A Cool Breeze Enters the Festival
The day has finally arrived. The school festival, where the students in the school enjoy what every club has to offer. Class still goes on but its shorten and the students who are in clubs were dismissed to tend their club to set up. The halls were decorated giving a fun vibe to whoever walks by. Club rooms were open to the public by choice since they can either have a table for their club somewhere around the school or use their club room.
There was signs in front of the room, telling everyone what kind of club they are and what they offer. Many students dressed up looking fancy, wild, cool and in cosplay. The clubs that decided to have a table or a booth for their club were outside in certain areas. A couple were near the entrance of the school and at the center. There were also clubs behind, at the sides and near the dojo which was also accessible to the public.
The card club's table was no so far from the entrance. They were placed where the gambling took place and where Naruto and Ino stood yesterday. They were in front of line of clubs that lead to the center of the school. A perfect place that allows the students entering to see their club first but that's' not what happened.
They had a table next to the table that was already there but that was two small for them so they were able to get a longer table. Choji, Sara and Naruto were sitting behind this plain table. Their sign were in front of the table at leg level.
It has been a quiet day than Naruto anticipated. That could be because the students keep passing their table, thinking they were staff. Naruto kept tapping his finger on the table, not liking how this was going.
Some of the Avatar cards were placed out on the table to catch the person's eyes but still, no one came up to them.
"Heh...its a slow day" Sara spoke sighing.
"...yep.." Naruto said simply not looking happy.
"..mhmmm...I guess no one saw our poster" Choji states.
"Well...if plan A doesn't work...there is plan B" Sara said with a smile.
There was a possibility of this happening. Ino knew that so, that's why Sasuke isn't with them. He was out, handing out posters. It was only a matter of time when the quietness will be over. Naruto leans back and stared up at the sky. It was a clear sky no signs of rain. Though, he did feel a chill.
OOO
On the opposite side, from where the card club is, the fencing club's dojo. It's also where Ino was. If she wasn't able to help her club, she might as well help her friends club that she kept ignoring because of her club. She felt bad and wanted to make it up.
Surprisingly, Neji allowed her to help. He was happy that she finally decided to help him. Sakura and Sai were also there. Ino was assign to be the one welcoming everyone at the entrance of the dojo along with Sakura. They both needed to look like priestess. It gain a lot attention. There was a crowd of people in front of the dojo. Some wanted to take pictures of them and others were interested to see what was the club about and went in.
"man...I feel embarrassed" Ino said smiling at the students taking her pictures
"You and me both" Sakura whispers also doing the same. "Glad your...finally...helping Neji out"
"well...I'm free today...thought I would give him a hand" Ino states.
"He's happy...though, now he's busy with the students coming in so you two won't be able to catch up much" Sakura said disappointed.
"Well things probably will go down later" Ino said.
Suddenly more students started gathering around and getting closer to Ino and Sakura.
"ya...I don't think so" Sakura said nervously. "Not when we are here"
"Seems like Naruto was right...they're mainly here because of me" Ino thought frowning a bit. "I hope their doing alright" she starts waving at the cameras.
OOO
Sasuke was standing at the center of the festival. He was handing out flyers like nothing. Many of the female students went up to him and some male. When they started talking to him, Sasuke gave them a flyer first. He even faked a smile and his tone. He was forcing himself to act, nice.
Surprisingly it worked but not too well. Some looked at the flyer but then slid it into their pockets. Others were interested and decided to check it out. This plan was somewhat working. Sasuke wasn't sure how long he could stand in one place. He might just walk around and hand out flyers.
At the card clubs table, there was finally customers. Naruto cracked a friendly smile while Sara was saying the lines Choji made.
"Have you ever thought your something more...has it ever occured to you that your destined for greatness!" Sara said in a clam tone. "Care to see your potential"
Sara collected the cards that were placed on the table by gliding her hand over it. The students were excited seeing them stunned by Sara's words and nodding quickly. Sara begins. Naruto watches along with Choji. Even though they weren't the ones getting their potential told, they wanted to know other peoples.
"Alright….your potential is…" Sara states lifting the card. "Gray….the one that is cold as ice….his confidence is like no other...he's proud and brave plus caring"
"Cool" the students said satisfied with the card.
"Alright..I'm next" said one of his friend.
This is where it begins. Naruto's peace and quiet is gone and now time to act. Naruto looked over to a bag that was on the floor. Ino had a deck of cards of her own in that bag. It was for emergencies if their table was popular. Naruto thought it was a good idea, if it were to happen. At the moment, things were going smoothly but he doesn't think they will be swarm with students.
After that thought, he felt the air getting cold. He turned his head to the direction of where it was coming from. It was where the food was. He can even smell it and was hungry but not like Choji who constantly kept looking and drooling at that direction. He needed to wait until they were on break. That's when Naruto had to take over by himself.
This was what Ino meant for giving him loads of work. He didn't see it coming and hated her for it. He sighs and tapped the table.
Sasuke went to a food vendor and ordered a hotdog. When he was getting a hotdog, he felt someone nudge his back. He turned and saw no one. He ate a piece of the hotdog and notice on his left a pair of buns.
His shirt started get pulled on his other side. When he turned, he saw three girls. He let go of the hotdog that was inside his mouth and handed them three flyers. Even during eating, he is still working.
Ino and Sakura were able to take a break including Neji and Sai. Though, Sakura asked Sai to go with her to buy some food for everyone, leaving Ino and Neji alone.
"Been busy?" Ino asked Neji.
"Very...you and Sakura kept bringing so many people in…" Neji states sighing. "I thought we would never get to take a break"
"Sorry...it seems like our popularity ruined things" Ino said.
"No, no….its the opposite...we gain new members and made people interested…" Neji said with a smile. "Its all thanks to you-...and Sakura"
"Thanks...makes me happy that I get to help you guys" Ino said smiling. "And sorry I couldn't help before..I've been busy"
"Ya..i heard but what matters is that your here now" Neji said.
"Ya" Ino said softly, nodding.
Ino still kept thinking about her club. She wondered if it was doing alright and getting attention. Sakura and Sai soon came back with food in their hands.
"Well...time to eat up for the long day ahead of us" Sakura states grinning.
It should be around this time for Sara and Choji to go on break. Ino felt a little uneasy since, Naruto now has to defend the table.
"H-hey...would it be alright for us to explore the festival?" Ino asked.
"Well...I don't think it will hurt if you leave for a while and come back...sure" Neji states.
"Do you want to see a certain table?...Ino?" Sai asked curious.
"N-not really...I want to see all tables" Ino answers nervously.
"Ya...lets go together it should be fun!" Sakura said excited.
Ino smiles and nods. She could check on her club too and Naruto. He better not act himself.
OOO
"I guess its finally time" Sara said wiping the sweat from her forehead. "Naruto...handle the fort from here"
She gave him the Avatar cards. Choji already left running to the food vendors which wasn't a surprise. Naruto inhales and exhales feeling nervous.
"You better keep us up.." Sara said in a serious tone. "...or no food"
"What!" Naruto replied shocked.
"So do a good job then" Sara said giggle and leaves. "Bye"
Naruto now was finally alone. He looks at the cards in his hand and placed them down. It was peaceful now, no one came up to him. Though, that's a bad thing until a blond came into his vision.
"Is this the card club?" she spoke not sounding impressed.
"Ya?" Naruto answers not recognizing the girl.
"Avatar cards?...you do play with real cards?" she asked raising an eyebrow.
"...We do-" Naruto said.
"Alright...lets play then" she states in a serious tone.
"Woah...wait...who are you?" Naruto asked not liking her tone.
"Temari...are you going to bring out your deck or should I leave" Temari said placing her hand on her hips.
Naruto eye twitch. She was rude but he can't have her leave. He sighs and reached into Ino's bag and pulled out the violet cards.
"Fine…" Naruto said showing her the violet cards which made her smirk. "What game-"
"Speed" she said quickly.
Naruto was surprised. He didn't think he would play that game today. He was hesitant but started to make the set up. Temari eyes watched at Naruto sets it up. "So he's the guy Kaboto told me about...hmph...let see what he got" she thought.
Naruto gave her the twenty cards and himself. Temari picked up five. Her eyes shifted to the sound coming from Naruto. He quickly drew out five cards on the table and swiped them up with one hand. It made her grin with excitement. Naruto placed his hand on the left card in the middle and Temari placed her hand on the right card
.
"Ready" Naruto spoke.
"Flip" the two said.
OOO
Cards at the Center: 3 and 4
Naruto's hand:
King of diamonds
Jack of diamonds
Jack of clubs
Ten of clubs
Nine of clubs
Naruto wasn't going to be able to put any cards down. Plus, he has two of the same cards which was not a good thing. It's a lot tougher to get rid of it.
Temari's hand:
Queen of diamonds
Queen of clubs
Three of Clubs
Two of clubs
Eight of clubs
Temari smirked and placed her cards down see her two can go on the three along with her own three. Naruto couldn't still go.
"Can't go uh" Temari spoke with a grin. "You won't win against me"
Cards in the middle: three and four
Naruto's hand stays the same.
Temari picked up two more cards and place it in her hand.
Temari's new cards: seven of clubs and jack of hearts.
She spoke to soon. Now she couldn't make a move. She can hear Naruto chuckling from her reaction. She was pissed and reached for the side card as well as Naruto. They both flip them into the middle.
Cards in the middle: six and seven
"Damn it" Naruto said to himself, can't go again.
He looked up at Temari and notice her eyes. They were focus and bright. She placed her cards in the middle. He felt cold wind hit his face. He blinks a few times and notice people behind Temari looking at them.
"Woah...look at this?"
"Whos that pretty girl"
"Whose the blond guy..I don't think I've seen him before"
"What are they doing…"
"There playing speed!...I use to play that"
"Oohh whos winning!"
Naruto could hear the students chatting. They were interested in this card game. This was a good sign but, he started to feel nervous. Temari didn't notice the eyes behind her. She was too focus in the game to care. She gave a glare at Naruto.
"Can you go?" she asked in a rude tone.
"N-no" Naruto said looking at the same cards.
"...uh...here I thought you were going to be able to make this entertaining for me" Temari states. "But your like the rest"
Temari continues to put the cards down in the right spot. Naruto still couldn't go until he notice a number. He gripped the bottom of the cards.
"Oh ya….I'll show you what I got" Naruto states.
Suddenly, Naruto began putting his nine, ten, jack down onto the eight. Temari swiped her queen to his jack but was surprised to see Naruto put his king over her queen so fast like he knew she was going to put that card down.
Temari looked at Naruto and was surprised to see a smirk on his face. He was finally getting serious.
Cards in middle: eight and seven
Temari hand:
Queen of diamond
Queen of clubs
Jack of hearts
Ten of diamond
Nine of diamond
Temari's new cards:
Four of clubs
Two of hearts
Seven of diamonds
Nine of spades
Queen of diamonds
Naruto's new hand
Five of clubs
King of hearts
Six of clubs
Jack of clubs
OOO
Sara and Choji were carrying some food for Naruto and notice many students were walking in the same direction.
'What's going on?" Sara asked.
"I don't know...are they going to our table?" Choji asked.
"I don't think so….but" Sara said turning her head side to side. "If they are...Naruto is in trouble...we need to hurry"
Sara started running along with Choji. Sasuke also notice the students walking in the direction of the card club. Though, he didn't think it was because of his flyers. From the small chatter he heard, there was a card game being played. It was Naruto against another blond female with buns in her hair. That fits one person Sasuke knows. He started running.
At the dojo, Ino and Sakura got wind of the card game before they head off from their duties.
"Uh..thats the club Naruto is in" Sakura said quietly to herself.
"speed?...I thought they were playing Avatar...whats going on?" Ino said confused.
"I need to check it out" the two thought curious. They both looked at each other surprised. Judging from each other's looks, they both were thinking the same thing but have different motives.
"Shall we" Sakura states.
"What about Neji-" Ino said.
"I'm going to" Neji said with Sai next to him.
"Y-you are?" Ino said surprised to hear that.
"Well that card club seems to be the star of the festival right now...I might as well see who is running it" Neji states. "Let's go together"
"Yay!..it will be fun!" Sakura cheers.
Ino had mixed feelings. Her friends were going to see her card club for the first time without knowing its hers. Naruto better have made it popular or he has another thing coming with her.
OOO
Sara, Choji, Sasuke and Ino were all heading where Naruto was but they were faced with a huge crowd of students blocking their way. They heard cheering at the far end. They were trying to get through them but nothing.
"The hell is happening" Sara states pushing herself in between the students
"I don't know but seems like everyone is enjoying it" Choji states noticing the smiles in everyone's faces.
Sasuke kept finding holes to go through. He pokes his head up and saw two blond heads far down. He keeps rushing closer.
Ino and her friends also tried getting through together. Ino was a little further from them. She tried asking people to move in a polite tone but no one listened to her. Actually, avoided her all together. She stopped running and realize that she wasn't getting attacked by any fan boy's. She looks to her left and right. She was standing in a crowd of people but nothing. "Whats Naruto doing for this too happen" she thought smiling and continued to make her way.
The crowd made a surprised sound. Ino, Sasuke and Sara were able to get close enough to what was happening. That's when they saw it. There eyes widen from the scene in front of them.
There were two people facing each other looking tired with sweat dripping down their forehead. The girl had her buns untied. Naruto took his blazer off and was only wearing a orange t-shirt. Though, their appearance were not surprising. It was their expressions.
They both were breathing heavily, chuckling and looking at each other with intensity. They were non stop slamming cards on the table. Naruto's fingers were a little red. His eyes shifted to Temari's sharp nails. It wasn't noticeable at the beginning but they were sharp. Everytime he tried blocking her hand, those nails push his hand back.
However, Naruto couldn't help but grin. Temari was impressed with Naruto. He was making her work. She had to use her skill which was, being able to memorize the cards that had been played. She tried using that to her advantage but Naruto just keeps on slamming his cards.
"You are good...no...your amazing..I have to admit" Temari states looking at the one card in her hand. "Quite fun to play with but...its over"
Naruto had one card in his hand and two cards in his deck. He didn't pick up the two right away. He needed to calm himself.
Cards in the middle: 9 of hearts and 3 of diamonds
Cards at each side: two cards left
Naruto's hand:
Jack of clubs
Temari's hand
Queen of Hearts
"I guess we-" Temari said but saw Naruto quickly place his two fingers on the side card.
She hesitate when he saw his eyes dead set on the center cards. She didn't think he heard her. She grins reaching for the other side card. "This was it...he may be able to put his Jack down but...his last cards should be...a three and a seven...far from each other" she thought making the flip as well as Naruto.
This was the moment the crowd was waiting for. Who was going to win this match.