Misunderstanding

Three pairs were walking on different paths of the garden. Sakura and Sara were together, watching the other two pairs from the distance going separate ways. Naruto and Hinata were heading to a different portion of the garden while Ino and Neji were heading into the forest.

"This is not good" Sakura said to Sara.

"Well...it could be worse" Sara replies.

"What do you mean!?...Neji and Ino are alone and Hinata and Naruto are alone" Sakura exclaims.

"We can't do anything now...we all are on different paths...but at least there will be a resolve once we all meet again" Sara states.

"Resolve?" Sakura said a little confused.

"Ino can't run anymore….Neji has her to himself until they reach the end of the path," Sara said.

"Ino's answer" Sakura said.

"Yes...and once that is said….then that will decide what will happen next...we did all we can so let's...reach the end of this trail" Sara said with a smile.

Sakura had to agree with Sara. This was up to four of them. She hoped that things will turn out all right.

OOO

"U-um..Naruto" Hinata said shyly breaking the silence they were in.

Naruto was walking behind with a dazed expression. From the start of their walk, he felt weird inside. Thinking about what was going to happen with Ino and Neji.

"Ya?" Naruto responds.

"T-there is something I have to tell you…" Hinata said turning around with a blush.

They both stopped on a small bridge that was over a small stream. Naruto sensed something coming. He was getting goosebumps on his arms.

"What is it?" He asked.

OOO

Ino and Neji were silent, both had their face looking away from each other. There was awkwardness between the two that hasn't been acknowledged. Ino knew what she had to do and why Neji asked her to walk with him. She felt a heavy weight in her chest.

Their trail led into the forest where there was a narrow stream. They were minutes away from a bridge that connects to the other side of the stream.

Ino felt nervous. Her palms were sweating. Neji coughed grabbing her attention.

"So...Ino" Neji spoke facing her.

Ino gulps facing him. Her heart was pounding loudly within her.

"I need to know...your answer. I've been patient enough"

"I know...and appreciate that" Ino said breathing in heavily, calming her nerves. "Neji...I'm glad that you think of me then more than just friends...the type of guy you are...any girl would be lucky…"

OOO

Naruto had his hand pulled by Hinata. They were heading toward a large fountain. There was a shadow near the fountain. After a quick glance at who that shadow belonged to, he slightly smiled.

OOO

"however...I don't think of you that way" Ino finishes closing her eyes tight fearing his response and trying to be brave to go through what she is saying.

She opens her eyes again to see a small smile on Neji's face.

"Well it was obvious since you kept delaying it...but I wanted to hear it from your mouth just to be safe" Neji said trying not to let his emotions get the best of him. "But thank you for giving me an answer….now I can ask...who do like?"

"W-wait uh?" Ino said flinching from his questions turning red and confused. "What...why did you ask that kind of question after my rejection?"
"Well we are still friends...and when I saw you in front of the garden...I notice you didn't look like yourself"

"But that doesn't I liked someone" Ino responds.

"So you dont?" Neji asked.

"..uh-" Ino said opening her mouth until stopping herself. "I-I"

The feeling she kept on feeling in her chest grew. A person came to mind when he asked that. After realizing what she was struggling with, she remembers her plan. Her eyes widen and looked down the path that connects to the path they are on.

"Sorry Neji...there is someone I need to see" Ino said running down that path.

Neji watched her go. He had his fist clenched in his pockets but kept his smile. "That settles that" He thought but notice a group of people walking down the path he was on. He shifted his eyes to see someone familiar. "Gaara?" he thought remembering their match.

He was surrounded by students from his school. They didn't pay attention to him but he sensed they were up to something. He watches them go into the forest. His and Gaara's eyes met.

OOO

"Seems like we are reaching the intersection" Sara states.

"Uh? What do you mean?" Sakura asked noticing the water fountain a few minutes away from them.

"From what I read...all paths intersect at the water fountain then continues after" Sara answers.

"So we will meet with the others" Sakura said with a smile.

"Ya...lets hope things are settled-" Sara said until noticing Ino dashing to the fountain.

Sakura notice to and stopped on the spot. Sara shifted her eyes to the pair at the water fountain or so she thinks. From their point of view they could see Naruto's back with Sasuke nearby him. Hinata had her head down holding onto Naruto's hand tight with both of hers. It almost looked like she was waiting for an answer from him.

"...wait...what is Hinata doing?" Sakura asked. "And when did Sasuke get there!?"

"That's not important at the moment," Sara said realizing Ino's point of view of the situation seeing how Ino stopped running and her expression showed shock. "no...Ino keep walking"

Ino could only see Hinata confessed to Naruto who was scratching the back of his showing his grin. "...No" she thought feeling the pain in her chest worsen. Tears started forming in her eyes. She used her arms to wipe them away. She couldn't see them anymore. She had to run far away. She made a big mistake. This was her plan but not what she wanted. She started running of course into the woods.

"No" Sara said turning to Sakura. "Ok...tell Naruto what just happened"

"Ya ok but what about Ino?" Sakura asked with a worried tone.

"Ill find her and clear her misunderstanding" she answers.

"Ok" Sakura nods.

The two split running to their friends.

OOO

"Sorry for not telling you!" Hinata said with a blush bowing your head.

"Don't worry" Naruto said nervously. "I had a feeling you had someone….though"

Naruto shifts his eyes to Sasuke who had a small tint of pink on is cheeks.

"You….who would have thought" Naruto said with a grin.

"Hmph" Sasuke responds. "I didn't tell the club or anyone because...I don't want the attention it brings"

"The fan girls" Naruto states jokling. "They would burn Hinata"
"Ah?" Hinata said shaking with fear until Sasuke wrapped one arm around her shoulders, pulling her close.
"I won't let them..IIl keep her safe"

Hinata reached her limits burning out with her face bright red leaning against Sasuke's chest. Naruto chuckles but felt a hard punch at his arms.

"OUCH!" Naruto shouts rubbing his shoulders. He quickly turns to Sakura about to say something but her face told him she had something important to say.

"You need to go and find Ino right now!" Sakura said with urgency.

"Uh what why?...what happened to Ino-" Naurto asked until getting pushed into the path that was leading into the woods.

"Just go! She misunderstands-" Sakura said.

"Misunderstands-" Naruto said softly and started moving to the direction of the woods.

Judging from Sakura's expression and what she said. Ino must have saw Hinata and him. Her head mistook what she was seeing and connected to something else. He sighed and started running hoping to find her soon.

Another also was hoping to find her. Someone that was watching from afar who smirked seeing a chance.

OOO

A few minutes ago.

While things appeared to be all fun and happy during the festival. There was something else happening in the shadows. Kabuto's group took most of the students from all the schools into playing his game. Things were looking up.

Although, it wasn't like part of the forest was taken over for gambling. There are certain places in the festival that had mini gambling areas that only some know of. Kabuto used word of mouth from his group to get others to learn about it and join them. Things were looking great for Kabuto. His plan hasn't been made public. He made the losers keep their mouth shut. His main team were doing great even with the involvement of the member that finally made his appearance.

"Kimimaro...it seems like your squad is winning much more than the others" Kabuto said with a smirk.

"Isn't that the plan. You won't see any losers in my group. We are here to win and take it all" Kimimaro responds with a cold tone. "No matter what"
"Your skills are sharp...the way you play is packed with aggressive force and intimidation" Kabuto states. "It's great to have someone like you"

"Since you think of me like that….why don't you let me take on the card club" he asked, narrowing his eyes. "It will be easy to take each member out"

"I know you can….but its not because of the club that is stopping me from targeting them...its the school they belong too...there is someone that is a threat"
"Uh?...who is the guy that is scaring you...let me and my guys take care of him" he said with a slight smirk.
"Its not that simple" Kabuto said in a serious not. "Its wise not to do anything before the final show"
"Tsk...your letting one person stop you from this opportunity" Kimimaro said turning his back to him.

"Don't try anything reckless" Kabuto said crossing his arms. "You might start something"

"I'm just going to observe...my opponents"

Kimimaro left the room leaving Kabuto to feel uneasy. He hasn't seen him yet but he can't take any chances. Everything is running well. Just need to wait a little longer.

OOO

Ino couldn't tell where she was going. She didn't know which part of the forest she was in. The sky was beginning to get dark. She stopped running, feeling her heart pound hard in her chest. It was getting difficult for her to breath. She coughed and rested on a rock by sitting on it. This was the first time she ran this much. She felt dizzy. After calming down a bit, she hugged herself and stared at the narrow stream in front of her.

"Well I guess...my plan worked" Ino said softly with a frown.

However, she wasn't feeling happy about that fact. If she only knew what she was feeling. If she just had a little more time to think it over. She pressed her forward head against her, squeezing her eyes tightly, feeling tears about to come out. She can't change the past. Their together and it's because of her. How can she act around them. She was frustrated. She opens her eyes and popped her head up after hearing a few twigs snapped nearby.

"Is anyone here?" she said softly fearing the answer.

OOO

It took awhile but Naruto could see the blond a few minutes away with her back turned to him. Her blond hair was shining from the moonlight. He reached out to grab her shoulder.

"Found you!..." Naruto said placing his hand on her shoulder.

However, the unexpected happened. His wrist was grabbed tightly. Naruto felt his feet leave the ground. His eyes widen when he realizes the blond wasn't Ino. The girl's gaze was piercing blue. She slammed Naruto's back into the ground while still keeping her grip on his wrist and one foot against his chest.

"Gruh!" Naruto said feeling a sharp pain in his back.

"AAAAHHHH!"

Suddenly, a scream interrupted them before they can speak. They both looked at the direction it came from. Naruto knew that scream.

"Ino"