he does, I hope he likes my kimono, Hinata thought.

"Okay, where do you want to go, Hinata," Sakura asked.

"W-well, since we spent so much on the kimonos and hair clips, can only afford ramen.."

Sakura looked through her wallet as well and sweat dropped. "That's all I can afford as well. So, ramen it is!"

X

Hinata let out a soft sigh as she put her chopsticks in the empty ramen bowl. After shopping for hours, ramen really did hit the spot. Hinata turned to Sakura who had just finished as well.

"Thank you for shopping with me," Hinata said in a soft voice.

Sakura waved a hand, as if brushing away Hinata's words. "Don't worry about it, Hinata. It was fun! Besides, it's nice getting to know you better."

"Y-yeah.."

After the meal was paid for, Sakura and Hinata left Ichirauku's, satisfied with the day.

"Hinata?"

Hinata turned to see who it was who called her name. Her eyes widened slightly as a blush spread across her fair cheeks. Sasuke was leaning against the ramen stand as though he was waiting for her.

"Well, good night, Hinata," Sakura said, walking in the other direction. "Bye, Sasuke-kun!"

Hinata's eyes widened as Sakura left her to be with Sasuke. Hinata's blush deepened as Sasuke stood beside her. "H-Hello, Sasuke-kun.."

Is he mad at me, Hinata wondered mentally, praying that he wasn't.

Sasuke offered her a small smirk. He had spent his day with Naruto, helping him with his duties. But Naruto's effort to keep Sasuke busy were taken in vain. Even though Sasuke had preformed the tasks asked of him, Hinata still crossed his mind.

"I'll walk you home," Sasuke said, as he and Hinata walked in the direction of the Hyuuga manor.

"O-okay."

Sasuke glanced down at Hinata who was silent beside him. "Do you want me to carry your boxes," Sasuke asked as a slight blush crept onto his face.

"I-I'm fine," Hinata said, "T-they aren't heavy at all.."

"If you're sure," said Sasuke as he watched the girl's face heat up even more. Now came the part where he was supposed to ask her to the festival. Sasuke's light blush deepened, this would be difficult...

"Hinata, I was wondering, er..." Sasuke trailed off as he scratched his cheek lightly.

Hinata's eyes widened, her heart beat wildly in her chest as she remained silent, waiting for Sasuke's words.

"Would you like to go to the Tanabata Matsuri with me?"

Hinata stopped in her tracks. Even though she had the slight suspicion that Sasuke would ask her, it still shook her.

"I-I'd love to go with you," Hinata answered, still blushing.

Sasuke let out a sigh of relief. All day he had feared rejection..

Sasuke smirked as the air between the two of them seemed lighter. Finally as they neared the Hyuuga manor, Hinata looked up at Sasuke. "I thought you'd be mad at me," she disclosed.

"Why," Sasuke asked, taken aback by her words.

"Because I avoided you a-all that time. I-I thought you would have given up on me.."

Sasuke smiled slightly as he faced Hinata. He played with a strand of her long dark hair. "No, I wasn't mad, I thought that you might have given up on me, that's why you avoided me."

"N-No!" Hinata said quickly. "I-I mean, I wasn't mad.."

"That's good," Sasuke said as he touched Hinata's cheek. "Good night, Hinata," Sasuke said as they stood by the entrance of the Hyuuga manor. Swiftly, Sasuke bent to kiss Hinata's cheek before he walked away.

For a moment, Hinata stood there, touching her cheek where Sasuke's kiss still lingered. "S-Sasuke-kun," she murmured before she entered the gates to her home.

Sorry I took so long to update! I've been busy, and in the free time I did have, I didn't feel like writing, sorry! Well, here's the chapter, I enjoyed writing it! Next chapter will be the festival!

Reviews are still loved!

Serena.