Log: LS Drunken Nights

[endless_scrolls]

Title: Drunken Nights
Type: RP log
Fandom: AU!Naruto
Character(s): Tenten, Uzumaki Naruto
Pairing(s): Drunken hints of Naruto/Tenten
Warning(s): Cuteness
Disclaimer: I own only the part that I played in this.
Note: Log originally started for the last_stretch RP comm, but never finished.
Dedicated to: foxy_crooner. The love is strong, my dear. ♥

With a book in one hand and a glass of liquor in the other, Tenten paced -- stumbled was more like how one could describe her steps -- about her living room, cheeks pinked from the good amount of alcohol already coursing through her veins. They had began immediately after Naruto arrived at the apartment, dashing in like the hounds of Hades were on his heels to avoid an encounter with the eccentric and crazed landlord of the building, Mrs. Suzume who had a tendency to get a little too touchy-feely whenever the blond would come on his visits. All that had been forgotten in favor of going over the entire play of Romeo and Juliet, however, as auditions were to be held within the week. There was no doubt that the young woman was confident in the belief that he was capable to learn the lines on his own. It was just that she could not bring herself to trust that he would. As intellectual and beautiful as Shakespeare's words were, after a while they became little more than a foreign language of sorts, prompting one to drink in order to suffer through the rest. And one simply could not drink alone.

And so, there they were, half-drunk and still only in the first Act of the play. "Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much,/Which mannerly devotion shows in this;/For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch,/And palm to palm is holy palmer's kiss..."

When his body was full of the bitter liquor Ten Ten had supplied, Naruto turned into someone one might think an intellectual. Already a flirt at best, the blond was completely awful when he had a good amount of alcohol in his body; the bullshit ran freely off his tongue and sweetly into the ears of the nearest victim. But despite the risks of this, he and whoever he had drug with him into reading lines would get plastered during doing the horrible deed. As fun as acting was, the rehearsing was something taken straight from Hell. It was horrible to go line over line over line for no real reason but to pass or fail the following audition. Nevertheless, with suffering comes redemption. Redemption in the form of pay.

"Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too?" Naruto slurred as clearly as he possibly could. it was getting harder and harder to sit upright so he vouched to lie down with an arm covering his eyes (The bruised one still throbbing from the torture Ten Ten had put him through with peroxide). He was speaking purely from memory, which with being shit drunk? A marvel at best. It was the first smart move he'd made all week to go and practice his lines while on his breaks at work. The few bums that crept in late at night had kept him busy. The one missing all his teeth could do a damn awesome Juliet though...

Line by line, she scanned over the words, correcting him where he made mistakes, which were few and far in between. Needless to say, Tenten was mildly impressed. Shakespeare was no easy read. But that was not to say that a little part of her did not expect this from the usually exuberant and carefree blond. What could she say? He was good at what he did, especially when there was the prospects of money and payment. In favor of receiving cash in order to pay bills and 'the necessities' as he liked to call it, Naruto could be highly motivated into doing nearly everything (though she had yet to find a limit to that idea). After all, a quicker payoff meant more time for play, although his work ethic was every bit as commendable and respectable when it mattered. But the young woman knew him well enough, or at the very least she would like to believe she did after all the years they had been friends. When all the work was said and done, there was nothing he would wish to do more than to simply enjoy life, even with the realities of life.

But sometimes, with moments like these, of him stretched out over the cushions of her couch reciting historical lines that were hundreds of years old in near perfection, and her helping to smooth out the rough edges of his memory, the burdens and trials they had both faced in life almost seemed worth it...or perhaps that was simply the liquor talking.

Clearing her throat, she padded around the edge of the couch where Naruto's head laid hidden under his arm, kneeling down with some effort so as not to topple over as she struggled to keep herself balanced. In the end, Tenten reserved herself to using the couch as support while she took the last sip left in her glass and whispered softly into his ear. "Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer~" Her voice was wispy and light, almost flirtatious in order to play the part set in the play. Sure, the practice time had been set aside for Naruto's sake, but the young woman placed effort in everything she did. And despite the warmth of the alcohol slowly seeping into every pore of her being, Tenten would play her parts and read her lines as best as she could to better help him do the same.

There was something about the lines of this play that hit his very soul. It tweaked his brain and made his heart thump is that quickened state. His head throbbed from the intoxicating mix of wine and beer and it all swam together in smooth harmony. He couldn't describe this feeling. This utterly lost... and completely confusion as he knit his eyebrows and tried to think through what the complete nine layers of Hell these words even meant. Sure he had studied them... recited them. He'd even acted them out in front of his bathroom mirror. But the old English and intricate way of saying every. Single. Word... left something to be desired. As motivated as the young man could be, even some things could grind hard on his patience. Simply not understanding something was one of them. Why he had to allow his own personal thoughts to interfere with acting was something he didn't want to think about on top of everything else.

Did these people even know what they were saying half the time anyway?!

Naruto dropped his arm from his eyes to grab at the papers on his chest. He had gone through the whole night without touching the thick pad of paper and for a while he thought himself lucky. Inwardly rolling his eyes, he parted his lips to speak- and was promptly cut off by a warm (and rather wonderful) breath against his neck. A shiver worked up the length of his spine and he closed his eyes in the moment to absorb the feeling. Whether Ten Ten had meant it or not, she inspired the little devil in Naruto's core. The one that held his mojo and for some reason, complete ability to withhold the works of Shakespeare in its entirety. Without skipping a beat, the blond reached up to brush a knuckle under a perfect chin and whispered, "O, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do..."

He grinned then, leaning up on his arm to get just that much closer. In his hazy set of mind, he didn't notice the flirt in that angelic voice. But he could see her eyes? Pretty eyes and those pink dusted cheeks. He focused on those things to keep himself on the subject at hand. In this point of the script, Romeo and Juliet were together. Tempted to bring themselves together in a heartfelt kiss. Of course if that were the case, then Shakespeare would have shot himself in the foot. The whole point was that dramatic mood killer in the end after all. Raising an eyebrow, Naruto tilted his head and spoke softly, "They pray, grant thou, lest faith turn to despair."

And there came the familiar touch of his fingers, ones she had felt so many times on several occasions as their questionable relationship left endless opportunities to further confuse the masses with their intimate antics. But not her, never her. The words she spoke and the lines she read from the book of plays may have been an ancient language Tenten found difficulty in comprehending, but if there was one thing she understood, it was him in relation to her. A caress of the hand here, a kiss on the cheek there, a hug lingering longer than necessary, Tenten would be a liar if she said she did not enjoy such moments. Despite the limited number of people in her circle of friends, she was every bit as much an affectionate person. But even so, it was a wordless agreement and understanding that they were nothing more than close friends, siblings if one were to think on technical terms, though Tenten liked to toy with the notion of labels that was so much apart of the society that they lived in. Or rather, she enjoyed breaking free from them, just like he did. And if there was one thing that could manage such a feet, it was her close bond with Naruto.

Thin lips quirked to the side in a gentle smirk, mischief and intent sparkling in her eyes while she placed her empty glass on the coffee table nearby, freeing up her hand so that Tenten could trail the pads of her fingers down along the side of his face. And with a coy sort of air, the young woman turned her head to the side in a feigned moment of shyness, lashes fluttering against the soft curve of her cheeks. "Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake."

The gentle pressure against his cheek was silent permission enough for Naruto to push his hand into the inky strands of Ten Ten's hair instead. It really was very common for them to have this type of interaction as odd as it was. When it came to things like this... the blond was none the wiser. Sure, when they were younger these simple touches could mean so much more than an odd bond between friends. But in the long run, he had come to appreciate them. They were what he and one of his best friends' shared together. As intimate as it was, it was just them. Only them. When he had a girlfriend (or boyfriend) he would do this with them as well. A peck on the cheek or the occasional random hug- stroking back their hair or having a nuzzle in the middle of a crowd. He did it all like the highly hands-on type of person he was. But with her... it gave him that warm tingly feeling in the pit of his gut and a smile to worm its way out before he had a chance to stop it. Ten Ten was his first. First kiss and first real crush. One that he had gone out of his way to win over and failed miserably. Why the young woman still hung out with him after his failed attempts would continue being a mystery. But it was something he took to his heart to this very day.

The smile was there, bright and warm as it could ever be. Blue, glossy eyes were half-lidded as they fought to stay open. Naruto had to admit... the girl could act just as well as anyone on stage. Why she hadn't entered that field was something he had always questioned silently to himself. "Then move not, while my prayer's effect I take..." he spoke quietly, almost as if to himself, his head turned away before he sighed and looked back to her. He was scowling, a well practiced sad light entered his eyes. "Thus from my lips, by yours, my sin is purged..."

If asked just when exactly their strange bond began, she would have answered by describing a moonlit night that had happened long years ago, when a young man had taken an unsuspecting interest in a foreign princess of sorts. Tenten had been interested in the arts and all forms of it, giving inspiration to Naruto's painting excursion, breaking all kinds of rules in order to spend some time with her. It had been sweet on his part, and she would never forget the night for as long as she lived. But not once did it ever occur to her that his intentions had been more than just a friendly thanks for the party she had organized for him. No, that realization had happened much later when his efforts had grown a bit more serious and less subtle, even for her oblivious consciousness. And as much as it had broken her heart to tell him, with his hopeful eyes looking at her as they did back then, -- sometimes she liked to fool herself into believing that he still occasionally look at her the same way now, and then Tenten would smile because sometimes it just felt good to be wanted even if it was nothing more than a fathom of her imagination -- he had to know that there could be nothing more between them.

In another world and another time, she could have loved him. But her heart had belonged to someone else at the time, someone who proved to be the evil toad of her fairy tale. And now, what they had no longer could exist within the realm of reason or understanding of society. And that was fine as well. Because as long as the two of them understood, nothing else would matter. They had each other in friendship, and so much more. Whatever others would make of it would only serve to be fodder for their enjoyment and teasing. And it was with that thought that Tenten continued on with that tradition.

Although the exact lines and the meaning behind them were lost to her, Tenten knew the play well, had studied it during her required Shakespeare course that would go towards her Creative Writing minor. She knew what was to come after that line. And although she enjoyed taking everything so seriously, the various mix of alcohol sloshing around in her stomach and flowing out through her bloodstream were working well to tear down the young woman's resolve. So when she gazed into the glassy blue of Naruto's eyes, felt his fingers grazing lightly against her scalp, Tenten could only give a sweet smile before diving in with a giggle, nipping playfully at the exposed skin of her neck.

The abnormality of he and Ten Ten's relationship had to be what was keeping him so interested in their bond to begin with. It... wasn't like anyone else's and that made it all the more special. Through the years Naruto had picked up people from all over and had built even further bonds with them as well. But as close knit as they were nothing... nothing could compete with theirs. With her, Naruto could be as flamboyant or touchy as he could. She would allow his moments of cling without complaint and even returned them at times at the same magnitude. He appreciated those moments more than anything and the way that the feel of those pretty lips still made butterflies flutter in his chest. With someone as important as she was to him, it only seemed fit that such tender things were held so close to his heart.

When Ten Ten had shit him down, it had broken his heart. He would never deny it and on some drunken nights he told the young woman in wonderful detail how deep that wound ran. But she understood and on morning when he awoke with a blistering headache and the sun beating down on him as he lounged on her sofa... He didn't need to worry about explaining himself or making up excuses. She knew. They both knew how deep their relationship was and what it couldn't be. That was something Naruto had come to terms with long ago but his heart just wasn't ready to face.

So when she brought along a new man... his possessiveness did things to his brain and heart that conflicted with his will to keep his control. She was his in every sense of the word except through body and he took great care in seeing to it that anyone else in her life was worthy of her attention. When Ten Ten had been hurt so long ago, the blond didn't wait a damn second to hunt to jerk down and show him in as many ways as he could why it was a bad thing he was born. Sure he came back bloody and scratched up horribly, but he'd done what he felt he had to do. And was smiling the whole damn time as he limped his way back to Ten Ten's home, collapsing on her front step.

It was all of that that made these things possible. It was why he could laugh off those tender kisses to his neck and tilt his head back like it was nothing at all. Because it wasn't. It didn't matter where it was or what she was touching; it was purely Ten Ten. There was no sexual background or expectations. Naruto could just be Naruto and enjoy her. Eyes connected and for a fleeting moment, the blond let himself get lost in the touches to his scalp and let out the tiniest of noises when the pleasure worked down his neck and spine.

"Juliet...." he slurred, dropping his hand suddenly to grab her waist and a wistful grin tugging at his lips. "I dare say you've forgotten your lines!" And there it was. That moment of pure Uzumaki where both his arms were around that narrow waist and he was pulling the woman's slim body down onto his without any warning. "And what a naughty Juliet you are!"

Another giggle managed to slip out while she allowed herself to be taken up in his arms (not exactly a girlish giggle, but a giggle nonetheless), which was soon followed by a small squeak that was a direct result of the alcohol, or so Tenten would say if asked about it later. She put up a good struggle at first, although it was only in playfulness, but soon gave in to her fate. And in an instant, she was right there in the safety of his arms, the one place she could always find comfort ever since the day she found Naruto prostrated and passed out in front of her door. Understandably, it had been a shock. One does not usually expect to find a half-beaten friend laying unconscious and bloodied on your welcome mat. And that had been enough of an alarm for her, having lost enough people in her young life.

When she found out the truth behind his condition, Tenten had scolded Naruto for what he had done, yelled at him for wasting his time on someone who was not worth the breath let alone the effort, nothing but "How could you's" and "What were you thinking's" for a good hour at least, making them both miss their early morning classes. But deep down inside, she had been in awe, shifting between being grateful for his actions and feeling relief that at the very least, he was alive and fine for the most part. And perhaps it was then that their relationship had first turned to lead down the road that they walked now. In a foreign land and a life filled with loneliness and tragedies, he had given her something to believe in again. And so Tenten resigned herself to hold on to it for as long as she could.

She let her face rest in the crook of his neck for only a moment more, another instant of amused laughter, before lifting her head to lock gazes with him behind a curtain of long flowing hair that she had let down for the night. "I'm not the one who needs to be learning his lines." Tilting her head a fraction to the side, Tenten flashed a teasing grin down at him, breath caressing the column of his neck while she spoke, "And besides, big-shot actor that you are, you should be able to continue despite all distractions."

It was an obvious lie, but one Tenten was almost certain he would overlook for the sake of their sanity. Because there was only so much Old English a person could take. "Come on, we've been at it all night, and as much a joy as you are, picking out random scenes for you to recite on the spot for the next few hours doesn't seem like much fun."

Knowing that the struggle wouldn't last for long, Naruto took it upon himself to tighten his hold just that much more and bury his face against Ten Ten's shoulder with a groggy little laugh. Of course she wouldn't really run away. Maybe it was the more smug part of him that took comfort in this, but he knew for a fact that she couldn't deny him when it all came down to it. He enjoyed having her against him like this, flailing and giggling (and was that a squeak? He would have to ask about that later.) and generally letting loose and letting her walls fall for him. It was all part of that bond they shared where walls just didn't matter worth a damn and were promptly glared at and stomped into the ground before they could build themselves back up.

"M'line can go and shove it. -Busy with a naughty princess that can't go keep her hands aa~aall to herself." Oh. Naruto was wasted. And smiling droopingly against that warm shoulder before sliding his face up to puff alcohol drenched breath into her neck. He could feel her own fitting perfectly against his and let his head fall just a bit more to the side to allow the woman more room. If he made her nice and comfortable so she wouldn't do the unthinkable and move. That would be quite horrible when Naruto was so floaty and comfortable underneath her too-light weight. This, right here? This was why getting the snot beat out of him was so worth it. Because without doing so... completely, utterly moronic... the blond doubted he would be in the same position he was now with a gorgeous girl in his arms.

Not falling for her little fib, Naruto snorted, Ten Ten's hair fanning out at the breath. "I think the distraction wants me to be distracted if you know what I mean~" His eyebrows gave a waggle which wouldn't be seen anyone but could more than likely be assumed by the tone in his voice. Deciding that that neck needed more attention than being breathed on with his alcohol funk breath, the blond launched inward and gave a prompt nibble just below a perfect ear. He could be just as dastardly as Ten Ten at the worst of times.

"But if the princess wishes otherwise..." And he was right back to nuzzling down the column of her pale throat to have a nibble a little lower instead. He wasn't bothering to think as he spoke and just let the words come. Like in that pre-daze when your mind is slowly drifting off to sleep; he simply forgot what he had said the very second after saying it. Oh what freedom there was in an intoxicated short term memory state of mind. "-We can take a break. You can keep me busy. We'll start all over and call each other in the morning. What you say, Tenny-poo~?"

Finding it all too comfortable with laying against his chest, Tenten snaked her arms around his waist, squeezing a hand in between the curve of his back and the couch cushion to better return the same attention he was giving her. And as she laid her head back down, the young woman could feel the beat of his heart reverberating through his chest in a steady beat in counter to her own. It was a rhythm they both were familiar with, having spent hours upon hours like this on more than one occasion, although not always drunk off their asses or in the middle of a practice session for one of Naruto's auditions. And for some reason, whether it was because of the alcohol that was flowing through their bodies or just the late hour of which their readings had brought them, everything just seemed more laxed and calming to her now despite the sigh that breezed out at his passing comment. "There you go, calling me a princess again...does that mean you're my knight and shining armor?"

She quirked a brow at that thought, a plan already forming in that devious little mind of hers while Tenten's fingers worked to seek out a patch of skin to toy with. It was a bad habit she had developed over the years when they would find themselves in this situation, which she more than enjoyed. The squeeze of his arms around her, the soft lips against her neck. They were simple gestures of affection that Tenten had grown accustomed to expect from Naruto, intoxicated or not. And so she thought nothing of them, returned them when she could or felt so inclined to. It was nice to be held in such a way, especially after so many lonely nights with nothing more than a darling kitten to snuggle up with. That's not to say Tenten did not enjoy the attention she would get from little Itoshii. Sometimes it simply was not enough, though, not when there was a family that she missed all too much waiting across the body of water that separated Japan from the shores of China. But this moments like this made it easier to bear.

"And if you are, it means you are inclined to do whatever I wish..." But the air was getting hot all too quickly, her cheeks that were already pink from before growing one shade darker while the heat of his skin began to mingle with hers. And after being locked within the four walls of her apartment all afternoon and evening, Tenten was ready for a few minutes out in the fresh air where the both of them could fully recharge...not to mention indulge in a little bit of daring fun the young woman had been meaning to do for a while now. She just needed a good reason, and perhaps a willing partner to join her. "How about we forget going over lines for the rest of the night? You know you already know you already have them down pact."

Listening to the woman speak was doing horrible things to his body, making it feel far heavier than it really was and a pleasant tingle work up his spine. One thing he loved more than anything was when his feelings and closeness were reciprocated. Ten Ten was doing that perfectly with the arms currently around him and forcing his body ever that much more closer to her own. She was warm, he noticed as he pulled away from her shoulder finally, and rested his head in the pillows to look at her. Really look. "-Don't think I could ever be a prince. I break too many rules. But I'll be your knight for as long as you'll have me." he breathed with a soft sort of smile tugging at his lips, simply observing those pretty features that made up Ten Ten's face. He took far too much time just taking in the creamy complexion and the way her eyelashes dusted her cheeks. So much so that he nearly jumped when she spoke again.

"Tenny...?" Naruto almost cringed when his voice came back to him slurred and confused, scowling as he sorted through what she was saying. After a moment he gave her what could have been a horribly evil grin and leaned up to get into her voice. "You're tellin' ME that YOU think we should stop studying? That grand and beautiful nerd-ess of them all? Tenten! I'm ashamed of you!" -And he wasn't giving any warning before promptly bucking his body up off of the couch and twisting their position, now hovering over her and that curl to his lips growing quickly. "Dare I ask what else you had in mind, pretty thing? You gotta make up something to hold my interest!"

Another squeak, an exhaled breath coming in the form of a gasp -- this one she could not deny or pass over as a product of their drinking because it had been loud and clear even in their slightly impaired state of minds -- and the next thing Tenten knew, she was on her back wondering what had happened while staring up at blue eyes and blonde locks that seemed to almost glow from the ceiling light hovering above them both. It was enough to leave the young woman wondering just why she had left behind her indulgence in the finer aspects of art after entering into the institution of higher learning for the sake of time management and surviving the work load of maintaining both a job and a 3.3 GPA. But there was no time to question decisions, ponder reconsiderations, or for her artistic mind to admire the picturesque imagery, the perfect combination of shadow and light, as all thought turned to the object of her racing heart.

He had taken her completely off guard (and Tenten had to fight from reprimanding him because she swore she nearly fell off the edge of the couch and crashed into the coffee table with that move), something that had become somewhat of a rarity the longer their friendship endured. But leave it to Naruto to retain a little bit of surprise to keep everyone guessing, even his closest of companions. It was one of the qualities that drew so many people into his bubble of positive energy and love of life, as well as one of the reasons why she viewed him as a cherished friend. And with the weight of him gently pressing her into the cushion of the couch, Tenten could hardly care that her young friend had nearly scared her half to death. But her head was spinning, the warmth of the wine and liquor working to catch up, and the sudden shift in their positions disorienting what was left of her consciousness.

And so, after the initial shock, the young waitress could only give a soft chuckle as the arm around his waist hugged Naruto closer. Meanwhile, her free hand slipped around the nape of the blonde's neck while Tenten moved to rest her forehead against the curve of his shoulder. Because it felt comfortable to be this close to him, to hold him like she would a tender gesture although not without it's charms of persuasion as well. She could feel the faint pulse of his vein shifting and throbbing under the skin as the blood continued to flow and pump through his system with a life that was unmatched by anything in nature. And then she turned her head into the crook of his neck, mischievous grin brushing against Naruto's collarbone while she spoke. "Like you didn't plan on slowly corrupting me with your bad influence."

Shifting her head up just so, the brunette moved to graze her teeth against heated skin, caressing the underside of his jaw with a delicate care and electrifying the nerves just underneath the surface. "And since when have I given you reason not to trust my judgment?" Tenten was playing with fire as she had done several times before. But as history had shown, she was every bit as capable of handling the consequences of Naruto's response. It was part of the very core of their relationship. "Besides, we've been at it all night and I'm bored out of my mind. Don't you wanna have a little fun?...Or would you like a better incentive?"

When with Tenten, Naruto found himself always letting go and relaxing but to a point. The woman was a calm sort of person that made someone as hyper and rambunctious as the blond seem to simmer down without really trying. Sometimes it was annoying because beyond the calm his friend struck within him was a need to show her a good time. How much fun it really can be to be loud and carefree and not give a damn about consequences. In the past it had been so simple to grab her hand and lead Tenten away from life and reality. But now he depended on her more and more. Not to bring him peace of mind and a more somber outlook on the future. But for her to show him again what life was all about. So that she could show him everything he had taught her.

She was just so lovely though. Even after all these years, Naruto could still pinpoint exactly why he had fallen for this girl outside all the others. It wasn't the hair or the eyes. Everyone had that. Everyone had the beautiful face and heart wrenching smile. No, the first time Naruto had seen Tenten or heard her laugh, his little prepubescent soul did a flip in place that nearly knocked him over. She was this tomboy, laughing, exuberant thing. That laughed at all of his jokes whether funny or not and gave him a sense of self worth that he hadn't felt in a long while. Whilst a crush was there it grew stronger over the years. Becoming something that couldn't be broken. Not because of hurt feelings or tales of the past. Even to this day Naruto will worship the ground the woman walks on because of just how much she gave him back then. She was his first real friend that stuck by him through thick and then even knowing his flaws and background. She gave him a friendship and he could never replace that with anything.

Listening to her laugh, Naruto couldn't hold back a chuckle of his own, a wide beaming grin that held back nothing explained his feelings perfectly. "Corrupting you? You give me too much credit, Tenny! Y'know you ain't that innocent little bunny everyone thinks you are. I know you better than that." Her face felt so amazing right there against his neck, his breath coming out nice and slowly as he leaned down into that touch, a hand working down to press her face closer. It was amazing how his body worked. Sometimes even the smallest gesture or movement could turn him on and get his body going. But with Tenten... it just felt right to protect and nurture her with petting and coddling. He was a man that could enjoy snuggling and all those girly things. With select people anyway. And Tenten was at the top of the list.

"You're going to make me think some naughty things with the way you're going though... I'm starting to think YOU'RE the one that corrupted ME..." He turned his head, those teeth sending deliciously shocking waves down his spine. At the back of his mind though he knew it would go no further than this and kept himself at a limit. He knew exactly where the line was with them and it made him comfortable to flirt more head on with her than he did most people. With touches and kisses and simple dirty things. "And I don't think you can handle my sorta fire, Tenny. You might get burned..." , he replied back with a sort of growl in his voice, eyelids half lowered as he dipped his head down and brushed his lips coyly over hers then even further for a taste of her mouth with a chaste kiss.

"Hot yet...?"

Ever since childhood, Tenten had known the difficulties that existed within the realms of life. Her family had always struggled to gain what little they earned in order to survive. The salaries allotted to teachers were never much, and the income that came from her father's crafts were barely enough to support his chosen career. From that experience, she had learned to make the best of everything and developed a sense of sympathy and compassion for those who also knew what it was like to actually fight to exist. And so when she had come across someone like Naruto, the young woman had acted accordingly.

"I've handled your sort of fire for years, I think I've grown accustomed to it by now." Still, she could remember the first day they had met. It had been the afternoon of the first day of courses at the boarding school they both had been sent to. There was only about a good hour left of sunlight left, and she had taken the opportunity to simply sketch out the scene that stretched out before her while seated at the front of the school. If asked, Tenten would attribute the start of their friendship there, though she suspected that he would describe another instance. But like every relationship, it began with a single word, a single look. And that had been their first. "And if not, then I've no business being your friend."

The corner of her mouth curved up into a sly and mischievous smirk while she indulged in the purely innocent kiss, lips sliding easily over his in a gentle manner, fingers curling and moving along his neck in a soft massage of encouragement. Just a small one they were more than familiar with, but it was enough for the sort of comfort zone that was so familiar and common between the two of them. And just before he could go further, before he could attempt to do much more, she pulled back far enough to mumble against his lips. "As for the corruption business...despite who corrupted who, neither of us has room to complain...not that we're complaining, right?"

However, Tenten had an agenda in mind, and surely she would not have this much reason or courage to attempt it any other time than now, filled with alcohol and ready for something daring. So she shifted closer towards the edge of the couch, her lips brushing along the curve of his cheek to whisper softly in his ear. "In the meantime, would you be interested in doing something a bit more interesting?"

"More interesting than what I had in mind...?" Naruto mumbled under his breath, silently sulking to himself once the kiss was ended. He could still taste the sweetness of Tenten on his lips and wouldn't have minded to continue with their little study time interruption. They were on such a good run so far what with rolling around on the couch. So why not carry on with this ab lib adventure? The intoxication left behind by the alcohol was still strong and Naruto's right state of mind was teetering on the edge. Here was a beautiful girl lying underneath him so obediently and satiating his craving for human contact so nicely. It was times like this that it became too hard to control his bestial urges and when that big brick wall marked friendship that usually blocked his bodies persistence started to crumble.

It would seem, though, that Tenten would always come through and was there to stop him where it counted. As disappointed as he might have been in this moment didn't compare to just how screwed he would feel if he were to go the whole mile. Something like their bond was far too important to screw over with sex and would ruin the stability he had between them. "But you can handle me...", he interrupted his own thoughts, a light twitter in his voice as those soft lips caressed those sensitive scars that marred his cheek. Tenten always knew just the right thing to do to send his nerves on fire. "You can handle me or else you woulda thrown me away years ago, right? So I gotta be of some benefit to you."

He pulled back then, some semblance of control filtering back into his system. There was a bit of a solemn look in his eyes, but it could be ignored if one were to notice that horribly curious gleam that flickered through his eyes. "Like showing you a good time..." Naruto lifted himself up so he hovered lithely over the woman, tilting his head to the side like a playful little kitten. "But I guess I could always step aside and let you take the lead." There was a smile there after a moment, a hand reaching down and fingers wiggling toward Tenten to take hold of. "I like a woman that can take control."

"Whether I could handle you or not, I would never throw you away," she mumbled softly, "You know that...right?"

Of course, there was no need for her to ask such a question. It was something they had both known early on in their friendship, that she was the sort to be loyal to those who would have her as a friend. And for Tenten, Naruto had seemed the same way. So it was no surprise that they had become as close as they did despite the innocent crush he had on her way back when. Because there was more to it than just that. There was more to them. Although, a part of her could not help but wonder about it sometimes. Where would they be if she had been available, if their relationship had been without boundaries or limitations with what they did or were allowed to do?

True, it was her personal belief that while they fit very well as friends, as family, their personalities were not compatible enough to sustain a strong romantic relationship. Still...one can never be too certain with these things. After all, life can surprise you sometimes. It had happened with Yamaki.

Or maybe that's the liquor talking, Tenten quickly grounded out, quickly refocusing her drifting thoughts. "You're too important to me, Naruto."

And with a gentle hand, the young woman reached up to brush her fingers along the faint scars etched in his cheek. More often than not, Tenten had wondered just how he had received them, strange as they were, but had refrained from asking. What little she had gathered of them and for whatever reason she could not even begin to fathom, Naruto was sensitive about the matter. Sure, he would make the occasional joke or make light some reference to it -- on several occasions Tenten had heard of his encounters with her landlord who, in her old age and senile tendencies, would mistake him as an overgrown feline -- she could only think that he would prefer to brush them off as a off-handed joke than to talk about them on a serious matter. And for him, she would respect that.

"I've...been meaning to get a tattoo for a while. I just could never make up my mind about it til now." She scoffed, thinking that her words sounded like little more than drunken ramblings from a girl far from being sober or coherent of her words. However, Tenten continued on easily enough, a smirk sliding easily across her lips. "Would you be interested in coming with me now to get one?"

That soft hand was right back on his face and Naruto had no other choice but to lean into the touch. Those scars were such a huge part of his life, but at the same time they mattered so little that he could easily dismiss them. Just because they were brought up less and less as the years went on. They would always be there; the slight indentations in his skin from something that happened so far back in the past that he couldn't for the life of him bring back into his thoughts. At any lengths they must have been painful to receive. That thought alone was what kept an uneasy stirring in his gut and why he had never thought once to explain himself. Beyond not knowing why he had the damned things, it was the knowledge that someone had hurt him at some point and he just couldn't remember why that kept him from spilling his soul about them.

"'Course I know, Tenny. You think I don't got a lick of sense or what?" Finally, there was a genuine smile that slowly started to lift at his lips and reach his eyes. He was pulling her hand away from his face and tucking it firmly into his, bringing it up to his lips and closing his eyes. Just a little kiss to seal the deal like a promise, right against those same knuckle that could bring any man to his knees or crying off in a corner. "Why'd you go even asking something silly like that, huh? With you and me, kid, we got the world at our feet."

He could sense that sudden twitch in the young woman's thoughts. It didn't need to be said. He could see it in her eyes and face, feel it in her hand. No amount of alcohol could cloud how much he knew Tenten. After all they'd gone through, it was doubtful even death could come between them.

Looking at her from over her hand, a blond brow shot up and an intrigued little look passed through his features. "What's this. My little girl wants a big, adult tat? And this is the first I've heard about it?" , he said with a bit of mirth in his voice. Tenten could pull him in some adventurous situations as well sometimes. So, it was no surprise when she chose to surprise him with her thoughts and ideas. Naruto knew already that his friend was no nerdy good girl. Well... She was. But to an extent and with a fun, evil side thrown in.

Blurry eyes lifted at the clock. Would a tattoo parlor even be open at this time of night? It would be worth checking out and he might even divulge in some ink himself if a design were to fit his fancy. "Eh, what are you waiting for then? It's no point sitting around and chatting. You might chicken out on me before we even reach the door!"

And there was that smile she knew all too well and loved to see. Because it meant that he was not hiding behind a mask like he would often do when things were not going right or when he preferred not to worry people about his dispositions. Tenten had noted this trend in Naruto's behavior long ago, and if anyone else were to watch him carefully, they would have realized this truth as well. In that way were they the same. For them, it was more important to care for others and ensure that their needs were met before either one of them would look to their own affairs. Perhaps that was what made this arrangement of sorts work so well for the two of them, why it made so much sense when others simply looked on with confusion and skepticism at how they would interact with each other.

He was one of her best friends, her brother, companion, soul mate, and so much more. What he was to her could not be described in words, but simply FELT. Why others felt the need to taint such a thing with labels that could never express what the two of them shared, Tenten could never understand. But that was the beauty of what they had. She did not have to.

"Well I kind of sort of need to change before we head out. Can't exactly go traipsing around town in my jammy-jams, now can I?" And that had been the first and only nudge he would get to remove himself from where he was settled on top of her. Because it was not that she minded him being there. It was a familiar position after all and one she was more than accustomed to having where Naruto was concerned. But if they had any hope of leaving the apartment and getting the tattoo done (because indeed, Tenten knew of a place that would still be open at this time of night; she had done her research long ago and had thought this over a thousand times), he would need to get off of her first. "Not everyone gets that privilege."

With the other hand not captured under the gentle press of his lips, Tenten gave a light pat against his thigh and a small squeeze. All the while, she sat up from the couch so that the weight of her torso rested mostly on her elbow. "Now if you would be so kind as to give me back my hand, sir knight, we can be on our way."

"Jammy-jams are a sexy thing, Tenny. I'm thinking nobody could tell the difference if they're on you. They'd be too busy looking at your pretty face." He spoke with a sort of cheeky air in his voice. Oh so slowly his former self was blossoming through. And all by the work of Tenten. Not that the woman really knew about his deepest thoughts, but he knew was constant self-evaluation that he was slowly slipping away from his personality and ways due to work and stress. He didn't want to be one of those creeps that whined about losing themselves to work or life. He was much stronger than that! But he held onto the strings he had with an iron grip. If he were to lose any one of them then there was no telling just what would happen to his sense of self.

So for now he would be the flirt he had always been and totally wreck this beautiful woman with his charms and whims. Allow her to pull him around and throw his about because he knew for a fact that there would be a time where he couldn't be with her. He would get his fill of that Tenten sort of fun because later on, or not very late at all, he would have to push aside what made him him, his friends turned family, and focus on work and school. As much as he hated this he knew it had to be done. Such was life for a kid turned adult too early in life.

But he wasn't going to complain. No. Not when he had one of the biggest sources of his happiness so close.

Getting the message, he rolled his eyes and gave an exhausted 'hmph' as he let the woman's hand free. "But I get stripping privileges when we get back. Can't have you wearn' street clothes to bed can I? What sorta gentleman would I be?" Standing slowly up himself, he nonchalantly brushed off his pants of imaginary dust and tilted his head to the side. He took his time to let his previous smile spread wider, reaching out to undo a button, no, two, of Tenten's shirt. Just the bottom ones so he wouldn't get a good smacking for it. As close as he and Tenny were he still knew about those annoying boundaries because she was a woman.

"Now go on, princess. I gave you a good start and I ain't waiting till dawn."

Right. My face. Among other things, I'm sure, she thought to herself with a snerk, followed by a very Ten-ish giggle as the tips of his fingers skimmed over her stomach. And she squirmed a bit under the feel of them. Despite popular belief, Tenten was very ticklish (only if one knew exactly where to target) and very much a girl when it came to protecting those areas. To this day, Naruto was the only one who knew her weakness. But all that came out of her mouth in response was a simple, "If you say so, Ruru" along with a gentle shove in the shoulder. Just a small one while she shuffled off of the couch and carefully made her way towards her room before Naruto could do much more.

He really was playing with fire by undoing the two bottom buttons of her shirt like that. Because that left room for Tenten to retaliate by finishing the whole undressing scenario right in front of him in a very playful and provocative strip tease. But he had suffered enough for the night, and it would surely be unfair to play their little game when the both of them were not exactly in the best state of minds. Sure, Tenten had a drunken a good amount during their practice session, but her senses were still sharp enough to draw the line. Nights spent in Naruto's company had allotted her with a higher tolerance for alcohol.

Priorities. The night was all about priorities. And with the practice and going over lines out of the way, next on the list would be the tattoo. At least that was the agenda she had planned out while her wits were still functional. Who better to come with her than Naruto, the one who had always been there for her whether she needed him or not (although Tenten knew better than most that she would always need the sort of support that Naruto provided just as much as she knew he would always need hers)?

"Alright, fine. Stripping privileges go to you if we can manage to make it back in one piece and unscathed." The young woman did not even bother to shut the door of her room before she began to pull off the layers of clothing. She trusted the other to know not to wonder back there while she changed, or at the very least would trust him to fear the consequences if he did. "Just as long as I get hand-holding privileges while we're getting the tatts done."

Watching with exceedingly obvious interest as Tenten made her way into the room, Naruto was left lonely and bored once she was absorbed into the darkness of the room. Sure the woman could be so sharp and strict when she really wanted to, but it was her teasing nature that had him coming back for more. Just what was it that kept him so interested after so long? Sure she was beautiful. Caring. Nurturing. A hard worker and even stronger in everything else. He could blame it on their friendship and how it had progressed. He really could. But inside Naruto knew that it was solely based on an intense form of attraction. Too bad it was only one sided as far as he could see.

Or maybe that was just physical. He was never too good at stripping apart emotions and delving deep inside them. Took too much brain power.

Instead he tossed those things aside and let a sort of giddyness take over his system, a wide grin passing over his face as he went in search of his shoes. Of course he would be getting a tattoo as well. Something big and- Maybe a symbol? He would decide upon arriving at the shop. Apparently Tenten had already planned out their destination and Naruto was very much looking forward to seeing where the woman brought him. He had never thought of a mark after all. The scars on his face being far more than enough for him for a number of years. But now he was fairly comfortable with himself and didn't hold such a burden with those little lines. He didn't care about the stares he received or that Tenten's tenant thought him a kitty. It just didn't matter.

A tattoo was a tattoo. Just for him and no one else. Who the Hell cared anymore if people couldn't keep their eyes to themselves?!

"You're damn right I got those privileges, Tenny! I'll keep you nice and safe from anyone else's dirty hands!" He yelled as he stumbled around trying to pull on his sneaker, near bumping his head into the wall as he stood haunched over and hopping until the damn thing was on his foot. It was be a miracle if they arrived at the shop without causing any bodily harm to themselves or others. "I'll let y'hold anything you want, Tenny. Just as long as you hurry the Hell up! We're gonna get our asses in raped this late at night y'know!"

"... And the hobos should be out right now, too!"

Unbeknownst to him, it was actually Tenten's personal belief that while they made great friends, their personalities were simply too conflicting to ever have a working romantic relationship. And maybe it was wrong to simply write off something just like that without even giving it a chance. But the manner in which their friendship progressed throughout high school and then continued to grow when they entered college was unlike anything she had ever imagined. In a life where most everyone she had ever cared for left, it was more important to keep the constants in her life. So all thoughts on changing the dynamics of their friendship had been squashed long ago with the fear that perhaps what they had worked so hard to create could possibly crumble under the pressure should the two of them ever decide to shift towards the next level beyond the platonic. The risk was too big.

Although...'the higher the risk, the greater the reward,' as the saying goes... But that did not mean that it still did not cross her mind every now and then. It was normal to ponder such things, right? And it did not mean that what they had going now would stop any time soon. Especially with every failed relationship they both suffered through the years.

Human nature dictated that people cling to those who are most important to them, most notably during times of turmoil and distress. And with the weight that still lingered from her brief bouts of loneliness, she was in serious need of some comfort from one blond fishcake. Throw in some alcohol and the prospects of getting a tattoo along with the bonding experience that would surely come with such an endeavor, and they had a worth while night planned ahead. If only Naruto could be patient enough for her to finish changing. "Alright, I'm coming, I'm coming!"

Tenten's shirt had already been tossed aside her mad rush to change, her pajama shorts laying in a steadily growing pile of clothes while she made to pull up a pair of jeans over the sleek curves of wide but smooth hips. Grabbing a tank from off the top of the dresser, the young woman was out the bedroom and halfway across the living room by the time she had tugged the fabric over her torso. "Hold your horses, already, or I swear I'll sick one of those hobos on you."

Maybe he had suffered far too many broken hearts during his younger years that it was hard not to be overly cautious now that he was older. Although the memories were foggy and bleak he still could fathom the feeling of loss in great volumes. Naruto liked to act so macho sometimes that nobody would figure him as a man with great fears or a person that would actually run from anything. Tenten probably knew better than that and maybe that was why he could let himself just be with her. Either way he would still be waiting for her at the end of whatever road she chose to take after life. Because she was his stability. Whatever may cross their path they would jump over it together.

Or beat the shit out of it together. He was sure Tenten could handle a pair of brass knuckles just as well as any man.

His foot tapped impatiently once he'd neared the front door, fingers grasping the knob and giving it a twist but not really opening it. He hated waiting more than anything and it showed. "You wouldn't dare. I figured you would want first dibs, eh?" He was too damn drunk to care if she caught him taking a nice, approving glance at the skin of the woman's abdomen slowly vanishing under that annoying top. He huffed once it was in place and rose his eyes to catch hers again, his lips curling at the corners and promptly opening the door once he figured it was finally time to go.

"Now if miss miss approves of our departure? I think we got enough time to outrun the homeless."

A huff of breath was her only initial response while the girl tugged and smoothed down the hem of the shirt into place. Partly because she needed a moment to refocus her eyes so that the view was not so blurry. But mostly because she could think of no way to respond. Her senses were a little dull at the moment, and attention somewhat slower than usual. So it took a split second longer for the young woman to think of an effective comeback to the other's comments. Tenten blamed that on the alcohol. "Of course, I always have first dibs. But if you plan on being more impatient than usual then I'll take the privilege of my care and presence away and give it to someone else."

A blatant lie, of course. And the both of them knew it to be so, under the influence or not. Still, it was something just to be able to make the threat at all, serious or not.

Her head was a little wobbly as well, but the last thing she wanted was for Naruto to take notice. Although, the young woman was sure he already had some inclinations by this point. However, appearances were everything (or so they say). And so when her honey-brown gems met with his deep blue crystals, Tenten could only smile and wave him out the door while she pulled out her keys. "Now let's get going before I change my mind and just throw you into the nearest hobo community to let you fend for yourself."

A short walk would do good to clear up the cobwebs created from the strange mix of alcohol and Shakespeare. Convenient and a blessing in disguise, Tenten quickly realized as the both of them attempted to tackle three flights of stairs down to the main lobby. Because anything longer would more than likely steer them towards trouble. Needless to say, she was grateful to whomever had the brilliant idea of inventing handrails.

"You wouldn't dare." He couldn't even bother to look threatened, no effected by the obvious empty threat. Of course he didn't assume he could read the young woman's mind, but after how long they had been together it would be a tad bit tragic for her to even try to ignore him. Like anyone could in the first place. It was just part of that obnoxious dust-in-the-eye appeal Naruto had with everyone.

Naruto was sure he'd never climbed a mountain in his life or done anything quite as adventurous. Yet that was before they tried to maneuver the stairs, his feet not exactly keeping up with how fast his body wanted to move, or rather tumble down the flight. It was by sheer miracle that they down on the ground floor all in one piece, Naruto's mind still spinning after having to look down a few times to make sure his feet were in fact still moving. The swirl of alcohol in his gut and the way his brain flopped about made him feel all too floaty and he grabbed Tenten's arm just to stable himself.

"Y'know I really rather you didn't, though? 'Cause..." Towards the door he pulled her, that same hand pressing against the small of her back instead, then casually to wrap around her middle. Even while drunk he still assumed she could be his rock. Something to keep him stable and out of harms way. Hopefully. "-'cause... I'll be screwed if there's only one and I don't know which to hit."

Where were they headed anyway? Was the tattoo parlor nearby? Would they be walking for days? All questions he was too out of sorts to ask and simply trusted Tenten not to lead him astray. He only looked ahead into the future, thinking that after getting ink-raped they could have breakfast, head back home, and maybe snuggle into bed together until the late afternoon. Not a very masculine outlook on the day's plans, but he could make up for it by playing protector in repayment for the brick wall that was his Tenny. With that on the mind, he gave her side a gentle pinch and nudged her as they walk along the city pavement. "What's this all about then, huh? You and a tattoo. Never knew you wanted one before..."

"Careful, you know how the two of us are about dares," she managed to say, briefly flashing the other a mischievous grin before balance and the threat of injury pulled her attention back to the stairs, "And considering how our dares tend to end up, I doubt the hobo community would appreciate it..."

The gripping press of his fingers around her arm only prompted Tenten to hold tighter to the rail, lest they both fall to their doom. A dramatic description of their predicament, she thought later on, but a valid source of concern at the time. And only when both feet were planted -- not so steadily but stable enough -- on the ground did she trust the strength of her own legs to move them forward.

"...Exactly how much did we drink?" The question was more a quiet inquiry to herself. But Naruto was more than welcome to answer if he knew. Because Tenten had lost count after the third read through. When it was more about catching the other's mistakes than filling in the blanks. If he could remember his lines to perfection while drunk, then he would be able to remember them when he was completely sober, right? At least that was the theory and the excuse they used to keep their cups from emptying. And thus, like so many other evenings with Naruto, their drunken of questionable antics began.

Whether she wanted to or not -- whether she intended to do so or not -- Tenten laughed. At what he said. At how the night was likely to end from this. Maybe even at how ridiculous they probably looked trying to slowly make their way down the stairs in such a state. It did not much matter. The girl was in the mood to chuckle.

"Are you kidding? I've been wanting a tattoo for a while now. Never told anyone though." But there was never a right time for it. Or so she kept telling herself. One among thousands of reasons that kept Tenten from doing something so bold and daring. So permanent. "It's just not exactly what people expect of me." No, this was not a decision she had made on a whim. In fact, the young woman had put a lot of thought into this. What she would get. Where she would get it. Which shop she would go to get it. Who she would ask to come with her...

Speaking of which... where was that parlor again?

"I think the place is this way." And with a gentle tug, the young woman began pulling him down the street. She was drunk. Slightly nervous. But most of all, Tenten was excited. "Come on!"