Chapter 5: Carry me home

A/N: Thank you all for reading my story. In this chapter the culprit is revealed, but I guess many of you saw it coming. I'd appreciate you leaving your thoughts on the story below, as I have quite a bunch of silent readers (I still appreciate you very much ;D). I want to thank my faithful reviewers for supporting me on this journey and, of course, Sommernacht for being a fantastic beta.

Have fun reading!

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Previously: He carefully got the notebook and placed it under his mattress with care. He would get to the bottom of things somehow. Resolve glimmered in his eyes as he turned to his left side cuddling his blanket – and then he smelled her, that fresh hint of flower dew. He somehow got entangled in this whole affair. Like it or not, he was part of it now.

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She couldn't have let a bigger lie slip through her lips –she was not okay– let alone being able to walk home after seeing him. Not only did she relive the event again tonight in front of a stranger, but after recovering at least some semblance of her composure, she had heard his voice. As if having a sixth sense attuned only to him, she felt him approaching from their common bathroom. She hoped it was merely her cruel imagination, but then he opened the door and came into view – disgustingly drunk, just like she last saw him. Hinata was grateful for whatever auto-pilot took over and got her dressed and out of that room where her lungs struggled for air. But she felt as if she were coated in thick honey and the feeling would stick forever.

After Sasuke got back inside, she leaned against his door, trying to get a grip. Her body quivered. She decided sliding onto the floor until she could collect herself would not be such a bad idea after all. It was cold and filthy, but so much more welcoming than any room where he was in. She struggled to pull her cell phone out – dropping it due to her unsteady hands. It clattered loudly. She held her breath. Hinata bit into her hand, nearly drawing out blood, in an attempt to steady it. She texted Sakura that she needed her; they shared their location at all times on a mobile app to keep tabs on each other – she would know where to find her.

Tears started pooling at the corners of her eyes and Hinata stuffed her turtleneck into her mouth to muffle any noises. She knew she had to get up and go. Naruto's voice was loud and clear even through the door.

"I really tried to. She did like me even when I was bullied because of my pervy dad and people thought I would turn out to be a creep like him. Hinata-chan took her time to go over lessons with me, she grew up to be – you saw it for yourself – hot as fuck, but I still don't feel like that towards her."

Hinata had to hold back a visceral reaction.

"Okay, I miiiight have kissed her a couple of times or sent mixed signals…"

She lost it – she bit harder into the cloth stuffed in her mouth and fought to stop listening – to no avail. Her ears picked up every single word which followed, he was shouting after all and her legs were frozen in place. Hinata wiped her nose clean on her turtleneck, not caring anymore. She crawled, but after less than a metre she stopped in her tracks, hearing what he had to add.

"We had sex once. It might have been her first time too."

What Sasuke was saying was lost on her ears, even if she supposed he was the one closest to her. Naruto must have been shouting. Of course she'd be the object of ridicule. She felt shame crawling up her limbs like an army of roaches. She wished that they'd stop discussing her or that the floor might show some semblance of mercy and swallow her whole.

"I mean you having here tonight just proves my point, teme! Well, she does sleep around I suppose."

Hinata hoped Sakura would make it. She lost all faith in moving away on her own, she had finally given up. In an almost masochistic gesture, her ears focused even more closely on what was being said inside.

"Well, after high school was over, both Sakura-chaaaan and her kinda left our friend group. Dunno what happened." Sure he didn't, she told herself bitterly. Was that supposed to be a joke? Her inner fit was stopped by his harsh words. "I mean many of our friends still study here, but we rarely meet up anymore. Sakura-chan has ignored all my attempts to bring the group back together."

As if summoned by the blonde, Sakura appeared. She stopped in her tracks after what seemed to be his voice. No. It couldn't be. Green eyes looked full of disbelief towards Sasuke's door. It was as if Sakura saw red in front of her eyes. A long silence engulfed both the hallway and Sasuke's room. Sasuke's first words to leave the confinement of his room were heard by both women. Hinata supposed he raised his tone for some reason.

"We didn't."

Sakura got closer to the door, not bothering to conceal her footsteps. She bared her teeth. If Naruto had dared bother Hinata again, she'd let her fists do the talking. She was angry and doing a bad job holding her feelings in.

"Ya know, you can have her. I don't really care for her in that way. And even if you didn't, she does like to hang around random guys at parties anyhow."

Oh, that was more than enough provocation for the Sakura. She swung her leg out, but let it fall limply to her side, as a choked sob reached her ears. The tunnel vision which had consumed her earlier fell apart in an instant. Sakura had let anger ignited by hearing Naruto's voice consume her to the point she hadn't even checked in on her friend. She had wanted to break the door and throw a fit that would wake up the whole dorm, damn it! But really looking at her friend for the first time since arriving, she noticed how she was sprawled on the floor –which was definitely not clean even at first glance– eyes red-rimmed and nose running. Most striking of all was the image of her best friend clenching her teeth around the turtleneck she had put on inside-out.

Hinata's state made her forget her fury and focus on what was important – getting her friend out of there as soon as possible. It wasn't about her and her feelings, but Hinata. Hateful green eyes softened upon meeting horrified off-white ones. She wasn't sure whether her rage or Naruto's presence caused Hinata's horror and she wouldn't, she couldn't allow herself to hurt Hinata further. So she turned around, unclenched her fist and approached her friend, helping her to stand up and guided her down the staircase.

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Once they got out of the building, Sakura sat down on the platform in front of the entrance and patted the place next to her. Hinata complied. The jacket she had lent to Sakura at the beginning of the night was now covering her own shoulders. She was offered a cigarette. It was as if the veil of early morning mist wanted to grant them a layer of privacy, thickening up gradually to a fog. It enveloped them in a thick blanket like a mother would their crying child during a cold night. They chain-smoked in silence and neither knew if they were seeing breath condensation, smoke or even the fog leave their mouths in the process.

"His roommate," she mumbled, but Sakura understood. "B-barged in. S-soo stupid," she almost slurred. Hinata focussed on her breath to be able to articulate the words she wanted to get out. The emotional toll of the night left her with little patience to work with and she was slowly getting frustrated with herself. A fresh set of tears appeared on her face, this time of exasperation. Or tiredness.

Sakura scooted closer. Hinata could now feel the warmth of her breath against her face. Breathing. Right. She focussed on the sensation of crisp air filling her lungs and placed a hand on her stomach. She checked for the rise caused by the inhale and made sure to fully exhale until she felt her abdomen fall. In. And out. Some minutes later she opened her eyes. Sakura smiled gently.

"I told him…" Hinata got out without stuttering and searched Sakura's face for any reaction. "Before… I knew that… Naruto was his roommate…"

Pink eyebrows shot up at the confession and her green eyes looked away. It was hard for Hinata to figure out what Sakura was thinking.

"Gaaah, and he talks to that bastard as if nothing were amiss now, doesn't he?" Sakura spit out full of venom. Her eyes looked strangely reptilian.

"I didn't tell him who it was. He was nice. Gave me t-tea," Hinata defended, waving her hands.

"I'm glad." Sakura closed her eyes. She had to keep her cool to support her friend; she shouldn't be angry. Green eyes searched for Hinata's and when they met, Sakura smiled at her gently. Her face then turned serious.

"But we can't know what he'll do with this information. A storm might be coming up. Maybe everyone will find out." Sakura knew she shouldn't be negative, but she couldn't just insult Hinata by omitting the obvious.

Hinata nodded with serenity. "It wasn't a rational decision. I had a panic attack when we were about to… W-Well… He stopped and left to shower and when he came back I was crying and… I lacked the energy to pretend..."

Sakura had a clear enough picture of what just happened. They could talk it out another day. Hinata was emotionally exhausted. She'll need some good sleep and time to process what transpired tonight. Morning was approaching judging by the thinning mist.

"Look, I won't let him ever get that close to you again. I promise! And look–" Sakura paused for the next line to really sink in. "Whatever will come to be, I'll be here and we'll figure things out." Warmth engulfed her hands as Sakura squeezed them, smiling kindly.

Glossy eyes shone with hope. Hinata finally hummed and looked in the direction of their dorm – just across the intersection. Sakura stood up and outstretched her hand and Hinata took it mindlessly, just as she always did since they were kids. Their hot breaths left white trails behind in the cool early morning air as they walked under the watch of the faint street lamps in silence.

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To be continued…