October 8, 2013. Inspired by twitter peeps. Kusari asked about what kind of Halloween costumes the Joes might wear. Willwrite4fics said someone should be a bunny. I know I already had Storm Shadow in bunny ears on Halloween once, but this just wouldn't leave me alone. I've seriously been trying to forget about it for the last few days and it still pops up randomly, warring with the ninja being ambushed bunny. Because this is what I want to think about when I'm trying to sleep...
Cherry glanced nervously at Creek. "Are you sure about this?" she whispered, trying not to attract Scarlett's attention. She really didn't want to get whacked for not paying attention to the hand-to-hand lessons.
"Yes. I'm sure Sergeant Scarlett will be reasonable when we ask her."
"And you're sure about your part?"
"It's never failed before. I might have to be a little extreme with it. We are talking about you-know-who."
"Is there something you'd like to share with everyone?"
Both girls jumped in surprise. "Sergeant! No, um, we would just like to talk to you after class, in private, please?" asked Cherry.
Scarlett narrowed her eyes, but nodded and moved on to correct someone else.
After class, Scarlett waved the girls over. "What did you want to talk about?"
"Can we talk somewhere else?" asked Creek. Scarlett raised an eyebrow. The girls looked over at Tommy.
"Is there something you feel you can't talk about in front of Storm Shadow or Snake Eyes?"
Cherry leaned in. "I don't think they want to hear about woman troubles," she whispered.
"Alright, let's go to my quarters and we'll talk," Scarlett said.
Snake Eyes watched the three walk out the dojo door. *What was that about?* he asked Tommy.
"Woman troubles, brother," Tommy said, grimacing while he put away the last practice weapon. Snake Eyes shuddered.
Scarlett sat on her bed, while Creek sat on Lady Jaye's and Cherry leaned against the closed door.
"I can't believe you did it, Cherry!"
"I know, won't he be surprised when he figures it out?"
"What are you two talking about?" Scarlett asked.
"Well you see, we want to take advantage of the Halloween bet Ace has," Cherry said.
"We were thinking if we could get all the ninjas to dress up, that would be an automatic win and that we could donate the money to a local charity. There is a school trying to gather money together for an area wide Halloween party for the kids. They want to be able to pay for costumes, pictures, food, prizes for contests, and for every kid to get a sizable trick or treat bag. Carsons told us about it and got Chilson and Calamity to help out, but since we both have shifts on Halloween, we thought we could contribute this way instead," explained Creek.
"We even have costumes for them. But, you know, I've talked to almost everyone and they all say none of them ever dress up for Halloween except for that brief stint last year with Creek's rabbit ears. We were hoping you would be able to talk Snake Eyes into wearing the costume and have him order Kamakura to wear it too. It won't interfere with his mask or anything," added Cherry.
"What makes you think I can make Snake Eyes do anything?" asked Scarlett. Both girls snorted. "Ok, you have a point. What are you going to do about Storm?"
"Puppy dog eyes and crocodile tears," said Creek.
"You seriously think that will work? Billy tries to pull the puppy dog look all the time. He doesn't get very far against Storm."
"That's what I keep saying," Cherry said, shaking her head.
"It's never failed!" squeaked Creek.
"Yeah, but this is Storm Shadow. Feared ninja master. Makes terrorists wet their pants. I don't think he is going to cave into puppy dog eyes," argued Cherry.
"If you can get Storm to do it, I'll get Snake to do it. What about Jinx? She isn't likely to do it just because Snake or Storm orders her to," Scarlett asked.
"She said she would if it was cute enough," answered Creek.
"That was the easy part," said Cherry. Creek nodded.
"Sergeant Storm!"
Tommy turned around, waiting for his greenshirt devotee to catch up to him. Ahead of him, Snake Eyes and Scarlett stopped and turned around. He heard Scarlett whispering to Snake Eyes. Snake Eyes crossed his arms. Cherry came up beside them, holding something behind her.
"I'm not holding your rabbit ears this year," Tommy said to Creek.
"I don't have ears this year. I'm dressing up as an M&M!"
"You are dressing up as a piece of candy?"
"Yes!"
"I want half the pot, then."
"I don't have half the pot to give to you, Sergeant Storm," Creek said, frowning.
"Then I'm not doing it."
"Please? Will you please dress up all day today and make Billy dress up too? We even have costumes made just for you," she asked, looking up at him with wide eyes.
"No."
She sniffed, letting tears well up in her eyes. "Please?"
"I'm not interested in dressing up. No."
She let two tears escape.
*Heartless,* Snake Eyes signed.
He sighed. "Damn it, fine. Where is this stupid costume?"
"Really?!" Creek squealed, hugging Tommy. She ran over to Snake Eyes and hugged him as well.
"Holy shit, I can't believe she got that to work. Snake Eyes, your costume," Cherry said, holding out a pair of black bunny ears and a puffy black tail. He sighed and took them, sticking the ears on his head and handing the tail to Scarlett. She went behind him and pinned the tail on, before patting him on the butt. Cherry handed Snake Eyes another set in green. "For Kamakura." She went over to Tommy and handed him a set in white. He scowled as he took them and then put them on. Scarlett snickered and whipped out a camera, taking a picture quickly. Cherry handed him a gray set for Billy. She turned to leave, to deliver Jinx's red bunny ears and tail.
"The dojo, the last week, you lied!" Tommy had a sour look on his face.
"Just practicing what you've been trying to teach me," Cherry grinned.
"Don't get cocky just because you did it once."