Kapitel 5: Chapter 5
The Café Miruki was a small outdoor restaurant that specialized in serving coffee and was known for its delicious baked goods. They also had a small menu of hot food as well. The café was a small one story building with a large open area with twenty big round tables. Since coffee was an expensive import it had a reputation for being both exclusive and rather expensive. Which made it exactly the sort of place where Naruto had never been welcome.
He was standing about half a block up from the café nervously holding on to the flowers. He would soooo rather have been going to Ichiraku's for this. But if this was going to make Hinata happy then he would do it. He just hoped Iruka-sensei's friend wouldn't throw him out or, even worse, let him just sit there a couple hours without anyone bringing him food. He had experienced both before finally discovering a haven in Ichiraku's.
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Across the street from the café was a three story apartment building. From the roof it would provide a perfect view of the café.
"Hurry up Ino-pig." Sakura called as they both climbed up the side of the building.
"Relax forehead girl," Ino answered as they both reached the top. Where they quickly realized they were not alone. "Hey! What are you two doing here?"
Kiba and Shino turned to look at them from the roof's edge.
"We are present to maintain a watchful surveillance on our compatriot to ensure she does not suffer any needless mental anguish." Shino replied calmly.
"Huh?" Sakura cleverly responded. Ino just blinked and looked lost.
Kiba sighed. "We're here to make sure Naruto doesn't try anything stupid."
"Oh," Sakura said. "Well yeah, so are we."
Ino smiled. "Actually we're sort of hoping he gives her a kiss or something. Forehead and I have a bet on how long she'd be unconscious."
"Are you being troublesome again Ino?" The four of them turned around as Shikamaru and Chouji both climb over the other side and on to the roof.
"What are you two doing here?" Sakura asked.
"I called and invited them to come watch." Ino stated.
"It's troublesome," Shikamaru gave a lazy shrug. "But I figure it might be entertaining."
Chouji suddenly produced three large bags of chips. "I brought snacks for everyone."
So in short order the six of them were lined up at the roof's edge watching.
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When Naruto finally spotted her he did a double take. It was the very first time he had ever seen Hinata in a dress. He had always sort of thought of her as this weirdo, sort of dark and plain and timid. But now he saw what an incredibly pretty girl she was. (Along with the dress she was also wearing lipstick and blush for the first time in her life, thanks to Sakura.) His heart beat began picking up as it really began to dawn on him that this pretty girl, who was maybe prettier that Sakura, liked him. He also felt the urge to kick himself for not realizing it sooner.
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When she'd turned the corner she'd started looking about for Naruto. She was a bit worried when she didn't spot him. She looked over at a boy in a black leather jacket with some flowers wondering if he might have seen someone in an orange jumpsuit. When she saw that the boy in the jacket holding flowers was actually Naruto she nearly tripped over her own feet. She had never seen him in anything but that jumpsuit. She had always thought Naruto very cute. Seeing him dressed up she thought he looked really, really… hot. Of course she immediately began to blush.
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Hinata slowly approached him until they were standing face to face. Both of them were sort of staring at each other, unsure of what to say. Naruto opened his mouth to ask her if she was feeling sick, her face was really red, but he quickly closed it. One of the many, 'ground rules' Sakura and Ino had given him was not to ask her if she was feeling sick or comment if he saw her blush. Desperate to say something he suddenly stuck the out flowers.
"These are for you Hinata-chan! You look really pretty!" He said in a panicked rush.
"Th…thank you Naruto-kun." She took the flowers from him. "They're beautiful!" Lilies and roses, symbols of devotion and of love. She was sure Naruto did not know their meaning, but was still very happy at his choice.
Seeing her smile made him feel really good and he relaxed just a little bit. "I guess we should go ahead and get to the restaurant." He said. She nodded happily. He held out his arm the way Ino and Sakura had advised him. He really wanted to be a total gentleman. "May I have the honor of escorting the beautiful lady?"
Beautiful? Did Naruto-kun really just say I was beautiful? Please Kami, if this is a dream don't ever let me wake up. She put the flowers in her right hand placed her left gently on his arm. "I would like that Naruto-kun."
Feeling very happy, but still nervous, he led them towards the café.
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"Awwww!" Both Sakura and Ino said and began giggling.
Independent of each other Kiba and Shikamaru both rolled their eyes.
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As they neared the café a man in a dark grey suit grinned towards them. Where a left arm should have been the sleeve was pinned up. The man looked like was in his twenties and aside from the missing arm seemed to be in good shape. He had dirty blonde hair and gold colored eyes. At their approach he gave them both a sweeping bow.
"Welcome, I am Miruki, and I am guessing you are Naruto and this is your lovely date for the evening Hinata."
Naruto nodded, relieved that he was not going to be refused service in front of Hinata. "Yeah we are."
Miruki nodded still smiling. "Come right this way I have a table reserved for you."
The restaurant was nearly full and as the two of them followed Miruki a number of people looked up from their meals to stare. Some of he looks were simply surprised or curious. More than a few were openly angry and upset. For Naruto this was nothing new and it barely registered with him. It didn't look like anyone was going to get up and say anything to them. So far as Naruto was concerned it was enough.
Hinata saw the glares as well. She definitely noticed them and they upset her. She couldn't understand why people had to treat him this way. Yes, Naruto played pranks and maybe he was a bit loud at times, but what had he ever done to deserve such looks? She wanted to shout at them to stop. Wanted to tell them that he was kind and brave and risked his life to protect others. She wanted to tell them that he deserved their respect and thanks not their hatred.
Naruto glanced over to her and saw how she was looking at some of the people in the restaurant. Naruto had always been a bit of an enigma in the fact that he could be so oblivious to some things (a young girl's feelings) while being very perceptive about others (the scars on Lee's hands.)
"It's all right Hinata-chan." He whispered to her.
She looked over to him. "What do you mean?"
"I mean it's all right if some people give me angry looks. I'm used to it."
She shook her head. "It's not all right Naruto-kun. No one else is treated this way and there's no reason you should be."
Hearing the concern in her voice he slowly gave her a warm smile. "Thank you Hinata-chan, it makes me really happy to know that you care."
Of course hearing the gentle tone of his voice she blushed again.
"Here you are," Miruki had led them to a table near the back. It was next to only one other one where three middle aged civilians were sipping coffee and having cake. "Your waitress will be with you in a moment. If you're interested we have a really delicious chocolate pound cake. If you need anything at all just let me know."
Naruto nodded, truly grateful at the man's kindness. "Thank you."
Miruki departed and they sat down.
The folks at they next table consisted of two men and one woman. The woman glanced over at them. "Oh what a beautiful bouquet dear." She smiled at the young girl. "Did he give that to you?"
Hinata nodded excitedly. "Yes Naruto-kun did. He is very thoughtful and kind."
The woman smiled. "Well I am sure he is dear."
One of the men at the table spoke. "I am sure he is a fine gentleman and will treat you well."
Naruto nodded, "I would never treat Hinata-chan any other way."
Their waitress came over and they ordered their meal as well as some chocolate cake for dessert.
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"Well she hasn't passed out yet so I guess it's going pretty good." Kiba admitted.
"You know I have to admit I'm surprised. I've seen Naruto eat before. Usually he's like a hungry pig at a trough; he's actually showing some manners for a change." She chuckled. "I guess he paid attention to all the advice we gave him."
"Or maybe he just figured since he was with you eating like that would be appropriate." Ino teased.
"What?!" Sakura said angrily.
Shikamaru opened his eyes. "Thanks for ruining my nap."
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The meal went really well. The food was excellent and the cake was absolutely to die for (Naruto got seconds and thirds.) Though they had both started off a bit nervous they had slowly relaxed and begun opening up in each other's company. They avoided painful subjects, Naruto didn't talk about growing up alone and despised and Hinata avoided all mention of her family life. They actually got comfortable enough that Hinata was able to bring up a subject that had been weighing on her mind.
"Naruto-kun," she asked. "What are we going to do about fighting each other?"
He looked over to her seriously. "We're going to do our very best Hinata-chan." He nervously reached across the table and took a hold of her hand. (Do I actually need to say that she turned as red as a tomato?) "I really like you Hinata-chan and to me you a very precious person. But we are ninja and we have a duty to try our very best. I fought Kiba as hard as I could and I don't have any bad feelings towards him. Even though he was acting sort of tough the next time I saw him I don't think he has any towards me either. That's what we'll do; we'll fight as hard as we can, and when it's over no bad feelings."
She nodded. "I agree with you Naruto-kun, it's just," she hesitated.
"What?"
"I don't want to hurt you," she said miserably. "I don't ever want to be someone who causes you any pain even if it's not intentional."
He smiled. "It's ok Hinata-chan," he answered quietly. "If anything happens it's fine because I know you didn't mean it. We're ninja after all; you can't ever enter a fight without taking a chance. And I want you to know that I would never deliberately hurt you either. If something happens it happens, but we we'll fight clean and hard, no holding back. Promise?"
She looked in his eyes and knew he wanted her to agree to this. "I promise Naruto-kun, no holding back."
The waitress came over with the bill. Naruto took a look at it and went a bit pale. It seemed like Gamachan was about to go on a serious diet. He was surprised when the bill was snatched out of his hand.
"Sorry about that," Miruki tore it up. "It's a… a special policy of my restaurant. We never charge a couple on their first date." He smiled.
"Really? That is so cool." A relieved Naruto said.
Hinata nodded happily. "That's wonderful; I'm going to tell all my friends so they'll come here for their first dates."
Miruki's smile slipped a bit. "Oh… uh that's great."
Naruto got up from the table. "Can I walk you home Hinata-chan?"
"Of course Naruto-kun."
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Miruki was still standing there shaking his head after they'd gone. He could just picture a stream of young teens coming to his restaurant all declaring they were on their first dates.
"That was really nice of you Miruki, I owe you one." One of the men at the next table said.
Miruki looked over, "yeah you do. But it's all right. They seemed like good kids."
At the table there were three puffs of smoke. When the smoke cleared Iruka, Kurenai, and Asuma were sitting there grinning.
"Did you see how happy Hinata looked?" Kurenai gushed. "The poor girl certainly deserves it."
Asuma laughed. "I'm just surprised she didn't pass out."
Iruka said nothing but just sat there content. He was happy to know that Naruto was finally with a girl who cared for him rather than chasing one who barely tolerated him.
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"I'm sorry Naruto-kun," she looked embarrassed. "But I think it's best if we stop here. I should go the rest of the way on my own." They had gone to Sakura's to allow her to change back into her regular clothes and wipe off her make up. They were about five blocks from the Hyuga mansion.
Naruto nodded, he understood. "Did you have a good time Hinata-chan?"
"Oh yes! Thank you Naruto-kun it was wonderful."
He looked at her a little nervously. "So… do you want to go out with me again?"
"Yes!" She almost shouted.
He was actually relieved to get that answer. Deep down he always felt unworthy and worried that people would realize it and want nothing to do with him. "Since we both have to do a lot of training how about we agree to meet outside Sakura's house each Sunday at 6 until the exams are over."
"All right." She said happily. He wants to keep seeing me!
"Then I guess I'll see you Sunday." Without warning he reached out and gave her a hug. "Bye Hinata-chan!" He left feeling very happy.
Hinata stood there in a daze as she watched him go. He had hugged her and he was going to see her again Sunday. She was very happy and had a huge smile on her face.
Then she fainted.
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From a nearby roof top they could see Hinata finally stir and get back up.
"Three minutes and twenty seconds," Shikamaru called it.
Ino grinned and held out her hand. "My time was closer, pay up forehead."
"Whatever," Sakura grumbled as she handed over a fifty ryu note.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein