TheBloodyLoveOfSakuraHaruno, thank you so much for all your kind words, it honestly means a lot to know you're enjoying the chapters so far, hope you enjoy this one too ❤️❤️.

Xxx


Sakura woke up and groaned loudly. She clutched at her head and pressed the palms of her hands into her eyes, blocking out the bright light that flooded the room. Gently, she massaged at her temples, careful not to press too hard.

With the headache slightly dulled, and her eyes adjusting to the brightness, she kicked off her legs from the bed and stood up on shaky legs. She pressed one hand against the wall, steadying herself, the other placed on her head. "I'm never drinking again," she croaked out, wincing at the taste in her mouth.

Slowly, she made her way to the bathroom and looked at her reflection, "ughh." Her hair looked like she had been electrocuted, her eyeliner and mascara had run, leaving streaks of black going down her face and her eyes framed, making her look like a panda. Her lipstick was smudged across her lips and cheeks, "I look horrible." She turned on the tap and washed her face, taking care not to rub too hard. Next, she brushed her teeth, getting rid of the stale taste of alcohol, and used the toilet.

Downstairs, she waddled to the kitchen. She grabbed a glass and filled it with water, downing the liquid, before filling it up over and over. From the cupboard, she grabbed some paracetamol and chucked them in her mouth, chasing them down with more water. She turned towards the cereal, but her stomach lurched at the thought of food. She set the glass down and made her back into the living room, where she found a note on the table. She unfolded it and concentrated on the words.

Hey,

Hope you're feeling okay. I brought you home from the club.

Don't worry, nothing happened between us.

Take Care.

She read the note over and over, and looked down at herself, surprised that she was still wearing the black dress. She groaned loudly and sat down on the sofa, "I swear I'm not drinking again." She tried to recall what happened last night, but only got snippets, from drinking too much to kissing some guy. Sakura squeezed her eyes shut and groaned once more, "what was I thinking…?"

From beside her, her phone vibrated several times. She reached over and grabbed her bag, pulling out her phone. Ino's name flashing across the screen. She accepted the call and placed the phone against her ear.

"Hi," she croaked.

"Sounds like someone had a good night."

"No, I didn't," Sakura pouted, "I drank too much."

"Nothing new there," Ino laughed.

"I might have done something stupid."

"Who did you kiss?"

Sakura huffed out a laugh, not surprised at how well her best friend knew her. "Some guy, and before you ask, no, I don't know his name or have his number."

"Bet you had an amazing night though," Ino teased.

"No," Sakura sighed.

"What do you mean no?"

"He left a note saying nothing happened between us and that he made sure I got home safe and then left."

"What a gentleman. Was he good looking?"

Sakura tried to recall the man from last night, but all she could remember was him having red hair, green eyes, an amazing voice and that she couldn't keep her hands or lips to herself. "Ino, I groped him and threw myself at him," she grumbled.

"You really must have been drunk," Ino laughed again.

"It's not funny," Sakura complained.

"Okay, okay, I won't laugh. By the way, I'm coming over next weekend."

Sakura perked up at the news, "really?"

"Yeah, Naruto said he had some business in Suna and I asked him if I could come along and see you."

"That's amazing," Sakura smiled, "I can't wait to see you, I miss you so much pig."

"I miss you too forehead."

They spoke for a while longer, before hanging up. Sakura looked through her phone, finding several messages from Hotaru and Sasori. Both asking if she was okay and safe. She typed back a reply to them both, letting them know that she was safe, but she had a killer hangover and that she was never drinking again. Hotaru's reply was instantaneous.

We'll see about that! Glad you're okay though X

Sakura smiled at the message and placed her phone on the table. She stretched across her sofa, her eyes closing and her breathing turning heavy.

When Sakura opened her eyes, the room was almost dark, she sat up and grabbed her phone, surprised that she had slept the whole day away. She stood up and walked into the kitchen and prepared some toast. She buttered the toast took small bites, until it was all gone. She made her way back upstairs and grabbed a pair of shorts and a top, followed by underwear and walked into her bathroom and started the shower.

She shrugged out of her clothes and threw them in the corner. She got into the shower and stood under the warm spray, sighing in content. Carefully, she washed her hair and body, before wrapping herself in her towel. Back in the bedroom, she ran her brush through her hair, wincing at the knots that had formed. With her hair dried, she tied it up and spent the rest of the evening in front of the TV.

XoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXo

Sakura walked into the hospital and made her to her office. She sat down and started up her computer and picked up the new patient files. She went through her emails and diary, adding in more appointments, to her already busy day.

She grabbed her cup and walked to the staff area, preparing her coffee and grabbed a biscuit.

"How was it?"

Sakura turned around to face Hotaru, who was looking at her with a wide smirk plastered across her lips.

"How was what?" Sakura added two sugars to her drink and stirred, before taking a sip and sighing.

Hotaru stared at Sakura, her eyebrows raised, "don't act stupid," she walked over and grabbed the milk, preparing her own drink. "You and lover boy on Friday."

Sakura blushed with embarrassment, "nothing happened."

Hotaru turned to face her, "what do you mean nothing happened? You were all over him, hands and lips."

"Don't remind me," Sakura groaned low. She took another sip of her drink and told Hotaru about the note.

"He dropped you off and then left, and nothing happened?" Hotaru asked sceptically.

Sakura nodded her answer, "yup."

"Seriously?"

Sakura chuckled lightly, "yeah, seriously."

"And here I thought I was going to get some juicy, hot story about your amazing hook up," Hotaru sighed.

Sakura blushed slightly. She remembered more of the night, how she had acted towards the man, throwing herself at him, trying to seduce him back to her place, all of It making her cringe.

"You at least got his name and number, right?" Hotaru made herself a coffee and turned to face Sakura.

Sakura shook her head, "no, I didn't."

Hotaru stared at Sakura, dumbfounded by her words, "girl, you're the only woman I know that wouldn't get the name and number of that hottie or have a story to tell."

Just then, Sasori walked in with a smile, "hello ladies," he winked at them and made himself a coffee. "How was your Friday night Sakura?" He smirked at her.

"Apparently, the hottie dropped her home and left and this one," Hotaru pointed at Sakura, "didn't think of getting his name or number."

"Well in her defence, her mind was on other things," Sasori teased.

Sakura groaned in embarrassment and frustration, "I'm going back to my office," she turned and walked away, leaving her two friends to laugh.

Sakura busied herself in her work that she lost track of time. It was only when a knock sounded on her door, that she looked up at the clock, surprised that it was almost one o'clock. "Come in," she called.

Sasori walked in with two bags, "peace offering," he walked towards her desk and set a bag down, before sitting down himself. "I'm sorry if our teasing went too far," he gave her a small smile.

Sakura opened the bag and pulled out a sandwich and a fresh portion of cream anmitsu. She looked at Sasori, "I forgive you."

Sasori smiled at her, "thank you."

Sakura tucked into her sandwich followed by the anmitsu. "How did things go with Deidara?" she asked as she finished her dessert.

"Things went well…" Sasori avoided her gaze, his cheeks pinkening slightly.

Sakura raised her eyebrow, her lips pulling up in a smile, "now who's got the story to tell?"

"Well, after the club, we went back to my place and we spoke."

"Uh-huh, you spoke," Sakura teased.

Sasori blushed more, "nothing big happened. I took your advice and told him what I wanted and he said that he wanted a relationship too and then we started to kiss and one thing led to another. But before we could go all the way, he stopped and said that we should get to know each other better before sleeping together."

Sakura smiled at him, "I'm really happy for you Sasori."

"Thanks," he smiled back. "So, you really didn't get the man's name or number?"

Sakura sighed and rolled her eyes, "no I didn't. I was a little too drunk to think rationally."

"Maybe you'll see him again, and then you can ask him."

"I don't think I could speak to him if I ever saw him again, I'd be mortified," Sakura puffed out her cheeks.

"Come on Sakura, you didn't do anything wrong. You hit on a guy and you two made out and nothing more."

"I know, but I don't act like that, I'm not the kind of person that throws herself at random men."

"But the drunk you does, and she knows how to party," Sasori winked at her, before adding, "it's not a big thing Sakura, don't worry about it."

XoXoXoXoXoXoXo

The week passed by quickly with all the work Sakura had on her plate. She had managed to get Friday off to be with Ino and she was eager to go through as many files, so there wouldn't be a massive work load when she came back in on Tuesday.

With everything sorted and her office somewhat tidy, she called it a day and made her way home. She grabbed bed sheets and covers and prepared the two spare rooms for Ino and Naruto. She cleaned the house, surprised to see how many of her clothes were thrown around the place, I swear I will do better she promised herself.

With the house tidy, she made her way to the supermarket and stocked up on food and drink for her friends, making sure to buy several bottles of wine and several pots of instant ramen for Naruto. She paid for everything and made her way back home, putting away the shopping. She grabbed her phone from her pocket and sent Ino and Naruto a message.

Can't wait to see you guys! Let me know what time your flight is and I'll pick you up from the airport xx

A few minutes later, her phone pinged with a message from Naruto.

Can't wait to see you too. Our flight is at six in the morning, we should be in Suna by eleven at the latest. See you tomorrow.

Sakura smiled at the message. She was excited to be able to see her friends again. Since being un Suna, she had kept in touch with Ino on a daily basis, telling her about how her days had been, what she had been up to and vice versa. Sakura couldn't wait to see them both, to hug them tight and show off her new home to them.