F A M I L I A R

Yakiniku Q

As we all funneled into the barbecue restaurant, it became clear that not all of us were going to fit at the same table. As a solution, Sakura suggested splitting us up into a table of guys and a table of girls. Our tables ended up adjacent from each other, and I made sure that I sat next to Hinata since she was the only one that I felt like I actually knew. 

We took our seats and gave the waiter our drink orders with sullen looks on our faces. Ino still had tears streaking her face, but I could tell she was trying to move passed the funeral.

"Let's talk about something, anything," Ino sniffled and wiped her eyes on her sleeve. "I need to take my mind off of this."

"Well, I'm not sure if we've properly met," the girl with the two buns on her head outstretched her hand out to me. "I'm Tenten, nice to meet you!"

"Oh yeah, we don't really know who you are, do we?" Ino asked, seeming to remember that I was there as I shook Tenten's hand. "What's you name anyway?"

"Asuna," I smiled. 

I told them about coming from the Hidden Stone and the mission I was given, without letting them know too much about my kekkei genkai. Even though I knew I could probably trust these girls, I still felt the need to hide some things about myself. Some habits die hard. While I talked, the mood of the table seemed to change for the better as they paid attention to my story.

"-so I only really know Hinata's team and Neji a little bit," I finished. "I probably would have met all of you a lot sooner if we didn't get put on that mission and I didn't end up a cripple for so long."

I laughed and Sakura smiled, "Yes, but you made a very speedy recovery."

Ino nodded. "But you've been in the village for how long now? It's amazing that we haven't even seen you around. Do you even get out at all?"

I raised an eyebrow, not really appreciating her tone. What, did she think that I just stayed at home all day and did nothing?

Sakura smiled and elbowed Ino in the ribs. "Heh, what she means to say is its just surprising that we haven't seen you out, you know, at the markets or at the training grounds or anything."

"Well, my ankle is finally healed enough to start training again thankfully, but I usually go early in the morning and try to stay out of everyone else's way." I explained, scratching the back of my head. I couldn't help but feel like I was being interrogated. "Other than that, I spend most of my time either by myself or with Kiba. He's been really helpful with showing me around the village and stuff."

"Yeah, th-they've been spending a lot of time together," Hinata added with a sweet smile. 

The girls exchanged glances before returning their eyes to me, all giggling and smiling. I raised my eyebrows at them and broke my chopsticks apart. I could tell that Ino was about to say something just as the waiter returned to take our orders. One by one, we obliged his request and I silently hoped they would forget what we were talking about. Our waiter left, promising to return soon with our food and everyone's eyes immediately fell on me again.

Ino leaned forward and folded her hands together in front of her face. "So, do you like him?"

"Do I like who?" I stalled, taking a sip from my water.

"Kiba. I mean if you're spending so much time with him then there must be something going on."

I felt myself blush. Of course I liked Kiba, but in what way I wasn't entirely sure of. I'd deduced early on that Kiba had a certain reputation when it came to women, so I could only assume that the girls thought I was his next play-thing. I decided to be fairly honest.