'What the hell happened to you?' Ino exclaimed as she stepped up to the car.

'A box feel,' Akina said sourly and brushed a hand over the band-aid on her cheekbone. 'Don't worry, I caught it with my face.'

'I can see that,' Ino snorted. 'Lucky for you, I know how to work around that.'

'Lucky me.'

'Did you get any sleep? Or was that an exhausted mishap again?' she asked as they got into the car.

'I did. Isao accidentally nudged another box and it pushed this one over the edge. Was just an accident. It happens.'

'Is he coming tonight?'

'No. He had some things he needed to sort out with his master's thesis this weekend. He'll finish up the cataloguing too.'

'So you're free this whole weekend, right?'

Akina glanced at the blonde. 'What are you getting at?'

'Just saying that if you find someone tonight,' she trailed off with a laugh. 'Don't be in a rush.'

'Are you telling me that or letting me know not to worry about you?'

'Both?'

Akina snorted. 'Alright. Text each other when we leave the party, then?'

'Good. Anyone you got your eyes on?'

'Not really. I just want to dance and get hammered.'

'Now we're talking,' Ino laughed.

Half an hour later, Akina locked the door to her dorm room behind them. Ino wasted no time clearing out a section of her desk and unloading her bags of makeup and accessories. She didn't leave any room for arguing and Akina was more than happy to zone out and follow her directions–collecting the costume from the depths of her wardrobe, brushing her hair, putting on, and subsequently taking off accessories in droves. It wasn't until two hours later that Ino stood back with a satisfied nod.

'Proper Egyptian goddess, with some modern updates for peak sexiness.'

Akina laughed and stepped into the bathroom, taking a good look at her work. She nodded, impressed. 'You even got the stereotypical eye makeup on point.'

'Who do you think you're talking to here,' she smirked. 'You better floor someone tonight or I'll have wasted two hours on you.'

'Please,' Akina said as she left the bathroom. 'With me, you're never wasting anything. If nothing else, you can enjoy looking at me.'

'I always enjoy looking at you,' Ino said and wiggled her eyebrows at her–causing both of them to double over with laughter. 'Alright, alright,' the blonde said after several minutes. 'I need to calm down. I need to do my own eyeliner. Shut up now.'

'Yes, ma'am,' Akina chuckled. She busied herself with sorting out her bag, pulling out the few items she needed to bring with her, and putting them in her coat instead. Ten minutes later, she looked up as Ino stepped out of the bathroom. 'I pray there won't be any other people dressed as Aphrodite because they're going to be crushed.'

'As they damn well should.'

'You ready?'

'As can be,' she replied and pulled on her own coat. She held up her phone. 'I've got the location. Should be about fifteen minutes if we cut through the park.'

'Lead the way,' Akina replied easily and locked the door behind her.

The venue was two streets from the main street and large enough to host a big portion of the involved departments' students. By the time they got there, the part was already in full swing. The music was loud and the smell of alcohol washed over her senses as they stepped into the ballroom, leaving the equally busy coatroom behind. They stopped at the top of the main stairway, looking out over the sea of people already dancing on the main floor.

'Want a drink?' Ino asked over the music and nodded towards the bar set up to the left of the room.

'Desperately.'

Akina followed her down the stairs, marvelling at how many people Ino waved to as they did. One of her hands rubbed her forearm as she felt a light pressure on it–she took a deep breath and suppressed it. If she could just get to the bar, she could drink enough to dull all her senses and have a nice, relaxing time. No ghost touches, no visions, no nothing. Just dancing and drinking and having fun. She repeated the mantra until they reached the bar, where she promptly ordered them several shots.

She gave her a humorous look. 'Starting this strong? Don't make me have to take you to the hospital.'

'Just... catching up,' Akina said and downed two shots.

Ino stopped her from taking the third shot. 'No, you're trying to forget something. Is this the image stuff? Are you seeing something right now?'

Akina shook her head. 'It's not seeing, it's more a feeling. Ever felt like you know something is there but it's just out of reach?'

'I feel like that about my grades every test,' Ino grumbled. She picked up two drinks and lead the way to a free-standing table some paces away from the bar. 'Like you're trying to remember something or what?'

'I guess. All the images end with this... whisper. I turn to see who it is, and then it just ends. It's really weird,' she mumbled and took a long sip from her drink.

'Do you ever see who it is?' she asked carefully.

'No. It's probably exhaustion,' she sighed. 'Or I might need to visit the hospital for other reasons than alcohol poisoning.'

Ino nodded slowly. 'Let's have fun tonight, and then you make sure to rest this weekend. If it's not better by Monday I think you should get an appointment to see if it's something else acting up.'

'Yeah. Alright,' Akina said and gave Ino a pointed look. 'Where's this Shikamaru you want to climb like a tree?'

Ino snorted and nodded towards the couches pushed against the walls. 'Third cluster from here. Dark hair, tall, looks like he wants to be anywhere but here.'

Before Akina was able to respond, something in the corner of her eye caught her attention. Looking towards the bar, she blinked. She wasn't the only one either. The whole area closest to the bar seemed to have stilled, all staring at the group of people placing their orders. Three men and two women, casually talking amongst themselves, seemingly oblivious to the stares they attracted.

'You sure you want to let this opportunity slip by? she asked and nodded towards the group. 'That's that waiter, isn't it?'

A slow grin made its way onto the blonde's face. 'Oh hello,' she purred. Then she blinked and straightened up. 'What the hell?'

'What?'

'I know that pink-haired woman. I went to high school with her.' Ino chuckled darkly. 'I got an in on him now.'

'Other than having spent the past two weeks drooling over him in the restaurant?' Akina asked drily. 'I'm going to go say hi to Kiba. Get me some more to drink while you go flirt.'

'Girl, slow down. Last the evening at least,' Ino said but nodded nonetheless.

Akina downed her last shot and reached for her drink to bring it with her. Her eyes flickered towards the group when Ino made her way towards them, and she paused as her eyes met the curious ones of one of the men. Long dark hair tied back, a few loose strands framing his handsome face elegantly, and eyes as dark as the night staring right at her–captivating her enough to not be able to look away. There was something familiar with him, but she couldn't place it. Then Ino stepped in the way, and Akina sucked in a deep breath as she turned away abruptly.

She grabbed her glass and hurriedly disappeared into the crowd. She focused on making her way through the moving bodies without spilling her drink on someone or getting stabbed by one of the many heels. In the back of her mind, she grumbled at the notion that stilettos were somehow part of ancient Greek and Egyptian costumes. Even Ino, who loved her high heels more than most things, didn't wear them to the party–if it was because it didn't go with the get-up or that she would never hear the end of it from Akina she wasn't sure, but it mattered little.

'Akina?' someone called somewhere ahead. A large hand appeared in front of her, tan and calloused and familiar. She grabbed it and allowed herself to be pulled from the crowd. 'Thought it was you,' he grinned down at her.

'Hey, Kiba,' she said and took a small step back, putting some space between them. He had never really learned the concept of personal space, even from their childhood. 'Just wanted to say hi.'

'Where's Ino? I usually never see you at parties without her anymore,' he said and looked out over the sea of people.

'She found someone to flirt with. How are you doing?'

He sipped his drink and gave a slight shrug. 'Been busy with exams the past month. Mariko had a litter two weeks ago, so been helping out at the kennel some more too.'

'How many?'

'Five, two stillborn. She's recovering well,' he added with a smile in her direction. 'You should come by soon. Mom's been asking for you.'

'I'm not going to adopt a puppy,' Akina laughed. She rubbed her arm again and took a long swing of her drink to drown out the feeling.

'You okay there?'

'Yeah, why?'

'You usually sip your drinks,' he said and gave her a long look. 'Working through some things?'

'Just want to have one evening where I don't think.'

He leaned down slightly, smirking. 'Is that why you sought me out? Finally fell for my charms, huh? Don't worry, it happens to the best of you eventually.'

She snorted but couldn't stop the smile from appearing. 'You wish. You and Ino should hook up, you're on the same wavelength.'

He reached out and took some of her hair between his fingers. He pressed a kiss to it as he looked her in the eye, his gaze heavy. 'I like dark-haired goddesses,' he said lowly.

'Your charm lost its effect on me when I saw you puke your guts out at the school trip in fifth grade,' she said humorously.

He grinned and stood up, slinging an arm around her shoulders. 'So who are you eyeing?' he asked and motioned to the crowd. 'I bet Ino spent hours helping you look as good as her, so who do you want? I'll be your wingman.'

'Thanks for the offer, but I'm really here to get drunk and dance. And stay out of Ino's way when she finally decides on who to go for.'

'Well, I can tell you that you have a lot to pick from,' he grinned as he scanned the room. 'I count... seven people staring at you in a very wolfish fashion, and that's only what I can see from here.'

'Are you one of those seven?' she snorted.

'Alas, my dearest Akina, I have come to the sudden and most unfortunate realization that we are much more suited as friends than as lovers. If I one day hook up with Ino, I'm sure she'd be more than willing to give you a detailed report of my prowess, but until then,' he smirked and bumped his hip against hers, 'you have a tall, dark, and handsome piece of meat staring after you over there. Looks yummy enough, and Ino is already talking with his friends. Go get 'em.'

'Kiba,' she sighed with a laugh. 'Am I keeping you from someone?'

'Someones,' he grinned and wiggled his eyebrows at her. He nodded his head towards a couple grinding on the dance floor, and occasionally throwing hungry looks at him.

'How long have you been working them?'

'They reached out last week,' he said with a shrug. 'Give me a call next week, alright? Now, go have some fun with that smoulder over there, and keep Ino from taking them all,' he said and pressed a kiss to the top of her head before detaching himself from her.

'Have fun.'

'As always,' he called over his shoulder.

Akina stayed there for a few more minutes, sipping on her drink until it was gone. She placed the glass in a designated area before taking a deep breath and diving into the crowd once more. She waved to a handful of people she recognized as she passed them but didn't stop until she emerged on the other side–nearly running headfirst into the previously mentioned smoulder. By the slight widening of his eyes, he was just as surprised by her appearances as she was.

'Sorry,' she mumbled and went to step around him.

'Wait,' he said and gently grasped her wrist, sending a tingle up her arm. As her eyes shot to his at the sudden action, he swallowed and released her with a weak smile. 'Sorry. Your friend mentioned you'd come this way again.'

She nodded slowly, her eyes flickering to the blonde chatting happily with the rest of the group. 'Bar is here, after all,' she said and greeted the overly energetic bartender.

'Back already?' he grinned. 'Hitting the party running, ey? More shots?'

Akina smiled sweetly. 'If you're offering.'

He poured her one with a chuckle. 'One on the house, but don't tell my boss or the next one comes out of my paycheck.'

'I'll pay for a drink to cover it,' she said as she downed the shot. 'Something fruity.'

'Coming right up. Anything for you?' he asked and looked over her shoulder.

'Whatever she's having,' he replied easily. He stepped up to stand next to her, their arms just barely brushing against each other. 'I'll pay for it if you give me your name.'

'You already know my name.'

'Oh? How could I?' he asked, his smirk practically audible.

'You've talked to Ino enough to know that I'd come back this way, and she isn't known for being shy. My name has undoubtedly already come up. But,' she said and tilted her head enough to look at him, 'you can pay for the drink and give me your name instead.'

He chuckled lowly, the sound perfectly clear despite the loud music. He paid for the drinks before he offered her his hand. 'Itachi.'

'Nice to meet you, Itachi,' she said and shook it, meeting his eyes head-on. She blinked as the familiarity clicked into place. 'Oh my god. That's why you looked so familiar.'

'Finally remembered, huh?' he smiled slightly as they moved out of the way, finding a vacant couch nearby.

'The cat,' she nodded as she sat down next to him. 'What was his name again?'

'Poe.'

'That's an unusual name for a cat.'

'Well,' he coughed slightly and looked into his glass. 'I really liked ravens when I was a kid, but you can't really keep them as pets.'

She nodded slowly. 'Edgar Allan Poe, the raven. I see what you did there.'

He chuckled slightly. 'Super clever, isn't it? You got any pets?'

'Except from Ino, you mean?' she laughed and glanced at the blonde currently giving her target a nice view of her chest–something he wasn't very subtle about enjoying. 'She's unbelievable.'

'Good match for my cousin then,' he commented as he followed her gaze.

'Cousin?' she echoed and looked between the two a few times. She hummed. 'Yeah, I can see it. Guess the third one is related too, then?'

'My little brother.'

'How does this all go together?' she asked and motioned between them.

'My brother, Sasuke, is together with the pink-haired woman, Sakura. Her friend, Hinata, tagged along because she has a crush on that bartender.'

'On Naruto? Wow.'

'I'm inclined to agree. Shisui is–'

'The soon-to-be-ex of Ino, got that, thanks,' she snorted. 'So what's your story? I haven't seen any of you around campus. Does anyone of you actually go to the school?'

'Hinata does. The rest of us just tagged along because we were... bored.'

'And here I thought you'd lost your cat again,' she smirked.

An odd look passed over his face–a humorous gleam in his eyes, but his lips pressed together to keep from saying something. He took a sip from his glass before he looked away and said 'something like that.'

Akina chose to ignore the tone and expression, and instead took a long swing from her drink. She kept her eyes closed as she felt the warm wind move over her skin and the faint smell of cinnamon enter her nose. She sighed. Still not drunk enough, it seemed.

'You okay?' he asked gently.

She looked at him over her shoulder, giving him a slight smile as she tried to block the image out. 'Yeah,' she said and downed the rest of her drink. 'I'm going to dance. With or without you,' she added as she stood. She gave him a long look. 'But you look like you can dance, so I'd prefer with.'

He stood easily and offered her a hand, which she took without hesitation. 'I'd love to.'