Sakura quickly turns her head around, trying to locate the voice. She finally looks over to the door, to see Tsunade walk in with a very amused look on her face. "How did you... why...but...I," stuttered Sakura, going into shock. Meanwhile she mentally sighs: 'Well that's just great, out of all the times she could have showed up, she would have to pick just now!!! At least things can’t get any worse…' Just then, both Hinata and Naruto show up both wearing a grim face and looking a little groggy. Both of them set themselves firmly in the doorway, ensuring that Sakura can’t make a break for it… Sakura mentally groans: ’I was wrong, it just got worse!’ Naruto quickly turns around, while Sakura puts her clothes back on. It takes her a few minutes to dress again!
Tsunade then walked up next to Sakura and gave her a playful nudge in the shoulder. Getting no reaction, she started talking: "Rubber kitten to Anko, I never would have guessed you would have such a kinky side, Sakura... By the way, happy birthday! You've certainly got more guts than I ever did gambling. I only ever bet money, never put myself on the line! Perhaps you're desperate for a date or something more, hmmm?" When Tsunade said this it snapped Sakura out of her incoherent trance.
"NO! I'm straight, not a lesbian!!! What in the world would give you that idea about me?" Sakura responds a little too quickly, while thinking: Could she know about my interest in other women… No, don’t be silly Sakura! They can’t possibly know, can they, you’ve been covering up your interest?’
"Oh-ho, I think you're protesting too much, and we all know that if you deny something too much it must be true...." Tsunade responses, trailing off as she turned her gaze from Sakura toward the stars. Both Hinata and Naruto share an amused glance at her antics.
Sakura started blushing, but quickly recovered her composure and asked the obvious question: "Just how did you know about this little wager of ours anyway?" ’Why is she so serious about this? If it was her, she’d be out the door by now! What’s so special about this bet?’
"Well, when you've gambled as long as I have, you develop a nose for it...." said Tsunade in a playful tone, winking at Sakura and touching the tip of her nose with her index finger. "Also, Hinata filled me in on the details, she read your lips when you discussed it with Anko!" she continued in a more serious tone of voice, "I know you’re probably wondering why I’m supporting this bet? Simple, you made a bet with your own body and expect to run out on it… Anko probably wouldn’t let this drop so easily, would she?” See Anko nod, she continues: “So better it’s done under strict supervision, than have her force this on you at another time when it might not be safe!” Sakura nods, seeing the logic now. She then spots an odd-looking bracelet in Naruto’s hand and points it out, asking what it is, to which Tsunade replies: “That? Just a little fail-safe in case you think of backing out by doing a runner… It will make it easy to locate you. And don’t try to remove it! I have the only key. If you try…” Tsunade trails off, but the threat is clear. Sakura gulps, but lets Naruto attach the device to her wrist!
Once that's done, Tsunade continues: “I'll be clearing both your schedules. I also won't be assigning either of you any missions while this is ongoing. This is so you both can make the most of the three months without any distractions. We'll also be checking in every now and again to make sure everything's going as agreed. But you can’t bring her back to your place, Anko… It’s just too dangerous for Sakura!” Anko sighs: ’Darn, I forgot about that little detail. Just where am I going to going to stay while I have Sakura as my pet? Looks like she’s gotten off the hook! And I was so looking forward to humiliating her…’
Sakura started to breathe a sigh of relief, but freezes when she sees an odd look in Hinata’s eye. ’What are you up to Hinata; oh no you can’t be serious! I said I was sorry about treating Naruto and you like that in the past… So I used you guys to dig me out of debt one or two million times. You can't still be mad at me for that?’
Hinata then breaks the silence with a gentle cough. Once she’s sure she’s got everyone’s attention, she starts talking: “How about the guesthouse on your estate, Naruto? The estate should be large enough for anything Anko has in mind. It is also private, so there shouldn’t be a problem with anyone finding out…”
Tsunade then turned to Anko: "That okay with you, Anko?” When Anko nods her head, she continues, “If you have any problems or queries, why don’t you come and talk to me or Hinata, I'm sure we can sort it out for you." Then, she turns her attention over to Sakura. “Now Sakura, I expect to see you at 12:00 in two days for a full medical… This is for two reasons. One, to ensure you’ll be healthy enough to go ahead with the bet… And two: we’re going to need to get some very detailed measurements for the suit!” Sakura reluctantly nods, knowing that it’ll be better to get the bet over with than have it hang over her…
Anko got a twinkle in her eye and smiled, "No problem, I'll come to either of you with any 'questions' I have and we'll meet in one week to finalise the deal. Let's meet, say at 00:00? Sakura can give you her keys to her apartment for you to store safely for the duration of the wager. Then, we'll dress Sakura up in the suit, seal her into it and I'll bring her to Naruto’s guesthouse. We’ll stay there for the duration of her forfeit!” She mentally grins: ’SWEET! I’ll have to thank those two somehow… What to give them?’
Hinata then speaks up with a strange grin. “I’ll get started on preparing the rooms for our two visitors! Anko, let me know what games you might feel like playing with Sakura…I’ll sort everything out for you!” For some reason, that simple statement in a plain tone sends shivers down Sakura’s spine… ’Why do I get the feeling I’m not going to like this?’ she wonders.
"That should be everything, right… Good! Now then, both me and Naruto have some important Hokage and Trainee Hokage duties to attend to... I’ll see you in two days for your medical, Sakura!" beams Tsunade, winking playfully at Anko. She then leaft the bar and headed off back towards the Hokage Tower. Naruto followed her, after getting a quick cup of coffee! Both Anko and Hinata head over to Naruto's estate to see what needed to be got ready...
Read the comments on this episode
(Posted Sat, 22 Dec 2007 23:44)
Questions? Problems? Suggestions?
Send a mail to addventure@bast-enterprises.de
or use the contact form.
らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
All other series and their characters are © by their respective creators or owners. No claims of ownership of these characters are implied by the authors of this Addventure, or should be inferred.
The Anime Addventure is a non-profit site.