yakiniku_q | [ OPEN RP ]

[NODS AND SHOULDERS HIS WAY OUT OF HERE but makes sure Ino is following so she doesn't get lost or someone takes advantage of her DRUNK STATE

Waiting by the door, Sakura still in his arms.

This isn't the way he had pictured he and Sakura and Ino leaving together once upon a time....]

[Ino is trying to walk out with dignity, despite the fact that everyone just saw her wipe out. As she follows Naruto, a bunch of people try to stop her to say hello or good bye or just talk. It takes some time before she squeezes her way out to meet Naruto.]

I thought that since Sakura was Tsunade-sama's student that she could hold her liquor better. All she does is lecture me about life choices and pass out.

[Looks like Ino wins this round!]

[ Sakura tightens her grip on Naruto. She is just having a grand old fucking time being so oblivious to how affectionate she is when she is DRUNK AND ASLEEP. She's happy and murmuring as if she were having a good dream. Her face is buried in Naruto's neck, so the sound reverberates against his skin. ]

... definitely... don't approve....

[It's not helping the fact that he's in love with her THANKS FOR THAT SAKURA. For a moment he looks down softly at the girl in his arms, wondering just why she disapproved of Naruto and Ino so strongly. Wondering why they can't do this when they're both SOBER and why she denies him so much. Maybe one day she'd say yes...

Maybe. But he doubts it.

So he turns to Ino, snickering.]

Maybe it's 'cause you flirted with everyone tonight. Even me.

[Because Sakura is in love with Sasuke-- no one ever said Sakura had good taste. Poor Naruto. Ino feels for him. She pats his shoulder.]

So what? It's perfectly legal to flirt with you. Unless, of course, you hated it then I would never, ever do it again.

[Of course he didn't. Guys would die to get flirted with by her.]

[ Because.

BECAUSE.

Sakura basically has a TOP TEN LIST OF WHY DATING NARUTO IS A TERRIBLE idea, and number one is that he deserves better than someone that can give him half a heart. Not that she'd ever tell him, but the thing is that Naruto is pretty much the best person Sakura knows. He's sweet, and hard working, and amazing, and he deserves the BEST OF EVERYTHING. Sakura, with the shadow of Sasuke always looming behind them, is not going to be able to give him that, no matter what he thinks he wants.

And as much as Sakura loves Ino, she knows that Ino isn't that person either. Ino is flighty and selfish. She'd lure Naruto in, make him fall in love with her, get tired of him and then just... toss him aside.

Sakura can't change how much she's hurt Naruto in the past. Sometimes (or more than sometimes), she wishes things were different. That she were a different (better) person. The least she can do is make sure he doesn't get hurt again. ]

Eheh, to be honest, I didn't know you were until Sakura-chan mentioned it.

[Well, when she told him her ass was perfect and gave him a silent invitation to look at it, too. Still, he liked the attention more than he would admit. Plus, having a pretty girl sit in your lap was always a plus.

He looks down to Sakura again.]

Ehhhh, it wasn't...so bad. Besides, you would do it again even if I said no. 'Cause I'm a hunk, right? That's why you flirted with me in the first place.

[He grins widely, giving Ino a taste of her own self-confident medicine.

Naruto has the power to change people. Maybe Ino was included in that. He had made so many countless enemies turn friends. Even Sakura, who thought he was annoying at first had gradually come to accept him as a close friend. Become protective to the point that she was watching out for his best interests. Though when it came to love, she really couldn't say who he was to love or not love anymore.

Though not loving Sakura just didn't seem possible either. Maybe he could fall for Ino, maybe Hinata, or Tenten, or anybody else. But he would still love Sakura. Not in the Sasuke way, the way that haunted her but in the way that Sakura would have that special place in his heart like Sasuke did. And Naruto's heart WAS big enough that it's not so impossible for him.]

...Which was is Sakura's apartment again?

[Ino's eyes widened at Naruto's words. First that he didn't realize she was flirting. It was kind of cute how naive he could be. Ini was almost ALWAYS flirting, that was just her nature. Second that he called himself a hunk, probably in all seriousness. It makes her laugh because his self confidence could almost rival hers.

She gives a dramatic sigh.]

It's true, you're just so hunky that I can't help myself. I had to really show some self control in not jumping you right at the bar and dragging you somewhere to have my wicked way with you.

[Ino points to a nearby apartment. Even drunk, she remembers the way to Sakura's. Maybe because she spent so many nights there post-drinking because Sakura dragged her there.]

We need to go this way.

[Ino may have been fickle but not with the people she cares about. It was possible for her to fall in love with someone, it just took a little time because of her profession and cynicism. She wasn't completely heartless. Besides, who could genuinely be mean to Naruto? It was like kicking a puppy.]

[He laughs at that, at least having enough common sense to know she's teasing right now. He's learning. Slowly but surely. But now she gives him mental images of her dragging him away to have 'her way' with him.

Uh....huh. Yeah. Wicked way. Would she have her way or would he actually participate and. Yep, stopping there.

Naruto shakes himself, and makes it a spectacle to TURN and go in the right direction. Yeah, good thing Ino was with him. He's not really in his right mind. Especially because he keeps shooting Ino these glances he usually reserves for Sakura. He can't rub the back of his head, since he's carrying a teammate. Could always make a clone to carry her and then...then what? Talk to Ino. He could do that carrying Sakura. Man, his head hurt.

He finally just decides to blurt what's on his mind right now.]

Do you have a boyfriend?

[It takes Ino a few seconds to recognize that Naruto is, in fact, addressing her.]

Who, me?

[Who else? Sakura is still completely passed out and uttering threats in between snores but Ino is thrown completely off guard. Come to think of it, when was the last time a guy asked her that? Most of them just assumed that even if she did, they could charm her away from them. Gross. Naruto really isn't like that, though, Sakura had said so many times before.

An earnest, good natured, male ninja. Who knew those existed?

Ino shakes her head, laughing at the sad state of her own love life. Like she had the right to be making fun of Sakura? Flirting and actually dating were two different things, after all. It's nearly impossible for Ino to get past the hurdle of "casually dating" to "boyfriend".]

No, can you believe? I suffer from the "Two Date" curse. As in, I can never get past date two without the guy turning into a complete creep.

[She notices he's having a bit of trouble navigating and so Ino puts her hand on his shoulder to lead him in the right directly. Ino doesn't really want to face Sakura's wrath if they drop her into a puddle or bush.]

Edited (AUGH TYPOSSSS) 2013-02-16 17:58 (UTC)

[Naruto almost ALMOST shows his more sarcastic side and says something like 'No, Sakura' but she answers. His head tilts a little at her laugh though, confusing him. Even more at the mention of curses. Yeah, he's had enough of those. The curse of hatred, the curse of having friends of whatever the fuck Obito was talking about way back when, the curse of the Uchiha clan and everything else under the sun.

So, as per usual, he uses shounen logic and grunts a bit while adjusting Sakura in his arms and follows her lead. Soft, warm hand.]

What curse? You're just pickin' shitty guys. [Not the first time a girl he knew has done that...]

If you wanna break it, you gotta change. Or I dunno...stop attracting the creepy ones, heheh.

[Maybe Naruto doesn't understand the finer intricacies of dating but it's not something she can just change with hard work. It's not like learning a jutsu. It takes two people to date and chances are, in the ninja world, one of them is probably nuts.

But he does make a valid point about her picking shitty guys because Ino truly has horrific taste in men. Sasuke, Sai-- they don't even scratch the surface of the guys she's been attracted to.

Ino squeezes Naruto's shoulder to stop him as they almost pass Sakura's apartment. The walk is sobering her up a little but not nearly enough.]

Here. Let's get the princess to sleep, shall we?

[Ninjas don't need locks on their doors. There is sort of an honor system amongst them about it. Ino is sure Sakura will forgive them for breaking in, since they are carrying her drunk ass home. Ino opens the door without a second thought.]

By the way, what kind of guys should I be picking, then?

[They bumble a bit up the small stretch of stairs, running into each other but Naruto not really minding. In fact, they sort of use each other as support as they climb.

And then they're in Sakura's apartment. He doesn't have a chance to enjoy the moment and he clears his throat, looking away. Yeah, what sort of guys?]

I dunno. Non-creepy ones! Don't ask me that, I dunno what you girls are into. S'not future Hokages though.

[He grumbles it and then walks deeper into the apartment, wandering down a hall and looking for something that looks something like a bedroom. He could just deposit her on the couch but that's not something he could do to Sakura.]

[Without really thinking about it, Ino takes off Sakura's boots and throws them somewhere so she'll sleep more comfortably. She tugs lightly at Naruto's jacket pocket for him to follow her and then opens Sakura's bedroom door.

Sakura is so lucky to have friends like them. Who else would get service like this? At first glance, Ino seems bitchy and hard to handle but she really does love her friends, especially Sakura.

Ino raises an eyebrow at his words, lips quirked in a small smile.]

What are you saying? You saved the village more times than I can count, you're cute, and you're stupidly good natured. I'm pretty sure you have fangirls.

[He watches, distracted from the sight of Ino undressing Sakura (not so lucky to have slightly perverted best friend though) then shakes his head again and blinks, cheeks getting hot.]

Y...You think I'm cute?

[She gives him a small push inside and nods towards to bed as a sign that he should put Sakura down.

What was with Team 7 and their low self esteem? Did they not realize they were comprised of some of the most adorable people in Konoha (though it might have been Ino's bias)?]

You're cute.

[It's said so matter-of-factly, so know it all. So... Ino-esque.]

[Naruto might have joked that he was a hunk (mostly because his mom and the fact that he had apparently inherited her pretty face) but he honestly doesn't think too much about his looks and whether he's handsome or not. But it's true, he's got his own little fanclub going by now. As per Naruto fashion, he's completely oblivious to it though.

Sakura is placed down gently in her bed and he pulls the covers up and over her body to tuck her in. He then grins at Ino, wide and grateful and almost radiating happiness into the room. He might be drunk but hearing he was actually cute from someone is nice.]

Eheheh, thanks. [Did Sakura think so too? He looks down at her, smiling fading. Did it matter? He's happy just being her friend and around her. He's happy he gets to be the person -- with Ino -- that she trusts enough to pass out at a bar and know he's going to take care of her.

He snickers a little at that and then turns to Ino.]

Well! Guess I should carry you home too!

[And unceremoniously he scoops the blonde up in his arms, exits out the window, closes it behind him, and takes off to the roofs.]

Wha--???

[Ino is fairly sure that the fanclub has come up with a Naruto theme song and motto. They will touch on this later.

She was clearly not expecting to be kidnapped out of Sakura's room so suddenly and gives a little squeak in surprise. She is a ninja and had gone in and out of plenty of windows (some mission related, some not...) but the only time she had ever been carried was when she almost died.]

I can walk!

[She is trying to sound annoyed but is laughing too much to be taken seriously. Her hair is probably hitting him in the face and she is trying to make sure her skirt doesn't flip up and they are just a hot, tipsy, mess.]

By the way, why did you ask?

[He sputters a bit around her hair but it finally seems to make it passed his face and tangle behind them as they move. Drunk ninjas traveling by rooftop isn't the smartest of moves, but Naruto only had those when he was being serious.

In other words, there's a lot of broken shingles he will have to fix later.

Yeah, he knows she can walk but this is a lot more fun. She's getting the same treatment as Sakura, only she's conscious and able to enjoy it.

He laughs out loud as they travel. He doesn't even know where she lives but he's headed towards the flower shop. He thinks.]

Yeah right! I saw you wobblin' all night! And you fell on the floor!

[For that moment, they laugh together and everything is easy. Simple. He looks down at her in his arms, blinking in confusion.]

Eh? Ask what? If you really thought I was cute?

[She snorts.]

Nice selective memory. You dropped me! Remember that? I hit my head and I probably have a concussion and maybe a blood clot, but no worries. If I don't wake up tomorrow, at least you'll have fond memories of all the drunk shenanigans tonight.

[Ino is kidding. Mostly. It's hard to blame Naruto when he was just being protective over Sakura. It's funny how Sakura doesn't think she's especially attractive but has guys like Naruto and Lee falling all over themselves for her.]

No, about if I had a boyfriend or not.

[He eyes her critically, knowing that he dropped her on that (fine, fine) ass and not her head. People don't get concussions from falling on their ass. Just bruises. She's messing with him again.

See? Learning.]

Oh. That.

[Why did he ask? He looks ahead with a thoughtful expression, wondering himself. It's because she had been flirting with him, really. With his luck, it would be girls that already had boyfriends that showed the inkling of interest in him.

So he shrugs.]

I dunno. Just curious, I guess...

[She did bump her head (clumsily) in her drunken state but not hard enough to probably do any damage. But yes, Ino is messing with him because it's fun. His reactions are truly the best.]

For a future Hokage, you're not very brave. Just admit you think I'm pretty and want to take me out.

[No shame in that; Ino is fairly sure that at least, what, 99% of the male population does?

She can almost hear Sakura screaming, "I DON'T APPROOOOOVE" in the back of her mind but oh well.]

[Hey, he's brave! Just not in the romantics. He's brave in the face of a unbeatable foe. He's brave when playing a prank on very important political figures in the village. He's brave when he's challenged.

But girls? Girls like Sakura and Ino and his mom. Nope. He's terrified, and within reason.

He grumbles a--] I already admitted you're pretty.

[Take her out? He doesn't even know how to do that. He's been vehemently denied by Sakura every time he's asked her out and she's the only person he's ever had interest in. It's only recently he's grown up a bit more and decided to try and move on. Of course, he'd always be there for Sakura and if she decided to give him a chance he would be over the moon about it.

But Ino is pretty and if she's offering...maybe he can try?

They land outside the flower shop anyway and Naruto sets her down on her feet before shuffling his, nervously and scratches his cheek and avoids her eyes and wonders if he will regret this later. Maybe not. Ino is pretty fun tonight and who's to say she isn't fun all the time like that? They could have a nice time and if things wouldn't work out they could still be friends.

Honestly, he's not expecting them to but she had been so...he didn't even know. He's still drunk.]

Ah-- um, well, y'know it's...

Do you want to? [He peeks at her a little with a nervous expression.]

[Ino is a little lovingly manipulative towards people she likes. When she wants something, she will go through any means to get it. Even if Naruto hadn't thought of actually asking her out on a date, she just made him think he did. You can take the girl out of Interrogation...

She gives him her cutest look. Her "I'm not really trying that hard but I'm just naturally adorable" look that she had honed over the years. ]

Don't you want to?

[Naruto is actually, and she never thought she would be thinking this, a catch. Ino has the advantage of knowing him when he was silly and last place in the class but then again, she always did have a fondness for losers. Look at her own team.]

[NOOOO NOT THE LOOK. It almost gets him to break but then again nothing can break Naruto. Not even Inos who are cute and may be batting her eyelashes at him. Jiraiya might have fallen for that stuff, but not him.]

Ehhh, I asked first.

[Meet Naruto: Older but still no mature than a twelve year old.]

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NARUINO WITH MEEEEEEEEE THROWS CHAIRS AT ART THIEFS

/HOLDS/ EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY <3

SOBS INTO SHOULDER