Chapter 2 - Hinata

I guess it's AU now...I don't think ninjas have malls. Sorry if that's an issue.

I don't own Naruto. Yeah.

Uhh...yeah. Maybe I should explain the title...nah, that seems kind of...boring or something. Next chapter, maybe, yeah.


~2~

Sakura sat on a bench outside a dressing room, waiting for Hinata to get on the outfit that she wanted to see on her body. There wasnt a doubt in Sakuras mind that Hinata would be absolutely stunning in those selected clothes, and that those were exactly the right sizes for her, but she had still insisted on playing runway, putting on the outfit and displaying it to make sure Sakura agreed that she wore it well. After all, Sakura was the fashion expert, after maybe possibly Ino, but Ino was busy at the time, something about the mall&

Funny that Ino would say she couldnt go with Hinata to the mall because she was going to the mall. However, Hinata and Sakura both had figured it outIno probably wasnt just going on a shopping spree, she was most likely coming to the mall with someone, as in a boyfriend, and neither of them would possibly have allowed their own uncertainty about fashion stop Ino on a date, especially seeing how depressed Ino had seemed lately, seemingly about how there was nobody for her to go out with. It was exactly what Ino needed, and Hinata and Sakura both saw that, so neither of them questioned Inos reluctance to meet up with them.

There was something to be missed, though. Sakura was happy that Ino wasnt going to be depressed anymore, but if she had a boyfriend, that would mean less time between herself and the blonde. She had been thinking things about Ino lately, and&shed almost been thinking about being more than just Inos friend. Sometimes she hated herself for thinking it, but there was something about Ino that made Sakura think about her in ways that almost seemed similar to how she occasionally thought of Sasukebeautiful Sasuke, whom she loved more than anyone&well, more than any male, she supposed, but probably not anyone in general, because of Ino&

The dressing room door opened, and Hinata walked out, sporting a black pleated short skirt, not quite a miniskirt as it reached halfway up her thigh, the seams popping out in a pale lavendar thread, and a shirt the same color as the threads with a low neckline shaped by corners. So? she asked quietly. How do I look?

You look fabulous! Sakura encouraged. Naruto will be swooning over you the moment he sees you in that!

Hinata felt her hopes fall a little. I wasnt really thinking of Naruto when I picked this out& Truth be told, Hinata was actually glad that Ino couldnt come. It meant that Sakura would take her stead, and that meant Hinata and Sakura would be alone. U-um, Im still not sure if itll really get the effect I want, she stammered honestly; after all, Sakura seemed pretty casual about it&

Sakura smiled, stood up, and took Hinata into a friendly hug. Hinata, you are a beautiful girl, and you dont need these clothes to prove thatbut that doesnt mean that you shouldnt grace the world with the stunning image of yourself in this perfect outfit for you.

Hinata blushed slightly and smiled a little, her eyes closing to savor the moment of Sakuras embrace. She paused, unwilling to say anything, for words would break the magic that made the moment worth prolonging. The seconds passed, Hinata doing everything she could to burn this minute into her best memories forever, procrastinating the end of this feeling of love, of warmth, of feeling the arms of the person she loved most around her. Almost a full minute passed before Sakura ruined the magic herself, asking, Well? Are you going to get it or not? She released the Hyuuga and stepped back slightly, looking at Hinata questioningly and almost suspiciously.

O-oh, um, Hinata stammered, sadly taken aback by the end of the moment, y-yes, I think I will get it&I mean, if it really looks that great&

Sakura smiled again. Good! I think youll be a lot happier with the results you get from that outfit, Hinata! Now, I guess you shoud go change so we can pay for that.

Hinata wasnt quite sure. She really liked that hug that Sakura gave herthe longer she wore those clothes, the more hugs she got from Sakuradear Sakura who helped Hinata pick the best clothes, lovely Sakura who set Hinatas heart fluttering just thinking about her, sweet Sakura who gave Hinata hugs that she wished would last forever, and ever, and never end, when she wore these clothes that Sakura wanted her to change out of.

But, it couldnt be helped, could it? Sakura had a point in that they couldnt very well pay for the clothes while Hinata still wore them, so Hinata sighed and nodded before turning back to the dressing room and changing back into her normal clothes. She looked in the mirror and frowned at her plain clothes, at her faded hoodie and well-used capri pants. Her new outfit was more interesting, more coordinated, and more&open, perhaps? Maybe it was the low cut of the shirt, the shortness of the skirt, that made Sakura give her that hug. Maybe&

Hinata unzipped her hoodie, wearing it open to show her plain white tank underneath. It wasnt much prettier than before, but&anything to increase her chances, anything that might make Sakura like her more, anything that had a chance of making Sakura want to hug her again, even slightly.

As she emerged from the room, Hinata noticed Sakura staring into space, looking almost sad. Hinata frowned, worried, and sat down next to her secret crush. S-Sakura? Is something wrong?

Sakura turned to face Hinata, her normally sparkling emerald eyes unusually dull. I-I dont know Hinata, Im just&I dont know, I guess Im just a little& She took another deep breath and turned her troubled face toward the floor, staring determinedly at a spot on the floor. I guess&well, Hinata&I kind of&well, what do you think about&what would you say if I told you that&well&if&the boy that I most want is Sasuke, but&if Im not sure that hes the person I most want? Sakura finally asked uncertainly, fearing Hinatas scorn.

Hinatas heart skipped a beatwhat if Sakura was talking about Hinata? It would be so perfect&Hinata smiled and answered, Sakura, Id say&Id say that& She took a deep breath, thinking it over. Id say that&I kind of agree, Hinata finished with an air of pride. I meannot Sasuke, Narutos my favorite boy, but, there are other people that I want&just a little bit more than him.

Sakuras eyes immediately brightened as she turned them to face Hinata. So, you dont have a problem with me not being straight?

Hinata smiled. Of course I dont, Sakura.

Sakura sighed in relief. Thank you, Hinata. Thank you so much for letting me confess to you. I love you so muchI mean, she ammended, ruining Hinatas split second of true pure untarnished glorious happiness as soon as it came with those two words. I mean, no, not quite like that, its not like&I dont&well, no, I guess what I should say is that there are people that I like more&

Hinatas hopes rose and fell as Sakuras words tumbled out, but they ultimately fell when she said that there was someone elsemaybe even more than one person. W-who is it?

Sakura sighed again, wistful and perhaps a little heartbroken this time, as her gaze returned to the spot on the floor. Well&what I meant to say at first is that&Ino, well, her boyfriend&Im really kind of&okay, forget the kind ofIm really jealous of Inos boyfriend. Lately Ive been thinking&maybe Ino and I should be more than just friendsI seriously want us to be so much more than friends, I want us to be& She sighed. I know it sounds silly, coming from someone my age, but I wish I could marry her. If two girls could have children, Id want to bear hers. It might sound like its just lust but&I want us to be together, forever, always, unseperable by any family, any girl, any boy, any distance&

Hinata sighed as well. I know that feeling&that exact same feeling, I swear&

You mean, Sakura asked, looking at Hinata with her eyes wide with surprise, do you mean that you like Ino too? Her stare turned into something of a glare. Well, too bad, you cant have herI saw her first, Im going to make sure that if Ino goes out with any girl its going to be

N-no, not q-quite, Hinata ammended. I mean&I have that same feeling, b-but&for&well, s-s-someone else& She blushed and looked away, looked at the same spot Sakura stared at earlier.

Sakuras gaze softened, and she almost seemed to smile. Oh. Okay. She turned to face the spot on the floor again. Well&that was interesting, she realized, smiling quite widely now. I mean, we come here for an outfit, and in the end I confess to being in love with Ino, and you confess to&well, I guess you said youre not straight, but not really much more. So, come on, lets go pay for that cute outfit. I think weve spent enough time here if were coming out of the closet for no particular reason.

Hinata smiled, her cheeks only barely colored now, picked up her clothes and followed Sakura to the cashier to pay for their clothes. As she picked up the bag, Hinata turned to Sakura and asked, Um, Sakura? Do you think we could&I dont know, maybe we could get some ice cream? Its in the food court, if Inos anywhere in the mall shes there, and you can see how tough your competition is.

Sakura looked at Hinata, surprised at the shy Hyuuga for at least the third time in the past ten minutes or so, before her stare softened again and she nodded. Yeah, that sounds like a great idea! Lets go and see how hard we have to work to rescue our Ino from the clutches of straight coupling!

Hinata blushed slightly, being reminded of the energy and the determination that made her love this girl so much, even if Sakura never learned of Hinatas little crush.


~fin~

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