sorry it took so long , heheh ; I've had it typed up for a while but it didnt feel completely right. Anyways I fixed it a little and its okay now so here you go.

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Chapter three

Mission

It just so happened that not one week after she moved into her new apartment, she was sent on a mission with Ino. The two of them had been chosen because of their respective abilities, Hinata with her Byakugan and Ino with the mind transfer and control jutsu. It was a spying mission.

"Hinata-chan. Ino-chan. Tsunade-sama is uhm…busy right now, so I'll just give you your mission."

Ino snorted. It was obvious to both of the kunoichi that Shizune was covering for either the Hokage being drunk or asleep. Most likely both.

"There's been some suspicious activity at the southern border. We need you to go and find out what's going on. You're not to let anyone discover you. It might just be poachers but be careful, they've been sightings of foreign ninja there recently. Good luck."

Shizune smiled at both of them before she left. Ino and Hinata walked out of the Hokage building together.

"Wed better get paid for this. I'm trying to save my money and I cant get paid for working at the shop if I'm on a mission." Ino said as soon as they were outside.

"What are you saving for, Ino-san?"

"I'm trying to move out of my parent's house. I can't keep living there forever. My parents have been a little frisky recently." Ino shuddered as she thought of it and let out a dramatic sigh. "Plus they're making me pay rent now that I'm eighteen. I figured if I'm going to pay rent I might as well be in my own place."

Hinata stifled a giggle as Ino went unusually silent. 'This is probably a mistake and I am definitely going to regret it but…"

"Ino-san, you're welcome to stay with me until you can find a place of your own."

Ino stopped and turned sharply to face Hinata. "Really?"

Ino was practically leaning on top of Hinata who was trying to move away. "Err…Yes?"

"Thank you so much Hinata-chan! You'll barely know I'm there. I'll even pay rent if you want me to." She was practically jumping up and down in excitement as she grabbed Hinata's hands in hers.

"It's no trouble Ino-san. You don't have to pay me rent." Hinata smiled, while inwardly she was sighing. 'I'm going to regret it. Oh well.'

She looked around and noticed all the attention they were getting as Ino continued to rant/thank her. In an attempt to stop Ino she interrupted her mid sentence.

"Since we only have to leave tomorrow, I guess you could pack your things now if you wanted…" Hinata realised what she had just said and trailed off. 'At least it worked.'

Ino has stopped her rant to stare at Hinata with dawning comprehension. Then she grinned in a way that could only be described as evil and ran down the street towards her house. Only Ino didn't bother to let go of Hinata's hand as she ran. Hinata was half dragged behind Ino wondering what had possessed her to even suggest Ino move in with her. So what if the spare room was just there. Empty. It didn't have to do anything. It could have stayed empty. Too late now.

Ino had dragged Hinata across town to her house before Hinata could even think of anything to say to stop her. The door was opened and Hinata found herself standing in Ino's bedroom as the blonde kunoichi started shoving her clothes in a suitcase.

"Ano…Ino-san…do you need any help?"

Ino looked up blankly. "Hinata-chan? When did you get here?"

Hinata sweat dropped. "Err…you kinda dragged me here."

Ino sweat dropped as well. "Oh… Well, there's a few boxes in that corner over there. You could pack some of my stuff in there if you want to help. Don't worry about being neat since it's not to far to your place."

Hinata silently went about packing knickknacks from the shelves, neatly, despite what Ino had said. She couldn't help that she was a neat person. Ino in the meantime had haphazardly packed all her clothes in a couple of suitcases and moved on the rest of her things in the boxes.

In no time at all everything was packed. Drawers hung open and the bed was stripped bare. Ino put her hands on her hips and surveyed the work of only a couple hours with a satisfied sigh. She started picking up boxes and taking them to Hinata's apartment. Hinata follwed suit soon after. Ino talked the whole way there about how they would have so much fun and how she always wanted to stay in an all-girl apartment. Hinata didn't get the chance to say anything so she just smiled and nodded.

About an hour and five trips later, Ino was all set. She put the last box down with a sigh of relief. Then the blonde took the time to survey the apartment properly, she hadn't before.

"Sugoi…I knew the Hyuuga were loaded but I didn't think this much…"

Hinata, slightly embarrassed, said nothing. Ino went from room to room, exclaiming over every little thing. Hinata had to smile at that, Ino was like a little kid in a candy shop.

'Maybe it wont be so bad having her around.' Hinata decided she could get used to the pleasant company, so unlike her normal surroundings.

It was getting late so Hinata went about making dinner while Ino started packing up her room. It wasn't long before the delicious smells wafting from the kitchen drew Ino away from her work.

"Oh, Hinata-chan that smells good. I'm liking this better and better…" Ino came in and sat at the kitchen table.

Hinata looked at Ino curiously to which the blonde grinned sheepishly with a light blush dusting her cheeks.

"I cant cook to save my life. I swear I can burn water."

Hinata giggled and spoke softly. "I enjoy cooking I didn't get to do it much at Hyuuga."

"Whatever makes you happy." Ino shrugged.

Hinata placed a bowl in front of Ino and sat down with her own. In unison they said 'itadakimasu' and started eating. Ino took one bite of the udon and her eyes widened. She quickly started eating the rest, hardly pausing for a breath. Hinata didn't know what to say, she expected this sort of thing from Naruto, not her other blonde friend. There was nothing to say so she just giggled a little and shrugged. Ino got up for seconds while Hinata was still eating her first bowl.

"Arigato, Hinata-chan. That was really good. Chouji would never leave if he ever tasted your cooking."

Ino grinned and Hinata blushed. She stood up and went about clearing up. She insisted. Ino left her, Hinata can be really firm when she wants to be. When she was just about finished, Ino popped her head around the door and said she had a surprise for her in the living room.

Hinata was curious as she walked to the designated room. 'What kind of surprise? Most of my surprises haven't been very good.'

In fact, Hinata had never ever had a good surprise in her life. If you think about her life within the Hyuuga clan, you can see why.

Ino was grinning devilishly as she sat in front of the table. On the table were two bowls and a bottle of what could only be sake.

"Ino-san! Where did you get that?"

"I swiped it from my dad's cabinet when we were packing up. C'mon, lets celebrate."

"I don't know…"

"C'mon Hinata, let loose for once in your life."

'She's right…'

"We can even invite forehead girl and Ten Ten if you want."

Hinata nodded and purposefully walked to sit across the table from Ino. Ino was delighted.

"Ino-san, shouldn't we wait until we get back from the mission?"

Ino's face fell.

"You're right…but it's a date. As soon as we get back. No going back."