Chapter 6: The Unexpected Party

Inuzuka Kiba was many things. Loud, brash, some said obnoxious (he usually flipped off those people), hotheaded, the list went on. He was also loyal to the people he cared about, and kind, in his own gruff way. So when Hyuuga Hanabi cornered him one day, he didn't throw her out of his way, like he usually did to obnoxious genin. Out of respect for his former team mate he merely demanded (rudely) what she wanted. His hostile attitude disappeared when she told him.

"A birthday party for Hinata?" he asked skeptically, "She's never had one before."

"But she's going to turn eighteen, Inuzuka-san, don't you think she should celebrate that?"

"Well, yeah, but this is Hinata. She hates being the center of attention, and having a party for her will put her in the center of attention."

"Tch, she needs to get over that. Besides, it'll be good for her to see how many people care about her," Hanabi stubbornly insisted. Kiba eyed her suspiciously.

"What do you care? Don't you hate her or something?" he asked. Hanabi's eyes narrowed, and Kiba, suddenly nervous, was reminded strongly of Neji.

"Have you ever tried hating Hinata, Inuzuka-san? It isn't easily done," she replied coldly, before continuing in her regular bossy tone, "I do not hate my sister. I think a party is a good idea, but the only way she'll go for it is if you insist that she have one. Tell her you've worked everything out, it's on Saturday at your old sensei's apartment, and tell her she has to invite the people she wants to come."

"Why me? Why don't you tell her?"

"Because I don't know Kurenai, and you're going to have to convince her to let you have the party there. Besides, I'm only thirteen. I shouldn't have to organize a party for a bunch of eighteen year olds," Hanabi explained, rolling her eyes. Kiba wondered briefly if he was as bratty as this kid when he was young.

"You're also the only one hard headed enough to get her to agree."

He decided that he couldn't possibly have been as bratty as this kid when he was young.

"Wait, I have to get Kurenai-sensei to agree to let a bunch of eighteen year olds trash her apartment?"

"Yup. No worries, Inuzuka-san, I have faith in you. See you!" And with that, the youngest Hyuuga heir darted off, leaving Kiba baffled in the street.

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Hinata walked slowly towards Konoha. She had just finished training with her old genin team, and was puzzling over why Kiba insisted she have a birthday party. She'd never had one before, and would prefer not to, but he had been adamant. She had known Kiba long enough now to realize that the easiest way to deal with him when he got an idea in his head was to just go along with him. So now she was scheduled to have a birthday party Saturday evening at Kurenai-sensei's home. Shino and Kiba both promised to be there, and so had Kurenai-sensei, so that was at least three people. Kiba had told her to invite whomever else she wanted. She decided that she would invite all the old Rookie Nine. Her party could be like a reunion of sorts, and this (hopefully) would take some of the spotlight off of her.

Speaking of the Rookie Nine, three of them were currently walking towards her. Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke seemed to be heading to the same training grounds that she had just left. She felt her heart flutter as they approached, and her face lit up when Naruto caught sight of her and yelled "Hey, Hinata-chan!"

She blushed and looked down as they approached her. More to avoid eye-contact with her long-time crush than anything else, she quickly shifted her eyes to Sakura and Sasuke. Sakura greeted her warmly, but Sasuke just glared at her. She gulped and looked down. She had no idea why, but the Uchiha survivor seemed to dislike her a great deal. He was always avoiding her gaze, and the few times she had tried to start a polite conversation, he had just scowled at her. She thought it best to just leave him alone.

"Hello. I-I'm glad I've r-run into you three," she said softly, glancing briefly at Naruto before looking back down at her hands. Naruto grinned and put his hands behind his head.

"What's up, Hinata-chan?" he asked. Hinata took a deep breath and forced herself to look at him. She was determined to do this right.

"I'm h-having a birthday party on Saturday n-night, and was wondering if you'd l-like to come?" she asked, pleased that her stutter wasn't so bad.

Naruto grinned.

"A birthday party? Of course, Hinata-chan, I'd love to come!" he said, and Hinata felt relief flow through her at his words. She turned to Sakura with a little more confidence.

"You too, Sakura-chan, I hope you can come?"

"Of course, Hinata, I wouldn't miss it."

Hinata became much more nervous as she turned to the last member of the group. She'd really rather not ask him, as she was sure he'd say no, and probably be really annoyed that she had even asked. Still, it would be rude to ignore him, so she forced herself to face the Uchiha. She looked up at him and gulped. Gods, did he have to be so intimidating? He was glaring at her again.

"S-S-Sasuke-san? W-w-w-will you c-c-come as well?" she asked, a little breathlessly. Did he have to stare at her so intently? More to fill up the growing silence than anything, she added, "P-please, it w-w-would m-mean a lot t-to m-me." She felt her face heat up once more as she looked back down at the ground.

"All right," he agreed abruptly, and Hinata's head snapped up in surprise. She wasn't the only one shocked either. Both Naruto and Sakura were staring at Sasuke as if he'd suddenly announced that he was going to don green spandex and join the Maito Gai fan club.

"WHAT?" both Sakura and Naruto yelled.

"You actually agreed? But Sasuke-bastard, you never do anything fun," Naruto declared. Sakura turned on him and smacked him.

"Don't be mean, Naruto. Sasuke does lots of fun things, just not parties," she yelled. Naruto covered his head, but even fear of Sakura's impressive strength didn't stop him from muttering something that sounded suspiciously like "stick-up-his-ass" to which Sakura replied with a strangle yell and started chasing him towards the training area. Hinata watched until all she could hear was their yells, and then suddenly realized that she was alone with one of the most dangerous ninja in the village, and that it was quite possible that he hated her.

"Um, th-th-thank you f-f-f-for agreeing t-t-to c-come, S-S-Sasuke-san," she said softly, staring at his sandals. Her stutter always seemed to get worse whenever he was around. She felt his eyes boring into her head, and her face heated up. She shifted uncomfortably, wondering if she just excuse herself when he spoke.

"You're welcome," he muttered. She looked up and smiled at him. He just avoided her gaze and walked after his team mates, hands shoved into his pockets.

Hinata turned and continued on her way, deciding to stop at the Yamanaka flower shop to ask Ino and her team. She knew that it wouldn't be as nerve wracking to invite them, after just having successfully managed to invite Naruto, whom she liked, and Sasuke, who scared the crap out of her. Anyone would be easy to invite after those two.

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