The Fifth, Matchmaker
A NaruSaku Fan fiction
Supposed to be an entry for the NaruSaku's Fifth Anniversary Contest
silverygreen
Disclaimer: I don't own anything except the different uses of words and phrases.
Thank you for reading this… feedback would be greatly appreciated! :3
CHAPTER ONE:
"S-Shtupid Na-ru-to! Why did he have… to b-buy her t-that? I-I mean hello! Like I whai-thed months for it… then s-shuddenl-ly f-forehead ghirl ghets it?" Ino continued rambling; her words were mixed and mangled that Tenten grumbled looking at her in exasperation.
'She's seriously drunk.'
Not far away from her, Shikamaru tiredly shook his head eyeing his team mate warily, an action which is simultaneously copied by the other occupants of the bar, those who are either drunk or half-drunk or about to be drunk. 'Really, Ino should find other things to bitch about', she continued irritated looking at the whining blond.
She knew that they should have been more than used to this odd rivalry Ino and Sakura has, if Sakura wins about something then Ino whines and such is the case vice versa. But that is not the case though, yes the way they show their love for each other was unique but sometimes, really just sometimes, Tenten couldn't help but wish that the two will grow out of their immature display of affection.
Unfortunately though, tonight as what should have been the customary All Teams Reunion, Ino decided that she would rather rant about the latest addition of Uzumaki Naruto's overflowing collection of gifts for the pink-haired medic than the usual updates of each squad. Tenten sighed and instead tried to focus on her non-alcoholic drink, taking a gulp of the silvery fluid trying to maintain a clear head with the entire buzz around her.
"—and then he was like, sorry Ino-"the blond never losing a beat, repeated again and again what she have been saying for the past few minutes. She even added a hit on the table for emphasis.
'This never-ending litany of Ino's will not end until she slumps unconscious on the table,' Tenten continued to comment inwardly never forgetting to wonder about the amount of love-hate, best friend-rivalry thingy both, Sakura and Ino have for each other.
The deal is that Sakura received from Naruto, a very extraordinary kimono which Ino have been salivating for months. She painstakingly remembered the whole time that whenever they get across or near the vicinity of the said 'wonderful piece of art'- quote and unquote from the loudmouth herself-, Ino would not only go into a very detailed description of the dress; no, she'd also relate all the unnecessary things about it. "Absolutely breathtaking this and that-"
Tenten can't do anything but listen quite pathetically bored more than assured that if Ino's not infatuated with the dress, it either she's undeniably obsessed about it or ready to commit murder just to get hold of it!
And then came Naruto, that when it's time for his 'gift of the month' thingy for Sakura, all was more than shocked when it turned out to be Ino's precious package. That exact scene was a mixture of chaos and hell.
Which brings back the present and Tenten wisely decided to doze off Ino's litany about "--Sakura and her almost boyfriend."
Eh--- wait. She moved her head up in surprise; it wasn't her who said that. Though, she'll admit that she may as well have defined the continuing romantic build-up between Sakura and Naruto, with those exact words, she didn't dare voice it out loud. She still wanted to live until her fifties mind you. She looked around and was not the least surprised to see Ino still talking now complete with the hand gestures. Figures.
"Why did Naruto have to indulge her anyway? Does he still harbor that petty crush over her?" Ino shouted and her statement had none of the earlier drunken slur. In fact she sounded so sober that everyone else's attentions were immediately whisked on her which was an amazing feat, considering the current state of each person in the bar.
"Also Sakura!" She added standing abruptly gaining absolute attention, "Why does she act like--- oh my!" She jumped shrieking at the same time. Surprising Tenten enough that she couldn't help but jump noticeably in her seat. Lee, the supposed to be passed out Lee, woke up and also jumped startlingly which in result scared Hinata out off her wits. Kiba and Chouji covered their poor ears, unable to take the vibration and headache that came along with the shriek while Sasuke slightly flinched and Shikamaru rolled his eyes, again. Neji did nothing but silently scoff disapprovingly and well Shino… was ever the silent as usual, observing everyone quietly.
"Oh my! Oh my!" Ino had laughed maniacally, as Tenten noticed Sai's hand hovering on something that seems like a drawing pad. A brush in between his fingers, his eyes darting from Ino's hysterical laughing to the sheet before him; definitely capturing the whole thing on paper.
"Forehead is surely having the hots for Naruto!" she guffawed quite unnervingly before Kiba, who couldn't take it any longer, yelled effectively quieting her for some moment,
"Crazy woman stop laughing and tell us what you mean!"
Sasuke grunted in agreement, he too, seemed tired of waiting for her supposedly shocking revelation. "Can't you see? I mean Sakura had not even tried to brush of Naruto's advances the past days! They spend time together more than usual and she had yet to hit him!" She reasoned spreading her arms to prove her point. "It makes perfect sense! I mean they do go out into that 'little friendly' dates that she always vehemently denies!" she laughed again.
"You mean… Sakura is in love with Naruto?" Kiba said slowly, confused, but his words caused Lee to go into howls of tears sobbing, heavily rattling the table with his actions. Hinata who was his unfortunate seatmate gently patted his head in an attempt to comfort him. "Mendokuse," Shikamaru groused, slumping further down his seat closing his eyes not minding the theatrics before him.
"Are you sure Ino?" Chouji asked now munching on his ever-present potato chips. The food that they ordered before had long been emptied.
"Can't you believe this? Sakura once told me that she'd never ever fall in love with the prankster of an idiot-" here she made air quotes- "and yet! Oh my goodness! It's so hilarious!"
Insert the incessant laugh here.
Though unfortunately this time, Kiba found it in his drunkenness to join Ino's guffaws. A thing that is not recommendable action for a group of sloshed out ninjas off-duty, really.
"Imagine that! Stuck-up Haruno crushing on that moron?"All the other occupants couldn't help but unanimously roll their eyes.
"So Naruto likes Sakura and now Sakura likes Naruto. As if that wasn't obvious enough, Ino." Tenten sliced through finally fed up after another bout of their not so pleasant to the ears laughter. "What do you want to do? Be their matchmaker or something?" She said offhandedly, prying the still crying Lee off the frightened white-eyed lady.
Absolute silence followed.
"What?" she asked a little self conscious with all the stares on her awhile after and dropped Lee not so gently on the floor.
"You're a genius Tenten!" Kiba cheered; apparently he's not so drunk anymore or either that he acts so much like this even when heavily drunk, "50 ryos, and I say I can make Naruto and Sakura confess!" he boasted arrogantly laying down the aforementioned amount on the table without further ado.
"Hey! I'm the best friend here I tell you! I bet a hundred and I will get them together by next week!" Ino's shrill voice followed next, slapping down the money on the table which had started other people namely: Sai-who now finished the drawing; Jiraiya - who had just been trying to flirt with one of the ladies on another table; Lee-who thankfully finished his drama and Kakashi -who in turn forced Yamato, to place down money along with their ridiculous ideas for 'matchmaking'.
Iruka-sensei tried to chastise them for betting about Naruto and Sakura but later on, he also suspiciously inaudibly and drunkenly stated something like a romantic fool-proof plan to match them.
Oh Brother. Tenten almost felt sorry for the two unsuspecting individuals who were probably fast asleep after their long hard day teaching at the academy just this past morning.
"Five thousand ryo and I say all of you shut up."
Sasuke's aggravated voice was heard clearly among the noise that their betting made, making everyone else freeze and stare to look at him in fear. But not long after and taking no obvious note at his ire, Ino stood up and collected all of the money bypassing the still glaring Uchiha.
"Now let's settle this straight, why don't we have an official bet!" she smirked –or if you can call her that with her eyes unfocused and cheeks tinted red. Dangling and shaking the bag of ryos nosily, "We just have to make matchmaking plans for Naruto and Forehead or something and the one who has the most successful of all will receive this money?"
A chorus of "ayes" and "yeahs" were heard all throughout and thus the matchmaking plans begun
----x3
…or rather the un-matchmaking plans begun, Tenten couldn't help but let out a sigh every now and then as she watch the others blurt out ridiculous 'romantic ideas' that they think could sweep all even nonromantic maidens of their feet.
If that was indeed the case, she thought feeling another headache coming, she knew that she made the biggest mistake when she agreed to help them organize this Official NaruSaku Match-make Plan ™.
Yes, it was very amusing to see them pitch in ideas: the typical "give her a bunch of roses and say it's from him" type of scenario to the likes of "make Sakura jealous"; those that were not only incredibly clichéd but also incredibly stupid, she just can't help but hold her snickers in every time.
Yet it was also stressing, with Kiba suggesting rated triple X-scenes and those perverted stuffs related endlessly. Resulted in making her cranky and a lot more tired with the way the ideas never seem to run out. Don't forget the arguing, oh Kami.
It had been bugging her since the very first time a certain blond girl oh-so-gently woke her from her well-deserved nap just to accompany them 'brainstorm wonderful plans'. What should have supposed to be her helping Ino, turned out into a 'full-fledged help others too', type of thing.
That instead of only winning the bet Ino, Sai, Kiba and to the shock of others- Shino, those that betted the largest amount, has found immense pleasure with the thought of setting Sakura and Naruto together: the very reason which couldn't keep her from being suspicious.
A hidden agenda was surely included somewhere in between each of their plans. She cannot settle on whether to be truly happy seeing supportive friends backing up a blossoming relationship and all that jazz. Or be truly scared knowing that behind those 'very noble' intentions, lies the simple truth that each person have a personal benefit that drives them to 'support' a little too enthusiastically in her opinion.
Whatever it was, Tenten doesn't know that much and frankly she's more than wiser enough to not deeply care.
Now though she wished she never opened that stupid, idiotic door to accept the spawn of the devil to her abode, because if she didn't, she's sure that she'll be somewhere she's actually doing something 'worth it' rather than caking herself in between the ping pong of match making schemes…
Insert long suffering sigh here.
"Mission A commences."
--------------:3
The minute I heard those words I know I am probably in a very long shot for a troublesome thing. Here I am, putting my ANBU skills in practice as I try to silently stalk him. Ino said something about wanting to be certain that both of them –meaning Sakura and Naruto- don't meet so that her plan would flow quite perfectly. I think it was Kiba's role to try and stop Sakura from visiting the locker room at least until Naruto finally reads his note.
So far, though I really doubted this charade that's known as Ino's ultra-romantic plan, I think things are going smoothly well. Not only did Naruto have yet to notice me, but also it seems like today few people were lounging in the Chuunin's area. I slipped inside ahead undetected, and quite sure of the blonde's destination.
Chuunin's area served as a lounging area for those chuunins who just came from a mission or are still preparing for a mission. The room pretty much served as relaxation and entertainment for all chuunins and higher ranked ninjas.
On the south was the lockers room where the persons who are lazy to go back and forth for their things at home are given spaces for emergency purposes. And this is where Naruto is headed right of now; Lee made some elaborate –quite lame- excuse to make him visit this area. Seeing that in actuality the Naruto don't visit his locker room for almost a year now.
I looked around and silently observed the very few people who stayed, mind their businesses. Good at least I wouldn't have to get them out of the locker area, I thought relieved.
I do wish he would hurry coming through though, it's almost time for Sakura's shift at the hospital to end and surely she'd go straight to her locker. A while later on and I saw him entering, he is not hard to miss, considering that he spoke in loud tones I couldn't do anything but try to hide my presence well.
"And you know what Sakura-chan? Kakashi-sensei and that Sasuke decided that I shouldn't train for two days! Two days I tell you, when I should learn more awesome techniques!" He complained setting the heavy books he carried on a table nearby. To my panic and surprise, I discovered that not only Naruto was in the room; Sakura had trailed after him busily reading a yellow-bound book.
"Thank you. I'm sure you can do other things on that day, Naruto. I agree with them, though you have fast healing abilities, I think you should lay off training for a while. Last time I checked you and Sasuke-kun almost reduced another training ground into nothing," Sakura opened her locker and one by one started to put back the books inside. Naruto groaned but said nothing else. I tried to look around and saw the others; puzzled to see her with him, hadn't Ino stressed to make them see the notes separately? How am I supposed to explain this?
No words were exchanged and only the sounds of the blond closing his locker disinterestedly and the pink-haired arranging the books meticulously had disturbed the stillness. What now? I am seriously freaking out, if Sakura saw the note with Naruto beside her, wouldn't she ask about it? Same with him, that will be loads of trouble. I'm sure they only need little analytical skills to discover that the notes were faked.
Great.
"I didn't know you liked him that much, Sakura-chan!" Naruto's teasing loud voice snapped me out of thinking and I looked surprised to see him holding the brightly colored note, 'Him'? Wasn't it supposed to be a 'me'?
Sakura closed the metal locker door and I see her tensely look at him, shocked too no doubt. "What?" she asked confused and wary, she hadn't clearly heard who he was referring to. Nowthis got me confused why would she be panicked… unless….?
Naruto grinned from ear to ear, "I said I didn't know you liked Lee that much, Sakura-chan!" I felt my jaw drop along with the others, our eyes widening with the incredulity of the scene.
I saw Sakura reddened and looked at him disbelievingly.
How did 'Sakura's note' end up into Lee's locker?! I mouthed to Ino who was gaping at them more than shocked. Justifiably, if I may tell you.
"I'm not! You're mistaken and that's a stupid idea, Naruto," She firmly answered, turning her back to him to open Sasuke's locker. I'm sure I heard Lee bawl his eyes out somewhere. "Oh really?" his teasing continued, "but you said here in this 'love note' may I add," He faked a cough and started to speak in a pathetic imitation of Sakura's voice, causing her to stare the yellow paper oddly
"I have known you for a long time, and I really really like you. Can you meet me tomorrow at the 7th Training ground 3 pm, sharp? Love, Sakura."
He laughed loudly as he handed the note to her.
"I'm telling you I didn't make any love note Naruto, I didn't do this so shut up or else you know what's next!" She demanded, stepping towards her team mate threateningly after throwing the paper away. Naruto let out a teasing whistle but he decided to let the topic drop afterwards, raising his arms as if to surrender.
Sakura on the other hand glared no particular direction -which where Ino was by the way- and I can hear her mumble something that sounded like "stupid Pig", though I can't be dead sure. I really thought that we were goners when she started to walk towards where Ino is hiding; I was seriously ready to bolt out if ever the impending doom happens! But minutes later, she halted and instead tried to busy herself with Sasuke's stuff.
"Oh look, Sasuke got another admirer; I thought they went extinct since the drinking incident at the bar!" She exclaimed, sounding surprised and delighted. My eyes widened when I saw her getting a horribly familiar paper out of Sasuke's locker. Sasuke's locker I tell you!
When supposedly it should be on- I turned and saw Ino on the brink of hyperventilating, her forefinger alternately pointing to the note in Sakura's hands and to Sasuke's locker.
Kiba on the other hand looked ready to burst out laughing, his face turning red with the way he muffled his snickers with his hand.
Opening the orange colored note, Sakura noiselessly read it quite interestedly and a small silence ensued between them. I held my breath and tensely waited for Sakura's reaction.
The silence was immediately broken when she promptly turned and said, "Naruto," she started, looking at him in an indescribable way. In a very weird way; the one that you give when you discover something very very big and weird about that person. This is bad. Real bad. I want to dash off this cramped space to become ready for the very moment Sakura decides to look for us. Ino too, she stopped moving and listened on intently, her whole body alert and ready for take off.
"Hm, Sakura-chan?" Naruto answered, still distractedly digging into Lee's belongings.
"I never guessed this… I mean I know you were close… but, really Naruto? I… I" a pause which took Naruto's attention "I didn't know you liked Sasuke-kun in that light…in that alternative way that much!"
She announced, (taking our breath away in the process) smugly waving the note in the air and winked teasingly. "Don't worry though, I won't tell any one of your dirty little secret!"
What--, relieved as I was (since she didn't seem to catch on our plan)I gaped at her confused, she really didn't think that? And this time I can't help but slap a palm into my forehead.
It took moments for Sakura's words to finally sink in and when it did, Naruto jumped a considerable distance away as if plagued by the note "Huh, where are you coming from Sakura-chan? I don't!" he screamed incredulously, eyes widened and face contorted in utter disgust.
"Here--"Sakura continued mischievously, not yet contented with her teasing and read the note aloud adding snickers after every elaborated pauses, "I have always admired you, adored you and liked you, even from our genin days. I can't keep off my mind from you; I want to tell you in person. Please come at the 7th Training ground tomorrow at 3 pm. always loving you, Naruto."
With every word I can clearly see Naruto's jaw dropping lower and lower.
Silence followed after Sakura ended reading the note, and only a small 'thump' can be heard through-out.
Ino had fainted.
Mission A, failed.
-----x3
That is what I thought but the three days after; the she-devil had approached me haughtily as if nothing else happened when we saw each other in front of the Hokage's office.
"No Ino!" I said refusing when she grabbed my hand, "No, let go of me. Please Ino just this once; I really need to go back." I tried pleading, Godaime-sama had called for me five minutes ago and I'm quite sure it has something to do with the mission I requested days prior.
But she only shook her head in disagreement and sugarcoating her reply, she tsked at me as if I was a naughty child, "No can do Tenten-chan." She pulled me harder than I expected, dragging me again to who knows where chuckling jubilantly all the way.
And off came my freedom and honor as a shinobi…
No matter how I want to see Naruto and Sakura coming clean with their feelings, I just can't accept the fact that I had lost Tsunade-sama's trust. I let out another anguished sigh as I impatiently waited for the two to come here at the Chuunin's Area once again.
I was really wondering if Ino had been high these past days since it seemed to me that she had yet to learn her lesson. Little time has passed since we pulled out that sorry excuse for a plan yet she looked so determined that she was able to call everyone back. All the others were spread out in the room each hiding their presence well, more alert than they'd ever been on their missions, just waiting for the appearance of the two members of team 7.
I was really begrudgingly impressed when I saw the Uchiha standing nonchalantly on the space between two lockers with Sai staring at him emotionlessly.
This scene is getting too old for me.
I sighed for the umpteenth time and looked at the clock, it had been eons since we all gathered here and there isn't one shadow of the blond nor the pink-haired seen.
I think it was a worse idea when Ino announced that she'd let things flow by fate. Fate my ass. An hour and a half of cramping down into a smelly hideout was so not my idea of a Tuesday morning. I swear that by the time all of this is over, I'd hunt Ino and stab her nonsense until I regain all the honor and time I lost in this sham.
Fifteen minutes passed and it was then that I see them walking in the corridor.
Naruto chatting loudly, which I'm thankful for by the way since it alerted me and the others with their presence and Sakura smiling all along. "Hah! Sakura-chan if you only saw that Tsuchikage's face! I tell you it was one of a heck of mishmash!" He laughed so hard, mouth wide open, that I practically saw spits of saliva flying into the air in front of him. I can't help but feel disgusted. Urk.
Sakura seemed to find this funny too since she snickered, covering her mouth politely with one hand. "I'm sure I wouldn't want to be there anyway Naruto. With all the harassment I received from them, I don't think I'd want to stand in the same room as them!" I am really glad that Sakura is happy, I mean… I'm sure with the way things are going we're going to need all the luck with us. All the available luck there is.
Ino's 'new' err-improved plan was not just hazard-prone, no it was also very very idiotically stupid. I don't see either of them falling with this trick and I'm as sure as hell that things will blow up in one way or another.
And it doesn't bode well for us, I assure you.
A quarter of my lifetime wasted and then I was more than relieved when they reached the lockers. Naruto had gone again to open his disinterestedly before plunging into Lee's quite enthusiastically afterwards. When he wasn't contented with Lee's locker he moved into Chouji's opening it with gusto; to his delight and to the Akimichi's horror, he found a stash of potato chips kept inside the said locker. He let out a yell of triumph before ripping off the seal and munched happily. I heard Chouji groaning out loud.
Sakura meanwhile was lost in her own, poring busily into the books; I discover her deciding critically on which book she should take.
The thick blue one or the thicker yellow one.
She stared decisively… then the yellow book seemed to have passed her judgment and she hastily inserted the book into the open backpack before her.
By this time, the others were minding their own businesses obviously bored. Kiba's face was blaringly saying something along the lines of obvious dissatisfaction while Ino had mouthed edgily: "How the hell, why is it too long for them to discover the note?" Shikamaru tiredly shook his head, an action I found myself repeating as I turned back to the oblivious pair.
Things are going much slower than we have anticipated and it might have been hours and hours later before Naruto or even Sakura found the notes themselves. Which was in itself greatly annoyingly uh… annoying?
The plan was simple and succinct, forge a note: a nauseatingly mushy love note, to be exact and this time include Sakura and Naruto's name in it (sender and receiver) and let them see it. It doesn't matter when and where, Kami knows how many Ino made us hide those in all places unimaginable, just for them to conveniently and accidentally see it and gauge their reactions.
Thankfully though, Shino had the presence of mind to speed things up. Just when I thought we'd grow old before they would have 'fallen into our bait', he had some of his bugs move the pink and orange colored notes (again) into a more conspicuous place. Directly under Naruto's feet, who was still eating merrily by the way, since the medic refused when he shared; and in front of Sakura, who was now organizing her books into groups.
And this time they didn't fail us, almost as if automatic both of them reached for the notes at the same time. Granted that Sakura had been so engrossed with her locker prior, it was a welcome sight to see her widen her eyes in surprise. I was really glad since I'm sure this would make Ino happy.
Plan is going well. Just as I was about to give the said blond a thumbs up sign, I was deeply shocked of my wits when Sakura laughed suddenly.
Not just loudly, but also hard. The kind of laugh you'd usually hear from people like… Kiba and Naruto for example, it harshly reminded me of Ino the very night which gave birth to all of this craziness.
And Naruto followed her nearly naturally, more or less rolling on the floor cackling after he tossed 'his' note to her.
"What the hell was that?"
"That was the worst poetry I have ever encountered on my whole life!" Sakura declared amused still clutching her sides after a whole bout of laughing. She slowed down her laughter afterwards smiling sinisterly as she looked around the area.
"Now let's entertain them! I guess we have to apprehend the masterminds, right Naruto?" I sense a deep foreboding when I saw Naruto immediately shut up. I was totally bothered and scared- I tell you, when I caught his eyes sparkle with full unhidden mischief and his mouth settling into a smug smirk.
He nodded almost unnoticeable to his team mate, (which in turn had alerted Sai and the other guys, I learned later on) who was not unlike him, her smile was so sly and her eyes narrowed dangerously into slits.
They, those bastards, quickly left disappearing so swiftly away just in the blink of an eye leaving us staring helplessly at the two. I tried to take my leave, a little too late-I think, because a second later I found myself tackled: a kunai dangled precariously in front me, directly in my neck drawing out small amounts of blood. Sakura had maliciously and at the same time sweetly uttered the three words that would make my life more- crappier than the past days it had ever been: "Shall we, Tenten-chan?"
I did not dare breathe.
---x3
Kiba's smug smirks and boasting remarks haunted me for weeks. Among all this, the shame and utter humiliation I felt tripled every time I see both of my team mates faces. Neji's was disapproving and so disappointed enough to make me want to hide in a corner until this whole thing cools off. Meanwhile I am itching to hit Lee every time he threw pitying glances on me whenever he thinks I don't pay attention. What the hell.
I still remember the day they learned that Sakura and Naruto had cornered us. Us, being only Ino and I. It was the most humiliating experience ever. And even now, though everybody agreed to not talking about it anymore –*cough* due to Ino's unwavering insistence *cough*- I still feel the shame and embarrassment burning. We were supposed to be elite ninjas, darn it!
This was that entire stupid match make plan's fault.
And while you think that a fortnight with the company of an angry Haruno Sakura would have put off the passion Ino endlessly showed us with this bet… it isn't happening. She's stubborn as a cockroach! Step on it once and it won't die just as easily.
Kami.
The only comfort I found in this thing, yes, unfortunately nobody wanted to back out just from a small failure; is that they again never allowed Ino to pitch in her crazy ideas. Kiba had oh-so-graciously-humbly ordered us to 'help' him prepare his very-ultra-super-absolutely-romantic double date. Yeah, you heard that right.
I don't know how he was able to rope Naruto and Sakura in this, but he was successful enough to lure in both of them for a double date with an accomplice we never met. He just had to gall to claim that the woman is a total goddess. Which led us again to this predicament: Dressed ludicrously waiting in a very expensive and exclusive restaurant for their arrival.
He confidently said that if we wanted to see the success of his plans, we only have to disguise ourselves and watch them go. (Ino had been so fired up by his comment that she was able to pull all the necessary strings to prepare all that we--imagine all of us, eleven persons--needed to gain entry for the place in a short span of time.)
And to tell you, I couldn't help my gasp when I saw the companion that he had been telling us.
She was more than a goddess; it was like she was a freaking angel!
The way she spoke, walks of talks screams out 'utter gracefulness and class'… it's amazing as if there's somebody out there who wouldn't fall for her. Heck if I was a man, I only have one reaction: get goo-eyed over her.
Period.
The dog-lover smirked again, in our direction particularly, to my annoyance. Can't he just quit it? We get the idea after all. He stared arrogantly at the stupefied Ino, ah, apparently he took offense with the way she shot down all his suggestions beforehand and then he proceeded to stare lovingly at his date who was engrossed with the restaurant's interior decoration.
The girl whose name was Eris as I heard from Kiba earlier, sat down modestly playing with the tendrils of her long white hair that was gathered in a small bun on her head. She pursed her lips taking in every details of the place. Wow, she looked every inch of a Yamato Nadeshiko.
A little while later Sakura and Naruto both dressed in formal wear too, came talking loudly (you know who) and whispering something about Tsunade-sama's upcoming mission for them.
All of my compliments went down the drain the moment that Eris quickly stood up, went to them, and captured Naruto's face in her hands.
Without further ado, she unexpectedly kissed him (on the mouth, I tell you)! Right in front of a stunned Kiba and Sakura. Wow.Lee and Chouji's jaws dropped their eyes the size of saucers as Sasuke smirked, evidently amused. Neji rolled his eyes while Shikamaru just muttered something indistinguishable though I'm quite sure it's somewhere along the lines of 'troublesome'. Temari almost dropped her glass as she stared at them, nonetheless shocked. Hinata squeaked and hid her face into her hands, obviously bothered by the scene while Sai had leaned further, his eyes intent on them.
I saw Kiba redden in jealousy, he watched helplessly as Eris continued to 'devour' the blond who on the other hand looked ready to pass out from the lack of air.
Sakura did nothing else but frown. Everyone grew quiet looking at them with mixed reactions before Ino's snort shook me out of my stupor.
"Good one Kiba," I heard her whisper mockingly… discreetly raising a glass to Kiba by now who had his eyes narrowed at us. Hinata and I shook our heads when he mouthed something vulgar in return, not ready to admit defeat. They continued this ridiculous game even until Eris had finally let Naruto off her clutches. I tried to forget the two stubborn 'match makers' and instead observed Sakura's reaction to Eris' warm welcome.
"Who are you?"
tbc.