Uncharted Territory

Prologue: Preparations

A pale young man rummages through a closet full of black clothes, looking for a particular shirt in a sea of darkness. He catches sight of his own reflection in the mirror. He his fair skin contrasts with his dark eyes and inky black hair, his bare chest the color moonlight, his arms the same except for the black spiral tatoo on his left arm. He then finds what he has been looking for the past half-hour.

At last he pulls out a black sleeveless Chinese-style shirt with a red design. Just as he pulls the shirt over his bare chest, he hears a a knock on the door. Is she here already? Am I ready? He walks to the door to find not his date, but his teammate and her best friend before him with a large selection of flowers.

"Good evening," he said. "Why are you here," he added, unable to hide his curiosity. He prepared himself for a punch or worse as these two kunoichi were responsible for the injuries he had endured the night he had asked out his date. However instead they smiled and those smiles were not fake. The opposite sex was very confusing. He hoped his night would not be too confusing.

Instead the two walked into his apartment, Sakura carrying a small token and Ino, a boquet of all types of flowers. He assumed that she would tell him what type they were because he could not identify them himself.

"We came to wish you luck," said Sakura. The petite girl walked over to him handed him a good luck charm. She was wishing him luck. Was this some sort of ritual he could have read about?

"Thank you," he replied cautiously. Ino then presented him with the flowers she was holding.

"Naruto told me you went to our shop when I was out on a mission and had no idea what to get. Since that baka was no help either, we brought you what I would have recommended a mix of wildflowers, including daisies and irises. They each carry their own meaning," Ino told him as she gave him the flowers. "They're cut so they'll stay fresh for about twice the usual time."

"Thank you," he said again. "This is a kind gesture." Even at twenty-one, the programming Root had inflicted upon him was still evident in times like these.

"I wanted to thank you for helping me to get together with Chouji-kun," she answered. "To help you like this seemed like the best way."

His emotions were confusing him. Why did he feel so happy when moments ago he had been anxious about his date. Feelings were strange things. Maybe he would understand them better when he could fully overcome the Root brainwashing.

"This was kind of both of you, to help me when I am so nervous about tonight," he admitted. "Dating is something new for me. I hope I am more successful than I was when I dated you Ino. I don't need to collect such an assortment of bruises again." Both girls started laughing.

"Is that your primary reason for dating a civilian," asked Ino. "Because she won't be able to do what we're capable of?" He shook his head.

"No, I asked her out because she's kind, talented and pretty. I noticed her the first time Naruto and Sakura took me out for ramen," he answered honestly. "I just never could make sense of my emotions."

"You've grown a lot since then, Sai," commented Sakura. "Many kunoichi have noticed you. Many of the women in the village have noticed you." He felt warmth on his cheeks. Am I blushing? He felt more like a teenager than he ever had in his teen years.

"Thank you for your help, but I would like to finish getting ready," he told them. "I'll tell you how it went later if I must."

"You're welcome," answered Sakura. Without another word, the two left, leaving him to prepare for his date alone once more.