Disclaimer: See chapter two.
Angel: The reason for this error free chapter is because of my wonderful BETA Anita Tseu!!
Previously on T.B.D.O.M.L.I.P.F.A.
Call it a father's intuition or call it a best friend's knowledge…but all three of them had the same feeling:
Both girls should be left alone to talk.
It was around ten in the evening, the moon and the stars shined brightly across the sky and the sound of the crickets filled the air. A silver SUV pulled up in front of the Uchiha household, three girls slowly got out; each carrying a bag of their own.
'…Why am I back here?'
Sakura, Tenten and Hinata stood in front of the doors of the Uchiha estate. Each with a tired expression on their face, after all they spent the whole day with a very talkative Ino.
"You sure about this Sakura?" Tenten asked, placing a reassuring hand on Sakura's shoulder.
'No. I wanna go home.'
"Yeah…let's go." Taking a deep breath, Sakura tightened her grip on her bag and inserted the key that Ino had given her into the key hole.
"I-Ino said th-that the s-servants would b-be sleeping a-around this t-time…" Hinata chimed after they heard the click of the lock.
'What am I doing here?'
They slowly pushed the door open, revealing a pitch black hallway. "So…who wants to do the honors and go in first?" Tenten asked nervously as her eyes tried to adjust to the new level of darkness in the house.
'I know this place like the back of my hand…'
It took awhile for the girls to actually step into the mansion since none of them – or so Hinata and Tenten thought – knew where the light switch was.
Finally Sakura spoke up, "…Might as well be me, I can make out a couple of things and I have a hunch to where the light switch is." That was a lie. Sakura KNEW where the light switch and everything else was, but her friends didn't need to know that.
'…It hurts to even be here.'
Click.
The door was closed.
Click.
Light filled the room revealing everything to the girls.
-x-
"…Anyone know where the rooms are?" Tenten asked, looking at both of her friends. Hinata shrugged while Sakura gave a slight roll of her eyes and motioned for both of them to follow her. Hinata and Tenten exchanged looks before deciding to follow the rosette.
Silently and slowly, the trio climbed up the stairs of the household. They reached the second floor which was merely a hallway with ten or so doors on both the left and right side.
"Ino said any room right?" Sakura asked, turning around to face both of her friends who gave a nod in reply. "Cool, I'll see you guys tomorrow morning then. 'Night," she said rather coldly. With a turn of her heel Sakura headed towards the second room on the right side.
"Good night Saku–…" Tenten stopped in mid-sentence when she heard the door slam close.
"What's wrong with her?"
-x-
Sakura locked the door to make sure no one would come in without her knowing. Her bag fell on the floor next to her as crystal tears fell from her eyes. She knew the reason for her breakdown…but she refused to believe it. Sakura held the door knob for support since her legs felt like it was going to give out soon.
She later found herself sitting down on the floor with her back pressed against the closed door as more and more tears fell from her heart-shaped face.
That night, Haruno Sakura cried herself to sleep.
FLASHBACK
"What was that about?" Sakura asked once she and her childhood friend were left alone in the room. Ino was currently pacing back and forth with an unreadable expression on her face, it took her a few minutes to calm down and by that time Sakura was dizzy from watching her friend walk in circles.
"You done, pig" Sakura looked boredly at her friend as her chin rested on her arm which was leaning on her knees. "Mind telling me what the hell's going on now?" Sakura knew it was bad news, she knew she wouldn't like the next few words that would come out of the blonde's mouth…but better now or never, right?
Ino took few deep breaths then turned to face Sakura. She ran a hand through her hair. A bright twinkle came from her middle finger, slightly blinding Sakura. "Umm, okay well…here's th–" Ino was cut off by her friend who had stood up and walked over to her.
"Can-can I see your hand?" Sakura asked, holding up her right hand face up, indicating for Ino to place her hand on it.
The blonde was slightly startled and confused but cooperated nonetheless. Ino placed the hand that she had used to brush her hair. "Okay. Why do you need to see my hand forehead?"
Sakura's eyes widened when she saw a ring with a golden band and an aquamarine stone in the middle. She narrowed her eyes and brought Ino's hand closer to her face.
Sakura could feel tears form in her eyes when she saw the inscription on the ring.
To my angel
Before she could examine the ring more Ino pulled her hand away. "…Okay, you're really starting to freak me out…why'd you want to look at the ring anyway?" she asked, rubbing her hands together for warmth. For some reason Sakura's hands felt as cold as ice.
"…Did Sasuke give you that?" Sakura had her gaze on the floor with some of her bangs covering her eyes, her voice sounded hurt and betrayed. It sounded as if she was about to cry.
Ino looked at her friend with concern. "…Ummm…yeah. It was his gift on my birthday, why?"
Sakura felt her heart shatter into million pieces.
'He's such a liar' She bit her bottom lip to stop it from quivering.
'Stop that! You're the one who broke up with him remember!? You're the one who made it clear that you no longer wanted to be together!' her mind yelled just before her tears spilled from her eyes.
"…Sakura? You alright?" Ino asked with concern, placing a hand on her friend's shoulder, only to be shrugged off. Sakura quickly brushed away the tears that escaped from her eyes with the back of her hand before Ino saw any of the crystal liquid slide down her face.
Taking a deep breath Sakura lifted her head to look at Ino, only to have a fake smile on her face. This slightly confused the blonde but decided not to ask questions about her sudden mood swing.
"What were you going to tell me about?" Sakura asked, walking back to the couch, snapping Ino out of her thoughts.
"Huh? Oh…yeah." Ino shook her head to clear her mind then turned to look at Sakura who was once again sitting on the couch. "Well I guess I'll just come right out and say it. You and your friends are gonna stay in Sasuke-kun's mansion while the wedding is being planned."
Pain…
Sadness…
Regret…
These were the immediate feelings that rushed through Sakura's body, but all she did was put on a smile and nod.
END OF FLASHBACK
With the boys…
Cigarette smoke filled the air, the smoke mixed with the aroma of alcohol and possibly drugs. Music blasted from the speakers making it impossible for one to be heard clearly without yelling. Boys and girls danced together on the dance floor trying to find the perfect 'prey' for the night. (A/N: Okay…I can't describe a club well, so kindly bare with me!)
The only crowded place in the building was the dance floor. If you look carefully you can see numerous groups of girls in the late teens or mid-twenties looking for Mr. Perfect. People were everywhere yet the place was not impossible to move around in. Near the bar area sat four of the most wanted bachelors in Konoha…well in this case three.
"T-Teme, don't you think you should stop drinking?" Naruto nervously said as he watched Sasuke gulp down his fifteenth shot of vodka. The said boy merely shot him a death glare before sliding the small shot glass to the bartender.
Naruto twitched before turning to his left to face a white eyed boy with long brown hair. Normally guys with hair as long as his would be classified as one who was getting in touch with his feminine side, but there was just something about him that made his long hair one of his most irresistible features to women.
Bio:
Name: Hyuuga Neji
Age: 25
Occupation: He teaches his newly created hand to hand combat style in the Hyuuga martial arts facility.
Background: He is Hinata's elder cousin
He 'admires' a certain girl in buns
He could care less of who you think about his long hair.
Other: He shall also inherit half of the Hyuuga martial arts facility along with Hinata.
"Ne, Neji tell teme to stop drinking," he asked, tugging on the boy's sleeve.
Neji, as always, ignored the blonde's request and simply took a gulp from his drink. "Let him be," the brown-haired boy stated.
Naruto rolled his eyes. He looked past Neji where another boy with spiky hair sat.
Bio:
Name: Nara Shikamaru
Age: 23
Occupation: He creates new high tech weapons which are only sold in 'Weapons R' Us'
Background: He nearly failed most of his high school classes due to his laziness
He can solve a Rubik's cube in 1 minute.
He enjoys watching clouds.
Other: He is famous for his extremely high IQ
"Shikama –"
"Too troublesome…"
Sighing in defeat Naruto slammed his forehead on the table. The night he had planned was not going as smoothly as he had thought.
-x-
"She-she j-just left."
"His breath stinks!!"
"Shhh! It's one thirty in the morning, Naruto!"
"Sh-e-e just t-took off and-and left!"
'Click'
"Teme! Get your hands off my ass!!"
"Damn it Naruto shut up!"
"But–"
Though it was dark Naruto could clearly see the-less-famous-than-Uchiha, Hyuuga death glare, which automatically made him shut his loud mouth.
"Troublesome drunk," muttered Shikamaru who was supporting Sasuke on his right side while Naruto supported his left.
"She-she lied about ev-ery-thing!"Sasuke said moving from side to side.
"Shit! Teme hold still before we drop you!"
Naruto and Shikamaru were having a hell of a time trying to balance Sasuke while climbing up the stairs. When they finally reached the top Sasuke began to sway violently from side to side.
"Have you ever had your heart ripped out Dobe?"Sasuke asked, his voice slurred.
Naruto just stared up at him dumbly, "Uh…no?"
"Lucky bastard." Sasuke stumbled forward and would have fallen face first onto the floor if it wasn't for Naruto and Shikamaru. "It's not a nice feeling ya know? Especially if it gets stomped on after."
"Oi! Neji! Get your ass up here and help us!" Shikamaru yelled in a whisper. The white-eyed Hyuuga rolled his eyes then slowly climbed up the stairs. 'The sooner he's in bed, the sooner I can leave.'
Neji stopped two steps behind the trio. "You're gonna have to move aside for me to get there," he stated.
"Smart ass," Shikamaru muttered under his breath before letting go of Sasuke's arm, letting it fall limply on his side. This caused the blonde to stumble. "Holy–!" Naruto tried his best to keep his balance as Sasuke's right side almost hit the floor.
-x-
Once all four of the boys were on the stable ground of the second floor, they looked around. "Anyone know which room is Uchiha's?" Neji asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Who cares, just pick one and let's dump him there. I can't stand his breath!" Naruto complained, adjusting his grip on Sasuke's arm.
"Considering he took twenty five shots of vodka I'm surprised he's still conscious," Shikamaru stated, tightening his grip on Sasuke's other arm.
"It sucks to have your heart broken!"
"Whatever you say teme. Oi! Neji, pick a room already!!" Naruto barked, which he later regretted after receiving another glare from the Hyuuga. Neji went to the door nearest to him, which was the second door on his left. He twisted the doorknob and pushed the door open.
"Just drop him here; I can see a bed at the corner of the room."
Shikamaru and Naruto, with much struggle, walked inside the room and dropped the raven-haired boy on the bed. Naruto stretched his back and sighed in relief, "Damn it teme, how much do you weigh?!"
Sasuke had his head buried on a pillow while still mumbling none sense. Shikamaru raised an eyebrow. "Think he'll choke to death?" he asked, slightly amused when the drunken boy waved his finger around.
"Hopefully…" Neji replied, crossing his arms with a smirk on his face. The blonde merely sighed and rolled Sasuke over, allowing the said boy to breathe in the needed amount of air all the while mumbling something about 'broken hearts'.
"Well, this is where we'll leave you teme. You're gonna have a hell of a hang over tomorrow so…" Naruto felt through Sasuke's pockets looking for his phone. After acquiring the object he switched it off and placed in on the bedside table. "…try not to call any of us." That said, the three sane boys walked out of the room, quietly closing the door behind them.
"What's up with the Uchiha?" Neji asked once they were all piled up in his car.
"I know what you mean. I never thought I'd see the day when THE Uchiha Sasuke becomes intoxicated…twice," Shikamaru agreed, placing on his seatbelt from the passenger seat. Both of the boys waited for the witty remark from their blonde friend, but when Neji pulled away from the driveway and still no insult, they immediately knew that something was going on.
Naruto sat quietly in the backseat twiddling his fingers, his eyes darting up to left, right to down, left to right and up to down, basically anywhere other than the two boys who both had their piercing gazes on him.
"Naruto…" Shikamaru began.
"I don't know anything!" the blonde blurted out, receiving a suspicious stare from Shikamaru. "Never said you did," he sated in a matter-of-fact tone. Naruto looked at Neji who had his eyes back on the road but would glance at the rearview mirror from time to time.
"So tell me Naruto, what has Sasuke done in preparation for his wedding?" Shikamaru, who still had his eyes on the fidgeting blonde, asked.
Naruto gave a small shrug. "He hired a wedding planner"
"Really? I thought that He'd rather plan the wedding himself? I mean…if he hired a planner that must mean he has complete faith in that person…"
"Of course he does! Teme has yet to doubt Sakura-chan!"
SCREEEECH!!
The car came to a sudden halt, causing Naruto to bump his head on the back of Shikamaru's seat. Lucky for Shikamaru he was able to get a firm grip on the handle at the top of the window to prevent him from flying towards the glove compartment of the car.
"OW! Neji, what the hell!?" Naruto yelled rubbing his nose, sitting himself right back up.
"Haruno's what?" the white-eyed boy demanded, now having his full attention on Naruto.
'Oh, shit!' were Naruto's immediate thoughts.
"So, Sakura's planning Uchiha's wedding, eh? This ought to be fun," Shikamaru said with a smirk. "How'd you know about it Naruto?" the boy genius added.
"Uhh, when I went over to ask if Teme wanted to go out with us, I saw her, Tenten and Hinata-chan talking to him, Ino and Ino's dad." He took a quick pause, debating whether or not he should continue the story. Thinking that the two boys would find out sooner or later, he went on, "Well, he accepted so quickly which kinda shocked me. But then I remembered the 'incident' he and Sakura-chan had which would…" Naruto trailed of, allowing the two men to fill in the blanks.
"...explain the drinking." Neji finished as he resumed driving.
A few moments of silence filled the car before Shikamaru decided to break it. "You guys know what this means don't you?"
He took a pause.
"All hell's gonna break loose within these next few months."
-x-
All was quiet and calm inside the walls of the Uchiha mansion. All except for one room, where the owner of the mansion happened to be in. Sasuke tossed and turned on his bed, clutching his blanket close to him. His face was scrunched up; eyebrows crossed and mouth in a frown. Small moans of agony would escape from his lips every now and then and his breathing was shallow and fast. In short, our dear Uchiha was having a nightmare.
SASUKE'S DREAM
Rain poured down, thunder and lightning danced together in the sky, but that didn't matter, because tonight was the night before the engagement party. Sasuke looked at his reflection on the floor length mirror; he was wearing a black jacket with a white shirt underneath, his black pants and black shoes completed his I'm-too-cool-for-you persona.
He straightened out the sleeves of the jacket then smirked to himself. By this time, tomorrow the whole world would know that she belongs to him. He slumped down on a leather upholstered seat. His gaze fell on a golden frame holding a picture of a pink-haired beauty smiling warmly at him.
Sasuke's thoughts were broken by the ring of the doorbell. He immediately stood up and looked at his reflection on the mirror once again. Something told him that the visitor was for him.
'She just can't wait for me can she?' Sasuke smirked at the thought.
"Come in."
The wooden door slowly creaked open revealing a rain-drenched Sakura; her pink hair clung onto her heart-shaped face, her make-up smeared and her brown coat stuck on her body like glue. Sasuke saw her reflection on the mirror and immediately turned around.
"Sakura what happened to you?" he asked worriedly, walking towards his fiancé.
The pink-haired girl however, backed away with every step he took.
"Sakura what's the matter? You're shaking..." Sasuke said, studying Sakura's current state. The rosette merely shook her head.
"…I-I'm sorry, Sa-Sas-Sasuke…" she began.
The onyx-haired man raised an eyebrow. 'Sasuke?' What happened to the suffix that he loved to hear? Something was definitely wrong.
Agony would best describe what he felt for the next few minutes of his life.
"I can't do this…"
"Do what? Sakura, what's wrong?"
"I can't marry you."
Those four words hurt him more than anything else in the world. He stood still for awhile, not knowing what to do as his whole world crashed down on him. Sakura took this chance to run away. She was about to push the front door open when a hand grabbed her by the shoulder and spun her around.
Emerald met onyx.
Sakura tried to pry her arm away from his iron grip. Alas, he was just too strong for her.
"Let me go Sasuke."
"Tell me that you're joking. This has to be a joke right?" Sasuke demanded, tightening his grip on her arm, causing Sakura to flinch in pain.
"Ah! Sasuke-kun! It hurts!" she pleaded, tears falling from her eyes. The sound of the familiar suffix brought him back to reality. He quickly let go of her arm, his long bangs hiding his eyes.
"Please forgive me…" she said in between sobs before rushing out of the mansion. The cold rain drops hit her fragile body; she didn't really mind, all she wanted to do was to get out of there as fast as possible. Sakura ran as fast as her legs could take her. Once she saw the outline of her car her nerves became slightly calm.
'…I'm sorry.' Warm teardrops fell from her face, mixing with the ice cold rain. Just as she thought she was home free, two hands grabbed her by the shoulders and spun her around. She didn't have time to see who it was, but the feeling of the warm and caste lips on her petal soft ones was all she needed to know who it was.
'Sasuke…'
Sakura tried to resist as much as she could, but the taste of his lips made her mind swirl, resulting to her kissing him back. She encircled her arms around his neck to deepen the kiss while he wrapped his arms around her waist, bringing her closer to him.
The need for air forced the two lovers to break apart. Her sad emerald eyes met his confused onyx ones. They just stood there, looking deep into each other's eyes. Thunder and lighting crashed down and only then was Sakura brought back to reality – she can no longer be his.
She pushed herself away from him. "I'm sorry..." Sakura took a few steps backward before Sasuke captured her wrist. "Did I do something wrong?"
Sakura merely shook her head. "Let me go Sasuke…its over." Tears fell from her eyes which the onyx-haired boy failed to notice due to the rain.
Sasuke knew something was wrong, she would never leave him…much more leave him without a reason.
He didn't want to do it, but if it was the only way to get her to talk to him then so be it. Slowly, Sasuke got down on both knees-still holding Sakura's hand- and begged her not to leave. He swore that he would never beg, hell he didn't even see himself beg in his dreams! But if this was the only way to get her to talk to him-then so be it.
Sakura's eyes widened when she realized what he was about to do. 'Don't do this Sasuke please…' Her hands balled into tight fists as she tried to pull away from his grip.
"Please…" he repeated, his hold on her slowly fading. It broke her heart to see him like this. He was actually begging her! Why does he have to make things so damn hard?
"I'm sorry…" With one last tug, Sakura was finally able to free herself from his grasp and run to her car.
Leaving him there.
Alone in the rain.
Alone in the world.
END OF SASUKE'S DREAM
Sasuke immediately shot up from his bed, cold sweat trickling down his face. His mind played his nightmare over and over.
Anita's Note: -almost cries after she beta'd this chapter- So sad! It's a little OOC too! T-T … Ha, Sasuke was drunk xD. I still wonder why Sakura said she can't marry Sasuke...Maybe I'll ask our dear authoress, Angelsorceress for the answer that I'm sure you all are wondering about.
Angel: Thanks to Anita who changed the time limit of Shikamarus rubicks cube solving! I just placed a random number there, honestly hehehehe! Also…the answer to that wonderful question you have Anita shall be revealed in the future chapters!! Hehehe!! Till then my dear readers please read and review!!