I don't own Naruto. (Of course not, because I don't have enough talent like Masashi Kishimoto)
A/N: Sorry for not updating for… like a month! I won't waste your time with author notes, so enjoy for now!
One more thing… ongelooflijke bedankt voor al jullie reviews! (..literally translated.. incredibly thanks for all your reviews! Sounds weird doesn't it:-p)
Oh again one more thing, NejiTen still is the main couple, but I'm working on other couples first.
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Chapter 5: Girl talk and a challenge
"What had happened?" Sakura yelled after hearing Ino's story.
Ino and Sakura were sitting in their hotel room. Ino had told Sakura what happened in the bar, how that guy, Rinji, wanted to kiss her. Sakura had listened to the whole story with wide open eyes.
"How did you get away?" Sakura asked.
"You will never believe it." Ino said.
"Maybe I will." Sakura said.
"I'm sure you won't." Ino replied.
"Try me." Sakura said confidently.
"But you're not going to believe me anyway!" Ino said.
"Ino!" Sakura said annoyed.
"Ok ok, guess how I got away…" Ino said with a sigh.
"You kicked him." Sakura said.
"No."
"Bit him."
"No."
"Gave him an evil glare? Screamed? Spit him in the face?" Sakura tried once again.
"No, no and that would have been a good idea." Ino said. "Guess once more."
"I don't have anymore inspiration…" Sakura said, cupping her chin to think. "Don't tell me that Shikamaru saved you that would be really funny!"
"I don't think it's funny because he actually did save me." Ino said cold, she didn't like it when someone makes fun of her team mates.
"What? That lazy bum saved you? Are we talking about the same Shikamaru? The Shikamaru, who you have to poke with a stick once in a while to check if he's still alive?" Sakura questioned astonished.
"I don't poke him with a stick!" Ino said innocently.
"No, you use a baseball stick because that hits harder." Sakura said dryly.
"Not anymore! Recently I just hold a mirror under his nose to look if he's still breathing. He gets cranky when I hit him." Ino grinned. Sakura laughed about that one, Ino is quite inventive sometimes! "And besides, bruises don't match with his cute face."
"Cute face?" Sakura smiled, looking evilly at her friend.
"I-I didn't meant it in that way!" Ino waved her hands up in the air around her, smiling in a panicking way.
"Admit it, you think he's cute!" Sakura said mockingly. Ino didn't reply, she just looked at Sakura, thinking.
"Maybe." Ino mumbled in her pillow, with a shade of pink on her face. She tried to cover her face behind her loose hair. Sakura squealed and threw her pillow at Ino.
"I knew it!" Sakura laughed and jumped on top of her pink shaded friend, doing a super slam WFW (a/n: I think it's a wrestling hold, the brother of my friend always does that on her when he is in a good mood tee hee, he plays to much on his play station. In reply Ino grabbed the pillow Sakura had thrown at her and whacked Sakura with it. They were having a pillow fight and were laughing hysterically
Someone knocking on the door made the two girls stop with playing. Giggling Sakura walked to the door. "Who's there?" She asked.
"It's me, Hinata." A shy voice answered.
Sakura opened the door and smiled at Hinata. "What's up?" She asked.
"Tenten i-isn't back yet, and I f-feel kind of lonely." Hinata said while wiggling with her feet.
"Come in, come in!" Sakura said cheerful.
Hinata stepped in, and was surprised by a pile of pillows and blankets. Did a bomb explode?
"Don't mind the mess." Ino said from under the blankets.
"Where is Tenten now?" Sakura asked.
"I don't know. I saw her leaving the bar with Neji and some others." Hinata said, feeling more comfortable.
"With Neji?" Ino and Sakura asked at the same time, they grinned at each other and they knew what they were thinking as always. A cough of Hinata made them look back at her.
"I said that she left with Neji and some others." Hinata said.
"Ok we won't talk about Neji and Tenten as a couple again." Ino said, raising her right hand while holding her left hand on her chest. Sakura did the same, which made Hinata smile. They were interrupted by another knock on the door. Sighing Sakura stood up again and walked to the door.
"Who's there?" She asked.
"The muffin man." A happy voice said.
"Tenten, what do you want?" Sakura chuckled.
"I want to come in." Tenten said with a singing voice.
"And…?" Sakura replied playful.
"I've got chocolate cookies!" Tenten said.
With that, Sakura opened the door and let Tenten in. Sakura and Tenten seated themselves in the circle between Ino and Hinata. Tenten put the bowl with cookies in the middle and grabbed a cookie.
"I think I'm in love." Tenten said suddenly. It made all the other girls look up. Well it wasn't really going to be a surprise which name Tenten was about to say. "I think a like Neji, a lot."
"I knew it!" Sakura and Ino squealed at the same time.
Hinata had a huge smile on her face. "Tenten, when did you found out?"
"Well, when we left from the bar, you, Chouji and Sasuke walked ahead of us. And Neji and I were just talking." Tenten told. "And it was just, nice. We didn't talk about training or fighting, just about what we do in our spare time. We actually talked about me, because Neji only trains, eats and sleeps. But I felt all tingly when he looked at me, and I caught myself on dreaming away in his eyes." Tenten ended dreamily.
Ino, Sakura and Hinata grinned at each other by seeing Tenten's face. Who knew she was a dreamy type of girl?
"Well since you finally like a guy, you need to impress him." Sakura said teasingly. Tenten looked with big eyes at Sakura.
"Yes, and let's begin with letting your hair down!" Ino said with an evil smile.
Tenten jumped up, had an evil look on her face and pointed at Sakura and Ino. "No way! You two are just looking for an excuse to see me with my hair down!"
"Yeah, so?" Ino and Sakura said with an innocent smile on their face.
Tenten sat back on the ground, taking another cookie. "Evil." She said while giving a glare at Sakura and Ino.
"Ah please! Can we see you with your hair down?" Ino and Sakura asked.
"No." Tenten answered simply. Sakura and Ino made puppy dog eyes, and pretended that they were going to cry.
Tenten let out a sigh and untied her buns. "Crying is blackmail." She added, while untying.
"We know!" Ino and Sakura grinned.
Her silky brown hair fell down. Her brown tresses reached just above her trousers. It was straight, and incredibly soft. She shook her head a little to loosen the hair from it's tied up position.
"WOW!" Ino, Sakura and even Hinata said.
"TENTEN! Why do you always have your hair tied up in buns?" Ino asked.
"I hate it when it comes in my face when I'm training." Tenten said simply.
"But you also tie it up when you're not training." Sakura said.
"Yes, um.. that's.. uhm.. ah just shut up. I don't know; it's just easier to tie my hair up." Tenten said.
"Don't you think Neji would pay more attention if you do something about your appearance?" Ino said.
"Uhm.. I don't thi-" Hinata was cut off by Sakura.
"Yes, let your hair down once in a while and some mascara would do you good." Sakura said.
Hinata again tried to say something. "That wo-"
"Yes and maybe you can wear a dress or skirt once in a while." Ino grinned.
"Stop it with the dresses and skirts already!" Tenten shouted.
"Tente-" Hinata tried once more.
"But it would look good on you! You're such a tomboy sometimes." Sakura said.
"Hello! Hinata is trying to say something but you two are constantly cutting her of!" Tenten said. Sakura and Ino blinked at Tenten, and then look at Hinata. "What did you want to say, Hinata?" Tenten asked.
Hinata let out a sigh of relief. Finally, she could speak. "I don't think that Neji w-would like it if Tenten dresses herself up more." And Hinata had spoken.
"Thank you, Hinata!" Tenten said relieved. But unfortunately enough Ino and Sakura weren't that easy to stop.
"Why wouldn't he like it? I mean, every guy must like it when a girl pays attention to her appearance!" Ino said, and Sakura nodded in agreement.
"Uhm, well, Neji and I once talked about our teams. A-and he told me that he liked it that Tenten was a tomboy, and never nagged about how she looked." Hinata said. "And also that it was because of that he thought she would be a successful kunoichi."
Tenten began to blush. 'So Neji does acknowledge me…' she thought. "So, no appearance change I guess. I'm relieved!" Tenten said.
"Ahw, please?" Sakura pleaded.
"No." Tenten said firmly.
Ino and Sakura stopped trying to change Tenten and they just talked about boys and other girlish stuff (which hardly caught Tenten's attention).
After that, Tenten and Hinata decided to go back to their room, leaving Ino and Sakura alone.
"Come, let's get some sleep." Sakura said. Ino agreed, and they started to pick up the pillows and blankets, making their beds ready to sleep in.
The lights were out, and they both lay in their bed. After a little moment Sakura started to speak again. "Ino, truth or dare."
"Sakura, please not now." Ino groaned.
"Truth or dare." Sakura continued.
"Truth." Ino sighed.
"Why have you stopped getting Sasuke's attention?" Sakura asked.
Ino turned around to face Sakura from where she lay. "Because I can see that he cares for you. I'm only in his way, and besides, you're my best friend. After the past years I realised that you're more important to me than a guy who doesn't even know who I am." With that Ino turned back and closed her eyes.
"Ino…"
"What?" Ino asked softly.
"Thank you." Sakura said. "Good night."
"Good night." Ino said. They both felt in a peaceful sleep.
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The next morning Sakura was up early to get ready for the beach. She had put on her pink bikini with a red summer dress over it and waited for Ino to get ready. Ino wore her light blue on peace bikini, which crossed over in the front and was tied at the bikini bottom from behind. It matched her eyes, and coloured nice with her white skirt.
When she was in the hall, she and Ino waited for Chouji and Shikamaru to get ready. Apparantly Sasuke, Neji, Tenten, Hinata, Kiba and Lee had already left to the beach. They had failed in waking up Naruto.
With a sigh, Sakura walked to Naruto's door. She grabbed a hairpin out of her high ponytail and tried to unlock the door. Finally she heard a click and went into the room. She saw Naruto lying in his bed, snoring pretty loud. 'How did Sasuke get his sleep?' Sakura thought.
Sakura grabbed a big glass and filled it with water. She walked over to Naruto again and stood at the side of his bed, tapping with her foot.
"Naruto, it's time to wake up." Sakura said.
"Snore."
"I'm serious."
"Snore."
"I'm warning you, I have a big glass of water in my hand and I'm not afraid to use it." Sakura said annoyed.
"Snore."
By this, Sakura bend forward and held the glass above Naruto's head. She led a few drops fall out of the glass on his forehead. Naruto just continued sleeping.
"I've warned you." Sakura said dryly. She let the ice cold water fall out of the glass right in Naruto's face.
Naruto jumped up. "AAAH COLD!"
"Good morning." Sakura said with an annoyed expression on her face.
"Sakura, did you do that?" Naruto yelled, pointing with his finger at her, while standing on his bed.
"Yes, and now get dressed. We're of to the beach." Sakura said, she turned around and left with Shikamaru, Chouji and Ino.
Naruto held up his fist at her, sighed and got dressed.
-------------------------------------------
At the beach Sakura and Ino found the others. They were dragging Chouji and Shikamaru along to get there faster; both Shikamaru and Chouji looked an annoyed and just followed.
Hinata lay there, resting on her elbows with sunglasses on. Her dark red/purple bikini shone beautiful in the sun. She was looking at Lee and Kiba who were playing beach volleyball with Neji and Sasuke. Tenten was surfing again, much in the pleasure of the other boys on the beach who watched every single movement the beautiful brunette made.
Ino and Sakura quickly lay down on their beach towels and relaxed in the sun. Sakura tossed her red dress to the side, which soon got Ino's white skirt on top of it. Chouji and Shikamaru also lay down, Shikamaru on his back. Finally he saw clouds again, and stared at the sky, relaxing. Chouji again ate his bag of chips, thought some of his chips missed and landed on his blue Hawaii shirt.
"What's the score?" Sakura asked, sitting up on her elbows like Hinata.
"It's 5-3 for Sasuke and Neji." Hinata said. Both Hinata and Sakura watched the game in silence, while Naruto arrived. He tossed his stuff on the ground, and ran to the sea like a lunatic.
A little moment later Tenten got back to the group. She had brought away her surf board, and stood there next to the lying group. They seemed to pay no attention, so Tenten thought that it would be a good idea to wake them up a little bit. So she shook the water of herself, much in the annoyance of Ino.
"Tenten! Now I'm getting all wet!" Ino said a little mad.
"Sorry." Tenten grinned.
Tenten looked at the game of beach volleyball and was thinking of joining them. Just at that moment Sasuke didn't want to play anymore. He went to the beach hut to get a drink. Sakura quickly stood up and went together with Sasuke.
For Tenten it was reason enough to join Neji with defeating Lee and Kiba. "So, am I on the winning team?" She asked.
"Definitely." Neji said, and he served the ball.
The game continued, under supervision of Hinata. When the ball came in the middle of Tenten and Neji's field, they both wanted to smack the ball back. They hit the ball, and it landed far on the other side. Lee and Kiba now had to look for the ball. In the meanwhile Tenten lay on top of Neji, as a real gentleman he had broken her fall. Tenten sat straight, and she looked Neji in the eyes, her hands resting on his chest.
"I'm sorry Neji! Did I hurt you?" She asked worriedly.
"Yes you're so heavy that I've got to go to the hospital." Neji said full with sarcasm.
He wrapped his right arm around Tenten's waist, and put his left arm behind his back on the ground. He pushed himself up, half jumping, and held Tenten close to him so she wouldn't fall. When he felt she stood steady, he let go of her. He had his attention back to Kiba and Lee who had the ball back. He hadn't noticed the shade of pink on Tenten's cheeks.
She was filled with an overwhelming feeling of joy and warmth. She looked at Neji once more, and continued playing.
At the beach hut, Sasuke and Sakura were waiting for their drinks. Sasuke just stared at the see, while Sakura was thinking about something she could say. But the only think she could think of was waiting for her drinks.
"Can I offer you a drink?" A brown haired muscled guy with brown eyes asked.
"I've already ordered something, no thank you." Sakura said none-interested.
The muscled brunette tried again. "Why would a beautiful girl like you refuse a dri-"
"She said no, get lost." Sasuke said cold to the guy.
"And who are you, if I may ask?" The muscled monkey asked.
"That's none of your concern." Sasuke replied. Sasuke grabbed the drinks, gave Sakura her paper-cup and grabbed her arm to take her with him, away from this muscled lunatic. This, of course, made Sakura blush a little.
"Are you running away, scaredy-cat?" The muscled brunette grinned.
"What did you say?" Sasuke snapped.
"I said 'scaredy-cat'." The muscled brunette grinned again.
Sasuke got angry. "Why you-"
"Sasuke, let's go, this geek doesn't know what he's talking about." Sakura said, pulling on Sasuke's arm.
The muscled brunette heard what Sakura had said and wouldn't let anybody insult him that easily. "Geek? Why you little…"
"You leave her alone." Sasuke said fiery, pulling Sakura behind him. The muscled brunette looked with an angry expression at Sasuke.
The beach hut was close to where the group of Sasuke and Sakura lay, and they noticed the tumult. Lee, never forgetting his promise to protect Sakura, rushed to the scene and also stood in front of Sakura.
"Leave her alone, or you'll be sorry." Lee said, he turned to Sakura, lifted his dumb and did a tooth ping and turned back to the muscled brunette.
"You want a fight too?" The muscled brunette said angrily.
"Stop it! Don't fight!" Sakura shouted.
"Don't worry Sakura, we won't get hurt." Lee said.
"I know you two won't even hold a scratch, but I already feel pity for the nurses who have to take care of his wounds." Sakura giggled. This made Sasuke and Lee smirk (for as far Lee smirks).
The three friends of the muscled brunette joined the tumult, and also stood ready to fight. "Hah! We're in greater numbers how are you two going to fight us?" He smirked.
"You'll see." Sasuke smirked.
"Sakura jumped in front of Sasuke and Lee. "No no no, wait!" She said. "Isn't there another way to fight this out? I really feel sorry for those nurses."
"You're right." Lee said. Sasuke just looked sceptic.
"I and my men are going to crush you in a beach volleyball game." The muscled brunette said, showing that he has a few brain cells.
"What, only the two of us against you four? That's a bit unfair." Lee said, still smiling a bit.
"Yeah you're right, choose two team mates and we'll play." The muscled brunette said.
Lee called Neji and Tenten over. "Do you two want to beat those guys in a game of beach volleyball?"
"Sure." Neji and Tenten answered.
"And the price?" Lee asked at the muscled lunatics.
The muscled brunette grinned "You know what, I kind of like that pink haired girl and the girl with two buns in your team."
"Playing over me and Sakura?" Tenten asked.
I'll end it here. Hmm.. I kind of have an idea how the next chapter will be!
I want to thank everybody who reviewed! They're sooooo many reviews! I'm so happy! I only hadn't had time to respond.. sorry for that! I hope you all liked this chapter! I hope everybody continues reading, and please review!
Please be easy on the flames, and if there's anything that I can improve, please tell me! (I don't know if I can improve my grammar much though…)
Groetjes and kusjes (greetings and kisses),
Shamira
