FINALLY.

Sorry for disappearing for like, ever. I know I don't update this as much as I did with Realization (another difference to add to the list), but I've been so fracking busy! I HAVE MY REASONS!

First: I've been bombarded with homework. With my fracking final, the majority of my teachers decided to give me piles and packets of homework. Isn't that lovely?

Second: Band, band, band. I had a concert a few days ago, so that explains that. There were parts I had to practice (cuhs I was a lazy ass and didn't practice) so I couldn't type anything out. Also, I'm preparing for a music assembly at school so yeah.

Third: I HAVE A LIFE. I've been spending a lot of time with my friend Chelsea lately (cuhs I love her.) by going to school games and such, so that would explain my disappearance. :D

Fourth: CHIRSTMAS TIMEEE. Gotta prepare, ya know?

But I have the new chappie here for you now, so no need to worry peeps. I think I'm going to have to make this update weekly, but I will try to update as fast as my little asian hands can type. :D

I was finally able to fit some time into typing this in today, courtesy of the fact that today was the last day of school. This chappie will be short-ish, I dunno. It seems like it to me, haha.

There was one anonymous reviewer I wanted to reply to: why did I make Naruto mean? Weeelll, I have my reasons, I know it's very… not Naruto, but it just encourages the idea of people hating Ino. Naruto will be more like himself after Ino's death (which in this case, already happened). As for Sakura's reaction, you'll find out soon. (:

I want to answer Queen Of Punk's PM: NejiTen action? I have some planned, yes. It won't be coming in as soon as you would want it, but it will be there. No drama, all fluff is what I have planned for those two, (: It may look like Neji likes Sakura in this particular chappie, but no, they're only good friends & that's it. Every man in this chappie is close friends with Sakura anyways. xD

I'm seriously thinking of killing my English teacher. I swear, she's out to GET me! When I turned in my answer sheet to her yesterday for finals, she showed some essay that I wrote weeks ago for the damn bitch. She asked me if I got it off the internet.

DAMN, I WANTED TO CHOKE HER. I wrote that flippin essay fair and square, I have the damn drafts and pre-writing papers and everythaaang! Damn woman thinks I plagiarized it… ARGGHHH.

I don't even know if it's possible to plagiarize an essay like that. It was about a Perfect Society kind of thing: you write about a world that you like or something. I wrote about being a musician(being my musical musician-y self) & how it kind of affects the world around us, except in second-person point-of-view. She thinks I FUCKING copied someone.

Gah. I hate her. ANYWAYS..

Moving on, thank you for the reviews, I hate my English teacher, and I don't own Naruto.

Yet Another Tragedy

Sasuke threw an overly-drunk Naruto into his small apartment, before grunting and dashing off.

When he got a considerable distance away from the idiot, he slowed his pace and ran a hand through his chicken-ass hair, sighing. That was the fourth party he's been to –more like dragged- since Ino died. He really wanted to punch someone in the face about the whole situation, too.

It's one thing to be mad at someone, but to throw parties when someone dies? That was low, probably even beyond that. Just because they've done a few bad things in their life, doesn't mean they should be treated horribly and have parties thrown because of her death.

The person he couldn't understand the most was Shikamaru. Ever since Ino died, the man seemed a lot more different. He attended the 'Ino's Dead Yay!' parties along with everyone else, but he always had his eyes shut tight and his fists clenched. He didn't even bother to drink or smoke –a little habit from Asuma- since then.

He sighed, looking up at the dark sky, stars twinkling brightly. He thought of Sakura.

She's been gone for four days now, most likely taking their time getting to Suna and should be taking off at this moment. When she got back and found Ino gone…

He froze. What would happen? Would she cry? Would she be mad?

He remembered Sakura telling him that they had gotten into a fight recently, just a few days before Ino ended her own life. Something about… being a waste of… something?

Food? No.

Life? Surely not.

Time? Yes, that must be it. A waste of time.

In all of Sasuke's honesty, she wasn't really a waste of time at all. She might've interrupted us a few times while we were caught up doing… things… but when it's for a friend, it's just something you feel the need to do.

He shivered. Sakura is really rubbing off on him.

He didn't really care much that Ino died –she was pretty annoying back then, and she didn't really mean much- but he did pay his respects for her. She was a classmate, and annoying or not he wouldn't ever treat her the way everyone else did.

Sasuke sighed once again, ridding of those thoughts from his head. He just wanted to go home and sleep, but the thoughts of Sakura's reaction still lingered.

How was Sakura now?

"Bye Temari-chan!" Sakura hollered, waving her hand like crazy as Neji dragged her away from the gates. A smiling Temari responded with a giant wave of her hand, before disappearing with Gaara. Sakura exhaled, closing her eyes as she clasped her hands behind her back.

"Ah, another mission completed." She said happily, the two ninja slowly walking away from the village gates, still in sight.

Neji nodded. "Yes. At least we didn't have to fight anyone."

Sakura opened her eyes and bopped her head up and down. "Yeah! I just can't wait to get home. I miss Sasuke-kun and Ino-pig."

Neji stopped walking and grimaced. He turned to her and said, "I still don't see why you hang out with trash like that."

A few seconds later, Neji found himself with a big fat bruise on his cheek, courtesy of the Leaf Village's Cherry Blossom.

"Shut up, Neji." She murmured, pulling her arm back.

"Haruno-san! Hyuuga-san!" someone hollered, and the two turned around to see a sand shinobi running up to them.

Sakura raised an eyebrow. "Yes, sir?"

He handed them a scroll, the leaf village sign written neatly on top of it. Neji widened his eyes a fraction, before taking it. "Thank you."

The shinobi smiled and nodded, turning his back to them and dashing back to the village. Neji focused his attention on the scroll and opened it carefully, reading its contents.

Sakura, being her curious self, peeked over his shoulder and read the scroll.

Dear Neji and Sakura,

I ask both of you to hurry back here to the village as soon as you complete this mission and come see me at once.

Tsunade

Sakura pulled back and looked at Neji with a serious face. "Let's go."

Neji nodded, stuffed the scroll in his kunai holster, and began to run back home.

Sasuke was awaken by the sound of someone banging on his door.

Again.

Growling, he stomped downstairs and slammed open the door, shouting incoherent things at whoever was there.

Déjà vu, huh?

He immediately halted his words at the sight of a frightened Hinata at his doorstep, cowering in fear. Sasuke widened his eyes.

Shit.

"Hinata, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to, uh… say that." He tried to explain, running his hand through his hair.

Hinata slowly regain composure, nodding. "I-It's o-okay, S-Sasuke-san. I k-know you d-don't like b-being d-disturbed in y-your sleep." She sputtered, bowing her head.

Sasuke smirked. "Yeah. So what brings you here? Sakura's out on a mission."

Hinata shook her head. "I-I'm not h-here t-to see S-Sakura-chan, I-I'm here t-to call y-you to t-the Hokage's o-office."

Sasuke rose an eyebrow. "Do you know why?"

Hinata only shook her head. Sasuke sighed.

"Alright, I'll be there soon. You go on ahead." He said, straightening his slouched pose.

Hinata nodded her head and gave him a small smile, before scurrying away.

Sasuke closed the door and ran upstairs, getting into his ninja gear.

As Sakura and Neji neared the gates of the village, they felt something constrict in their chests. They had made is back in half a day, courtesy of a sand pigeon carrying them here at full speed. Hopping off the flapping bird, they rushed to the front of the gates, where there were two guards laughing their heads off and smiling like idiots.

When they caught the pink flash of hair, they immediately stiffened, halting all movement, simply staring at the two.

Neji rose an eyebrow. "What is wrong?"

The guards shook their heads furiously, scratching their heads. "Welcome back, Haruno-san and Hyuuga-san. The Hokage wished to see you as soon as you arrived." One guard said.

Sakura and Neji nodded, dashing off to the tower.

Naruto was eating his ramen at the Ichiraku stand when he heard Kiba call out to him. Turning around, he saw Hinata, Kiba, and Shino coming towards him. Giving a wide grin, he began waving like an idiot, gesturing for them to sit down.

"Hey guys! What's up?" he asked, slurping.

The three sat down on the stools, Hinata and Kiba next to Naruto with Shino beside Kiba.

"We're suppose to call you to the Hokage, she's calling everyone." Kiba said, yawning.

Naruto frowned. "What, why? We still have to plan for another party tonight, I don't have time for baa-chan."

Hinata chuckled, as Kiba grinned. "Whoo! Can't wait to go to that one. I have no idea why she's calling us, probably for a mission. That four-eyed freak and the red clouds' men are still out there."

"That's unlikely." Shino's voice said quietly, catching everyone's attention. Kiba frowned.

"What makes you say that, huh?" He asked curiously. The quiet-and-loud duo leaned in, curious as well.

Shino's sigh could be heard. "The Akatsuki nor Kabuto has bothered us in quite a while, as they're still preparing for the war ahead of us."

Everyone relaxed in their chairs, the new information sinking in. Naruto slowly began nodding.

"You're probably right, Shino. But it's not for a mission, then what is it?" He asked.

"She's calling all of Rookie 11, so it has to be important." Kiba said.

"Sakura-chan and Neji nii-san are coming back from their mission as we speak, I heard." Hinata added quietly.

Shino was silent, thinking about the situation. "It's a good chance she's going to tell Sakura about Ino's death."

Shino was one of the few in the village who didn't call Ino a slut or whore, simply because he didn't care about the situation.

Kiba snorted. "I don't see how that's important. So she died, who cares? She deserved it for treating Shikamaru like that."

Naruto nodded his head, blonde hair bobbling up and down. "Yeah, yeah! Having a child with someone else other than Shikamaru? What a slut!"

Hinata nodded her head, silently agreeing.

"Don't forget that Sakura is still close friends with her." Shino said.

Kiba grimaced. "I don't see why Sakura even bothers. Does she not see the horrible things that cocksmoker did? Sakura even slapped me a few days ago!"

Naruto wore the same expression as Kiba. "I tried talking Sakura-chan out of it, but she would only punch me everytime. Sakura-chan is so pure and good, someone as great as Sakura-chan shouldn't be hanging out with trash like that pig!"

Hearing Hinata cough from beside him, he regretted his words. "But you know, Hinata-chan is much more pure and pretty and wonderful- HINATA-CHAN!"

Jumping off his seat to pick up Hinata, who fainted moments ago from his words.

Kiba sighed, rubbing his head as he left the couple to do whatever. He turned to Shino.

"Man, why do you always stick up for the blonde whore like Sasuke and Sakura? It's so stupid." He told him, eating Naruto's ramen.

Shino spoke silently. "Despite the fact that her actions aren't as honorable, she's a human being."

Kiba scoffed, frowning. "We suddenly find her pregnant even when her and Shikamaru haven't done… that. She fucking cheated on him!"

"Do you know for sure? Did she ever tell you?" Shino asked.

Kiba was silent for a moment, before speaking again. "I'm just saying, sticking up for a dead person isn't necessary."

"As does throwing parties for the dead isn't necessary either." Shino said, standing up and walking away.

Sakura skipped into the Hokage office, a small smile on her face, with Neji smirking behind her.

"I'm back, Tsunade-sama!" She sang cheerfully, positioning herself in front of her desk.

Tsunade immediately focused her attention on the new arrivals, tossing her paperwork aside. "Welcome back Sakura, Neji." She nodded to the two, her face blank.

Sakura cocked an eyebrow towards her. "What's up, Tsunade-sama? You seem… what's the word… impassive?"

"What's the matter, Hokage-sama?" Neji asked, curious as well. Tsunade was never like this.

Tsunade shifted uncomfortably in her seat, not really wanting to be the one to announce the news of the dead kunoichi. Instead, she simply stayed silent, closing her eyes and lacing her fingers together and placing them under her chin.

Sakura and Neji's expressions turned serious, and Sakura was determined to get some answers as to why they were rushed back home. She slammed her fist on the Hokage's desk, her emerald eyes burning holes into the woman.

"Tsunade-sama, what happened?" Sakura asked forcefully.

They were interrupted by a hyper blonde ninja bouncing into the room, a huge grin plastered on his face, followed by Hinata, Sasuke Shino, Tenten, and Kiba.

"Good morning, baa-cha-" Naruto stopped all movement at the sight of Sakura.

Sasuke was genuinely surprised at Sakura's appearance, not expecting this. He felt an uneasy feeling bubble inside his stomach. He definitely didn't expect this.

Everyone else in the room stood stiff, frozen. Silence hung in the air. Sakura didn't turn to give a Naruto a friendly punch, or give Sasuke a chaste kiss. Oh no, she simply glared at Tsunade, who was desperately trying to stay quiet.

"Tsunade, I asked you something." Sakura said through gritted teeth. "What happened while I was gone?"

Neji glanced at Tenten, his pearl eyes sparkling with curiousity, demanding for answers. Tenten could only look away, averting her gaze to the floor.

"Tsunade!" Sakura shouted, causing everyone in the room to jump. Tsunade opened her eyes slowly, looking into Sakura's piercing eyes with her soft, loving ones.

"Ask Sasuke. He will tell you." She said, gazing at the raven-haired man, who stiffened at the statement.

Sasuke knew that someone in the room was suppose to tell Sakura about Ino –he immediately assumed Tsunade- but never expected him to be the one to tell her. He gulped silently, his chest constricting at the sight of Sakura.

Sakura abruptly turned around to stare at Sasuke, her piercing gaze softening at the sight on her fiancée. She walked up to him slowly, gradually calming down.

"What's going on?" She asked him on a soft voice.

He bit his lip, hesitant. "I don't know if I should be the one to tell you." All gazes were fixed on the couple now.

Sasuke saw the flash of anger in her, but quickly disappeared as it came.

"Why not? Is that bad?"

Sasuke sighed, knowing this wasn't going to be easy. "Well…-"

"Jeez, teme! It's not that hard to say that Ino died last week! It's not important anyway, we don't need sluts in the village to taint our women-"

He was cut off by Sakura's fist colliding with his jaw, breaking the wall of the office and falling many stories down with a sickening crunch.

Sakura retracted her arm as Hinata screamed, running out the room to tend to Naruto. Sakura took in deep breaths as she tried to calm herself, tear brimming her eyes.

"She… wasn't a slut… she was… an honorable shinobi… who died… of useless ninja like you people…!" She started out calmly, though ended up screeching at the end of her ragged sentence.

Sasuke stepped forward, his hands out in front of him. " Sakura, calm down now-"

"Calm down? Calm down? I hear my best friend dies and you want me to calm down!" She screeched, fuming.

Everyone but Sasuke backed away from the furious kunoichi, not wanting to get into the same position as Naruto.

Before Sasuke could speak, they were interrupted by an alerted Shikamaru barging into the room. "What the hell happened in here?" He shouted, glancing at everyone in the room, growing tense at the sight of the glaring Sakura before him. He immediately understood the situation.

"You…." Sakura seethed, taking a step forward.

Shoving her fiancé away with her inhuman strength, who painfully collided with a nearby wall, she lunged for Shikamaru's neck.

Oh dang, finally done. Sorry for the cliffie, guys. But I just HAD to do it, ya knooooow? :D

I was planning on revealing the majority of everything in this chappie, but by the way this story is going, that won't be happening anytime soon I guess. Oh wells, I suppose. I'll just tweak things up a bit. (:

Sorry if Neji and Sasuke was a little (okay, a lot) out of character. I TRIED!

So… I'm planning on having the new chappie out soon, prolly just before Christmas (maybe after though…) cuhs I have no more school for the next two weeks, BOOYAH!

Please review? They bring me smiles everyday day. (: They also motivate me to get my ass off my bed and start writing the next chappie.

~Missy (: