-Cath-

.

.

Prologue:

.

.

Sakura sat on the barstool, the base of her palms creating a resting place for her chin, as she waited for her next round. Between the blaring music, and the consistent stream of blabbering from her best friend, Sakura was sure she should have refused Ino's invitation to join her at one of Konoha's most popular bars. In all honesty she was having about as much fun as she would have if she'd stayed home to finish the stack of medical reports due on the Hokage's desk at eight o'clock the next morning.

Still though, the alcohol provided her some respite from her daily life. Her senses were all pleasantly numb, a feeling rarely allowed in her profession, and she reveled in the freedom of living outside of the distress in her own head. Even if only for the moment.

Because she was pretty sure it would only last for a moment.

The sound of a glass shattering a few feet away from her, dragged her out of her thoughts, and back into the bar.

"I mean really," Ino whined. "Am I wrong? Sakura?"

Sakura snapped to attention.

"Uh… yeah. He's a total idiot." She offered a smile.

Ino's eyes narrowed.

"You have no idea what I'm talking about." Sakura tried her best to look sheepish.

"I'm sorry Ino," she said at last. "It's just that… I'm so tired."

"I know, I know," Ino relented, stirring her martini. "And I'm sorry I keep dragging you out here every time Genma and I have a fight. I just don't have anyone to really talk to, you know?"

Sakura nodded and put on a sympathetic face.

"I'm always here, Ino. Here, let me buy your next drink."

And so she did, and the two girls sat there until everything was hilarious, and the world grew blurry. Until they could barely hear the music, and every guy in the place had tried them for an easy night. Until Sakura forgot all the things that plagued her. All her secrets, all her pain. All the things that made sticking a kunai through her heart, look a whole lot better than living her daily life.

All the things that made her cry at night.

Finally, Ino stumbled off her stool and slurred a messy goodbye to Sakura.

"I'll see you…. Mmmm, tomorrow, b-babycakes. Love you."

Sakura let her head sink onto the cool bar in front of her.

"Hey," she slurred to the bartender. "One more… please."

The man looked at her, concerned.

"Miss, are you sure you should-" he began.

Sakura snapped her head up, ferocity in her eyes.

"Don't you dare tell me-" she cut herself off abruptly, and hung her head. "You're right," she admitted. "I'm sorry."

And with that she gave the man a generous tip, and shuffled out the door, her purse clutched tight in her hands, and her slinky black heels, clicking awkwardly and uneven in her drunken state.

Outside the warm summer breeze greeted her, as she stepped into the dark night, and leaned against the red brick of the bar, digging around in her purse for a cigarette. She fumbled with the lighter for just a second, before it ignited the white tip, and the familiar smell of tobacco pleasantly filled her senses, smoke leaking from her lips.

God, how she was tired.

And she missed Naruto.

Said ninja, had been out of town for two months now, with Shikamaru and Lee, following up on a Sasuke lead that had come from Suna.

She snorted. Like that guy was ever coming back.

She'd begged Naruto not to go, insisting that there was no truth in it, no point in going at all, no matter how credible the source was, because goddammit Naruto, the guy was just a fucking prick. He didn't need to come back, he certainly didn't want to come back, and who needed him anyways? He was just… just nobody.

Sakura looked up at they sky, to stall the tear that was threatening to fall. Her emotions betrayed her every time. She didn't need this right now.

Sakura's life was a hot mess.

Adding stupid thoughts about certain, unwanted, and more importantly, unloved, individuals, that had up and abandoned his friends, family, and country was not productive in the least and she refused to allow herself to think anymore on the subject.

"You're friend still around?" asked a gruff voice a little ways off.

Sakura took another long drag before blowing it out, and shaking her head no.

"You're quiet," he said after a pause.

"Nothing to talk about," she responded.

And as she said it, she looked up at the sky one last time, a silent prayer for Naruto, before turning her head to take in her company.

He had his hands dug in his pockets, casually leaning his weight on his right side, poised to move in a way only a trained ANBU member could be. He looked a bit different tonight, his usual scarf missing, allowing his hair to blow in the breeze. Still though, no matter what else changed, the customary straw was still set firmly between his lips.

"So," he said. "Your place or mine?"

Sakura threw down the last of her cigarette and stamped it out with the toe of her black stiletto, her black mini hiking up with the motion.

"Yours," she replied, a half smile on her face. "Race you."

And with that Sakura and Genma took off into the night, leaving no trace of their presence behind them.

Yeah.

A hot fucking mess.

-

AN:: So there it is. The prologue! Woooo! I've been trying to get this down for a while. And this is my first fanfic, so I'm hoping you guys will review and let me know what you think. The style of this isn't really my normal writing voice, I work a lot better with personal narrative, but my teachers have been pushing me out of my comfort zone, so don't judge too harshly! I promise, it will get much, much better as the story goes along. But anyway, thanks for reading! I'll update as soon as possible. PS I'm sorry if the spaces are funny. I'm still working on how to properly upload and edit. If you know how, you're tips would be greatly appreciated!