Chapter 10: More than friends.

Sakura's P.O.V:

I removed my lips from Pain's cheek and looked at him with a smile. He only stared with his usual apathetic expression.

"Well, I have to go find my friends." I said as I tried to leave, but Pain grabbed my shoulder and turned me into a strong embrace. I fell into his chest, wide eyed and blushing like crazy. My heart started beating faster as his heartbeat hit my eardrums.

"I should be the one thanking you." He said.

I didn't know why he would say something like that, but I didn't bother asking. I slowly removed my head from his chest and looked in his Rinnegan eyes. Instead of his usual apathetic expression, they had a lot of warmness behind them. I slowly pulled away from Pain and flashed him a smile before leaving to go find Ino and Obito.

I found that the pair was among the last few people left aside from a few of the drunken adults, Ino cuddling in Obito's arms.

"There you two are!" I said as I approached their table and took a seat next to Ino. I noticed they didn't respond so I turned my head to look at them. My eyes widened with awe as I saw they were asleep at the table. I'm surprised Obito wasn't uncomfortable since he was sitting right up while holding Ino.

Just then the waitress walked up and said, "Its closing time, so I'm afraid you guys have to leave." She was smiling warmly, but I had no doubt she was exhausted from tonight seeing as how packed the place was. I simply nodded as I reached to shake Obito so he could wake up. He slowly opened his eyes and yawned, looking around sheepishly for a moment until his eyes met mine.

"Sakura, there you are," he said slowly as he removed a hand from Ino to rub his eyes.

I laughed and told him it was time to go. We tried to wake Ino, but to no avail. The waitress was busy trying to shoo some of the drunken customers out and I didn't want her to come back and have to deal with sleeping beauty, so I told Obito to carry her out of here. The look on his face was priceless; I couldn't help but laugh a little.

Obito's P.O.V:

Embarrassed, I picked Ino up and decided to carry her piggy back style and left the karaoke bar with Sakura. Ino's head was slumped on my shoulders as we walked to the nearest hotel to stay the night.

We got our room and I placed Ino in one of the beds and as I sat on mine, Sakura asked me, "I told you she was nice once you got to know her didn't I?" I turned red immediately as her question echoed in my mind.

"W- What do you mean?" I asked her hesitantly.

"It's completely obvious you like her!" She retorted excitingly, but keeping her voice low enough not to wake Ino.

The tint of red on my face deepened at her accusations. "Of course I like Ino, as a friend."

"'Friends' don't make out in seclusion nor do they cuddle the way you two did at the karaoke bar." Her persistent statements felt like a barrage of arrows that hit me right in the heart.

I was at a loss for words…. I know I can't defend myself from Sakura's statements. I knew that she knew about my intimacy with Ino. I felt stupid for trying to deny it in the first place.

"Okay okay, I'll admit it… I like her."

"Good," Sakura replied, her voice filled with glee, "because I know she likes you too! By the way, did you talk to her about Rin yet?"

I blinked and tilted my head in confusion at her question.

"Huh…. Why would she want to talk about her?" I heard Sakura groan and face palm herself to my response.

"Um, earth to Obito; Ino was obviously jealous of your relationship with Rin, duh!"

My eyes widened as I thought back to Ino turning to look at me earlier right after left the hospital. I couldn't believe she was feeling THAT uncomfortable about Rin. I mean, I liked her and all before the time paradox sent us to this world, but I also knew I had no chance with her since she was head over heels for that jackass Kakashi. I turned to Ino, who was tossing and turning in her bed.

"Maybe she needs you." Sakura said as she climbed in her bed and got under the covers.

I felt a huge knot form in my throat as Sakura's words replay in my mind. I got up and swallowed hard as I made my way to Ino's bed. I took off my jacket and goggles before climbing in and cuddling her.

"I'm here now, Ino…" I whispered to her as I gently stroked her platinum blonde hair. She seemed to have recognized my voice as she stopped fidgeting and relaxed into my chest. It didn't take long for me to fall asleep like this…

Ino's P.O.V:

I opened my eyes, but I didn't move. It was still dark outside and I could barely see my surroundings, but I felt this warm sensation around my body. I immediately knew it was Obito, I don't know how I came to this conclusion, but I knew. I felt around until I found his face and brought my lips to his, pecking him.

I wanted to thank him for comforting me in the nightmare I was having. His voice seemed to have some affect on me as my gloomy and scary dream turned it into the complete opposite. My worries about Rin were instantly forgotten just by him coming to rescue me in my dream. I was falling for him and he knew this, even Billboard Brow knew it. I was snapped out of my thoughts as I felt Obito kiss my forehead, he didn't say anything, though.

I felt myself getting drowsy again, so I closed my eyes and drifted back to dream land.

Sorry I took so long to get this uploaded. I barely had any free time this week! Dang school.