Yet another ninja birthday party

[used_friendship]

Who: Uzumaki Naruto & Anyone who wants to attend his party!
Where: Goldenrod City
When: October 10th
Summary: The future Poke-kage is celebrating his seventeenth birthday.
Rating: PG tops. Probably.
Log:

[Just over a week since Naruto's announcement to all of Johto and Kanto that his birthday was coming up, the day had finally arrived.

Not too many people were expected to show up (since he did invite EVERYONE) and they'd managed to rent a function room in one of Goldenrod's restaurants for the day. There's plenty of chairs and tables, food, music playing and room to dance if people so wish, you know regular old party stuff.]

[ooc: This is just a general party log! Go ahead and make your own threads as you wish, whether you RSVP'd or just stumble across it, it's cool B)]

Comments

[beforethedarkness]

I'm not strong enough.

[usedswift]

So you train, and you spar against people who're strong. That's how you get stronger, didn't you learn anything from when Lee challenged you?

[beforethedarkness]

Even training nearly every day for months, I still lost.

[As Tenten's rage rises, Sasuke seems to go through a strange combination of deflation and deep anger. Anger at himself. He always has to struggle to be good, to try and be the best, but he can never seem to reach it -- not at home, not here. Is it just unattainable for him?]

[usedswift]

And who're you training with, huh? Just you and your Pokémon?

[Her grip on his collar doesn't slacken, though at least she does lower her voice to something closer to a natural speaking tone.]

You can't just do the same drills over and over again and expect the same results. So you lost to her, so what? You pick yourself up, swallow your pride, and then go challenge her again. Learn her moves, and beat her next time.

[She couldn't quite stop the soft tch of annoyance before it escaped.]

As long as you're not dead, you can improve. And in a real match, you wouldn't be fighting by yourself. You'd have my backup if no one else's.

[beforethedarkness]

[He's quiet, motionless, and absorbing every word she's saying to him as it combats against what he's been telling himself. It seems almost like eternity to him when he finally slackens in her grip, setting his feet firmly on the ground before speaking once again.]

Do you want to spar after the party or not. You never answered.

[usedswift]

[She narrows her eyes at him, keeping that grip on his collar for a moment more and trying to read his expression, before she finally releases him with a firm nod.]

You bet. But when I kick your butt, you don't get to sulk about it, you hear?

[beforethedarkness]

That's if you can.

[usedswift]

[Alright, that makes her laugh a little, the last of the tension easing from her frame.

Then she reaches out and lightly brushes her fingers against one of his bangs.]

I dunno, Sasuke, if your hair's gonna get in your eyes like this, I'll have the advantage.

[beforethedarkness]

Just worry about yourself, my hair's the least of your problems.

[That might be the tiniest of smirks tugging at his lips. Maybe. Still, she has a point, he probably does have to hack at his hair again soon...]

[usedswift]

[She just laughs again and draws her hand back.]

Yeah, yeah, alright. After our spar, I could cut it for you. If you want.

[beforethedarkness]

[His smirk fades into a frown and he glances away, and though it might seem like a scowl it's a clear reflection of uncertainty at Tenten's offer.]

...

[usedswift]

[Her expression falls a little, though she's quick to smile again as soon as she realizes.]

What, afraid I can't handle myself around a blade?

[beforethedarkness]

That's not...

[He sighs, shaking his head and running his fingers through his hair before he lets his shoulders slump.]

... I've been doing it myself.

[usedswift]

I can tell, [she teases lightly, only barely resisting the urge to brush her fingers through his hair again. For a moment, she almost asks when he never went to a hairdresser or a barber or anything, but then, letting a total stranger with a blade near various vital points was always tricky.

So she just closes her eyes and smiles again.] But you're not by yourself, at least not today. If you want...?

[beforethedarkness]

[There are a few painfully long seconds when he's quiet, eyes closed as he turns away from her. The fact that he has to think it over probably isn't a good thing either, but hopefully the answer Tenten's about to receive makes that tension worth it.]

After the party.

[usedswift]

[She beams. Worth it, Sasuke? If not, hopefully the quick, impulsive kiss she darts in to press to his cheek makes it slightly more bearable.]

Okay. I'll be looking forward to it.

[beforethedarkness]

[Excuse you Tenten. Have stunned Sasuke for just a few seconds there.]

... Mm.

[usedswift]

...What?

[She couldn't help but ask with a quick smile of amusement, though her own cheeks were flushing.]

You're making a face that's not a frown or a smirk, are you okay?

[beforethedarkness]

[Whoops did he slip? Here, have a tsun face instead.]

I'm fine.

[usedswift]

[Oops, she laughs at him and just brushes fingers across his cheek before quickly stepping back.]

I'll see you later then, yeah?

[beforethedarkness]

... Mm.