A/N:Well I'm back with another chapter! I like that people are interested in this story. Thanks again to everyone who reviewed, faved, and followed this story, it really means a lot.

I also want to apologize for any mistakes I may have made. I have been trying to catch everything, but it can be hard sometimes since I'm reading my own work. So I pretty much know what's supposed to be there and I kind of just see it the way it should be instead of the way it actually is. I will try my best not to have to many mistakes.

Well, on with the story!

Chapter Three

Ino stretched her stiff limbs. She had fallen asleep on her small sofa in her study where she kept her most prized possessions. She sat up slowly and rubbed her tired eyes. She let a small smile appear on her face when she looked at the picture of her father. His birthday was approaching soon and she wanted to do something to celebrate him.

She would normally celebrate with her mother, but her mother would often decline saying 'Ino, you're too depressing on this day.' Ino really couldn't blame her mother. She wasn't exactly the best of company. Her mother was a strong woman. She had taken her father's death rather well considering. She always smiled. Her mother would often tell her that her father wanted her to be happy and that his sacrifice was for them. "He loved us more than he loved himself. That's why I know your father would want us to be happy even though he is no longer with us. The best we can do is celebrate his memory by living our lives to the fullest. We have to look out for each other and we are able to because he thought of us before himself."

Ino would constantly repeat what her mother said in her head, and at times it helped. Then there were times she wanted to yell. Ino was brought from her thought by her doorbell. She sighed and made her way to the door.

She opened to see a smiling Hinata standing on the other side.

"Hinata?"

"Hello Ino. I wasn't sure what time you wanted me to stop by. I know it's kind of early, but I didn't have anything to do, so I decided to stop by and see if you were ready for me," Hinata said with a smile.

Ino nodded and move to the side to let Hinata into her home. She had almost forgot about their brunch date. "I'm glad you're here."

Hinata stood in the living room with what seemed like dresses in her arms. Ino could only assume that Hinata brought somethings to try on. Hinata saw Ino look at her arms.

"These are few dresses and I was hoping you could help me choose which one to wear," Hinata said raising her arms a little. "You know, I've never been good with things like this."

Ino smiled. Maybe today would be a good day. "Of course I'll help you. We even have time to do some good hair and make-up if you want," Ino said signaling for Hinata to follow her.

"Sounds fun," Hinata replied following behind Ino.

Sakura sighed. "Would you stop fidgeting already!"

Naruto stilled instantly and then slouched over a little. "Sorry Sakura, I'm just not used to these type of places," he said looking around.

The café was definitively and upscale one. Everything was so shinny and pink.

"Hello, are you ready to order?" A tall red head asked.

"Yeah! Let me get -"

"No," Sakura said cutting Naruto off. "We're waiting on someone."

Naruto gave her a confused look. Was this not a date? He could remember her telling him it wasn't but they were all dressed up and at this fancy café. He could admit he was a little disappointed. But then he wasn't completely surprised Sakura had invited someone else.

"Ah there they are," Sakura said waving her hand.

Ino followed Hinata over to the small table in the corner where they saw Sakura waving them over. She smiled when she saw Naruto's face. Ino couldn't help but think his expression was due to how cute Hinata looked. They chose a white off the shoulder flowy dress that stopped just above her knees. Hinata also wore her hair up in a neat bun at the top of her head.

"Sorry we're late," Ino said taking the beside Naruto since Hinata promptly sat next to Sakura. "It takes a while to look this good."

"Of course it would take you a while,' Sakura said rolling her eyes.

"How you are Naruto?" Hinata asked. "It's been a while since I last saw you."

"Ah, good actually. Training mostly!"

Ino decided to have small talk with Sakura so that Hinata and Naruto could have their own conversation. She couldn't help but glance over at Naruto every so often to see if he was really interested in what she was saying. Ino smiled when it seemed as if they were getting along great. But then again it was odd, because Hinata seemed real comfortable.

Maybe they were closer than her and Sakura originally thought. Ino turned her attention back to Sakura. She would have to ask Hinata how close her and Naruto actually are.

"Damn it," Sakura hissed pulling out her pager. "Emergency at the hospital."

"Sorry you have to leave Sakura so soon," Hinata said.

"Yeah we didn't even order yet!" Naruto added.

Ino could tell Naruto was disappointed. She would have to think of something to keep his attention on Hinata. "We can do this again next week," Ino said quickly.

"Next week, same time?" Sakura asked as she left.

"Yeah," Ino said as they waved good bye to Sakura.

Once Sakura was out of sight there seemed to be an awkward silence at the table. Ino cleared her throat and signaled for the waiter. There was no way she was going to let this date be ruined. Hinata fixed herself up and she looked beautiful and Ino wasn't about to let that go to waste.

"Ready to order?"

"Yes, I want the club sandwich with a lemonade," Ino answered.

"I want the house salad with a small order of cinnamon buns.

Naruto scratched his head as he looked at the menu. It was obvious he wasn't really sure what he should order since the cafe didn't seem to sell his favorite food. "I guess the fired rice," Naruto answered slowly.

"Good choice," the waitress said taking the menus and walking away.

There was an awkward silence at the table, well it was at least awkward to Ino. Hinata didn't seem to mind the silence and Naruto was staring off in space. Ino felt as if she were imposing on their date. She sighed and noticed Hinata looking out the window with a small blush covering her cheeks. Ino slowly turned to see what would make Hinata blush other than the fact Naruto was sitting across from her.

Now that Ino thought about it. Hinata hadn't blushed once she they arrived which was odd. Hinata would always show her emotions, especially around Naruto. 'What's changed,' Ino wondered to herself. Ino almost spit her tea out when she saw what...or maybe who would be the better word, Hinata was starring at.

"Shikamaru?" Ino asked herself out loud catching both Naruto and Hinata's attention.

"Huh, Shikamaru? Where?" Naruto asked looking around.

Hinata blushed as her and Ino made eye contact. 'Was she missing something?' Ino couldn't help but think that her shy Hyuga friend was staring at her old lazy teammate. Ino averted her eyes towards Naruto.

"He's outside," Ino answered.

"Ah! He must be just getting back from Suna! I'm going to invite him to join us," Naruto said quickly getting up from his seat to yell out the window.

Ino saw Hinata shift oddly in her seat and was about to tell Naruto Shikamaru looked busy, which wasn't a lie. Shikamaru was carrying large scrolls and she was sure he was on his way to check in with the Hokage.

"You ok with that?" Ino asked Hinata.

Hinata's blush deepened and she waved her hands slowly in front of her. "It's fine really."

"Are you sure?" Ino asked. Hinata seemed to be uncomfortable with the fact Shikamaru was about to join them. "You seem...I don't know bothered...?"

Hinata shook her head. "No not at all."

Naruto took his seat next to Ino again. "He's coming. He totally blew me off when I told him you were here Ino."

"Hmm..." was all Ino said.

"But when I mentioned Hinata, he said he had some time to spare. I don't think he wanted to hangout with just us two Ino," Naruto said elbowing her gently.

Normally that wouldn't surprise her since her and Naruto could be brash at times and Hinata being with them would mellow things out. But after witnessing Hinata's strange behavior, she knew there was something she was clearly missing.

"Yo."

"Sup lazy ass!" Naruto said.

Shikamaru ignored Naruto's insult and looked to Ino. "It's good to see you out."

Ino nodded her head and smiled. It had been too long since she really hung out with anyone other than Sakura. She had become a real home body. "Yeah I needed some fresh air."

"Well you look good," Shikamaru taking the empty seat next to Hinata.

"I was thinking the same thing," Naruto added.

Ino smiled at Naruto and then turned attention to Hinata and Shikamaru. They were talking quietly to one another. It was almost intimate. But Shikamaru was engaged, so what kind of game was he playing at. Now that Ino saw them together it was obvious Hinata's affection for Naruto had shifted to her childhood friend. But did Hinata not know he was engaged?

Shikamaru noticed Ino openly starring. "What?"

Ino blinked and shook her head. "Nothing but, can we talk later?"

"Tomorrow..." was all Shikamaru said before turning his attention back to Hinata.

"I'll walk Hinata home. Naruto, you think you can handle making sure Ino gets home safely?"

"Leave it to me," Naruto replied wrapping his arm around Ino's shoulder.

In blushed at the contact, but couldn't help but noticed how close the other pair was walking. She was sure she saw Shikamaru brush his fingers against Hinata's as they walked.

"Ready to go?"

Ino looked up and saw Naruto smiling down at her. "You don't have to walk me if you have something else to do. Shikamaru is just worried for no reason."

Naruto pulled Ino a little closer to him and squeezed her shoulder gently. "I'm worried about you too, besides I want to walk with you." Naruto used his free hand to scratch his cheek. "To be honest, hanging out with you today has been fun."

Ino raised her brow, but soon smiled. "I guess I am pretty fun to be around."

"There's that cocky girl I've been missing," Naruto said as the both laughed and headed towards her home.

The walk was nice. It was comforting the way Naruto kept his arm around her as they walked. She hasn't has any real contact with anyone besides the occasional hug from Sakura. In a way this feeling was much different. She wasn't sure why, but she liked the close contact. She didn't want to get her hopes up since she knew how Naruto felt about Sakura.

"Well this is me," Ino said moving to stand in front of Naruto.

"We should do this again," Naruto said giving Ino a bright smile.

Ino blushed. "Really?...I mean sure." Ino was happy Naruto wanted to hang out with her more, but she knew he was just being kind as always. Then there was apart of her that didn't want him to be so kind.

"Your dad's birthday is in a few days right?"

Ino looked a bit surprised. She didn't even know Naruto knew when her father's birthday was. "Yeah, it is," she replied softly.

"Let's do something. You know to celebrate him."

Ino nodded her head with watery eyes. Normally she would say no thanks and stay home and cry like she did every year, but for some reasons her mother's words echoed in head. She could at least not think of his birthday and be sad. Naruto was right, just like her mother. Her father needed to be celebrated.

"I'd like that."

A/N: Third Chapter complete! I like the way this story is going and I hope everyone else it too. I am actually open to suggestions if anyone has any. I already know where I want the story to go, but I am open to tweak things a bit if I can.

*I know this chapter is super late, so I made it twice as long to make up for it. I do plan to start the next chapter really soon and maybe have it posted next week sometime.

Until Next Time!

_SasuNejiUchiha_