Chapter Title: Coffee, T & Shogi

Word Count: 1423

A/N: Hey y'all. back again. It's like a sickness really.

As promised, here is the next installment.

Don't have much to say this time around. And Shika and Temi are doing laundry or something. Kami-sama knows. I'm still trying to flesh out the next chapter.

Anywho, thank you for your reviews. I love your feedback (whether good or bad) and would like to keep them coming. :)

So as per normal, R&R and enjoy!

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO

DJ,

So the meetings are slowly starting to wind down. All the t's have been crossed and the i's have been been dotted for the contracts we've been working on. I just have an idea that's been playing around in the head for some time now. I'm going to talk to Lady-sama about it tomorrow. I think it's a good one and if it gets approved, I can't wait to get started on it.

Shut up DJ. Extending my stay is not why I'm excited about it!

No, no, NO! Wrong. He's not the reason either!

You know DJ, that throwing-you-in-fire idea is sounding more & more appealing by the minute.

Hey. I'm just saying.

Moving on to other news, I've recieved a very spiffy invitation to a masquerade ball in about 3 weeks. Apparently, the Feudal Lord...I mean Mo' Money (or Momo for short) has heard of all the prospering new businesses being created by the re-establishment of the Sand-Leaf relationship. And he's decided to ring in the cash flow... excuse me... alliance with a bang.

Anything for a party.

I had hoped that a somewhat private casual dinner would have sufficed. But I supposed a Sand Ambassador's gotta do what a Sand Ambassador's gotta do.

I was talking to Momo's wife, Madam Bling, and she'll be the one in charge of organizing this monstrosity of an event. It looks like they've invited the who's who of the Fire Country.

"It's going to be THE event of the season, Dahling! It has to be absolutely FAABBULOUS!"

Madam Bling is quite a character. I'm sure it's nothing but one gala, after ball, after shopping spree after another. Don't get me wrong. She seems like a nice lady and all but that demon cat she always carries around with her looks like evil incarnate. But maybe that's just the way the cat's face is. -shrug-

During our talk, she said that my attendance was mandetory. I didn't have any problem with it until she told me that I would be the guest of honour and I might be called upon to make a speech. ...WTF?!? Oh HELL No! ...I mean, can't I just shake hands and kiss babies? She wouldn't hear word of my doubts. She assured me I'd be fine and then toddled off, demon cat in tow.

It's OK. There's no need to panic. yet. The party is a little while away. I still have time to convince Madam Bling otherwise.

Besides, I have to look for a costume. Public speaking aside, is it girly of me to look forward to the prospect of dressing up slightly more that the actual party itself?

-sigh- Yeah, I thought so.

Anyway, Stag said that all the Leaf Village Nin have been invited as well. Not just as guests, mind. You can't have the who's who the Fire Country congregated at one spot and not expect there to be proper security, now can you?

Stag told me as much when we met for our weekly Shogi match. I was so dismayed, I added too much sugar & not enough cream to my coffee before I sipped it.

"You'll be working that night?" Trying to keep the disgusted tone out of my voice, setting the coffee down. That was convenient because it hid disappointment well.

"Yeah. Well, I have to see to the Sand Ambassador that night. You wouldn't want me to disappoint a dignitary, would you?" His grin was a bit too knowing.

No, he isn't cute when he's trying to be slick. Although I was surprised, I covered it quickly.

"Oh, of course. We wouldn't want that."

"Yeah. I mean, we have to put our best foot forward, right?"

"Oh do you now?." I asked him coyly, smiling.

"Besides, I've still have a lot of plans for you...uh...her and I."

...

When he said that, I paused. All I could think of was:

... What?

me?

He has plans for 'her and I'?

He's been thinking about ....?

Him. And me. And plans.

Future plans.

on his mind. As much as I've been....?

He's been thinking about me and him together.

Plans. That means more than one.

How many are there?

So ...what kinda plans are they?

How many are there?

But being an Sand Ambassador, I am smooth like butter and quickly gathered my wits and said.

"I'm sure it'll be fine. Just be sure she has a smashing good time and I'm sure she'll be putty in your hands."

I had realized what I had implied when Stag's eyes widened & I felt my cheeks warm suddenly.

"I mean the Hokage's hands... I mean... just..."

See? Like silk. -rolling eyes-

Stag smirked and gave my words back to me by saying "Yeah. Just."

Then he finished setting up the Shogi board and said. "It's your move."

I was still a little flustered when he said this. Instead of confirming the smirk (I knew was) on his face, I kept my eyes on the board, thinking that the comment was referring to Shogi.

The whole time we were playing didn't have the same feel as the other times we've played each other. It was more about the conversation & trying not to feel the electricity any time his leg grazed mine when he stretched in his seat or when my fingertips skimmed over his when we both reached for the sugar at the same time.

Besides, I was more interested in going over my new idea with Stag before I presented it to Lady-sama. When we were walking back to the inn, I told Stag about it. He was impressed and said he like it a lot. I told him that I may need his input later on, if this project got approved. He assured me that it would and said with a sly grin:

"If you want me, all you have to do is ask."

Now DJ. This is Stag we're talking about here. Who knew he could be that suave? Had he actually learned something from that delectable squad leader of his? So being the smart-ass that I am, I shrugged and told him he was absolutely right and casually asked if Wings was available. I grinned back at him, cheekiness firmly in place.

He didn't say anything. He just stood there. And I think it's safe to say it DJ. He was not impressed.

My, my, my. Someone does love their pouty face when things don't go as planned. I was trying to keep my snickering to a minimum. But something inside me made me say:

"I'd rather spend time with you doing... other things." I finished off softly.

Yes DJ! Yes! I was blushing OK?! Geez. You don't have to be cocky about it.

Sometimes, I think you and Stag share the same brain because his expression changed to surprised smugness too.

So, in an effort to get some clarity (and not to change the subject), I remembered I wanted to ask him something. I didn't even realize it until I was about to open the door to my room. So I asked

"Hey. Who won the game tonight?"

He looked at me strangely for a moment then said "You did."

"Really?" Did I miss something? I coulda sworn his bishop took my...

"Yeah." He was smiling. "You had me by your first move. G'nite T." And he walked away.

For some reason, that made me blush even harder.

I rolled my eyes at his retreating figure. By the time I closed my door, however, I was smiling too because I knew wasn't talking about Shogi.

Goodnight DJ,

T