The first person Sakura saw as she entered the crowded balcony was Shikamaru. He was leaning against the railing, a lit cigarette hanging loosely from his lips, two empty beer bottles keeping him company on the high table next to him. His attention was focused on the small screen he held in his hands.

"What are you doing here all alone?" she asked as she gingerly took the cigarette and put it out before taking the empty spot next to his right. "Where's Temari?"

"She bumped into an old friend from med school about an hour ago, or so. They're probably still chatting inside." Shikamaru tilted his phone so Sakura could easily see what he was watching. He realized a second too late that it was probably a bad idea. He shifted his eyes to his friend and saw that she was trying very hard to contain her laughter. Shikamaru sighed, defeated. "Before you even begin, it's the semifinals..."

"Kami, there is no way on Earth you are watching a Shogi game right now!" the pinkette laughed. She saw Shikamaru reach in his front right pocket for his cigarette pack "Oh, come on now! You're not lighting up another one!"

"Why not? I didn't get to finish my last one, did I?" he teased. "Relax, it's only my sixth since we got here."

Sakura beamed. "Well, if that's the case" she grabbed the pack before he managed to put it away and took out a cigarette "it means that you still have more to share."

Shikamaru eyed her, annoyed, placing the newly lit cigarette between his lips. "You said you were done smoking."

"Actually, I said I would be done after today." The woman pointed to the top right corner of her friend's screen. "It's still the 17th for ten more minutes."

The door to the balcony opened.

He snorted. "Just so you know, you already owe me four packs."

"You honestly kept track?" Ino took the drink from Sakura's hand took the spot next to her, muttering a 'sorry' to the woman she accidentally hit with her purse. Turning her attention back to Shikamaru, she continued. "You are so lame."

The man smirked as he locked his screen and placed the phone in his pocket. "Oh look, your umbilical cord is here." He watched the blonde flip him off while she threw back her Martini. Puzzled, he asked her what was wrong.

"Sai is picking me up in like half an hour." Ino took the cigarette from Sakura's hand and inhaled deeply before giving it back. "He's taking me to his studio outside of the city and we're supposed to have this magical candle lit dinner there."

"I don't see what the problem is, Ino Pig."

"Ugh!" Ino cried, tugging on the collar of Sakura's black top. "My period just came! We were finally going to have sex tonight, Forehead!"

Shikamaru's eyes widened as he choked on smoke.

Sakura's cheeks flushed red when she realized that everybody on the balcony heard her friend, including the Hospital Director and the Dean of Medicine that were sitting at a table not far from them. Embarrassed, she turned around to face the city lights. Kami, she promised herself she wasn't going to get wasted at this party, but because of Ino's stunt earlier, she might have to. Luckily for her, most of the people there laughed or brushed it off and returned to their conversations in only a matter of seconds. The green eyed woman sighed, relieved.

"I knew it!"

Sakura chuckled as she pinched the bridge of her nose. Of course she recognized the voice. It belonged to one of the many friends she made while working in the emergency department. 'I'm too sober for this' she thought as she took the cigarette to her lips.

"You were such a bitch to me last shift, I knew you had to be on your period!"

She heard Ino snort. "So, it's not enough that we get to see each other at work all the time, you actually stalked me here?"

"Oi! Don't flatter yourself, blondie!"

"What the hell are you doing here?"

Sakura felt a pinch on her waist and looked to her right only to see Shikamaru waving goodbye while pointing to the exit. She narrowed her eyes.

'Of course the bastard would flee.'

Her cigarette nearly fell from her mouth when a pair of piercing cerulean eyes suddenly appeared in her line of sight. "Naruto!"

"Sakura-chan! No way, you're smoking?!"

"Kami, can you keep your voice down?"

"Oh, you're one to talk, evil triage witch!"

I know it was shorter than the last chapter and that it is pretty uneventful, but I struggled with a bit of burnout and depression and would sleep most of my days off. I know the chapter does not look finished, that is because I wanted to upload something, anything, since I probably will not be able to write until the end of September.

That being said, when I come back I will probably reorganize the chapters and edit them a bit. You will get the awesome story you deserve, I promise!

Also, Sasuke will make his debut in the next chapter.

Reviews make me happy :)

Until next time.

Laura