-Can I get a beer please? - Naruto sits down next to Ino while the bartender opens up a bottle and places it in front of him- Thank you. So what did you want to talk about?

-Uhhmm, this is awkward-she scratches her head- I just wanted to thank you for yesterday, you know taking me home, haha.

-Well, that's what friends are for. Anyway, Inorin already thanked me for that. Well, he relayed your dad's message.-He takes a big gulp from his drink.

-Inorin? When did you meet Inorin?- Surprised, she has no idea how these two have met.

-I'm going on a mission with him tomorrow. He looks like a nice kid, don't worry I'll look after him.

-I see, hope my dad didn't say anything weird.-She says while chuckling.

-You gotta define weird first, he think we're together.- Ino spats out her drink upon hearing this.

-WHAT?! Wh-Ho-WHAT?!-She chugs the rest of her drink and signals the bartender to prepare another one.

-Calm down, I told him nothing happened.-The bartender places Ino's drink which she chugs down immediately.- you should also slow down, I don't want to strain myself before a mission.

-You saying I'm fat?-Ino's piercing gaze freezes him completely stuttering for words.

-That's not what I meant, I just want to be in top form, you know to protect those around me.- altough still fuming Ino have calmed down a bit.

-Bet you wouldn't mind if I was Hinata or Sakura-She mumbles under her breath before taking a sip.

-What did you say?

-Noooothing. Anyway it looks like I'm going to be accepted into the intelligence division, let's drink UUUP! - They clink their glasses and drink up the remained of their drinks.

As the evening progresses and the glasses pile up in front of them Naruto gets a clear picture of how Ino ended up in that state the other day as he's still relatively sober compared to her passed out on the bar.

The money he has with him is barely enough to cover their bill, footing Ino's part wasn't part of his plan...

-Oookay, right leg, left leg, rig-

-I'm no a baby, I cawwalk ommyown- She pushes Naruto away just to be caught by him again as she was falling down.

-You sure about that?-He asks while trying not to smile.

-Itz yur fault y'know.

-How- how is it my fault?- Naruto says while adjusting his grip on Ino's waist.

-I don know, I'm stil tryin' to figure out ysterday *huick*.

-You want to stop? -Ino just waives her hand, they keep going- What did you mean by that anyway? Nothing happened yesterday.- Ino sighs then looks up the starry sky.

- Whadeve-

- Don't whatever me anymore. I hate this shit!

- Ooooo look at all of a sudden. - She says mockingly but Naruto shoots a serious look at Ino expecting a straight answer from her yet she stays silent, not knowing whether she just can't blurt out an answer or doesn't want to he chooses to ignore it and keep on going forward towards her house. After several minutes of silence she angrily pushes him away and she starts walking on her own.

- A thank you would be nice-He mumbles as he's turns around, he suddenly feels a light punch on his back, then another and another- what now? - he turns around just to find himself too close to Ino, it's only too close for him as she wraps her arms around him and leans in, stunned for a second but ultimately Naruto takes action.

-Stop, please...- he says shakily- We-I-I can't do this right now.

-Huh?- She takes a step back from Naruto.

- You're just drunk an-

-Itz not because of dat I-

-Yes it is! Shit... sorry.- Teary eyed she turns around and tries to run away but Naruto grabs her shoulder to which she instinctively grabs his wrist and and twists it, they lock eyes one more time.

-Ino you don't unders- She pushes him away mid sentence and runs home, stumbling occasionally.

If there was a book of colossal screw ups, you'd probably get half of the stories in it- yeah,yeah now shut up Kurama- Why? why didn't you go for it? You still hung up o- -SHUT UP! I'm really not in the mood to talk about stuff like this right now.- Okay,okay, sorry .- My mistake, but you should know how down I was after everything that happened.- I do, I do, but you haven't even made a move on anyone in a long time, it's frustrating.- What does what have to do with you?- You know, I was sealed inside Mito then your mother, and being in there while they were ge-LALALALALALALALA I don't want to hear it.- Alright, but I think it's time to move on- You're probably right, Kurama

In the meantime Naruto lept through the village on the rooftops, landing on his porch.

He enters the apartment but stops as he's closing the door, he suddenly looks at a dark spot between the two buildings opposite of his apartment and he stares at the spot for seconds.

-You need to do a better job at tailing me, ever since I stepped out of the inn you've been after me. I'll let you off with this, but the next time I spot you...-he sighs- you'll end up in a hospital.- He closes the door, while carefully listening to his "stalker" leaving his spot.

Shit...shitshitshitshit...SHIT!... He goes to bed after a quick shower trying to get the most out of the few hours he has left before the mission starts...