A few days had passed and Ino was helping the hag with preparations for the Ball. She hardly saw much of Sir Nara during this time, and she barely had time to read her book. Everything had to be perfect.
Well the night finally arrived, Ino had just finished doing the madams' hair and had gotten her dressed. Stepping back she was quiet with a complacent smile on her lips.
"Oh wonderful just look at me, Oh!" Ino pursed her lips a bit and nodded. "You're stunning M'lady." The woman turned around and looked at the girl in her maid clothes. "Well Miss Yamanaka, at least go freshen up or something, this ball is to be extravagant and I cannot have you being seen this dirty."
Ino blinked at the woman's comment, "But i-.."
"Go! go, " She shoved Ino out of the room and slammed her doors as the sounds of her delight could be heard, no doubt staring in the mirror.
Ino looked down at her hands and at her simple blue dress, dirty and full of holes. She whispered to herself. "I… don't have anything…" She muttered and held herself a bit.
"Perhaps I can help with that…" A deep voice calmly spoke through the narrow hall.
Crystal blue hues shot up, only to meet the dark eyes yet again. Blinking Ino was confused as to why he would be speaking to her or even offering to help.
He noticed her silence and sighed and placed his hands in his pockets. "Oh come now, no need to be a Drag.. follow me." He said calmly as he walked past her and yet not looking at her but the sly little smile was noticed. Ino nodded and followed after him.
He walked a bit more slouched and relaxed as they arrived in the far west wing. Two grandiose doors that Sir Nara seemed to just open with ease… Inside was a library and a massive wardrobe, a desk and a mirror.
Ino's eyes widened, her lips parting gently. "Wow, this place is…" She looked down at him as he looked up and around. "This was my Fathers, study…" Ino nodded a bit just looking at him.
Shikamaru smirked a bit and looked down shaking his head, "So you need a dress for the ball?"
Ino looked down a bit embarrassed, "You see, I wasn't expecting to even show my face but the Madam insisted I.. erm ... clean up…"
Shikamaru nodded, "Well, come along stand on this little stool." Ino rose a brow eyeing him and his smile as she stepped up. Shikamaru turned and went to the wardrobe looking inside and then peaking back over at her. "What's your favorite color Miss Yamanaka?"
Ino blinked as he finally said her name. "Purple, your grace."
"Sir Nara is fine…" He mumbled as he stuck his head back in the wardrobe.
A few moments later he pulled out a large ball gown that was dark purple with a gentle lilac accent. He walked over to her smirking at her face. "You can wear this…" Ino looked down into his eyes. "S-Sir Nara.. th-this is too beautiful.. I cannot." He rose a brow and she stopped talking nodding. "Alright then, I plan to see you in about an hour.
Ino nodded and stepped down walking to the door carrying the big dress. She looked over her shoulder at him. He stood by the desk poking a box on the table… She looked down again and headed out the door, her footsteps disappearing down the hall.
"Oh hello, good to see you oh! Hello sir, Hello darling, or thank you for coming, welcome welcome!"
The Madam was hard at work people pleasing and kisses asses. Standing right next to her was Shikamaru nodding at everyone a soft polite smile. Growing tired he began to look around her eyes scanning the crown for a certain blonde…
'Where is she… I told her an hour… damn women.'
Cutting into his thoughts a shriek came out from the Madam as her eyes locked on guest of honor.
"SAI!" The hag wrapped her arms around him kissing his ghost like cheeks. "You look so handsome, welcome home."
The man had a fake smile as he nodded at his mother. "Oh, How did I know you would do something so extravagant." Her eyes opened a bit as he looked up at Shikamaru. "No doubt my loving brother paid for this all," Shikamaru looked down at the man her face not changing. "Thank you dearest brother."
"How long are you staying in town this time Sai?" Shikamaru was short with his words.
"Oh so quick to the point, I am only here for a week, but i-…" He stopped as his eyes looked past Shikamaru, his eyes widened.
Shikamaru rose a brow and looked turned to see what his brother was gawking at. As his head turned his eyes widened.
Golden locks curled swinging gently by a gold corset. She dark purple gown with off the shoulder sleeves and a sweetheart neckline. Lilac ribbons held the golden corset together and decorated the inside and bottom of the gown. Elbow length gloves dressed her hands and a small gold bracelet.
Stepping down the grandiose stairs, Ino held the railing looking down a bit for sure fitting but as she reached the last few steps her crystal blues looked up locking on Shikamaru's orbs. Her golden slipper tripped up on the last step and before she could fall she was saved. Looking over her shoulder at the man who saved her. "O-oh hello…" She blinked a bit flustered.
"Are you alright my lady?"
Ino nodded her lips parted a bit. "Yes, thank you, Sir… uh?"
"You can just call me Sai, no need for formalities." He kissed her hand.
Ino blinked a bit blushing until she heard a throat clear to her right. He blue eyes looked up quickly, and Sai's grey ones slowly dragged over at his cock blocking brother.
"I believe my mother is looking for you Miss Yamanaka," Shikamaru nodded in the direction of the hag who hadn't even noticed her.
"Oh yes, Thank you Sir Nara." She gave a gentle curtsey and scurried off to the woman.
Sai stood up straight now and rose a brow looking over at Shikamaru and rose a brow.
"Why does mother need her…"
Shikarmaru looked down at Sai, "She is a maid…. She would be of no use to your insatiable pockets."
Sai looked past him and over at her. "I have other insatiable needs too you know.."
Shikamaru snapped his glare at Sai. "Watch yourself, wouldn't want your allowance to disappear because of a maid…"
Sai rose a brow as his eyes narrowed on Shikamaru.
Shika turned away and began to socialize again amongst the crowd.
Sai eyes the blonde again and scoffs heading over to the bar.