The One. She was always by his side

Chapter 2. The Invitation

I woke up with a pounding head and a horrendous mood. Seriously, why did Hanabi have to stick her nose in? I'll just burn with embarrassment on Friday night! Just burn to a crisp! Or I'll sit there all evening with a red face, and no one will talk to me afterward. Even better, if I faint, that would be amusing.

With these gloomy thoughts, I gathered myself and left the house, making my way to the Hokage's office to corner Shikamaru and invite him first. He was the captain of our team, and inviting him first was the right thing to do, and much safer than inviting Naruto-kun.

Shikamaru and I arrived at the Hokage's residence almost simultaneously.

"Oh, Hinata!" he lazily exclaimed. "How's it going? Everything cool with Hanabi?"

"Thank you, Shikamaru-kun. I'm fine, and so is my sister," I smiled.

"Well, good. Should I escort you to the Sixth?" he reached out to open the building's door.

"Actually, I came to see you," I said with a smile.

He stepped back from the door, surprised, and crossed his arms over his chest. I sighed. Now or never.

"Father is very grateful for our rescue, so he invites all the mission participants to dinner," I blurted out in one breath, handing him the handwritten invitation with the Hyuga emblem.

"Man, that's such a drag," Shikamaru mumbled under his breath. "Official business, huh?" He paused, furrowing his brows. He was probably coming up with an excuse. I would do the same in his place. "I can't make it tonight."

"The dinner is on Friday," I replied.

"Such a pain," he grumbled through his teeth.

I fell silent, hoping he would be busy on Friday or come up with a worthy excuse. Please, please, please!

"Please tell Hiashi-sama that I am grateful and that I accept the invitation," Shikamaru hissed, his gaze fixed on the clouds above.

"Thanks," I squeaked, bowed, and hurried away before he could notice my disappointment.

After a couple of blocks, I managed to calm down. Well, Shikamaru is coming on Friday. So what? That doesn't mean everyone else will agree. It's quite possible that Team Seven will be on a mission.

"I'll definitely come!" Sai said, issuing a plastic smile as he accepted the invitation. I ran into him in the park on my way to the clinic. He was carrying his usual easel and wearing that same mask of politeness on his face. You never really get to understand what lies hidden in his soul.

I handed him the invitation, bowed, and made my way to the clinic with heavy steps. Sakura is always busy with her practice at this time.

Two of them have already accepted the invitations. And since Sai is free, it means Team Seven doesn't have a mission on Friday. Well, maybe Sakura will be occupied! She must be a very active person!

"Hinata, wow! Such an honor! From Hiashi-sama himself! Of course, I will come!" she blurted out with a wide grin, shattering all my hopes.

"Thank you, Sakura," I replied, closing my eyes.

"Have you invited him yet?" she asked, leaning in conspiratorially.

"I invited Shikamaru-kun and Sai-kun," I replied, scanning the bare walls of the clinic.

"Don't hesitate, Hinata," Sakura urged.

"No," I sighed, "To be honest, I'm so busy today. There's so much I have to do to prepare for this gala. Could you give him a message?" I said in one breath, handing Sakura the form.

"Oh, Hinata," Sakura shook her head but accepted the invitation. "He's such a slowpoke! Don't judge him too harshly, but he just doesn't understand! He's so clueless, what else can I say? I thought this mission would bring you closer, but he..."

"Sakura, thank you!" I interrupted her. "Please come, we'll be delighted to see all of you," I smiled and hurriedly left.

It hurts too much to remember, too painful even to think about him. If only he were occupied!