Spotted: I and S slumming it downtown after a shameful disaster for dinner.

The lights above the pool table blinked as Shikamaru grabbed the four 100 dollar bills from a biker. Ino jumped and clapped her hands. Shikamaru had just crushed him in pool twice. Ino was surely impressed.

"That'll have dinner covered,"

Shikamaru was happy to pay her back. She wasn't supposed to have paid for their meal.

Ino grabbed the money and repaid him with a smile. Shikamaru was such a gentleman and it seemed like he had no idea, it just fell naturally to him. He was definitely not like any other guy she's gone out with.

"Wanna play with me?" Ino asked picking up a pool cue.

How could Shikamaru refuse such a request? Ino couldn't help but to check out his butt as he leaned over the table collecting the balls.

To say that Ino played poorly would have been an understatement. Shikamaru certainly wasn't impressed. Ino gave him an embarrassed smirk as she had missed the ball for the third time.

"You really need to teach me…" Ino said trying to seem seductive.

"Oh really? I'm not sure if I'm able to, I think there's no hope for you."

Ino giggled and kicked the ground.

"Don't be so mean, help me."

Shikamaru stood behind her and bent over.

"It's really simple."

He tried showing her but Ino had her eyes on him slowly leaning closer. She was about to close her eyes and kiss him when something else caught her eye. She turned her head around hitting Shikamaru in the process.

"Neji and Itachi?!"

Shikamaru had been hit in the lip, he was certain it was bleeding. Ino turned over to look at him.

"I just saw some old friends."

She looked puzzled at him. She knew they were about to kiss and it didn't happen, but there was no reason to be clutching his lip. That was until she saw the blood.

"Oh God, did I do that?"

Shikamaru slowly nodded. Ino certainly felt terrible for drawing blood from her date.

"I'm so sorry, let me help you."

They made their way over to the bathroom to find some paper.

"I certainly didn't mean too."

Shikamaru pressed the brown toilet paper on his lip.

"Don't worry; it'll be fine once it stops bleeding."

It certainly stung. Shikamaru felt tears pressing but there was no way he would shed tears on the first date with his dream girl.

"You know what, I think I'm going to head home."

Ino grabbed his hand. She certainly didn't want to end their date like this.

"I'll go with you."

Shikamaru shook his head. He didn't want to spoil her evening, she still had time to have some fun before she had to go home.

"It's fine really, you seemed excited to see your friends. See you at school."

Like that Ino was left alone in the male bathroom. Excited to see her friends? What was that supposed to mean? Did he think she had something going on with them? Both of them? Did he think she was dating three guys at the same time? No, he couldn't possible believe something like that.

We heard that I and lonely boy's date ended with blood. Eager for that first kiss I? Bit down too hard? It certainly didn't seem like lonely boy likes it rough, they didn't even split a cab home. I stayed behind, maybe to salvage her night with some other man candy

Ino couldn't remember the last time she had seen Neji. He had stuck around a bit longer than Itachi before he followed his example and simply split.

"Neji! It's been years."

Neji got up from his chair and greeted Ino with a hug. He hadn't changed much. His brown hair had gotten longer and his skin hardly notable had gotten a shade darker. Other than that he still looked the same with his light eyes and a smile that looked genuine but felt fake.

"My, you've grown."

Ino sat down beside them without being asked.

"I didn't expect to see you here," Itachi proclaimed sipping some of his craft beer.

"I would say the same about you, both of you."

Neji signaled for the waitress to bring her a drinking. It was going to be a long night. They all had some catching up to do.

I certainly found some man candy- she was spotted leaving the bar at closing time. She was being dragged by none other than Ita and a surprise returned Neji. How come no one had spotted him earlier? But what great news, the best friends are together once again in NY and best friends share everything, even girls.

Walking back home the next morning Ino had put on her sunglasses. Itachi and Neji had wanted her to taste one too many beers and continued on with spirits when they came back to Itachi's apartment. The daylight and buzzing of the city was too much with a hangover.

"I really expected you to bring her home at a reasonable hours, I trusted you would be able to do so!"

Ino recognized her mother's stern voice. She certainly didn't want to walk through the gates to find her angry. Ino knew it must have been Shikamaru she was yelling at. She had to.

Her mother Kurenai turned as soon as she heard Ino's footsteps.

"Ino! What is the matter with you?"

Ino wished her mother didn't have to yell at her.

"I hit Shikamaru so he went home early. He's innocent, really. It got late so I spent the night with Itachi and Neji."

Kurenai didn't respond or move more than to narrow her eyes. She was waiting for a further explanation not excepting the first one.

"Nothing happened, mom, I slept on his couch."

Kurenai shook her head.

"You know the Uchihas are holding a brunch today. Go get a shower and change into something nice."

Ino shook her head. She didn't want to spend the day getting evil glairs from Sakura and watch Sasuke perv around, she had seen the state Itachi had been in and was worried he wouldn't wake.

"No mother, I don't want to!"

Kurenai started tapping her foot.

"I already have plans, I'm taking Shika to a sorry I hurt you lunch."

Shikamaru took this as his cue to butt in.

"Yes, see Ino hit my mouth so I haven't been able to eat since last night. I'm starving."

Kurenai closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"There's food at the brunch, now go get ready."

This was her mother being nice. Ino looked over at Shikamaru who gave her a shrug. He had done his best and if it meant that he got to spend time with Ino he was okay with it.

"Thanks for coming with," Ino muttered as they walked up the stairs.

Ino had showered and gotten ready and record speed. She was wearing a dress from Valentino. It was made in lace and wool and silk-blend crepe, the skirt was gray and the top with lace was in crème. The dress had a collar and black thin bow.

"Are you ready?" Ino asked in front of the door.

Shikamaru could never become ready for what was waiting him behind the door. He knew that, he would have to learn from experience.

"Ready for caviar? Always." He joked.

Ino grabbed his hand and they walked in.

Looks like the tables all set. Now as all the guests have arrived we can start dishing. Here's what's on the menu: A punch, a relationship destroyed and heartbreaks

"Look at what the cat dragged in."

Sasuke nudged Sakura as soon as Ino and Shikamaru walked through the door.

Sakura made a face of disgust eyeing Ino. Her hair shined in the light and her dress fit better than her own midi white broderie anglaise Dolce & Gabbana dress. Ino always had to outshine her at everything.

"We'll make sure she stumbles and fall. Care to take down the guy she brought with him?"

Sasuke chewed on a grape.

"Oh, we'll make him cry. He doesn't belong here."

Sakura let out a short laugh. He painfully didn't belong here. His pants were brown cord aroid and his shirt was mustard. It was almost painful to watch, it burned Sakura's eyes.

"Oh don't give me that look," Sakura spat at Deidara sitting on the other side of the table.

"You used to be best friends, she's done nothing but to try to make it right again. You forgave me," Sakura would have nothing of it. Ino's faith was sealed when she made a move on her boyfriend. She deserved what was coming to her. Sakura couldn't go easy on Ino because they used to be friends, then she was sure to lose all her power.

"Don't make me put you on probation or something," Sakura threatened. Deidara shook his head and took off. He didn't wish to be part of this. He hated all the drama and back stabbing. Couldn't people just work out whatever problem they had with each other and move on?

Sasuke shook his head, "he tries to do the right thing, but he's the one that's the most messed up."

"No brother that is you." Itachi said sitting down on the now open chair.

Sasuke and Sakura showed up with quite an appetite, an appetite for destruction that is

Deidara had made his way over to Ino who tried ignoring him. Itachi growing tired of his little brother and his girlfriend. They were obviously infatuated with each other.

"I'm having my doubts you'll ever have her,"

Itachi certainly loved messing with his peers, it was so easy.

"But I'm not trying to have her, I just need to explain to her why we can't be talking. I just need to get her somewhere private."

A slick smile entered Itachi's face. He had just the solution.

"This is the key to the penthouse, my father gave it to me and I passed it on to Sasuke. Just return it, it's my only copy."

Deidara grabbed the key whit a small thanks. He signaled for Ino to come out in the hallway with him. She gave him a small nod, he wouldn't give up.

"I need to go to the bathroom, will you survive without me?" Ino tried sounding calm, she would hate for Shikamaru to know just how agitated she was.

"Oh, there's like 27 types of cheese here, I'll need time trying them all out." Ino giggled before she turned on her heels giving Deidara a glare of death. She wasn't supposed to be hanging with him. Certainly she wasn't supposed to be lurking around alone with him.

Deidara finished his glass of orange juice before he followed her when Sakura wasn't looking.

He found a fuming Ino in the hallway.

"What? We shouldn't be talking!"

She was right. She didn't have much more to tell him anyway.

"I just want to sort things out, then I'll be done and we'll never have to talk again."

She would surely enjoy never talking to Deidara again. It was a small sacrifice to make things right with Sakura.

"Five minutes, that's all and then we'll never speak again."

Deidara nodded. It was all he needed. He had settled for Sakura. He just needed to mend a broken heart and move on.

"The Uchiha suit, Itachi gave me a key."

Ino looked down at the key Deidara was holding shaking her head.

"Do you think sneaking around on a hotel room is the best idea?"

She was right, but it couldn't be helped. They needed an ending.

"Five minutes. I'll come up soon."

Ino grabbed the key and stomped over to the elevator. Deidara re-entered the party. Shikamaru uncomfortably trying to strike a conversation with Itachi, Sasuke looked like he was about to get yelled on by his father and Sakura was being obviously flirty with Neji? Deidara didn't feel the slightest trace of hurt watching Sakura flirt with another man. He was more surprised that Neji had returned.

There's never an Uchiha party without S being put in place and It being praised. Fugaku should certainly write a book on raising children

"Do you insist on embarrassing me? A pink suit? Look at how graceful and representative Itachi looks in his white suit. I should have stopped when I had the first one right, and drop the booze, it's hardly noon." Fugaku let go of Sasuke's shoulder and straightened his bow tie before moving on to other guests.

Itachi certainly didn't have better style. Sasuke was style. Sasuke had great taste. He huffed and found Sakura.

"I saw Deidara looking at Ino, seal the deal with him now. The Uchiha suite is available."

Sakura excused herself and looked at Sasuke. He was holding a key identical to the one Itachi had handed Deidara.

"Has it been clean since you and your skank of the night slept there?"

This was vital for Sakura. The bed probably did glow in the dark after Sasuke was done with it.

"Skanks, and yes. It's all good just waiting for you to soil the sheets."

Sakura looked over at Deidara who looked sad and hopeless. She growled and grabbed the key.

"I'm gratified the play a role in your deflowering."

Sakura let go of an even louder growl and walked away. Sasuke was left alone with Neji trying to stare him down. Neji and Sasuke didn't play nice together, and nobody knew why.

Sakura walked over to Deidara making sure to sway her hips. He hardly looked at her but there was someone else in the room that enjoyed the show.

"What are you doing right now?"

Deidara looked around and shrugged. He had already eaten so he guessed that left socializing.

"How about me?" Sakura smiled suggestively and pushed him into the hallway. She grabbed his tie and pulled him to the elevator.

Deidara bent down and kissed her. He didn't love her but he was still a teenage boy. Nobody could argue that Sakura was good looking. He still had urges. Ino could certainly wait.

The ding from the elevator signaled that it was ready to take them upstairs. Sakura pulled Deidara into it. He was like a tame puppy. Sakura could have easily leaded him off a cliff.

Deidara was oblivious to where they were going; he was more interested in Sakura's tongue and what it was doing in his mind. He could hear her opening a door and he followed her inside another room. It was a room he had spent many afternoons, mostly getting high, drinking and playing video games. His eyes widened trying to think of a way to avert the pending disaster.

"Deidara!" It wasn't the voice of Sakura.

"Ino?" That was Sakura's voice.

"Sakura?" Then it was Ino again.

We heard that Deidara double booked. Sak and I at the same time, this will be hot but will it be a threesome or D-Day?

"Deidara? What is she doing here?" Both Ino and Sakura screamed at the same time pointing at each other.

"I was just going to talk about Ino while we're not talking!"

It was true, he wished something else would happen but talking what he was planning.

"What? That doesn't make much sense." Sakura was indeed right.

"I have a headache from last night; I'm just going to leave you two with your quickie." Ino offered a fake smile and started moving towards the door.

"This wasn't going to be a quickie; sex is meaningful to some of us!" Sakura was trying to justify her actions.

"Oh yes, I can see that. Sasuke's bed? Who knows what sinful deeds have been done there? Screams class, S."

Sakura wouldn't let Ino win. She had destroyed something important for her and Deidara and now Sakura would destroy something important for Ino.

"Does your new charity case know how classy you are?" Sakura's eyebrows rose like they always did when she knew she was onto something. Ino's o shaped mouth told her she had struck gold. "I think he should know."

With a devilish smile she took off running.

"Are you going to let her ruin my relationship? Wasn't ruining your own enough? " Ino screamed taking off after Sakura.

"I'm sorry, but she needed to know!"

Ino was frantic; she had to find Shikamaru before Sakura found him and spilled everything.

"Ad since when have you had a moral? Sometimes you have to keep a secret to keep others safe, sometimes you have to live to protect those you love!"

Deidara always thought that being truthful was the right way to go.

"That's a twisted way to look at it!"

Ino burst into the room again only to find Sakura with a manic smile shaking hands with Shikamaru.

"Hey, I'm Sakura. Ino's former best friend, has she told you why we aren't talking?"

Shikamaru certainly had picked up some hospitality.

"Oh, there is Ino to tell you herself?"

Ino was out of breath, running in heels was no joke. She hadn't come too late, she could soften the blow.

"Remember, this was a long time ago. Just know that I'm a different person now and I regret it every day."

Sakura scuffed and rolled her eyes.

"I think you should embrace your dark side, it's more fun and it's the real you Ino. We all know you're going to slip back to your old patterns sooner or later. I prefer sooner."

Shikamaru was confused. He wasn't used to his friends bringing each other down like this.

"There's nothing between us now," Deidara claimed confusing Shikamaru further. He didn't know that Ino had been with Deidara.

"Let's keep this short. Ino, my former bff, took the virginity of my boyfriend, while we were dating."

It felt like a blow to Shikamaru's stomach. He was shocked that Ino could do something like that.

"It's true, Sasuke and I watched." Itachi butted in. Just what the situation needed, more Uchiha.

"That's borderline incestuous." Neij also joined the circle.

"You both watch?!" Ino and Deidara called out. Both brothers shrugged simultaneously it was almost scary.

"You're just jealous because I can and will tap that fine ass of Hinata and you can't."

Neji's fist came flying through the circle hitting Sasuke straight in the jaw. Sasuke stumbled backwards falling over a waiter.

"There you have it, your innocent girlfriend isn't so innocent after all." Sakura stated. Shikamaru shook his head.

"She's not my girlfriend, and I'm going home."

This was too much for Shikamaru to handle, it was too much trouble.

"I'll come with you," Ino tired.

Shikamaru turned around uncertain if he could look at her. "I'm going home alone."

Neji went to find some ice for his fist, Itachi decided to be nice and help him. It was his little brother who had hurt his fist after all.

"Are you happy now?" Deidara said voice dripping with poison.

"Not even close," Sakura told and they both took off.

"There's just the two of us left and my suit is available. It's been lent out twice and still free, it must be faith."

Sasuke was such a perv.

Lonely boy was seen leaving alone once again, this time because things ended badly we heard and his fifteen minutes are up. Neji also left a gift for one of the hosts and sucker punched Sasuke. And as for I herself, we hear that she left today's brunch with no friends, no boy and nowhere left to run. It looks like the ultimate insider has become a total outsider. It's your move, Ino. You know who'll be watching: Gossip Girl.