Secret ; Drunk

When Sakura was a child, she hates it when someone keeps a secret from her. But she hates it even more when she has to keep a secret from someone.

However, now that she has grown up, she realized that there are secrets that must be kept from people. Every person has at least one secret they couldn't tell anyone.

"Keep this a secret from Sasuke," Itachi told her.

Sakura had gotten a hold of herself and now she was sitting across the man who is responsible for Sasuke's rage and vengeance. But Sakura couldn't sense any ill motive coming from him, not a littlest amount of any concealed motives.

"Why?"

"That I can't tell you," he said, the smile that didn't reach his eyes had gone back to adore his face.

Before Itachi left, he told Sakura something.

"When I'm gone, stay by his side. You're the only one left who can show him how it feels to be love."

How it feels to be love?

Sakura couldn't speak after that. She just watch as the two men left the penthouse.

Everything that happened by then was so surreal and Sakura went back to the dining room and continued cooking the dish.

Only thing was, she finally felt the tension broke out as she almost fell, leaning on the counter. She has to distract herself in order to not think too much about the event earlier. She must act like it never transpired in the first place.

That Uchiha Itachi didn't just come to the penthouse and told Sakura to stay by Sasuke's side.

She has already composed herself and was arranging the table when Sasuke and Naruto came barging from the door, clothes soaked in blood.

What was more than surprising was when Sasuke suddenly pulled Sakura in a very unexpected display of affection that made Sakura's heart pounded on her chest in that weird way again.

"You're fine," Sasuke said.

He sounded as if he's convincing himself that she's right here, safe and sound.

"You're fine,"

He had to repeat himself and he doesn't even know why.

When Sasuke felt small slender arms snaked around his torso and Sakura scooted closer, did he finally let out a breath he didn't even know he's holding.

"I'm fine, Sasuke-kun."

Sasuke doesn't know why he felt it. It was so strange and such a foreign feeling to even be comprehended.

But somewhere down the line, Sasuke knew the reason why he was so afraid something bad might have happened to Sakura while he was gone.

To the only girl who showed him genuine kindness when he was a kid, Sasuke was afraid he might lose another person whom he cared.

He doesn't even know it until now, how much he cared for the girl who tended on his knee when he was a kid and coincidentally, the same woman who saved him on the brink of death.

When Naruto walked inside the living room, Sasuke and Sakura had already put a good amount of distance between them. The moment Sakura's eyes landed on Naruto, it widen in surprise.

"Naruto, are you alright?" Sakura asked and looked at Sasuke as well.

"Sasuke-kun. What the hell happened to you two?"

She left the dining hall and walked towards the guest room, her Doctor instinct kicking in as she took her medical kit. She found the two in the living room with Shikamaru who also has blood-soaked clothes.

"We're fine, Sakura-chan," Naruto said with a grin as he unbutton his shirt.

Sakura looked at the three. "Are you sure none of you is wounded?"

Sasuke shook his head. "The blood doesn't belong to us."

After taking their turn to shower and changed into clean clothes which the two men borrowed from Sasuke, they ate the corn soup Sakura cooked for them in silence.

Soon after, Shikamaru and Naruto had excused themselves and Sasuke led them to the front door while Sakura was left in the kitchen to rearrange her thoughts.

"When do you want to have the weapons deliver?" Shikamaru asked right when they stopped just near the door.

"Tomorrow night,"

Shikamaru nodded and waved his hand lazily while Naruto followed him outside.

Once the two are gone, Sasuke heaved a sigh. It feels like a lot of things happened all at once and he doesn't even know where to start. His mind was pretty clear now after that much needed shower and filling his stomach with the soup.

Sasuke had to admit that his thoughts were in disarray earlier that he completely gave in to instinct and pulled Sakura in that gesture that must have surprised her and scared her.

He found Sakura in the living room, sitting on the couch, staring into space with a glass of what looks like his red wine in hand. Sasuke found her liking to wine a bit odd but who was he to judge when he practically make whiskey his daily dose of water.

Sasuke sat on the couch, across Sakura who was looking at the balcony door. He sighed and lifted his hand to take the bottle of liquor resting on the glass coffee table when Sasuke stopped and stare on the bottle.

His frown became visible as he slowly turn the bottle and rearrange it on the right spot.

"Sakura," he said, pulling Sakura out of her reverie as she looked at Sasuke.

"Did someone come in here while I was gone?"

Sasuke could not disregard a flicker of surprise passed her eyes. In fact, Sasuke had seen much too many people who tried to hide things when they were asked questions and Sakura was too much obvious that Sasuke already knew the answer before she could even say it.

Someone did come in here.

But her answer surprised Sasuke more than anything.

"No. No one came in here."

Sakura's eyes darted down the glass bottle of liquor and she visibly gulped before downing the content in her glass.

Too obvious, Sasuke thought.

But what he failed to understand was why she needed to lie.

Or maybe he's just being paranoid.

"I did,"

Suddenly Jugo appeared from heaven knows where and almost surprised the hell out of Sakura.

Sasuke on the other hand, wasn't fazed at all as he looks at the man.

"I came here to check on her," Jugo said and stare at Sakura who has her eyebrows frown in confusion as she tried to comprehend what he was saying.

Jugo never came in here while Sasuke was gone. Sakura was certain of it. And even if he were keeping an eye on her like Sasuke instructed to, Jugo should've known Itachi had been here. So Sakura was confused as to why he was saying that.

"Is that so?" Sasuke asked, sounding sceptical but masking it with a nonchalant expression almost as quickly as he poured himself a glass of liquor.

Sakura, upon realizing her own glass was already empty, excused herself back in the kitchen, partly because she wanted to refill her glass and partly because she felt the need to leave the two men to talk. And somewhere down the line, Sakura also wanted to reorganize her thoughts.

"No one really came in here, Jugo?" Sasuke asked once Sakura was gone.

"No one," he said.

"I trust you."

Jugo bowed his head and left.

Sasuke looked back on the bottle of liquor before downing his glass. He positioned the bottle back to its place where he always put it and stood up.

When he walked in the kitchen, Sakura was downing the content in her glass, probably her second glass of wine. Sasuke doesn't even know where to start, he did feel bad about doubting her for a second earlier. But before he could speak, Sakura turned around and faced him.

"Thank you," she said almost instantly as she looked him in the eye, light emerald clashing with onyx pair of orbs. "And sorry for making you worry, Sasuke-kun."

When Sakura thought she could maintain eye contact, her eyes involuntarily darted around again as she felt her face heat up.

Sasuke noticed how her cheeks seemingly redden and he took a stride towards Sakura, putting a hand on her forehead but it only made her red cheeks worsen.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his deadpan expression never slipping away as Sakura looked more surprise but she couldn't back away since her back was already pressing on the kitchen island.

"Your face is red," Sasuke said while Sakura blinked a few times. When he finally put his hand down, Sakura released the breath she didn't even know she was holding.

"I-I'm fine Sasuke-kun, it's probably just the wine."

Sakura convinced herself it was just the work of liquor that made her face reddened and not because of her pounding heart pumping too much blood towards her face making her blush.

Shikamaru received the text first thing in the morning. He really didn't plan to wake up early but his phone kept vibrating and he had no choice but to check it because it might be from someone important.

It turned out, the important person who messaged him at such an ungodly hour was Sasuke.

Chiyoda Ward 21:00. Southern part. Ichigaya area.

Shikamaru looked down on his phone, his eye twitching in annoyance as he read the message.

"Seriously? Can't he send a more normal looking message?" Shikamaru asked himself as he slid down his bed and took off his shirt, walking towards the shower to start off the day.

Sakura stare at the ceiling of the room, the curtain prevented the sunlight from seeping through but Sakura knew it was already morning. She couldn't help but recount the things that transpired last night. Almost as if everything was just a dream that she would have forgotten by the time she woke up.

But no, she didn't forget a single thing of the events last night as she lied on the bed, arms sprawled around. Letting out a breath, Sakura decided to soak herself in a lukewarm bath.

She doesn't even know if she could go outside and meet Ino. Somehow it feels like whenever she goes outside, there are always people watching her every move. Maybe it was just Jugo keeping an eye on her as per Sasuke's orders.

Jugo.

Sakura doesn't want to sound paranoid but there's an inkling that told her Jugo knew Itachi came last night. But why did he choose not to tell Sasuke?

Better yet, why didn't he stop Itachi?

All those questions will be answered if Sakura gets a chance to talk to him.

And Sakura's chance came right away soon that afternoon.

"You're going out?" Sasuke asked once Sakura walked to the living room.

"Can I go meet with Ino?"

Sasuke glanced her way before he diverted it back to the katana he was examining.

"Where?"

"We're just going to grab some drink in Shinjuku."

Sasuke nodded but stopped for a moment before his eyes glanced back to Sakura. He look at her from head to toe and notice she was wearing something that was too inappropriate to Sasuke's liking.

Sasuke was about to reprimand her and tell her to change her clothes when he stopped himself just in time to comprehend why he even cared. She could be wearing lingerie out there for all he cares.

Yet he felt extremely annoyed at the thought of anyone seeing her in that.

What the hell is wrong with him?

"Sasuke-kun?" Sakura pulled him out of his strange thoughts and Sasuke blinked.

"Bring Jugo with you," he said before looking away. Any longer he looks at her Sasuke might change his mind from letting her go in some nightclub in Shinjuku.

Sakura internally scream in triumph as Sasuke said that. Just what she wanted to hear.

Once Sakura arrived in the parking lot, Jugo was already there standing outside his car. He had to take a second look at Sakura and at what she was wearing. He cleared his throat and took off his coat and handed it to Sakura who look at it in confusion.

Jugo get inside the car and Sakura followed, realizing that her dress was indeed too short and she was thankful of Jugo lending her his coat as she put it on her lap.

The first few minutes of the car ride were silent as Sakura contemplated where to start.

She took a deep breath as she readied herself to question him.

"Jugo-san..." Sakura started.

"Please drop the honorific," Jugo said, his face straight as he look at the road in front.

Sakura cleared her throat as she started again. "Jugo, last night, why did you lie to Sasuke?"

"I could ask the same to you," he backfired and Sakura looked out the window to hide her embarrassment. "And I didn't lie. I was actually there last night."

"So you saw him-that man?" Sakura asked, the man pertaining to Itachi.

Jugo's silence meant yes as Sakura continued. "Why didn't you stop him or tell Sasuke about it?"

Jugo remained silent again, his face remained stoic with no hint of any emotion.

"Because I know better than to intrude with Sasuke-sama and his brother."

"Which side are you on, really?" Sakura muttered, still looking out of the tinted window as she noticed the sky welcoming the stars.

Jugo heard her question and his perfect stoic expression almost falter.

"I am a watchdog only loyal to Sasuke-sama. However, I believe Itachi-sama is a very wise man. Otherwise, if he is truly a merciless man like Sasuke-sama thought he is, Sasuke-sama would have been dead by now. I suggest you, as well, should keep quiet about what Itachi-sama told you. Just watch in the side-lines and let everything occurs as it does."

Jugo stopped himself right there, he believed that he already said enough and he remained silent after that. The silence let his words sink in to Sakura's mind. To remain silent about what he told her.

"When I'm gone, stay by his side. You're the only one left who can show him how it feels to be love."

Sakura felt a strange heaviness in her chest and the familiar lump in her throat.

Good thing is, they were already outside the bar and Sakura could finally drown the heaviness she feels with liquor and who knows, maybe even let herself get drunk once in a while.

When the clock read 8:30, Sasuke decided it's time to leave the penthouse. Sakura was still out there probably getting herself wasted.

Sasuke really didn't get why he felt the need to assure himself by messaging Jugo. His reply came right away and yet Sasuke still felt restless. He wanted to get back as soon as possible, he just needed to check the weapons and drive back.

Sasuke arrived at Chiyoda ward, located in the southern part of a residential area in Ichigaya is an abandoned lot. The place is near the residential area that Sasuke used to live. But Sasuke knew his brother took another residence somewhere in Sumida, Tokyo.

He waited for another twenty minutes until Shikamaru's car parked in front, behind were two vans that carried the weapons.

"You're early," Shikamaru said with a yawn, puff of smoke coming out of his mouth because of the cold.

"I believe I said 21:00. Can't you read military time?" Sasuke was mildly annoyed as Shikamaru waved his hand dismissively. Of course he can read military time, he just felt the need to make Sasuke feel the same thing Shikamaru felt last time he and Naruto made him wait for that long. An eye for an eye, Shikamaru thought.

Once the men already placed the boxes inside the building, thirty minutes had gone by. The men left right away and Sasuke skimmed the weapons. He turned to see Shikamaru about to light up his cigar but Sasuke took the lighter.

"Don't smoke here," Sasuke said as Shikamaru took the stick from his mouth and narrowed his eyes at Sasuke.

"Give me back the lighter."

Sasuke was slightly taken aback by his tone but shrug it off as he threw the lighter back to Shikamaru.

"Must've been important," Sasuke said as he walked outside.

"Yeah," Shikamaru replied, placing the lighter back in his pocket. "A gift from my sensei."

Sasuke nodded as he stood outside his car, looking at the far residential area, somewhere in Ichigaya, he used to spend his childhood times.

Shikamaru noticed his far-off look as he chuckled.

"Reminiscing, are we?"

Sasuke glared at Shikamaru.

"You know, you can pay your old house a visit, I'll be on the lookout."

Sasuke fought the urge to roll his eyes. He sounded like Naruto, but unlike Naruto who Sasuke knew would actually do it, Sasuke knew Shikamaru was merely playing jokes on him.

"Shut up," Sasuke said as he entered his car. Shikamaru just shook his head and walk towards his own car, started the ignition and yawn. He could finally call it a day and have a long sleep.

Jugo tried to stop Sakura from participating in that drinking contest that Ino initiated. But to no avail, Sakura didn't listen and two hours later, she was swaying in her steps as Ino and Jugo practically carried her back in the car.

"She rarely gets drunk," Ino said with a chuckle as she pulled the seatbelt and safely tucked it around Sakura.

Ino waved her hand as the car's engine started and she was left there standing in the parking lot, wondering why Sakura let herself get drunk like that.

Sakura was mumbling incoherent words until they arrived at the penthouse, there are no lights in the living room as Jugo carefully carried her towards the couch, too conflicted to take her to her room.

He regretted his choice of not turning the lights on first as he stumbled and tripped, his quick judgment and instinct made him pull Sakura safely as he supported himself up, hovering above her. Jugo realized Sakura's arms were still slinging around his neck as he started to pull her arms down but Sakura had an iron grip as she unconsciously scooted closer towards him.

That was when the lights flicker on and Sasuke had a very good view on what's transpiring in front.

Jugo rarely gets surprise but he was too caught off guard that his arm the was supporting him up slid down, fortunately he managed to catch himself before he fell on Sakura's petite form, possibly crushing her with his weight.

Jugo stood up and cleared his throat.

"Sasuke-sama," he said, bowing his head.

Sasuke was silent for a second before his calm yet firm voice clouded the silent living room.

"Get the hell out," Sasuke said, his jaw clenching as he watched Jugo bowed again before walking out of the penthouse.

Sasuke was left to question himself why he even felt a sudden flare of anger, that had it been any other man, Sasuke would have most likely decapitated him.