**OMG thank you everyone who reviewed my story ^_^ I didn't expect such an awesome response so fast. BTW – on the first page I meant to put a link if you need a reference for characters; (I hope it shows up this time)

"Ramen sound good?"

"Uh-sure." Ino wasn't sure what to expect from this Chuuin. This was totally new to her…an older boy being nice. He had to have been 17 or something. It was almost like he was sneaking around asking her out on a date, and just taking her on one. Heh…but 17-year-old boys don't like little Genin like her who cant tell a fake branch from a real one…they like 17-year-old girls who don't need to perform a sexy no jutsu to be noticed…

"Good cause I love Ramen." Aw geez, now he sounded like-

"I LOVE RAMON!" why was it not a surprise to see the puff of blonde hair sitting at the Ramen stand? His crazy-haired teacher, Kakashi-sensei sat next to him chuckling. Just the sight of them made Ino's blood run cold, was Sasuke with them?

"What?" Izumo noticed her shift.

"Uh…yeah, Ravens…good." Wow, she sounded like an idiot. Not to mention her hair was getting frizzy from having been in the rain.

Sitting at the small stand, Ino fell next to Kakashi who looked to Izumo with a greeting, "Stealing Asuma's pupils?"

"Nah," Izumo chuckled. "Just taking care of them." Both chuckled at the suggestive comment. The laughing made Ino uncomfortable under the gaze of a respective teacher.

"Oh! Hey Ino-pig." Naruto had just noticed her having finished his Ramen. Ino's cheeks flushed. She couldn't believe he was calling her that! Only Stupid Forehead girl, Sakura used that on her.

"Naruto." She didn't look at him, this was embarrassing.

"2 large bowls," Izumo ordered for them.

"LARGE – why didn't we get large?!" Naruto whined, but his teacher ignored him having picked up a book.

"Is that really appropriate to be reading around your students?" a Chuuin teacher with a single scar over his nose approached questioning Kakashi and receiving his attention.

"You tell me." Kakashi didn't pay Iruka much mind.

"How goes it, Iruka?" Izumo seemed to be familiar with the Chuuin.

"Fairly well," he replied. "So, have you found a date for the star festiv-" Ino looked up at her former teacher whose eyes fell on her.

"Hey Iruka-sensei!" She smiled and waved. The teacher turned a bit red, as if uncomfortable.

"Hey Ino- er-Izumo, I need to speak with you."

Izumo had a sly grin slide across his lips as he chuckled. "Heh, maybe later Iruka-sensei."

"Izumo-"

"Well I've found a date to the star festival, thanks for asking." Kakashi's relaxed voice butt in. "Are you interested?"

"Eh- who are you going with Kakashi?" Iruka's cheeks flushed embarrassed from looking as if he had overlooked someone he looked up to.

"No, I was asking if you're interested in going."

"Eh-oh…" Iruka's checks were redder than Sasuke's eyes could ever get. "Uh heh…er-…NARUTO do you have a date for the star festival?"

"No," the boy looked down, his eyes in their normal slits. "I asked Sakura, but she told me I had better chances with you." This didn't change the color of Iruka's cheeks.

"Ha." Ino finally spoke, feeling comfortable enough to join the conversation. "Try asking someone in your league." Did she just stick up for Sakura?

"Like you?" The comeback threw Ino off.

"Wha! No!"

"OK, well maybe the festivals not for everyone…" Iruka now completely regretted bringing up the topic.

Ino knew that she couldn't walk with Izumo home. Her father would see her with not only a boy, but an older boy and would be flaming angry.

"So are ya gonna go?" Izumo asked still sitting at the Ramen stand.

"Yeah, it's late and my parents don't know where I am."
"No, with me," Ino's cheeks felt flushed. "To the festival."

"Uh…yeah…OK, I guess so." How was she suppose to respond? It wasn't like she could say no to him after he bought her dinner.

"Sweet," he smirked. "Now, get home and study your jutsus." She forced a smile on her face, he may be nice sometimes, but his teasing still made her feel below him.

Ino trotted home at a rather fast pace, her parents were sure to be worried, but she also had a lot on her mind. She didn't feel as useless as she had before. Izumo had shown her to a good time…but now she's going to the star festival with him…which meant one thing…

She couldn't go with Sasuke.

Oh be realistic Ino. She spoke to herself. It wasn't as if Sasuke was going to ask you. Yet…I felt as if I just shut the door of there even being a chance…but if I had left it open I would have only been disappointed when he didn't… Its not like he'll be asking Sakura or anything…but what if…

Ino instantly slowed her pace. There was a figure standing outside her home. It was too short to be her father…and it turned to her as she approached drawing her kunai…

****

Heh, sorry guys, but just from reading so many fics, I had to do a lil KakaIru…. I know this chapter seemed a bit shady, but it's a get from point A to point B thing.

Now you can press 'go'…