Chapter One

I watched, bored, as my teammates sparred with one another. From my position in the tree, I had an excellent view of the fight. I could see immediately how much they'd grown over the years, how much stronger they were. Neither were bulky and huge, but lean and fit in a pleasent way, the kind a girl could get used to.

I sighed, thinking of how neither would ever show romantic intrest towards me. I was just a teammate, and 'one of the guys'. Because of my addiction to well....anything sharp and deadly, or in other words, weapons, guys didn't find me attractive and were put off by the obsession. That's why I've never once had a boyfriend. It's also the reason why Ino is making me go on a blind date. Why I even agreed to it in the first place baffles me even at this very moment.

I glanced up at the sky, anxious since the sun was already lowering and it meant it was almost time for my date. I still had to get ready for the stupid thing since Ino would kill me if I wore what I trained in.

I swung my legs back and forth, picking up momentum, before I jumped out of the tree and onto the hard forest floor, landing expertly on the balls of my feet.

Gai-sensei glanced over and then smiling briefly he turned his attention back to the boys. That really pissed me off. He never paid me any attention, just Neji and Lee.

I huffed but turned away. I kept my rage bottled up because I knew I'd regret saying something later.

I walked home, not in any hurry.

When I did reach my apartment, I saw that it was half past six. My eyes widened. I'd forgotten that the sun didn't set as early as it used to since it was summer. I barely contained my scream. I had just half an hour to get ready. Shit!

I nearly ran into the restaurant. I was nearly late, just two minutes to spare. Ino told me that if I wanted to get on the right track with this guy I had to be there promptly at seven. He didn't like wasting time.

I calmly brushed off my clothes and headed up to the waiter.

"I'm meeting Haru Tsuda." I spoke in a low voice. He looked down at his list of reservations briefly.

"He hasn't yet arrived, shall I escort you to a table miss?" I nodded, uncomfortable with the look he was giving me. He picked up a menu and lead me to an empty table in the back of the restaurant.

I thanked him politely and sat down, smoothing out the skirt of my dress as I did so.

Maybe I could still return the dress....after all I'm only going to wear it this once...

After a while I looked up from staring at the menu and saw that it was five minutes after seven.

Some prompt guy this was.

I began to get impatient as the time passed by.

After twenty minutes of waiting I let out a growl.

I abruptly stood and began to head for the exit. It was then that I noticed Naruto sitting by himself, picking at some food he'd ordered. Now, it's not like I know him really well, but he looked so miserable. Also, this was a chance to get myself properly acquainted with the loud blond, well at least until whoever he was waiting for came. I decided to sit with him. I walked over and just sat down. He looked up from picking at his food, and for a brief moment I saw hope in his eyes just before I saw I wasn't who he expected and it died away.

"Hi." He didn't respond. "So who are you waiting for?"

Was it just me or did his eyes just get duller?

"Sakura-chan." Oh. The girl he was half in love with. The girl he'd been on a team with for the last six years. The girl who never really cared for him or his company.

"Ohh. She stood you up?" His eyes darkened, glaring at me. "I was stood up too. Ino set me up for a blind date. One who didn't even bother to come." I shook my head, disgust and dislike for the guy overwhelming me.

"So anyway, how bout me and you stick together. After all, dumpee's must watch each others back." What I said brought a smile to his face, which was what I was aiming for. "So...how bout it?"

There was a moment of silence, he was considering the offer.

"Alright."

I smiled, pleased with his answer.

Who knows, this could be a lot of fun.