The next morning, Tenten was at her shop polishing everything very diligently. She wanted to make sure everything looked nice and tidy for Gaara's visit. She didn't know when he would be arriving, but Temari said sometime in the morning.
Temari had formulated a plan for the perfect timing. 'Gaara will arrive at Tente's shop around 11:00. He will spend around 45 minutes at the shop. Tenten can talk forever when it comes to ninja tools. Then it will be around lunchtime. He wants to go to Ichiraku for lunch. He doesn't know how to get to the new location, so he will ask Tenten. I hate to leave it to chance here, but it will be a test. He will either invite Tenten to come along or Tenten will walk him there so he won't get lost. PERFECT!'
Temari took Gaara and Shinki to do some sightseeing and when it was around 11, she said she needed to run some important errands before their visit to the hot spring district in the afternoon. Temari was worried that Shinki could ruin the plan since he was not too thrilled with the idea of sightseeing, but she needed to take a chance. "I am so sorry Gaara. I need to run this errand. Why don't you go to Tenten's shop and then get lunch at Ichiraku? I will meet you after lunch."
Gaara agreed to it, but he knew exactly what his sister was doing. She was not as smooth as she thought she was. A little disappointing coming from one of the most skilled battle strategists from the shinobi world. However, this time she was acting more like a nosy big sister which he did not mind.
He arrived at Tenten's shop. She warmly welcomed Gaara and Shinki. As Temari predicted, Tenten could talk forever about weapons. Shinki was already over the visit, but he was too polite to say anything, particularly because his father looked like he was genuinely interested in what Tenten was explaining. Shinki was right. Gaara found Tenten's passion for weapons fascinating. He was not that interested in the subject matter but fascinated by the way Tenten's eyes shined while explaining the mechanics of her favorite collectibles. He was so amazed that he ended up buying some weapons for himself.
Gaara: Thank you so much for your recommendations. You are very knowledgeable.
Tenten: My pleasure. I am sorry I took so much of your day. When I start talking about weapons I lose track of time.
Gaara: Don't be, please. I learned a lot. I will have to talk to Kankuro about implementing some of your recommendations. It is close to lunchtime. I wanted to take Shinki to Ichiraku for ramen. Could you please tell me the directions to get there?
Tenten: Of course. Just take a left here and walk straight for 4 blocks. You will see it.
Gaara: If you don't have any lunch plans, would you like to join us?
Tenten: Sure! I have not had ramen in a while. Since we are going for food, would you like to leave the weapons you bought here? I can put them in the back office?
Gaara: That'd be great. Thank you.
Shinki was confused. He has never seen his father going "shopping" for weapons. When Tenten went to the back he approached his father.
Shinki: Father, why did you buy weapons? Your sand is your only weapon.
Gaara: That is correct, son. I wanted to bring some samples to discuss with your uncle Kankuro for the procurement of new weaponry for our forces.
Shinki: I am unsure how the flying guillotine could be a good addition to our force.
Shinki was completely right. The flying guillotine was a collectible item, not an everyday weapon. He just got it because Tente said it was her favorite new acquisition. Gaara could sense that Shinki was suspicious. It was not like he was doing anything wrong, but he was unsure how to explain the situation to his son, so he completely avoided it. "It is productive to do light research while we are here. Please let's be polite to the shop owner. Tenten has been very attentive to us." An apologetic Shinki just replied, " I didn't mean to be less than polite. I would never be ungrateful to any of your friends." Gaara felt a little guilty hearing Shinki's words. He was right to question, but Gaara could not tell him, 'I like Tenten, so I want to buy weapons to have an excuse to visit her'.
Tenten came out from the back office and the whole group headed to Ichikaru. On the way there, they ran into Boruto.
Boruto: Hey man, Shikadai said that you were around. Wanna get a burger?
Shinki: I am going for lunch with my father and Miss Tenten.
Gaara: Would you like to come with us, Boruto? We are going to your father's favorite place.
Boruto: Oh, Ramen…Sure... It has been a while.
When they got to Ichirakus, the restaurant was very busy. Ayame informed them that all tables for four people were occupied, but they had two stools at the counter and a table for two. A hungry Boruto quickly responded "That works. Shinki and I can sit at the counter. And uncle Gaara and aunt… I mean big sister Tenten can sit at the table".
Shinki accepted to sit with Boruto because he did not want to make a big deal, but he wanted to observe his father. He was getting to the conclusion that he might be interested in Miss Tenten. He wanted to ask Boruto, since he had a mother and father and might have known more about relationships, but was not sure if he could trust Boruto with that information.
Shinki was trying to observe from afar without being noticed. His father and Tenten were happily chatting and enjoying their meals. He could not recollect a time where his father had smiled so many times in 20 minutes. Boruto noticed that Shinki was distracted by observing them, "Is there anything wrong with your dad's table?" Shinki avoided eye contact with Boruto, "No, I was just wondering what father ordered".
Boruto did not pay much attention and continued eating when they got interrupted by Chocho. She was with her parents in one of the tables in the back when she saw Boruto. She went to say hi without realizing that the handsome guy from the Sand Village that she fought in the Chunin exams was there.
Chocho: Oh hey Boruto. I did not realize you had company. Sorry to interrupt. Wait for a second, you are the one from the Chunin exams?
Shinki: Yes. I hope you were not too hurt.
Chocho: I was not. Next time I will win. So, what brings you to the Leaf Village?
Shinki: My father is on holiday and I am escorting him.
Chocho: Don't you mean you are on vacation with your dad, not escorting him? Plus, if you are escorting him, you are doing a terrible job because he is not here.
Boruto: Yes, he is. Right over there…
Chocho: What? I thought it was auntie Tenten on a date with some guy. I did not recognize the Kazekage without the hat.
'That was it', Shinki thought, 'It is like a date. They act like people that go on dates. People that like each other as more than friends.'
Boruto: You just called the Kazekage "some guy" hahaha.
Chocho: Not my fault. Look at them, they are staring at each other's eyes in a very engaging conversation and smiling. They might hold hands any second now… What I don't understand is why they brought children to a date and why someone of the stature of the Kazekage would take a date to Ichiraku. He should have taken auntie Tenten to a nicer place.
Boruto: That is what I told my dad. He brought my mom here on their first date.
Shinki: It is not a date.
Chocho: You might be right. It would be a very bad date if it was. He is not going to impress her like that.
Boruto: Maybe he already impressed her, so now they go on laid back dates.
Chocho: That is also a possibility. You are getting better at this, Boruto.
Shinki was getting upset hearing this conversation, but he was not exactly sure why he was getting upset. Boruto noticed.
Boruto: Would it bother you if your dad dated Tenten?
Shinki: My father is very wise. I have complete trust in his judgment.
Chocho: Boruto is not asking about your dad's capacity to judge. Boruto is asking if YOU are okay with your dad dating or getting married in the future.
Shinki: I respect and support my father's will.
Shinki was getting annoyed by the conversation because they were good questions that he was asking himself. Luckily, Temari and Shikadai arrived at the restaurant and said, "My aunt is here. It is time to leave". Boruto ignored Shinki's attempt to escape that conversation, "Shikadai is here too. Let the adults talk. Let's call Shikadai here".
Temari walked to the table where she saw Gaara and Tenten in the middle of an animated conversation. She would have let them talk, but they had to rush to the hot springs since Shikamaru was already there waiting for them.
Temari: Sorry to interrupt. I hope you enjoyed the rest of your morning. Thank you, Tenten for entertaining my guests.
Tenten: It was my pleasure. I did not expect to have such a fun lunch. I was going to eat leftovers at my desk today.
Temari: Do you have plans this afternoon? We were planning to go to the hot spring district this afternoon. It would be nice if you come with us, so I will not be alone in the women's bath.
Tenten had a soft spot for hot springs. She couldn't say no to that and also, she was not ready to say bye to Gaara yet.
Tenten: I love the hot springs, but I don't want to intrude in your family time. I know Gaara does not have many days off and can't come to visit often.
Temari: There is a solution for that. He can take more days off. Common! I don't want to be alone in the bath.
Temari went to get the boys and left the two of them at the table. Tenten was uncertain if it was a good idea to go with them, "Gaara, are you sure it is okay if I go with you guys. I feel like I have been taking up so much of your time". Gaara was not ready to say bye to Tenten yet either, "It would be great if you could come with us. I am sure Tamari will appreciate having company in the women's bath". He took a pause and continued, "I enjoyed our walk yesterday and lunch today. I am very happy we got the chance to talk". Tenten was blushing a little when he said those words. Seeing her blushing made him realize what he said and started blushing too. He was a very sincere man and had no experience with women.