Chapter 6:
Makoto lifted the box open and Shikamaru and Temari looked to examine their prize.
It wasn't a bottle of wine.
"Huh?"
It was a heart-shaped piece of wood with the castle etched into it.
"A castle craved in wood?" Temari asked, not even trying to sound grateful.
"This is a carving of this actual castle. This way, you'll always remember this night and the castle. Take it with you, my lovely dancers."
Temari forced herself to grin, but it looked painful. Clearly, she was disappointed in the prize, for more than one reason.
Even Sakura was disappointed. It wasn't a bottle of wine as they thought. It seemed like a pretty mediocre trophy which few would want.
"That was the prize?"
A man sighed. "I suppose they wouldn't be giving out the good items. A kimono sash went up for auction last month before these galas. Those things can cost a fortune, especially if they're antique."
"Makoto said that the sash belonged to his grandmother. I couldn't believe he'd part with it."
"I suppose he figured they'd get better use out of it, considering it was just collecting dust here."
"His mother's necklace, too. Figured he'd want to keep some of that, even if he couldn't use them. I suppose it's a great gift to give to your wife or girlfriend."
Curious, Sakura asked, "By any chance were any auction winner guests at these galas?"
"Of course," said a man. "All auctions unless specified were open to the public. Those nearby, anyway."
"And some of those items were jewels?"
"Yes, though not many."
Sakura thought she had it figured out and spoke with Shikamaru and Temari. "I think the women who were targeted won auctions other people wanted for themselves. They wore the items to the party and got kidnapped. I mean, where else would they wear anything that fancy? They had the items on them and were spotted and attacked."
"That makes the most sense out of anything," said Temari. "But is it worth doing that?"
"They could have sold the items for a profit."
"And maybe use that money towards something they couldn't normally afford." Temari nodded.
"I'm still liking the wine guy for this," said Sakura. "He's so desperate to get his hands on that wine. He could be gathering money to buy it or bid on it."
"And those women are all being held somewhere so they can't tell anyone. After he stole their jewels, he knew he couldn't let them go because they saw his face."
"I hope it's not anything that devious. It's also possible that they're all working together on this. Not sure why, but it's possible."
"Sam the wine guy could be doing this to tarnish Makoto's reputation. People go missing at his parties, he's going to look suspicious," said Temari. "And if something happens to him, the place would be empty and Sam can go into that cellar and take the wine for himself. He could also use that money he got from the jewels to buy it. I can see this being a thing."
Shikamaru nodded. "That wine is certainly coveted. And those things can all be true…"
"We'll need more proof before we go kicking Sam's ass. He could have a partner we know nothing about."
"That's also true," Shikamaru agreed with Temari.
Naruto started playing with Sakura's dress. She ignored him until he started fiddling with the zipper. She slapped his hand away. "What are you doing?" she growled.
Blushing hard, Naruto walked his fingers up Sakura's bare arm. "You stand out a lot. You look even prettier than I thought you did before."
"Huh?"
"Forget the mission. Sakura, you want to go somewhere with me? These guys got this."
Shikamaru raised his bro at Naruto's odd antics. "Naruto, are you drunk?"
Naruto looked unsteady and his face was red, but there didn't seem to be any alcohol at the party.
"I'm wasted, alright. Wasted on love. And I've been wasting time. Sakura, let's make the most of the night and go out with me. I'll prove I'm a better man than Sasuke."
Sakura leaned away from him in disgust and horror. "Naruto, what about Hinata? You guys are going steady, remember?"
"I can love two women at once." Naruto wiped his brow. "And you're right in front of me. I don't think I can wait."
"Naruto, there's something wrong with you."
"What's wrong is that we're not getting it on and we should be. Come on, Sakura, love me! Love me like I love you!" Naruto tried to kiss her and Sakura punched him in the jaw. He grabbed her legs and hung on tight. "I love you, Sakura! I love you! My passion for you burns! I mean it. I'm burning in my own skin. I have to unleash it. Let me unleash it, Sakura!"
"What's gotten into him?" asked Temari. "This is not normal."
Shikamaru looked around the room. "Probably the same thing that's happened to them."
All around them, people were kissing and groping, some men already removing articles of clothing. Every face he saw was red and the words he heard coming from their mouths were along similar lines to Naruto's.
Empty champagne glasses everywhere. The punch bowls were almost empty along with the food platters.
"It's the refreshments," said Shikamaru. "They've been spiked."
Sakura gasped. "I ate a shrimp. Does this mean I'm...?"
"No," said Temari. "Only the punch bowl. The food's clean. It has to be the punch. Shikamaru and I didn't have any and we're fine. And I'm guessing you haven't either."
"I haven't, but I know Naruto has. I saw him eat and drink."
Shikamaru looked around. "We're the only ones with our heads. And some people are missing. This was obviously a distraction."
"The wine cellar!"
"They're making their move! Let's go!"
Sakura dragged Naruto on her leg the distance to the door then pulled the tablecloth down, spilling the drink and food on the floor, and wrapped Naruto up in it. While he tried to find a way out, stumbling and falling repeatedly, the trio escaped out into the hall.
"I saw him arguing with the guy right around here," said Temari. "That cellar must be around here."
The girls took the lead, racing to find the cellar.
Shikamaru screeched to a halt in the middle of the hall and looked back the way he came. His eyes narrowed and he ran in a different direction, gears turning in his head.
