Disclaimer: Naruto does to belong to me

Ages:
Naruto: 19
Sasuke: 21

Beat The Odds
Chapter 4: Shopping For A Boyfriend

July 6 2007 - 10 months together

Shopping for a man was in a completely different ballpark than shopping for a woman. When buying a girl a gift, there was always a fail safe way to ensure the girl would like it: bring a woman with you. It was just that simple. Now shopping for a guy, who also happened to be your boyfriend, completely different story.

He had brought his best guy friend and his other best friend to assist in purchasing this birthday gift. He had hoped that having Kiba around would help him figure out what to buy his boyfriend without it being too fruity and cheesy while it still being something to remember.

They had been at the mall for 2 hours and had made no progress - except for deciding what to eat for lunch. That was quickly decided in minutes.

"I don't understand what's wrong with buying him a game," Kiba murmured out.

"Because he can buy himself a damn game."

Silence followed and Naruto sighed.

"I can't just buy him anything either Kiba," He hotly told, quickly stealing a fry from his friend's tray. "It has to mean something. A game...really doesn't mean jack shit."

"You sound like a chick."

"What -"

"What did you just say, Kiba?" The complete ice that was uttered in that sentence had both Naruto and Kiba turning their heads to their female companion. Her green eyes were hard and glaring daggers at the brunette. Naruto almost felt bad for him, but he should have known better. Sakura never takes it kindly when her gender is mocked.

Kiba's reply was to roll his brown eyes and continue to eat his french fries, completely ignoring the hateful stare she was giving him.

"I mean, he sounds like a girl." He told again, showing off his teeth in a wide grin. "It has to mean something~" he parroted back in a pathetic attempt at sound like a high strung woman. It failed and only caused a few people in the food court to stare at them.

"What's wrong with him wanting it to mean something?" Sakura retorted back, "just because Naruto cares about what others think-"

"Woah...I do n-"

"Does not mean that he is feminine!" she huffed out, cutting Naruto off before he could interrupt. "It's cute that he wants Sasuke to like it."

Naruto sputtered, "Cute? Just because I want to get him something nice does not make it 'cute'" He scrunched his face up at the word, and turned his eyes to Kiba, "and definitely doesn't makes me a girl."

Kiba's eyes softened. "It's not that you want to get him something nice, Naru. It's how you're being the worlds pickiest prick about it!" he huffed out and frowned when he noticed that he had no fries left. He glared up at the blond who sheepishly grinned before plopping the last stolen fry into his mouth.

"Nothing wrong with him wanting to get the perfect gift for his boyfriend." She countered, brushing a strand of pink hair out of her eyes.

"Guys are simple to shop for though!" Kiba proclaimed and glanced at his friend, "just buy him a game and he'll be thrilled!"

Naruto frowned, he knew what game Sasuke wanted too but...damnit he wanted to get something more personal! Something that he would remember and not a game that he could just walk over to the closest store and buy himself.

Kiba's eyes softened at seeing the conflicting emotions being showcased in his friend's blue eyes.

"Look, I'm trying to be helpful Naru," he told, swinging his arm around his friend's hunched shoulders. "I just don't know how to help you." He truthfuly told before sighing. "Let's go over again, what are we not getting him?"

Sakura for good measure stuck her tongue out like the mature adult she was, and smiled sweetly to their blond friend who looked a little tired. She perched her elbows onto the cafeteria table and rested her head on the plans of her hand.

"No jewellery."

Naruto nodded, it was not something you mailed to your boyfriend- plus what guy really wanted a beautiful necklace?

"No stuffed animals."

"No clothes."

Sakura disagreed strongly with that. She was sure they could find something suitable for the boy if Naruto wasn't so picky and hesitant about choosing a nice shirt. After an hour of arguing inside of a store, he had huffed and said that clothes were on the list of not purchasing. He stated it was too hard to buy clothing for Sasuke because he didn't know what kind of style he wore and he didn't want to spend his money just to find out that it was not something his boyfriend would want or wear.

It made sense, but she was sure they could find something Sauske would like. There was a hundred (maybe more) shops in this mall, there had to be one article of clothing the man wouldn't mind.

"No electronics."

"No food."

There was silence. She searched her mind for anything that would be gift worthy and did not fall under those categories and drew a complete blank.

Naruto groaned and banged his head lightly on the table. Everyone was starting to lose patience and hope with the mall hunt. He ran through a list of possibilities that would be gift-worthy and memorial.

There was always the generic mug gift. It would have some witty saying on it that would always get a smile. It was a safety net gift but it was also superficial. It was almost like he just thought about it at the last possible second and got him a mug.

He could also always get the man something from Things Engraved. There was a nice pen set on display there and he would always write Sasuke's name on it, but did Naruto really want to get him a pen? An expensive pen at that.

He could also get him a scarf. Winter would be approaching in few months and they were on sale since it was still summer. But a scarf? Didn't that qualify as clothing? Plus did Sasuke even wear scarves?

He huffed and glanced at Kiba who also seemed to be deep in thought. He loved his friends although they fussed and whined like babies, they were always there when he needed them. Something glinted on the brunette's chest that caught Naruto's eye.

Staring at the metal object his eyes lit up and he stood up staring at his best friend. Both of his friend's eyes turned to him, and he gave a sly grin.

"Kiba...I think I love you."

"You think? Dude, you should know you love me," he grinned. "Why the sudden possessive declaration? What would Sasuke think if he heard you?" Mock flirtatious tone which caused both Naruto and Sakura to roll their eyes.

Before replying he gave a devilish smirk. "You're wearing the perfect gift."

Kiba's eyes highlighted his clear confusion as he looked down at his clothing and what he was 'wearing'. He had on a loose fitting green Zelda t-shirt that had their game's symbol proudly displayed across the chest, and a pair of dark brown cargo pants. He frowned and glanced back up at his friend.

"Isn't clothing off the list?" He was sure Sasuke would not like anything he was wearing anyway.

"It's not clothing."

Kiba once again looked down at what he was wearing and stopped when he heard Sakura gasp with a small 'oh'. She smiled at him, making him even more confused.

"Care to tell me what it is then?" He bit out, looking between the pink-haired girl and the blond moron.

"Around your neck," Sakura pointed with her manicured index finger. He trailed his eyes back down to his body and saw what she was referring to, the pair of dog tags that were around his neck and resting on his chest.

"Doesn't this qualify as jewellery?" he asked honestly confused and touched the metal with his fingers.

Naruto merely shrugged, "it's manly jewellery though."

Sakura huffed at the reply before glancing between the two to see two identical grins spreading across their faces. Honestly, boys. Without waiting for them to move she decided to stand up and drop off their plastic white trays to the tray station. She smiled at the lady who was cleaning them off and politely handed the three trays over before walking back towards their table to see Kiba now standing.

It was such a great gift; it would be personal and not expensive. He could also put his own personal message on the tags, but Sakura didn't think Naruto would get sappy with it. Just write Sasuke's name on one and leave it like that. He didn't need to add his own name or their anniversary.

They all started to walk towards the stores, when Naruto slowed his walk down, causing both Kiba and Sakura to fall into step with him as well. He had the gift down, but...

"Now what card do I get him?"

Two groans could be heard as they walked away from him. He could not stop smiling at their antics. Quickening his pace, he sped up to catch up to the two retreating backs.