Choices
Setting: The Little Mouse BBQ
Ino was seriously getting on her nerves.
"Gah! Ino..." Sakura stopped and took a deep breath. Friends don't hurt friends ... friends don't hurt friends. She started again, "Just because I don't look like a prostitute, doesn't mean I can't seduce a guy into wanting me!" Her teeth were still clenched tight.
As soon as Sakura arrived, Ino started on the topic of men. Getting under her skin was so easy for Ino, and that began the battle over who would be better for missions of seduction, or who could have their pick of the litter if they really tried. Was Ino really serious about who could better seduce a man?
Ino glared at her with a little smirk, "You sure they don't just feel sorry for you, Forehead? It's simple really, all I want to know is who would be a more efficient kunoichi..this is just a challenge to see which of us is the most skilled is all."
"Sure Ino-Pig. Since when did you care about skill?"
Tenten sighed, resting her chin on her hand. Not that it annoyed her that they bickered like this, it was just a wonder they were so close.
"Hey don't think your getting out of this either Tenten! Although... you might be to much of a tomboy to have any effect on men..." Ino said, folding her hands over her chest. She closed her eyes, as if pretending to give her statement serious thought. "But it's not as though you don't have any suitors, he he. What is it your students call you ? '10 out of 10 TenTen' ... 'Chun Li of the Leaf Village' ... Or my personal simple favorite ... 'Legs'? You have to admit though you do look like that Chun Li character in your new uniform of yours."
TenTen rolled her eyes when even Hinata chuckled and nodded her approval at the resemblance comment.
Last year when TenTen became a teacher at the academy, she opted to throw out the old two piece outfit and start fresh, something to set her apart from her old self. She hadn't even done much. The top was the same except she had removed almost the entire sleeves on both sides and never looked back when she realized how much cooler every day was without the extra fabric. At the bottom of the shirt was a wrap to keep it from rising too high that tied at the back; and not very decoratively either, as Ino liked to point out every chance she got. After that she had just thrown on some shorts that were made of black spandex and called it done. Oh and there was the two long red knee length pieces of material that hung from her shirt; one piece in the front of her and the back. Wasn't that decoration enough ? She looked down, she had to admit that from the side you could see all of her toned legs from her ankle to her bottom that the shorts barley covered. She shrugged and mentally blamed Gai and Lee for her toned legs, as she did every time someone commented on her toned legs.
"You too Hinata, I know you want too! You just need a little motivation." Ino said, turning to wink at her.
The hyuga turned a deep shade of red, "W-what are you talking about ... " she stared at her fingers as thoughts of the Uzamaki boy crept in to her mind.
"I could never..."
"BESIDES," Sakura interrupted, "even if we WERE to accept your stupid challenge, are YOU going to be choosing who were subjecting to one of your stupid games? Cause if that's the case, I'm already over this whole idea."
Ino raised an eyebrow. "So you were actually considering it, huh Forehead?"
Sakura shot her a dirty glare. Ino put her hands up as if in defeat.
"Fine fine! We can just draw out of a basket if you like."
Sakura sat back and sighed. "And let me guess, this basket is conveniently already here."
Ino smiled devilishly. "That's why your my best friend Forehead! You know me SO well."
Reaching behind her she pulled out a basket that matched one of the many laying around the flower shop her parents owned, and placed it in the middle of the table. It seemed eerily quiet at their table as they stared at the strips of paper. Ino smiled innocently, while Sakura attempted to set it on fire with the annoyance in her eyes, and Tenten looking as bored as ever. Not to forget Hinata, who couldn't even look at the basket before the heat crept up her face.
"Sooo?" Ino said impatiently, tapping a finger on the table.
Before Sakura could vehemently curse at the basket and all it's purposes, Tenten spoke up.
"Ino, on a daily basis I am constantly being challenged to crazy and outrageous deals and bets. After what Lee and Gai put me through over they years, I'm gonna need a little bit more incentive than the "honor" of winning your challenge."
"I agree. Sakura said hurriedly. Ino always like to play these kinds of game, but Sakura knew she hardly ever took to them if she could actually lose something.
Ino's brows scrunched together, obviously irritated. "Fine fine, whoever succeeds in this first shall receive 2 free meals of their choosing."
"Wow, that's so generous of you, whatever shall I do if I don't have Ino as my sugar mama?" Sakura said as she rolled her eyes.
"We'll I don't see you throwing out any bright ideas Forehead!" Ino spat back.
Hinata looked at them nervously, "Why don't we each give one thing? It seems fair that way..."
Great idea Hinata! "Tenten smiled at her, smacking Hinata on the back in her usual show of support. It was hard enough to get Hinata involved in their group conversations, let alone voice her own opinion!
"Hmmm ... I guess I could take whoever wins on a shopping spree?..." Tenten suggested. There wasn't much else she had in common with the other women as far as group hobbies or activities went.
"Hmmm. 4 massages?" Sakura volunteered. "But only 1 a week!" Her massages were not to be taken lightly. Being a top medical ninja had its advantages. She was still studying every day with Tsunade, but as of late no longer questioned her own decision, and as a result was lead trauma nurse. More often than not, injured ninja would come straight to her apartment and then head to the hospital after the most severe injuries were seen to. Studying under Tsunade was the best decision she had ever made, and would sometimes even involve herself in the rehabilitation centers activities. Even Ibiki could be heard sighing with contentment under her expert fingers.
"Daily exotic flowers, from all different lands, fresh on your table for 2 weeks." Ino said waving her hand absently like it was nothing.
That left Hinata.
"Um .. Well ... I could give access to the Hyuga spa resort in my complex for a couple days.."
All other three girls gawked at her in amazement. The Hyuga spa resort was widely known around Konoha and beyond, even in the civilian districts. With their state of the art pools and jacuzzis, three course meals and daily events, even one day at the spa resort was worth fighting for.
"Okkaaaay! I doubt any of you could refuse a chance like THAT!" Ino smiled, knowing she had them now.
Ino would have to thank Hinata later. Sticking her hand in the basket, she began to toss around the tiny slips of papers. Closing her eyes she silently hoped she would pick the paper with a certain boys name from the Nara clan on it. It helped that she had written his name on a couple different ones, taking the risk that one of the other girls got him would be well worth it, if indeed Ino was the one to get it. She pulled out a random paper and held it to her chest quickly, blushing slightly.
"Well don't all go for it at once" she muttered annoyingly.
With a sigh, Tenten reached in to grab a slip, praying to kami to not get Gai. No amount of spa time would be worth pretending to like that green spandex wearing hyper-active jack rabbit. Hinata tentatively reached in next, afraid to be hopeful. Even if she got ... Him how could she go through with such a thing? With the slip of paper clenched in her fist she lowered her hand back down to her knee, biting her lip with apprehension.
Sakura sat there staring at the basket. Then looked at Ino.
"One more condition. No obvious seduction! Or whatever the ... Victims ... would consider obvious... They have to want to touch you. You have to hear the words I ... WANT ... YOU. Loud and clear. So basically Ino-pig, if you start going straight for his man parts and telling him you 'neeeeed him and can't wait any longer' like I know you would, that's an immediate disqualification. Just a heads up."
Of course all the ways Sakura had thought up that involved physical contact didn't count. IF it came to that at least... She reached in and grabbed a piece of paper before the stuttering blonde could gather words.
Ino sighed.
"Okay now that everyone has one, who would like to reveal the first victim?" A grin tugging at her lips.
"Oh KAMI NO!" They all turned to Tenten wondering what caused such an outburst.
Her head hit the table, "This is almost worse than what I even feared..."
"Well?" Ino said intensely. She was all too curious now.
Tenten muttered, her head still on the table in a dramatic show of complete despair.
"Who? I couldn't quite hear!" Ino said with a wicked grin. She had heard the girl, but how often would a chance to tease about this come along?
She sat up, sighing. "I got the miniature green spandex wearing hyper active jack rabbit. That's who I got. Lee..."
Sakura couldn't help but giggle, but stopped when she turned to Hinata who seemed to have stopped breathing and was a violent shade of red. "Hinata..."
Hinata's hand squeezed tighter around her knee. "I ... I got N-N-Naruto..."
She sputtered as Tenten rather harshly slapped her on the shoulder from across the booth. "Way to go! You have to admit your a least a bit happy!"
Hinata felt a tiny smile tugging at her lips. "Maybe.." She whispered.
Sakura smiled at her love struck friend before turning to Ino.
"So pig whose the poor guy?"
Ino took the piece of paper out of hand with her other to read it. She sighed. "Iruka..."
Sakura laughed. "Well don't sound so excited Ino, your gonna seduce a TEACHER. Your gonna be the talk of Konoha."
That seemed to brighten the blondes spirits a little!
"Well, now its your turn Sakura."
"Oh I already looked at mine" she smiled, looking a little embarrassed. I got Shikamaru."
She watched as the blonde slammed her hands down on the table. "WHAT?!"
Sakura couldn't take it. She bust out laughing until her sides hurt, then looked back up at the startled blonde. "I'm just kidding ! I haven't even looked at mine."
Ino scowled as she sat back down looking away. Sakura leaned into the table with her hands innocently folded under her chin.
"Gee, what's got you so worked up Ino-chan?" Sakura asked, cocking her head for added innocence.
All three girls were looking at her now.
"Nothing! He's just my teammate and I would hate to see him fall for someone like you, Forehead. I care about him duh." She said, turning from them with the faintest trace of redness in her cheeks. No way she could even bare to look at Sakura.
It seemed to sate Hinata and Tenten, but Sakura knew better..
"Will you just read yours?" Ino snapped impatiently.
Sakura opened her paper. At that moment she could have sworn her stomach did a 360 inside her. She stared at the name open mouthed.
"Well?" Ino said impatiently.
By the look on Sakura's pink face she could tell it was gonna be a good one. "Who is it!?"
"Kakashi ..."
Ino was in fits! "Oh, I'm going to be the talk of the town? Coming from the girl who's seducing her OWN teacher!
"SHUT UP, INO PIG! He's not even my teacher anymore! He's not anyone's teacher! And PIP DOWN! Are you trying to let the whole restaurant know?!"
"Oh they'll find out soon enough."
Ino sighed as she wiped the tears of laughter at her friends plight from her eyes. She reached to place her slip of paper back in the basket "Looks like I've got this in the bag Fore-hey!"
The next thing she knew, Sakuras hand was around her wrist like an iron vice.
Sakura was staring right into Ino's eyes unblinking. Ino started to sweat. "What's with you, let go!"
"Open your hand."said Sakura. Ino glared at her.
"What's going on?" Hinata said worriedly. And then she saw it; there were two slips in Ino's hand...
Tenten noticed this too and asked with a raised eyebrow, "So Ino, ... Who's on that other slip of paper, hmmm?"
Ino cursed silently at herself, she should have just dropped it on the floor the second she read it. This could mean failure! she thought as she closed her eyes.
"Well?" Sakura snapped impatiently. If she didn't say anything soon she was gonna end up prying Ino's fingers open to find out for herself.
Finally Ino spoke.
"Sai."
Sakura released Ino and sat back into her seat feeling quite happy with herself. "WELL Ino. I'm only wishing you luck because your going to need it. Getting that boy to understand regular feelings and social norms is hard enough, TRUST ME." Sakura thought back to some of her first mission with Sai. She smiled, even though it was frustrating, being around him and Naruto made for a funny environment and he was a nice guy when it came down to it. Just a little ruff around the edges.
Sakura sighed as she slide out of the booth. "And I'd love to stay and chat more about this, but I just got back from a mission so I really want to just take a shower. Bye!"
Only getting back a wave goodbye from Hinata and Tenten didn't bother her. She knew Ino wasn't really mad at her, just upset about ruining Ino's chances to beat her. All that was on her mind as she walked out of the restaurant was a nice shower and her gigantic California king bed waiting for her in her upscale apartment in the civilian district. She may be a ninja but the apartments were just so much more luxurious in the civilian district, even if she did have to share it with Ino.
Leaving the booth, she caught a glimpse of a strangely simple mouse painting at the base of the wall. Looking back at the wall there was nothing. Only the same intricately drawn mouse that was all around the bottom of the walls. She shrugged it off, there were fancy mouse drawings everywhere. Deciding she was way too tired as it is, passed it off as needing more sleep.
Now out of sight, the ink shaped into a mouse continued its run up the walls towards the ceiling. Once on the roof it scurried on to the open parchment.
"Hmm."
He scratched his head. Pages of a book flipped. "I think this would go under...unusual behavior?" More pages flipped.
"There's nothing here that talks about this..." He said blinking unemotionally.
His brows furrowed, he snapped the book shut. "I'd better ask someone about these gatherings and these ... 'games.' If they required a meeting then I should do the same."
Wrapping up the scroll, Sai got up and headed towards the one person he thought might understand his female comrades. He stopped, thinking out loud. Is it rude to ask these kinds of questions? Would this be 'bothersome'? He thought about what else Shikamaru would find bothersome... Maybe he would even find Sai's presence bothersome... Sai shook his head. Who else could he ask? His eyes popped open with a newfound clarity. He knew exactly who to go to.
