The Games We Play

FAQ: I don’t think Hinata would react that way over a kiss. After all it was just a kiss.

Answer: Since the beginning of the story, I wanted a conflict with Naruto but I never ever saw him as the type to have sex with someone else. So I had to do some serious brainstorming and talked to my sister about it. Eventually I asked my sister the questions what she was do if it happened between her and her boyfriend of two years. They’re relationships, though they’re both eighteen and out of high school is still a pretty innocent one in itself. She told me she would be very sad, and very angry and just all around upset if she was in that situation, even if it was just a kiss but a kiss that happened twice and both times was pretty hot and heavy. Then I thought about a girl I used to know who had the same relationship with her boyfriend and the same thing actually happened to her. When she did find out her boyfriend had a kiss fest with another girl she had a complete breakdown. She was so upset and so distraught and she was seventeen at the time.

Also some of you may tend to forget just exactly how innocent Hinata’s heart can still be. She may be older but she still holds onto that sweet innocence and pureness that really only a child is known to hold. She is still idealistic in terms of love and her love for Naruto, she believes him to the one and the only one for her. She loves him utterly and completely with her whole heart and the act of Naruto acting so intimately with another girl on an act that took her so long to get to would certainly be heartbreaking to her. So many of you might think Hinata over reacted but when you’re that innocent, and you’re that trusting and you get betrayed even if it’s a kiss it still crushes you. Also there is that little fact of just what exactly did Misako say to Hinata? Did she tell her the truth or did she embellish it?

Answer to another FAQ: YES, THERE WILL BE A HAPPY ENDING.

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As a young boy there were many games Naruto was never asked the join. And whatever game Misako was playing at he had never even heard of. He never knew the rules, he never knew the players, and he never knew the consequences. But instead of wondering what kind of games he missed out on during his training days he was wondering how it was possible for one person to smile so brightly but be so cruel.

Rather distraught after the encounter at the North Gate Naruto was left to wonder on his own. In a haze of confusions, anger, and guilt he found himself in a rather shabby pub. He had never been in there before; it was a pub most people in his ninja circles didn’t really bother with. But maybe that’s what he needed right now, something away from his normal circles. No doubt someone already knew something about what was going on between him and Hinata, no sense in walking in on that fiasco until he was better prepared.

As he sat on the stool in the dirty looking bar he let his mind race and wonder over what had happened in the past week. He thought about when he first met Misako, a blur of color a smiling face an alley way and her on her knees ran through his head. He thought of Hinata, he thought of the first time they went out and then the first time she kissed him. He remembered how so she blushed so much and he held his breath because he was afraid to breath on her with out brushing his teeth after eating his ramen. Memories of them together; kissing, hugging, sleeping, her laugh her sighs her small squeaks she would make when he touched her surprisingly. He thought of his moments with Hinata and then he thought of his times with Misako. He saw her green eyes and her golden hair, he heard her laugh and remembered her touch and he got angry.

He was angry because after all he went through to set it right it still got messed up. He was angry because he had messed up and he was not the one who was able to confess. He was angry at Misako for doing what she did, but also extremely confused. He had always been taught girls had a heart, he always be told they felt more then guys. If that was true then how was it this girl acted so cruelly after he had been so honest? Had she been mad? What would she have to be mad about?

“You look pretty upset there kid,”

Naruto looked up at the shadow over casting him from the dark lighting. He was a big man with thinning hair with a scar on his left cheek that ran all the way up to his eye shutting it closed. He was darkly tanned with a very scruffy face and way of him that made it seemed as if he hadn’t bathed in days. Though all the same there was a weird sense of acceptance from him that he didn’t feel very often.

“Yeah,” Naruto answered quietly.

“Girls?” The man asked getting a glass beginning to whip it down.

“Huh?”

“Your problem have something to do with girls?” The bartender laughed. “It usually is.”

“Yeah, girls.” Naruto agreed.

“So what is it? The girl you fancy doesn’t fancy you back?”

“No.” Naruto rubbed his eyes running his fingers through his hair with a loud sigh.

“Ah I see, you were unfaithful.” The bartender said his voice getting serious.

“What?!” Naruto’s bright blue eyes shot up, he didn’t know he had made it so obvious. Did everyone know?

“Been a bartender as long as I have and you learn a lot. You look like a man who was unfaithful to the one you love.”

Naruto sighed again.

“I didn’t mean to be.” He said weakly and the bartender grunted amused.

“We never do son,”

“Then why? I must have really messed things up with Hinata now I bet she hates me.”

There was a thoughtful silence between them and the bartender leaned over the bar looking down at the kid.

“If I know one thing about girls, it’s that the right one is usually the forgiving one.”

“How can I expect her to forgive me?”

“You don’t really.” The bartender answered and Naruto looked more confused then before. “You just have to take the chance, do you want her back?”

“Yeah.”

“Then suck up your pride and crawl on your hands and knees kissing her feet.”

Naruto looked at the bartender for a hard long second.

“You sound like you’ve done that before.”

The bartender laughed loudly.

“One too many times, but in the end only one really forgave me.”

“Which one?”

“My wife or at least she became my wife two years later.”

“She still married you?” Naruto asked confused. From what he knew girls could hold a grudge like no tomorrow and hold it over your heads until doomsday.

“It was hard yeah, we had to work at it and the whole trust thing but in the end she knew I loved her and she agreed to marry me. And after I got her I never looked at another woman again.” The bartender seemed proud about this and Naruto felt some spirit in him brighten up.

If the bartenders wife could forgive him then marry him then maybe he had a shot with Hinata. If he could just talk to Hinata and explain what happened and how sorry he was then she too would forgive him. After all Hinata had always been the forgiving type, she even forgave him when he forgot her birthday last year; she had to forgive him for this!

With new energy Naruto threw money for his untouched beverage and hopped off the stool. He had to get to Hinata fast. He had no time to waist, guards be damned he had to see her.

Behind him the bartender took the money and put it in his pocket he watched the boy leave with a smile on his face. He hoped his lady did forgive him he didn’t seem like the kind of guy who was unfaithful often; it was always a sad thing to see the good ones slip.

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Sasuke sat alone for a long time after Sakura left. He thought about going after her, but figured it would probably do more harm then good right now so eventually decided against it.

He thought back to when he fell but forced himself to stop. He could have continued to say no. He could have pushed her out of his home but he didn’t. He gave in. He had been weak. He had been weak for only a moment and it had cost him everything. He knew he didn’t have Sakura’s trust anymore, he didn’t even know if he still had Sakura. He figured it would be safest to assume he didn’t. Going on that he tried to think of ways to make it up to her. He tried to think of something to say other then “I’m sorry.” Was there even a way to make it right? Does anyone bounce back from this once they have fallen that low? He didn’t know anyone who had.

But even then, once he thought of what to say how could he say it to her? She made it perfectly clear she couldn’t even look at him that night how was he supposed to find her to talk to her later? He wasn’t an expert in these types of things, was he supposed to wait? Was he supposed to give her time or not let any time pass?

All his life it was Sakura chasing after him; it was literally her doing all the work for him. It had always been her chasing him, her doing all the talking, she did everything. It was the fist time in their relationship since they were children Sasuke had to do anything on his own for her. He had no idea where to begin.

He looked at his clock, it wasn’t that late yet it wasn’t even close to eleven. The town would still be alive; a lot of places were still open; he could go out and do something. Maybe he should just get his mind off this for a while, come back and think about it later. He could train but then he would have to find someone to train with. He didn’t like a lot of people because they always asked a lot of questions and right now questions were not something he was in the mood for. There was always Naruto; he could go find Naruto and train with him. But if Sakura came back that meant Hinata was back to, meaning Naruto would be impossible to find until he wanted to be found.

He sighed; with his best training partner incognito and his second best currently despising the very sight of him it didn’t leave very many options. There was always a bar, but again he ran into the problem of other people and their questions. And if he did show up at a bar and start drinking he would certainly get questions since Uchiha Sasuke never drank at all.

There wasn’t much to do but he couldn’t stay here. With a final sigh and a large heavy heave of himself off the bed Sasuke decided to go for a walk. Walks always did prove pretty good in the past when you had to just clear your head.

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Naruto crept past his very well known secret entrance to the Hyuuga Household. He was certain nobody knew of his secret entrance so he was safe to sneak in and see Hinata and just talk to her. He was pretty sure she wouldn’t call the guards on him if he did show up and even if she did it would be worth it if he could just get a few words of his own in.

He dropped silently on the ground from one of the trees in the far back and began to sneak along the large wall and heavy bushes and trees. He had gotten close enough to see Hinata’s window when something grabbed his shirt.

‘Shit!’

“I’m going to have to ask you to leave Naruto,”

Naruto felt his spine instantly straiten and tried not to gulp too loudly. He knew that voice, and he didn’t like the person it came from when it sounded that cold.

He turned and tried to smile at Neji but the protective cousin’s face was so dead serious Naruto only gulped.

“H-hey Neji.” He tried.

“Hinata has asked to make sure you are not on the premises.” Neji said.

“What?” Naruto didn’t really believe him. He always knew Neji didn’t like their secret meetings so there was a good chance he just finally caught Naruto and was acting on his own.

“She said she didn’t want to see you.”

Hinata did that? Really? Hinata didn’t want to see him? There had to be a mistake. He had to have heard wrong.

“What do you mean?” He gave a small laugh of his disbelief smiling goofily at the older man who continued to give him a cold hard glair.

“I don’t know what you did but she said she doesn’t want to see you. She told me where you snuck in and asked I stopped you.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“Naruto, don’t make me call the guards. Just go, she doesn’t want to see you.”

“No I don’t believe you. Hinata wouldn’t do that.”

“Naruto,” Neji reached out again to touch the young mans arm but Naruto shifted away and made a bee line right to Hinata’s room. He didn’t get far when Neji all out tackled him.

“What the hell!” Naruto yelled but Neji just grabbed hold and pulled him up. “HINATA!” Naruto yelled fighting against Neji’s hold and failing.

“Naruto don’t do this, just go.”

“No!” Naruto fought and before he knew it Hinata’s window couldn’t be seen behind the now four guards who had shown up upon hearing his voice.

“A trespasser!” One yelled taking hold of him.

“He’s after lady Hinata!” Another yelled and took hold as well. Naruto had no chance of resistance unless he tried to hurt them, and that wasn’t something he wanted to do so defeated he fell.

He let the large men drag him out and toss him out on the streets. He left after giving him nasty sneers but Neji stayed behind. He looked down at the blond not with an angry cold look as before but a look of pity.

“Neji, did she say why?” Naruto asked getting up off his knees.

“No, she only said she didn’t want to see you.”

“But I…”

“I’m sorry Naruto. I don’t know what happened but just respect her wishes, I’m sure you’ve already hurt her enough.”

Naruto didn’t have a response. He only watched Neji turn and return back into the court yard leaving him in the dust.

She didn’t want to see him, how could he talk to her if she didn’t want to see him? At a loss and his mission failed Naruto got up and began walking aimlessly into the streets.

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Sasuke walked kicking up dirt and small rocks under his feet. He walked and let his mind think of nothing, it was easier then he thought to think of nothing. He just shut down, concentrating only on moving his legs one in front of the other to keep from stopping. He looked up at the stars and the night sky. It was a beautiful night; summer nights were always beautiful to him. One of the rare beauties in the world people always seemed to pass because it wasn’t covered in a price tag or expensive and big words.

Looking back to the road he stopped in his tracks. Naruto was just a few ways beyond him looking as if he was walking aimlessly in a daze. Why was he out here? Wasn’t he supposed to be with Hinata? As he thought about why his friend was not with his girlfriend another thought came to him. He wanted to train with Naruto, wanted to hit something and wanted to act on his pent up anger and aggression but maybe he would get more if Naruto was mad at him. If Naruto knew he had hurt Sakura Naruto would be out for blood, and Sasuke would really have to fight back to fend for his life. What better way to release his own anger from himself?

He caught up to Naruto who didn’t even seem to notice he was close. A little puzzled at what had his friend in such a daze he acted against it and went for his plan.

“Hey,” He voiced clearly Naruto only nodded in his direction. The best way for this to work was to just say it like he just said it to Sakura. Naruto would fly into a fury and before either of them knew it they would be in a fight for blood.

He took a breath preparing him self for a sudden jolt of adrenaline and the need for perfect defense.

“I cheated on Sakura,” He said into the night air tensing his body ready to spring away from a death blow.

He waited. Waited, and nothing. He looked over to make sure Naruto heard him, he looked like he didn’t. He was still looking off into the distance unhinged from the world around him.

“Naruto,” Sasuke started.

“I heard you.” His friend cut him off.

“And you’re not doing anything?”

“I’m sure Sakura’s given you a good beating and if she hasn’t she sure as hell will when you tell her.”

Naruto still didn’t look his way. What the hell was wrong with him?

“I already told her.” Sasuke said and Naruto only nodded.

They were quiet a little while longer. Sasuke was really starting to wonder what was going on. He was about to ask just what the hell was up with his friend when he felt a very strong and very vast presence heading their way. He looked around going on full alert and the oncoming attack but was surprised when he saw Naruto was doing nothing. He was about to yell at his friend when Naruto flew backwards.

It all happened so fast even Sasuke didn’t really see it. But in the after math he saw Kiba standing next to him with murder in his eyes and fist clenched tight. Naruto got up with fresh blood trickling from his lip.

“What the hell Kiba!” Sasuke demanded from the other man who didn’t answer but continued to stair murderously at the blond across from him.

“You fucking bastard!” Kiba yelled. “What the fuck did you do?”

“What are you talking about?” Sasuke asked again but Naruto said nothing. Kiba turned to Sasuke pointing to Naruto.

“This fucker did something to make Hinata cry!”

“What?” Sasuke asked a bit dumfounded. Kiba just made a jaw breaking punch to Naruto because he made her cry? What were they, five?

“Don’t give me that look snake boy I saw Hinata earlier tonight she was in tears running home. It had to be him and it had to be bad to make Hinata cry like that.”

“So you punched him in the face?”

“I’d be happy to do more.”

“KIBA!” A loud shrill voice shook them all away from the growing tension around them. They all looked to see Ino running toward them. She came up and lightly hit Kiba on the shoulder.

“What the hell’s the matter with you? Running off like that in the middle of…oh hi guys.” She looked around smiling at the other two.

“Naruto what happened to your face?” Ino asked seeing the blood down his chin now and dripping to the front of his jacket.

“Ask dog breath.” Sasuke nodded toward Kiba who growled of course.

“Kiba why did you hit him?” Ino said crossing her arms.

“Because he did something to Hinata!” Kiba shot back; clearly he thought this was a solid defense.

“What? Naruto is everything okay…” Suddenly Ino gasped. “Did she find out about your date?” Ino yelled and both boys rounded on Naruto.

“DATE?!” Kiba yelled again.

“What?” Sasuke asked quietly.

“Oh wait you said Hinata said that was okay right, so then what happened?” Ino mused quietly her brows frowning.

“Wait what date?” Kiba asked.

“Oh, Naruto went on a date with Misako. Well not really a date right Naruto, more like a dinner thing that was supposed to be lunch-”

“With Misako?” Kiba asked darkly interrupting Ino.

“Hinata said it was okay,” Ino continued but taking a better look at Kiba her face began to show anger. “Are you jealous?” She asked Kiba whose face fell for a second.

“What? Jealous? Of who? Naruto?”

“You went on a date with her?” Sasuke asked Naruto ignoring both Kiba and Ino. Naruto was about to say something when Ino exploded.

“I knew it! I knew you had something for her!” She hit his arm anger making her cheeks glow red.

“What are you talking about? Lying about what? You said it was okay!”

“You said it was just sex! You said it was just sex and nothing else but now you’re getting jealous at Naruto and punching people in the face!”

“I’m getting mad because I saw Hinata crying and I know she was crying about him. I want to know what the hell he did to make her cry, and why the hell are you getting mad at something you said was okay before. You said it didn’t matter, you said this was our agreement? Why are you getting jealous?”

“Don’t make me the bad guys here? You pig; you’re going around having sex with sluts and punching people in the face!”

Still yelling Ino walked away. Kiba looked from her to Naruto and back before following Ino and seemed to be trying to explain something. Both Sasuke and Naruto looked after them completely confused.

“That was weird.” Sasuke said when they were gone.

“I always thought something was going on between them.” Naruto mused now whipping the dried blood from his chin.

Sasuke looked back over to Naruto. If something really did happen between him and Hinata it would certainly explain a lot.

“So,” Sasuke spoke. “Now I could use a drink.”

“I know a good place.” Naruto said.

The bar was not what he expected, though given Sasuke’s knowledge of bars was limited, he never really went into one unless he had to for a mission and even then he never paid much attention to it. Every bar he had been into was also a bit more welcoming, it had brighter lights and though it smelled of cigarette smoke and booze it didn’t look nearly as depressing as this one. It was dark and dingy and there was a distinct smell of urine coming from somewhere close by. The patrons in this dark hole in the wall glanced at him but looked away paying no mind to the two young men who had come off the street. There were only a few people in there anyways and they all looked too drunk to really care who was coming in next.

Naruto hopped on the bar stool and Sasuke sat next to him carefully watching his surroundings. He had never been in this place before and he didn’t know anyone, it was always safe to be on alert side. Neither of them spoke for a long time, and when their drinks were brought to them they drank quietly both wrapped in their own thoughts.

“So what happened?” Sasuke asked first getting a surprised look from his friend before he sighed pathetically.

“I’m not really sure,” Naruto said and took a drink making a face at the cheep beer. “You?”

Sasuke sighed.

“I slept with Yuna,”

There was a full five seconds of silence. Naruto seemed to be letting the information sink in completely and then he only laughed.

“I kissed Misako.” He said and Sasuke nodded.

Sasuke thought for a moment.

“You’re not really sure how that happened?”

“No, I know how it happened I just…don’t know why I let it happen. And you’re not exactly one to talk.” Naruto shot back and Sasuke only nodded his agreement. He was right he was in no place to talk but he had a good idea of what happened and why.

“Speaking of which, what did Sakura do when you told her?” Naruto asked though this time there was an obvious edge to his voice.

“Hit me and stormed out.” Sasuke answered and took his first drink. He tried not to gag but the beer tasted like dog piss.

Naruto nodded again, he was probably thinking he deserved a lot more but if he hadn’t done anything by now it was pointless to stop it. That and he was sure his friend knew how hypocritical that could be and that was something Naruto always tried to avoid.

“So what now?” Naruto asked but Sasuke had nothing to say.

‘What now?’ Sasuke repeated to himself. But just like before he had no answers. He looked over at his friend. Naruto took a long gulp of this foggy glass and gagged.

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TBC - Sasuke and Naruto attempt to make it right. Sakura finds out who it was who Sasuke slept with and her reaction isn't what anyone expected. The Tanako sisters real faces finally make an appearance.
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AN: Blehhh transition chapter but I am happy with it all the same. Hope you all liked it and if you didn't read the FAQ answer and your still wondering why Hinata reacted the way she did then please go read it. Thanks for the reviews I really like this story :D