Goodness, you'd think a main character would be easy to write…wish me luck!
Disclaimer: Need I say it?
March 28
Sakura peered around the corner anxiously, breathing a relieved sigh when she saw the coast was clear. She darted across the street, casting wary glances over her shoulder.
"Aw, Sasuke, come on! It's really important!"
She cringed at the sound of that voice she knew all too well and barreled into the nearest shop, looking around for a place to hide.
"Hey, Sakura, what's the matter?"
Realizing where she was, Sakura groaned inwardly. Of all the places to hide, she just had to pick the Yamanaka flower shop. Ino was leaning on the counter and watching her curiously.
Before she could come up with a decent excuse, she heard the voice of the person she wanted to avoid most approaching.
"Ino, I need a place to hide, quick! No time for explanations!"
Ino blinked in surprise. "If you're really that desperate, I guess you can duck down behind the counter and—hey, watch the flowers, will you?" Sakura, without waiting for her to finish, frantically scrambled around the flowers and slid down behind the counter, just as someone came into the shop.
"Hi, Sasuke-kun!" Ino chirped. Sakura stiffened, resisting the urge to try and sneak a look at her teammate. "Is there anything in particular you're looking for?"
"I'm just waiting for the loser," he replied tonelessly.
Ino's smile dimmed. "Alright. So, what are you looking for, then?
"Well…what are good flowers for birthdays?"
Ino left Sakura alone behind the counter and went to help him choose. "A birthday, huh? Let's see…these over here are nice, and they're in bloom this time of year." Much to Sakura's relief, Ino wasn't in a mood to ruin her day, and went about her job as if nothing was amiss.
Once the flowers had been chosen and paid for, and the girls were alone in the shop again, Ino cracked up laughing. "So that's why you wanted to hide!" she exclaimed. "He found out it's your birthday, and you don't want to put up with him!"
Sakura stood up and glared angrily at her. "Like you'd want Naruto fawning over you on your birthday!"
Ino opened her mouth to retaliate when quiet footsteps made their way into the shop.
"Hey, Sakura, come with me."
Both girls' heads snapped toward the door where Sasuke was standing nonchalantly, the light from outside pooling around him. Inner Sakura pumped her fist in the air with a triumphant shout as Ino's eyes filled with jealousy.
"Of course, Sasuke-kun!"
"So you knew I was there?"
"I saw you run in. Naruto would have too, if he wasn't too busy bothering me."
Sakura chuckled quietly, taking a look around. After a few moments of walking in silence, she asked, "Why are we heading toward the training grounds?"
"Kakashi-sensei has something he wants to tell us about our mission tomorrow," Sasuke replied smoothly. "If we're lucky, Naruto will be late."
Just as they entered the training grounds, Sakura got the distinct feeling that she was being watched. But she shrugged it off, assuming it was nothing to worry about. If someone was watching them, surely Sasuke would have noticed.
"Hey, Sakura-chan!"
Naruto bounded over to them, grinning from ear to ear. "Come on, come on!" he urged excitedly, grabbing Sakura by the hand and pulling her toward a cluster of trees. Fury clear on her face, she lifted her fist to knock some sense into him, only to drop her arm and stumble in surprise as she saw what the trees had been concealing.
A red and white checkered blanket had been laid out on the ground, and spread over it were all the makings of a picnic. In the center lay a small bouquet of fresh daffodils, and Kakashi himself was sitting on the ground, looking as comfortable as he ever did, miraculously on time.
"Happy birthday, Sakura!"
I think that's pretty good for something that insisted on starting with Sakura sneaking around to avoid Naruto. Pardon the lack of any decent style…I'm running on three hours of sleep…Oh, and for those of you who like to know when the next birthday is up, there are none for April, so don't hold your breath. -grins-