DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN NARUTO! OK, I SAID IT ALREADY SO FOR THOSE WHO ARE EVIL ENOUGH TO SUE ME AND THROW ME TO THE COURT JUST FOR THIS WILL END UP BEING FED TO THE SHARKS! INCLUDING YOU PERSISTENTLY ANNOYING LAWYERS! IF YOU DON'T KNOW, I'M TOTALLY BROKE SO DON'T EXPECT MUCH FROM ME! ((cough)) Nah, just joking. The disclaimer is as usual.
A/N: Yeahey! I've finally reached Chapter 3! Well yeah I started off with the prologue, so this is still Chapter 3. Still, I label this Chapter 4…. Hmm… Once again, I'd like to thank the heaven-sent ((wink wink)) reviewers of my story! THANK YOU VERY MUCH! Whew! It's summer here so I don't have much to do. I'm cherishing my summertime since I won't be free when the school year starts. Our schoolwork is such a pain from my bones to my muscles! You don't know how excited I was when the school year finally closed a month ago! Speaking of school, I may not be able to update this fic at a regular schedule when the new school year opens. I'm naturally a slow worker of fanfics, plus my oh-so-heavy load of homework… I'm gonna die at an early age… and I'm still gonna be a 3rd year high school student… waaahhh! ((sniff)) ARGH! Enough of that!
PLEASE WELCOME THE REVIEWERS! (drum rolls please!):
eMpErAtRiS – Ei! Salamat talaga! Inspired na talaga ako dahil sa fic mo, so I decided to update… hindi ko iniisip na matandang matanda ka na but a memory gap is possible for juvenile souls… hehe! THANKS!
DrkMooNGrl – thank you so very much! Hey, I can't blame you cause I'm a GaaSaku fan too! Hehe… you could nominate someone else for Gaara-kun, but not an OC… Thanks for reviewing this piece of crap!
Fay – Umm… Gaara? How do I put this… just screw what I said, actually, I intend to include him in the SasuSakuNeji triangle, making it SasuSakuNejiGaa… A LOVE SQUARE! Hehe… Thanx for reviewing! But you could suggest someone lining up for Gaara… to make it more interesting… I think…
Crystalgail – Thank you so very really wholeheartedly much! Actually, our surname originated from Ilocos… but that history is so far away… about how many meters and miles… at least that's what my father told me. But I haven't got Ilocano blood… ((sigh)) OK, stop waiting… here's the next update!
Dagorwen of Ithilien –OK OK here's the next chappy! Gah! I hope I still live life to the fullest after this… hehe…
ang3l-blue – Hey, Gaara WILL be included… that can add to the torture of our dear Sakura-chan's lovelife. Wooohooo! I'm SO EVIL! MWAHAHA! ((SMACK!)) Ouch…! Anyway, I'm going to ask you readers on someone, preferably not an OC, who could be Gaara's 'admirer', but I'm still not sure… OK… Hey, days ago, I found your Friendster account… too bad it's already full… ((sigh)) Pero ako, tamad maghanap ng Friends sa Prinstirr… hehe…
Bevy-chan – AAAHHH! DON'T HUNT ME DOWN! I'M STILL IN THE EARLY YEAR OF MY TEENAGE LIFE AND NOW SOMEONE'S OUT TO HUNT ME FOR DINNER! ((blink)) Hmm… anyway, thanks for reviewing! You reviewed every chappy! I'm so happy! It means so much to MEEEE!
Beggin XD – I'm not really sure if it'd be GaaSaku in the end… depends upon what the majority like… I'll be holding the polls at a later part of this fic when I'm beginning to get confused… Thanx anyway!
Fu5ionist – You have no idea how long it took me to read that! Hehe… Thanks! You encouraged me! I'm glad the people here love it… the question is… who loves the ficwriter?
silver dark rose – Thanks for the encouragement!
ALSO A BIG THANK-YOU-FOR-BEING-SOME-OF-THE-EARLIEST-ONES-TO-REVIEW-THIS-LITTLE-FIC-OF-MINE FROM ME TO: piNkLaLa-o2, GaaraRules, blitzace312, Eien no kaze, ang3Lix, emir, Angelbornnhell, Xoni Newcomer
Here's –
Chapter 3
Food Before The Show
The girls have spent minutes fixing everything in the dining room.
"Whew! At least that's done!"
Ino wiped her temple with the back of her hand to wipe off the sweat that began to form. She looked over to Hinata, who was busy arranging the food, which they prepared earlier, in a presentable way. Tenten and Temari sat on the sofas across each other. They seem to be tired, as they were panting heavily. Although they seemed to be murmuring some words to each other, like "He", "Neji-kun", "notice", "me", "Shika-kun", "not here", "too bad" and such.
Ino has just noticed Sakura was nowhere to be seen. She then called out to Hinata, "Ne, Hinata-chan! Where's Sakura the Forehead Girl?"
Hinata, who was staring at the food she has just arranged, looked up and faced Ino's direction, "Sakura-chan? S-She went t-to find the b-bathroom… she a-asked me for d-direct-tions earlier-r…"
"Oh… OK," Ino then sighed. What's wrong with Hinata's throat anyway? It's like she's branded Stuttering-Since-Birth and hasn't experienced confidence in her entire life. Naruto's not even here.
"Can we eat now?"
Poor Naruto. His stomach is being melted by his gastric juices, which were digesting nothing but the empty stomach. Neji, Gaara and Naruto were busy cleaning and fixing everything in the Recording Room. You know, you shouldn't leave wires live and equipment plugged to the socket, else see fire burning right before your eyes. Well yeah, it IS their responsibility, since they used the room, and that the great and feared Main Family of the Hyuuga clan owned the equipment they used earlier.
Gaara and Neji were quietly putting things back in place. Quietly… yes, they weren't any loquacious…
Naruto still needs to learn to shut his mouth and stop complaining though.
"OH MY POOR GRUMBLING STARVING SHRIEKING STOMACH! WORRY NO MORE 'CAUSE SAKURA-CHAN WILL BURST IN AND SAY 'TIME TO GO DOWN AND EAT ALL YOU CAN' ANY MINUTE NOW! YOU CAN STILL HOLD ON A BIT LONGER! CALM DOWN FOR THE ULCER DEVIL WON'T GO ANYWHERE NEAR YOU! I PROMISE YOU THAT! IT WON'T, FOR I, UZUMAKI NARUTO, AM HERE TO FEED YOU AFTER A FEW SECONDS OF PAIN AND AGONY!"
Neji was gritting his teeth.
Gaara's expression twitched in annoyance.
Hello! SOS to Haruno Sakura! Where are you?
"Come on now Ino-pig! If you can't catch the peanut with your mouth, I'll make sure you'll spend the rest of the day washing the dishes by yourself!"
"Shut up Forehead Girl! Can't you see I'm trying here? Jeez, well then, I'll make sure you and your forehead won't be shining and blinding my dazzling blue eyes ever again!"
"Who cares, you picked dare anyway! So if you don't catch at least one peanut, you'll be the Hyuuga Household's personal dishwasher of the night!"
"Why you pinky and your forehead!"
"Say that again, you fat pig!"
"I was saying - WHAT DID YOU CALL ME YOU WIDE-FOREHEADED PINKY!"
"I called you fat pig you – SHUT IT WITH MY FOREHEAD ALREADY! THE WORLD KNOWS YOU'RE FAT AND STOUT!"
"Am NOT!"
"Are TOO!"
"Am NOT!"
"Are TOO!"
"Am NOT!"
"Are TOO!"
"Am NOT!"
"Are TOO!"
"Am NOT!"
"Are TOO!"
"Nuh-huh!"
"Uh-huh!"
"Nuh-huh!"
"Uh-huh!"
Tenten, Temari and Hinata were the mediators of the verbal war. (A/N: I won't exaggerate the bickering any longer…)
After 4 minutes and 37 seconds…
"Gah! My throat! God please don't tell me I have a soar throat! This doesn't suit me since we're having a concert tonight!" At last. Sakura has looked down with pity upon her throat and upon her friends' ears as well.
Ino was somewhat panting, "This. Isn't. Fair. I wasn't – huh – able to – huh - catch even ONE – huh – And I'm being affected by the consequences this pinky has set up on my shoulders!"
Sakura grinned, "Oh come on Ino, it was just a joke. I mean, we wouldn't want to mess with Hinata-chan's relatives."
Hinata smiled, "B-Besides, it w-would bother th-them to have a g-g-guest treated as a m-maid."
Temari snorted, "For this night, Sakura-chan wins. Ino's just lucky not to be under the serious wrath of our dear friend."
Tenten sighed in relief, "It's really a miracle how we are able to put up with these people who would seem to bicker endlessly once they start… anyway… I think we should call the guys now… Sakura?"
"OK… just wait a sec… Hmm, Hinata-chan? Could you help me with these…?"
Our blue-eyed blonde, however, was muttering random words under her breath (although the four other girls could make what the words are), "I am NOT FAT… Yamanaka Ino, you shall NOT be affected by what the pinky told you… YOU are NOT FAT… that's clear enough for anyone to tell… You were not and you won't be fat… you've reached this far… someday… Sasuke-kun shall notice you… Sasuke-kun – "
Tenten deliberately coughed nervously, as if signaling Ino to abandon the topic. Hinata, who was slightly trembling, glanced nervously at Sakura. Temari was shutting her eyes and crossing her fingers and muttered stuff like "Why say his name now!" and such. Sakura was acting as if nothing happened.
Ino noticed their sudden reaction, which wasn't at all delayed.
"Uh… umm… sorry. I guess…"
Sakura blinked, "Heh? Oh, don't worry Ino-chan; it's not like it's a taboo word, right? I'm just okay… about it… It's… okay…" Her voice trailed off into the air.
They were all quiet for a moment, as each remembered the fact that Sakura held a heavy grudge (kind of) against a guy by the name of Uchiha Sasuke. He was the reason why Ino and Sakura once became lovesick rivals. He was also the reason why Sakura decided to form a band, so anyone can say she owes him one. NOT that she's going to admit it.
Sakura was the first to snap back to reality when she sighed.
"Really, Ino, you should give up on him already. He'll end up hurting you and in the end you'll regret ever falling for an ice cube like him. Besides, there are better guys out there. You wouldn't know, he may be someone who has been there for you or a childhood friend of yours."
Ino blinked, "Ano… Sakura-chan… actually… I don't know."
Sakura smiled warmly at her friend, "It's okay. You decide… well, I guess I'll call the guys now… I can't wait to see Naruto's expression once he sees all the food here…"
Hinata quickly blushed.
"NARUTO! GAARA-SAN! NEJI-SAN! COME ON NOW, LET'S EAT!"
Naruto stopped his crap-and-bull speech, which was replaced by another one.
"YAY! THE FOOD! FOOD! FOOD! F-O-O-D! IT'S THERE! THE FOOD! OH, SAKURA-CHAN SAVED ME! WHEEEEEEEEEEEE! I'M COMING SAKURA-CHAN! YEAHEY!"
He dashed off towards the dining room, followed by the other two.
Sakura sweat-dropped when she heard Naruto's shout-for-joy.
Joy my a$$!
Things were going on smoothly while they were eating. There are a lot of reasons why they enjoyed the night at the Hyuuga household, and some of the reasons are:
1.) "Because of the wide variety of food to choose from!" – according to Naruto
2.) "Because we are like having a clique reunion!" – according to Sakura and Temari
3.) "Because we're talking and chatting about anything that makes us feel relaxed!" – according to Ino
4.) 'Because of the presence of your crush!' – according to Hinata and Tenten
5.) "…" – according to Neji and Gaara… In other words: NO COMMENTS.
And you can say that shutting Naruto up with a bonk on the head given by Sakura is reasonable as to why the dinner was enjoying.
About the food, I wouldn't want to tell it all in detail… I might end up drooling over my keyboard… there is, however, a bowl of ramen on the table… which only adds to Naruto's joy more.
It was already 6:43 when they all decided to go to the mall for the concert together.
Together…
A/N: Honestly, I didn't like this chapter. I was kinda in a rush about this because I started another fic entitled 'Windows of the Soul' which features a Naruto/Get Backers crossover. Another reason is I don't know why I haven't placed hints of romance in here… so you gotta wait for a decade… at least I don't expect much reviews for this… oh well… just don't assail me with flames, coz I hate those stuff…
Some reviewers are really concerned about Gaara… so you can nominate someone you think can be his admirer whatsoever. Preferably not an OC.
Review if you feel like it!
No flames!
Dr. Meowzie