Chapter 26
Tenten shifted her eyes left and right. She couldn't believe the current situation brewing around her. The palpable tension so thick it could be cut with a knife. She leaned back further in her chair, hoping to make herself invisible. It was a futile attempt, she really had nowhere to go. The two arms in front her blocking her way, effectively encasing her in the chair.
She looked at the arms...one belonging to her boyfriend and the other one her sensei. Each man, on either side of her, had extended one arm and currently engaged in a thumb war. They were oddly focused as if it wasn't just a friendly game, but a real battle. She could see sweat forming on their foreheads. If her sensei furrow his brows any harder, she's sure they'll connect to become one big caterpillar.
Through clenched teeth, Gai said "My eternal rival...I see your efforts today..."
"No efforts."
"Are you showing off?"
Both men looked at the one sitting between them.
"Don't drag me into this." She wanted to karate chop their intertwined hands. It was getting a little disturbing the longer she watched. A plan formulated in her mind on how to end the fierce battle. Without giving away anything, her fingers made their way to her boyfriend's waist. She begin drawing circles. She could feel him tense up, trying to hold in his laughter. His eyes momentarily looked her way, but it was enough for his opponent to pin his thumb.
"1, 2, 3, 4, 5, I win!"
Gai threw Kakashi's hand away and did a happy little victory dance. People turned and watched.
"Sensei…"
"Cough…oh…um, ah, sorry. Sorry, good game!" He sat back down and composed himself. He looked over at his rival with a smile.
"Ok, let's just wait for the competition to start quietly." Tenten said, while looking between the two men. They silently nodded their agreement. The group was there to support Lee in the competition.
Wwwwwwwww
In the end, Lee won, not surprising. Tenten and Gai rushed at him and they ended up in a giant hug.
"How about a picture?"
Kakashi asked as he held up a camera. The three turned towards him. Gai stood behind his two disciples. A hand on each of their shoulders, looking like a proud papa bear.
click click click
"Congratulations, Lee! You were awesome out there."
"Thank you, Tenten!"
"Oh, by the way, that girl has been checking you out."
"Huh?"
Tenten discreetly pointed to a cute girl at the other side of the gym. The girl stood with an elder couple and a young men who was also a participant. She looked up and her eyes made contact with Lee's. Blushes formed on both their faces. Tenten nudged Lee with her elbow.
"Better get her number before she's gone."
Lee's face became a deeper shade of red before he ran off. New streams of tears flowed down Gai's face.
"Spring has sprung again!"
Wwwwwwwww
"This is nice." Sakura said as she reclined on Tenten's couch and her feet propped up on the coffee table. A headband held her hair away from her face and a layer of facial clay spread all over. Next to her sat a very content Ino in a similar get-up.
"When is the food getting here?"
"Soon. Naruto already picked it on and is on his way."
"I hope he remembers the extra sauce." Tenten said as she walked towards them with drinks in hand. She handed each of them a glass.
ding ding ding
Tenten excitedly opened the door knowing that was the food. What greeted her was two boys whose faces went from normal to horror and shock.
"What…happened to your face…Tenten?" Naruto cautiously asked.
"Oh, it's just my face mask."
"But…why is it black and foaming?"
"Something with activated charcoal. Good for the skin! Come in, come in."
She ushered them into the apartment. Before getting to the kitchen, the two boys were stunned once again upon seeing the two girls on the couch.
"You too?!" Naruto exclaimed.
"Where's Hinata?" Sasuke asked when he noticed she wasn't on the couch.
"I'm here."
"AAHHHH!"
She was behind him and when he turned to her, the sight really frightened him. Her face mask was chunky and a brown color. He was expecting something similar to Sakura or Tenten, but not whatever the hell she had on currently.
"What's wrong?" She tilted her head in confusion.
"You scared me…what's on your face?"
"Oh, Tenten-Chan made me an avocado and honey mask. Supposed to make my skin smooth and soft."
She smiled, at least he thinks it's a smile. He couldn't tell with the gunk on her face. All he made out were her eyes.
"You guys should it too!" Sakura exclaimed.
"Don't come near me with that!" Naruto shouted as he hid behind Sasuke.
"We're leaving." The two boys slowly made a retreat towards the door.
"You're not eating?" Hinata asked. The two boys looked at each other then the girls.
"Lost our appetite." Sasuke explained before opening the door and disappearing with Naruto on his tail.
The four girls blinked then laughed amongst themselves.