Sometimes,

There are just these

People

You seriously want to

Kill

And the murder and

Blood on your hands

Will just fade away,

No sense of

Guilty afterthought

Brought upon you

Chapter Four

What.

The.

Hell.

Haruki has just come through the door.

So Naruto was right. The address was correct. Haruki was hosting the alcoholic, illegal party, and I was going along.

My life has just been shortened.

XXX

"What's this?" I asked, my hands flittering to the crates that these bulky men carry into the house. Haruki supervised the men as they passed, nodding in approval as to where they set it.

"Alcohol." She answered shortly, like I was too dumb to figure that out myself.

"I see that," I said slowly, "but why are you having it shipped?"

"Party tonight." She said, scoffing. "What, were you too stupid to figure that out, too?"

"Nooo."

"Well thank God. Take this, will you?" She throws a rag into my arms, walking off. "Go into the basement and clean up the bar."

"We don't have a bar." I said bluntly. Who's stupid now?

She stopped walking. "Yeah, we do. Otou-san recreated the third room."

XXX

Well, what do you know? As I walked down the stairs into the blackness of the basement, I flipped the switch for the lights on and studied it.

The basement, as far as I can remember, had always been spacious. Spacious enough that my mother had turned it into two separate rooms. Both had been carpeted and set for as guestrooms. But as I walked in to guestroom number one, I found that it was smaller now, a door to the right planted where a door had never been before. I turned the knob open, letting myself inside a dank, smelling of beer and booze room.

In the light, the room was a mess. You could tell that it had been used many times before. The scope was modern, decorated with light red walls. The island was tiled with red and white checkered squares, and the stools were cushioned with black pillows.

Behind the island bar was a huge steel bucket set on a white counter. The bucket was filled with melting shaved ice and twenty different kinds of brand beer. There was a steel refrigerator, probably filled with more booze and food, and bottles littered the floor and surrounding tables. There were glasses hanging delicately from the cabinets.

I turned to the surround sound DJ at the corner, turning on the music as I sighed and worked, bringing the broom out and sweeping the bottles that littered the floor, careful not to step on anything sharp. I dumped everything into the trash behind the bar when I was done and then started to clean up the islands, ridding of any stains in my way.

When I was done, my piss mode had wavered into a slight piss mode. Totally big difference.

Oh, and guess what?

I was all going to take it out on Naruto.

XXX

In about two hours, alcoholics and players and posers and cool kids and skanks will all be joining in my house. WTF?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Oh my freakin gators I am so freakin angry!!! And the worst part is, Haruki won't even get in trouble for it. Okaa-san's working a late shift again, and who knows where Otou-san goes???

___Such responsible parents… right??????_______________________________

___HA. WHATEVER.______________________________________________

___Oh, and this is something new I'd like to try. It's called the STRESS METER. Here's everything I'm currently stressed about.__________________

___Number Uno: The dinner gala I'm supposed to attend. What if Sai's mom doesn't make the dress in time??? What if the dress isn't good enough?________

___Number Dos: This alcoholic party. Like, duh._________________________

___Number Tres (is that even how you spell three in Spanish???): Sayuri isn't answering her phone! HEY SAYURI. YEAH, YOU OVER THERE IN YASU ACADEMY, PICK UP YOUR PHONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!______________

___Number Four: Heyyy, looky here! I NEED A BOYFRIEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

___Wow. That just like, totally burst out. I mean, I'm not desperate, but after seeing Haruki with atleast five guys in ONE WEEK, she's not the only one who can catch guys in this town!!!!!!___________________________________

XXX

hsakura109 has logged on.

hsakura109 has entered the room.

yuri: sakura, hey! long time no see!!! how's Konoha???

hsakura109: Sayuri! omg I'm so glad to talk to you!!!!! Konoha's….okay, I guess. any news from yasu academy??

yuri: nothing interesting… well, some

hsakura109: oh yeah?? spill Sayuri!!!

yuri: got a new roommate

hsakura109: who is she?

yuri: this girl. aya. she's actually pretty cool.

hskaura109: cooler than meeeeeee?

yuri: hah, maybe. she's only been here for a week.

hsakura109: so where is she right now?

yuri: ehh, I think at the east library or something.

yuri: OMG, SHE'S ON RIGHT NOW. DUDE, YOU CAN SOOO MEET HER BRB!!!

hsakura109: send her in

irish-piano-fingers has entered the room.

hsakura109: hey aya

irish-piano-fingers: hi. sakura, right?

hsakura109: Yeah.

yuri: so so so, you all acquainted??

hsakura109: yeah I guess

irish-piano-fingers:…well, this has been fairly awkward….

hsakura109: haha, tell me about it. how do u like yasu?

irish-piano-fingers: it's good so far, I can't really complain with too much

yuri: u know u loooooove it aya!!!!

hsakura109: you have to. it's like, a rule to love the academy

irish-piano-fingers: okay! I love it. haha, happy?

yuri: totally

hsakura109: well, it was really nice meeting you aya, and talking to u Sayuri, but I have to go…

yuri: oh fudge. just remember to sign back in later kk, girly?

irish-piano-fingers: yeah. bye sakura. and it was nice to talk to u too.

hsakura109: laters.

XXX

The blue and white probe lights flashed around the room, the music loud and trashy. Sweating bodies swung together, grinding against each other, touching intimately. I avoided as much physical contact as possible, shouldering anyone who dared look at me with groping hands.

Haruki seemed all too pleased with the party, smiling seductively at Inuzuka Kiba from the swim team. He only grinned at her, running his hands through his hair as he moved away from her, excusing himself to go get some of the punch that Ino and Naruto had spiked thirty minutes earlier. I hadn't seen Naruto much, only in glimpses from across the room. He seemed to needle his way through the crowd, and I decided that I would just give him what he deserved later.

What annoyed me most though, was the lack of friends that were here. Sasuke was nowhere to be found (not like he was really party material, anyway), Shikamaru probably wouldn't even be attending, and Hinata and Neji would be late because Neji had to drive her to an appointment. What also annoyed me was the hand that was gripping my shoulder.

I swirled around reflexively, glaring.

A man in a brown leather jacket and white skinny jeans smiled at me, baring his extremely white teeth. "Hey, baby,"

I rolled my shoulder back, shaking his arm off. "Do I know you?" Under my breath, but still loud enough for him to hear, I muttered, "Bastard."

He ignored my obscenities, taking a bold step near my hip. "Let's dance." He murmured lowly, the smell of bitter wine lingering in his words. I flinched away, blinking as I turned on my heel. Arrogant bastard.

He wasn't following. He was too drunk to even walk a straight line. Instead, the man plopped onto the ground, crawling through the mass of bodies just to get out.

Then, I felt another hand on my shoulder.

That's it, I thought as I shot my arm up, slapping it away with full force. The hand retreated.

"What's your problem?" he hissed angrily.

I turned, watching as Sasuke glowered darkly at me, his pale hand gone red from my touch.

"Oh." I said, blinking. "Sorry." Sasuke bit back his retort, jerking his head stubbornly to the side. "Whatever," he grumbled, shaking his head and shoving his fist into the pockets of his leather jacket. His eyes wandered around the bar, his chin tipped up to the ceiling. His lips quirked. "Nice party."

I sighed. "It's horrible." He started walking, fast paced but slow enough I could follow behind. My heels clicked through the dance floor.

Sasuke stopped at the edge of the island, propping his elbow up against it and leaning back. He stared at me coolly.

"Any drinks?" I asked politely, walking around him towards the fridge. He turned, nodding. "Aa. White wine."

Opening the fridge, I glanced inside, skimming through the racks to find his chosen beverage.

"Here," I lightly slid the bottle over to him, which he swiftly stopped with his elbow. He muttered a quiet "Aa." which I took as a token of his appreciation of my awesome manners.

And then I left, like, ten minutes later.

It wasn't like I didn't know Sasuke was much of conversationalist or anything, but the guy could've atleast gave me enough decency to listen. Plus, there were girls swarming him the minute I opened my mouth.

"Sasuke-kun!"

"Hey, Sasuke-kun!"

"Want to dance, Sasuke-kun?"

Ugh. Gag me.

"BOO!"

I jumped. The hairs on the back of my neck totally sprang out. When I turned around, I saw Naruto behind me, one hand on my shoulder (what is it with people and hands on shoulders???), and the other one cupped around his plastic cup, spilling over with spiked punch.

"Idiot!" I yelled, my voice loud and rigid over the music. "What's wrong with you?"

He was laughing hard, and his face was red. I think he was choking at the same time, because he kept on making this mangled noise while inhaling. It was really disturbing.

He was drunk.

Uncool.

"Heyyy, Sa-Sa –" He stopped abruptly, getting this funny look on his face. "Heyyy, Sa-Ku-Ra! Sa… SOCK! HAHAHAHA!!!!! SOCK RA!!!! Ra, ra, ra, ra! RAWR!!!!!"

I shook my head at him, rolling my eyes. "Jerk." I muttered under my breath. Naruto was sure to get it. I rammed my shoulder onto his with force, and he stumbled backwards, tumbling into someone else.

"Shit, dobe."

Naruto had stumbled into Sasuke.

Sasuke sighed, disgusted, and then eyed Naruto with fierce, narrowed eyes. He looked him up and down, shaking his head, and then stared at me.

"Trashed," he murmured, and even through the thunderous techno, I could still hear his voice perfectly in tone.

I nodded my head, and I saw Sasuke smirk. He strolled away after a few seconds, and left me standing there with Naruto, who was attempting to rid the beer stain on his gray shirt. His blue eyes were unfocused and crossed.

"Heyy," Haruki came into view. I hadn't seen her yet, but when my eyes locked on her attire, I nearly fell down with laughter, and all my anger had dissolved into the humor.

Hoooooooker.

She was wearing a tight black leather skirt and fleecy, papery thin white camisole, black and green and white bangles all bouncing giddily on her dainty right wrist. Her light brown locks were held up high in a ponytail, wet from the shower and hard from the can of hairspray she must have wasted on it. Her white heels were like, four inches off the ground, and now that I thought, I had always been a little taller than her, but now…

"Hooker." Naruto mumbled to me, and from the rich pronunciation, I could tell he wasn't too drunk if he realized that.

My sister twirled in her outfit, flashing off her dark look. "So, how do you like?"

"I don't," I said flatly, pulling Naruto with me through the thick crowd, gripping hard into his wrist, just because it relieved some of my anger issues. He winced and I smiled, the satisfaction showing through my smile. We ambled up the stairway, looped out of the basement and through the kitchen back door. I breathed in the night dew, pulling up a chair to the little round table on the patio, and laid back, closing my eyes to the evening air. I could hear Naruto doing the same, the plastic legs of the chair scraping against the cement.

And then Naruto threw up.

It was like he was choking, except instead of that dry cough coming out, out came his dinner and the lingering stench of alcohol. I snapped my eyes open and watched his stance, leaned over his knees, gasping into the grass, pulling the bangs out of his eyes with his rough hands.

"I – need Sasu – " he didn't finish. Instead he was upchucking again, a hurl of chunks against the grass. I responded with a little pat on his shoulder before frowning and fleeing. That smelt disgusting.

I was about to turn right to the basement until I found Sasuke, sitting still against the back of the windowsill, a can of beer in his hand. He eyed me curiously, eyebrow raised, the soft glow of the moon making his pale skin a milky white. A blush crept its way up my cheeks. I could feel the heat.

"Naruto's really drunk." I breathed, realizing how dry my voice seemed. I coughed, hoping to cover it up. "I need your help taking care of him." I hesitated for a moment. "Please?"

"He's always drunk." Sasuke said, waving his beer hand.

"No – well, yes. I mean, maybe, yeah. But he's throwing up outside on my patio and I don't know how to help him because I've never really taken care of a drunk person." Rambling. Oh my gosh I was rambling. Sasuke placed his beer on the island.

"Okay, fine." He murmured. "But I'm waiting five minutes until I help."

My eyes were searching with question. "Um, why?"

He smirked that really sexy smirk. "He deserves it."

XXX

"Okay, Naruto," I said awkwardly. "Um, breathe."

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "That doesn't really help."

"Well, I'm sorry, I don't know how to handle drunken idiots!" I bit back, sticking my tongue out. Then I pulled it back in, the air was cold out here, a bit too chilly now. I shivered.

Below me, Naruto was still bended over himself, breathing loudly. The stench was now unbearable and smelly, and I tried my hardest not to breathe, but every once in a while I went back inside, and return outside with fresh air in my lungs. Sasuke sat laid back in my chair, watching amused, as Naruto upchucked himself to death.

After a couple of minutes, I stand back, realizing I can't really help him. Kiba slid open a glass door and peeped his head in, grinning wolfishly at Naruto.

"Hey there, neighbor," he greeted, slapping Naruto's back. Naruto coughed, pale, and plopped down into the concrete, too weak to spice the conversation with any sarcasm. Instead, he craned his neck up, and feebly glared through his blue eyes.

"Hey Inuzuka, keep Naruto company, will you?"

Kiba grinned. "Why? Off duty, Uchiha?"

Sasuke stood, nodding. "It would seem so."

"Heyyyy!!!" I whined. Who wants to stay here with a sick Naruto??? "Thanks for ditching me, Sasuke!"

Sasuke raised his brow. "You're free to come."

I didn't know that was coming. I stood torn between leaving and staying. Wouldn't it seem like I liked Sasuke if I went with him? Wait, no, because who would want to stick near Naruto? But… Sasuke phrased it like I was personally choosing between them, which I kind of was… but still, I mean, not like that. UGH! Now Uchiha messes with minds too?

"I – I'll go," I decided, nodding my head in hopes to act nonchalant. Sasuke nodded his, beckoning with his hand to follow him through the sliding door. We left Naruto and Kiba behind.

And, not really trying to get off topic here, but why wasn't Kiba with Haruki? I mean, they were each other's dates, duh. But anyways….

I invited Sasuke up to my room, where he took his place at my desk, swirling around in the chair. I propped myself onto the bed, bouncing slightly.

"Is it okay if I turn this on?" he asked, motioning towards the Mac.

"Yeah, go for it."

Even from up here, I could still feel the pound-pound beat of the stereo way downstairs.

"Paramore, BoysLikeGirls, Ne-yo…Eminem… Before Their Eyes. You know them?"

My head shot up. I think Sasuke just asked me a question…

"Huh?"

"Before Their Eyes. You know them?"

"Oh," I nodded. "Yeah. I like some of their songs. 'Why 6 is Afraid of 7', heard of that?"

"Yeah."

I watched Sasuke scroll through my playlist, commenting here and there on bands and artists and composers. I noticed how he especially liked the bands that most people I know wouldn't have a clue about. He was into those small, modest bands, like me.

I made him play 'Right Now' by Akon. Haha.

He sat there listening, closing his eyes and letting it sink in.

"Don't you love it?" I asked, grinning as I mouthed the words.

"Not really. Everyone loves this song."

"But you don't like it only because everyone loves it. C'mon, you know you like it. I love it! Don't you just love the tempo? The techno? You have to."

"It's okay," he repeated firmly. I rolled my eyes, urging him onto the next song.

We could've stayed like this for hours, fighting and arguing over artists and songs, the lyrics or the music, listening together to a song we both enjoyed, like songs like 'Suga Suga' or 'Miss Independent'.

Just laying there, both of us in one room, so close together, and forgetting about the world that we had closed the door on.

A/N Um yeah, so really I'm supposed to be working on an essay for English class right now but that's BORING so I'm PROCRASTINATING and decided to do all y'all a favor and like, actually write this chapter. I'm really sorry for not updating. Though I don't have much as an excuse! Yeah! Also, I do not own any songs or bands or artists or any MUSIC that was listed throughout the story. I don't own Naruto either. Also, I'd like to congratulate IRISH-PIANO-FINGERS, the person who reviewed the first right answer for my contest!!! You were in the story. And I chose a random name for you, Irish-Piano-Fingers, so sorry if you didn't like the name. And, I know this was short, but trust me, the party will go on for another chapter, and at least I bothered to updated. Please review. Thanks!