Ground

Sai sat down at the desk in the Konoha Library. Pulling his bag open, he dumped it onto the table. Several 'guides' to friendship and inter-personal relations spilled out. He shifted the books around with a small smile as he waited for Yamanaka-san.

The girl with turquoise eyes and long sun bleached hair smiled at him from the building's entrance. "Sai-kun! You're early."

"No need to add the honorific, Ino-san."

"Then, you must also drop the honors, please just call me Ino, Sai."

"Ino, please have a seat."

The seemingly sweet girl pulled out her seat and threw her long pony tail over her shoulder, "You're coming off a little strong, Sai."

His head tilted quizzically, "How so?"

"You're being too polite. You want me to drop the honors, but you're speaking to me like we're going to conduct an important business meeting. Loosen up a little." Watching Sai shift I his seat, she continued, "It's an expression, Sai, really. Ok, why am I here?"

"I need some assistance with females, Ino."

Ino's smile widened, "Any particular girl?"

Sai's eyes danced from the girl in front of him, "Just in general," he waved his hand, "I can't find the right book, it seems."

Ino poked at the assorted books on the table, "What the hell are these?"

"Useless, according to the Hag and Naruto." Sai sighed, "But how else am I supposed to learn?"

Ino's face scrunched, "By doing? I guess, we could go out on a -," she paused, she didn't think it would be a date, "We could call it a training session."

"You'd train me how to be with a girl?"

"I have standards, Sai." Ino huffed, "You're cute enough, though, And you need help, who am I to turn away a fellow shinobi?"

"When and where?" Sai's dark eyes held her light colored orbs.

Ino shrugged, "Pick me up at my family's shop at five, ok? You can take me out for dinner, drinks, and dancing. That should cover the basics of girl training."

Sai smiled, this time it looked real, if still small, "I will be there. Thank you, Ino."

The purple clad kunoichi threw a wink over her shoulder, "Don't be late, that's rule number one!"

Sai showed up in front of Yamanaka Florists at exactly five. Pushing the door open with a jangle of it's bell, he saw Ino leaning half-heartedly against a counter adorned with a cash register and minutely organized seed packets. "You're not ready." Sai delivered his annoyed frown. After so long, you can tell a lot about Sai, just from watching his mouth. (Ino secretly loves to watch his lips, but don't tell anyone.)

The girl in question laughed, "That's rule two. You are early, but a girl is never early." With a smile at his confused look, she added, "Gives the wrong impression, Sai. Just let me close up, and we can go. She smartly twisted a key into the front of the register, locking it with a snap. She quickly swept the floor, and took her apron off, folding it onto the counter. "There! Ok, let's go." Sai opened the door, and Ino smiled, "You've done some research, Sai! You should always open doors for a lady. Don't go overboard with chivalry, we are tough kunoichi, for Kami's sake. We have our pride. That was rule three, Sai."

Sai nodded, "I read this book some time ago. Sakura won't let me open doors for her, truthfully, I am glad you didn't punch me and ask which of your arms was broken." Sai's disgruntled smirk made his eyes crinkle in a not totally unappealing way.

Ino laughed thinking of forehead being her usual manly self. Ino didn't experience any qualms with her boys opening doors. Billboard brow! "Well done, anyway, Sai, where are you taking me for dinner?"

Scratching the back of his head he asked, "Where do you want to go?"

"Nope, you messed up, Sai. Rule four: PLAN. It's ok, let's go to the Pouch."

"You want to go to a bar? To eat?"

Ino rolled her eyes, "Normally, I wouldn't go here on a date, but we want to dance, too, and I'm going to need a drink." considering her 'date', she finished, "Next time, ask your potential date what kind of foods she likes, or make reservations at a fancy restaurant before hand."

Sai nodded, his eyes closed, fixing the information in his memory. "Am I paying?"

Ino groaned, "Baka. Even training dates are your treat. Don't get stingy. Treat that like a rule, what's that make? Five?"

"Yes."

"Fine, let's go. They've got happy hour appetizers half off until five thirty."

They walked toward the Pouch, and again, Sai, swung the door open for the blonde.

"Rule six, Sai. Never order for your girl unless your date wants you to. Don't ask 'how will I know?' Believe me, you'll know, she'll say something like, 'Oh, Sai, what's good here?' or 'Order for me'."

"Right," Sai looked around at the bar. He'd been in here before, but he wasn't a drinker, "Ino, could you order something for me? I don't drink very often."

Ino's giggle was loud in the slowly filling bar, "Sure Sai, but don't ask a real date that, ok? It's weird." signaling to the bartender, Ino asked, "Sweet or sour?"

"Sweet or sour what?"

"What flavors do you like, Sai?"

"Oh, sour."

"Right," turning to the bartender Ino ordered two drinks, and the giant sampler plate. "Next, rule seven, light conversation, and light touches," Ino placed two fingers on his hand in a feather light caress, and asked, "So, what'd you do today?"

"Trained with my team. Met you, now this."

Ino struggled to get into the spirit, "That sounds nice," as she rubbed her thumb and forefinger against his shoulder, "And how about tomorrow?"

Shivering from the casual contact, "Ino?"

"Do what I did back to me, Sai."

So, Sai touched his fingers to hers, "Like that?"

"Perfect."

Sai smiled, and noted the drink by his elbow. Grabbing it, he gave it an exploratory sip, "It's good, thank you."

Ino sipped her tropical drink, "You're welcome. Ah! Food, let's eat this, and then, I'll teach you to dance."

Their date continued, Ino giving Sai advice, and Sai studiously drilling everything into his mind. They danced, and Sai was great for a beginner. Ino thought she'd like to go on a real date with the boy, but she more than suspected who all this was for, her rival in love, Sakura. It's ok, though, after everything, didn't forehead deserve a nice date? Besides, if the looks she'd been getting all night we any indicator, she was going to have Genma at her door tomorrow.

"I have to work at the Hospital tomorrow, Sai, is it ok if we cut it short? I think you've got the basics. The final rule is always walk her home, no matter what happened. Unless she kills you. Then you are excused." Grabbing his hand, she led him out of the bar.

"Hold hands?"

The question was sudden, and unexpected. She wouldn't mind holding hands, but Sakura on the other hand. She finally nodded, "If you have a good time, just try to catch her fingers." trying to think of all the boys who'd grabbed at her hand, she settled for a shy approach, "like this," extending her fingers towards his, she softly pushed the digits into his palm.

Sai's heart jumped. This was better than dancing. He couldn't wait to ask Hag on a date. They walked together, hands clasped in the gathering dark. They talked about inconsequentials, laughed and scuffed their feet in the dirt. Anyone watching wouldn't be blamed thinking they were on a first date. In many ways they would have been right. It didn't take long for the master and student to reach Ino's home.

"Thank you for the date, Sai."

"Thank you, Ino, I was happy to spend my pay on you tonight."

She laughed again, "Sai, just say, 'you're welcome, good night, Ino'."

Sai smiled, "You're welcome, Ino. Good night." He turned to go, but Ino caught him on the shoulder.

She hadn't wanted to do this, but she really had had a good time teaching Sai. She leaned forward, "Sai, there's one last thing to do at the end of dates, if everything goes well."

She lifted Sai's fingers to her face, and rested her hand on his cool cheek. Drawing him forward, Sai's answering movement brought their lips together in a soft touch, "Sweet dreams, Sai."

"Sweet dreams, Ino." Sai pulled his hand back, and turned for the last time, leaving her portico.

"Mmm. Sakura's in for a treat." It was the sweetest good night kiss she'd ever gotten, and for a moment, felt a pang of jealousy. Ahh, forget it, he's not meant for you.

AN// I had an incredibly hard time with this one. Is it SaiSaku? I think so.