Sal's First Date (P)

Salzem and Kira had set up a certain time for their first date together and the lycan wanted to look good for the first time since... well... since he had to put this on the first time to see if this thing fit... In the ninja world, when one had to look formal, they wore kimonos and Salzem was no different... He knew that he'd regret it, that he'd end up looking stupid in this outfit he never wore, but he had to... The first date was always the most important (or so he was told) so he had to look at least a little better than normal... It was nearing the crossing of the afternoon into evening and Salzem stood before the mirror in the hotel room with a look of utter disgust hidden under his mask. Ugh... It was so loose...  so baggy, he could practically feel suna's winds flow right up his sleeve and pant-legs... It made him feel awkward, uncomfortable... but it was what people wore for these things... The lycan may have been thick, but he wasn't completely stupid and wasn't going to leave (the majority of) his tools behind. With his Konoha headband around his neck where it usually hung, the Lycan strapped his Kitana to his side and his two key-blades to his back before tightening the cloth belt that held up the majority of his black kimono together. Slipping on sandals in the first time in forever, the lycan headed out into the village, off to the Uzumaki's house.

Needless to say, Salzem couldn't help but feel a little self-conscious as he walked around in public with this airy outfit fluttering behind him, even with the civilians around not even looking his way. It was as if he could sense them staring at him out of their peripheral, having a good idea of what thoughts passed through their heads. How could he know this...? Well... it's probably what he thought himself... he looked dumb. He arrived at the sanguine-haired beauty's home, knocking gently twice, his hands not even covered by his gloves, as bare as they could be. Salzem gave himself the once-over one more time, taking in a deep breath and letting it out, allowing his chest to swell with a bit of confidence. Who knows... maybe she'd like it...

Not a moment after he knocked on the door, Salzem was greeted with a sight that made the angels of heaven look drab and plain, his sanguine eyes widening as a result. There, standing in the door stood Kira, her beautiful red hair tied back in a bun of the traditional Japanese style, her lips covered in a gloss that made them almost as sanguine as her hair, the dress she wore was cut short-ish, but snipped up at the sides, revealing her lower thighs and to top it all off, diamond earrings hung from their appropriate spots and short heels covered her feet. Suffice it to say, Kira looked absolutely ravishing this evening and put him ad a disadvantage to say the least. He found himself blushing suddenly as his brain caught up to the image of the girl he loved standing before him, completely at a loss for words.

Kira had began to greet him herself, but stopped, staring at him as he had a moment ago, seemingly as shocked as he was. Instead of blushing, however, she burst into a fit of laughter that made the lycan's face go an even deeper red in embarrassment. His eyes flicked off to the side down by his left sandal as Kira went on and on, laughing either at him or his outfit while he stood there meekly, quietly, brooding in his decision... It was when Kira caught her breath did she explain that she just didn't expect him to wear something like that... ever. In truth, neither did he... In fact, if he had something he thought was appropriate to wear instead of this, he would've chosen it! Ugh... it just wasn't him... When the gorgeous Uzumaki said he looked good, though, the lycan smiled a little bit, raising his sanguine eyes to meet her green-blue's, waiting patiently for her to check and grab her purse from inside. The lycan had been doing his homework (for once), and knew the... eh... proper way to escort one's date to their place of dining and offered his arm out for her to take.

As they made their way through the ever-darkening streets of Suna to dinner, the lycan couldn't help but smile, both with pride and humor. Pride in the fact that someone like him managed to fall in love and actually date someone like Kira and humor in how AWKWARD the walking was... Salzem wasn't exactly adept in this sort of thing, though he tried his best to make it look otherwise. Every so often, he glanced at his date, his unease disappearing a little more each time... What was he ever so afraid about...? This was Kira...

This was why Salzem would let her organize where they went from now on. The two made their way into the center of Sunagakure where only the most up ti- FANCY restaurants were housed, where any good man would treat his girl on their first date. Kira gave her name to the hostess of their eatery who led them to a small table near a window overlooking the night outside. It was hard to impress the lycan with romanticism (because he was anything BUT romantic in his mind), but even he was impressed with the contrast of light and dark, the only visibility coming from the candles dotting the tables. Further still, a gentle, soothing tune played over the whole scene by a violinist, a master by the Lycan's opinion. He turned his attention to Kira who sat across from him, a gentle smile forming on his lips.

"You know... I never got to say it before, but you're absolutely stunning..." He paused for a moment, his smile growing a little more. "More than usual."

Kira would ask if he was excited about his fight tomorrow and the lycan shrugged lightly, obviously nonchalant about the whole concept. Behind his eyes, though, hid some apprehension.

"Not really excited... not anymore. That first fight was... enlightening." He paused a moment, breaking his gaze with his date for only a moment, looking for the right words. Realizing he had none, he internally scowled and simply stated his thoughts. "I'm thinking about forfeiting."

Salzem couldn't help but smile as Kira acknowledged his compliment with a comment of awareness. It was actually rather attractive the way she knew her own beauty... While other girls would fidget or blush or debate it, Kira was well aware and embraced it with confidence. How anyone could find that attribute of hers anything less than enrapturing was beyond him.

"And you're always impressive." He retorted, his own confidence swelling with each word, for better or worse. When he mentioned his possible resignation from the exams, he noticed a distinct difference in her expression, though what emotions she was displaying in those blue/green eyes of hers were a bit up in the air... When she remarked that she was hoping to see him compete, Salzem found himself smiling a little wider, but saying nothing. It felt good to know that she was looking forward to his preformance, to this little show he was supposed to put on tomorrow. It almost made him want to march into that arena with pride and win it for her, but not before putting on a very intense display. Almost.



When the waiter, a somewhat balding middle-aged-ish man approached them, it was then that he realized he hadn't once picked up the menu... He was far too enthralled with the girl in front of him to really even glance at the menu, as embarrassing as that may have been. Kira placed her order and when the waiter looked at him, The lycan just shrugged, if a bit stiffly.

"I'll have what she's having." As the man finished writing down a second order of Kira's choice, she requested a bottle of sake, a potent rice wine Salzem was actually looking forward to sharing. The lycan smirked as the waiter questioned Kira's age and almost burst out laughing when she retorted with a comment about his lack of hair, watching him go and hearing almost every word grumbled under his breath with his enhanced hearing.

With that lovely show making tonight that much better, Salzem turned his attention back to the beautiful Uzumaki before him, his attention instantly nabbed when she mentioned her parents. She remarked that she had a lead, that they may actually be alive and the lycan felt his own heart-rate rise, as if these were HIS parents she were talking about.

"You're not going to investigate this without me, are you?" He asked seriously, leaning on the table with his elbows. Perhaps he was barging into something personal, but he wasn't just going to let Kira go off on some dangerous mission that may or may not have her gold at the end of the rainbow. It would most certainly be dangerous, perilous and other kinds of unfortunance and there was no way he wasn't coming along.

The girl took quick notice in the confidence Sal had been demonstrating since the night began. She couldn’t help but give herself a metaphoric pat on the back as she thanked none other than herself for instilling into the boy such a trait. After all, she was the most confident person that she knew, and she made the trait practically contagious. “Ha, It comes effortlessly.” She countered back at the boy’s second compliment. “Keep up the compliments and I think this might actually work out.” She teased the boy, her voice seductive, the words wrapping the pale boy up before gently letting go.

Kira couldn’t help but snicker to herself as the boy found himself once again ordering the same thing as the young Kunoichi. This had been the second time in which he had done it. “Can’t make your own decisions huh?” She asked the boy after the waiter had headed off, her hands locked together holding up her head from the bottom of her chin. “I guess I’m the one wearing the pants in this relationship.” She continued with 'a matter of fact’ type of attitude. Her painted red lips still still smiling from the constant teasing she was giving the boy.

The conversation of her parents caused a sudden shift in the vibe of the conversation. The lightness was still there, but a soft heavy undertone lurked from the serious conversation that was about to go down. Although Sal’s immediate response to her news brought a weight off her shoulders, as it didn’t seem she’d have to ask the boy to come with her; he insisted and would probably come even if she told him not to. Though, she thought she’d have some fun with the boy first. It had been a while since she tested her acting abilities.

“No Sal!” She said, losing all playfulness in her voice. She had to stop herself from slamming her fist on the table. “I have to do this on my own. Respect that please.” Her tone was hard and cold; surely being a shock to the boy who sat across from her. She wouldn’t say anything and would let her words sink into the boy, letting him thing that he completed ruined the night with his one remark. Just as the waiter had arrived at the now sulk table, The Uzumaki’s face would make a 180. “Just kidding!” She said with a big smile on her face, taking a sip of the sake that was just placed on the table. “But I got you didn’t I!?” Her leg extended from under the table as she said that, kicking the boy softly. “I actually hoped you would say something like that... I talked to the Hokage and he’s agreed to let you come with me -- That is, if you want to.” The Uzumaki took a quick bite of the salad as she waited for the boy to reply.

The lycan couldn't help but blush the tiniest bit at Kira's tone, the seductive, enrapturing tone that seemed to draw the lycan in, beckoning him a little closer. No, his blush was thing like that the first time he kissed her, his face going fully red, more like a soft splash... it complimented his smile. Speaking of those, the uzumaki seemed to push all the right buttons, joking or not, knowing or not, especially when she commented that this would all work out if he kept this up.

"Then... I'll keep it up..." He retorted, staring into those gorgeous green/blue eyes of hers. When she commented about his order, that she'd be the one "wearing the pants" in this relationship, the lycan's eyes flared, taking that declaration as a challenge of the best kind. "You think so?" He asked with his own little tease with his own a matter-of-fact attitude to his question, implying that there would come a time where he'd answer her challenge. For now, unfortunately, all they'd do is talk.

When Salzem practically stated that he'd be coming with the uzumaki to find her parents, he was met with a response he would never have suspected. Kira's voice was cold, shockingly so as if he had told her that they were dead, her words as edged as the steel that they brought into battle. She declared that she'd have to do this alone and that he should respect that, these words causing the lycan's eyes to shoot wide with surprise. Did he say something wrong...? What did he do? Was it because of the way he said it...? Or... was Kira just playing a prank on him...? It seemed the latter as the girl's sanguine lips curled into a wide smile, taking a sip from her sake-cup before asking if she had gotten him. Realizing he had been duped, Salzem's grin returned, laughing himself, if a bit nervously, before looking over the food before them. He was so wrapped up in his conversation with Kira that he had completely missed the waiter setting down their sake and salad before disappearing into the restaurant once again. He gently kicked Kira's foot away playfully under the table, shaking his head in defiance of her question. OF COURSE she got him! He just wasn't willing to admit it.... yet.

She confessed that she had hoped he'd agree to come and that she actually got the 'ok' from the HOKAGE HIMSELF to approve him for this journey. She thought of everything didn't she...? He'll have to add that the the list of things that was so alluring about her...

"Kira... If I said 'I love you', would that answer your question?" His face grew somewhat serious as this was a serious topic (at least for him). "Of course I want to come with you. I'd follow you to the ends of the earth if it meant I could be there for you..."

With anyone else but Kira, Salzem would NEVER act like this. There was no one in the world who could stir up his emotions like Kira could... She made him nervous, but also confident... Happy, but sometimes frustrated... She made him feel these conflicting emotions but in the best of ways... He never wanted it to end... Salzem nibbled at his salad a bit before taking the bottle of sake (if allowed of course) and pouring himself a small bit. It had been a while since he had a drink... With one sip, the lycan's throat went dry, and his mouth scrunched up the tiniest bit. Oh... that WAS potent wasn't it....?

“I know so.” Kira replied back, knowing that she’d be the one calling the shots in this relationship. After all, the Uzumaki was a strong independent kunoichi who didn’t need no man; but it didn’t hurt to have one either. With the said, she was the one who seemed to install this newfound confidence in the lycan and so help her she’d be the one to rip it out if need be!

She got him. She totally got him. The girl drunk her sake with a smirk written all over her face as it looked like the day they went on that mission and he had confessed his feelings for her. The boy seemed to answer her question quite romantically, causing the girl to playfully shoo him away with her hand, as if dismissing the comment. “Don’t follow me too far or you might end up in the depths of hell.” She winked. T’is true, Kira wasn’t a bad person but she sure as hell wasn’t no saint!

Suddenly the rest of their food arrived and the small table they were placed at was covered in food galore. The girl finished off her salad only to take a quite bite from the Gyoza that was brought; but not before dipping it in the sauce of course. “I think I tracked them down to somewhere near the waterfall country. Due to it’s location and looking as if they were headed towards Kumo, Koroshi requested someone accompany us. I’m just waiting to hear back before we head out but should be soon.” The girl took another bite.

“It could be dangerous, but I know you’ll be my knight in shin -- “ The girl stopped in her tracks as she felt an immense chakra coming from the Kazekage office. The Uzumaki’s eyes froze in fear as the person it was coming from was the Kazekage himself. The restaurant they were at was right next to his office so there was no mistaking the source of the large energy. It suddenly burst even further, as it barraged it’s way towards the front gate. “Sal.. Something wrong...” The girl suddenly got up, looking outside the window for any signs. Everything seemed peaceful at first. People were shopping, laughing, just having plain old fun. But suddenly, the alarm bursted throughout Suna and everyone’s face shifted. The heterochromatic eyed girl could almost see it happen in slow motion as panic spread around the village. “We have to go!” Was the only thing the girl could muster to say as she made her way outside with the other panicked patrons.

Upon making it out, she saw Suna’s ninja task force and anbu spring into actions, leading people away to safety towards the underground bunker where Koroshi had taken Sal all that time ago. Kira flinched slightly at the horrible memory. “We have to get everyone to safety.” She’d say to Sal, assuming he had followed along. “Meet me back here in ten minutes!” The girl Sushin’ed away, finding whoever she could and bringing them towards the underground bunker. Looks lie the Kunai she brought would come in handy.

The lycan only smirked as Kira warned him not to follow her too far, lest she lead him to hell... Joke's on her because he's been to hell and back both willingly and not, only now he would be returning with a purpose... a goal in mind: That beautiful red-haired Uzumaki and this was one goal he wasn't ever going to give up.

"It'd be worth it..." Salzem remarked, smiling softly at his companion. "You'd be worth it..."

Salzem knew what kind of girl Kira is... She didn't try to hide it so it was kind of easy to get a general read on her... She was confident, a party-girl, not afraid of speaking her true feelings for better or worse, but she was also smart, prideful and beautiful and she knew it... She knew what kind of person she was and seemed to thrive in it... In a sense, she had ascended to everything man aspired to be spiritually because she seemed perfectly content with who she was right now as a wild, crazy girl who was living her life to the fullest while doing the best she could... And if living her life that way meant leading Salzem into hellfire multiple times then ALL the better because he'd pursue her through it without a care in the world. Whether or not that would get him killed remained to be seen, but he was confident they'd have a nice long run together.

Then suddenly... FOOD! It was all over the table! It seemed them waiters could be as sneaky as ninja when they wanted to be. The glorious presentation of this meal was a sight to behold for certain though Kira wasted no time getting right into it. Salzem listened as he took his first bite as Kira mentioned that she had traced her family to somewhere in the waterfall country, at such a location that seemed to suggest that they were heading to Kumogakure.

"Sounds like we're heading to hell already, huh?" Salzem laughed. The beautiful uzumaki noted that they were still waiting for someone else, someone the Kazekage had assigned, but that they'd be heading out soon.

Kira was going on about it being dangerous, that he'd be her knight in shining... something... before she stopped... they both did... a powerful presence filling the air... Even if Salzem couldn't sense chakra persay, he could feel the slight change of pressure in the air... especially if it began not being so slight. Kira whispered that something was wrong and the lycan nodded silently, swallowing the knot that was forming in his throat... what was...

Suddenly bells were going off, sirens were being sounded, all of Sunagakure was going into (relative) chaos as the alarm sounded across the village. He couldn't have said it better himself Kira declared they had to go, shoving their way through the panicked patrons of the restaurant to make it outside.

"I'll get right on it." Salzem responded, agreeing with the Uzumaki's plan. Meet back here in 10 minutes...? How many people could they save in 10 measly minutes...? Despite his questions, Salzem did his best to direct the flow of frenzied citizens in the direction of Suna's bunker he remembered he was tortured in by Koroshi... Fun memories...