Pairings: GaaIno. ShikaTem, NaruHina, SasuSaku, NejiTen...those are the other parings in case you haven't noticed yet. :D
Warnings: Blonde are no better than brunettes. Don't be sad if you're not blonde. :) I'm a brunette. (brushes my beautiful dark hair)
Author's Notes: Hi kids! Sorry for the delay! ...Does a week or so count as a delay? I had so much troublesome stuff to deal with! No kidding! Life really sucks ass sometimes! But, I've been told that I'm a happy-go-lucky type, so I'm already feeling better! (dances and listens to peppy music) I really love your reviews! This story seems to be getting them pretty quickly. o.O Keep them comin' because I am a sad person and I'm pleased by little things like reviews...(smile)
Oh! I almost forgot! I edited the last chapter a little bit. You might want to go look at it again, but it's really nothing major if you don't.
Extra Note: Ino's opinions do not necessarily reflect my own. I just write what I think she might be like. Also, Ino doesn't know very much at all about Gaara. She pretty much only saw a little bit of him at the Chuunin Exams. She doesn't know that he has a demon inside of him, she doesn't know how he got that tattoo, she doesn't know he fought Naruto or anything. I do, but she doesn't! Ha ha ha! Maybe she will someday...?
YAY! Read!
Chapter Five: Blondes
"Ahh!" I sigh as I toss the sheets off my bed. I rub my eyes a little to get all the sleep out and I yawn slightly.
How is it that I can get up so easily nowadays? I mean I don't even need to hit the snooze ten times...
Could it be...?
Yes! Yes!
I like my new employee!
I smile to myself. It's exciting to have someone so young and...so cute working with you all the time! It's just amazing what seeing a nice, friendly face everyday can do to a person. Well, most of the customers don't find his face very friendly. They kind of back away from him. But I do - I find him very friendly.
Everyone has reasons to appear the way they do, but appearances don't always reflect the inside. I know this all too well. Being teamed up with guys like Shikamaru and Chouji made me learn that. Anyone else would see them as the "lazy and fat" duo, but I know they aren't like that. We made a good team. Neither of them were useless. Together we did some pretty amazing stuff. I miss those old days some times.
I'm sure there's something sweet and special inside of Gaara too.
I quirk my head to the side. I sound so corny! Even to myself! I really need to stop reading that manga I bought with Hinata! It's totally messing with my hard-headed woman edge.
"Are you going to get up, or are you going to stay there and neglect your duties? Huh, Ino-kun?" I hear that cruel voice. It's that woman. It's mom.
I turn to her viciously.
"No. Mom. I'm getting up! Why are you in my room again? Whyyyy? I'm up early! Doesn't that make you happy?" I snort back at her. She crosses her arms.
"It makes me suspicious."
I quirk a brow. How can she be so different to people outside of the family? This is exactly what I was talking about. Everyone that knows my mom thinks she's just the nicest and greatest person ever. She gets home, closes the door and eats me and my dad for dinner. Don't judge a book by it's cover, or the first 100 pages.
I smile.
"I'm just kidding Ino-kun!" she laughs that scary mom laughter,"I don't care why you're up as long as you do everything you're supposed to! And do it right. I've told you so many times that when you..."
She keeps talking, but I totally tune her out. This is the part of her speech where she tells me not to do this and not to do that. Please. I don't feel that well this morning. I get up and start searching for clothes as she continues to lecture me and threaten to cut all my pretty blonde hair off if she ever sees me sweeping dust under the rug again.
Hey. That was an accident. The wind just kind of blew the dust under that rug. It wasn't my fault.
"Mom. I'm getting dressed now. Can you go bother Dad? I think he ate something he wasn't supposed to," I lie and I'm surprised when she doesn't yell at me for being rude. She just laughs that creepy laugh of hers. It must really mean a lot to her for me to be up and ready to do chores.
Lesson #1: The way to a woman's heart. Do chores for her(and do them right) and she's in your pocket.
I can't say I disagree.
...and I also want to help Ino sweep.
He said that. I blush for the millionth time at remembering those sweet shy little words...
No!
I decided that wasn't cute, remember? Not cute! He's getting paid to sweep for me. By my parents! Oh...why does that sound dirty? I frown as I wrap the last of my bandages on.
I run downstairs and find my dad in tears. Or mock tears, I should say. My dad is such a drama queen. He looks up as he hears my footsteps coming down the stairs.
"Ino-chan! My bride is so cruel! Why does she hate me?" he 'sobs' to me.
"Don't call me your 'bride'! We've been married for 19 years! 19 years of PAIN!" I hear her yell as she slams the door and runs off to work, probably wearing a very nice smile on her face.
"Don't worry about it. She's...like that," I try to console my father, but I really don't care. This is normal for my family. When I was a kid I really thought they were going to get a divorce. Right now I'm just glad she didn't yell at me. It seems like my plan worked. I almost feel bad for my dad, but then again, he does the same thing to me.
Imagine a middle-aged, six-foot tall man, cowering away from a medium-height woman yelling 'She did it!' and condemning his own child. See? Men are beasts. I don't buy that 'my favorite daughter' crap for an instant. I'm glad he really doesn't have other children.
I start chewing the bread that I just finished toasting.
Ugh.
I don't ever want to get married. I'll live off one-night stands forever until I'm so old and fat and have so many STDs that no one will want to come within 10 feet of me. Then I'll trip on a banana peel Naruto carelessly tossed on the street and die. That's reality for you.
"Ino...Ino-chan..." I hear my dad's little voice.
"Hmm?" I inquire with my mouth full of bread. He looks up at me shyly. I wonder what it'll be this time?
"You didn't make me breakfast..." he pouts.
"Ugh!" I toss my piece of bread at him and turn to start making another one.
"Aww! You didn't want to cook for me! Y-You're turning into your mom!" he cried.
He did not just say that.
Must not strangle Dad. Must be nice. Must not be compared to my mom.
I turn and smile.
"I'm sorry, Dad. I was just a little absorbed in my thoughts..." I say kindly. He chews on the bread I tossed at him and stares at me. He brakes into a grin and stares some more. My parents are so creepy.
"What is it?" I ask. He's being irritating.
"Thinking...about him?" he raises both his eyebrows teasingly.
"WHAT?" I yell. I gave up on Sasuke the other day! I'll never waste a thought on him ever again!
"Ah ha ha ha! I knew you would like having an employee..." he grins and I slump down slightly.
Oh.
Gaara.
"What was his name...? Er...that kid...G-Gaara? Gaara! Yes! That's right! Has he been hitting on you everyday?" he winks.
Ew. Stop it!
"DAD! H-He...No! Just don't say stuff like that!" I blush. He gets up and looks down at me. He makes a 'Hmm' noise as if to say 'I know. I know everything'. I blush more. I don't like Gaara like that. He doesn't hit on me. He just sweeps my floors.
"I see...I was right. You were suffering from the common woman disease. I've fixed that all up for you now. You just needed to be around a boy," he smiles and pokes my cheek. I back away and grab my toast from the toaster before it's done.
"Is that why you hired him? Do you know how sick that is? That's perverted!" I wave my toast at him for emphasis. How can he do that? I thought he really wanted to hire him for his knowledge in flowers. Was he actually thinking about setting me up with him when he saw him there?
Unbelievable!
Lesson #2: All men are perverts. Even fathers.
"Aww, Ino-chan. Don't say that. He knew a lot about flowers! Really! He's smart. I like having smart people to work for me...or, I should say...for you. So. Tell me. Has he asked you out yet?"
Punch.
"No! And I don't need you to hire people for that reason!" I glare and storm out of the door.
"Be nice, Ino-chaaaaan!" I hear him yell from outside of the house.
It's almost like the whole world is against you sometimes. I woke up in a fine mood this morning and the first two people I have to deal with just serve to mess with me. My mom will never trust me, will she? My dad has serious issues. Still, I can't help but be glad that he hired Gaara.
It's still sick, of course.
I mean, while he was interviewing Gaara was he thinking about that stuff? I can totally see him there, nodding his head and pretending to think about flowers when what's really going through his head is 'Ino-chan, really needs a boyfriend. This kid looks good enough! As long as he doesn't steal her underwear or molest her during work hours, I bet he'll make a great son-in-law!'
I shudder at the thought.
I repeat. I am never getting married.
I'm not so pathetic that I need my dad to set me up. Please. I'm sure there are plenty of guys...hiding. Somewhere. I've just been too busy to notice them. Or they're already dating all the other girls...It's no use continuing this train of thought.
I think I'll walk through the park today. Regardless of the people in the world, I can still enjoy a nice walk through the park. I don't know why, but I have a feeling that even the blooming flowers won't save this day. It's a dumb superstition. The world is only as good as you make it out to be, and right now it's not so bad. When I'm surrounded by only these flowers, I can't help but feel ok. Konoha really is a beautiful place. It's just naturally covered with all types of plants and flowers. I like going for walks like these. I know it's a little out of the way, but I'm sure no one will be at the store by the time I get there. Why would you want to buy flowers when there are so many to admire right outside your door?
Something brown leaps right in front of me.
"Ahh!" I shout.
It's only a squirrel. He's sitting right in the middle of my path, nibbling on an acorn. He looks absolutely idiotic. I don't like squirrels. Yeah, they're 'cute', but they're still rodents. I hate rodents - especially rats. Squirrels are like cousins to rats, and rats are smelly, sniveling, disgusting, diseased, treacherous -
"eheehee..."
Huh?
I just heard a giggle. I try to concentrate on the direction it came from. I look down and the squirrel's gone. I don't see anyone. Is somebody laughing at me?
I gasp and turn around quickly. Still nobody there. Well, that's fine. I'm just going insane. It's only natural. I've been deprived of love for so long that the flowers are starting to giggle at me -
"Sasuke..."
I jump up. No way. Flowers do not whisper the names of beautiful and perfect boys I can't have. Why does that voice sound familiar? Ok, I'm just going to pretend I didn't hear anything. I'm going to get out of this bush that I seem to have jumped into on instinct. That's pretty pathetic to think that a well-developed kunoichi like myself would be hearing voices. I just need to get to the shop as fast as -
"Sakura...look..."
I know I know that voice! It can't be anyone but Sasuke! I peer over the tree I'm behind and sure enough, Sasuke is there. With Sakura. Walking arm and arm with Sakura. They're walking in my direction!
Shit!
Damn it!
I can't take this torture. I should just get the hell out of here and go to the store. Go to the store, Ino! I start to get up and the rustle of leaves startles me. Shit! I have to be more careful than this. I can't have them catch me here. They'll walk right by me and wonder what the hell I'm doing hiding behind a tree and I'll look ridiculous in front of Sasuke...and Sakura!
They aren't coming. What happened? I know I shouldn't, but I take another quick glance. They've stopped walking. He looks beautiful as ever...
And she has her claws clamped onto his arm! The bitch! He's holding a little fallen sakura blossom up to her hair and she's blushing like the idiot she is. I can't stand it!
"It's just like you..." he says in his all too charming voice. He's leaning down to her.
And he kisses her.
I feel sick. I really want to throw up the little bit of breakfast I had. They're such a disgusting couple. Why did I have to see this?
I leap silently out of the bushes and run out of the park. My heart is aching, my stomach is churning, and a tear is starting to find itself to the corner of my eye. I'm not going to cry. I blink it away before it even has a chance to roll down my cheek. I can't help it, but that image is still burned into my mind. It makes me want to hide forever.
Sasuke and Sakura standing in the middle of a long row of blooming sakura trees. It's such a romantic scene. He's the tall and handsome prince as usual. He's being perfect as usual, but he's leaning over her. Sakura. She's so damn pink. It's all wrong! My own mind still can't believe it and I saw it with my own eyes! Sasuke is the absolute image of the perfect man. He has perfectly dark eyes, amazing blue-black hair, and he wears that dark blue shirt that always look so good on him. Then there's Sakura, in her loud pink dress with dark green tights underneath. What the hell is she thinking grabbing on to him like that? Wearing that? Her pink outfit not only clashes with her horridly pink hair, but it totally clashes with Sasuke's coolness. Dark blue and bright pink were not meant to be together. It just makes me sick to see that crime going on.
Blue and Pink.
Never! Anyone who knows anything about colors and fashion will tell you that if you take one color, it will match best with either it's complementary color or with a color similar to it. For example, take Sasuke's classy dark blue into consideration. What is the complementary color of blue? Nothing else but orange. Orange and blue bring out the best in each other, just like red and green or yellow and purple. They complete each other. Pink is NOT orange, and it never will be.
If you tried to stretch it, you could use red. Red is more similar to orange than pink...red and blue go together nicely...
But pink is NOT red! Pink isn't even light red! If you give a man a pink shirt to wear and tell him 'Don't worry. It's not pink. It's light red.' he will slap you and he has every right to do so!
Now, if you don't want to have Sasuke's blue with it's opposite, you could try something similar. What color is similar to blue? Purple.
I look down at my clothes.
Purple. Purple is my favorite color. My blouse is purple and I've changed from my old purple skirt to a black one. I would look better standing next to Sasuke.
But no.
Sasuke wants pink.
Why would Sasuke want pink?
I guess Sakura's pink will just have to keep dampening Sasuke's beautiful blue.
Lesson #3: Too many women think too much about fashion and appearance.
It's true. I know I said appearances aren't all that important, but what a person chooses to wear shows a lot about them. Like, Naruto. You can almost hear his outrageous orange jumpsuit before he even enters a room. It's just like his personality. Or, look at Shikamaru. He's too lazy to wear anything other than standard issued shinobi colors - neutral greens and browns. His wardrobe could put a person to sleep. Sure, he might be able to blend in perfectly with any tree around, but that'll keep him from getting noticed in a crowd. And Sasuke...Blue is a great color. It's perfect for him. And it looks so wrong next to that pink!
I was so caught up in my mental struggle that I didn't even notice I was already nearly at the shop from walking my usual route. I don't care what anyone says! Those two are committing a crime! Opposites attract and likes just look good together. Sakura and Sasuke are neither! I wouldn't be surprised if that relationship didn't last.
"Blue and pink...not in my life will I ever use that stupid color combination..." I grumble to myself as I reach the shop. Gaara's already waiting for me. I pull out my keys and look for the right one. As I fumble around I drop the dumb key ring. Damn it! I lean over to pick it up, but he gets there before me.
"You're late," he says in a monotone voice as he hands the keys over to me. I study his placid face behind the keys.
Red hair, green eyes(or are they blue?), black, white and more red...
What am I doing? I don't care about Gaara's color scheme! I really am losing it.
"Thanks. I ran into a squirrel," I grunt in response as I take the keys. I really hate squirrels.
The lock clicks open and I wander in, trying not to look too upset. He follows me slowly from behind. He always moves so slow! This boy needs an energy bar or something. I'm bringing him some more coffee tomorrow. I can't stand to be around someone so sluggish when I feel like running around screaming and ripping things to shreds. Shikamaru was always like that.
I will not think about boys I can't have! Not Sasuke. Not Shikamaru.
I jump behind the counter and sit down stubbornly. I watch as Gaara looks around for something to do. He really is amazing. Before he came to work here, I always just sat around all day and helped customers that came in, but he's not like that. He actually goes around looking for things to fix and clean. He's fixed a couple of shelves already and painted over the old sign. I kind of noticed those things before, but I never really thought about fixing them. He just kind of naturally goes and find things to fix. It makes me happy to see him working...
Most days. Not today.
That horrible scene won't leave me alone!
I dig in the drawers behind the counter. Aha! I pull out a new magazine. I said before that the only stuff we had to read in here was about gardening and flowers, but I bought some new things. That's another good thing about having Gaara around. I have more time to go shopping because he'll be here to watch the shop. I grin to myself when I remember that day.
Yes, Gaara. I have some very important seeds and tools to pick up at the...uh...green house down the road...Don't worry. I'll be right back.
HA HA HA!
Lesson #4: Men may be beasts, but they are beasts that were meant to be used by women.
I wouldn't say that I was using Gaara. It was an important trip. I only left for an hour or two and it saved my day. I bought a few magazines, got a drink, and bought a bracelet. It was all for the sake of the shop! Everyone knows that happy employees work harder than depressed ones. Shopping makes me happy.
"There's nothing to do..." I hear his quiet voice. That's odd. He usually doesn't speak unless it's for something important. He must be really bored. Boo hoo. Poor thing.
"Well...that's too bad. I usually don't have much to do either, unless a customer comes in," I reply. My tone might have been just a little too harsh, but I don't care. I had to see with my own eyes that awful pair. I'm going to puke...
No!
I flip open the magazine I got and totally ignore both that sick image and Gaara's lonely face. It's a popular fashion and music magazine. As I flip through the pages I see many beautiful men and women in lovely clothes. That normally doesn't bother me, but almost everything these people are wearing is either pink or orange. I don't believe it! Fate must be against me! Those seem to be the popular colors this Spring. Why? I turn to the next page.
"Pink is Perfect for this year's lovely..."
I rip out the page before I can even finish reading that sentence. Hell no. The toothpick model was wearing all pink and had pink hair. I toss the page away and scream. Gaara's trying to ignore me, but it's not working very well. His eyes keep shifting from me to the floor. I'm huffing and puffing a little. I can stand orange, but NOT pink.
He picks up the piece of paper and throws it away. Good beast.
"What's wrong?" he asks a little sharply. I'm brought out of my hysterics by his tone.
I can't believe I was getting angry at magazines and models. That's not what really bothers me. I look down sadly at the torn page.
"Nothing..."
"Aa," he says. He slowly walks over to the counter and crosses both of his arms to lean over it,"So you always rip magazines apart like that?"
I blush. It is a little stupid for me to act this way. Why does he always have to be so cool about everything? Why can't he yell at me and say something stupid like the kind of boys I hate? Then I could just yell at him back and play mean tricks on him. Looking into these cold eyes, that aren't really green and aren't really blue, and answering to that cool tone of voice just unsettles me.
Really beautiful eyes.
It's like they keep changing. His eyes are like the glint off an opal stone. The light makes them shine blue and green with flashes of yellow - and even purple. I always loved looking at opal jewelry. His eyes are so clear, but still changing with his every movement. I didn't know a person could have eyes like that.
"Hmm?" he leans into me.
"What-?" I ask. I already forgot his question. I was too lost in his eyes...Dark-rimmed beautiful chameleon eyes."S-Sorry. What did you say?"
He sighs.
"You're upset about something," he states matter of factly. Yeah. I sigh. What's the point in hiding it? I might as well tell him. He helped me feel better last time.
"Remember that guy that came in last week?" I ask.
"The one that made you cry?"
Whoa. That was a little blunt. I nod.
"What about him?" he presses. Once again his eyes have changed. They look sharp and a little angry now.
"I saw him today...with his girlfriend," I spit out the last word.
"Ohh..." he answers knowingly.
"She used to be my best friend, but she dumped me to chase after him even though she knew I liked him first. Her name is Sakura," I spit out the last word again - or I should say 'name'.
Gaara scrunches up his nose in distaste. It looks like he just passed by a rotten egg or something. The look is actually pretty cute on him. I wonder. Does he not like Sakura also?
"You don't like her, do you?" I laugh. He shakes his head. I continue because I have to hear this answer,"Why not?"
"Her hair."
"Her hair?" I ask, truly surprised. Gaara notices people's hair?
"It's too pink," he cringes again.
I burst out laughing. I knew it! I feel like jumping out over the counter and giving him a hug. It is too pink! Too pink for Sasuke! Too pink to be attractive to a sane person!
"What's so funny?" he asks meekly. I look at his face and I stop laughing. Poor guy...every time I laugh he seems to think I'm laughing at him.
I jump over the counter and hug him.
"You're so cute!" I beam up at him and he blushes.
"I..." he swallows and looks down at me in confusion. Every face he makes is so adorable. I like being this close to him. I have an urge to rub my head into his shoulder like a cat, but I hold myself back. I'm his boss for crying out loud! I stand back and cross my arms. I will be more professional.
"You see...ever since I saw them this morning, I thought they didn't look good together. Sasuke is a cool, dark and mysterious blue...and Sakura is...PINK!" I laugh and smile at him. He gives me a look. I go back and sit on the counter and start swinging my legs freely. He proved my theory right.
"You're weird," he says after a while.
"No I'm not. It makes prefect sense. It's just to deep for you...you and your man mind..." I tease him back.
"Hn."
I walk carefully back behind the counter and sit down. I feel better now. I can't believe anyone would feel awkward around Gaara. He's the only person that ever makes me happy. I turn back to my magazine. I like looking at some of the orange clothes. It's all very unique and cute. It also all reminds me so much of Naruto. That crazy boy.
Bells ring. Customer!
"Good morning! Welcome to the Yamanaka Flower Shop! How may I help you?" I smile at the customer.
"Yo," he raises a hand in greeting. His other hand is holding an orange book.
"Kakashi-sensei?" I smile and am pleasantly surprised.
"Hi, Ino." he turns slowly and jumps back."Wha-?"
He points at Gaara.
"What's the matter, sensei?" I ask and tilt my head curiously.
"Nothing...I guess. Does he work here?"
"UmmHmm!" I reply cheerfully. He shrugs it off and I try to help him out with some flowers. As soon as I have him alone he starts to giggle.
"Ino!"
"Yes, Kakashi-sensei?"
Giggle. Snort.
"G-Gaara...Gaara...he's wearing an apron! And working at a Flower Shop!" he giggles like he's just told the funniest joke in the world.
"I-I know...I was hoping to find a slightly manlier apron than that red one with the little heart on it, but I'm the only one that used to work here before - " I stop talking because he's just laughing his ass off and ignoring me anyway. It's slightly annoying. He finally stops and wipes his one visible eye.
"Yeah...oh, that's great...heehee...It has a heart on it! A heart! Hahahaa..."
"Kakashi!" I drop the formal and polite attitude for a second. He's making fun of poor Gaara. I put my hands on my hips.
"Sorry...just give me the usual..." he sobers up.
I hand him a couple of white flowers. He always asks for the same thing. These are the type of flowers you would put on someone's grave...
It's not my job to ask, but I've always been curious about who's grave he would be visiting so often. I ring him up and he automatically hands me the money, plus tip. I like this sensei. He gives me an extra few dollars.
"Geez, get him a new apron...it's so mean to make a man wear something with a heart on it," he whispers over the counter. I smile and usher him out politely.
I know. It was kind of mean to give him that apron. I could have given him my plain yellow one, but...it's my favorite one. I should go get him a new one. He'd probably like a black one with a skull on it. I smile. I think the one with the heart looks good on him. I look over to Gaara.
Gaara is just pacing the store, bored. I sigh heavily. I can't stop staring at him. He's oblivious of everything when he's like that. I'm not checking him out. I just have nothing else to look at. He wears a lot of black and red. I guess that's ok, even though his hair is so red. I just keep pondering all about him. Hmm...Gaara is red. A color similar to red is orange. Naruto is orange. Naruto is really the only person in town who wears such a flashy color. Naruto and Gaara don't seem similar at all. They would never make a good pair, even if Naruto was a girl. Let's see...The complementary color of red is green. Who wears green? Hmm...
Rock Lee.
Ack! No! I really need to stop thinking about colors! I did not just picture Rock Lee and Gaara together. No way! I beat my head on the counter. Ow.
I look up and it's Gaara who's staring at me now. I should say something.
"So...Gaara..." I tap my fingers nervously.
"Hmm?"
"Er...So...If you don't like Sakura's pink hair...what hair color do you like?" I ask. I really like finding out his likes and dislikes.
"Blonde," he answers automatically. I blush. He likes blondes?
"R-Really? I m-mean...why do you like blondes?" I ask shyly. I'm blonde.
"All the people I've ever cared about were blonde," he answers. I jump up a little in surprise. I didn't expect an answer like that. I never really thought about people Gaara would care about. He always looked like such a loner. He looks like he doesn't care about a single living thing. I guess I was wrong. I ask my next question without even thinking.
"Who do you care about?" I ask and my hand flies to my mouth. Oh, no! I shouldn't be asking him stuff like that! Me and my big fat mouth. I might as well ask him for his life story while I'm at it. He looks at me curiously and finally speaks.
"Naruto."
"Wha-?" I reply suddenly. He turns away with a slight blush on his cheeks. It's the colors! Just like I was thinking! Wait...Naruto and Gaara know each other? They can't have known each other for too long. I'm confused. Didn't he say all the 'people' he'd cared about were blondes?
"Gaara...Naruto's only one person," I correct him.
"Oh." he puts his hand up to his chin in a pensive gesture. "I guess I care about Temari too. She's blonde."
Hmm. He only cares about two people and he had to think about one of them. That's kind of sad. I didn't even know he knew Naruto! That's so weird. The first time I ever saw Gaara was at the first chuunin exam we all took together. That was about five years ago. If you do the math, that means that Gaara didn't care about anyone for the first 12 years of his life? That can't be possible. Everyone has somebody to care about. I'm sure he had someone else. He had to have someone special before Naruto.
"Temari?" I ask myself. He shifts on his feet.
"She's not as bad as she seems. She's...nice. She's only mean to you because you're like a rival. She's doesn't like people that get in her way," he says softly,"but I owe her a lot..."
I look up at him and he looks so sincere. I feel bad for him a little. I guess he could be right. I can't judge so quickly. Well, actually, I think I can. This is Temari we're talking about! I grit my teeth. Sakura's my rival too, but at least Sakura's civil now that she has what she wants. Temari comes by and treats me like crap to rub it in my face. She kicks people when they're already down. I still remember those battles we had over Shikamaru. I didn't even want Shikamaru that badly, I just wanted to protect him from her! She can't possibly be treating him well. 'Temari' and 'nice' don't belong in the same sentence. She's a cruel beast! And her cute little brother is working for me...
I want to be someone special to him. I want to take care of him. I'm not going to argue with him whether or not Temari is cruel or not. I change the subject instead.
"So. I didn't know you and Naruto were friends." I say. He nods and blushes slightly again. Geez! Is he embarrassed about having Naruto as a friend, or what? Naruto's not that bad. I mean, he used to be kind of a loser, but everyone likes him now.
"Have you visited him yet?" I ask nicely.
"I went to his house...but he wasn't there," he responds. That's right. Hinata said he was out on a mission, but that was a week ago.
"Oh...maybe you should try again. Hinata said he was on a mission last week, but he always comes back pretty quickly. You want me to ask her for you?"
"O-Ok...You don't have to - "
The door bangs open. The bells are almost thrown off.
"Ino-chan!" I hear a high-pitch yell come through the door.
No way...It's Hinata!
"Hinata! What's up?" I ask casually. She shrinks back into her shy self as soon as she catches the eyes of Gaara. She whimpers a little and becomes totally rigid. Gaara and I just stare at her.
"H-He's r-really...um, I m-mean...h-hi..." she stutters. I sigh.
"Yes. Gaara works here now," I take her hand and take her off to the side.
"I-Ino-chan...I heard he was working h-here..." she whispers to me and keeps flicking her eyes between Gaara and me. I shrug."I-Ino-chan! A-Aren't you s-scared?"
"Of course not. He's a nice guy. It's not like he kills the customers," I respond easily. Her eyes widen in surprise. She gapes at me. I pat her on the back and take her back over to Gaara.
"Gaara!" I call to him. He turns and I motion to the panicking girl next to me,"This is Hinata. She's Naruto's girlfriend."
"Aa," he says. I wait a while for him to ask her what we were just talking about. I wait and wait...A heavy silence fills the air. I sigh. I guess he gets shy around people - even if they are Hinata.
"What Gaara wants to know, is if Naruto is in town," I finish for Gaara, even though Gaara never even started talking.
"N-Naruto-kun?" Hinata asks shyly. Something registers in the back of her head and she speaks up more loudly this time, "Oh, y-yes! N-Naruto came back two days ago. H-He asked about you and told me you were h-here."
Gaara perks up a bit. He must really like Naruto. That's nice. So Naruto is in town. Gaara would probably want to see him now. I wait for one of them to say something. I sigh again. I'm really starting to feel like a mediator. Hinata looks only slightly less afraid of Gaara killing her, and Gaara looks about as capable of speech as someone who just licked a pole made of ice. I think I'm going to have to make plans for them.
"Well, since Gaara and Naruto are good buddies, they wanna see each other, right?" They both nod. Why can't these people talk! Gaara was fine a few seconds ago. I continue.
"Why don't you have Naruto meet Gaara at...at the Ichiraku later this evening - after Gaara's shift? Is Naruto free then?" I ask.
"Y-Yes! Naruto and I were g-going there anyway..." she blushes and presses her little pale fingers together. Gaara still isn't speaking.
"Gaara!" I shout. He turns to me with a 'what?' expression on his face. "Do you want to meet him later tonight?"
He nods.
"Ok! Great!" I smile widely and pat Hinata on the back. I feel like I just made an important peace treaty, "Did you want anything else?"
"N-No..." she says. I start to usher her to the door and ask what time she would like Gaara to be there. Right as I'm about to say goodbye she turns to me and speaks,"A-Are you sure you're ok with him...a-alone?"
"Yes!" I beam and close the door.
I turn back to Gaara and wave my arms energetically.
"I'm excited! I feel like I'm going on a date with Naruto now!" I joke. I stand next to him and smile.
"Will you go with me...?" he asks quietly and blushes. I blink a little. Is he that afraid of Hinata, or does he just want Naruto all to himself? I grin and poke him in the arm.
"Of course."
I'll keep Gaara company any day. He always does that for me.
He said he likes blondes.
I'm blonde.
Gaara opens up to Ino, but is scared to talk around Hinata! XD
Shy boys are CUTE!