Woo two back to back chapters!
I would have put this out there later but I'm probably not going to post another chapter in a week or so because school is starting up again.
Sorry for the short chapters but I just write until the chapter feels like it's good to end. There's really no plan going into the chapters sometimes.
And thank you again to my wonderful beta TheBasedDepartment on ao3!
Please Review!
Chapter 2
I pinned Shikamaru against the wall, "You are going to help me. Naruto and Hinata are going to get together and we are making it happen. Capiche?"
"Why can't we just let it blossom on its own? Naruto got over Sakura a year ago already! What's gonna stop them from getting together?"
In a Konoha training ground a raven-haired Uchiha sneezed.
"Coming down with a cold already Sasuke-chan?"
"Shut up Kakashi," Sasuke grunted, "Let's get back to work. I'm going to beat Aniki soon, I can feel it."
"You just don't understand. It physically pains me to see how oblivious that blonde dumbass is. And he's precious as well! Like in a puppy who slobbers all over you but the puppy is still pretty damn cute. Don't you understand Shika? They absolutely must get together."
He stared into my eyes… and promptly pushed me away and started walking to Starmugs. Ugh, he didn't get it. I guess it's a solo mission after all. I didn't have high hopes that my Shika would help me anyways. But if it were Sasuke… he still wouldn't help. Sasuke is too cool for that sort of stuff.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Shikamaru glance towards me and open his mouth "I guess it would be even more troublesome to have you mess something up."
Was that a blush I saw on his cheeks? Awww Shikamaru was a little shy? I opened my mouth to reply back to him when he quickly snapped his head back and added, "Now are you coming or not? Hinata should be reaching anytime soon."
He knew my weakness. I jogged up and quickly caught up to Shikamaru as we headed to the coffee shop. Ume-obasan would also understand, right?
As we reached the shop, I stepped back and took a good hard look at it. We really needed to revamp the outside. It was just so plain. It looked just like any other shop, a tanish sort of color with brown slants as the roofs. The only way you could differentiate it from other shops was through the dark green Starmugs logo.
A lazy drawl snapped me back to reality, "Now what are you waiting for? C'mon let's go in, it's chilly out here."
"Yeah, I'm coming." I shook my head, I had to get the shop ready for Hinata-chan!
I never thought Shikamaru of all people would be the one to push me to go faster. I glanced around the shop and noticed something strange. Huh, everything is all ready. That's odd. Did Ume-obasan already get here?
Never mind that, I needed to get Hinata-chan's cinnamon buns ready! Who would otherwise? Shikamaru quickly took his spot on the maroon couch in the back right corner of the shop.
"Shikaaa, I thought you said you would help!" I brought myself over to him, "Sleeping doesn't count as helping just to let you know."
"Stop nagging troublesome woman! No one's in the shop now it's fine," my not-Sasuke teammate was being annoying, again. And he so smugly just turned his back to me!
Just when I thought things were turning around for the better he goes and pulls this. As I stepped behind the counter my saving grace entered.
"Hinata-chan! How's it going? Did an idiot Goldie confess his undying love for you yet? Because if he hasn't I'm gonna beat his ass until he realizes!" I couldn't help it, she was just so cute!
Her precious little soul squeaked as she answered me, "N-No not yet. B-But don't hurt Naruto-kun, it's f-fine!"
"Fine. But only because you so kindly asked with your adorable little face," I pouted. My job wasn't going to be done on its own. Why can't that idiot just not be so ignorant of my dear Hinata-chan's feelings!
"Now what do you want today? We have a new menu item today. Would you like to try that one out? It's a slice of plum cake."
"I'll have one slice of that and the n-normal three cinnamon buns. And I c-can pay this time!" Her little dumpling cheeks were puffed out! Did I mention how cute she was?
"Oi lazy ass, get yourself up here and get Hinata-chan's order ready!" Ugh, Shikamaru had no initiative.
"Do it yourself," despite his groans of protest he finally got up and started to make his way behind the counter.
With that the three of us in the shop fell into a peaceful silence. Only being interrupted by Shika bringing Hinata-cahn's order to her. And as always, the calm must be intruded upon by Goldilocks himself.
"Hinata! You're here again! Oh hi Ino, hey Shikamaru."
I wonder what Hinata-chan sees in him. Ugh I'm starting to sound like my dad with Sasuke. But now Operation Have Naruto Finally Notice Hinata is a plan. With a signal to Shikamaru and him rolling his eyes back to me we started my genius plan.
"Hold on a minute Naruto I'm gonna have to move some stuff around. Shika can take your order though."
With Naruto's attention on the menu and Hinata-chan's on scarfing down the cinnamon buns I quickly set my idea into action. With a lot of pushing, pulling and a few mocking stares from my lethargic colleague I was finished.
"Ah Ino are you done yet? Can I sit down?"
"Yep!" I grinned.
"Um Ino? Why are all the chairs and couches pushed aside?"
"Naruto, there's still an open seat! Right across from where Hinata-chan's sitting."
"B-But there's a candle. And roses. Won't I be intruding on Hinata's date?"
"N-Naruto-kun I'm not going on a date with anyone." Hinata piped up. Go get it Hinata-chan! Make that idiot golden sandwich fall for you!
"Yeah, see Naruto! She said it's fine!" With a few pushes to the back Goldie finally sat down.
Now with the finishing touches. I gestured to Shikamaru. He sighed but obliged, dimming the lights and flipping the sign outside to read "Closed".
Rushing Shikamaru to the kitchen I informed the two soon to be lovebirds, "Shikamaru and I have some work to do! Have fun!"
"But I still haven't gotte-" Blondie's cries were quickly silenced when I shot a glare towards him.
Whew. Now they have to be getting together don't they?
Oh poor, poor oblivious Ino. This is going to take much more than just that! Also I think Naruto being an idiot sandwich is canon. Fight me on that one.
Thanks to the wonderful people over on discord who help me with this fic!
Stay safe!