Testing a way of uploading the ch. if it doesn't work, I will fix it

Onward to the story!

Normal text – "Naruto"

Thought text – 'Ino'

Jutsu/Bloodline – Rasengan

The Hero and The Florist

Chapter 3

[Naruto PoV]

The next morning after Naruto gets back from Ichiraku's and the girls had their girls' nights out, we find Naruto in his sleepwear, still, half asleep, watering Ino's gift while waiting for his morning cupped ramen to cook with a sleepy smile on his face. 'I can't wait to talk to see Ino, I need to tell about Hinata, if she doesn't know already.'

Then, suddenly, there was a knock at the door surprising the blonde. "I never get company unless it's Sakura or Kakashi Sensei for a mission, but it's too early even for them to come knocking…"

When he opened his door, he was greeted by a less-than-pleased Kurenai Yuhi, Hinata's sensei. 'Oh shit…' He thought before greeting her nervously "Uh…Good Morning Kurenai Sensei. How are you this morning? Please don't use a Genjutsu on me…" thinking the last part to myself, having a healthy dose of fear for the Genjutsu Mistress.

The ruby-eyed Jonin semi glares at Naruto and speaks in a stern tone that outlined her not being in the mood to beat about the bush. "Morning, Naruto… Might I come in? I believe we need to have a chat."

The Jinchuriki caught on to the tone, sighed, nodded, and opened the door, "Yes Ma'am, please allow me to change first, make yourself at home."

"Make it quick."

Naruto couldn't move faster and after a mere minute of changing into casual clothing and made his way to his living room as he passed by his now soggy ramen. 'aww damn it! It's gonna be one of those days. Maybe I should hold off on going to see Ino today…' he internally groaned as he sat down across from the Raven-Haired Jonin, prepared for a tongue lashing.

"Now, I am not going to beat about the bush Naruto, I'm sure you know why I am here. Correct?" She asked sternly.

"I assume that it's because I turned down Hinata's confession since I am not ready to date anyone at this time. I've even given up chasing Sakura after realizing she'll always love Sasuke." Naruto said solemnly. "And given that you're here, I must have hurt Hinata, despite my best effort to let her down gently." He said solemnly.

"Yes, she asked me to meet her at the spot Ino and the girls regularly meet at for their girls' night, she was visibly depressed and looked she had been crying and continued to cry at the bar."

Naruto frowned at that… he hurt Hinata, caused her to cry, and call upon her closest ally.

"I'm sorry I hurt Hinata… I never wanted to do that to her, dispute my turning her down, I still owe her my life." He stated barely above a whisper, showing his regret and grief for hurting her.

Kurenai saw this and internally smiled. 'at least he regrets hurting her, I'd have to place him under a nasty Genjutsu if he didn't. Then again, he wouldn't be Naruto if he didn't regret hurting her, at least according to what Kakashi and Hinata have told me about him. However, there is more to this than he's letting on if Ino's outburst from last night is anything to judge by.' "Regardless, I think you should keep away from her for a while. She's in a very delicate state right now… However, I'd like to hear your side of the story." Keeping her stern exterior.

The blonde nodded and took a deep breath. "I was gonna give Hinata a chance… figured I owed her that much, but a friend mentioned something that I thought hard about, and agreed that was a chance with… that Hinata's affections for me were misplaced under the guise of Idolism… but I couldn't question her about her feelings, I know that would have hurt her a lot more than just saying that I'm not ready to date.. and, I'm not. The realization that Sakura will never return my feelings has hit me harder than I expected." He said leaving out the fact that he'd been thinking about Ino since their chat at the flower shop.

Kurenai narrowed her eyes at the mention of the "friend". 'Could it have been Ino? She was defending him all night and was visibly regretted her decision to go with the flow. It has to have been her.' She thought and decided to question Naruto. "Naruto, I want you to be honest with me right now, this friend… was it Ino? She and the rest of the group showed up last night and told us whatever happened," she started, taking notice of Naruto going stiff at the thought Ino told the girls EVERYTHING that happened, but continued to verify what was said. "That she gave you your inspiration for taking care of plants, her being your first friend before she decided to go with mainstream and listen to her elders to stay away from because of your burden…"

Naruto nodded at this, while extremely relieved the blonde florist didn't mention her asking him out for Ramen or his confession that she was his first crush/love. But he had suspected that was why she avoided him and pretended not to know him. That did mean it hurt any less.

Kurenai again seeing him slouch more and dropped her stern persona. "If it's any consolation, she was the first to defend you when Sakura learned and was furious that you turned down a girl's confession who risked her life to save you. She even said she regretted her choice to be pulled into the mainstream after Anko got on her about her discarding you for popularity. So much so that she was in tears, with visible remorse on her face and in her voice."

"Ino…said that…?" He said, unable to hide the whimsical smile hearing she regretted her choice so much.

"…Yes, she did. Now please answer my question." The Jonin said firmly, having caught the look on his face. There was something more to Naruto and Ino than what was being led to believe.

"Right, sorry." He said rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment, then regretfully continued. 'Sorry Ino, I hope she doesn't come talking to you when she's done with me.' "Yes, Ino was the one to question Hinata's true feelings for me. She just didn't' want to see me get hurt. I suspect that is because of what you said, that she is feeling horrible about how she treated me. So please, do what you want to me, but leave her out of this." He finished, falling into a full bow, fully displaying that was clearly begging right now.

Kurenai was stunned at this… 'there is definitely something more going on between those two, but for now, I'll drop it.' "Very well Naruto, however, be warned that if you're lying to me and you declined Hinata because you desire someone else, I will not be this forgiving next time" She narrowed her eyes and glared at him, looking him dead in the eye, leaking some killer intent to farther her threat/warning. "Next time, I'll make you think that horrendous Sexy Jutsu of yours is the real you."

Naruto's went wide as saucers, nodding as if to say he understand faster than the Fourth's Flying Raijin Jutsu, knowing full well that she could, and would do it.

"Good, then we are done here." The ruby-eyed Jonin said as she got up. "Thank you for your time, and I'm sorry I interrupted your breakfast." She said as she left his place and went home.

Naruto slumped against the chair he had been sitting in, letting out a revealed breath that she had left. "Man, note to self, do not to piss Kurenai Sensei off. Still, I'm glad Ino didn't tell them about her offer to take me out for ramen, or my confession, or that she was the one to plant the seed of doubt in my head. Not that she ever would… especially not in front of Hinata and her sensei/surrogate sister."

A couple of minutes later he made himself another cup of ramen, then decided he'd pay Ino a visit after he ate and got freshened up.

[Ino's PoV]

While Naruto was being talked to by Kurenai Yuhi, Ino had been up for a few hours already and very unhappy "Damn it! Why did my dad get me up at the crack of dawn!? Doesn't he realize I need my beauty sleep!?"

She then sighs and looks at the plant that Naruto with her and smiled at the thought of the blonde knucklehead while starting to take care of it, silently hoping to see him today.

"Still can't believe Hinata of all people comforted me after my breakdown last night… not to mention her practically giving me permission to pursue her lifelong crush." She mused. "From what the girls said… he let her down easy, which I'm glad he didn't listen to me, but concerns me is how he let her down, saying he's not ready to date… I hope that's not true."

But as quickly as the worry came, it was gone. "Naruto wouldn't have confessed to me if he wasn't somewhat ready. I'll just have to be patient…"

It was then that she heard the door chime and made her way to the front of the store.

[Normal PoV]

The person who had arrived was none other than the blonde knucklehead that's been plaguing her mind. When their eyes met, they gave each other big smiles, Naruto giving her his famous megawatt smile and Ino doing her best impression of it.

"Hey, Ino! How are you this morning?" he asked with a very faint blush on his grinning face.

"Dad got me up early this morning for some reason, but I am good now." She said with her own blush.

"that sucks… but glad you're good now though." He said then dropped his smile a little. "So… you know that I turned down Hinata right?"

Ino nodded

"Well, Kurenai Sensei paid me a visit this morning… confronting me about hurting Hinata. But she let me off with a warning after I talked to her."

Ino was shocked that Kurenai was that worried about Hinata that she'd pay Naruto a visit to confront him, and so early considering that she was very pregnant. "That was nice of her to let you off with warning considering you let Hinata down so easily. I'm proud of you and glad you didn't listen to me. I can't imagine how she would have been if you questioned her."

"…Yeah, I couldn't do that to her. I do still owe her my life after all." At this Ino nodded.

"Kurenai Sensei also told me you stood up for me last night against Sakura, thank you…" he said quietly, blushing deeply now while contemplating asking Ino about her regretting her choice in the past.

"…it was the least I could do Naruto, I'm so tired of Billboard Brow treating you so badly." She said just as quickly, having her own blush, only it being lighter.

"Hey, Naruto, I need to apologize. I've treated you so badly, and ignored my own desires, and listened to everyone else… I should have been there for you, remained your friend. I'm so sorry." She finished with a bow.

With a smile small smile, the Jinchuriki put a hand on her shoulder, causing her to raise up, and look into his eyes completely shocked to see no resentment in those gorgeous ocean blue eyes. "Ino, don't worry about it… it's more than enough to know and see that you regret your choice."

"Naruto…"

"Hey, it's ok really. I never hated you… I wouldn't have said what I did yesterday if I did." He said sincerely, completely shocking Ino.

"Thank you so much…Naruto" she said as she pulled him into a hug with tears of relief in her eyes.

This stunning the young hero slightly but quickly returned the hug, blushing brightly while trying to ignore the feeling of her breasts against him 'Calm down Naruto, it's just a hug, no underlying purpose other than a hug.' He thought to himself, trying to calm himself down.

"You're welcome…" he said softly.

Unbeknownst to them, Inoichi was just in the next room, having come down hearing Naruto come in and watched the entire scene. 'Just look at those two, had we not stopped her from being friends with him, I'd be willing to bet this shop that they would have been a couple a long time ago. I was such a fool.'

"Hey, Let's go cash in that raincheck? It's almost lunchtime." Naruto asked.

"I can't Naruto, I need to watch the shop." She frowned, really wanting to take him up on the idea, not noticing they were still embracing.

Inoichi decided to make his presence known, taking notice of their embrace, and decided to tease them "Go ahead Ino, I can watch the storefront while you go have lunch with your boyfriend."

"DAD!" she exclaimed as they quickly leap out of their embrace, giving Hinata a run for her money in terms of deep blushes, silently likely the idea of being a couple 'Oh god, how long has he been there….? I'm so not going to hear the end of this.' Ino lamented "He's not my boyfriend! Not yet anyhow…'' she thought the last part to herself

Naruto was embarrassed 'Her dad caught us hugging like that, why isn't he pissed off? And he's actually encouraging her to go out for lunch with me? Boyfriend? Does he approve of me being with her?' millions of thoughts going through his mind.

Inoichi inwardly chuckled seeing so embarrassed. "Just go you two, just be back in a couple of hours ok?"

"Alright fine, come on Naruto." The young heiress said as she grabbed the stunned hero by the wrist and dragged him out of the shop toward Ichiraku's.

'Ahh young love. I know you better treat her well boy.' The Yamanaka Clan Head chuckled.

A block away, Naruto found his bearings and started walking next to the fuming girl who had been plaguing his thoughts the last twenty-four hours but decided to remain quiet, knowing her temper was almost on par with Sakura's, silently fearing getting pummeled.

Two blocks later Ino calms down. "I'm sorry for dragging you like that, I just had to get out of there. He's so insufferable. Sometimes I wish I could get my own place!"

"Hey, it's ok. I could tell he meant well." Then saddened "I've never had parents to love me or tease me about anything, they died the night the Nine-tails attacked the village…." He said quietly, not mentioning that he was the son of the fourth Hokage, which he only learned yesterday while he was close to losing himself to the demon fox.

"Naruto…" She felt so bad for him, never knowing a mother's love, a father's encouragement, or the life lessons they would have passed on.

"Enough about that, we're almost there!" He put on a brave face, but Ino knew it was a sensitive subject for him, having lost the Third Hokage and his mentor Jiraiya of the Sannin, two of his role models…

At the ramen shop, Naruto greeted Ayame, who was behind the counter serving customers. "Hey, Ayame! The usual please!"

"Hey there Naruto, coming right up!" the female ramen chef responded before taking notice of Naruto's company, giving a sly grin. "And whose you're girlfriend?"

Ino blushed at this, seeing the obvious closeness between Naruto and Ayame. "Aww come on Ayame! Not you too! We just got through being teased by her father!" Naruto said without thinking, then realized what he said and blushed, even more, Ino following suit.

"Oh ho… already have Daddies blessing eh? You sly devil you…" His big sister figure teased.

"S-shut up!" The male blonde sat down, blushing up a storm, shooting his fellow blonde an apologetic look.

"I-I'm Ino Yamanaka, nice to meet you Ayame." Ino introduced herself while sitting down with a full-body blush from the teasing and Naruto's lack of a filter.

"Ahh, so you're the famous Ino that I heard so much about yesterday. Nice to meet you. What can I get you?" Ayame said deciding to stop the teasing before they passed out from overheating.

"A standard Miso Ramen please…"

Naruto meanwhile was still following Ino's example with the full-body blush, burying his head in his hands.

A few minutes later Ayame came out with their food. "Here you go, enjoy!"

"Thanks, Ayame! This looks great!" Naruto nearly shouted in excitement. His blush completely faded.

"Yes, thank you very much," Ino said calmly.

Ayame leaned over the counter just enough to whisper in her surrogate brother's ear "Don't screw this up now Naruto…" remembering what he told her last night about the date offer, grinning as she pulled away seeing him chock on his ramen with his blush returning with a vengeance.

Ino quickly came to his rescue and rubbed his back to help with the chocking, noticing the massive blush that came back to her fellow blonde's face. 'what did she say to him to make him blush like that…' she thought curiously, but not jealous, able to see the brother/sister relationship they shared. "You ok Naruto?"

"Y-yeah I'm good, thanks Ino…" He said with a smile, fighting to bring down his blush. Ino too blushed as she saw Ayame's knowing grin.

"Well, I'll leave you two alone to enjoy your date… just gimme a shout if you need anything." The young ramen chief teased making her quick exit before Naruto could blow up on her.

'Date…? She thinks this is a date…? I-I mean I guess it could be seen as one… but… we're just friends right now, right…?' Ino asked herself while doing her best impression of Hinata's blush at the moment.

'Damn Ayame, she had to mention that didn't she?' Naruto internally crushed, fearing what Ino was thinking.

From that point on, the two ate in awkward silence, refusing to meet each other's gaze. However, when they finished their meal, and Ino keeping her word and paid for the outing, it was the young heiress that decided to break the tension. "I had fun Naruto, thank you for getting me away from the shop for a while."

"I had fun too despite the teasing today. I should be thanking you for paying, next time it'll be my treat!" He smiles before offering to walk her back to the shop in which Ino accepted. The two walked in comfortable silence, not noticing they both involuntarily intertwined their fingers while holding hands.

AN: That's it for this chapter! I hope you enjoyed it. Sorry to the sudden stop to the chapter but thought the end of their first unofficial date. I hope you liked the fluff and the Kurenai confrontation. Next chapter we'll have Naruto learn about Tsunade being in a coma due to chakra exhaustion and using her seal to heal the village, and have Sakura confront Naruto about what Ino said to her and possibly have Samui and her team from the Cloud come the village with the Raikage's message. See ya next week hopefully.