Sakura sometimes doesn't always want to be the mom of this group. However it just works out, that she usually finds herself stuck in this role. Coincidentally she seems to share this role with Neji who their friends have dubbed the dad of the group (they've never shared this claim to his face though) with Shikamaru seen as the wise uncle. They often find themselves looking after the others in some way whether it's in giving solid advice, ensuring Kiba's and Choji's epipens are on hand in case peanuts or bees appear, or making sure they're actually wearing all of their winter gear (See Naruto).
Anyways Sakura eventually gained a weird sort of extra sense Ino calls her 'Mama sense,' when she feels something's terribly wrong with the other members of their group. She and Lee are at a nice Italian restaurant on a date which has barely started, before he takes one of her hands in his looking fairly concerned. "My dear cherry blossom what troubles you so?"
Sakura glances at her phone, where no incoming texts have come in. "Look I'm sorry I know you've had this planned for awhile, and you're probably not going to like what I have to say. However you know that party that's going on Block street right now?"
Lee nodded of course he did Naruto was there, and they currently lived together.
"I have a really bad feeling about it, and I think we need to go and make sure the others are okay." Sakura was relieved to see that Lee had absolutely no issue with ditching their planned night and going to allay her fears by going to the party.
They arrived in record time. It was being held by one of the more popular seniors, and the whole football team had been invited along with all the cheerleaders so Naruto, Kiba, Tenten, and Ino would be all there.
She and Neji were invited just by being well known and hot according to the host, but neither really had an interest in going. Neji dubbed them pointless, especially if you knew less than 5% of the people attending. Sakura turned to Lee who was standing wide eyed at the mansion sized house overflowing with teenagers.
"Okay my cell phone is on I'm going to try track down whoever I can find and just make sure everyone's alright, and you do the same until we found and checked everyone. If they're fine and my senses went off for nothing then we'll leave okay?"
Lee grinned shooting her his traditional thumbs up gesture, which Sakura couldn't help her lips quirking up in response giving him a small one as well. He was about to bound off, before she grabbed his green Henley dragging him in for a quick apology kiss. He blushed at the vigor and unexpectedness of it before giving her one more determined nod and setting off to find the others.
Sakura wasn't immune to having fun or being social but parties like this? Eh she could pass on them. Massive parties lose their appeal pretty quickly, because they're usually all the same. They definitely held no appeal for Shino, Hinata and Choji who on the off chance they were even invited never went. Pushing past several sweaty bodies and trying to navigate through an unknown home while keeping her eyes open was unsurprisingly difficult.
Getting groped several times Sakura finally managed to locate Ino first who was without a doubt incredibly drunk and making out with someone who after they broke apart began to pull her upstairs, while Ino stumbled along giggling in a happy way.
"Ino!" Sakura shouted stomping over to her and her kissing partner who wasn't really pleased with the interruption, but Ino looked delighted at seeing her.
"Sakura you're here! Isn't this party great!"
Crossing her arms and staring Ino down Sakura couldn't help but ask. "Uh huh and how many drinks have you had exactly?"
Ino giggled holding up all her fingers. "I had this many plus more!"
Sakura felt her lower jaw drop, until Ino's partner cut in.
"Pink if you don't mind we're about to continue this upstairs, so unless you're looking to join us...?" Giving her a long up and down appreciative glance.
Her eyes narrowed on reflex. "Find someone else to take upstairs the blonde stays with me. You have three seconds to leave my sight before I decide a verbal warning isn't cutting it."
He opened his mouth before huffing and stomping off. Ino pouted as her make out partner left. "Why did you do that? We were having fun!"
Sakura opened her mouth to further reprimand, before she heard some whoops and cheers along with opening start to Emii's Magic. Curious she walked closer, until she felt herself freeze in a sort of stunned horrified silence, because up on top of one of the tables was Tenten dancing in nothing but a pink bra and black boy shorts. Moving in a slightly clumsy but still sexy way she was obviously feeding off the energy she was getting off of the crowd shaking, grinding, and twirling to and fro.
"Fuck," Sakura breathed out before her brain came back online. She grabbed a gaudy sunflower blanket while shoving Ino into a chair with a barked order to stay there before dashing on top of the table and flinging it around Tenten. This was obviously met with outrage among the crowding men. "Hey! We were enjoying that you know."
"Oh go choke on a landmine the show's over find someone else to gawk at." Sakura snarled dragging Tenten over to the empty chair, where she had left Ino. "Oh for fuck's sake it's like herding cats." Placing Tenten in there instead ignoring her grumbling about not getting to finish her dance. She was about to text Lee, before she heard him shout her name dragging/carrying Kiba and Naruto over and sporting a now bruised eye looking fairly serious.
"Good Lord what happened to you?!" Naruto and Kiba tried to break free once more before giving up and accepting Lee's solid grip on them in turn further leaning their weight on him as one would to a fence post.
"It appears Kiba was unknowingly making out with a girl who was spoken for and the two were discovered by her boyfriend. I stopped the three, before they could lay any harm to him but then I got distracted for a second" Glancing for a split second in Naruto's direction. "which allowed a solid punch to be administered."
Sakura grabbed Naruto and Kiba forcing them to sit on the floor in front of Tenten's chair where thankfully the girl had stayed put sending a flirty wink across the room at someone. Gently tilting Lee's face toward her so she could examine it, Sakura couldn't help but think, 'damn he's going to have an impressive shiner for the next few days.'
"And Naruto?" She asked evenly releasing his face and taking a step back. "Where was he?"
Here Lee visibly winced, and Sakura immediately knew she wasn't going to like his answer. "He um apparently got dared by someone to slide down the banister...um blindfolded." Sakura was sure her face was probably terrifying, because Lee was quickly continuing on. "But! I grabbed him in time before he could fall off, so there's no need to worry!" Still nearly apocalyptic with rage Sakura was struggling to keep inside her building mother effing lecture to end all lectures. She had to take many visible deep breaths to calm down, while Lee looked upon her with worry.
"Okay I'm going to go find Ino AGAIN keep an eye on these three in the meantime and text Neji and Shikamaru and see if they can help us out in getting them out of here at least." As she walked away she heard Tenten exclaim, "Lee! Where did you come from?"
To which he shouted back. "TENTEN WHERE ARE YOUR CLOTHES?!"
Sakura stalked around everyone giving her a wide berth after seeing the look on her face which she could only barely appreciate. She found the same guy once again trying to lead Ino upstairs. "Hey Asshole! What did I tell you? Go find someone else who's not blatantly intoxicated." She didn't even give him a chance to respond before kneeing him in the crouch and dragging Ino away. He couldn't even curse at her too busy curling up on the ground and whimpering in pain.
Coming back brought Sakura to the sight of Tenten hands over her face and quietly counting out of order, and Naruto sitting four feet away half hidden by a potted plant in a bizarre game of hide and seek. Lee once again dragging Kiba back over from a group of girls, while he stumbled petulantly behind him.
"Well I've just had about enough of this that I can take. Were you able to get a hold of Neji and Shikamaru?"
Lee nodded gently forcing Kiba to sit not paying any mind to his sniggered comment that he looks like a Muppet character. Not a second too soon Lee's phone made a swift sharp noise indicating a new message. He glanced at it. "They are here next to where we parked."
"Okay let's get going then, but first can you hand me your sweater?"
"Of course angel." Lee tossed it to Sakura who caught it one handed and helped Tenten into it.
"Tenten do you know where the rest of your clothes are?" Hoping they were close by.
The girl shook her head. "I threw them out to the crowd. My fans have them now."
'Of course she did ..great' Sakura thought. 'They probably wouldn't be getting those back at least not tonight. On the plus side Lee's army green sweater mostly covered the girl as it ended just below her but. Grabbing a solid hold and Ino and Tenten, while Lee did the same to Kiba and Naruto. The six started off making their way to the cars with the drunks singing a rather off key version of I want it that way.'
Shikamaru and Neji met them on the front lawn briskly striding up their way.
"Jesus Christ just why? And why all of them at once?" Neji threw out in frustration. At first going to take Tenten, but upon seeing her state of dress felt it would be improper and chose to relieve Lee of Naruto instead.
"Ah but Neji haven't you heard this is a staple of the teenage experience getting wasted at one of the biggest parties of the year." Shikamaru replied sardonically gently taking Ino from Sakura as well.
Sending slightly verging on judgmental stares at everyone Neji couldn't help but asking. "Do I even want to know why Tenten's only wearing Lee's sweater?"
Lee and Sakura exchanged glances, before Sakura answered. "Oh you know she just apparently wanted to provide some of the senior guys with a sexy strip tease the usual."
Neji choked slightly at that, while Shikamaru shook his head a few times trying to process that. "Okay well plan because we can't drop everyone off at the moment like this so let's go take this someplace else. They all rode in Ino's car right?"
Sakura reaffirmed her grasp on Tenten and shifted her stance to account for the difference in weight. She then spoke up. "Yeah I'm going to take that, as I already stole her keys. Let's reconvene at Hashirama's park and see if we can't try to sober them up a bit. Oh and someone please go get coffee."
"On it my lovely Cherry blossom! Come along Kiba."
"Where are we going? Can we just not walk? I mean who even invented walking. They obviously didn't check with me first. I'm going to veto it, as it's just really really hard." He paused before giggling out. "And that's what she said."
"Who said that?" Lee asked sounding confused as the two walked away. This only served to make Kiba laugh harder though. "Oh Lee you're pretty funny."
"Ah um thank you my friend!"
"Still don't like walking though."
"I can carry you if you'd like." Lee answered good naturally not missing a beat.
"Hmm...maybe let me think about it." The two continued walking off to Lee's car.
Shikamaru was next to prompt Ino into leaving. "Alright Ino let's go too." They started walking off, until Ino shouted. "Wait!" Shikamaru stopped looking at her unexpectedly. "I need a mirror otherwise how do I know if I still look pretty. I could meet my soulmate tonight, so I have to look pretty." Ino asked looking serious and worried.
"I have a mirror in my car." He soothed. "But it does require some magic words to make it work." Ignoring Sakura's bitten down laugh and Neji's quiet scoff.
Ino gasped in response. "To the magic mirror!" Trying to drag Shikamaru but nearly succeeding in falling on her face instead. Shikamaru smirked but didn't say anything, as he dutifully continued to help Ino to his car.
In the meantime of the distraction of the others leaving Naruto had managed to escape Neji's grasp and stumbled to lay down in the middle of the street.
"Naruto get out of there now!" Sakura yelled glaring at him.
"No," he yawned. "You're not the boss of me."
Neji cut in, before she could retort. "If you don't get up right now, I'm not above dragging you from there.
Naruto threw his arm over his face, while he whined a quiet. "No don't wanna move."
"Are we having a sleepover? Why didn't you guys tell me?" Tenten demanded looking remarkably put out.
Neji opened his mouth to angrily interject, but this time Sakura cut in before he got the chance. "No it's not we're all going to the park. Naruto if you get up right now and go with Neji in his car. He'll treat you to waffles sometime."
Naruto whooped with glee and stumbled before jumping on Neji's back for a piggy back ride. Neji accommodate grudgingly, while giving Sakura a withering glare.
"Oh come on it's not like he's going to remember this, and even if he does I said sometime that come mean 10 years from now."
Neji's glare sharpened. "It's Naruto he remembered Shikamaru offering ramen, when he was high on meds from getting his wisdom teeth removed."
Sakura taking a hand off of Tenten's wrist threw it up in impatience. "Just get him to the park that's all I'm asking."
Neji grunted while starting to walk away.
"And MUSH!" Naruto shouted. Neji stopped walking. "Or not mush that works too." Rolling his eyes Neji reluctantly began walking again.
"Hey Neji guess what?" Naruto whispered. Neji remained silent kinda too afraid to ask at this point, and wondering if it was too much to ask for Naruto mysteriously lose his voice.
"I CAN SHOW YOU THE WORLD."
'Oh God...'
"SHINING SHIMMERING SPENDID."
'Please no...'
"TELL ME PRINCESS NOW WHEN DID YOU LAST LET YOUR HEART DECIDE."
"Stop it." He could here Sakura cracking up hysterically behind him, and Tenten's loud volunteering to sing Jasmine's part.
"I CAN OPEN YOUR EYES."
"I said Stop it."
"TAKE YOU WONDER BY WONDER."
"I mean it I won't say it again."
"OVER SIDEWAYS AND UNDER."
"I will drop you here and now."
"ON A MAGIC CAR- Ouch! That hurt."
"You were warned multiple times." Neji replied coolly continuing to move forward to his car. He was sure Naruto was pouting behind him.
"Can we at least go get waffles now?"
"No."
"Neji why are you so mean?"
"What can I say it is my factory setting."
And as the two reached his car only Tenten and Sakura remained as the latter let out a sigh before gently tugging Tenten in the direction of Ino's car. "Come on T I might have some crackers in my car provided you won't puke eating them and maybe you can tell me about this impromptu strip tease and what the heck that's even about." One of the best parts about Ino is she always carried multiple extra outfits and shoes in her car, so Sakura could help somewhat in that aspect.
When they arrived to the park Naruto, Kiba, and Ino were all drinking coffee and seated on the unmoving merry-go-round. Getting Tenten situated with one as well with the others, Sakura and Lee walked off to where Neji and Shikamaru were conversing. Sakura was really tempted to lie down right now and pretend this night was over.
"So you guys hear anything about what prompted this? Or was just everyone was caught up in the fun of the moment." Gesturing out with her hand at the others.
Shaking his head Neji spoke. "Naruto wasn't making much sense. He did say something about the whole team was doing shots and didn't want to be left out."
Shikamaru shrugged giving them the benefit of the doubt. "Or maybe some of their drinks were spiked with something stronger."
Lee made an agreeing noise and exhaled silently. He could do quiet if need be. "Kiba still claims he's not that drunk, before he proceeded to shout his love to a tree thinking it was a girl from his math class."
Shikamaru and Sakura snorted picturing the image, while Neji rested his forehead in his palm 1000% done.
Turning to Sakura Shikamaru asked with a touch of curiosity. "And did Tenten tell you anything further?"
Sakura crossed her arms with a nod. "She did however it was in confidence so I can't say anymore, even if she doesn't remember telling me anything later."
The boys nodded letting it go at that. They listened while the other group started giggling randomly again.
Lee chose to then speak up. "So what is our next move tonight?"
"Leave them here and go back home?" Neji suggested waiting for Lee's outrage at the thought. Sure enough he found himself facing Lee's scandalized expression, Shikamaru's unimpressed glance, and huh...Sakura almost looked like she was almost considering it. Maybe something was to be said about them reinforcing tough love together.
"Kidding." Neji had to add in if only for Lee's sake. He was in reality not serious though, because on the unlikely 3% chance he ever got drunk at a party. He would only hope that someone wouldn't drag him home to Uncle Hiashi or even worse leave him there for his uncle to collect him. Honestly death would be a hundred times more preferable than to that outcome.
"I have an idea." Shikamaru said as he spun around his keys on his finger. "Not saying it will work, but it's an idea. We text everyone's parents letting them know there's an after-party at Temari's house, since her dad's never home and have everyone sleep it off and hopefully be none the wiser the next day. I'll probably owe her one, but it's better than facing Inoichi at this hour."
Sakura pleased to have a plan voiced her vote for it seeing Lee and Neji do the same.
"Sorry to drag you both out for this tonight." She couldn't help but add.
Shikamaru gave a lazy shrug. "S' ok was just helping my dad get ready for his hunting trip coming up."
"Apology accepted but it did cut into a previous engagement I had planned for this evening."
Shikamaru glanced over with a raised eyebrow. "Neji I'm not sure I would really call having a binge session of Game of Thrones a previous engagement."
Neji gave him a semi heated look in return but didn't dispute the accusation which almost caused Sakura to start laughing again. Lee's next exclamation did cause her to jump though.
"Yosh! So shall we begin Operation Save Drunk Comrades From Possible Angry Parent's Wrath?" The three snorted at Lee's antics, while each went to grab a phone to start the plan. If this worked multiple return favors were going to be requested next week. In the midst of the relative quiet it was suddenly broken by the merry-go-round once more.
"Do you hear that?" Sakura asked moving closer. Shikamaru and Lee went back to try to find Tenten's clothes, since they had her phone inside them.
"What song is it this time?" Neji questioned with a tired sigh. He wished Lee had bought and brought more coffee.
They could now make out the sounds of the song, as the others took turns singing them.
"Young men something something something."
"I said young men something something something."
"You can stay there and I know you'll find."
"Many ways to have a good time."
"It's cool to stay at the-" Here they all shouted out the different letters at the same time, so it kinda sounded like. "At th C. It's nice to stay at th Y."
Sakura chuckled unable to help the amusement. "At least they got all the letters right?"
Neji nodded slightly. "A monumental achievement to be sure especially from one who believes his true love is in fact a tree."
While a long night indeed it certainly wasn't dull not for an instant.
