Naruto ran onto the red bridge. He had looked at his watch and realized how late he was to their Team 7 meeting. Sakura was sitting on the railing and smiling at Naruto. Sasuke was leaning against the red wooden pole. He acknowledged Naruto by nodding at him.
"Sorry I'm late guys!" Naruto yelled to his teammates. He made a huge grin toward Sakura.
"It's no big deal. Kakashi-Sensei isn't even here yet." Sakura responded maturely.
"Like that's a surprise." Sasuke mumbled.
After about ten minutes, Kakashi finally showed up.
"Sorry guys. I got lost on the path of life."
The three ninjas just sighed and waited for their leader to tell them the next mission.
"Well, don't you want to know your next mission? It's a good one!"
Naruto began to get anxious. A good mission! The team hadn't had one of those for a long time.
Naruto stood up and said, "Whatever the mission, I'll complete it! Believe it!"
Sasuke stared at the blonde boy, "What a loser."
Naruto began to glare at Sasuke, but he just turned away though and said. "So what's the mission?"
"You guys are going to the annual Kahona dinner."
Both boys stood up and yelled, "WHAT?!"
All three of them knew that this dinner gave awards to ninjas for their skills. On the other hand though, it meant that all girls would have to have escorts. They all would have to dress in good clothes too.
Sakura started to blush and looked down at her feet. This dinner would mean she'd have to have an escort. She wanted to ask Sasuke to the dinner, but Naruto had done so much for her in the past. She did owe him for everything he had done.
She closed her emerald eyes for a moment. Visions of that creepy sand kid flowed into her mind. That Gaara guy had almost killed her. If it hadn't been for Naruto's persistence, Sakura might not be here right now. The pink haired girl quickly shook that idea from her mind though.
Of course, the boys were having ideas of their own. Naruto kept thinking how great it would be to have Sakura as a date, but he realized that she would probably first ask Sasuke. At the same moment though, Sasuke was hoping the pink haired ninja wouldn't ask him. Dating just wasn't his thing.
All three ninjas looked at each other. Sakura knew if she asked Sasuke, he'd say no. She wasn't dumb, and she knew he disliked her. She slowly turned her head to Naruto who was sitting on her right.
"Naruto, um, I guess we can go together if you want." She gave a meek smile. Naruto stared at her for a moment thinking that Sakura was being sarcastic. But of course, Naruto wouldn't say no to Sakura. He still really liked her.
"Sure Sakura!" He grinned his largest smile at Sakura.
Kakashi also looked stunned. He thought for sure that Sakura would have asked Sasuke, but maybe he was wrong.
"Well all three of you will check into the dinner wearing your best clothes. I'll see you three Friday afternoon." Kakashi said.
Before the three could object or ask questions, Kakashi was gone. Sakura stood up and said, "Well, I have to go. Ino and I are going to the market." She walked away from the two boys.
When she was out of sight, Naruto sturned to Sasuke and stuck out his tongue.
