Riddle:

Noun) a question or statement intentionally phrased so as to require ingenuity in ascertaining its answer or meaning, typically presented as a game.

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Fairy Tale AU

WARNING(S): N/A

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"This is absolutely ridiculous," Sakura huffed, watching as Naruto yelled at the gate guardians. "Why did I think this trip was going to be a smooth one again?"

"You're complaining about sending that idiot to the riddle guys?" Sasuke balked, raising a brow at her. "You're smart, you do it."

"I thought his ignorance would balance out and he could feel accomplished for once!" She exclaimed, throwing up her hands. "What do you want me to do, your highness? Demand he do the fighting for the twenty-fifth time?"

"He's been great at being a lookout thus far," the irritated prince retorted. Rolling his eyes, he gestured at the two seven-foot men still arguing with a nineteen-year-old. "Go fix it then."

"Fine, I will." She harrumphed and marched over to the trio.

Sasuke watched with mild amusement as she lightly pushed at Naruto's shoulder, making the blond step aside. She cracked her knuckles and began speaking to the agitated giants.

"Alright. Here's an easier question," she stated. "Does two plus two equal four?"

It took the giants a moment. Both of them exchanged confused looks, before they both muttered a chorus of "yes?" and "no?"

Sakura raised a brow. "You don't sound very sure."

"You..." one of them coughed into a fist, eyes darting to the side as his cheeks heated up. "... you couldn't pick another question?"

"Well what's wrong with that?" She questioned. "It's two plus two."

"Yeah," the other nodded, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well... I mean..."

"We only took this job because we never got the chance to get an education," the first admitted quietly.

The group paused.

Naruto narrowed his eyes. "What." His flat voice chimed in.

"Are you lying?" She squinted. "I can't tell if you're the liar or if you're telling the truth."

"I'm telling the truth," he insisted. "Nobody else would hire us."

The three of them looked at the other giant.

"I could say something, but I don't believe I should," he added.

"So... okay, this is okay, we're okay." Sakura let out a breath, slightly annoyed. "If not math, we can do something else. Okay. Alternate question: Is there a 'd' in the word 'bridge'?"

The two giants stared at her in what seemed like annoyance now.

"What part of 'we never got to go to school' did you not get the first time?" The first asked.

"Geez, insensitive much?" The other scoffed. "You think we'd take this job by choice? I have to stand here and confuse people. Aside from you guys, we haven't seen anyone else in almost a week. My feet hurt all the time and I'm hungry. I didn't choose this."

"This is ridiculous," Naruto grumbled. "Okay, fine. Is it daytime right now?"

"Yes." "No."

"Great, we're getting somewhere!" Naruto beamed and turned to her. "Which one said yes?"

"The one on the left," Sasuke spoke up boredly.

"Finally!" The two travelers shouted.

The giants shook their heads and opened the gate, gesturing inside.

"Sorry for the hassle," Sasuke murmured as he passed.

"It's nothing," the left giant shrugged. "Honestly, this is the most entertainment we've had in a while. Can't look a gift horse in the mouth."

He shook his head, waving a farewell to both.

When he caught up to Sakura, he snaked his fingers in between hers. Her sulking expression made him chuckle, and as her brow furrowed in further ire, he tapped her forehead with his index and middle fingers.

"Why are you upset? We got through," he teased.

"I can't believe my method didn't work." Her shoulders slumped. "I didn't think there was any way it wouldn't work. It's a simple question!"

"You overthink it too much." Sasuke shook his head, letting her lean against his shoulder as Naruto led them forward. "We're almost to the inn. We can relax with some tea."

She was quiet for a moment. Then, "... and hot springs?"

Sasuke breathed out through his nose, but the curl of his lips belied his amusement. "And hot springs."

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A/N: Let me know what you thought!