A sigh left her as she caressed the cup in her hand. White porcelain with little blue swirls decorating the outside of it. It was a good cup, she decided. She swirled the steaming sake gently, elbows on the counter as she pouted.

"-and then he starts ranting about how they snatched you right out from under his nose! How could you not tell me!" Ino was nearly frothing at the mouth, Sakura noticed as she silently took a sip from her cup.

"So...are they any good in bed?" the blond asked, smirking wickedly.

"I wouldn't know. They only just brought the proposal to Tsunade-sama a week ago. And they left this morning on an escort mission," Sakura responded, being extremely careful not to crush the delicate cup in her hand.

"Oh yeah! Didn't they get that high profile woman? What's her name...famous actress...stars in quite a few Icha Icha movies..." Ino not-so-subtly prodded her best friend, grinning.

"Save the torture tactics for prisoners Ino," Sakura snapped, green eyes darkening as she downed her cup.

"Prisoners...best friends...same thing," the blond laughed.

*A few hours of drinking later*

"Ya know...I wouldn't mind this arrangement if they would...just...do...something!" Sakura hissed as she clenched her free hand, signaling for another drink with the other.

"Ya frustrated? I can help ya out with that!" Ino drunkenly offered, smiling widely as she winked at each of the three Sakura beside her.

"I'm not gonna do that! Thas...thas...un-faith-ful!" the pinkette announced proudly, spine straight in indignation.

"Oh...thas true...Choji would probably get mad at me too..." the blond admitted, biting her lip worriedly.

"I think it's time to get you two home..."

The girls looked over their shoulders to see Yamato standing behind them, looking down at them in a calculating manner.

"'Kashi sent you didn't he!" Sakura crowed triumphantly, smiling at the thought of her ex-sensei.

"Yup. Said Yamanaka-san was dragging you out for drinks tonight. Didn't want you tearing down whatever establishment you chose to utilize...again," Yamato said sternly, frowning slightly.

"Oi! That was one time!" Ino defended, pouting.

"Wasn't it three times?" Sakura asked her friend, blinking.

"Actually, Kakashi said it was five. Now, up you girls go. Time to get you safely tucked in bed," the man sighed, rubbing his forehead tiredly.

"I'm sure you're gonna need to make three clones...the Sakuras can't walk!" Ino laughed as she watched the pinkette stumble.

Sakuras? Great. Blondie is three sheets to the wind. And Sakura isn't any better, Yamato thought, watching his former teammate sit on the ground in defeat.

"Kakashi owes me," he stated as he threw both women over his shoulders, shaking his head.