Chapter 2
Hinata took a deep breath as she readied herself to face the young man she adored. She peeked her head past the corner or the ramen stand where Naruto sat. She squared her shoulders and brushed off the invisible dust on her jacket. She stepped out from beside the ramen stand and turned to walk toward Naruto. She began walking toward him as confidently as she could. But she stopped.
What was she thinking? She couldn't do this! She didn't have the beauty of Tenten, or the confidence of Ino, or...whatever Sakura had! She was just shy Hinata, never going to amount to anything.
Hinata turned and quickly hid beside the side of the ramen stand. She let her back slide down the wall, allowing her to be in a sitting position, and she pulled her legs to her chest. And she stayed there.
PAGE BREAKY!
'Hm...where to go? Well...I have that meeting with Asuma-sensei, but he'll understand,' Ino thought as she walked down the streets of Konoha. After a few minutes of walking she noticed a bright, but well hidden bar.
"It's worth a try," she muttered, shrugging and entering the bar. The inside of the bar was dark, while being relaxing and inviting at the same time. She observed the choice of furniture, a couple of booths, bar stools, and over-stuffed chairs.
'Not to bad...' Ino thought as she headed over to the bar. She ordered a martini with two olives and observed the people in the bar, 'Hm...a few teenagers...three old men?...a brunette and a man with a pinapple shaped head...a few people at the bar...oh...not a bad looking bar tender...WAIT! A man with a pinapple shaped head! SHIKAMARU?'
"Here's your martini, miss," the attractive, young bartender said setting down the drink giving her a suductive smile.
"Thank you," Ino replied with a sexy smile in reply.
"Here alone?" he asked.
"Sadly, yes," she replied feigning a frown.
"I don't see how it's possible," the bartender said sincerly, "A beautiful woman like yourself should have men lining up just to see you."
"T-thank you..." Ino said blushing.
"Ahem... sorry to interrupt, but I need two more beers," a familar voice said, for some odd reason it made Ino uncomfortable and nervous. She looked over at the owner of the voice.
"We were having a conversation, excuse you," she said sharply.
"Troublesome..." Shikamaru muttered, "He was flirting with you, that's not exactly conversing, and the fact that getting people drinks is what he's paid for."
Ino's eyebrow twitched slightly as the bartender came back with the beers. Shikamaru paided and took the two beers back to the table he shared with the mysterious brunette.
"You know him?" the bartender asked.
"Unfortunately," Ino replied with a frown.
"Well, I better get back to work," the bartender started to walk away, but turned back, "Oh, and my name's Dominic. Stop by anytime..."
"Ino!" she replied filling in his blank, Ino sipped her martini. Shika and the brunette walked by moving toward the exit. But Shika stopped a few feet away from where Ino sat.
"Ino, Asuma-sensei wanted us to get together for a late dinner remember? You should get going," he stated. Ino waved her hand dismissing his statment taking another drink of her martini.
"How troublesome..." she heard Shikamaru before he exited. She sighed and let her head hit the bar.
PAGE BREAKY!
"How am I going to do this?" Hinata asked herself as she tried to pull he legs closer to her.
"Try to do what Hinata -chan?" a cheerful voice asked accompanied by a bark. Hinata jumped at the break in silence. She looked up at boy that the voice belonged to with his dog.
"Hello, Kiba-kun. It is nothing," Hinata lied.
'I just lied to my teammate!'
"Okay, but...why are you sitting in an alley?" Kiba asked with a confused look.
"I-it's very peaceful out here," Hinata lied again, she bite her lip to prevent further lies.
"Whatever you say," Kiba said shrugging, "Oh, I was looking for you."
"For what, Kiba-kun?" Hinata asked.
"Shino and I wanted to know if you'd like to join us for ice-cream," Kiba said, Akumaru barked in insistance.
"I-I...would love to join you," Hinata replied, standing up and brushing herself off.
"Well, let's go then!" Kiba said with enthusiasum, pulling Hinata by the arm. In the process Hinata was able to see the back of Naruto, before Kiba dragged her away.
PAGE BREAKY!
Back to Ino.
About 6 martini's later.
"Ino, babe. I think you've had enough," Dominic sighed.
"Maybe you're right, Dom," Ino's words weren't even slightly slurred, but she was drunk. It was obvious she couldn't hold alcohol well.
"You need to sober up. You only have twenty minutes to finish your 'living life to the fullest and making mistakes without regret,'" Dom went all animated about what Ino had told him earlier.
"You know Dom...you're kinda funny," Ino stated giggling a little.
"Go sober up, Ino!" Dominic shooed Ino away from the bar Ino went toward the exit weaving a little as she walked.
"See ya' later, Dom!" Ino called out before making it out to the street.
Done with that chapter. I'll try to get the next chapter later on. And I'll try to work on the other fics...I'll try.
Review Please!