Chapter four: The Mall and fun and Chaos!
Sakura's Point of View
I sat on the sofa in our living room, bored. Ino, like always, was taking FOREVER to get ready. Hinata was reading a book, one of her favorite myths about Hercule's 12 tasks, while Tenten was just polishing her favorite blades.
Let's go-o! Inner Sakura exclaimed, extremely ticked off.
We have to wait for Ino, dummy!
But I wanna see that hot guy again
We're not late!
Yeah, but you know you wanna see that Sasuke hottie again
Oh shaddup, I do not!
Suuure you don't. Just like there isn't a blush on your cheeks right now and you wore your best clothes, just for him!
W-what? I self-consciously smoothed down my knee length white halter skirt with a silver cherry blossom chain belt. It was my favorite dress and I just felt like wearing it today.
"I'm Re-eady!" Ino sang as she hopped down the stairs. Usually, she'd ride down the banister, but I guess in her white leather skirt and light purple sleeveless top, she didn't want to.
"Took you a while," Tenten put down her blades. She wore her favorite low riding black Capri's and a sleeveless pink Chinese styled top. She also wore her favorite accessories, her silver chains.
"l-let's go," Hinata said shyly, smoothing out her favorite dress. It was a tad fancier than the rest of us, styled like a kimono in light blue but it only went down to her knees and was tied with a light purple-white sash and trimmed in the same material. There were dragons in silver swirling around her.
"Hurry up already!" Ino was already out the door and strapping on her helmet. We each had a Vespa scooter, each corresponding with our elements and our names. Ino's was purple-blue night scene with a sky boar painted on it; Hinata's was an ocean scene with a beam of light illuminating a pearl; Tenten's leaves on a black background being blown away; mine had burnt cherry blossoms in flames.
"Wheee!" I shrieked excitedly. We laughed at the startled pedestrians and enjoyed scaring them. We finally did get to the mall though, tired and breathless. As we made our way to the food court, a large group of girls were gathering. Fan girls, I thought darkly.
Ew, I can smell their cheap perfume from here! Ino scrunched her nose.
Is it just me or did they put on more of that disgusting goop than ever? Tenten winched in disgust.
They're around the guys Hinata noted.
C'mon, let's go save them I made my way towards the nauseous looking Sasuke, Neji, Shikamaru and Naruto. "Hi guys!" I chirped brightly, feeling the glares I was getting.
"Hi Sakura-chan!" Naruto exclaimed brightly, "Where's the rest of them?"
"Hinata, Ino and Tenten are still trying to get through," I explained, cocking my head towards my friends, who were still fighting their way through the crowd.
"Allow us," Neji said smoothly and Naruto, Shikamaru and He made their way towards the bitch fight.
"Get out of our way before you suffocate us with that cheap perfume you're wearing!" Ino exclaimed, trying to get though.
"No way, slut," Sekira sneered. "There is no way that shy freak is going any closer to Naruto-sama."
"Y-You shouldn't s-say that, I have m-my scythe handy," Hinata said quietly with a dangerous undertone.
"Feh, like you could do any harm," Another fan girl sneered.
"Would y-you like to s-see?" Hinata challenged, her voice staying it's quiet volume. In a flash Hinata whipped out her scythe and held it to Sekira's neck.
"Hinata, don't waste your time," Tenten snorted, "These painted clowns don't know what's not good for them."
"Painted clowns?" Yuri shrieked, "I am not a painted clown!"
"Really? Then what's all that junk on your face?" Tenten bit back.
"It's called make-up, FYI," Yuri said snottily.
"Really Yuri-sempai, you look like a clown," Neji, Naruto and Shikamaru had finally made it to the girls.
"Finally!" Tenten threw up her hands in mock relief. "Somebody besides us has a brain!"
"H-Hello N-Naruto-k-kun," Hinata smiled shyly.
"Naruto-kun!" Sekira exclaimed and latched onto Naruto's arm.
"Sekira-san, please get off my arm," Naruto said in a strained smile. "Hinata and her friends were going to join us for a while, so I'd appreciate it if you'd let me through." From here, I could see Hinata sigh in relief.
"What? No, Neji-kun, you're really going to hang out with those losers?" Yuri whined piteously.
"No we aren't going to hang out with your pathetic group of clowns, but we are going to spend time with these girls," Neji shot back quite bluntly.
"Treated!" Ino crowed. Tenten smirked at the baffled fan girl.
"Shut up you pig!" Another fan girl, presumably Shikamaru's because she was choking him, retorted.
"You're too troublesome, Michiko," Shikamaru tried to say, "Get off me!"
"I suggest you do, or I'll show you how hard I punched Naruto," Ino threatened. Michiko grumbled but in the end, she got off Shikamaru, much to his relief.
"Anyways, Ladies, I think Sasuke and Sakura are waiting for us, and they're having quite a laugh watching this pathetic scene," Naruto grinned, offering his arm to a cherry red Hinata and ignoring the fan girls.
"We mustn't keep them waiting too long, now shall we?" Ino was barely containing her giggles. They made their way through the surprised crowd.
"Hi guys, I hope we didn't keep you for too long," Tenten said chirpily.
"Unless of course, you found something else to entertain you," Ino added suggestively.
"Ino-pig, you pervert!" I scoffed. As long as I could remember, we've had those nicknames; I call her pig and she calls me forehead girl. It's a long story.
"What, forehead girl?" She responded innocently, "He'd be your first boyfriend, wouldn't he?"
"Shut up!" I flushed. It's true, as a guardian, I've never had time for guys. She didn't have to bring it up though! In front of Sasuke-kun as well!
Sasuke-kun is it now?
Shaddup!
Deniaaal!
Shush, they're talking!
"S-Sakura?" Hinata stuttered, waving a hand in front of my face.
"Oh, yeah?" I muttered, a little shocked
"Snap out of it, girl!" Ino replied. "We've only said your name three times!"
"Sorry! Sheesh," I retorted. "What did you want to ask?"
"Where do you want to go?" Tenten asked. "This is a HUGE mall,"
"Remember the West-Edmonton mall in Canada? It's THAT big!" Ino squealed.
"Cool!" I exclaimed, "Do they have all the rides?"
"Yep this mall does," Naruto nodded. "It's much bigger than that Weest Ed-min-tin place."
"That it is," Shikamaru nodded.
"Have you ever been to Canada?" Tenten asked incredulously.
"This place was designed by the same architect. He made sure it was bigger," Shikamaru stated a-matter-of-fact-ly.
"Ooh," Ino mouthed.
"W-What are we waiting for!" Hinata smiled, "I want t-to go on the water rides!"
"But I wanna go on the rollercoaster!" Tenten whined.
"No fair! I want to go on the Ferris wheel!" I shot back.
"Nu-uh, we are so going on the Zipper!" Ino exclaimed.
We would have kept bickering about this but Naruto stepped in. "Ladies, how about Sasuke will escort Sakura to the Ferris wheel, cause he likes the cannon ball in this area, and Neji go with Tenten to the roller coaster, because he just likes it; Shikamaru takes Ino to the Zipper cause, well, I said so! Hinata and I will go to the water slides. We'll all meet back here to do some serious DDR later at about 5-ish? Ok? Ok. Byee!" Naruto didn't let us say anything but he just dragged Hinata off.
"Dobe," Sasuke shook his head.
"He does have a point though, we might as well," Shikamaru yawned, "How troublesome." I could see a vein throbbing on Ino's head.
"Let's go then! Bye guys!" I dragged Sasuke off in a random direction. As soon as we were out of earshot I giggled. "I'm so going to interrogate those three when we get back."
"Where are we, anyways?" Sasuke asked coldly.
"I dunno," I shrugged.
Baka! Now he thinks you're an absolute IDIOT!
You know what? Shut up for a while, will you?
Fine, I felt her retreat to the depths of my mind. "What did you say?" I asked cheerily.
"Nothing," He raised his eyebrows, "C'mon the Ferris wheel is that way," He turned around and started walking in an opposite direction. I sighed and trailed after him. Men. Hm… It almost feels like we're being stalked…
Change Point of View to Ino
"Are we going?" I asked impatiently.
"Fine, Fine, troublesome women," Shikamaru yawned.
"Neji-san, can you show me where the roller coaster is?" Tenten asked, nearly hopping because of her excitement.
"Hn," He snorted and walked off in distain. Tenten shrugged and followed him.
"The Zipper's that way," Shikamaru jerked a thumb in a random direction. He then plopped down on the bench. ARG! Stupid annoying guys!
I grabbed his ear. Extremely painful, by the way, and the best way to get a stubborn guy to agree, "Now listen here, you're coming with me-" I was shaking his ear while he was wincing in pain.
"Shika-kun!" I turned towards the voice. A tall blonde with four spiky ponytails was running towards us. She was wearing a sand and silver yukata that was fairly loose and ended at her knees. When she finally reached us, she panted for a few moments and to my great surprise, she pulled her other ear! "You idiot!" She screeched. "You're suppose to show this girl around and you're about to SLEEP? What kind of courtesy is that!"
"Troublesome women, let go of my ears!" He shouted.
I grinned mischievously at her. "No, I don't think we will," and still holding onto his ear I stuck out my hand. "Nice to meet you, I'm-"
"Ino Artis, I know I know," She cut me off; "I sit behind you in math. Sabukano Temari, pleasure to meet you too. Why are you here with this lazy bum?"
"He and his friends invited my friends and me to come to the mall with them. The others ditched me so I'm left with him." I responded.
"Ladies, I hate to interrupt this scene but people are staring," Shikamaru said in a strained tone. He was right.
"Alrighty people, nothing to see, move it!" Temari called. Immediately, people began moving.
"I wish I had that type of control over people," I sighed. Would life be so much easier if I did?
"It comes with being a rich man's daughter," She shrugged, "Not great, but it comes in handy."
"Ahh…" I nodded.
"Alright lazy bum, you were supposed to take us to the zipper, so make a move already!" Temari barked into Shikamaru's outstretched ear.
"Alright, alright," Shikamaru grumbled. "How do you know where we're going anyways?"
"Naruto and that Hinata girl," Temari replied, "they looked so cute together. They told me they had ditched her with you, so I came to make sure you actually went. Now let's go, mister smarty pants."
"Leggo of my ears first!" he yelped. Oops, I think I pulled that a little too hard. Temari and I let go of his ears and we followed him, grumbling, to a huge ride.
"Welcome to the zipper, this part of the malls best attraction!" Temari said proudly. "Shika-kun and mine family designed and paid for the whole thing, so we pretty much get free entry. C'mon!" She started running towards the ride; I followed her until I was right in front of it. It was HUGE. In any of the rides or variations I've been to, and trust me, I've been to a lot, this one takes the cake! In the zipper, you get into a cart which flips over and over and over again while the whole ride moves! It's AMAZING!
"Done gawking yet?" Shikamaru asked boredly, "this one is actually different than others, in that it not only goes in a whole circle; it goes in a sphere as well. It's one of the best in the world."
"I can tell," I agreed, for once not responding to the quip at the beginning.
"Hurry up, lazy pants!" Temari called. She was already in front of the huge line. We followed her up there, much to the scorn of many of the waiters, but when they saw Shikamaru, they stopped. When we reached the front of the line, Temari promptly threw us into a car, closed the door shut and waved. "The carts only hold two so you two have fun!" She cheerfully waved and before Shikamaru could protest, the ride was already moving. I could almost feel something else; something evil through the excitement I was feeling
Change point of view to Tenten
"Um, Neji-san?" I asked shyly. Dammit, Dammit, DAMMIT, I do not like talking to mute guys that resemble really hot models and annoyingly QUIET! Why do the Fates TAUNT ME SO! Must get Persephone to talk to them...
Wait a sec, really hot models? Where'd that come from? Gah! I shook my head.
"I thought you wanted to go on the roller coaster?" He asked, annoyed.
"Yeah, I do," I answered slowly, confused.
"Don't shake your head, it's confusing," He sighed. "C'mon," again, he turns around and makes me follow him.
"Dude, I was going to ask you a question," I said, ticked off. Talk about attitude!
"Then ask, I don't like you trailing me like a desperate fan girl," He answered bluntly. This guy sure doesn't like to talk!
"Fine, Neji-SAMA," I stressed the honorific mockingly.
"Don't call me that, you sound like an irritating fan girl," He responded.
"Okay, Neji-KUN," I teased him childishly. "What did Naruto mean by the DDR thing?"
"The beach always holds a DDR competition, among other things. We compete. I hate Naruto for making us do it though, He organizes most of it and he makes us participate. I do the DDR section, Naruto does swimming, Shikamaru does the marathon because Temari-chan makes him, and Sasuke does the Brain challenge. The problem is, He always pairs us up with some trying fan girl, so we can never win the whole competition," He replied, STILL in a monotone. I stared at him. How can he DO that! Speak in monotone and relay so much information.
Wait… Beach means swimming, swimming means Bathing suits and bathing suits means shopping! NOOOOOO!
"Darnit!" I exclaimed. Neji looked at me oddly. What? So sue me, I'm a girl that doesn't like shopping, gotta problem with that?
"What?" He asked, more demanded.
"Beach means swimming, swimming means Bathing suits and bathing suits means shopping! And I really want to DDR!" I wailed.
"Ok… Let's just go…" Neji just walked away calmly and I followed him towards the best roller coaster I have EVER seen. It had so many loops and dead ends and loops and high hills and more loops! I can't wait! When we reached the ride, we waited at the end, ignoring the fan girls gushing beside us.
As we waited, though, the number of flirtatious people increased, by A LOT. It was annoying! When I was just busily staring at my shoes, Neji nudged me. "Huh?" I asked stupidly and noticed we had to move forward. "Oh, right." I shuffled forward embarrassedly.
"Ditzy girlfriend you have there Hyuuga," A voice sneered behind us. I whipped around and saw what looked like a gothic clown. He was wearing all black and he had purple paint all over his face in interesting designs.
"Who are you, what gender are you and why are you wearing make up?" I asked suspiciously. Never trust men with painted faces, I learned that the hard way.
"Kankuro-kun, be nice to the newest example of youth!" Another guy wearing green spandex and a blinding smile exclaimed. He had an older counter-part there. "Greetings, flower, excuse my odd companion, he lacks youth. I, however, have plenty of it. I am Tenshi High's green beast, Rock Lee, and defender of youth! YOSH!" He flashed a corny pose.
The man behind him burst into tears. "What a wonderful speech Lee! You are brimming with youth!"
"GAI-SENSEI!" the younger green spandex guy sobbed.
"LEE"
"GAI-SENSEI!"
"LEE!"
"GAI-SENSEI!"
"LEE!"
"Shut up. You're embarrassing us." Neji remarked bluntly.
"Ah Neji, My eternal rival! You are here escorting this beautiful flower around! Where is you friend, Sakura-san by the way?" Lee asked, breaking from the not-so-tender embrace.
"She's around with Sasuke, we're going to be at the beach party later," I smiled at him. This guy was weird but he was funny. He seemed to be, anyways.
"Yosh! I must save her from the boredom of Sasuke-san!" And with that, he ran off, followed by Gai.
"That was odd, but he seems nice…" I remarked quietly to Neji. "Wasn't that Gai-sensei, the gym teacher?"
"Yes, he's also Lee's adopted father. The boy has no artistic skill what so ever and is a bit stupid, but he is a decent fighter." Neji said, again in a monotone. Doesn't this guy have emotions?
"Well, that's high praise from the Hyuuga snob," The so called Kankuro sneered.
"You didn't answer my questions, clown person; who are you, what gender are you and why are you wearing make up?" I demanded. All this talk was keeping me away from my rollercoaster! I wanna get on!
"Clown person! The great Sabukano Kankuro doesn't wear make up! It's Kabuki paint!" He screeched, clearly irritated. I grinned. I can see why Ino loves doing this so much!
"Suuuure it is, now what self respecting female would wear that goop? I don't think even Sekira and her monkeys definitely wouldn't," I snorted.
"I'm male! Male I tell you!" He screeched, "You and those other sluts can't judge me!
"Riiiight…" I grinned evilly. "And lemme guess, you're also straight!" hehehe. Don't get me wrong I have nothing against gay guys, but this was too funny! I mean, the guy was turning purple!
"Tenten, that's enough. Even though I myself have doubts of his sexuality, it's time to go onto the ride." Neji cut in. That guy is no fun!
"Fine," I pouted.
"Go have fun on your little date, fan girl, it's sure to be your last," He called after us mockingly.
"Wait, Neji-kun, I wanna prove if he's male or not," I walked over to him sweetly and drove my foot into his family jewels. He groaned and doubled over in pain. Yep, he was male alright, "Never associate me with those air-headed bimbos," I growled into his ear and joined Neji in the ride of my life, leaving a groaning Kankuro behind. Hm… something felt almost ominous though… OH LOOPS HERE I COME!
Change Point of View to Hinata
Ahhhhh! The guy of my dreams is holding my hand! Holding my hand! My hand! I feel like a tomato… It's just me and Naruto…
Uh-oh… just me and Naruto means I'll actually have to talk to him! Arg, curse my shyness!
"Hahaha! That was fun!" Naruto laughed. Huh?
"Ano... What N-Naruto-kun?"
"Did you see their faces? Hehehehe…" He trailed off.
"Ano, Naruto-kun, where's the water slides?" I asked.
"Over there, Why?" He asked puzzled.
"Um, nothing," I blushed. So he really wasn't going to take me onto a water park… I sighed.
"Are you sad Hinata-chan?" He asked, looking at me concerned.
"No, not really," I tried to smile back at him. He was a nice guy though…
"Well, you look sad, so I'm taking you to the food court! Ramen cures EVERYTHING!" He declared loudly and pulled me along once again. I sighed and smiled. He might be a little dense but he's thoughtful.
When we got to the food area, which was crammed with thousands of different restaurants, Naruto dragged me instantly to a ramen stand tucked away in the corner of the large courtyard. It smelled really good! The stand had a few wayfarers who were eating and talking peacefully under the colorful banner that said "Ichiraku", Apparently Naruto was a regular because the eaters look up to him and waved. He grinned and waved back to them and then called to the girl at the stand. "Five bowls of miso and one bowl for the lady at my side, Ayame!"
"Coming right up! What flavor?" She asked with a grin.
"Um… Shrimp please…" I prodded my index fingers. Arg, I hate being so shy! Poking my fingers is a habit I've had for a while now and I do that whenever I'm nervous to not have to look at the person I'm talking to.
"Alright!" She hollered out the order to the back of the stand while Naruto and I sat down by the counter.
"So Naruto, who's the gal who's had the misfortune of going out with you?" Ayame, the ramen girl, asked teasingly.
"We're not dating," Naruto replied, "I'm still single, you know…" He winked suggestively at Ayame. I clenched my fists. He didn't have to be so rude and just SHOVE it in my face that he didn't like me!
"Not in a million years," She scoffed.
"Aw, C'mon, Ayame-chan, you know you wanna…" He grinned pervertedly.
"You have a date!" She retorted.
"Um, Ayame-san, Naruto and I aren't dating. Do you have a map of the plaza?" I asked. I can't take it any more! The guy I have fell head over heals for drags me away from my friends and makes me feel like a total and absolute idiot, not to mention flirts with another girl RIGHT IN MY FACE, now is looking at me puzzled. I can't stand it! I furiously wiped up my tears, accepted the map a concerned Ayame provided and literally ran out of the store.
"Wait Hinata-chan!" Was that Naruto calling me back? Naw, I couldn't be, he's probably flirting with the other girl and thinking I'm weird. Oh well...
Oomph. I had run right into another person and fell down.
"Hey Miss, are you alright?" A voice asked I looked up and saw a boy with red triangles on his face and a white puppy dog. Beside him stood a boy with sunglasses and a huge jacket and a boy with red hair and a tattoo on his forehead. He helped me up and grinned at me, "I'm Inuzuka Kiba, and those two behind me are Aburame Shino and Sabukano Gaara. Pleased to meet you."
"Nice to meet you all," I smiled shyly, "I'm Hinata Ampthena."
"Were you running away from Naruto?" Gaara asked in a monotone.
"Um… well… y-you see…" I hate stuttering!
"Don't worry about it, Naruto's a dense idiot most of the time" Kiba supplied.
I laughed at this, "H-He's really s-sweet though!"
"Wow, the baka has a girlfriend!" Kiba laughed.
"Not girlfriend," I muttered, "He made that pretty clear."
"Ouch, now why would he want to give up someone as pretty as you?" Kiba grinned. I blushed. This guy was a flatterer, but I doubt he meant it.
"Arf!" The puppy on Kiba's head barked.
"Oh, right, I haven't introduced Akamaru! He's my puppy," Kiba explained.
"Aww! He's cute!" I love dogs!
"Where are you headed?" Shino spoke up.
"I w-was thinking of g-going to the b-bathing suit store, I w-want to go on the w-water rides," I blushed.
"Alright then! We're showing you around," Kiba declared and Akamaru barked in agreement.
"Y-you r-really d-don't have to," I protested.
"Ampthena-san, we're friends of Naruto. He'd want us to. Besides we have nothing better to do," Shino said flatly.
"A-alright then, c-call me H-Hinata, please," I laughed as I was carted away by the two boys. Gaara was not behind us, though and in the midst of the merriment, I could feel something...
A/N: Finally! Sorry to leave so many little cliff hangers here and there. I wanted to get this out as a Christmas present.
The Sand Sibs, Lee and Gai, Kiba and Shino finally make an Appearance! Naruto messed up big time in this chapter, what will he do to get Hinata back? Exactly what happens with Sasuke and Sakura? Will Lee Interrupt? Will Shikamaru and Neji survive the extreme rides? What is that mysterious feeling? And what is the competition? Find out Next chapter, because I'm not telling you anything just yet:P
Sorry to all you Kankuro fans out there, he gets nicer, but I couldn't resist it! I like Kankuro as much as the next Naruto fan, but I think he's stuck up sometimes. And I couldn't resist the crack on Kabuki paint! Also people pair him with Tenten! Unforgivable in my thoughts, so just bear with me, ok?
You'll soon see the connection between Shikamaru and Temari but I can promise you, it isn't that romantic, only a little. I didn't want to put her as an obsessed fan girl or something crazy like that.
Shino does talk in this fic, because I want him to get the lime light for more than 2 seconds ok?
Just to clear up a few things: Kyuubi is still in Naruto, but it's a long and ancient curse which is vital to the story. They all have powers, as you will soon find, because it wouldn't be fair, now would it? Don't worry, the girls aren't impossibly strong because I hate god modeling. The others are a vital part in the story, but I just wanted this to be fluffy.
Thank you to all the Reviewers out there. You're all so sweet! Please leave a review on your way out.
Ciao, Happy holidays
Nyte
