Coffee Beans
Disclaimer: Uh-uh, I don't own Naruto. –pouts-
A/N: Mizugetsu is not Suigetsu. Yay, this is the chapter where a very OOC Sai comes in!!
-does a very disturbing version of the happy dance-
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That was how, an hour later, Naruto found himself at the Starbucks stall at the Grand Park, smiling at the judges and serving up free samples for kids.
Soon, the rep from The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf sauntered over. Naruto recognized him, it was Sai, a boy from his English class that was flamingly gay and painfully embarrassing.
"Hey," Naruto said.
"Hey," Sai replied, acknowledging their acquaintance with a grin, "Sexy stall, dickless."
"Uh…thanks…"
"We're gonna kick your ass," Kiba said cheerfully, coming up from behind him and carrying a cooler full of mini cappuccino bottles.
"Righteous cursing, man," a droopy eyed boy came over to stand with Sai. Naruto thought he looked pretty doped.
"Who the hell are you?" Kiba stared. Never one to beat around the bush, Naruto thought wryly.
"This is Mizugetsu, dude, from last year?" Sai re-introduced, "He grew his hair and went all hippie on me, so I dumped him."
"Uhhh. Great. Now buzz off before I get bored," Kiba waved them away as he served a little girl a green mint frappe.
Soon, it was time for the mixers to take their positions on stage. Kiba ascended with his weird kinda manly-girly grace Naruto had never witnessed in anyone else.
The judges counted them off, and almost all the barista wanna-bes pounced on the ingredients given to them. Kiba cracked his knuckles and began sampling everything in front of him, while Sai stared intently at the flavorings, milk and beverage powders as though prompting them to spontaneously come up with the Elixir of Life.
Kiba selected a few ingredients and set them aside. Using the tiny microwave, he began heating the richest, creamiest milk, occasionally taking it out to put in a pinch of vanilla or a dash of cinnamon. Sai, too, almost reluctantly added some ice cubes to a tall glass of skim milk.
While everyone finished, Karin, a nice redhead at the stall next to Naruto's told him, "They have an hour…but y'know, they're not really fighting for first or second place, but third. First and second will go to Kiba and Sai," she sighed, "Sai always is at the top, and everyone knows Kiba will do well. His older sister, Hana, was a genius. When she was around Starbucks held an uninterrupted record of nine wins…but in the fifth year, Sai came along, and Hana left for college."
"What's the prize?"
Karin laughed. "Technically, nothing. The competition is supposed to encourage harmony, but like most other competitions designed for that purpose, it does the exact opposite."
"Harmony between WHAT?" Naruto scoffed.
"Between the coffee houses. But there's a lot at stake—winner gets a whole lot of free publicity, their drink named as they like, the recipe made famous until the next winner comes around…and usually perks from the employer."
"Ohhhh…"
"Look," she said, "They're done!"
The judges made their way around all the contestants, sipping drinks. They nodded at some, and pulled faces at others. Finally, they coalesced around Kiba and Sai's tables, murmuring approvingly.
"Now the deliberations begin," Karin muttered.
The judges retired to their own table, discussing intently. Finally, a middle aged woman came up to the mike and announced the winners.
"Third prize goes to Yamanaka Ino and her Triple Whip Dip!"
Mild applause, a blonde with a haughty attitude stepped forth to wave to the crowd, sip her drink, and leave.
"Now, there were two contestants here who very nearly created a tie. One is an old wizard of dairy products, the other carries the legend of his onee-san with him," she paused as the applause escalated, and Kiba and Sai stepped up, "And their creations were especially amazing. However," she paused again as the crowd booed whoever was going to snatch first prize, "only one of them is going to be the best. So…second place goes to…Sai's Chill Pill!"
Thunderous applause that might have been taken for a 5.7 earthquake and roars of approval or dismay emanated from the crowd. Naruto found himself cheering madly for his partner-friend.
"That, of course, leaves first place for Kiba and his Narcotic Naruto!"
Naruto's jubilant scream froze in his throat.
No. Freaking. Way.
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So there are those badly named beverages I was talking about…-ducks head in shame- narcotic Naruto…why, dear god, why didn't I find any better adjective?
And please, lovely reviewers, don't curse me for the awfully short chapter. (Unless you're Hidan. Or some equally hot religious zealot. In which case, feel free to curse away, doll. )