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"Naruto?! You like Naruto?!" Ino, Sakura, & Tenten all looked completely shocked at Hinata's confession. "Yes", Hinata said, "Why do you all look so shocked? Sakura, you already knew." "I thought you were just delirious", Sakura said, "I didn't think you actually meant that!" "It's the truth", Hinata said dreamily, "Ever since we were kids, I've harbored a secret crush on him. He's handsome, funny, smart, charming..." "Ok, I have no idea where you got funny & smart from..." Sakura interrupted. "CANNON-BALL!!!!" Naruto shouted as he jumped into the water. A tidal wave of water erupted from the pool, and laughter-mixed jeers came from all sides. "Naruto!" "You got us wet, you jerk!" Naruto laughed a deep stuttering laugh & floated lazily along the water's surface. "...And especially charming." Ino muttered, ringing the water out of her hair. "I think Hinata has the right idea." Tenten said. "If we're rating the guys our age, I'd say Naruto's looking like a pretty decent option." "She's got a point", Sakura agreed. "The only other decent guy is Shikamaru, maybe Lee."

"Hinata? Why Hinata?" Shikamaru asked as he, Lee, & Choji walked alongside Naruto. "I don't know", Naruto said, "Hinata's good-looking, nice, smart, & one of the strongest people I know." "I don't know about strong", Shikamaru said, "She's so shy I wouldn't put it past her to be afraid of her own shadow." "You'd be surprised", Naruto said, "She rushed at Pain with no thought of her own safety, intent on saving me." "You say she has a thing for you?" Lee asked. "I think so", Naruto replied, "I heard rumors, but I wasn't sure until recently. It's the way she acts around me..." "You should ask her out." Choji piped up. "Maybe I will", Naruto said, "Thanks for the advice, guys." Naruto picked up his pace & tore off towards Hinata's house.

"Yes?" A stern, older woman who Naruto assumed was Hinata's mother answered the door. "Um...I'm here to see Hinata." Naruto said nervously. The woman's face brightened & she said, "Oh, you must be Naruto! I've heard so much from Hinata." The woman turned to the stairs & shouted, "Hinata! Naruto's at the door!" Naruto heard feet clomping & saw Hinata almost knock her mother over to get to the door. "Hi, Naruto!" Hinata said, breathless. "Hey, Hinata", Naruto said, "I was wondering if maybe, um, go somewhere with me & do something, sometime..." Hinata, smiling, blushed & said, "Yeah...Yeah, I'd love to." Naruto grinned & said, "Awesome! How about tonight?" "Tonight sounds great", Hinata said, "What do you say to Kobayishi's?" "Sounds great", Naruto replied, "See you then!" Naruto turned around & tore off towards his house.

Naruto darted inside & tore through his closet. "Come on...Come on!" he muttered as he rummaged through the closet. "There's gotta be a suit or something nice in here I can wear!" Then it hit him. "Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto exclaimed. "He's bound to have something I can wear!" Naruto dashed out the door, slamming the door behind him.

Naruto screeched to a halt outside Kakashi's house as he was walking out. "Oh, Naruto", Kakashi said, "What can I do for you?" "Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto said. "Glad I caught you", he continued, "I have a date with Hinata tonight, & I need something to wear!" "Wait, wait, slow down", Kakashi said, "You have a date...with Hinata?" "Yeah", Naruto said, "I need something to wear. Like a suit or something." "Well, first off, congrats, Naruto", Kakashi said, "Hinata's had a crush on you for quite some time, you know. As for something to wear, I think I can help you out."

"How do I look?" Naruto stepped out of the room, wearing a sharp black suit, a red tie, & holding a rose in a box. "Like a respectable young man, if that were possible." Kakashi joked. "Good one, sensei!" Naruto laughed. Kakashi turned serious & said, "Naruto...I wish it was your father telling you this instead of me, but..." Kakashi ruffled Naruto's hair & said, "Have fun. And I want to hear all about it when you get back." Naruto grinned & said, "I will. Thanks, Kakashi-sensei." Naruto checked his watch & rushed out the door. Kakashi shook his head & said, "That kid'll always be the same little knucklehead he was when I first met him..."

Naruto stood waiting outside Kobayishi's Restaurant when Hinata walked up, wearing a red dress with yellow sequins that formed a flame pattern. The way the sequins sparkled in the dim light, it looked like the flame pattern was coming to life. "Hinata", Naruto stuttered, "You...You look...Wow." Hinata tugged at the dress uncomfortably & said, "I overdid it, didn't I...?" Naruto laughed & said, No more than I did. I showed up in a suit." Naruto, smiling, took Hinata's hand & said, "Let's go inside."

"What would you like to order?" Naruto asked. Hinata looked at the menu & said, "Um...I'll have the rice dumplings & bean soup." Sounds good." Naruto said as the waiter walked up. "The lady will have the rice dumplings & bean soup", Naruto said, "And I will have the sweet & sour pork ramen." The waiter nodded & walked off, leaving Naruto & Hinata alone in silence. "I heard about Neji", Naruto said, "I'm so sorry." "It's ok", Hinata said, "It's just...I never thought he would die. He was so strong." "I felt the same way when Pervy Sage died." Naruto said. A few minutes later, the food came, accompanied by another awkward silence. "Hinata, what's wrong? You've been distant all night." Naruto asked. Hinata pushed aside a stray strand of hair & said, "I've dreamed of this night for so long...Now that it's happening, I don't know what to do, and..." Naruto put a finger to Hinata's lips & said, "Hinata, relax. This is supposed to be a fun night. Don't worry so much! Let's just relax & get to know each other." Hinata smiled & said, "All...All right." "So", Naruto said, "This place is nice..." "Yeah..." Hinata replied. "...Ugh, we suck at this", Naruto muttered, "Wanna go to Ichiraku?" Hinata smiled & said, "Yeah."

"Here you go, you two." the store owner said as he set down 2 bowls of ramen in front of Naruto & Hinata. "Mmm...The ramen here is much better." Naruto said as he took a bite. "Agreed." Hinata said. As they finished their ramen, Hinata said, "it's getting kinda late...Can you walk me home?" Naruto smiled & said, "Sure." His hand found Hinata's & the two walked back to the Hyuga mansion.

I guess this is good night." Naruto said as he stood with Hinata on the mansion's doorstep. "I guess so", Hinata said sadly, "But I really don't want this night to end..." "Me neither, but I had a lot of fun tonight, Hinata", Naruto said, "I care deeply about you, & we could have a lot more nights like this one..." Naruto leaned in & gently, sweetly, kissed Hinata's cheek. "Good night, Hinata." Naruto said as he walked off. Hinata put a hand to her cheek & said, "Good night...Naruto."

The End