Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Notting Hill or any of the characters from both.

Chapter 5: The Party!

Part 1: No means yes!

~x~

I threw yet another shirt back onto my bed feeling myself getting more frustrated. A whole mountain of shirts was now created as I stood with my hands on my hips my bare torso showing my defeat. What the hell was I gonna wear? Normally I had no problem picking something to put on. Just grab something shove it on and be on my way. But tonight I wanted to look good, I mean like extra good…or at least better than usual…and the reason for this wasn't because it was my baby sister's birthday.

It had now properly sunk in that I was going on a date with Hinata. Like a date, date, proper date…man! (Face palm) How lame! Taking her to my little sister's birthday party for a first date…

I sighed. Oh well, I was still excited. It would still be great…ha my friend's reactions were gonna be interesting they didn't even know I was bringing Hinata. Oh, they knew I was bringing a date…they just didn't realise that my date was a world wide famous and beautiful actress. Like I said their reactions were going to be interesting.

I stared at the pile of T-shirts, jumpers, sweatshirts (you get the idea…) all sprawled over my bed. I sniggered as I saw one of my pale coloured T-shirts that said in big letters on the front "Young Rich Sexy and Free!" haha well the rich part would be a lie but the rest…I shook my head. No way could I wear that. I picked up one of my long sleeved shirts and turned to the full body length mirror (I had brought the one from downstairs to my room.)

I looked at my reflection in the mirror. I had naturally tanned skin and I was quite well toned muscle wise, not over the top muscled you know just a nice happy medium. I was actually quite proud of my humble but potent abs and strong arms, I mean it wasn't natural, I had put many hours into perfecting this body in my free time (By free time I mean when I wasn't working, when I wasn't out with friends having fun or/and getting pissed and when I wasn't being too lazy too do anything.)

My eyes settled on the crystal necklace that always, and I mean always, lived around my neck comfortably sitting on my chest. The last remaining light of the day glinted through my window and briefly caressed the precious sapphire stone causing it to shine translucently. I stroked the pale blue of the gem like pendant carefully with my right index finger. It meant a lot to me. It had belonged to my father…

I looked up and dropped my hand returning back to the now. I pulled on the shirt and continued to study myself in the mirror. The shirt wasn't tight yet it showed off the formation of my body nicely. It was a plain, simple maroon colour (well I guess you could call if maroon, it was sort of a reddish purple so yeah maroon…) but it seemed to work with the rest of me so I decided it would do. My eyes took a final check of my whole appearance. I had voted on the usual denim jean trend, this time they were slightly on the skinny jean style but not to the extent that they were too tight and enlarged my butt to transsexual standards. My VANS were sitting at the ready in the corner of my room.

I breathed in and looked at the clock. Nearly time. I grabbed my black leather jacket – that had a hood, a feature that made me like it even more – off the floor which is where I had chucked it earlier (It's one of those nice leather jackets, not one of those tacky leather jackets…ha) and picked up my shoes from the corner.

It was then time to step into the evening of events that were not yet clear or obvious and would either be one of the best nights of my life or turn into the disaster from hell…

No wonder I was feeling slightly nervous...

No ones POV:

Sakura had just finished setting the table when she asked,

"You remembered Naruto's bringing a date tonight right?"

Her husband from across the room was busily concocting the evening's meal,

"Yeah I remember. Ha, well I guess there are some miracles in the world…"

Sasuke smirked as he joked distractedly, checking one of the pots on the stove. Sakura chuckled at his comment. She used her arms - which were now accustomed to the annual labour, making them feel strong and secure – to push her wheelchair forward so she was closer to the kitchen…where Sasuke was rushing around like a headless chicken, wearing an apron, a tea towel thrown over his shoulder. Sakura smiled contentedly as she watched him rush around; she felt her heart would burst with the affection she felt for the man in front of her.

"Does the girl have a name?" Sasuke asked,

"He wouldn't say…he kept it all a big secret for some reason…"

She answered still watching the man she loved, biting her bottom lip as her eyes gorged on him. Feeling intensive eyes on him he turned to look at her, pausing, he rested his hand on the bench and smirked,

"And what are you looking at?"

He enquired in a deep, sexy voice. She raised her neat eyebrows still smiling,

"Oh nothing…how's the guinea fowl?"

She watched in amusement as Sasuke's eyes widened in horror. He spun around, grabbed the oven mitts and opened the oven door.

"Shit!"

He exclaimed as smoke came spilling out. The doorbell rang at that moment. Sakura, whilst laughing to herself about Sasuke's terrible cooking skills, wheeled herself to open the door for the first flood of visitors…

Naruto's POV:

I stood next to Hinata on the doorstep of Sasuke and Sakura's modest home. I had warned Hinata as we arrived that Sasuke, who was cooking that night, was pretty much the worst cook in existence. Hinata laughed quietly at that. I don't think she fully understood how serious I was being…oh well she'd soon find out. Haha.

She looked great. She always did in my eyes. She was wearing a long, warm, cream coloured coat. Black tights along with black high heeled boots; sexy high heeled boots I might add. I couldn't see what was under her coat yet as she hadn't removed it (we had only just reached the doorstep and only just rang the doorbell after all.) Her hair was flowing loosely down her back except for some strands of hair on either side of her face which were being held at the back of her head by a pretty little clip. I couldn't help but smile at her form, my eyes softening.

She looked at me, a questioningly look. Pretty much saying 'and what are you thinking about to make your expression look like that?' haha.

A few seconds past after we rang the doorbell before the door (When they brought the apartment they had made sure to pick one with a large enough hallway so Sakura could manoeuvre in and out with no trouble) was opened and we were greeted by a laughing Sakura.

"Hey guys! Come in! Just ignore the smoke I'm sure Sasuke will manage not to burn down the house haha!"

I grinned as we entered the building,

"No way! Smoke already? That's gotta be some kind of record even for Sasuke!"

Sakura grinned along with me. Her face suddenly smoothed out into pure shock. Her mouth dropped slightly as she took in my date's full appearance. I grinned even wider.

"Wow, you're the spitting image of…"

I cut in before she could finish,

"Sakura, this is Hinata."

I introduced her, stepping closer. Hinata smiled and politely gave Sakura her hand to shake to which Sakura slowly took still gaping up at Hinata from her restricted wheelchair. My childhood pink haired friend shook her head slightly as if trying to clear her mind of the stunned stupor and welcomingly said,

"Right! Nice to meet you Hinata!"

And with that guided her wheelchair towards the kitchen where bangs and clashes could be heard as Sasuke attempted to cook.

Sakura parked herself in the dining area which was attached to the kitchen in a one room formation. Sasuke hadn't turned around to see who had arrived as he was so caught up with whatever he was doing. Sakura, who now had a smiling incredulous expression called over,

"Sasuke, Naruto and his um, date, are here!"

Sasuke was close to us but still hadn't turned around.

"Hey dobe, so who is this poor woman whose agreed to go on a date with you?"

He joked. Dick. Asshole. Prick. Bastard…what's he mean, poor woman who has agreed to go on a date with you?

…Twat.

I smiled smugly,

"Sasuke, I would like you to meet Hinata."

As Sasuke turned he said in a greeting tone,

"Nice to meet you Hinata…"

He froze his hand was stuck out for her to shake formally. His facial expression, well, it was freakin brilliant! His eyes widened in surprise his mouth gaped even wider than Sakura's had. His frozen trance only lasted for a brief moment however before he snapped back into life although now his expression seemed slightly guarded. Hinata took his hand, whilst shaking it gently she answered,

"Nice to meet you too Sasuke."

All he could manage in reply was,

"Hn..."

As he tucked in his chin and glanced from me to Sakura - with a slight disbelieving frown on his face - and then back to Hinata. Sakura and I sniggered a little as his, god, comical face! Hinata smiled cheerfully at him patiently waiting. He cleared his throat,

"Um…some Sake."

He more or less stated rather than asked as he rushed back into the kitchen. That was it. I couldn't hold it in anymore. I clutched my stomach as I bent over in a fit of uncontrollable laugher! I was soon joined by Sakura and the sweet musical laugh of Hinata.

Sasuke stared over at us before strutting over in an irritated manner, giving us each a glass of Sake. He glared at me as I was still laughing. I just couldn't stop. Sakura attempted to calm me down,

"Okay Naruto, enough is enough, it wasn't that funny…"

"Are you freakin kidding me? That was hilarious!"

(Sakura anger sign)

"I said that's enough!"

She growled, her short temper shorting out, as she grabbed me by the ear (I was bent over still so she was able to reach my ear easily...) pulling me down until I was begging for her to let go. She did; my fits of laughter now cured. Sakura smiled sweetly over at Hinata (where did the pink haired monster go? Anime tears) and motioned her over to the table,

"Come have a seat Hinata!"

Hinata, who looked a little shocked, followed her over. She and Sakura started chatting away friendlily, pretty much straight away. I leaned on the bench taking in the exterior of the kitchen…

"Dude…the kitchen's a mess!"

Sasuke glowered at me, "Shut it dobe! I'd like to see you do better…no actually scratch that! Just the thought of your cooking makes me wanna puke."

He ended with an arrogant smile. Why that stuck up bas-

"YOU'RE ONE TO TALK! YOUR COOKING DOES MAKE ME PUKE!"

I shouted (Naruto, white eyes, anger sign) shaking my clenched fist at the haughty so and so. Sasuke (Sasuke, anger sign, white eyes) bristled at my retort,

"Why you…idiot!"

To both our surprise we had to duck and cover abruptly as a book came flying past our heads and crashed loudly into one of the kitchen cabinets! Sakura could be heard angrily shouting from the table,

"Would you two knock it of!"

Sakura's fury could be felt as we both carefully stood back up from our crouching hiding places. Sakura has a pretty bad temper…heh in case you haven't noticed. Sasuke blinked at me and then smiled,

"Heh. The missus has spoken!"

We laughed at that. Sakura's outburst had instantly cooled our argument down. As usual; it's kind of a system. He says something, I say something, he/I gets mad, I/he gets mad, we get mad, a fight happens, Sakura flips, we fear for our lives and then we become comrades in arms and calm down…haha…it's a weird system but it's a system that works, more or less.

Sasuke and me have been best friends since we were pretty small in fact. Even though we fight we're pretty close (a lot of the time it's just friendly banter) kind of like blood brothers I guess.

As a kid Sasuke was always smiling and laughing and he was kind of a sissy at times. But when he reached high school things got pretty rough for him at home with his family, he turned into a pretty doom n' gloom sorta guy around then. Y' know pretty emo; but we were still best friends. I always stood by him. Like through the time when he was going to run away from home…then another time when he was gonna run away from home…oh and that other time he was gonna run away from home (he planned to run away from home quite a lot...) and then the time he tried to push me away – literally, with his fists – I still stuck by him. And through me and other friends he started to come right. So now he's a hell of a lot better than he used to be, especially since he got with Sakura.

Basically, if Sasuke were sheet (ya know a bed sheet) he would have been all dirty and crinkled and bleh. But then you put the sheet in the wash and its gets all clean! But when it comes out it's all wet and still all creased, so you gotta put it on the washing line. So then it flaps around until it's dry and you take it off! Then it's clean and dry but still creased. So it's getting there but still not quite there. Then you finally straighten that bed sheet out and you finally iron out the creases until it is perfect… Now I'm not saying Sasuke would be a perfect sheet, he'd probably still have the odd crease here and there and maybe a few tares and stains but over all he would be much improved coz he'd be clean, dry and ironed…and why the hell I just used a bed sheet as a metaphor for Sasuke I have no idea…moving on.

Sasuke and Sakura got married pretty young. I mean, they live in the same home and have officially been married for about a year now, a pact to say they will spend the rest of their lives together. That's not an easy thing to do, it's a huge step especially to do so young…but they decided to get married soon after Sakura's accident. Before the accident Sakura was very mobile. She'd get around walking just like everyone else. She was actually pretty health concious and used to like cross country running and stuff…then the accident…after that she almost died. She was in a coma for a month and the doctors weren't even sure if she'd ever wake up. It was a horrible time…It's hard to even think about let alone talk about.

But when she did wake up and she began to come to terms with loosing the use of her legs she and Sasuke learned that; life's short. It can be taken away from you in a second. Even though she couldn't walk anymore Sakura had been given a second chance; she and Sasuke had been given a second chance. I know for a fact that Sasuke would have just…crawled into himself and died if Sakura had never woken up…it was plain to see during that month when she was thrown into an un-wake-able slumber that he couldn't live without her.

I was caught up in my own grief too. Sakura was one of my best friends and there had been a time when I felt more than just friendship for her but Sasuke's pain…I can't even think about it. So they got married. And their happiness they feel in each others presence is…well…amazing. So, good for them! I can only hope I'll find someone I feel so strongly about and that she would feel the same for me…

My gaze tenderly fell on Hinata who was sitting at the table laughing away with Sakura. I smiled.

She had removed her coat. She was leaning casually back on one of the wooden chairs by the table. One of her legs crossed leisurely over the other, curving in a tantalising way that sent my imagination whirling...She was wearing a dark purple dress type thing…could have been a dress or it could have been a long top…whatever, either way it looked to be made from a soft floaty material that wasn't tight fitting but showed all her curves in a flattering light…long sleeved but showed the tops of her shoulders…a tiny delicate gold chain hung around her neck…god. She was so god damn beautiful!

The doorbell rang cheerfully informing us of another guest…dragging me back to reality where I realised I had been staring at Hinata like a total love struck perv…good thing she hadn't noticed. Sakura went and got the door for the second time…a ruckus of senseless and one-sided-chatter filtered through to the room. I groaned slightly. Only one person could sound like that. I went over and stood close to Hinata. She looked up at me with a quizzical expression,

"You'll find out in a sec…"

I whispered knowingly. This was definitely going to be interesting…

"Move your wheels Billboard brow!"

(Naruto sweat drop)

A familiar voice joked in an 'I'm joking but what I'm saying is true so do move.' kind of voice. Another growl issued from Sakura,

"Hey pig don't push through this isn't your house you know!"

Yep. My assumption was right.

A blonde woman came rushing into the room in a hyperactive and obviously excited style,

"Hi guys!"

She exclaimed her long blonde hair surrounding her as she had it freed from its usual ponytail. Sakura came from behind her, clenching her teeth as she tried to calm herself (the billboard brow comment is always a sore spot for her...probably more so than the wheels remark.) through those clenched teeth and closed eyes she said,

"That's right, birthday girl is here!"

I grinned at my little sister,

"Happy birthday baby sis!"

She frowned and placed her hands on her hips indignantly,

"Naruto! I'm twenty two years old! I haven't been a baby for years!"

I put my hand on her head condescendingly,

"Awww but you'll always be my baby sister!"

I must have hit a nerve coz she grabbed hold of my hand (the one that had condescendingly patted her head) and pushed my fingers back causing me to yelp in pain! The bitch! What she trying to do? Break my friggin fingers! Sakura sighed as my sister grinned menacingly and I whimpered pitifully,

"Naruto don't antagonise her!"

"Antagonise her? She's the one trying to break my fingers!"

(Sakura, flames, death aura)

My sister dropped my fingers hurriedly and I zipped my cake hole before Sakura decided to kill us both…I straightened up flexing my fingers. They clicked in answer. Ouch. (Since when did she have such a death grip? Ha actually, now that I think back probably since always.) I then said,

"Hinata this is my bab…I mean my sister, Ino."

Ino, who had been too caught up in first attempting to break my fingers and then removing her little denim jacket and her French style hat, that she hadn't even noticed Hinata. However, as soon as I mentioned the name 'Hinata' she spun around and took in the woman who I was standing by; her eyes nearly popped out of their sockets from shock and…excitement? She grinned and looked all kinda dazed. Okay, this is a different reaction to Sakura and Sasuke…

"Hinata…"

She trailed off as she gave Hinata her hand to shake, her voice full of admiration. What the hell?

"…This is so…wow…I'm like…"

She began trying to get her words out carefully...then all of a sudden a flurry of words came tumbling out of her lips in total Ino style,

"Oh my God! I'm like your biggest fan! And now you're here in front of me and you're Naruto's date and this is just so weird! But at the same time it's so cool coz it's my birthday and this could be thought of as the best birthday present like ever because I totally adore and look up to you! And now you're here and you're here with Naruto and…"

I felt blown away by her wordy outburst (how can someone say all that in one breath?) and by the look of Hinata's expression she looked pretty taken aback too! Ino gasped glancing from me to Hinata an idea obviously forming. She grabbed hold of Hinata's hands in a very forward manner and exclaimed,

"Ahh! Marry Naruto he's a really nice guy then we can be sisters!"

…What?

"Okayyy that's enough sugar for you!"

I laughed awkwardly as I wrapped my arm around Ino, covering her mouth with my hand. She mumbled and wriggled in protest. Hinata blinked and then laughed that musical, sweet, laugh. I felt like I was going to melt as I let go of the squirming Ino my arm going limp…I guess she bewitched me with her laugh haha.

"Jeez Naruto you're such a pain! Why'd you put your grubby hand over my mouth I don't know where that hand's been yuck!"

For a person who's just turned twenty two, today, she really isn't that mature. Heh, I guess I can't talk much, I'm twenty three and I can still be pretty childish (must be in the genes haha) but then I always think it's good to stay in touch with your inner child.

"If I'm such a pain then I'll just keep this here present that I brought for a certain pain in the arse…"

I nonchalantly commented picking up the roughly wrapped present. She squealed enthusiastically,

"Ohh so what did you get me big brother? Is it expensive? Is it jewellery? No, it's clothing? It's clothing right?"

She bounced on the spot expecting me to pass it to her,

"Nope, I'm a pain so why should someone who's such a pain as me give you a present?"

She went up onto her tiptoes, stretching her arm out, lunging for the present. I'm taller than her so I held it up in the air easily keeping it out of reach. She continued trying to grab the present, leaning into me for balance. We used to play this game a lot when we were kids…haha well I played it and she would be none to impressed when I decided to play it! Haha. Another favourite of mine was 'piggy in the middle' and said piggy would be little sister Ino (it suited her haha considering what her name meant)

It was interesting really. Because you wouldn't necessarily make the connection that Ino and me are brother and sister. Although we both have blonde hair hers is a definite different shade to mine, lighter ya know. Her eyes are blue, like mine, but much paler more like a blue grey sort of colour. Mine are more of an oceanic, deep blue. Yet another difference is I have naturally tanned skin (which she'd kill for I might add) and she has naturally pale skin. But I can safely assure you that we are both from the same gene pool…seriously, I actually found proof when I was eight because I was convinced she had to be adopted (To cut a long story short I actually searched around until I found Ino's birth certificate stuffed in one of the cabinets in Gramps's study…and even then I had my suspicions it could have been forged.) But nope. Her mother and father are the same mother and father I had…Old grampa Jiraiya explained to me at my tender age of eight,

"Don't be such a knucklehead Naruto! Obviously you took after your father and Ino took after her grandmother!"

This was true, (much to my disgruntlement at the time) my Granny Tsunade did have pale skin and light blonde hair very similar to Ino's. So that was the end of that, she really wasn't adopted…sadly…

Ino carried on trying to get the present, I kept it out of reach, she screeched aggravated and I laughed (I like messing with her hehe.) This went on for hhhmm a few minutes before Sakura short fused again and got mad meaning I had to give Ino the present which she tore open with a vengeance to reveal a colourful top I had brought for her. She made excited noises and gave me a bone crushing hug before rushing off to the kitchen area to talk to Sakura and Sasuke. I assume she liked it then? Haha.

I apologetically said to Hinata, sitting myself beside her,

"Sorry about that, she's pretty hyper, especially on her birthdays!...I forgot that she's a big fan of you!"

Hinata smiled at me,

"No problem I've had much worse…crazy fans are part of the job description!"

She laughed unfazed by Ino's extreme personality. I smiled warmly at her. I could feel another 'moment' about to occur between us, the atmosphere was starting to feel that way anyway as we began to incline our bodies closer to one another…that is until the doorbell decided to 'ding-a-ling' and completely ruin the 'moment'. Jeez …

Sasuke went and opened the door this time. Within seconds a green blur zoomed into the room, went over to Ino and started to sing loudly,

"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Ino! Happy birthday to youuuu!"

Ino grinned,

"Haha thanks Lee!"

Rock Lee handed Ino a small wrapped present, beaming from ear to ear,

"No problem!"

Lee, well, how to describe Lee? He's extremely over excited all the time and seems to have a fascination with the colour green. Take now for instance, he was wearing a bright green jumper, tracky-bottoms that had a green stripe down the sides and bright green running shoes that also had a bit of orange on them too…yeah he was a bit of an eye saw, especially when you saw the green added with the bowl-cut hair and big bushy eyebrows. But he wouldn't be Lee if he weren't eccentric!

"Hey Bushy Brows!"

I said smiling using my favourite nickname for him,

"Naruto!"

He answered cheerfully grinning at me. Sasuke handed him a glass of orange juice (Lee doesn't drink that often on account he gets drunk very easily and very quickly…haha pretty hilarious when he does, except he tends to break and trash things when he's drunk…yeah…moving on.)

It was strange. We all just stood waiting for Lee to notice Hinata…the seconds ticked by…I cleared my throat,

"Er, Lee, this is Hinata."

Lee stepped forward livelily and grasped Hinata's delicate hand shaking it eagerly,

"Hinata! Nice to meet you!"

…

Okay. So…apparently Lee doesn't recognise Hinata…ha, another interesting reaction…or more like less of a reaction…Lee didn't seem to notice how we were all glancing at each other wondering when and if he was going to realise that there was a famous actress in the room with us. He didn't so we started to move around and chat with each other.

No ones POV:

So the gang (minus Sai, who had to go to an art gallery opening that night) were all accounted for.

Hinata sat at ease on the wooden chair by the table as she had done earlier, smiling and laughing. She was really enjoying herself - much to her delight - Naruto and his friends were just so…refreshing.

Naruto…

She could feel herself glowing just at the thought of him, he was so lovely, in a goofy cute way; he made her laugh…he was handsome, so handsome that when he grinned that gorgeous toothy grin it made her stomach flip; that kind of reaction had not happened in a long time for her. As an actress she had learned to have a very careful handle on all her emotions but when she was with Naruto…it seemed a lot harder to control those emotions; the reasons for this she wasn't quite sure of yet…but she knew he made her feel like an equal, no higher no less, she was just another person to him. She liked that. He didn't put on airs and graces simply because she was a famous actress, in fact, none of them did (except Ino at first but once she had got over the initial excitement she treated Hinata like an ordinary person…more or less.) Hinata liked this feeling. It felt homely, comfortable, safe…normal. She loved being an actress if she didn't she wouldn't do it but…doing normal everyday things, like bonding with friends, wasn't an everyday occurrence in the acting world.

Lee made his way to Hinata and sat in the chair next to her, grinning madly,

"So! Hinata! What do you do for a living?"

He asked friendlily. Hinata found him so comical! She had instantly warmed to all of Naruto's friends and baby sister…although his baby sister was a bit of a crazy blonde bombshell Hinata could see some of her big brother's good qualities, even if they weren't obviously visible. The quiet moody one who was cooking seemed cold on first contact but the more she studied him the more she realised there was a definite deepness to him, not only that but the apparent love he showed for his wife just by looking at her was enough to warm the hearts of the coldest person. He also proved to have a dry but good humour as he would make little comments that would;

A.) Annoy Naruto

B.) Make everyone laugh

C.) All of the above.

Then there was Sakura. Hinata liked Sakura even though she had a short temper. Hinata could tell she was a good person if not a blunt one; she would come straight to the point if needs be, Hinata was sure of this. Also, Hinata felt a huge amount of admiration for the pink haired woman due to the fact that through all the things she'd been through she had such a bright smile and seemed perfectly happy. She seemed very strong (both physically and mentally) in the young actress's opinion.

The lilac eyed woman felt incredibly happy to have met such exceptional people that had made her feel so welcome...

She smiled at Lee,

"I'm an actress."

He nodded enthusiastically. Hinata briefly thought that if he nodded his head too much more then it could possibly detach from his neck if he wasn't careful,

"Yosh! An actress!"

He exclaimed impressed. She chuckled, his over hyperactivity was almost infecting…almost.

"So what do you do Lee?"

She asked interestedly,

"Oh! I work as a gym instructor!"

That makes sense, Hinata thought to herself. He did look like he would be perfectly at home doing something like that.

"It's a great job! I instruct people on how to use the gym equipment and I'm also a personal trainer! And I run the local high school's football and running clubs!"

He finished with a bright grin (famous 'ting' noise from shiny teeth) and the thumbs up.

To have Lee as a personal trainer, instructor or coach would certainly mean burning off plenty of Calories judging by his I-just-can't-stay-still exterior, even when he was sitting he still had to be moving something whether it was his legs, arms or some other body part. Hinata felt exhausted just thinking about his working out regimes.

"It sounds like you're very passionate about your job Lee!"

She pointed out cheerfully to which Lee replied,

"YOSH! I am Hinata oh I am! Especially as I get to work with my mentor, Might Gai! That's his gym name as he is the best gym instructor in the job! He is my Sensei! And he certainly is the best Sensei anyone could wish for! I can only hope to be as great as him one day!"

Lee had become so excited, emotional tears flowed down his cheeks (Anime tears. Hinata sweat drop) He suddenly pulled out a wallet with a photo of this Gai Sensei,

"That's him!"

Hinata was surprised to see, basically, an older version of Lee grinning up from the wallet giving the 'thumbs up'. If she didn't know better she would have thought the guy was his father…

"My mother brought me up by herself…so he's like the father I never had."

His voice had changed to a more sorrowful yet grateful one. Before Hinata could say any words of comfort or of such Rock Lee returned to his over excited self and exclaimed raising his arms in the air,

"You know Gai Sensei and I were paid to do a fitness video! So I guess I have done some acting too!"

...A fitness video with Gai and Lee…

"But the pay for acting is shocking! Don't you think so Hinata! I mean, the pay we received was terrible especially as the quality of the fitness instructions we did were some of the best! I mean how rude and unthankful is that? When someone does their best for someone else they should try their absolute hardest to at least try and repay them!"

Lee had got all hyped up again. Rising from his seat during his rant he now had his legs slightly bent in a crouch position, his lips pouted distastefully and he had his fists clenched in front of him. (Hinata sweat drop...again) Lee flumped back in his seat once he had finished his outraged rant, turning to Hinata,

"So what kind of acting do you do Hinata?"

"I star in movies, actually."

She replied carefully.

"Oh! Well done! So youthful!"

She didn't quite know what to say to that…

"So! What did you get paid? I mean, for your last movie?"

He asked his lips pouted distastefully again,

"Three million dollars."

Hinata told him sincerely and seriously, nodding her head slowly. Lee's eyes widened in shock as she told him the apparently 'shocking pay' that she as an actress received…for the first time in the short space of time Hinata had known him, Lee was lost for words.

"…Oh…right. Well, that's…pretty good…yosh…"

He weakly commented. Hinata smiled understandingly at him and politely said to him to excuse her. Leaving a dumbfounded Lee she asked where the toilet was, Ino volunteered to show her where it was and after she had left the room Naruto was very quickly approached by his friends…

Naruto's POV:

"Is this some kind of trick dobe?"

Sasuke said incredulously to me. I frowned angrily,

"No it is not teme!"

"It's not my fault how very unlikely it is Naruto you got to expect us to question it!"

He said simply, in an amused tone, his hands in his pockets as he leaned against the kitchen bench, I retaliated sort of joking but kinda serious too,

"Shut it jerk!"

"Bitch!"

He smirked. I was about to retort when Sakura interrupted,

"I can't believe it Naruto! How did you even meet her?"

She exclaimed in a whispered voice,

"She came into the travel book store…yeah I know right? I couldn't believe it either but we got talking, just by happenstance, then she asked me to meet with her and it all sorta…ended up to this point in time! Haha!"

I rubbed the back of my blonde haired head as my friends gaped slightly at me - once again - gaping seems to be an ongoing pattern tonight. Ha. Lee came over and said in a confused voice,

"Am I missing something here?"

Sakura looked up at him,

"Lee…Naruto's date is Hyuuga Hinata!"

Lee blinked,

"As in…Hyuuga Hinata…famous actress Hyuuga Hinata?"

We all nodded in answer, Sasuke stated his voice full of understanding for Lee's disbelief,

"Yep…"

Lee's eyes enlarged (if that's even possible) his mouth fell open until it practically touched the floor before he spun around grabbing his face with his hands and started jumping around making noises that, I guess, expressed his embarrassment,

"Sugary peaches!"

Oh. Wow. Something must have really embarrassed him coz he's using his own personal swear words (Lee doesn't curse…so he makes up his own less insulting versions…) …ha, interesting…

"Fiddler fiddle poo poo sticks!"

Heh, that's a new one…

"HOLY MOTHER OF GAI SENSEI!"

Oh. Oh dear. He used the mother of Gai Sensei cuss…he's really upset…

"Lee! Keep it down!" Sakura hissed but then continued in a softer voice, "What's wrong?"

Lee turned around to face us, (Anime tears.)

"I didn't know who she was so I told her about Gai Sensei and my fitness video and how acting pays really badly!"

A tumble of words came out as an explanation. Lee… (Sasuke, face palm. Sakura & Naruto sweat drop) I patted him on the shoulder,

"Poor dude…but cool it k! Hinata's a really nice understanding person, she won't mind…"

"I think someone's smitten…again…"

"Shut it Sasuke!"

"Just sayin…" he held his hands up defensively.

Ino entered the room a fit of hysterical giggles threatened to spill over. Oh god what now…

"Guys…I don't know what came over me but…I was telling Hinata about all these really nice clothes shops I often go to and how we should go shopping and then I suggested to her that, if she could put a good word in for me. You know with that really sexy actor called Sabaku No Kankuro! Y' know that guy who she starred with in that vampire/supernatural type movie and whose younger brother is an actor too? Anyway I asked her to put in a good word for me coz I read in Hello magazine that they're still really good friends and so I thought,"

I cut in at this point before the word monster decided to move off track,

"Ino-blabber-mouth stick to the point! Jeez you're the same as you were when you were thirteen and that Deidara guy asked you out!"

She stuck her tongue out at me (You wouldn't think she had just turned twenty two would you…) frowning,

"Hey leave Deida out of this! Anywayyy…I was so busy asking her to put in a good word for me and was actually about to say I would give her my phone number to give to the actor – that is totally fit – that I realised she was…actually standing by the toilet waiting for me to leave…"

She covered her mouth, eyes widening, giggling slightly at her own stupidity. I sighed. Great. We had to laugh though, so we all did…it's better to laugh in these situations. It's either that or cry…

Once Hinata had returned the meal was pretty much cooked. So I helped Sasuke with carrying the plates over (Sakura had set out the knives and forks earlier.) It was just Sasuke and me in the kitchen area, getting plates from the cupboards. He looked at me, his lips slightly pursed, a small frown, his eyes thoughtful and scrutinizing. I blinked,

"What?"

He searched for words. His mouth opening and then closing…and then opening…and closing again, his eyes looking upwards and to the sides as he debated…what the hell did he want to say? He finally looked at me and said curiously,

"Have you had sex with her?"

…Huh?

"What? No!"

"No means yes so you have!"

He stated in a hushed whisper as he grabbed another bottle of Sake. I frowned,

"No it doesn't! No means no!"

He blinked at me his face expressionless…he then asked bluntly,

"Naruto, have you ever masturbated?"

…

"…No!"

A triumphed expression graced his features,

"Ya see! No definitely means yes!"

With that he turned on his heel and headed towards the table, carrying the bottle of Sake. I gritted my teeth, gripping hold of the stack of plates I held in my hands and shouted angrily,

"No means NO Sasuke!"

…Silence as everyone turned to stare at me. Heh heh…whoops…

"Heh um…food's served everyone haha!"

I laughed nervously as I motioned to the pile of plates I held on to. I made my way over to the table where we all sat down to enjoy the er…meal…Sasuke had cooked…well it might not be that bad…I might be pleasantly surprised…Heh who am I kiddin it's gonna be awful! Haha!

I sat next to Hinata - grinning at her - she inclined her head to the side to look at me, smiling merrily closing her eyes.

As we sit together with my small circle of friends I feel…perfectly…

Content…complete…

"Hey dobe…you did wash your hands before touching the plates, right?"

Sasuke says to me smiling mischievously. Sakura who sits beside him curiously looks between us both not knowing what Sasuke means…

…

I feel perfectly content and complete until that baka decides to open his god damn mouth!

~x~

A/N: Haha well, I decided to do the birthday party in two parts coz otherwise it was going to be freakin huge! I hope you enjoyed it, I'm sorry the characters are a bit OOC but like I said earlier it is necessary for the story. Besides I think it's a good thing to play with their personalities just as long as there is some reference to their real behaviours…if that makes sense?

Anyway, I apologise for any spelling or/and grammar mistakes.

Please review on your way out! It doesn't take long people! ;)

Thanks for reading!

LadyB3ARwolfFang