J: WOOT! PARTY! We got over a 100 reviews! Everyone do the happy dance! "Happy dancing already."
K: "Does little happy dance"
T:"Dancing with Jenna"
J: Since it's such an awesome achievement I decided that the three of us should do the disclaimer. Any problems there?
T,K: Nope.
J: Good. OK. On the count of three. 1...2...3.
J,K,T: WE DON'T OWN ANY OF THE NARUTO CHARACTERS MENTIONED, WE ONLY OWN OURSELVES!
Chapter Twenty Eight - A New Year Brings New A Few New Schemes
(J: Alright, since I'm making holiday chapters New Years counts as well. This one shouldn't be too long since there's no party. K: Aww, but parties are fun. T: Unless you have to drag your drunk friend home at 10:30 at night. K: That was ONCE! T: Once is enough for me thanks.)
'Brring' 'Brring' Went Jenna's hamburger phone at 9:30 in the morning. Cursing at the idiot brave enough to call so early Jenna picked up the sandwich and flipped it open. Putting it to her ear she grumbled," Hello person who might be killed for calling."
"Hey Jenna. It't Takisha. Just wanted to call and tell you to be ready to see a movie at 11. Okay? Good. See you then." 'Click.'
Clamping the phone shut Jenna muttered, "She is SO dead at 11."
- At Kenzie's House -
'I am a super star, with a big big house. And a big big car. I am a super star and I don't care who you are.' Rang Kenzie's cell phone over and over again. Eyes closed Kenzie clumsily let her hand roam, feeling the tiny annoyance in her hand she cracked open an eye and checked the caller ID 'Takisha. P' "Ugh...Hello?"
"Good morning. Just wanted to tell you, yes tell, not ask, that you, Jenna and I will be seeing a movie at noon. So be ready for 11, okay? Good, bye." 'Click' 'Takisha needs to stop drinking coffee in the morning.' Kenzie thought before passing back out. Kenzie was anything but a morning person.
- At Takisha's House -
"One last phone call...Morning Temari, is Kankuro awake?"
"Nooot yet. Why?" Temari yawned on the other end, the phone had woken her up.
"I need to tell him something important, I'll tell you too if you'd like?" Takisha took another sip of her coffee; coffee was her best friend in the morning.
"Mm, hold on. I'll kick his ass out of bed." Takisha heard Temari put the phone down, followed by the pleasent sound of a bed being flipped over in the background.
Much groaning and complaining later Kankuro's sleepy voice said on the phone," This had better be good, or I'll shave your boyfriend's eyebrows off."
"Oh it's good alright. I've just invited Kenzie and Jenna to come to the movies with Lee and I. But, they don't know that you and Gaara are coming too. Get what I'm saying?" If there was one thing Takisha was an expert at, it was setting people up on surprise dates. Whether they want to or not.
Kankuro gave a satisfied snort and said," That is a good reason to wake me up. Alright, what time is the movie at? I'll make sure Gaara comes, one way or another."
Takisha supplied the time and location. She then repeated her plan to Temari who reclaimed the phone since she was wide awake. Agreeing to Takisha's plan she promised to help Kankuro get Gaara to go. Hanging up the phone Takisha sighed contently and reclined back in her computer chair. Being a good friend was alot of work, but it was very productive work. Now all that was left was picking out the right outfit for the triple date.
- An Hour and a Half Later -
'Knock' 'Knock' Takisha hurried over to the door, opening it to reveal a very tired Kenzie and an unpleased Jenna. Big smile on her face Takisha chirped," Good to see you came. Now we just have to wait for Lee to get here, and while we wait I can do your make up!"
Dark and suspicious glares came on to Jenna and Kenzie's faces. Looming over Takisha, Kenzie asked," Why would we need to wear make up to see a movie? Hmm?"
"And since when was Lee invited? Takisha you didn't set us up for something, did you?" Jenna asked getting nearly nose to nose with Takisha.
Takisha sweat dropped, laughed nervously and meekly replied," I'd never set you guys up for something. And make up is never a bad thing to have on in public. Please? Just this once?" To conquer Jenna she threw in the puppy dog eyes and quivering lip, she knew it worked when Jenna slouched forward and sighed.
Kenzie had a simple weakness as well," I'm paying for your tickers, so you owe me this much at least." Takisha said wisely, Kenzie sent her one last dagger glare then went and bunkered down on the couch.
Beaming in victory Takisha rushed off to get her make up, today was turning into a very good one.
- A Few Minutes Later -
"Annd...All done! What do you think?" Takisha asked holding up a hand mirror for Kenzie to look in. Kenzie to admit, Takisha did an alright job. She'd given Kenzie a coating of see through lip gloss, a touch of sparkly silver eyeshadow with a strong under line of black eye liner.
"I like it." Jenna piped in, her own make up was nicely done as well. She'd gotten a very light pink lip gloss, some cover up, thick eye liner on the bottom of her eyes and gold eyeshadow. Takisha had even gone to the lengths of straightning her hair since it was usually bushy and poofy. Kenzie had gotten a brush down and a smidge of gel to flare out her hair.
Takisha had done her own hair and make up earlier before the other two showed up. Her purple and newly pink streaked hair was brushed, straightened and held in place with a head band. Her make up consisted of a simple red lip gloss coating, cover up, eyeliner and black eyeshadow. 'BEEP!' 'BEEP!' Went an unfamiliar car horn outside. Clapping her hands together Takisha cheered," That'll be Lee, I wonder what kind of car he's come...in? Huh?" That last 'Huh' was actually chorused by the other two as well.
Lee was sitting in the driver's seat of a dark green jeep. Going up to the vehicle Takisha asked," Lee sweetie, isn't it illegal for a 15 year old to drive? You need to be 16 to get a driver's license."
Lee was momentarily confused until it sank in what Takisha was saying. Smiling cutely at Takisha he explained," I thought you knew that I am 18 years old Cherry Blossom. I am sorry I did not tell you before."
"WHAT?!" Screamed the three girls. All this time they had thought the Naruto characters were in the same age frame as they were in Shippuden.
Nodding Lee continued," When we all passed through the dimensional gate the youngest aged by another year or two. In my case it was three. But the older shinobi, such as Gai-sensei and lady Tsunade stayed the same age. We have yet to figure out why that is." Looking back at Jenna, Kenzie and Takisha he was unsurprised their gaping astounded faces. Him and the others couldn't believe it themselves when they'd first arrived and felt older beyond their years.
Shaking her head to clear it Takisha proclaimed," We'll talk more about this later, if we don't get going we'll be late for the movie."
Getting in and buckling up Kenzie remembered something she should have asked earlier," Just what movie are we going to see?"
"That's my surprise for you, and you're going to watch it no matter what." That last part was directed straight at Jenna, who between the three of them, was very picky about particular movies. (J: Because I get nightmares VERY easily! T: Because you take everything too seriously. K: You should have seen her when I made her watch Disturbia. J: Shut up.)
The drive from Port Lambton to Sarnia's Famous Players Theatre was pretty uneventful, except for when a particular song came on the radio and the girls started to sing to it. Sometimes Lee and Takisha would recite their lines for the play, which would hold Jenna and Kenzie's interest for maybe a second or two.
When they finally reached the theatre and went to the front doors Jenna asked/whined/demanded," Takishaa. Can you tell us what movie we're seeing now?"
"No." She chirped in reply, making Jenna groan in frustration.
"But I can." Kankuro said while at the same time grabbing Kenzie from behind and hugging her petrified body.
It wasn't until Gaara appeared beside Kankuro that Kenzie and Jenna clued into what was going. Death glaring at Takisha (who was casually hiding behind Lee) Jenna asked Kankuro," So what movie are we seeing then?"
"The Ring 4 I think it was called." Kankuro replied, trying to remember what movie he'd been recommended by the ticket clerk. Gaara standing next to Kankuro still was thinking darkly, ' I knew it was too out of the ordinary for both Temari and Kankuro to suggest brother bonding time at the movies. From how I see it, Takisha set all this up this morning. I should keep a better eye on her.'
Gaara and anyone else who was thinking anything in a metre radius was brought back to reality by Jenna screaming," NO! NO! NO! NOOO! I refuse a thousand times over to see a horror movie!"
"You either see it, or sit in the car by yourself to freeze." Takisha sourly informed Jenna. The other option would hopefully force Jenna to see the movie, Kenzie wasn't a problem when it came to suspense and horror.
Turning her back and starting to stomp off Jenna exclaimed," Freezing to death in the jeep sounds fine and dandy to me. At least I won't get nightmares from it!"
Takisha sent a pleading look over to Kenzie, Kenzie saw the desperate eyes flick from Jenna to Gaara. Realization kicked her in the head and into action. Kankuro knew what was going on too, so he wasily let Kenzie go. Kenzie ran after Jenna, jabbed her in the side and dragged her backwards with both arms restrained behind her back. Jenna protested through out all of this of course, but when it came to being out muscled she had no hope.
Once the tickets were bought Jenna had no choice but admit defeat, she wasn't one to waste other people's money. To Kenzie's surprise Kankuro dished out the money to buy everyone something to eat and drink, but of course he bought a large drink and popcorn for Lee and Takisha, as well as himself and Kenzie to share. Jenna and Gaara got their own drinks and snacks.
The designated room for the movie wasn't very packed, which allowed Takisha, Lee, Kenzie, Kankuro, Jenna and Gaara to sit in the same row right in the middle. Before the previews started Kenzie asked Kankuro in a whisper," Kankuro, how old are you and Gaara?"
"Hm, oh. I'm 17 and Gaara is 16. Why?" He answered/asked before shoving some popcorn in his mouth.
"Cause Lee told us about the whole age inhancing when crossing over to our dimension." Kenzie replied grabbing her own handful of popcorn. That question and answer exchange done the previews came on. It was just their luck that the previews were all for future horror movies, so Jenna was nice and scrunched up in a ball in her seat. Kankuro was nearly snickering when he heard her jump during the past preview. Gaara's angry eyes boring into him a few seats down prevented him from actually snickering however.
The movie was supposedly two hours long, not including the credits. Information that was deliberately not told to Jenna, just because she would have run and hid in the bathroom for that whole duration.
To the other's the movie wasn't that bad, it had a good scary moment or two that made people jump or squeak. Or to the boy's benefits, cling. As the movie progressed the girls had slowly clung onto their boyfriend's arm for comfort. Thus why Kankuro had chosen this movie in the first place, or rather, the ticket clerk had suggested it for this reason.
Takisha and Kenzie would occassionally get scared enough that they would tuck their head in againt their boy's chests to shield their eyes. Jenna on the other hand, kinda stayed like that against Gaara the whole movie. Poor Gaara couldn't help but blush during the whole clingy moments. Jenna was too scared to blush - she would have otherwise.
When the lights finally turned back on and the credits started scrolling up the screen Jenna lifted her head off Gaara and looked around cautiously. Feeling it was safe she sighed in relief and relaxed. Only to finally realize what she'd been holding on to for comfort, blushing deep scarlet Jenna went into a bombardment of apologies to Gaara. The others had to look away to hide their big grins. After maybe the millionth apology Jenna ran out of breathe and let Gaara mumble while looking away," It's fine. You didn't have to apologize." Gaara was too happy and embarrassed to say anything else.
Exiting the theatre Gaara and Kankuro (after he gave Kenzie a hug and kiss on the cheek to her dislike) went off on their own to travel home on foot.
In the jeep not even five minutes into the drive Kenzie smiled and asked," So...Was Gaara comfortable to cling to?" Takisha laughed at Jenna's face went red and she gave them both the cold shoulder. The rest of the ride continued in that fashion up until Lee offered to tell Gaara of her feelings for her, which at that point Jenna managed to say "no" a million times over, very loud.
It was during the rare silent moments that Kenzie came up with her own plan to get Gaara and Jenna together. Having brought trusty purse which contained multiple useful items, Kenzie dug out a small pad of post-it notes and a pen. Scribbling her plan down she stuck it on Takisha and made the 'hush' motion to indicate it was for her only. Takisha gave the plan a skim over, raised both eyebrows at not having thought of it herself then gave Kenzie a tiny nod to show she approved.
Tucking away her note pad and pen, she exchanged them for her cell phone. Her plan took two texts in order to get it all down, she then forwarded both texts to Temari and Kankuro. Both replied that came back agreed and offered to do their part. Everything was going to work out beautifully. And if Gaara and Jenna didn't hoom up after this, then she would force them to.
- That night at Kenzie's house -
"Thanks for coming over you guys. I really didn't want to be home by myself." Kenzie said for the second time that night while giving both Jenna and Takisha a can of pop.
Jenna gave a simple hand wave of silently saying,' No problem.' Takisha smiled at Kenzie knowingly and said," Sure thing. But it's kinda boring with just us three, can I call Lee or Temari?"
"No need, I did that before you got here...Though you'll have to call Lee, I don't know his number," Kenzie lied easily through her teeth. In reality Lee had been invited right after they'd dropped Jenna off at home after the movie.
'Knock' 'knock' Jenna gave a curious eyebrow raise to Takisha who expertly pretended to act just as clueless as she she was. Kenzie didn't hesitate to skip to the front door to let in Temari, Kankuro, Gaara, and Lee. At the sight of the Sand siblings and Lee arriving at the same time much suspicion arose from Jenna in Kenzie and Takisha's direction. Takisha innocently shrugged then went to embrace Lee.
Everyone but Temari took off their winter gear, Jenna tilted her head and asked," You not staying Temari?"
"Nah, I'm holding my own get together at the apartment with all the kuonichi that came here. No offense to you three, it's just...You're not kunoichis." Temari was lying perfectly with this one. In reality she was going out on the town with some of the older ninjas. Jenna, Takisha and Kenzie shrugged. They didn't mind. So Temari left with a smile, wave and wish of happy New Years to them.
Going back to the living room Kenzie waited until Jenna and Gaara got comfortable on the couch, then in a very practiced manner she switched on the fire place and looked outside the patio door. Smiling at the starry night sky she casually asked," Does anyone want to go with me on the roof to look at the sky?"
" 'Course I'll go with you Kenzie. You need someone to keep you warm up on the freezing roof top." Kankuro replied just as he'd be expected to. As planned/ predicted Takisha, Lee, Jenna and Gaara refuse because of the uncomfortable weather conditions. Instantly in their winter coats and outside out of the other's sight the two snickered and grinned. But Kenzie had been serious about sitting on the roof, which was no problem for Kankuro to jump up on. (J: Heehee, he's done it once or twice in the past. K: D8 What? Why was he on my roof?! T: To stalk you of course. K: Auuh, whhy? J: Cause he's infatuated with you. Don't you just love the benefits a ninja boyfriend has? K: Not really...I dunno. T: "Snickers")
Inside the house Takisha let, oh, five minutes go by before leaning into Lee further and whispering something to him. Lee nodded and let Takisha lead him to the stairs. Jenna and Gaara neither asked or wanted to know what they were doing for it more than likely involved one of the bedrooms. (K: Better not be mine!!)
Realization struck the two living room occupants two minutes later (ya, we're that slow), ' This was all a set up to get us alone.' Yes, Gaara and Jenna thought the exact same thing at the exact same time. Chin resting in the palm of her hand Jenna muttered," They probably had this planned out right after the movie."
"...I don't mind. It's better than listening to Kankuro until midnight." Gaara muttered back, his gaze intent on the fire.
Jenna smiled crookedly and added," Or Lee and Takisha babble about how much they love each other. I seriously think those two were made for each other."
"The same can be said for the other two on the roof." Gaara concluded, earning a little snort from Jenna. That conversation alone made up Gaara's mind. He just needed a little more time.
Up in Kenzie's room Takisha had climbed up onto Kenzie's little sister's bed so that she could bang on the roof. (J:Kenzie has a bunk bed. K: It is HELL. I can't even sit up straight!) A second after Kankuro poofed into the room with Kenzie, keeping their voices low Takisha updated Kenzie," They're quiet now, but a second ago they were talking. Is that a good thing?"
"Very good. Gaara hardly ever talks to girls by himself." Kankuro answered, beaming in pre-victory.
Kenzie was smiling just as big as her partner was when she ordered," Update us in the next 10 minutes, we're going back on the roof to watch for my parents...And don't do anything in my bed." That last warning given Kankuro zipped them back onto the roof. Leaving a bright red Takisha and Lee to feel awkward for a few minutes...Then they got to work making out against the wall. (K: Now I'm going to have to wipe it down with Pinesol. T: Hey! K: I kid! T: Hmph. K: "Cough"NOT"cough")
Downstairs Jenna and Gaara continued to sit in silence, but for once the silence was bothering Gaara. He had to speak his mind before he went crazy holding it in. Checking the clock he saw it was just past 11, sitting up straight Gaara turned to Jenna and asked," Jenna...What do you think of me? Please be honest."
Jenna gave Gaara a small smile, blushing a bit Jenna honestly replied," I think you're an incredible person. You're also one of the few people I can with and not be expected to say anything, I enjoy ever last moment I can be with you Gaara."
Looking away with his own blush Gaara quietly asked," Jenna...Will...will...will you go out with me?" He'd said it, and it felt great. Even being put down as he expected he would be wouldn't ruin his feeling of release.
If Gaara had thought he'd be turned down, he was wrong. Crawling over to him and resting her head on his shoulder Jenna replied short and sweet," Yes."
Totally surprised by this Gaara hesitated before wrapping an arm around Jenna to pull her closer. Resting his head on hers he whispered," Thank you."
Now, the whole plan was to get Jenna and Gaara together, once they were Takisha and Lee were suppose to tell Kenzie and Kankuro. Only they never did, for their heated make out session had really worn them out. So the look outs were fast asleep on Kenzie's bed, Takisha curled up in the crevice of Lee's body.
They probably wouldn't have been able to tell Kenzie and Kankuro anyways. Why? Because Kankuro had saved some rum from the Christmas party, so him and Kenzie drank it all down. Making them both good and tipsy. Thus leading them to having their own make out session underneath the blanket Kenzie had put there earlier that day. In the process of their kissing spree Kankuro's new hat that had those floppy ear flaps (Kenzie got it for him for Christmas) got put on Kenzie's head. Which just caused them to laugh and snicker," Heehee, that had looks better on you than me Kenz."
"Naaah. It definitely makes you sexier Kankie...Heeheehee, Kinky Kankie." Kenzie babbled, giggling at her little joke.
Sobering up a smidge Kankuro grabbed Kenzie to pull her to his chest, putting a trail of kisses up her neck to her ear he whispered seductively," Hm, I can show you just how kinky I can be if you'd like?"
That cleared Kenzie's head more than Kankuro's, tensing up she replied," Not now. This is not a good time...Weren't we suppose to have heard from Takisha and Lee by now?"
Disappointed about the loss of fun Kankuro muttered," They probably don't have anything to tell us."
"I'm having a hard time believing that when it's been almost an hour. Let's go see what they're doing." Kenzie poked Kankuro to make him move. Kankuro wrapped an arm around Kenzie's waist, before poofing into the bedroom Kankuro thought,' They better not be doing each other, or I'm going to go blind.'
Both Kenzie and Kankuro sweat dropped. For such an extremely trained ninja it was sad to find him unconscious and not even twitch when they poofed into the room. Looking around the room Kenzie found a glass of water she'd been meaning to take downstairs, 'At least it won't be wasted.' Kenzie thought, picking up the cup and splashed the water across Lee and Takisha's faces.
The reaction was instant, Lee jumped up ready to fight while Takisha squeaked and rolled off the bed. Eyebrows raised Kenzie asked skeptically," You two didn't happen to be listening in on our targets while you slept, did you?"
Rubbing her sore ass Takisha mumbled," Not...really. We can just go down and see for ourselves since it's getting close to midnight." Kenzie had no argument against that idea. Their boyfriends being ninjas they decided the best way to be stealthy was to let them do the foot work. In other words, the girls got piggy backs.
Tip toeing down the stairs very stealthily the guys got down far enough so that they could see around the wall. Unable to control themselves Kenzie and Takisha let out a loud, "Awww." On the couch Jenna had fallen asleep on Gaara's shoulder, and Gaara was more than happy to let her sleep. He really wished it had lasted longer.
At the sound of two very sneaky friends Jenna cracked open an eye, groaned and sat up some while stifling a yawn. The others noticed that Jenna made no move to take Gaara's arm off her waist, and as pink as he was, Gaara didn't seem to want to move it. Coming over to the new couple Kankuro pat his brother clumsily on the head saying," Way to join the rest of the men baby bro."
"As far as I'm concerned you're not a man, just an overgrown monkey." Gaara grumbled sourly, he obviously would like to be left alone with Jenna again. Kenzie, Takisha and Jenna had to put a lot of effort in to not yelling, 'BUURN!' at Kankuro's red annoyed face.
"If I am not mistaken there are a few seconds left until midnight." Lee pointed to the clock to be a nice guy and draw attention from Kankuro. Sure enough there were 20 seconds left before the clock struck midnight and the start of the new year.
Keeping their eyes on the clock everyone (except Gaara) counted down," 11...10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1. HAPPY NEW YEARS!" Just to make it more interesting Kankuro tossed a coloured smoke bombo into the air. Causing a loud 'CRACK!' and Blue smoke cascaded upon the group. Even thought it set off the smoke detectors it made the evening more fun. (J: Well that's it for this chapter. K: Not bad, not bad. T: I really liked it. K: Only cause you got to defile my bedroom. T: No. Okay that kinda is one reason. The other is that Gaara and Jenna won't be so frustrating anymore. K: Ya, good point. J: Ah ha ha. Anyways onto the next chapter!)
