Okay, Okay! I know I took a little while off, but my classes are kinda hard this year.
So, I'm putting this out there: If you would like to request a Sakura pairing that I haven't done yet…or PM me for any couple pairing (no yaoi), and I'll see if I can get to ya. Remember that if no one requests anything, I'll continue to do my own thing…not that I mind, that is.
Just thought someone might appreciate it!
Disclaimer: I really don't approve the idea of people who think I own Naruto procreating.
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Not Good Enough
Chapter 4
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The unusual pair walked down the unpaved roads of Konoha, awkwardly ignoring the stares. It wasn't abnormal for couples to walk down these roads, not at all! But Sakura and Kiba found that almost everyone, ninja or not, had their eyes on them. The worst part was that they were all whispering, commenting about the odd couple pairing.
"They're not even from the same team!" a woman remarked.
"Have you ever seen them actually talk to each other?" a Genin asked his sensei.
"That Kiba is rumored to be a playboy. I hope the doctor isn't being tricked; she seemed nice enough when my Ryuuji was injured last year…" an elderly woman worried.
Through all of this, both had to endure. They didn't even spare a glance at the others and just looked straight ahead, holding hands. Kiba's thumb would caress the back of her hand from time to time and she would turn her head to look at him almost adoringly, much to the chagrin of the group of males following close behind the couple.
"Sakura-chan," Kiba whispered as he leaned into her, "if you still want to be a secret, I don't mind."
"Why would I want that?" she whispered back before quickly landing a fleeting kiss to one of his tattoos.
"The way they're gawking. I'll understand if that makes you uncomfortable," he blushed.
She shook her head violently and her eyes filled with the strength that he had come to admire. "I don't care what they're saying. It's none of their business!"
Kiba smirked before turning his head to face a particular group of Sakura's admirers. "Hear that? Scram."
The boys fearfully (and regretfully) split up and ran away as some yelled a futile "Sakura-chan!" The couple burst into laughter before ducking into the small establishment of Ichiraku's.
"Hey there-" the owner called, stopping dead in his tracks at the sight.
"Dad, what's wrong?" Ayame, his daughter, asked as she approached her father.
"How unusual for the two of you to be here at the same time. Team Seven comes on Tuesdays and Team Eight is usually on Thursdays." Teuchi recited faithfully.
"Hmm…dating?" Ayame blushed.
"Yeah, actually," Sakura smiled.
"Does Naruto know?" Teuchi whispered. It was no secret that the old man was close to the boy, Naruto had been a loyal customer of the ramen stand practically his entire life, so Teuchi did feel somewhat protective of the kid.
"Sasuke probably told him," Kiba thought before changing the subject. "I think I'd like the usual. Sakura?"
"Me too."
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I realize that was practically all dialogue. Sorry.
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"Sasuke-teme, what're you doing here? It's like one in the afternoon," the blond poked Sasuke, sighing at the lack of response. Naruto turned to the bartender with an apologetic expression written on his face, "Thanks for the call."
The bartender took pity on Naruto and explained. "Look, I don't ask questions but that kid's been here since five in the morning. I was closing up when he came in, but from the look on his face, he needed a drink. He's been passed out for about an hour."
"Sorry about this, man. Here," Naruto stuck his hand into Sasuke's wallet and pulled out a hundred dollar bill, "there's a good tip. I'll just take him off your hands." Naruto grinned as he hauled his dark-haired friend to his feet. "Let's go, Sasuke."
"Do…be…" Sasuke mumbled.
"Just relax, teme. I'll take you home," Naruto chuckled, helping him limp to the door and out onto the street. Naruto took the time spent walking to glance up at the sky; it was on the verge of raining, an unfortunate sign. Naruto really hoped his stupid friend would tell him what was wrong, Naruto had never had to pick up the raven-haired boy from a bar in the entire time that he'd known him, even after he'd returned to the village.
It wasn't long before Naruto was able to drag Sasuke to his own apartment. Naruto didn't usually let Sasuke crash at his place, but it was closer to that dingy bar than the Uchiha mansion.
Naruto deposited his friend on the couch before grabbing a spare blanket from his cabinet. With a little more care than he usually allowed Sasuke, Naruto laid the blanket over him. The blond sighed in annoyance, "For all my trouble, you had better tell me every goddamn detail."
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"Well, today has been rather interesting!" Sakura exclaimed, holding fast to her brown-haired boyfriend.
"What would you like to do now?" Kiba asked with a smile, rubbing his thumb over the back of her hand. "It's your turn to pick."
"I want to go to…a bookstore!" Sakura chuckled. "It's probably a little boring, but I'm running low on reading material."
"Not at all. What kinds of books do you like to read?" Kiba asked, already answering the question in his own head. He had done all his research.
"You won't tell?" she asked carefully as he shook his head in response. "Okay! I love mystery novels and romance manga!"
"That's an interesting match up," Kiba laughed. "The doctor likes manga! I can see the headlines now!" he joked, pulling her down another street on which her favorite bookstore was located.
They entered with bemused expressions, each lowering their voices to fit the accustomed quiet of any book-selling establishment. Sakura led her partner to her favorite aisle, taking time to look over each of the individual titles while Kiba stood back and just observed her.
God, she was beautiful! Kiba couldn't help but feel unworthy of this girl who not only was a perfectly capable kunoichi, but the most caring and fun-loving girl he'd ever met. She wasn't some dumb bimbo playing him for clan-status or for sex, she was there because she was interested. Interested! The girl he'd followed and mooned over for a year and a half was interested in him! The divine providence that had dictated this match deserved more than his prayers, it deserved statues of the finest gold and songs dedicated to its kind, bountiful nature! Kiba felt, and was, truly blessed.
At this juncture in time, as Kiba's thoughts escalated further into intense joy, Sakura turned to smile at him with two books held preciously in her loving grasp and whispered, "I'm ready! You want anything, Kiba?"
It took Kiba a moment to shake his head and whisper back, "I don't know what to get."
Sakura raised her index finger to her chin, obviously sorting through her massive knowledge of book titles to find the perfect one. Kiba could tell exactly when she'd thought of the perfect one because her face lit up with the joy of an epiphany. She turned back to the shelf and scanned along the titles until she tapped one twice and pulled it out. "This is perfect for you."
"I'm sure it is," Kiba accepted the book with an assuring smile, already planning on reading it cover to cover within the week. "C'mon, I'll pay."
"You sure? I'm perfectly capable of paying for my own books; you're not obliged or anything," she asked wearily.
"I know. If it were anyone else, I wouldn't pay."
"So, I'm special."
"You could say that," Kiba chuckled as he removed her two books from her grasp and piled them on top of his own book. He waited for her to mourn the loss of the books from her hands before he headed to the register.
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"So, dobe, what made you feel like be so generous?" an annoyed Sasuke asked in a monotone voice as he beheld the glass filled with a scary looking liquid in front of him.
"Well, it wasn't for you. It was for the poor bartender that had to stare at your unconscious ass for an hour!" Naruto frowned. All his generosity had clearly gone to waste on his horrible friend! Sasuke hadn't told Naruto a damn thing and gave no indication that he was even going to!
"Whatever." Sasuke eyed the glass once again, dreading to even sip the disgusting substance. "Naruto, what's in this crap? I'm not taking it until I know what it is down to the last fucking milligram."
"Sasuke, stop being such a whiny bitch and drink it! It's to cure your hangover!" Naruto grumbled unhappily. "You should just accept my generous and loving nature and stop being such an imposing guest."
"Since when do you know such big words, dobe?" Sasuke smirked.
"Since I started hanging out with Sakura more than dumbasses like you and Kiba," Naruto quipped.
Sasuke froze at the usage of both names in one sentence. Apparently, alcohol didn't make the bad memories disappear. "Yeah…uh…"
If Naruto registered Sasuke's discomfort, he didn't show it. "What, Sasuke-teme? No snappy comeback? I guess that means I won!"
"I suppose."
Now that caught the hyperactive boy's attention. "What's wrong, Sasuke?"
"Naruto, we have to talk," Sasuke sighed, "about Sakura."
"Sakura-chan? Why?" Naruto asked, concerned about whatever Sasuke had to say.
"Do you want to hear the story? Shut up," Sasuke snapped, already pissed that he had to be the one to tell Naruto. "I was in the bar because I caught Sakura making out with Kiba."
"What."
"I showed up at Sakura's apartment and when she didn't answer the door I looked in her bedroom window," Sasuke explained in a voice with a painful undertone.
"And they were making out? Sakura and…" Naruto's eyes narrowed with a tint of anger, "Kiba."
"Now, Naruto, we've been told several times by Kakashi that we have no control over her life. And although this fucking sucks, we really don't," Sasuke sputtered uncharacteristically due to the mounting nervousness at Naruto's dark mention of Kiba's name.
"But, Kiba's a player!" Naruto yelled, "If he hurts her-!"
"Then we'll kick his ass, but I honestly don't think he will," the Uchiha remarked thoughtfully.
"You don't?"
"No. I think he really does care about her…and that we should wait until he does something stupid before we jump to conclusions and kick his ass," Sasuke sighed. He wasn't usually the voice of mercy for one of Sakura's many suitors but honestly, what he had witnessed had a certain feeling of 'rightness' to it and even the emotionally-stunted Uchiha felt the need to leave them alone.
Naruto sighed loudly and with a sense of finality, "Well, shit! I need a drink too."
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I understand if this chapter was a bit of a downer and placed too much focus on Sasuke-teme and Naruto-dobe, but I'll make it up on the next one with a total fluffy, toe-curling romantic KibaSaku scene, 'kay?
Review, please.
Again, sorry this took so long. Life is mean to hobbies.
xoxoxo
AJlovesKakashi
:3
P.S. Thank you Bloody Diamond and I swear I'll so edit your new Bleach fanfic in record time!
Also, thanks to all the reviewers of this story! You guys totally deserve a plateful of cookies each!