Sakura hurried into the bar. She was already late to meet her friends which seemed to be becoming an unfortunate habit of hers recently. Sakura was usually scrupulously early or exactly on time for everything but this week it seemed like she was always dashing around madly, trying to catch up to herself. She had been late to work almost every day that week, late to meet Sasuke even though it was her day off and she had done nothing else all morning, and she was late again now.
This night out had been something she had been looking forward to for a while, it had become a chance to relax without the need to dress up completely as she would feel the need to if she was meeting Sasuke. The only problem was that she hoped she hadn't made a mistake by inviting Temari who had just as much of a strong personality as Ino had and this meant that they tended to disagree quite a bit. Ino thought that Temari was too opinionated and funnily enough Temari thought exactly the same thing about Ino.
She gave a broad smile as she heard her friends call her over to their table across the bar although it was amazing that she could hear them over the music. It was probably a testament to how loud they were.
She slid in between Temari and Hinata even though Hinata was amiable enough to be friendly with Temari it was safer to keep the distance between Temari and Ino as large as possible.
"You are late," Ino chided. And Sakura sat down with a sheepish smile and Tenten poured out some of the cocktail they were drinking into a glass for Sakura and she gave Tenten a small smile to show her gratitude.
"Sorry," Sakura said knowing that nothing she could say would be a good enough excuse for her lateness in Ino's book. "I was on the phone for ages." She continued in response to Hinata's curious look although this statement did catch Ino's interest as she looked up from her drink although she kept the straw in her mouth.
"To lover boy?" She asked and her voice was slightly muffled from the straw in her mouth and Sakura gave her a disgusted look and snorted.
"Please there are so many things wrong with that I don't even know where to begin," She said.
"Is that a no then?" Tenten asked innocently and Sakura scowled at her in reply.
"Yes, it's a no I was not on the phone to Sasuke." Sakura said firmly and Tenten gave her a smile which gave Sakura some assurance that she was not going to be on the receiving end of merciless teasing for most of the night. "Anyway," Sakura continued. "I thought this was going to be a girls' night out with nothing to do with men." Tenten laughed at that.
"But then we'd have very little to gossip about," She said simply before turning to Hinata. "But that reminds me, Hinata still has to tell us all about her and Naruto." Tenten said this so suggestively that Hinata looked flustered, her face turning pink from embarrassment and Tenten refilled Hinata's drink. "Drink up," Tenten added in the hope that more alcohol would make Hinata more likely to talk about her relationship with Naruto.
"There's nothing to tell," Hinata said firmly, although her voice was slightly higher than usual.
"There must be something," Tenten persisted, "I want to be able to stumble home and happily tell Neji that 'no his cousin is not being groped by his sort-of-friend at regular intervals'". At this point Hinata's face had turned so red that she resembled a tomato.
"Tenten," She squeaked in protest, "Naruto would never-" she seemed unable to continue so resorted to gulping down half her drink in an attempt to be able to form a coherent sentence after that. "I mean he usually always acts the perfect gentleman."
"Usually?" Temari muttered, raising her eyebrows slightly.
"And he always looks out for me and makes me feel safe," Hinata continued ignoring Temari.
"And that's all you can really hope for," Temari said loudly, "A guy who won't try and make unwanted advances and will pay for your share when you go out somewhere," Tenten snorted at this.
"Whatever happened to whirlwind romances and burning passion?" She asked and Ino nearly choked on her drink at this.
"And that's what you think you have with Neji?" She demanded and Tenten went slightly pink at this.
"Please I'm an old married woman now," She said airily. "That's just how I imagine you're exciting lives, going out, not having to cook or wash up and then going back to his place for-"
"Tenten!" Hinata said again, "That's enough," And Temari laughed.
"I think you've forgotten how complicated dating is," She said.
"And what's dating according to Temari then?" Tenten asked, a small smile on her face.
"A bloody nightmare," Temari muttered.
"How so?" Tenten asked with genuine curiosity.
"It's as if all the men I meet have some stupid problem, or they decide they don't want anything serious. One guy I met still lived with his parents which I wouldn't have minded as I'm still stuck with my brothers but he specifically told me that if we ever get to a stage where we would live together I was told that I would have to move in with him and his parents."
"You just need to persevere with people," Hinata said gently and Temari snorted.
"That's a bit hard when you get home to an answer phone message saying that they've met someone else and don't want to see you again." Tenten looked sympathetic but Ino just sat back with a bored expression on her face.
"Sounds like you just have a habit of dating arseholes," She said and Temari glared at her. Hinata looked uneasy as they both sat with their eyes narrowed at each other.
"Ino that's not fair," Sakura chided, resigned to her role as a peace keeper in the group.
"Yeah, we all remember some of the creeps you went out with anyway," Tenten added.
"Like Kosuke." Sakura said and Ino turned to give Sakura a furious look as Hinata sunk down in her chair to try and avoid the confrontation.
"You are not to talk about him," Ino hissed and everyone seemed taken aback by the venom in her voice.
"Okay," Sakura said hesitantly "The point is that we've all had disastrous relationships."
"But at least we can stay in one," Ino muttered and Temari laughed.
"Oh please, the only reason you're still with Shikamaru is because he can't be bothered to argue with you," Temari said.
"Like you know anything about Shikamaru," Ino said, her voice rising shrilly above the music and now some people had turned to look at the commotion Ino and Temari were causing.
"I know him well enough," Temari retorted.
"From what?" Ino hissed "Stories Sakura has told you?"
"No," Temari protested.
"Well this is bringing out their attractive sides I'm sure." Tenten muttered and Hinata just slumped further down her chair in response, taking a sip out of her drink while trying to pretend that two of her friends were creating a scene.
"I have met Shikamaru," Temari continued and Ino gaped at her.
"When?" She demanded and Temari shrugged.
"Ages ago."
"Alright that's enough," Sakura said loudly and Ino opened her mouth to reply, she looked furious. "Does it really matter if Temari and Shikamaru know each other?" She said sternly to Ino who shook her head meekly. "And please Temari don't deliberately wind up Ino and make her jump to conclusion and think that Shikamaru is cheating on her – again. It just makes her come to me and I end up with a headache. Tenten, if Hinata doesn't want to talk about her and Naruto then it's fine but Hinata if he's mean to you, whether he means to be or not tell us and we'll deal with him for you.
"We came out to have fun and not argue okay?" She finished brightly and they all stared at her mutely for a moment.
"Whoa," Came a vice behind them and Hinata straightened in her chair to turn, with the rest of them, and see who it was. "That was impressive." Kiba was grinning at them with a drink in his hand and they all gave him a stony look except Sakura who gave him a bright smile. He held up his hand in a gesture of peace. "I'm just saying. Besides it's kind of funny, it shows what Sakura would be like if she had kids," Ino glared at him.
"I don't call being treated like a six year old funny." She said haughtily, sitting back and folding her arms and Kiba shrugged, obviously not in the mood to argue.
"How's the boyfriend?" He asked Sakura who shrugged slightly.
"He's fine," She said and Kiba nodded, "Why do you ask?" She added, "It's not like you to ask about people's love lives."
"Just curious," He muttered looking uncomfortable, "I ran into Lee at the bar, just warning you in case he see's you as you're going through a rough patch with Sasuke." He paused and looked at Sakura's stunned expression "right?" Sakura narrowed her eyes as Kiba trailed off realising that he had said the wrong thing.
"We are not going through a rough patch," She said sharply. "Who told you that we are?" Kiba looked awkward.
"Well…" He started hesitantly.
"Tell me," Sakura commanded and he sighed and pulled a chair over to their table.
"Chouji told me," He said simply.
"Chouji! How would he know?" Kiba shrugged slightly as Sakura looked at him furiously. She admitted to herself that part of her anger was because her friends had apparently decided that her relationship was doomed and although it was unfair to shoot the messenger so to speak she couldn't help feeling angry after all the doubts and teasing she had endured.
"I think Shikamaru told him," Kiba said.
"Really, and how would Shikamaru know I wonder." Sakura said icily turning to Ino who looked very guilty.
"I only told him that you he didn't really trust you and if he knew Sasuke well and what it could all be about." Ino said looking at her friends steely gaze and she smiled ruefully. "That's all Sakura, I only did it as I was worried about you," Sakura sighed and nodded.
"I just don't want people to think that we're falling apart, that's all." She said, running a hand through her hair and Temari smiled at her.
"You really are fond of him aren't you?" She said, although it was more to herself than to get a reply.
"Sakura!" Another voice interrupted them and they turned to see Lee clutching and empty glass with his gaze fixed on Sakura and they saw Shino lurking quietly behind him. "If you're having problems with Sasuke feel free to confide in me."
"Oh God," Ino muttered burying her head in her hands as Hinata smiled nervously.
"I do not have problems with Sasuke," Sakura said quietly as Temari hissed at Kiba;
"How much has he had to drink?"
"He's only on soft drinks," Kiba muttered and they looked at him in disbelief.
"Sakura." Lee said again happily.
"I don't think her problems are any of our business," Shino said.
"I don't have any problems," Sakura said loudly and they all gave her a pitying look, well, except for Shino whose expression didn't change.
"Don't worry Sakura," Lee said. "If he dumps you I'll always be there for you." He smiled at her and Sakura smiled uneasily back, if he was trying to cheer her up then it definitely wasn't working.
"Are you sure he's only had soft drinks?" She whispered to Kiba once Lee had turned away to look for a chair. Kiba shrugged again as Lee came back dragging a chair with him.
"Thanks for your support Lee," Sakura said once he had reached the table, "but really everything's fine." Ino frowned at this.
"It might not be," She said softly but Sakura managed to hear her over the music and gave her a questioning look. "Well maybe, just maybe," She said hastily seeing Sakura's face darken. "It's a hint that he'll break up with you, it's just a possibility I don't want you to get hurt when, okay if, it happens."
"I know," Sakura said with a sigh, "but I'm sure I've told all of you at least once before I want to enjoy myself now and if it happens I'll deal with it then."
"That's surprisingly easy going of you," Ino commented. "Then again you've probably seen me get so worked up about things-"
"Like Shikamaru having a conversation with another girl," Tenten muttered and Ino glared at her.
"That you have learnt from me and have decided-"
"That I won't make all you're stupid mistakes?" Sakura asked.
"I wish you would stop interrupting me," Ino said huffily and she paused. "But yes that's about it really," Hinata smiled.
"If he's not talking to you then maybe he's got nothing to say," Shino said and Sakura frowned at him.
"What do you mean?" She asked but Shino just took a sip of his drink and didn't seem as if he was about to elaborate now he'd said his bit.
"Shino's right," Hinata said, "Sasuke's generally not a talkative person right?" She asked and Sakura nodded in reply. "So he might not feel as if he has anything to say, or he doesn't want to engage in pointless chatter."
"And let's face it with who he's friends with he's probably never short of pointless chatter," Tenten said with a grin.
"Besides," Hinata continued ignoring Tenten's comment. "I know from Naruto that they've all been working late into the night recently with one thing or another so there's probably not much for him to talk about." Sakura gave Hinata and Shino a grateful smile as the rest of them pondered this for a moment.
"Must be interesting where he works," Kiba commented eventually.
"How so?" Sakura asked and he gave her a small smile.
"Well, working with Naruto, never a dull moment there," He said, "Or a quiet one."
"Guess you're right," Sakura said with a smile.
"Will you please stop insulting my boyfriend," Hinata muttered.
"Aw, we don't mean any harm," Tenten said.
"Beside's he's kind of sweet in a daft sort of way," Ino said and Hinata looked at her uncertainly.
"Uh, thanks," She said. They fell silent for a while each lost in their own thoughts as the music beat out a steady rhythm around them.
"How about we get another pitcher," Sakura suggested gesturing towards the empty jug on the table.
"Sure," Hinata said and the rest all nodded in agreement. However, before Sakura could get up to go to the bar someone laid a hand on her shoulder and for a second time Sakura turned to see Lee behind her.
"I shall buy the drink for you," He said in a tone so serious that none of them dared to argue with him. They watched him in silence as he made his way through the crowds to the bar.
"Ah Lee," Tenten said softly, "Ever the gentleman."
"I feel quite bad though," Temari said, "I barely know him and he's buying me a drink."
"He's getting us all one," Ino pointed out.
"I don't want to take advantage of his generosity though," Hinata said and they all exchanged glances, unsure whether to accept Lee's kind offer of a drink or try to press some money onto him.
"Please," Kiba said, "if he wants to buy you a drink you might as well accept it after he's gone through the trouble of getting it for you."
"He's only doing it as he fancies Sakura," Ino muttered darkly.
"That's beside the point," Kiba said. "let him do as he likes."
And a moment later when Lee returned they thanked him graciously for the cocktail pitcher and as far as he was aware no indecision had taken place.
They fell into conversation again, although the idea of having just a girl's night out had been ruined, Kiba was good company and Lee provided an endless source of amusement with his bizarre antics while Shino sat quietly observing them all.
At some point Hinata began checking her phone at regular intervals and when she was asked whether they were boring her she turned pink and explained through her embarrassment that she was expecting a call from Naruto when he left work. This caused them all to turn their attention to the time, and then when remarking on the lateness they wondered why someone would be at work when it was after eight in the evening.
"I wonder if something's happened," Hinata said sadly "or if he's forgotten."
"He wouldn't forget you Hinata," Ino said with a laugh. "This is the guy who rings you every day after work to tell you how his day went and what he had for lunch."
"Always the same," Tenten chipped in.
"Ramen," They chorused and Hinata flushed slightly although she did look slightly pleased.
"He did go out for a sandwich last week," She said with a laugh.
"How did that happen?" Ino asked and Hinata gave Sakura a small smile.
"I think Sasuke coerced him into eating something healthier, there was salad in it apparently." She said.
"Well if he hasn't rung then he must still be at work," Temari said practically.
"Such dedication to his job," Lee said, his eyes shining. "It is most admirable." There was a stunned silence as they exchanged strange looks with each other.
"I guess so," Kiba said eventually. He saw Hinata check her phone again and grinned at her. "Hey Hinata, how about going somewhere else?" He asked and Hinata glanced up at him.
"What now?" She had a confused expression on her face.
"Why not?" He said. "It's not too late so we could maybe go see something at the cinema." He grinned, "besides it will stop you thinking about that," he said gesturing to her phone, "and when we get out you'll probably have a message from him explaining everything." There was a small pause.
"Sounds good to me," Tenten said.
"Alright," Ino said and Sakura and Temari agreed as well. Shino just nodded and Lee was about to launch into an impassioned speech about the genius of Kiba's idea before Tenten shut him up by threatening to pour the remainder of her drink on his head. Hinata looked at her friend's expressions knowing that they were all doing this out of concern for her.
"Sure," She said with a grateful smile at Kiba, "It sounds like a brilliant idea." And with that they finished their drinks and headed off talking and laughing towards the cinema.
Across the other side of town a tall office building sits with a few twinkling lights on. Its cleaners are long gone and only a few people remain moving around the building. The only sounds are scattered conversation, the low hum of computers and the odd sigh or curse as people realise how much time has passed and how much of their lives at home they've missed.
Some have people waiting for them at home; husbands, wives, children, a girlfriend or boyfriends who expected them to come home hours ago only to receive an apologetic phone call with the hope that they'll be back soon.
"Hey Sasuke," The person addressed rubbed a hand over tired eyes as they knew the peace of the building was shattered.
"What?" He asked irritably and his companion looked surprised that he had actually bothered to reply.
"How much longer is this going to take?" He asked although there was a slight tinge whining in his voice. Naruto set down the last pile of papers he could find and split them between himself and Sasuke.
"You could have gone home at five Naruto," Sasuke said and Naruto shrugged.
"That's not what I asked. I wanted to know how much longer this stupid data entry is going to take."
"Not long." Sasuke said as he narrowed his eyes at the pile of papers in front of him, by now it was considerable smaller than it had been when he had started in the morning. "I hope." He muttered under his breath, "Why did you even stay late if you keep whining about it?" Sasuke asked and Naruto laughed sheepishly as he began typing into the contents of the form into the laptop he had dragged into Sasuke's office.
"I don't see why they could have given us more warning instead of telling us today that it all has to be done by tomorrow." Naruto said conversationally, trying to brush off Sasuke's question. "Although Itachi probably only deigned to inform us all today just to spite us."
They were silent for a while and the only sound was the clatter of keys as they typed on the computers and shuffle of papers. Sasuke narrowed his eyes at Naruto briefly showing his annoyance that his friend had dismissed the question, Naruto noticed this and grinned cheerfully.
"Well, your father doesn't think I show enough dedication to my job so here I am doing a lot of extra hours when I could be at home having a decent meal-" Naruto said.
"Instant noodles aren't decent," Sasuke said but Naruto continued talking over him.
"-and watching TV," Naruto finished looking slightly offended at Sasuke's comment. Sasuke was silent for a while.
"Ah Sasuke," A man from their department stuck his head into the office sounding relieved. "I'm done and now I'm heading home, I'm sure my wife's worried about me." Sasuke nodded, still looking stonily at Naruto who was beginning to look slightly nervous under Sasuke's close scrutiny. They heard footsteps fade down the corridor as the man left and Naruto shifted uncomfortably as Sasuke suppressed as smug smile, yes something was definitely wrong.
"What, what is it?" Naruto asked.
"I don't believe you," Sasuke said plainly.
"What that I'd rather be at home watching TV," Naruto said with a shaky laugh. "I can assure you it's true, that's what everyone else who's done overtime tonight would probably prefer to be doing." Sasuke narrowed his eyes at Naruto again in an attempt to intimidate the truth out of him, Naruto, however, seemed oblivious to Sasuke's irritation.
"Okay, okay," He said breezily, "I wanted to get Hinata a nice present and the overtime money would be useful."
"Naruto," Sasuke said quietly allowing his anger and pent up frustration at his brother seep though his words and Naruto sighed seeing that he could no longer fob him off with meaningless excuses.
"Fine," Naruto said. "The truth is that I'm worried about you." Ah, there it was, Sasuke knew it was coming. Naruto couldn't help be concerned about people, even about those he had just met. He felt things too much and to Sasuke it was just one more reason not to tell him anything important. He saw Naruto's eyes flick to the bruise on his arm that was now visible when Sasuke had, foolishly it now seemed, rolled his shirt sleeves up to his elbows because of the heat.
"There's no need for you to worry." Sasuke said stubbornly, knowing exactly what his friend was driving at.
"Sasuke," Naruto started but paused when Sasuke gave him a look that clearly said "don't" or maybe even "keep talking and I'll break both your arms" but the message was clear enough anyway. Nevertheless, Naruto took a deep breath and bravely tried to continue the conversation.
"I just-" He began but Sasuke interrupted.
"I've finished all the papers," He said. "How about you?" Naruto looked down in surprise at the clear bit of desk that used to have the forms he had mindlessly entered onto the computer resting on it.
"Yes I have," He said "But that's beside the point."
"Is it? Let's go." Sasuke said gathering his belongings to leave the building. Naruto muttered a curse as he followed Sasuke out into the, now empty, corridor.
"Sasuke!" Naruto called after his retreating figure. "I want to talk to you about your brother." At this Sasuke went ridged and Naruto took this as an opportunity to run and catch up with his, now still, form. "I know what's going on between you and Itachi, I've heard you argue, seen the bruises, I'm not stupid." Naruto said, his voice rising in volume with every word.
"I know that." Sasuke snapped, his temper, always easy to ignite, sparked and without thinking he lashed out only to regain control of his emotions with his arm inches away from Naruto's body. Naruto didn't move.
"Why don't you do something about it?" Naruto asked, his voice trembling slightly.
It seemed unreal, he reflected, finally being able to talk to Sasuke about it, about what had always bothered him as Sasuke seemed unable to avoid the conversation he had managed to dodge for so long.
And of course it was strange that the long awaited conversation was taking place in the imposing office building that Itachi constantly used to put his younger brother into one stressful problem after another, today's fiasco being another classic example of what was dubbed "miscommunication" between the two by Sasuke's father, or of what Naruto thought was another way for Itachi to try and mess with Sasuke's life.
"Like what?" Sasuke said bitterly, "If you're so intelligent you should know what happened the one time I tried to fight back." Naruto nodded slowly.
"Leave?" He suggested weakly and Sasuke shook his head.
"And if he starts on someone else? It's not just physical violence; Itachi seems to enjoy playing mind games with people the most." Sasuke said quietly.
"He's got you trapped by your own worries," Naruto muttered but Sasuke heard him.
"I know," He said, "but I can put up with it."
"At least talk about it," Naruto persisted and Sasuke gave a hollow laugh. "I'm perfectly serious. Don't keep everything bottled up and to yourself, if you don't want to talk to me than at least talk to Sakura." Naruto added desperately, knowing that Sasuke was never that receptive to advice. Although it was now that Sasuke finally turned his head to meet Naruto's gaze head on.
"Sakura?" He said with disbelief. "I barely know her," He said dismissively.
"That doesn't matter," Naruto said stubbornly. "She'll try her best to understand it all, she won't judge you," I already told her, he added silently.
Sasuke looked away again and Naruto began to feel desperate as the wall and barriers that usually surrounded Sasuke began to close again and he knew that they'd never have this conversation again.
"You might lose her," He cautioned and there was a slight pause as Sasuke seemed to consider this as a possibility.
"Then maybe its better that way," He said eventually before turning and continuing down the dark corridor leaving Naruto dumbfounded.
"What?" He whispered before running after his friend and calling loudly after him, although he never did get a reply. Naruto reached the exit and saw Sasuke's retreating figure in the distance, he gave a small sigh before brightening slightly, he knew what would cheer himself up, talking to Hinata would make him forget his worries for a while.
Sasuke sat down in his car with a heavy sigh. He knew Naruto was displeased with him but at the moment he was beyond caring. He had been running late that morning, a bad start to a day that had gotten infinitely worse, but he was glad he didn't have to walk home. It had come as a shock when Naruto had thrown Sakura's name into the conversation but he didn't want to get her involved. They were his problems and he didn't feel like sharing them with the world. Naruto, on the other hand, had made himself involved from the start and had noisily barged his was into Sasuke's life.
He could see Naruto's figure standing in the middle of the car park and a small, involuntary smile crossed Sasuke's face, at least Naruto seemed happy with Hinata. He saw Naruto waving one hand in the air for a moment then, as he fired the engine of his car, he paused slightly as he heard Naruto shout;
"Ah, no! It's gone to voicemail."
Who knows maybe Hinata was fed up of him ringing her all the time but from the way they acted around each other Sasuke doubted that would ever happen. Still he watched Naruto slope off looking rejected with some amusement before taking pity on him.
"Do you need a lift home?" He asked as he drew level with Naruto in his car. Naruto gave him a sheepish smile before running round to the passenger's door to get in.
"Thanks," He said cheerfully and Sasuke shook his head slightly at him. Naruto always changed his mood so easily. As they left the car park Sasuke could see out of the corner of his eye Naruto keying in Hinata's number on his phone again, he seemed to have memorised it. Sasuke rolled his eyes, it seemed unlikely that she would have magically turned her phone back on in the few seconds that had past and Naruto's sudden shout of "voicemail again!" Only confirmed this.