Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Roles We Play ❯ Roles We Play part 2 ( Chapter 2 )

05-24-05

“The Roles We Play”

By: DarkSeductress

Summary: (AU) Temari, Hinata, and Ino have formed a trinity of friends. Each with a role to be played to support the others. Now Ino wants to bring Sakura in on this trinity and Temari isn’t sure she likes Sakura or the idea.

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters of Naruto.

Warnings: Mentions or hints at homosexuality. Profanity. Mentions of past drug use. Alcohol usage.

Pairings: Temari/Itachi, Hinata/Neji, Sasuke/Naruto, slightly Ino/Sakura

The second and final part.

         &nb sp;  “So are you going to talk to him?” Hinata wondered suddenly.

          &n bsp; Temari looked vulnerable for a moment, “I really don’t know....”

         &n bsp;  “Couldn’t hurt.” Hinata stated quietly. “There’s something between you two, whether either of you admit it or not. And besides...he didn’t marry bridezilla.”

          ;   Temari shrugged, “Maybe...Sex would be worth it.”

          & nbsp; Hinata frowned, “It’s about more than sex. You know that.”

           ;  “With Itachi Uchiha it never is.” Temari looked just a bit sad. She wondered what she would do if he did come to their table. Then she did something that wasn’t in her nature, she took an inventory of how fucked up she looked and what she could do to fix her appearance. “I look okay, right?”

         &nbs p;  Hinata grinned at Temari’s vulnerability, “Yes, you look fine.”

           ;  Temari opened her mouth to say something smart-ass but she saw a splash of pink hair out the corner of her eye.

           & nbsp;“What?” Hinata wondered.

          &n bsp; “Sakura....” Was all Temari said as she watched Sakura watch Ino and Sasuke dance. A hint of jealously slivered across Sakura’s face before Ino spotted her. Sakura quickly smiled as Ino pointed her in the direction of the table.

            ; “Let’s try to be nice. For Ino’s sake.” Hinata whispered as they watched Sakura approach.

          &n bsp; Temari merely gave Hinata a reluctant nod as Sakura stood before the table.

            ; “Hi, Temari. Hi, Hinata.” Sakura gave a little polite bow, which Temari waved off.

           & nbsp;“Have a seat.” Temari offered with what she thought was a smile.

            ; Sakura gave a tense smile and slid in next to Temari.

          &nbs p; “So how have things been?” Hinata asked politely.

          &n bsp; “Fine. Modeling has kept me busy. Ino and I reconciled about a year ago. I’m sorry for being so late and I hope you don’t mind my being here.” Sakura appeared to be nervous.

          &nb sp; “As long as you’re here.” Temari shrugged. “Beer? Tequila?”

         &n bsp;  “Whatever makes Ino happy.” Hinata smiled.

          &nbs p; “No. I have a shoot in the morning.” Sakura’s attention drifted back over to Ino and Sasuke. It appeared Ino was treating Sasuke like the pole from earlier and unlike the other guy Sasuke was more than able to keep up.

           &n bsp;Hinata raised an eyebrow at Temari, who smirked.

          &nb sp; “Shit...if they didn’t have clothes on, I’d think they were fucking...” Temari mumbled.

          &nb sp; Sakura whipped her head back to glance at Temari. There was a mix of disgust and surprise on her face, “She does know he’s gay? And that he’s basically married to Naruto?”

         &nb sp;  Temari was interrupted in her reply when Naruto took his mixing skills up a notch with Move Bitch by Ludacris and Don’t Mess With My Man by Nivea. It sounded like ‘Move bitch...scratch, scratch, Don’t mess with my man, I’ma be the one to give it to ya, scratch, scratch, Move Bitch, scratch, scratch Don’t mess with my man, I’ma be the one to give it to ya, Here’s a little advice for you, don’t mess with my man.’

             Ino stuck her tongue in the direction the dee-jay table and stuck her middle finger at Naruto. Sasuke rolled his eyes. Naruto shook a fist at both of them and yelled a few choice words over the mike when Ino kissed Sasuke on the cheek and made her way back to the table.

            ; Hinata let out a few giggles, “Well, I guess that answers your question, Sakura.”

         &nb sp;  “If anybody didn’t know, they know it now.” Temari smirked as Ino plopped down beside Hinata.

          &nbs p; “So, you made it?” Ino grinned as Hinata pushed her sweaty body away.

             “Yeah. I thought you forgot about me for a moment....” Sakura’s eyes narrowed but she smiled.

          &nbs p; Ino started laughing, “Sorry, it’s hard to find a guy who can keep up. I would’ve been over sooner but I think Sasuke wanted to see how long it would take Naruto to notice and blow a fuse.”

           ;  Sakura merely snorted.

          &nb sp; “So have you been offered any beer, yet?” Ino threw a pointed look at Temari and Hinata.

          &nbs p; “Yes. But she declined because she has a photo shoot tomorrow.” Hinata stated.

          &nbs p; “I see you all have been really going at it, “Sakura gestured toward the tequila bottles and pitchers, “what’s the occasion?”

         & nbsp;  “Does there have to be one?” Temari asked pouring Hinata another mug.

           & nbsp;“Well, no...” Sakura mumbled, “But....I usually don’t drink so much and it’s just...surprising that’s all.”

             “We hadn’t seen each other in a few months. Everybody’s been so busy. Hinata with the business and the wedding. Temari with the...um...” Temari shot Ino a glare. “Temari with the family business. And as you know people never stop dying or falling in love, so they all need flowers.” Ino finished with an embarrassed flush.

            ; Sakura brows furrowed, “So Temari, what exactly does your family do?”

          & nbsp; Temari smirked, “If I told you, I would really have to kill you. So don’t ask and I won’t tell you.”

             “Oh....” Sakura appeared a bit spooked as her imagination ran circles. She shook her head and then perked up, “So Hinata, you’re getting married?” Hinata nodded. “Congratulations. To Neji right? Isn’t he your cousin?”

         &nb sp;  “Yeah. So?” Hinata fought the urge to glare.

            ; “First cousins, right?”

         &nbs p;  Ino placed a hand over Hinata’s hand as her body tensed.

          &nbs p; “Yes.” Hinata tried to smile. “It’s not a problem for us.”

          & nbsp; Sakura tried not to blotch, “But I mean, isn’t that kinda of weird. You’re related.”

         &n bsp;  This time it was Ino who spoke in a very solemn tone, “They’re in love, Sakura, so just leave it at that.” Hinata had caught enough flack from various parties when the engagement had been announced and Ino didn’t want Hinata to snap on Sakura for being curious.

          &nb sp; Sakura tried to smile, “Well as long as you’re both happy. But didn’t he like hate you in school. He was so mean to you.”

             Hinata’s muscles relaxed, she could talk about Neji’s hate, “Yeah, he thought his father was cheated out of his inheritance and kinda of blamed me but Temari and Naruto set him straight on that. Things just kind of progressed from there.”

         &nbs p;  “Yeah, Temari and Naruto took turns whuppin’ his ass.” Ino grinned. “That was wild. You remember, that?”

           ;  Sakura nodded, “I never found out why you attacked him but that was wild. You just tackled him from behind and went crazy.”

         &nbs p;  “I attacked him because he hit Hinata.” Temari grinned. “I fractured my hand punching him and got knocked around pretty good when he got up but it was worth it.”

          & nbsp; “He hit you? And you’re going to marry him?” Sakura was in shock.

            ; “It happened a long time ago, Sakura. We were barely teenagers.” Hinata gave an exasperated sigh, “Besides, Neji would never hit me now. He’s very gentle.”

         &nb sp;  “Oh...” Sakura looked down, “I think I’ll take a beer now.”

             Temari grabbed Ino’s mug and poured some beer, “Sure you don’t want tequila, Ino’s offered to do body shots if she has a partner.”

         &n bsp;  Ino blushed, “Temari...”

             Sakura blushed, “No, that’s okay. I’ll take beer.”

           ;  “If you insist...” Temari smirked passing her the mug.

           & nbsp;“So, are you planning on getting married anytime soon, Temari?” Sakura asked before sipping the beer and grimacing.

          & nbsp; “No.” Temari mumbled her eyes fixated on one Itachi Uchiha, who happened to be making his way over from the across the room. Temari could swear in her drunken state that the dance floor was parting for him and that damn black trench coat was fluttering around him. She blinked her eyes twice.

            ; “Temari...something wrong?” Hinata could sense the anticipation in the air.

           & nbsp;All eyes followed Temari’s gaze and immediately became entranced by Itachi’s sinister glory.

            ; “He’s really coming over...” Hinata swallowed nervously.

          & nbsp; “I honestly thought Sasuke was just fucking with you...” Ino grinned wickedly.

          &n bsp; “Isn’t that Sasuke-kun’s brother?” Sakura added not wanting to be left out of the loop. “And why does Temari seem so...irritated and flustered?”

             One glance at Temari and anyone could clearly see that shock had been overtaken by flush on her cheeks and tinge of irritation. Especially when Itachi walked up to the table and waved his hand for Ino to shove over, pushing Hinata closer to Temari. Hinata shot nervous glances from an irritated looking Temari to a smug looking Itachi. Ino grinned with anticipation, the fur was going to fly. Sakura looked on with curiosity, what the hell was going on?

           &n bsp;Itachi’s smugness was replaced by disdain. He spoke with a drawl similar to Sasuke’s but lacking most of the emotion, “You’re all drunk.”

         &nbs p;  “Maybe...” Ino continued to grin.

             “I’m not.” Sakura said hastily, pushing her beer away.

             Temari sneered at him.

           & nbsp;Hinata shrugged for fear if she spoke, she’d say something embarrassing.

         &nbs p;  Itachi snorted before reaching across the table and grabbing Temari’s mug. He drained it of it’s contents and then slid it back in front of her.

           & nbsp; He smirked at her and continued to smirk at her, even as he spoke to Hinata, “How’s business, Hinata-sama?”

        &nbs p;   “It’s going fine.” Hinata ventured a look at Temari and saw the sneer was slowly slipping off her face. She was beginning to blush as she returned his stare.

            ; “You closed the deal with that Tsunade-wench. Congratulations.” The velvet of his voice sent shivers down every spine at the table.

            ; “Thank you. It was mostly Neji’s work.” Hinata blushed, watching the growing scene with amusement.

          & nbsp; “But you closed the deal.” He turned to glance around Ino at Hinata. “You’re not as weak as others would like to think.”

         &nbs p;  “Thanks...I guess...” Hinata wondered if he had just insulted or complimented her and decided she really didn’t give a fuck either way...as long as he kept his attention off of her.

           & nbsp;He turned his attentions back to Temari, who had an eyebrow raised in question. Itachi continued to gaze at her with calculating dispassion. He was idly wondering what was he attraction to an unruly, un-cultivated, rude, murderous bitch. He’d given up a woman, who would have bent over backwards for him just because he had power and now he was haunted by a bitch, who fought him like hell and then ran from him for the same reasons. Not to mention he had lost an inheritance to his queer of a brother.

          &nb sp; “Fox has murder on his mind.” Itachi stated absently, still watching Temari. He was stalling and everyone but Sakura seemed to feel it.

           &n bsp;“Tell Naruto he can come get his ass kicked anytime.” Ino stated flippantly even though she was watching him closely.

          &nb sp; The table was silent for a moment.

          &nbs p; “We have things to discuss.” Itachi stated suddenly. He was no longer smirking.

          &n bsp; Temari raised an eyebrow, “I didn’t know there was a we with anything to discuss.”

         &n bsp;  Intensity started to pour off of Itachi as he stared at her, “There will always be a we, when it concerns you and I.”

          &n bsp; “Really? I don’t remember it being that way. I remember there once being an us and then I remember a you and bridezilla appearing out of nowhere.” Temari was smiling at him sweetly, even though her words were venomous.

          &n bsp; Itachi gave a lazy sigh and leaned back. So she wanted to hang on to that. “I didn’t marry her.”

             “So?” Temari spat.

             “I had no intention of ever marrying her.” He stated and watched her face soften.

          &nbs p; Sakura looked on in confusion. Temari was or had been with Itachi? Who the hell was bridezilla? “I’m not following anything here.”

           ;  The moment she spoke, Sakura regretted it as Itachi turned cold eyes to her and stated, “You don’t need to follow anything here. It doesn’t concern you.”

             “I’ll explain it later, Sakura.” Ino stated.

          &nbs p; Itachi cut his eye at her, “You do that.”

           ;  “What do you want from me?” Temari wondered suddenly.

          &n bsp; Itachi’s lipped quirked upward, “I thought that was obvious.”

         &n bsp;  “You said you wanted to talk but you always want more than you say. So unless you lay it out, we’re not going to talk about anything.” Temari snapped.

          &nb sp; Amusement danced in Itachi’s eyes, “You are the most insanely stubborn woman, I’ve ever had the misfortune of getting involved with.”

           ;  “Says a lot for the bitches you get involved with.” Hinata thought aloud. She slapped a hand over her mouth when she realized everyone had heard her.

           & nbsp;Itachi stared at her, amusement still dancing in his eyes, “You have a filthy mouth when you’re drunk.”

         &nbs p;  “I-I know...” She blushed.

          &nb sp; Temari rolled her eyes, “I’m tired of playing games.”

         &nbs p;  Itachi used a finger to flick a piece of hair out of his face, “So am I.”

          &n bsp; Sakura noted his fingernails were a deep purple and wondered what he did for a living.

          &nbs p; “This is getting us nowhere.” Temari glowered.

          &n bsp; “Because you’re drunk.” Itachi gave an elegant roll his shoulders, which constituted a shrug.

            ; “That has nothing to do with it.” Temari growled. “You are the most pretentious, arrogant bastard. To think you can just come over here and demand I talk to you after 2 years and think I’ll just fawn over you and jump in your fucking bed.”

             Sakura shuddered, Temari looked dangerous and scary when she was angry. She marveled at Itachi’s unearthly calm in the face of her wrath.

            ; “We need to talk. That’s all. Nothing more, nothing less.” He didn’t seem the least bit perturbed by her outburst.

          &n bsp; “You keep saying that but you and I both know, more is going happen.” Temari muttered.

          &n bsp; “You make me think you want more to happen.” Itachi was gleaming with intensity again.

            ; Temari sighed angrily with a blush and mumbled, “Love makes you crazy.”

         &nbs p;  Sakura’s mouth dropped open, “Love? You act like you want to kill him and he acts like he doesn’t care either way.”

             Temari glared at her.

           & nbsp;Itachi tilted his head to the side and gazed at Sakura. She was the crazy bitch who had chased after his brother, even though it was painfully obvious he was queer. Any other time Itachi would be amused at her fear and confusion but tonight he was finding her interruptions irritating at best. “Before the end of the night, you’re going to learn a harsh lesson about keeping your damn mouth shut.”

           ;  Sakura glared at him.

           & nbsp;Temari’s mouth held a small smile. Itachi was right and she could sense his irritation but she also knew he was stalling. Itachi didn’t know a damn thing about love and she imagined he was groping for the best way to handle her statement. Temari mused that the person Itachi even came close to loving was Sasuke. He had a disturbing, unconventional, creepy way of showing it but she knew he loved his younger brother. Temari knew that Itachi would probably never say he loved her but she wondered if he had ever shown her.

           & nbsp;Temari had always known of Itachi but the first time they actually met each other was after she had broke her hand on Neji’s face. She remembered Naruto being pulled off of Neji by Sasuke and then a shadow had fallen over her, legs blocking her view. She looked up into his intense eyes and felt a flush creeping up her neck. Itachi had offered her a hand up and she remembered thinking he’s really pretty just like Sasuke.

             Itachi stared at her before gently gripping her chin and turning the right side of her profile to face him. Temari could see disgust and anger flash in his eyes as he studied the bruising on her cheek and swelling under her eye. She used her good hand to push his hand away.

           ;  “I’m fine.” She muttered, blinking back tears. Her hand hurt like hell.

           ;  “Let me see your hand.” He demanded softly.

         &nb sp;  “I’m fine.” She snapped gripping the wrist of her fractured hand with her good one.

             He snorted before pulling her good hand away and holding the wrist of the fractured hand, “Make a fist.”

        &nbs p;   “What?”

    & nbsp;       “Don’t play dumb. Make a fist.”

        &nbs p;   Temari stared at him defiantly before making an attempt and hissing in pain.

           ;  “You need to go to the hospital.” He stated with dispassion, “You broke your hand.”

         & nbsp;  Temari growled in the back of her throat, “I know that and I will.”

        &nbs p;   “I’ll take you.” Itachi smirked at her before pulling her by the wrist to his car.

           ;  Temari sighed, she guessed her stupid feelings had got the best of her at that moment. She had tried to shove the feelings away but fate had a funny way of fucking with you.

           & nbsp;“Maybe we do need to talk.”

           ;  “I know exactly how you feel.”

           ;  It came out at the same time. Temari blinked. Itachi smirked. He didn’t just admit to loving her, did he?

           &n bsp;“Don’t say things you don’t mean.” Temari heard herself snapping.

          &n bsp; “I don’t say or do things I don’t mean, you should know that by now.” Itachi stated softly.

          &nbs p; Temari was fighting a goofy smile and groped for something to say.

           & nbsp;The moment was broken by a loud obnoxious voice shouting, “Oi! Ino, you whore!”

         &nbs p;  Itachi rolled his eyes. The fox was always popping up at inopportune moments.

          &nb sp; “Naruto, you dumbass, you just ruined a sweet hallmark moment.” Ino groaned as Naruto, Sasuke, and Neji walked up to the table.

            ; “Let me in.” Naruto elbowed Sakura, who frowned but move out of the booth and was followed by Temari. Naruto slide into the booth next to Hinata and Sasuke settled next to him, while Itachi and Ino piled out to allow Neji next to his fiancee. Temari took a seat next to Itachi.

          &nbs p; “What’s with the goofy look on her face?” Sasuke wondered motioning at Temari once everyone was settled, “Someone drop dead?”

           ;  Temari snapped out of her reverie, “Shut up.”

          & nbsp; “Don’t tell me Itachi did something that wasn’t creepy for once?” Naruto grinned.

          &nb sp; “Shut up, Fox.” There was a warning to Itachi’s voice.

            ; “Hey, we were just wondering! No need to get your panties in a knot.” Naruto shrugged but continued to grin.

             “Naruto, you never change. Always rude. Always loud.” Sakura smiled.

          &nbs p; Naruto smiled, “I’m glad someone can appreciate the person I am.”

          & nbsp; “Stating facts is not the same as appreciation.” Temari snorted.

          &nb sp; “So say you!” Naruto childishly stuck his tongue at Temari.

          &nbs p; “If you wish to continue using it, keep it in your fucking mouth.” Temari muttered with a smirk.

            ; “Yeah, yeah, I know it. You’ll cut it out and make me eat it, Mob Queen.” Naruto grinned.

          &nb sp; Temari threw him a pointed glare as Itachi’s eyes shot heavenward.

             “Mob queen?” Sakura raised an eyebrow as Sasuke made a show of elbowing the hell out of Naruto’s ribs.

             “Ow! What the fuck is that for?” Naruto exclaimed causing Hinata to wince with a smile.

            ; Neji shook his head.

             “Between you and Hinata tonight...” Sasuke glared. “Just watch your mouth, Dobe.”

           ;  “I didn’t say-Oh....yeah....Sorry, Temari.” Naruto gave a nervous chuckle, “You’re not gonna kill me or something now?”

             “Naruto, don’t be a moron. I’d never want you dead.” Temari waved off the apology. She then fixed her attention on Sakura, “I have a feeling that Ino’s going to tell you anyway and the way Naruto’s going it’ll be out before we leave. So yes, I am an enforcer for the Sand crime family.”

         &nb sp;  “Oh.” Sakura chewed her bottom lip thoughtfully, “You said if you told me, you’d have to-”

          & nbsp; Temari smirked, “I know what I said. And as much pleasure as I would get out of carrying out on that threat, I have a feeling Ino and few others wouldn’t appreciate it.”

          & nbsp; Sakura gave Temari a shaky smile, “That’s good to know.”

           ;  Neji snorted.

          &nb sp; “So, Naruto-kun, when are you going to let Sky do what she was paid to?” Hinata’s smile was teasing. “Cause you suck at mixing music.” Sakura noticed that Hinata’s arm seemed to be entwined with Neji’s arm and she suspected they were holding hands under the table.

            ; “I suck? I thought I did pretty good.” Naruto mocked hurt. Sakura noted how Naruto’s arm was barely wrapped around Sasuke’s shoulders and how Sasuke’s body seemed to gravitate towards Naruto without either noticing.

          &n bsp; “I have to agree.” Ino grinned. “You need to stick to owning to the damn club.”

           ;  “I don’t see how you could have noticed, while you were trying to fuck my hubby through his pants.” Naruto glared.

          &nbs p; “She wasn’t trying to fuck me.” Sasuke rolled his eyes. Then he muttered, “And it’s life-partner...”

        & nbsp;   “Everyone knows you have nothing to worry about, Fox. We all know my dear little brother wouldn’t know what to do with a woman.” Itachi stated with dry humor. Sakura noted how Itachi and Temari’s hands would brush against each other from time to time or how there eyes would meet and a secret communication would seem to pass between them.

             Sasuke growled, “Shut up.” No real malice was evident in his voice.

            ; Sakura suddenly felt lonely and left out, after watching all the subtle body language between the couples. It was obvious to her that all of them were friends in some capacity despite the glares and evil eyes that passed between Neji and Temari or Sasuke and Itachi or any other combination of them. Sakura knew she had lost out on something special by choosing a guy that was obviously queer over her best-friend. She was broken out of her thoughts by Neji’s quiet, regal voice.

            ; “So is everyone coming to the wedding?” Neji asked politely.

          &n bsp; “Of course.” Ino gave him look that clearly stated she thought he was insane for asking.

          &nbs p; “Neji, get the stick out ya ass! You know all of us will be there! It’s Hinata’s wedding!” Naruto exclaimed. “Oh and of course you’ll be there.”

         &nbs p;  “Yes. Of course. I’m only the groom.” Neji rolled his eyes.

             “I can’t go.” Sakura stated quietly.

          &nb sp; Neji stared at her, “Just out of curiosity, why?”

             “I’m Catholic.” Sakura shrugged.

          &n bsp; Everyone at the table had expressions of varying degrees of exasperation, anger, and shock. Hinata’s small frame started to quake with anger and she involuntarily squeezed Neji’s hand.

             Neji shot Sakura an icy stare, “I have an idea of where you’re going with this but just to be fair, I’m asking you to explain yourself.”

         & nbsp;  Sakura swallowed a bit, “Well, Catholics don’t believe in incest.”

         &nb sp;  “Incest?” Neji’s teeth were clenched together.

          &n bsp; “Sakura, will you fucking stop?” Ino glared.

          &nbs p; “I am so tired of this shit.” Hinata muttered gripping the edge of the table with her free hand. Her voice trembled as she spoke, “I don’t give a fuck if you’re Catholic or not, that does not give you the right to insult me or Neji. We’ve both been through enough. We’ve heard every argument imaginable against our marriage. So don’t think that your faux disgust is going to change our minds. Besides, you’re a fucking lesbian anyway, so who are you to judge me?” Hinata’s face was red and her breath was coming out in huffs, tears were gathered in her eyes.

             “Hinata...” Sakura held her head with a hand. “Look...I-”

             “You’re not sorry, Sakura, so don’t say it.” A tear trailed down Hinata’s face.

             Temari’s hands were clenching and unclenching. Sasuke looked extremely pissed. Naruto seemed disappointed. Ino appeared disgusted. Itachi seemed to have an odd gleam of anticipation burning in his eyes.

             Hinata sniffled as Neji wiped her tears away, “I-I’m ready to go home. I’m too drunk to deal with this.”

           ;  “Okay.” He kissed her forehead softly. He turned to Ino, Itachi, and Temari, “Can you let us out?”

             Itachi simply nodded as they all moved to let the couple out.

           & nbsp;“I’ll meet you at the coatroom.” Neji stated softly.

          &nbs p; Hinata nodded, before heading off. Neji waited until Hinata was out of sight. Then he turned to loom over Sakura.

          &nbs p; “If you ever speak to Hinata-sama like that again, I will personally take great pleasure in ending your pathetic life.” Neji hissed venomously, “And unlike Temari, I have no qualms about the grief your disappearance will cause anyone.”

         &nb sp;  Sakura’s mouth opened and closed several times as Neji turned on his heels and stalked away with his shoulders and back straight, his head held high.

             “I really didn’t mean to-”

          & nbsp; “Be so damn rude?” Sasuke supplied coolly.

          &nbs p; “Well, yeah, I just- it’s so wrong.” Sakura was acting as if the wind had been knocked out of her.

           & nbsp;“You could have fooled me.” Temari muttered. She turned to Itachi, “Let’s get out of here.”

           ;  “As you wish.” He rose from the table. He gave Sakura an amused smirk, “I told you, you’d learn your lesson.” He then turned to follow Temari.

          &nbs p; Sakura held her head, “Okay, Naruto, your turn. You get a pot-shot, too.”

             To her surprise Naruto placed a hand on her shoulder, “Nothing I say is going to change your mind or make you accept Hinata and Neji’s relationship.” He shrugged and gave her a broad grin, “I just suggest you listen to Neji’s warning. He seemed pretty serious.”

         &n bsp;  “Yeah. Okay.” Sakura mumbled.

          &nb sp; “Now shove out, it’s late. Sasuke’s got to shoot a episode for his damn cooking show. I wanna fuck. And then I want to sleep.” Naruto continued to grin, even as Sasuke swatted him behind the head. “Let’s go, Bastard.”

         &n bsp;  “Horny, Dobe.” Sasuke tried not to blush as Sakura allowed the couple out of the rounded booth.

            ; Once Sakura settled back in the booth, she noticed that Ino’s face was dripping with disgust and anger.

            ; “I didn’t invite you here to insult my friends.” Ino spat.

             “I didn’t mean to insult, Hinata. I can’t change my beliefs to suit her.” Sakura snapped.

          &nb sp; “Bullshit, Sakura! You’ve always been such a self-righteous bitch. Acting high and mighty. You’re a fucking bisexual for Christ sake.” Ino exclaimed angrily.

          &nb sp; “Hinata’s just as much a bitch as I am. She just hides it better.” Sakura glared.

          &nbs p; Ino’s hand slammed down on the table, causing Sakura to jump, “I’m going to say this once, Sakura. I care about you deeply but don’t you ever talk about my friends like that again.”

         &nbs p;  “Your friends?” Sakura’s voice sounded shrill. “I was your fucking friend. Before any of them. And you let them treat me like that. Threaten me and shit. And then you call me names.”

         &nbs p;  “Was is the operative word, Sakura. You were my friend before you turned your back on me for a fucking guy. For Sasuke. Who, I just found out tonight, you knew were gay all along and still went on with your little ‘I love Sasuke more than you’ charade!” Ino nearly shouted.

          &nb sp; “I found out about Sasuke our freshman year.” Sakura shouted back. “And yes I went on with that charade! But you weren’t any better than me! You were around him all the time. Hanging all over him. What in the fuck was I supposed to think?”She panted softly for a moment. Then she stated softly, “I was jealous.... I’m still jealous.”

         &n bsp;  Ino seemed to lose some of her anger at that statement and faltered as Sakura continued.

          & nbsp; “We were both stupid little girls, who never realized until it was almost too late, how much we needed each other.” Sakura sighed, swiping away angry tears.

            ; “I know. I was jealous, too, of how you chased after him and completely ignored me.” Ino mumbled with tears in her eyes.

             Sakura moved around the booth to sit beside Ino, “Look, I realize I was trying to pick a fight with Hinata, tonight. I don’t like her and Temari is scary. It just angers me to see you with them. The way you three act. How you support each other and just seem to know what the other needs. I feel left out. It just makes me so jealous and we both know I can’t deal with that too well.” They both chuckled sadly at the comment. “I feel as if I should be that close to you. No one should know you as well as I do.”

          & nbsp; “No one can ever take your place, Sakura.” Ino mumbled softly. “Even with Temari and Hinata beside me all these years, I still felt like I was missing something. I was missing you. I want you in my life. You don’t have to love Temari and Hinata or even agree with their lives but they are my friends and I want you to at least be able to tolerate them. Just can you do this for me? Let me have the person I love and my friends I love together.”

         & nbsp;  Sakura leaned her forehead against Ino’s and gazed in her eyes, “I can’t make any promises but I can try.”

             Ino giggled a little. Temari and Hinata had made the same promise concerning Sakura earlier.

          &nb sp; “What?” Sakura whispered against her lips.

             “Nothing...Just promise me one thing.” Ino pleaded. “Apologize to Hinata. She’s fragile.”

         &n bsp;  “She didn’t seem so fragile, when she was cussing me out.” Sakura snorted.

          &nb sp; Ino frowned.

          &nb sp; “Okay. Okay. I’ll apologize. Happy?” Sakura smiled.

          &nbs p; “Yeah.” Ino breathed bringing their lips together in a kiss that was long over due in both of their hearts.

          &nbs p; Ino had realized over the years that love wasn’t perfect. Sometimes you lost it and could never find it again. But she had been given the second chance of receiving and she’d be damn if she lost it again. She now knew she didn’t need Sakura to be best friends with Temari and Hinata in order to be her lover. It would never happen and there was no need to wish for the impossible and improbable. As long as they all tolerated each other, it would be fine. Ino could keep her trinity of friends sacred. Ino could keep her prima donna model newly acquired girlfriend sacred. As long as neither stayed in contact with the other long. Ino decided that inviting Sakura tonight had been the best idea Naruto had since opening his crazy night club. It was clearly obvious that everyone in their circle of friends had a role to play that helped the others.

~The End~

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