Chicken Tempura Cooked in Soy Sauce
It was their first night together as a true genin team. They had just met, but immediately, strong ties were formed between the three of them. At least, strong ties with Hinata. Shino and Kiba got along well with the shy girl; immediately, after witnessing one of Hinata's embarrassed blushes (something about a homicidal cousin?), it was as if they had forged a secret pact in blood to protect her forever.
Shino and Kiba, however, despite this mutual agreement, did not fare so well with each other.
Hinata, of course, could depict the rift immediately. She didn't have the Byakugen for nothing, after all. At an attempt to mend the large gap forming between the two, she suggested that they all eat dinner together after meeting with Kurenai-sensei. They were more than willing, when it came to Hinata, though reluctant to sit elbow to elbow with one another at any restaurant. Hinata, with amazing cajoling skills that could rival those of Sakura's or Ino's, managed to sit them all together at a bar of a sushi restaurant.
They had insisted that Hinata take the middle stool.
"W-What do you want to e-eat?" Hinata stammered, handing out the menus. "I h-heard they make good t-tempura…"
"Tempura?" Shino said. There was an inquisitive note in his voice.
"You never ate tempura?" Kiba said, a bit more scornfully than he probably meant for it to be.
Hinata nervously wrung her hands. "U-Um…"
"I know what tempura is," Shino said coldly. Kiba scoffed. "I just never tried it."
"Really?" Hinata asked, her eyes widening. "W-We could sh-share a plate…"
Kiba's ears perked.
"Only if I can pay…" Shino mumbled, flipping through the menu.
"WE SHOULD ALL SHARE," Kiba shouted over Hinata's shoulder. "I love tempura!"
Shino raised an eyebrow.
"R-really?" Hinata said, glad that her plan was working so well. "Th-then I'll order!"
And when the steaming plate of fried meat and vegetables was placed in front of Hinata, Hinata couldn't feel anything but pleased as the three of them dived in. Of course, there was the occasional shout by Kiba, Shino's fixated cold glare, and Akamaru's insistence to be allowed into the restaurant as well… but it was all worth the time spent with her teammates.
But possibly the best part of the night was when the three bumped chopsticks with one another over the last piece of tempura. And instead of squabbling over who would get the last bite, they split the chicken tempura (cooked in the restaurant's own secret recipe soy sauce) and ate it, together, with relish.
Hinata felt something warm grow inside of her as she nibbled at the end of her chicken.
That restaurant made really good tempura.