Chapter 10: Foolishness
Early AN: Sorry it took me this long to update but I had my reasons which I'll explain at the end of the chapter, please read it as I feel I owe a little explanation; Enjoy.
The three girls got tired of waiting for Naruto as the day was ending and they still needed to join a club.
Ino thought of actually joining the gardening club but she didn't see much use in it, after she all wouldn't be able to grow the plants back on the human world as they would be a serious concern for public safety. She had tried to use Naruto's liking of flowers in her favor by sharing a common interest and perhaps lure him into one of those scenarios where they get "dirty" while gardening.
Hinata dropped the idea of joining the Demon Tea Club or any other aesthetics related club as she had already been raised in a very traditional and strict family. The only reason she wanted to join was to demonstrate her womanly skills to Naruto and perhaps show him the difference between her and her less refined competition.
Finally Sakura resigned herself as she had actually made tryouts for the Extreme Karate Club but was ultimately disappointed as the current members of the club weren't even tough enough to sustain her blows or match her speed. These were just bulking idiots who used their massive physique and regular strength to pretend they actually had any skill; her sisters were much more formidable and scarier than any of these losers. Or so she thought…
Sakura also wanted to be with Naruto but she remembered how Naruto had avoided joining her or the girls to joining his own club. Taking that into consideration she decided that looking for her own club was the best way of imitating Naruto and be in tune with him.
And so the three girls walked the stalls for the umpteenth time as most of them had already filled their quota and just waited for the end of the day to pack up things and call it a day.
By this time as the sun disappeared over the horizon the girls were growing nervous as they haven't found a decent club to get into and heavens now what Headmaster Tsunade would say about it or in which club she would fit them forcefully.
As they were about to begin a new round of search Sakura thought she heard a soft whimper coming from behind some tall plants. She moved closed as some students finished removing their stand and noticed a humble and very small stand that had in simple letters above "Writing Club" and a sad looking Shizune seating in it.
Sakura moved close as Ino and Hinata followed clearly interested with her discovery; getting in front they saw Shizune seating looking down with her cat ears pointing downwards and her tail coiled around one of her chair's legs.
"Hello there Miss Shizune; how are you?" softly asked Sakura.
Startled Shizune almost fell backwards but Hinata froze her chair's legs as to prevent it from falling down.
"A-A-Ah, girls! How can I help you? Do you have any doubts about your classes?" said an unconvincingly cheerful Shizune as she placed her hands over the empty registration sheets.
Seeing this Sakura took pity and said "What's your club about Miss Shizune?"
Shizune blinked surprised a couple of times and not sure of what she heard she said "Oh this? This is just a small project of mine! Nothing important I assure you!"
Smiling Sakura slammed a bit hard her palm on the desk making Shizune yelp and give three pamphlets of her club. Such pamphlets were old and worn as if printed a long time ago, in them there was an invitation to improve and develop one's writing skills through essays, short stories and as a final project a complete novel.
The nervous Shizune saw with a certain amount of fear how the three girls read the pamphlets from one side to the other and sighed sadly as the three girls placed back the pamphlets back on the table.
"Thanks for coming by, I hope you find the club you are looking for" said a dejected Shizune as she too prepared to dismantle her stand.
"Talk to us about your club; what exactly is the point of doing this?" kindly asked Sakura as Ino and Hinata wondered what she was getting to.
Feeling very confused as her fluttering ears indicated Shizune began "Well as the pamphlets say, my intention is to help you kids improve your writing skills through constant practice, but beyond that is to help you appreciate one of culture's most important and iconic expressions!"
Feeling a bit more confident she continued a bit more shyly "And also because through writing, one can express what speech cannot in the heat of the moment. Every word is carefully thought off and placed with a purpose, crafting great stories and conveying your every wish and hope to the reader; but most importantly is about leaving a bit of yourself in them and reaching out to many generations coming after you so they can learn of you and the world you lived in"
"And why do you write Miss Shizune?" asked Sakura with the same kindness as before.
"Me? Well, mmm, I write because it's the only way I can reach out to the world. You see girls, here in school I don't have much trouble but can you imagine how would I do in the human world with my poor control over my transformation? Monsters who can't control their instincts or their bodies are forbidden from leaving the Shadow Realms and wander into the human world, so I accepted a job here as to remain safe and close to the academy I love so much without having to march to the other Shadow Realms; writing is my only way of reaching out to the world and leave my mark on it" said an embarrassed Shizune.
Taking Shizune's hands into his own Sakura said "Then sign us up; it sounds fun to be able to do that"
Ino and Hinata looked at Sakura with a bit of surprise over her decision, particularly since she decided what club they should join into.
Tearing up Shizune stammered "A-A-Are you sure? This isn't a joke right?"
"Of course not! We may not be very good at it, but I trust you will help us" replied Sakura.
At this Shizune pounced into Sakura's arms who managed to avoid falling down as her teacher rubbed her face against hers as she purred happily.
As the girls signed their entry forms a happy Shizune gave them some worn books she said contained the basics about structure and grammar they should know when writing their own material. She also informed them about where they would be gathering and on which days.
As the girls took their leave Ino and Hinata blocked Sakura's way and confronted her in unison "Just who named you our leader? You just can't decide which club we should join without consulting us; besides joining out of pity is a bit contra productive towards your real likes"
Sakura smiled back and said "Well it's always fun to start new things, especially those in which you have no real skill; besides what's the fun in doing something you are already good at?"
The two girls were taken aback by Sakura's really smart answer as they expected it to be one of her random actions. Thinking it through it actually made a lot of sense to delve into something you have no skill in order to make it and maybe discover that you are really good at it.
Ino was the first to admit "Well, you are right about that; still you should have consulted us first, what if Hinata turns out to be a boring writer? Who do we blame then?"
Hinata got irked by Ino's comment and replied "Or what if Ino turns out to only write erotic material, we may be shut down out of moral concern"
Sakura laughed a bit at their exchange and added "How about we wait until Miss Shizune tells us what we are supposed to write?"
The other girls sighed and decided to follow Sakura as she headed back to the dorms and perhaps find Naruto on the way to have her fill for the night, for some reason she started to feel somewhat hungry.
Hinata then asked "But you never told us why you wanted to enter Miss Shizune's club, Sakura. What drove you pick it? Don't tell me it was out of the moment"
"Well I thought that Naruto would have helped her out, even if he had no talent in writing; so I thought of doing the same" answered Sakura with a look in her eyes that caught Ino and Hinata by surprise making them stop as Sakura resumed her way.
Looking down Hinata said with a embarrassed tone "How shameful, in my selfishness for being with Naruto I forgot the rest of the world around me; I have no other choice but to atone"
Ino instead was frozen as if something had scared her deeply making Hinata drop her rivalry and ask concerned "Are you alright Ino? Is something wrong?"
Ino got out from that state and replied a quick "Y-Y-Yes, I am alright! Guess Sakura really got us this time huh?"
After this she began walking quickly after Sakura in hopes of seeing Naruto as well, for at this moment she was genuinely concerned and needed some reassurance; as Sakura's eyes at that moment when she spoke of Naruto looked exactly like her mother's when she spoke of her Destined One…
xoxoxoxo xoxoxoxo xoxoxoxo xoxoxoxo xoxoxoxo xoxoxoxo xoxoxoxo xoxoxoxo xoxoxoxo
Naruto and Sasuke had finished their inscription to Itachi's club and given a small pamphlet with the basic instructions of a Host club and its rules. Basically they would serve the girls to the best of their capacity and that implied manners, education and a ton of patience.
Naruto thought he could pull through rather well but he was worried about his club because of Sasuke; the brooding noble may no longer be a threat to anyone but his behavior and large as an ocean Pride would be a problem for a Host Club.
Both youngsters walked side by side as they returned to the dorms without speaking a word to each other; Naruto out of having a lot to think about as he subconsciously tried to invoke the power that surge during class and Sasuke, well out of knowing that Naruto was part from his fall to commonness.
Seeing that he was going nowhere trying to summon that awesome power Naruto decided to break the uncomfortable silence between him and the proud Vampire.
"Say do you think we will be fine in the Host Club? Your brother seemed rather enthusiastic about it" said Naruto with the friendliest smile he could bare for Sasuke.
Sasuke turned to look at Naruto with smoldering eyes but remembering his brother's words from the previous days he sighed and said "Don't know, the school is full of freaks and weird people, not to mention that I am still to figure what my brother want; a word of advice Naruto, always take in mind that my brother never does anything at random"
"What do you mean?" asked Naruto not believing Sasuke as Itachi has proven so far to be a friendly enough Vampire, as weird as it sounds.
"That not even those things he apparently does at random aren't without purpose; Him coming to this school, removing my status, even forming that club; There must be an ulterior motivation to do all that" replied a wise looking Sasuke as he tried to figure out Itachi's actions.
"So following your reasoning, Itachi made you kiss me on purpose then? I don't think that was premeditated!" said Naruto as he tried to find the purpose beyond having a good laugh at Sasuke's expense.
Sasuke went red and barked back "That I am willing to admit was quite random even to him! And don't ever repeat that to me!"
"Roger that!" replied Naruto a bit more content of seeing Sasuke's more "normal" behavior. Apparently Sasuke has grown concerned over Itachi's actions involving him.
Just as they reached the still unnamed statue Naruto was quickly embraced by Ino who appeared from nowhere, but this time it was different from other days as Ino wasn't suffocating him with her generous breasts.
This time she was holding to him, embracing him tightly snuggling her head on his chest. Naruto was rather surprised by this behavior and after allowing Ino to hug him a bit further he placed his hands on her shoulders and pulling her off to see her at the eye he asked "Everything alright? Something wrong happened?"
Tearing up a bit Ino smiled sweetly taking Naruto a bit by surprise "No, nothing is wrong, I am just glad to see you…"
Not long after, Sakura and Hinata arrived to the scene where Ino was still holding to Naruto as he smiled awkwardly at the other two.
Sakura smiled back to Naruto and quickly made a small bow to Sasuke as she also gave him a friendly smile. Hinata on her side pretended she didn't saw the raven haired Vampire and went to pry away Ino from Naruto.
Ino resisted and when Hinata made an extra effort they pulled away Naruto's back pack which opened spilling every letter the girls from his special class gave to him. The one opened letter he had read before landed in Sakura's hands.
"So many letters! Who gave them to you?" asked a somewhat suspicious Hinata as she tried to pick one up but to her surprise they were enchanted and thus they wouldn't open to anyone who wasn't Naruto.
But the letter he had already opened was being read at that moment by Sakura, making Naruto incredibly nervous and Sasuke curious about why was Naruto going pale if Sakura wasn't sucking his blood.
Sakura finished reading the letter and folding it back neatly she gave it back to Naruto and with a wave she went back to the girls' dorms. At this Naruto almost cried out as he thought that his reputation before Sakura was crushed.
"What's wrong?" tenderly asked Ino as she was worried over Naruto's sudden change in humor.
"Witches…" replied Naruto with a defeated look.
xoxoxoxo xoxoxoxo xoxoxoxo xoxoxoxo xoxoxoxo xoxoxoxo xoxoxoxo xoxoxoxo xoxoxoxo
"Wow I never expected them to be so bold; but the idea of paying for a child just because he or she might become a great wizard, scandalous!" said Hinata as she sipped her tea on a table with Ino and Naruto.
"Like if that is any worse than what you almost did with Naruto!" replied Ino as she sat very close to Naruto who in turn had already grown accustomed to her proximity.
"I just didn't want his children! I also wanted him, which already makes me better than those spell casters" said a dignified Hinata as Naruto and Ino had trouble discerning Hinata's moral perspective.
"Still that doesn't solve my problem with Sakura, I couldn't get to explain her and now she thinks the worst of me…" said a crestfallen Naruto as he grabbed his head while staring at the table.
Ino wanted to comfort and counsel Naruto but a very selfish desire of hers tied her tongue making her twist inside with anguish over not being able to support her Destined One in a time of need. Now was the only time of her life when she cursed her nature and wished she could steel her heart in a moment like this.
"Then how about we save the day?" a voice boomed from behind them making Ino jump into Naruto's arms and Hinata spill her tea.
From nowhere in a flash Ten-Ten appeared making a bow as if her entrance was worth the applause. She then strode confidently and sat on the table crossing her legs in front of a still surprised Naruto.
Ten-Ten on her side took the chance to check out both Hinata and Ino who like Naruto, were also staring at her with a certain degree of surprise.
"You want to explain the requisition letters to your long fanged friend without getting crush to a pulp right? Then all you need is the charm of a witch!" said Ten-Ten with playful eyes.
Naruto blinked once more before a large frown appeared on his face, and getting up he placed his face very close to Ten-Ten's making the young witch smile nervously seeing that her entrance didn't had the desired impact.
"You witches caused all this, how can you help without actually making it worse?" said an irate Naruto.
"That's right! You bunch of harlots, how can you offer reward in exchange for a child? The tales about witches are actually more accurate than about any other monster, apparently!" complimented Hinata.
Ino in turn remained silent as Naruto and Hinata lashed out at the now backing witch.
"Just give me a moment! I promise I can right this" said Ten-Ten raising her hands in defense.
"Really? How?" asked a still angry Naruto.
"Well how about a gift? You know some jewelry or chocolates!" hurriedly said Ten-Ten not really convincing Naruto.
"Or how about I make a forgetting potion? She drinks it and she forgets about ever reading that letter, you would only need to keep the witches desires unknown to her!" said Ten-Ten.
Hinata got into a thinking state as if she considered it a good idea as Ten-Ten nodded eagerly seeing Neji's cousin approval.
Naruto was left a bit confused over the proposition and not knowing if that was actually a good idea; After all true friends don't drug each other!
As Hinata and Ten-Ten shared ideas already lost in the rather entertaining exchange Ino pulled Naruto away and forced him to walk with her.
"Where are we going?" asked Naruto to an angry looking Ino.
"We will clear this right now, or else you won't be at ease any time soon" said Ino in a clearly annoyed tone but resolute to see this to the end.
"Ah, thanks?" said a confused Naruto not exactly sure of Ino's current mood.
"Don't mention it!" barked back Ino making Naruto cringe a bit.
Later by the road to the girls' dorm…
Ino had left Naruto to go search for Sakura inside the dorm, she had left in a hurry as she sprouted her wings and took flight with all her demonic speed.
On the meantime Naruto wondered about Ino's sudden change in her behavior, ever since meeting back with them after the club meeting she has been much more "loving" instead of being more confident, loud and let's admit it, sexier.
"Wonder what happened while I was gone…" said Naruto out loud as he waited patiently for Ino's return.
Just as he paced around thinking about the days' events he heard a girlish scream.
"Ahhhh! Let me go! This is dangerous!" he heard scream a familiar voice.
He located the sound coming from above and his eyes almost popped out of their sockets as Sakura was struggling with the winged Ino who apparently kidnapped her from her dorm and carried her all the way to this place.
Sakura finally managed to break free only to realize how high she really was and screaming she plummeted to the ground where a frantic Naruto was flailing his arms in panic over the situation.
Naruto on his side decided that even if it breaks a couple of bones he would catch Sakura; even a Vampire wouldn't go unscathed from a fall like that.
He planted his feet firmly and focused on Sakura's falling form, just as he saw her approaching quickly he extended his arms and from them a couple of golden energy arms sprouted effectively catching Sakura without trouble and bringing her to the ground gently.
As soon as Sakura's feet touched the ground the arms faded leaving an extremely surprised Naruto blinking as he stared at his own arms and shaking them a little to see if they could do the same again; Sakura was just as surprised as she walked towards the confused Naruto.
The moment Sakura stood in front of the surprised Naruto; he jumped a bit backwards and immediately bowed deeply while saying "I am so sorry Sakura! I swear I can explain!"
Sakura laughed lightly and replied "Ino explained me a bit right before she plucked me away from my room; I am sorry too for acting like that, I guess I was just a bit disappointed in you"
Naruto rose his face and was met with an smiling Sakura who approached her, but soon his face went bright red as he noticed that she was in her pajamas which consisted of tight fitting shorts and an also a tight fitting camisole.
Naruto turned his head as to avoid seeing Sakura in her undergarments but she approached him apparently unaware of her own clothing.
"Well?" said Sakura as she stood in front of him.
Gulping down and still averting his gaze from her, he began "Well you see, apparently witches have a lifelong mission of acquiring new members for their organizations. And one of their goals is to breed with males with potential as to create a future generation of witches and wizards; by any means necessary apparently as they are willing to pay the male for his "generous" contribution to their cause!"
"They just plunged all those letters on me and I thought it would be rude to downright refuse them at the moment; then I read one and was outraged by their intent, but I tried to understand since it must be hard for them to keep their traditions alive and well, I…just wasn't thinking right. Tomorrow I'll tell them to do not offer me anything else and that I am not interested!" said Naruto with conviction as he started to sweat while avoiding to look at the scarcely dressed Sakura.
"But then you wouldn't be yourself Naruto. It's in you to help even beyond the scope of your ability or common sense and that's your greatest trait I think. We still have plenty of time ahead, we will think of how to make everyone happy" replied Sakura trying to look into Naruto's eyes which remained shyly apart from hers.
"So you aren't mad with me?" said a hopeful Naruto.
"Well, no but if you truly want to apologize…" said Sakura as she walked to a side of Naruto and began to approach her face to his exposed neck.
"I do; ack!" said Naruto as Sakura held on to him and began drinking his blood with a sweet smile on her face.
Naruto also smiled a bit and placed his hands around Sakura's shoulder enjoying the fact that his first friend forgave him.
"I must thank Ino properly later" though a happy Naruto.
Not far from there lost in the darkness of the sky a sad smiling Ino kept flight above them as she sighed "Mom, was right sometimes loving hurts…"
AN: Done once more!
Hello, long time no see right?
Well the reason for this late update was because the past few weeks have been really bad for me; In short, my brother got robbed in Brazil, my cat passed away over sickness and I got sick afterwards.
So I have been in the slums for pretty much three weeks in a row and just this weekend I got to go to wedding of some cousin I don't even now in a town six hundred miles away from where I live.
This chapter was mostly for transition purposes so life in school can start anew and finally get down to more teachers, characters, wackiness and of course more romantic development.
I welcome ideas for the wackiness part so let your imagination run wild my friends.
I promise to get my head straight and get back on track soon.
Read, Enjoy and Review!