This chapter has a lot of Shino simply because I was watching the episode Shino was sent with Naruto and poisoned into laughing. Welcome back LadyRidger. I used the lunch date to emphasize that some competitors are not there because they want to be, and I was kinda mad so I vented a bit. To be clear Yahiko was not on a date with Sakura. He was consoling her after a bad date. We all have that friend who shovels us full of some kind of confection when were depressed. I have plotted ahead a bit and decided the next few chapters will be featuring competitors, and some eliminations. I must be doing something right because my inbox had no flames this time. I found out my brother is reading this after he followed it. Thank yous go to my awesome reviewers, favorites, and followers. As always reviews are not necessary but are inspirational.
When Sakura woke up she was aware of two things. One, she was free for the entire day. Two, she wanted to get some exercise in. So with little thought she threw on a shirt and a pair pf her favorite shorts. Grabbing a hair tie and rushed out the door before she could be grabbed by her servants and forced to spend another day doing paper work. Tsunade was rubbing off on her she could feel it. Soon she'd be drinking and gambling until she was so far in debt they'd have to work triple shifts. Shaking the thought from her head she raced to the common training area. Today was her lucky day because there stood Shino. Feeling her chakra caused his concentration to slip. Glanced her way as she ran into the training grounds and stepping to the left as a Kunai landed at his feet. The dodge managing to look effortless on his behalf.
Once again his training was to be interrupted by the slender kunoichi. Not that he minded the pleasant distraction that she added. Kiba and Akamaru emerged from the bushes and Hinata seemed to appear from no where. Akamaru bounded over to the pinkett seeing this she knelt to her knees and caught the ninkin in a tight hug. Immediately burying her face into the over grown ninkin she sighed happily. Hearing a whistle he returned to his partners side all to soon if he was to be consulted on the matter. It was obvious the ninkin enjoyed attention from the pinkett whom would shower him with treats.
"I'm going to have to steal him from you one of these days Kiba." Sakura teased openly as she gave a smile.
"You wouldn't have to if you picked me out of your harem." Kiba teased back masking this truth with a joking tone. Sakura's smiled dimmed a bit being reminded of the contest. Kiba kicked himself mentally for being so inconsiderate.
"But then the fun would be taken out of it." Hinata tried to amend for him.
"I think he'd go willingly isn't that right Akamaru. Especially if it meant that he'd get some of my special treats." Sakura laughed as Akamaru ran to her again. "Besides if it was a harem that would mean your the only one not getting any."
"Spoiled house pet." Kiba shook his head as he watched the ninkin lean against Sakura's legs. He refused to acknowledge her last remark for fear that he would say something that he would regret. A kikaichu on her shoulder caught his eye which caused his smirk to disappear. Sensing it she smiled at Shino whom was now walking towards her. Her attention was on him in an instant as she smiled at him. Kiba's mood started to sour at that very moment as a hint of jelosey hit him in the chest. Hinata placed a hand on his shoulder with a soft smile bringing him out of his brooding.
"Don't let it get to you Kiba. You know Sakura is friendly with everyone. Besides would it be so bad if she picked Shino?" Hinata had a point Kiba decided. If she didn't pick him Shino would be his next choice. He trusted Shino with his life on many occasions. Still he wasn't about to lose without putting up one hell of a fight for her. About that time Naruto stopped by and whisked Hinata off for breakfast telling Shino to put some clothes on. This made Shino realize his appearance. Sakura gave him a smug smirk which didn't help his situation in the least bit. He had removed his coat about two hours into their early morning training session. Once he had put his coat on Naruto left with Hinata smiling like a fool.
"We better go to it's going to rain." Kiba sniffed the air as he looked at the ominous clouds looming above them. Sakura huffed and crossed her arms over her chest accentuating her breast unconsciously.
"I'm staying a little rain can't hurt, and if I get caught in the house by the maids I'm doomed to paperwork." Sakura pouted looking simply put delicious. Shino seemed to notice since his eyebrow raised slightly.
"Yeah well mom and Hana will kill me if I come in full of mud again. Hey why don't we get everyone together for lunch. We could even invite Itachi and Shisui. They seem to be lacking in the social department." Kiba offered earning him a soft smile. He knew Sakura was concerned about the both Itachi, and Shisui. The two rarely spoke to anyone other than themselves and Sakura.
"I'll run a few drills with Sakura until it rains and have her there by lunch." Shino offered making Kiba frustrated. He agreed but he wasn't happy about it in the least, but Sakura would be safer with Shino than alone on a muddy training field. Giving Sakura a quick hug which she returned, he left reluctantly to gather the gang.
"Shall we have a game of ninja tag?" Sakura smiled that smug smile of hers.
"I have a better idea. Hide and seek winner gets one request." Shino countered causing Sakura to laugh. Ninja hide and seek was different from civilian hide and seek. There was no base that guaranteed safety. The object was to find your target and make them surrender to you. Traps were allowed as well as gen-jutsu and taijutsu. Other than that there was no chakra allowed. To win you had to keep the target in submission for ten seconds before they became it and began the count down.
"Fine but your it and no Kikaichu." She poked his chest and dove into the bushes. Removing his jacket and tossing it to the bench it previously rested on as he counted down from ten. The second he hit one he dove after her in the trees. He remembered playing this game with her when they were genin. He caught just a glance of her and shot off in her direction careful to mask his chakra. It was in that moment the heavens open and rain landed heavily upon him. Hearing a gasp from Sakura as the chilled rain hit her he grinned just a little moving in on her location.
Barley ducking a foot aimed at his head he countered with a lunge to her middle. Twisting to the left he felt an elbow make contact with his ribs. This winded him but he continued on grabbed her leg. To which her fist came down barely missing his forearm as he rolled away and sprang to his feet. Batting away a right hook almost left him open for a right cross which he caught. Twisting Sakura's arm behind her back he attempted to kick her knee. She countered this with an elbow to the gut causing him to release her to dodge it. She was quick to sweep at his feet causing him to leap at her. She gasped trying to bend backwards so he would slide over. His hands caught her hips and he thrust her against a tree. This stunned her enough to allow him to lock her wrists over her head with one hand. His free hand wrapping around her waist pulling her forward. Her body was now locked against him and her arms were now rendered useless. She attempted to use her legs but was quickly stopped as he thrust his leg between them causing her to stand in a straddling position. His sun glasses had slid down his nose exposing his warm brown eye.
His eyes wandered over the heavily breathing woman in his arms. Her breast heaved against his mesh covered chest. Her breath fanning his neck as it came out in pants from her slightly parted lips. She was gorgeous with the rain washing over her. She looked as if she was flustered and he liked it. How he wanted her to give him the ok to take her right there against the tree. Her moans and cries of ecstasy would be drowned out with the rain mixed with thunder and lightning. Shaking himself from his track of thought her offered her a soft smile. As her eyes searched his he leaned to her pressing his forehead to hers. His breath mingling with hers as he tried to compose himself. Perhaps this was not a proper game to play in this situation.
"Cancel any reservations you had for our date." Shino broke the silence causing her to gasp.
"I see. So you're dropping out of.."
"No! Kami no Sakura. I would never do that. I just want do something special. That's my request. Let me be the one to worry about our date. You have enough to deal with." Shino interrupted her quickly his voice husky.
"Deal, now let's go clean up to meet the others." She smiled as he let her go. Almost immediately she became cold again causing her to shiver. Shino notice and drew her closer to share his warmth. After collecting his coat they made their way to her home and took separate baths. When Shino was done he dressed in a plain pair of sweat pants and a grey muscle shirt a maid left out for him. He then went in search of his blossom. He smirked at that thought. When her did find Sakura what he saw made him lose his composure. Sakura sat in the sitting room in a pair of spandex gray shorts with a green drawstring, and a green skin tight top that ended above her belly button showcasing her flat perfectly toned stomach. She was stretched out on some over sized pillows her wet hair loosely scattered over the pillows. Her eyes darted over to him suddenly and she shot up into a sitting position with a shy blush.
"Your clothes are being dried as we speak." Her eyes scanned his body carefully. Oh he was to damn tempting. She always like Shino he wasn't one to lie to her even when it would spare her feelings. His hands were rough yet he touched her with such tenderness. She never had to worry about fan girls suddenly attacking because she was close to him. He wasn't demanding, and exercised self control easily. She wondered what it would be like to see him laugh. Naruto was the only one to see him laugh and she was sure he exaggerated about how creepy it was. He thought Shino was creepy anyway. She however found comfort in his presence. She was glad he was a candidate.
After his clothes were dry and they both changed they decided to head out to meet their friends. Shino decided to share an umbrella with her so he could be close to her. She knew what he was doing but she didn't mind. He was asserting his place as a competitor and trying to win her favor. She thought it was cute and felt flattered. He was going out of his way to make her feel important and that's all that really mattered to her at the moment. Still she felt a little selfish because of it. It seemed this decision was going to be harder to make than she thought.