Hellooooo everyone! Oh man, this update took forever, eh? I'm super sorry :(
Thank you so much for all the reviews! I appreciate each and every one of them, truly. You have no idea how much you motivated me. I don't believe I'll take that long with the next chapter. The story is pretty solid in my head now :) Well, without further ado, here it is!
Sakura adjusted her white bikini top for the umpteenth time.
"Forehead, if you fondle your boobs one more time, Sasuke over there plus the whole male representatives of this beach will pass out from straining their eyes."
Mid-adjustment, the pink-haired woman gave her best friend half a glare before settling her hands back down on her lap. She deliberately ignored the comment about Sasuke. This morning, she had caught him openly staring at her chest after coming out of the hotel bathroom to change. Sakura was ready to call him a pervert when he opened his mouth and whispered, "You look cold," with his usual smirk and an amused glint in his eyes. Mortified, she mustered to give him a silent death glare before going back into the bathroom to retrieve her beach shawl.
"I am not fondling my boobs! Quit it, Ino. I'm uncomfortable enough as it is." She released a sigh. "I shouldn't have bought this top…"
The blonde shrugged. "Quit playing innocent. We both know you want the ego boost. How many have we had? Four for you, three for m-oh, and here's lucky number eight. Brunette, tan, and abs, eh? I think this one's coming for me."
Sakura sighed again. They had only been at the beach for half an hour and they already had a steady stream of men lining up to buy them some drinks. It was very flattering at first (with Ino easily flirting back, to Shikamaru's slight dismay), but after a while, all Sakura wanted to do was lay back, soak up the sun, sip on her mimosas, and calm her mind.
They were at the most beautiful beach in the world. Not really, but it was the best they could do in such a small amount of time. As she closed her eyes, she heard the melodious rolling of waves, birds squawking, children laughing, along with people socializing; others busy playing some beach sports. These ambient noises coupled with the perfect temperature and the salty smell of the ocean made for a perfect place to relax. At the moment, she was enjoying the sun with Ino, stretched out on beach lawn chairs.
She reached for her hip and still felt the ghost of Sasuke's grip from this morning.
She was absolutely annoyed. With herself and Sasuke. All promises she made about being nonchalant and easygoing had vanished the moment she got drunk. And somehow, she ended up cuddling with Sasuke in bed. This was the same Sasuke who essentially abandoned their friendship just a year ago. The Sasuke who so quickly dismissed her feelings by conveniently failing to keep in touch. The Sasuke who broke her heart into a billion pieces. The Sasuke she vehemently swore to stay away from. As much as she'd want to brag indifference, she was still healing deep inside. This trip turned out to be the last thing her heart needed.
A light laugh broke her reverie.
"Oh, you're such a sweetie! Why, yes. We'd like another round of mimosas! We'll be waiting for you here, but don't take long. We're very, very…thirsty."
With a wink and a flirtatious smile, Ino had successfully baited guy number eight.
Sakura suppressed a laugh. "Ino, you're having too much fun. I almost feel bad for these men."
"Hey, it's only fair to make good use of these babies." Ino lightly cupped her breasts and made a sweeping air motion from the top of her head to her toes. "The world can't blame us for being so damn beautiful," she added.
Sakura had barely finished her fourth glass of mimosa as Ino's most recent slave returned with another round. She had to admit, it was nice having a steady stream of free drinks served by handsome, shirtless, well-built men. She quirked a smile. Alright, vacation-Sakura is finally here.
000
A brooding Sasuke stood at the bar, clutching a cold bottle of beer in his hand. He was alternating between trying to converse with a pretty brunette who decided to sidle up next to him in conversation, and stealing glances at Sakura, who was busily getting offered another drink by the hundredth idiot at the beach.
Sasuke downed his drink in several gulps before ordering for another one. As he waited for his next beer, he let his mind wander for a bit.
He wasn't expecting to see her at the dock, the night before. True, he planned on meeting up with Naruto and possibly surprising everyone else later on that night, but he certainly was shocked to run into Sakura at his favorite spot. At first he took note of her cool demeanor. It almost seemed like nothing happened between them; that she didn't confess her feelings and that he didn't make his absence so swift and deliberate. But he realized that Sakura was too cool. She projected an air of nonchalance that almost, just almost, unsettled him. And then she eventually warmed up, with the help of alcohol (though he'd never thank Naruto for pulling everyone into such an absurd game).
Sasuke wanted to talk to Sakura. About everything. About things that were left unsaid. This morning, he woke up to a pleasant surprise. Naruto's snoring from the adjacent bed reminded him to stay grounded. Had he and Sakura been in a private room by themselves, he would have handled the situation differently. With a promise of a warmer Sakura, he left the bed to collect his thoughts and calm his body.
But the rest of the morning consisted of an ice-cold Sakura. Her tone was tepid, her gaze blank. At least when directed at him. He was irked to find her joking around with Naruto and discussing academic matters with Shikamaru. The most he received was a colorless Good Morning. Sasuke almost wanted to corner her into a closet and hold her hostage until they settle out the matters between them.
And there's also her swimsuit. His mind went blank the minute she walked out of the bathroom with that white bikini. He wasn't expecting such boldness from Sakura, but there she was with her tiny bikini top, looking up at him with those green irises. He must have said something witty or funny, he can't remember now, but the light viridian sparkle in her eyes deliberately turned into burning green embers as she glared and left him staring at her ass. He almost laughed. In the course of their friendship, Sasuke had seen her in swimsuits plenty of times and thought none of it. Until that fateful night they spent together. Everything changed after that.
"-suke? Sasuke? Helllooo?"
He tore his eyes away from Sakura, who was happily smiling into her thousandth drink. He focused his eyes back on the brunette who was holding and lightly stroking her beer bottle in a way that made the guy behind her gulp. He noticed that the bartender had placed a new beer on his coaster.
"Hn?"
"I was asking about your plans tonight," said the girl. She whipped her head to the direction where Sasuke was just staring and raised a brow. "You know those girls?"
"Going to that club with the lightshows," he paused, then, "Yeah, they're friends." He took a swig of his beer.
"Oh, to Wave? I love the ambiance there," she commented. She tucked a lock of hair behind her ears. "I'm also thinking about going with some of my friends. I'll introduce them to yours. They'll love your friends," she added, motioning her head towards Ino and Sakura.
She was met with silence.
"Unless one of them is your girlfriend? Or…both of them are?" The girl tentatively added.
Sasuke spared a glance at the duo again and was surprised that Sakura's cool gaze was on him. He returned his attention back to the brunette and displayed his signature smirk.
"I'm single," he murmured, as he leaned closer to the girl.
"O-oh," the brunette stammered. "That's a relief." Her face had gone a few shades warmer.
000
The lightshow was breathtaking. Vivid hues of blue and gold dashed in and out of Club Wave's interior. On one spacious section, the walls vibrated with every beat dropped by the alternating synthpop and top 40 music played by the DJ. Groups and couples intermingled with each other as they danced, waving their choice of drinks up in the air. It was an electrifying ambiance that encouraged everyone to let loose and enjoy each other's company. The other half of the club served as a lounge, containing two huge bars, with the same top 40 tunes mixed with rock and rap music playing in the background. People who opted to cool down from the dancing grabbed a few tables here to rest their legs and enjoy a drink or two with their friends.
With the perfect women-men ratio (in addition to Ino's sugary words) the group had managed to bypass the long line at club's entrance and was upgraded to VIP, where they had their own table and bottle service at the 'dance' section. Naruto whooped and hollered his way through the crowd, while securely tugging his blushing girlfriend along.
For the first hour, shots were poured, drinks were drunk, and the dance floor was explored. Everyone was having a great time. As Sakura returned to their table with Ino, she noticed that their friends were joined by two other people.
"Sasuke! I'm so glad you came! And you got a table too! I know I said I'd bring friends, but not all of them could make it!"
A brunette dressed in a short and white tube dress paired with strappy silver heels was currently attached to Sasuke's front. Several times, he had to put his arms around her waist to stop her from falling backwards. The girl was busily fussing over Sasuke until she saw Ino and Sakura arrive at the table. She took note of how Ino sat down to cuddle with the man with pierced ears and deduced that they were involved. She returned her gaze to Sakura, who was busily pouring herself a drink by the table.
She briefly let go of Sasuke's shoulders and opted to hold onto his hand as she surged to the table and greeted Sakura.
"Hi! My friend over there," she pointed at a blonde man standing a few feet away from Sasuke, "thinks you're hot."
The aforementioned man coughed into his drink a few times before lifting his semi-embarrassed eyes to Sakura and the friend he came with. "Hey," he said, after downing what remained of his drink.
"Hi," Sakura said, a bit taken aback by the girl's suddenly random introduction. "Would you like something to drink?"
Satisfied, the brunette girl returned her attention to Sasuke and pulled him to the dance floor, leaving Sakura with her friend.
000
As Sasuke was being dragged away, he discreetly turned his head to glance at Sakura. She was smiling brightly as she extended a drink to the blonde man.
000
The blonde walked up to Sakura to accept the drink she mixed for him. "Thanks," he said.
"You better like it; it's my specialty," she returned.
"Really? Then I better try it." He took a long sip and almost sputtered. "Holy shit, this is strong," he grimaced.
Sakura tried to maintain a straight face before breaking out in a laugh. "O-oh," she giggled. "I'm so so sorry! Haha. I'm actually terrible with drinks!" She grabbed the glass he was clutching and tried some of the drink herself. After coughing for several seconds, she managed to say, "Well, shit. That is strong! But you ought to drink it anyway. Man up!"
The blonde took the glass from her and downed the contents in one go. Sakura laughed some more as she heard him groan out a reaction to the drink. He's not too bad, she thought.
He smiled at her. After quickly glancing at the dance floor, he ducked his head closer to Sakura's and said, "Have you been to the lounge? It's more laid back."
She returned his smile. "Oh? Then let's go. Maybe I can get you a drink mixed by an actual professional."
The man placed his hand lightly on her lower back and guided her through the crowd and into the lounge next door. As they crossed the dance floor, they passed by Sasuke and his dance partner, who were flushed from chest to toe.
Sakura thought she felt the hand on her lower back twitch a little.
000
Settled into a comfortable booth at the lounge, Sakura held onto her martini as she smiled at the man sitting across from her. He was a handsome man, with short, soft-looking, messy blonde locks that made him appear playful. He had a strong almost-aristocratic face and vibrant green eyes that dazzled when he smiled. Physically, he seemed to have an athletic build, and he filled his white polo and black pants very nicely. A solid, good-looking, funny man. Not bad at all, Sakura, she thought to herself again.
He looked both relaxed and conflicted at the same time, which didn't make any sense to her. She lifted an elegant pink brow.
"There's no pressure, you know. I enjoy a good conversation and," she lifted the martini to her lips for a sip or two before settling it back down, "a professionally mixed drink."
At this, the man smiled and took a sip of his own drink. He slowly replaced it on his coaster and stared at Sakura long and hard. "You're very beautiful," he commented.
Sakura smiled and glanced at her simple, black, body-fitting dress with off-the-shoulder short sleeves. Further down, she spied the rhinestones sparkling from the back of her black pumps. She returned her attention back to her companion and said, "Thank you." A beat had passed, then she added, "But that sounded like it should be followed with a but. So, what's the but?"
He hesitated for a moment or two before opening his mouth…and then closing it again. Sakura gave him her most reassuring smile.
He found it disarming and his shoulders sagged a bit. "You're beautiful. Very beautiful. Hot. And damn funny. And I'm glad you're having drinks with me here, but…"
She lifted her brows in askance and reached for a sip of her drink. "But…?"
"But I'm in love with the girl your friend is currently dancing with," he finished.
She sputtered.
Sakura found him next to her in a few seconds, rubbing circles on her back and offering her a napkin. "Wrong hole?" he asked.
She coughed a little before nodding in agreement.
"I didn't think that was enough of a statement to make someone choke on their drink," he replied.
After dabbing on her lips with the napkin, she reassured him that she was alright, and he finally stood up and settled back on his side.
"I just found your statement interesting, that's all," she said. "Now, I happen to be in the mood for some story telling."
He seemed perplexed by her comment.
"You can start with Once Upon a Time."
000
"And that's that," the man said.
"That's that? That's that? What the hell are you doing here with me," Sakura returned, "when the girl you've been in love with for years is dancing in there," she gestured towards opposite side of the club, "with the biggest asshole in the world?"
His eyes bulged out. "Asshole? He's an asshole? What's he going to do with her?" His arms flexed as he downed his drink and quickly stood up.
What was in that drink? Shots of adrenaline and testosterone? She followed his train of thought and felt guilty all of a sudden.
"Wait. No. He's not an asshole. I mean, he's a good guy. Sometimes. But right now he's Mr. Asshole for dancing with your girl."
"She's not my girl," he commented, deflating all of a sudden as he sat back down.
She sighed. Of all the guys she had to meet, why this one, who happened to be in the same predicament she was in for the longest time? She almost wanted to sit next to this man, hug him, and admit that she can sympathize with his feelings.
Instead, she stood up, reached for his hand and headed to the bar. She ordered shots for them before dragging him next door.
000
Sasuke was ready to go back to the table but the girl kept insisting on dancing with him. They had replenished their drinks at least three times, and he wondered how the hell girls can last all night long dancing in heels.
He was about to drag her back to the table when he caught a glimpse of pink.
"Oh? There they are! They look like they're having a good time! We should join them!" the girl commented.
Sure enough, Sakura's head was tilted back, laughing at whatever the blonde man had said. His hands were secure on her hips. Her arms were circled around his shoulders and they were dancing a little too close. And a little too slow. Sasuke found his chest tighten all of a sudden. The blare of the music coupled with the sounds of people hooting and hollering started to give him a headache.
And then there was silence.
The moment Sakura placed her hand on the guy's neck to guide his head to hers, Sasuke's world spiraled into complete silence. He stood there as he watched Sakura lock lips with the blonde, pushing her body up to his until they were flush from lips to toes.
A slow-burning fury built up in his system and he suddenly found himself lurching forward towards the couple. He was ready to tear them apart until he realized someone had already beaten him to it. The brunette he was dancing with was all of a sudden clutching onto the blonde, yelling You can't! at him. He switched his gaze to Sakura and found her eyeing the two friends in close scrutiny. Finally, the brunette turned to Sasuke and hastily said, "Thanks for the dance," before dragging her friend away.
He heard a tired sigh from Sakura as they both watched the pair exit the club. A small smile graced her lips. Finally, she turned her head to Sasuke. Despite the odd couple finally gone, he still felt vexed. He lifted his hand to reach for Sakura but she dodged away. "What?" she said irritably, before turning away and walking back to their VIP table. His frown deepened as he followed her.
000
"Sakura! You're back! I could have sworn you left with that hunky blonde a while back! Where the hell is he? If you don't want him, I sure won't mind taking him-" a pause. "Away from this group! Because he's so not my type!" Ino rambled, after a silencing stare from Shikamaru. She batted her lashes at him before giving him a big kiss—lip gloss and all—on his lips.
As Shikamaru busied himself with wiping away the sticky substance from his mouth (he quit halfway and declared it troublesome when Ino reinforced it with more kisses), Sakura reached for a bottle of wine to pour herself a drink.
"He needed to take care of something. But he was such a nice gu—hey!" Her reply was cut off as Sasuke stole the drink from her. "What the hell, Sasuke!"
"You've had enough. And you're coming with me," said Sasuke, as he set the glass back down with one hand, and gripped her arm with the other.
"You need someone to hold your hair in the bathroom before you throw up?" Sakura quipped.
She was met with a brief silence. And then Naruto erupted in laughter. They both turned their heads to their raucous blonde friend and found him at the far end of the table, nursing a drink and cuddling close to a nearly-fainting Hinata. Sasuke scoffed before tugging on her arm with a little force.
"Again, what the hell, Sasuke?" she reiterated.
"Come with me."
"No."
"Sakura," he almost growled.
"What the hell is your problem? I was minding my own business and then you—hey!" He tugged at her arm once more and she stumbled onto his chest. His right arm came around her shoulders to steady her.
"What the fuck," she mumbled. Sasuke knew that with enough alcohol in her system, Sakura's vocabulary gets boldly colorful. He found this out the hard way when he suggested carrying her one night after a party, three years ago. One of her high heels broke and she cursed like a pirate as she maneuvered through the wet pavements of a random apartment complex. He merely wanted to joke about her weight (she weighed like nothing), but she took it the hard way. She was apparently ruthless when drunk, with a ridiculously good memory to boot. In the twenty minutes of Sasuke carrying a drunk Sakura, she had cursed her way from A to Z, firstly at Sasuke for poking fun at her weight, then to the supermodels of lingerie catalogs who had absolutely flat stomachs, and eventually to an old elementary classmate who commented that her forehead must have weighed a ton and a half. He listened to all her ramblings and remembered how her soft pink hair spilled onto his neck, and how she smelled of lavender and vanilla.
He caught a whiff of the same scent as Sakura pushed away from his chest.
"Sakura," Ino interfered. "Go with him."
The roseate looked bewildered. "What?"
"You owe me," replied her best friend.
"Owe you what, Pig?" She seemed truly confused. A few seconds had passed before Sasuke saw Sakura's face twist in realization.
The blonde merely nodded in agreement. "This trip was pushed back because of you. You owed me a favor and now I'm telling you to go with Sasuke. You two need to settle some matters. Alone."
"How the hell is that a favor?!" Sakura almost yelled in irritation.
"Dammit, just go, Forehead!" came Ino's almost shrilly reply.
"Hey, hey, girls. Let's not," came Tenten's voice. "Sakura…?" She looked at Sakura and seemed to want to say Do it.
Sasuke heard Sakura mumble shit before reaching for her wine, closing her eyes, and downing it all in one go. She grimaced before opening her eyes. He searched her green orbs and saw glimpses of shock, anger, horror, and sadness. All in a span of a few seconds.
He finally approached her again and slid his arm around her waist. She stiffened then relaxed. And then he brought her in for a quick hug before ducking his head down next to her ear and whispered, "Let's go," in a soothing tone. When she didn't budge, Sasuke held her tighter and ran his hand up and down her spine. He pressed his lips to her ear and mumbled, "Sakura, please…"
Wordlessly, Sakura bobbed her head up then down in response. She stepped away from Sasuke and allowed him to take her hand and lead her away.
Whew! What did you think of it? I suuuure hope you liked it! As usual, I'd appreciate your input :) Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to read this!