Author's note: Blah, blah, blah...lol. You know the drill people, PLEASE REVIEW! I hate begging :P. Thanks to the two of you who DID review last chapter.


Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Dream Fighters

Chapter 4

"Sorry for the wait! Here's your food." The old man said jollily as he walked up to the table. Before he set the food down, the innkeeper noticed that only Sakura was left of the group. "What happened to the others?" He questioned.

Sakura heavily sighed. "Well, two are getting drunk over there and Shikamaru stepped out for a second…I hope."

The old man nodded his head. "Alright. Here's the food anyway. They can eat it when they want to. Or you and new friends there can eat it now." He set the huge tray down and left.

"I apologize for Shikamaru, please forgive him. I don't know what has gotten into him," Sakura apologized after she grabbed a piece of Nardle and ate it. "You see, he had dreams that always foretell something that's going to happen to either him or someone close. I don't know if that has anything to do with his behavior just now though."

Kankuro chuckled. "It's alright. It is a pretty big decision I guess, so I don't blame him. I just hope you and your friends accept our offer."

"I know I'd love to help save your sister and the country; it would be an honor! But of course it's up to Shikamaru since he's the group leader." Sakura gleefully responded then looked out one of the windows. I hope he does agree to help. Please…Shikamaru.

A couple blocks away from the Inn, Shikamaru was walking along the street with his hands in his pockets. He looked up at the sky and watched the clouds drift by. "Feh…how troublesome. Can those two guys be telling the truth? They actually want me to save a girl – their sister who's a princess no less – and the country from total destruction. It sounds a bit odd to me." Shikamaru sighed.

"You can't be serious." A young man who looked around Shikamaru's age said in disbelief.

"I am dude! Princess Temari is one spit-fire chick!" The other young man said in response to his friend.

"Huh?" Shikamaru's attention perked up when he caught the tailwind of their conversation. They're talking about that Princess Temari. She must be pretty popular then. He thought and stopped at a nearby stand to listen in more.

"She's way gorgeous, too!" The second guy started up again. "They say that her beauty is so intense that it makes even the most beautiful flowers look old and wilted. She's also a damn good fighter, so they say."

"You're so full of it, Shinji! You're always making up stories like this." The first young man said, still not believing his friend.

"I'm not making it up this time! I swear on my life! She's absolutely perfect," Shinji continued to talk. "But the only thing that keeps her from being a complete and perfect angel is her notorious mood swings."

So she is real after all. I just hope that guy is telling the truth. Princess Temari; she sounds like someone I could fight for…and hopefully love someday. Shikamaru thought and walked back to the Inn.

"Alright! I'll agree to save your sister and the country." Shikamaru loudly addressed after he came back.

A huge smile appeared on Sakura's face. Thank you, Shikamaru. Thank you.

"So I guess you agree after all. That's good to know." Kankuro folded his arms and sat back in his chair.

"yeah, you guys better not be pulling my leg." Shikamaru bleakly responded and sat back down with them.

"Kankuro never lies. Don't assume him to be so lowly." Gaara warned.

"Your…your highness!" Sakura choked on her words, and a piece of food.

Kankuro laughed under his breath. "It's ok. Please, just call by our first names, Sakura-chan."

Sakura blushed. "Um…ok."

"Don't tell me – hic – you're going to be saving that – hic – bitch." Ino slurred as she threw her arms over the back of Shikamaru's shoulders. "You're with me, remember Shika-kun?"

Shikamaru winced when he smelled the heavy odor of alcohol on Ino's breath. A vein popped on his forehead as he peeled Ino off of his back and held her upright since she couldn't stand on her own. "You don't even know who we're talking about."

"Hey man! Which way did that demon go? I need to kill it before it destroys the town!" Naruto shouted while punching the air and acting as if he was fighting.

What the hell was in that ale? I've never seen either of them this drunk before. Shikamaru raised an eyebrow. "Gah…how troublesome. I'm sorry about Ino and Naruto here. I guess they both had a bit too much to drink." He rolled his eyes.

Kankuro laughed again. Gaara had his arms folded and didn't look too thrilled. "What an embarrassment. And you want to hire these guys to rescue our sister?" Gaara sternly asked.

"We have no choice. These are the only people wiling to help." Kankuro answered after he turned to face his little brother. Gaara didn't reply but just looked away. "Geeze…." Kankuro rubbed his head then turned back to Shikamaru and his team. "We're going to head out early tomorrow morning, so make sure those two are fully sobered up." He explained and pointed to Naruto and Ino.

"You bastard! We're not leaving – hic – in the morning! I'm going to shop and you can't stop me!" INo slurred again then passed out in Shikamaru's arms. He heavily sighed then picked Ino up to carry her bridal-style.

"Sakura, can you take care of Naruto? Looks like I'll take care of Ino." Shikamaru asked before finding the innkeeper.

"Y…yes." Sakura nodded her head and looked behind her for Naruto. There he was, sprawled and passed-out completely on the floor. Oi. Sometimes I wish I had a cure for drunkenness and stupidity. "Um…Kankuro-sama. Can you help me carry Naruto up to his room?"

"I'll be my pleasure," Kankuro agreed and went over to pick Naruto up and threw him over his shoulder. "Ok, where is your room located?"

"Actually, I don't know. We just arrived here as you can tell. Let me find the innkeeper." Sakura informed then went to look for the old man. Neither he nor Shikamaru and Ino were anywhere to be seen. The innkeeper must've taken Shikamaru to Ino's and my room. We'll just have to wait until they come back, I guess.

"Ung…where…where am I?" Ino groggily asked as she sat up holding her head in her bed.

"So you're finally awake I see," Sakura said as she put the book down that she was reading.

Ino glared at Sakura when she noticed her. "Where's Shikamaru?" She firmly asked.

"With Naruto. I guess they have some strict rules here about two people of the opposite gender being in the same room alone; unless you're married of course. So because of that, Shikamaru's upstairs in their room watching Naruto." Sakura blankly informed then returned to her book.

Ino loudly exasperated and quickly moved to get out of her bed. "Damn! My head is pounding!" She wailed as she fell into her back.

"Don't get up. You've been out for five hours straight now. Because of the amount of ale you consumed, you're going to have a serious hangover and will need to rest," Sakura scolded. "The innkeeper just called for dinner so I'll bring your food up here."

Repositioning herself to where she originally was, Ino folded her arms and heavily sighed again. Stupid Sakura. She always likes to ruin my fun.

The relationship between Sakura and Ino had always been a shaky one. They were childhood friends for a while until they both matured and went their separates ways. Sakura had always been the quiet and shy one and was constantly in Ino's shadow. When Sakura finally realized she didn't need to constantly be controlled by Ino, things obviously didn't go over too well. Since that moment on they never talked or saw each other again.

Unknowingly, when Shikamaru began to form his group, he didn't know that Ino and Sakura used to know each other. He first chose Naruto then Ino a few months later. One day while he was out looking for mission postings, Shikamaru noticed Sakura using her healing powers on a fallen bird and asked her to join. Ino was furious and threatened to quit right on the spot. Shikamaru bribed her to stay alcohol (since he knew that she didn't have much common sense), thus, the starting of Ino's obsession with Shikamaru. Now, two years later, Sakura and Ino still talk much unless need be.

"How's Naruto doing?" Sakura asked Shikamaru. She had gone upstairs to check on Naruto, since she was the medic of the group. He was still fast asleep on the bed in one of his weird positions.

"He hasn't woken up since you brought him up here," Shikamaru sighed. "Every so often he'll flip over or do something weird, though. How troublesome." He rubbed his forehead.

Sakura giggled at Shikamaru's comment. "At least he's fine. Well, I told Ino that the innkeeper called for dinner, though it's way past that now. So I need to have him whip up something fast for her."

"You lied to her? Well…it's not like I care or anything."

Sakura blushed. "She's completely oblivious so she'll never know. Probably by the time I get back, she'll be out cold again."

Shikamaru nodded his head. "Heh… good luck with that. I know Naruto definitely won't wake up until tomorrow, so I have it somewhat easy."

Sakura smield and exited the room. Downstairs in the pub, there was no one except for a young girl – who looked about Sakura's age – tidying up. She had short, dark blue hair and soft lilac-colored eyes.

"Um…excuse me, miss," Sakura quietly asked. "I know it's late, but my friend…she kinda got drunk and passed out from drinking too much ale. She's been sleeping all day and just now woke up. So, would it be possible to get her something to eat? It doesn't have to be a huge meal or anything."

The girl blushed a little bit and set down her broom. "Y…yes. You said she got drunk…right?"

"Yeah."

"I keep telling Jiraiya-sama to change the ingredients in his ale. There's something in there that messes with the person's sense and makes them drunk quicker." The young girl explained. "Jiraiya-sama can be so perverted."

Sakura raised an eyebrow. "Perverted? He seemed like a nice, non-perverted man to me."

"Oh! I'm sorry! I need to get that food for your friend. I'll be right back!" She excused herself and ran off into the kitchen. A few moments later she came back out with a bowl filled with what looked like soup. "I'm sorry for the wait. This is a special stew that I make to help those who are affected by Jiraiya-sama's ale."

"Oh…um, thanks!" Sakura grinned and took the bowl from her. "Please pardon me for not introducing myself. My name's Haruno Sakura."

"I'm…I'm Hyuuga Hinata."

Both girls smiled at each other and then Sakura turned around and left the pub area.

Upstairs, Ino was now sitting up again and was still in a fowl mood from not being able to see Shikamaru. Sakura quietly entered just in case Ino was still sleeping.

"Oh! You're still awake." Sakura said in surprise after she noticed Ino sitting up.

"Yeah. What took you so long?" Ino groused.

"I had to go check on Naruto and see how he was doing." Sakura plainly answered.

"I thought you weren't allowed up there?" Ino remarked back.

Sakura growled to herself. "I never said I wasn't allowed up there. Besides, Shikamaru's up so it's not like I'll be alone with Naruto." Which that'll never happen.

Ino forcefully replanted her arms and looked away. "Hmpf."

"Here. Eat this and get some rest. Kankuro-sama wants us to leave early." Sakura sighed and placed the bowl on Ino's night stand.

Still not saying anything, Ino turned her nose up at the food and laid back down in her bed. Sakura let out a heavy moan and settled herself down into her own bed. This is going to be a long night. She thought.