Shino and Sakura both thought that the cool night air would help them to clear their heads, but they were wrong. If their situation at Choji's had been tense and awkward, being alone afterwards was tenfold so. Shino cleared his throat several times, unable to form words. Sakura bit her lip, leaning against Shino heavily, relying on him mostly for support in her drunken state, or so she'd let herself believe.
Sakura had been right about Ino, though even the pink-haired woman was shocked at how quickly and accurately her prediction came to fruitation. The blonde woman had been all over Shino in no time flat, and Sakura hadn't even known how to respond. Actually, Sakura wasn't even sure she should intervene, after all, wasn't it the main goal of bringing Shino into the social light to help him find a potential mate? Sakura by his side would certainly bring the spotlight his way, but also having Ino outwardly doting on the bug-wielder would increase that attention exponentially. Sakura's heart sank at the thought of Shino garnering the attention of more women.
She couldn't help but feel let down and betrayed, after all, she and Shino had been on a date that evening, right? Was it a real enough date for her to be upset at how easily he'd been distracted by Ino? And why did it always have to be Ino, her so-called friend who always managed to get under Sakura's skin in such a way?
Sakura hated to admit it to herself, but Ino certainly had more going on in the way of bloodline than Sakura did. Ino's father was famous, after all, and Ino had inherited much from him. Bloodlines were so important in the ninja world, and always seemed to dominate the matchmaking decisions regarding high clan members. In Sakura's eyes, she had no chance of competing like this with Ino. Sure, Sakura had the looks to compete, but she definitely didn't have the history or bloodline to boast.
As they walked towards Sakura's home in silence, Shino regarded Sakura and her expressions while she was deep in thought about something that seemed to trouble her. He idly wondered what it could be, after such a nice dinner and eventful party. He was rather glad to have cut out of the party after just a few hours being there, as he was much more comfortable with just Sakura.
The thought startled him, but he chalked his newfound comfort up to being away from their friends. The party was fine and all, sure, but he wasn't prepared to answer questions about himself and Sakura. Meanwhile, he was growing increasingly annoyed by how the guys looked at Sakura, and though he tried to play the gentleman, even Shino had to admit that dress was quite the number on her. It accentuated all of her roundest features, making it impossible for Shino to keep his gentlemanly train of thought. It occurred to him that he didn't want to share that view with anyone else, and he felt greedy, and a bit guilty for looking at her that way. Still, he'd be a fool not to appreciate what was before him. After all, he might never get another opportunity to be alone with her while she was... was..
Sakura looked up at Shino and he glanced away, trying desperately not to blush. She was simply too much for his senses to take, and she'd just caught him staring down at her, beginning to wonder just what it would be like to peel that dress from her shoulders, and what her lips felt like, and what her delicate neck would taste like, were he to plant kisses there as well. The material was flimsy, it would give easily to futher tugging to reveal her perfectly rounded breasts, and nearly spannable waistline, where he predicted he could spend limitless time worshipping her body far before ever considering taking her for his own. Why are you having so much trouble keeping your thoughts in line, bug boy! Get a grip! He scolded himself internally.
Sakura, having noticed his sudden glance away, furrowed her brow. Was he staring at her because she'd had a few to many to drink? Was he ashamed? She detached her arm from his and began to walk ahead on her own. The action startled him, but reluctantly he released her, only to quicken his pace to remain at her side.
"Hey... is something wrong?" He questioned, trying not to let his eyes wander, or his voice crack. What was he, a prepubescent teenager?
"Nope. Nothing at all. Not a think." She stated simply. It took some real concentration for her to walk across the cobbles in those shoes without falling.
Shino regarded her with disbelieving eyes, and she avoided his gaze.
"I don't believe you." He stated simply, not wanting to beat around the bush if something had upset her. "You can tell me, it would help me out a lot. I'm no good at this." He admitted, sure she already knew how lost he was.
"I'll say." She simply agreed, and quickened her pace still, though she struggled not to trip or stumble at every third or fourth step.
Shino blinked, following along, "Wait, Sakura. I'm not sure what's happening here." He was being honest, and hoping to hell she hand't caught him ogling her, or making a lewd face. He wasn't used to being without his jacket and glasses, so he certainly couldn't account for what expressions he might have worn while thinking about things he probably shouldn't have been thinking about.
Sakura seemed to ignore him as they rounded the block onto her street. Shino followed her for what seemed like an eternity, while it was only half of a block. They approached her steps, where she turned to face him, tripping over her own feet, and he was there to catch her, steady her. She shrugged free of his grasp, and his arms fell to his sides, while hers came up to wrap around her arms. He watched her cautiously.
"You had fun tonight?" She asked, staring at the ground.
"Of course I had a good time.. it was the best night I can recall having." He admitted, unsure of where this was going, considering her mood. She seemed... angry for some reason.
"Seems like you did. Ino seemed to enjoy your company well enough." She almost spat. Was it his imagination, or were her eyes welling up with tears?
"Woah, wait. Ino? She was just being .. well, Ino. You can't possibly think.."
"That she likes you? She was all over you." Sakura recalled, sighing, "And you seemed pretty okay with that."
Shino blinked, shaking his head, holding up his hands in his defense, "It was really awkward! I didn't ask for that.." He glanced around, noticing a small group of citizens walking up the opposide side of the roadway. Lowering his voice, he looked back to Sakura pleadingly, "Can we talk about this inside?"
Sakura looked to the approaching group, then nodded to him. She was starting to feel like she was putting too much stock into Ino's behavior, and judging by Shino's response, he was putting much less stock into it. Sakura thought for a moment that maybe she was overreacting. After all, was this even a real date?
Sakura sighed, "Listen, I think it's the liquor talking." She moved to unlock the door, which took some effort. Once inside, she kicked off her shoes next to the door and stepped onto the plush carpet with a sigh. Shino shut the door behind him, watching her.
"Ino got me with those fruity drinks again, and I might not be making sense." She moved to the livingroom area and unceremoniously plopped onto the sofa. Shino slipped his shoes off and moved to the livingroom, intending to collect his jacket from the arm of the sofa, but Sakura was leaning against it, with her bare legs draped across the sofa. To him, it seemed like miles and miles of legs, and he didn't know how to respond to them.
Sakura had closed her eyes, and appeared to be dozing, until she spoke again, "I think I need some water." She started to sit up, and felt Shino's hand on her shoulder.
"I'll get it, you relax." To his surprise, she obliged and sunk back into the sofa as he moved off into the kitchen to pour two glasses of water.
"So, tell me what's on your mind." He heard her mumble, and he hesitated to respond. What kind of a question was that? What could possibly be on his mind with such a beautiful woman stretched out across the sofa?
He returned to the sofa with two glasses, offering her one. She peered up at him through half-lidded eyes, and he realized that he needed much more cold water to cope with that sort of stare from her.
"I enjoyed dinner." He stated.
She nodded gently, taking the glass of water from him and sipping at it carefully. She moved her feet from the end of the sofa, making room for him. He took the hint, sitting down, and found her calves and feet propped upon his lap, her toenails painted a sparkling pale pink. "And?" She probed. She was still quite drunk, but at least her anger had ebbed, and she seemed simply relaxed and chatty.
"I've been enjoying your company. You're quite a date." He sipped at his water, trying not to enjoy the new perspective his seat at the end of the sofa gave him. He waited until her eyes fluttered shut before he allowed his gaze to travel up her legs and thighs. He could even see the lace edge of black panties peeking out from beneath the hem of her skirt. He carefully, purposefully placed one hand on the arm of the sofa, and commanded it to stay there, while the other hand held the glass of water, as he sipped it away. His gaze moved up to her slender tummy, where the dress had gathered, then to her breasts, which rose and fell with every soft breath she took. He felt that familiar hardening between his legs, but couldn't seem to find the motivation to extract himself from being her footrest. He grasped that almost empty glass and sofa arm for dear life- if he touched her, he'd lose it, he just knew he would.
"Am I? There are prettier dates to be had in Konoha, you know." She stated, matter of factly, to which Shino shook his head.
"That's the most ridiculous thing I've heard all evening." He admitted, and she laughed at his response, rolling to her side and curling her legs back up towards her body, breaking contact, much to his relief. Much to his relief at least until he took in the generous view of her bottom that the new position gave him- those black panties being comprised mostly of lace.
There was a long pause of silence, and once again he thought perhaps that she'd dozed off, until her eyes fluttered open, and she met his gaze. "You know, you're incredibly good looking... I can understand why a woman would have trouble keeping her hands off of you." She bat her eyes a few times before closing them again, finishing with, "A girl would be crazy not to want you."
He was shocked and frozen for several seconds before averting his gaze and sitting strait up. That was the liquor talking, right? That was a little too close for an invitation for his comfort, and he realized just how close to the brink he was in all of this. Shino placed his glass on a side table, "I think it's time I headed home."
Sakura started to sit up, but sighed defeatedly and settled back down. "More's the pity.." She mumbled, eyes closed. She was simply too drunk and comfortable to get up.
"I'll let myself out. See you again, soon, Sakura." He stated, trying not to look at her. I lesser man wouldn't have walked away, he realized. This test was almost more than he could handle. If she'd asked him to stay, he wouldn't have been able to deny her. If he'd touched her, he wasn't sure he'd be able to control himself any longer.
It took all of his willpower to stand up, and after saving her empty water cup and placing it next to his, he collected his eye glasses from the side table and eyed his jacket, which had a particularly beautiful young woman sprawled across it. Lucky jacket, he thought painfully, and slipped out the front door, careful to lock it behind him.