Empty Eyes: Book 1

Chapter 10-Mature Content

By the time five o'clock in the evening arrived, Ino and Mikoto tore me away from catching up with Naruto and Kiba so we could get dressed in Mikoto's giant closet.

Ino'd made herself a gown after finishing Mikoto's and it was just as beautiful as I expected. It was a dark purple and quite revealing compared to many young women's dresses these days. It was a two-piece, the top disconnected from the skirt, and flowed nicely around her like flower petals. The top was tied back around her neck and there was just enough cloth to cover her breasts in the front, connecting to a simple inch-wide cloth that wrapped around the back to hold it all up.

She'd straightened her wavy hair out and it fell seductively over one of her eyes once in a while, but it seemed like she may have planned it that way so Sai would have an excuse to romantically sweep her hair behind her ear. I shook my head in disbelief as I watched my twin begin putting on some simple make-up at Mikoto's vanity.

The queen herself was in the dressing room putting on the dress Ino'd slaved over. I was waiting patiently for my turn to use the dressing room, worried that the beautiful dress Mikoto was lending me to wear would be wasted on a body as plain as mine.

Ino glanced over at me with a smile on her glossy lips, "So Naruto's your date tonight, then?"

I shook my head, incredibly used to her trying to convince me to get with Naruto even if it's just to get him to give up on his crush on her, "No, we're just going as friends. I don't have a date, in so many words."

I'm not jealous of Ino having a date because it's been like this since we were pre-teens. Ino's always had someone she could turn to, even if it was just for a moment, and I've always had Naruto.

He and I agreed long ago that we're never going to date. Of course I find him cute and even sometimes handsome, but he's very much not my type. He has way too much energy and wants to constantly be doing something together while I prefer to hang out and be more casual. I don't mind doing stuff once in a while, but I can't stand constantly being out and about. I guess I embrace my comforts more than him.

Ino rose to her feet as the curtain to the dressing room slid open. Mikoto stepped out and looked every bit of perfection as she usually does and more. The dress fell gracefully on her body in a way that made its brazenness seem elegant rather than risque. Her make up was done prior to dressing so she was completely ready for the rapidly approaching ball.

Ino bowed in shock, "You look so beautiful!" her blue eyes wide in disbelief even as she averted her gaze to the floor.

Mikoto waved a dismissive hand at her, pulling her back up gently with one of her hands on Ino's arm, "My dear, you've done such a wonderful job constructing this dress. I may have to hire you as my personal designer!"

Ino's ears perked up and she glanced past the queen to meet my gaze with her own eyes full of hope.

Mikoto chuckled lightly before turning to face me, "Alright, Sakura, it's your turn to get dressed! Let me help you."

I nodded silently, still not completely trusting the queen after the silent threat she'd sent my way the other night. She motioned for me to go ahead and undress in the dressing room, which I obeyed in silence. Once the curtain was closed behind us, Mikoto waited politely for me to undress. I shouldn't have been nervous because she saw me naked the first day I was here, but I still was and gingerly began removing my garments.

Mikoto's eyes were trained on my every move and her face showed no emotion, which put me even more on edge. Once I was in just my underwear, she unzipped the long garment bag and spoke in her usual kind voice, "Oh, you can't wear a bra with this dress, Dear. Take that off."