Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
A.N: Short I know. But it's better than nothing right?
Oh and thank you knute314 for being such a faithful reader & reviewer for this story and some of my other ones!
Hope you like this chapter!
XX Chapter 24 XX
Shikamaru can count three instances in his life when he was surprised.
The first time when he was five and found that not only did Santa Clause not exist but he had been fooled for five years into being a good little boy for no reason whatsoever.
He of course decided never to believe a word coming out of his dad's mouth.
Once when he was eight. He had asked his dad why he had married his mom. It rather jaded his look on women and men in general. Especially when it concerns marriage.
Though that was the first time after the Santa Claus incident that he actually trusted his father's claim. He doesn't necessarily thinks it's a lie. Too blunt to be otherwise.
Another time when he was ten and realized that not only was he stuck with a loud idiot for a classmate but for some reason or another he was now best friends with said idiot.
He and Kiba sorted most of their issues by junior high.
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And now today was lucky (or unlucky depending on who's view) number four.
He wasn't quite sure why it came as much of a surprise for him.
He had already read the signs and discussed with Kiba when they had gone to the arcade.
It was kind of obvious. Especially considering the people they knew to be in love with Uzumaki Naruto.
Which was generally everyone excluding most of the male populace and the few girls who had gotten over him or had gotten a boyfriend.
But usually that was not the case.
Maybe he's just surprised because he actually never thought Sasuke would trust them enough to tell them.
Even if for some strange reason or circumstance actually forced Sasuke to acknowledge his crush on Naruto, it was quite another thing to expect him to trust them enough to actually let them know.
After all they had only recently become friends.
And Sasuke seemed to be the kind of guy who generally kept his thoughts to himself, kind of like Naruto in fact.
Except that Sasuke didn't seem like he had any secrets to hide.
He just didn't seem like the guy to just spill his heart, maybe the Tammy-Naruto thing had really gotten to him.
Or maybe he actually really saw them as friends he could trust.
Or it could be both.
Either way it was nice to know.
He didn't have too many friends. He'd like to keep Naruto and Sasuke, it's funnier to pick on Kiba in a group, safety in numbers.
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It was troublesome, but if helping Sasuke confront Naruto about his feeling he'd be there to lend a helping hand.
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He should probably say something now too. It doesn't look good to just stand and stare at
your friend after they have generally come out of the closet.
They tend to get the wrong ideas
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Kiba, why is it that the first time in your life that you actually stay quiet has to be the worst possible time to do so?
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Sigh. How troublesome
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Finally!
Was the first thought that reached Kiba. He should have been smiling and laughing and joking around now that the truth was finally out.
That he had always known and Ha! Shikamaru you owe me five bucks.
He should be but, for some reason the only thing he could do was stare.
Just stare.
It was strange…you hear those words a lot if you come to this school.
Especially if it involves Naruto in some way or form.
Most of the times it's said so seriously that you begin to discredit the words immediately.
After all how can you truly know when you're in love? You can't be completely sure that they're the 'one.'
So while it's easy to discredit every other girl who's ever said it so passionately and vehemently, it's hard this time.
Maybe it's the way Sasuke says it….it's quiet but his eyes speak louder than words. The way it leaves his mouth awkwardly makes it seem so much more credible than those confident girls. It's strange how that works sometimes but it's usually the case.
Hearing Sasuke say it like that though made Kiba think about Hinata, who's sitting right across from them and was facing the door.
She's waiting for Naruto. Like she always had and how she always will.
It tears at Kiba to remember sometimes.
He used to really love her. She was the sweetest girl. Always humble and kind. She had the smile that would break any heart.
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"Hey Hinata how are you?" His breathing hard as he sat on the empty desk next to her.
She looks at him with a smile and he feels his heart start to race.
He won't say it out loud but he ran all the way here just to see her. He wanted at least fifteen minutes alone with her before the class started filling in.
She pulls a stray hair from her face and tucks it behind her desk as she turns to face him.
"I'm good." she answers with clarity that's usually lost when class starts.
They chat for the few minutes they have left to themselves. Kiba can't keep from grinning and flushing when she looks at him with those pretty white eyes, as she talks about mundane things (mundane to only her of course. He finds everything she says interesting).
He admires the way she can be loud when she wants to be. That's there's more behind her than what she let's on.
He thinks…he might love her.
He's been talking with her for the past year and he's sure now more than ever that she must be the one.
And today…today he'll tell her.
He was waiting for the past week and right now feels like the perfect time.
'Quick while no one's here.' His mind barks at him.
"Hi-Hinata." He stutters a bit and she turns inquiring eyes on him.
"Yes Kiba?" She asked.
He looks into her eyes and steels himself. He's never told a girl those three words but he feels ready.
"Hinata I-," he begins gathering his courage. He's been waiting a long time to say it. It's almost hard to believe that today is the day that he finally will.
And then the door slides open and the words leave his mouth.
Uzumaki Naruto walks in. His face bent forward delicately, his gaze far away and detached as he makes his way to the desk in the back.
He walks with a type of grace and it isn't till the door shuts loudly that he snaps back to the present. Kiba mentally curses at the bad timing and missed opportunity and goes back to facing Hinata.
He opens his mouth to apologize to Hinata for not finishing his sentence, it's rude, when he suddenly stops.
Hinata isn't looking at him anymore. Her eyes are set on the person in the back. Kiba looks at her and then at Naruto, who's just sitting on his desk with an air of indifference.
And Hinata…her eyes are full of longing and…..some strange look that he's never quite seen on her face before.
Actually he doesn't think he's ever seen anybody look that way before.
But it makes her look beautiful in a way he's never seen someone look like before.
He watches as she darts her gaze away when cerulean eyes turn to glance at them for a second before trailing back to the open window.
She's smiling now….He's never seen her smile quite like that before either.
And he knows without words that she loves him….and his chance with her….it was nothing but a stupid dream.
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Sasuke's eyes look the way Hinata's eyes did that day.
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Tbc…..
A.N: Sorry no Naruto or Sasuke in this part but I wanted to put more character into Kiba and Shikamaru!
Now go and review my faithful minions!
