The Games We Play

AN: We’re going to have an interesting POV change from here on out.
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“I cheated on you Sakura.”

Sakura shot up from lying in bed. Her breath was harsh and fast, her chest hurt.

“I cheated on you Sakura.”

She looked around her. She was at home in her bed, she was still dressed in her clothes, and she still had dust and dirt on her clothes from her mission. She must have fallen asleep when she got home, she didn’t even remember getting home.

She remembered coming in that evening, she remembered going to see Sasuke and then…

She took a large gulp of air before her throat threatened to close again. Sakura knew heartbreak, she knew pain, and she knew rejection; but never had she felt so betrayed. Sasuke had done many things to her but never would she ever suspect he would do this.

He had left her, he had called her annoying, but even as children he had protected her and as a friend he had been loyal. As a teammate to his team when he was going against Itachi he had been loyal. Sasuke was an Uchiha and she knew, the Uchiha’s prized loyalty as much as they did their strength and Sasuke was no different. He told her constantly they importance of having that loyalty and trust in a team why did he suddenly think a relationship wasn’t that different?

Why?

Why?

All Sakura could do was as herself why. What did she do? What did she do to push him away so much and into some one else arms? Did she say something? Did she not remember something? Was he upset because she went on missions and he didn’t? Was he sick of being stuck at home? What happened?

She dragged herself out of bed to her bathroom. She felt gross covered in the dirt and grime of the mission. She needed a shower to cleans both her mind and her body. She turned on the water to scolding hot, maybe the burning sensation of the water would let her forget of her heartbreak.

Heartbreak. Sakura laughed a hallow laugh to the empty bathroom, funny she called this heartbreak and at twelve she insisted Sasuke had done the same thing. Heartbreak seemed to be something that just came alone with getting involved with Sasuke. She laughed and then tears began to run down her face. Her knees collapsed under her and she let out a sob she had been holding in all night.

On the tile floor as the bathroom steamed up fogging the mirrors and the small window Sakura cried. She cried loud and hard, she cried all the pain she had been feeling and refusing to acknowledge. She cried the pain she did not deserve because as much as she tried to blame herself to make it easier she knew it wasn’t her fault. Something horrible and painful had happened to her again, and again she had done nothing to deserve it.

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(flashback)
“Hinata-san, I need to speak with you.” Misako looked upset like something was really troubling her. Hinata followed her, she wanted to see Naruto but it seemed Misako really wanted to say something so Naruto would have to wait.

“I do not know you, but you seem like a wonderfully sweet person,” She started and Hinata blushed saying thank you.

“That’s also why it hurts to tell you this but I know you need to know. I mean if I was in your position I would want to know too and…” She gulped hard looking down at her hands. “When you were away Naruto took me to dinner.”

“He did?” Hinata asked she was a bit upset but she remembered she had asked Naruto to spend time with her and he had done just that.

“It was supposed to be lunch be he insisted saying he knew this lovely restaurant I would like. He said it was just between friends because he saw I was lonely and after dinner he walked me home,”

Hinata nodded. She didn’t really see why Misako looked so upset. Naruto was kind hearted everything he did he did with good intentions.

“Hinata he kissed me.” She rushed out and Hinata’s eyes widened.

“He…what…?”

“He kissed me and I felt horrible and we promised it would never happen again.”

Hinata felt something in her stomach climb to her throat. She felt her hands begin to shake.

Naruto…kissed…her…?

“But it did,” Misako continued. “He kissed me again and…I’m so sorry Hinata I know he’s yours and I never intended anything to happen I never wanted anything to happen but…Hinata?”

Coming up behind her was him. He looked at Misako’s back and then at her meeting her eyes. There was something unreadable in his face he reached out to her but her legs moved before she could think.
(end flashback)

Last night she heard him call her name. Last night he was on the property coming to look for her but she couldn’t face him. She pulled her pillow closer to her chest it was damp with tears she had cried all night. Tears she cried only when she heard him call her name, she wanted to go to him but it just hurt so much.

Naruto kissed Misako.

Her Naruto had kissed someone else. He had done something with someone else that she had treasured so much between them. It had taken her so long to get there and he had known it, she knew he knew it because he knew her. He always did things slow with her, he allowed her to take her time always and now he kissed someone else?

How could he do that? How could he just throw away everything she did for him like that?

At first Hinata didn’t want to believe it. She didn’t want to believe Naruto would betray her like that. But as a child Hinata’s confidence has always been weak it never took much for Hinata to doubt herself or others, and just looking into Misako’s concerned eyes told Hinata she was telling the truth. Then when he saw them he knew what was being said, she saw his face and it said it all, she knew Misako was telling the truth and that’s what crushed her the most.

Hinata had never really felt true heartbreak in her life. She often felt rejection and she often felt as if she was useless or not worth anything. She was used to that, but this feeling of such pain. This icy knife through her heart making it ache with each breath was new and horrible. This feeling she knew existed and was often told she would feel it one day, but never did she ever expect it would because of him. Him, the man she had loved since she was a child, the man she waited and waited for. The man she changed completely for…him…he hurt her.

There was a knock at her door. Someone was telling her to get up but she wasn’t listening. She made some sort of sound to say okay but she didn’t really think she could do it, her legs felt like lead and her body didn’t feel any better. After some time they came again this time they opened the door and looked in. It was one of the maids she asked if Hinata was okay.

“I think I’ve come down with some bug today. Please inform father and the others I am ill and would like to rest.” Hinata said with out even looking in the maids direction. Something she never did with the servants but today it took so much strength to speak she could be expected to continue her normal demeanor.

“Yes ma’am.” The maid bowed to her and left the room as quietly.

A few moments later her door opened again as she sat up staring at nothing. She saw her father from the corner of her eye but she didn’t acknowledge him, she had forgotten how.

“Hinata, are you really ill?” Her father asked taking a seat next to her. She didn’t say anything she only stared into nothing and when he touched her chin making her look at him she looked up with red eyes with fresh tears.

“Hinata?” He asked concerned. He started to speak again but she made a small squeak trying to hold back her cries. She knew he didn’t like weakness like crying.

Her father’s eyes softened and he put an arm around her.

“It’s not weak to feel pain.” He said pulling her into his chest and she let go. In the arms of her father she cried harder then she had all night.

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Sakura moved around the hospital in almost a daze state. She had a lot of work to do though, it seemed all her nurses had become so dependent on her they had all forgotten how to do the hard stuff on their own leaving it for her. Sakura knew she should lecture them but right now all the work kept her from her pain so she was grateful for it.

Instead of taking lunch she spent it in her office at the hospital doing paperwork after paper work. She told her secretary nurses not to allow Sasuke to see her if he showed up and she didn’t want to see anyone anyways. So far it had worked, instead of people coming into see her, her nurses came in for them dropping forms off.

It worked great until Sakura heart Ino barging through.

“I don’t care what she said I have confidential information and I’m her best friend!”

Sakura rolled her eyes as the door swung open and Ino flashed a bright smile with bright blue eyes. She shut the door behind her unloading a pile on Sakura’s desk.

“I don’t remember the last time you were in this office all day,” Ino began then looked at her friend. “Damn you look like you didn’t sleep at all!”

“Hello Ino.” Sakura said beginning to go through the stack of files Ino had just dropped in her in bin. She saw her friend smile slyly at her suddenly and for some reason Sakura wanted to punch her in the mouth.

“Did you and Sasuke go at it like rabbits in heat again?” Ino asked laughing but Sakura said nothing. If Ino caught on to her silence she didn’t show it, instead she looked around her office continuing to talk.

“Tsunade would like to know when you’re going to go in for your debriefing and to turn in your report.”

“Shit,” Sakura cursed.

“What?” Ino asked turning from her examination of Sakura’s dead plant.

“I totally forgot about that; tell Tsunade I’ll go see her tonight when I can get it done.”

Ino was quiet for a moment then came up to the desk.

“What’s wrong with you?” She asked suddenly leaning close to Sakura.

“What?” Sakura asked playing dumb.

“You never forget your mission reports, ever. And when Tsunade asks when you’re going to see her you make it your priority above everything else unless there’s a dying patient in your arms.”

“Nothings wrong,” Sakura said lightly pulling out another file.

“Sakura,” Ino warned. “I’ve been your friend since we were six you can’t lie to me, I know when you’re lying.”

Sakura took a deep breath and still looking at the bite marks on her pen she said it very quietly and very slowly.

“Sasuke slept with someone.”

She said and Ino’s reaction was spot on. She gasped and then grabbed a chair sitting it right next to Sakura.

“You are shitting me!” Ino cried once she sat down.

“That’s not the reaction I was hoping for,” Sakura frowned.

“Sorry,” Ino pulled her shock back as best she could. “It’s just…Sasuke? I mean are you sure?”

Sakura threw Ino a harsh look and Ino put her hands up.

“I just mean…did he tell you? How do you know?”

“He told me.” Sakura confirmed.

“What did he say?”

“He said he cheated on me.”

Ino’s eyes softened and she touched Sakura’s hand. At her touch Sakura felt more tears threaten her eyes but she looked away.

“Sakura I…I’m so sorry.” Ino didn’t have many sincere moments. She never said it, but Sakura knew she saw it as some sort of weakness so she always wore a mask of being cocky and conceded so when the mask broke Ino was Ino Sakura knew it was from the heart.

“Yeah, me too.” Sakura said her voice cracking.

“Fucking bastard,” Ino said sitting back taking a breath. “I can get Shikamaru and Chouji to do something. I can probably pull some strings and have him working in the tower till he dies. Be it from old age or suicide, but right now I wouldn’t mind the later.”

Sakura let out a breath of a laugh and whipped her tears.

“No, no its okay. But just tell Tsunade I’ll get there when I can I do have a lot of work to do here.”

“Yeah, it’s cool I’m sure Tsunade will understand. Hey, I’ll let you know when Sasuke leaves so you can come see her okay.”

“Yeah I’d like that.”

They were quiet for a moment and Sakura took several calming breaths.

“Come over tonight.” Ino said suddenly.

“What?” Sakura asked. They hadn’t had a girls night sleepover since they were thirteen.

“Seriously come over tonight. Just me and you, like it used to be, only this time with alcohol.”

Sakura laughed.

“Ice cream and champagne is the best way to wallow with a broken heart.”

“I don’t want to wallow,” Sakura corrected and Ino gave her a thoughtful expression.

“Sakura everyone needs to wallow; even a superwoman like you.”

Sakura smiled at Ino. Sometimes Ino was the bitch of bitches, but there were reasons was Sakura never let her go and this was one of them.

“Sure,” Sakura gave in. It would be nice to get drunk and she didn’t want to be alone tonight to cry again. At least she could be drunk and crying with Ino while plotting Sasuke’s assassination.

“Okay see you tonight then, what time should I be expecting you?”

“I get off at six and I still need to debrief so… eight-ish.”

“Eight it is, see you later Sakura.” Ino got up and gave Sakura a large hug and Sakura accepted completely. It felt so good she didn’t want to let her go but she had to she wasn’t a kid after all.

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Hinata was grateful she didn’t have to tell her father why she was so sad. She was even more grateful he let her stay in bed all day with out asking why or asking when she would feel like getting up. Hiashi was not known for many sweet and touching father moments so when they did happen they happened because he knew his daughter really needed it, and Hinata was more grateful then she could say.

She was in bed all day just staring out the window. She didn’t eat and she didn’t talk. She wasn’t hungry or thirsty no matter how many times the maids brought her food she just couldn’t eat it. She couldn’t think of anything other then yesterday. It played like a horrible nightmare in her head, and every time she dozed off to sleep it played again and she woke up crying.

At sunset there was a knock at the door and just like all the others before she ignored it. She waited for the clinking of a tray of food on the ground but it didn’t come instead the door opened. Hinata wanted to see who it was but she couldn’t find the strength or real interest to turn around and see.

“Hinata,” They said and Hinata was so surprised she actually pulled herself up and turned around.

“Neji?” She asked and turned back around quickly. She was sure she looked horrible. Her hair hadn’t been combed all day, she hadn’t changed her clothes from last night, and she had yet to shower.

“Go take a shower,” He said from the door. It wasn’t harsh but it wasn’t light either.

“I…” Hinata began but her cousin didn’t let her finish.

“And then come eat with us, you need to eat something.”

“I don’t want to talk to anyone.” Hinata said pulling her knees to her chest.

“I’m not asking you to talk, I’m telling you to come eat. But don’t forget to take a shower I’m sure you smell.”

Hinata silently nodded obediently but she still didn’t want to get up and actually do it. Neji took this as satisfactory though and turned to leave shutting the door behind him. Suddenly Hinata remembered something and called out to him just before the door was completely shut. He stopped opening it again looking at her.

“Last night…he…what…”

“He left,” Neji said coldly. “He had to be escorted out and I told him to stay away from you.”

She looked at him and nodded. She wanted to say thank you but something prevented her from saying anything. Neji shut the door and Hinata was left alone again.

The sun was lower now and the night was beginning to get cool. She always liked the night; maybe she could go for a walk in her garden. Come to think of it she probably needed to tend to her garden, she hadn’t in some time and she was pretty sure no one cared enough about it as she did to keep up with it.

She pulled her legs out of bed and placed them on the floor. It felt weird standing on them after laying down for so long she even felt dizzy for just a second before she began to walk to the bathroom. Neji was right, she needed to eat something and she needed to get out of bed.

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Sakura felt like she waited all day for that message from Ino that Sasuke had left. Waiting all day did give her the chance to complete her mission report but Sakura was beginning to get impatient and she knew Tsunade was too. She was also beginning to get hungry; she hadn’t eaten most of the day yesterday or all day today.

At ten till six Sakura was spinning lazily in her office chair counting the pencil marks on the ceiling when her office phone rang. She leapt at it pressing the speaker button.

“Hello?” She asked trying to sound like she was waiting to hear from Ino.

“Hey!” Ino said on the other line. “Okay so fuck face just left and I’m about to leave too you in the clear I just saw him walk out the doors, he should be completely out of sight by the time you get here.”

“Thanks.” Sakura said and she was really thankful. “Is Tsunade mad?”

“No,” Ino said it sounded like she was moving something. “I told her you had a lot of catch up work in the hospital and she said she was going to yell at your nurses to do some of their own work when you’re away.”

Sakura smiled, she had been looking forward to yelling at someone but Tsunade did love to do it best.

“Okay so see you soon?” Ino said.

“Yeah, see you soon.”

“Okay later then.” Ino hung up the phone and Sakura gathered her things.

As she left many of the nurses said good night to her and she smiled kindly back at them. The walk to the tower from the hospital was not far but to Sakura it felt like ten miles. She walked slowly, always expecting Sasuke to pop out form nowhere. When she reached the tower doors an eternity later she took a deep breath. She was being silly; Sasuke was gone for the day she wouldn’t have to see him.

Inside the secretary was already getting ready to leave but she smiled at Sakura and welcomed her. She asked where she had been all day and when Sakura explained she was in the hospital the woman told her to go right on up, her Hokage was expecting her.

Sakura was feeling a bit better about not seeing Sasuke now that she was inside. She felt even better when she stepped out of the elevator doors and saw it was completely empty in the hall way. She rounded the corner and saw Sasuke’s office down the hall and her heart skipped a beat. An image of the two of them in his office flashed in her head and she shut her eyes shaking her head. She couldn’t think about that now, not ever.

She made it to Tsunade’s office and knocked. She heard the woman tell her to enter and she did. She bowed to her master who looked her with a very odd expression.

“You look like you haven’t slept all night.” Tsunade said with her hands under her chin.

“I…” Sakura didn’t really have anything to say. True she hadn’t slept all night but she wasn’t about to say why. Discussing personal matters with Tsunade always did seem a bit odd. Even she had known the woman since she was twelve and had a closer relationship with her then everyone else except Shizune.

“Ino told me you’re nurses are slacking off.” Tsunade said changing the subject.

“A little,” Sakura said.

“I’ll have a talk with them; they shouldn’t be relying on you so much. Anyway, do you have your report?” She asked extending out her hand and Sakura gave it to her.

“I got a report from everyone except Hinata; can you please remind her about it? I’m sure she’s been on cloud nine with Naruto all day but she needs to get back to work. I would like her report in tomorrow if possible.”

“Yes.” Sakura said secretly envying Hinata. Hinata was with the man who loved her right now, the man who worshiped her, a man who would never hurt her the way Sasuke had hurt her.

“Are you okay?” Tsunade said looking over the report and Sakura snapped back to attention.

“What?”

“You look a little dazed there,”

“Oh, just…tired I guess, sorry.”

“Well then you should get home then. Will I be expecting you here tomorrow or are you going to stay and help in the hospital for a while?”

Suddenly Sakura had the ire sensation that Tsunade knew a lot more then she was letting on. Deciding to take the offer Sakura said she would be spending her time in the hospital until they didn’t need her anymore.

“Shame I missed you around here, but Ino and Hinata can pick up the slack while your gone. You are dismissed Sakura, thank you for your report.”

Sakura bowed and turned to leave.

“Oh and Sakura,” Tsunade called to her and Sakura stopped at the door. She froze, Tsunade must know something but did she really want to talk about it now?

“Yes?” Sakura asked turning around.

“Don’t forget to yell at you’re nurses.”

“Yes ma’am.” Sakura said and left.

Outside Sakura leaned her back against the door. Why had she been so nervous if Tsunade knew anything? Tsunade wouldn’t know anything anyways, Ino wouldn’t have said anything and she was still pretty sure Sasuke wouldn’t either. She was just being paranoid because she didn’t want to tell anyone.

She took a breath pushing her self from the door and began to walk out. She began to look forward to Ino’s girl’s night and just when she was beginning to get really excited about it she heard a familiar voice call out an all too familiar name.

“Sasuke-sama!”

Sakura froze. She hadn’t seen either of the Tanako sisters in some time but she remembered their voices and that was Yuna. Yuna called Sasuke’s name. Meaning Sasuke was here! Sakura pressed herself against the wall just before the corner; she heard a giggle and curiosity pulled her to look around.

She saw her long dark hair and her blue dress. She saw Sasuke standing before her at his door. She saw her touch him arm and she saw Sasuke’s jaw clench as he lightly got out of her grasp. She said something and he mumbled something in return, she stepped closer to him but he pushed her away saying something low. He turned to walk away leaving Yuna standing by the door.

Sakura stumbled back hitting her back against the wall and she knew.

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TBC-

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AN: Okay before you ask. I changed the POV's because from here on out a lot of things that are going to happen I cannot see happening through Naruto and Sasuke's eyes. And ALL of it is A LOT of emotional stuff and as a girl it is much easier for me to judge a girls reactions better then a boys. So the rest of the story is going to be through Sakura and Hianta's eyes you'll see why the more we go through it. Sasuke and Naruto are not going to be fogotten, the boys are going to do whatever they can to fix it and there are a lot of scene with them together coming up. With that being said that you so much for the reviews I love you guys so much. I continue to write this story for you!