-Naruto + Mario + Lyrics of Let Me Love You = Not Mine. Obviously.-
Comeback
GaaSaku: 26
ShikaSaku: 16
NejiSaku: 15
KakaSaku: 13
YamaSaku: 13
Harem: 12
KibaSaku: 11
NaruSaku: 7
SasuSaku: 5
SaiSaku: 3
Hey! Welcome to the 8th Chapter of Comeback! ^_^ I thank all of you that have read, reviewed and blah blah blah. You all know I love you guys, right? ^3^ I'm pretty surprised that the Top 3 is still Gaara, Shikamaru and Neji. xD It's pretty exciting to see the rank change. And there are a lot of people that vote for Harem, huh? Well, who wouldn't? xD
WARNING: Contains GaaSakuNeji (for you hugsfortheneedy! ^3^), SasuSaku, SaiSaku, ShikaSaku, NaruSaku, KakaSaku, KibaSaku and YamaSaku.
Chapter 8: Blame It On The A-a-a-a-a-a-alcohol
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You should let me love you.
Let me be the one to,
Give you everything,
You want and need.
Baby,
Good love and protection
Make me your selection.
Show you the way love's supposed to be.
Baby,
You should let me love you.
Love you.
~Let Me Love You by Mario
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"What are you doing here?" Kiba crossed his arms as he studied the blonde. Akamaru started to bark. Kiba had just arrived in front of Sakura's apartment a few seconds ago when he felt Naruto's presence nearby. The dog specialist had figured that since he was a manly man, he should pick Sakura up from her apartment and then go to the bar together. It was a pretty good plan, really. Well, that was until Naruto came along. Now, Kiba and Naruto had a pretty good relationship. But, all is fair in love and war.
"What are you doing here?" Naruto frowned.
"I was about to knock on Sakura's door," Kiba smirked. He lifted his arm oh so slowly and it was about to make contact with the door when Naruto suddenly decided that was not going to happen.
The Kyubi container launched himself at Kiba and they started to engage in an incredibly loud and violent fistfight.
"Sakura is going with me, 'ttebayo!" Naruto protested as he blocked Kiba's fist and tried to restrain Kiba's other fist. They tumbled around, right outside of Sakura's apartment, trying to smash the other person to try and reach the door first.
Unbeknownst to them, Sakura had heard the loud din coming from outside her door and had opened it. Only to find Kiba being restrained by a panting Naruto hovering over him. Sadly, Sakura completely misunderstood what was going on between the two of them and decided to close the door as quietly as possible.
She shook her head trying to erase what she just saw and decided her window was a much better exit option.
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Sai had almost given up on his current painting project. Green was a difficult colour. He couldn't get it right. Her eyes were a peculiar shade of green which had the ability to see right through you. Her eyes were like open books, windows to her soul. You could see her every emotion. Something he lacked and wanted so much to experience.
Her eyes would turn a bright apple green when she gets excited and he couldn't help but stare at how her eyes seem to sparkle. When, you're injured, her eyes would tell you how worried she is. She doesn't need to tell you, her eyes tell it all.
How can a ninja be so open?
Sai used to look down on those who act too much on their emotions and not facts. But now, he wished he could feel. He wanted to smile, to cry and to love.
And it was all because of her.
His muse.
"Watch out!" Sakura shouted as she was in midair. She had been travelling on rooftops to reach her destination and was about to land gracefully on the streets when someone had been in her way. It was too late for her to dodge, so, she braced herself for the impact.
Sai groaned in pain and froze when the dust around them cleared and he had a better view of who was literally sitting on top of him. Sai stared unabashedly at Sakura as she coughed and tried to wave the dust from her face. She was clad in her usual attire, a red sleeveless shirt with a yellow shirt under it and a navy skirt which was currently revealing more skin than Sai can handle. To top it all off she was wearing those damned boots! Was she trying to make him go crazy?
Once Sakura realised who she was sitting on, she turned a bright shade of red. Sai smiled and reached out to remove a stray leaf from her amazingly soft pastel hair, "Hag, I would appreciate it if you could control your hormones."
Sakura frowned and smacked his head playfully. Trust Sai to say something like that.
Before Sakura could take the opportunity to stand, Sai decided to take control of the situation.
He slid his arms around her waist and clasped his fingers on the small of her back. He was tempted to go lower, but he still valued his life. He leaned forward, till their bodies were barely brushing each other. Sai placed his lips next to her ear and murmured, "I've read this in a book."
She froze, "What kind of book have you been reading?"
Her alarm bells were ringing and she stood up; pushing him slightly, "Don't tell me you've been reading Kakashi's books?"
"How did you know?" Sai hastily stood up and followed Sakura.
He noticed that her face was slightly red and she was not looking at him in embarrassment, "How many times do I have to tell you? You can't learn everything through books."
Sai smiled, "Well, would you like to teach me then? I'll let you take the lead."
Her head looked like she was about to combust when she smacked Sai.
He couldn't help it, messing with Sakura was too much fun.
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Gaara entered the bar with Temari and Kankuro in tow. He took a while to study his surroundings and unfortunately the person he was searching for wasn't there. He frowned slightly and walked towards empty seats at the corner. He saw a blonde woman and a female Hyuga not far from his seat.
Temari warned her brothers to not get themselves in trouble as she walked over to a woman with buns. They started to chat animatedly.
Gaara noticed that Naruto wasn't here too. Gaara didn't actually liked crowds and wasn't comfortable with people he didn't know. Kankuro started to order some drinks.
"What's that?" Gaara pointed at the foul-looking liquid placed in front of him.
Kankuro raised one of his eyebrows, "Japanese beer. Try it."
Well, too bad Kankuro had no idea that Gaara wasn't used to drinking alcoholic beverages.
A little alcohol didn't hurt anybody, right?
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Sasuke hadn't actually planned on going to the reunion. But, when he was returning to Sakura's home to rest for the day after his training, he had walked unexpectedly into a brawl. Sasuke decided to play the role of mediator and he pulled Naruto by the collar out of the fight.
"Ow! Teme!" Naruto pointed accusingly at Sasuke for interrupting, "What the hell are you doing here?"
Sasuke smacked the back of Naruto's head, "I live here, dobe."
The dog specialist stood up, "WHAT? You live with Sakura?"
Naruto slung an arm around Sasuke, "Well, that's because Sasuke here needs a babysitter."
There was a moment of silence before Kiba burst into laughter, clutching his stomach. Oh, how the mighty had fallen.
Sasuke could feel a vein pop on his forehead and scowled, "What are you idiots doing here? Sakura has already left." Sasuke recalled seeing Sakura walking with his replacement. Sasuke didn't feel a need to acknowledge him by name.
"WHAT?" Kiba and Naruto chorused.
When Kiba had left riding Akamaru, Naruto shouted, "We're going to have to beat him there."
Sasuke arched one of his eyebrows, "We?"
And that was how he was dragged to the reunion.
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Shikamaru sighed, "Troublesome." He took a sip of his sake as his trained eyes roamed the room in search of a pink-haired goddess. He found the Kazekage and his brother at one corner of the room and wondered what they were doing here. At the other end, he found Asuma-sensei, Kurenai-sensei, Gai-sensei and Yamato-taichou. Ino and Hinata were a few tables ahead of him with Tenten and Temari. The women were talking up a storm. Chouji and Shino were sitting with him.
Slowly, he started to accurately plan an escape route and calculate his chances of escaping the reunion without Ino realising it.
Shikamaru's 'Ino' senses were tingling, meaning the sly woman had something planned. He just knew it.
The Nara genius was close to finalising his plans when her presence completely took him by surprise. Sakura walked into the bar with a huge smile plastered across her face that seemed to have brightened the room up substantially. Immediately, eyes were glued to her.
Seconds after her entrance, Naruto made his loud entry.
"SAI! YOU BASTARD!" He slammed his body right onto Sai, knocking him down. What the crowd wasn't expecting was for Kiba to come running in after him and slam himself on top of Naruto with Akamaru.
Lee, having completely misunderstood the situation, decided to join in, "That is right! FOR YOUTH!" He slammed himself on top of Kiba. There was now currently a mountain of bodies in the middle of the room.
Sasuke calmly walked into the bar and nodded at the pinkette's direction, "Sakura."
Sakura smiled, "Sasuke, I didn't know you were coming."
Sasuke let a sigh escape his lips, "Neither did I. The dobe dragged me here."
She laughed as she started to make her way to the tables where the girls were sitting, "Have fun!"
The Uchiha smiled fondly at her from a distance as he started to help the mess of bodies untangle themselves.
Of course, that smile didn't go unnoticed by some of the more observant people in the bar.
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Ino hid her smile behind her cup of sake. Ino had always been very popular with the opposite gender in Konoha. But, after she had become an item with the Akimichi heir and had been going steady for almost a year, most of the men had lost interest in her and moved one. Hinata had married Shino a couple of months back and Tenten had started going out with Lee. Now, Sakura was the only one that remained single. Which meant that Ino could play the role of 'Matchmaker'!
The men in Konoha were attracted to her like a moth to a burning flame. They couldn't stay away from her, yet at the same time they were too scared to get close. Sskura was a woman of great strength and respect. Her presence seemed to intimidate and intrigue at the same time.
That was the problem here. The problem Ino was trying so hard to fix. Sakura had absolutely no interest in finding a relationship and was very oblivious to the stumbling men falling at her feet. One of them being her team mate. Everything she planned had backfired! Ino was starting to get really frustrated.
But, she didn't expect Team 7 to already fall for her! Sasuke's puppy dog eyes whenever her back was turned, Yamato's curious stares and Naruto's over-protectiveness. Ino wasn't sure about Kakashi (it's the damned mask) or Sai (he was hard to read) yet.
She knew one thing though; she wasn't allowing anyone to hurt Sakura again. So, she followed Sasuke when he left for a toilet break.
"What do you want, Yamanka? Do you think I don't realise your stares?" Sasuke leaned his back on the wall.
"I want you to promise me something," Ino began, folding her arms across her chest.
Sasuke hadn't expected that from the blonde and looked at her questioningly waiting for her to continue.
"Promise me you won't hurt her again."
He frowned, "What are you talking about?"
"You know what I'm talking about. I need you to tell me: What is Sakura to you?" Her eyes seemed to stare right through his façade.
"I… Don't know," Sasuke admitted. His stoic façade fell and he looked like a lost puppy, "I don't know, okay?"
Ino smiled knowingly, "I think you do know. And I'm not going to stand in your way. Whomever Sakura chooses is entirely up to her. But, never hurt her."
Sasuke combed his dark hair with his fingers, he would never hurt her. Not again.
Ino continued, "You're gonna need to buck up though. You've got quite the competition."
Sasuke looked at her, "Competition?"
She laughed as she walked away from a very confused Uchiha.
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Once Kakashi had arrived at the bar, the reunion was already in full swing and he was immediately pulled into a group of people by none other than his (self-announced) arch enemy, Maito Gai.
But, his nonsensical rambling entered through his left ear and escaped through the other. His single eye travelled across heads to find that familiar shade of pink. And he was about to walk towards her, when he was literally dragged into a corner of the room where the other Senseis were drinking their sake.
Well, he'll try again later.
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Gaara found that the world was slightly spinning and he could barely see who was in front of him. Kankuro noticed that Gaara's face was slightly pink and he decided to leave him to find Temari in the throng of people.
Seconds after Kankuro had left, Gaara decided that he needed some fresh air to clear his head. Coincidentally, Sakura was outside.
Now let me warn you, alcohol does a lot to a person's mind.
Sakura suddenly turned stiff when she felt someone breathing down her neck. Muscular arms wrapped around her waist and she felt someone's body heat on her back. "Sakura," his baritone voice caused Sakura to suddenly feel paralysed. Her mind screamed for her to push whoever was behind her but her body refused to cooperate. He was trailing butterfly kisses down her neck when Sakura realised bright rusty red hair.
"Gaara?"
A soft growl escaped his throat as his hands travelled down her abdomen to her thigh, leaving a trail of fire. Sakura's mind was whirling and she didn't know what to do. Gaara wasn't the type of person to be so risqué. Was he drunk?
At that exact moment, Neji decided to appear.
What he saw was Sakura in a compromising position. But, the two men in the area exchanged looks and a secret message was passed. A silent agreement.
The Hyuga prodigy got closer to the pinkette and trapped her in between the two of them. A single sound didn't escape his perfect lips when he took a strand of Sakura's hair and started to comb it through his fingers. Meanwhile, his left fingers were travelling up Sakura's silky thigh to rest on her hip. He didn't know what he was doing. He just needed to touch her. This angel that was deemed untouchable.
"Are you drunk?" She squeaked; her face a brilliant shade of red that matched her shirt.
Neji smirked mischievously, "Maybe."
Unfortunately, Gaara chose that moment to cough violently. Being the medic, Sakura completely forgot what had transpired and decided to help the struggling Kazekage.
"Take care of him, Neji. I'm going back in to find Kankuro and Temari," Sakura rushed in to the bar.
Neji bent down and helped the Kazekage to his feet. He slung Gaara's arm around his shoulder. Which was the stupidest move he had done that day since the red-head had decided to decorate Neji's clothes with the contents of his stomach. Let me tell you, it wasn't pretty.
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Sakura wasn't able to find Temari or Kankuro in the crowd, so she figured that she would try to search for either of them in the toilet. Suddenly, her hand was grabbed.
"Sasuke! You scared me! How long have you been standing there?" Sakura stared incredulously at the Uchiha. He pulled her arm and slammed her back on the nearest wall. With great strength, Sasuke punched the wall right next to Sakura's head.
He was frustrated, "Why?"
Why couldn't she see how much he needed her?
Sakura stared wide-eyed at him in complete shock. He removed his hand from the wall and traced the side of her face. His fingers travelled from her cheekbones to her lips. Oh, how he yearned for her. He leaned forward.
"What do you think you're doing, Uchiha?"
Sai appeared and pulled Sakura from Sasuke's grasps. Sasuke had an unreadable expression on his face before he left. An expression Sakura had never seen before. Sai cursed under his breath, no one was ever going to claim his muse's lips. It took him forever to draw those rosy lips.
"Are you alright, Hag?" Sai turned to look at the slightly red pinkette.
"I-I'm fine," No, she wasn't. Hell, she was confused. "I was just searching for Temari."
"Temari and Kankuro had both left with the Kazekage a few seconds ago."
Hearing the word 'Kazekage' caused Sakura to blush a brighter shade of red, recalling what had happened outside the bar.
"Your face is red," Sai's face was suddenly inches from hers and his knuckles were brushing her cheeks. He was staring at her with an expression that caught her off-guard.
"I-I'm fine!" She stumbled backwards and tripped on her own feet. She found herself sitting on Shikamaru's lap. Oh, what are the chances of that happening?
Shikamaru's eyes widened at the sudden intrusion. Poor Sakura looked like she was about to explode. She stuttered her apology and wriggled about trying to get to her feet. The Nara genius felt his face turn pink, "Sakura, stop. You're making things worse."
Almost immediately, Sakura stopped squirming.
From the other side of the bar, Shikamaru swore he saw Ino smile triumphantly.
Shikamaru placed his hands on her hips to help her to her feet. He stood up and covered his nose with one of his hands. She mumbled her apology. He smiled and tousled her hair affectionately, "Ish Owka." He sounded quite funny since he was pinching his nose to stop the blood from flowing.
Yes, he got a nosebleed. Well, who wouldn't?
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Naruto smiled triumphantly as Sakura once again laughed at his joke. He stared at her with a dreamy expression on his face.
"Something wrong, Naruto?" She asked, her mesmerising eyes trapping him.
"Nothing. I just like listening to you laugh. You're very pretty, Sakura-chan," he grinned cheekily.
She blushed shyly. When did he become such a charmer?
Yamato shook his head as he took a seat next to Naruto and Kakashi took a seat next to Sasuke.
Sakura turned her attention to her taichou, "Are you sleeping well, Yamato-taichou?"
The men around the table eyed him suspiciously as he answered, "Thanks to you."
Sakura smiled and snatched the orange book from Kakashi's hands, "For once, Sensei, stop reading this dirty book."
Kakashi chuckled and raised his eyebrows, "Now, Sakura, you know how much I depend on that book. Unless, you wish to replace it, I'm happy to comply."
Sakura hit Kakashi violently on the head with said book before any of the men around the table could brandish their kunais.
Man, was Sakura getting harassed left and right.
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Tsunade looked up from her papers when she heard the door open and Shizune entered her office.
"Tsunade-sama, I have the documents ready," Shizune handed the scroll to the Hokage and picked up Tonton from the ground. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"
Tsunade unrolled said scroll and skimmed through its contents, "It's the best option and she volunteered to complete this mission. It's not the first time she's been to an A-rank mission alone, Shizune."
"I know but I still worry. Have her team mates been informed?"
Tsunade reached for her stamp, "We'll inform them tomorrow. Let them enjoy their reunion."
Shizune laughed quietly, "It's surprising how many men have fallen at her feet. Yet, they're too scared to tell her."
The Hokage smiled, "You have to understand, Shizune. Each man has his own demons to deal with. The Kazekage has his nation to lead. Nara is too lazy to try. Hyuga has his Clan to worry about. Hatake has lost too much to try again. Inuzuka gets embarrassed easily around her. Sai doesn't know how to. Uchiha has hurt her enough and isn't willing to hurt her again. Tenzou has his doubts and Uzumaki is content with seeing her happy."
Her apprentice gaped at her in surprise.
The buxom blonde laughed, "I'm the Hokage, remember? I'm not blind to their obvious attraction towards my youngest apprentice."
Tsunade turned her chair to face the village she swore to protect as he recalled her Genin days.
No matter how many years have passed. She still missed them.
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*~Later That Night~*
Sakura waved her goodbye as she walked out of the bar. It was getting late and she should probably hit the sack. Her smile faded from her face and she looked up at the sky decorated with bright stars.
Ever since she was young, she had always found the stars fascinating to look at. Her mother would recite the same line to her every time before she left for a mission: I'll watch over you. Like how the stars watch over us all.
How she missed her mother.
She doesn't hate her parents for disowning her; Sakura knows they still watch over her.
She closed her eyes, a small smile adorning her face.
"Sakura!"
Sakura's eyes snapped open in surprise as Kiba came running towards her with Akamaru in tow.
"Kiba? What are you doing here?"
He panted slightly, a silly smile on his face, "I wanted to send you home."
She grinned, "You didn't have to. I'm fine on my own."
Kiba scratched the back of his head awkwardly, "I know. I just want to."
Sakura thanked him as she petted Akamaru's head playfully.
Kiba cleared his throat, "You know, Sakura, I've been meaning to tell you something for a long time."
They were nearing her apartment. She turned to look at him, "What is it?"
Oh, crap. Oh, crap. Oh, crap. Say it, Kiba! You can do it!
Kiba lifted his head to look straight at her. He blurted out, "I-I want to tell you th-that I l-love y-y-you're cooking. And I'm wondering when you would cook for us again?"
Sakura smiled, "Thank you, Kiba. I'll invite all of you to my house again whenever I'm free. The hospital shifts are getting crazier."
Kiba smiled weakly and waved as she entered her apartment.
He slumped in a corner, a depressive cloud surrounding him.
Oh Kami, he was such a failure.
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"Yamato-taichou, you'll catch a cold if you stay outside for so long."
The Wood user jumped in surprise. The window next to him opened and Sakura's head popped out. She laughed seeing Yamato in a weird squatting position, "Anything you need from me?"
He laughed awkwardly and scratched his cheek, "Well, I was just making sure you arrived home safely."
She clapped her hands together when realisation struck, "So, you were the one trailing me and Kiba!"
He chuckled, letting his arms rest on his knees, "I'm not the only one here."
Sakura blinked in surprise and looked down; below her, a certain silver-haired jounin was flipping the pages of his book and resting his back on the wall. She smiled gratefully, "I'm fine! You have nothing to worry about!"
Kakashi unstuck his back from the wall and sent his student a smile (or crinkled eye).
"Is something bothering you, Sakura?" Yamato asked.
"Nothing is bothering me, Yamato-taichou. I just have to prepare for a mission tomorrow."
"A mission, huh? Then you should get some rest," he smiled a very charming smile and pecked her forehead. She was caught off-guard and a red tinge dusted her nose and cheeks.
Suddenly, a rock came flying and hit Yamato right on his head, causing him to fall over.
Kakashi grumbled under his breath and dragged Yamato by the collar.
Sakura laughed while she waved as both Kakashi and Yamato disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
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Tsunade rolled up the mission scroll and handed it over to the messenger hawk.
She trusted her apprentice to successfully carry out the mission and she was supposed to leave the next day before dawn. The mission wasn't anything life threatening, though it was quite dangerous if not done properly. But, there is always danger in a ninja's life.
Tsunade had wanted to send Yamato and Kakashi with her, but she declined saying that she didn't want to trouble them. Besides, she had to make her comeback. She wanted to prove her worth and her strength.
The Hokage sighed, her apprentice was quite stubborn. She didn't need to prove anything. But, Tsunade respected Sakura's decision and gave her the green light to continue with the mission. Nothing could make her change her mind.
Be safe, Sakura.
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Woah! 4000 over words! I deserve a trophy (or a review), yes? xD
I took me a while to write this. I have no idea how many times I raped the backspace button. OTL
What do you guys think about the smexy and the fluff? ^_^ I tried. I really did. ;A; There's barely any humour, huh. Sorry. OTL
I say, that the story is finally progressing. By the way, the mission is the climax. This story is going to end soon in about two chapters (excluding the three separate ending chapters). Speaking about that, please do continue voting for the Top 3 couples!
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Review or I will... I'm not sure actually.
Just do it.
(~'.')~