p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"A rosy tinge of pink stained across Kiyoshi's nose and traveled up onto her ears. Shino had, essentially, hit the nail directly eliciting Kiyoshi to smile sheepishly at him, "Even if you are right, that might be a little more complex than I'd like currently." Kiyoshi admitted, giggling slightly at her predicament as her phone buzzed yet again (though she was able to satiate the desire to respond at a more appropriate time, expecting to not be out too much longer.) Kiyoshi exhaled a sigh, her troubles easing by a significant amount with the help of Shino's advice./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Thank you, enough with me- what about you? You mentioned your bugs being restless tonight." Kiyoshi averted the conversation elsewhere, stifling the information deep down to process when she got home later in order to deliver Shino with the attention he deserved. She was grateful for Shino's friendship, knowing for certain that anything she had to tell him would stay with him./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Still, as much as Kiyoshi did her best to keep her focus- a fraction of her was antsy to see what her and Gaara were going to discuss, and a smidge melancholy at the forethought of going home to an empty apartment./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"_/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Ino was ecstatic to hear Fuyumi's excitement and confirmation over her offer up until she mentioned Sakura. A minute portion of her was irked having to share Fuyumi after having just gotten to her place. Nevertheless, Ino accepted the news regardless to propel Fuyumi's overall seeming happiness over the rosette. She was, however, caught off guard slightly when Fuyumi glomped her./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Ino could feel the thudding from her heart throbbing in her throat from the close proximity, chill Ino, be cool about everything! She chastised herself, returning the hug from her dearest friend, "So far it's just you, me and Sakura- but I'll definitely let you know who it is by tonight, we only have a day to figure things out before Lady Tsunade sends us out!" Ino assured Fuyumi./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Don't miss me too much, I'll see ya later!" Ino hollered, bidding farewell to Fuyumi as she watched her disappear up and over the rooftops and into the /_/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Sakura hadn't expected Fuyumi to respond so quickly, and without dinner quite ready Sakura wasn't entirely too sure what they would exactly get up to. She wasn't able to spend much time mulling over it either before she could make out the distinct knocking that could only be Fuyumi. A nervous sweat made Sakura's palms clammy as she maneuvered through her space to answer the door./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Her heart seemed to skip several beats when Fuyumi greeted her, "Hey." Sakura returned, just as bashful as her- partner? Was Fuyumi her partner? Whatever the case, it was certainly something Sakura knew they would be discussing at some point, "Please, come in!" Sakura insisted, abruptly embarrassed she had been gawking instead of allowing her company inside. As she stepped aside and Fuyumi entered, Sakura caught the waft of her aroma and she couldn't help but relax with the inhale./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Dinner isn't ready quite yet, but I'm sure we can come up with something in the meantime!" Sakura admitted, scratching at the base of her head out of shame being ill-prepared but willing to be open to whatever it is they might get up to during the remaining time they had before supper was ready./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"_br /The one upside to constantly wearing shades? Shino had decent vision in lower light than most without an eye-related kekkei genkai. That was why he was able to see the slight flush that dusted Kiyoshi's face and ears (it was endearing, if he were honest). "I may not have experience in this area, but I have witnessed enough to know that matters of the heart rarely wait for convenient timing. Just the opposite, in fact." For all Kiba liked to joke his teammate was a 'forever alone', Shino was capable of giving quite sage advice on romance. However, it appeared the topic of conversation was due to fall on his own issues, if only for a few moments./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""My beetles are merely eager for a chance to work, I believe. Why? Because it has been some time since I was on a mission that involved direct combat." They needed to feed on the chakra of an opponent fairly regularly, or such restlessness was only natural. "I believe I will ask Lady Tsunade for a mission that will rectify the situation in the morning." The fingers on his left hand twitched, as close to fidgeting as Shino got, but a sign to those who knew him well enough that he was getting uncomfortable. The Aburame, as a general rule, didn't like having too much spotlight on themselves, being more comfortable operating in relative anonymity. That was why he was eager, in his own way, to change the subject again./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I believe you have a suitor to reply to," there was the barest hint of smugness in his tone, though Kiyoshi wouldn't have been able to see the twitch of his lips that indicated a smirk as he spoke. "I won't keep you any longer, but if you need to talk again, you are always welcome at the compound." His father, Shibi, would much prefer Kiyoshi's more volume controlled self over, say, Kiba. "I hope you are able to find some peace in your situation tonight, Kiyoshi-san." With that, he was off, heading back to his home to hopefully settle his kikaichu down with the promise of a mission in the morning./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"_/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Gaara found himself waiting on pins and needles for her reply. Had it been too much? Was she tired of talking to him? It seemed the usual self-consciousness of an adolescent boy had finally hit the fearsome Kazekage, if a few years late. To be fair, he'd had other problems on his plate to handle before allowing such a lapse in his usually rigid self control. Or, he supposed, it had taken that long for his brain to finally catch up with his heart when it came to one woman in particular. No other person had ever inspired such longings in him before, obviously, so Kiyoshi was clearly special!/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"In an attempt to curb his anxiety, the redhead sat down at the desk he'd placed, in part to fill up the ridiculous amount of empty space in his rooms. He needed to finish the plans for the chain of command while he was visiting Konoha, a surprise for the dark haired girl. He just hoped it would be a pleasant one, that all his fumbling and pining (mooning, as Kankuro teased him) wasn't one-sided. Had he read too much into their conversations?br /_/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Sorry for coming over so far in advance," Fuyumi found herself a little flustered at her own eagerness once faced with the rosette. "I thought maybe you'd like help with making dinner?" She could probably see through that lie, but what was the brunette supposed to say, the truth? Well… "Or we could just… talk?" Oh boy. She didn't want to ruin the atmosphere before they so much as sat down to eat, but there was something she had to get off her chest, especially since Ino had mentioned the three of them were going to be on the mission together. Turning to Sakura, she spoke again, hoping she wasn't being too presumptuous./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Did I do something wrong? I just… You and Ino haven't been this tense around each other since the Academy." Since their feud over Sasuke ruined their friendship (thank the gods that had been mended in the years since they graduated). She hoped with every desperate fiber of her being that it wasn't over another man, that she hadn't been reading Sakura's feelings wrong. Her stomach felt like it was about to drop through the floor, she was so tense over the impending response. Fuyumi found her tongue was too tied to simply come out and ask what she and Sakura were, to confirm the feelings the brunette had been so assured were at least partially mutual./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"For the second time that evening, she found herself sitting on a couch (Sakura's was somehow even more comfortable than Ino's, and she was insanely envious of all the nice furniture her friends seemed able to get their hands on). This time, nervously awaiting the conversation to come. If they were due to go on that mission with Ino, they really did need to clear the air, right? On the other hand, if Fuyumi had just been forcing her feelings onto Sakura one-sidedly, and the rosette was having second thoughts or wasn't actually interested, wouldn't that make things worse? She liked to think they were all capable of being strictly professional in the field, but the journey to Water wasn't exactly a quick one, and there would be a lot of down time that would only be made worse by awkward silences./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"_/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Kiyoshi's semi-facial flush stretched down well onto her neck and chest from the teasing she picked up on, having Gaara labeled as her suitor. Kiyoshi was able to survey Shino's slight discomfort, and whatever comeback she could retort with was cut short by Shino as he addressed her concern over his beetles before making his leave- but was sweet enough to offer her a place at the compound next time./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"With Kiyoshi in the midst of her own company she eagerly withdrew her device, a warm smile stretching from ear to ear as she scrolled through their conversation to Gaara's latest message. Anyone of her other colleagues would've thought she was loony with the way she meandered through Konoha, black-sandaled feet carrying her home as her face stayed glued to her screen. Maybe Shino did have some point Kiyoshi pondered as she found herself worrying over the lapse in time it was taking her to respond./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"'You say that as if you aren't young yourself. :p I'm delighted my presence is a comfort, it's my pleasure to be present when you need me. ^^" Kiyoshi hesitated typing, 'Is there any chance I'll be seeing you sometime?' Kiyoshi overthought, but ultimately ended up pressing send anyway. (Though what she really aspired to say she had written and erased several times- I miss you.)/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"_/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Sakura was almost certain she was just as restless as Fuyumi, having topics hastily parkour into Sakura being a nervous wreck. She hadn't anticipated that Fuyumi would come out the gate swinging, but she supposed it would make their evening more enjoyable to put cards in the open presently speaking. Sakura was the first to glance at the floor, her sassy greens swirling with love and understanding. Until Fuyumi pointed it out, Sakura hadn't realized her and Ino had been reenacting their elementary squabble of Sasuke for Fuyumi- it was all crystalline clear./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Oh, Fuyumi, I'm sorry I made you worry like that- Ino and I, it's nothing like that." Sakura assured, her voice softening with a tenderness that only a nurturer could provide. Manifesting the strength to be bold Sakura took a seat beside Fuyumi, and to establish a connection with the object of her adoration Sakura linked their hands together, "You didn't do anything wrong, I'm just silly and didn't know how to tell you-" Sakura trailed, her complexion paling even more so as she felt herself on the cusp of confessing her feelings./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Sakura closed her eyes for a brief moment, collecting herself before she came to her resolve, "Fuyumi, it isn't just your imagination. There really is something between us." She concluded, her light greens scouring Fuyumi's own dark pools for any signs of acceptance, or rejection./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Thank you, enough with me- what about you? You mentioned your bugs being restless tonight." Kiyoshi averted the conversation elsewhere, stifling the information deep down to process when she got home later in order to deliver Shino with the attention he deserved. She was grateful for Shino's friendship, knowing for certain that anything she had to tell him would stay with him./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Still, as much as Kiyoshi did her best to keep her focus- a fraction of her was antsy to see what her and Gaara were going to discuss, and a smidge melancholy at the forethought of going home to an empty apartment./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"_/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Ino was ecstatic to hear Fuyumi's excitement and confirmation over her offer up until she mentioned Sakura. A minute portion of her was irked having to share Fuyumi after having just gotten to her place. Nevertheless, Ino accepted the news regardless to propel Fuyumi's overall seeming happiness over the rosette. She was, however, caught off guard slightly when Fuyumi glomped her./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Ino could feel the thudding from her heart throbbing in her throat from the close proximity, chill Ino, be cool about everything! She chastised herself, returning the hug from her dearest friend, "So far it's just you, me and Sakura- but I'll definitely let you know who it is by tonight, we only have a day to figure things out before Lady Tsunade sends us out!" Ino assured Fuyumi./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Don't miss me too much, I'll see ya later!" Ino hollered, bidding farewell to Fuyumi as she watched her disappear up and over the rooftops and into the /_/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Sakura hadn't expected Fuyumi to respond so quickly, and without dinner quite ready Sakura wasn't entirely too sure what they would exactly get up to. She wasn't able to spend much time mulling over it either before she could make out the distinct knocking that could only be Fuyumi. A nervous sweat made Sakura's palms clammy as she maneuvered through her space to answer the door./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Her heart seemed to skip several beats when Fuyumi greeted her, "Hey." Sakura returned, just as bashful as her- partner? Was Fuyumi her partner? Whatever the case, it was certainly something Sakura knew they would be discussing at some point, "Please, come in!" Sakura insisted, abruptly embarrassed she had been gawking instead of allowing her company inside. As she stepped aside and Fuyumi entered, Sakura caught the waft of her aroma and she couldn't help but relax with the inhale./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Dinner isn't ready quite yet, but I'm sure we can come up with something in the meantime!" Sakura admitted, scratching at the base of her head out of shame being ill-prepared but willing to be open to whatever it is they might get up to during the remaining time they had before supper was ready./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"_br /The one upside to constantly wearing shades? Shino had decent vision in lower light than most without an eye-related kekkei genkai. That was why he was able to see the slight flush that dusted Kiyoshi's face and ears (it was endearing, if he were honest). "I may not have experience in this area, but I have witnessed enough to know that matters of the heart rarely wait for convenient timing. Just the opposite, in fact." For all Kiba liked to joke his teammate was a 'forever alone', Shino was capable of giving quite sage advice on romance. However, it appeared the topic of conversation was due to fall on his own issues, if only for a few moments./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""My beetles are merely eager for a chance to work, I believe. Why? Because it has been some time since I was on a mission that involved direct combat." They needed to feed on the chakra of an opponent fairly regularly, or such restlessness was only natural. "I believe I will ask Lady Tsunade for a mission that will rectify the situation in the morning." The fingers on his left hand twitched, as close to fidgeting as Shino got, but a sign to those who knew him well enough that he was getting uncomfortable. The Aburame, as a general rule, didn't like having too much spotlight on themselves, being more comfortable operating in relative anonymity. That was why he was eager, in his own way, to change the subject again./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""I believe you have a suitor to reply to," there was the barest hint of smugness in his tone, though Kiyoshi wouldn't have been able to see the twitch of his lips that indicated a smirk as he spoke. "I won't keep you any longer, but if you need to talk again, you are always welcome at the compound." His father, Shibi, would much prefer Kiyoshi's more volume controlled self over, say, Kiba. "I hope you are able to find some peace in your situation tonight, Kiyoshi-san." With that, he was off, heading back to his home to hopefully settle his kikaichu down with the promise of a mission in the morning./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"_/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Gaara found himself waiting on pins and needles for her reply. Had it been too much? Was she tired of talking to him? It seemed the usual self-consciousness of an adolescent boy had finally hit the fearsome Kazekage, if a few years late. To be fair, he'd had other problems on his plate to handle before allowing such a lapse in his usually rigid self control. Or, he supposed, it had taken that long for his brain to finally catch up with his heart when it came to one woman in particular. No other person had ever inspired such longings in him before, obviously, so Kiyoshi was clearly special!/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"In an attempt to curb his anxiety, the redhead sat down at the desk he'd placed, in part to fill up the ridiculous amount of empty space in his rooms. He needed to finish the plans for the chain of command while he was visiting Konoha, a surprise for the dark haired girl. He just hoped it would be a pleasant one, that all his fumbling and pining (mooning, as Kankuro teased him) wasn't one-sided. Had he read too much into their conversations?br /_/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Sorry for coming over so far in advance," Fuyumi found herself a little flustered at her own eagerness once faced with the rosette. "I thought maybe you'd like help with making dinner?" She could probably see through that lie, but what was the brunette supposed to say, the truth? Well… "Or we could just… talk?" Oh boy. She didn't want to ruin the atmosphere before they so much as sat down to eat, but there was something she had to get off her chest, especially since Ino had mentioned the three of them were going to be on the mission together. Turning to Sakura, she spoke again, hoping she wasn't being too presumptuous./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Did I do something wrong? I just… You and Ino haven't been this tense around each other since the Academy." Since their feud over Sasuke ruined their friendship (thank the gods that had been mended in the years since they graduated). She hoped with every desperate fiber of her being that it wasn't over another man, that she hadn't been reading Sakura's feelings wrong. Her stomach felt like it was about to drop through the floor, she was so tense over the impending response. Fuyumi found her tongue was too tied to simply come out and ask what she and Sakura were, to confirm the feelings the brunette had been so assured were at least partially mutual./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"For the second time that evening, she found herself sitting on a couch (Sakura's was somehow even more comfortable than Ino's, and she was insanely envious of all the nice furniture her friends seemed able to get their hands on). This time, nervously awaiting the conversation to come. If they were due to go on that mission with Ino, they really did need to clear the air, right? On the other hand, if Fuyumi had just been forcing her feelings onto Sakura one-sidedly, and the rosette was having second thoughts or wasn't actually interested, wouldn't that make things worse? She liked to think they were all capable of being strictly professional in the field, but the journey to Water wasn't exactly a quick one, and there would be a lot of down time that would only be made worse by awkward silences./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"_/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Kiyoshi's semi-facial flush stretched down well onto her neck and chest from the teasing she picked up on, having Gaara labeled as her suitor. Kiyoshi was able to survey Shino's slight discomfort, and whatever comeback she could retort with was cut short by Shino as he addressed her concern over his beetles before making his leave- but was sweet enough to offer her a place at the compound next time./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"With Kiyoshi in the midst of her own company she eagerly withdrew her device, a warm smile stretching from ear to ear as she scrolled through their conversation to Gaara's latest message. Anyone of her other colleagues would've thought she was loony with the way she meandered through Konoha, black-sandaled feet carrying her home as her face stayed glued to her screen. Maybe Shino did have some point Kiyoshi pondered as she found herself worrying over the lapse in time it was taking her to respond./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"'You say that as if you aren't young yourself. :p I'm delighted my presence is a comfort, it's my pleasure to be present when you need me. ^^" Kiyoshi hesitated typing, 'Is there any chance I'll be seeing you sometime?' Kiyoshi overthought, but ultimately ended up pressing send anyway. (Though what she really aspired to say she had written and erased several times- I miss you.)/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"_/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Sakura was almost certain she was just as restless as Fuyumi, having topics hastily parkour into Sakura being a nervous wreck. She hadn't anticipated that Fuyumi would come out the gate swinging, but she supposed it would make their evening more enjoyable to put cards in the open presently speaking. Sakura was the first to glance at the floor, her sassy greens swirling with love and understanding. Until Fuyumi pointed it out, Sakura hadn't realized her and Ino had been reenacting their elementary squabble of Sasuke for Fuyumi- it was all crystalline clear./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""Oh, Fuyumi, I'm sorry I made you worry like that- Ino and I, it's nothing like that." Sakura assured, her voice softening with a tenderness that only a nurturer could provide. Manifesting the strength to be bold Sakura took a seat beside Fuyumi, and to establish a connection with the object of her adoration Sakura linked their hands together, "You didn't do anything wrong, I'm just silly and didn't know how to tell you-" Sakura trailed, her complexion paling even more so as she felt herself on the cusp of confessing her feelings./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Sakura closed her eyes for a brief moment, collecting herself before she came to her resolve, "Fuyumi, it isn't just your imagination. There really is something between us." She concluded, her light greens scouring Fuyumi's own dark pools for any signs of acceptance, or rejection./p