- S -
"Ino, I swear to Kami if you have something up your sleeve I'm going to put my foot up your a—"
"Relax, Forehead! You were such a psycho about this not being a big deal, so it isn't. Just drinks at Bourbon in your honor! Now let me put this slutty skirt and tube top on you, the heels are short just for you." There was no dodging Ino when she was this adamant about using Sakura as a Barbie doll, so the clothes were donned. Sakura drew the line when Ino pulled out makeup.
"You'll already have people looking at me funny – I never wear makeup and I don't want to tonight." The blonde pouted but relented as she'd gotten Sakura more done up than she expected.
The women set out for the bar having done a quick round of shots before they left. Ino had offered the idea, but Sakura had been the one to excitedly encourage it. Nerves were getting the better of her, she hadn't told her teammates about the event and she wasn't sure if it was the right idea. There was no way to casually tell them without coming across as needy asking them to come. So she had foregone telling them entirely.
Barely two steps into the bar she wasn't troubled with wondering any further as the dark haired Uchiha was standing by the bar with Naruto. He was scowling at a joke Naruto was making – likely one at Sasuke's expense. Kakashi was across the room chatting with Kurenai and Anko while Genma passively engaged in the conversation.
"Ino…" Sakura ground out "…what the hell did you say to Sasuke, and Kakashi, to get them here. I told you I didn't want you going out of your way to make this is a big deal because it's weird." Ino waved off her friend dismissively.
"I didn't say anything to them directly. I just dropped hints to Naruto about how nice it would be to have all of Team 7 together for your birthday and the idiot did all the work for me – I should probably feel bad for manipulating him but oh well." The conversation didn't progress past that as Ino grabbed Sakura's wrist and led her to the main group that encompassed most of their friends. While Shino and Choji were off on missions, the rest of the Rookie 9 were present and greeted Sakura warmly with hugs and plenty of compliments.
Sakura's face took on a shade matching her hair at the compliments and an extended appreciative glance from Kiba. The Inuzuka member male opened his mouth to follow the look with a comment when a hand clamped on his shoulder. The brown haired man swiveled around to complain when he looked into narrowed white eyes and made an excuse of needing another drink to scurry away from Neji.
"Happy Birthday, Sakura." Neji greeted, pulling the woman into a brief hug before stepped back and placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Another year of serving your village – will you ever take a day off?" he asked in a neutral tone, but one Sakura had come to know as close a joking one.
"I'll take one off when you do." She retorted, offering him a smug smile before they fell into conversation discussing her progress in research and what she was learning in rehabilitating her teammates. Not much time passed as she chatted with her friends and continued to drink, evading Lee's love confessions, before she felt two eyes focused on the back of her head and a presence behind her.
Sakura found Tsuga, the ANBU who had previously taken the lead flirting with her.
"Oh, um, hi Tsuga-san!" He pulled her into a side hug which gave him the perfect opportunity to lean in to whisper in her ear.
"You look fantastic, this is an outfit I didn't expect to see." He used a husky tone and Sakura suddenly wished she were more sober so she could come up with a better deflecting comment than she did.
"Ah, well, Ino told me I look too stuck up most of the time." Nicely done, Sakura. Now he thinks you're trying to be flirty.
Tsuga's eyebrows shot up and a smirk spread across his face, it seemed expectedly had misread her comment for interest. "Ino has an eye for knowing how to flatter a figure."
Redness from the alcohol was already spreading across her face and chest so his comments only darkened it. Men were usually too intimidated to approach her and the ones who did often ignored her infamous temper. They normally used highly inappropriate pickup lines and sometimes got touchy. While Tsuga was being forward, he hadn't done anything inappropriate nor made cocky assertions of what they'd be doing later.
Sakura decided a little banter never hurt anyone and began catching up with the ninja about recent missions. He described a humorous story of watching young medics use notes from Sakura's lectures as the holy grail of medicine and their fluster at Sakura's praise. Tsuga had plenty of stories of the type, all of which found an indirect way to compliment her.
- K -
Kakashi had watched Sakura enter the bar with Ino. Similar to the first time he'd gone to the bar with people from her genin days, the two women were unnecessarily dressed up. Sakura never looked comfortable when she wore anything of the sort, so he knew it was all on the behalf of the blonde kunoichi.
Before long he heard the green jumpsuit wearing Lee exclaim, "Sakura-san! Your youth and beauty are different this night and equally beautiful as always!" Lee's bowl cut shook as he darted towards Sakura to grasp her hand and lay a kiss on top of it. She grimaced and gave Lee a polite smile.
"Oh, thanks Lee." Why doesn't she bash him over the head like she does with Naruto?
Ino dragged Sakura towards other friends and Lee approached the bar with a glowing smile. "Are you ever going to move on?" Sasuke snapped at man, leaving Kakashi to raise his eyebrows at the Uchiha's temper.
"Sakura-san is a beautiful flower, I cannot pick her and tarnish her. I will watch her from afar!" Guy really did a number on the way Lee talks.
Kakashi looked up to find Sakura talking to a strange man. No, not a stranger. It was the ANBU that Ino had introduced Sakura. Animated conversation was occurring and, from reading her lips, it seemed the man had discovered the trick of kickstarting Sakura's endless chatting – he'd asked about her work. What was his name, Tsuga? Kakashi filed the name away. For what, he couldn't pinpoint.
"You're gonna break your neck turning it like that." Naruto's smug voice broke Kakashi's train of thought and he found he had been intently staring at Sakura as she moved through conversation with a variety of guests. Sasuke seemed to follow the same line of sight.
"Who's the ANBU?"
"Hmmm, why should I tell you? You could always ask Sakura herself."
"I know something you don't." Even Sasuke seemed interested in the topic.
This peaked the blonde's attention and he suddenly leaned in allowing Kakashi to catch the intense alcohol smell radiating from the man. He's shitfaced. Perfect.
"How do I know you're not lying?" Kakashi sighed but indulged the man.
"I'll buy you Ichiraku every day for a month if I don't have anything."
"I win no matter what! The ANBU, Tsuga, is a random Ino keeps trying to get with Sakura – doesn't look like it's going to happen from Sakura's face right now." Upon glancing at the woman's face, she was smiling and showed pleasant responses to whatever Tsuga was talking about. Kakashi didn't note any indication she wasn't happy and interested in the conversation. Maybe she's not as easy to read as she used to be.
"So, what do you know that I don't?"
Kakashi scoffed before responding, "You're blind to not realize Hinata has feelings for you."
Being drunk didn't help Naruto's ability to control his emotions. He choked on the drink he was sipping promptly spewed out as he began to cough. "Hinata-chan?! But she's so pretty! Are you sure? You're not messing with me? C'mon Teme, I need a wingman!"
Naruto didn't even wait for an answer before hurrying over to the group with the Hyuuga heir and Sasuke was fuming as he was dragged away. From how red she's already getting looking at him it should be obvious she likes him.
Pink hair suddenly came into his peripheral and Kakashi looked down to watch Sakura approach him at the bar. A sigh escaped her lips as she rubbed her temples none too gently. Leaning her elbows on the bar, she looked at him directly for the first time since entering the bar.
"I have no idea what Naruto said, but I'll apologize for it anyways. None of this was my idea," she explained, sweeping one hand to gesture to the bar and the other to gesture to her outfit. Kakashi had a hard time maintaining eye contact with the latter motion. "But I can't say I mind being able to catch up with everyone," she admitted with a soft smile.
"It's not a big deal." The smile on her face broadened with relief. Is it really okay for me to be here?
"I didn't want to bother you but, um, well… I'm glad you came." Pink flush from alcohol turned to a deep red hue at her admission.
Kakashi didn't have a chance to analyze her reaction before Neji made an appearance. "You shouldn't play along with idiots. They'll get the impression they can wear you down."
"I can take care of myself. He can think whatever he likes but he's not getting anything beyond a smile and nod." Neji shot her an unamused look and nodded in greeting to Kakashi.
"I know you can, but there's only so many times I can be reprimanded for scaring ninja who act like they will or have gotten anything," Neji sighed.
At the comment Sakura laughed and Kakashi glanced back and forth between the two, not fully knowing their relationship aside of their work together. "Sensei, you want another round? Neji's buying." Two sets of eyes glared at her for different reasons, but Neji produced money none the less.
"I'm fine the way I am."
Sakura let out a low hum of agreement that would have been innocent save for the appreciative glance she gave him as if confirming he was fine in more than one way. The look and comment were completely out of the norm for her and he wondered how much of it was the alcohol. Neji ordered her some fruity smelling drink that he was told to be a vodka cranberry. Beer suited Kakashi's taste more, best for pacing and not sickeningly sweet like most things liquor ended up in.
"How is your training going?" Neji asked Sakura while settling the tab.
"I think Tsunade is going to put us back on the roster for combat missions soon." Neji's eyebrows rose and he turned his attention to the woman beside him.
"This progress is beyond even your initial expectations – I'm sure you're ecstatic," Neji noted with what appeared to be a smile.
"I can't even begin to express it! This opens so many new treatment opportunities!" Sakura seemed ready to continue her conversation when something in the main group caught her eye. A sly smile overtook her face and she jabbed a finger into Neji's side. "Go! Now! I'm drunk enough to let some things slip if you don't!" Neji shot her a glare that would make many cower, but she simply stuck out her tongue at him. Despite his attitude, the man moved to leave, only pausing to lean in to whisper to Kakashi while Sakura was distracted by her drink being completed.
Neji's words held a threatening tone and Kakashi was irritated by both his tone and comment. "She needs you to be a better buffer for Sasuke, even if she won't say it." Disappearing back into the main group, Neji didn't give Kakashi a chance to retort. The Hyuuga man didn't know anything about the team dynamic. Does he?
Kakashi had to acknowledge again that he didn't know much about the two's friendship, so it was perfectly possible she told Neji about Sasuke's temper. Still, that didn't warrant Neji reprimanding a man who outranked him and had years of experience on him.
Sakura responded to Neji's disappearance with a cheeky smile when she turned around. "He's almost as much an idiot as Naruto sometime."
"Aa."
The gods did not hold Kakashi in their favor apparently because within moments Tsuga approached the bar with a grin and appreciative glance towards Sakura. "I thought I lost you for a moment!" Now being shown to read her better in this context, Kakashi could notice it was likely the woman had tried to lose Tsuga.
"Ah, well, you know how it is! The subject of the party ends up doing most of the hosting!" Gulping down her drink, Sakura ordered another quickly.
"Tsuga, was it?" Kakashi interjected, feeling satisfaction at how the man tensed with a nervous look in his direction.
"Hello, Hatake-san." Tsuga at least had the wisdom to address him with respect. "How are you?"
"Well. Catching up with my teammate." Innocent enough statement.
However, the man seemed to catch the implication that he was interrupting and nervously laughed before stuttering, "We-ell, happy birthday, Sakura! I've got to be up early, but I'll see you around!" All but running back to his friends, Tsuga didn't spare Kakashi another glance.
"Did you do that on purpose?" came the relieved voice of Sakura suddenly sounding very, very close. And she was, within a foot in fact. Sweet, fruity alcohol scent emanated from her and he noted the symptoms of rather intense intoxication.
"Do what?"
"Never mind, that was a dumb question. Are you having fun?" she asked, clearly hoping he wasn't in absolute misery.
Raised eyebrows were her only response.
"Right, another dumb question. Do you want me to make an excuse for you to leave?"
Gray eyebrows rose even higher and he was confused by her comment. Do I seem so miserable around her? Attending her birthday? "I've already missed plenty of events."
Pausing to study him with cautious hope, she let herself smile after a few moments seeming to decide he was not lying. "…so you have."
After the exchange, the rest of the night played out smoothly. Naruto convinced Sakura to dance like an idiot with him, drunk and sloppy, while Neji and Kakashi fell into an unplanned sync in scaring off observing men with sharp looks. Neji was clearly protective of Sakura but hadn't necessarily told Kakashi to go fuck himself, so Neji likely knew nothing at he and Sakura's…arrangement. However, by his attitude the Hyuuga was the only one picking up on Kakashi and Sakura's slight change in attitude towards one another.
Closing time crept up on the celebrating group and Kakashi discovered no matter how many times he saw Sakura drink around anyone else, she usually ended up the same way – drunk, stumbling, and laughing. Rookie 9 members began to file out of the bar with various forms of goodbye – almost all of them departing with some type of gift given to Sakura. Naruto made a big show of how thoughtful and useful his oven mitts were.
"I'm going to be the worst at training tomorrow, I'm sorry!" Sakura shouted, bowing to both Sasuke and Naruto separately.
Naruto let out a bellowing laugh and let her know, "I'll be lucky to make it out my door in the morning!" The blonde had not been able to keep his eyes of Hinata all night, even while he said goodbye to Sakura. "Ne, Kakashi. make sure she gets home safe! You better have a gift for her somewhere!" Naruto shouted over his shoulder as he ran to catch up with Hinata who was exiting the bar.
Naruto doesn't want Sasuke walking her home, even he sees that the Sasuke needs to be better with her.
Eyes bore into the back of Kakashi's head and, unsurprisingly, he found Neji behind him with a fierce expression. "Don't lose your way home," was the Hyuuga's closing comment before he followed Naruto out of the bar. Likely heading to threaten the blonde as well for making moves on his cousin.
Kakashi narrowed his eyes at the man before turning his attention back to Sakura noticing that her expression had shifted to disappointment.
"It's almost a skill how I manage to become a burden without trying, ne?" Sakura joked, but it was clear she was entirely serious. "I can make it home, I promise. I'm not completely steady, but I'm not as bad as before."
"Don't be ridiculous." Flinching at his comment, Sakura struggled to regain her composure before he spoke again. "Neither you nor Naruto will be up early tomorrow, it doesn't matter if I'm up late as well."
Laughter was the only response he got, and they stepped out into the cool night. They walked along the path towards the residential areas when Sakura began to branch left and Kakashi to the right – each moving with their own home in mind.
"Oh, this is it! Thank you for coming, Sensei." An affectionate smile filled her face and her drunkenness made it appear comical. It almost made him forgive her slip of his title.
Staring at her for several long seconds in silence, Kakashi breathed out deeply before saying, "I haven't given you your gift." Pink eyebrows shot up - likely in surprise that he had gotten her a gift.
"That's okay! Another day, you could bring it to training tomorrow even. Or –"
"Come with me," was all he had to say, and she fell into step beside him, trekking towards his apartment. They were silent the rest of the walk and through entering the apartment, even silent when he led her to his room.
"Um, Kakashi…why is my present in your room?" Ignoring her, he flicked on the light and moved to stand beside his bed. He felt a slight heat on his cheeks that was surely from the alcohol and that alone – he didn't get embarrassed.
"This is your gift."
A blank look met his own reddened face. Nearly two minutes passed in silence before Kakashi put the pieces together of what Sakura was seeing from her version of the events. "The pillow."
She glanced down to his bed and her eyes widened as she seemed to realize the real intent on bringing her to his room. Sputtering out incoherent words, she seemed to struggle with confirming what he was implying.
"It's illogical for you to stay in a bed with only one pillow. I bought another."
Tears were not the reaction he expected, and he found himself scrambling with how to respond. Emotional women in general were difficult for him, let alone it being Sakura and both of them being intoxicated. Forward as ever, she decided the next step before he could question himself over what to do next.
Arms wrapped tightly around his neck and he felt her small body mold against the front of his. While initially unprepared for the contact, Kakashi did his best to overcome his discomfort with this ongoing theme of allowing more and more physical contact. It was unspoken between them, but the gift was an offering of massive proportions. He was carving out a place in his home for her, purposely modifying his space so she would be more comfortable.
One of the most private people in all of Konoha had offered to let her invade his space and solitude.
"Thank you," she whispered, pulling back and loosening her arms to drop them back to her sides. It seemed she wasn't processing how much contact she'd initiated as she wasn't fumbling and apologizing. "Is it….is it okay if I stay?"
Turning away from her, he retrieved black sweats and a black long sleeved shirt before tossing them to her and disappearing into his bathroom to get ready for bed. By the time he was showered and changed, he found that Sakura was already deep in the hold of sleep.
Sprawled atop the comforter, Ino's clothes had been discarded on the floor in favor of his black set. Sakura was curled up slightly with her legs tucked together and her hair falling over her face. She needs to get under the blankets.
Pulling back the comforter gently, Kakashi lifted her with his left arm momentarily by sliding an arm around her waist. After settling her back down and placing the comforter atop her, he paused to admire how at peace she seemed. She deserved to lose the edge she always seemed to be leaning over, so he would help her how he could.