The party was in full swing by the time Sakura and Shino arrived, and the looks many of their friends were giving them confirmed that rumors about the two of them were already flying, rumors that may have been laughed off if Sakura hadn't shown up in a little black trap of a dress attached to the arm of a Shino who was missing a few key pieces of clothing that he just so happened to never leave home without. Naturally, this triggered a predictable chain of events, and the house of Choji, which was mostly split into two large groups to begin with, would work to separate the two lovebirds and isolate them for questioning.

It started with Ino slyly slipping up next to Sakura, chirping an all-too-cheerful greeting and proclaiming the pink-haired woman her BFF before pulling her away from her date and into the bar and kitchen area. Shino found a heavy arm around his shoulder as Choji chuckled something generic about women being women and leaving them to their chattering, and guided Shino to the group of guys in the sofa area.
Sakura didn't want to be separated from Shino, though. In that moment, she realized how comfortable she'd been all evening, and how warm and cozy she had been at his side. She didn't have to worry about any crazy antics from him, and she could be herself and have fun. Plus, he was gorgeous, and she found herself staring frequently, hoping he wouldn't notice her awkward fascination with his eyes. She didn't want any of that to end, and was seriously regretting even coming to the party at this point. But he didn't really want to just spend time with her, right? He wanted to mingle with others, maybe find a serious girlfriend along the way. Well, that was the plan, wasn't it? Or did he really want a chance with Sakura? Sakura tried not to think too hard about it.

Shino wasn't much different in his feelings- Sakura had shown him such wonderful company. She'd freely gotten close to him, shown him affection and care, disregarding completely that he was a bug wielder. She wasn't grossed out at all. He felt he could be honest and open with her, he could let her in. He would have let her in even more if not for present company. She was drop-dead gorgeous in that dress, he didn't even have words for how she made him feel this evening. He couldn't let his eyes linger or his thoughts wander much, or he'd be in trouble with her, that was certain. He'd never had a night light this one, and he didn't want it to end. As she was pulled away, he mentally kicked himself for letting them be separated. He felt a chill at his side at her absence, and wondered why they'd come to this ridiculous party when they could have simply spent time together. But would she really want to spend more time alone with the bug-wielder? He was awkward and probably wouldn't be able to keep her entertained anyhow. Alone with her, she'd realize how boring he seemed, and his slim chances with Sakura would likely dissipate to nothing, right? That was a depressing thought, so Shino tried to distract himself from it.

Ino treated Sakura to a stool at the bar counter, center to several of their comrades, and slipped to the other side only to mix a fruity alcoholic beverage that her best friend would love to drink down quick. Sakura was wise to Ino's obvious prerogative, and eyed her warily. Ino tried to smile through it, sliding the drink across to Sakura, who continued to stare until Ino shrugged, "What? You some extra cherry in that?"
"I know what you're doing." Sakura didn't intend to allow Ino's concoction to win. Besides, she'd already had a few drinks, and it wouldn't take much for Sakura to get real talkative and emotional, as she always seemed to do when knocking back mixed drinks, and Ino always mixed the most delicious drinks. The drink in question was the best Sakura had seen Ino come up with in a while, a pretty pink color that very nearly matched Sakura's own hair color, the liquid riddled with ice cubes and maraschino cherries. But Sakura had watched long enough to see how much vodka went into that tall glass- Ino was getting strait to the point, in her own way.

"Why do you have to be difficult all the time. It's just a drink." Ino insisted.

"Right. But I'm not talking." Sakura smirked at her friend's pout.

As if on cue, Tenten slid her stool closer to Sakura and leaned over to steal away her drink, "If she doesn't want it, I'll have it." And just like that, Sakura's pretty pink mixed drink was gone as Tenten spun to face a perpetually flustered Hinata, who couldn't help but keep glancing from Shino to Sakura, then back again, periodically. "Wow, that's delish." Sakura could hear Tenten say. And damned if Sakura didn't really want that drink. Unfortunately, Ino could read her like a book, and had a duplicate prepared in no time flat, more potent than the first.
Let the games begin, Ino grinned as Sakura finally relented and took the glass, sipping at the sweet alcoholic contents, gingerly at first. But the tastiness of the drink was overwhelming, and Sakura found herself drinking it down more quickly than she'd intended.

Meanwhile, in the living room, Shino was having the most difficult time trying to watch Sakura out of the corner of his eye, while the fellas, who had all had several drinks already, were cracking jokes and telling stories over poker, stories that ranged from absurdly hilarious, to outright pornographic in nature. Stories to which Shino decided it would be okay to have a shot of saki to. He didn't notice much how his cup was automatically refilled by Choji after it was emptied.

Some of the girls (Ino and Tenten, namely) offered over distasteful glances in the boys' direction as Choji erupted into great, tactless guffaws that overpowered all the other male laughter in the room, all over some offhand remark Shikamaru had made about a recent mission.

Apparently there was some disagreement about mission roles between Sai and Lee during a three-nin espionage pass-through a nearby town that required one of the two of them to appear betrothed to Tenten. The mission would have been a complete failure if Tenten had not funneled some liquor into an unsuspecting Lee and made a convincing public scene that turned entirely too intimate for the setting. About a month later, Ino had been casually drinking with Sai, who knew not his own limits, and unwittingly picked some key details from the boy. A few drinks deeper, and Ino had acquired from Sai sketches and a map of the entire scenario.

The laughter grew only louder as Lee sunk into his seat in obvious embarrassment, his normally pale face aflame. Sai simply shrugged, not wired to understand his error, or to care, while Shino counted himself lucky not to have been off on such a mission ever- it wasn't his dish, either, what with his inexperience. It was often a grievous thing when all of the particularly qualified shinobi were out when a mission needed filling. All shinobi have strong suits and weak points- sex and delicate social situations just so happened to be a weakness for both Sai and Lee, the only age appropriate male shinobi available when the mission came up. Shino wouldn't know what to do in a situation like that, either, as without true experience, being a convincing couple was beyond his capacity. The thought of being sent off on that sort of mission with Sakura made Shino's heart rate rise exponentially.

Just when he allowed his gaze to rest directly upon Sakura, she reached up, tucking a stray strand of pink hair behind her ear, and glancing to him, just for a moment, before offering up her emptied glass to be refilled by Ino, defeated. Shino suddenly and awkwardly downed another cup of saki, gaining the attention of his comrades, who had stopped playing poker long since, and were apparently privy to his thought processes.

It was right about then that Kiba plopped down right across from Shino, obscuring his view of Sakura. The guy had a wry grin on his face as he inhaled deeply, then licked his lips, "So, what's the deal with you and Sakura all of a sudden?"

If he didn't know any better, Shino would have thought that the group had rehearsed their methods for extracting information from him and Sakura. Shino sighed and relaxed back into his seat, trying to appear nonchalant, while Kiba simply continued to grin at him expectantly. Lee had taken up conversation with Shikamaru, who undoubtedly was continually alert of all the happenings within Choji's household. Choji himself tried to appear only mildly interested in what Shino might have to say, while refilling the table with fresh bowls of chips, dip, popcorn, and various other snack foods that weren't at all healthy, as per Choji's usual tastes.

"Not much." Shino shrugged gently, and Kiba quirked a brow. Shikamaru continued to placate Lee by responding to the conversation with nods and "uh huh"s, and Lee was most grateful that the conversation had moved away from his mission with Sai and Tenten.

'If you say so, Shino." Kiba nodded gently, then sniffed the air lightly, pointing at his own nose before leaning across the coffee table and speaking in a low tone directed at Shino, "But the nose never lies... and you have her scent all over you. I don't think it would be as prevalent if you weren't as .. close." Shino's face reddened instantly and Kiba smirked triumphantly, then looked in Sakura's direction, speaking a little louder, so that the other guys could hear, "And that dress." Kiba whistled low, "That's not an everyday thing, I think we'd have noticed..."

Shino glanced to Sakura, who was thankfully engrossed in her conversation with the girls, or else she would have noticed when Choji, Lee, and Sai all looked her way conspicuously. Shikamaru deigned not to do so, as he was already facing Sakura and had been getting an eye full all during the previous portion of the conversation.

It was true- her dress wasn't an everyday dress. And while she was seated on the high stool at the kitchen bar counter, the hemline seemed to rise perhaps more than it did at the restaurant exposing a generous portion of thigh. Shino looked away, trying not to break a sweat. The others chose only to look away when Ino looked up and shot them a glare- oh, how their communal lewd stare must have appeared. Thankfully, Ino was the only witness to it.

Choji took a deep breath and poured another round of saki, "It's a good thing Naruto's not here on this particular evening." He thought aloud, and the entire circle of men heartily agreed. Of course Naruto would have seen Sakura in that dress, and in attendance with Shino, and he would have had a farm all over Choji's party. Nobody wanted that.

Sakura thought she fared well with the girls as their conversation drifted over their latest accomplishments, missions, and what the'd acquired shopping. However, the noises and looks the men offered while conversing proved too much to ignore, and after Sakura had downed a few of Ino's specialty drinks, mixed specifically to mask the amount of liquor within them, the attack began, and it was a group effort.

"So, Sakura. I see you're out and about with Shino tonight.." Tenten ventured.

Sakura shrugged, sliding an empty glass back across to Ino for the third time already. "Yeah, we had dinner."

Ino quirked a brow. "So you just met up for dinner? You look dolled up. And he looks... well, he looks uncharacteristically hott."

Sakura laughed lightly and shrugged again, "I guess he does."

"Kudos to you for getting him to come up out of that ridiculous coat he always wears. And the glasses. His eyes are stunning." Ino squinted as she looked over Shino from a distance, making no secret of her stare.

Tenten nodded in agreement, "Yeah... who knew that under all those layers ... was that."

Hinata glanced Shino's way, and quickly averted her gaze, blushing intensely. The boy was striking, even she would be a fool to deny that. "Mhm," was all she could muster.

Sakura sighed, suddenly feeling a growing anger within her. Suddenly they were all noticing him, as planned, but it wasn't his looks that should be attracting them, right? "He's a good, sweet guy, so stop eyeing him like he's a piece of meat."

"Sweet?" Ino seemed to perk, the corners of her her lips curling upward ever-so-slightly, "Do tell more about this sweetness.."

Tenten and Hinata seemed taken aback by Sakura's response to their appraisals of Shino. They watched Sakura quietly.

"He's.." Sakura tried to concentrate, "He does a lot more for this village than you know. And he's self-sacrificing, and a gentleman, and he's..." Sakura blinked, realizing that she shouldn't have been so greedy with the drinks. It was really hard to form sentences. "He's more than a pretty face." She said finally.

Ino, as if rewarding Sakura, slid a glass of water across to her pink-haired friend. Sakura accepted the water- it was a great idea at this point.
"Well, we all know he's a good guy." Ino nodded, "But now we know he's got more going on than we supposed before. Are you two dating now, or something?"

Sakura almost choked, "Dating?" She should have expected this, after all. It was all part of the plan, wasn't it? They were sort-of dating but not exactly, right? It was just a little test run and practice round with a side of bringing Shino into the light of the dating world as a candidate, and a pinch of seriously giving him a chance, right? Sure it was a lot of things, and Sakura herself had been caught up in some moments with Shino recently. She wasn't exactly sure what to call them, and she certainly wasn't sober enough to make anything sound convincing.

"Uh, yeah? I mean, are you guys making a thing out of this, or is it a one-off?" Ino continued, nonchalantly, and completely ignoring the look of utter chaos on Sakura's face. She took it a step further, "Because I need to know, now that he's been elevated to hottie status." Ino grinned, batted her eyes, and peered over at Shino. "You seem surprised that I asked, so I'm gonna go with no, you're not dating."

"But..." Sakura, quick, think of something! "I thought you didn't like bugs!" Sakura barely managed.

Tenten and Hinata sipped at their drinks, staying silent on the subject, feeling the tension rise to suffocating levels just as Ino rose from her seat to saunter around the bar, "Mm. But I like cuties more than I dislike bugs." She waved at Sakura as she walked over to the group of guys. Sakura nearly fell from her stool, but Tenten's arm slipped around Sakura's waist to steady her drunken friend.

"Calm down, Sakura. She's just testing the waters, you know Ino.." Tenten reassured, hoping Sakura would keep her cool. "Right Hinata?"
"Oh.. um, right?" Hinata's response lacked confidence as they watched Ino slip into the circle of men lounging on the sofas.

Ino squeezed onto the sofa between Shino and Sai, who obliged and made room for. "Hello, boys," She nearly purred. She could feel Sakura's death glare from across the room, but chose to ignore it as best she could.

Shikamaru rolled his eyes, Lee bit his lip and eyed Ino cautiously, Chogi sighed but then smiled again to his guests, Sai stared sideways at Ino and took another shot of saki, and Shino did his best to ignore Ino as she leaned in to compliment him on his new look, with an almost sickeningly sweet tone. "Shino, you're looking good all of a sudden... trying out a new look? I like it. It suits you." Ino ran a finger down the sleeve of Shino's shirt and leaned against him lightly. Shikamaru rolled his eyes again. He'd seen this all before, so many times he'd lost had Choji. Usually this sort of behavior was reserved for missions involving seduction. It was simply too much when directed at their dear comrade, Shino.

"Um. Thanks. Yeah, I guess." Shino responded, and glanced to Sakura, who looked less than amused, then he turned his gaze on the floor. What else could he do? He couldn't save himself, really. He was thankful that he'd had a few more drinks, or else he'd probably have done or said something awkward by now. Maybe if he just played it cool and didn't make a big deal about her, she'd get bored and go away.

Kiba eyed Ino suspiciously, and when she shot him a sidelong knowing look, he grinned vividly and hopped up, "Well, I guess it's my turn to tend the bar!" And off he went, making a b-line to Sakura. He hopped up onto the bar stool next to her, which distracted her enough to tear her death glare away from Ino.

"Deal." Shikamaru said, passing the freshly shuffled deck of cards to Lee.

Lee obliged, eyeing Ino. She shook her head gently, passing on the opportunity to join the game. And she hooked an arm through Shino's as he took his cards to examine them, pressing her breasts against his arm. She leaned in for a closer look at his cards, her face close to his. She acted well enough not to make a face at his cards, and he appeared too distracted to care.

"You know," Kiba said, leaning in close to Sakura, "If you were looking for a boy toy, there are plenty who are more experienced, and willing. I could point you in the right direction." He gave a thumbs up and pointed the thumb at himself, then wiggled his eyebrows at Sakura, and she glared at him, along with Tenten. Hinata just frowned.

"Oh... was that not hot?" Kiba asked, uncertain.

Tenten shook her head. Embarrassed for him.

"I guess I missed the mark, then. Listen, I have no idea what's really going on here," he admitted, "but it looks like Ino has entered the playing field, and that can't mean anything good."

"It's okay," Sakura said, finally. "I mean, we just went on a date, that's all. We're not official or anything, nothing serious is happening here, so... nothing to worry about, right?" Wasn't she telling the truth? Nothing was happening between them, really. They were friends who'd gone on a date. And per he plan, his arrival with Sakura had gained him some social attention from another female. He'd probably be bored with Sakura, anyhow. Shino was an heir to a clan, what would he ever do with a nobody like Sakura, seriously? She had no lineage, and sure, she was an excellent healer and had an elevated kunoichi status... but that wasn't enough. All in all, she was a silly girl, a bit of a wreck, and a late bloomer. Talented, high-class guys like Shino shouldn't settle. Sakura suddenly felt depressed and lonely. After all, she had nobody at all. She'd been single for how long now? Aside from some flings... a long while. Several years since anything substantial.

Kiba frowned. She sounded uncertain, herself. Sakura's expression had gone from anger at Ino and her antics, to a calm acceptance, and almost sadness. Kiba decided that it had to be the liquor, as Sakura wasn't often so easily defeated. He'd personally seen her beat others into submission to have her way. What gives, he thought. Sakura glanced in Shino's direction one more time before spinning her bar stool to face the bar again. She sipped at her water, hoping to sober up just a bit so she could eventually make the trek home.

Tenten and Hinata wandered off to the porch area, while Sai and Shikamaru had dropped out of poker to join them. Kiba and Sakura were left at the bar, while Shino, Ino, Choji, and Lee were left in the sitting room.

"What's up?" Kiba said, spinning to join Sakura at the bar. "You're usually more upbeat, or aggressive, or something..." Kiba questioned. "It's not like you to roll over at an obvious challenge from someone, particularly not Ino."

Sakura laughed lightly, "It's nothing. I had a few too many drinks. I'll drink this water and I'll feel better enough to hopefully walk home. I couldn't care less what he does... or what they do."

"Ino, cut it out already." Choji stared over at the girl. Most of the group had seen flat through Ino's little charade as she tried to get a rise out of Sakura while testing Shino. Ino looked away from Shino to Choji, who nodded his head back in the direction of Sakura. Sakura was not even looking their way, seeming completely unconcerned! Ino snorted as she beheld Sakura socializing instead with Kiba, rather than paying attention to Shino and Ino. She detached herself from Shino, and rose to make her exit to the porch. The game was no longer fun.
Shino breathed a sigh of relief as Ino removed herself from the vicinity. Choji smiled reassurngly at his friend.

"Okay, show them." Lee requested, and so they did.

Lee presented two pair, Choji presented a stright flush, and Shino grinned as he laid down a royal flush.

Choji grunted, "That was the best hand I've had in weeks... I can't believe it. You lucky jerk." He shook his head, but still smiled. He didn't glance back at Sakura, but the gleam in his eye hinted at a second meaning to his words.

Lee laughed, "That was my best hand in some time, too. Some guys just have it all." Lee's expression changed as he looked from Shino to Sakura across the room, who was rising from the bar with help from Kiba. Lee still thought the world of Sakura, his first crush. He'd never bee 100% over her, he was sure. It was particularly hard not to stare at her just now, in that little black dress that dreams were made of. Lee deemed himself a gentleman, however, and turned his gaze back to the table, busying himself with collecting the playing cards.

"Thanks for a good game, guys." Shino stood, "But it's been a long night and I think I'll be heading out." He would have suggested that he'd be collecting Sakura, but it seemed Kiba was in the process of doing so, and it was Shino's prerogative to swoop in quickly to prevent losing his walk home.

Choji nodded, "Good game," and filled his mouth with a handfull of chips from the coffee table bowl.

"Have a good night, my friend." Lee offered, feeling just a bit of jealousy towards Shino.

Ino stood amongst her friends, but never really joined the conversation. Shikamaru and Tenten were in some heated debate about which projectile weapons can fly more quickly with less detection. Tenten spoke from experience and judging by how she wields, while Shikamaru made an argument based purely on physics and math. The conversation went South quickly, and Hinata tried to calm the pair as they argued it out, tromping around the corner of the wrap-around porch and out of sight.

Ino slipped onto the porch swing in front of the dining room window, and Sai, whom she'd barely acknowledged all evening, slipped onto the swing next to her. She quirked a brow- it wasn't uncommon for him to approach her solo, but he always had something insulting or ridiculous to say. She expected this time to be no different.

"Is something on your mind, Sai?" She asked softly, leaning back and stretching her arms back. Her neck and back made consecutive popping noises. Sai regarded her.

"There are always things on my mind." He admitted, watching as she brushed back her ponytail.

"Oh yeah? Which thought made you sit here?" She questioned.

"Beauty." He said, simply. Ino nearly fell from the swing. He was setting her up, she knew it. She could feel her anger welling up. He was going to call her ugly in some underhanded way again.

"Go on." She waited.

"It's not just a physical trait." He stated, and she narrowed her eyes on him. He continued, "There's a beauty to words, poetry, song. And there's beauty in behavior."

She could feel it coming, "So?"

"It's just that you were exceptionally ugly tonight."

And there it was, the Sai that made her want to ball up her fist, just as she was doing. The Sai that made her rear back that same fist threateningly, then take aim. He didn't seem to notice, as he'd looked away, out towards the open sky.

"You make me feel something that I don't feel anywhere else." He said quickly enough to delay himself a beating. His words caused her to hesitate, and drop her fist.

"I don't completely understand it. All I know is that there's far more beauty in your natural smile, and when you're doing something kind, rather than trying to get under someone's skin." Even Sai had seen through her. Hell had frozen over, surely. Ino sat in silence, utterly speechless. She couldn't find the words. He looked to her, and smiled, while she gawked at him for a long moment.

"I think I'll be going..." Sakura said, rising from her seat at the bar, unsteadily.

Kiba rose to steady her, gripping her arm lightly and draping an arm around her waist. She stiffened at the contact, causing him to frown and release her only once he was sure she had her footing. But in those heels, he was sure it wouldn't be long before someone would need to catch her, and he intended to be there in case nobody else was.

"If you need a walk home, Sakura, I'll be glad to, you know. No funny business." Kiba offered, holding up his empty hands. "I wouldn't want our loveliest konoichi to go unescorted this late at night."

Sakura smiled, relaxing, "I think I can make it on my own. But thank you."

Sakura stumbled, and Kiba hesitated to help her, just as a strong arm slid around her midsection more naturally, and she was pulled against what felt like a toned chest beneath a very soft material. She inhaled his scent, recognizing it, although she'd never thought much about it. He had a sort of woodsy wine scent to him, and a hint of mint. She felt safe.

"That won't be necessary. This date isn't over." Shino announced, far more confident than he felt. Kiba grinned and backed away as Shino guided Sakura to the door.

"G'night guys!" She waved drunkenly at Choji and Lee, who could only smile and wave back as Shino and Sakura exited.

"That was really weird." Choji stated.

"Mhm." Lee managed, not really wanting to think about what just happened.

They could hear Shikamaru and Tenten arguing somewhere around the house- Choji considered that he may need to go and quiet them down, lest they wake the neighbors.

"Not nearly as weird as that, though." Kiba piped in, sitting on the back of the couch. Choji crained his neck and Lee looked up.

There on the other side of the dining room window, was Sai, sitting calmly on the swing, facing Ino, who was sitting on her knees, facing the boy. With her hands on his cheeks, she had leaned in for a kiss that had turned serious. Either Sai had some experience (which was highly doubtful), or he was a fast learner.

Choji choked on a chip and Lee had to catch his jaw as it dropped at the sight before them. They quickly averted their gazes, and Kiba laughed.

Choji looked to his saki, "The liquor is bad! No more liquor!" And he tossed the glass aside, exasperated.