A/N - *clears throat*

Time to get cheesy.

My best friend has wanted me to finish this story since we met. And I used to laugh in her face and tell her the story is dead. I didn't particularly like the near ending of the chapters, and I planned to just let it lie even though it's the most reviewed story I had.

But. For her birthday. Because she has dealt with me and all of my fuck ups, I figured I'd show my appreciation.

So Happy Belated/Early Birthday Kat. Because this is almost a year late, yet almost on time!

I love you.

Now time for the last bundle for this story. Hold on to your seats.

I hope it was worth the wait.


Song used for this chapter - Electro-Light - Symbolism

I woke up in Tenten's bed with a buzz sounding near my ear. Groaning into my pillow, I blindly searched for the cause and dragged my found cell phone to my face. My eyes adjusted slowly as I attempted to understand what was happening. When I did, I simply groaned again and tossed the phone away from me.

Sakura was calling.

Again.

And while that sounded excessive, I could give her credit that this was only the second time. Once last night, and now another this morning.

I couldn't imagine what time it was, but any time that was too early for my eyes to open on it's own was ungodly hour. Granted I was hung over.

Very hung over.

But despite that, it was entirely too fucking early to deal with her or anyone else for that matter.

Last night was a complete blur. In the foggiest part of my brain, I could remember making it to Tenten's place. And I could also recall that Temari had given me the ride and the rest of the gang was already there when we arrived.

After that it was nothing but alcohol and movies.

Fuck my head was killing me, and I silently hoped for whatever higher source to simply end me now or take away the pain. I was stupid for drowning my over bearing thoughts in liquor, but in my defense at the time it seemed like the perfect idea. Because I was already at the edge.

Sakura punching Tayuya over the kiss we had was the tipping of the shit iceberg.

All too soon the thoughts were coming back.

And my response was to simply curl tighter into the sheets, hoping to hide away from it all enough to get back to sleep.

But of course, that was too much to ask for.

Again my phone was ringing.

"I swear if it's her again, I'm going to murder her," I growled as I rolled back over.

"Murder who?" Tenten asked sleepy from the foot of the bed.

"Nothing, go back to sleep," I assured, smiling slightly as she simply tossed and nodded in reply.

Sighing, I glanced at my phone. To my surprise, this time it was Kankuro.

Eyebrows coming together, I answered. "Hello?"

"Ino? Hey, uh sorry for calling, but have you seen Tayuya?" He asked, his voice sounding nervous over the phone.

"Um, no," I replied with a scrunch of my nose, "I mean. The night before last, yeah. But. Well I'm over my friends place right now, so..."

"Fuck, seriously?" He cursed, growing silent.

A part of me started to worry, "What's wrong, Kankuro?"

"Uh..."

His stalling only made me more worried.

"Kankuro, what's wrong?" I repeated, this time firmly as I started to sit up in bed, "What happened?"

"Nothing! Honestly, it's just-"

"Ino who are you talking to," Naruto groaned from the floor. I glanced at him and his pinched expression, as if everything around him was too far overwhelming to deal with. "You're too loud."

"Sorry," I apologized before swinging my feet from the bed. Though the movement caused my head to sway, I continued to maneuver my way out of the room while attempting not to step on any of the bodies laying there. Sasuke and Naruto were pretty much spread out, but Temari was no where to be found.

Closing the door behind me, I asked in a whisper, "Now, what the hell is going on Kankuro?"

"Nothing big, I swear," he rushed out, probably sensing my growing hysterical tone, "It's just. Well. We haven't seen her in a couple of days, and uh..."

"And what," I pressed.

"God, I don't want to tell you. Just know it's very important we find her in the next- uh- well let's just say now," Kankuro answered as annoyingly vague as ever.

"Is she alright?" I demanded.

"I wouldn't know! She hasn't answered her phone and we haven't heard from her! I mean, I'm sure she's fine and she's trying to get some distance, and that's cool. But we need her here, like now." He was rushing out his words so fast that he was fumbling with them.

Heart beginning to pick up speed, I hung up.

And dialed Tayuya's number that I knew by heart not even a second after.

God, after what seemed like forever, she finally picked up.

"Hello?"

"Where the hell are you?" I demanded, my worry immediately morphing into anger.

"Um, I'm in my bed," Tayuya replied slowly, "Where are you?"

"You haven't been picking up your phone," I snapped, not feeling her joking mood.

"What? This is the first time you called," she said with confusion.

"The gang has been trying to reach you, and you haven't been picking up their calls," I explained, bite still in my tone, "So where are you?"

"In bed Ino, Christ," she repeated. Rustling could be heard in the background, "And I've already told you, their always looking for me. What is it they want this time?"

I took a breath, "I don't know. Kankuro called and said they needed you like right now. I didn't even stay on the phone to figure out why. I just wanted to make sure you were alright."

Her soft snort sounded in my ear, "Ah, princess I'm just fine. I was just trying to have some time to myself. No need to worry alright?"

"I wouldn't have to worry if you didn't make me," I sighed out.

I could hear the grin as she replied, "Good point. Anyway, did it sound serious?"

"With Kankuro, I don't think you can ever really tell," I answered, running my hand through my hair, "But I'm going to go with yes."

Sighing, she muttered a curse, "Alright. I'll call you back later, let me see what these idiots want."

"Call me back soon, okay?" I asked, suddenly worried about what could possibly be going on with her gang.

"I will. Talk to you soon."

With that she hung up.

Leaving me with the strange sensation of sea sickness and being hit in the head repeatedly with a brick. Swallowing down a dry heave, I stumbled my way to the nearest bathroom.

X

The drive home wasn't terrible. I mean it wasn't the best, seeing as I wasn't ready for motion and being put into a moving vehicle kind of sucked, but over all I made it alive.

Barely.

I would love to know who's bright idea it was to drink like there was no freaking tomorrow, but I had a strange sensation it was Naruto. I could tell by his little apologetic smile when I said for the umpteenth time that I was definitely about to throw up in the car. But between Tenten rubbing my back and Temari warning me that would be a very extreme strain on our friendship, like I said.

I barely made it alive.

Still, they were strangely... relieving. Being with them last night was like taking a huge weight that seemed to be baring down on my chest. I wasn't sure if it was their behavior, how whenever we were together they seemed to think we were timeless and aging was beneath us, but it helped. A lot. Seeing their fun, in the midst of my minor slash extreme life meltdown, made everything seem into a big game.

I mean to them we were alive, we were young. What more could we ask for?

So when I was waving to them goodbye, I felt more at ease than I felt in a very long time. Like there wasn't anything to worry about.

I was as ageless and as timeless as them. What was there to be scared of?

So I'm glad I went over to Tenten's for a group sleep over. I'm glad I was able to take a small breather with them and able to feel the slight relief of tension that squeezed at my throat. I truly was.

Because I needed it.

Not for what was to come.

Or for the past.

No, actually for the present.

Literally, for the very second I walked inside.

Because what the fuck was Sakura doing sitting at my kitchen table with my mother... No that's an actual question. What in the actual fuck is she doing sitting-

"Oh, dear you're finally back!" My mother beamed with excitement, freshly baked cookies in front of her as she sat at the table as if everything was perfectly normal, "I was wondering if I'd have to call you soon. But I figured you'd be back right about now."

"Um, yeah. We slept in late and hung out for a bit," I explained slowly, my eyes wandering to Sakura with absolute confusion. She had the audacity to slip her eyes away from me. Oh, so you were brave enough to come all the way here after all that shit but not to-

"Well that's alright sweet heart, I was just worried about your friend waiting for you for too long. I was running out of things to talk about," my mom laughed, giving Sakura a smile, "Not that you weren't keeping the conversation going well. I'm impressed."

"I'm a natural at talking about science," Sakura finally spoke with a nervous laugh, "Anything else, not so much."

"Well keep talking about the universe that way, and I'm sure you won't have a single problem finding someone to keep attention," my mother encouraged with a beam, "Now Ino, why am I just now meeting her? She says you've been friends for quite awhile."

"She's been over a couple of times, but it was too late to knock on your door to introduce her. You go to sleep so early," I answered, small frown on my face. Because I was still watching Sakura, yet she refused to look in my eyes.

"Oh, speaking of, I better go tidy up so I can get ready for my nightly rituals." Finally, my mother stood up from her chair and smiled sweetly at Sakura, "Well it was very nice to meet you."

"You too, Mrs. Yamanaka," Sakura replied respectfully.

"Such a lovely girl," my mom tutted with a rustle of her hair, then glancing at me she teased, "I suppose it's time to hide back into your room."

"Just about that time," I joked back, taking a cookie from the table just to appease her. And also show appreciation. There was no telling how long she sat there with Sakura. Walking towards the stairs, I called, "We'll be in my room."

"Alright, dear! Come down for more cookies whenever you want, Sakura. My treat!"

Sakura had called back with some polite response, but I didn't hear a thing. My irritation was like static in my ears, and I was just waiting to hear what excuse she had for any of this.

When we finally reached my room, I closed the door and walked to my dresser. Leaning against it, I folded my arms and ate my cookie quietly, raising my eyebrow at her as she sat on my bed. She still refused to look at me, and with as little irritation as possible, I promoted, "Well?"

"You're mother is really nice," Sakura mumbled, fidgeting with her hands, "I'm surprised that's the first time I met her too."

"Sakura, you have two seconds to explain to me what you're doing here," I said calmly, chewing on my cookie slowly, "I suggest you don't use them mindlessly talking about how my mother is nice."

She sighed and finally, finally, looked at me. Her eyes radiated nervousness, "Alright, I know you're kinda upset. And I know I shouldn't be here and that I should be giving you space. But... two full days of not talking to you was proving too difficult for me to handle."

"It's barely been two," I replied with a scrunch of my face, "I might give you a day and a half."

She only put out her hands, "Exactly. Even that is a strain. I know you need your space, but honestly not talking this long is making me lose it. I mean, if it was under normal circumstances, I can handle it. But knowing you're pissed at me, and that you'll probably drop me completely, has literally been turning me into a nervous wreck."

I let out a sigh of my own, "No one said I was dropping you. Just because I'm upset about what you did, doesn't mean I have to cut you out of my life completely. It just... wasn't okay. And I can't just start talking to you the very next day just like that. I hardly know what to think, let alone talk to you about."

"You could talk to me about anything," she offered quickly.

I shook my head and placed my half eaten cookie on my dresser, "That isn't what I mean. I mean we honestly need to have a talk on what is and isn't okay. And a lot of other things that we haven't even bothered to mention to each other about. Example; Calling to check in is okay. Being at my house already when I come back from being out..."

"When you didn't answer your phone, I figured you were home you just didn't want to talk. So... I kinda of came over because I thought face value would be worth more. Show you that I actually care about what the fuck is going on. And then your mom answered the door... She told me you weren't here, and I was about to leave, but she insisted that I came in and she pretty much stated obviously that no wasn't an allowed answer..." She tailed off, eyes falling to her hands, "It was just... one big mess after another. I'm sorry, I seriously wasn't, like, stalking you or anything. Just, unfortunetly your mom is hard to say no to."

A smiled slightly and rolled my eyes, "Yes, I know. I live with her."

Taking a breath, I ran my hand through my hair and attempted to think. As I did, I checked my phone. Tayuya still hadn't called, or messaged. It was comforting yet worrying. At least I knew where she was, but then again, whatever it was her gang was calling her about must have been a bigger situation than I thought. I hoped everything was okay.

"So..." Sakura began, glancing up at me.

Taking another big breath to clear my head, I looked at her and said, "So. You're here. On your own accord. Which means I guess we don't have a choice but to talk about everything."

She gave out a nervous laugh.

"First things first," I began slowly, looking out the window because what was about to come wasn't going to be joyful to the least, "For starters. So we both understand each other. Sakura... we aren't dating. You realize that right?..."

She was quiet, but I refused to look at her. I didn't want to flatter at the look in her eyes, or the expression on her face. It wasn't like what we were about to talk about was me trying to be mean or spiteful. I just needed us both to understand the same thing. And from my view point, this was the only way to do it. Being painfully honest.

"Yeah..." She eventually answered.

Glancing at her, I saw that she was leaning forward, elbows on her knees as she stared at the ground. Steeling myself, I continued, "So you get that, whatever happens between me and you is still... open ground. Just like whatever happens outside of me and you is a complete open field. Right?"

"I get it Ino," she mumbled out.

My chest hurt. I seriously wasn't trying to hurt her feelings. "Then you have to get that this whole thing with Tayuya and I; you're allowed to be frustrated, but you aren't allowed to go into action. You and I aren't together. We aren't dating. We're both confused on what we want-"

"You're the only one confused," she cut in, bringing her eyes up to me with a tight frown on her lips, "I'm not. I know what I want."

"You think you do," I replied calmly, making a point to hold her eyes steadily, "But I'm thinking you don't. Honestly Sakura, all of this has been entirely way too hard for you to deal with."

"How am I supposed to act when the girl I like and hooking up with is..."

She was clearly beginning to get frustrated, and the struggle to not complete her sentence was written all over her face. She didn't want to say anything that would land her in a hole, make her seem like a bad guy. But I only smiled.

"When the girl you want is obviously getting around?" I asked with a raise of my eyebrow.

"I didn't say that," she defended quickly.

"It's okay. I get it," I assured, being completely honest, "I know what it looks like at my stand point. I know it all looks bad. But. Like I said, we're both still confused."

Her jaw set as she asked, "Why do you keep saying that? Like I haven't made it painfully clear enough that I want you."

"I'm not saying that's the confusing part," I explained, hands gripping the dresser behind me, "Not accusing you of having false feelings. But what I am saying is that you've been getting more and more frustrated about everything going on. And the confusion, the part I want you to clear up, is that I want you to sit here and tell me you want to continue to deal with this. Because I get that you want me Sakura, but this isn't going to stop any time soon. This as in me, still being confused on what I want. I'm not going to rush. I'm not going to half ass it just because you're in front of me."

"So you like her?" She asked quietly, eyes hard as she watched me.

"Answer me first," I said, holding her eyes, "Because it doesn't matter what my answer is if you can't figure out what you want to do. I'm telling you this is going to take time. That this isn't going to get any less frustrating. I'm giving you a chance to actually think this through."

"What type of question is that," she grounded out through her teeth, "You think this entire time I've just been toying with you?"

"I just said," I paused to take a breath, rubbing my eyes, "I don't think you've been fucking around with me, and I honestly hope you don't believe it's the other way around. I just... I'm tired of dragging you through all of this, because I'm feeling guilty. And I'm tired of feeling guilty about something I literally can't control. I want to know what you want to do. That you understand what's about to happen."

"And what's about to happen, Ino?" She questioned quietly. "Are you about to run off somewhere?With someone?"

"No," I answered, bringing my eyes back up to her, "But I refuse to feel guilty about this anymore. So I want to hear you say it. If you stick around for this shit, it's because that's what you wanted to do. Not because I dragged you along."

Silence settled the room as I leaned on my dresser and she sat on my bed. She stared at her hands for a long time, but I didn't expect an immediate answer. I wasn't important enough for me to think that she would simply lay everything out with a simple undeniable answer. This is what I wanted. For to actually think about all of this. Because until now, all we've been doing is going with the flow. Her carelessly following me and me carelessly avoiding responsibilities.

We should have had this conversation a long time ago.

But at least I was finally starting to understand it now.

Finally, looking up at me, she said quietly, "Yes Ino, I plan on sticking this out no matter how fucking frustrating it is."

A smile slipped my lips, "Okay..."

She sighed and rubbed her eyes, mumbling, "Now can you answer my question?"

"Which one?" I replied while watching her.

"Do you like her?" She asked quietly.

I smiled again, this time sadly, "I liked her close after Tayuya and I started talking. But everything got more confusing as it went on, and her leaving for two months didn't help that. As of right now... I have feelings for her, but I'm not sure what they are. She'll always be my best friend, I'm always going to love her, but the other stuff... I don't know."

"That kiss..."

"Was..." I paused myself, thinking of the night I whispered to Tayuya that was exactly wanted. A kiss. "That was something that was bound to happen after all the time we've been together. Something I was waiting for from the very beginning. If it means as much now as it would have back then, I don't think so. But. Like I said. I'm still confused."

Sighing, she stood up, "Alright, I guess that's a fair enough answer. But if you don't mind, think I've overstayed my welcome."

I gave her another sad smile, "I'm sorry about all of this. But yeah, I guess I'll walk you out."

"Nah nothing to be sorry for," She smiled as we walked towards the door, "I guess having this talk was better than waiting it out. I couldn't handle not talking to you."

"I'm happy we'll be able to talk now," I admitted in response while walking her down the stairs, "And, I know it's a lot to ask for, but honestly you and her and both really good friends. I want to keep you both around..."

"No punching her in the face, I got it," she laughed, turning to me with a happier expression than I thought she would have, "And not that it matters much now, but I'm sorry I did that. Even if her face is quite punchable."

I rolled my eyes, but laughed, "Yeah, um, it's cool I guess."

"Great." Then opening her eyes, she gave me another pulling smile and asked, "I know a kiss would be asking for too much, but what about a hug?"

"Don't be a dork," I teased while welcoming myself in her arms. I sighed as she wrapped them around me, laying my head against her shoulder. She was always so warm and safe, nothing had changed.

As we held each other, she mumbled, "I hope you know that that speech isn't going to stop me from fighting for you. Because I'm going to do whatever it takes."

I gave out a soft laugh, "I think I'd be more surprised if you didn't."

Pulling away, she winked, "Wouldn't be a superhero if I gave up easily."

"Oh swoon, is that Batman in the flesh?" I taunted as I opened the door for her, "I'll see you later nerd."

"Later nerd hater," she replied happily, taking a step to leave but stopping mid stride.

I blinked and peaked outside, and with a smile I saw who it was.

Tayuya was at the bottom of the porch steps. Looking completely worn out, and not at all in a happy mood.

She gave Sakura a once over before stepping up the stairs slowly. As she did, she mumbled just as she was pushing past, "I'll be upstairs."

Sighing, I watched her go. Ah, one problem solved, and just like that another one pops up. Glancing to the sky, I noticed how late it was. I hadn't realized me and Sakura had talked for that long. Then I noticed Sakura's car further down the road. Explains why I didn't have any sort of warning she was already at my house waiting.

"Guess she still hates me," Sakura commented with a snort as she stepped outside.

"Granted, you did punch her in the face," I pointed out with a small laugh of my own, "Anyway, I better go check on her. I'll see you later alright?"

"Yeah, I'll see you," she huffed out before jogging down the stairs.

Closing the door, I took another breath.

Time to deal with problem number two.


Keep going. It gets better.