Summary: [SHORT STORY.] Ino thinks she's been forgotten during Hokage's Week, but someone has her on his mind. Ino-centric. Surprise pairing! AU-ish. January story #4.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Rating: M, for language. Surprisingly no smut, but there is some kissing.
A/N: As per my New Year's resolution, I'm posting more stories. Here's another humble offering. I've had this idea for some time, but I kept changing my mind about the secret admirer. Please enjoy!
~ Masquerade ~
Hokage's Week Begins
Konoha in full swing during Hokage's Week was a sight to behold, but getting it there took hundreds if not thousands of man-hours. Or woman-hours. Sighing, Ino wiped sweat from her brow as she plucked at the arrangement of flowers in the holder. The orders for Yamanaka Flowers increased exponentially three weeks before Hokage's Week and lasted right on through the holiday.
Tonight at 12 midnight would initiate the first day of Hokage's Week, which would include the opening ceremonies until dawn. All the decorations with flowers had to be hand-made and prepped ahead of time, but not too far ahead of time to wilt and not too far behind schedule as to back up all the other orders. It was a difficult and complex juggle of time, flowers, and deliveries.
"Ino?" Her father called from the front of the store. "Have you finished that arrangement yet?"
"Yeah! Just about!"
The door to the backroom swung open, and Dad backed through with an armful of more fresh-cut flowers from the greenhouse. His light brown ponytail swung as he wrestled the flowers through the passage. As he set the colorful array on an arrangement table, he huffed. Sweat shone on his brow.
"I need to get everything transported to the village square for the opening ceremonies. Stay here and finish up the winners' bouquets. Put these flowers in the coolers for tomorrow morning, okay?"
Her concentration didn't waver. "Okay, Dad."
The repetitive work gave opened her mind to her friends. Every year was the same. Everyone would be present for the Hokage's speech that commenced in an hour. She and her family worked like horses while everyone danced and paraded and had wild nights of debauchery…such wonderful debauchery.
She half suspected her father had concocted the flower shop as a scheme to prevent his progeny from partaking. She didn't mind missing the games or feast or prank war or the street performances or fireworks. What she hated to miss was the masquerade ball. Mom had told her stories of the long, flowing gowns and glittery masks and glitzy shoes. The culminating event was the unmasking…to see who was who.
The shop bells jangled, interrupting her thoughts. She left her station to go to the front; she was sure she'd locked the door. From the counter, she checked the mirrors along the ceiling. No one was there, and she didn't see anyone, so she walked the center aisle craning her neck. Instead of a customer, a package had been set on the floor inside the front door. Hokage's Week gold wrapped the package, and a shimmery gold ribbon topped it off.
No one stood outside the windows- -in fact, her entire street was deserted under the dim streetlights. Under the bow was a matching gold tag with her name written on it. Her slow smile was unavoidable. Part of the fun of Hokage's Week was the secret admirer game. The celebratory atmosphere lent itself to mystery…so of course secret admirers would give gifts and ask 'favors'. Boys and girls could both be admirers, and at the masquerade ball, the admirers would reveal their identities to their admired.
Intrigued, she picked up the package and took it to the counter to examine. The wrap-job was neat and precise, and she didn't recognize the handwriting on the tag. Gently, she popped the bow and peeled back the tape. She wanted nothing more than to savor the gift. A plain brown box sat in front of her. Swaddled in bubble-wrap was a snow globe.
A miniature effigy of Hokage Mountain sparkled in the clear liquid and confetti. She shook the globe to stir up the 'snow', and she watched the quiet silver flakes fall like frosting over the faces of her heroes. What a beautiful gift. She shook it once more and watched until the last flake settled, before checking the box.
At the bottom was a postcard of Konoha featuring the Hero Stone. Written in neat print on the back was "Can you escape? Here in 2 hrs." While it was true that she was desperate to participate, she had a ton of work remaining. She had a responsibility to her father.
But…if she pushed hard, she could finish everything in two hours.
Dad released her with fifteen minutes to go. They locked up shop, but Ino begged off to see how nighttime downtown looked with the lit lanterns hanging, plus the decorations. As she neared the main avenue, laughter and movement buzzed the air. Even with it being the middle of the night, the young and old alike played small games. They ate from vendor stands, the smoked smell of fish, the baked sweet pastries wafted in the air. Everyone seemed so happy.
The Hero Stone was on the outskirts, so the noise was faded. Overhead, the stars sprinkled the sky. Votive candles spread out from the monument's base like a flickering skirt. Several small bouquets lay across the top of the stone. She had brought a small offering as well and reached out to stack her bouquet on the others. But a ruby-red masquerade mask glinted at her from its perch on the pile of flowers.
Another tag with her name on it dangled from the mask. Wild, large feathers plumed one side of the mask. Tucked in the corner was a silk red rose. Red gems flowed in swirls around the eyeholes. Black lace ruffled the outer-edges of the mask. Swept up in the fanciful moment, she placed the mask over her face. It fit her features perfectly.
She circled around the Hero Stone to be sure nothing else was there. Someone wanted her at the masquerade ball. That was a nice thought, but with the flowers needed to set up the ball, she couldn't spend the time to look for a dress or shoes. So, to whoever admired her, thanks anyway. Dejected, Ino removed the mask and walked home, her feet and back sore, her eyes heavy.
Mom woke her a few hours later. "Ino! A package has come for you! Come down and open it."
Ino grumbled, rubbed her eyes, but put on her robe. Her mother had put the package on the coffee table in the living room. Once again, the package was wrapped in gold with a gold bow tied around it. It was about the same size as the one with the snow-globe, which she'd set next to her mirror in her room.
"You must have quite an admirer," Mom said, leaning in for a closer view. "Do you have any ideas on who it could be?"
Ino shrugged. "Shikamaru's too lazy and wouldn't go through the effort for me, anyway. It could Chouji because he feels sorry for me. But I'm sure he has his eye on the Ramen Shop girl." Ino opened the wrapping. "Could be a civvie boy? Kohaku is crushing on me. I honestly don't…oh."
Similar to the snow-globe, this gift was swaddled with bubble-wrap. When she unfolded it, a delicately glass-blown boar peeked out. She'd never considered her family animal breathtaking, but the simplicity and the spectrum of the violet color was just that. The ornament sat nestled in her palm. When the morning sunlight was caught inside the glass, it shone like a purple sunburst in her hand.
This time, instead of a postcard, was a dressmaker's business card with hours at the bottom of the box. "Visit me," was printed on the card's back. There were no other instructions.
"What could this mean?" she asked. She handed the card to her mother.
Mom plucked the card from Ino's fingers and turned it over. "Hm. Looks like someone wants you at the Masquerade. How very romantic."
Ino rolled her eyes. "Yeah, that's great. Problem is, I've gotta help Dad with the flowers. There's no way I'd be able to get ready in time for the ball." She accepted the card from her mother. "It's a nice thought, though."
"Let me talk to your father. I'm sure we can work something out."
After breakfast, Mom had pushed her out the door, telling her to go to the dressmaker and see what waited for her there. Dad didn't need her at the shop until the afternoon, so she had some time to spare. What she wanted was to steal back to bed for more shut-eye. Tiredness pressed at her enough that not even coffee could fully wake her.
But, as she walked to downtown, Ino wracked her brains. Who had shown interest enough in her to give her such thoughtful gifts? It could be someone shy, someone who'd she never directly spoken to, and so Hokage's Week afforded that someone an opportunity to break the ice. That made sense, right? If that's the case, then she wouldn't be able to guess.
So now, back to square one. Well, whatever. With a yawn, she turned a corner and ran smack dab into a hard, black-clothed chest.
"Ack!" Her surprise jerked her back, overbalanced her, and tripped her over her own foot. "Ah!"
"Whoa! Ino."
A firm hand gripped her arm before she could sprawl out on the sidewalk. When she looked up, bold purple paint and a hood with cat ears greeted her. Her brain shut off, went numb for no good reason because she hadn't noticed how gorgeous he'd gotten. She'd only ever seen him in passing, not ever up close. They were familiar, but not friends.
In any event, four years had grown him quite nicely.
"Lord Kankuro," she said as he righted her. A tingle spread down her spine. "I'm sorry. I didn't see you." Inwardly she cringed with how stupid she sounded.
He seemed taken aback. "It's okay. You looked out of it. Also, no need for 'lord'. Just…Kankuro."
"Oh. Okay. I, uh, I've been worked to the bone at the Flower Shoppe." She smiled and tucked her long bangs behind her ear to show she was light-hearted about it. His hand lingered on her arm, impressing her with a sense of his interest. "You here for Hokage's Week? Or a mission?"
"Naruto invited us out," he told her. "So far it's been a blast. You folks here in Fire Country know how to put on a party. I'm definitely looking forward to the games this afternoon. Naruto tells me Rock Lee is participating."
His eyebrow wiggle made her laugh. "Yeah, his participation makes the games, I hear. Eternal spring of youth and all that."
"Are you not going?"
"No. I've got work at the flower shop. Dressing up Konoha takes loads of flower arrangements and garlands and bouquets." She shrugged under his astonished gaze. "Gotta help my family. You know how that is."
"That doesn't seem fair."
"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself. Look, I've got an appointment. It was nice running into you," she said and stepped around him. With her exhaustion, she couldn't keep up the conversation much longer. "Please continue to celebrate with us."
"Ino, wait. Can I see you sometime?"
She turned to him. "I'd like that, but I don't know if I can get away. Make sure to tell Naruto how much fun you're having." He'd have to be satisfied with her non-answer.
As she walked off, she couldn't resist a glance over her shoulder. He watched her, and when her gaze snagged his, he fluttered his hand in farewell. From the distance, the purple lines of kabuki paint showed her his contemplative expression.
A/N: I know, I know. Cliched girl-runs-into-boy. Still, I love building the mystery and intrigue. As always, let me know thoughts and concerns. Next chapter will be up within the week.