Hey there! My goal is to get 100 reviews by the end of my story. So help a girl out and REVIEW!
A cloud of steam rose up from the temperate waters. The mist fogged the young girl's sight. She felt a pleasant sense of relaxation when the elevated water drops contacted her skin. It was both chilly and fervent at the same time. The odd sensations of the heated springs and cool after effects of the steam sent the young girl's body in a state of total bliss. Not one single tendon in her body was tense. She submerged her body even further into the pool of paradise, sighing in content. It was not everyday Hinata got to enjoy the leisure's of life so, she was going to enjoy every minute of it.
"Careful Hinata! You'll get your mask wet."
Hinata immediately popped back up into her original posture. She did not want to be scowled at for ruining her facial.
"Sorry Ino."
The shell on Ino's own face cracked as she smiled at the dark-haired girl.
"That's alright, but you have to leave your face untouched for another five minutes. Otherwise soft flawless skin will never be obtained."
Emerald green eyes rolled towards the heavens in response.
"Oh please! Could you be any more dramatic! It's a facial for God's sake!"
The blonde shot a look towards the speaker.
"Just because, they haven't found a treatment for your overly shiny forehead doesn't mean that you have to take it out on the rest of us, Sakura."
Ino gave a quick flip of her hair, as if to prove her point. The pulsing vein on Sakura's forehead threatened to crack the hard clay.
"Why yo-"
"So, Hinata. Do you know if Naruto's going to the Summer Festival?"
The Hyuga heiress turned her attention towards the girl who spoke. She was grateful that Tenten stopped another one of Ino's and Sakura's bicker fests but at any other cost.
"Hai."
Three pairs of eyes focused in Hinata. She couldn't help but squirm underneath their gazes.
"Soooo…"chorused the trio.
Thankfully the mask prevented them from seeing Hinata's heated cheeks.
"He is."
Both Ino and Sakura squealed in content while Tenten gave Hinata a warm smile.
Sakura and Tenten had already been at the Konoha Hot Springs when Ino and Hinata arrived. Apparently both girls were to play part in the next step of the plan.
"This is great," beamed Ino, "now all we have you have to do is find out where he'll be at the festival."
A soft mumble came from Hinata's direction.
"What was that Hinata?" asked Sakura.
Swallowing a knot that had formed in her throat, Hinata spoke a little clearer, albeit soft.
"I said that Naruto-kun and I are going together."
The dark-haired beauty's head was bowed so she could not see her friend's shock-written expressions. She could only listen to the lack of sound. But the silence was soon overcome by high-pitched squeals. Hinata jumped a little in surprise.
"Oh my gosh Hinata! Why didn't you tell me you were going on a date with Naruto! I'm so happy for you! Oh! Wait a minute. This changes everything! We have to-"
Ino's rambling was cut off a startle squeak from Hinata.
"Date?"
It was Tenten who turned to Hinata in confusion.
"Isn't it?"
The young Hyuga shook her head furiously. The three girl's faces drop to this action.
"Are you sure Hinata?" asked Sakura.
"Hai. Sai is supposed to be joining us."
"Oh well that sucks." replied Ino.
"Yeah for a minute there a thought that Naruto had finally did something right." said Sakura.
"Not that!" Ino shouted. "That Sai is already taken. I was going to ask him."
The blonde crossed her arm and stuck out her lower lip in a pout. The pink-haired medic couldn't help but to roll her eyes at Ino's childish behavior.
"Ino, how many times do I have to tell you this? Sai isn't interested in you. Heck I don't think he interested in any girls!"
Ino just shrugged off Sakura's comment like it was piece of unwanted dirt.
"Your just jealous cause you can't get a guy half a good-looking as Sai."
Sakura rubbed her brow in frustration, misshaping her mask. Sometimes, there was just no dealing with this woman.
Hinata watched the argument between her friends. A thought kept stirring inside her and she wasn't sure if she should act on it or not.
'Should I tell Ino that she should ask Chouji? No. That would be medaling. I don't want to tell Ino who she does and doesn't truly like. But… she has been helping me a great deal with Naruto.'
The dark-haired girl was brought out of her world by Tenten's voice.
"I'm sorry Tenten. What did you say?"
"I said, has Ino told you anything about the next step?"
A flicker of confusion and shock flashed through Hinata's pale eyes.
'Wait a minute. Tenten knows. Why am I out of the loop?'
"No she hasn't."
"Well how about I tell you now."
Hinata turned her head to see a devious smile laid upon Ino's lips. It took a minute for Hinata to realize that the other two girls wore the same expressions as well. A sinking feeling resided in Hinata's stomach.
'This can't be good.'
A warm damp cloth ran across a pale face, wiping away the muck that was once there. Once the towel had completed its job it was put aside. The owner of the cloth looked blankly at the chest-level water in which she was occupied in.
'I can't believe THAT'S what I have to do for the first step.'
Quickly Hinata ran over all the things the girls had told her.
'It makes sense. I mean the whole point of goal two is to make Naruto see that I can make a good girlfriend. That I can be more than just a friend to him or as Ino would like to put it "putting the girl in girlfriend." But still…I have to do THAT!'
Hinata threw her head back in agony.
'It won't work. For any other girl, this step would go off without a hitch. But it won't work for me. It's just…not possible.'
Lowering her head Hinata looked at the only other occupant in the spring. Sakura had to work at the hospital and Tenten had pratice with Neji.
'I have to tell Ino.'
"Ino?"
Lazily, the blonde lifted her head to look at Hinata. Her half-lidded eyes were still gazed over with sleepiness.
"Hmmm"
"I have to tell you something."
"What is it?"
It was obvious that Ino was only half-paying attention due to the dull reply.
"It's about the next step."
Hinata avoided eye contact with her friend, more out of shame than embarrassment.
"I can't do it."
Tired blue eyes began to slowly come to life with those words.
"Why not?"
Hinata flinched a little at the tone in Ino's voice. She was clearly beginning to wake up.
"It won't work."
Confusion now laced Ino's features.
"What do you mean it won't work?"
Hinata bowed her head down low. The weight of guilt, all too strong.
"It's not that it's a bad idea. Really it's not. It's just…" risking it Hinata raised her head. Her pale eyes looked right into Ino's blue eyes. "I don't think that I'm the right girl for the job."
A snort of disbelief escaped from Ino.
"Yeah right."
The small smile that Ino had quickly vanished when she saw that Hinata was being serious.
"Hinata what in the world would make you think you're not the right for this job? You only need one thing and girl you got it!"
A small glimmer of self-worth sparkled in Hinata's eyes.
"Really?"
"Of course!"
"So you really think that it will work?"
Ino placed each of her hands of Hinata's shoulders. It forced Hinata to look right at Ino.
"Hinata I would have never have planned this if I didn't think it would work." A smile stretched Ino's lips. "Just wait, come festival day Naruto will be drooling at your feet."
The Hyuga girl gave a small smile at the statement. She still didn't fully believe it would work but maybe it was worth a shot. After all, she might not ever have the chance again to steal Naruto's heart away. Much like he did to her.
Resting her back against the side of the spring, Hinata began to wonder what it would be like if Ino and herself hadn't of gotten locked in that basement a month and a half ago. She would have never have confessed to Ino her feelings for Naruto, no plan to make Naruto her boyfriend would have been formed, she would have never have became such good friends with him now. No. She wouldn't be his best friend.
Hinata's breath caught in her throat when such thoughts came up. If that D-ranked mission never had happened then Hinata's life would have continued as it had for the past four years. She would have never had talked to Naruto. Never let him see the real her. She would have just sat back and watched as he fell in love, married and had a family with another woman. All because she thought that that was best for him. She would have given up on love.
Shaking her head, Hinata tried to get rid of the negative thoughts. But she knew not to forget them entirely. If she did, she would forget about following her heart. She would forget how important this plan is. It's not just about finding Naruto the happieness he deserves but finding the happiness she deserves as well. Love is a risky game, but there was no way in hell that Hinata was going to kept out it. She might regret it if she does. No. She would regret it.
Looking across the waters, Hinata watched Ino wipe off her mask.
'Is she in love? I know that she likes Chouji, but is it something deeper?'
Hinata knew she could not ask this though. Ino didn't even know she liked Chouji, much less might be in love with him.
'But what if she is? What if she doesn't ever figure out that the man of her dreams is standing right in front of her? What if she realizes her love when it's already too late? Should I tell her? Should I tell her to ask out Chouji?'
A small frown etched Hinata's face. She didn't like telling people what to do with their lives but she didn't want her friend to miss out on love.
'If it was me, I would want someone to tell me to go after my true love.'
"Ino"
Said girl turned her head towards Hinata.
"Yes Hinata."
"Have you…have you…I mean…umm…"
Despite her mind screaming at her that this was right thing to, Hinata was having trouble finding the words.
"Yes." drawn Ino.
'Come on Hinata! You owe this to Ino!'
Gulping Hinata went in for the dive.
"Have you thought about asking Chouji to the festival?"
Ino wrinkled her brows in confusion.
"Chouji? Why would I ask him?"
'Keep it together Hinata. Don't back out now.'
"It's just that you guys are such great friends and get along so well that I thought maybe.."
"Maybe what?"
"Maybe you two would make a good couple."
A burst of Ino's laughter echoed throughout the springs.
"Me and Chouji? Oh please! Like that would ever happen!"
"But why not? He's a good guy. Isn't he?"
Ino's laughter ceased. A very serious, almost angry expression, was written on her face. Hinata tried her best not to coil away.
"Look. Chouji's a nice guy and everything but he's not my type. I need a guy who can be just as charming, sexy and outgoing as they as strong, smart and kind. Not that Chouji's bad-looking. But you just don't see hot guys that eat their own bodyweight in food and then some."
Hinata frowned at Ino's reasoning.
"But Ino it wouldn't hurt to just ask him would it?"
The dark-haired beauty watched as the blonde's jaw clenched. Ino was getting annoyed.
"You don't understand Hinata. If I go with him then I would be telling everyone that we come across that this is the type of guy I'm into. It would be a disaster for not only my reputation but for my love life as well. I'm not going to risk that chance."
"But-"
"No buts Hinata! I'm not going to ask him out and that's final!"
Hinata sat there frozen as a statue. Afraid that one small movement might send the blonde off again. True, Hinata knew that Ino would get upset for suggesting a date with Chouji but, she never thought she would snap at her like that.
The Hyuga girl listened as the water swished. Her head was bowed so she could only assume that Ino had gotten out of the spring. And sure enough, a second later, the door to the women's locker room slammed shut.
'The nerve of her! Suggesting that I like ChoujiChouji! Is she out of her mind? She even told me to ask him out!'
There was a rational part of Ino's mind that told her she was thinking about Hinata. A very good friend of hers and that she shouldn't let comment of herself liking Chouji get her all bent out of shape. But she chose to ignore it.
'There's no way in hell I would ask out him out. No. Never. Not going to happen.'
The rational part was speaking again. It told her that she was taking things too far and that she should give Chouji more credit than what he was getting. It was, once again, ignored.
'I mean, you have to be crazy to like him! He would rather put his life on the line for piece of chicken than for girl. Why would I want to be compared to a piece of meat? No girl in their right mind would!'
Even though the rational part of Ino's mind was being ignored it decided to speak in spite of it. Now it was trying to tell Ino that Chouji cares a great deal more for his friends than for food. It was also part of his job, as a ninja, to put his life endanger for the protection of others. But the rational part's words were in vain. Ino continued to taunt.
'And oh! Don't even get me started on his wardrobe! That armor he wears is ancient! It makes him look more like a tin can than a warrior.'
'That's not true,' spoke the rational part of Ino's brain. 'The fact that he wears his father's armor shows that he cares very deeply for his family and that he will always uphold his family's honor. And if anything he resembles a knight in shining armor.' But the attempt was futile.
'And that hair! His hair is almost as long as mine! What kind of woman wants a man with that long of hair?'
'Neji's hair longer and Tenten likes him. Besides it makes him look a rough and wild. Can't tell me you don't like that type.'
'And those tattoos!There so…childish looking and unnecessary!'
'They represent his style of combat and they make him look cute.'
'And those eyes!'
'Endearing with every look that they give you.'
'That face!'
'Sincere with every expression.'
'That smile!'
'Warms your heart every time you see it.'
'How can anyone fall in love, with any of that!'
Aggravated Ino left the hot springs. Walking towards her home she let all of the thoughts of her rational mind be heard. Stopping in her tracks, Ino almost fainted when she finally realized the truth.
'Holy shit! I'm in love with Chouji!'
Now the rational part gloated.
Notice: Yeah I know I'm cruel for not telling you guys what the next step is. Tell me how unfair it is.
Next chapter: Preparations
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Naruto. Case and point.
