INFATUATION

15.

idc if carnivals don't exist in this time period its EPIC!
———

"Oh come on!" Naruto hissed. You almost got secondhand embarrassment, as you watched him lose. It was a ring toss, and he managed to only land one ring onto a glass bottle.

"Oo.. very close. Better luck next time!" The worker teased. She reached over to begin plucking a few tickets from Naruto's clenched fist. "Yeah, what she said, Naruto. You'll get it next time!" You pat his back, sympathetically. You had been watching him play games for the past twenty minutes, and he wasn't very good. So it wasn't very likely he'd "get it next time."

The blond grits his teeth angrily, not taking his losses well. "It's rigged!" He complained as the three of you walked away. Sakura was currently using the restroom. "Can you rig a ring toss?" You asked aloud, not expecting an answer. Naruto ignored this, crossing his arms as he pouted. "That's what people who are bad say to make themselves feel better," Sasuke informed, he couldn't hold back his evil smirk from forming after saying this.

"Shut up duck ass! The bottles were way too small! That made it harder to win!" Naruto argued. Although, they were normal-sized bottles.

"Excuse me! You there!" Someone called out. You all curiously turned over.

Another stand worker appeared. "You, the girl sandwiched between those boys!" He shouted. You curiously pointed to yourself, "Me?" It was clearly you. But, it's safer to double-check. "Yes! Come over, try my game!"

He smirked deviously. It was a simple strength game. He assumed by picking small, weak-looking players, they'd be guaranteed to lose. Allowing him to snatch some tickets with ease.

You looked towards Sasuke, and then Naruto for feedback. Both shrugged. You then nodded, deciding you'd play his game. "Alright then.." You cautiously walked up to him. He bent over to give you a hammer, he was quite tall after all.

He then began explaining. "All you gotta do is whack this, with your hammer." He instructed as he pointed towards the target. "—then, one of these will light up." He then moved his finger towards the ratings that were sticking from the sides. "Obviously, however high it goes, it measures how hard you managed to hit it."

"What's the prize?" Naruto curiously asked, noticing there weren't any gifts nearby. The stand manager grinned. "Well, either you land the highest one, or you get nothing." He explained, and Sasuke's brows knit together at the unfair advantage. "Hey, old man! That means it's more likely for the person playing to lose!" Naruto barked.

But you didn't back down from the challenge. You raised your hand, motioning him to hush. "Simmer down. I got this." You stepped forward with ease, staring down at the target.

You took deep breaths in, your chest rising, then falling. The three watched intently as you raised the heavy hammer over your head, and then slammed it down. You let out a small grunt, as your hair flew behind you from the blow.

CRACK!

You looked down, watching the hammer begin to break apart in your hands. Naruto's mouth fell open, in shock. He let out a small gasp. It was then revealed that the target was also broken, by you. A cringe took over your face, as you decided it'd be smart to apologize now, hoping you wouldn't be forced to pay this off.

"I assume this counts as a win." Sasuke suddenly asked as he stared at the pale-faced man. He looked like he just saw a ghost, he'd never seen anyone hit it this hard. "I-I.." He was at a loss of words, as his mouth went dry.

He slowly reached into a box, pulling out a large bunny plush. Your eyes gleamed. You tossed the remains of the hammer elsewhere and hurried towards your reward. "Here you go.." He muttered as you pat your hands together, and snatched the plush from him.