Disclaimer: Sis didn't own Naruto, only her story plots and her OCs.

12—Breaking Free

Sakura smiled as she looked at the text on her phone. Gaara wanted to take her out to dinner and a movie. It was Valentine's Day tomorrow and he wanted to spend it with her, like any normal couple would. She smiled at that thought. She and Gaara were a couple and had been since the night of the Winter Dance. She blushed as she remembered the intimacy they'd shared that night. They had made love two other times; once on New Years, and again on his birthday, which had also fallen on preliminaries for exams. January 19th had started out a terrible day, but when Gaara had shown up to the exam hall to pick her up to take her out, it had turned into the best day ever.

They'd mulled around town together, gotten hot chocolate and honey roasted peanuts, and made love after going to his house for movies. His foster mother had left a note that she was working late, so they (he, his brother and sister, and Naruto) would have the house to themselves. It had been the perfect opportunity. And that had been her birthday present to him. She was still extremely shy about her intimacy with him, and he was alright with that. It made her feel better knowing that he wasn't going to push her into having sex constantly.

She smiled to herself and went back to doing her mock exam. She was so happy these past few weeks. Her parents hadn't really noticed because they weren't really around. They seemed to be traveling more and more right now and that was alright with her. That just meant more time she got to spend with Gaara. She was deep in thought on a question when her door banged open. She looked behind her to see her father staring at her, his eyes narrowed. Her heart leapt in her throat. "D-dad, what's going on?"

He glared at her from the doorway. "Hiashi won't speak to me. What did you say to him about me?" Sakura arched a brow as she stared in confusion.

"What are you talking about? There's no reason for Hiashi-sama not to talk to you. He hasn't said anything to me and Hinata about it. Are you sure he's not speaking to you? He could be busy. Neji and Tenten are getting married in June, that could have something to do," She was cut off by her father hissing at her.

"I'm sure that he's ignoring me. I left seven messages asking if he and his wife wanted to go out with your mother and I. Now what did you say to him?" Sakura just stared.

"Dad, I didn't say anything to him. I haven't even seen Hiashi-sama long enough to talk to him. He's been too wrapped up in Neji and Tenten's wedding plans!" She protested and then stood, concern in her eyes as she smelled the alcohol on his breath. "Dad, are you sure you're alright?" She gasped when she went to reach for him and he slapped her. She held her cheek, which was already turning red. Her father turned quickly and stormed off downstairs, leaving Sakura standing just inside her room with tears in her eyes.

Moments later, Sakura's mother came upstairs. Her eyes were red, apparently from crying, and there was an accusing look in them. "You've really gone and upset him this time Sakura. Why on earth would drive a wedge between Hiashi and your father?" Sakura stared at her mother in disbelief.

"But I didn't do anything! The last time I was around Hiashi-sama long enough to talk to him was in December while you and dad were in Germany! I haven't even seen much of Hinata since she started dating Naruto-kun!" That statement made her mother arch her brow.

"Hinata's got a boyfriend? Doesn't Hiashi know that boyfriends will only be a distraction from her studies?" Sakura felt everything inside her go cold. Her eyes frosted over in her anger and she glared at her mother.

"Don't you dare stand there and judge Hinata or Hiashi-sama." She hissed in anger, surprising her mother. Her vibrant emerald eyes flashed as she turned her back on her mother. "I'm going over to Hinata's until Dad gets his crap together. I don't know what's going on between you two, but I'm not getting dragged into the middle of it." She replied stiffly and shoved her books into her bag. She then grabbed her gym bag, which she'd started to keep packed for instances where she left home for several days. She looked at her mother before walking out. "Eventually, you and dad are going to have to account for your own mistakes instead of constantly blaming them on me." She then walked out of her room and down the stairs, noticing her father tossing back another glass of what looked like brandy. She shook her head and walked out, leaving them to their own devices.

As she made her way out, she noticed her mother and father facing one another, her father raising his arm indicating her and her mother shrugging as if she didn't know what was going on. Sakura couldn't help the deep sigh that came from her. It was like they were shocked she'd done something of her own free will.

She made her way to the Hyuuga manor. As she stood at the front door, she replayed the news she'd received just this morning before homeroom: Neji and Tenten were getting married…in June. True they were juniors, but they were still only seventeen years old. Marriages that early in life weren't as common in this day and age as it was in the past. She wondered why they'd decided to get married. Before her thoughts went too far, the door opened to reveal a very shocked looking Hiashi. Sakura smiled weakly.

"H-Hiashi-sama...could…could I stay the night here?" She knew she looked pitiful, but with the way he was looking at her, she'd have thought she was bleeding. She then realized he was staring at the spot where her father had struck her. She reached up and cupped it, wincing as it burned and throbbed. She could hear Hinata's mother making her way towards them, asking who was at the door. When she caught sight of Sakura, who couldn't hide the large bruise on her cheek, she gasped and grabbed at Hiashi for support.

"S-Sakura…what happened?" Sakura bit her lip and looked away. It seemed both understood because instead of pushing the issue, they hurried her inside. They took her to the kitchen where an ice pack was put together for her. Hiashi sat across from her.

"Sakura, who struck you?" Sakura looked at her lap, terrified of making things worse with her parents by telling them what really happened; but Sakura had never been one to lie and she wasn't about to start now.

"I was working on my mock exam when dad barged into my room. He reeked of alcohol. He said he'd been phoning you and Meyumi-sama all day trying to invite you out, but that you were ignoring him." She looked up at Hiashi, who looked pained at the moment. "He said…he said you were ignoring him and that it was my fault. He kept asking me what I said to you that would make you ignore him." Hiashi closed his eyes and pursed his lips.

"I have had my phone off all day because of the wedding planning. Neji and Tenten have been in the planning stages for this for a long time, but…certain circumstances have made it imperative that they marry before September." Sakura's breath caught in her throat. Before September? What was going to happen? Her eyes widened as she realized what Hiashi was saying without saying anything. Tenten was pregnant. That had to be what would cause them to rush into a marriage so early in life.

"You…you mean Tenten is…pregnant?" She noticed both Hyuuga adults look at her in shock.

"What are you talking about? Tenten is from China originally. Her visa runs out in September. Her parents refuse to move here and she can't become a citizen of Japan without her parent's consent until she's 18 or by getting married." Sakura felt her entire face turning red and she mumbled an apology.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know she was not a native. It was the only reason I could think of that they'd rush for a marriage." It was Meyumi-sama that hugged her.

"It's alright dear, you didn't know. And that would be the reaction of anyone that didn't know her situation." With one last remanding look at Hiashi, the older woman led Sakura into the living room. Hinata was there with Naruto. Both greeted her excitedly, until Naruto noticed her cheek. His previously playful blue eyes turned turbulent and he bristled angrily.

"Who hit you? Was it Sasuke? Did he come after you again? Did he hurt you?" Sakura gasped and touched her cheek, tears coming to her eyes.

"Ah…uh, no…it w-wasn't Sasuke." She looked at the floor and an awkward silence stretched between the three friends. It was Hiashi that answered for her.

"It was Hiroji." He said quietly and looked at his phone. Hinata stared in shock.

"Your dad hit you?" Hinata rushed to her friend and wrapped her arms around the pink haired girl. Sakura couldn't hold it in anymore and she burst into tears. She cried against Hinata's shoulder while Hiashi called Hiroji. The conversation wasn't pleasant.

"What were you thinking, Hiroji!? Have you lost your mind? Sakura adores the ground you walk on! She would never slander you or Aimee!" Sakura sniffled and just laid in Hinata's embrace while the dark haired girl stroked pink strands from her eyes. "I was helping my orphaned nephew plan his wedding! Tenten will get deported back to China in September if they don't wed before then!" Sakura noticed anger flash in Hiashi's eyes. "Yeah, 'oh'…you really screwed up this time Hiroji and you have no one to blame but yourself. Sakura won't be able to go to class for at least three days because of the bruise you've left on her face."

Sakura was about to protest when Hiashi held up his hand. It was obvious he'd had enough. "No, makeup will not be able to hide this. She'll be lucky if she has no broken bones." Sakura could hear the low tone on the other side and Hiashi gave a disgusted snort. "Well, I can't allow her to return to your house knowing you have struck her. Meyumi and I will be coming over to collect her things. She'll be staying with us until you seek counseling." Sakura gasped in shock. Was he serious? Apparently her father had asked the same thing.

"I'm not joking, Hiroji. I can't allow her back into your care knowing you struck her just because you couldn't get in touch with me. Sakura has never lied to you and she wouldn't lie to you now of all times. Especially not over something she couldn't control. I'm glad we understand one another. I'll see you in fifteen minutes. Meyumi will pack the things Sakura will need to stay with us." When he was done, he hung up the phone and looked at Sakura, his eyes sad.

"I am sorry to take this choice from you Sakura, but I can't let you go back there knowing he hit you over something out of your control." Sakura nodded as tears gathered in her eyes. So much for her newfound freedom.