Kissing Booth

Hinata looked down at the small straw in her hand.  Several sighs of relief were released from her friends standing next to her.  Hinata hoped with everything she had that she would not draw the short straw. However she did.  

"Sorry Hinata, it looks like you're the lucky lady who will be running the kissing booth," Ino said sarcastically.  

Hinata looked at the outgoing blonde and said, "I-I am t-t-too sh-shy to do something like that."

Her heart was racing in her chest and a small bead of sweat had formed on her brow.   There was a festival in Konaha tonight.  It was to raise money to help with the reconstruction of the village.  People and dignitaries from all over the five nations would be attending.  There were to be games, food, fireworks and at Tsunade's suggestion a kissing booth.

"Perfect, ladies, I leave the details in your hands," Tsunade said while walking away sniggering to herself.

"I have an idea to make this easier on you Hinata," Sakura comforted.  "This is a festival so why not let us dress you up in a costume," she continued.

"A-a c-costume? Th-that might ma-make it worse Sakura," Hinata replied.

"Trust me Hinata, this will be perfect!" Sakura exclaimed.

Several hours later Sakura, Ino and Tenten waved as they walked away leaving Hinata alone in the small wooden booth.  The booth was made of wood and smelled slightly of cedar.  Streams and paper lanterns were hung in the large window giving the small wooden box a very festive feel.  Hinata nervously twiddled her fingers.  The costume that the girls had thrown together for Hinata was beautiful but a little too daring for the shy girl's liking.   A flowing skirt made of several layers of sheer multi-colored fabric sat low on her hips.  Her midriff was bear but a small red jewel was placed in her belly button.  Her top was made of the same sheer fabric as the skirt but Hinata had refused to wear it.  To help squash the girl's fears, Ino had lent her a black bathing suit top to wear underneath adding a bit more modesty to the whole ensemble.  Her hair was combed back away from her face and wrapped around her head.  Beads of every color weaved into it making it hard to discern her actual hair color.  The finishing piece was the mask of silver sparkles that she wore over her eyes.  Hinata felt beautiful in the costume but still it was so unusual for her to wear something so flamboyant and sexy.  She was still worried that not only did she have to kiss the patrons but that someone would recognize her.  She was nervously playing with her fingers again when she felt a presence loom in front of her.

Oh no my first customer! Hinata screamed inwardly.

"Well, well ring the alarm! To kiss a girl with all your charm, you know, you know," the tall older man said.

Hinata didn't know how to respond to the man's rap.  She recognized him of course.  He was from Kumo.  Bee, she believed his name was.  The large man placed his money gently in her hand and leaned in placing a sweet little kiss on the corner of her mouth.  He smiled broadly pulling his sunglasses down to give her a wink before making his way through the festival.

That wasn't so bad, Hinata thought.  He felt like the warm sun on a summer afternoon and smelled slightly of honey.

Hinata's resolve grew.  She could do this.  She would make the village proud and earn lots of money to help with the restoration.  

Her confidence wavered as a young man approached.  This time she knew him.

"What if he recognizes me," she mumbled quietly.

"Oh such beauty and youth, I must get a kiss from you my flower!"  the boy with the bowl cut and large eyebrows said.

Hinata almost blurted out his name but caught herself quickly, forcing a calm outward appearance.  She was about to kiss Lee.  

Never in a thousand years did I think I would ever kiss Lee, she thought.

Lee placed his money on the counter in front of her.  He stood there nervously for a moment but then took the plunge and kissed her exuberantly on her cheek.  His smile was huge with a faint blush to his cheeks.  

"Thank you, my lovely blossom," he said as he walked away.

His kiss was so energetic.  She could almost feel the energy on the spot where his lips had touched her.

He didn't recognize me and I am starting to feel less nervous.  "I don't think anyone can recognize me." she said quietly.

However fate had a way of causing trouble.  In the distance, walking towards the kissing booth were her team mates, Kiba and Shino.  They knew her so well and to top it off Kiba knew her scent like the back of his hand.  

"Oh Tenten I hope your idea works," Hinata whispered.

Tenten had thought about this.  Since Hinata's team mate has such a sharp nose she did some reading and found that mint could confuse the sense of smell.  Tenten had rubbed mint leaves all over Hinata as Sakura ground some up adding them to water to make a body mist.  The girls then sprayed Hinata from head to toe giving her hair an extra dose.

Shino stood several feet back from the booth, silent, as Kiba walked over and casually leaned on the counter.  

"Hey, babe," he said with a cocky grin.

Slapping his money down on the counter with a loud smack he reached his hand up to her face pulling her towards him.  Though this act was aggressive it was also gentle.  He pressed his lips firmly against hers and as he pulled away his tongue tickled her bottom lip.  Her breath seemed to have been taken away.  He now wore his trademark grin as he put both hands behind his head and began to walk away with Shino.

"Kiba-kun…" Hinata said breathlessly.

Kiba turned and said loudly.  "You smell good, like fresh mint."  He winked and continued on.

Now that was interesting.  Her team mate had caused her heart to flutter as well as the butterflies in her stomach. Only one other boy had ever done that.  However, before she could ponder longer on her team mate another customer appeared in front of her.

Choji stood there staring at her like she was barbeque beef.  He handed her his money and quickly kissed her on the cheek.  He quickly left.

Hmmmm he smells just like barbeque, she thought.

Hinata had now lost a lot of her nervousness.  Her night continued with one customer after another.  She was earning a lot of money and was proud of this fact.

Kakashi-sensei didn't even take off his mask.

She had to lean over to kiss Shikamaru because it was too troublesome to lean over the counter.

Inoichi Yamanaka looked guilty and his lips didn't even graze her cheek.

Gai-sensei scared her slightly with his enthusiasm.

Gaara the Kazekage had a large escort watching her every move but he seemed to enjoy this small interaction.

Konahamaru was too young to partake in the kissing booth but managed to jump on the counter, steal a kiss and then run away in the blink of an eye.

Ebisu-sensei seemed to undress her with his eyes but behaved himself.

People had started making their way to the far side of the festival where the fireworks were to be let off.  Hinata was about to close up the kissing booth and change into her regular clothes when an orange streak ran past.  The blonde haired boy came to an abrupt halt.  He looked to the direction of the fireworks and then to the kissing booth.  He repeated this action several times before finally deciding.  He walked over shyly which was so unlike him.  With a shaking hand he handed Hinata the money.  Hinata could not believe that this was happening.  He looked at her shyly as if he didn't know what to do.  Hinata guessed that perhaps he actually didn't know what to do.  

He doesn't know who I am, Hinata thought.

For the first time in her life Hinata sported a devilish grin.  She leaned over the counter reaching her hand around the back of Naruto's head.  Her fingers wound their way through his soft hair.  She pulled him towards her.  She pressed her lips hard against his and darted her tongue out lightly asking for entrance.  His mouth opened slightly in surprise giving her access. His surprise waned and he kissed her back passionately.  His lips moving time to hers their tongues dancing.  A loud bang interrupted their shared passion.  The fireworks had begun.  They both stared for a moment into each others eyes.
"Hin…" Naruto began before being interrupted by another firework explosion.

When he turned back to the girl he had just so intensely kissed, she was gone.  He stood there confused for what felt like an eternity but the fireworks were going strong.  He turned and ran in that direction.  Hinata had ducked down in the booth.  She was breathing heavy with excitement and fear.  She had just kissed Naruto.  Not just any kiss.  She giggled to herself smiling.  She was now glad that she had drawn the shortest straw.