Hanabi raced down the hallways and weaved in and out of people as she sped past them. She came to a familiar door and stopped in front of it to catch her breath. She knocked softly and waited. Hinata's eyes jerked to the door frame again as she gave a small sniffle. She bowed her head down again and hoped the person would go away.
"Ne…..onee-chan…..are you there?" Hinata heard Hanabi's voice through the door. "I'm coming in okay?"
Hanabi slide the door open slowly and looked around for her big sister. She found her sitting in the corner crying. She quickly hurried over to her.
"Onee-chan! What's the matter? Are you hurt somewhere?" Hanabi asked, eyes filled with concern.
Hinata gave another small sniffle and looked up at her. She tried giving a reassuring smile, but it wouldn't come.
"There's someone here to see you ya know," said Hanabi.
Hinata looked surprised.
"Is it father?"
Hanabi shook her head.
"It's a booooyyyy," she said giggling.
Hinata's eyes widened. "It couldn't it? Could it be…Naruto?" she thought to herself.
"He's waiting by the gardens if you want to see him. Come on, I'll take you to him!" Hanabi grabbed Hinata's hand, attempting to drag her to her feet.
"W…w-wait, hold on a sec-second! I have to g-get ready-" Hinata started to protest.
Hanabi gave a hard tug and looked down at her older sister.
"If you don't hurry, he'll be caught ya know."
Hinata bit her lower lip and reluctantly got to her feet.
"…Okay. Let's go."
Shikamaru lied in his bed looking up at his ceiling. He gave out a small sigh and looked over to his dresser. The shirt Ino made him was lying on top of it. He sat up on his bed and whispered "How troublesome." under his breath. He put on his chunin vest and walked out of his room. His father was in the kitchen eating a bowl of cereal. He looked up and gave him a look that said "What's up?".
"Aa, I'm going out for a bit. Stuff on my mind, "Shikamaru said lazily.
His dad looked at him as he chewed his cereal.
"Girl problems?" he asked.
"Pft, yhea right dad. I'm too lazy for a girlfriend. The only girl problem I have is that Ino's been creeping me out lately with her niceness. It's weird."
"You know Shkia, for such a smart kid, you sure are dumb when it comes to girls."
"Whatever," said Shikamaru waving his hand. "I'll catch you later old man."
His dad waved back at him and smiled to himself.
Naruto fiddled with his fingers as he waited. No matter how any times he ran his little speech in his head, it always sounded dumb.
"God I'm so stupid! I should of thought about what to say first. Uh hi Hinata, I was in the neighborhood and I just wanted to stop by and ask you why you weren't there tonight. Jeez…."
He heard shuffling behind him and his heart stopped.
"N…Naruto-k-kun?" he heard a soft voice behind him.
He turned around to see a teary eyed Hinata looking back at him. He couldn't help but give her a warm smile.
"Hey….Hinata." He got up and walked over to her. He saw the tears in her eyes. "Are you okay?" he asked in a soft voice.
Hinata blushed and gave a small nod. "Mmm. I, I'm so s-sorry about t-t-tonight! I wanted to go s-so bad, but my f-father found out and yelled at me….and, and…."
She rubbed her eyes and started crying again. Naruto looked into her pearly white eyes and couldn't help himself, he embraced her in a hug.
"It's ok…..it's ok Hinata. I knew you weren't the type of girl to stand me up…..I'm sorry I even accused you of standing me up…It's just that, it wouldn't be the first time it's happened…." he quickly thought of Sakura.
"He's so warm," Hinata thought to herself.
"She smells nice," Naruto thought to himself.
"OoOoOo….you guys were supposed to go on a DATE!" Hanabi's voice interrupted their train of though.
Hinata blushed and chuckled nervously. Naruto looked the other way.
"Why don't you just go now?" asked Hanabi.
They both stared at her.
"F-father will k-kill me if he found out….." said Hinata.
Naruto lifted Hinata's chin with his hand. "Who says he has to find out?"
Hinata's eyes met his, and she was lost in an ocean of cerulean. Her knees were shaking and the warmth from his body made her hot and bothered.
"I…I….um….okay…" she couldn't resist him even if she tried.
He gave her his foxy grin and took hold of her hand.
"Come on then!"
"Will this be all dear?" asked Ino's mother.
"Aa…." replied Shikamaru.
"Okay, well have a safe trip home. No late night wandering you know. We're still on high alert ever since the third passed away…..Well, off you go." she said shooing him out of the shop.
Shikamaru left the flower shop with a hand full of roses.
a/n
Yay, another update. I'll admit this chapter was a little cheesy, but whatever. Thanks to all who reviewed! Means a lot to me. Yay!
