Saturday couldn't come quick enough. Sasuke spent the entire week restlessly waiting for it and not because he couldn't wait to spend time with friends. The real reason for his dinner party idea was for a chance to get Mai's number from Ino's phone. He wasn't exactly sure how he was going to retrieve it but at least now he had the chance to.

With Sarada and Inojin playing in the other room after a particularly messy dinner of spaghetti and meatballs, the grown ups sat down to have some adult conversation. After discussing their week, Ino brought up the previous weekend and how much fun it had been.

"I still can't believe the size of that house, Naruto is so lucky!" Sakura exclaimed.

A lesser man might have been hurt by the blantant jealousy in her words or had a feeling of being inadequate in comparison to the mayor's son but Sasuke didn't feel a thing, he barely even heard her, he was waiting for the perfect moment to grab Ino's phone. He only needed it for a few seconds, he already knew that her passcode was several number fives, it would take less than half a minute to take a picture of Mai's number with his own phone.

"I know what you mean, I can't wait to go back. I text him yesterday actually and he mentioned us all meeting up again next month. Do you think you'll be free?"

"Yes! Do you think you can convince Mai to join us again? She was so much fun!"

Yes she was, Sasuke thought to himself. He glanced across the table at Sai, who was resting his chin on his hand listening to the ladies speak. Even with a few beers in him, the mention of the girl he was infatuated with didn't crack his calm exterior.

"If I can't I'll just get Sai to do it. He can be very persuasive."

This time Sai cracked a smile. Sasuke would have admitted there and then his plans for chasing after Mai in front of all of them in exchange for knowing what memories Sai had of her playing through his mind to spark such a reminicent grin.

"Plus you two dated, you must know how her mind works. I know Sasuke inside and out." Sakura added. Sasuke resisted the urge to scoff at what she had just said, he rarely shared anything about himself with her.

They could all tell she was digging for some information. She still couldn't believe that Ino didn't have a problem with Sai's past relationship with Mai so she was more than happy to keep bringing it up in the hopes of annoying her best friend. Sasuke found himself leaning forwards in anticipation of Sai's answer, he quickly straightened himself up and picked up his beer.

"Mai is...different. She's not somebody that can be easily manipulated."

Ino didn't really expect Sai to answer, it was almost impossible to get him to talk about her. She poured herself some more wine when she felt an unfamilar feeling settle in her stomach.

"What do you mean?" Sakura pushed, always eager to hear anything that even came close to gossip.

"I'm not really sure." He laughed, suddenly switching from deadly serious to the version of himself that he preffered to show other people. "It's been a long time since we've been together."

Sai made sure to keep up his smile when the words he spoke caused him pain. He could speak about her and their time together without feeling bitter but when a question forced him to recall the events of their seperation, he couldn't help but feel hurt. That agonising feeling drove him to want to see her again. He knew after Ino fell asleep he would probaly try. If he turned up at her place and Hidan was there he could always make something up about the organisation.

"Why did you split up anyway? Not that it's not a good thing, you and Ino are perfect for each other."

Sasuke felt like he was the only one at the table who could feel the awkwardness. He wanted to kick Sakura under the table but he knew she wouldn't get why.

"I don't remember." Sai bluntly stated, his tone devoid of any emotion.

Ino tipped her glass, letting the last few drips run down her throat. She didn't know why it was bothering her so much but this conversation was really starting to piss her off.

"He won't tell you, Sakura. Mai won't either."

Sai met his girlfriend's eye, he could hear the irritation in her voice and see the confusion on her face but he couldn't tell her. After not telling her for so long and making Mai promise not to tell her either, saying something now would damage their relationship as well as potentially ruin her friendship with Mai.

"You know what guys are like, they don't remember stuff like that and Mai's probaly had a hundred guys since then, I doubt she would remember one relationship." Sakura laughed.

"She's not like that." Ino mumbled and Sai was eternally grateful that she did. It wasn't like he could stick up for Mai without sounding extremely suspicious.

"Really?" Sakura asked, collecting the dirty plates from the table and dumping them in the sink.

It was then that Sarada and Inojin ran back into the room. They were bored of playing and looking a bit sleepy so the parents decided to move into the living room for coffee and let the kids watch T.V for a bit. Sasuke sighed, he had been seconds away from finding out a bit more about the mysterious beauty that made him feel alive. He was just about to join the others when he spotted something that made his stomach do a flip. Ino's phone was still on the table.

"Papa!" Sarada called.

"I'll be there in a minute, I'm just tidying up."

He pushed the door and grabbed the phone. After unlocking it, he quickly scrolled through the contacts until he saw her name. He took a picture with his own phone then put it back exactly where he had found it.