InuYasha Fan Fiction / Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Another Yellow Brick For The Road ❯ Chapter 9
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: whymihere 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction / Naruto Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Hentai / Drama / Comedy / Shounen / | Type: Crossover | Uploaded On: 05.13.2006 | Pages: 2 | Words: 6.8K | Visits: 299 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction / Naruto Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Hentai / Drama / Comedy / Shounen / | Type: Crossover | Uploaded On: 05.13.2006 | Pages: 2 | Words: 6.8K | Visits: 299 | Status: Completed
For the girls dresses please check out these addresses.
Kagome: http://www.hottopic.com/store/product.asp?LS=0&ITEM=208899&RN=146
and on this address hinata is dress four Ten-Ten dress five, Ino Dress one and Rin Dress 2 http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/ProductList.aspx?DeptID=597&CatID=36954&am p;CatTyp=DEP&Cat=occasion+dress&Dep=&PCat=dresses+%26+suits& ;PCatID=28247&RefPage=ProductList&Page=4&Sale=&ProdCount=30 &RecPtr=&FirstCount=0&ShowMenu=&TTYP=&ShopBy=0&View ByPages=&RefPageName=CategoryAll.aspx&RefCatID=28248&RefDeptID= 597&CmCatId=597|28247|28248|36954
For an idea of Naruto, Duo and Sasuke’s clothes going from right to left go to:http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/g/images/greenday-american2.jpg just add a jacket to duo.
The real Chapter 9
Sasuke could have killed Duo at that moment. Not only had the pony-tailed guitar player insulted one of his best friends brothers, he’d left Sasuke alone to deal with the repercussions of his actions. Setting down the shirt he’d been looking at, Sasuke stared at the entrance while Sesshomaru walked up asking, “Does he honestly think I find such a comment insulting? I’ve been called worse by a four-year-old.” Noticing a smirk on Sasuke’s face, Sesshomaru looked at a shirt asking, “So, have you put any thought toward our conversation?”
Giving the older man a nod, Sasuke turned saying, “I accept, what I have to reply is the same as what you told me. So long as you do not back down or screw me over nothing bad should happen.” Before anything else could be said, Duo stuck his head out and received a few sharp smacks from Sesshomaru. After the older man had left, Duo was to remain tending to his wounds. Hearing complaints about Sesshomaru being to rough, Sasuke tossed another shirt to his friend telling him, “Again, be careful about where and when you say certain things. If you do that then you won’t be getting smacked around all the time.”
Checking the shirt, Duo nodded saying to Sasuke, “Okay I’ll wear this one under my jacket at the dance.” Folding it up he then asked, “So what’d you and Sesshomaru have to talk about? He gloating about one of his articles? Or was he talking about going to parties with celebrities and becoming friends with them?” Noticing the look Sasuke was giving him, Duo tossed a shirt growling, “I’m not jealous because I expect all of us to be doing stuff like that soon as well.” The replacement guitarist then went to pay for his shirt while Sasuke went out to the car.
Back out in the car, Sasuke turned the engine on and headed toward Duo’s. As his friend drove, Duo politely asked, “What did Sesshomaru talk to you about? Ya seem a bit less tense than usual.” Sasuke told him that he’d had a very interesting conversation with Sesshomaru a few days back and that it had something to do with the band. Rubbing his hands together Duo asked what it was that happened, when Sasuke told him the brown-haired one asked, “When the hell did all that happen?” Sasuke asked if he would be able to keep his mouth shut to which his friend said, “I suppose since it’s between the two of you making it your responsibility to tell them. But what about Sesshomaru?”
“Look, he’s already told me that he’ll stay in the shadows about it. If the others find out it’s almost impossible to see what’ll happen, so just stop questioning it and let it go.” Duo made the argument that after hearing something like that how he could forget it. Stopping in Duo’s driveway, Sasuke told him, “Just don’t mention it to anyone. It’s something we’re still trying to figure out so please just keep it between us. And don’t tell Sesshomaru that you know about it.” After Duo swore he would keep quiet, Sasuke nodded before saying, “Now get the hell out of my car and get ready for tomorrow.”
Feeling Sasuke’s foot shove him out of the car, Duo shut the door and flipped off his friend before walking into the house. Glad that his parents weren’t home to hear him curse, Duo ran to the phone and dialed up Sasuke’s cell number saying, “You didn’t happen to forget that Naruto was still at the mall did you?” Having his friend start shouting obscenities that very few people ever heard, Duo gently hung up the phone and took his clothing into his room before he finished writing some music for one of his songs.
Standing inside of a Walden’s, Naruto was absent-mindedly thumbing through a manga when his phone rang. Picking it up he heard Sasuke ask if he was still in the mall. “Yeah, I’m up at the bookstore. Why does it matter?” When Sasuke told him that he’d forgotten that he was at the mall, Naruto hissed, “You bastard! You’re lucky that we have a gig tomorrow or else I’d break your leg.”Getting some odd looks he hung up the phone and went back to the comic. Shortly after he felt a soft hand on his shoulder turning he smiled asking, “You get everything straightened out for tomorrow?”
Peering at the manga, Hinata grunted a response saying to her boyfriend, “Yep, that lady fixed up the hem for me really quick and no more problems. That is unless you saw me wearing the dress.” Naruto began to pout asking to see the dress, but when she held the bag in her arms Hinata asked, “I thought you were leaving with Sasuke? Shouldn’t he and Duo be done with what ever you guys came here for?” Noticing the sudden flaring in her boyfriend’s nostrils, she could not hold back the question, “Tell me I’m not going to be nursing a black eye with one of the steaks your mother bought for dinner?”
Shoving his phone into a pocket, Naruto put the manga back and walked out with her saying, “He took Duo home and forgot I was even here.” Hinata began laughing to herself, which in turn made Naruto feel even more foolish so he asked, “And what about you? Didn’t you come here with Ino or someone like that?” Keeping an eye on her he pinched her cheeks asking, “You got left behind just like me didn’t you?” Stretching her face as she gave mock squeals of pain, Naruto bent down and gave her a small kiss on the lips telling her, “It’s all right though, at least you won’t be needing to worry about a ride since Sasuke is here.” She suddenly heard Naruto’s cell phone bellow some rather unsavory song lyrics that she knew to be Sasuke’s ring tone.
“Is that ring tone really a necessity? It’s just a bit too vulgar in public.” Hinata made a gesture to all the people staring at Naruto as the lyrics finished blasting from his pocket. When her boyfriend told her that he had no plans on changing it, Hinata replied with, “Well then I’m not doing ‘you know what’; for you any time in the near future.” Her shoes clicking along the linoleum, Hinata walked into the Penny’s with Naruto trudging along sadly at hearing her declaration of denying him one of their favorite activities. Outside in the parking lot, Hinata climbed into the front seat with her dress leaving Naruto to sit in the back alone.
Adjusting the mirror, Sasuke looked to his brother saying, “I’m sorry I left you there.” Getting no response from his brother, Sasuke asked, “I take it I’m stuck doing all your chores until we leave on our trip?” Naruto’s eyes sparkled brightly at the offer. Immediately telling his brother that was compensation enough even though he was about to suggest that his brother would have to do his laundry. Smacking the wheel, Sasuke asked Hinata, “Do you think you can help me?” Receiving a negative response, Sasuke continued to mentally beat himself up at not waiting for his brother to ask what his redemption should be.
Looking over her shoulder, Hinata asked Naruto, “Why don’t you let Sasuke hear the song you have as his ring tone on your phone? I mean he is your brother so he should have a sense of humor about it, right?” Snatching Sasuke’s phone, Hinata dialed her boyfriend and smiled as an altered version of a song about a certain cartoon Jewish mother played. “If you’re a guy how can you be a bitch? Son of a bitch more like it, but a bitch?” Sasuke smirked at her question saying that because of the song he’d do Naruto’s laundry and none of his other chores. Putting the phone back, Hinata stuck out her tongue telling her boyfriend that ought to teach him to embarrass her in public.
Kicking her seat Naruto growled, “After all the stupid things I’ve done on dates, you’re going to let a ring tone embarrass you? What about when I started walking away from a fence and my pants got ripped after getting caught on it and I was going well...” Naruto’s mind flashed back to a day when he’d inadvertently forgotten to put on his boxers and when his pants had ripped he exposed the left portion of his backside to a group of people. He remembered that his girlfriend’s usually pale face had turned a brilliant shade of red. After a moment of silence he noticed Hinata hiding her face in her hands as Sasuke drived shaking his head at his brother’s stupidity.
Back at the house they saw an unfamiliar car in the driveway. Getting out, Hinata jogged up the steps and walked in shouting, “Hey Ten-Ten!” Naruto looked over the hood of the car asking why Ten-Ten would be at the house. Sasuke did not answer, but instead he walked into hear Hinata ask, “So what kind of dress are you wearing?” The girl with the two puffs on her head said that she’d show her tomorrow when she came by to get ready. Looking to Sakura the Hyuuga girl asked, “Where’s your mom at?”
Looking away from her book Sakura told her, “Mom just got out of a meeting and is taking a nap. Seems somebody was wearing perfume or something that gave her a headache.” Rubbing her eyes, Sakura told Sasuke, “If you’re wondering why I’m home a bit early it’s because the school had to shut early for meetings.” Pointing to Ten-Ten she added, “And she gave me a ride home so Mom would have to get up from her nap.” Turning back to her book, Sakura then said that mom left money on the counter for pizza and to make sure one of them didn’t have sausage on it.
Grunting a response, Sasuke gave Ten-Ten a nod asking her, “Are you sure my sister needing a ride is the only reason you’re here today?” Ten-Ten laughed telling him that she hadn’t planned on actually hanging out, before he could actually reply Naruto told Ten-Ten that Sasuke was embarrassed to actually talk to her. Kicking his twin up the stairs, Sasuke told him, “Why don’t you go and jerk off or something?!”
Shouting down, “I’ll make sure to use your washcloth to clean up afterwards!” Hearing his brother shout at him, Naruto closed the door and picked up one of his guitars and began fingering a few songs. A couple of minutes later a meowing came from the outside of his door. Opening it he stared down to find a little kitten yowling at him. Picking it up he walked into his parents room to find his mom awake with her hand covering her eyes. Dropping the small kitten on her bed he asked, “When did we get a cat?”
Looking down Janice picked the kitting up by its neck and set it on her stomach. The kitten meowed lightly and curled up on her stomach and stared at Naruto. Brushing the kittens fur Janice told him, “Izumi said that Sesshomaru’s cat had kittens and asked if we’d like one. And since your father is a bit of a cat person I thought we’d get one. Although how your brother didn’t notice them when he returned Sesshomaru’s tire.” Giving the kitten to Naruto, Janice asked, “Can you bring me up a bit pizza when it shows up.”
Saying that he would, Naruto took the kitten and placed it in Sasuke’s hair. Feeling the small claws dig into his hair, Sasuke removed it from his hair and stared at it’s eyes asking, “Let me guess. This cat is one of Kaanas?” Asking how the blue-haired teen could possibly know the cat’s parent, the teens weren’t surprised when he said, “It looks exactly like that furball.” When the kitten reached out and latched it’s claws into his nose, Sasuke added, “And it has the same disposition toward me as it’s mother.” Setting it down on the floor he watched as the kitten remained on his foot staring at all the people.
Rubbing two of her fingers together, Hinata got the kitten to settle into her arms as she took her dress up to Sakura’s room. When the girl started to walk, Sakura and Ten-Ten followed in a somewhat typical teenage-girl flocking manner leaving Naruto and Sasuke to their own devices. One of which involved yet another one of their wrestling matches that ended with Naruto being the victor making his score at four-hundred-ninety-three wins, and four-hundred-ninety-eight losses. With that bout of testosterone done with, they settled in for an afternoon of video games and dialed for pizza at around six.
While the Uchiha family had a semi-normal afternoon, Shippou had been given the car by his father and spent the day after meeting the band at the performance hall taking his girlfriend to do some last minute preparations for the dance. Did he mind? Only a little bit since he’d had everything done a couple of weeks prior, but this was true Temari style when it came to important events, do things up until the last second and then complain when they were running late. Finally some amount of relief had been given to him when he decided to head over to Duos house so that he could sit down after dragging Temari to a bunch of stores.
Parking the car outside, Shippou opened up Temari’s door and walked into the house while she asked, “So why are we at Duo’s house again?” Having her boyfriend once again explain that Duo needed help with some note configurations, Temari grumbled asking, “Think he’d mind if I raided his fridge?” Duo came to the door saying that as long as she left a good portion of milk and didn’t clean out the cupboards she was good. “Thanks a lot. Just make sure that you come and stop me at some point.”
“Yes Dear,” replied Shippou as his girlfriend walked to the kitchen with Duo’s dog hot on her heels. Amidst the clatter of dishes, Shippou asked, “So what’s the problem with your guitar?” Following Duo up to his room, Shippou was surprised to find that the handle had been chewed to pieces and the strings hanging off the sides in little strands. Running a hand through his hair, SHippou laughed asking, “What the hell did that dog do?” Picking up the guitar, Shippou examined the handle saying, “It looks like it can still be used, have you tried?”
Pulling out some strings, Duo tossed them to his friend telling him, “You can try but with the shape it’s in I’m probably going to need to borrow one from the others until I can get a new one.” Letting Shippou try and tune the guitar, Duo went over the play list for a moment before snatching his instrument back saying, “You’re causing it more pain so just sit there.” Attaching the new strings correctly, Duo plugged the instrument in and began running his hands along them at break neck speeds. However, what was usually the sound of what many considered to be a professional playing, sounded more along the lines of a person who’d barely playing a year.
Turning off the amp, Duo noticed his dog staring at him with it’s head bent down at the ground. Pointing he said, “Cage!” The dog walked off with it’s tail between it’s leg and walked off to it’s crate located in the living room. The dog downstairs, Duo asked Temari if she could shut the dogs cage. Giving him the affirmative, Temari did it with a loud, “Thanks,” from her friend. Setting his guitar back on the bed, Duo’s eyes twinkled and he ran over to his dresser and pulled out a small container, flipping through a pamphlet he smirked saying, “Good thing that store has plenty of these in-stock.”
Getting up from his spot, SHippou took the pamphlet and smirked telling his friend, “And the good news is that Kagome works there so the manager knows we won’t be bullshitting her.” Stopping Shippou from putting the guitar in it’s case, Duo pulled out the box saying that he kept it just incase something like that would happen. The pair made sure that all the correct items were in with the instrument and soon Duo was out the door saying that he’d be back in an hour or so.
Preparing to get in the car, Duo noticed his father pulling into the driveway with a haggard look on his face. Putting his guitar in the backseat, Duo asked his dad what happened. Slamming the door, Alexander told his son, “Just a bunch of assholes at work. Nobody knows what the hell they’re doing around that place.” Staring into the car Alex asked, “Why is your guitar in the box?”
Looking around Duo explained, “The dog ended up chewing the handle to bits so I’m going to see if they can go with their store warranty and give me a new one.” Keeping quiet as his dad reprimanded him for leaving his bedroom door open while he was out, Duo stood there until the man finished. “Well I put the dog in his crate so I don’t know how he got out. He seems to have a knack at figuring out how to open it.” Mentioning something about a padlock, the older Maxwell made his way into the house and put his key into the lock. Realizing he hadn’t told his dad about Shippou, Duo casually mentioned that he and Temari were in the house. Getting a wave from his dad, Duo got into his truck and left with hopes that he’d get his guitar replaced for free.
The store was about a twenty minute drive, yet it was around the start of rush hour traffic making it an additional fifteen minutes. “Why the hell is it called rush hour when it can take nearly three,” Duo mused to himself while biting on his thumbnail. “About bloody time.” Getting into the next lane, he got off the highway, found the store, and got out to see Kagome standing in the window with Shino looking at some light equipment. Walking in the guitarist asked, “Hey Kagome your guys’ store policy covers animal damage, right?”
“What do you mean ‘animal damage’? If you’re referring to bites then I suppose so but it’d have to be something more than the strings getting chewed off.” As she finished, Duo pulled his guitar out and Kagome gave a loud enough shriek to turn a few heads. “Your dog did that? This guitar cost you four-hundred bucks and is one of the best ones we carry.” Calling over her manager, Kagome asked, “Our warranty’ll replace his guitar since his dog did that won’t it?” The manager said that it did but they were out of stock on that particular brand. Kagome and Duo gave groans saying they had to play the next night.
“Don’t worry I’m sure I can justify giving you a guitar of equal value.” Picking up the guitar the manager smirked, “You’re in luck because one of our best guitars just had a price drop because the company can’t sell them. But it’s going to cost you a bit more than this one.” Taking Duo and the other two a computer, the man punched it in saying, “Yeah, if you don’t mind paying an extra seventy before the tax then you can have this one.” Duo’s eyes bulged at the what the guitar was and said he’d be more than willing to pay that price. “All right then I’ll be right back with it.”
Before Kagome could take a look her boss had shut off the window making her ask, “What kind of guitar is it?” Duo remained silent at the question, making Shino blurt out that the guitar belonged to some company starting with an ‘s.’ When her manager came out with two guitars, Kagome couldn’t help but ask, “Those freaking things just dropped to half price?” The manager smirked telling her that there was one on reserve for her when she was able to get enough money. “Oh gee thanks, give my friend a brand new Fender and leave me in the dust, jerk.”
Laughing, the manager set two guitars in front of Duo asking, “Okay, which do you want to take? The silver or the black?” Being asked the difference the manager told him, “It’s the same guitar, both are seven-strings and have great sound. But they are solid and a bit heavy so they’ll need some extra tuning before going on stage.” Letting Duo take his time, the manager was glad when he finally chose on the silver. Handing the black over to another employee the man asked, “We have a display set up over there so go and goof around a bit before you actually take this one.”
Finding it, Duo picked it up and scoffed saying, “You’re right this is a bit heavier.” Plucking a few cords he adjusted the strings and began playing out the measures of a song. Nodding as he played, Duo looked to Kagome asking, “So you think this sounds better than on my old one?” Kagome nodded telling Shino that it was one of the songs the band had written. Noticing a crowd gathering, Duo stopped his playing telling them all, “That’s all folks.” He then proceeded to put the guitar back and told the manager to wrap up his new guitar.
The trio left and Shino adjusted his glasses asking, “I take it that would be one of the songs my mother said she was offended by?” Seeing the uncomfortable looks of his friends, Shino pulled his cigarettes and dumped the pack in the trash after pulling one out. “Last one,” he mentioned before lighting it up and taking a drag. Flicking some ash off the tip, Shino adjusted his glasses telling Kagome, “I guess I should have worn these before saying that his guitar started with an ‘s’, but I’m digressing from my apology.” Duo and Kagome told him that he had no reason to apologize to them. Coughing loudly to silence them, Shino said, “Look if she hadn’t complained you guys would have had the full time to play and you wouldn’t have to deal with giving your work to some disc jockey.”
Lacing her fingers behind her hair, Kagome told Shino, “Actually it’s a good thing because at least we’ll get to dance a little. Even though Duo is taking Ino despite her not really finding him that attractive.” Duo put his guitar in the back of his truck saying that she was lucky he’d just gotten it or else she’d have it bashed into her head. “Do that and Inuyasha will beat you senseless.” Smirking she then turned to Shino asking, “Aren’t you excited that you finally get to quit hiding the news about you and Kohaku though?”
“He’d better be or else he’s not allowed to spend the night anymore.” When Kohaku finished his sentence Shino grunted as his boyfriend jumped on his back and wrapped his arms and legs around the taller teen. Inuyasha and Miroku showed up seconds later with Rin hanging onto Miroku’s arm. Finally letting his legs drop to the ground, Kohaku noticed the recently burnt out cigarette butt on the ground saying, “If you start up again my sister’s going to throw you out.” Getting elbowed in the gut, Kohaku gasped out, “What’d I say? You know my sister doesn’t want smokers living in the house.” The whole group started staring at them making Shino feel completely exposed and defenseless.
“You mean that after graduation, Shino is going to be living with your sister,” Rin asked in utter amazement. Realizing what he had just done, Kohaku tried to say that he was joking, but Shino just smacked him telling them that he’d already started moving his clothes into Sango and Kohaku’s condo. “But, what will the police have to say about that? Isn’t there some law saying that unless you’d be better off out of the parents hold you can’t really leave.” Shino pulled out his drivers license making Rin say, “I forgot that you’re eighteen. But what about Kohaku?” Kohaku said that his birthday was a couple of months ago and since they were legal his mom had no real say in what they did.
“And we should really thank her because we’re getting full payment for half the work.” The group laughed at Inuyasha’s sudden change of heart. He’d been mad about losing performance time since they’d heard, but they guess he’d had a change of heart because he knew that Kagome wouldn’t stop complaining about not being able to dance later on in the future, and if things went as planned they’d go to future reunions as husband and wife. Peeking into Duo’s truck, Inuyasha’s eyes bugged as he noticed the guitar sitting in the back. “Duo, why do you have a new guitar?”
The next day at school, Naruto had his head on the lunch table as the rest of the men in his group absentmindedly ate their lunches. Most of the girls going to the dance had all taken the day off and Kagome, Rin, Ten-Ten, and Ino made it a task to get Hinata dolled up as much as possible. Naruto didn’t see why Hinata needed a make-over. He liked her moonlike skin and she had no need for make up. Smiling he at some of his fries as his brother continued to look at his phone. Nibbling on one of the fried potato slices, Naruto asked his twin, “I thought Ten-Ten was just a date not your girlfriend?”
Glancing up from his phone, Sasuke told his brother, “I’m waiting for something else, so just shut up and eat your fries.” Naruto was taken aback from the sudden tongue lashing he’d gotten. So he made a comment about his brother needing to relax because after their next class they had to go and do a quick sound check before taking the girls out. Putting the phone into his pocket, Sasuke sighed, “I’m sorry, I just feel a bit anxious about tonight for some reason. It’s going to be one of our last gigs at home for awhile and it’s weird that we’re actually doing what most people never get a chance to do.” Shortly after finishing Duo asked if he was also nervous about getting a hard-on while dancing with Ten-Ten. All the group laughed, including Sasuke who said, “Not as nervous as having to worry about Ino killing the two of us when she sees us together.”
Meanwhile at a salon, Ino and Ten-Ten both gave loud sneezes making Hinata ask, “Do you two need a decongestant or anything?” Raising their eyebrows, Hinata blushed in the mirror as the stylist cut her hair to just under her shoulder blades. “I just meant that I’m thinking about becoming a doctor and also I have really bad allergies.” The girls told her the offer was appreciated, but went back to worrying about their own preparations. Glancing over to Kagome she asked, “I’m glad that we actually get to dance with the boys.”
Seeing the bright red appear on her friends cheeks, Rin, who was to the right of Hinata, said in place of Kagome, “I take it this is the first time people outside of the group that’ll see you two together?” Hinata’s eyes dropped and the stylist sighed telling Hinata that she needs to keep still a bit more. After Hinata apologized, Rin was let up from her seat and went to pay before coming back and telling the shy girl, “Don’t worry once you and Naruto are together you’ll have nothing to worry about. Just watch out for Kagome and Inuyasha, I guarantee they’ll get into a fight before the nights done.”
“I’d watch my tongue if I were you,”growled Kagome as she stood up from her chair. Kicking Rin in the ankle she added, “I’m not the typical prissy wanna-be rockstar girl you see on MTV.” The statement was no lie, Kagome had been approached by guys for one reason or another. Whether it be a challenge to her place in a band, or if it was the typical attempt to get her to dump Inuyasha, Kagome had put quite a number of guys in their place. Rin apologized after a loud hiss from the drummers kick which brought a smile to Kagome’s lips. “Good then you’ll know that after so many years of drumming my kicks are nothing to shrug off. I also have one hell of an uppercut.”
Ten-Ten laughed from her chair, while Ino said, “Honestly you’d think she’d have a bit more grace.” Ten-Ten mentioned that Kagome was more feminine than she lets on. But Ten-Ten told Ino not to make her mad as she could lose it worse than Courtney Love on a drug binge. “You’d think with tonight she’d be in a less violent mood?” Being told that she was done, Ino thanked the lady and gave her a nice tip before going to pay. Looking at a chair, Ino smiled asking, “What are you doing her Billboard?”
Sakura glared up from her magazine and said, “I had a dentist appointment and with the dance Mom took the day off.” Being asked by Kagome who hadn’t noticed her what a haircut had to do with the dentist, Sakura replied, “She said my hair is getting a bit too wild and is making me get a haircut.” Wiping her bangs out of her eyes the pink-haired girl added, “It’s shorter than Hinata’s so I don’t see the problem with it.” Ino came over and gave it a look and pulled on one of the knots that had formed. “OW! Don’t do that you jerk!”
“Looks like that’s the real reason your mom wants you to get a haircut.” Smirking in a smug manner, Ino took a seat next to her best friend and asked her, “I bet you can’t wait until your senior year for the dance? By the way,” she added, “what are you going to be doing tonight without your brothers around? You and your mom going to go out and see a movie or something?” Sakura told her that she actually had a date planned but not to tell her brothers. “So long as you tell me who it was later on I’ll keep it a secret.” After that comment Hinata was finally finished and the girls said goodbye to Sakura and went off to each others homes to get ready.
At the performance hall, Inuyasha finished the final chord of a song and Shippou gave them a thumbs up from the sound table they’d been provided. When they had finished their second to last class the men guys all left school, with Shino tagging along just to save him the torture of waisting an hour and half watching a movie he already owned. Putting their instruments up, Inuyasha’s phone rang and upon answering he exclaimed, “What do you mean we have only three hours left?” Scanning his watch he cursed telling Kagome, “All right I’ll go home with Duo and Miroku and I guess Shino can go with Naruto and Sasuke if that’s all right?” His friends said that they had no problem with that.
Keeping an eye on Inuyasha’s phone, Miroku asked, “Does everyone have their stuff in each car?” Shippou said that he had to go home and since his dad had lent him the car he’d meet up with all of them at the hall with Temari. “Okay, but Shino and Kohaku I know have their stuff in Sasuke’s car, but what about you Inuyasha?” Inuyasha said that his suit was in Duo’s back seat and was ready to go when his friends were ready to shut up and leave. “That being said we’ll all meet up back here in a couple hours. See ya guys soon.”
Some time later at the Uchiha, Hinata and Ten-Ten were getting dressed up in Sakura’s room. Getting into her dress, Hinata had Ten-Ten zip her up before checking herself in the mirror. They had an a little over ninety minutes before they needed to be at the performance hall. Checking her dress, Hinata asked if the color was right for her. Ten-Ten looked at her friend in the mirror and smiled at the bashful nature of the girl. The dress was a dark read and billowed around the bottom giving it a nice look while she walked and came with a long shawl of the same color to cover her bared shoulders.
“Naruto’s a lucky guy. And stand up with a bit of confidence it’ll make you look even more beautiful. But could you help me with mine please?” Hinata said that she would and helped Ten-Ten keep the dress in line as it went down over her neck. “I think the navy-blue was better than the turqoise. What do you think?” Hinata smiled saying that it worked better with her eyes and hair. “I’m glad we all decided to dress up as opposed to the boys. I mean honestly, you’d think that they’d want to dress up in a more formal sense. But no, they had to do a sort of Greenday type thing.” She sighed and rechecked her make-up before adding, “At least they’re not doing the make up thing.”
Downstairs, Naruto was sitting at the kitchen table in his outfit while Shino and Kohaku had decided to go with more tradtional tuxedo looks, save for Kohaku wearing a rock tee-shirt under his tux jacket. Sasuke was outside smiling as he talked to somebody on the phone. Naruto knew that it was somebody his twin was dating and not letting anyone in on. Draining his milk, Naruto put the carton back in the fridge and his glass in the sink. Hearing a door shut and hearing Sango and Sakura’s squeals at the girls, Naruto went over to the sliding glass door leading to the porch and knocked on it. His twin gave him a thumbs up and said goodbye to the person he was on the phone with.
Since her brother had decided to go to the Uchiha’s, Sango was going to be spending the night over to make sure her brother was safe. Holding a camera in her hands, she let Janice and Ten-Ten into the kitchen as soon as both the twins were ready. “Okay now that we’re all ready, come on in ladies.” Both Naruto and Sasuke’s faces turned red at the sight of their dates. Seeing Naruto mouthing words, Sango whispered loudly, “Looks like you’re the only person who’s able to keep him from making a smart-ass comment.”
The whole kitchen erupted in laughter as Janice began to position Hinata and Naruto out in the garden. Getting them in the right pose she said, “Now Naruto, you make sure you don’t do anything to ruin tonight, okay?” Glaring at his mother, her youngest son said that she shouldn’t put any blame on him when he hadn’t done anything. Letting Sango take few pictures, Janice said they were done and let Sasuke and Ten-Ten get a few pictures as she said to Naruto, “It was a joke, I know you’re going to do everything to make sure this night goes off perfectly. But, just make sure that when you’re hanging out at Duo’s you be careful, understand?” Hinata said that she understood and the small group grew larger as Kohaku and Shino got their pictures taken.
Out in the driveway, Janice handed the keys to the van over to Sasuke telling him, “So your clothes don’t get ruined, and remember to let Naruto drive home if you’re tired.” After leaving, Janice went into the kitchen and made her and Sango some dinner. When the doorbell rang she shouted up to Sakura that her date had arrived. Getting an answer of her daughter not being ready, Janice opened the door saying, “Come in Shikamaru.” The skinny teen entered in his usual slouch greeting Sango and Janice he asked if Sakura was ready.
Getting the answer that she’d be down shortly, Shikamaru got the usual lecture of the curfew and to call if there were any problems. Sighing he said, “I understand Miss. And, don’t worry about me trying any funny business.” Janice smirked saying that if he did the teen would get a night in jail. Giving another sigh he added, “It’s too bothersome to even try and do that to her. Besides I’m not that kind of guy so you don’t need to worry about me doing stuff like that. My mom made sure she raised a gentleman.” After he finished, Sakura ran down apologizing about her being late.
“Just make sure you behave and don’t be more than a half hour late or you’ll be grounded.” Her daughter gone, Janice looked in the kitchen to find Sango serving up the dinner she’d made. Going in she asked what the girl would like to drink. Receiving a request for milk, Janice pulled out the carton and began pouring a tall glass only to stop shortly into it. Holding it away from her nose, Janice wafted her hand toward her nose and grimaced saying, “Oh God! This stuff has been expired for,” she glanced at the label, “almost a week.” Going to the sink she poured it out saying, “Hopefully none of the kids drank this before leaving.” Problem was her countermeasure was an hour too late.
Kagome: http://www.hottopic.com/store/product.asp?LS=0&ITEM=208899&RN=146
and on this address hinata is dress four Ten-Ten dress five, Ino Dress one and Rin Dress 2 http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/ProductList.aspx?DeptID=597&CatID=36954&am p;CatTyp=DEP&Cat=occasion+dress&Dep=&PCat=dresses+%26+suits& ;PCatID=28247&RefPage=ProductList&Page=4&Sale=&ProdCount=30 &RecPtr=&FirstCount=0&ShowMenu=&TTYP=&ShopBy=0&View ByPages=&RefPageName=CategoryAll.aspx&RefCatID=28248&RefDeptID= 597&CmCatId=597|28247|28248|36954
For an idea of Naruto, Duo and Sasuke’s clothes going from right to left go to:http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/g/images/greenday-american2.jpg just add a jacket to duo.
The real Chapter 9
Sasuke could have killed Duo at that moment. Not only had the pony-tailed guitar player insulted one of his best friends brothers, he’d left Sasuke alone to deal with the repercussions of his actions. Setting down the shirt he’d been looking at, Sasuke stared at the entrance while Sesshomaru walked up asking, “Does he honestly think I find such a comment insulting? I’ve been called worse by a four-year-old.” Noticing a smirk on Sasuke’s face, Sesshomaru looked at a shirt asking, “So, have you put any thought toward our conversation?”
Giving the older man a nod, Sasuke turned saying, “I accept, what I have to reply is the same as what you told me. So long as you do not back down or screw me over nothing bad should happen.” Before anything else could be said, Duo stuck his head out and received a few sharp smacks from Sesshomaru. After the older man had left, Duo was to remain tending to his wounds. Hearing complaints about Sesshomaru being to rough, Sasuke tossed another shirt to his friend telling him, “Again, be careful about where and when you say certain things. If you do that then you won’t be getting smacked around all the time.”
Checking the shirt, Duo nodded saying to Sasuke, “Okay I’ll wear this one under my jacket at the dance.” Folding it up he then asked, “So what’d you and Sesshomaru have to talk about? He gloating about one of his articles? Or was he talking about going to parties with celebrities and becoming friends with them?” Noticing the look Sasuke was giving him, Duo tossed a shirt growling, “I’m not jealous because I expect all of us to be doing stuff like that soon as well.” The replacement guitarist then went to pay for his shirt while Sasuke went out to the car.
Back out in the car, Sasuke turned the engine on and headed toward Duo’s. As his friend drove, Duo politely asked, “What did Sesshomaru talk to you about? Ya seem a bit less tense than usual.” Sasuke told him that he’d had a very interesting conversation with Sesshomaru a few days back and that it had something to do with the band. Rubbing his hands together Duo asked what it was that happened, when Sasuke told him the brown-haired one asked, “When the hell did all that happen?” Sasuke asked if he would be able to keep his mouth shut to which his friend said, “I suppose since it’s between the two of you making it your responsibility to tell them. But what about Sesshomaru?”
“Look, he’s already told me that he’ll stay in the shadows about it. If the others find out it’s almost impossible to see what’ll happen, so just stop questioning it and let it go.” Duo made the argument that after hearing something like that how he could forget it. Stopping in Duo’s driveway, Sasuke told him, “Just don’t mention it to anyone. It’s something we’re still trying to figure out so please just keep it between us. And don’t tell Sesshomaru that you know about it.” After Duo swore he would keep quiet, Sasuke nodded before saying, “Now get the hell out of my car and get ready for tomorrow.”
Feeling Sasuke’s foot shove him out of the car, Duo shut the door and flipped off his friend before walking into the house. Glad that his parents weren’t home to hear him curse, Duo ran to the phone and dialed up Sasuke’s cell number saying, “You didn’t happen to forget that Naruto was still at the mall did you?” Having his friend start shouting obscenities that very few people ever heard, Duo gently hung up the phone and took his clothing into his room before he finished writing some music for one of his songs.
Standing inside of a Walden’s, Naruto was absent-mindedly thumbing through a manga when his phone rang. Picking it up he heard Sasuke ask if he was still in the mall. “Yeah, I’m up at the bookstore. Why does it matter?” When Sasuke told him that he’d forgotten that he was at the mall, Naruto hissed, “You bastard! You’re lucky that we have a gig tomorrow or else I’d break your leg.”Getting some odd looks he hung up the phone and went back to the comic. Shortly after he felt a soft hand on his shoulder turning he smiled asking, “You get everything straightened out for tomorrow?”
Peering at the manga, Hinata grunted a response saying to her boyfriend, “Yep, that lady fixed up the hem for me really quick and no more problems. That is unless you saw me wearing the dress.” Naruto began to pout asking to see the dress, but when she held the bag in her arms Hinata asked, “I thought you were leaving with Sasuke? Shouldn’t he and Duo be done with what ever you guys came here for?” Noticing the sudden flaring in her boyfriend’s nostrils, she could not hold back the question, “Tell me I’m not going to be nursing a black eye with one of the steaks your mother bought for dinner?”
Shoving his phone into a pocket, Naruto put the manga back and walked out with her saying, “He took Duo home and forgot I was even here.” Hinata began laughing to herself, which in turn made Naruto feel even more foolish so he asked, “And what about you? Didn’t you come here with Ino or someone like that?” Keeping an eye on her he pinched her cheeks asking, “You got left behind just like me didn’t you?” Stretching her face as she gave mock squeals of pain, Naruto bent down and gave her a small kiss on the lips telling her, “It’s all right though, at least you won’t be needing to worry about a ride since Sasuke is here.” She suddenly heard Naruto’s cell phone bellow some rather unsavory song lyrics that she knew to be Sasuke’s ring tone.
“Is that ring tone really a necessity? It’s just a bit too vulgar in public.” Hinata made a gesture to all the people staring at Naruto as the lyrics finished blasting from his pocket. When her boyfriend told her that he had no plans on changing it, Hinata replied with, “Well then I’m not doing ‘you know what’; for you any time in the near future.” Her shoes clicking along the linoleum, Hinata walked into the Penny’s with Naruto trudging along sadly at hearing her declaration of denying him one of their favorite activities. Outside in the parking lot, Hinata climbed into the front seat with her dress leaving Naruto to sit in the back alone.
Adjusting the mirror, Sasuke looked to his brother saying, “I’m sorry I left you there.” Getting no response from his brother, Sasuke asked, “I take it I’m stuck doing all your chores until we leave on our trip?” Naruto’s eyes sparkled brightly at the offer. Immediately telling his brother that was compensation enough even though he was about to suggest that his brother would have to do his laundry. Smacking the wheel, Sasuke asked Hinata, “Do you think you can help me?” Receiving a negative response, Sasuke continued to mentally beat himself up at not waiting for his brother to ask what his redemption should be.
Looking over her shoulder, Hinata asked Naruto, “Why don’t you let Sasuke hear the song you have as his ring tone on your phone? I mean he is your brother so he should have a sense of humor about it, right?” Snatching Sasuke’s phone, Hinata dialed her boyfriend and smiled as an altered version of a song about a certain cartoon Jewish mother played. “If you’re a guy how can you be a bitch? Son of a bitch more like it, but a bitch?” Sasuke smirked at her question saying that because of the song he’d do Naruto’s laundry and none of his other chores. Putting the phone back, Hinata stuck out her tongue telling her boyfriend that ought to teach him to embarrass her in public.
Kicking her seat Naruto growled, “After all the stupid things I’ve done on dates, you’re going to let a ring tone embarrass you? What about when I started walking away from a fence and my pants got ripped after getting caught on it and I was going well...” Naruto’s mind flashed back to a day when he’d inadvertently forgotten to put on his boxers and when his pants had ripped he exposed the left portion of his backside to a group of people. He remembered that his girlfriend’s usually pale face had turned a brilliant shade of red. After a moment of silence he noticed Hinata hiding her face in her hands as Sasuke drived shaking his head at his brother’s stupidity.
Back at the house they saw an unfamiliar car in the driveway. Getting out, Hinata jogged up the steps and walked in shouting, “Hey Ten-Ten!” Naruto looked over the hood of the car asking why Ten-Ten would be at the house. Sasuke did not answer, but instead he walked into hear Hinata ask, “So what kind of dress are you wearing?” The girl with the two puffs on her head said that she’d show her tomorrow when she came by to get ready. Looking to Sakura the Hyuuga girl asked, “Where’s your mom at?”
Looking away from her book Sakura told her, “Mom just got out of a meeting and is taking a nap. Seems somebody was wearing perfume or something that gave her a headache.” Rubbing her eyes, Sakura told Sasuke, “If you’re wondering why I’m home a bit early it’s because the school had to shut early for meetings.” Pointing to Ten-Ten she added, “And she gave me a ride home so Mom would have to get up from her nap.” Turning back to her book, Sakura then said that mom left money on the counter for pizza and to make sure one of them didn’t have sausage on it.
Grunting a response, Sasuke gave Ten-Ten a nod asking her, “Are you sure my sister needing a ride is the only reason you’re here today?” Ten-Ten laughed telling him that she hadn’t planned on actually hanging out, before he could actually reply Naruto told Ten-Ten that Sasuke was embarrassed to actually talk to her. Kicking his twin up the stairs, Sasuke told him, “Why don’t you go and jerk off or something?!”
Shouting down, “I’ll make sure to use your washcloth to clean up afterwards!” Hearing his brother shout at him, Naruto closed the door and picked up one of his guitars and began fingering a few songs. A couple of minutes later a meowing came from the outside of his door. Opening it he stared down to find a little kitten yowling at him. Picking it up he walked into his parents room to find his mom awake with her hand covering her eyes. Dropping the small kitten on her bed he asked, “When did we get a cat?”
Looking down Janice picked the kitting up by its neck and set it on her stomach. The kitten meowed lightly and curled up on her stomach and stared at Naruto. Brushing the kittens fur Janice told him, “Izumi said that Sesshomaru’s cat had kittens and asked if we’d like one. And since your father is a bit of a cat person I thought we’d get one. Although how your brother didn’t notice them when he returned Sesshomaru’s tire.” Giving the kitten to Naruto, Janice asked, “Can you bring me up a bit pizza when it shows up.”
Saying that he would, Naruto took the kitten and placed it in Sasuke’s hair. Feeling the small claws dig into his hair, Sasuke removed it from his hair and stared at it’s eyes asking, “Let me guess. This cat is one of Kaanas?” Asking how the blue-haired teen could possibly know the cat’s parent, the teens weren’t surprised when he said, “It looks exactly like that furball.” When the kitten reached out and latched it’s claws into his nose, Sasuke added, “And it has the same disposition toward me as it’s mother.” Setting it down on the floor he watched as the kitten remained on his foot staring at all the people.
Rubbing two of her fingers together, Hinata got the kitten to settle into her arms as she took her dress up to Sakura’s room. When the girl started to walk, Sakura and Ten-Ten followed in a somewhat typical teenage-girl flocking manner leaving Naruto and Sasuke to their own devices. One of which involved yet another one of their wrestling matches that ended with Naruto being the victor making his score at four-hundred-ninety-three wins, and four-hundred-ninety-eight losses. With that bout of testosterone done with, they settled in for an afternoon of video games and dialed for pizza at around six.
While the Uchiha family had a semi-normal afternoon, Shippou had been given the car by his father and spent the day after meeting the band at the performance hall taking his girlfriend to do some last minute preparations for the dance. Did he mind? Only a little bit since he’d had everything done a couple of weeks prior, but this was true Temari style when it came to important events, do things up until the last second and then complain when they were running late. Finally some amount of relief had been given to him when he decided to head over to Duos house so that he could sit down after dragging Temari to a bunch of stores.
Parking the car outside, Shippou opened up Temari’s door and walked into the house while she asked, “So why are we at Duo’s house again?” Having her boyfriend once again explain that Duo needed help with some note configurations, Temari grumbled asking, “Think he’d mind if I raided his fridge?” Duo came to the door saying that as long as she left a good portion of milk and didn’t clean out the cupboards she was good. “Thanks a lot. Just make sure that you come and stop me at some point.”
“Yes Dear,” replied Shippou as his girlfriend walked to the kitchen with Duo’s dog hot on her heels. Amidst the clatter of dishes, Shippou asked, “So what’s the problem with your guitar?” Following Duo up to his room, Shippou was surprised to find that the handle had been chewed to pieces and the strings hanging off the sides in little strands. Running a hand through his hair, SHippou laughed asking, “What the hell did that dog do?” Picking up the guitar, Shippou examined the handle saying, “It looks like it can still be used, have you tried?”
Pulling out some strings, Duo tossed them to his friend telling him, “You can try but with the shape it’s in I’m probably going to need to borrow one from the others until I can get a new one.” Letting Shippou try and tune the guitar, Duo went over the play list for a moment before snatching his instrument back saying, “You’re causing it more pain so just sit there.” Attaching the new strings correctly, Duo plugged the instrument in and began running his hands along them at break neck speeds. However, what was usually the sound of what many considered to be a professional playing, sounded more along the lines of a person who’d barely playing a year.
Turning off the amp, Duo noticed his dog staring at him with it’s head bent down at the ground. Pointing he said, “Cage!” The dog walked off with it’s tail between it’s leg and walked off to it’s crate located in the living room. The dog downstairs, Duo asked Temari if she could shut the dogs cage. Giving him the affirmative, Temari did it with a loud, “Thanks,” from her friend. Setting his guitar back on the bed, Duo’s eyes twinkled and he ran over to his dresser and pulled out a small container, flipping through a pamphlet he smirked saying, “Good thing that store has plenty of these in-stock.”
Getting up from his spot, SHippou took the pamphlet and smirked telling his friend, “And the good news is that Kagome works there so the manager knows we won’t be bullshitting her.” Stopping Shippou from putting the guitar in it’s case, Duo pulled out the box saying that he kept it just incase something like that would happen. The pair made sure that all the correct items were in with the instrument and soon Duo was out the door saying that he’d be back in an hour or so.
Preparing to get in the car, Duo noticed his father pulling into the driveway with a haggard look on his face. Putting his guitar in the backseat, Duo asked his dad what happened. Slamming the door, Alexander told his son, “Just a bunch of assholes at work. Nobody knows what the hell they’re doing around that place.” Staring into the car Alex asked, “Why is your guitar in the box?”
Looking around Duo explained, “The dog ended up chewing the handle to bits so I’m going to see if they can go with their store warranty and give me a new one.” Keeping quiet as his dad reprimanded him for leaving his bedroom door open while he was out, Duo stood there until the man finished. “Well I put the dog in his crate so I don’t know how he got out. He seems to have a knack at figuring out how to open it.” Mentioning something about a padlock, the older Maxwell made his way into the house and put his key into the lock. Realizing he hadn’t told his dad about Shippou, Duo casually mentioned that he and Temari were in the house. Getting a wave from his dad, Duo got into his truck and left with hopes that he’d get his guitar replaced for free.
The store was about a twenty minute drive, yet it was around the start of rush hour traffic making it an additional fifteen minutes. “Why the hell is it called rush hour when it can take nearly three,” Duo mused to himself while biting on his thumbnail. “About bloody time.” Getting into the next lane, he got off the highway, found the store, and got out to see Kagome standing in the window with Shino looking at some light equipment. Walking in the guitarist asked, “Hey Kagome your guys’ store policy covers animal damage, right?”
“What do you mean ‘animal damage’? If you’re referring to bites then I suppose so but it’d have to be something more than the strings getting chewed off.” As she finished, Duo pulled his guitar out and Kagome gave a loud enough shriek to turn a few heads. “Your dog did that? This guitar cost you four-hundred bucks and is one of the best ones we carry.” Calling over her manager, Kagome asked, “Our warranty’ll replace his guitar since his dog did that won’t it?” The manager said that it did but they were out of stock on that particular brand. Kagome and Duo gave groans saying they had to play the next night.
“Don’t worry I’m sure I can justify giving you a guitar of equal value.” Picking up the guitar the manager smirked, “You’re in luck because one of our best guitars just had a price drop because the company can’t sell them. But it’s going to cost you a bit more than this one.” Taking Duo and the other two a computer, the man punched it in saying, “Yeah, if you don’t mind paying an extra seventy before the tax then you can have this one.” Duo’s eyes bulged at the what the guitar was and said he’d be more than willing to pay that price. “All right then I’ll be right back with it.”
Before Kagome could take a look her boss had shut off the window making her ask, “What kind of guitar is it?” Duo remained silent at the question, making Shino blurt out that the guitar belonged to some company starting with an ‘s.’ When her manager came out with two guitars, Kagome couldn’t help but ask, “Those freaking things just dropped to half price?” The manager smirked telling her that there was one on reserve for her when she was able to get enough money. “Oh gee thanks, give my friend a brand new Fender and leave me in the dust, jerk.”
Laughing, the manager set two guitars in front of Duo asking, “Okay, which do you want to take? The silver or the black?” Being asked the difference the manager told him, “It’s the same guitar, both are seven-strings and have great sound. But they are solid and a bit heavy so they’ll need some extra tuning before going on stage.” Letting Duo take his time, the manager was glad when he finally chose on the silver. Handing the black over to another employee the man asked, “We have a display set up over there so go and goof around a bit before you actually take this one.”
Finding it, Duo picked it up and scoffed saying, “You’re right this is a bit heavier.” Plucking a few cords he adjusted the strings and began playing out the measures of a song. Nodding as he played, Duo looked to Kagome asking, “So you think this sounds better than on my old one?” Kagome nodded telling Shino that it was one of the songs the band had written. Noticing a crowd gathering, Duo stopped his playing telling them all, “That’s all folks.” He then proceeded to put the guitar back and told the manager to wrap up his new guitar.
The trio left and Shino adjusted his glasses asking, “I take it that would be one of the songs my mother said she was offended by?” Seeing the uncomfortable looks of his friends, Shino pulled his cigarettes and dumped the pack in the trash after pulling one out. “Last one,” he mentioned before lighting it up and taking a drag. Flicking some ash off the tip, Shino adjusted his glasses telling Kagome, “I guess I should have worn these before saying that his guitar started with an ‘s’, but I’m digressing from my apology.” Duo and Kagome told him that he had no reason to apologize to them. Coughing loudly to silence them, Shino said, “Look if she hadn’t complained you guys would have had the full time to play and you wouldn’t have to deal with giving your work to some disc jockey.”
Lacing her fingers behind her hair, Kagome told Shino, “Actually it’s a good thing because at least we’ll get to dance a little. Even though Duo is taking Ino despite her not really finding him that attractive.” Duo put his guitar in the back of his truck saying that she was lucky he’d just gotten it or else she’d have it bashed into her head. “Do that and Inuyasha will beat you senseless.” Smirking she then turned to Shino asking, “Aren’t you excited that you finally get to quit hiding the news about you and Kohaku though?”
“He’d better be or else he’s not allowed to spend the night anymore.” When Kohaku finished his sentence Shino grunted as his boyfriend jumped on his back and wrapped his arms and legs around the taller teen. Inuyasha and Miroku showed up seconds later with Rin hanging onto Miroku’s arm. Finally letting his legs drop to the ground, Kohaku noticed the recently burnt out cigarette butt on the ground saying, “If you start up again my sister’s going to throw you out.” Getting elbowed in the gut, Kohaku gasped out, “What’d I say? You know my sister doesn’t want smokers living in the house.” The whole group started staring at them making Shino feel completely exposed and defenseless.
“You mean that after graduation, Shino is going to be living with your sister,” Rin asked in utter amazement. Realizing what he had just done, Kohaku tried to say that he was joking, but Shino just smacked him telling them that he’d already started moving his clothes into Sango and Kohaku’s condo. “But, what will the police have to say about that? Isn’t there some law saying that unless you’d be better off out of the parents hold you can’t really leave.” Shino pulled out his drivers license making Rin say, “I forgot that you’re eighteen. But what about Kohaku?” Kohaku said that his birthday was a couple of months ago and since they were legal his mom had no real say in what they did.
“And we should really thank her because we’re getting full payment for half the work.” The group laughed at Inuyasha’s sudden change of heart. He’d been mad about losing performance time since they’d heard, but they guess he’d had a change of heart because he knew that Kagome wouldn’t stop complaining about not being able to dance later on in the future, and if things went as planned they’d go to future reunions as husband and wife. Peeking into Duo’s truck, Inuyasha’s eyes bugged as he noticed the guitar sitting in the back. “Duo, why do you have a new guitar?”
The next day at school, Naruto had his head on the lunch table as the rest of the men in his group absentmindedly ate their lunches. Most of the girls going to the dance had all taken the day off and Kagome, Rin, Ten-Ten, and Ino made it a task to get Hinata dolled up as much as possible. Naruto didn’t see why Hinata needed a make-over. He liked her moonlike skin and she had no need for make up. Smiling he at some of his fries as his brother continued to look at his phone. Nibbling on one of the fried potato slices, Naruto asked his twin, “I thought Ten-Ten was just a date not your girlfriend?”
Glancing up from his phone, Sasuke told his brother, “I’m waiting for something else, so just shut up and eat your fries.” Naruto was taken aback from the sudden tongue lashing he’d gotten. So he made a comment about his brother needing to relax because after their next class they had to go and do a quick sound check before taking the girls out. Putting the phone into his pocket, Sasuke sighed, “I’m sorry, I just feel a bit anxious about tonight for some reason. It’s going to be one of our last gigs at home for awhile and it’s weird that we’re actually doing what most people never get a chance to do.” Shortly after finishing Duo asked if he was also nervous about getting a hard-on while dancing with Ten-Ten. All the group laughed, including Sasuke who said, “Not as nervous as having to worry about Ino killing the two of us when she sees us together.”
Meanwhile at a salon, Ino and Ten-Ten both gave loud sneezes making Hinata ask, “Do you two need a decongestant or anything?” Raising their eyebrows, Hinata blushed in the mirror as the stylist cut her hair to just under her shoulder blades. “I just meant that I’m thinking about becoming a doctor and also I have really bad allergies.” The girls told her the offer was appreciated, but went back to worrying about their own preparations. Glancing over to Kagome she asked, “I’m glad that we actually get to dance with the boys.”
Seeing the bright red appear on her friends cheeks, Rin, who was to the right of Hinata, said in place of Kagome, “I take it this is the first time people outside of the group that’ll see you two together?” Hinata’s eyes dropped and the stylist sighed telling Hinata that she needs to keep still a bit more. After Hinata apologized, Rin was let up from her seat and went to pay before coming back and telling the shy girl, “Don’t worry once you and Naruto are together you’ll have nothing to worry about. Just watch out for Kagome and Inuyasha, I guarantee they’ll get into a fight before the nights done.”
“I’d watch my tongue if I were you,”growled Kagome as she stood up from her chair. Kicking Rin in the ankle she added, “I’m not the typical prissy wanna-be rockstar girl you see on MTV.” The statement was no lie, Kagome had been approached by guys for one reason or another. Whether it be a challenge to her place in a band, or if it was the typical attempt to get her to dump Inuyasha, Kagome had put quite a number of guys in their place. Rin apologized after a loud hiss from the drummers kick which brought a smile to Kagome’s lips. “Good then you’ll know that after so many years of drumming my kicks are nothing to shrug off. I also have one hell of an uppercut.”
Ten-Ten laughed from her chair, while Ino said, “Honestly you’d think she’d have a bit more grace.” Ten-Ten mentioned that Kagome was more feminine than she lets on. But Ten-Ten told Ino not to make her mad as she could lose it worse than Courtney Love on a drug binge. “You’d think with tonight she’d be in a less violent mood?” Being told that she was done, Ino thanked the lady and gave her a nice tip before going to pay. Looking at a chair, Ino smiled asking, “What are you doing her Billboard?”
Sakura glared up from her magazine and said, “I had a dentist appointment and with the dance Mom took the day off.” Being asked by Kagome who hadn’t noticed her what a haircut had to do with the dentist, Sakura replied, “She said my hair is getting a bit too wild and is making me get a haircut.” Wiping her bangs out of her eyes the pink-haired girl added, “It’s shorter than Hinata’s so I don’t see the problem with it.” Ino came over and gave it a look and pulled on one of the knots that had formed. “OW! Don’t do that you jerk!”
“Looks like that’s the real reason your mom wants you to get a haircut.” Smirking in a smug manner, Ino took a seat next to her best friend and asked her, “I bet you can’t wait until your senior year for the dance? By the way,” she added, “what are you going to be doing tonight without your brothers around? You and your mom going to go out and see a movie or something?” Sakura told her that she actually had a date planned but not to tell her brothers. “So long as you tell me who it was later on I’ll keep it a secret.” After that comment Hinata was finally finished and the girls said goodbye to Sakura and went off to each others homes to get ready.
At the performance hall, Inuyasha finished the final chord of a song and Shippou gave them a thumbs up from the sound table they’d been provided. When they had finished their second to last class the men guys all left school, with Shino tagging along just to save him the torture of waisting an hour and half watching a movie he already owned. Putting their instruments up, Inuyasha’s phone rang and upon answering he exclaimed, “What do you mean we have only three hours left?” Scanning his watch he cursed telling Kagome, “All right I’ll go home with Duo and Miroku and I guess Shino can go with Naruto and Sasuke if that’s all right?” His friends said that they had no problem with that.
Keeping an eye on Inuyasha’s phone, Miroku asked, “Does everyone have their stuff in each car?” Shippou said that he had to go home and since his dad had lent him the car he’d meet up with all of them at the hall with Temari. “Okay, but Shino and Kohaku I know have their stuff in Sasuke’s car, but what about you Inuyasha?” Inuyasha said that his suit was in Duo’s back seat and was ready to go when his friends were ready to shut up and leave. “That being said we’ll all meet up back here in a couple hours. See ya guys soon.”
Some time later at the Uchiha, Hinata and Ten-Ten were getting dressed up in Sakura’s room. Getting into her dress, Hinata had Ten-Ten zip her up before checking herself in the mirror. They had an a little over ninety minutes before they needed to be at the performance hall. Checking her dress, Hinata asked if the color was right for her. Ten-Ten looked at her friend in the mirror and smiled at the bashful nature of the girl. The dress was a dark read and billowed around the bottom giving it a nice look while she walked and came with a long shawl of the same color to cover her bared shoulders.
“Naruto’s a lucky guy. And stand up with a bit of confidence it’ll make you look even more beautiful. But could you help me with mine please?” Hinata said that she would and helped Ten-Ten keep the dress in line as it went down over her neck. “I think the navy-blue was better than the turqoise. What do you think?” Hinata smiled saying that it worked better with her eyes and hair. “I’m glad we all decided to dress up as opposed to the boys. I mean honestly, you’d think that they’d want to dress up in a more formal sense. But no, they had to do a sort of Greenday type thing.” She sighed and rechecked her make-up before adding, “At least they’re not doing the make up thing.”
Downstairs, Naruto was sitting at the kitchen table in his outfit while Shino and Kohaku had decided to go with more tradtional tuxedo looks, save for Kohaku wearing a rock tee-shirt under his tux jacket. Sasuke was outside smiling as he talked to somebody on the phone. Naruto knew that it was somebody his twin was dating and not letting anyone in on. Draining his milk, Naruto put the carton back in the fridge and his glass in the sink. Hearing a door shut and hearing Sango and Sakura’s squeals at the girls, Naruto went over to the sliding glass door leading to the porch and knocked on it. His twin gave him a thumbs up and said goodbye to the person he was on the phone with.
Since her brother had decided to go to the Uchiha’s, Sango was going to be spending the night over to make sure her brother was safe. Holding a camera in her hands, she let Janice and Ten-Ten into the kitchen as soon as both the twins were ready. “Okay now that we’re all ready, come on in ladies.” Both Naruto and Sasuke’s faces turned red at the sight of their dates. Seeing Naruto mouthing words, Sango whispered loudly, “Looks like you’re the only person who’s able to keep him from making a smart-ass comment.”
The whole kitchen erupted in laughter as Janice began to position Hinata and Naruto out in the garden. Getting them in the right pose she said, “Now Naruto, you make sure you don’t do anything to ruin tonight, okay?” Glaring at his mother, her youngest son said that she shouldn’t put any blame on him when he hadn’t done anything. Letting Sango take few pictures, Janice said they were done and let Sasuke and Ten-Ten get a few pictures as she said to Naruto, “It was a joke, I know you’re going to do everything to make sure this night goes off perfectly. But, just make sure that when you’re hanging out at Duo’s you be careful, understand?” Hinata said that she understood and the small group grew larger as Kohaku and Shino got their pictures taken.
Out in the driveway, Janice handed the keys to the van over to Sasuke telling him, “So your clothes don’t get ruined, and remember to let Naruto drive home if you’re tired.” After leaving, Janice went into the kitchen and made her and Sango some dinner. When the doorbell rang she shouted up to Sakura that her date had arrived. Getting an answer of her daughter not being ready, Janice opened the door saying, “Come in Shikamaru.” The skinny teen entered in his usual slouch greeting Sango and Janice he asked if Sakura was ready.
Getting the answer that she’d be down shortly, Shikamaru got the usual lecture of the curfew and to call if there were any problems. Sighing he said, “I understand Miss. And, don’t worry about me trying any funny business.” Janice smirked saying that if he did the teen would get a night in jail. Giving another sigh he added, “It’s too bothersome to even try and do that to her. Besides I’m not that kind of guy so you don’t need to worry about me doing stuff like that. My mom made sure she raised a gentleman.” After he finished, Sakura ran down apologizing about her being late.
“Just make sure you behave and don’t be more than a half hour late or you’ll be grounded.” Her daughter gone, Janice looked in the kitchen to find Sango serving up the dinner she’d made. Going in she asked what the girl would like to drink. Receiving a request for milk, Janice pulled out the carton and began pouring a tall glass only to stop shortly into it. Holding it away from her nose, Janice wafted her hand toward her nose and grimaced saying, “Oh God! This stuff has been expired for,” she glanced at the label, “almost a week.” Going to the sink she poured it out saying, “Hopefully none of the kids drank this before leaving.” Problem was her countermeasure was an hour too late.