Alternative Ending 1:
Sakura pushed one of the slips into Ino's face, "One of the girl's said to start with this one."
"Alright, just get your meaty hands out of my face."
"Like you're one to complain. Your hooves are ugly as hell."
Ino waved the piece of paper around. "Will you let me finish my lunch now?"
Sakura crossed her arms. She was eager to see what these guys looked like. Maybe some of them would be her type (after she found Ino's secret beau). "Hurry up."
The blond girl rolled her eyes as she fished out her phone from her purse. She dialed the number.
"Hello, my name is Ino Yamanaka, I was at the New Year's party and I was wondering if you'd spare me some time to talk face-to-face."
Sakura raised an eyebrow at her friend. She couldn't hear the other person's reply.
"Yes, that would be perfect. I'll meet you there." Ino closed her phone.
"Did he sound hot?"
Ino rolled her eyes, "you need to get a boyfriend."
The other girl shrugged. "Well there are five guys that aren't going to be your mystery man."
"Ah, well about that Sakura… There was one more."
"What? Are you serious? You haven't met up with him, have you?"
Ino rubbed the back of her head. "I did. He wasn't the one."
Sakura stopped herself from asking more. She didn't even feel angry after the embarrassed and semi withdrawn gaze that Ino had after admitting that.
"He was an ass." Sakura stated.
Ino smiled back. "Let's hope this one goes better." Because launching herself at the last one sure as hell didn't work.
XXX
Ino liked the click of her nails against the counter. She was waiting for the receptionist to let Sakura and her in even after the infuriating woman stated several times that her boss was scheduled to meet with one girl instead of two.
"You would look cuter with your hair down instead of those two buns."
The woman scoffed at her. "My hair is practically put up so I'm not distracted. If I'm not distracted I get more done."
Ino stopped the older girl from saying more, "You look ugly with your hair up like that."
"Miss Yamanaka. If you say anymore I will throw something at you and I guarantee you will be missing an eye."
"Tenten."
Both girls turned sheepishly to the long haired pretty boy glaring at them. "Do not make scenes in my lobby."
He doesn't even know what a scene is. Ino thought to herself. She remembered plenty of hissy fits she's thrown in the past. This wasn't one of them.
Tenten bowed respectfully, "I'm so sorry Neji. I should have known better. I'm a professional and I wasn't acting like it."
Sakura and Ino exchanged a look. It was clear the brunette liked Neji, but Sakura wondered if he was the one to kiss Ino. She didn't think uptight would be Ino's cup of tea even though it came in an attractive package.
A very attractive package nonetheless.
Sakura started to follow Ino, but Tenten stopped her.
"The meeting was between Neji and one other person. Not two people!"
Sakura glared at the girl as she started arguing with her. Before she knew it Ino was gone and she had no choice but to stay in the lobby.
Evil secretaries.
XXX
Ino fiddled with some items on his desk. She was nervous. He was irritated. She could tell even though she wouldn't look him in the eye or say anything.
"I have important work to do. If you do not speak about the reason you're here I will have to ask you to leave."
She winced. He was so cold, but she remembered pulling him closer and touching his long silky hair. "Why?"
He glared at her. When she didn't explain he stated, "Clarify."
"Why'd you kiss me that night?"
Neji looked away from her and started working on some documents. "I have no idea."
Now it was her turn to glare. "What do you mean you have no idea!? You glare at me like I'm some skank even though you don't know me and then kiss me and disappear into the night. What you did makes no sense!"
"I know."
Why the hell is he so calm? Ino huffed at him. What am I supposed to say now?
"I've never been kissed like that."
The blond flushed. She couldn't believe she admitted that. It was a good thing Sakura wasn't allowed back here or she would be hearing about this for the rest of her life.
"To be fair you were dressed like a slut."
What? Ino deadpanned. "You're an asshole."
"I'm just stating the facts, Yamanaka." He seemed to twitch at her words. Oh, she would let him have it now.
"Isn't it important to judge someone as who they are, not how they're dressed?"
He replied. "Most people make judgments about whether or not to engage with someone after first looking at their appearance and then their manner. Businessmen especially are trained for this."
"Then why'd you kiss me when you thought I was a slut? Easy lay?" Ino crossed her arms as he flushed. Take that!
"No, I do not hook up with random girls. I think that's… sleazy."
She started to laugh. Sleazy didn't seem to be a word he would associate with. "So why then?"
"You are friends with Hinata Hyuuga, are you not?"
"Yes?"
"She is my cousin. She told me about you, she talks about you and your friend Sakura all of the time. She was the one who gave you the invite to the party. I'm the one who told her to." Neji informed her as he gazed into her eyes to see her reaction.
"Why?" She was stunned. It was all she could ask.
"I wanted to meet you."
"That doesn't really explain things."
"I respect that you hold your ground and defend other people who can't defend themselves."
"So I make Hinata's bullies go away and you want to thank me." The blond supplied.
"Yes, which is why Tenten will help you pick out something more appropriate to wear and I will pick you up for dinner after work."
What? "What if I say no?"
His clear eyes targeted her teal ones and she found herself backing down to his commanding tone. "You will not say no. Give Tenten your address after you are done shopping."
Why did she have to find her mystery man again? Ino shrugged it off as soon as she was away from his overpowering presence. She smirked to herself as she thought about the date they were going to have.
There was no way in hell she was going to dress 'appropriately'. Take that pretty boy! She'd show him who had the power here.