Hey guys! First story, hope everyone likes it. I've had this written for a while and thought I'd post it here. Please review, and enjoy!
Chapter 1: Predicament
Sasuke glanced over at the girl walking next to him, oblivious to all around her and prattling and gesticulating loudly, and found himself wondering for the millionth time how he had come to be in such a predicament. All he knew was that he had been quite happily chatting just that afternoon on his recently acquired computer to his American girlfriend, Madison, when two annoying, yet overly friendly female ninjas barged into his room, large false smiles plastered to their faces. One had quickly snatched up his laptop, almost unplugging it in the process, and threatened to smash it like a bug if he refused to accompany them on a 'date', which he'd grudgingly agreed to after excessive, failed bargaining and long contemplation. He shuddered to even think about the strength he knew the two of them, especially Sakura, but Ino as well had; his laptop simply had no chance of survival whatsoever after they got a hold of it.
He had to say, though, that he was always rather baffled by the determination clear in their eyes, and they never seemed anything less than exuberant in his presence. They were probably having another competition over something as usual, he thought. He could never understand why they spent so much time together when they resented each other as they did. Little did he know, he was right on target. They had indeed held yet another argument about who was better suited to be Sasuke's girlfriend (completely ignorant to the fact that he already had one), which resulted in a competition to prove who was superior while on a date. After spending a large part of their day trying (and failing) to bribe Shikamaru, the only brain in the small, prosperous town of Konoha, to hack into Sasuke's computer to threaten to tell something embarrassing about him to Madison (they did know about her, she just never happened to cross their minds until then) or something, they finally abandoned the clever (or so they thought) idea and ended up simply threatening to destroy the computer which they knew Sasuke had worked very hard to get and was extremely proud of.
And so, here they were; Sakura, Sasuke, and Ino, walking home from the ramen place after many tiring (mostly for Sasuke) hours spent by Sakura and Ino trying to win over the exhausted ninja who'd spent all morning training. Sakura kept quiet now, knowing Sasuke would not care for a girl who prattled on all the time, but one who enjoyed a meaningful silence. At the very first sight of Sasuke, Sakura had felt the blush creeping up her cheeks to settle on her face and it had stayed like that for the entire time; she could feel it even now on her carefully controlled features.
Ino, on the other hand, simply loved to gossip and could not hold herself back, even in the proximity of someone such as Sasuke. She hadn't been paying much attention and was both surprised and disappointed when he stopped in front of an apartment, causing her to run straight into his back. She paused, as did Sakura, taking in a large gulp of air. She had been talking nonstop all the way from the ramen place and had not had the time to breath. Sasuke looked distracted and frustrated; he'd never actually been on a date before and, even though he hadn't the slightest care about either person in front of him, he'd been brought up (up until his parents had been killed by his brother) to be polite and courteous, and could not think of what to say to indicate that he was glad they had given him a free supper, but that he had no desire whatsoever to be associated with them ever again. Sakura and Ino watched in awe as emotions flickered across his face as he scrambled for something to say. Finally, the two girls came back to their senses together and, also in unison, took in a deep breath of air to speak. Seeing that the other was going to talk, they both hesitated, glancing at each other, then blurted out, " So, which one of us is better?"
Surprised by the simultaneous outburst, Sasuke took a step back and seemed to be more confused than ever. Suddenly, he heard Ino's mother's voice calling her name from their house, which was very close by. Not thinking very much, Sasuke started hesitantly, "Ino, your mo--"
"YES! I knew it, I knew it, I knew it! I knew I was better!" Ino cried, a triumphant grin covering her face. Sakura's head was bent, and tears were glistening on the brim of her eyes. Apparently, Ino hadn't heard her mother and took Sasuke's words as a reply. " I knew I was better! Hah! He even said it himself, so in your FACE, Sakura! Oh, and Sasuke? I won't be available tomorrow; my sensei wanted the team to do a little extra training so I have to be at the training field. And Sunday I was planning to go to the movies with my friends, but Monday after training would be--"
"STOP!" Sasuke yelled angrily. "I don't care when you'll be available, because I DON'T LIKE YOU, DAMNIT! I don't like either of you! I already have a girlfriend, so GET THAT THROUGH YOUR THICK SKULLS! Ino, I was going to tell you that your mother was calling you and so you should GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!" And with that, he turned on his heel and stalked up to the door, swinging it open and slamming it shut after him.
Ino and Sakura looked over at each other. Ino's smug grin had been replaced by shock and disappointment, and Sakura's face held a small, hopeful smile. At least Sasuke doesn't like Ino, she thought. At least I still have a chance.
Whoever this Madison character was, she was not going to ruin Sakura and Ino's summer...they would do anything they could to get Sasuke to hate her. The clicks and whirs could be heard from afar as the plans tumbled in.