Ch10. What if?
The strobe lights blinded and the stereo blared as the Kunoichi tried, once again, to drown their sorrows in alcohol. It had been nearly a month and no contact was made between them and their men. They had built up such a tolerance to alcohol within the past month of getting drunk and later blowing the contents of their stomach took a lot of effort.
Even after four Smirnoff ices, three rounds of tequila shots, and two white Russians a piece, not even a slight buzz was detectable in their systems.
"Damn this sucks," said Ino. She of all people was not suppose to be drinking after recovery from her injuries but the hard-headed blonde would hear nothing of the 'you're not allowed to drink' lecture, which lead Sakura to drinking in order to watch Ino, and Hinata and Tenten soon followed.
"I know what you mean," said Sakura finishing off her second white Russian and waving the waitress over and ordering a new one.
"We need to find a way to get out of the hell hole Tsunade calls home," said Hinata, rolling her eyes.
Tenten said nothing as she too finished off her white Russian and stole the one Sakura had just received.
"Hey! Get your own," said Sakura, taking the drink back.
Tenten got up, stumbling slightly, and went to the bar ordering another round of tequila. Carrying the tray back Tenten downed two of the four shots.
"Dang Tenten lay off a bit. I know you want to bury the feelings, we all do. But you have to cut back, we don't need you to become an alcoholic," said Hinata.
Tenten groaned, "I don't want to remember. You saw the looks on their faces, you felt the sorrow and the hurt, and you know everything that I'm feeling because you feel it too. How can you not want to forget?"
"We don't want to lose them all together. We want to be able to hold onto them, even if we can't hold them in our arms again," said Sakura, tears forming.
The music died down and the strobe lights dimmed as the MC came on stage. "I am honored to present four people who have something to say to four very special girls."
Guitars started to strum and drums kept a beat. A bass pulled everything together as a red head, a dark haired and two chocolate brown haired men stepped onto stage playing their instruments.
The red head stepped up to the mic leaving the other guitar to lead. He opened his mouth and sang a song full of an unknown emotion.
My best friend gave me the best advice
He said each day's a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride
If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had, if today was your last day?
What if, what if, if today was your last day?
The girls rose from their seats as the song played.
Against the grain should be a way of life
What's worth the price is always worth the fight
Every second counts 'cause there's no second try
So live like you're never living twice
Don't take the free ride in your own life
If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had?
Their eyes locked, both on and off stage.
And would you call those friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
And would you find that one you're dreaming of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you'd finally fall in love if today was your last day?
If today was your last day
Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?
You know it's never too late to shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are
So do whatever it takes
'Cause you can't rewind a moment in this life
Let nothing stand in your way
'Cause the hands of time are never on your side
If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had?
And would you call those friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
And would you find that one you're dreaming of
Swear up and down to God above
That you'd finally fall in love if today was your last day?
The girls climbed up on stage as the song finished, not hesitating to wrap their arms around each man and kiss them like there was no tomorrow. Tears streamed down the girls faces.
"Why would you do this," asked Tenten, the alcohol starting to wear off.
"You expect us to give up on you that easily," the man on bass said, brushing stay hairs out of Tenten's face.
"Neji…"
"Tenten…"
"She has a point. Who would ever expect that a cold hearted ass kicking man would get up on stage and perform for the one is supposedly loves," asked Sakura, approaching the singer.
"A man who knows that there is no 'supposedly' about his love."
"Gaara-kun…"
"Sakura-chan…"
He kissed her forehead and wrapped her in an embrace.
"Sasuke…why did you do this? Why not just call or something? And why wait so long?"
"We were grilled out by Jiriya and then kicked out by fellow students. They all say we disgraced them by falling in love with the 'enemy.' We spent the last month looking for a place, and then looking for you. When we found you were almost always here we wrote the song and decided to sing it for you. Our gift for you, and our apology."
"You have nothing to apologize for, Sasuke-kun. It's our fault, had we stood up we never would have been in this mess."
"Ino-chan, stop worrying and get over here so I can kiss you."
She did not need more than that to step into his arms.
"Kiba…I have nothing to say except…I love you, and I always will."
"The same goes for me, Hinata-chan."
The crowd awed and clapped and cheered for the four happy couples…not that they noticed. They were together forever; they had a place where they could all live together. They had their love for each other; they had everything they could ever need. And nothing could ever tear them apart again.
~End~
