Ballerina at Sea

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Cha5ive

All Sakura wanted to do after getting off of work was to go home and sleep. The kunoichi didn’t want to pass out from booze or from injury… she wanted real sleep. Or, at the very least she could just lay back and relax. After she woke at work the head nurse actually had the nerve to give her the toughest jobs. That woman had no pity in the world.

Of course, Sakura had Ino for a friend and there was no such thing as relaxation when the Yamanaka was on your tail.

“Forehead!” She called, banging on Sakura‘s door. “I‘ll break it down you know! Open up!”

Sakura debated on if she should just jump out the window again. She quickly shook her head at that and walked to the door.

“Alright, alright…” The kunoichi groaned, opening it up to reveal a very… scantily clad Ino. She was wearing only a light jacket over her red halter top and black mini-skirt and leggings.

Sakura stood in her doorway, her eyes wide and her mouth agape.

“Ino?” She asked hesitantly. “Why are you dressed like that?”

The kunoichi had seen her fellow ninja stark naked at the bathhouse before, and once when they were sent on a dare to do a little skinny dipping. But seeing Ino almost half naked on her doorstep in December was a whole other issue.

“We’re going out!” Ino chirped, pushing her way through. “Yesterday was terrible! Let’s do the scene right.”

She was obviously referring to their meeting at the bar. That wasn’t a scene, but more of a washing away of the woes.

“I don’t feel up to it.” Sakura replied, shutting her apartment door to keep out the cold. “I just worked a long shift and we got those… those things coming up.”

Ino only frowned, making her way to Sakura‘s bedroom. “Stop thinking about it.”

“I don‘t think I can…”

“Well, forget about it. Come with me for a night of escape!” Ino chuckled, sifting through Sakura‘s clothes.

Nothing very attractive for a night of pleasure.

Ino‘s lips pursed. “Do you ever dress sexy?”

The kunoichi darkened. “Are you saying I‘m ugly? I have plenty of cute clothes. You love my Yukata for the light festival. If I remember correctly you still have it.”

The blonde tch‘ed. “I‘m not talking about cute, or pretty. Those qualities are on the opposite side of sexy. You gotta look scandalous, forehead.”

Sakura fell back onto her bed with a flop. “Scandalous? Ino-pig, I don‘t think I want scandalous right now…”

Both girls quieted.

Sakura was the first one to speak. “Why are you dressed like that? You never party that hard.”

Ino smiled mischievously. “Party hard? Sakura, think about the opportunities we now have…”

“Opportunities?” Sakura questioned, pulling herself up from the bed. “What are you talking about?”

Ino winked. “Even when we wear our headbands we‘ll get carded in most bars because of our age, and some won‘t let us in at all so forget about a good drink. However… I noticed something while I was out looking for you these past few days.”

“They didn‘t card you?”

Ino nodded. “I‘m thinking the bartenders actually know more about these kunoichi classes then male ninja do.”

“Why?” Sakura asked, disbelief in her eyes. “That‘s just ridiculous.”

“Business, forehead.” Ino browsed through Sakura‘s drawers and settled on a short denim skirts that had tattered edges. She moved to look for a top. “Tenten also said something about this last year… that they don‘t card any kunoichi past puberty around this time.”

That makes sense… Sakura thought. Girls drowning out their woes. Why fight it when you can make a profit? Most older ninja will turn a blind eye to this since they sort of know. They’d feel sympathy.

“But what does that have to do with us? We could just go to our regular bar for drinks.” Sakura spoke, eyeing the skirt with distaste. She wasn’t going to wear that. “Besides, it’s a good bar for ninja our age.”

Ino’s eyes locked on camisole sticking out from underneath Sakura’s bed. It was silky, usually one that would be used for sleep. Sexy enough of course, and it would do. Ino threw the outfit at Sakura, muttering a wear that or die, and her friend caught it. She didn’t smile. Ino was always trying to push her into things.

“Forehead, kunoichi are opportunists.” Ino began, switching out of her clogs and into one of Sakura’s practical, but dressy shoes. “And well, some bars just aren’t open to us yet.”

“But now they are…” Sakura added.

Ino smirked. “Sakura, how about we crash the hottest bar in town?”

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Tsunade’s head sluggishly rose from her desk upon hearing the knock at the door. She could still feel her head pounding. These last few days had been absolute hell. First the kunoichi classes, then the outpost accident? It was all very frustrating.

“Come in…” She called out, reaching for the stale cup of water. Tsunade took a sip and grimaced.

Kakashi entered her office with a frown, noticing the state the hokage was in. She wasn’t having a good day.

She glared at him, suspicious. “What is it? Out with it Kakashi, I’m busy today.”

He ninja remained quiet a moment before speaking in an almost sing-song voice that he used for his lame excuses. “Well, you see… I was gambling with Genma when I err… lost.” He said lamely, hoping Tsunade would take the bait. Even if she didn’t believe him she’d still assign him a mission. “And what do you know… It’s time to pay my mortgage.”

Tsunade’s eyes were cross.

“What are you talking about? Ninja have mortgage grace periods of up to three months.”

He smiled. “I lost three months worth?”

“So you want to go on a mission? One that pays well?” Her voice was steady, but angry. She heard this plenty toay.

Kakashi nodded. “But last time it didn’t go so well, so perhaps you should assign a med-nin.”

The hokage groaned. “I know what this is about. I’ve already had six people who visited me today asking something similar.”

Kakashi’s brow raised. “Six? That’s it?”

She smirked. “Among about twelve girls begging to wait another year.”

“So does that mean a no?” Kakashi asked. “I really don’t think a quick mission like this one should be without a med-nin.”

Tsunade waved him away. “Which is why I’m not assigning you on one. Kakashi, I’m forbidden to send any of the girls taking kunoichi classes on a mission for another month.”

“Who said I needed someone Sakura’s age?” He spoke, playing dumb.

“You lack subtlety today, Kakashi.” Tsunade argued. “Everyone does.”

Tsunade adjusted a stack of papers nervously.

“Although it’s odd…” She began, signing off papers randomly. “Kurenai was in here just an hour ago… begging for me to allow Hinata to take these classes.”

“She did?” Kakashi couldn’t imagine the Hyuuga girl taking those classes. Or the Hyuugas allowing it.

“Yes.” Tsunade replied. “It was a personal request from Hinata herself. She was shocked when she received the letter a few months ago and when no one said anything about her not going.”

“She wants to?” Kakashi was surprised. “I may not know her well, but that doesn’t seem like Hinata at all. Sakura herself isn’t very happy about these classes… I don’t even think Ino is.”

Tsunade chuckled cynically. “Hinata isn’t happy about these classes. It’s just a means to do something on her own. An escape, ironically. So I’ve made an agreement to keep it hushed. I even took Hinata off the official record for the classes. Rather, for the next month she has sustained unfortunate injury to where she’ll be demoted to low-stress missions.”

The Hokage’s shoulders slumped. “I wish that we didn’t have these classes. I’ve spent the last three years trying to get rid of them as Hokage. I remember boycotting them as a young kunoichi.”

“You still went though, didn’t you?” He couldn’t imagine her as someone who would take things lightly.

Tsunade nodded. “I gave in. They all do eventually.”

Kakashi couldn’t believe that. “Sakura doesn‘t seem to think so.”

He was sure that she would do something ridiculous, like not show up. It would really only cause more problems in the end. Kakashi wouldn’t nark on her of course. He would never do that to the people close to him.

Tsunade sighed. “I know, she told me herself that she wasn’t ready. To delay it another year. But I can’t. She has to do it this year.”

Kakashi could see a sad look on the Hokage’s face. It seemed as if she aged and that her jutsu wasn’t working as well as normal.

“Why not wait another year? Why not delay the classes altogether?” He suggested. “Most girls her age aren’t ready for this.”

“Most kunoichi her age have already lost their virginity, Kakashi. Among other things they are already adults.” Tsunade explained, being brutally honest. “Shizune and myself are both responsible in overseeing birth control for ninja, especially for the women.”

For some reason the whole notion disturbed Kakashi. He couldn’t imagine Sakura losing her virginity. She still flushed over the idea of kissing. She was just a little girl.

Well, maybe not little. He reminded himself. She was almost an adult now. Still, she reminded him so much of the girl he met as her genin instructor.

Sometimes he wondered if he ever really knew her. After all, he paid more attention to her teammates than Sakura.

“Sakura hasn’t come in, has she?” Kakashi at least hoped not.

Tsunade shook her head. “Even if she was sexually active, which I doubt, she probably wouldn’t go to myself or Shizune. Too embarrassing.” She grinned. “Besides, she’s a med-nin. She could just get it at work if she wanted and no one would bat an eye. She is also qualified in giving it out, mind you.”

The idea of Sakura giving either of her teammates a condom or handing her friend Ino birth control was amusing. Kakashi could see now why she wouldn’t go to Tsunade if she was. None of the people close to her would ask her either. Too embarrassing.

Jiraiya felt no shame in announcing his escapades. He supposed not everyone was like the ero-sennin, however.

“Can’t you make an exception this year? Surely she can take it next year. It‘s been done before.” Kakashi couldn’t even imagine Sakura knowing about these classes till now. She was such a busy girl, it probably escaped her notice.

“It can’t be delayed Kakashi.” Tsunade explained. “Not for year. Not even for a day.”

Kakashi raised his brow, suspicious. “Why not?”

Tsunade looked away, a look of guilt in her eyes. “I can’t do everything for her. Protect her from the world. I’m the hokage. And as it is, Kakashi, I’m busy. Leave before I assign you a mission to find some rich lady’s cat.”

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A Rotten Word with Biscuit

Originally this chapter was over 4500 words, but I decided to end it there so I could update tomorrow! Which, of course means that the chapter is already done (It‘s longer than normal, so I‘m going to go over it once more before I upload it). This should give me a grace period to write another chapter. From now on I’m just going to post as soon as possible incase my internet dies. I’ve been noticing my lights flickering lately. Stupid Oregon Weather. On the Brightside it’s was snowing for a bit!

Anyway, Thank you guys for showing so much interest in my stories! Remember to review, the four reviews I got last chapter so quickly really motivated me to write this one! (Though I won‘t write the chapter after the next one so quickly since I‘m busy, so don‘t strain your fingers!)

Join me next chapter!