With the promise of Sakura's return in a few hours to collect her for the check-up with Tsunade, Ino sighed as she plopped onto her bed. She was finally home, and she was finally alone. She was mentally exhausted and craved time to herself to think about the events that took place over the last two days. Suddenly, flush from the remembrance of Neji being so close to her, Ino took a deep breath, trying not to think about how good his body felt against hers. Trying to ignore the tingles she felt deep within her core at the sudden shock of feeling his arousal press against her sensitive center. Trying to forget the teasing nibbles along her bottom lip, and the penetrating gaze he always leveled at her.
Feeling her temperature rise, Ino sat up and opened the balcony doors, closing her eyes as the fresh outdoor breeze wafted over her fevered body. Staring out the opened doors, she found herself tracing her bottom lip with her fingertips, still imagining the pull of his teeth, butterflies fluttering in her stomach at the realization of how close their mouths were. She felt the trademark pull of attraction, that much was obvious, what she hadn't anticipated was how unexpectedly strong it was.
Neji was intense, fever inducing, and awfully full of surprises.
She thirsted for his touch, wanting so badly to feel his body against hers once more, curious of what pleasures await her at the end of his fingertips. Ino had told herself she would think over his indecent proposal, knowing she could easily say no. However, she found herself entertaining the idea just for the hell of it, wanting to stifle her inhibitions and see if he held up against his own word.
"Satisfaction will be a two way street."
Would Neji really satisfy her?
The thought was tempting, and honestly had her imagining the possibilities of their arrangement. She had tried many times, but finding pleasure at the hands of another was more difficult than she could have ever anticipated. Most men would promise her one thing, and deliver quite the opposite. So what was she to expect from Neji? Would he be like all the others, or would he be... different? Ino hoped she would be pleasantly surprised, and then it dawned on her.
Here she was, fanning herself while thinking of the possibilities with this man, when she blatantly told herself she would just think about it. It was clear she already had her decision made, all she had to do was follow through. She silently wondered how anyone would go about telling someone something like that. It's not like she could bring it up over dinner in front of everyone, and they don't exactly make 'Yes, I've agreed to be your secret sex friend' greeting cards, so neither of those options would work. It appeared as if she would need to get creative.
Glancing at the clock, Ino gave herself a determined nod, clapping her hands together as she went about getting ready for this evening. She had just a few hours before dinner, and she had so much to do! Assuming he would also be at dinner tonight, she bit her lip, feeling equal parts excited and anxious at the prospect of seeing him again. Still, she would have to find a way to convey her decision to him somehow... or perhaps she would make him wait. As fun as it would be, she wondered if she, herself, had the patience and resolve to wait it out.
Although she had known him for years, Ino had only recently been forced to look at her colleague in a whole new light. No longer the safe and platonic friendship, he was now a haunting vision of lust, more than capable of flustering her nerves and rattling her cage. She was drawn, simply a moth to a flame, chasing after the promise of satisfaction. He was like an invasive weed in her garden, try as she might, she just couldn't get rid of him. He kept popping up, each attempt to vanquish his presence only bringing about more, and soon, she found herself consumed by him.
Digging through her closet for something tantalizing to wear, Ino silently wondered if she, too, was in his thoughts just as often. Of course, she had only witnessed a brief moment inside that thought process of his, but was it a fluke, or something more?
Pushing silly questions aside, she quickly made her selection and started the shower, grateful that steam quickly enveloped the tiny bathroom. She wanted to hurry and get through her shower routine so she could focus on getting ready. Ino wanted to knock his socks off tonight, wanted to taunt him and make his mouth water for her. Call it selfish, but she wanted him to have a hard time getting her out of his head, only wishing he, too, could feel the same way she was feeling at the moment.
Based on what few details she actually ascertained from their little mishap, Ino clearly knew to play up her assets. If he liked looking at her cleavage, she would give him an eye full. If he liked staring at her ass, she would make sure it was on display. Besides, they were going to a fancy new restaurant, surely she wouldn't be overdressed and look out of place in what she had picked out, so it was perfect. She only hoped he brought his appetite, because dinner was about to be served.
"My, my. Don't we look lovely," Tsunade commented, her honey eyes darting between the two women standing in front of her desk. "A little formal for a check-in, isn't it?"
"We've got dinner reservations with friends after this, Tsunade-sama," Ino explained, offering a polite smile.
"I see. Some place nice, I imagine?" the Hokage inquired, giving their outfits a second glance.
"We've been wanting to try the new place, Matcha Lily," Sakura confirmed, fidgeting under the close scrutiny of her mentor.
"Very well then, I won't keep you long," Tsunade responded, folding her manicured hands together. "Yamanaka, any more misfires to report?"
"No, ma'am."
"So, just the one incident from yesterday, correct?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Well, that is good news. Is there anything else I should know?"
"Um, what do you mean?" Ino replied shakily, feeling her heart rate increase.
"Is there anything else I should know about what happened yesterday? Any other side effects or mishaps?"
"No, ma'am. Nothing that I can think of. I feel fine."
"I'm glad you are feeling better, just take it easy for the next few days. If anything else happens, report to me at once. Understood?"
"Yes, Tsunade-sama."
"Dismissed," the curt blonde announced, waiving the pair off.
As they made their leave, Ino released a sigh of relief. Thankfully, the threat of head splitting migraines and random mind transfers were behind her. One eye opening experience was enough for her, especially since she was still dealing with the aftermath of what occurred. Again, her thoughts returned the Neji. She was nervous, yet giddy. Like an academy student on their first day, not knowing what lay ahead of them, but happy to be there and ready for anything.
Readjusting herself inside the low cut front of her halter dress, Ino made sure everything was in its place. The short black dress revealed her ample cleavage, and hugged her body tightly, the high slit on the thigh giving passersby glimpses of her long, toned legs. She had noticed the stares they had received from Kotetsu and Izumo upon entering and leaving the Hokage's office, and it had brought a proud smile to her face. Surely this dress would earn her the attention of a certain someone else tonight. She was serving herself on another silver platter for him, but would he help himself? And would he want seconds? The idea was beginning to make her mouth water.
"So where is this place?" Ino inquired, as she and Sakura made their way through the thinning crowd.
It was the tail end of the dinner rush, and it seemed like everyone was in a hurry to get home. The sun was setting, coating everything in its bright orange glaze as it was swallowed by the horizon. Ino felt the warmth of its light against her bare back wane as they walked towards the downtown district. It was the more historical part of Konoha, but at night, was home to the swankiest eateries and bars. It was an odd juxtaposition of old meets new, but at night, it offered a lush sense of atmosphere.
"It should be up here on the left," Sakura grinned with excitement, "I've heard great things about this place, and can't wait to try it."
"Oh, is this the new place Hinata was talking about last week?" Ino questioned, flipping the hair out of her face.
"Yep, that's the one!" Sakura laughed nervously, trying not to notice the stares the two were receiving as they made their way down the street. "Ino, are you sure I look okay?"
"Are you kidding me? You look stunning, Forehead!" Ino enthused, loving how the color and cut of the dress complimented Sakura's features. "This totally suits you. Much better than that tired old dress I've seen you wear for the last three years."
Ino was a sucker for a makeover, but she had to admire her handy work, the girl looked good. That's why when Sakura had arrived in the same potato sack of a dress she'd always worn, it made her want to cry. Sakura was all business and no pleasure these days, and her wardrobe was in serious need of updating. She never understood why that woman refused to embrace the inner sex goddess that she knew lurked beneath the surface, long forgotten.
With another dive into her closet, Ino found a strapless dress she had bought without trying on, only to find out the cup size was a bit too snug for her liking. Unfortunately, she had already removed the tags, so returning it was no longer an option. Luckily, it fit Sakura like a glove, the soft Merlot fabric hugging her curves in all the right places. After a bit of makeup, Sakura was ready for their evening out. After all, if she was going full glam tonight, her sidekick needed to look the part as well.
Sakura's natural beauty was enviable, but she enjoyed seeing her friend light up at the sight of herself all dolled up. She had to imagine Sakura rarely got the opportunity to do it herself working at the hospital as much as she did. Sometimes, all it takes are a couple of small tweaks to give yourself a boost of confidence. Perhaps, she would keep that in mind when it came to Hinata.
"Here we are," Sakura's voice chimed in, interrupting Ino's internal rambling.
Looking around, Ino was shocked to see so many people lined up waiting for a table. Fearing how long it might take them to seat a party of eleven, Ino was regretting her choice of footwear. She had picked the tallest heel she had, wanting her legs to look extra long and appetizing tonight. However, standing in them for hours was not something she was so keen on doing.
Before she could seek out a chair or bench to sit on, Ino spotted their group. Waving as she made eye contact with Tenten, Shino, Hinata and Kiba, the pair of beauties made their way over to their spot in line.
"They told us it would be at least an hour... an HOUR," Kiba growled, rubbing his stomach.
"Next time, I'll definitely try to get us a reservation," Hinata confessed, her head falling forward like she had failed everyone.
"Don't worry about it, Hina-chan," Tenten reassured, giving the shy Hyuga a slap on the knee, "Besides, it's nice to have the time to catch up with everyone."
"Speaking of," Ino interjected, "Where is everyone else?"
"They should be here soon. I told everyone eight o'clock, sharp," Tenten shrugged, looking at her watch.
Ino was glad they had spent the extra time getting ready, it seemed as if everyone else was also dressed to impress. Tenten was wearing a sleeveless white silk cheongsam with an intricate black and purple floral design, she had even curled her hair, pulling one side back with an ornate jade hair comb.
Shino was wearing his standard goggle glasses, but opted for a navy dinner jacket and slacks, as did Kiba, who donned almost the same outfit, but in black. Kiba had even slicked his long, shaggy hair back, making the fanged man appear uncharacteristically polished and refined.
Even Hinata wore a new dress, practically glowing under the paper lanterns strung outside, as the light reflected off the beading of her silver floor length gown. With the dark purple shawl around her shoulders, and her long tresses curled and side swept, Hinata looked quite picturesque. She looked absolutely stunning, no doubt, trying to steal the eyes of a certain whisker-faced man.
"Everyone looks so nice!" Ino beamed, feeling a sudden nudge to each arm.
"Why, thank you," Shikamaru and Choji gloated in unison, happy to see their teammate.
"Choji, you're back!" she exclaimed, hugging him as if he'd been gone for years.
"It's only been a few days, Ino. Besides, you know I can't turn down a dinner invite," the burly bearded man chuckled, glad to be back home with his teammates.
As he spoke, Ino smiled into the red fabric of his dress shirt, enjoying one of his warm and healing hugs she had become accustomed to over the years. She had missed the big lovable teddy bear, and was glad to see him again. She thought it was admirable how he and Karui had agreed to take turns visiting each other since they still lived in separate villages, but she secretly hoped Karui would hurry up and move to Konoha. She had already lost her sensei and her father, she didn't want to experience the absence of a teammate as well.
Breaking their hug, Ino released her arms from around his neck, barely catching a glimpse of two familiar faces walking towards them. Turning to give Shikamaru a hug as well, Ino locked eyes with the man she had been waiting to see all day, watching as he gracefully approached, looking especially handsome in his black formal kimono. She smiled coyly at him, appreciating the handsome sight before her, but noted the slight frown tugging at the corners of his mouth as he watched her.
"You guys finally made it!" Tenten clapped, motioning for them to hurry to her side.
"We would've been here sooner, but somebody wanted to stop and pick flowers," Neji griped, folding his arms over his chest.
"Flowers hold so much beauty, it would be a shame if a beauty were not to hold them," Lee recited smoothly, producing a bouquet from behind his back, extending them to Sakura with a cheesy grin and a wink.
Sure they were mostly wild flowers and weeds, but it was the thought that counted, right? Ino admired his devotion to her friend, and the flowers were a nice touch. At least it showed he was thinking of her, and thought she was beautiful.
"Thank you, Lee," Sakura remarked, taking the bouquet and admiring them. "They're beautiful."
"Was it worth it?" Neji questioned the man in the green tang suit, scoffing as he watched Sakura awkwardly try to figure out what to do with the wad of plants.
"Some people like flowers..." Ino defended, keeping the bright smile on her face. It was such a kind gesture, Neji should be taking notes, not making Lee feel bad.
Briefly, their eyes locked, causing Ino's heart to flutter as a chill rolled down her back. Trying to act unbothered, she turned her attention towards her teammates, blending into the conversation easily. They babbled on about what they were going to order for dinner, but Ino wasn't thinking too hard about it, choosing to keep her periphery focused on the the tall man in black. She watched him like a hawk, noticing how his gaze kept returning to her, even as the queue shuffled forward, he always adjusted his position to keep her in his line of sight.
That spell, however short lived, was broken once she saw Hinata's downcast expression between the shoulders of Shikamaru and Choji. She seemed more interested in the ground than conversing with her teammates. Every now and then she would look up, watching the corner at the end of the block, before returning to her feet. It was sad to watch her suffer silently, living each day with the weight of your thoughts and feelings, unable to voice them. Hinata had finally gathered enough courage to set up this entire evening, in the hopes of spending some time with the tangerine tactician, yet, he was nowhere to be seen.
Closing her eyes, she focused on her surroundings. Over the babble of the crowd around her, through the clicking of footsteps of those traveling the streets behind her, Ino launched her wide net of surveying chakra, looking for a specific signature. His chakra was so dense and exponentially greater than any other living soul in this village, it did not take her long to pick it out. He was close, and she quickly identified what was holding him up.
Squeezing through her teammates, she approached Hinata, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"He's on his way, don't worry," she whispered, smiling at her friend warmly.
"He seems busy, maybe tonight wasn't a good time," Hinata confessed, having already sensed the crowd that surrounded the approaching man.
"You gotta start somewhere, Hinata. It's not like his fan club is going to eat dinner with us, I'm sure you'll have an opportunity."
"Yeah, I guess you're right," she nodded in response, trying on a faint smile.
"Oi! Naruto!" Kiba shouted over the crowd, waving his arms to signal the group's location.
After signing a few autographs and taking a photo with a young boy, Naruto waived good bye, and jogged over to where they all stood in line. Immediately, he hugged Kiba, Shikamaru, and Sakura, waiving energetically to the rest of the group that was still enjoying some light chitchat.
"A bow tie? Really, Naruto?" Kiba teased, inspecting the crimson knot with his hands.
"What? The saleswoman said it was 'classy' evening wear," Naruto pouted, straightening the bow and running a hand through his loose blonde locks.
Ino was impressed, never knowing Naruto to own anything remotely close to being called 'evening wear.' But she had to admit, he cleaned up nicely. Instead of sweats or a track suit in a hideous color, he wore a crisp white button down with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, a pair of dress khakis and a vintage orange vest. And to complete his ensemble, he donned the surprising red bow tie. It was an unexpected touch, but one he did justice. Judging by the blush on Hinata's face, she approved of the new look as well.
"You look handsome, Naruto-kun," Hinata offered quietly, her hands wringing the ends of her shawl as she spoke.
"Thank you," Naruto bowed, "See? Even Hinata likes it."
"Yeah, she does," Kiba chuckled, nudging Shino in the ribs with his elbow.
With a confused look spreading across Naruto's face, Ino decided it was time for a quick change of topic.
"So," she blurted, "You haven't missed much, the hostess told us it was going to be at least an hour before our party could be seated, and that was some time ago. Why don't you and Hinata go see how much longer it's going to be, hm?"
"O-okay..." Naruto drawled, his brow raising at Ino's odd suggestion.
"Great! Now you kids run along," Ino hurried, giving Hinata a wink when she looked back apprehensively.
"What was that all about?" Choji pondered aloud, turning his head towards Ino.
"It was nothing, I just want to know how much longer I'm going to have to stand in these shoes."
"Uh huh," Shikamaru sighed, shoving his hands into the pockets of his dark slacks.
"Shut it, Shika. Don't give me that look."
"What is it?" Choji pleaded, glancing back and forth between his two teammates that were still locked in a stare down.
"Don't you see, Choji? Ino is forcing those two together, as if matchmaking was a forte of hers."
"Yeah, but... don't those two like each other?"
"Oh, Choji. We all know Hinata has been in love with Naruto for years, but he is completely oblivious. See, Ino believes that if you have feelings for someone, you should just spring it on them."
"There's nothing wrong with telling someone how you feel," Ino boasted, watching the pair make their way towards the hostess.
"No, you're right, there isn't. However, to just spring it on an unsuspecting person... in public... around a large group of friends... that has disaster written all over it. Do you think Hinata would be able to handle that?"
Shit. That damned genius was right.
Clicking her tongue, Ino turned her attention back to her team. With a roll of her eyes, she threw her hands up in the air, frustrated with the entire conversation.
"I'm just trying to help," the huffy blonde admitted, choosing to relocate beside Sakura, who looked like she was trying to endure a lively conversation with Lee.
All she wanted to do was help Hinata, she just forgot how delicate the woman's feelings could be. Her moods were fickle enough as it was, so she needed to think less like herself, and more like Hinata. Maybe tonight wasn't the ideal environment for a full confession, but at the very least, they would hit it off over dinner. She would just have to make sure they sat beside each other.
As she whispered to Sakura about getting the two to sit together, Ino was fully aware of who was standing just behind her now. Sure, he might have had his back to her while he talked with Tenten about their upcoming mission, but there were only a few inches separating their bodies while they stood in line. Every flick of her hair brushed against his back, earning her a sideways glance over his shoulder. Once she had his attention, she would always find a reason to bend over, giving the man a better look at her hindquarters.
Whether she was whispering bits of her plan into Sakura's ear, or adjusting the ankle strap on her shoe, Ino enjoyed seeing him stare at her backside so openly. At one point, they had briefly grazed each other, her spine stiffening as she felt the palpable charge between them ignite. The attraction was undeniable, and she found herself enjoying this game of cat and mouse a little too much, feeling her blood rush through her body, heating her cheeks. The fever had returned, and she hoped they would soon be seated, as she fanned herself and prayed for the sweet relief of the air conditioned interior of the restaurant.
As if her silent prayers had been answered, Naruto and Hinata reappeared to let the group know their table was ready. They cheered in unison, and slowly made their way through the crowd towards the door. As the jumble of friends fell into a single file line at the entrance, Ino felt a large hand skim across her lower back, guiding her.
"After you," Neji's deep voice breathed, the warmth of his breath tickling her shoulder as it fanned out across her skin.
A quiet 'thank you' was all she could muster as she swallowed harshly. Her mouth had gone dry all of a sudden, and she was glad they would at least be getting something to drink soon.
As they made their way through the interior of Matcha Lily, Ino was in awe. It was, in a word, chic.
Dim cascading chandeliers hung over tables cloaked in heavy linens, a single lily in a glass vase dotting each one. The terrazzo floors glittered beneath her feet, their intricate patterns of rich green stones and tiles mesmerizing her as she followed the group to the large U-shaped booth they were being seated at.
Thankfully, Naruto and Hinata had started to fill in one side of the booth, and ended up right beside each other. But with her and Neji bringing up the rear of the group, they also were seated beside each other. Upon taking her seat, she felt Neji slide in beside her, their thighs briefly touching. They were so close, she could feel his body heat on the bare skin of her legs, suddenly making her very nervous. Trapped together inside the booth, she knew there was no escape. She was stuck.
"So, we ask for a table, and were told it'd be at least an hour. But Naruto shows up, and suddenly a table is available. How does that happen?" Kiba jested, opening his menu.
"Everyone loves Naruto, Kiba. Keep up, will ya?" Shikamaru explained, loving the look Ino shot him across the table.
"I don't know about all that," Naruto laughed, scratching the back of his head sheepishly, "All I did was ask about our table."
"I don't care what magic you used, I'm just glad we get to eat now," Tenten chimed in, having already picked out her meal.
Once the waiter returned with their drinks, they took turns placing their orders. The menu offered a pristine selection of Asian cuisine, and even some high end takes on such classics like ramen and yakitori. There was truly something for everyone here, and Ino was very impressed with their variety of floral teas, opting to try the blooming Jasmine tea.
As she watched the ball of dried leaves spring to life in the clear glass tea pot, she was captivated. The hot water worked quickly to reanimate the blossom, which unfurled and began to swell, steeping the water with its aromatic fragrance. It was truly a beautiful process to watch unfold. She was so distracted by the drama in her tea pot that she barely had enough time to pick out her entrée before it was her turn to order, ultimately deciding on the spicy tuna and summer vegetables.
With food on the way, the table erupted in conversation and laughter. It was nice to see everyone together like this, especially these days. So much had happened over the last few years, but even after so much change, it was nice to enjoy a slice of the good ol' days. Humming with delight into her cup, Ino took a mental picture of the group at the table, hoping this would remain a wonderful memory for her to look back on.
With the Hokage hopeful sitting at their table, his celebrity ushered a few fans their way, as the jovial blonde was totally unbothered by their requests of autographs and high-fives. It was charming to see the former social pariah be so accepted by the village that once shunned him, but it probably didn't help Hinata feel more comfortable by his side. She could never seem to find her voice before, and now she probably didn't feel like her voice, alone, would be loud enough. Naruto was a very hot commodity these days, and everyone was after his attention, she just hopped Hinata would make a move before someone else did.
For Ino, the only moves she felt were the brushing of Neji's elbow against hers, or the graze of his leg against her as he adjusted his feet beneath the table. He had yet to speak to her since they sat down, and she was beginning to grow restless. She needed a sign, any sign, from him that she was on his mind.
She wanted to whisper a simple 'yes' in the man's ear, but where was the fun in that? Besides, he probably didn't want anyone wondering what they were whispering about anyway, so she was simply going along with that part of his proposition. If she was lucky, maybe he would offer to walk her home after dinner. Then, she would see to it that he got his answer.
As the food arrived, the table grew quiet as everyone dove into their meals. They were famished and the food was beyond perfect. She could overhear Choji tell Shikamaru he planned to bring Karui here on a date as she enjoyed the spicy tuna, which practically melted in her mouth. She wanted to take this opportunity to suggest that it might be best for Karui to relocate to Konoha so that he could bring her as much as he wanted, but the appearance of a hand on her thigh stopped all thoughts in their track.
Slowly, the warm hand slipped beneath the slit in her dress, and rested fully on her inner thigh. Taking a sip of her ice water, she cleared her throat, trying not to act affected. She watched Neji continue to eat with his other hand as if nothing was going on beneath the table cloth, amazed at how easily he could pull it off. Taking another bite of her own meal, she continued to act unfazed, playing along with whatever this was shaping up to be.
Smiling to herself, she made the necessary preparations for her Mind Transmission technique, using the contact between them to communicate telepathically, unbeknownst to the rest of the table.
"What are you doing?" her voice echoed inside his head, Neji giving her a quick glance as their mental connection was established.
"I wanted to touch you."
"Here? In front of everyone?"
"No one can see my hand."
"But why? What are you thinking?"
"You, of all people, should know what I'm thinking. You know what I want."
"I also know what you don't want."
"Details, woman. Details."
"You're unbelievable, you know that?"
"You're gorgeous, but you know that, right?"
"..."
"How could you not? You know what you're doing with that dress."
"And what is that?"
"You're tempting me. You've been doing it all night."
"Have not!"
"Lie to me all you want, but I know the truth. Just admit it."
"Maybe I just felt like teasing you, did you ever think about that?"
"All the time."
"..."
"Do you ever think about it?"
"Yes..."
"Then tell me."
"What am I supposed to say, exactly?"
"Tell me your decision. I need to know."
"..."
"Stop biting that lip, and answer me."
"Hey, Ino, how's the spicy tuna?" Choji asked from across the table, noticing the flush of color on her cheeks.
"I-it's... pretty hot..." she admitted breathlessly, reaching for her ice water and taking a few large gulps.
At being pulled out of their secret conversation by Choji's question, Ino had hurriedly disconnected her mental link with Neji, much to his dismay. His grip on her thigh tightening when he realized she was no longer tapped in, but eventually letting up as he finished his plate.
"I might try that next time," Neji interjected with a sly smile, "What you have looks delicious, and I do like it spicy."
Taken aback by his divulgence, Ino stared at him as if he had sprouted a second head. But before anyone could notice, everyone seemed to chime in and agree. She wanted to slink beneath the table and crawl out of this place. She felt the skin of her face flush with a fresh supply of blood, the fever returning to her once again.
The rest of their evening was relatively uneventful, everyone having been caught up in conversation. Neji was going over the mission schedule with his team, while her and Sakura gossiped about random goings on at the hospital. Every now and then, a young academy hopeful would come over and request something from Naruto. It was adorable, really, but Ino could see how closed off Hinata had become over the course of their meal. She was deflating, and it had to be stopped.
Initially, they were falling right into Ino's plan. They had sat together and were making conversation, but kept getting interrupted before they could make it past small talk and pleasantries. It was frustrating enough to watch, and she couldn't imagine how Hinata must be feeling at this moment.
Perhaps Naruto would just need to walk her home, the long evening stroll back to the Hyuga mansion was sure to create some romantic alone time for the lovebirds. Who knows, maybe she would work up the nerve to kiss him goodnight for his valiant effort of seeing her home safely.
As dinner came to an end, the group paid their tab and came together one last time outside the restaurant. It was completely dark now, the quiet streets glowing beneath the incandescence of the paper lanterns. It had been such a wonderful evening out with friends, and everyone appeared to be in good spirits, even Hinata.
"Well," Tenten began, "It's been fun you guys, but we've got a mission in the morning, so I better be off. Neji, Lee, walk me home will ya? We've got a few more details to cover before the morning."
As she watched the three make their leave, Ino sighed, having missed her chance to have a certain someone walk her home. But, it couldn't be helped, work was work. Turning her attention back to the remainder of the group, she waived off Kiba and Shino who made their way towards the bar at the end of the street, both on the prowl for more than just a pint.
"I should be going too," Sakura chimed in, "I haven't been able to run any errands lately, so I need to stop by the grocery store while I'm out."
"Me too," Choji chuckled, giving Shikamaru and Ino a hug goodbye as he and Sakura made their leave. "I need stock up again. Nothing sadder than an empty pantry!"
Glaring at Shikamaru, Ino nodded towards Naruto and Hinata as if sending him a silent threat. With a slight eye roll, he gave her a slight nod in understanding. He didn't like meddling in other people's business, but he was sure if he didn't help Ino this time, he'd never hear the end of it.
"Thanks for hanging out, Naruto. I'm glad you could get away from the crowd to hang out with us nobodies for a while. We've missed you, buddy."
"Of course, you guys are my friends. I've been kinda lonely lately... training with Kakashi and learning diplomatic Hokage stuff is actually pretty boring. Hopefully it isn't all paperwork and late nights," the blonde laughed nervously.
"Don't sweat it, you'll do fine. Just keep up the good work, okay?"
"You know I will, good buddy."
"Look, Naruto... uh, I'm going to walk Ino home. Will you make sure Hinata gets home safely?"
"Sure, I guess that's fine. Why don't we all go together?"
"I, uh, would love to, but... I've gotta buy some flowers for my mom. Ino is gonna take me by the shop, so it's kinda out of the way for you two."
"Oh, okay. Tell your mom I said 'hi,' will ya? Tell her those cookies she sent me were amazing, I ate them all in one sitting!"
"Will do," Shikamaru promised, waving over his shoulder as the couples went their separate ways.
"Cookies?" Ino chortled, eyeing her teammate for more information.
"Yeah, she loves that kid. She's always sending him food and stuff these days. You know I've been to the store three times this week just to get her baking supplies? Such a pain."
"Aw, how come she never makes me any cookies?" Ino pouted.
"Because she knows you. When is the last time you even ate a cookie?"
"I don't know, actually... I'm trying to stay trim," she smirked, hands smoothing down over her hips.
"Exactly. She knows it'd just be a waste. Besides, why are you so determined to lose weight? You already look amazing. Even if you gained fifty pounds, you'd still be gorgeous."
"You shut your dirty mouth!" Ino exclaimed, terrified by that thought.
"It's true," Shikamaru insisted, watching her closely out of the corner of his eye.
"Yeah, yeah," she teased, nudging him playfully. "Now about these flowers..."