Prologue
Tenzou and Kakashi walked through the streets of Konoha, the citizens going about their normal, daily lives. They were headed for the local bar. "Man, Naruto sure was a handful today," Tenzou sighed, watching Kakashi out of the corner of his eye. "Yeah, well, you know what he's like," Kakashi murmured, "He tends to get carried away." Tenzou nodded silently.
They passed through a pleasantly quiet street, the warm sun beating down on them. A few more minutes of silent walking passed by before the bar came in sight. "Oh good, we're here," Kakashi mused. "Yeah, I could use a drink," Tenzou agreed, "Something strong." When they reached the entrance to the bar Tenzou held open the door for his superior and followed him in. Inside it was dark, only dim lighting set in each corner of the bar.
Tenzou followed Kakashi to a small, square table across the room, where they practically fell into the stools provided. "So Yamato," Kakashi began, "What will it be?" Tenzou was half dazed, and it took him a moment to realize Kakashi had asked him something. "Hnnn?" he looked quizzically at his superior, "What was that Senpai?" Kakashi chuckled and shook his head. "What will you have?" he asked again. "Oh, uh…." He wasn't sure what he felt like, "just a whiskey will do." Kakashi grinned at him. "What?" Tenzou asked defensively. "Oh, nothing, nothing," Kakashi smirked back. Standing up, Kakashi walked over to the bar and ordered their drinks while Tenzou sat at their little table and grumbled to himself.
When Kakashi plonked back down on his stool, placing the alcohol in front of him, Tenzou almost spilled it in his eagerness to drink it. "Slow down there Yamato, you don't need it that badly," Kakashi warned. Tenzou eyed him off. "Easy for you to say, you're used to the stress that comes with dealing with Naruto." Kakashi shrugged. "You know what I think?" Kakashi asked, a hint of amusement in his voice. Tenzou probably wouldn't like the answer, but he asked anyway. "What do you think, Senpai?" Tenzou could practically see the amusement pouring out of Kakashi's uncovered eye. It annoyed him slightly. Kakashi looked at him. "I think you need a girlfriend," Kakashi winked at him.
Tenzou could feel the burning in his face. "I doubt it," he muttered. Kakashi raised his glass and took a gulp. "Mmm, nice scotch this." He said casually. "Why do you think that Senpai?" Tenzou asked, knowing full well that Kakashi's reply would make him go even brighter in the face. Kakashi chuckled. "Why, to relieve the stress of course," he winked at Tenzou again. Tenzou did go even brighter in the face at that. "Senpai," he hissed, embarrassed. "What?" Kakashi pretended innocence. Tenzou deflated, too tired to bother arguing with him. "Nothing, Senpai."
A few more hours passed while the two shinobi sat together drinking, small talk being about all they could be bothered with. Tenzou had had two drinks for every one Kakashi had drunk. He was feeling woozy now. Kakashi pushed his stool back and stood, wobbling slightly before steadying himself. "Alright Yamato, I'm off home. Don't be here too much longer. Don't want to have to drag you out of bed in the morning." Tenzou nodded at him, murmuring a drunken "yes, Senpai." He watched Kakashi as he walked across the room to the door.
When Kakashi left the bar, Tenzou began looking around at the other people inside, to see if there was anyone he knew. He looked at each table, seeing no familiar faces, until he looked at a table, not unlike his own, in the opposite corner of the building. Sitting at that table were Sakura Haruno and Ino Yamanaka. When did they come in? he pondered. He hadn't seen them enter. Admittedly he hadn't been paying attention to anything but the drink in his hand and Kakashi sitting across from him until his Senpai had left. As he looked at the two girls, Ino stood and walked to the bar. Maybe Kakashi was right. Maybe I do need a girlfriend. He thought cheekily, eyeing Ino. Might as well try my luck. He stood abruptly, almost knocking over the small table. That earned him a few looks.
Slowly he made his way over to where Ino was standing by the bar. She was very pretty. Tenzou clumsily set his empty glass on the bar, banging it intentionally to get Ino to look at him. "Another one, please." He nodded towards the barkeeper, who moved to comply. He looked at Ino, who was staring quizzically at him. "Hey there," he said in an attempt to be smooth. "Uh… Hi Yamato…" Ino said carefully. Tenzou chuckled. "My, you look rather nice tonight." Ino's cheeks went slightly red at that. "Uh, thanks. I think." Heck, just cut straight to the chase. "So Ino, want to come home with me?" Ino nearly spat out her newly replenished drink. "What?" she look incredulous.
"Well why not?" he asked genuinely, "Keep me company for a while. We don't have to do much." She looked like she was going to slap him, but then seemed to think better or it, for which he was eternally grateful. It was true enough that Ino had merely a fraction of Sakura's monster strength, but it would still hurt like hell. Ino looked him in the eye and said "You're drunk." Tenzou just let his gaze bore into her eyes. "So?" Ino let out a small sigh and then took another sip of her drink. He saw her look over to Sakura, and he looked too.
He found that Sakura had been watching their encounter. Ino looked back at him and smiled slightly. "Hang on, I'll be right back." She walked away, back in the direction of Sakura. Tenzou sighed. She definitely wasn't coming back. He sat at a tall stool at the bar and picked up his now full drink. He had just started to gulp it down when someone came up beside him. He turned his head to find Ino standing there. She looked at him expectantly. "Well?" she asked. Tenzou was confused. "Well what?" Ino sighed and looked at him. "Shall we go now?" she asked almost impatiently.
Tenzou's eyes widened. He couldn't believe his luck. His jaw dropped. For a moment he just sat there, ogling at Ino. "I, uh… You're serious?" he asked. Ino laughed at his shock. "Yeah, now let's go." She waited for Tenzou to stand and then walked with him to the door. Just before they left the bar Tenzou threw a quick glance over his shoulder. A stunned Sakura was sitting at her table with her mouth hanging open at the sight of Ino leaving with him. He smirked to himself, pleased.
Sakura sat there, mouth open, for almost a minute after they left. What the actual hell?! Ino had completely ditched her to go home with Yamato. What was she thinking?! Sakura couldn't tell if she was angry at Ino for just ditching her, or surprised because Ino had literally just left the bar with her sensei's subordinate.
A/N: I am SO excited to have already started my new fic. I hope you guys enjoyed my first installment, please let me know what you think of the prologue! Yes, I know, I know. Another weird pairing. :P