I don't own Naruto.
Chapter 1: Six Months Earlier
"Naruto-kun."
"Yes, Hinata-chan."
"I asked my father about having you over for a formal dinner." Naruto winced slightly. "He said you could come to tomorrow's dinner." Naruto's face brightened. "On one condition." Naruto's brow furrowed. "You have to bring a date." Naruto got ready to protest. "For Neji." Naruto protested even louder.
Naruto had been brooding all morning. He could not even begin to figure out whom he could possibly get to attend what he imagined as a stuffy, boring party, and with Neji nonetheless. He was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he had not realized Sakura hit him – that is until he hit the tree.
"Naruto, I am so sorry. I expected you to dodge." Naruto grunted as he waited for Sakura to heal him.
"Its okay, Sakura-chan, I was distracted."
"I could tell. Anything that you want to talk about?"
"I had breakfast with Hinata-chan this morning. She has been asking her father to let me attend a formal dinner party for about a month. Normally, I would not be so wrapped up in this, but I have to go to one if I ever want to propose to Hinata. And he finally said 'yes'."
"Naruto that is wonderful news."
"That's not all."
"Uh-oh."
"Yeah, he said the only way I could come is if I brought a date for Neji that he approves of."
"Oh, well, there has to be someone you could get to go."
"That's the thing I can't think of anyone." Naruto said as he began to pout. Sakura could not help but feel sorry for him. He has done so much and worked so hard to get where he was – hokage-in-training. She was not sure if she could recall all of the times he protected her. Naruto was the type of best friend every-one wanted, she just wished there was something she could do to help.
"Wait, that's it!"
"What do you mean Sakura?"
"I can go."
"But Sakura you barely know Neji."
"So, that's what friends are for."
"Thank you, Sakura-chan! I have to go tell Hinata-chan." Naruto hugged Sakura and took off towards team Kurenai's training ground.
"Wait, Naruto, when is this thing?"
"Tomorrow night." He shouted just as he disappeared out of sight.
"Oh, well, tomorrow night?!!!!" I do not believe this. I am nice enough to agree to help him out and then I find out that I only have twenty-four hours to find a formal kimono. And there is no way I can get a salon appointment. I hope Ino can help me tomorrow. I keep feeling like I had something to do today. I forgot my meeting with shishou! Okay, stop at Ino's then to my meeting."
Arriving at the Yamanaka Flower Shop Sakura nearly fainted in relief when she saw Ino standing behind the counter.
"Hey, Sakura, what's up?"
"Hi, Ino. I need a huge favor. Are you busy tomorrow?"
"No, it is my day off."
"Oh thank goodness. I am doing a favor for Naruto, which involves attending a formal dinner party tomorrow night. I need you to help me with hair, makeup, and getting dressed. Please."
"No problem."
"Thank you so much Ino." Sakura said as she got up to leave.
"What party?"
"A formal Hyuuga dinner party." Ino's jaw dropped as the door closed behind Sakura.
Hinata was absolutely thrilled when Naruto told her Sakura said she would attend the dinner party with Neji. Although Sakura was not from a prestigious shinobi clan, she was sure her father would not say no. First, to say no would be practically a direct insult to the Hokage; Sakura was after all her apprentice. Second, she knew her father respected Sakura's healing skills after he watched her heal Hanabi and save her life. The fact that Sakura was the second from the infamous Konoha 11 to become a jounin would not hurt the cause either.
As Hinata approached her father's door, she was confident he would approve. She would have to make the meeting with her father quick too because she needed to take Naruto shopping for clothes.
Hyuuga Hiashi looked up when he heard a knock at his door and was slightly surprise when his daughter opened the door. Could the Uzumaki boy have met my condition? Was the thought running through his mind as he called for her to enter.
"Good afternoon, father."
"Good afternoon, Hinata. What is it that you need to speak to me about?"
"You had asked me to inform you if Naruto had fulfilled the condition to attend tomorrow's dinner. He has."
"Who has he found to attend the dinner party as Neji's date?"
"His former teammate and apprentice to the Godaime Hokage – Haruno Sakura."
"Well it seems that I will be informing the staff to place an extra set next to both you and Neji."
"Thank you, father. Would you like me to inform Neji?"
"That will not be necessary, Hinata. Please do not inform Neji that you know anything about this arrangement."
"Yes, father. Now if you would excuse me I need to take Naruto shopping."
"In that case, you are dismissed." Hiashi waited for his door to close before he allowed himself to smirk. I am beginning to like this Uzumaki boy more and more. Haruno Sakura? I wonder if Neji knows she was ANBU before he was. I need to speak with the hokage, but first to inform Neji of his date.
Sakura ran as fast as she could to the Hokage tower and made it just in time for her meeting with Tsunade. Nodding to Shizune, she tried to catch her breath before going into the office.
"Good afternoon, Sakura. How are you today and why are you so out of breath?"
"Sorry, shishou. I have been running around after talking to Naruto. The baka only gave me one day to find a formal kimono. Thank goodness, Ino said she would help me tomorrow. Then again I really cannot blame it all on Naruto."
"What do you mean?"
"Well apparently Hyuuga Hiashi waited until this morning to say that Naruto could attend the formal dinner party tomorrow with the added condition that he had to provide a date for Neji. He looked so miserable when he told me today that I just had to help him."
"So you are telling me that you are attending a formal Hyuuga dinner party tomorrow night as Neji's date?"
"Yes, and I don't have a kimono."
"I think I can help you with that. When you leave speak to Shizune, she will know what to do."
"Wow, you are the best shishou!"
"You are welcome. Now you wanted to discuss something with me?"
"Oh, yes. I wanted to speak to you about the diamond on your forehead."
Neji left his uncle's office still dazed from the news. I cannot believe Hiashi-sama arranged a date for me. I cannot believe he was implying that I should begin to consider marrying and producing an heir. I do not want any of that right now. I have my new assignment as an ANBU captain; I want to focus on that. How am I supposed to fix this? I know, I will make sure that this girl has the worst time of her life and hates me by the end of the evening. With that comforting thought, he walked towards the Hyuuga's private training grounds with a smirk adorning his features.
Once Hiashi felt his nephew's chakra arrive at the training grounds he stood to leave as well. He needed to go visit the Hokage about her apprentice. There may be a wager or two involved if things went the way he was expecting them to go.
That girl never ceases to amaze me. If she can manage to do what she is going to try, it could be one of the most amazing jutsu ever. Now I need to find out what Hyuuga Hiashi is up to.
A.N. Bear with me through the first few chapters as it may be slightly confusing but hopefully you will understand.