AN: Last chapter for a while… See ya on Monday. Here is chapter 8, I think it's the chortest one, though... .>;; Well, here it is...
"I wonder where Naruto is…" Hinata muttered, putting down the tea for Neji and her father.
"What was that?" her father asked.
"Oh, nothing…" she trailed off. Her father turned on her.
"No really, what did you say?" he asked.
"Uhm-I was just wondering where Naruto was." Hinata said, defensively.
"Oh. Who is this Naruto?" he asked.
"M-my friend." Hinata stuttered.
"Is it a boy?"
"Y-yeah."
"Why do you care where he is? Is he a good friend?"
"Y-yes. And I care, because yesterday we broke into-I mean tried to visit Sasuke at the Uchiha mansion, but Sakura stopped us and he hasn't come back, yet."
"Who is this Sasuke?"
"I guess he's another friend, kind of. He's not always very nice, though…"
"Is he a boy?"
"Uh, y-yeah."
"How is he not nice?"
"Well, he makes fun of Naruto."
"Why do you care so much for Naruto?"
"Uhm-because he's my best friend." Her father finally resumed drinking his tea with a shrug. Hinata gladly hurried off.
Meanwhile…
Gaara and Kankarou found Ino, who was wasted in a bar. Gaara tapped her shoulder. She turned, rather slowly.
"You're Ino, right?" he asked.
"You betcha!" Ino shouted, cheerfully.
"Do you know Shikamaru?" Gaara asked.
"Uh-do I know Shikamaru? A woman's worst nightmare!" she wailed at the ceiling. Kankarou smirked at Gaara, who didn't look convinced.
"If she were anymore drunk, she would be sweating sake." Gaara muttered. Ino started going on about Shikamaru.
"I thought we were so close! Until"-she hiccupped-"he met that girl with the fan! I guess he found someone more prettier than I am to take advantage of! Now, he doesn't even talk to me!" Ino started crying. Kankarou's smirk was larger. Gaara scowled.
"She's probably crying sake now." Gaara retorted.
"Why do you think she got drunk in the first place? I'm glad I cared enough about our sister to investigate." Kankarou said, worriedly. He turned to leave.
"You're nice ladies." Ino called after them. "I hope Shikamaru doesn't take advantage of you, too." She said, cheerful again.
"Oh, he won't ever take advantage of anyone ever again." Kankarou cracked his knuckles.