Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto…I just borrow the characters for my own twisted perverted pleasure!

A/N: I just wanted to say thanks to these people who were kind enough to leave a review and gave me encouragement to continue on. Thanks! I dedicate this chapter to you! I hope you all enjoy it. twists hand nervously

moodiful819
kaetea
Diamondprinces
SweetAssassin
fallingskye
penginyasha
Solo Loco Ellingson-Rose

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Of Ears and Puffy Tails

Chapter Two: Reluctant Acceptance

Ino glanced up from the counter when the bell over the door chimed at somebody's entrance.

"Hi, can I help… oh hey forehead!"

"Hey, pig."

"What's wrong?"

Flumping onto the stool in front of the counter, Sakura placed the garment bag with Ino's name on it in front of her.

"What's this?" Regarding the bag with curiosity, Ino picked it up and looked to Sakura when there was nothing but silence coming from her. "Since when have you been demoted to delivery girl?"

Sighing heavily and letting her head fall to the counter with a loud thunk, Sakura mumbled her response.

"What was that? I couldn't hear you with your face plastered to the countertop."

Without lifting her head, she spoke a little louder. "I said…the contents of the bags are for our next mission." Sitting up, Sakura placed her own bag in her lap.

Waiting for Sakura to say more, Ino became exasperated when her friend just sat there looking dejected.

"Alright forehead, spill it. What is the mission and why do you look like somebody killed your cat?"

Taking a deep breath and scrubbing her face with her hands, Sakura looked to Ino and sighed once again.
"Tsunade-sama wants the both of us to help promote the Easter festivities sponsored by the Jounin bar. We are to help run the refreshment stand that Kinrai, the owner of the pub, sets up along the boardwalk."

"Ok, that doesn't sound so hard."

Shaking her head, Sakura lifted her bag and also pointed to Ino's. "Yes, but we have to do it wearing these."

Interest peaked, Ino laid the garment bag back on the counter and pulled the zipper down. Pulling apart the sides, her head shot up and glared at Sakura. "What the hell??"
Pulling the hanger out, Ino held the costume up in front of her. "You have got to kidding me! We have to wear this?!"

Sakura nodded her head and pulled out hers. It was identical to Ino's but it was a different colour. Looking between the two, she groaned when she noticed that Tsunade made sure the costumes coordinated with their features. Where Sakura's was pink with emerald boning and trim, Ino's was yellow with baby blue boning and trim. She marvelled at how the colours were indeed the same as their hair and eyes.

Ino reached into the bag again and pulled out a headband with long white, slightly floppy ears and one big puffy pom-pom tail. Staring at the items in her hands, Ino started to laugh. Sakura regarded her friend with apprehension when she started laughing louder.

"Oh man, I can't wait to see Shikamaru's face when he see's me in this outfit! I can guarantee it's going to get a rise out of him." Ino snickered as she waggled her eyebrows.

Sakura groaned and repacked her costume into her gag. She looked up at Ino when she heard another evil cackle.

"You're actually going to wear it?…in public no less?! With hundreds of guys staring at you all day, not leaving you alone. You're going to enjoy it, aren't you?" Sakura demanded.

"Of course. Who the hell wouldn't want to be hit on by hundreds of gorgeous shinobi? Not to mention the civilians!"

"Me! That's who!"

"Oh lighten up Sakura. It's not like you'll be naked or anything."

"Awfully friggin' close considering how skimpy the damn thing it!"

"Come on, live a little. It's not like we can't handle ourselves if any idiot is stupid enough to get out of hand. Besides, this way you can pick yourself up a man!"

"There is no way I am going to wear that out in public. Nor am I going to go man hunting, Ino."

Pouting, Ino packed hers back in its bag and then placed her hands on her hips.
"It's a mission Sakura and you have to follow the details of that mission to the letter. Unless of course you want Tsunade-sama knocking you into next week with just a flick of her wrist?"

Hunching her shoulders and sagging her head in defeat, Sakura said, "I know, I know. Just because I have to, doesn't mean I'm going to enjoy it."

Getting up from the stool, Sakura grabbed her bag and looked at Ino again. "I better go now. Don't forget, Saturday 1:00pm, Shinobi District boardwalk. We have 3 days to get prepared. See you then Ino."

"Yeah, see ya!"

With a wave of her hand, Sakura left the Yamanaka flower shop and headed home with the scandalous costume in tow.

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A/N: Again, sorry for the short chapter...that is why I called it a drabble chapter story. Well what did you think? Don't forget, please read and review!