'' Hey gorgeous ! Come 'ere ! ''

I sighed. The whole place was looking at the assholes in the corner. Drunk Out Of It. So wasted, they were propping themselves up against walls, other startled guests and furniture. One of their lot had passed out under the table, only a barefoot with a party hat on it visible.

The pricks were ruining this for everyone. And to make it worse, they were talking to me.

Ignoring them, I turn to the bartender, a middle aged softy named Dai and order another glass of water. '' Sure honey, anything else ?,'' he smiles at me, his blue eyes crinkling.

'' No thanks Dai, I'm planning on leaving soon,'' I sigh.

'' Don't blame you,'' he mutters, eyeing the raucous group, irritated.

Tonight was my good friend Hinata's birthday. She'd invited myself, Ino Yamanaka, Tenten and Sabuka no Temari to Dai's usually cosy bar / inn / restaurant called The Konoha Hideaway for a drink or two and just to talk mainly. It wasn't anything special, we usually do this on a weekly basis. To catch up or whatever.

Ino lived in an apartment beside her art college which was in the next city and sadly couldn't make it tonight, Tenten was based here in Konoha but was busy daily with her martial arts training school or whatever she called it, Hinata lived with her boyfriend Naruto and Temari was royalty in her state.

The daughter of the mayor and three years our senior. Herself and her brother were raised by their nannies though. And her youngest brother Gaara, he was kept from both of them until his 13th birthday. Not to mention all the hassle Temari has with her father's other interest, drug trafficking, gang organising, hiring hit men to name a few. She has it tough, we all do.

Each of us has our story to tell. The scars to show. The tears to shed.

Anyway, the moral of that was that we don't see each other as often as we'd like too, for example everyday.

Hinata had just turned eighteen, the youngest of us all. Being a pretty, soft spoken, shy girl with big white eyes and luscious black hair she was never quite able to handle the attention she attracted but luckily her boyfriend Naruto could take care of her just fine.

There was never a day I hadn't worried about her, she wouldn't hurt a fly and if somewhere where to mug her or anything, she'd be more than helpless. So Naruto was a lucky catch. They're madly in love to make it more interesting. He was her childhood crush since like playschool. It's sweet.

Ino, Tenten, Temari and Hinata were my closest friends.

I stared at the clock on the wall above the bar. Only 10:42 PM. Why am I so tired ?

'' Hey girl, you want another beer ?,'' Tenten smiled at me, taking a break from the dance floor and sitting beside me. '' No I'm fine,'' I reply.

'' Beauti-FULL ! Woohoo ! Over here ! '' One of them wave wildly at me, his hair a bright orange. I shudder in response.

'' Obnoxious cunts ,'' Tenten glares at them. '' Have you seen Temari ? '' I ask, having not seen her or Hinata around the last twenty minutes.

'' Well, Temari was talking to some guys last time I seen her and Hinata couldn't get reception in here so she went outside to ring Naruto about something .''

I just nod my head and take a swig from my ice cold glass.

'' You alright ? '' she squints at me, the lighting was very low by the bar, and I noticed her eyeshadow sparkle and shimmer. She's concerned.

'' Fine,' I lie. She barely heard me over the loud squealing from the gang.

She straightens up then and hisses at the drunks '' Shut the hell up you bastards ! ''

One of them hears her and cries out in outrage '' Shut up you slag ! ''

Tenten's posture changed instantly. Her shoulder arched, her mouth tightened, she gripped the barstool until her knuckles turned white and she screwed her eyes shut, '' I'm this close from punching them I swear to god . . . '' she growls.

I admire her fury. If it was as simple as just punching the living daylights out of them, I would've done it. Dai too, but his bouncers were busy with a few stoned guys outside and Dai was barely recovered after breaking his arm. He was in no state of defending himself.

No these guys were someting special. One of them was close with some murdering gang, The Akatsuki, who'd been in the headlines more than six times this week. Another was related to the mayor or something and another was just out of prison. If any of us had simply beaten them into a bloody pulp it would trigger a dire reaction from all their connections. Well this is what they're claim loudly anyway in their drunken stupor.

I had a throbbing head ache and my vision was lapsing into states of blurriness and total darkness. I didn't want to confide this is Tenten, she'd just fuss over me.

I spot Hinata on her way over to us a soft blush painting her cheeks, while Temari was dancing with a gang of guys.

I decided to make my move. I stand up. '' Hey Tenten I'm going to go - ''

'' Babe, you didn't answer me ! ''

A steel grip crushed my shoulder and I wince. Dai stares at me startled and Tenten was gawking at me.

'' Listen pal, get your hand off me,'' I say quietly. I don't want to cause a scene.

Temari cocks her head to the side over her audience and takes in the view. Hinata froze halfway over to us, her mouth hanging open and her eyes filled with fear.

The dickhead laughs / hiccups at me. '' What you going to do sweety ? '' he slurs.

His posse encroach laughing supportingly.

I'm about to answer when I feel rought hands grope at me from behind. Furious I turn, and punch the asshole in the face with such a force, he fell back on three of his comrades and they toppled like dominoes. His face was lost under the blood.

A crowd had gathered, oohing and ahhing. Tenten was still frozen in shock on her stool and Temari was running over to me, Hinata on her way cautiously.

'' Are you alright ? '' echoes around me. But I'm preoccupied. The music hurts my ears and the lights sting my eyes. I feel dizzy. I'm going to drop.

'' Bitch ! '' his friends scream. I can make out their shapes as they approach. Someone screams, Hinata ? Temari ?

My eyes have gone terrible now. Barely shapes, just random colours.

I hold my head in my hands and whimper in pain. '' Weak whore ! ''

I look up, they're so close !

Nothing. Just roaring red or orange. Pale pink flesh (?) crashing down towards me. And a glint of silver. A cacophony of screams now. I realise its the groper before I click whats in his hand.

I don't close my eyes. I stare uncertainly in the direction I think his face is with a grimace.

More noise. Gasps of shock. I blink and my eyes clear.

Gingers there, his hand holding a KNIFE an inch from my forehead. I look up at his face, horrified. His is contorted in rage and pain.

When I hear a sickening crunch, I finally realise someone's holding his wrist away from me.

They just twisted his wrist. It's definitly broken. No bone could survice a crack like that.

Noone speaks, even the music seemed to have quitened down.

Staring up yet again I follow the hand holding his limp wrist and stare into the dark depths of ink black irises. Whoever this guy is, he's beautiful.

And I've never described someone as beautiful, even a girl. Especially under the circumstances.

An alabastar face seemingly carved by angels, with long dark black hair and an expressionless face.

Something screamed '' Bad Boy '' at me but I swallowed my doubts and stared at, apparently, my hero !

He seemed oddly familiar too. Though I couldn't place him.

'' Are you alright ? '' he asked me quietly. His voice was melodious, seducing, but layered with unshown anger.

'' Y-yes,'' I stutter,'' I think so.''

He nods and turns to the the bastard who's hand he just broke. '' Where are you manners ? '' he asks in the same voice, but it sounds tauntingly.

'' B-bastard ! My h-hand ! ,'' tears are streaming down his bloody face.

'' It seems you broke his nose,'' my savouir says to me, '' nice punch. ''

My assualter is trembling and shaking in fear and pain. '' I'll get the Akatsuki after y-you . . . ! '' he whispers, spitting blood with each movement of his lips.

Hero smirks, '' you little lowlife. The Akatsuki don't associate with scumbags. I sincerely doubt you know anyone involved with it. ''

Gasps from the crowd.

One of his drunk friends stagger forward, a broken glass in hand and he charges at my calm hero. Before anyone can cry out, the idiots on his back, blood pumping from him too.

But this time, it's not my hero who's intervened.

There's a tall, pale skinned (almost with a bluish tint to it), blue haired man with dangerous sparkling eyes at his side, fist outstretched.

The newcomer chuckles. '' I leave you for two minutes and you're in trouble,'' he smiles, revealing rows of shiny white sharp looking teeth.

'' Gomen, Kisame. I was merely sorting out this scuffle,'' Hero replies monotonously. '' This gang here were making an unholy noise and it was irritating me. ''

The one named Kisame narrowed his eyes at the drunks. '' They claim to be associated with the Akatsuki,'' he continued. Kisame's face turned into a vicious mask of disgust. '' I doubt it, '' he growled,'' and making obscene lies like that is what gets you killed.''

'' They were hassling this young woman too. ''

Kisame's face lightened up and he smirked again. '' You're always a sucker when there's a girl involved my friend. ''

Hero said nothing. No one dared break the silence. Hero eventually thrust the broken-wristed, red haired yob away from him and he extended his hand towards me. I accepted it, breathless and he stood me up gracefully.

'' Are you here with friends ? '' he enquired, his eyes searching mine.

I was tempted to say no, to see if he'd offer me his company. But I nodded.

Temari pushed through the crowd and ran to my side. '' Oh my god ! Are you alright ?!,'' she wrapped her arms around me and buried her head against me. I only realised she was sobbing when I felt her warm tears against my skin.

Hero, watched, seeminlgy amused by Temari's reaction. As much as I was in awe of him, I wasn't sure if I should be afraid of him or not. Hinata tried her best to push through the onlookers too, '' excuse me, pardon me, may I get through my friend '' was audible in a strained sqeauk. Tenten's grip on the bar stool had her staying where she was, she was eerily pale and her eyes were wide and seemed ghosted over.

I stare at Hero again, still in shock and whisper '' Thank you. ''

He cocks his head to the side and holds my gaze yet again. '' No problem. ''

He releases his grip on my and I felt disappointed. I felt safe when he had been holding me.

Not even safe, happy. I was messed up.

Temari, being taller than me, had her blonde bunches rubbing against my head when she moved hers to cry and they felt hard and uninvited compared to his electric touch.

'' Sakura, I think we should bring you home. ''

Tenten was on her feet, out of her daze but still shaking.

Kisame watched us with amused eyes and he smiled at rather strangely.

'' Deidara wont be happy to hear you've been saving girls again, Itachi-san,'' he grinned.

Itachi, I assumed was Hero's name and I untangled myself from Temari for a second and stepped toward him. He didn't even blink. I stared at him for a moment, taking in this mortal god in front of me like he was an ethereal angel that would fly away any second.

'' Sakura . . . what a pretty name,'' he said to me,'' your hair too. The colour of cherry blossoms . ''

He reached out and held a lock of my pink hair in his fingers. I felt myself blushing. ''Itachi ? It's a pleasure to meet you,'' I croak. Dammit. Why do I freeze up in front of him ?

Temari and Tenten are watching us, with surprised expressions, as are the audience.

The bloody mess that was the red head whimpers in pain and Itachi dropped my gaze and glared at him from the corner of his eye.

'' Gentlemen ! ,'' Dai exclaimed, '' for protecting my favourite customer and ridding my establishment of those ... men, I must insist you stay the night or as long as you's want in the inn for free, or free drinks at least! ''

'' Thank you, but I'm afraid we have some things to attend too. Your offer is gracious though, thanks, '' Itachi declined, politely.

'' Hey, I wouldn't say no to a free drink,'' Kisame grinned, and when he seen Itachi's disapproving look he added,'' just a quickie. ''

Dai filled up a glass with his finest beverage and handed it to Kisame. Grinning to himself he downed it on one swallow.

'' Now, ladies and gentlemen. We bid you goodbye,'' Itachi said. Kisame just smiled, displaying his teeth again for everyone to see.

Itachi turned to leave with Kisame in tow. Well, at least what everyone thought he was doing. Instead he picked up the bloody half conscious man off the ground and carried him out with him. Kisame took his loyal yet foolish friend in his arms. '' Goobye, Sakura. ''

I freeze. Unable to speak the words on my lips.

He didn't wait for me to respond either, they both left, graceful and elegant. Silently overall. I couldn't even remember them coming in.

Even with bloody bodies in their arms. No one questioned them. And the scumbags left too.

Temari, Hinata and Tenten helped Dai clean up, because he refused my help. '' No lovie, it's ok. You just sit down there. Rest a second. ''

I wasn't in any state to argue. I collapsed in the seat, shaking. The crowd dispersed soon after the event.

Naruto came and picked us up. Hinata in the front with him, TenTen, Temari and they forced me in the middle, in the back. Naruto was shaking with fear when he seen us walk out of the bar.

I had blood spattered on me, TenTen was still as pale as death, Temari was crying and Hinata was quieter as usual with an indecipherable expression on her face.

'' Girls ! ''

He caught us all in a group hug. Holding us securely in his arms, his soft blonde hair tickling our faces. '' I was so worried when Hinata-chan rang ! ''

Though on the ride home, his fear turned to anger. '' Those bastards deserve to be beaten up. I mean pulling a knife in a bar and trying to attack and assault people. Utter filth. If I where to see them - '' Hinata put a shaking hand on his shoulder and he could sense her discomfort. His rage was frightening her.

'' I'm sorry Hina-chan. I'm just upset. '' His blue eyes were filled with sadness.

We all understood.

Temari and Tenten were insisting they stay over in my house for the night, just incase I need them. I refused. I was not going to babysat. They know I'm capable of beating up any guy who came near me, especially in my shaken state. I just hadn't expected to be nearly stabbed by that drunk twat.

They were just looking out for me. But I wanted now more than ever to be on my own.

Temari was reluctantly dropped off at the train station and Tenten at her apartment block. I was the last to be left home. Naruto and Hinata offered me the couch of their home but I firmly refused, thanking them. '' I'm fine,'' I said,'' Just fine. ''

I got out of the car and then opened Hinata's door to give her a hug. '' Happy Birthday Hinata,'' I whispered to her and I felt her grip tighten around me. Her night was ruined but she was more concerned about me.

'' Call us if you need anything Sakura, anything at all,'' Naruto said with genuine sincerity.

'' Thanks guys, G'night. ''

I shut the door and walked up my garden path. I lived in a small house, with two bedrooms and it used to be shared with Ino before she decided it neccessary to move closer to her art college.

It never seemed as empty as it did now before tonight.

They don't start up the car until I'm inside and have the door shut and locked behind me.

I check the clock as soon as I come in. 11:53 PM. Was it really only an hour ago ?

I suddenly realise how exhausted I am and as I change into my pajamas and slide under the covers of my welcoming bed, worn out, my thoughts drift over the night's events and they focus on Itachi before I eventually nod off into a deep dreamless slumber.

What A Night.

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Chapter Finished 22:38 PM 19 June 2008

Sorry it's a bit slow. It will pick up in later chapters and the rest of the Akatsuki introduced too. And other characters like Sasuke, Gaara & Tsunade.

Anyway hope you enjoyed

x.x.x

D