Disclaimer: Naruto is not, nor will it ever be, owned by me. No amount of wishing will ever make me the creator of it. Only the plot belongs to me and I shall flame you endlessly if you steal.

A Smell of Wine and Cheap Perfume

Chapter 3- Big City Life

Ino's eyes were concentrated on the room, it was vast, and its hardwood floors looked new and glimmered with the light of the sun which was becoming higher in the sky with each passing moment. Her eyes were glazed over in glee. It was perfect absolutely perfect. One wall was covered in floor length windows placed half a foot apart, it gave a perfect view of the city. Her skin tingled as she looked around the room, the part that seemed like it would be her living room area was connected with the kitchen, and there was a perfect place for a dining table. Two doors stood opposite each other on the walls. Ino ran to the closest one throwing the door open in anticipation.

The room was a bathroom, it was average sized with a nice shower and bathtub, and it had two joined sinks and a toilet. The bathroom wasn't anything all that special...

Ino tuned to the next finding it was nothing more than a coat closet, she sighed, annoyed wanting more than anything to see her bedroom. She turned to the other side of the room and smiled, there stood a lone door.

Her feet led her faster than she had ever run to it; she thrust it open with great force nearly making herself fall back.

The room behind the think wood was large and had wooden floors, the walls, like the others were large and it was completely empty, Ino had chosen it be empty of furniture. Even though she had matured she still couldn't bear the thought of sharing furniture that people had previously used. Who know what they would have done...

The windows like in the other room were floor length, they had drapes but they were a pale peach color, not at all warm or inviting. She would have to go shopping for drapes too, along with furniture...

Ino sighed, wondering how much she could buy for what money she had. She would have to stick with the basics for now, get the nice things later.

Of course, she would have to shop today. She had no bed.

---

Neji's eyes held mild shock, the apartment was not at all what he'd expected. It was better. The floors were wooden, and the walls were a deep mahogany, there were five windows two at the far corners of the room one in the very middle that was larger than the others, but it was only a medium sized window, the other two were spaced in between. Neji smiled to himself. There was a crimson rug on the left sized of the floor, it was a throw but it complemented the richness of the walls nicely. The kitchen area held an island the counter top made out of granite.

Neji also had an empty apartment, refusing furniture that would have been complimentary to his new home, but the Hyuuga could have never stood using the same furniture that people could have done God-knows-what on. His lips curved into a small, unintentional smile as he opened the door to his bedroom. It wasn't huge and again it had a closed feel about it, but Neji liked that. It felt homey and nice, calm.

The floors looked as if they had just been cleaned, well at least the portion of the wood Neji could see looked clean; the rest was being hidden by a deep purple area rug. Neji couldn't help but let a small smile out, this place was quite nice, and he could tolerate living here...

---

Ino's fingers stroked the smooth silky drapes sighing to herself. They were quite beautiful; they also weren't real satin so they weren't that expensive. Yet she didn't have money to spare for window linens. She shook her head walking away and doing the mature and right thing, leaving her beautiful drapes behind. She would have to stand for the old ones she had now, at least until she got a job.

She walked until her eyes came to meet the warm brown furniture that she would soon own. She smiled to herself looking at a queen sized bed, it matched her room perfectly and wood fit just right, into the spacious and open bedroom. After checking the price her smile grew winder, it was well within her budget. She smiled and placed a bright pink sticky note against the wood, she was shopping at a home décor shop where they had one of each item. You had to claim what was yours.

After taking her time to look around for the matching dresser and vanity Ino sighed, her money would soon be gone. She had just enough for a couch and coffee table. That would mean a pretty empty apartment. At least until she had a few good paydays, or Christmas...

Ino walked to the front of the store were a near forty year old woman stood, she had greeted Ino when she had walked through the door. She worked there. Ino's blue eyes danced as she told the women she had found everything and would like to checkout. The woman smiled a reply and Ino led her to her finds.

As Ino flipped her hair over her shoulder, showing the woman her bed, her eyes caught something.

There was a man looking at furniture about twelve yards away. His long chocolate hair fell over his shoulders as he bent down to look at the bottom of a large bed. Pictures flashed through Ino's mind and she suddenly remembered the train ride and the man standing so near her.

Once again Neji was close, shopping in the same store as her in fact.

And his lavender eyes were now glued to the blond Yamanaka woman.

---

Neji entered the furniture store, it was nearly empty, and this pleased him greatly. He'd much rather shop in an empty store than a crowded one, it made things easier, faster. Neji would rather spend his time doing something other than shopping all day. As in, walking around, reading, or plainly doing anything else. Yes the Hyuuga despised shopping.

His eyes were instantly attracted to a queen-sized dark wood bed with intricate carvings on the lower frame and headboard. Truthfully, it was a beautiful piece of furniture.

Neji's eyes scanned over multiple other pieces, including a wardrobe chest and a large ornate table. He looked at his money; he had far more than Ino.

After deciding he would just get all the shopping done today he stood up from his double bent position looking to find a worker. His hair flipped as he turned. Neji was mid step when he paused, a flash of white blond hair catching his soft lavender eyes. They flicked over to meet the face of none other than the blond Yamanaka woman, Ino. He cocked an eyebrow, poor curiosity clouding his gaze. She was looking right back at him, except her sky blue eyes were filled with shock.

After moments of just standing there, watching her curiously Neji sighed, picking his feet up heavily and walking over to her.

Sorry this chapter wasn't as long, it also took me quite awhile to get out, but I hope you enjoy it none-the-less.