This solitude
That breaks and sways
This solitude
That insists to I stay away
And yes, it hurts, doesn't it?
When you find yourself torn
By two sides
Staring aimlessly into the darkness, she found it hard to keep consciousness. The voices of laughter rang in her ears as she discerned all of it from downstairs. It was ironic how far she was from her family when she was actually so close to home now.
Chapter Three
Crowds of girls swarmed the main bulletin board that day, all cooing and awing at something I couldn't see. At the foot of the attention stood Tenten, Hinata, and Naruto, all talking quite excitedly.
I approached the threesome, refreshed and a bit energetic today from my dose of Starbucks coffee after the night I had yesterday. Couldn't really sleep. "Hey, what's with this?" I asked, motioning with my hands to the flock of giggling girls. Seriously. Sometimes these kind of girls had no dignity whatsoever. Don't they know they're staining women's reputations?
Naruto grinned. "The mixed swim team names!"
I cocked my head to the side, surprised. "All these girls tried out?"
"No. They're just perverts who like to see guys without shirts on while they sweat and swim." Tenten answered, smirking. "We're just here as moral support for Naruto."
"Really? You tried out, Naruto?" I asked with a small smile. Swimming took a lot of stability and energy, and I could picture Naruto swimming with a fast pace of competitiveness.
Naruto nodded eagerly. "Yup! I make it every year, but Ino's gone in through the flock with Shikamaru just to make sure."
Just then, a blonde head and a sweating brown one popped through the crowd.
"HE DID IT!" Ino yelled, pumping her fist into the air. "But I survived the rabid creatures! So I DID IT, TOO!"
Naruto beamed happily, whooping loudly. "HELL YEAH, MAN! HELL YEAH!" He jumped into the air, and then grabbed Hinata-chan and started to dance. Hinata blushed about three shades of red: Pinkish-red, plain red, and then crimson blood.
"N-N-N-Na-Naruto-kun!" she squeaked, embarrassed and elated. "Con-Congra-Congra-Congratulations!"
Naruto grinned madly at her, kissing her cheek. "Thank you, Hinata-chan! Woo-hoo!"
I smiled lightly at the sight of both of them, watching as Hinata's arms went limp in Naruto's, and how her eyes rolled back and Naruto's exuberant face transformed quickly to worry and concern. To be so close and comfortable like that with another person… it must have felt nice.
"HOLY CRAP!! QUICK, HINATA-CHAN JUST FAINTED! CALL AN AMBULANCE!!"
Sasuke – who appeared out of nowhere, thank you – rolled his eyes and bonked Naruto on the head. "She's fine, Naruto."
I guess saying "Naruto" instead of "dobe" meant in Sasuke language "congratulations of making the team, sport."
Ino, smiling and shaking her head, just said, "Here, Naruto. Put Hinata-chan on my back. I'll take her to the nurse's office."
Naruto did as told, settling the Hyuuga onto Ino's back. "I'll come with." I piped up, trailing behind Ino. Ino only nodded before zipping through the hallways.
XXX
(Regular POV)
Neji fisted a handful of Naruto's white collared uniform, pale Hyuuga eyes blazing furiously as he spoke calmly, though quite frankly frighteningly, "Where. Is. Hinata-sama?" Rather than the nice, "O EM GEE! NO FREAKIN' WAY?! YOU MADE THE SWIM TEAM?! NU-UH! NU-UH!"
Naruto gulped. He averted his eyes, trying not to stare back in to the deep abyss of the alarming eyes.
Sasuke smirked to himself. It seemed to amuse him how many people loved to pick on Naruto. Shikamaru just shook his head and went back to texting someone named Chouji or something.
"Where, Naruto?" Neji held up the blonde higher. But to tell the truth, the Uzumaki kid was all ready a slight centimeter taller than Neji, so it was kind of a hassle to raise him higher.
"She fainted! InoandSakuratookhertothenurse!" Neji's eyes turned into slits as Naruto softly thudded to the green grass, going "Ooomph!" A foot was placed firmly on his chest.
"Why did she faint, Naruto?" Neji seethed.
"It's pretty obvious, isn't it?" Sasuke drawled. Neji quickly turned towards him, head cocked. "I mean, seriously."
"I don't understand." Neji quipped, frowning. "Why would Hinata-sama faint? She doesn't have any epileptic I know of, nor any serious cases of allergies. Hiashi-sama would have informed me of any."
Shikamaru smirked, inserting his phone into his pocket. "Then maybe she's gotten bitten by the love-bug."
Neji's foot escaped from Naruto's pounding chest, staring wide-eyed at the two men. "The… love bug?" he echoed. Then, he looked down at a hyperventilating Naruto, and back up again.
Hinata-sama likes… this idiot?
Neji, like Hinata, would have fainted, too. But please. Neji had a reputation to uphold, an air of manliness to remain unscathed! He was not to faint!
XXX
PPPPRRRRRRRRRT!
My eyes were steadily on Naruto as his face grew serious, and then, quickly, he dived under, creating a smooth wave of ripples as his body slickly slid under the clear water's surface.
Immediately everyone produced loud roars.
I had to admit, even though I didn't really want to be here, with all these people, socializing, it was worth it seeing Naruto. He was just too talented.
The mixed swim team consisted of nine members. First and foremost – the best (okay, who I thought was the best) – Uzumaki Naruto, Inuzuka Kiba, Michi Matsurika, Takumo Sai, Yui Karin, Rock Lee, and um… well, the rest had names that were quite forgettable.
Because I forgot after the sixth one.
But that wasn't really the point. The point was that Naruto was so amazing in the water. His legs pushed away from the tiled wall and he rebounded forward, swimming so fluidly and accurately.
"Naruto-kun!" Hinata smiled, beaming happily as the blonde climbed out from the pool, first to finish his six laps, and shook his wet locks. Some girls squealed behind us, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes inwardly. Hormonal teenagers. Seriously. Naruto grabbed a towel from Gai-sensei, who coached the swim team. Gai patted Naruto on the back and started rambling off, while Naruto grinned and just ran off, crushing the poor dude. He ran over to us (what happened to the no-running in the pool area rule?) and exclaimed, "Was I good? Did you like it?"
"You were awesome, Naruto." Tenten said earnestly.
"Thanks, Tenten-chan!"
"Yeah, well, you beat everyone, so I guess you can call that good." Sasuke added, smirking. "Or maybe they all super suck, but you just suck."
Naruto grinned. "But you're atleast saying I'm better, aren't you, teme?"
He looked so… happy. Like he was finally in the right place or something. And I couldn't help but feel so glad for him. Sure, Naruto was an easy smile-er, but right now, it was like he was glowing. I wished I had so much an easy smile, just like him.
Sasuke's smirk was very faint, but he nodded. "Aa."
"Y-you were a-amazing, Naruto-kun." Hinata offered, mustering her best smile. Naruto slowly grinned, and his cheeks flushed for about half a second before they returned to its normal tan. He gave her a tight, squeezing hug, forgetting that he was still wet.
"Aw. That means so much, Hinata-chan!"
Neji, who seemed very quiet the whole meet, stood up from the bleachers abruptly, knocking Naruto off Hinata.
"Don't hug her." He said lowly. "You're wet."
Naruto looked down at himself, eyeing the crystalline droplets that ran down his body. He glanced at Neji briefly, slowly nodding in understanding. Hinata had taken a step back, stumbling back to her seat on the bleachers, Tenten wrapping her in an extra beach towel. She was red all over. She refused to look anyone in the eye.
Sai jogged over, this small smile plastered on his lips. A towel was thrown over one shoulder. He nodded at us in acknowledgement before turning to Naruto. "Gai blew his whistle," he said, "let's go."
"Right!" Naruto pumped his fist, throwing his towel on one of the beach chairs and taking his place by Karin and Sai.
The whistle blew.
Abruptly, the swimmers dove in, sure and immediate. And I couldn't help but notice… how they had all just jumped in, with no question or doubt. No fear painted across their faces, just sheer determination.
And the will to believe they could do it.
XXX
After the first practice, Naruto headed off to the showers before rejoining the group back in parking lot, next to the Hyuugas' car.
"We should have a party!" he suddenly boomed, grinning from ear to ear. Neji spoke instantly. "I'm absolutely not hosting another one of your alcoholic parties again."
"Aw c'mon, Neji! You have the SWEETEST pad out of all of us!" the blonde whined, pouting.
The Hyuuga's jaw was set tightly, and he held Hinata's wavering gaze, which told her to shut up before she did anything stupid. Hinata, abashed, lowered her head, mumbling incoherently to herself.
"So who's house?" Ino (of course another party addict) demanded. She turned to Shikamaru, who ignored her completely, instead had his chin up, gazing mindlessly into the clouds.
"Well?" she tapped her foot impatiently, eyebrows raised.
"Not me." I said quickly, shaking my head furiously. "I'll come, but you can't have any party at my house."
"Ditto here." Tenten added.
Naruto turned to Sasuke. "Teme –?"
"No way." Like Neji, Sasuke had put his foot down, and the scowl on his lips meant his word.
"Well you guys can't have it at mine!" Naruto lamented. "Iruka's all ready on my back from Neji's party. I can't let him know anything. So really Sasuke, you're the only appropriate c –"
"I said no, dobe." Sasuke growled lowly, his eyes hooded and his bangs brushing them as he lowered his head. Naruto gulped. "Well, fine then…" he sighed. "I guess for now this party's postponed."
Neji nodded firmly. "Good. Then I guess we'll be going." He unlocked the car and started the engine, Hinata scrambling from her place beside Naruto to hurriedly get into the passenger seat. We all bid our goodbyes and then I started off to Okaa-san's Civic.
As I pulled into the driver's seat, I flipped on the radio, absentmindedly looking for a nice station. Finding one that suited my taste, I rolled up the windows and blasted the volume, letting the car soak in its music.
When I came home, I entered to see that the Victorian vase was shattered, the pieces stuck to the wall and littering the floor. I could hear shouts reverberating throughout the entire house.
Even after all the time I spent away from home, I knew this drill by heart. Running up the stairs I flung the door to my room open and dropped my bag to floor. Like the radio in the car, I did the same thing here, blasting the volume and allowing the music to flow all around me. The music drowned out the shrieking shrills and the piercing, smashing, and breaking.
I let out a breath and calmly (as in my best attempt at calm) walked back over to my bag, digging around until I found my journal.
Kaa-san and Otou-san are fighting again. In my room.
Just really wanted to say that today was… different. Naruto, though seemingly very dumb, is a great athlete. He's in the swim team, and he's the most amazing thing I've ever seen. He's so comfortable with it and… well, I guess it kind of makes me jealous. I wish… I wish I could be as easygoing as him.
There was a loud knock on my door. Jittery, I snapped my notebook shut and slid it inside my desk drawer. With my remote, I lowered the music to a quiet hum. The door burst open, permitting me to see my mother, flushed and frustrated as she stepped inside.
"You're attending your otou-san's dinner gala on Wednesday," she said stonily. "It would be best if you wear something formal."
As she leaves, I whirl back around to my desk, spinning the pen around my fingers.
"Huh. A gala."
In all my sixteen years, I had never been to a dinner gala, less anything formal. That meant that I had to like, wear a dress… right?
XXX
"Sakura!" Haruki called, knocking on my door. Puzzled, I opened it slowly, jamming my foot between the door so only she could see my face.
"Yeah…?" I asked gradually.
"Your friend's downstairs." She said shortly, walking away with a sniff.
"Right…" I mutter to myself, looking down. I was only wearing a white tank with basketball shorts. I had to cover up. Rummaging through my closest, I grabbed the closest jacket I had and zipped it halfway. And then I ran down.
Ino was sitting in the hallway bench, twirling her bag absently as she stared up the ceiling.
"Hey," I greeted, waving my hand once.
Her head turned towards me, and once she saw me she grinned. "Oh, hey! I thought you were Haruki again."
I rolled my eyes. "Right. Well, ready to go?"
Ino nodded vigorously, a mischievous grin on her face. "I've been ready my whole life, baby."
And this, sadly, is how I spent my Saturday afternoon.
"So like, this place has the best…"
Okay, FYI, if you're ever going to Konoha High, never, NEVER ask Yamanaka Ino (fashion QUEEN) help in finding a dress. Also, never allow her to drag you to the busiest, biggest mall in town. You'll end up getting run over by the teeming people.
Ino's vice-like grip on my hand yanked me forward, making me stumble. The blonde sighed heavily, tiredly, like I was a little girl in care of an old woman.
"Watch where you're going," she said sharply, "you almost ran over that kid." She jerked her thumb behind her, directing me to the sight of a babyish little girl, green eyes wide and lips so red. She smiled tentatively at us before letting her mother take her hand and lead her away.
"Ino, let's take a break, okay?" I asked breathlessly, taking a sip of my bottled water. She paused for a moment, thinking. "Fine. But five minutes. We have to buy that dress,"
When Ino wants something, she wants it. And obviously it's my job to stay well out of her way.
I had refused most of the dresses Ino had presented to me because they weren't really my style. I wanted something long and presentable. Ino however, was contrary to it. She preferred something short and mid-length, probably with some showing cleavage. It was… weird. I felt exposed in it. Like I was totally naked. Ino called it sexy but I had another word for it.
Slutty.
Ino stood up abruptly from the bench, snapping her fingers. "I got it!" she exclaimed. "I don't know why I didn't think of it before." She grabbed hold of my hand, pulling me forward.
"Ino!" I jerked back tiredly. "Where are we going? The mall's that way." I pointed towards the boutiques we were leaving.
Ino grinned. "We're leaving, Forehead. Since you won't agree with anything I pick out –" she pulled out of cell, " –it's time to call the professional."
XXX
We pulled into a gated community, Ino cruising around leisurely by a very huge house.
"Where are we?" I asked, slightly annoyed.
Ino flashed a grin. "Trust me on this, okay?"
I sighed and eased back into my seat, relenting.
She finally pulled over and keyed off the engine, slamming her door loudly as she got out. I sluggishly followed suit.
We trudged up a long walk surrounded with botany. And when we finally got to the door, Ino thumped loudly on the platinum knocker, tapping her foot as we waited.
"Ino, why are we –?"
"Yamanaka? Haruno? What is it?" I glanced up, my piqed sentence rolling away as my eyes widened, coming face to face with Sai's. It seemed he was just as surprised as I was.
"Hey, Sai. Your mom home?" Ino spoke casually, sporting a small smile. The door wedged open just a bit more as he carefully threw a look over his shoulder. "Yeah." He said. "In the kitchen." He stepped back. "Just wait a second, please."
He left the door as it was, traveling back inside, the distance of his voice echoing back to the two girls as he called out, "Kaa-san?"
I swiveled around to Ino. "You led us to Sai's house?!"
She giggled. "Genius, right?"
"Not really." I said, deadpanned.
She shook her head. "Sakura, Sakura, Sakura. Sai's mother is a fantastic designer. She'll help us since – well, she owes my mother a favor."
The door swung back open, and in sight came a woman in her mid-forties, long black hair tied back, with some of her bangs framing her delicate face. Her eyes were an ivory-green color, and she was wearing a long, flowy forest-green gown, gold bangles clanging loudly on her right wrist.
"Yamanaka-san," she pulled a smile from her lips blankly, shaking her hand. "Such a surprise to see you here with… ah?"
"Haruno Sakura," I offered, taking her hand into a gentle shake.
"Pleasure. I'm Kanon." She replied, nodding. "And how may I help you two?"
"Well, I was just wondering if you have some time for business?" Ino asked easily, sliding through the door without any consent. Kanon opened the door wider, stepping aside to let me in as well.
"Up the stairs," she instructed to a leading Ino, who had effortlessly taken off her shoes and clambered up. "Up again." Kanon stated when Ino stopped on the second floor. When we finally reached the last floor, it was smaller than the rest. The walls were painted all different colors. White, pastel purple, dark green, and light blue. There was a sewing machine at one corner between the purple and green wall, and on the others were mirrors. At the white wall, there were about three different doors, all with lights peeping from under them. Kanon took a seat on a black loveseat and gestured to the three yellow poufs.
"Okay, let's talk." She said, crossing her legs. "What're we talking about here?"
"We're talking a formal dress for Sakura here. It has to be done in three days."
"Three days?" she echoed, this time with surprise in her voice. "That's impossible! Even if we started now, I wouldn't be able to get it done by Tuesday."
"Even if we took her measurements and sketch out what she'd like? Two days isn't enough?" Ino asked pointedly.
"No."
"But –"
"It's not." She said evenly. "I can't help you, I'm afraid."
We were all quiet for a moment, Ino and I soaking in the information.
"Well," I piped up, shifting my glance towards the designer. "How much will it take? If we… gave you money?"
Kanon's eyes flashed. "Excuse me?"
"Money," I repeated heavily. "What if I gave you three hundred dollars more in the overall pay?"
"Money," she said, "will not –"
"Please," Ino started. "We all know that –"
"Five hundred." I said quietly.
Sai's mother's eyes widened, her mouth open. She cleared her throat. "Will you – do you even have that kind of money on you?"
I nodded.
Relaxing back into her seat, Konan sighed and nodded firmly. She motioned with her fingers for me to stand.
"We'll have to start right away," she insisted sharply. "We'll start with your size. Do you know it?"
"I'm a four." I replied easily. She mumbled something under her breath, collecting a small clipboard from the side of the loveseat and scribbling on it. "Okay, okay. Bust size?"
"Twenty-four C."
Konan stopped writing, eyeing Sakura. "Let's get into detail. What's the dress to look like?"
After about two hours of bickering and measuring and sketching and sewing and bleeding, they were free to go. Ino, as pleased as ever, leading me off back downstairs, hummed victoriously, swinging the keys to her car around her finger.
"So, we'll come back on Tuesday for the fitting, and on Wednesday everything will be perfect for your parent's gala! Ne?" Ino over the plan, smiling.
I nodded, giving her a small smile of my own. After spending two hours there, I was just about happy I was still alive.
As Ino started the engine, she cocked her head, a small frown on her face. "Hey, Forehead,"
"Hey, Pig," I mimicked, rolling my eyes, which, seriously, had started to become a habit these days.
She ignored me, sipping her water. "Let's go get something to eat."
XXX
Ino and I ended up at Skeffington, that fancy French restaurant across the street from Sai's house. She insisted, since well, I was going to pay for myself. As we waited at the podium for someone to take us to our seats, Ino gasped.
"What?" I asked.
She ducked, pulling me down with her so we were crouched right in front of the wooden podium.
"Ow!" I hissed, jerking my arm and rubbing it tenderly. "Warning, much?"
"Shhh!" she put a finger to her lips, frowning. "What is – what is Shikamaru doing here?"
"Same thing as you and me, obviously." I retorted sarcastically. "Eating."
"No! Look!" She turned my head inelegantly; I could hear a crack, dammit! "See? He's at that booth! What is he doing at that booth?!"
"Sitting," I grumbled. Seriously, this was getting out of hand. I brushed myself as I stood against Ino's will. She harrumphed, still crouched.
"He wouldn't be here," she murmured darkly. "He would think it would be too troublesome. He wouldn't be here unless he was eating with his family."
"Maybe he's waiting for them." I offered mildly.
"Hello," a young woman smiled at us. "How many?"
I was about to answer with two, but Ino beat me to it. "Um, yes, we're with the Nara party." She smiled, and I twitched.
"Oh, the gentleman over there," the waitress nodded, understanding. "Sure, let me lead you to him."
As we walked, I could see the victorious grin on her face. I nudged her, annoyed. "I can't believe you, Ino. We're going to ruin his day. And how did you know he'd make a reservation?"
She scoffed. "Please, I've known that guy since the day I was born. He makes reservations 'cause it's too troublesome to wait."
I shook my head, and as we wheeled near his booth, he looked up, eyes wide with revelation.
Ino slid casually into the booth, throwing Shikamaru a smile. "Hey Shika!" Unlike Ino, I was very hesitant, sitting at the edge of the seat, ready to ditch at any moment.
The waitress, Kasumi, handed Ino and I are menus and left.
"So, Shika!" Ino chirped offhandedly. "What are you getting?"
"Why are you two in my booth?" he asked, lazy but still very sharp.
Ino raised her brow. "What? A girl can't spend some quality time with her buds?"
"Not unexpectedly."
I was edging farther and father away, my leg dangling off the seat. Ino was moving closer towards the table, towards Shikamaru.
"Are you here alone?"
He sighed. "I'm meeting a friend."
Kasumi came back with our drinks, placing them in front of us. "Are you all ready to order?"
"No," Shikamaru said lazily. The waitress nodded and left again.
"So, who's the friend we're meeting?"
Uh oh, here it comes. I drank my iced tea like it was the only thing keeping me alive. I stared at the ice flowing through the liquid, dancing around with my straw.
"Ino, why are you being so annoying?"
"I just want to meet him! If it is a him. It is, right?"
Shikamaru sighed heavily, and I could feel his eyes on me, searching for mine, pleading for my help. Heh, sorry, bub, I'm so not choosing any sides.
When he finally gave up on me, he began to gulp down his water. "Yes, Ino, it's Chouji."
Her nose wrinkled. "Who's that?"
"A friend."
"Ino," I said, high time I stepped in, "Shikamaru obviously doesn't need us around. Let's go find our own table." I nudged her ribs. "Or maybe get the hell out of here?"
The blonde pursed her lips, contemplating. She heaved out a heavy breath. "Fine." She grumbled dejectedly. "See you, Shikamaru."
I decided that we were not staying there, so I chucked the keys from Ino's back pocket and drove over to Frenchie's Burgers, a small fast food restaurant where we ate our cheeseburgers and drank off milkshakes.
"Ino?" I asked as she chewed on French fry.
"Yeah, Forehead?"
"If you like Shikamaru, why don't you tell him?"
She blushed, swinging a fry at my head. "I do NOT!" she opposed.
I nodded solemnly. "Yeah, you do. Why don't you come clean?"
She turned her head, looking outside the window at the sky, at the gray linings of fluffed clouds. The expression that came across her face was yearning. Did she really like him that much? "Because," she said softly, "I've known him too long to know that he doesn't like me back."
"He doesn't." I repeated.
"Yeah."
"And how would you know that?"
"I don't really… well, I can just feel it, you know? When a guy falls asleep on you when you're trying to tell him something important, doesn't it feel like he doesn't really care?"
She had a point there.
You can't always get what you want.
XXX
TheRamenIsREAL would like to add you as a buddy. Would you like to accept or decline this invitation?
Click.
TheRamenIsREAL is now added to your buddy/contact list.
TheRamenIsREAL: HEY, SAKURA-CHAN! WHAT'S UP?
hsakura109: Erm… hi, Naruto.
TheRamenIsREAL: howd u no it was me?
hsakura109: …wow, I'm going to ignore that and go on to a different subject. So, um… kind of concerned here to how you found me.
TheRamenIsREAL: tenten
hsakura109: Huh. Okay, then.
TheRamenIsREAL: soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
hsakura109: So yourself.
TheRamenIsREAL: y wood i do that?
hsakura109: Just shut up, Naruto.
TheRamenIsREAL: look i found someone whod host the party
hsakura109: Really? Who?
TheRamenIsREAL: NOT TELLING! HAH, I'M A GENIUS, RIGHT?
hsakura109: Well how am I supposed to get to it?
TheRamenIsREAL: …o yea…well, ill give u the address, h/o
hsakura109: Okay.
TheRamenIsREAL: Okay, HERE. 0912 KAEDE LANE. NOW I GOT TO GO, I'LL C U AT THE PARTY TOMORROW AT NINE. BYE, SAKURA-CHAN
hsakura109: Okay, bye.
TheRamenIsREAL has exited the room.
TheRamenIsREAL has signed off.
hsakura109: Wait! No, come back! This isn't it! This is, isn't this ARGH! NEVERMIND THEN! IGNORE ME!! BUT I THINK YOU'VE GOT THE WRONG ADDRESS, NARUTO!!
hsakura109 has exited the room.
hsakura109 has signed off.
-
-insert cool news music-
Shikamaru: You have reached the end of the chapter. (says this unenthusiastically) Woo.
Ino (bubbly and loud): Thank you for reading! We do appreciate it! Right, Shika-kun? (Nudges the newscaster who has now fallen asleep on her shoulder)
Shikamaru: Huh? Oh… yeah…
Ino: And now to Itachi-san, live with the author!
-insert new scene: A room, painted red and accents black. Sitting at the foot of the window is a bed and on the bed is DarkxBlossom, aka Dax, with Itachi next to her-
Itachi: Hello. I am here with Dax, author of this story and Mission Haruno Sakura.
Dax: Um, Itachi-kun, I'm kind of flattered that you broke in through the front door and all but you know you'll have to pay for the damages, right?
Itachi (hissing under his breath): Not right now!
Dax: Er… okay?
Itachi: So, Dax, tell us about yourself.
Dax (sarcastically): Let's see, I was right in the middle of my nap when you barged through with Naruto-kun and Sai-kun. By the way, what are they doing in my living room? I hear loud music. Wait… ARE THEY PLAYING GUITAR HERO THAT I BOUGHT?!
Itachi (trying to calm the young author down): Now, now, Dax, let's not get too hasty.
(Dax flings the door open and stomps her way down to the living room where she finds Sai kicking Naruto's butt in Guitar Hero)
Naruto: What the hell?! How – do – you – do –the – WHAMMY?!
Sai (who is currently rocking hard with Star Power): As an artist, it's important that everything is precise with your hands. It's exactly the same in this game, Naruto-kun.
(Dax and Itachi fling themselves onto the couch and loveseat, watching with amusement when Sai gives Naruto the lefty)
Naruto: GAH! THAT'S IT! FUCK THIS GAME!!
Sai (smirking indignantly): Wanna have a try, Itachi-kun?
-Insert scene with newscasters Yamanaka Ino and Nara Shikamaru-
Ino: Uhh… that's… unusual.
(Shikamaru sleeping and snoring soundly on the desk, a little drool coming out of his mouth)
(Ino laughs nervously and jabs the lazy guy hard in the ribs)
Shikamaru: OW!!
Ino (her smile is straining): Let's say goodbye, Shikamaru!
Shikamaru (staring at her, scared): Bye!
-Insert scene back with Uzumaki Naruto, DarkxBlossom, Sai, and Uchiha Itachi-
(Sai is currently beating the hell out of Itachi)
(Naruto is rolling around on the ground, laughing hysterically, forgetting that only moments ago the same thing was happening to him)
(DarkxBlossom is staring weirdly at everything)
Itachi (who is struggling to lift up the guitar for Star Power, eyes glued and focused on the game): Please – review – for – the – story.
Sai (smirking and playing easily and fluidly): Yeah. And also check out Mission Haruno Sakura if you haven't all ready done so.
DarkxBlossom: Right! Reviews drive me to write even more so and faster!!
DARKXBLOSSOM'S NEW CONTEST!
Be the first person to correctly guess who Haruki's new boy "toy" will be for the next couple of days and you will win yourself the next chapter of Here I Am, This Is Me before everyone else! Your PENNAME will also be used as an IM user name in the story for the next chapter!! Woohoo!
NOW. FOR THE QUESTION: Who is Haruki's new boy "toy"?
Inuzuka Kiba
Sabaku no Kankuro
Aburame Shino
GOOD LUCK AND I HOPE YOU GUESS CORRECTLY IN YOUR REVIEW!!