Chapter 16

"In exactly two weeks, it's Hokage-sama's birthday," Hana Inuzuka was heard speaking to a group of medics. "Now, while the village would be preparing a feast, I'd rather the hospital throw a cozy party to celebrate. He won't obviously be able to stay for long, but he'll attend. I want it to be a surprise."

Sakura went about her tasks, distancing herself from the conversation. She took a box of syringes and carried them away to her ward, even though she didn't have to, but she didn't want to be a part of the conversation.

Being in Hana's presence was hard for her, especially when she looked at her critically. It was like the entire world was against her for hurting Kiba. It had been hard enough as it is to distance herself from him, but she needed clarity. Besides, Hana didn't even know the real reason she avoided her. True, she and Kakashi weren't exactly exclusive, but practically the entire hospital knew that Kakashi was courting Hana. Rumors flew with the increased number of his visits, even though they were not usually more than five to ten minutes, and it was usually with a task he could've sent anyone to do. Hana was a tokubetsu jōnin, and Kakashi apparently didn't have a problem with her being a master in one field only.

"There's the age difference," she had overheard a junior say. "But they do look really good together. They have so much in common!"

"I think it's fine, Hana does prefer an authoritative partner," another said. "I think all the Inuzukas do. She told me once she won't make the same mistake as her mother of having a weak mate."

"Yeah, it takes someone really strong to handle them all, above all their Alpha, Inuzuka Tsume," one person laughed.

Sakura scoffed. Not many people knew that Tsume was surprisingly gentle and hospitable with any partner her children brought home, or any cousin's partner either. Every new marriage had to be approved by her first, but she had not seen her reject any at all. She would just require a formal meeting, followed by lunch or dinner. Her behaviour to the potential partners of any Inuzuka was vastly different from the punishment she brought upon the clan members though, and Sakura knew it was just because she wanted the best from them. She could actually understand. Maybe that's why Sakura and Tsume had always gotten along well.

It didn't bother her in the slightest what Hana decided or not; she would rather skip the party altogether. It had been hard to maintain eye contact with Kakashi after the time they had spent together. But lately, they had ascended to 'Hello's in case they did meet. And it was a relief that it was getting less awkward by the minute, but spending that long in the same room was something she had successfully avoided till date.

Regarding her own relationship status, she had wanted to let Kiba down easily. He had broken down as she had just begun talking about needing space, and she realized herself that she wasn't ready to break up with him just yet. She was afraid of being lonely, selfish as it was, but she was not ready to start dating again just yet. Her feelings were all over the place. Something had to let go.

As it was time for them to leave, Sakura was packing up her belongings and went outside to wait for Ino. She surveyed the lot and didn't spot Hana's dogs. Hana didn't feel like keeping her dogs outside when she knew it'd be a rough day ahead and instead, asked her brother to drop by with them later so she could ride with them back home. She didn't know why she felt giddy. She knew it was a bad idea, especially after the discussions happening around Kakashi's birthday inside. She knew this had probably riled her up. She told herself she just wanted to catch a glimpse of him, if Ino didn't get free first. There was no sign of Hana either. She was leaving it up to chance.

She went inside to the bathroom and adjusted her hair with her hands and checked her reflection. She looked typical; bags under her eyes, hair disheveled, large forehead prominent even with the diamond mark, and stress wrinkles. How was Kiba ever even attracted to her? She took out a lip balm from her bag and applied it hastily to hide her chapped lips.

As she was applying, the door opened and Hana walked in. She looked over at her in an arbitrary manner, but her gaze lingered for three awkward seconds before she shuffled off into a stall. Sakura knew that this meant Kiba had arrived, or was about to arrive, since Hana always used the toilets before leaving.

Sakura had taken to observing a lot of her behaviour in the past month. She hadn't even noticed her much or given her much attention before when she was actively dating her younger brother.

She tried to appear nonchalant as she exited the door of the hospital... Only to find Kakashi and Kiba both chatting with each other on the front lot against the side wall. Kiba was standing by Akamaru and Hana's twin dogs and Kakashi was resting his elbow on the wall while also holding a book, body language lazy as always.

She was about to rush back inside before Ino called out to her from behind. "Sakura! Over here."

Oh, crap.

Both men looked over at Sakura, standing as still as a cornered prey.

As Ino walked up to her and saw the spectacle, she stifled a light gasp, finger curling on her chin as she looked at Sakura and back.

"Do you... need a moment?" she asked quietly enough so that only she could hear. "Or should I bail you out?"

Before they could do something, Kakashi waved her over. "Oi, Sakura-chan!"

Kiba looked as white as a sheet as he stood still in terror. Sakura looked at Ino with the same expression.

"Should I come with?" She offered.

"Yes!" Sakura hissed.

She shrugged, walking with her. Ino had an idea now about her crush on Kakashi, but Sakura had not told her about their time spent together leading up to Kakashi's subsequent rejection. That was too embarrassing. She told her they had shared a kiss only. So Ino had enough of an idea how awkward things were, and also that Sakura was still hiding a few things. Ino hadn't believed for a second that it had been just a kiss.

"Good evening, Hokage-sama," Ino said politely and Sakura mumbled something similar.

"And hello to you two fine ladies on this fine day," he said. "I hope things at the hospital are running fine as well?"

The both nodded as he continued speaking.

"Be sure to report to me or Shizune-chan just in case of any requirement, but I'm sure under your supervision I need nothing to worry about. I was just telling Kiba here how you girls have lifted a heavy weight off of my mind by doing all the good work that you're doing." He turned to him. "Isn't that right, Kiba-san?"

Kiba looked away, not maintaining eye contact as he tried to speak in broken words. "Ah. Yes. Good. Indeed."

Ino looked at him in sympathy before back at Kakashi and smiling brightly.

"The pleasure is all ours, Hokage-sama," she bowed slightly, and Sakura did the same.

"Speaking of, have either of you seen… Oh never mind. There she is," he said, looking at someone behind them and waving over. "Hana-chan!" He called out.

Sakura prayed the floor would open up wide beneath her and swallow her whole. Even Ino winced from secondhand embarrassment. Neither of them turned over but heard her walk up to them casually, taking slow steps. Ino felt that Hana, too, was trying to cautiously gauge the situation and mentally preparing herself on what to say.

"Kakashi-sama," Hana bowed. "What brings you here at this time?"

Kakashi scratched the back of his head. "Well, if I'm being honest, I've been looking for excuses to walk by here at this time on my rounds of the village. This way, we can make the remainder of the rounds together and perhaps later have a bite to eat, or tea if you're not hungry?"

Hana laughed girlishly. Sakura felt like vomiting.

"I'm afraid I have some commitments with my mother, Kakashi-kun, as much as it pains me to admit. That's why I had my dogs brought over," she signaled to the dogs standing by Kiba. No one missed the change in the honorific. Now that Sakura thought about it, she could've summoned the dogs herself?

"Well, if you insist on going against your Hokage's orders, I'm afraid I may have to order Kiba-san to take your place in your mission with your mother and reassign you somewhere else, perhaps in a position more beneficial for me."

Hana twirled the end of her ponytail playfully. "Isn't that a misuse of power, Hokage-sama?"

"It depends on how you look at it. Hana-chan, I'm assigning you on a new mission of making the last rounds of the village with your Hokage and then share supper with him."

Hana giggled bashfully. Ino imitated gagging by pretending to cough and Sakura smiled at her support.

"If that's a direct order, I suppose I have no choice in the matter. Kiba will have to explain to our mother why he's the one accompanying her to have tea with the Aburames."

Sakura glanced at Kiba. She knew he disliked these formal events and often found himself in the thick of them anyway. His mother grilled him to the bone with leadership training and he had gotten quite good at appearances. But Sakura knew his likes and dislikes. It was the slight twitch of his left eye. And sure enough, she caught it, but immediately looked away when he turned and saw her looking.

Akamaru was sniffing around Sakura, gaining everyone's attention. If it was even possible, Sakura blushed even more. She noticed Hana and Kiba exchanging glances.

"Looks like Akamaru can do with some exercise too. Why don't you take him and the others for a run back home, pup?" Hana asked her brother, and he nodded.

"Ok, nii-chan, I'll be taking my leave now," he swallowed, looking away again.

"Oh, and here, before I forget, these are yours," Hana threw a small baggie at Kiba, who caught it. "Don't lose them again."

He nodded, before whistling and turning around to leave with the dogs, who all perked up and ran after him. Sakura watched him run off, feeling a sense of… absence? Missing out?

Ino smiled brightly again. "Well, I guess Sakura and I should be taking our leave now too. Good luck on your stroll, Hana-chan, Hokage-sama," she bowed, signaling her departure, taking Sakura's hand who just mumbled something incoherent back again, following Ino's directions exactly.

Both Kakashi and Hana nodded in acknowledgment.

As the walked away, Ino looked over her shoulder and saw Kakashi casually take Hana's hand as they strolled. She looked back at Sakura, who still appeared to have a frozen robotic expression on her face.

"Wow. That was so… random. Why does this always happen to you?"

Sakura had no answer.

-x-x-x-x-

"I did not expect you to behave so immaturely, Neji-kun," Iruka-sensei reprimanded him. "Not only did you purposely emit Sakki on a student, even if the student in question is who he is, you also did this in retaliation over a squabble you had right in the middle of the cafeteria? And to top it all off, I heard students talking that you had your classroom door locked with… ummm…" he broke off, a blush tinting his face. "All this in one day?"

Neji sported the same blush. "I have no excuse. I'm sorry, these events won't be repeated. However, I can't promise how Uchiha Sasuke may be treated in his trainings. He himself likes to be particularly… involved."

"Be that as it may, it's your responsibility as a teacher to ensure nothing of that sort happens, and to keep your students in line by professional rather than arbitrary means. You need to be an example for others, and I can't have you behaving like that. God knows I have enough trouble with Shikamaru-kun and Lee-kun as it is. Tenten-chan is the only one keeping things straight and I expect the same of you. Is that clear?"

Neji nodded, embarrassed.

"Very well. You're dismissed."

Neji got up, bowing. He had his hand on the door when Iruka-sensei spoke again.

"Oh, Neji, I never did formally congratulate you on your engagement. Well, congratulations. I know it may be hard, but try not to let things cloud your judgment and um, also try to be on your best behaviour at the Academy," he smiled.

Neji knew it was as hard for Iruka to say all of this as it was to hear it from him. He nodded his thanks and left. Well, this was one reprimand he was done with. He sighed, not in a hurry to hear the one coming from his fiancée.

Finally done with the evening's tasks, he left, resigning himself to be pushed around even more today by his fiancée and her father.

-x-x-x-x-

Hinata felt uneasy. She badly wanted to spend the night with Neji so he could offer her a release, but he had to work late with her father tonight. She had been invited to oversee the proceedings and offer her inputs, but she had declined, uninterested. She also had needed space, but was second guessing her choices. It had been a while since they had slept together, based on a mutual decision to wait until their marriage. But that didn't seem possible at all. Her hormones had been flaring on and off, and she had even gotten Neji in trouble at the school today.

She also felt like Neji was avoiding her. He should've been done by now, but maybe he didn't see her note. She looked out her window. His apartment was located right on the outskirts of the Hyuga compound, past the other houses of the Branch side of the family and wasn't exactly visible.

She sighed. Perhaps she shouldn't have been so hard on him lately. But it had been so difficult. Kiba had told her that it may have been due to her pent up sexual frustration and she had hit him in response, proving his theory almost immediately.

She brought her fingers down and felt her core, wincing as she felt the build up. She figured she should try and release herself, then maybe she would be able to think straight and not be so short-tempered, as people had been complaining. She moaned as she continued to rub herself, her thoughts not exactly in one place.

She thought about the most random of things. Naruto running on one of his rounds, Neji tucking her hair away behind her ears as he looked at her softly and she smiled in response and lowering her eyes, he leaned in closer for a kiss and she gladly welcomed him as their noses touched. All of a sudden, Sasuke was looking at her daringly in response to her at the kennels and smirkingly suddenly, cocking his chin.

She gasped as she reached her orgasm, sucking in a deep breath. That was so… random. She knew thoughts had a tendency to jumble up and she never could keep track of them during her process. But did any of those thoughts mean anything? Why did he always seek her out?

Hinata had no answer.