AN: I know, I'm sorry. Polls on my website gave the following results: Kiba-Saku drunken fun with a little of Kaka-Saku. I hope this satisfies your desires.

2930 words in this chapter

Unmasked

Chapter 28- Inebriated

Happily getting looser with a bottle of sake in his hand in the corner of the shockingly sedate Stag party, Kiba watched on as the crowd gathered around the very impressive display of food present in the centre of the room (after all, what would you expect with Chouji as best man).

Of course, it was Shikamaru's party, so it was never going to be energetic or legendary, but he was well used to more lively nights out so drinking was becoming a substitution. The theory went that parties get more fun once people are drunk, so he would just get a head start, especially once the 'it's your last night as a single man dude' speech elicited no more than a brief shrug and a half hearted sigh.

These people are idiots… he shook his slightly inebriated head and gazed across with his blurry vision towards where the older jonins were lounged out comfortably. They seemed to be the only ones having any of his kind of fun here, laughing out loud with piles of bottles taking up an entire table's room, except for one.

Kiba caught the eye line of the older man and forced himself to look away. He couldn't help the guilt he felt facing this man after his wife had been hiding in his house, in his bed, for the last week. Unfortunately, Kakashi had other plans.

Feeling the presence beside him, Kiba cringed.

"You shouldn't be drinking alone" his low voice forced him to turn back.

"Says he" Kiba laughed nervously

"I have my reasons."

"So I heard"

"It's out in public then, that she left me"

"She didn't necessarily leave you mate, you are the one that has been preventing her from getting her things."

"I just… if she got them herself, maybe I could talk to her and figure some stuff out"

"Don't count on it. Not with her"

"Of course, you're an expert" he mocked

"Not at all, I'm just used to her"

"I bet you wouldn't be stupid enough to believe that she cared about you"

"It's not stupid; Sakura cares about everyone, that's why she works so damn hard"

"No, I meant care about you, like you are special to her"

"Well no, but she isn't in love with me"

"Apparently she doesn't love me either" oddly enough there seemed to be no depression in his voice

"What makes you say that?"

"What do you think? Never mind, can I ask you something?"

Cough. "Oh um… sure I guess"

"When did you last sleep with Sakura?"

Cough splutter

"I'm sorry, that's private"

Cough

"It's just. I was wondering if she was… different. Like… did she treat me like her one night stands or…"

"Kakashi-san I…"

"What's with the formality?"

"This is awkward…"

Kakashi's eyes twitched a little wider "when?"

"I don't want to talk about this…" he tried to get up and leave before any trouble started.

Kakashi stopped him with a fist bundled in his shirt as he pushed the younger jonin against the bar harshly. "When?!"

FLASHBACK

Turning over in bed, Kiba faced Sakura and sighed, just heavily enough to make her aware that he was actually awake. He could tell by her breathing already that she was no longer asleep, but knowing her, she'd probably try to keep dragging it out as long as possible.There are some things she has obviously picked up from him…

Last week, Tenten had dropped by Kakashi's apartment to pick up some of Sakura's things and come back with nothing but a pointed scowl, but since then, Sakura had received no messages from him and hadn't sent any in return. Sakura had been living out of a combination of his wardrobe, and things that Ino brought by in a rush.

Luckily for her, she had no common friends with Kakashi, except Naruto who had been increasingly broody and erratic recently so no one really wanted to talk to him. This meant that, as lovely as it was to wake up next to her every morning, Kiba was stuck with her.

He desperately hoped that things would sort themselves out this weekend, but even mentioning the subject was enough to send her into one of those 'I have a headache, I'm going to bed' moods. Tonight, if all went well, she would get herself ridiculously drunk and stop thinking about it for a while.

Why tonight? Simple… it is the 23rd of September, Ino's 21st birthday, and the night before her wedding to Shikamaru. Sakura had been planning this for the most of the last week in her role as maid of honor as a way to keep herself busy after not being able to work in case he tracked her down.

"Kiba…" she breathed, causing his thought process to stop just as her eyes fluttered open.

"Nani?"

"What were you thinking about?"

"Me, thinking? Are you delusional?"

She smirked "you were, I could smell it"

Once she said 'smell', they felt another presence on the bed and both went to pet the dog's head playfully. Akamaru sounded his approval with a little yap and then snuggled closer between them.

He gave off a laugh "How did you get in? I locked the door"

Akamaru ignored him, instead snuggling closer to Sakura while she continued to fuss him.

"Ok, there isn't enough room in this bed now. Sakura, get up"

"What? Why me?"

"Because you are a better cook and you have somewhere to be in about an hour"

"An hour? What time is it?"

"I don't know, about four?"

"In the afternoon? You have got to be kidding me"

"No, we were up late last night remember"

"Well that was hardly my fault" she blushed at him then went to gather up some clothes.

He couldn't help but to feel guilty, but it was what she needed, someone to hold close. Her trust had been violated by her own husband and although she was by far not the most honorable in the pairing, things like that don't heal overnight.

END FLASHBACK

Kiba struggled to breathe as he attempted to gurgle out an explanation, only to find it lost in his throat.

"Kakashi! What the hell!" One of the other men he had been sat with called out as a small crowd turned to watch the scene.

"Sensei! He can't breathe!" Naruto rushed over drunkenly, ready to hit him.

Kakashi didn't soften his furious expression, but loosened the grip on Kiba to lean dangerously close to him. "If you took advantage of her, I swear to Kami I will hunt you down and bury you alive so deep underground that even that dog of yours won't be able to dig you up"

Kiba bit back the harmful remark he had in his head for Sakura's sake, recognizing that there was no way to deny the truth, and no way to acknowledge it publicly without losing his extremities. Instead he opted for a low hiss "at least I trust her"

"You have no idea" he finished with a push that threw Kiba backwards into Naruto.

Getting up off the now passed out ninja, Kiba gave an apologetic look to Shikamaru, who merely shrugged in response and lit himself a cigarette

The girl's party was a little livelier than the guy's, and was much more peaceful. Loud music pumped into the room as the large crowd of giggling, inebriated fan girls danced together in the centre of the room. Barely any of the present company were ninjas, most of them only knowing Ino from following Sasuke around for years.

As a result, the three Kunoichi were all left sat at the side watching. Why? Well it's simple. Tenten, of course, having never entertained any interest in the Uchiha, was immediately outcast by disassociation. Sakura was the fan-club's number one enemy since she killed the object of their desires. Then Ino… well she was just out of character.

She was fretfully messing with a pair of jeweled chopsticks someone had bought her for her birthday, trying anything to keep her hands busy. Sakura slid next to her and spoke softly. "Are you alright? You seem tense"

Ino shook her head to dismiss her. "It's nothing"

"You are nervous" Sakura smiled at her

"I'm not. I'm fine"

"It's nothing to worry about Ino. Everyone feels like this the night before they get married" Tenten assured her, leaning over to talk to them.

"I'm not nervous… not about getting married" Ino insisted

"Then what is it?" Sakura frowned. All she ever thinks about is the wedding. If something else is bothering her, it must be important.

"I don't know…" she sighed "I guess I'm just being silly. You should go and have fun"

"With those Barbie's?" Tenten laughed "I think I'd rather stick a senbon in my lung"

"You go Ino. It's your hen night… and your birthday party" Sakura suggested

"I just don't feel like a girls' night. Sakura I think… I think I miss him…"

"Aww! Kawaii desu ne!" a bleach blonde girl said from behind the group in a screechy tone.

"Ino-chan misses him!" another yelled, causing a group of girls to come over, forming a barrier around the bride to be.

A girl with her dark hair in bunches elbowed Sakura out of the way with a growl "Move traitor!"

She was thrown to the floor, not anticipating such an attack from a civilian and fought to catch her breath.

Tenten pushed passed the girls to aid Sakura, just as one 'accidentally' kicked her in the stomach. "Hey, watch what you are doing!"

The girl swiveled her head around to face them, narrowing her eyes behind her long fringe. "That slut deserves everything she gets"

"Don't you dare call her a slut" Tenten prepared her fists in anger

"Why not? After what she did to poor Kakashi-kun…"

"Oh you did not just say…" she began but was stopped by a hand on her elbow.

Sakura stood up beside her, head low. "She's right, just leave it alone"

Tenten frowned at her in concern "Sakura, don't…"

"Tenten" she pleaded in a soft voice glancing over at her completely oblivious best friend, who was blushing like a tomato from the attentions of the other girls "Let Ino know that I had to go home. I'll see her tomorrow"

"But…"

Sakura glared up at her, desperate moisture in her eyes. "Don't let her endure a fight like this. Not now"

Tenten nodded reluctantly and stood aside to let her leave the room.

Sakura had been drinking already that night, and her head was a little fuzzy. This was a strong reason why she didn't stay and fight her cause. The other of course was that everything the others were saying was a reflection of her own thoughts. I am a slut. Why do I have to always do something stupid? I'm obviously not made for a long-term relationship with anyone.

She regretted having married Kakashi, but she did feel a kind of attachment that was hard to break. It felt worse than Sasuke to her. Something had been there that she had truly never experienced with anyone, and she had wasted it. Even if she had the courage to face him again, she would swear that he would never speak to her again. He must be heartbroken…

Part of her worried though; that perhaps he wouldn't be as heartbroken as she was and perhaps he didn't care that much that she had disappeared from his life, after all, she knew that if he really needed to find her, he would know how.

She kept walking, away from the party of screaming girls, intent on hiding herself back at home. Home…where is that?

She asked herself this, not because she was thinking deeply about her situation, but instead because her brain was slowing and her vision was beginning to blur at the edges. A combination of emotion and alcohol was enough to make everything go slower than she was used to.

A blur crossed her vision, making her head spin slightly so she froze in her movements while trying to figure out what it was. The ninja part of her brain kicked in with the realization that most of Konoha's elite were currently inebriated in one of two places so she held herself upright as much as she could.

The shape of the figure came a little more into focus as it continued down the street towards her "Kiba?"

"Ah, Sakura." he sighed, sauntering over to her

"What happened to your face?" she remarked, noticing a red mark across his skin that reached across his neck

"Your husband"

She gasped in horror "Oh Kami! He found out?"

"Only that you have been sleeping with me, he doesn't know you're living at mine." He shrugged nonchalantly, slipping his hands into his pockets.

"He hit you?"

"No, I ran into his fist." He glared, only a trace of amusement in his tone

"Alright, drop the sarcasm." She mumbled, dropping her gaze to the floor "You'll only make me feel worse."

"You aren't worried about me being beaten up at your mate's stag night?"

"Of course I am, but you've been beaten up over women before."

He could obviously tell that her thinking processes weren't normal, judging by the serious look he gave her, leaning his head up towards the way he was heading "Not when they are married."

"Had he been drinking?" she wondered idly

"I think so"

"Damn"

He raised an eyebrow briefly at her "Worried?"

"Petrified actually; you weren't the only one beaten up tonight. It just brought home some truths."

"You were beaten up? By who…"

"Fan girls" she told him as she turned slowly towards the way he was looking before, beginning a few unsteady steps.

"Ouch"

"As if murdering Sasuke wasn't enough, breaking Kakashi's heart has just about made me public enemy number one."

Kiba stepped forward to follow her "He didn't seem too broken to me"

"Huh?" the confusion was heavy in her voice

"Gomen, it's none of my business, but he just seemed pissed that I would move in on you." He pushed to sound reassuring "He certainly wasn't drowning his sorrows or anything."

"So why… how did you end up…?"

"He just wandered over and asked me when I last slept with you. He'd been asking quite a few people actually, saying that he wanted to know if you saw him as the same as your one night stands. I stress again though, he wasn't upset, just curious."

Her worried expression sharpened into a scowl as she stopped walking again "How many did he ask?"

"Well… Shikamaru first, inappropriate I thought, but then he, believe it or not, asked Chouji. Then there was Sai, Shino, Lee, a bunch of ANBU guys I didn't recognize… he'd gone through most of the party I think, except Naruto, before he finally asked me." Trying to restrain the smirk in his head, he searched her face for a reaction.

"Gomen…" she was beginning to get angry now "I know I'm a little loose at times, but I'm not the village bicycle! He is so going to get a public punch through the wall when this is all over."

"So you are going back to him?" it came out a little more hopeful than he intended, but it got the point across.

She nodded, re-directing her attention to the pavement "I have to eventually. Apparently I can't live with you forever, so I'll have to take what's coming to me soon."

"Argh"

"What…" she looked back up to see him standing back slightly, his hands clutched to his head dramatically and softened her expression towards him "what's the matter?"

"Nothing… it's just head pain." He told her through clenched teeth "Alcohol and head injuries don't make the pictures get any clearer."

"Oh Kami, I'm sorry. Here…" she placed a soft hand to the side of his head and bled her chakra into it gently to sooth away the pain.

His hooded eyes flipped up to gaze at her in wonder, and were quickly met as she finished, her hand still on his head, playing loosely with a few strands of his hair.

In their inebriated states, they short circuited; bypassing their coherent thoughts as they stared into each other's eyes. They each felt the closeness of the other's warm body, a light alcohol induced blush reaching their faces.

Kiba inched his face closer to hers, a smirk reaching his lips and her breath hitched. Calling out in a husky voice she whispered to stay his movements. "We shouldn't do this… not again"

"I know… you're married…" he breathed out reluctantly in reply, but made no move to back off.

Her second hand traveled sensitively up the edge of his sleeve "Arigato Kiba… for everything"

He picked up on the sentimentality in her voice and had to put an end to it before someone ended in tears "One last stint?"

"Hell yeah!" she breathed in relief and yanked him forward, claiming his mouth in seconds. It was just stress relief, but it was needed at the moment, for both of them.

He didn't waste time in returning her motions, only taking the time to remove her hands from his body and place them behind him.

She got the hint and smirked, clumsily letting her hands form the seals needed. Her aim wasn't perfect, the alcohol affecting her more than she thought, but she knew she would get them somewhere in Kiba's apartment and that was enough.

AN: It's been a while. I've updated the website quite a lot but I've just been too busy and too short on inspiration to finish the chapter.

It was promised to be good, but it's lacking I think. Suggestions are needed loads for the next chapter pleshies and NO LEMONS.

It's been a while since I had a drunken party and I can't remember much of it (duh!), so I couldn't come up with any decent party ideas. I was trying to avoid the archetypal drunken shinobi scenario that a lot of writers come out with.

Stay shiny and show the luff

Xx Belizma-chan xX