WEST SIDE SHINOBI: A NARUSAKU TALE
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO OR WEST SIDE STORY…. DAMN!
A/N: For all those who enjoy my other crossover "Love In The Cards" here's another. A Cross-between West Side Story and Naruto. SakuNaru ShikaIno, HinaKiba, LeeSaku (very slight)
A Note to all NaruSaku fans this will not end happy. That's just the way it goes. Most of the characters are OOC and Shikamaru and Sakura are related and Sasuke doesn't appear. There are also no ranks in terms of Ninja except when referred to in simile.
The characters:
Naruto Uzumaki: A hard working apprentice for The Third Hokage, has been having strange dream that he's reaching for something somewhere in Konoha, but is unable to see it. A former Lieutenant to the leader and his best friend of the gang the Jets, Kiba.
Sakura Nara: A new girl in Konoha. She is the little sister of Shikamaru the leader of the Sharks the newest gang on Konoha's west side. She is young, beautiful, ambitious, adventurous, and to a fault mischievous desperately trying to figure out what being a real Kunoichi in Konoha is.
Kiba Inuzuka: The leader of the Jets. He is the best friend of Naruto. Always getting into trouble and starting fights with the Sharks constantly. Never making them feel welcome or included. Ill-tempered, Scheming, but willing to do anything to protect his Gang and turf.
Neji Hyuga: Kiba's second in command after Naruto left the gang. Quiet, tall and imposing on everything. Willingly goes along with Kiba on anything and keeps the Jets in line. An enforcer around the Jets turf.
Shikamaru Nara: The leader of the Sharks. The Older brother of Sakura. He came to Konoha in search of a place to train to become a shinobi, but was unkindly greeted by Kiba and his gang. His best friends are Chouji Akimichi his assistant, and Rock Lee his lieutenant. Overprotective, untrusting, proud, and yes lazy, he wants to move in on the Jets turf.
Ino Nara: The wife of Shikamaru. Looks at Sakura as a little sister and constantly scolds her about everything. Not at all in favor of her want and need for adventure and likes to try to push Shikamaru around. She's not above using her looks to get what she wants.
Rock Lee: Lieutenant of the Sharks. Hopelessly in love with Sakura and even engaged to be married to her. However, problems arise when Naruto enters the picture and he becomes very jealous.
Lieutenant Kakashi Hatake: The peacekeeper of Konoha. Almost like a policeman, he works with the Anbu to keep the Genin in line. Has had just about all he can take from the 2 warring Gangs that are causing a strain in Konoha.
Officer Might Gai: Kakashi's right hand man. Part of the Anbu and also tries to keep peace but also likes to bully the Genin around.
(That's about it for now the other characters you will see pop up every once in a while but not as often as these above)
CHAPTER 1: BE THERE! THE RUMBLE CHALLENGE ISSUED!
It was another hot summer day in Konoha. The young academy students were out of school and playing around the playground. Everything seemed to be fine. Even a young group of street kids, huddled up in the corner of the playground seemed to be having a fine time watching the young and teenaged kids play. Things were quiet, almost too much so. That all changed in a matter of seconds. Kiba Inuzuka, the leader of the group (gang really) known as the Jets began to instigate a walk around the playground snapping his fingers rhythmically. His Lieutenant Neji Hyuga followed along quickly. Soon the entire gang was snapping in rhythm. Their moment was interrupted when a teenager accidentally threw a kunai too hard and it got stuck to the wall behind the group.
One of Kiba's subordinates took the knife out of the wall as the teenager ran over to retrieve it. A tense mood gripped the crowd for only a moment as the hot-tempered subordinate looked to Kiba for instruction. With a simple jerk of his head, Kiba instructed the guy to give the kunai back to the young one. He did so and sent the little one on his way. The snapping resumed a couple of seconds later. With another jerk, Kiba summoned all the Jets to their feet and they began to move in flock around the playground. As they moved, they carefully maneuvered around a young girl who was drawing on the concrete with chalk. They continued, and on their way came across a couple more young students playing basketball. When these students saw the Jets, immediately they put the ball down and let the Jets take over. There was only one rule of the playground, if the Jets wanted to do something you let them do it no questions ask or you'd end up with a black eye quicker than a Genin taking on a Sanin.
As one of the Jets picked up the ball, he began to pass it around to other Jets. However, as soon as the ball was passed to Kiba, with a grumpy look, he passed the ball off back to the kids and continued snapping and on his way. Soon, they were out of the confines of the playground and onto the sidewalk of Konoha. They began to move rhythmically in something that resembled a dance. Things started slowly at first as only one Jet made a small move spreading his arms out and left leg. Then 2 more Jets followed, and soon the entire gang was in a full-blown dance down the sidewalk. They pranced away to another part of the playground across the territory marked JETS, as they turned their attention skyward then quickly back down to the ground before an unwelcome sight caught their eyes.
Standing before them was the a member of a rival gang, The Sharks who seemed oddly interested in the sparse clouds above. Kiba's glance held for a second on the figure and then gave a smirk. A smirk as if to say, "what the hell are you doing here?" Shikamaru Nara the aforementioned person stood their, emotionlessly still eyes in the sky before glancing down to see the Jets. He kept an emotionless look on his face as the Jets as they began to surround and taunt him with whistles at him. Neji Hyuga and another Jet stood in front of Shikamaru for a second and then smirked and moved on. Shikamaru moved to the side visibly frustrated.
His cloud viewing had been ruined by the obnoxious Jets. This wasn't the first time Shikamaru had been bullied by the Jets and he was growing very weary of it. He slammed his hand into the nearby brick wall. He began to walk and was suddenly flanked by two other members of the Sharks; slowly he balled his fist up and began snapping like the Jets did before. His two back up friends began to get on in the act and soon all of them were snapping in rhythm. The snapping soon changed to a shuffle step and like the Jets had just done the three Sharks began to dance their way across the JETS sign on the ground. Their movements however, were just a hair sharper than the Jets were, as they shuffled, spun, and then kicked high in the air.
Shikamaru went into a small solo across the Jets sign. He spun once and extended his right arm still balled up. The two other Sharks followed quickly with the same movement. They shuffled forward once more but paused as they glanced forward. Two of the Jets were taking some a cup of Ramen from a street vendor. Quickly the two Jets dashed away only to be met by the Shark members. With an evil smirk Shikamaru took the cup out of the hands of the Jet member and gave the after-you signal. As they moved down the street, the Sharks, as the Jets did before, began to taunt the Jets. However, as they reached the corner the Sharks were met with an unexpected surprise.
The entire gang of the Jets were waiting on the corner. The previously defeated Jet now stood victoriously and motioned for the Sharks to move along. As the Sharks began to move away defeated the Jets chased them down the street and screamed
"SCRAM."
After the Sharks had departed The Jets began to dance down the street again. They jumped, jived shuffled, until they came to a small outlet once again on their turf. With a loud cry of
"BEAT IT!"
all three Sharks left the area immediately. The Jets continued their romp with a couple more spins, shuffles, and twists down the street and to the next corner where three more Sharks came into play before the Jets chased them off as well. All too soon they were back at the playground.
When the Jets arrived at the playground, immediately they turned their attention to the basketball courts, which were now deserted. The Jets wasted no time in picking up the ball and moving it around the court. However, instead of Basketball they were playing it up as more of a ballet. Some Jets danced as others got the ball and shot it, some rebounded it with dance-like leaps. Everything was going well until two hands that intercepted the ball abruptly stopped the game. Shikamaru had returned to the playground this time flanked by two more Sharks. These two were his closest companions, Chouji Akimichi his lieutenant, and Rock Lee his assistant. Shikamaru, had another emotionless look on his face has he held the ball.
Kiba signaled for Shikamaru to give the ball back. Shikamaru waited for a second, then dropped the ball at Kiba's feet. The ball bounced once, twice, and right into Kiba's hands. As Kiba retrieved the bouncing ball, he gave only two words to his nemesis,
"beat it."
With that the two crowds went their separate ways, the Jets to their alcove meeting spot and the Sharks off the playground. However, as they separated Konohamaru the aforementioned hothead, and bully of the Jet Gang was tripped by Asuma of the Shark gang, who in turn . Konohamaru motioned to Asuma, extending his right hand to stop him from getting away, obviously displeased with the act. However, to trick up the Shark member Konohamaru extended his right hand to offer peace, but as the two got close Konohamaru knocked Asuma to the ground, and things got ugly.
Asuma was now very pissed to have been knocked to the ground, and by a Jet no less. Asuma sat up slightly, reared his head back, and with all of his might hocked a bullet of spit at Konohamaru. When the projectile hit its target Konohamaru spun around, and now was even more pissed off. In about two seconds he lounged at Asuma landing on top of him and began to pound on him mercilessly. With that an all out, and all too familiar brawl started between the two-hated nemeses of western Konoha.
Things went back and forth for a while as the Jets held their own on their territory and the Sharks were able to give a decent beating to the Jets on their own turf. However, as things came to a head Udon had snuck off to a small back lot where there was a rather large sign written in chalk of: SHARKS! To which Udon began to add the word stink with his own piece of chalk.
However, Shikamaru, Rock Lee, Asuma, and Chouji all saw Udon doing this. To say the least, they were less than pleased, as they sat on the fence that surrounded the chalk. Udon looked up and tried to get away but was immediately surrounded by all of the Sharks. He tried desperately to get away, with no luck. He was hopelessly trapped and the Sharks were closing in rather rapidly, so Udon did the only thing that seemed logical at the time, he slashed Shikamaru across the cheek quickly with the chalk and ran as fast as he could.
Udon did fine for a while but was eventually chased down by the Sharks, who had dispersed while chasing him, who then trapped Udon as he got back to the playground. He began to scream for his companions to come to his aid.
"JETS HEY JETS!"
However, as he did this the Sharks pinned him to the asphalt and began to pound his face. However, Iruka a fellow Jet closed in on the scene before too much damage was done. Soon a huge melee ensued where Jets and Sharks ducked it out once again. The brawl was huge, as fists went flying everywhere and in every direction. Things could've gotten a whole lot worse if not for a giant smoke bomb interrupting the fray.
"BREAK IT UP YOU PUNKS CUT IT OUT! CUT IT OUT I SAID!"
Officer Might Gai of the Anbu black ops, had jumped into the mess and began trying to subdue the two sides. Gai had a bowling ball hair cut, with very bushy eyebrows, and a green flak suit on.
After a few more seconds of scuffling the two sides split apart leaving a gap in the middle of the gangs. Another Anbu joined in as the fighting stopped. This man both sides knew all too well.
"HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU GUYS TO CUT THIS STUFF OUT?" The masked Anbu screamed
"Well if it isn't Lieutenant Kakashi" Kiba mockingly introduced as Kakashi took of his ANBU Mask. Revealing his silver hair, and clean-shaven, not bad looking but slightly older face.
"Top of the day Lieutenant Kakashi" The both sides greeted in a mock-formal tone
"And officer Gai" Kiba again mockingly introduced
"Top of the day Officer Gai" The both sides mock formal greeted again.
"I'll whack you guys on the top of the head if you don't shut up!" Gai responded
"Hey you get down from there!" Kakashi barked at two Jets hanging off the fences of the playground
"But we're having such fun" The Jets complained
"We like the playground it keeps us deprived children off the streets." Kiba added
"Shut up!" Gai shouted again
"Hey Udon come here." Kakashi demanded in a much calmer tone.
Kakashi examined Udon's face for a couple of seconds then turned to the Sharks.
"Alright now which one of these damn Sharks cut you?" Kakashi asked impatiently
before Udon could answer Kiba broke in smugly.
"Uh… Sir we distinctly remember Anbu, two Anbu doing the dirty work."
"impossible" Gai broke in
"In Konoha nothing is impossible" Shikamaru broke in from the Sharks side
Kakashi had just about enough of the disrespect he was being shown by both gangs. He turned to the Sharks.
"Alright Wise guys, you listen to me. You hoodlums don't own these streets. I've had enough roughhousing around here! If you want to kill each other, then by all means be my guest, but not so long as I'm assigned to protect Konoha. Any questions?" Kakashi listed out
"Yes sir" Shikamaru spoke up, "would you mind slowing down that speech so we could understand it?" He jokingly added at the end.
"Get the hell out of here Shikamaru! And stay out." Kakashi sternly ordered giving Shikamaru a death glare.
"Ok guys… lets go. This place is a drag anyways." Shikamaru and his gang began to move away and soon they were gone.
Kakashi watched as the Sharks left the playground. He gave a sigh of annoyance before turning to the Jets who had since huddled up.
"Hey guys, let's be reasonable ok? If I don't whip things into shape around here I get busted back to academy teacher, and you guys don't like academy teachers. So guess what you'd better start making nice with the Sharks from now on. Cause if you don't I will personally take my lightening blade and beat you down with it. And then I'll haul every last one of you into the prison and let you rot there." Kakashi gave out his strict order.
"Alright Gai time to say goodbye" Kakashi ordered once again as he saw Gai trying to teach some of the Jets, the power youth.
"Yeah Yeah Alright. You young guys better behave now you hear? And remember stay strong in your youth, talent is great but…" Gai tried to teach before Kakashi grabbed him by the collar
"Will you can it? Can't I take you anywhere without hearing a speech on youth?" Kakashi grumbled as the two Anbu were gone in a flash of smoke.
"You young guys better behave now you hear?" Konohamaru mocked
"You hoodlums don't own these streets" Iruka shouted in mock as well.
"Go play in the park" One Jet shouted as a mock order
"Keep off of the grass" Iruka responded
"Get out of the house" Neji added
"Keep off the block" another Jet shouted
"Get out of here" Yet another Jet barked
"Keep off the world. A gang that don't own the streets is nothing!" Konohamaru screamed
"WE DO OWN IT!" Kiba yelled back as he lit up a cigarette in his mouth.
"come on Jets round up" Kiba ordered. They began to move back to their meeting alcove but were interrupted
"Kiba you gotta let me in the gang! Didn't you just see me I wanna fight!" Tenten the local tomboy complained
"Yeah it's the only way a guy would put his hands on you" Iruka mocked
"Shut up! I'll kick the shit out of you!" Tenten dropped into a fighting pose.
"Hit the road TenTen" Neji ordered quietly. Tenten resisted.
"BEAT IT!" the whole gang screamed.
"Come on Guys" Kiba ordered, as the Jets followed him into their meeting place.
"Now listen we fought hard for this turf and we're not just gonna give it up. Those water logs had it and we shut them out." Kiba explained
"Right" the gang answered
"Then those star shooters tried to come in and take it and knocked them down to the cellar." Kiba continued
"Yeah but these Sharks are different." Udon interjected
"Yeah and you heard what that Lt. Kakashi said, we gotta make nice with those Sharks or else. We gotta let them take up our turf or else." Kiba articulated
"No way!" The entire gang yelled in protest
"You're damn right no way. So what are we gonna do? We're gonna clean out those damn sharks once and for all, and make sure they never come back here. And we're gonna do it in one all out fight" Kiba resolved to the gang.
"A rumble! Let me at em… Let me at those F…." Konohamaru began to rant only to be interrupted by Kiba
"Now cool down Konohamaru. These Sharks are tough customers, they may ask for Shuriken, or worse." Kiba went back to explaining
"That's pretty bad I dunno you guys…" Udon again jumped in.
"I'm not finalizing anything Udon, I'm just saying that they might, and we gotta be prepared. So what's it gonna be guys?" Kiba asked to the group
"I say Go at em head on!" Konohamaru exclaimed dropping into fighting stance
"I say we tear em up!" Iruka shouted
"Yeah but if they say shuriken or something like that?" Neji asked trying to get the group to see the other side of the story.
"Maybe we should just forget it." Udon reasoned.
"What? Are you chicken Udon?" Konohamaru threatened.
"What do you say Kiba?" Neji asked the leader diverting attention from Udon.
"Well this turf is small but it's all we got, I wanna hold it like we always held it. Man on Man fist-to-fist, taijutsu. But if they say Kunai, I say Kunai, if they say Shuriken I say Shuriken, and at the end we will be number one! So that settles it, we rumble." Kiba announced
The group cheered in approval of Kiba's decision. As he explained his plan he moved from back of the alcove to the sidewall and leaned up against it for more directions.
"Now we need to meet with The Sharks to set up the rules of this fight. So I will personally be giving the bad news to Shikamaru." Kiba started his directions. The group Laughed.
"Well you've gotta have a Lieutenant. No offense Neji." Udon explained.
"that's me!" Konohamaru jumped in the air with his hand raised.
"Wrong! That's Naruto." Kiba countered
"Who needs Naruto?" Konohamaru asked angrily.
"We need Naruto, he's a legend in these parts." Kiba explained.
"Yeah well he isn't part of this gang anymore!" Konohamaru tried to counterpoint.
"Konohamaru shut up!" Kiba barked, "Me and Naruto started the Jets."
"So where is he? Why'd he take up classes to be Hokage?" Konohamaru asked
"It doesn't matter Kiba's right" Neji broke in finally backing Kiba up, "Don't you remember that day that he clobbered those water logs? Sent them all the way back to their misty shores."
"He saved my life against those damn star shooters" Udon jumped in
"And he'll do it again too!" Kiba roused. "He always came through for us and he always will."
Kiba then grabbed a Neji and began to sing.
When you're a Jet,
You're a Jet all the way
From your first cigarette
To your last dyin' day.
When you're a Jet,
If the spit hits the fan,
You got brothers around,
You're a family man!
You're never alone,
You're never disconnected!
You're home with your own:
When company's expected,
You're well protected!
Kiba then jumped up on a pull up bar and sat and continued singing
Then you are set
With a capital J,
Which you'll never forget
Till they cart you away.
When you're a Jet,
You stay a Jet!
"Now I know Naruto like I know me and I guarantee you can count him in" Kiba directed as he got down from the bar.
"In out let's just do this." Konohamaru impatiently demanded
"Where are you gonna find Shikamaru?" A Jet asked
"It's not safe going to his territory" Iruka explained
"We'll meet at the Konoha Festival tonight." Kiba answered
"Yeah but that's neutral territory" Iruka added
"Iruka I'm just challenging him." Kiba shot back
"Great Kiba" Neji added.
"So listen everyone dress sharp. Meet Naruto and me at the Festival at 10. And walk tall!" Kiba instructed before he left.
"We always walk tall! We're Jets, the greatest!" Neji answered as he turned to the group and sang
(A/N: yes this is gonna be out of character for Neji. I explained that already)
When you're a Jet,
You're the top cat in town,
You're the gold medal kid
With the heavyweight crown!
When you're a Jet,
You're the swingin'est thing:
Little boy, you're a man;
Little man, you're a king!
When Neji finished his last part the entire gang jumped up on benches and sang as well
The Jets are in gear,
Our cylinders are clickin'!
The Sharks'll steer clear
'Cause ev'ry Shark is a damn lousy chicken!
Here come the Jets
Like a bat out of hell.
Someone gets in our way,
Someone don't feel so well!
Here come the Jets:
Little world, step aside!
Better go underground,
Better run, better hide!
The gang moved of the benches and over to the seesaws as they transferred weight from one end to the other while singing.
We're drawin' the line,
So keep your noses hidden!
We're hangin' a sign,
Says "Visitors forbidden"
And we ain't kiddin'!
The gang got off the seesaws and began walking out of the playground led by Neji and walked down the street still singing.
Here come the Jets,
Yeah! And we're gonna beat
Ev'ry last buggin' gang
On the whole buggin' street!
On the whole!
Ever!
Mother!
Lovin'!
Street!
YEAH!
With that the gang dispersed to get ready to put Kiba's plan into action.
AT THE RAME SHOP LATER THAT DAY:
Kiba and Naruto were already engaged in a conversation, which Naruto seemed almost disinterested in.
"come on Naruto you're not even listening to me" Kiba complained
"I hear ya loud and clear Kiba" Naruto answered
"Then why aren't you giving me an answer?" Kiba questioned
"cause I don't want to hurt your feeling Kiba. I mean after all we've been friends forever" Naruto responded with genuine honesty
"Womb to tomb?" Kiba asked with his hand extended
"Birth to Earth" Naruto replied grabbing Kiba's hand with his own.
"Exactly. That's why you need to come to the Festival tonight." Kiba reasoned to which Naruto gave no answer. He was busy moving sacks of dough around the back room in the Ramen Shop.
"Oh Come on Naruto stop being so stubborn," Kiba complained again
"Kiba you ever wonder how many sacks of dough, it takes to make just one batch of good Ramen noodles?" Naruto asked, as he flipped through a file.
"Come on Naruto this is important." Kiba stated
"Everything's important Kiba. You, me, Mr. Teiuchi…" Naruto began his explanation
"These Sharks don't play by the rules Naruto. If we don't stop them…" Kiba shot back trying to get his point across. Naruto just placed a sack of dough in Kiba's arms
"Here try working for a living." Naruto answered smugly. Kiba stood slack-jawed
"I don't believe this Naruto. For four and a half years you take me in feed me, give me a place to sleep. We're practically brothers, thought I had you figured Naruto. Man am I a victim of disappointment in you" Kiba sighed, Naruto gave him a grumpy look.
"Well you could just pack up your stuff and move out." Naruto replied
"What would you do without me huh Naruto? I at least try to keep the place clean." Kiba joked again,
Naruto knew Kiba was joking but decided to play along. In a swift motion Naruto was holding Kiba's arm in a crowbar lock behind his back.
"Ok Naruto… Ok… It's cause I hate living with my uncle…" Kiba screamed
"come on Kiba" Naruto said keeping his arm in crowbar
"Uncle!" Kiba yelled, as Naruto let his arm go.
"Alright now go play around with the Jets. I've got a ton of work to do." Naruto explained, as he tried to shoo Kiba away
"you know Naruto it wasn't too long ago you enjoyed playing around with them too." Kiba reasoned again
"that was then. I…" Naruto tried to state
"I what? You found something better?" Kiba questioned
"No…not yet but…" Naruto stuttered
"But what?" Kiba asked
"Ah forget it Kiba." Naruto shrugged
"Try me" Kiba shot
"Alright. Every single night I keep waking up with my arms reaching out." Naruto began
"for what?" Kiba asked confused
"I don't know. It's right outside the door though, around the corner, and Kiba I can feel it coming." Naruto explained
"I still don't get it Naruto. What exactly is coming?" Kiba asked again still confused out of his mind
"I don't know but, it's like that spark I used to get from being a Jet." Naruto answered
"Now you're talking. Without the gang you're an orphan, with us you walk in groups without hassle." Kiba tried to hook Naruto in
"Kiba I've had it. I'm out, I'm done." Naruto sternly tried to finish the conversation.
A few moments of awkward silence followed.
"Look Naruto. I've never asked you for anything, but I need you now come to the festival tonight." Kiba pleaded
"I told Teiuchi I'd help clean up the ramen stand tonight." Naruto retorted
"So do it after the festival. I already told the guys you were coming, if you don't show I'll look bad." Kiba reasoned
"What time did you say?" Naruto asked
"10. Come on Naruto for your best buddy" Kiba pleaded again
"fine 10 it is." Naruto answered
"Womb to Tomb?" Kiba asked extending his arm once again
"Birth to Earth" Naruto responded grabbing Kiba's hand again "And I'll live to regret this."
"Who knows maybe what you've been looking for will be there tonight." Kiba winked as he left.
"Yeah Who knows?" Naruto yelled in response. He began putting more Bags of dough in the back of the shop. As he went to get some more he stopped to think.
"Who knows?" He seriously pondered as Naruto began to sing.
Could be!
Who knows?
There's something due any day;
I will know right away,
Soon as it shows.
It may come cannonballing down through the sky,
Gleam in its eye,
Bright as a rose!
Who knows?
It's only just out of reach,
Down the block, on a beach,
Under a tree.
I got a feeling there's a miracle due,
Gonna come true,
Coming to me!
Could it be? Yes, it could.
Something's coming, something good,
If I can wait!
Something's coming, I don't know what it is,
But it is
Gonna be great!
With a click, with a shock,
Phone'll jingle, door'll knock,
Open the latch!
Something's coming, don't know when, but it's soon;
Catch the moon,
One-handed catch!
Around the corner,
Or whistling down the river,
Come on, deliver
To me!
Will it be? Yes, it will.
Maybe just by holding still,
It'll be there!
Come on, something, come on in, don't be shy,
Meet a guy,
Pull up a chair!
The air is humming,
And something great is coming!
Who knows?
It's only just out of reach,
Down the block, on a beach,
Maybe tonight . . .
Across town at The Yamanaka dress Shop:
"please Ino Please. Come on you're my sister in law after all" young Sakura Nara pleaded with her older "sister"
"Sorry Sakura, no such luck" Ino answered as she sewed up a dress on the counter in front of her
"come on just lower the neck a little." Sakura pleaded
"And you need to stop heckling me. I closed up shop earlier today so I could make this thing." Ino directed
"One inch how much could one little inch do?" Sakura pouted
"Too much, Sakura" Ino responded
"Ino it's not a suit, it's a Kimono." Sakura tried to reason
"Hey I've seen what happens at these things. With these guys you can start out with a Kimono and have it end up as a leotard." Ino advised young Sakura
"Ino please. One little inch, one little…" Sakura now begged
"No Shika made me promise!" Ino said slapping her palms down on the table
"grrrr… Shika. We've been in Konoha for a month and he barely lets me out of the house! Why did he even bring me here?" Sakura fumed
"So he could get enough money to have you and Lee get Married." Ino answered
"Lee. When I look at Lee Ino nothing sparks inside me, I don't even know him that well." Sakura continued on her fume
"Well what do you want to happen? What do you want to spark?" Ino asked
"I don't know just something Ino. What sparks when you look at Shika?" Sakura asked geniuenly curious
Ino smirked slyly "It's when I don't look it sparks." Which drew a giggle from both girls.
A moment of silence took hold of the shop as Sakura crossed to the other side of Ino and bent down close to her ear.
"I think I'll tell, all of our friends about you and Shika, and your little make-out session on the roof last weekend." Sakura whispered to Ino
"Don't even think about it Bilboard-brow. Or I swear I'll rip this thing up!" Ino grabbed the white garment threateningly
"Don't do it Ino-Pig!" Sakura yelped, "but if you could just lower the neck a little…"
"Next time Sakura" Ino remained stubborn
"I hate that thing!" Sakura said pushing back into Ino
"Well don't wear it and don't come with us tonight" Ino said crossing her arms across her chest
"Don't come? That's not fair" Sakura pouted again as she picked up the Kimono. "Couldn't we at least dye it, pink?"
"Absolutely not Sakura. Now let's try it on." Ino said as she walked behind Sakura and helped her put on the Kimono
"Oh but lilac blue is such an ugly…" Sakura complained but stopped as she saw how beautiful the dress was in the mirror on the other side of the room. "Oh wow Ino, I love it! You're the best!" Sakura happily wrapped her arms around Ino. However, the moment was broken as a knock was heard at the door.
"Are you ready ladies?" Shikamaru asked as he stepped in the room flanked by Rock Lee, who stayed on the outside the shop. Both were dressed in very fine robes made of red and black silk.
"Shika you have to see this. Isn't it beautiful?" Sakura asked cutely
"Wow…" Shikamaru said truly stunned "Saku-chan it's beautiful" as he kissed her forehead
Ino cleared her throat "I didn't quite get that Shika-kun"
Shikamaru turned to his wife, "Ino (kiss)…it's (kiss)… very (kiss)… beautiful (kiss)." As they kissed Sakura blushed, Rock Lee just watched. As the two broke away, Ino turned to Lee, who was a little flustered in the doorway.
"Lee come on in." Ino invited
"Oh yes well… I… it's just that… I mean that…" Lee stammered
"Oh Lee we won't bite you. Not until we really get to know you." Ino grinned evilly.
Shikamaru cleared his throat to change the subject "Lee I want you to keep both eyes on Sakura tonight, in case I get distracted. You too Ino."
"Shika you are such a watch dog" Sakura grunted
"And you my dear are a beautiful rose in bloom" Shikamaru said
Sakura blushed again "Please Shika it is very important that I have a good time tonight."
"And why is that?" Shikamaru asked
"Because tonight for the first time I will get to know what it is like to be a true Konoha woman." Sakura answered
"She's right Shika-kun, now let's go." Ino piped up.
With that the 4 couples locked arm in arm and departed for the festival.
30 minutes later at the Konoha festival On the dance floor:
The festival was incredible. Everyone who was anyone was there. Especially the Jets, who were dominating the moves on the dance floor. Kiba was there, dressed in silk robes of yellow and blue with this girlfriend Hinata who had a red Kimono on, and so was Neji with his girl Temari, dressed in the same outfit. They started with some jazz steps moving around the floor ever so precisely, and then moved into a couple of spin moves. Konohamaru moved in as well taking a stab at a couple of jazz steps, again executed to perfection. Everything was going well, Tenten tried to get in on the act, but was unable to keep up with the steps as Iruka shooed her off. Tenten left the floor, less than pleased. The dance continued and everything was going great. However, that didn't last too long.
The Sharks had joined the party, not two seconds later. And also tried to join in. Lee and Sakura were holding hands watching from the outside looking in on the dance. Udon signaled to Kiba that Shikamaru had arrived, and the Jets stopped dancing. Shikamaru called Sakura down to meet all of his friends and associates. However, his smile didn't last long either as Lee grabbed Shikamaru's attention.
"Shikamaru look it is those low life Jets. Please let me pummel them with my leaf hurricane!" Lee zealously boasted
"Would you calm down Lee?" Shikamaru grunted, as he noticed the Jets walking towards the middle of the floor.
The Sharks followed suit, and their was sure to be a faceoff if not for a certain man.
"Alright everyone, alright. May I have your attention?" Shouted old man Saratoubi, the event planner.
"We have a great turnout, and it's nice to see so many new faces. So do break the ice, so to speak we are going to try a little something. We will form 2 cirlces, the ladies will be on the inside and the gentlemen on the outside, when the music starts you will walk in different directions. When the music stops boys you will dance with the girl directly opposite you. Sounds easy right?" Saratoubi asked
The two sides were hesistant to join this little game. There was tension in the room if only for a moment. However, both sides decided to put on a good show since they saw, officer Guy Sensei was watching to make sure things didn't get out of hand. Kiba decided to break the ice by stepping on the outside first and leading Hinata to the inside circle. Shikamaru took his cue off Kiba, and took Ino's hand placing her in the inside circle. Soon everyone joined in making 2 circles, and then the music started. After about thirty seconds, the music stopped abruptly and that's where things got complicated.
Shikamaru was standing across from Hinata, while Ino was standing across from Kiba, and to make things worse Temari was standing across from Asuma. That all changed rather rapidly, as Shikamaru pulled Ino away from Kiba. Kiba then proceeded to grab Hinata and so did Neji with Temari. Soon the two sides were united with their own allies and faced the other side.
"MAMBO!" One side yelled
"MAMBO!" The other side yelled back
"GO!" The Sharks yelled as they began to dance in a tango step to the now upbeat calypso music.
The both sides took their partners, and began to twist and gyrate rather rapidly around the room. The Jets adopted more of a Jazz and swing step hybrid, while the Sharks took up more of a direct Tango step. The two sides separated after a while. That's when Naruto entered the festival dressed in his blue and yellow robes.
"NARUTO! OVER HERE!" Kiba yelled, as Naruto went to go join his friend.
After that moment the Sharks took their turn to dominate the dance floor with their ladies. They took up a tango pose, as before and shouted
"MAMBO!"
with that the men began to take a twist step incorporation and lightly tapped their feet on the floor as the ladies moved lightly across to the men. It wasn't long though before the Jets decided to jump in with their swing steps.
The moved quickly across the dance floor twisting turning, spinning though not as sharply as the Sharks. As the Jets did this, the Sharks started forming their own huddle off to the side.
Shikamaru took, Ino and began to move in very quick twirls a she moved with the Rhythm of the music. Their toes lightly skimed the floor, as they moved effortlessly. However, not to be out done Kiba took Hinata and began to show what he could do too.
Kiba backflipped into the dance huddle the Jets had created as Hinata followed quickly. Kiba threw his jacket off and began to twist Hinata all around the circle. After about ten twirls he dipped her quickly, and slid her across the floor. They twisted down the huddle, then Kiba suddenly went into something of a solo. He pulled off something akin to his fang over fang body twist, without Akamaru (A/N: Don't worry Akamaru will show up eventually). He then moved back to dance with Hinata some more. Shikamaru tried to counter with some moves of his own but soon, the entire dance was being mingled together. Except for two. A red haired girl, and a blonde man.
Their eyes locked onto each other and it was as if the world had dropped away. All they could see was each other. Slowly they approached each other worried that any sudden move would break the trance that they both were caught in. It was innocent enough just noticing each other from the sides of the room but it still was incredible the magnatism they drew towards each other.
Rhythmically they began to move. Slowly at first, then picking up some slight speed. Stepping in ballet movements to a bubbly but slow beat, and snapping as they drew close to each other. Smoothly Naruto moved and spun with her as their eyes met again. It seemed as if time itself froze.
"You're not thinking that I'm someone else are you?" Naruto asked shyly
"I know that you aren't" Sakura responded, blushing still.
"And you're sure we've never met before?" Naruto asked again
"I know we haven't" Sakura giggled as her blush deepened.
"I felt… I just knew something was gonna happen…. I mean had to happen but this is…" Naruto stammered now blushing
"My hands are cold" Sakura interjected
Slowly Naruto raised his own hands to cup hers. Sakura smiled.
"Yours are too" Sakura ever so gently moved her hand up to Naruto's cheek, caressing his whisker marks gently, only two words were able to escape her lips. "so warm." She Sighed long and full
"So beautiful" Naruto responded by, with only one finger, caressing Sakura's cheek as well. He was worried he would accidently break the fragile beautiful image that stood before him.
"This is just incredible" Naruto whispered, as he moved closer to Sakura "you're not joking with me are you?"
"I don't really know how to make jokes this way yet, and now I really don't want to know." Sakura remarked, still in full blush
Their eyes stayed locked on each other. Entrancing, hypnotizing, piercing each others beings, to them no one else existed only these two. Slowly they moved closer, closer still, and even closer to the point where they were almost on top of each other.
Naruto tilted his head down and slowly shut his eyes, as he bent down further. Sakura tilted her head up and shut her eyes as well, closer, and closer their faces got, she was still blushing of course, they closed the gap between their lips. Finally after what seemed like almost an eternity, their two lips met. Naruto felt a shock he'd never experienced before, and Sakura's knees began to weaken. However, the moment of bliss was interrupted.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING JET!" Shikamaru yelled, as he saw the scene unfold "SHADOW POSSESION JUTSU!" with that a shadow shot across the gym freezing Naruto in place.
"I… I can't move!" Naruto growled
"I will tell you this once. Stay away from my sister!" Shikamaru barked
"Shika…" Sakura began
"Sister?" Naruto asked
"Can't you see that he is one of them?" Shikamaru rounded on Sakura
"No I saw only him." Sakura said, entranced again by Naruto's gaze
"There's only one thing he wants from a girl from the Sand village" Shikamaru ragged
"That's not true!" Naruto yelled, now upset that Shikamaru was making improper assumptions. Kiba saw this problem and jumped in right away.
"Hey guys if you wanna settle this why don't you…" he began before being interrupted
"Please guys everything was going so well!" Saratoubi interjected, into the fight, trying to calm tensions. Shikamaru dropped his jutsu as things went silent for a couple seconds. Shikamaru then, dragged his sister away.
"Take her home Lee. We're leaving" Shikamaru demanded, a bit miffed at the previous events
"Please Shika it's my first festival" Sakura begged
"We are family and I am looking out for you. Now go." Shikamaru sternly demanded
"Come on Sakura" Lee said leading her toward the exit.
Before they left however, her eyes locked with Naruto's once more, before being pulled away by Lee.
Naruto stood their paralyzed for a second.
"Sakura" was all he was able to muster out of his mouth as he walked entranced to the door.
Shikamaru looked over to Naruto, rather unhappily. He glared, as he walked towards the man who'd just "violated" his sister. However, he was cut off by Kiba.
"Excuse me, I don't want to deal with you right now" Shikamaru gruffly stated
"Well I want to talk with you. I want to set up a War council Jets and Sharks" Kiba shot back
"The pleasure is mine, even though it is a drag." Shikamaru answered
"Alright let's take this outside" Kiba retorted
"No" Shikamaru stated harshly, "even though they are a pain, I wouldn't leave the ladies here with your kind" adding the last part with the upmost venom. "We'll meet you at midnight."
"Teiuchi's ramen shop?" Kiba proposed
"Yes" Shikamaru agreed
"And no fuckin around before then right?" Kiba added to protect his guys
"I get the rules. Native boy" Shikamaru spat, and then left.
"Hey Neji, Teiuchi's ramen shop midnight spread the word" Kiba instructed
"Got it Kiba" Neji answered as the two went to get a drink.
Meanwhile near the exits of the gym Naruto stood entranced.
"Sakura" He Muttered again he looked up with a little more life (so to speak).
"Sakura" as a smile spread across his face as he began to sing.
The most beautiful sound I ever heard:
Sakura, Sakura, Sakura, Sakura . . .
All the beautiful sounds of the world in a single word . .
Sakura, Sakura, Sakura, Sakura . . .
Sakura!
I've just met a girl named Sakura,
And suddenly that name
Will never be the same
To me.
Sakura!
I've just kissed a girl named Sakura,
And suddenly I've found
How wonderful a sound
Can be!
Sakura!
Say it loud and there's music playing,
Say it soft and it's almost like praying.
Sakura,
I'll never stop saying Sakura!
The most beautiful sound I ever heard.
Sakura.
Naruto was in love. Love at first sight he couldn't believe it. But he was truly happy. However, things were about to go from bad to worse with the gangs.
END CHAPTER 1!
Wow that was tedious! Thanks to all who read this far, there will be more to come (maybe not this long but there will be more to come) I hope you all enjoyed it. RXR!