A/N: This story is odd hiatus because I got so many ideas for this chapter. I'm working on outlining it so that the story goes a little faster and easier.

Sunako: So, here is an update.

Me: but before you get mad at Ino, remember that Hinata was the one who lied to her!

Friendship Troubles and Texts

"Y-yes, what is it, Ino?"

"I don't know what you were thinking, you bitch. Were you jealous because Chouji likes me? Is that why you asked Naruto out?"

Hinata tensed. She hadn't even thought about how Ino would feel about it. She should have known that word would have gotten to her. After all, she was interested in dating the boy with the biggest mouth in the whole TRI-STATE AREA. (A/N: XD, sorry, couldn't resist)

"I…I…"

"You knew that I liked him. Hinata, you heard me say it this morning! And you told me that you liked Chouji! So! Is it because Chouji likes me? Is that why?"

"Ino…"

"Shut up, Hinata! I thought you were my friend! But maybe I was wrong. A real friend wouldn't betray my trust like that!"

"I…Ino, I don't…I never did…like…"

"I know you don't like Naruto! That's why you used him to get back at me! Well, I can't help it that Chouji likes me!"

"N-no, Ino…I don't like Chouji that way!" Hinata burst out, shocked that she would face her new friend like that.

"What do you mean, you liar?"

"I…I've always liked…N-Naruto….for years now…but when you said that you liked him…I…lied so that you wouldn't get angry at me," she said softly, scared to look the furious blonde in the eye.

"Lot of good that did for you!" she snapped. "So, what, it's better to lie to me and go behind my back with the guy I've liked since daycare than to just talk about it and sort it out?"

"I-Ino, I'm sorry but-"

"I don't care, Hinata! I thought you were better than that, but I guess I was wrong about you. I never thought you'd be the type of girl to hit on your friend's crush." She laughed bitterly. "Who would have thought that it was all just an act?"

Ino stormed off to her house angrily, leaving Hinata to cope with the tears on her own.

~X~

"Are you serious?"

"As a heart attack," Ino replied gravely, sounding like an old person. She had just finished telling Sakura what had gone down with Hinata over the phone.

"I never thought Hinata was that type of girl," Sakura said, shaking her head even though Ino couldn't see her. "To think I even went over to her house to tell her about her supposed crush!"

"You went over to her house?"

"Yeah. She wasn't there but I did get to talk to Neji."

"Ooh, really? You know, you two would make such a cute couple! Almost as cute as me and Naruto!"

"So, what's the deal with you guys? Are you together or not?"

"I told you, I've got to play hard to get, forehead!"

The two gossiped about anything and everything but left the subject of Hinata untouched for the rest of the conversation. She was obviously not something that needed to be spoken of further.

~X~

Chouji was pretty shocked when he got a text from Shikamaru. The lazy Nara usually didn't bother with text messaging, instead waiting for someone to contact him first. If she weren't so forceful, Temari wouldn't hear from him for weeks at a time.

Heard you asked out Ino.

He quickly thumbed his response: Yeah, but she likes Naruto.

So what are you going to do?

Nothing. What can I do? Chouji didn't, for some reason, want to tell Shikamaru about him and Hinata. He was actually embarrassed to be taking dating tips from the shy Hyuuga.

I dunno. Why chase a girl? Just let her come to you.

Nobody's going to come to me like Temari did to you. And I bet a lot more girls liked you and were just too scared of Temari to confess.

Whatever. Look, I've known you for years and I know that there is some girl out there for you.

This is completely out of character for you.

Eh, sometimes I've gotta act like this for my friend.

Shika, it's not that I don't enjoy the pep talk, I just don't think that's true. I don't think any girl could possible attracted to me. Besides, I've liked Ino for a few years now and I don't think I could really move one.

Well, if you aren't going to change your mind, then there's not point in arguing with you.

The text conversation was quickly ended and Chouji went back to thinking about Ino and Hinata.

~X~

Elsewhere, Tenten was also involved in a text with Temari, who was stuck at their uncle's after a family reunion. She was bored and Tenten was providing the entertainment.

So what did you do without me?

Well, it wasn't just without you. Lee cancelled this morning. Guess what? He has a girlfriend! I Haven't had a chance to talk to him about it yet.

Seriously? Who would have thought a girl would like him?

Hey, now, he may not be world's hottest, but he's a real sweetheart and he knows how to treat a girl.

Okay, whatever. So, you were with Neji, alone? Give me all the details and don't give me the same bit about how you two are just friends.

But we are! I'm telling you, I don't like Neji.

Whatever, keep telling yourself that. What else did you do today?

I hung out with Inuzuka Kiba and Aburame Shino for a little.

Oh? What was that like?

Well, Kiba's kinda obnoxious, but he can make me laugh. Shino's kind of quiet but he's totally awesome.

So you like him.

My gosh, Temari! Having a boyfriend has made you way too romantic! Why do you assume that I like all my guy friends?

Well, I'm just trying to help you realize your feelings for whoever you like. That's all.

Well, I don't like anyone, so you don't need to "help" me.

You can say whatever you want, but I know you're going to find somebody and then you'll be begging me for help.

Yeah, right.

~X~

Hinata silently picked at her dinner, while Neji and Hanabi stared at her. Her dad didn't seem to notice, but when she felt her cousin and sister's eyes on her, she started eating, not really tasting it.

She was only thing about Naruto and Chouji and Ino. She had created a huge mess for herself by trying to get the guy she liked and she didn't even really see who was at fault, though she had a sneaking suspicion that it was her.

All she wanted was a date with the guy who hardly knew she existed, who didn't care about her, who didn't know how many days she followed him home from school, just to get to be near him. All her days in kindergarten when she was amazed at how despised he was by the other children?

Was that even love?

Of course it was. She had always loved Naruto because she loved how bad a time he had as a child. She watched him suffer in loneliness without trying to help him through it because she was in love with him.

She was definitely in love with Naruto, that's why she never did anything to help him. Hinata smiled, reassured, and was able to eat. She even went back for seconds.

A/N: There! Okay, sorry for all the texting, I have unlimited texting and I LOVE IT! Oh, and the ending: that is the true truth behind NaruHina and I couldn't resist tossing it in.

Sunako: You're such a jerk.

Me: I know! ^^ Now, vote in the poll on my profile if you like yaoi, yuri, or incest, because those stories will be those kinds of pairings for my Love is Blind project!