Poker Night

Chapter 4: Triangles & Old Bets

After her conversation with Sai, the rest of the dinner went pretty well. Sakura was initially angry at him when he asked out Ayame in front of Ino, but once she explained that they had decided to stay friends and not continue dating, the Fifth's apprentice had calmed down, but not before her teammate was covered in bruises. Sai's decision to not date kunoichi was not an unwise one. However he seemed to have won over the ramen cook, Ayame. They had a date the following week.

She wondered how she was going to explain the situation to her teammates. Shikamaru and Choji had become overprotective of her as the only female member of their team as well as the youngest. Despite the fact she was an adult of twenty years, only a day younger than Shikamaru, had been the first to be promoted to jounin rank and was a talented medic-nin to boot, they still saw her almost as a little sister, as someone they needed to protect.

"You're worried," commented Sai as he limped along aside her. She thought briefly that she should heal the injuries that she and Sakura had inflicted upon him once she got the chance.

"Not really," she answered. "I was just thinking about something," she added quickly. Would Sai be offended if he knew her mind was on her teammates already.

"About the reaction of Choji-kun when you tell him," teased the artist-nin. Without thinking, she slapped him on his shoulder. Sai doubled over in pain because she had hit a spot both she and Sakura had hit earlier. Her medic training then took over.

"Gomennasai. Let me heal some of those bruises so you can survive tonight." He agreed as he saw the green chakra form in her hands.

_______________________________________________________________________

A short distance behind them, Sakura and Naruto were discussing the events that had just occurred, attempting to make sense of a confusing double date.

"I cannot believe he asked out Ayame in front of Ino. He deserves every bruise we gave him." Sakura was livid at the artist-nin's behavior that night. Maybe she should have let him check out Dating for Dummies from the library last week after Ino asked him out.

"I can't believe that Ayame said yes," answered her boyfriend. Naruto was surprised that woman who had once had a crush on their jounin-sensei was now going on a date with their teammate. The fact that Sai had actually asked someone out amazed him.

"However, did you have to hit him so hard? I think he's in pain right now. Ino is healing him. Look!" Naruto pointed to the duo in front of them. Ino was using her healing technique. Sakura winced.

"Maybe I was a little rough on Sai," she responded. She did regret hurting her teammate.

"The last time you hit him that hard was our first mission with him," commented Naruto. "She can take care of herself. She was the second in our year to become a 're too overprotective of Ino, just like Shikamaru and Choji. "

"I'm overprotective of her for the same reasons as those two," she answered. "She's my best friend." He nodded in agreement.

"However, I think Choji wants to be more than just her best friend," he told her. "I think he wants to finally make his move. All I can say is it's about time." Sakura slapped him lightly, using no chakra nor effort, a subtle way she flirted with him.

"Are you only saying that because if they got together tonight you would win the pool that Shikamaru started when we were in the Academy?"

"Guilty," he replied. His skill at gambling made up for what he lacked in intellect.

"How are you so good at winning this type of thing," she asked him, disappointed that once again she would lose money gambling. She truly was the Fifth's apprentice.

"Instinct," he answered.

_______________________________________________________________________

The streets of the Hidden Leaf village were full of people, despite the late hour. Perhaps it was the inviting coolness of the summer night or the lightning bugs casting a glow upon the streets. Whatever the reason, the crowds were annoying Shikamaru. If he had known how troublesome it would be to go to Lee's this evening, he would have skipped out on Poker Night all-together. However Choji's unusual silence was a sign that something was wrong. Maybe his well-spoken words had struck a chord with his best friend. Their teammate was probably wrapping-up her date with Sai at that very moment. Neither liked to miss a chance to beat Sakura at poker. He wondered if Ino's date had gone well. If Sai had hurt her in any way, no matter how troublesome it was, the artist-nin would pay.

"I wonder how her date with Sai went." Choji avoided his best friend's gaze. He didn't want to know. If it went well, it would only make him more jealous and unable to hide his feelings for her. If it went badly, then she would most likely get hurt. He did not like either of those possibilities. Shikamaru noticed his lack of response.

"The most likely outcome is that it didn't work out. Sai isn't capable of putting up with someone as troublesome as Ino."

"How is Ino troublesome," he asked. "You've been calling her that for years along with your mom and Temari-san." He paused. "Is that how you refer to the ones you care about the most?" He decided the easiest answer would be the truth.

"She's a sister to me. You know that. Don't take out your jealousy on me. Just tell her how you feel," he told his teammate. "She likes as much as you like her."

"Are you sure," he asked. Shikamaru nodded, not even bothering with a verbal response. He then remembered the pool he had set-up back in their Academy Days when he first noticed the sparks between them. Once again the pool would be won by Naruto. How he managed to win every pool amazed him. Shikamaru chuckled, knowing once again Naruto would win in a game of gambling.

_______________________________________________________________________

Hinata looked in the mirror. She was wearing simple civilian attire consisting of a violet and white shirt and black pants. Her long dark hair shone. Despite Ino's vain beliefs about herself, she knew she was one of the most stunning kunoichi their village had produced. She had unknowingly taunted the hearts of many men, shinobi and civilians alike, including her teammates.

Shino was quiet and protective. Although few saw his face, his true self was much easier to detect. He had a kind, caring heart, even if it was the home of many of his insects. However maybe it was a sign of how much he cared that so many of his insects lived in that part of his chakra system.

Kiba was the opposite in demeanor, but similar. He cared for her almost as much as he did about his family or his partner, Akamaru. Despite knowing that many girls would be offended to be a second to a nin-hound, she knew how special the bond between the two was to him. This was her proof of how much he cared for her.

Although she had feelings for them as friends and teammates, she wasn't sure if she had romantic feelings for either one of them. After having an unrequited crush on Naruto for so long, she wasn't sure about how she felt about the other guys in her life. Maybe she should just let herself move-on before she attempted a romantic relationship with anyone. Maybe she should talk to her onii-san later.

The bell rang. Hinata opened it to find both of her teammates at the door. Shino looked displeased under his hood and sunglasses while Kiba seemed upset. She then noticed his partner was missing.

"Where is Akamaru," she asked, concerned. Kiba's expression brightened slightly at her reaction. Shino's eyebrows were raised.

"He's outside of the gate. The members of the branch family at the main gate wouldn't let him past them," he answered. The fact she noticed his partner's absence gave him some hope. "Let's go rejoin him and head to Lee's place."

Hinata attempted to make small talk with the both of them on the way there. "So how do you think Ino's date with Sai went?" Both boys groaned.