Japan was simply amazing! I loved it. I want to go back. And live there. It's just that awesome!
Thank you all for being so patient with me and for all the love you've shown this fic :) Just a reminder, this fic is rated M because there will be alcohol and drugs and sex and everything that makes for a high school drama - so you are therefore warned.
This chapter is dedicated to animefreak606, my 220th reviewer.
Enjoy!
Chapter 14
..~**~..
Relief flooded through Sakura's body and she stood up, smiling widely before quickly retreating back to the sidelines. Yuugao-sensei rushed to congratulate them and within seconds Ino jumped on Sakura pulling her into a group hug with Tenten and Hinata.
"That was so awesome!" Ino yelled in her ear and Sakura hugged her friends tightly in return, no longer feeling any doubts about joining the squad.
The game resumed soon after with Neji and Kiba and the girls chanted even louder for every shot and steal. Tanzaku were losing badly but played just as hard as in the first quarter. However, it was clear to everyone in the gym that the difference in skill between the two teams was simply too great. Tenten cheered loudly for Neji after he scored another three-pointer just as the whistle was blown.
In the last quarter, Naruto and Sasuke switched back in and the response of the crowd was wild. Sakura could tell her best friend was having a blast judging by the grin on his face as he tore through Tanzaku's defense and slam dunked the ball. Sasuke's face remained focused as he stole the ball repeatedly from Tanzaku players and passed it to his senior teammates.
By the end of the game, Konoha had destroyed Tanzaku. The squad cheered loudly and the crowd gave a ton of applause to both teams. Tanzaku players didn't seem too upset and happily shook hands with Konoha. They seemed glad for the attention their game had drawn and Sakura spotted Shun smiling as Konoha's local television went to interview him.
Everyone seemed to want a piece of the Konoha players though and before Sakura could find Naruto or the other guys to congratulate them, the court was swamped with people. Sakura stood on tiptoe hoping to spot the players among the large crowd but among the many students, parents and press it was utter chaos.
"Don't bother looking for them," Tenten spoke up beside her. "The first game's always a nightmare like this and even if you find them, they'll be busy answering questions and stuff. We should go change, we'll find them later."
Sakura nodded, slightly disappointed she'd have to wait until the party to see the guys but quickly followed the rest of the squad through the crowd towards the locker rooms.
"Ten-chan!" a voice called behind them and the girls turned around to find Shun quickly making his way through the crowd towards them.
"You guys go ahead, I'll be right there," Tenten told them, a slight frown on her face.
"Are you sure?" Ino asked, noticing her anxious look.
"Yeah, don't worry," Tenten added with a smile and Ino nodded in return, dragging Sakura and Hinata along with her towards the locker rooms.
Hinata shook her head, sighing. "Neji nii-san isn't going to like this."
Sakura turned her head just in time to see the large smile Shun gave Tenten as he reached her.
Actually, this might be the right kind of push that Neji needs.
..~**~..
"Ino, Sakura!"
Sakura turned around to find Kiba jogging through the carpark towards them still clad in jersey and shorts as Shikamaru and Neji trailed behind.
"Hey Kiba, well done!" Sakura congratulated him as the guys reached them. "You guys did great."
"Yeah, you did pretty good for once," Ino added in a teasing tone, "probably because Shika didn't play."
"The first game of the season is always too troublesome," Shikamaru retorted, causing Neji to shake his head. "Damn press and all."
Ino sighed loudly. "Don't worry, genius, it wasn't you they were coming to watch in any case. So where are Naruto and Sasuke?"
"Gai-sensei wanted to talk to them, they'll be out in a sec," Neji answered, keeping his eyes on the school entrance.
"And then it's Ichiraku's!" Kiba exclaimed, just as his stomach growled in hunger.
"Ichiraku's?" Sakura asked, slightly confused. "I'm guessing that's Naruto's idea, right?"
"Yeah," Shikamaru confirmed, fishing for his cigarette pack in the jeans' pocket. "The idiot managed to convince the whole team to eat there after home games last year and now it's become a tradition."
"I wish those idiots would hurry the fuck up," Kiba muttered, turning to face the school entrance. "I'm starving and I have to head back to the compound to set up for the party. You girls are coming, right? Feel free to turn up in your cheerleader outfits by the way, you all looked smoking hot in them."
"Oh yeah?" Ino countered, her voice shifting to a lower, sultry tone. "I guess you enjoyed our performance at half-time then, huh?"
She sidled closer to Kiba, smiling coyly and Sakura felt Shikamaru tense beside her just as he was lighting up.
For a genius, he's not very discreet about his feelings, she thought to herself, as all sorts of matchmaking plans began flourishing in her mind.
"Are you kidding, you girls were amazing!" Kiba exclaimed cutting into Sakura's thoughts. "You were the hottest shit out there, aside from your coach of course. What was her name again?"
Sakura rolled her eyes at him. "Uzuki Yuugao and she's engaged."
"Are you serious?"
"Yep, to Hayate-sensei," Ino added and then laughed at the appalled looks on the boys' faces.
"No shit, Hayate-sensei? The geography teacher with the chronic cough?" Kiba exclaimed in surprise.
"Yes and they're a really sweet couple actually," Sakura told him with a sly smile as Ino agreed.
Kiba shook his head. "I'd rather not know."
"Anyway, the girls and I are headed back to my place for now, but we'll see you at the party, okay?" Ino told them, pulling out her car keys as she spotted Hinata from a distance. "If you're lucky we might actually make it before midnight."
She winked at Kiba teasingly but before the Inuzuka could retort, Neji cut them off.
"Without Hinata," he stated.
"Sorry, what?" Ino asked, her smile fading.
Neji turned his pale eyes on the blonde. "Hinata won't be going to the party."
"Why the hell not?" Ino demanded, frowning in return.
"Because she shouldn't be attending parties like Kiba's in the first place," he informed her coldly just as Hinata approached them.
"Hey, what are you guys talking -"
"Dude, are you fucking serious?" Kiba exclaimed angrily, cutting her off as he turned to face Neji. "Everyone will be there to look out for her, just let her go."
"Oh…" Hinata spoke quietly, more to herself than to the group, "…that."
"Really?" Neji asked, his stern gaze looking disapprovingly at Kiba. "Because you plan on staying by her side the entire night, sober? You plan on turning a blind eye to your own party to ensure she's safe at all times?"
"Kiba's not the only one who'll be there," Ino added, as Kiba seemed at a loss for words.
"Don't make me laugh, Yamanaka," Neji said harshly, turning to face her. "When's the last party you attended without getting completely wasted?"
Sakura held her breath as she felt Ino's anger skyrocket and Shikamaru flinch at Neji's words.
"Like you're any better," her blonde friend bit back, her blue eyes narrowed.
"That's my point," Neji answered calmly. "None of us will be in the right state of mind to look out for Hinata all night and make sure she stays safe. Therefore, she's not going."
"Tch," Ino growled in annoyance before turning to the Hyuuga heiress. "Hinata, say something."
"Ino, it's okay, I don't mind, really," Hinata told her quietly, although her attempt at a smile didn't convince Sakura.
"I'll watch out for her," the pinkette finally spoke up, all eyes turning towards her. "I wasn't planning on drinking tonight and I'll be with her and the girls all night in any case, so it's no problem at all."
"You won't drink?" Neji asked, looking skeptic.
"Nope, nothing," Sakura promised, shaking her head. "I feel exhausted after today's performance and I don't want a repeat of last Friday, so no alcohol for me. Besides, Okyo will be there too and she won't be drinking either. She specifically said she would looking out for the squad as a responsible captain."
Neji seemed convinced enough by Sakura's words. "Fine, but just make sure Hiashi-sama agrees to it first."
Hinata nodded, silently thanking Sakura as Neji looked away.
"So what's keeping up Tenten?" Shikamaru suddenly asked, gazing sharply at Ino, who gave him a dark look in return.
He obviously knows about Shun and purposely brought it up, Sakura realised, noticing Neji's head whip around at the mention of Tenten. Well two can play that game.
As Ino and Hinata struggled to find an excuse, Sakura answered instead. "She was kept behind by that hot Tanzaku player. What was his name again? Shinji, Shuichi…?"
"Shun," Neji stated through gritted teeth.
"Oh yeah… Shun," Sakura continued before turning to the girls. "I thought he played really well, right girls?"
Ino smirked in return as Hinata quietly agreed.
"Aw, shit, I forgot about Shun," Kiba piped up, casting an anxious look towards Neji. "He'll also probably be there at the party tonight."
"Tanzaku's invited?" Sakura asked in disbelief.
Kiba nodded. "Yeah, we have some old buddies who go to Tanzaku High now and we only really see them during games so I always make sure to invite them. However, Naruto wouldn't shut up about the party in the locker rooms and pretty much invited everyone else as well."
"Dumbass," Shikamaru muttered, looking up at the cloudy sky as he blew out smoke rings.
Tenten suddenly appeared at the school entrance, making her way towards them.
"Great, well we'll see you guys later," Ino told the boys as she grabbed her car keys from her purse.
"Have fun at Ichiraku's," Sakura added and after everyone had said their goodbyes, the girls moved towards Ino's white sports car.
"Nice thinking, Sakura," Ino whispered, looking quite gleeful as Tenten headed their way. "It's going to be so much fun torturing the two of them tonight."
Hinata, catching on, didn't seem so convinced. "I don't think that's such a good idea."
Ino, however, was already lost in her scheming thoughts. "Tonight is going to be so much fun!"
..~**~..
..~**~..
Two hours into the party and Naruto was drunk.
Sasuke wouldn't have minded so much if his already energetic best friend didn't turn into a hyperactive spaz everytime he got shitfaced and if Sasuke didn't feel compelled to make sure the idiot kept away from the hard stuff.
By ten the whole neighbourhood could hear the party but that didn't stop Kiba, who was busy shouting over the loud music trying to gather his teammates.
"Konoha! Time for some shots!" he yelled causing an uproar of cheers before he spotted Sasuke in the crowd. "Uchiha! Get your ass over here!"
Sasuke followed into the kitchen, leaving Naruto behind talking non-stop to a bunch of fangirls, recounting every minute of the game to them.
"Here." Kiba thrust a small shotglass in his hand and Sasuke stood with his team.
"Where's Naruto?" Shikamaru asked, looking behind him.
"Already wasted."
Shikamaru gave him a knowing look before turning back to Kiba, who was giving yet another toast to Konoha's victory.
"Go Shinobi!" he finished, lifting his glass high before downing the clear liquid.
Sasuke and his team followed suit and soon everyone was cheering again and clapping the players on the back.
"Sakura-chaaan!" a voice erupted behind him and Sasuke turned to see Naruto barrel his way to the front door as the four girls had arrived.
Sakura looked displeased to see him drunk as he pulled her into a bear hug, but smiled all the same, laughing at him. He pulled her inside and she followed him, scolding him as he bumped into people and apologising on his behalf.
Sasuke couldn't help but notice how the pinkette seemed to outshine everyone. She was wearing a short summer dress that showed off more skin than Sasuke liked but that made her legs look long and slender. Her hair, straight and sleek, was swept to one side and her silver necklace was teasingly hidden within her cleavage.
"Teme! Sakura-chan's here!" Naruto boomed, clapping Sasuke's shoulder before heading to the bar. "Let's do shots!"
"Naruto, I'm not drinking tonight," Sakura lectured him, "and you definitely shouldn't be doing anymore shots."
"What? But I wanna!"
Sasuke watched half-amused as the two of them continued to bicker until Naruto spotted Hinata in the crowd and stumbled away.
"Jesus! How is he so drunk already?" Sakura asked, whirling around to face him.
"Kiba challenged him to a drinking contest," Sasuke deadpanned before grabbing a red cup. "What do you want?"
"It's alright, I can get my own drink."
He gave her a look and she merely stared back at him, raising a perfectly shaped pink brow.
"Sakura," he growled annoyed and she relented with a sigh.
"Just juice, please. Anything is fine."
He gave her a cup of apple juice and poured his own drink with a large dose of whiskey.
"I hope you didn't forget about our deal."
He watched her stiffen before she shook her head. "Of course not."
"Good, I'll come find you when it's time." Not waiting for an answer, he pushed past her, slipping through the glass door towards the outdoor patio.
He found a quiet spot, away from the drunken rowdy mass and lit up his first cigarette of the night.
"Uchiha Sasuke," a familiar voice called out behind him and Sasuke turned his head to find a silver-haired man with slicked back hair and purple eyes grinning at him.
Hidan, Sasuke thought with a growl. He should have known his brother's friends were bound to show up. After all, they all went to college with Kiba's cousin.
Deidara appeared beside the cocky silver-haired bastard, drink in hand.
"Yo Sasuke! Long time, no see," the Yamanaka heir told him, his eyes searching the crowd inside. "We saw your game on TV earlier, you played well."
"Yeah, good job man!" Hidan added, punching his shoulder lightly. "Keep it up and every scout in Fire country will be knocking at your door!"
Sasuke nodded silently, cigarette dangling from his lips.
"Say, you wanna join us tonight?" Hidan asked, retrieving his own pack of smokes from inside his jacket. "Kouta's having his own private gig back at his place."
Sasuke considered it for a moment, but their kind of partying almost always involved hard drugs and a bunch of handpicked girls he could never shake off. Not that he minded some nights. However, if Deidara and Hidan had shown up, then his asshole brother wasn't very far.
"Not really," he finally answered, noticing Deidara's attention was focused on something or rather someone else, inside the house. "You should ask the other guys."
He shifted slightly, turning to see Deidara's line of sight and spotted Sakura dancing and laughing with Ino in the middle of the lounge.
He suddenly felt annoyed.
"Gotcha," Hidan answered, before smacking Deidara's arm, jolting him back to their conversation. "Laters."
Sasuke watched the pair leave with narrowed eyes but before he could think more about it, his teammates drunkenly called out to him, shots in their hands.
A few hours later, Sasuke found himself sitting down on one of the patio chairs beside Neji surrounded by a crowd of groupies. He barely listened to the conversation around him, keeping an eye on a drunk Naruto instead, who was entertaining a couple of bikini-clad girls.
Beside him, Neji, beer in hand, was half-listening to some blonde chick's rant as he kept glancing through the windows at Tenten and her ex from Tanzaku, who stood by the bar happily chatting away.
Although the Hyuuga and him were friends now and had each other's backs after many years of hatred and rivalry, Sasuke still preferred to stay out of his friend's personal business and let him deal with his own shit. Whatever was going on with Tenten was his own business and Sasuke wanted no part in it, although he really hoped his friend would come to his senses soon.
Where were Kiba and Shikamaru when he needed them?
Thankfully, Tenten eventually broke away from Shun as Sakura approached them and traded places with her friend by the bar. Neji immediately seemed to relax and Sasuke kept a sharp eye instead on the new couple talking and laughing inside. It unnerved him the way Sakura seemed to draw so much attention. Already Deidara had his eye on her and Shun looked positively smitten. Even at school, Sasuke had caught more than one guy openly checking her out and it annoyed him.
A lot.
He wasn't sure why he was reacting the way he did. After all, it wasn't any of his business if guys wanted to hit on her. Or perhaps what disturbed him most was the fact that Sakura was ignorant to her own appeal. She didn't seem to realise the attention she drew and how eventually she would be drawing trouble to herself - and to the group.
Sasuke's attention broke away as the glass door slid open and Tenten stepped through followed by a couple of cheerleaders he didn't recognise. He noticed the brunette's head turn to face them as she heard high-pitched laughter and her gaze immediately hardened as she spotted the blonde groupie leaning over Neji. Sasuke watched from afar as Tenten finished her drink and excused herself from her friends before stomping off into the dimly lit garden. It seemed he wasn't the only one to notice as he saw the Hyuuga stare out in the direction she had headed.
Neji's pale eyes betrayed his internal struggle and Sasuke silently wondered what his friend would do next. They weren't counting on a drunken Naruto to suddenly appear behind them.
"Neji!" he bellowed, pushing his way past the blonde and jolting the Hyuuga from his thoughts. "What the fuck are you waiting for?"
Sasuke smirked at his best friend's lack of subtlety although his words seemed to be the kick the Hyuuga needed.
"What's that idiot saying?" one of the girls asked, giggling beside them.
The blonde shrugged her shoulders. "Who cares? He's obviously drunk. Just ignore him, Neji."
However, the Hyuuga stood up instead, excusing himself as he left his empty bottle on the table and disappeared into the garden.
The blonde seemed determined to follow.
"Leave him," Sasuke ordered, standing up himself and stabbing out his cigarette in the nearest ashtray. He headed back inside choosing to ignore the confused looks around him.
It was about time to remind Sakura about their deal.
..~**~..
..~**~..
Sakura stepped outside into the gardens looking for Ino. The house was packed full with Konoha High students plus many of Kiba's friends from other high schools Sakura had never met before. However, as she had predicted, since their stunt at the game, everyone had wanted to meet the squad and the pink-haired flyer. Guys had been flocking to the cheerleaders since they'd arrived and although Sakura had appreciated the sudden attention, it made it hard for her to keep track of Hinata and the girls.
Unfortunately as soon as she stepped outside, she realised the patio was just as crammed as the house and it was impossible to spot Ino anywhere. Naruto and his teammates were doing shots on the terrace surrounded by a cheering crowd whilst others made use of the pool jumping and pushing each other in.
Sakura narrowly avoided getting soaked by some drunken girls in the pool and continued down the main path, looking around for her blonde friend. She knew it was a lost cause but she was glad to be outside getting some fresh air. It had barely been a couple of hours since she'd arrived at the party and she already felt tired. The game and routine had completely zapped her energy and she had half a mind to leave early if it weren't for her stupid deal with Sasuke.
"Pink."
Sakura looked to her left and was surprised to find Deidara slouching beside a small gate leading out of the garden, smoking a cigarette.
"Oh hey," Sakura greeted him. It was so dark in the garden away from the house that she barely recognised him if not for the long hair. She was glad to find a familiar face but as she approached, she noticed Deidara's eyes give her a once over and felt a blush spread on her cheeks.
Naruto's words suddenly echoed in her head.
"Oh don't be so naïve, Sak. Dei's probably been with half the girls in Konoha and he was looking at you like you were his next fuck."
She paused before trying to lighten up the mood. "So, I see you're hanging out with us high school kids again."
"I'm waiting for a friend to show up," he explained, exhaling a ring of smoke, his blue eyes still watching her closely. "He wanted to find Shikamaru before we head off. What are you doing out here?"
Sakura shrugged. "Technically I was looking for Ino but it was just an excuse to come out and get some fresh air. I'm feeling pretty tired after today."
The smirk that grew on Deidara's lips didn't help to appease her nerves. "Oh yeah, I saw you guys on TV. That was pretty impressive for your first time."
"Thanks," she answered with a small smile. Silence fell between them and Sakura slowly realised that talking to Deidara, who she barely knew, at night and with no one around was rather unsettling. Especially with the way he was looking at her.
"So where are you headed?" Sakura spoke again, realising he hadn't explained anything.
Deidara tilted his head towards the rest of the Inuzuka compound behind him. "Kouta's. He's doing his own thing tonight."
"Private party, huh?" she pursued, intrigued.
He merely nodded, studying her face for a minute before adding. "It's clan members only, but I can get you in. Wanna come?"
Although his tone was quiet, the challenge in his eyes was clear.
Booze, drugs and sex… her Inner voice answered for her. Are we really doing this again?
"Not really," Sakura told him in all honesty.
"Thought so," he said, stepping forward, a smile in the corner of his lips. "Not your thing?"
Sakura repressed the urge to take a step back. "Not anymore."
He stopped when he heard her. "Really? Interesting… Maybe next time then."
Maybe never, Sakura thought, not liking his arrogant attitude. It was time to head back to the house.
"I'd better head back to the girls before they look for me. I'll see you around."
She didn't wait for him to answer before she gave a small wave and turned on her heel. Whatever Deidara or other clan heirs were offering, she had promised herself – she wouldn't go down that path again.
..~**~..
"Hinata, I thought the plan was to bring Neji inside," Ino steamed, appearing out of nowhere behind Sakura in a drunken state.
"Where the hell were you?" Sakura immediately demanded, shouting over the loud music as she gripped both Ino and Hinata and dragged them to a more quiet corner.
Ino barely looked at Sakura as she stared distastefully at Tenten and Shun standing by the bar. "I was outside," she answered impatiently. "I was merely taking advantage of our recent rise in popularity."
You're already the most popular girl in Konoha High! Sakura almost bit back.
"Was he at least hot?" she asked with a sigh, figuring that Ino had been shamelessly flirting with some guy while Sakura had been looking for her.
"Oh yeah," Ino confirmed with a large smile.
"I couldn't find a decent excuse to get Neji inside," Hinata cut in, sipping on her soda. "But I got Shun to get Tenten a drink and she joined him by the bar."
"And that's right in Neji's line of sight!" Ino realised seeing the Hyuuga sitting on the terrace through the window. "Brilliant, Hinata!"
"How long have they been chatting together?" Sakura asked, wondering if she was right to go along with Ino's crazy match-making plan.
"I don't know… a while I guess," Hinata told them before glancing at her cousin. "Neji nii-san's definitely spotted them but he hasn't moved from the patio at all. It's like he doesn't care."
"Oh he cares alright," Ino interjected angrily, no doubt remembering how angry the Hyuuga got at the nightclub. "We just need to get them together now, just the two of them."
Hinata shook her head. "I don't want to take part in this anymore. He would be furious if he found out we were meddling. And so would Tenten."
Sakura wholeheartedly agreed, she would hate for anyone to interfere with her love life like this.
"Ino, remind me why we're doing this again?" Sakura asked, watching how relaxed Tenten seemed to be in Shun's presence.
"Because Tenten is in love with Neji!" Ino stated without any hesitation. "She has been for years and even though she dated Shun, she broke up with him because she knew she could never love him like she does Neji. And no matter what Neji says or how he behaves, he loves her back."
Hinata nodded in confirmation and Sakura bit her lip wondering what to do next. If Tenten was ever going to have a chance with Neji tonight, then they had to distract Shun's attention from her.
"Then we better pray that our plan works because otherwise Tenten will have our heads," she stated, coming up with a plan. "Fine, I'll take care of Shun and find an excuse for Tenten to head outside. Then all we can do is hope that Neji will get his ass in gear and go talk to her."
"I think you're putting too much faith in the ice-block," Ino commented as she downed her drink. "But I have an idea to get Tenten away. Leave it to me!"
She disappeared in the crowd, dragging Hinata along with her as she made a beeline for the couch where half the cheerleader squad were chatting and drinking.
Hinata, don't let her do anything stupid, Sakura silently prayed as she made her way through the crowd towards the bar.
"Tenten, hey!" she exclaimed as she reached her friend. "Man, this party is crazy! And there are so many people around I've never even seen before."
She paused, looking at Shun as if spotting him for the first time before she gave him a sweet smile.
"Oh hi, I'm Sakura," she greeted him with a little wave.
"Shun," he answered, smiling in return.
"I'm sorry for bumping into you guys, I was just hoping to get a drink," Sakura added quickly, noticing the incredulous look on Tenten's face. She then maneuvered around Shun, softly sliding up against him as she reached out to catch a red cup.
Shun deftly caught it with his fingers. "Allow me," he told her, turning towards the bar. "What would you like?"
Just then, Kaori and Kagura showed up behind Tenten.
"Tenten, we were looking for you everywhere," Kagura started, discreetly winking at Sakura as she began to drag the brunette away. "Okyo was looking for you, she needs your help with something…"
"Tequila with any mixer is fine," Sakura spoke again, jolting Shun's attention back to her as she smiled and brushed up against his arm. "If you can find any orange juice left, that'd be great."
She waited as he made her drink and handed it to her before asking her about the game and her performance. Sakura played along, answering his questions and making small talk as she watched Tenten follow the girls through the crowd towards the patio out of the corner of her eye.
"Sorry, I promised my friend to bring her a drink," Sakura excused herself, holding the red plastic cup up. "It was nice meeting you."
She ignored the disappointed look on Shun's face and pushed back through the crowd towards the lounge where she knew Hinata and Ino would be waiting.
Before she could reach them, a hand gripped her elbow and gently tugged to one side. Sakura wheeled around to find Shikamaru. He was casually leaning against the wall, looking slightly disheveled, and with one arm wrapped around a drunken girl Sakura had never seen before.
"It's not going to work," Shikamaru drawled as the girl got on her tiptoes and slowly started kissing his neck. "You think Neji won't see right through Ino's schemes?"
Sakura, trying to ignore the other girl's actions, grinned at him instead. "Really? Because I think all he cared about was watching Tenten having a good time with Shun."
She then discreetly nodded at the girl wrapped around him. "Who's that?" she mouthed.
Shikamaru merely shrugged.
This guy has no shame…
"They'll both kill you if it doesn't work out," he added, returning to their conversation.
"Yeah, we realised that but hopefully things will turn out alright," Sakura told him, noticing that Neji had left his seat outside.
Shikamaru grunted in acknowledgement spotting the same empty seat as her. Sakura smirked at him, all kinds of triumphant, until she noticed the Nara's dark eyes gleam with amusement.
"Looks like you have another problem on your hands," he calmly pointed out, looking straight ahead.
Sakura followed his line of sight and felt her pulse quicken as dark, obsidian eyes watched her across the room.
Sasuke.
Damn, I guess it's time.
He tilted his side to one side, gesturing for her to find him. Sakura nodded and quickly made her way through the crowd ditching the red cup still in her hand as she passed by a table.
Sasuke casually waited in the shadows, leaning against a wall, hands in his pockets. Sakura couldn't lie to herself, he looked amazing in the dim lighting with his dark looks and brooding attitude and she couldn't blame the girls around them for checking him out too.
Unfortunately, as soon as she approached him, the girls' stars turned into scowls, giving Sakura pause. The cold treatment and jealous stares she immediately received were eerily familiar and she had a feeling kissing Sasuke in front of all those girls would be the same as signing her own death warrant.
"Took your time," Sasuke said coolly, instantly reminding Sakura why he infuriated her so much despite his looks.
She narrowed her eyes at him. "I didn't know you were in such a hurry."
Sakura didn't notice Sasuke eyeing her necklace until she felt his fingers wrap around her chain and pull out her pendant.
"What are you doing?" she hissed sharply, knowing what his actions would look like to the spectators around them.
Sasuke stared down at the silver dream-catcher, slowly brushing his thumb over it as Sakura felt her face flush red.
"What's wrong, Sakura?" he asked sweetly, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Don't you remember the deal we made?"
Yes, but there's no need to make it even worse! Sakura wanted to scream at him, spotting girls left and right glaring at them whilst his hand was practically touching her cleavage.
Snatching back her pendant, Sakura grabbed Sasuke's arm instead and pulled him through the nearest door. "Follow me."
He silently complied and she rapidly closed the door behind them and switched on the lights. It seemed they were in some sort of study with a cluttered desk, a fireplace and a small couch. Sakura thanked her lucky stars that they hadn't walked in on another couple making out or worse.
"I need a minute," Sakura explained weakly noticing Sasuke questioning her with a raised eyebrow as she paced about the room, wondering what the hell to do next.
"I was under the impression that we had made a deal," Sasuke said hotly, gripping her elbow as she passed by him. "A deal that you agreed to."
He stared her down, holding her in place while Sakura kept her eyes ahead.
"I just need a minute," she repeated, trying to think.
His grip tightened. "Sakura, get your shit together –"
"I know!" she cried out, wrenching her arm out of his grasp and finally meeting his angry glare. "I'm not trying to get out of this. I made a promise and I'll go through with it, but once I do this… once I kiss you out there with every girl from our school watching, I am going to be enemy number one again. All the girls are going to hate my guts again and I'll have to watch my back every second of every day because your groupies will be coming after me just like Ami did, so just give me a fucking minute, okay?"
He remained silent at her outburst and Sakura suddenly felt terrible for losing her cool. After all, it was her own fault for getting caught up in his deal in the first place. She should never have made up that stupid lie.
"We don't have to do this," Sasuke spoke up after a while.
"What? No, Sasuke, I'm sorry," Sakura apologised, feeling even worse that he was suddenly letting her off easy. "I didn't think about the shit you went through when I made up that rumour so it's only fair that I help you. Besides, a deal is a deal and I'll see it through."
"You don't have to go out there."
"But -"
"I don't want anyone else to target you like Ami did," he said, his tone leaving no room for discussion.
Sakura hesitated, stunned by his words.
Why was he being so nice to her all of a sudden? Why was he dropping the deal like it was nothing? Once again, he was suddenly showing her a different side to him. She always expected him to behave like he always had as Naruto's arrogant and stuck-up best friend, but since she had arrived in Konoha his behaviour kept surprising her.
It seemed Sasuke Uchiha still remained a complete enigma to her.
His expression remained resolute and Sakura had no other choice than to finally agree with him.
"Okay. Then I guess I'd better leave before people get the wrong idea." Her voice was quiet and she wanted to kick herself for sounding so weak in front of him. Wanting to leave the room as soon as possible, she brushed past him but froze when his hand abruptly clasped around her wrist.
"Hold on," he murmured, close to her ear, "I said you didn't have to go out there… but I never said anything about the kiss."
Wait, what?
Sakura turned her head around and immediately noticed that he was close – way too close. She watched speechless as his free hand came up to her face and gently brushed her hair behind her ear.
Get a grip, you silly girl! her Inner self screamed in the back of her mind.
"Oh… um… then I guess -"
She paused, noticing the way his dark eyes were focused on her lips, and licked them before she could stop herself.
"- we can -"
Needing no further confirmation, Sasuke bent down and kissed her. It was sweet and chaste and not at all what Sakura was expecting. His warm hands slowly trailed up her arms and she let him back her against the nearest wall as she kissed him back.
His lips grew insistent and Sakura's mind went blank as she finally submitted to him and he deepened the kiss. She let his tongue explore her mouth as he threaded one hand in her hair whilst the other gripped her waist tightly, holding her in place.
He tasted like whiskey and cigarettes and something else she couldn't define. Something exciting yet dangerous at the same time and it turned her on. Kankuro's kisses were always rough and hard but they never gave her the rush Sasuke was giving her then – they never made her feel so alive.
Her hands slowly traveled up to his chest before settling on his open collar, pulling him closer. His hard body followed her demand and pressed up against hers. Soon a soft moan escaped her and she felt Sasuke smirk against her lips. The hand on her waist slipped lower and ignited something within her that she hadn't felt for a long time. Something akin to fire raced through her veins with everyone of Sasuke's touches and Sakura craved for more.
Oh God!
"Sakura-chaaan!"
Naruto's slurred voice caused them both to stiffen.
"Sakura-chaaan, you in there?" the blond continued, banging on the door. "M'not feelin' good."
They broke apart and green eyes stared into obsidian ones as they stood face to face, breathing heavily. Sakura's mind could barely process everything that had just happened.
I made out with Sasuke.
I just made out with Uchiha Sasuke.
And the way he was staring at her then, with fire in his eyes and his feel of his hands still lingering on her, she wanted to do it again.
"Saaak?" Naruto called again beyond the door and it took all of Sakura's strength to rip her gaze from Sasuke's and answer him.
"Yeah, I'm here," she called back, breaking the moment between them for good. Sasuke took a step back as Sakura turned to face the door, smoothing her hair.
She paused before opening it, wondering whether she should turn to say something before leaving but Naruto's loud thumping interrupted her yet again.
I'm going to kill him, she thought darkly as she opened the study door and slipped through, pushing her drunken best friend out of the way.
"Sak'ra-chaan," he whined pitifully, looking slightly pale and smelling strongly of alcohol. "I feel sick."
"Jeez, I wonder why," Sakura told him with a sigh before helping him through the crowd and away from the study. "Let's get you some water and then to bed. You can stay at mine tonight since you're too wasted to get to bed yourself. My mom should be finishing her shift at the hospital soon so she can probably pick us up."
Naruto slumped against her shoulder, scowling at her words. "Yo'mom? No way, she'll kill me."
Not if I kill you first.
Sakura steered him through the crowd, although her mind was still in the study, with Sasuke and their mind-blowing kiss. She barely noticed Okyo appear before her.
"Sakura, you okay?" Okyo asked, shaking her head at Naruto's state. "Here, I got you a water bottle."
"Okyo, you're a lifesaver, thank you," Sakura praised her captain, maneuvering Naruto towards the front door. "Could you tell the girls I'm taking Naruto home and make sure Hinata gets home safely?"
"Sure thing, although Hinata already left with Tenten and Neji," Okyo informed her and Sakura didn't miss the sly undertone in her words.
Saying her goodbyes, Sakura eventually got Naruto outside and managed to sit him down on the frontsteps with great difficulty.
"Hey… Sak'ra-chaan… why are yo'lips so red?" Naruto questioned, his blue eyes peering up at her.
Slightly panicked by his question, Sakura thrust the bottle in his hands before turning away from him. "Naruto, just shut up and drink your water."
Ignoring the goofy smile he sent her way, she took out her phone and called her mom.
..~**~..
So there you have it. For those of you wondering about Itachi, he should show up in the next chapter or two. I have plans for him.
Is it me or are there fewer SasuSaku fics around lately? Am I not looking in the right places? I'm in need of good, recent SasuSaku fics so if you have any, please send them my way!
Well, I hope you guys liked this chapter. If you did, let me know! :)
sai xx