After All

Chapter Four: Liquor Before Beer You're In The Clear. Beer Before Liquor You've Never Been Sicker.

Sakura quickly walked down the crowded streets of Konoha. Her white flats collecting the dust from the dirt walk away. Her hands where full of two brown bags filled with new clothing. She was wearing a red skirt that covered all the way down to her legs, a red top adored her top along with a white scarf that covered her neck to keep her warm. She smiled down at her daughter who walked a few steps a head of her. The winter months are coming fast this year. Sakura thought with a shiver as the street lights began to turn on.

"Hurry up mom!" Mitsuko yelled back to her mother.

"Slow down sweetheart!" Sakura called back to the silver haired girl, causing her to stop and wait for her mother. "Are you excited?" Sakura asked, once she caught up to where her daughter was standing.

"Excited for what mom?" Mitsuko asked, placing her hands into her pockets to keep them warm.

"For your birthday of course, it's only a few months away." Sakura smiled.

"It's four months mom. That's a long way to wait." Mistuko said with a shrug. Sakura rolled her eyes knowing her daughter was more than excited for her up coming birthday. The two walked up the stone steps to the front door. Sakura placed her foot on the wood before gently sliding the door open. Mitsuko quickly ran in first, Sakura smiled as she placed the bags on the kitchen counter.

"Hey. Hurry up and get dressed." Naruto said walking into the kitchen, he sat up on the counter next to where Sakura was standing.

"What do you mean get dressed? I have clothes on." Sakura said, with a huff.

"Everyone's going out tonight. I guess Ino and Shikamaru have some big news they want to tell us." Naruto said with a shrug. Sakura rolled her eyes and batted him off the counter.

"What about that kids?" Sakura asked, leaning against the counter and crossing her arms. Naruto rolled her eyes.

"Iruka said he would watch them tonight." Naruto quickly said, proving to Sakura he had already thought this one through so she had to go out tonight. Sakura had taken the week off from her duties of head of the hospital and no missions so she could have time with her daughter. Get everything ready for the new school year and what not.

"I didn't take a week off from work to hang out with you." Sakura said, sticking her tongue out at the blonde man.

"Come on," Naruto whined giving Sakura a little push. She rolled her eyes at him before walking out of the kitchen and to her bedroom to change. Sakura closed the door behind her before walking to her closest. Placing a finger to her chin she looked around the room trying to find the perfect outfit. she figured if she was being forced to go out tonight she might as well look good.

"Perfect." she smiled, as she grabbed a black pencil skirt and a red ruffled top. Walking back into her bedroom she found Shinobu and Mitsuki sitting on her bed. "Well hello you two. And what do I owe you for this wonderful get together?" Sakura smiled at the two.

Shinobu quickly looked down embarrassed, while Mitsuko smiled. "Shinobu has a crush on this boy we go to the academy with!" she cheered.

"Shh! Mitsuko! Don't be too loud or Yuki will hear you!" Shinobu squeaked before covering her cousins mouth. Sakura let out a laugh as she placed the clothing she picked out on the bed.

"That's pretty mom." Mitsuko said, taking Shinobu's hands away from her mouth.

"Thank you." Sakura smiled. "Now who is this boy you like?" Shinobu's face turned bright red.

"His name is Kyo Inuzuka. He's Hana-san's son." Mitsuko smirked.

"Isn't he 12?" Sakura questioned.

"Yeah!" Mitsuko said, smiling. While Shinobu looked like she was about to faint. Sakura quickly changed into the new clothing she had picked out.

"I think he's a little too old for you." Sakura said, moving to go to her bathroom. The two girls following.

"That's what I told Mitsuko." Shinobu said quietly.

"Mom you said love doesn't have an age." Mitsuko countered back. Sakura laughed as she put a light amount of make up on, before brushing her long hair.

"You're right. But I also said that love has no age once you hit a certain age. Right now though, you two are much to young to even be thinking about boys." Sakura said, as she pulled her hair up into a loose bun.

"I told you!" Shinobu said. Mitsuko rolled her eyes. Sakura laughed again as she walked to her closet and pulled a pair of red high heels out.

"Let's go you two." Sakura said, ushering the two out of the bedroom. She shut the door behind her. "Shinobu." Sakura said, as Mitsuko ran up a head. "If you still like him in a few years Go after him." Sakura winked causing the indigo haired girl to blush. She nodded before running to go catch up with her cousin. "Let's go Naruto! Yuki!" Sakura called as she walked to the front door. Naruto and Yuki where already standing there waiting.

"Gosh aunt Sakura you always take sooo long." Yuki whined, as him and the two girl walked out of the house and into the busy streets of Konoha. Naruto laughed as he shut the door behind the group and locked the door. The five quickly made their way down the road and to the apartment complex that Iruka lived in. Walking up the stairs they came to a stop at the door. Sakura quickly knocked and was welcomed by the smiling face of Iruka.

"Hello Sakura-chan." Iruka said with a smile a light blush on his face.

"Hi Iruka." she smiled.

"I see the gangs all here?" he asked with a laugh. "I got tons of scary movies and popcorn so we are ready to go." The three walked through the door with a wave to their parents.

"Thanks Iruka it means a lot that you always watch them for us on such shot notice." she said giving a small glare at Naruto who waved her off as he walked down the stairs.

"It's not a problem. They're good kids." he smiled, as he scratched the back of his head.

"Well I guess I'll see you later tonight than?" she asked. He nodded.

"I'll see you later tonight, Sakura-chan." he said with a smile as she turned to follow Naruto. Iruka sighed and shut the door. It was so hard for him to talk to her. She had really grown into a beautiful woman.

Naruto smirked at her when she fell into step with him. "What?" she asked, questioningly.

"Nothing." Naruto said, his smirk only growing.

"Seriously Naruto." Sakura glared at him. He laughed.

"I'm just saying, It's pretty obvious how you flirt with Iruka."

"Wait! What! I do NOT flirt with Iruka!" Sakura yelled, her face turning as red as her blouse.

"Sure Sakura. What ever you say." Naruto said, with a smirk as he opened the door to the bar. Loud music played as the two walked in.

"Sakura! You finally made it!" Sakura's eyes widened as she was quickly bombarded by Ino.

"Sorry I didn't realize we took so long." Sakura said. "So what's the big news you have to tell everyone?"

"I'm pregnant!" Ino screamed. Sakura quickly closed her eyes trying to will away the massive head ache she always had when ever Ino was around. This would be Ino's fifth pregnancy since her marriage to Shikamaru. It was like the two never stopped. Ino now owned the Yamanaka flower shop she she was never on active duty anymore and the only time the blonde worked at the hospital was when they were backed up.

"That's great to hear." Sakura smiled.

"I know! I'm sooo excited! I hope we have another girl!" she cheered.

"So I take it you two have heard the good news?" Shikamaru asked, walking over to the small group.

"How could we not?" Naruto questioned. Ino turned and glared at him. "How about I buy you a drink to congratulate you!" Naruto quickly said, pulling Shikamaru away from the mood crazy blonde.

"Aren't you excited for me Forehead!" Ino smiled.

"I am very excited for you." Sakura smiled, as the two made their way further into the bar. "Who's all coming tonight?"

"Like everyone! Neji! Tenten!" Ino cheered seeing the other couple walk into the bar. Sakura quickly made her way to where Naruto and Shikamaru were standing.

"Was I like that when I was pregnant?" Sakura asked, as she ordered a beer.

"No, but you got really pissed over the smallest things." he said with a shrug as he took a swig of his beer. Sakura glared at him as she grabbed her beer and walked away from the two. She waved to Lee as she saw him now sitting with Tenten and Neji who had successfully gotten away from Ino. She moved and sat down at the booth next to Tenten.

"Hey." Sakura smiled at the brunette.

"Hey Sakura," Tenten smiled. "How's life been?" she asked.

"Hectic," Sakura laughed. "You?"

"Same as you. Never thought it be this hard raising a son and being a ninja." she nodded.

"I'll drink to that." Sakura said, clanging her beer bottle to Tenten's glass. The two women laughed as Naruto sat down next to them.

"Did you see who Ino invited?" Naruto whispered to Sakura. She turned and look to the door to see Kakashi walk in.

"I didn't know Hatake was back." Neji inquired. Sakura glared at the blonde woman from across the bar. She pushed Naruto causing him to land on the floor.

"I need another drink." Sakura mumbled and she finished off her beer.

"Well hello there." Sakura looked up from her new beer as Genma walked up to her.

"Hello Genma." Sakura said as she took another swig of her drink.

"So it seems like the crazy blonde invited everyone she knows." he laughed.

"Sure seems that way." Sakura rolled her eyes as she went to walk past him only to run into the hard chest of none other than Kakashi. "Shit," she mumbled.

"Hello Sakura." his voice deep and smooth causing her legs to weaken. She quickly chugged the remains of her new beer and turned around to order another one.

"Hi Kakashi." she said quickly.

"So... um..." Kakashi fumbled over his words unsure of how this date asking went. Naruto said he need to ask her out on a date. How had it been so easy back than to ask her out, but now it was the only thing he wasn't able to do. Sakura raised an eyebrow at him before taking a chug of her beer.

"Sakura!" Ino screamed as the blonde ran across the bar. "I love this song! Come dance with me before I get fat and ugly!" Ino screamed, dragging the pinkette away. It was the only time Sakura had actually been thankful of her obnoxious blonde friend. Kakashi sighed in defeat and went to find Asuma and Genma.

"You didn't tell me Kakashi was back!" Ino hissed at her pink haired friend when she knew they were far enough away from the rest of the group.

"Why does it matter Ino?" Sakura questioned, as the two danced together.

"Hmmm... I don't know? Maybe because he's your baby's daddy?" Ino said. Sakura rolled her eyes.

"It's not like its any of your concern."

"Sakura. You're one of my best friends. It matters to me if there is something that bothers you."

"Well it doesn't bother me." Sakura glared, as she walked away from the dance floor.

"Hey! Sakura!" Naruto called running up to the pinkette.

"What Naruto?" she glared tuning to look at him as he grabbed a hold of her arm.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his eyes searching for an answer.

"Yeah I'm fine thanks for asking." she said, pulling her arm out of his grasp. She walked to the bar before ordering another drink this time something stronger than the beer she had been drinking. She shivered as the liquor burned going down.

"Are you sure you're going to be okay?" Naruto asked walking back up to her.

"I'm fine. Seriously Naruto. Stop worrying about me." Sakura said, her voice slurring slightly. "I'm going to go get Mitsuko. I'll see you in the morning, and with that she walked from the club.

Naruto turned around to see Kakashi walking towards him. "I couldn't do it." Kakashi mumbled.

"Do what?" Naruto asked, confused.

"I couldn't ask her on a date." he sighed in defeat. Naruto sighed and shook his head. He would defiantly have to step in and help now.

XXX

Sakura welcomed the cold night air that surrounded her as she walked from the bar back to Iruka's apartment. She came to a stop at a park bench before taking of her red high heels. "I hate dressing up." she mumbled to herself, her lower lip sticking out lightly signaling that she was close to crying. "Stupid Ino and her dumb party. Stupid Naruto. Stupid Kakashi." she sighed and stood up from the bench knowing that sitting there wouldn't get her closer to home.

She closed her eyes happy that it was cold again. Her feet padded a long the now empty streets, the only lights coming from the street lights. She smiled when Iruka's apartment complex came into view. She slowly walked up the stairs until she reached the door. She stared at the closed door before knocking. She shivered as the wind blew through the open hallway. She smiled when she heard the click of the door unlocking.

"Sakura?" she looked up to see Iruka, he was wearing blue pin strip pajama pants and a matching long sleeved shirt. "Are you okay?" he whispered. She jumped slightly when he reached out and touched her cheek as he brushed away the tears she hadn't realized she'd been crying.

"No." she whispered.

"Come in." he said, quickly as she walked into the house. She smiled at how clean the house was even when he was watching three children. "They're all asleep in the back room." he said. Sakura nodded. "Let me get you some water." Iruka said, quickly as he walked into the kitchen, searching through his cabinets he grabbed a glass and filled it with water for her. He turned around to find Sakura in the kitchen. "Here." he handed her the water.

"You're a real sweet guy you know that Iruka. You do so much for Naruto and I." she said, as she moved closer to the dark haired man. He blushed.

"Thank you Sakura." he whispered as she took a drink of water.

"You look really cute with your hair down like that." she whispered, moving closer to him, she brushed a hand through his hair which was down.

"uh..." Iruka fumbled over his words as she moved closer to him. He backed up into the kitchen counter her body moving closer to his.

"Real cute." she whispered, as she placed her half drunken glass on the counter. She pushed up onto her tipy toes before gently pressing her lips to his. Iruka's brown eyes widened as he stared into Sakura's closed eyes. He could smell the strawberry shampoo she used more than he ever had before. Sakura pulled back slowly a smile on her lips as she opened her eyes slowly.

Iruka continued to stare at her. His eye searching her body trying to see if it was just alcohol talking. Iruka quickly wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her back to him. His lips crashed into hers. Her mouth opened surprised at his forcefulness. She didn't pull away but moved in closer allowing him the access he wanted. He smiled. His tongue ready to explore her mouth. His eyes widened when her hands forcefully pushed against his chest pushing him back. He stared at her wide eyes. She stared back her eyes just as wide.

She leaned forward and heaved, throwing up the alcohol she had drunken all over him and his floor. "I am so sorry." Sakura groaned out before throwing up again. Iruka just stood there.

"For the throw up or the kiss?" he asked.

"The throw up." she whispered, looking up at him. He chuckled lightly.

"Don't worry about it. Go take a shower I'll clean this up." Iruka said, leading her to the bathroom. He got her to the bathroom before she decided she needed to throw up again.

"I normally don't drink this much. I swear." she said, before throwing up into the toilet.

"It's okay." Iruka assured her, as he handed her a towel, and a large shirt and a pair of boxers. Sakura started to strip from her clothing. Iruka's face turned bright red. "I'll leave you to it." he replied quickly shutting the door behind him. His heart was beating a mile a minute. Had that really happened? Had she really kissed him? He looked down at his pajamas to find them covered in her throw up. He quickly walked to his bedroom and changed from the dirty clothes. He walked to the closest opening it he placed the dirty clothes in to washer. After that was started he walked to the spare bedroom where he found Shinobu and Mitsuko fast asleep on the bed, and Yuki passed out on his cot that was on the floor. Shutting the door he walked back to the kitchen and began to clean up the throw up.

After Sakura was done with her shower she walked out of the bathroom, she placed her clothes next to the couch and walked into the kitchen to find it spotless. Iruka stood with just a black tight shirt and a pair of boxers. "Oh Sakura." he said, turning around to look at her. He could feel his heart beating in his chest. His eyes wondered over her bare legs and the rest of her that was dressed in his big clothes. His face reddened as his eyes landed on her. Her long pink hair made the shirt wet causing into to cling to her body. "You can sleep in my room. I'll take the couch." he whispered, walking over to her.

The top of her head reached his shoulders so she got a good look at his toned body as he stepped next to her. Turning the light off. "You don't have to take the couch." she whispered before pulling his along the dark corridor and to his bedroom. Shutting and locking the door behind them. The only thought going through Iruka's mind was: I could get used to this.

A/N

:D That was deff best chapter I have ever written. Anyway I hope you guys aren't worried that this will be an IruSaku it won't this is a KakaSaku I just wanted to and more drama to this them I did the first one. And I feel like I do a much better job describing how adults are considering I was just a kid when I first wrote this lol Any please review let me know how you like it :D