"That's a trick question, right? YES I want the special, Ayame!" Naruto was grinning ear to ear as he embraced the young ramen shop waitress. A pretty brown haired girl who wore a plain apron and her hair back in a long ponytail.

"Oh and a bowl of whatever for my brooding friend."

"Coffee is fine Ayame." Gaara waved at the blushing girl currently caught in Naruto's bear hug.

"Naruto she can't breathe, let her down."

"Shit!" Naruto quickly released the girl, whom noticeably took in a desperate breath.

"It's ok Naruto. Just be a little more gentle next time?" The girl was currently holding one over her chest as she braced herself.

"No problem! Hey, can I ask you a favor?"

The girl perked up at the sound of his request.

"I'm certain you can. What's up?"

"Can we take the private booth upstairs? We might be here a while."

"No problem Naruto-kun, anything else?"

"Yeah..." Naruto's grin dropped as he got a little closer to her, all previous humor absent from his face.

"We're not here. And I mean if ANYONE asks, we're not here. Ok?" Ayame seemed confused but nodded regardless.

"Ohhh I get it. Is this." The girl pointed a questioning finger at the two of them.

"A date?..."

"What?! NO-"

"Not on his life dear. The media is just not on our side lately. That's all you need to know." Gaara responded while Naruto stood jaw open and awestruck at her accusation.

"Oh Okay then guys, this way."

xXx

The reality of the boys "stakeout" was that of extreme simplicity. Mainly involving Naruto eating copious amounts of ramen, and Gaara silently drinking bottomless pots of coffee.

"Looks pretty unimpressive if you ask me."

"Most clubs are during the day. You'd know that if you ever actually left the house Gaara." Gaara, however, ignored his statement in favor of sipping his coffee.

"Yeah, but those things called people? Not a fan. An antisocial introvert with insomniac tendencies probably shouldn't be around so many people anyway."

"I don't think you'd be such an insomniac if you didn't drink four pots of fucking coffee every day."

"Three. Three pots. And Naruto. Don't go there."

"I'm just saying bro, that's waaaay too much-"

"There's never too much!" Gaara slammed down his mug as he finished his 6th cup in their 2 hour stakeout.

"... you need a girl man."

"And you need to remember you have one before Sakura snaps your dumb ass in half."

"Oh, shit..."

"You just remembered you don't have your phone didn't you?"

Silence.

"Naruto?"

'He's probably processing his mortality right now.'

"Gaara she's going to FUCKING MURDER ME!"

'Or thinking out his will.'

"Can I have your truck if she does?"

"No Gaara seriously, I'm supposed to meet her parents today. I'm fucking DONE!" Naruto ran his hands through his blonde locks in a frantic motion.

"I'm sure she'll understand that her ex-contract killer boyfriend is being pursued by government assassins."

"You think so?"

Naruto face planted on the table when the unthinkable happened. Gaara busted out into a fit of laughter.

"Yeah, good luck with that." Gaara wiped away a tear threatening to drop from the corner of his eye. "Thanks, I needed that."

"I have to tell her. Like now." Gaara stopped his friend as he sprung out his chair to find the nearest telephone.

"That we're being hunted? I think not. It'll only make the situation worse. Plus, in case you don't remember, we're on a stakeout." Naruto reluctantly sat back down.

'I can't have him jumping the gun right now.'

"Fine... hey look." Naruto pointed across the street from their topside view in the ramen shop."People are starting to go in."

'Yeah, but a really strange selection of people...'

"Notice anything weird though Naruto?"

Gaara nodded at the advancing group of people in line, the line was already beginning to form as the sunset came in.

"They're all... chicks?" Indeed the line did seem to be made of primarily females. The occasional well dressed male breaking the seemingly endless streak of women.

"Isn't that like, batshit backward?"

"One would think so." Gaara said.

"Hey, Ayame." Gaara waved over the waitress who had just come up the stairs with another pot of fresh coffee.

'Bless her.' Gaara loaded his cup up with the pot once more.

"What do you know about the club over there?" Both eyes of the duo fixed on the endless line of people dressed up to go in.

"You mean the Lotus Bomb? It's like the biggest thing happening right now in the Konoha Nightlife. How do you not know about it?!"

Naruto cut him off before he got a chance to speak.

"Princess here doesn't get out much, he just broods in his room. And as for me." Naruto brought his attention back to the waitress. "Seems kinda girly. Doesn't it? Not my scene."

"Nothing's your scene if Sakura is just going to humiliate you in public regardless... idiot."

"Hey watch it-"

"Well actually." Ayame waited for the two to stop squabbling before continuing.

"It's kinda like a Sadie Hawkins kinda thing. All women are allowed, but males have to be escorted by a woman. Miss Yamanaka seems to be a bit more pro-woman than the average lady."

"You've met her?"

"Of course. She hosts every night without fail."

'That's definitely different. Explains why Shikamaru hasn't seen her lately.'

"She comes and greets as many couples as she can. She used to bring this really handsome pale guy with her, but he stopped coming some time ago. "Sai" something I think?"

"Makes since why there are so many chicks then. But do you have to dress like that tool to get in?" Naruto pointed a questioning finger at one of the guys in line, who happens to be sporting a tacky hot pink suit, matching the female on his left who wore the same offending color.

'If my eyes could vomit...'

Ayame held back her laughter with a blanketed hand to the mouth.

"Oh God no. But a suit of some sort is required." Ayame continued to laugh freely as she headed back downstairs to check on the other customers.

The two looked across the table at each other for a moment before Naruto broke the ice.

"Well. You heard her." The blonde rose and stair yes heading towards the staircase.

"And where do you think you're going?"

"To the payphone out back."

"To call who? Death incarnate."Gaara followed suit.

"Sakura is going to murder me when she finds out what we've been up today. AND that I need her to bring me on a date."

xXx

The phone call itself went about as expected. The pinkette in question had been yelling mercilessly through the phone at her "moronic" boyfriend for all the shit he'd gotten into.

" How'd it go?"

Naruto simply responded by digging in his assaulted ear with a pinkie.

"Just great... although I think both ears are fucked up now."

"So is she coming?" Gaara had been watching his friend be verbally abused for what seemed like an eternity, but what was in reality about 5 minutes.

Naruto sat down next to his friend on the pavement.

"She wants me out by next week."

"HAH!"

Hell froze over as Gaara began the impossible again. But this time his arm was met by a barrage of punches from Naruto.

"Hey, HEY! She's a bitch anyway! Stop your crying."

"Dick! At least I had a better chance of getting a date than your antisocial ass."

'Oh really?' Gaara said nothing as he made his way to the payphone and dialed a number.

"Yes, Tenten?" Naruto listened closely to Gaara's side of the conversation.

"We're going on a date, k? Mhm. Meet me at Ichiraku at nine-"

"There's no fucking way-" Naruto was busy mumbling under his breath in annoyance from the apparent success of Gaara's conversation.

"Oh and bring a suit for me and Naruto from the north side shop." The conversation went on for about another minute before he said his goodbyes and hung up, walking back over to his friend.

"See? Easy."

"I really think I hate you."

"Ah. And here I thought I was such a loveable guy."

"So what am I supposed to do then? Be the biggest third wheel ever?"

"She's bringing that Hinata girl you should've asked out in the first place."

Hinata being another girl that worked at their main coffee shop. A beautiful indigo haired girl that was obviously head over heels for the unknowing blonde. Gaara knew his relationship with Sakura was doomed for failure, but reluctantly he kept his opinion to himself and let him pursue the pink haired girl without discouragement.

"You got me a date?

"Unless you'd rather play the girl as my date."

"You? You really think you'd be the guy?? Fat fucking chance-"

"You're welcome." Gaara laid back on the ground in the security of the well secluded ally. Taking in the setting sun and the sound of the bustling Konoha streets. He casually fished out a joint from his front flannel pocket.

"Well, I'm sure as hell not doing this sober. That many people might literally make me combust." Gaara held out a hand to his friend who always seemed to have some form of fire on him, be it matches or a lighter.

"Do you really think she did it?" Naruto mentioned of course, Ino, as he passed Gaara his favorite frog lighter.

"If she did." Gaara took the first puff before passing it over to Naruto. "Then Tsunade will have justice served."

"Let's... let's not mention her until it's done." Naruto took a drag as he too found himself on the floor, looking up into bleeding blend of red and orange. The almost painted sunset being the first calming moment in a day of complete chaos.

Gaara could only be there for his friend as he silently grieved.

"Of course. Until it's done."

"Man." Naruto closed his eyes as he propped his feet up upon one another. Taking in the peace of the moment. "Today fucking sucks."

XXX

"I look fucking stupid." Naruto fidgeted with the orange tie choking at his collar.

"What else is new?" Gaara retorted as he adjusted his own suit.

"Ok, fucking try me shorty. I've had enough of your shit today!-"

"I think it looks good Naruto. Here, let me help you." Tenten assisted the disgruntled man with the task.

Meanwhile, Gaara smoothed over his own black suit in the mirror. Fixing a perfect knot in his blood red tie. Taking care to make his hair especially disheveled and that his black cufflinks were perfectly in place.

The group was currently occupying the top floor of Ichiraku Ramen, which doubled as a living space. Ayame had been kind enough to let the duo stay there for the remainder of the night as a favor to Naruto.

"And what about you handsome, need some help?"

'Undressing maybe.'

"Sure." Gaara discreetly undid his tie before he turned around.

"I can't seem to get this tie down."

"Well, I can help with that." Tenten gracefully closed the gap between them, standing up on the tips of her toes to reach the hem of Gaara's collar. Her hands carefully pulled him to her level as she fixed his tie, all the while keeping her eyes on his.

It came out even better the second time.

"You know, this might have been pretty nice if it was a real date." She said, giving him a wink before pulling away.

"What makes you think it's not?"

"Gaara don't tease, I know you're working..."

"I'm not the tease."

Tenten wore a beautiful strapless Manila dress that stopped short of her knees. Her typical double buns were let down into a long stream of chocolate brown hair that complemented her modest heels of the same manila shade.

"Oh stop, you'll make me blush-"

"Uhh, you know I can step out if you guys want." Naruto motioned over his shoulder to the door.

"No need. Hinata should be here soon anyway." Tenten answered quickly, distancing herself from Gaara.

'God damn it Naruto...'

"Hey." Naruto was spinning around in front of the mirror. Looking himself over without the jacket on.

"Where the hell are you keeping your guns in this damn thing??"

xXx

Hinata showed up at exactly 9:30. She dressed in a strapped midnight blue dress that parted in the middle, dipping dangerously close to her lower back. Black flats were on her feet and shiny black studs were on either earlobe. Her hair done up in a simple bun atop her head.

"...Wow." Naruto's jaws was agape at the sight of her.

"Naruto be polite. Either close your mouth or say hello." Gaara gave him a rough punch to the shoulder before the blonde responded.

"S-sorry." Naruto snapped out of whatever temporary world he'd been caught in.

"Hey, Hinata. You look great!" He wasted no time embracing her. The hug being well received.

"Th-thank you Naruto. You look very handsome." The girl seemed about ready to pass out from the excess attention. "Um, Naruto... what is that?" Naruto quickly released the girl at her question.

"Oh yeah. That..." Naruto made his signature goofy smile as he rubbed both hands on the back of his head.

'Did this idiot really keep his gun in his waistband?! There are thigh rigs for a reason.'

"Would you believe me if I said I was just happy to see you?"

There was silence, but the ultimate result was Hinata's blood red face at his brash question.

"Umm, Hinata?"

And then the slight thump as she hit the floor.

"Hinata! I was just kidding, I'm so sorry! Look." Naruto was busy waving the now fallen girl in his arms, trying to cool her down from her sudden fainting spell.

"It's my pistol! See?" Naruto waved the barreta he had concealed on his waist. But the result of this was less than favorable.

"It's harmless-"

"Naruto! Why on earth do you have a gun?!"

'Oh boy. Here we go.'

The blonde thought long and hard before he answered. Helping the girl up off of the ground as he dusted down her disheveled frame.

"... protection?"

Tenten distracted Gaara for a while while the disaster of a conversation ensued.

"So why don't you guys just tell her what's going on?" Tenten asked as she gently nudged Gaara in the side.

"To say the girl Is a bit frail would be an understatement. It's probably best if she doesn't know. And besides" Gaara reached for a small glass of whiskey he'd prepared for himself, bringing it casually to his lips for his first sip of many. "You see how out of it he is? He can't trust anybody in this condition. And I'm not sure she'd be too excepting of our "bad boy" lifestyle like you are."

"I never said I liked bad boys..." Tenten muttered under her breath.

"Well, you never said you didn't either." Gaara ignored the stare he got for his bold comment as he finished his glass. Choosing to focus on the diminished wellbeing of his friend.

It was true. The day's events had taken a toll on the young man. With a death in the family and the added burden of having your own life in danger; it was no wonder why he was distressed as well as hesitant to trust anyone. His eyes where still brashly red from held tears and strange clouds. But he seemed to be trying to at least hold it together. Doing his best by bearing a fake, heavy smile and kicking back glasses of whiskey.

"Do you think that he should maybe slow down?" Tenten could more clearly see through Naruto's facade after Gaara's explanation and it raised her concern.

Naruto's stature was noticeably uncoordinated.

"Nope." Gaara looked at the emptiness of his own glass before pouring himself another.

"Um?" Tenten's facial expression begged an explanation.

'Large crowds make me nervous as hell, but she doesn't need to know that.'

"This mission is purely for recon. I'd rather we both played the part. I'm not exactly the most... "social."

"I suppose that explains why it took you so long to ask me on a date then." Her snide remark, however, didn't go unnoticed.

Gaara only smirked at her as he continued to fly through his next glass.

'Definitely still got it.'

"Interesting choice of words."

"Wait a minute! I didn't mean-"

"Hey, shorty! let's get this show on the road already." Naruto was anxious and ready to get things started. Waiting impatiently at the door for the duo, a nervous looking Hinata on his arm. "I don't have all night."

XXX

The line to the Lotus Bomb was jam packed at this point. Wrapping around the nearby street corner on onward for another block or so. Bodies on top of bodies huddled together on the tight street side to get into the place and almost no one seemed to mind the wait.

Except for Naruto.

"How in the hell is this place so packed on a MONDAY?"

Naruto has been through a lot that day and it didn't seem to be getting much better. His mother figure was announced dead, his own brother had to assist him in his outlaw lifestyle, he'd been shot at on multiple occasions, his budding relationship with Sakura had come to a train wreck of a halt, and to top it off. He was still sky high and increasingly intoxicated as he stood in an uncomfortably hot suit, on an uncomfortably hot day, on the most uncomfortable day of the fucking week.

The line moved for the first time in ten minutes, moving the group of four forward about two feet.

"Man I fucking hate lines..." he muttered.

Hinata was borderline supporting the man at this point, tactfully keeping him afloat as she wrapped a gentle arm around his waist and guided him forward.

"Naruto, maybe you should slow down a bit." Hinata's concern didn't go unnoticed as Naruto gently squeezed back with his hand draped over her shoulder.

"Trust me Hinata, you don't want him to do that. He'll be just fine." Gaara spoke for him when the blonde didn't answer.

Instead, he straightened up a bit as he pulled a small silver flask from his jacket pocket and took a swig. A gift from his late mother.

"Yeah Hinata, I'll be A, ok." Naruto said with a little more enthusiasm, completely with an over the top hand motion for "ok" and putting on a big smile as not to upset the girl.

'If he doesn't pass out before we get in.'

Gaara himself wasn't exactly... himself either. The prospect of large crowds didn't tend to sit well with him. Resulting in a great deal of indulgence on his part as well. Alcohol relaxed him and made it easier for him to open up to banter and other silly social activities. The later being the lighthearted flirting he did with Tenten as they waited.

Gaara and Naruto entertained their dates with conversation for another ten minutes before being interrupted by a large ape of a man in a black suit.

"Good evening Miss Hyūga. If you and your party would follow me to the front, we'll let you in immediately. Misses Yamanaka doesn't want such important social figures to have to wait in line."

"Oh! That's very kind of her." Hinata smiled up at her surprised date." Shall we?"

'Admittedly there was a tactical reason behind suggesting Hinata come with us. But I don't think he'll put two and two together.'

Gaara in fact referred to Hinata's rather luxurious home life. Yes, she worked a humble job as a barista, but it was more to keep her busy while she attended school. She was 22 and easily one of the richest individuals in Konoha due to her father's impressive career as a high profile lawyer for many celebrities. Kakashi Hatake, Itachi Uchiha, and most importantly.

Inoichi Yamanaka.

xXx

The inside of the building was just as impressive as the hype. The lights were dimmed and the music was loud. But it didn't take away from the stunning decor that was in place. All white everything, full murals on the ceiling and a solid marble flooring. More a spot for rich people to lounge than a club. No later than after finding a table, their target arrived to greet them.

The devil herself was dressed head to toe in Prada.

xXx

Thoughts? Mistakes? Read, review, and (hopefully) enjoy. My revise is almost done for the next set.

-ST