A/N: Hey everyone… I apologise if this chapter isn't as good as you want it to be. My mate has just passed away in a car accident and I haven't really been myself. I took a day off school to think about things and decided to write this chapter to get it out of the way so I could focus on some stuff. So yeah. Hope it isn't too bad.
I do not own Naruto. Everything belongs to Masashi Kishimoto.
"Hurry up Ino, we're about to leave!" Temari called from the front door. She was starting to get frustrated; sometimes waiting on Ino was painful. Sakura, Hinata and Temari had all been ready for over half an hour, and even though Ino started to get ready long before them, she was still the last to finish.
"Beauty takes time!" she called out from her bathroom. They all rolled their eyes and stood impatiently at her front door. Kiba's party had started half an hour ago and they were all just ready to hurry up and leave.
"I'm counting down from ten Ino, and if you're not down here, we're leaving without you!"
Sakura couldn't agree more with Temari at this point. Sakura was the most excited out of the group, and couldn't be more eager to get there. She had made sure she looked good; her small, tight, white cocktail dress was bound to impress anyone and everyone at the party.
"Four, three, two… one! That's it, we're leaving!"
As the three girls were about to exit through the front door of Ino's house, the blonde finally decided on getting ready and strutted down the stairs. Once she was at the bottom she struck a pose by putting her hand on her waist and cocking her hip out to the side. She wore the tiniest strapless black dress Sakura had ever seen in, with extremely high silver stilettos. "Well, how do I look?"
Like a slut Sakura wanted to say, but it was her best friend, and she wasn't going to insult her. "You look hot Ino, now can we please hurry up and leave?" Sakura replied as she tapped her foot.
At last the group of four found themselves walking down the street on their way to Kiba's. Sakura looked around and could also see that students form her year and the years below were also walking there, carrying there alcohol beside them in their hands, and yelling and stuffing aound. She thought that was a dumb idea seeing as the police could be anywhere, and they were all underage. The other three girls had been smart and hid their alcohol in their purses so it wasn't obvious, but Sakura didn't bring any alcohol; drinking wasn't her thing. Not after watching what it did to her father. She knew she could have a perfectly good time at a party without drinking.
"So who's getting with who tonight ladies?" Ino said slyly as she continued to strut along the street.
Temari rolled her eyes. "It's pretty obvious, isn't it?"
"Well it's obvious when it comes to Naruto and Hinata…" Hinata blushed at Ino's comment. "And I'm presuming Sakura will be with Kiba?"
"Maybe, maybe not…" the pinkette replied. She hadn't told anyone about the make out session that Sakura and Kiba had had the night before, but still smiled brightly at the thought of it. She thought about telling them but knew that Temari would only disapprove and Ino would go and tell everyone. Hinata would probably be the only one that would listen, but she didn't get to see much of her anymore, she was always with Naruto.
"As if you won't," Ino continued as she nudged Sakura in the arm in jest. "You totally like him, and if you don't make your move on him tonight, I will."
Sakura's brows furrowed with jealousy. Why would she say something like that? She knew her friend was promiscuous, but not to the point where she would steal the boy her best friend likes. She appreciated what Ino had done to get them this far but did not like it at all when Ino made that comment. Sakura was extremely excited to spend the night with Kiba and didn't want Ino to wreck it with a comment like that. "Uh, I don't think so Ino."
Ino smirked mischievously and couldn't help but laugh at how serious her best friend had taken her comment. "Relax Sakura, it was only meant to get you to talk to him."
"Yeah I know," she replied, but still not fully sure that she was telling the truth. If Ino hadn't slept with Kiba in the past she probably would have believed her, but because she had, made her wonder.
After a few more minutes of walking the four girls had finally arrived at the giant mansion in which Kiba lived. The house was full of people, with people socialising in the yard, on the balcony, and there were even a few drunken idiots jumping off of his roof and into the pool out the back. Loud music blared from inside the house and pretty much everyone seemed drunk, but the house didn't look like it was too trashed, yet.
They walked inside the front door and made their way past crowds of people, couples were making out against the walls, and a group of boys were chanting loudly as they played some sort of drinking game in the kitchen. A few of the boys were even eyeing Sakura up and down, pleased with what they saw. "The party has arrived!" Ino yelled as she made her way over to a group of older boys. They welcomed her with open arms but it made Sakura wonder if they even knew her.
She looked to her side and already realised Naruto with Hinata. "Hey Naruto," Sakura smiled as she stood next to the two. She could tell he had been drinking but he wasn't drunk yet.
"Sakura!" he yelled before embracing his cousin with a hug. "I actually have to ask you something,"
Sakura raised a brow. "Ask me what?"
"It's not true about you and Kiba is it? Surely someone as smart as you wouldn't be falling for a jerk like him!"
She rolled her eyes at her over protective cousin. Here was another person trying to warn her about Kiba. She was starting to get sick of every one of her friends disapproving of him, he wasn't even that bad! "Relax Naruto; I know what I'm doing. I've already heard enough of this from Shikamaru and Temari, I don't need any more parenting."
She smiled and waved at the two before walking away, not giving Naruto the chance to reply. She wanted to come here and have fun tonight, spend time with Kiba, and not be fathered by her cousin. She had been looking forward to this party all day and wasn't going to let anyone ruin it.
The amount of drunken teens stumbling around the place started to remind Sakura of home. Although they weren't violent they were starting to make a mess of Kiba's house, and she didn't really think that Kiba would like it. Speaking of Kiba, Sakura looked around and couldn't find him anywhere. She realised she was standing by herself; Temari must have wandered off somewhere and Ino and Hinata were with boys. Well, this is just great, she thought as she leant against the wall with her arms folded. She rolled her eyes as she saw Zaku stumble over to her with a sickening grin on his face. He was one of the last people she wanted to see. What the hell is he even doing here? Surely he wouldn't have received an invite.
"Well well well, Sakura's looking good enough to eat," he slurred as he almost stumbled on top of her.
"Get off me Zaku, you're gross." She replied shortly. She turned her head to the side to try and ignore him, but he didn't stop.
"Aw come on love, you know you want me."
"Ew, you have got to be kidding!" she scoffed as she glared at him in disgust. So far her night wasn't going as she had planned.
But all of a sudden she saw two strong hands push Zaku to the ground and a familiar voice appeared from behind him. "Back off dude, this girl is mine,"
She smiled when she saw Kiba and felt a warm feeling inside when he had protected her like that. But the warm happy feeling started to disappear when she realised he was in no better state than Zaku was. He reeked of alcohol and was slightly slurring his words as he placed a hand upon her hip. He leaned in close to her and their foreheads were just touching, the smell of vodka escaping his lips and drifting upon her skin.
"Well he was right about the part where you look good enough to eat," he said as he planted a kiss on her lips. The kiss was forced and rough, it was different to the other times he had kissed her, and Sakura didn't know if she liked it. Most of his body weight was resting on her now, and she had to push him off so she could breathe again, much to his disappointment. "What's wrong pink? Afraid to show a bit of public affection?"
"It's not that Kiba," she quietened her voice so it didn't sound like she was trying to cause an argument. "You're drunk."
"Well of course I am, it's a party."
"Hmm." She said as she folded her arms. Now she was upset. She had been looking forward to this night all day, and every vision she had in her head about what it would be like was fading fast. It was nothing like she wanted it to be.
Kiba noticed that Sakura didn't have a drink in her hand, and from the way she was acting, he knew she hadn't even had one all night.
"Oh I get it," he said as he leaned closer again. "You don't have any alcohol. Well come with me and I'll be sure to fix it." He grinned and grabbed her hand as he started to pull her towards the kitchen where Kiba had his grog. He was bumping into heaps of people on the way, causing Sakura to collide with many of the drunken teens.
"Kiba," she said, as she struggled to release his grip. "I don't want to drink."
"Ha! You can't come to a party and not drink princess. That's the whole point of a party, now have a drink sexy!"
"Kiba, let go, I'm not drinking."
He stopped and stared at her face with blurry eyes, trying to make out why she was being so reluctant. He needed to get her wasted if he was going to sleep with her; it was the only way she wasn't going to cock block him like she managed to do yesterday.
"Come on, just one," he said with a flirtatious smirk. He always used the grin to try and win her over, but tonight it wasn't going to work. The Inuzuka leaned in for a kiss again but she turned her head immediately. He was way too drunk and Sakura didn't even want to spend time with him when he was in that state. He was swaying, stumbling, and slurring his words, and wasn't being very gentle with her either.
"No." was all she could reply. "Look at how you're acting, come and talk to me once you sober up."
He watched in disbelief as she threw his hand off of her wrist and walked away. She looked good, maybe a little too good, and it angered him inside to watch her escape from him for the second time in two days. "Fine, your loss princess!" He yelled as she disappeared among the group of wasted students.
She'll come crawling back once she realises what she's missing out on.
Half an hour had passed and Sakura found herself seated on the lounge in Kiba's living room. Two boys were passed out at her feet and a couple was making out beside her. Her arms were folded angrily against her chest as she scanned the house again, trying to find one of her friends so they could take her home. But not one was to be seen.
She wanted to cry, to just leave and walk home, but she felt bad. Maybe she should have just accepted one drink off Kiba, it's not like it was going to kill her. All he wanted her to do was enjoy herself and she shut him down and walked away. Maybe I should've had one drink… it's not like it would do anything to me, right? Because now look at me; I'm sitting on a lounge by myself when I could be spending time with him. Way to go Sakura, just another thing you've managed to screw up!
She stood up and fixed her dress before deciding she was to go and look for Kiba. She had to apologise for the way she acted, and then maybe they could kiss and spend the rest of the night together. She smiled at the thought and started walking around the house. She asked people that she knew whether they had seen him, and all of them replied with the same thing, "Sorry, haven't seen him since the start of the night."
At last she came across Kankurou who looked even more drunk than Kiba did. He was standing on a table shirtless, swinging around his T-shirt and slurring some unfamiliar song. "Uh, Kankurou?"
"Ohhhh Haruno!" he yelled before falling back off the table. Boy did he look messy. She watched as he lied on the ground attempting to look at her, although it looked like he was looking beside her. "What brings you to the palace of Kankurou's'?"
"Um, right…" she murmured as she looked down at him lying on his back with his arms and legs sprawled out like a star. "I just wanted to know if you've seen Kiba anywhere."
"Why yes! He is upstairs! Now run child, go to him!"
Sakura shook her head. She felt embarrassed just looking at him. She didn't even bother to say thank you, or even reply for that matter, because she knew he probably wouldn't even understand her anyway. Hell he didn't even know what he was saying himself. He was a pretty weird and eccentric drunk.
She walked up stairs and rehearsed an apology in her head. She was looking forward to fixing things with him so she could finally carry on the night like she had hoped. She peered in every room, each one ending up being empty or occupied by another couple. Where could he be?
After looking in every room she had only one left; Kiba's bedroom. She put on a brave smile and knocked softly at the door. It wasn't locked, so she slowly started to push it open. "Kiba? I just wanted to apologise for the way I acted before-"
Sakura's words were drained when she laid eyes on what was happening before her. Her heart had felt like it had halted to an immediate stop and tears began to well up in her eyes, causing them to sting. Her face drained of any colour it once had, and she stood at the door lifelessly, like a dead, motionless doll.
There against the back wall was a shirtless Kiba. A female straddled his middle, her legs wrapped around his bare waist. There they stood, kissing heavily, and completely oblivious to the shocked pinkette standing in the door frame. Sakura couldn't see the girls face, but could immediately recognise the head of blonde hair. Ino?
Her tears finally began to spill and stream down her cheeks. They just kept flowing and flowing as her hands reached up to her mouth to stop her sobs. She felt like she was empty inside and like she had gone completely numb, almost as if she had absolutely nothing left in her. "How could you!" she yelled, before quickly turning around and running downstairs and out of the house, not a single teenager noticing the tears that poured like rain down her cheeks.
She ran.
And ran.
And ran.
She kept running, even though she had no idea where she was running too. Her breath looked like clouds of smoke against the cool night air, and her feet were all cut up from the gravel road. She had taken off her heels so she could run and avoid twisting an ankle but managed to slice up the bottom of her feet instead. Her face was sticky from her salty tears and her eyes stung against the night air. Her mascara had left two long streams of black down her face which was now red from crying and sobbing. This was not how she visualised her night to be at all.
How could he? How could she! Her best friend, the girl she had grown up with, making out with the boy Sakura liked. It was so hard for her to process, it didn't seem real, it just felt like a bad dream.
As she reached an intersection, she stood in the middle of the road not knowing what the hell to do. Where could she go? There was no way she was going home. If she went back to her house she would only cop abuse and make her night even worse. She couldn't go to Temari's because she was still at the party along with Hinata and Naruto. She couldn't go to Ino's, because, well, she is the reason Sakura was in this state in the first place. There was only one more person she could think of at the time; her best friend, Shikamaru Nara.
She turned left and continued to run, ignoring the excruciating pain witch was shooting through her feet. It wasn't long before she found herself on Shikamaru's doorstep panting and sobbing helplessly in the cold. There were no lights on in the house, probably because it was eleven thirty and the family were asleep. She gathered up the strength to knock on the door softly, but after getting no answer, she knocked even harder. She heard a groan before the door slowly creaked open revealing the tired but surprised face of Shikamaru. "Sakura? What are you do-"
She quickly threw her arms around him before he could finish, crying into the curve between his neck and shoulder. "Oh Shikamaru, you were right…" she wept pathetically.
Her tears begun to accumulate a small, warm, patch of water on his shirt. Shikamaru didn't even have to ask her anything to realise what was going on. Kiba had played her, just like he had said. He returned the hug and sighed. "Come on Sakura, let's get you out of this cold."
He brought her inside and gave her a jacket to cover up her icy skin. She was only wearing a dress and her skin had felt like snow after running through the darkness in the cold night air. He gave her a tissue to wipe away the tracks of makeup running down her face and sat her down beside the fire.
"What did he do to you?" he asked softly, but with a hint of aggressiveness in his eye. Sakura could only sit there and stare at the fire, the image of Ino and Kiba replaying over and over again in her mind.
"He… he was kissing Ino…"
Shikamaru's eyes widened. "Wait, what? He was kissing Ino?"
Sakura nodded and felt the tears well up again. "Kiba and I… we had an argument, and I walked away from him. He didn't come after me, and after about half an hour I decided to go looking for him to apologise…" she wiped away a tear with her fingers. "I ended up catching him and Ino in his bedroom."
"Were they... You know... having sex?" he asked reluctantly.
"No… they were just kissing. But who knows what would have happened after I left."
"Are you sure it was Ino?"
Sakura thought back and pictured it in her mind again. She swore it was Ino, she had blonde hair. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure."
Shikamaru sighed and ran his hands through his long brown hair. He wasn't good when it came to comforting people, and tried to avoid situations like this as much as possible. He hated drama and conflict and all that kind of stuff, it just wasn't his thing. But he knew that if he wanted keep Sakura as one of his best friends he would have to get used to this; she was a girl after all.
He hated seeing her upset. It brought back memories of when she was only little and used to run to his house after her mum and dad would have a fight. She would have only been ten years old, and she still managed to run to the other side of town to escape their screams. This girl can only take so much until she starts doing something stupid. "I hate to say I told you so…"
"I'm not in the mood for a lecture Shikamaru." She said as she continued to stare into the fire. She was grateful that he had taken her in disregarding the fact that it was almost midnight, but she was by no means in the mood for one of his 'I hate to say I told you so, but I told you so' lectures. Right now she just needed someone to talk to.
"Fine, but just promise me that you have learnt your lesson and you won't go back, doesn't matter what he tells you, you'll stay away from him."
She rolled over and picked up the blanket he had given her before closing her eyes. "I just can't believe he done it…"
"Sakura, say you'll promise."
There was no reply. By now her eyes were heavy from crying and tiredness, and all she wanted to do was sleep. Shikamaru sighed again, and shook his head. Women, they'll never learn.
Review if you like.. No flames.