Boyfriend vs. Sisterhood

The boyfriend was the worst part about having best friends. It was never pretty. Shikamaru almost went home with a dislocated shoulder during his 'initiation'. That was Shikamaru. Naruto… well. Sakura was all for girl power, but she would prefer to keep her boyfriend out of the hospital.

Unfortunately, no amount of educated excuses could sway her friends.

"Rules are rules, Sakura," Tenten had sung. "The guy needs our blessing."

"We'll be gentle." Sakura would never trust Ino when she was using that sweet voice and the blonde knew it. Maybe Ino did mind that Sakura had almost decapitated Shikamaru after all.

Hinata hadn't said a word in defence for Naruto's chivalry, which meant she was just as determined to test him as the other two. Hinata had become a lot more resolute, and even stubborn, lately. Usually, Sakura approved. This time, not so much.

Two weeks of desperate delays later, the boyfriend met the sisterhood.

"Naruto, give me a hand. I can't reach that dress up there."

"Yes ma'am. Smallest size, right?"

"As if. It won't even make it past my head."

"No way. Confidence, Tenten! I say it'll look great on you. Believe it!"

At least Naruto was on his best behaviour. Sakura had made him swear on it – for his own safety – but she still had trouble believing her eyes. Willingly allowing himself to be dragged into every clothing store in town. Paying for everything she and her friends bought. Carrying all their bags. Delivering snacks and refreshments. And now offering seemingly expert fashion advice. Only under the threat of bodily harm could Naruto be so perfect. Jerk.

But it had kept him unscathed so far, and even if his unusual gentlemanliness made Sakura fume, she was glad. She was the only one allowed to pummel him comatose, after all.

"Ew. You can't even do black," Ino sighed loudly, reminding Sakura where she was: half-naked in Konoha's most expensive boutique. Right. "God, what is wrong with your rack, Sakura?"

Sakura stopped pulling at the indecently short hem. "My rack?" she echoed indignantly.

"And your hair," Ino added with a distasteful glare at the offending locks. "And your skin – why are you so white for?"

"You're talking," Sakura retorted through gritted teeth. If she snapped at Ino now, she'd be going to the New Year's party in her pyjamas.

"I can pull it off." And she could, damn it.

"It's not that bad…" Hinata's optimism might have been more convincing without the uncertain waver in her tone. Sakura couldn't blame her. Some of the dresses were decent on her, but this black one made her look like a bouquet fit for a funeral.

Looking back at her disgraceful reflection in the mirror, Sakura sighed. "Can I get out of this now?" The thin fabric clinging to her hips made walking even more challenging than Tsunade-shishou's training. Which was saying something.

"We've been at this for three hours," Ino groaned in despair.

Sakura took that as a yes and retreated back into the change room, almost tripping over the piles of dresses Ino had condemned. She could understand the blonde girl's frustration. Since when was finding a dress so difficult? Even Tenten, who was pickier than Sakura, seemed to have found something.

"Sakura-chan? Do you have stuff you want me to put back?"

"Naruto," Sakura moaned. "Kill me now."

"Eh?"

"It's hopeless," Ino said wearily. "Today is not Forehead's day. Nothing she gets in gives off that 'wow' vibe."

"The violet one looked okay," Hinata offered.

In fact, a lot of the dresses at Sakura's feet looked 'okay' on her. If she was shopping by herself, she would have bagged them hours ago, satisfied that they would do. But shopping with Ino was like that. The girl had standards and goddamn it, they were high. Being her best friend was like being treated like an extension of her own body – and Yamanaka Ino would never be caught wearing anything merely 'okay'. It was probably too late to disassociate herself from ten years of friendship. Sakura despaired.

"Hmm…" Naruto sounded like he was actually thinking. Sakura could picture him on the other side of the door, tapping his chin thoughtfully with the tip of his tongue sticking out. "Hey, Sakura-chan. Why don't we just forget about this party and make snowmen together?"

He had no idea how good that sounded right now. But the New Year's party was the most important social event of the year and she actually had a proper date this time. That, and Sakura had to keep in mind that, no matter how chivalrous he had been so far, Naruto was still Naruto. Give him an inch and he would take a trip around the globe. Twice. Sakura feared she might spend the rest of her life making snowmen if she agreed.

Thankfully, Naruto suddenly yelped before she could answer. "Don't give her ideas," Ino scolded. She must have elbowed him in the gut. At last, Perfect Naruto had done something wrong.

"M-Maybe you can suggest something, Naruto-kun," Hinata consoled him. She had been nervous about Naruto seeing her in a dozen different dresses, but the first one Ino forced on her turned out to be the one. Hinata rarely got out of her jacket so no one had expected her to mould into any dress like it was custom-made for her curves. Sakura was too exasperated to be jealous.

"Maybe I can," Naruto said brightly.

Sakura paled. Orange, she thought instantly. Orange. "No ora-"

"What about that one over there? Sakura will look so good in orange!"

Sakura's head hit the fitting room door.

"Err, are you sure about that?" Tenten asked uncertainly. "I know you did a good job picking my dress and all, but Sakura's hair is pink."

"So? This one looks like it'll fit her just right. And it goes with my tie. Perfect, doncha think?"

Sakura banged her head again. But it was okay. Ino would save her. Ino would never-

"Ugh, I give up. Give her anything, or we'll never get out of this place."

Traitor.

Naruto knocked cheerfully on the door. "Try this one on, Sakura-chan. You'll look so awesome, I promise."

She had something to promise, too. "I am never taking you shopping again."

"Aww, but I've been so good today."

Until you gave me an orange dress, was what Sakura didn't say aloud. Instead, she just shook her head and reached up to take the hanger Naruto passed over the door. Her only comfort was that the dress was more red than orange, and longer than anything Ino had given her. She wasn't so sure about the low neckline, or the straps, but she might as well entertain him. He had been good today and, well, sweet. If getting into one more dress would make him face the reality that his girlfriend was incompatible with his favourite colour, then so be it.

Sakura slipped into the smooth, silken fabric without so much as looking in the mirror. She didn't even bother fidgeting to make sure it rested right on her curves. There was nothing to do except close her eyes, take a deep breath, and open the door. Best to get it over and done with.

Silence.

"See, Naruto?" Sakura sighed, grimacing. "This is why I'm never going shopping with-"

"… Wow."

Wow? Frowning, Sakura opened her eyes.

Her friends looked shell-shocked with their ridiculously large eyes and unhinged jaws. Sakura winced. That bad? She shot Naruto an accusing look, only to meet his wide grin and enthusiastic thumbs up, like he'd known all along.

Raising an eyebrow, Sakura turned towards the mirror.

"Oh," she blurted. Wow, she'd meant to say, but she couldn't seem to get her jaw to close.

"He," Ino whispered mystically, "is such a keeper."

AN: Can you tell how much fun I had writing this one?