Author Note: N/A
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
-Chapter XXI-
The next morning, Naruto rushes over to the Hyuuga Compound after a quick breakfast, hoping to get there and pick up Hinata before Hanabi comes out of her hangover state that she is no doubt mired in. However, luck is not on his side as he finds Hanabi sitting in the dinning hall with Hinata, Neji, and Hiashi.
"Good morning, Naruto-nii-chan."
"…Hi… Hanabi-chan. So are you ready to go Hinata-chan?" Naruto asks, hoping to get out of there as quickly as possible.
"I still need to change. Please wait a moment."
Naruto looks at the other occupants of the room nervously as Hinata vacates the room. Eventually, Neji puts down his bowl and excuses himself, slightly unnerved by the tension in the room. As soon as Neji gets out, Hiashi puts his bowl down and stares straight at Naruto.
"Naruto, I do not want a repeat of what happened yesterday. Am I clear?"
"Yes sir!"
"Naruto-nii-chan… did I really… did we…" Hanabi asks, fiddling with her fingers like her sister, "you know… kiss?"
"Well… about that… yeah…"
"French?"
"Yeah…"
"Darn, I wish I could remember it. Doesn't matter, we'll just have to do that again when we make up that date."
"Make up?"
"Yeah, we never properly finished our date yesterday. I expect you to make that up. After all, you let me drink that bottle of sake."
"But I…"
"Is that so," Hiashi says, putting down his chopsticks.
Naruto can feel Hiashi's glare on his back. The grin Hanabi has on her face isn't helping matters any either. Fortunately for Naruto, Hinata picks that particular time to return to the dinning hall.
"I'm ready to go Naruto-kun."
"OK, let's go."
"Umm… I need to speak with otou-san about something, please wait for me at the front gate. I will be there in a moment," Hinata says.
"OK."
As soon as Naruto leaves the room, Hinata turns her attention toward her father and sister.
"Otou-san, I would prefer if you don't send anyone to follow Naruto-kun and I. I would be very upset if you do that," Hinata says before turning toward her sister, "and I expect you to stay away from my date. I didn't interrupt yours yesterday and I don't want you to do it to me today."
Hiashi and Hanabi back away from Hinata nodding their head. Before the festival, they would've just laughed it off and ignored the shy heiress. But seeing the destruction she caused after the festival, with the Branch House still repairing the damages around the compound after Hinata's "practices" with Hiashi, the thought of going against her never even crosses their mind. Smiling sweetly, Hinata leaves the room and joins Naruto.
"So, where do you want to go Hinata-chan?"
"Wherever Naruto-kun wants to go is fine with me."
"That won't do. You have to be more assertive Hinata-chan."
"I… I'll try… I heard that you went to the mall with Hanabi… would you want to go there again?"
"I'll let you make the call today Hinata-chan. Remember, be more assertive."
"Well… I want to see what the mall is like…"
"Let's go then. Come on, it's this way."
Instead of sweeping through the streets like a tornado like yesterday, Hinata pulls Naruto back as soon as he starts speeding up, wanting to enjoy the feeling of being with Naruto instead of rushing through everything. No matter how confident she is in front of her family or how much Naruto tries to encourage her, one look at Naruto's grinning face turns Hinata back to the blushing and stuttering mode. When Hinata tries to fidget her fingers, Naruto grabs hold of her hands and look directly into her eyes.
"Hinata-chan, what did I tell you about being so shy?"
"Umm… don't?"
"That's right. So why are you acting like this again? Come on, I want to see the confident Hinata. I like that Hinata better, like how you were when we were still kids."
"I… I'll try."
"Good."
Before Naruto can turn around and go on his way again, Hinata holds Naruto's cheeks and presses her lips against his. Naruto is too shock to even move, neither backing away nor leaning in. By the time Naruto is back to his senses, Hinata has already let go of him and is looking on with a concerned look on her face.
"Well… that was a lot more than what I was expecting… but that's a good start."
"Come on, I still want to see the mall. We'll never get there at this rate," Hinata says, giggling.
"All right then, here we go."
Naruto grabs a hold of Hinata's hand, lacing their fingers together. Hinata blushes at the contact but steels herself to keep up with Naruto, though her mind is still reeling from the kiss. She doesn't know what made her act as boldly as she did. All she can remember is that she didn't want to disappoint Naruto. Now that she is thinking straight again, she can only pray to find that strength again so she doesn't look like such an idiot whenever she's around the blonde ninja. After stopping at a few shops on their leisurely walk, they arrive at the mall just around lunchtime. Hinata suggests for them to catch a quick lunch before checking out the mall. Naruto is hesitant at first, not wanting to risk a repeat performance of what happened the day before, but all logic goes out the window when his stomach joins Hinata's side of the argument. Nodding reluctantly, Naruto picks out a restaurant and makes it especially clear to the waiter not to bring anything that is even remotely alcoholic near the table.
"Naruto-kun… you seem… nervous."
"Hinata, you have to promise me that you won't drink anything that's alcoholic. I would really get into trouble if you got drunk too."
"I can hold my liquor much better than Hanabi, but I promise you."
"You mean you've…"
"Whenever we have a large family dinner, otou-san will allow us to drink a little bit of sake. Hanabi usually gets drunk after a couple of cups, but I think I can manage for about six or seven, if I have something to eat."
"Hanabi-chan downed the whole bottle on an empty stomach yesterday…"
"I'm surprised she stayed awake for as long as she did."
"I wish she did fall asleep quicker."
"Did you… not enjoy it?"
Naruto spurts out the water that he's drinking. Concerned, Hinata moves next to Naruto to calm his coughing fits. When Naruto finally catches his breath, he notices the close proximity between Hinata and him and almost falls out of his chair in surprise. Hinata's question brings back the memory of exactly what happened yesterday and Naruto can't help but to focus on Hinata's lips. It takes him a few moment of seeing Hinata's lips moving before he realizes she is talking to him.
"Naruto-kun, daijoubu ka?"
"Ye… yeah."
While the two ninjas are getting back into their seats, the waiter brings them their order and sets the food on the table. Halfway through the meal, when Naruto notices that Hinata isn't paying attention, Naruto sticks his fork into Hinata's dish and tries to steal a piece of food only to have it knocked out of his hand by Hinata's spoon.
"Naruto-kun, I wouldn't be much of a ninja if I just let you steal something from me like this. But if you ask nicely, I might let you try some of it."
"All right then… Hinata-chan, please…" Naruto says with the tone that he heard plenty of girls use.
"No," Hinata answers, giggling at Naruto's antics.
"Mou… Hinata-chan, you're mean."
"Here you go Naruto-kun."
"No. Because you're so mean, I want you to feed me."
Hinata blushes as Naruto leans forward and opens his mouth. Hesitating slightly, Hinata shoves the fork into Naruto's mouth, almost choking him in the process.
"Naruto-kun, are you all right?"
"Give… give me a second."
By the time Naruto finally recovers, he notices that his plate is missing quite a bit of food. Whenever Naruto makes eye contact with Hinata, she starts looking at every direction but directly at him. Narrowing his eyes, he reaches for Hinata's plate again only to have it batted away again. Every now and then Naruto would try again until they finish their meal, but even by then he still can't get anything from Hinata's plate without her permission. Sighing, Naruto pays for the meal and follows Hinata to the stores inside the mall, reminding himself to go through some stealth training later on.
"There are a lot of clothing stores in this place."
"Yeah. Too bad Hanabi-chan never got the chance to go through them."
"Well, that's her own fault… Naruto-kun, let's see what they have in this one."
"OK."
Naruto stays on the sideline as he watches Hinata goes through rack after rack of clothing. After about thirty minutes, Hinata finally walks back to Naruto holding several articles of clothing.
"Naruto-kun, do you think these would fit me?"
"You can try them on you know Hinata-chan."
"Re… really? I… I never bought clothes myself before. The servants buy them for us most of the time and they would invite tailors over otherwise."
"Come on, I'll take you to the fitting rooms."
Closing his eyes, Naruto leans against the walls as he waits for Hinata to come out. After about five minutes, Naruto starts to become concerned as Hinata still hasn't walked out. Walking over, Naruto starts knocking on the door.
"Hinata-chan, are you all right in there?"
"Umm… Naruto-kun, can… can you come in and help me?"
"Wha? But… but…"
"Don't worry. I… I'm properly covered. I just can't reach the zippers on my back…"
"Ah. OK."
Naruto walks in to find Hinata with her back toward him looking into the mirror and struggling to reach the zipper on her back.
"I thought that kunoichi are suppose to be pretty flexible," Naruto jokes.
"You are mean Naruto-kun."
"Sorry, sorry. Where is that zipper?"
"Let me get my hair out of way."
"Ah I see it now," Naruto says before something on Hinata's back, "hey, Hinata-chan?"
"What is it Naruto-kun?"
"You are not injured or anything right?"
"No. Why?"
"Why do you have all these bandages on you back like this?" Naruto says, touching the said object.
Hinata jumps from the contact. Mistaking that as a sign of pain, Naruto ignores Hinata's protests and continues to inspect the bandages. Finding no trace of blood, Naruto stands up straight, turns Hinata around and stares into her eyes.
"Na… Naruto-kun… those… those aren't for injuries."
"What are they for then?"
"Those… those are… chest bindings."
"Why would you need to do that?"
"Otou-san is a very conservative person. He doesn't want us to show our bodies. Beside, they do get in the way sometimes. A lot of kunoichi have them."
"Well, I think they are the best way to deal with perverted enemies. Just look at how well my Oiruke no Jutsu works against them. Anyway, I should help you with that zipper. People will get the wrong idea seeing that I've been in here for so long."
Hinata blushes at the words' implication and turns around instantly. After helping her, Naruto stays in the fitting room for a split second longer to show his appreciation in Hinata's taste before trying to leave. That is, until Hinata grabs onto his arm again and gestures toward her back.
"Oh, I guess you need help to unzip it too right?"
After a few trips in and out of the fitting room for Naruto, Hinata brings all the clothes to the counter and pays for them. Creating a Kage Bunshin, Naruto makes it take the bag and pushes Hinata to the next store himself before the cashier can say anything. After their trip through the mall, Naruto sends the handful of clones back to the Hyuuga Compound before leading Hinata to a fancy restaurant near the compound for dinner. Instead of taking the seat opposite of Hinata, he sits down next to her and leans over so they can be as close as possible.
"Umm… are you… ready to… order?" a waitress asks, not entirely sure what to do in this situation.
"Oh right. Uh… I'll have a steak, three quarters."
"Ro… roast pork."
"Very well… I'll be back with your orders soon."
Naruto straightens up after the waitress left, but he stays in his seat instead of moving across the table. When the waitress finally return with their order, Naruto rubs his hands overdramatically in anticipation as Hinata giggles at his antics. With a small smile, the waitress leaves the pair for the rest of their meal. As soon as the waitress leave, Naruto and Hinata resume the game they've been playing during lunch. Frustrated at his continued inability to "win," Naruto waits until Hinata puts a piece of food in her mouth before grabbing her cheeks and kissing her, stealing the piece from her mouth in the process. Finally snapping out of her trance, Hinata finds her mouth empty of both Naruto's tongue and the piece of pork.
"Hey!"
"See Hinata-chan, I can steal food from you after all," Naruto says, noticing Hinata's blush, "although I don't think you would mind if I keep stealing it the way I did."
Hinata does not deign that tease a response, out of embarrassment and annoyance. Instead, she turns her attention back toward her plate onto to notice that the roast pork is missing a significant chunk of meat. Turning her stare at Naruto, who is looking to the side whistling innocently, Hinata sticks her fork into Naruto's steak and moves the whole thing to her plate.
"Eh? Hinata-chan?"
"You seem to be pretty interested in my dish. It's only fair that I get some of yours too."
"But… but… what am I going to eat?"
"You can eat it from my mouth again if you want to," Hinata says, blushing.
Smirking, Naruto takes Hinata up on her offer and smashes his lips against hers. However, instead of letting Naruto pull away with the piece of meat, Hinata grabs a hold of Naruto's hair to keep him for leaning back. By the time she lets go, both teens are breathing heavily.
"…Well… that wasn't so bad…"
"Na… Naruto-kun… here you go…"
Refocusing, Naruto notices that his plate has just gotten fuller with a large piece of roast pork and half of the steak that Hinata took.
"Hinata-chan… what…?"
"I never said I was taking the whole thing. I couldn't eat it all anyway."
"Hinata-chan, you tricked me."
"Are you… upset?"
"Well… not really. Can't say I didn't like it. Anyway, let's hurry up. Hiashi-jii-san will get angry if I bring you home too late."
Hinata nods her head in response before turning her attention on her meal. The pair leaves the restaurant half an hour later and heads back toward the Hyuuga Compound. Before Naruto can even say goodbye, Hinata grabs Naruto by the hair and kisses him on the cheek before rushing inside, leaving a stunned Naruto at the door. Out in the streets is one thing, but right in front of the Compound where everyone inside can see you is not something Naruto was expecting. Finally regaining his senses, Naruto chuckles lightly and heads home, looking rather similar to a certain toad sennin with lip gloss on his lips and cheek and an idiotic grin on his face.
Naruto is rudely awakened by a sudden mass being thrown on top of him while he's still in bed. Irritated, Naruto grabs a hold of the object and holds it close to find his old orange jumpsuit. Completely confused, Naruto turns toward his closet only to be pummeled by more clothing. Thinking that there's a horribly unskilled thief in his house, he slips out of bed quietly and pounce on the thief from behind.
"Naruto! What are you doing!"
"Eh? Te… Temari-chan? What are you doing in my room so late at night?" Naruto asks, taking note of the darkness in the room.
"Night? You won't wake up no matter what I did," Temari says, walking over to the windows and lifting the shades, "it's already ten o'clock."
"Ten? Already?"
"I know you got back late last night Naruto, but I've never seen you this tired before. …You didn't do anything to poor innocent Hinata did you?"
"What? Of course not!"
"Good. Well, come on. Where did you put your best clothes?"
"Um… I think in that first drawer."
After going through the drawer like a crazed woman, Temari pulls out a simple black short sleeve shirt, a pair of dark blue pants and a black trench coat and tosses them at Naruto.
"Hurry up an change. You have a lot of things to do today," Temari says as she pulls out his swimming trunks, "oh, and put this on underneath."
"I… do?"
"Yes, now hurry up. You still need to eat breakfast and then we have to go to the flower shop."
"Flower shop? Why?"
"You'll see when we get there."
Scratching his head in confusion, Naruto does as Temari tells him and heads downstairs for breakfast after getting ready. After finishing his breakfast, which consists of Temari stuffing everything on his plate into Naruto's mouth, Temari drags Naruto to the only flower shop in town.
"Temari-chan, why are we heading to the flower shop?"
"I'm going to pick the flower arrangement for the wedding, and you are going to pay for it."
"But I don't think I have enough money…"
"Who said you're going to pay with money?"
"What? But…"
"Ah, here we are," Temari says, walking into the shop, "oi, Ino, we're here."
"Mom! Temari-san is here. Help her get things set up for her wedding. I'm heading out!" Ino screams, "OK, Naruto-kun, let's go."
"Wait, what?"
"I said you're going to pay for the flower arrangements right, get going."
"But I…"
"Do I have to lay everything out for you? The payment is you going out on a date with Ino."
"Eh? But Temari-chan…"
"Let's go Naruto-kun."
Before Naruto can even finish his sentence, Ino pulls him out the door and toward the village gate. Giving up his struggle, Naruto allows the girl to lead him to whatever destination she chooses. When the pair finally stops, Naruto finds himself in front of a small waterfall with a small stream leading back toward the village.
'This place looks familiar… isn't this the place I trained with Ero-Sennin and Tsunade-baa-chan?'
"Here we are. Isn't this place great?"
"Yeah, I guess. I didn't pay too much attention to the surroundings the last time I was here."
"You were here before?"
"Yeah, before the Chuunin Tournament when Oto attacked. I was training here."
"Oh… I guess that explains all the damages I saw when I found this place… well, you get to enjoy the scenery instead of only focusing on training this time."
"I suppose… what are we doing out here though? Doesn't look like there is much to do out here…"
"Well, we can always just enjoy the scenery. But I intend to go swimming. It's still warm enough."
"That's it? It'll be lunch time in a couple of hours…"
"Don't worry, I brought food."
"Where?" Naruto asks, looking around the clearing.
"The food is stored in a scroll. I'll take them out when you get hungry," Ino says, taking off her clothes.
"Eh! I… Ino-chan…"
"Oh don't worry. I have my swimsuit underneath."
"Oh…"
"Beside, it's not like you haven't seen me in revealing clothes before," Ino says, stretching in her bikini.
"Eck, don't remind me. I've been trying so hard to forget it."
"But why would you want to do that?" Ino says, tracing Naruto's chin with her finger, "am I not attractive enough for you? I'm hurt."
Naruto turns his head to the side, trying to take his eyes off the ample amount of cleavage as she bends over in front of him. It doesn't help that he can feel Ino's breath on his face as she brings her face ever closer. Giggling at Naruto's reaction, Ino decides to leave the poor boy alone and walks over to the stream.
"You can join me whenever you want Naruto," Ino says before diving in.
Naruto watches in amazement at how good a swimmer Ino is. She easily glides through the water, even against the current, however weak the current is. Once he's sure that Ino has her attention elsewhere, Naruto starts taking off his clothes, glad that he listened to Temari and put his swimming trunks on underneath. A loud splash alerts Ino that someone has joined her in the water. Grinning, Ino dives under the water and swims around behind Naruto while he is still adjusting to the water, haven't really swim before even though he had his fair share of experience of almost drowning. Jumping out of the water, Ino dunks Naruto in the stream while laughing. As the seconds tick by with no sign of Naruto resurfacing, Ino starts to become more and more concerned. As she's about to dive in to look for Naruto, she sees his body floating back up, face down in the river. Dragging Naruto back onto the shore, Ino is about to perform mouth to mouth when Naruto squirts water right in her face.
"Na-ru-to!"
"That's what you get for surprising me Ino-chan."
"Humph!" Ino grunts, pouting and crossing her arms.
"OK, so that was a bit mean. I guess I overdid it a bit, but I'm not a good swimmer, you shouldn't surprise me like that. If the current is stronger, I really would've been in trouble," Naruto says, even though the last part is a bit of a lie. He can always uses his chakra to help him float back to the surface.
"I guess I was wrong too. Tell you what, I'll teach you how to swim properly."
"Really? That'd be great!"
"Well come on, let's go."
By the time they get back on shore, Naruto had already been complaining about his empty stomach for about fifteen minutes. Taking out the storage scroll from the pocket in her blouse, Ino orders Naruto to gather firewood while she leaves to get some clean water further upstream. After they have everything in place, Ino uses a small katon jutsu to boil the water. Naruto becomes increasingly irritated as he watches Ino staring at the pot.
"Ino-chan, where's the food?"
"Oh hush. I guarantee that you won't complain once you see what I brought. Oh, the water's ready," Ino says as she takes more things out of her scroll.
"Aren't those… instant ramen?"
"Yeah. I'm not much of a cook so this is all we'll be having."
"But I thought you don't like those stuff…"
"I eat it once in a while. Every now and then I'll go to Ichiraku with Sakura after I sneaked into one of her lessons with Tsunade-sama," Ino says as she pours some water into one cup and hands it to Naruto.
It doesn't take long for Naruto to clean out everything Ino brought with her. It still amazes her how quickly Naruto can eat. He manages to clean off twenty-one cups in the time she eats three. As Ino packs all the empty cups in her scroll again so as to not leave a mess behind, Naruto walks over to the stream, eager to begin his lesson again now that his stomach isn't complaining anymore.
"Get back here Naruto. You're going to get cramps in you go swimming right after eating."
"Aw, but Ino-chan…"
"No! Here!" Ino commands like she's talking to a kid.
"Fine…"
"Hey Naruto, can you do me a favor?"
"What is it Ino-chan?"
"Can you… give this to Sakura for me?" Ino asks, handing Naruto a somewhat worn red ribbon.
"Uh… sure, but why don't you give this to her yourself?"
"I did… twice. And I got this thing shoved back in my face twice afterward."
"Eh? Why?"
"Well, this is the ribbon I gave to Sakura after I met her the first time. It was suppose to be the sign of our friendship, but she gave this back to me after we graduated from the academy."
"Ah, so that's why this thing looks so familiar. What about the second time?"
"I… rather not say…"
"Aw come on Ino-chan… please?" Naruto asks, giving her the puppy face look, even using the Oiruke no Jutsu to complete the effect.
"Ugh, fine, fine, just don't give me that look. It was about two months after you and Sasuke left…"
Ino finds Sakura sitting on top of the Hokage Tower after another draining training session with the Hokage.
"Hey Sakura."
"Ino? Shouldn't you be training with your team right now?"
"Training's over for the day. Asuma-sensei and lazy ass got called away on a mission."
"Oh."
"Um… Sakura…?"
"What is it?"
"Here," Ino says, shoving the red ribbon in Sakura's face.
"Isn't this…?"
"Well, I've decided that I'm no longer going after Sasuke. So… I was kinda hoping that… we can be friends like way back when?"
"So… you've finally decide to submit to the fact that I'm much more attractive than you."
"…Don't push your luck Sakura…" Ino says, eyebrow twitching.
"Fine," Sakura says, taking the ribbon from Ino's hand and pocketing it, "I'll put my hataiate on it later. So… what made you decide to give up on Sasuke? Is it another boy?"
"What… what are you talking about!" Ino screams, blushing.
"Aha! So it is! Who is it? Who is it?"
"I'm not telling!"
"Is it Shikamaru? Or maybe it's Chouji?"
"No."
"Hmm… Asuma-sensei is going out with Kurenai-sensei, so it's not anyone on your team… Neji?"
"Lord no. I've had it with chasing after emotionless gorgeous guys."
"Well, Shino's certainly emotionless, but he's not exactly gorgeous, and I doubt he's your type… Kiba?"
"NO! No chance in hell!" Ino says, a look of pure horror on her face.
"No… please don't tell me it's Lee!"
"NO! That's even worst that Kiba!"
"Is he a shinobi?"
"Yeah…"
"Anyone we know?"
"Yes."
"Kakashi-sensei?"
"Argh! No! I don't like old guys!"
"Kakashi-sensei isn't exactly old you know… well, if he's young… Konohamaru?"
"No! I am not into little kids!"
"So Udon is out too. Of course! It's Gaara isn't it."
"No."
"Kankurou?"
"No!" Ino screams contemplating jumping off the building, but decides that her ninja reflex would probably prevent her from dying.
"Who else can it be… you sure I know that person?"
"Yes. He's only been with you for almost six months after you graduated from the academy…"
"But you said you're not into Sasuke anymore."
"You're just teasing me aren't you…"
"No, I really don't know."
"It's Naruto! You happy now!"
Ino was expecting Sakura to laugh at her expression, but she finds a look of genuine shock on Sakura's face instead. Suddenly, Sakura leaps up from where she's sitting and throws the ribbon back in Ino's face before stomping off, leaving behind inch deep footprints in the floor and a shocked Ino.
"I guess she felt that way about you as well and was just hoping that I would be interested in anyone but you," Ino says, concluding her story, "and since we'll be… you know, sharing you. I thought she might be willing to take it back this time. But I don't want to make a fool out of myself again just in case she doesn't."
"Uh… um… sure. I'll give this to her," Naruto answers, shocked from the revelation.
"I guess it's true that you don't know what you have till it's gone. I didn't realize how much I liked you until you left on your training trip," Ino says, snuggling against him, "hmm… this is comfy…"
"Not for me," Naruto says looking down at Ino sitting on his lap, his entire body stiff as a board.
"Relax Naruto. I don't bite… too hard."
"Yeah, that's really comforting."
Ino giggles at Naruto's response before putting her head on his shoulder and slowly closes her eyes. Before he can even move away, Ino has already fallen asleep. Sighing, Naruto creates a few Kage Bunshin and have them start fishing in the stream along with having one of them bring a blanket over so he and Ino don't catch a cold in their current state of dress. By the time Ino wakes up, the sky is already dark and she finds herself lying on her side while she is still on top of Naruto. Looking up at the blonde boy, she giggles at how he's snoring and has a small trail of drool coming out of the corner of his mouth.
"Naruto-kun, wake up."
"Hmm… wha? Oh Ino-chan you're up. I think my clones have everything set up…"
"Have what set up?"
"Look."
Looking over to the side, Ino finds a Kage Bunshin keeping a small bonfire going with a small package lying next to him. Getting up and stretching, Naruto dispels the clone and takes over the duty. Curious, Ino peeks over as Naruto opens the package to find about twenty fish inside.
"This isn't all we are having for dinner is it? I mean… I know I'm on a diet and all, but this is no where near enough for dinner."
"No. Think of it as a snack. I'll take you to a fancy restaurant afterward."
"Good. Here, let me help. I haven't had this in a while. Chouji keeps eating them all every time we're on a mission. Asuma-sensei, Shikamaru and I always end up only eating ration."
After spending another hour in the wilderness, Ino and Naruto end up in a restaurant near the entrance of the village. Naruto is surprised to see that Ino still has any appetite for dinner after devouring almost all the fish that his clones caught. Naruto also finds out that when someone else is paying, Ino tends to pick the most expensive food on the menu when she orders. He knows he has more than enough money to cover the tab, but his eyes almost bulged out of the sockets when the waiter lays the dishes on the table. Not only is the food pricey, the dishes barely have any food on them.
"Just because they are expensive doesn't mean they have a lot of ingredient. The ingredients are what makes it so expensive," Ino says when she notices that Naruto is about to go after the waiter.
"But it's not exactly very filling…"
"I'm not all that hungry anyway after eating all those fish. I've always wanted to try these dishes but I can't afford them."
"Well… as long as you're happy… I guess."
"Don't worry Naruto. I'm not always a big spender. Beside, these dishes doesn't cost anywhere near as much as what you paid on our first date. You won't spend any money on this date other than this dinner."
"I suppose that's true. This is cheaper than going to the mall, and I'm pretty much sick of going there anyway. I've already gone there for two days straight… ugh, bad memories."
"Of what? Hanabi frenching you in public?"
"How did you…?"
"Did you forget that I happen to be the queen of gossip in Konoha? It's not everyday that the Hyuuga princess would embarrass herself in public like that."
"I'm surprised that Hiashi-jii-san hasn't killed me for that yet."
"He might just do that if that happens again. Umm… these are really tasty."
"What? You're almost finished already? How can you eat so quickly?"
"I guess I picked up that trait from you. Come on hurry up. If you don't get me home quickly, my dad will kill you before Hyuuga-sama gets his hands on you."
"O… OK."
Additional Author's Note: Leave a note if you like the story.