Thank you very much for reading the first part. And thank you even more for reviewing.
Redsox31: Thank you. It took so long, because I've written the whole story, so I can update every week.
TL (guest): I know what you mean, and I hope that I won't disappoint you. I guarantee for nothing, I didn't want to make it too complicated. I'd appreciate some input or critism here.
SnugglesB: Here you go :) If nothing goes wrong, you can expect an update every week.
Chewie Cookies: Thank you so so much. Pointing that out is incredibly helpful for me. I hope I found all of them.
-2-
"So how are things going with Chouji?"
The weekly coffee party of the Konoha Kunoichi was really cut short this week. With Sakura and Hanabi in Suna, as well as Hinata on her way to visit them, it was only five of them. Karin was mysteriously still missing even though she was supposed to arrive an hour ago, so it was only two blondes, a brunette and a red head who had gathered in Ino's kitchen.
A content smile found his way to Ino's lips and her turquoise eyes shone. "Great. He is simply wonderful"
Karui snorted. "Yeah and you better keep him. I doubt there is another guy as calm and understanding and patient with you as he is."
"Hey what it that supposed to mean." Ino complained and glared at Karui.
"Well…" Tenten started, "…we saw you and Chouji shopping yesterday and let me tell you, you can sure be glad that Cho has such big hands or he would not have been able to carry all those bags!"
Karui and Temari snickered at that remark. It was true that Chouji with is patient and caring attitude was just perfect go balance Ino's extroverted behavior.
"Pfft, whatever." Ino huffed. "It's not like I'm the only one who can be lucky to have her current boyfriend. I mean Karui is just too explosive and wild, I don't think any other guy could keep up with her "open" ways and ideas. And Shika is the only man in the world who can put up with all the complaints and pushing from Tema. And, well, we all know that Tenten has a weak spot only Neji can find. I'm not even getting started on Lee and Karin."
"Where is she by the way?" Temari glanced at the clock. "She's going to miss all the gossip about our newest favorite couple. It is a shame they only got together after we have given up on betting years ago!"
"True, you should hear Neji talking about Naruto. I still don't know if he is happy or…" Tenten got interrupted by the doorbell.
"Ah, that's probably Karin!" She exclaimed and Ino got up to let their delayed friend in.
"Hello ladies, I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" A tired looking Karin stuck her head through the door, before she got shoved in by the impatient blonde behind her.
"Wow, you don't look so good. Did you sleep at all last night?" Karui remarked after seeing the bags under Karin's eyes. Her red hair floated down her shoulders untamed, and she was still in her pajama bottoms.
"No, I slept great, I'm just tired from dragging around THAT HUGE ENGAGEMENT RING all the time!" Karin flung her hand in the air, showing off the diamond ring on her left ring finger.*
The next minutes were dominated by loud happy squeals. "Oh my god, Lee asked you to marry him?" Temari inspected the ring intently and whistled under her breath.
"Yes! It was so romantic and all. He and Gai-sensei…"
"Wait him and Gai? Did I miss something?" Karui intercepted. It was common knowledge that Karin and Lee admired Gai with a burning passion. Konoha's green beast had already reserved the right to become godfather for all their future children.
"But of course, Lee asked him to assist with the dance!"
"Dance?!" A chorus of voices yelled.
"Exactly." Karin didn't seem fazed by the open mouthed figures in the room in the least. "If they didn't do the dance, the song would have been stupid"
Temari had the distinct feeling that she did not want to know what song they had performed, but before she could voice this thought Ino had already asked.
"It was so romantic. They did 'The One' Lee asked Gai to help him, since Neji inexplicably refused to participate. Can you believe that?" Karin huffed.
Tenten tried really hard not to picture it, but it was already too late, when she thought about Neji in some ridiculous outfit doing a dance routine while singing Backstreet Boys the laughter made his way to her lips and slipped past it. Soon the room was filled with loud laughter and cheers.
"I would pay money to see that!" Temari gasped as she held her stomach. "Tenten, you think there is any chance you could get Neji to…"
"Not a chance in hell! But if I could I'd make millions."
Karin meanwhile was pouting, not really seeing what was so funny about Lee's proposal.
…
Karin's day had started like every other day. She had woken up at six sharp, turned off her alarm even before it started to ring and sat up straight in bed. She started to stretch her slender figure. And one big yawn later she jumped out of bed, her usual energy already in place, but then she realized that something else wasn't.
"Lee?" She frowned when her boyfriend didn't respond. "Lee? Honey, are you there?"
Typically Lee would wake up right with her and start his morning work-out with push-ups while she made them a healthy breakfast. But it wasn't unusual for him to already work out when she awoke. Then he'd be doing push-ups in the back yard, where she could spot him from their bed room window. After she had made breakfast she'd tell him to come in. Only that on this specific morning the backyard was empty.
Karin shook her head in wonder. Lee would have told her if he had plans, and if Guy-sensei had come by for an early training outside their home, he would have left a sweet note for her at her bed stand to explain his absence. Also she was sure that Lee had not told her about him having any plans.
As she entered the kitchen the red head was met with the second surprise that day. On the table in the kitchen was a glass of orange juice accompanied by a large plate of scrambled eggs and bacon. In the middle stood a vase with a bouquet of beautiful red roses and a card was stuck in them.
"Good morning love,
I am deeply sorry not to have been by your side when you woke up this morning. To not be able to see your beautiful face right after you have awoken from your slumber, pains me deeply. However I am afraid I had no choice in this matter.
I would love to see you as soon as possible but Guy-sensei and I will be busy for the rest of the morning, so please meet me for lunch. I will wait for you, my dearest Karin, at noon by the entrance of 'Le petit mansion'.
I cannot wait to lay eyes upon your beautiful face. I love you.
Yours truly,
Lee"
Karin smiled brightly as she hugged the note close to her chest. "I love you, too." She sighed dreamily.
It had taken her forever to pick what to wear, since Lee had been so sweet with the roses and the card, Karin wanted to look amazing to surprise him and make him realize why she was worth sticking around for. So she pulled out a green jumpsuit which she had tailored to work as a tight dress. It accentuated her curves and worked well with her red hair. Her hair had been pulled up in an elegant bun. Karin didn't like high heels but on this special occasion she figured that it would make her look sexier. And just like that, she was ready to go.
Another bouquet of red roses awaited her in the hands of a very dashing looking Lee, all dressed up in a suit – green tie, of course.
"Lee? What's the occasion?" A little surprised Karin took the roses from him before giving him a loving kiss. She was very glad that she had dressed up.
He blushed and ducked his head. "Nothing really, I just wanted to match your radiant beauty."
The red on her face was a perfect match to the color of her hair. "Thanks, Lee."
Lee seemed a little on edge as they sat down; he fidgeted in his seat and messed up the order.
"Are you alright, Lee?" Concerned her small hand reached out to take his sweaty one.
His bowl shaped head nodded vigorously and kept glancing to the entrance door.
They had just finished the entrée, when Karin saw Guy appear and flash Lee a big grin. Matching Lee, his sensei also had thrown on a suit.
"Lee, what's…" Karin didn't get further, because the sound of loud music drowned out her voice.
Other people might have criticized the fact that neither Guy not Lee had any idea how to sing, but to Karin it was the sound of the angels. And it wasn't like meeting the notes mattered at all, since even the most feared music critic would not be able to deny that their amazing dance moves put every professional to shame. With all the swinging of their hips going on, who cared about the music really?
Karin suppressed the first squeal as Lee got down on one knee and pulled out a small satin box –green, of course.
"Karin, my love, I don't ever want to spend another day without you by my side and…" whatever heart-warming speech Lee had prepared, he didn't get to tell it.
"YES! A thousand times yes!" She didn't try to suppress the second squeal as she threw herself into his arms.
Most of the other guest in the restaurant had stood up and applauded the now engaged couple. Guy finally couldn't hold it in anymore and his waterworks of joy started to work.
"This is the picture of youthful love. Remember it people!" He pointed at the couple. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" The poor waiter he had crushed in a hug nodded furiously as he tried to pry the large man's arm off of him.
…
"I've already decided that I will take his name after our wedding!" Karin announced to the girls after they had calmed down.
With one gesture Karin pushed her glasses back. "I can picture it: Lee and Karin Rock, is both awesome and true!"
…
"Hinata!" Hanabi's speed rivaled even Naruto's as she stormed into her sisters arms. Hinata responded happily as she smiled broadly and hugged Hanabi close
"Hanabi it's so nice to see you."
Hanabi almost squeezed her to death and after she finally let go all she did was wave vaguely in Naruto's direction.
"What I don't get a hug?" Naruto sulked and crossed his arms.
Hanabi turned to him with a grin. "I thought you'd never ask. Sure you do, now that we are technically in-laws." She outstretched her arms and allowed the blond to hug her.
Behind her Hinata turned a soft pink but was unable to scowl her sister. The idea of marrying Naruto was too nice to be angry at Hanabi.
"Where are Gaara and Sakura?" Naruto released Hanabi from his hug and looked around.
"Well, Gaara was supposed to be here. I'm not really sure where he is, but he probably got hold up at the office." Hanabi shrugged it off. "And Sakura is probably fighting with Kankuro again!"
Naruto's ears perked up at this. "He's not giving her a hard time, is he?" He asked worried.
Hinata's younger sister snorted. "It's more like they are giving each other a hard time. They are constantly at each other's throats."
Hinata and Naruto exchanged glances, not sure whether that meant Sakura was doing better or worse than in Konoha. It was necessary to talk about it later but for now, Gaara and Hanabi had priority.
"Oh right!" Hanabi suddenly stopped and almost caused Hinata to bump into her, if it wasn't for her quick reflexes. "Naruto, I have something for you." The brunette rummaged in her bag just to pull out a simple black book.
And finally, Hanabi got to say the words she had wanted to for a few years. "Took you long enough."
With both hands she handed him the book and smiled brightly. "Ah, you have no idea how long I've waited for this."
"Thanks Hanabi." He grinned as he took it from her and opened it eagerly. He had become used to receiving gifts for his birthday but still, after all the years accepting presents from others was something special for him.
Hinata shot her sister a suspicious look, remembering the whole Kamasutra book debacle. "What is this?"
The younger one smiled. "Don't worry this time it has nothing to do with Kamasutra, but let me tell you, you are missing out." She winked, pretty happy with her choice of gift, despite not having known she'd use it herself one day.
The red of Hinata's face reached her hairline.
"'Nata, look at this." Naruto hadn't listened to their conversation; he was too engrossed into the photo-album Hanabi had given him. His voice had gone quiet and his eyes had gone big. In amazement he turned a page. As Hinata stepped next to him to take a look at her sister's gift, Naruto's hand reached out automatically to pull her closer. His arms locked around her thin waist as if she'd disappear any moment.
Naruto's blue eyes were locking with Hanabi's silver ones. "Thank you Hanabi." He said earnestly.
"Wow." Hinata breathed out as her fingertips stroke over the picture of her and Naruto. It had rained heavily that day and Naruto had insisted to escort her home. Hanabi must have seen them from the window of the apartment Naruto was trying his best to shield them with his jacket while they were running towards her apartment. It was a beautiful picture. "This is amazing Hanabi." She told her as she turned to the next page.
"Yeah, yeah. I was starting to get worried I went to all of this trouble for nothing." She waved her hand dismissingly. "You can look at it later; now let's get going to Gaara."
…
"Welcome to Suna." Gaara greeted them in his office. "And congratulations Naruto on finally fulfilling your dream."
He was answered with a large grin and a declaration from Naruto, how he had never a doubt that he would one day make it. "But besides that, how are things going for you?"
"I am very well, thank you Naruto. How are my men doing in Konoha? Is the exchange program going as planned?"
Hinata and Hanabi had meanwhile relocated in Hanabi's office to leave the Kages alone for their meeting. The two of them were also busy discussing the current diplomatic affairs. An unspoken agreement to leave the more personal issues for the next day when all official stuff was done remained between them.
* I was inspired to this by the best series in the world: FRIENDS
Thank you very much for reading.
Comments, advice, critism, ideas or thoughts are greatly appreciated.