Chapter 12: Unexpected

For the short time they had called a truce to their differences, the pair had become much friendlier towards each other.

"Hold still or I'll poke your eye."

"I can't wait for this month to be over with."

"Hey you agreed with my idea."

"I have my reasons."

"And what would those be?"

"I have a better view during my work."

"You really risked your reputation just to stare at me while I work."

"Believe me it's worth it."

"You know, we're friends, not lovers. Isn't that crossing the line a bit?"

"No because friends can tell each other when they look good or like trash."

"In that case then you should be aware that you look like complete shit in your all black getup."

"Not like you care."

"No, but I have to be seen with you."

"Stop using my words against me."

"Stop staring at my ass whenever I walk away I can feel you staring."

"I'm a guy I look at things that catch my attention."

"No, you're a pig that needs to get laid. I can feel your sexual frustration throughout this whole house."

"Yeah sure and I can feel your frustration when you're putting makeup on my face. I thought you weren't girly. How do you know how to do this stuff?"

"I'm a girl. There are some missions where men need a little persuasion."

"What do you mean?"

"It's nothing bad. It's just a glance then a wink and then a kunai to the heart. Nothing more."

"Oh." For some reason it relieved Kankuro. "So what are the plans for today? Isn't Sakura supposed to be here soon?"

"Please don't remind me Sakura told me yesterday it was going to be a day of just girl stuff." Chieko shuddered at the mere thought of having to get a make-over or going to some spa. She wasn't accustomed to the whole pampering treatment and she found it tedious and boring.

"I thought most girls liked that sort of stuff."

"Kankuro, I thought you'd learn by now that I'm not most girls."

"Yeah guess you're right. But you know, you're wearing shorts today."

Chieko sighed. "What a surprise. Any specific color?" She said sarcastically.

"Blue."

"I hate you."

"No you don't. If you did, you'd eave me here to put this disgusting glitter stuff on my face. How do girls wear this all the time?"

"Don't know. Ii barely use it. Done." Chieko said and Kankuro looked at himself in the mirror. He wanted to just kill himself right there. He had made plans with Kiba, Shikamaru, Naruto and Choji. Shikamaru spent half an hour laughing at him the first time he went to work like this. Kiba was going to have a blast.

"You know you should be the one wearing this stuff."

"No way. The bet said I had to wear what you said, nothing about hair and make-up."

Kankuro growled and walked towards Chieko's room. He opened the door and went directly for the closet. He had removed anything he deemed baggy, non-figure flattering, or pajama-like the day after their agreement. He'd also take the liberty to buy a few things he knew would drive her crazy. He smirked when he grabbed a tight black skirt that didn't reach her mid-thigh. He kept the smug look on his face and turned it to face Chieko, who had a scared and pleading look on her face.

"Kankuro. Please."

"It was your plan." He looked back to her closet and decided to show what little mercy he had and pulled out a pair of red leggings. He reverted back to his evil ways by taking out a white tank top and walk happily back to Chieko, handing her the items.

"Kankuro!" She pleaded.

"That's not gonna work on me." Kankuro walked out the door and closed it while Chieko changed out of her pj's. It didn't take long for her to change. She looked at herself in the mirror. If this was just day three of the death bet, She couldn't imagine the rest of the month. She sighed and got her glasses. She needed something to make her feel more secure. She left her hair alone and emerged from her room and was faced with a smirking Kankuro.

"I really don't know why you hide in all those baggy clothes. You look ho-"

"Don't say it!"

"What? Hot?"

"I told you not to say it!"

"I don't listen. Take off the glasses. You don't need them today."

Chieko growled. "I hate you."

Kankuro just smirked and walked towards the living room." Chieko went to sit on the couch when she stopped, now aware that any sort of movement would make the skirt ride up.

"I'm not that heartless. You're wearing leggings for a reason." Chieko opted out of sitting and just went towards the kitchen when a knock was heard. Chieko opened the door to see Sakura.

"Hey Chie- Wow. You look great."

"I'm really not comfortable in this."

"Well you look good none the less. Although it's a bit cold today. Shouldn't you wear a jacket?"

At this Chieko smiled evilly. She turned on her heels but was met with Kankuro holding in front of her a deep red cardigan. She looked up at Kankuro and glared at him before taking the light sweater and putting it on. She turned to Sakura and walked away with her.

'Yea. Because I'm totally gonna let her go out like that where guys can stare too much.' He turned around and saw the sliding door to the balcony opened. He looked to the direction of the couch and saw Shikamaru sitting on it.

"What a drag. You're so evil."

"Hey I do what I have to."

"Whatever, go wash your face so we can you."

Kankuro smirked. Shikamaru was a good person, always kept a brother safe. He walked to the sink and washed off the glitter powder on his face before leaving.

Chieko was not enjoying herself. When Ino meant girly day, she MEANT girly day. Three hours in and they were still in the same store shopping for Kimonos. Ino decided that they'd all try one their stuff one by one, helping each other pick out 'the perfect one.' Ino alone took an hour and a half. Sakura took another hour. They were half an hour in with Tenten.

"I don't know about the color though. Don't you think it's a like too brown?" Tenten asked.

"Hm, you might be right. Okay then this one is a no. Next!" Ino commanded.

Chieko sighed for the Kami knows how many timeth today. Hinata looked at her sympathetically. They had all decided that Chieko would be the last to try on anything.

"D-don't worry Chieko. They just want you to have fun."

"There's so many other things that are way more fun than shopping."

"M-maybe it's only because you're not used to going out w-with people. I can assure you that this day was planned with you in mind. We just w-want you to enjoy yourself a-a bit."

Chieko couldn't help but smile at Hinata. She had a very persuasive way with words.

"Okay. I'll try that Hinata."

After another dreaded hour, it was the time Chieko feared the most of that day: enter the changing stall. Ino and Sakura must have picked out more choices than they did for themselves, none of which Chieko liked because they were all bright colors that just blended with her skin tone. They were past half an hour.

"Let's try some darker options." Tenten suggested. They agreed and went back to the racks. Chieko sighed. All this clothes changing was exhausting.

'If only they'd just all decide on ONE!'

As if her prayers were heard, Hinata was the first to return with an indigo kimono in her arms along with pale yellow obi. She gave Chieko a smile and handed her the garment.

"Here. Put this on. I'll go get the others."

"Thanks Hinata."

She entered the stall and put on the garment. She realized that the dress had a dust pink flower design. The obi carried the same design but in a much darker shade of yellow that matched her eyes. She had to admit, Hinata had good taste.

'Ch-Cheiko? Are you done?" Hinata asked on the other side.

"Huh? Oh yeah just a sec." Chieko opened the door to show off the kimono to the rest of the group.

"Wow. You look amazing!" Ino said in awe. Sakura and Tenten nodded in agreement.

"And look." Hinata held up a delicate flower hair piece. She went over and put Chieko's hair in a makeshift top bun to the side and put the hairpiece in front of it. "I-It matches perfectly."

"Wow Hinata you have a keen eye for these things." Exclaimed Sakura.

"Th-thank you. I'm always looking through s-stuff like this because of a-all the parties at home."

"No kidding. It's no wonder you didn't take so long choosing your outfit." Tenten added.

"O-oh no that was just for the f-fun of things. I–I already have my outfit picked out."

"What?! No way! That kimono was PERFECT on you! You can't leave it here! Just think of how Naruto would LOVE to see you in it!" Ino said frantically.

"I-Ino!"

"What it's true!"

"Maybe you should get it Hinata. You looked really happy in it. I don't see a reason to leave it here if you liked it so much." Chieko blurted out. Everyone turned to face her.

"Wow. That's the most I've heard her say at once." Said Tenten. Hinata looked at her and smiled, agreeing with her friends and taking it.

"Okay! So now that we've finished here, it's time to eat. I'm starving!" Tenten yelled.

"We have been here for almost 5 hours." Chieko said mostly to herself.

"Alright then everyone let's go show Chieko a good time!" Ino exclaimed, grabbing Chieko's hand and dragging her out of the store so she wouldn't even think of paying for the garment, which Hinata was currently paying for.

"Ino I can pay for it."

"Think of it as a gift from us."

"But Ino-"

"NO BUTS! TODAY IS A DAY OF FUN AND YOU WILL ACCEPT THE SPECIAL TREATMENT THOUGHTOUT THE DURATION OF THE DAY!"

Chieko gulped. "Yes Ino."

On the other side of the village, Kankuro with his posse were eating lunch. Currently, Choji and Naruto were having an eating contest.

"So wait the rumor about most sand girls fearing thunder is true then?" Shikamaru asked.

"Oh yeah it is. We don't get much rain on the village but when we do it starts pouring and thundering and it's just one bid storm. Took Temari a while to get over it."

"So how'd Chieko deal with the past days of rain? We're in the rainy season now so it's common for it to rain this much." Kiba stated.

"Not that great. Aside from the Sand girl fact, she doesn't have very fond memories of the thunder, which adds on to it."

"Really? So what'd you do? Snuggle up in bed all cozy with her wrapped in your arms and your head resting atop hers?" Kiba asked dramatically, putting the back of his hand on his forehead to add on to the drama.

'Yes.' "No. I just did what I do with Temari."

"What? Tell her to suck it up and she's not gonna die?" Shikamaru inquired.

'No.' "Not in those words but-"

"Wait you actually told her that?! Oh man you're mean." Naruto said, giving up on competing against Choji with food.

"No I didn't say it like that!"

"Then how?" Choji asked. All eyes were on Kankuro now.

'Damn I can't tell them anything. If Chieko finds out I opened my mouth she'll kill me. She may hold everything in but I'm sure this'll set her off enough to kill me and make it look like an accident.

"I just, you know…"

"WAIT YOU TWO KISSED?!" Naruto asked. Kankuro's face became red.

"A-As if I'd even dream of that Uzumaki."

"Then why's your face red?" Kiba inquired further.

Shikamaru smirked to himself. Choji looked over to his best friend. "It looks like Kankuro's hiding something."

"Of course he is."

Kiba and Naruto kept drilling him with questions until he finally gave in.

"Okay okay I give we kissed." Kankuro said banging his head on the table. The four looked at him wide eyed. Even Shikamaru didn't expect that.

"WHAAAAAAAAAT?!" They exclaimed in unison.

"When?"

"Where?"

"How?"

"Why?"

"After the barbecue dinner. My room. Don't worry about it. It just happened."

"No things like that don't 'just happen.' There's a reason for it and you know it." Shikamaru accused.

"Yeah, even if you were drunk you kiss someone for a reason!" Naruto yelled.

"Dude, kissing someone is like a binding contract of passion! Or at least that's what Hinata always tells me and Shino."

"Do you like her?" Choji went straight to the point.

"No. Absolutely not. There's just no way I could."

"And why not?" Naruto asked.

"She's so weird and anti-social."

"Your sister's a demon and I still like her." Shikamaru said.

"That's different you like being whipped."

"It's better than dealing with all the nagging."

"I'm not you kid. I don't roll that way."

"Yeah, you like the quiet ones that have a good body and snap when their buttons are pressed enough times." Choji said out of the blue. Everyone looked at Choji for a moment before returning to attention of Kankuro.

"So just how did it happen?" They asked. Kankuro sighed and decided to just tell them the rated G version, meaning he said almost nothing.

Chieko got back to the apartment a little after dinner, though not having had any thanks to Ino's constant want to shop. "Kankuro? You here?"

Nothing. "Hm, must still be out." Chieko went to her room to remove her cardigan and hang her festival wear so it wouldn't wrinkle. She sighed looking at it.

"Why did I even agree to this?" She said to herself. 'Last time I checked, I wasn't the person to 'hang with friends.' What's going on with me? Do I want to live like this? I never care for this stuff before. I mean I guess it's nice, it's just…different.'

Chieko didn't want to think about anything. She took out her backpack from the closet, remembering the stereo on the living room, and took out a few CDs. She went to put them on the stereo and went to the Kitchen make something.

Kankuro was 'escorted' by his 'buddies,' who had interrogated him to no end, to the apartment. They got to his floor and heard what sounded like a punk rock song coming from his apartment.

"I didn't know she was into that kind of music." Choji said.

"I don't think any of us expected it." Shikamaru added. Kankuro sighed and went to open the door.

"I'm warning you guys now, she's prone to kicking people out of her place."

"Why?" Kiba and Naruto asked. Shikamaru just smirked, remembering his incident.

"She's a pretty shy person." Shikamaru answered.

The boys looked at each other as Kankuro unlocked the door.

"Chieko. I'm back."

She didn't respond, and the music was really loud.

"Kankuro, turn the music off. No wonder she can't hear you." Choji exclaimed.

He nodded and went to the living room and paused the CD.

"Hey! Kankuro what gives?!" Her voice was heard in the kitchen.

"We have guest."

Chieko's face became surprised as she looked around the room and saw the rest of the boys. Her face turned red as she looked towards Kankuro with a pleading look. He just smirked at her.

"No, you can't go change."

"You're evi- Actually, fuck you."

Kankuro was taken aback. "Excuse me?"

"Shikamaru, you were the one who came for Kankuro in the morning correct?"

"Yeah, why?"

"I'm an expert in jutsu that can take me back in time if I place my hand on your forehead, I'll know the truth if you're lying Shikamaru."

Chieko was pissed. Trying to lie out of this was NOT going to end well.

"What's this about Chieko?" Kankuro asked concerned.

Chieko walked up to Kankuro and poked an accusing finger at his chest.

"You. You no good evil lying puppet!"

"What?"

"You washed off the make up before you left the apartment! And made me walk out in this… this… THIS!" She couldn't find another word for what she was wearing.

Kankuro and Shikamaru began to get worried.

'OH SHIT!' They thought.

"Chieko, listen to me, please."

"I will NOT listen to you you traitor!" She looked up at him, trying to look menacing.

Kankuro rubbed the back of his head and turned his head.

"Look at me when I talk you pompous brat."

"Chieko. I can't take you seriously when I look down at you and I'm able to get a good view at your cleavage."

Chieko became shocked and self-conscious. She stepped back and turned on her heels to her room. "I'm changing!" She walked in her room and slammed the door shut, causing the guys to shut their eyes. No one spoke for a moment.

"Dude, you're whipped. You better do something to change that attitude, this may be the last time we see you alive if you don't" Choji said, scared for his own life.

Kankuro looked at her door and back at the guys.

"You're all helping me."

"What?!" They yelled in unison.

"Yeah. Come on. I'm sure you guys aren't unfamiliar to a kitchen."

Kankuro looked back at Chieko's door and smirked. With the stereo remote in his hands, he aimed it behind him and pressed the volume button down before pressing play.

"Yeah he's totally in denial." Choji concluded. The rest of the guys agreed.