101 Ways to Say I Love You -17

                                                             Chapter 17

                       #17. Are you truly the only one who can get jealous?

Haven’t seen Hanji in a while… Sakura thought, remembering the little Academy student from yesterday. I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing… With a sigh, she put the rest of the medical supplies away, and took out a key from the cabinet. As she left the hospital room, she locked the door and continued back home. She hadn’t seen Naruto since yesterday either. She had stopped by his house but no one answered. Well…wherever he was, she was sure he was fine. Akatsuki was still unknown as of the moment, so he wasn’t kidnapped…not just that, but she would’ve known by the large commotion they would make.

“Kaa-chan, I’m home!” Sakura called as she entered her home. “What’s for dinner?”

Sakura’s mother came out from the kitchen, and smiled at her daughter. “Dear, you won’t be having dinner with us tonight.” She said, and sat down on their couch. “It’s time for you to get a boyfriend.”

“Ah, Kaa-chan…” Sakura said nervously.

“I know it’s hard for you to choose. That’s why I took the liberty of choosing for you.”

Eh?! Sakura exclaimed in her head. “What?!” she screeched at her mother. “What do you mean you ‘chose for me’?!”

Sakura’s mother pointed at another hallway, where a man stepped out. He looked about 18 or so, with short, choppy brown hair, and brown eyes. He had a wonderful, shiny smile, and sure enough he was handsome. But he was nothing compared to her Naruto, none at all. “Good evening, Haruno-san.” He said in a deep voice, way in the lower registers. “My name’s Kanou Takano. I hope we have a wonderful night together.”

Sakura looked over at her mother, glaring at her. Oh, you’ll pay for this… she threatened in her head. Quickly, she faked a smile. “As do I, Kanou-san.” She said as politely as she could. Actually, she had the idea to tell him off, but she knew her mother would not enjoy that. “Where are we going?”

Takano blinked. “Uh…TokiNoki?” he suggested, and Sakura sweated. Had to choose the expensive one, didn’t he? She groaned. “Unless you’re not in the mood for something fancy…”

“No, no…that’s fine.” Sakura said, and started towards the door. Let’s get this night over with. Right as she was about to open the door, Takano was there in a flash ready to open the door for her. “Kanou-san, I am capable of opening my own doors, you know.” She said in a warning tone.

“Ah, but Haruno-san, it is very gentlemanly of one to open a door for a lady.” Takano stated. “Please, allow me.”

“Kanou-san,” Sakura gritted. “I, for one, do not need to be waited on hand and foot by people, unlike some others.” With her anger rising not just at Takano, but also at her mother, she shoved her ‘date’ aside and opened the door. Shannaro…this guy’s an idiot! She growled in her head and continued on down the street.

“Wait, Haruno-san!” Takano called as he ran after her, not forgetting to shut the door. “Haruno-san!”

“COME ON, DAMN IT!” Sakura yelled, stepping aside and letting Takano fall to the ground face-first. “Quit being so clumsy, and being such a ‘gentleman’, because I’m not a woman that likes being treated like a helpless little child!”

“Gomen nasai…Haruno-san.” He apologized, and stood up a little shakily. Ruffling his brown hair, Takano began walking forward again, Sakura following soon after with a sigh.

“Kanou-san…” Sakura began, staring at him.

“Yes, Haruno-san? And please, call me Takano.”

“Well…first off, no, I think I’ll stick with Kanou-san. And…you’re going the wrong way.”

Takano laughed nervously, and turned around. “I knew that!” he said, and started walking in the opposite direction.

That’s also the wrong way… Sakura groaned, and shook her head. “It’s this way, Kanou-san!” Anymore of this and I’ll start calling him Kanou-teme… Takano turned back around and started following the kunoichi, who was getting quite impatient. Even Naruto isn’t this stupid…hell, Naruto’d be smarter than Shikamaru with this dumbass.

Sakura found herself getting lost in her thoughts, totally ignoring the fact that her ‘date’ had taken the liberty of going a bit farther ahead of her. “Haruno-san, here we are!” Takano called to her, looking over his shoulder.

The kunoichi picked her head up and looked over at him. “Kanou-san, you’re about to walk right into that-” she began, but stopped in midsentence as he smacked right into the wall of TokiNoki. “-wall…” she finished with an aggravated sigh. Sakura walked over to him, picked him up by the shirt collar, and looked him in the eye. “Listen here, you. ‘Cause I’m not repeating myself. This is a forced date, and as of right now, I don’t know if I want to go on another one with you, let alone complete this one. If you don’t start acting like a, quote, ‘gentleman’, then I suggest bringing it up a bit because I’m not impressed.”

Takano nodded his head rapidly, and Sakura stood him up on his feet. “Gomen, Haruno-san. Let’s have dinner, shall we?” he said, and was about to open the front door for her but stopped when he felt her glare burning through his back. “Oh…right.”

Sakura smiled, and opened the door herself, stepping inside TokiNoki. The place was like a gigantic hallway, with wall scrolls and hangings accompanying the yellow and red Chinese paintings covering the entire restaurant. Candles were lit on each table, which had a nice, clean, white tablecloth covering it. The last time she had been here was when her mother had wanted to have a special dinner. But after seeing the total cost, she vowed to never come to TokiNoki again. Though, she never said Sakura couldn’t, but now she regretted that she didn’t. “I wish Naruto would bring me here…but I know he doesn’t have that kind of money…” she muttered. “And I don’t either…”

“Haruno-san, I have a table reserved for us.” Takano stated, walking up next to her. “The waiter is ready to show us.”

Sakura merely nodded her head, and followed the man in the white tuxedo to their table, which was sadly all the way in the back. So much for getting nice, good seats… she thought in her head, and sat down in the left black metal chair. The waiter gave them their menus, and went off without a word. Sakura looked at the menu, and tried to find something inexpensive to eat. Or you could get what you want, but at a high price. After all, he’s paying, isn’t he? Her mind argued with her. No…I can’t do that. That wouldn’t be right. Would I do that to Naruto? Her eyes were still on the menu, but her mind wasn’t. Right now, it was preoccupied arguing with itself. But he’s not Naruto, is he? Finally sick of the argument, Sakura slapped her forehead, rubbing it gently.

“Haruno-san? Did you hear me?” Takano asked her, his menu put down.

Sakura stared at him, and faked a smile. “No, I’m sorry, can you repeat that?” she laughed nervously.

“I asked if you know what you’re getting.”

“Oh…yeah. I’ll just have the yakisoba.” She answered, and set the menu down. When the waiter came back around, he took their orders, and of course left. Sakura side-glanced at Takano, who was staring at her with certain concentration. “Yes, Kanou-san?”

Takano shook his head, and smiled. “Sorry, I couldn’t stop myself. You’re just so beautiful.”

Sakura faked a smile. “Arigatou.” She plainly said, and looked to the side again, wondering what Naruto was doing. “Excuse me; I’ve got to go to the bathroom.” She got up, and began to head toward the bathroom when she felt a hand slightly swipe across her butt. “Kanou-san!” she exclaimed, and turned around to see a slightly innocent face, but you could see a little smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “Bastard!”

With a huff, she stormed through the restaurant towards the exit. “Wait, Haruno-san!” Sakura heard Takano calling her, but she ignored him and almost smashed the doors open, heading home. Right when she was about to start running to get further away from him, she heard him running and calling for her. With completed anger, she flipped around, and didn’t have time to yell “What?!” before he crashed right into her, sending them both to the ground. With the force of hitting the ground crashed against Sakura’s head, sending it up, their lips touched, and almost immediately Takano began kissing her. Sakura was revolted at the taste of his lips. They were utterly bitter, but she couldn’t get away due to his weight on top of her.

“Sakura…-chan?”

Sakura froze at the sound of the voice. Naruto. Oh no…not now! I haven’t gotten rid of Kanou-teme yet! Fortunately, Takano ceased his disgustful kiss, and glared at the ninja in front of them. “Who the hell are you?”

Naruto glared back at Takano. “I’m Uzumaki Naruto. Now who are you?”

“Kanou Takano. I’m Sakura’s date tonight.”

Sakura glared at him. “It was a forced date! Kaa-chan made me go you sick bastard!”

“Date?” Naruto’s voice faltered. “I…see. Sorry, I didn’t mean to bother you. Continue on.”

“Naruto, wait!” Sakura called after him, but he was gone in an instant. With sadness and anger raging, she threw Takano off of her. “You. Sick. Vile. Bastard.” She growled, and punched his lights out. Letting herself cool off for a minute, she jumped off to Naruto’s. God damn it. I’ve been apologizing so much lately. At this rate I’ll never get to say that I love him.

She landed on one side of the apartments, and saw Naruto at the opposite end, staring at the sky. He looked lost, puzzled, and hurt by the way his body was set up against the rails. Slowly, Sakura made her way over to him.

“Yes, Sakura-chan?” Naruto said as Sakura got closer to him. “What do you want?”

“I…wanted to apologize…for earlier.” She said. “I didn’t want to go on a date with Kanou-san. Kaa-chan arranged it…she doesn’t know that I’m already interested in a guy.”

“Mm.” Naruto said plainly. “So, what happened to him?”

“Same thing I always do to someone who I get pissed at. Knocked him out.” She said with a laugh. Naruto laughed a little too. Sakura looked at his back, and sighed. Gently, she wrapped her arms around his waist. “Really, Naruto. I’m sorry. Can you forgive me?”

Sakura felt him turn around, and another pair of arms return her embrace. “Of course, Sakura-chan.” He said, holding her a little tightly to his chest for a little longer before he let go. “So, who are you interested in now?” he asked her with a little laugh. “I figure it’s not Sasuke anymore.”

“Augh, no!” Sakura retorted. “I don’t even know what I saw in him anymore! But who I like is someone you know. And you know him very well.”

“Oh really? That so? Don’t tell me it’s Lee.”

“No. It’s not Lee. You know him more than Lee.”

“…I can’t think of anyone.”

Sakura smiled. “Naruto, you know him better than anyone else. You’re around him all the time. Naruto…The guy I like, is y-”

“SAKURA!” Sakura’s mother’s voice rang through the air.

“Damn!” Sakura cursed under her breath. “I’ve got to go Naruto if I want to preserve my life! Bye!” she said, and jumped off the rail, prepared to run away from the terror that was her mother.

“SAKURA! GET YOUR LITTLE ASS BACK HERE!” her mother yelled, chasing her around the village. “THE NEXT TIME YOU DEFY ME, YOU WILL FEEL THE WRATH OF TSUNADE-SAMA!”

“NO!”