Alternative Ending 2:

"Well the first guy wasn't it." Sakura eyed the pieces of paper before glaring at Ino. "And neither was the secret guy you met, but won't tell me about."

Ino shrugged. "Let's go with this one." She picked up one of the pieces randomly.

"What happened with Neji Hyuuga anyway?"

"He called me easy is the gist of it." Ino informed while she dialed the number.

"This better be the guy." Sakura mumbled.

XXX

"Wow, he's cute." Sakura whispered towards Ino. "But is that… is that a tattoo?"

"Yes." Ino eyed the green eyed red head who was sitting calmly on a park bench all by his lonesome. She continued to march towards him, even as the pink haired girl's footsteps faltered.

"I'll just stay here Ino. He looks like a serial killer."

Ino rolled her eyes. Drama queen.

"Hi… Gaara?"

He nodded briefly before giving her the once over. Ino felt the urge to twitch at his jade orbs detailed her appearance and she had a feeling he saw more than she wanted him to.

"You wanted to meet me."

She felt the urge to shiver due to his deep voice. Instead she sat across from him. She tried to keep her mind off of his vibrant hair. She still remembered its sandy texture.

"So… uh… This is awkward." Ino started. He didn't answer her, so she continued on. "I know this is really weird, but I wanted to see you again because there never really was an explanation for why you kissed me."

"You're very beautiful."

Her face heated up. She had been told she was pretty many times, but his piercing eyes and even tone made her think that his statement was something he firmly believed.

"I didn't know you were the type to offer flattery."

"I'm not."

She stayed seated with him in silence feeling uncomfortable. Just as she was about to make an excuse to leave he spoke again.

"Do you want to meet again?"

"Eh?" Ino blinked. "You want to meet me again?"

He blushed. It was a cute little pink that made her want to give him a bear hug. "I do."

Ino propped up her arm to tease him. "You look cute when you blush."

Gaara fiddled with a napkin briefly before going still again. Ino's smile widened. "I'm really glad you kissed me on New Year's."

What a wonderful start to the New Year.

This was actually supposed to be the 4th alternate ending, but it came easier than the one that I'm trying to write…