Finding My Way: Chapter 3
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Sasuke and Sakura ate their breakfast in silence, and for once she didn't mind. She found it very amusing that Sasuke had stayed the night and took care of her. The surprising part was she didn't throw herself on him or make a big fuss; that the boy she loved as all long as she could remember was at her kitchen table eating breakfast.
Sasuke couldn't take the silence and decided to make small talk; "We have training with Hinata, Shino, and Kiba today," it took a moment to process his words and it finally dawned on her. "Uh, Sasuke could you tell me what happened last night, my memory is a bit fuzzy."
"Which part, do you not remember nearly stripping atop the bar, or how Kiba felt you up, or my favorite carrying you drunken ass out of the bar?"
"Seriously, I almost stripped, are you sure?"
"I stepped in when the crowd of men were about to start stuffing money in you bra. I KNOW FOR A FACT YOU WERE ABOUT TO TAKE YOU TOP OFF, WHEN I THREW YOU OVER MY SHOULDERS AND YOU THEN STARTED TO BEAT THE CRAP OUT OF ME WHILE YELLING HOW I ALWAYS RUIN YOUR LIFE."
"Wow, it sounds like I had a hell of a time. The only thing I wish I didn't do was allow a friend to feel me up. I think that changes our friendship. Why could have it not been a stranger, like the mysterious man who paid for all my drinks? If I was as messed up as you say I was, I definitely would have invited Kiba-kun home and would have gotten lucky!" joked Sakura.
Sasuke rolled his eyes, "Trust me, I would not let things get out of hand; that idiot passed out earlier in the night, and someone needed to watch you."
Hearing Sasuke's reasons really pissed her off. She wasn't twelve years old and didn't need a damn babysitter. "Oh, let me get this straight, you felt the need to baby-sit me, because I'm not capable to do it myself. Sasuke, you are such a jerk, I didn't ask for your help nor did I need it. I am a grown girl and if I wanted to take a stranger home, it is my choice."
"Sakura, you're overreacting, it's not my fault that you had too much to drink. You're lucky that your friends were around to protect you, women and alcohol don't mix."
"I think you have worn out your welcome, Leave Sasuke. If I need a lecture on responsibility I'll go to my parents' house."
"Next time, I'll leave you on their doorstep and then you will have to explain your drunken behavior."
"Like I said, get out before we both say something we're going to regret."
"To late for that," with that Sasuke slammed the door to Sakura's apartment.
As Sakura sat in her empty apartment, she looked at the calendar and thought eight more days. The more she thought about it the more she got angry, she threw a few things and it made her feel better. "Why do I always get the short end of the stick? I always played by the rules, and I still get screwed. Well at least I'm going out with a bang, not crying. I think I'll skip training, its not like it's going to help me in the future. Might as well ditch work too, the worst they can do is fire me. Maybe tomorrow, I'll go see Kyo; hopefully he can take away this fortune or maybe put me in a better mood." She thought as she threw off her robe and put the bedspread over her head.
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Ino and Shikamaru were on their way to Sakura's apartment. "I know she's going through a rough patch, but last night was a little extreme." Ino quickly rose to her defense, "How would you be if you were going to die in 8 days." "We need a plan to keep her safe from danger and most importantly herself. If Sasuke had not dragged her out of the bar, only god knows what might have happened." "I know, Shika-Kun, but she is my best friend, I don't want anything bad to happen to her. What would I do if my best friend wasn't around?"
Shikamaru stopped and turned to Ino, "Don't worry, we'll figure something out, after all we still have eight days to find a loophole."
"I don't deserve you, but thank you, Shika-kun."
They arrived at her door and knocked, but no answered. "She's probably not in the mood to see anyone just yet, Ino, let's come back later."
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It was mid afternoon and the only ninja who had not shown up was Sakura. Mostly everyone was concerned, except Kiba. Hinata had filled him in on the details of last night. He was horrified to learn he have been touching her very inappropriate and in front of her teammates no less. "I guess that explains why Sasuke is giving me the look, and Naruto doesn't remember, so I guess I'm safe from him for now!" Kiba wanted to laugh so badly, but knew it was not the time. "I need to talk to Sakura; I hope she doesn't get the wrong impression, I don't have those kinds of feelings. Damn, why did I drink so much, free alcohol absolutely has consequences."
Not one for waiting, Naruto decided he was going to check up on his teammate. "I can't take it anymore, Sakura is never late, something has to be wrong."
"It's called a hangover, idiot," yelled Kiba, "You can't drink that much and not feel it the next day. I should know I'm still feeling it right now."
"Maybe we should continue another time, we are not at our best," interrupted Shino. He wasn't in the mood for fighting. Hinata and Shino had a long night with Kiba, he had wanted to fight a few times and tried destroying Shino's apartment when they would not let him leave.
"Sounds like a plan, we'll be at Sakuras' if anyone is looking for us," Naruto said as he waved to the group.
Sakura heard banging at her door, and figured if she ignored it the jackass would go away. She put the pillow over her head and proceeded to go back to sleep.
"Sakura, we know you're in there, Please let us in," pleaded Naruto. Frustrated, he pulled out a pin and started to pick the lock. Sasuke smirked, "This idiot is smarter than he looks, but I doubt it will work." Sasuke's thoughts were interrupted when he heard a small click and turned to see the door swung open. Walking in, he noticed the breakfast plates were still on the table. Something was definitely wrong with this picture, Sakura was a clean freak and yet her apartment was messy. He observed a few broken items near the wall. Those were not there when I left this morning. He looked around the apartment and to notice Naruto was gone.
Naruto had walked straight into Sakura's bedroom, he was about to pull the sheets off, when Sakura spoke; "Dumbass, if you know what's good for you, I would think twice." With a grin, Naruto counted to three and pulled the sheets. His eyes widen to find a very naked Sakura ready to beat the living daylights out of him. She quickly wrapped the sheet around herself, and started screaming different profanities. Naruto was very embarrassed, and before Sakura could kick his ass, hastily exited the property. A clueless Sasuke decided to head to the source of the commotion, but stopped when he saw Sakura coming out of her room wearing only a sheet. "What the hell are you doing here Uchiha, this is trespassing, you know."
Sasuke took a deep breath, Sakura never talks to him this way or address him by his last name; "You missed training, and we wanted to know why."
"I didn't feel like it, and so I didn't go! Now that you have your answer, get the fuck out of my apartment and don't come back."
Feeling this was not the time to argue with Sakura, he nodded and headed to the door; "Whatever your problem is, get over it!"
"I'll get over it, when you pull that stick out of your ass Uchiha!" with these last words she slammed the door on his face.
"In my wildest dreams, I never thought I would have the nerve to talk to Sasuke that way, but he's being his cold-heart arrogant self. How could I have loved someone like that for so long? It doesn't matter, he doesn't love me, and I am so over that jerk.
"You know your lying to yourself, you angry at your situation, you're using him as an excuse to vent your frustration." laughed her inner voice.
"Shut up, I'm going back to sleep, so I don't have to hear you or think!"
"You might want to put some clothes on just in case you have other visitors."
"Well if anyone stops by, I'll just start charging admission."
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Sasuke was walking down the street, something was bothering Sakura, and she was being a little destruction. The only problem was what. He got the impression Sakura was not going to tell him; in the past she had never confided her problems to him. Their relationship was a strange one, she'd tell him she loved him and he would reject her. But somehow they would still remain friends, maybe it was the fact, they were teammates. Naruto and Sakura forgave him for deserting the village and even stood by him when no one else would. "I own it to her to find out what's going on, she would do the same for me." The feelings he explained to himself were friendship nothing more. He still had unfinished business like killing his only blood relative, and he didn't have time for love. He was back in reality when he heard a familiar voice and started to walk in that direction. "Sasuke," Sasuke saw Kakashi and Naruto eating ramen.
"Was she mad at me?" asked a timid Naruto.
"Why should she be?"
"I saw her naked, I mean naked, nothing on, I pulled off her sheets trying to get her out of bed and…." Paused Naruto, "I know I looked at least a full minute before she started yelling and reaching for the sheets."
Kakashi laughed at Naruto, "I would probably steer clear of her for a couple of days, you of all people should know that temper of hers. If Sasuke saw, it would be a different story."
Sasuke fumed a little, he couldn't believe that Naruto had seen Sakura naked, "I got to see her covered in the sheet, even though I could seen through it. Sasuke shook his head, "I can't think that way, she a friend not a sex object."
Figuring Kakashi knows Sakura better that him, he started telling him what had be going on. "I missed her dancing on the bar; well she was very proud of recent promotion."
"Kakashi, I'm being serious, Sakura never spoke to me that way."
"Maybe she has finally seen the light; Sasuke Uchiha is a man and does wrong. Or maybe she is still feeling the effects of the alcohol. I'm sure by tomorrow she will be her charming herself. I'll talk to her about skipping training, Tsunade will not like the fact her apprentice did a no show today."
Sasuke has listening half heartily, and then something jogged his memory, "Remember, what she said yesterday, the fortune teller told her about the promotion. What if he gave news that upset her?"
"I say we pay him a visit and find out exactly what he said to her, one way or another he'll talk."
"The only problem with that Naruto is the hokage has barred all ninjas from visiting him." spoke Kakashi.
"I was never one for following rules, especially if a friend is in trouble." added Naruto, "So I going, you coming, Sasuke-teme?"
"You're an idiot, first we need to find him and have a plan just incase he is under surveillance."
"Simple, I will use my Sexy Jutsu technique for a distraction; you'll talk to the old man."
They laughed at Naruto, it was so simple but efficient; "Soon you'll give Shikamaru a run for his money on strategic planning." smiled Kakashi.
"Let's get to work, Mission Help Sakura, are you coming Kakashi."
"Sorry, but I other matters that need attention, keep me posted."
"Off to the marketplace, let's find this crazy seer!"
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It didn't take long to find him, but the only problem was he was surrounded by a crowd of people. "This might be a little more difficult than we planned," thought Sasuke. Before he could say anything to Naruto, he had already used Sexy Jutsu. "Go, bastard. Quitting standing around looking like a bad ass." Sasuke gave a quick nod and made a note to beat the crap out of him later for insulting him.
As the crowd cleared, Sasuke ran to the man. "I knew you would be coming, my name is Kyo, you have time to ask one question, before they return."
Sasuke wandered if he was talking about the crowd or someone else. "What the hell did you say to Sakura?" He wanted to present control, but he voice showed otherwise.
"Nothing that will concern you, she asked if she had a future with you, and I told her, I'm sorry, but no."
Sasuke laughed inwardly, that is so like her, but there has to be more. "I could have told her that. What else did you say to her?"
"Simply put, she has no future with you, or anyone else for that matter. The girl will die very soon, like I told her, I'm sorry."
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Sakura was getting a little stir crazy, so decided to go out for some fresh air. While walking through the park she encountered Kiba. "Might as well bite the bullet, and hope our friendship will still be intact."
"Kiba-kun!" she waved to him. "How are you doing?"
"Just fine, we missed you at training today," Kiba continued, "How are you feeling?"
"I have a headache, but about last night, Kiba-kun, I was drunk. Please don't take this the wrong way, but…."
"I get it Sakura, I feel the same, can we pretend last night never happened!"
"Of course, it was starting to get a little awkward."
"How about we go out and celebrate our renewed friendship."
Sakura rolled her eyes at Kiba, "Might as well, I've got nothing else to do tonight. Let's just go to the same bar as last night."
"Maybe Mr. X can buy us another round of drinks, let's go," Kiba said as he extended his hand for Sakura.
"Funny, I won't drink that much!"
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When they arrived at the bar, they were surprised to see Team Gai. "What are you guys doing here?"
"Celebrating Tenten's promotion to jounin," said Neji.
"I never pictured you the type to have a drink," laughed Sakura.
"He's not, but since it was my choice where to go, I picked a bar. Now he has to have at least two drinks with me."
A hint of mischief crossed Sakura's mind. I could get Neji drunk with Tenten's help. That would be one thing crossed off my list, maybe two if I'm lucky. "Do you mind if we join you?" She asked politely.
"Of course not, the more the merry," said Tenten, "I really didn't want to drink alone."
"Before we start, Tenten and I are going to freshen up." She took Tenten's hand and pulled her to the bathroom. "I have plan, but I need your help for it to work, are you in or out."
"What kind of plan?"
"Just say yes or no!"
"I'm in, but I need to know what you're up to, Sakura."
"I want to see Neji drunk and with your help I know it could happen."
"It won't work, Neji's is way to uptight for that. He'll drink his two, and leave with Lee."
"Not if we give him a reason to stay. I want to have a drinking game boy vs. girls, winner take all."
"Like I said, it will never work, but count me in. Now let's go back and get started."
"Hey guys, sorry to keep you waiting." Cheerfully replied Sakura, "Look at what we picked up on the way." She flashed two bottles of tequila. "I think we should play a drinking game, boys vs. girls, last one standing decides their prize."
Neji shook his head, "I'm not playing, I'll judge with Lee."
"Too bad, if I Hurry I can find Sasuke, I know he'll want to play." smirked Sakura.
He always hated being compared to Uchiha, he knew Sakura was playing him, but his pride would not allow him to lose, "I'm in."
"Here are the rules; we'll start with the alphabet, but every third letter you must say make a noise, if you forget its double shots. Then we'll move on to Children's rhymes. Any questions didn't think so…"
The first round was simple, towards the middle, Tenten forgot her sound and therefore she drank and started over. Neji was on the ball and had yet to drink. Sakura thought this won't do; time to change it up, "Time for nursery rhymes, let's start with Mary had a little lamb, but make a noise on the fourth word, you screw up its triple shots."
The second round went bad; Neji didn't know the rhyme and ended up drinking half the bottle. Tenten swayed and laugh, "The genius never learned nursery rhymes. Sakura is new my hero,"
"Lee-san could you get us a few more bottles; Hyuuga is finishing a bottle on his own." Sakura smiled.
"This is the best time I ever had, Sakura, you are a god," yelled Kiba. "I propose a toast, Too Sakura." Everyone lifted a glass and yelled to Sakura. As Kiba continued "Let's try the rhyme, Rub a Dub Dub."
Neji just shrugged, "Damn it, I don't that one either, at this rate, I'll lose!"
No one did well on that round, Tenten had pasted out, six shots were her limit for that round. "Now it is boys vs. girl," Sakura laughed. "Round four, humpy dumpy, still triple shots."
A quick nod from the boys signaled the game had started, Lee took this chance to call Kiba's teammates, Ino (since he couldn't get a hold of Sakura's team), and Gai for help. Kiba sung the entire rhyme and trying to stand up, he past out again.
"I swear that boy can not hold his alcohol, I have an ideal let's take this game over to my house, maybe change the rules a little." whispered Sakura in Neji's ear. "Right now Lee-san is distracted; we could slip out before he comes back and ruin our fun."
Neji smirked, "Led the way, Sakura!"
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Lee hovered by the door, just to make sure the drunks could not get out. He noticed an irritated Shino and quiet Hinata. "What was that boy thinking, twice in two nights? This is getting old; Sakura and Kiba need to find a better hobby."
"We'll get Kiba, and let someone else deal with the others." said Shino
"Uh, Sakura and Neji are not at the table, Lee-san, Kiba is on the floor and Tenten-chan is hunched over the table."
"Not good, we need to find them, before something bad happens." said a worried Lee. "But I can't leave Tenten alone."
"I'll get some help, but guys get them to bed," spoke Hinata. "Then join the search, hopefully they went home."
Hinata walked out of the bar and found Kurenai and Kakashi walking down the street. "Excuse me sensei, I need your help." Hinata explained the drinking game and the sudden disappearance of Sakura and Neji.
"I would have never thought Neji was the type, but liquor impairs anyone judgment." Kakashi laughed. "Well Sasuke was right, something is wrong with Sakura."
"First let's try Sakura's apartment," Kurenai spoke.
"Yea, it's not that far from here, if we hurry we can beat them there." added Kakashi.
Timing was everything, Kurenai and Kakashi arrived in time to see them clumsy climb a flight of stairs. "This is going to get messy, I'll take Neji, Kurenai, you get Sakura."
"Alright kids party's over, time to go to bed," Kakashi was trying to be serious, but he never thought he would see the day a Hyuuga drunk.
"I don't think so," responded Neji as he tried to punch Kakashi but seeing double made it harder to concentration.
"Goodnight," Kakashi remarked as he punched Neji in the stomach. The Hyuuga was out cold.
"You guys suck! Always trying to ruining my fun," yelled Sakura, "Like I told Sasuke I will bring whoever home and it is none of your business." Not in the mood to hear the pink hair bitching, Kurenai punch her in the face; knocking her out. "That is for ruining our date." Both of the jonin were laughing when Gai arrived on the scene. "Here take your former student; we'll put this party girl to bed." Kurenai added, "Don't worry we'll fill you in tomorrow."
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Rae