A/N: Hey guys I'm loving all the Love you guys are showing me! It's make me really happy that you guys are enjoying my story so far. I appreciate all the feedback.
Chapter Eight
Ino sat quietly across from Shikamaru and Hinata sipping her water. Hinata contacted her a few days earlier about getting things together for their engagement party. This was actually the first time she's spent time with Hinata and Shikamaru together for so long. She couldn't help but a smile a little at her old teammate. It was clear that he wasn't into to any of this, but he was very attentive to Hinata.
He listened to every word she said, and to Ino's surprise he even suggested something to go on their invitations. She supposed love did that to people. She could tell they were very much in love. She has never seen Shikamaru look at anyone like he did Hinata. His eyes never really left her the entire time. He watched as she flipped through catalogs of flowers never once complaining. Yes, love most definitely changed her former teammate.
"What about this one?" Hinata asked as she showed Ino a picture. "What do you think Shikamaru?"
Ino looked at the white bouquet of lilies with mostly green decorating them. "Those are really nice," Ino replied.
"You sure? I thought you wanted a little more color..." Shikamaru asked taking the book from Hinata.
Ino watched as Hinata tucked her hair behind her ear. "Well, your mother likes white lilies right? I remember seeing that her wedding bouquet was really similar to the one in that picture."
Both Ino and Shikamaru looked at Hinata. "Yeah, but you don't have to do that," Shikamaru said gently squeezing Hinata's knee. "This is about what you want."
Hinata smiled. "I know, but since she's hosting the engagement party...I though it would be nice for the center pieces to be lilies." Hinata turned to face Shikamaru. She covered his hand on her knee with her own. "I know this is about us, but I can't help but want to involve everyone in this union. We've all lost so much and I want your mother to feel included as much as possible."
Ino could only sigh. They were a beautiful couple and Hinata was just as amazingly sweet as she's always been. Shikamaru was really lucky in her opinion. It wasn't often someone found someone so considerate and loving as Hinata. Then again, Hinata was very lucky to have Shikamaru too. He had his own good qualities as well and Hinata was able to see past his lazy façade.
"So white lilies with the green?" Ino asked.
Hinata looked at Shikamaru to answer. "Yeah...they're perfect."
Ino was sure he was talking about Hinata they way he stared at her when he said it. "Great! If I may make a suggestion on the vase," Ino said pulling out a small picture. "I've never suggested this for this type of event before, but I think it'll be beautiful. Here take a look."
Hinata took the small picture and smiled as soon as she saw it. "I love it Ino. Look Shikamaru."
Shikamaru only raised his brow because it was just a wooden box with flowers in it. He wasn't too sure what was great about it, but if Hinata loved it then it was perfect. "Me too."
"We'll take them as well Ino. Oh, and I want these invitations, the ivory ones with green and gold writing," Hinata said pointing one of the invitations Ino placed on the table.
"I thought you wanted the pink and lavender ones?" Shikamaru asked.
"Well, yes that was my first choice, but I think these are better for us," Hinata explained and Shikamaru nodded.
"I'll have the invites printed for you once I return from my trip."
"You going somewhere?" Shikamaru asked with his brow raised.
Ino blushed a little and cleared her throat. "Yes, I'm taking a quick trip. I'll be gone for three days so my mom will be working at the shop while I'm away."
"Well that sounds great Ino. It's good to get away everyone once in a while," Hinata said with a smile.
"Going by train?" Shikamaru asked.
"Oh the train! How exciting," Hinata said with a smile.
Ino raised her brow. Did Shikamaru know something? "I am actually. This will be my first time since the upgrades."
"Yeah, funny story. Naruto asked me just last week how to buy train tickets."
Hinata looked between Ino and Shikamaru. "Oh my!" she squeaked covering her mouth. "Are you guys going together?" Hinata asked leaning forward towards Ino.
"We are," Ino said lowly sitting up straight. There was no need to deny the fact she was going with Naruto. There wasn't any harm in traveling with a friend. "We're going to the southern meadows to celebrate my dad's birthday."
Hinata gasped and Shikamaru's eye widened a little at Ino's answer. Now, he half expected her to dance around the question. He never expected her to say that the two of them were going in remembrance of her dad. Naruto had made more progress than Shikamaru had originally thought. "That's great Ino."
"Yes, it really is," Hinata added.
Ino couldn't help but blush. She already knew what they were thinking, but that wasn't the case...at least not yet anyway. Her and Naruto were still learning each other and she was fully sure what Naruto's feelings were towards. Either way she was happy to have their support. It was obvious they wanted this to happen because Shikamaru mentioned briefly to her that he and Hinata talked about the two of them.
Ino smile. "Thanks."
Sakura sat awkwardly at the table a Naruto and Kiba shared random conversations, never really sticking to one particular topic for too long. She hadn't really seen or spoken to Naruto since the park and she was happy he asked her to have lunch with him. She didn't expect to see Kiba there when she arrived. She kind of wanted to be able to speak with him a lone for a while, but that didn't seem to happen.
When she thought about it, she didn't know that Kiba and Naruto were so close. It wasn't really strange since they were both very similar in a lot of ways, she just didn't know how she missed it. It seemed as if they were like old buddies to anyone listening to their conversation. She knew Naruto hung out with Shikamaru occasionally since he would often bring him up in conversations. Mostly to complain about how long Shikamaru's lectures were.
She couldn't remember Naruto mentioning Kiba and even if he had, she probably wouldn't have paid it much attention. It seemed like there was more to Naruto than she originally thought. Of course she knew he had other friends, but she didn't know he had friends that he was this close with. She honestly so caught up in her own world to noticed all the signs that Naruto was drifting away from her. He had his own set of friends now.
Sakura thought back to Ino and frowned a little. She still didn't like the fact that Ino and Naruto were like an item or something now. It didn't sit well with her at all. She could finally admit to herself she was jealous of Naruto's affection towards Ino. It wasn't that she didn't like that Ino was smiling more and seemed happier, she just didn't like the fact that it was Naruto who brought it out of her. Sakura looked at Kiba for a moment. Why couldn't it had been Kiba she thought to herself. She would never admit it out loud, but Kiba was attractive. She would have much rather it been him over Naruto.
What was she do to now was the only question. She wasn't completely sure how she felt about Naruto, but she knew she didn't want him with Ino. It was childish and she knew that. She was more angry at herself for ignoring all the signs that Naruto was pulling away from her. When the flowers stopped coming she or when Naruto didn't ask her out anymore. They were all there and Sakura ignored them or rather she didn't particularly care at the time. She really needed time to speak with Naruto so they could clear the air.
She needed to know his thought on everything and maybe she will be able to figure out her own feelings in the process. It was only fair that she let him know hoe she felt before it was too late. It was important that Naruto knew she was uncomfortable with their current situation so that they could work on moving forward.
"Naruto, would you like to hangout tomorrow?" Sakura asked.
"Uh, I can't tomorrow," Naruto answered slowly.
"Why not? Shikamaru said we have the day off," Kiba asked giving Naruto a confused look.
"It's fine, what about the day after? We could meet after my shift?"
Naruto gave Sakura a nervous laugh. "I can't the day after either."
"Oh..." was all Sakura said in response. She wasn't sure what was going on now. Naruto seemed like he was trying to avoid her, but why?
"Huh? You pretty busy eh?" Kiba asked only to have Naruto look at him.
Sakura watched quietly as Naruto and Kiba had a silent conversation with their eyes. She was sure Naruto was trying to communicate something to the other man without her knowing. What could he possibly have to hide from her?
"Ah! I forgot about the trip!" Kiba exclaimed with a laugh. "Totally slipped my mind."
Naruto couldn't help but roll his eyes. Kiba was dumber than him sometimes. "Yeah."
"You're going on a trip?" Sakura asked confused. Naruto never went on leisure trips and only traveled for business related issues or missions.
"Yeah, tomorrow morning. I'll be gone for three days, but after than we can hangout. I promise," Naruto explained.
Sakura frowned. Why didn't he tell her he was leaving the village? Why is the fact that he's going on a trip a secret? "Why...why didn't you tell me?"
"I uh been pretty busy lately and we haven't seen each other for a while. It really slipped my mind," Naruto replied.
Sakura frown deepened. That didn't make any sense. He clearly didn't want her to know about it because he could have just said when she first asked him to hangout. Kiba had to mention it before Naruto said anything. So id Kiba didn't say anything, did that mean Naruto wasn't going to tell her? Why would he keep it a secret...unless...!
"Ino," Sakura said looking down.
"Who?" Kiba asked.
"Sakura, Ino has nothing to do with this," Naruto said reaching towards her. He didn't want her blaming Ino for him not telling her.
Sakura stood. "No, no it's fine..." There was a long pause before Sakura spoke again. "I would have just appreciated you telling me about you and Ino."
Kiba cleared his throat. It seemed that Naruto hadn't spoken to Sakura about Ino yet. "I'll let you guys talk. I'll catch up with you later," Kiba said patting Naruto's shoulder as he walked past him.
Naruto sighed. He really didn't know what to say. He could tell when they last met that Sakura didn't like him hanging out with Ino. She was easier to read than she thought and it didn't take him long to realize she wasn't happy with it. He first noticed her spying before she finally approached the shop and quickly figured out why. He was entirely ready to have this talk with Sakura yet.
"Just go, Naruto."
Naruto watched as Sakura walked away. He never meant to cause her any pain and he honestly thought she wouldn't care as long as he left her alone. He could see now that wasn't the case at all. He would properly speak with her once he returned from his trip with Ino, because he was going to talk with Ino first.
"Haaa...When did my life get so complicate?"
A/N: Hey, I hoped you all enjoyed this chapter! I am very sorry about the long wait but I got a little busy. As always please excuse any mistakes you come across.
_SasuNejiUchiha_