A Mask of Emotion

Drabbles between Ino and Sai.

Done during boring lectures of Physics, Biology and English. I thank you all, Sir One, Sir Oh and Ma'am Unorthodox. Love ya all.

For my friend artsydolle`, inosai rocks better than shikaino…

Disclaimer: I cannot claim ownership over such a magnificent work as Masashi Kishimoto-sensei's Naruto.

2. Gifts written March 2, 2007

"What's this for?" Sai asked, confused, blinking at the strange colorful box-shaped object presented before him.

"It's a gift, silly," the blond kunoichi standing before him said with a chuckle.

"Oh," was his reply. He took the present from her hands. "So… this is what a gift looks like," he added as he started examining the item as if it was some sort of bomb. "I've never read how one looks like before."

He had been in his apartment, working on a project, when Ino appeared at his doorstep, offering him the peculiar item. Gift-giving was never an Anbu tradition, especially in the Ne division. Receiving a present was quite a confusing dilemma all in its own for the young shinobi.

"Well, open it," Ino excitedly urged him.

"Um… wouldn't it be more proper if I let you in first?" he queried. "I mean, it is common courtesy for the–"

Before he could continue stalling any longer, the blond kunoichi had already nudged him inside, plopped him on the sofa and set herself beside him, prodding him to open her gift once again.

Seeing the exuberant look on her face, Sai couldn't help asking, "Is opening a gift supposed to be this exciting?"

"Of course," Ino readily replied. "It's the suspense that causes the excitement. Aren't you excited to find out what's inside? I know I'm excited to see your reaction. Aren't you excited?" she remarked all in one breath, quicker than Sai could keep up with.

When she saw the puzzled look on his face return, she just said, calmly this time around, "Just open it, ne…"

So with a sigh, the raven-haired shinobi started to reluctantly open the gift. He did so with utmost caution brought upon by his uncertainty and unfamiliarity with the 'proper' rituals of opening a gift. He carefully unraveled the wrapping paper, revealing a plain box underneath.

"A box?" he asked.

Ino broke out into hysterical laughter. "No, Sai, the box isn't the present; you have to open it."

He lifted the lid as he was told to and took out the item inside. It was soft and fluffy. And yellow. And had limbs. And big button eyes and nose. And big round ears and a pink tongue. "Um… a bear?"

Ino squealed excitedly. "Do you like it? Isn't it adorable?" she raved. "It's so cute, isn't it? I made it for you!"

"Oh," Sai remarked, his pale face a blank canvas.

"Don't you like it?" the kunoichi asked, her face dropping.

"No, it's not that. I like it, but… It's just that I've never received a gift before… much less a bear."

"Oh." It was her turn to say this.

"It's okay," the raven-haired ninja assured her, offering her one of his signature smiles. "But then, I've been wondering… I don't believe there's any occasion today. Why the gift?"

"You probably haven't read about this," she replied, "but being my friend is reason enough, don't you think?"

"You said you made it," he said after some thought.

Ino nodded her head. "It took me a lot of work. But it's worth it, since it's for you." Saying this made her feel awful. She was giving him the bear under the pretense that she liked him as a friend. She knew she liked him in a different way, so pretending she just wanted to be friends was quite… difficult…

As she was preoccupied with her thoughts about him, an awkward silence fell between them for a while. He was the first one to break it though. "Ino, can I name her?"

Ino chuckled lightly, forcing herself to seem amused. "Sure you can name 'her'. I'm surprised though that you managed to choose a gender already."

Sai gazed down at the stuffed animal he had set on his lap. It had soft yellow fur that glistened like delicate sunlight. Its turquoise eyes were orbs of the softest blue. It seemed nice and friendly. Just like…

"Well, what do you want to name it?" she asked. He thought she had suddenly become uncomfortable a few minutes ago, but seeing her more cheerful this time around made him think otherwise.

He hesitated before saying, "I want to name it Ino."

The blonde laughed genuinely this time and said, "That's really funny. Why would you want that?"

"Because it reminds me of you."

Ino was flabbergasted. "Are you saying I look like a bear?!"

Sai smiled his mysterious smile and said, "No, but you and Ino-kuma here are both pretty and sunny. At least that's what I think."

The kunoichi blushed, not the least bit affected by his gaze. She didn't mind him seeing her redden, which was strange, because she had always felt shy around him.

"Sai, I think I need to go now," she said after a while. "I think I still have a few chores to do at home," she added with a chuckle.

She got up and was surprised when he did the same.

"You don't have to…" she started.

"No, I do," he replied. "It wouldn't be polite if I didn't."

Polite. He was always just polite. It made Ino wonder if he only entertained her due to his politeness. She shrugged the idea off indifferently and said, "Sure, I guess."

He escorted her to the door where she said goodbye.

"Ano… Ino," he started. He paused and said, "Thanks."

"No big," she replied, "I actually enjoyed making the bear… er… Ino-kuma…"

"No, I didn't mean the bear," he said, "though I appreciate it as well. I wanted to thank you for what you said back there…"

"You're welcome," she answered. "Don't mention it. I–"

To her surprise, she suddenly felt his arms around her, her cheeks pressed against his chest. He was holding her tightly, making her feel out of breath. His chest and arms felt hard against her skin, but no matter how uncomfortable it seemed, she didn't feel the least bit awkward.

She had never been this close to him before. Never in her wildest dreams had she ima – no, wait, she has… In fact, she had thought about this moment many times before: the day he held her in his arms and said he lo–

She stiffened at the thought. Sai only thinks of me as a friend. I–

She felt his arms ease their grip around her, and she looked up to see his stoic face. "What was that for?" she asked. "Oh, wait, I know now. You've read about how hugs could be gifts to friends, right?"

He shook his head, his face an unreadable mask. "I just felt like it." He slipped back into the door of his apartment and said, "Thanks again." He slid the door close and left her gaping at the doorway.

Now it was her turn to be confused.

-

Author's note: Drabbles are not really my thing, but I plan to make this a weekly installment. I have a few more to submit, but I'd appreciate reviews. Review please!

Next installment: 3. Taking Hold

Side notes:

-Ne is the Root division of the Anbu.

-No, I don't believe that Sai could be so naïve. I just like it that way (evil face).

-Does anyone think that I change from one mood to another too quickly? No? Good.

-Drabble based off Cardcaptor Sakura's bear-giving episode, so if you've seen it, then you get my implication.