Gaara was fairly certain he was hallucinating. His brain was short circuiting, that damn tanuki was playing a trick on him- something, anything to explain the words on the screen in front of him. It certainly couldn't be that Kiyoshi, his Kiyoshi, the one he longed to actually return affections… was flirting with him? It seemed she was, or at least, it was if he used either Temari's and Kankuro's definitions of flirting. Even though he knew no one was in the room with him, he couldn't help but try to conceal the heated flush spreading up his neck and over his face. His whole body was tomato red at the mention of pressing, and stayed that way as his eyes skittered across her insinuation that he'd like to do more than missions.
'It does get stifling, being a Kage,' he typed back, fingers feeling as though they were going in slow motion (and, to be fair, they were significantly slower than normal). He needed his reply to Kiyoshi to be flawless! How- how did he flirt? Both his siblings, Kankuro especially, had tried to teach him at one point or another, but he just couldn't wrap his mind around any of the tips given to him.
'Would you prefer we give each other tours of our villages? Show each other the best dinner spots?' Was he doing this right? The redhead was supremely out of his depth, and not being able to hear her voice or see her facial expressions as he spoke was a hindrance, to be sure. 'I'm sure we could both do with a vacation.' That was plain truth. Kiyoshi had been promoted recently, from what he understood, and with him being the Kazekage? Well, getting a break from work was practically impossible.
His trip to her village for a diplomatic meeting was as close to a vacation as he was likely to get for years. There was just too much to do, and Suna's economy was slow to recover from losing so many of their shinobi to the manipulation by Sound, all those years ago. Tsunade seemed to have the opposite problem on the work-life balance scale, though, so he doubted he could take advice on balancing business and pleasure from the blonde should he ask for it.
"It smells fantastic," the brunette sighed, eyeballing the pot longingly as she picked up her own wine glass. Hunger was the best seasoning, the saying went, but Sakura had a gift in the kitchen. "I'm going to have to take a cooking class after this mission." Fuyumi was notorious for her lack of effort in the kitchen, and if forced to eat at home instead of out or at a friend's, would live off rice balls and plain chicken breasts (and whatever ice cream was in her freezer). Shisui regularly mocked her for it, and she couldn't exactly blame him. Yet, rather than food, the real attention grabber that night was the gossip.
"Gods, I hope so. He's an alright doctor, but Nakano-sensei is way more skilled than he is, and she's not a raging asshole, so I think we'd be alright without him." All the ninja personnel would be happy to see him go, and if the murmurs about a few civilian nurses quitting over sexual harassment on his end were true, well… The buzzing of her phone took a bit of an edge off her grin, and the only reason she opened her message and allowed it to interrupt her one-on-one time with her girlfriend (she could just die of happiness every time she thought about the pinkette being hers!), was that the message was from Ino. That meant it was probably about the mission.
"I think it's about our mission," the taller woman announced, sidling over to Sakura so they could read the message together. Skimming through it, she waited for Sakura to finish reading before sending her reply, thanking the blonde for keeping her updated. "Girls only mission, this should be fun." Hopefully Ino and Sakura could work out their difficulties over the course of it. "We have to get Hinata ready to confess to Naruto once he gets back." She had a saucy little grin as she said it, but it was true! Naruto was due back from his extended training soon and if that girl didn't let him in on her feelings, they'd all explode!
Kiyoshi went around the island stationed in the center of her kitchen and over to the fridge where she withdrew a bottle of water, circling back to stow away Tarot's food dish after he'd consumed as much as he liked for the evening. She had sauntered down the hall and into her room where she skimped down to her undergarments (which she'd be wearing to bed with how sticky the heat was tonight.) Kiyoshi left the door ajar for her pet to come and go as he pleased throughout the night before shuffling back towards her bed where she flipped on the fan perched on the nightstand, shifting her weight onto the bed to get situated ( before presuming her chat with Gaara.)
Kiyoshi dismissed her duvet in favor of the sheet beneath it due to the coolness it emitted against her overheating flesh. She stationed the blue sheet over her lower half and chose to stay sitting upright to be in the path of the fan, and when she was finished messaging Gaara for the night she'd be able to store her phone away easier. Leaning back, Kiyoshi scanned over the latest incoming message from her favorite tomato and couldn't help the impish smirk that could've put the Cheshire cat to shame. 'I bet it does- Oh, I could give you a tour alright...' Kiyoshi ceased typing for a brief moment to snicker at her wordplay.
'Mmm, I suppose I could do that.. or I could make something that'll probably be better.' Kiyoshi suggested, intellectual enough to catch up what her gingerbread-man was putting down. She was solely allowing him the guise of discrepancy out of respect. She was aware he was giving his hand at flirting and was too appreciative in his efforts to let him in on it. Kiyoshi was solid on the fact she could possibly produce something better than what they'd have at any restaurant nearby, in her opinion anyways.
'Although I'm sure, being Kage, you're missing out on more things than just dinner. ;P' Kiyoshi poked, manifesting more boldness as the evening grew later.
Sakura's cheeks lit up, as always, whenever Fuyumi gushed over anything she did, "Thank you! You don't have to, though, I like doing this for you!" Sakura gleefully protested, indulging in the bubbly ambiance of the night. It was surreal to believe that Fuyumi was her partner! Sakura had almost begun to revel in the thought so much that she had to reel herself back into the ongoing conversation. Sakura alternated between chewing on bits of supper and assuring Fuyumi she was still attentive.
"Alright doctor or not, we'll all be better once he's officially been sacked!" Sakura sneered, her nose wrinkling with disgust as she thought about all the nurses the hospital would likely have to compensate- herself included if she were being fully honest with Tsunade (and herself.) The first two times he had put some moves on Sakura it had been so subtle that she hadn't quite realized any harassment had taken place. It had taken her at least a solid two weeks to admit to herself that it had, in fact, happened and Sakura hadn't been being delusional as she had been led to believe.
In reality, she should've consulted with Lady Tsunade about the incident- however, the only soul she had sought solace in had been Fuyumi. No one besides Fuyumi comprehended just how vindicated Sakura felt by hearing this glorious news. She was about to retort when Fuyumi withdrew her cellular device. Under any other conditions Sakura typically would've been seething, but briskly stamped out her hot coals when Fuyumi relayed it only being a mission. Although Ino had been the one to present the squad, Sakura didn't seem to mind (of course she didn't, she had Fuyumi! She got the girl and no one was going to rip that from her!).
"You're telling me, girl drives me nuts! If she doesn't tell him something soon I'm going to rip my hair out!" Sakura concurred, a devilish smirk formulating as she mulled over what they'd get up to, "Oh! Don't forget to invite Kiyoshi too, girl's too shut in- needs to get out sometimes." She suggested to Fuyumi.
He choked on the sip of water he'd taken as he read through Kiyoshi's text. She was right, he was certainly missing out on more than just dinner (and would be happy to receive a private tour from her- hopefully her bedroom was included on the itinerary), but he wasn't sure if her thoughts went to quite as filthy a place as his did at that phrasing. He was pretty sure she was flirting back with him, but what if she was just referring to kissing or something a little more family-friendly? Hormones were indeed a curse, he was convinced. He had to type a reply one handed as the other grasped the handle to his bathroom door, the man letting himself back inside the still steam-filled room in order to have an extra layer of privacy to relieve his now painfully hard problem.
'I'm interested to see just what you think I might be missing out on. You'll have to show me next time we meet.' That he could still keep such a firm control over his punctuation and grammar while one hand was so eagerly stroking up and down his shaft was a testament to how tightly he tried to keep control over his reputation. It wouldn't do for Kiyoshi to know he was jerking off to thoughts of her as they talked, would it? While she may have been receptive to his flirting, that was a shade too far. Then again…
It seemed like time talking to his favorite person always flew by and was cut short. That was probably why it seemed as though he'd no sooner emerged from the bathroom, legs feeling somewhat wobbly, that he was standing with his small entourage, preparing to leave out of the gates of Suna. 'I'll let you know when we reach our destination,' he promised Kiyoshi as a final message. Of course, he wasn't going to spoil the surprise, so he had to phrase it in a way that wouldn't let her in on the fact that it would be an in person message.
Three long days until Konoha, until he could see Kiyoshi and, if he were feeling particularly bold, make a move. Kankuro would never let him live it down if he witnessed it, so it would have to be a very private moment. Speaking of Kankuro? His older brother was already suspicious, and from the very first moment of their journey, he began pestering his 'favorite baby brother' for details ("I'm your only younger brother, Kankuro," the puppeteer was reminded before Gaara proceeded to ignore the man's press for details).
"Maybe I want to spoil you," Fuyumi pointed out with a grin. She could just picture, once they were secure enough in their relationship to be public, dropping off a homemade lunch (and a kiss) to the woman in her office at the hospital. Yes, they were going to be one of those disgustingly perfect, happy, in love couples who constantly doted on one another, she could just picture it! The talk of that awful doctor getting sacked only heightened the good mood in the room, it seemed. While their harassment hadn't been as direct as it had been for some of the civilian nurses (he at least had the good sense to know any of the ninja medics would gut him alive if he laid hands on them). But it would be a shit show internally, with compensation and potential lawsuits. That was a problem for the light of day and not their happy dinner, though!
"Sorry, she apologized as she tucked the phone back away, "I hate having it out at dinner, but I figured it would be about the mission, and since we're both on the team and leaving so soon…" The brunette sighed. She'd turn it off and keep in a different room the next time they had an at-home date like this, she vowed to herself. Thankfully, the topic drifted to the concept of the girls night out, and her guilt eased.
"In fairness to Hinata, we both sat on our feelings without saying anything to each other," she winked at the rosette before adding, "Though, she's been holding hers back for well over a decade." Kiyoshi, they all needed to see more, too! "I think she's got a boyfriend," Fuyumi whispered conspiratorially before taking another bite of the delicious dinner (Sakura was a goddess in the kitchen in addition to her other laundry list of talents!). "We ran into each other on my way out of T&I the other day- after that one really rough interrogation I helped with," protocol meant she hadn't been able to give many details, but Sakura had been the literal shoulder she'd cried on afterward, her nerves had been so fried by the experience. "Anyway, she got a text and she blushed when she read it! And then stopped in the middle of the street to reply!" She wanted so badly for her friend to have found someone good for her.
Kiyoshi practically purred when Gaara's response was exactly what she had been trying to elicit for most of the duration of the night. She, too, had begun to rub her thighs together for the friction she needed for her rising frustration. It seemed she wouldn't be receiving much more, much to her dismay, as Gaara indicated he would be departing sooner than Kiyoshi would've liked. She released a breathy whine but nevertheless typed out her final farewell for the night, taking a swig of the bottle of water she placed beside the fan before she shed that day's attire.
Placing the bottle back, Kiyoshi shifted to now lay on her back- hiking her legs up into a more comfortable position as she did so. 'I'll be sure to stick a pin in it, I'll have a list composed for you the next time we meet- you better, or you're in trouble!~' Kiyoshi teased, 'For real, safe travels and have a wonderful night Lord Gaara.' Kiyoshi sent out, stashing her phone away on the stand as well. It took little time for her to release her problem, taking the courtesy to clean up (mainly taking whiz.) and the switching of her sheets before she was ready to turn in for the evening.
Three days had lapsed since the last time Kiyoshi heard from her favorite carrot-top. She was stationed idly beneath the shaded reprieve of her favorite (petite) gazebo. The canopy of vines, accompanied by the plethora of trees served to push her comfy spot far out of view from the public eye despite being located in the depths of one of Konoha's parks. Even though it was significantly cooler where Kiyoshi was resting on her maroon (and peeling from lack of maintenance) bench, the vast amounts of sweat kept her porcelain skin rather slick.
She had managed to makeshift an over-the-shoulder tank out of Gaara's old overthrow and black shorts to match. Her shoes were kicked off and abandoned on the ground. Her mp3 was blaring Sex Type Thing by Stone Temple Pilots in one ear, the other free to tune into any disturbances. A can of cola and a bag of salt chips were lazily being consumed between the intakes of whatever was left of her one-y stick. When Kiyoshi was deliciously baked, she stored away her paraphernalia- shoving her hair back and off the bench to prevent it from sticking to her. Letting her eyes slip closed, Kiyoshi allowed herself to get lost in her tunes.
Sakura's flush deepened to match the usual cherry dress she was accustomed to wearing, "Stop, you're too good to me!" Sakura complimented, her heart gushing with overwhelming glee that Fuyumi would put in the work for her, "I'm sure I'll be appreciative of anything you do for me." She cooed 'yeah, I'd also be appreciative of anything you'd do to me, either...' Sakura rain-checked, stretching out a hand to rest it on Fuyumi's knee- a forward, but gentle gesture. Begrudgingly, Sakura didn't linger there long as she finished off the remainder of her plate around the same time.
"It's no problem at all, love!" Oh, Sakura could die peacefully with the happiness of knowing she was able to openly give Fuyumi endearing pet-names! Sakura disposed of unfinished food, rinsing her plate off and placing it on the dish rack as Fuyumi handled and put away her cell, "Do whatever makes you happy, I'm not upset." Sakura beamed, though Fuyumi clearly could not see the gears rotating with fervor in the rosette's cranium.
"Although, If you really are upset about it.._" Sakura's tone now slightly sultry as she slyly taunted her partner, "I'm sure you can make it up to me." She teased, although an inkling of her meant it. Sakura blushed once again when Fuyumi coyly teased about their dilemma, but whatever devilish glint Sakura had been developing instantly vanished when Fuyumi mentioned Hinata, probably for Fuyumi's best interest as well. Sakura had been starting to get slightly frisky before she had been led back to their prior conversation.
"Hey now! Those are two completely different circumstances-cha!" Sakura defended rather passionately, a hand coming up to pat at her chest "At least we are together now, Hinata is so shy it's painful! If we don't force her to tell him, she's never going to- and you know I'm being honest." She concurred, having to reel back a few steps when Fuyumi causally whispered that Kiyoshi might have a boyfriend? Sakura almost sprouted a dull headache mulling over the rolodex of people that it could have possibly been, yet coming to a blank as a result- every time, "She...has a boyfriend? Are you sure..? If she does, it's not anyone in Konoha- she doesn't get out enough for it to be anyone from our village!"
