Chapter Two- Arrival

Hinata looked out the window and watched as plants and cars whipped past them on the bus. She glanced behind her and saw Naruto a couple seats down snickering, and Sasuke with an annoyed look on his face.

Hinata smiled, Naruto and Sasuke had such an odd friendship. Sasuke thought Naruto was just a big headache, but it never stopped his strong bond with the blond. Naruto was always a friendly person, and it showed through his eccentric personality, and his unwavering strive for success. Hinata really liked those qualities, and it explained why she always felt so drawn to him.

Hinata looked ahead; Sakura had her head down as she looked at some text messages. Sakura was very good friends with Naruto and Sasuke, though she normally hung out with girls, she fit in with the two boys very well. Naruto and Sakura had a strong bond almost like a brother and sister, and, though she tried to deny it, Sakura wished her bond with Sasuke would become something better than friendship.

Hinata glanced back at the boys again. Sasuke seemed to feel the same way about Sakura, however neither of them are aware of the others feelings, nor will they admit their own. Everyone close to them obviously saw it, since they always try to play matchmaker with the two. Though Hinata knew she'd just have to wait and see when either one would confess to the other. She hoped they'd be happy together someday.

Naruto's incessant snickers caught Hinata's attention again. She looked over at the blond and stared at him for a moment. She had always liked him, she knew that, but her shy nature and lack of knowledge of Naruto's feelings for her made her stay a safe distance away.

Sasuke looked up and caught Hinata's stare. He said something to Naruto that she couldn't hear, and Naruto stopped his snickers, looked up, and waved at Hinata with a big grin on his face.

Hinata whipped her head back down and stared down at her lap, her face reddened.

"It's easy to stare at someone when they're in front of you, but people will notice if you stare behind you."

Hinata looked up; Temari sat next to her on the bus. Temari glanced at Hinata.

"It's true." She stated.

Hinata blushed and fidgeted with the end of her shirt. "I-I know."

"Why don't you confront him today?"

"W-W-What?" Hinata stammered. "I-I could never! I don't even know what he'd say…I…I'm…."

"To nervous…?" Temari interjected. "That's why you grow a backbone and do it. You'll never stop being afraid if you don't stand up every once in a while."

Hinata looked out the window. "I know…."

Something that sounded like bells went off. Temari reached into her pocket and pulled out her cellphone. She read over the text message she received, growled, and typed a furious message.

"I-Ino again…?" Hinata asked.

"Yeah…you know if you and Sakura didn't hang out with Ino so much I probably would have punched her out already…trying to take my man." Temari grumbled the last part to herself.

Hinata smiled, Ino and Temari were friends, but mention Shikamaru and they may as well be warring nations. She had no idea who would have the potential to win that battle. Shikamaru's too laid back to seem to want to think about relationships, and even if he had he sure doesn't show who he likes better. Hinata glanced behind her, in the seat right behind them Shikamaru napped against the window.

"But I have to say; at least Ino has the guts to let the one she likes know it; sound familiar, Hinata?" Temari grinned mischievously and looked back to Hinata.

Hinata blushed; she didn't know what to say.

Ting – saved by the message alert.

Hinata pulled out her cellphone and looked down at it.

To: White-eyed Angel
From: Saku-chan

I'm guessing from ur reddened face Tema is talking 2 u about Naruto. Did this help stop the conversation?
~*~

Hinata smiled, Sakura was truly a great friend to her, and the only one who won't try to push her and Naruto together.

To: Saku-chan
From: White-eyed Angel

Yeah…u r right. Thanks for stopping it.

To: White-eyed Angel
From: Saku-chan

No problem. Hey, Naruto's checking u out.
~*~

Hinata blushed and turned her head around. Naruto had his cellphone out, texting obviously.

Ting

To: White-eyed Angel
From: Saku-chan

Kidding, kidding. ;) But I wouldn't put it past him.
~*~

Hinata blushed a deeper shade. Sakura may not try to push her and Naruto together, but she sure knew how to mess around with it….

Back where Naruto sat, he just finished typing a message, and sent it.

Bing. Naruto grinned, Sasuke received it.

Sasuke picked up his phone and read the message.

To: DarknessAvenger
From: RamenKing

Hinata was looking at me!

To: RamenKing
From: DarknessAvenger

No duh, Dobe, I was the 1 who told u.
~*~

"Oh yeah…." Naruto sighed in realization.

To: DarknessAvenger
From: RamenKing

Do u think it means something?

To: RamenKing
From: DarknessAvenger

If u r so curious, y don't u just ask her out today?

To: DarknessAvenger
From: RamenKing

NO! What if she says no???

To: RamenKing
From: DarknessAvenger

She probably won't…she definitely likes u seeing as she's the only 1 who will put up with u.

To: DarknessAvenger
From: RamenKing

I guess so…THEN U GOTTA ASK OUT SAKURA!!
~*~

Sasuke's eyes widened slightly when he read the message, and his face felt hot.

To: RamenKing
From: DarknessAvenger

Y?

To: DarknessAvenger
From: RamenKing

Cuz I know u looove her!!
~*~

The blond would definitely be hit repeatedly when they got off the bus.

To: RamenKing
From: DarknessAvenger

She'll just say no.

To: DarknessAvenger
From: RamenKing

Well then, if she says no, it's over and done with, if she says yes u got urself a girlfriend! It's a win-win situation!
~*~

Sasuke found himself stuck. It was true that if she said yes he'd get a girlfriend, but getting rejected was definitely not something he wanted.

To: RamenKing
From: DarknessAvenger

I don't want 2.

To: DarknessAvenger
From: RamenKing

Then I don't want 2 either!

To: RamenKing
From: DarknessAvenger

At least 4 u Hinata will probably say yes.

To: DarknessAvenger
From: RamenKing

Well Sakura would probably say yes 2!!
~*~

The hot feeling in Sasuke's face grew. He had to end this conversation.

Bing

Sasuke looked down at his cellphone for the new message.

To: DarknessAvenger
From: RamenKing

I spy something chicken.
~*~

Naruto was pushing it…that much was obvious.

To: RamenKing
From: DarknessAvenger

U, since u won't ask out Hinata.

To: DarknessAvenger
From: RamenKing

Then I guess we're both chicken! Since I was talking about u!

To: RamenKing
From: DarknessAvenger

I am not chicken

To: DarknessAvenger
From: RamenKing

Well ur hair sure is! And so is the rest of u since u won't ask out Sakura!

To: RamenKing
From: DarknessAvenger

W/E Dobe….

To: DarknessAvenger
From: RamenKing

I'll ask out Hinata if u ask out Sakura!

To: RamenKing
From: DarknessAvenger

Fine! Now shut up!
~*~

Naruto was astonished at what he read, but once it really sunk in he started to laugh.

Sasuke didn't realize what he had just said until Naruto started to laugh behind him. When it sunk in, so did the turmoil.

"Oh crap, I just agreed to ask out Sakura! Damn it! The Dobe won't let me go back on this, but I don't want to hear her say no. But if she says yes, I guess I'll be happy and it'll be worth it. But if she says no…. Argh, damn you Naruto!"

Sasuke looked up and saw the back of Sakura's pink head. He had no idea what she'd say. Sure, they had been friends for years, but what if she wasn't ready to accept him as anything more?

Just then, the bus came to a halt. Sasuke looked outside and his heart sunk. They were there.

A teacher stood up and began to give everyone instructions. Sasuke didn't really hear anything due to the craze his mind was in.

And up in the front, Sakura had no idea of the events that would begin as soon as they stepped off that bus.

And chapter two is done! I actually used that last line a little earlier until I realized the title was "arrival" so I had to make them get there…so there's a tiny stretch! Anyway…I've had a shocking realization…why didn't I start watching Naruto: Shippuden earlier!? I just started a couple days ago, and I'm blowing through it since I'm enjoying it so much! (And the Bleach episodes, but I started that a while ago.) Anyway, that's the second chapter! The third, obviously, begins our real situation. (And a lot less texting since people can talk face-to-face now.) Right…till then!