The Games We Play

The night was usually cool but tonight seemed much cooler than most as Hinata pulled her jacket tighter around herself. Perhaps it was the weather or perhaps it was this tall, thin girl with vibrant green eyes and long hair looking at her on the verge of tears. She didn’t know how long she had been standing there but it seemed that it wasn’t long enough because Misako seemed to either completely forget what she wanted to say or was too scared to make so much as a sound.

“Is there something you wanted to say?” Hinata finally asked beginning to lose her patience.

“I…” Misako breathed harshly for a moment. “I’m sorry,” She said finally in a quickly. It was something she wanted to hear, but Hinata didn’t feel like she thought she would after hearing it. After a slight pause Misako continued.

“I know you probably hate me, and I don’t blame you or ask you to forgive me but I need you to know I’m sorry. I saw what I did hurt you and it hurt Naruto and neither of you deserved that.”

“Thank you,” Hinata said feeling some what satisfied. She did feel Misako was being genuine. She stared at the pretty girl and she could understand why Naruto had kissed her so easily, but what she couldn’t understand was if this girl was saying she was sorry now, why did she instigate in the first place?

“Why did you do it?” Hinata asked, curiosity getting the best of her. “You knew Naruto and I are together so why did you do it?”

“Why do you say it like it was all my fault?”

Hinata got angry.

“Because I know Naruto. I know more about him than many could ever wish to know. I know Naruto would never do what he did unless you said or did something to make him believe it was okay, and I need to know why you did it when he thought so highly of you. He believed you were his friend and you not only hurt me but you hurt him.”

“I’m sorry,” Misako said looking away.

“Don’t say sorry to me, you hurt me but I know you manipulated him. But I don’t understand why you did it.”

“Because I could,” She said surprising Hinata.

“What?” Hinata didn’t believe her ears.

“It was how we got what we wanted and when I saw Naruto look at you I wanted it. I wanted someone to look at me that way so I did what I knew to get it. But he rejected me and I was angry. That’s why I told you, because I knew it would hurt him.”

Hinata was stunned into complete silence. She wanted to cry, she wanted to scream; she wanted to kill a puppy!

“How can you treat people like that?” She finally said looking at the girl who had an indifferent expression on her face. “It’s a game to you but it hurts everyone else, don’t you care about that? Don’t you care how you hurt people? Sakura and Sasuke have been through everything, more than you could ever understand and your sister destroyed that. She hurt one of my best friends more than I have ever seen her hurt.”

“I’m sorry…”

Anger filled Hinata’s entire body, but Misako continued.

“I’m sorry but I don’t think I can accept your apology.” Hinata pushed herself off the fence behind her. As she pushed passed she heard Misako hiccup but she was too mad and too emotionally upset to care for the girl.

She reached the bottom of her porch steps and her feet froze. She turned her head looking across town, she knew it was late and he was probably asleep but something’s just couldn’t wait until morning. Turning on her heel in a sharp pivot Hinata made her way quickly over the roof tops.

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Across town in the apartment of Konoha’s current greatest medical ninja the tension was so thick that Sakura was afraid she would suffocate soon..

“What do you want to say?” Sakura began turning around, her face or voice not nearly as emotional as it had been the first time he broke into her house.

“I know what I did was…despicable, I know I hurt you.”

“No you don’t,” She interrupted with venom in her voice.

“Sakura please,” His voice was hard, what he was doing was clearly hard on him. Good. “I don’t expect you to forgive me tonight or even soon but I feel I should at least explain what happened and why I did it.”

At this Sakura had to laugh. She knew why he did it, she figured it out pretty well after spending all that time alone and practically half drunk all day.

“I know why you did it Sasuke.” She said dryly crossing her arms.

He looked at her with and odd expression.

“She’s smart, intense, bold…she’s just like you.”

“That’s not why-”

“It’s not? You’d didn’t sleep with her because you were attracted to those qualities?”

“…”

“Then why did you? What else made you go behind my back and fuck her?”

“…”

Sakura threw her arms up letting out an exasperated breath along with a dry laugh.

“I’m waiting! You said you came to explain so explain!”

“I never planned for it to happen.”

“No one ever does, but that’s what hurts so much Sasuke. You said you never expected to but you did, so that makes me think that maybe you are unhappy with me in ways you won’t admit.”

“Sakura,”

“Is that it? Are you unhappy Sasuke?”

“I don’t…I never considered that.”

“Well it’s got to be something; are you unhappy about something in this relationship? Is there something I did or won’t do for you?” She started to cry.

When she looked away strong hands were grabbing her shoulders.

“It was nothing you did.” Sasuke said sternly. She didn’t look into his eyes; she could feel their intensity by just looking at his white shirt.

“Sakura look at me,” He insisted and she complied. “It was nothing you did, nothing you ever did made me make this mistake.”

“Then tell me why, or rather just admit to me why if what I said was wrong. Was I wrong?”

A heavy intense moment.

“No.” He said quietly.

Sakura wasn’t sure if she was relieved or just more upset to hear this. She broke out of his grasp, moving into the kitchen.

“Isn’t that what you wanted to hear?”

It was sometimes amazing how dense Sasuke could be. For such a ninja genius he was sometimes as dense as Naruto was when it came to girls.

“That doesn’t make it easier.” She said lowly blinking the tears from her eyes.

“It started before we started dating.” He said suddenly getting her attention. She turned around expecting to meet his eyes but saw him with his hands in his pocket staring at the floor.

“It was over six months ago, Naruto and I were assigned to a mission to see Tanako. I met her then, I didn’t know she was his daughter; she introduced himself as one of his assistants. She came to my room at the inn later and I thought she was just some whore he sent to seal a deal but she insisted she wasn’t. I told her to leave but she refused, we spent the night together and I left in the morning before she woke up.”

Sakura’s insides were numb.

“I never expected to see her again, and when we got home you and I started to get serious, I never even thought of her. When she showed up I was surprised but I never thought of doing anything with her, truthfully I didn’t even want to be around her.”

“That explains why you never wanted to help.” Sakura managed to say despite her quivering nerves.

“Yes that’s why. I made it clear to her I was with you and what happened between us meant nothing. That seemed to have just got her upset, she insisted I owed her after leaving her that night, I refused but she cornered me with Tsunade when you were gone. I agreed to go to dinner with her because she agreed to stop it if I did, and she agreed she would never do anything or mention anything to you when you came back. That night she stood me up and met me at my apartment when I came home, I told her to leave but she didn’t and after I threatened her and she threatened me it happened.”

Sakura stopped breathing altogether. She wanted Sasuke to explain but suddenly that seemed to be way more information then she was prepared for. There was certainly a fair amount she didn’t know, but she didn’t know if it was what she wanted to hear.

“Has she…has she done anything recently?” Sakrua asked her voice shaking.

“She’s tried.” He said honestly.

An extreme amount of rage filled Sakura and for a split second a flash of white was before her eyes. She forced every part of her body to calm down; she breathed heavy and deep getting control of her shaking nerves.

“Is that what you wanted to hear? Everything?” Sasuke asked her as she turned her body to pace the kitchen.

“Sakura?” He voiced when she didn’t answer.

“I don’t know!” She snapped; her emotions always got the better of her.

Her feet paced her while her mind raced trying to process everything Sasuke had said so bluntly. He let her pace for some time before he moved toward her getting her attention.

“I explained my story now tell me yours.” He said.

“What?” Sasuke asked utterly confused.

“You say one thing Sakura and you do another. You told me you didn’t want to speak to me and when I went looking for you Ino was ready to make me jump off a cliff or drown myself. You said it and I respected it but what was last night or this morning when you left?”

She wasn’t ready for this. She hadn’t been ready all day and she certainly wasn’t ready now after hearing his confessions. She shut her eyes wrapping her arms around herself but Sasuke didn’t give her sympathy. Typical - he wasn’t the sympathetic type.

“Sakura,” He voiced again when she didn’t answer. She knew as much as she did not want to deal with this right now she had no choice. She had to. Besides if she waited any longer, chances are it would be that much harder later on. Pulling herself together she said the truth.

“I was lonely.” She confessed quietly, feeling disgusted with her weakness.

“Lonely?” He repeated.

“I was out with Ino and Kiba and they went off together, I was walking home and found myself at your door.”

“Why?”

She shrugged like an idiot.

“Because…I love you.” She said closing her eyes, when he didn’t say anything she continued.

“I love you so much Sasuke that I hate you for it.” When she looked at him he didn’t look surprised.

“I will do, shit, I have done anything and everything for you. I never gave up on you, even when you straight out rejected me for years. I never gave up. Everyone told me I was an idiot, they told me to forget but I just couldn’t. You were my friend, my teammate and the only man I have ever truly loved, so I couldn’t give up on you. I couldn’t just walk away from you after everything I went through to get you. I don’t think I can stand to be away from you and I hate that. I hate that I can’t be completely mad at you when you did me so wrong. I hate that I keep thinking it’s my fault you went behind my back; I keep thinking I should have done something better or different to keep you. I can’t think like that.” Her voice was so quiet but she knew he heard her.

“I was hurt,” She continued. “I was alone, and I was a bit drunk. I needed to be with someone, I needed to feel something other then my own depression and anger for a bit. I went to you to help me forget that and you did.” She smiled pathetically. “You did but then in the morning I couldn’t believe what I had done, I couldn’t believe how weak I am with you and I hated myself for it.”

“I thought you said you hated me.” He said from the kitchen door way. In any other mood Sakura would have snapped at him for mocking her, but she was suddenly too drained to say or do anything. She walked to the kitchen table taking a seat, her head going into her hands.

“I think it’s the opposite.” She said in voice muffled. “I think I love you too much.”

He didn’t say anything but she looked at him. Her eyes holding back tears, or maybe she was just so cried out they just wouldn’t come.

“And you don’t love me enough.”

Neither of them said anything. She didn’t doubt Sasuke loved her, but maybe it just wasn’t as strong and real as she initially thought. If it was, would he have swayed like he did? She wanted to believe it was just a mistake, it was a one time slip up he would never do again and if he told her he wouldn’t she would believe him. But as Sakura sat there in silence she knew deep in a part of her heart she always tried to ignore it was true. She knew after everything they had gone through since they were children, after every fight, after every single word said between them that there should be something there stronger than love, but there wasn’t. Something wasn’t there like she thought; they were just a regular couple when really after everything she should have been so much more.

“You really think that?” He finally said after a moment too long.

“Yes,” She said swallowing, she didn’t feel the tears but it was getting hard to breath.

“Then what do you want to do?”

“What can we do?”

“We can work this out, but it sounds like you’ve already come to a decision.”

She took a deep heavy breath making her chest hurt. She looked at him in the door way, standing so handsome and perfect. She saw her Sasuke she loved just too much.

“It’s not just about you cheating.” She said and he nodded understanding.

“I need you to understand it was nothing you did, I understand your decision and I respect it but I can’t leave if you believe it was your fault.”

“I know,” She said nodding.

She looked away not being able to bear to see him leave.

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Outside her door he thought twice about going back in and demanding it not end like this. In his head he saw visions of her and him making love on her kitchen table because he said he wasn’t going to let her go. His hand was on the door knob ready to barge in but then he remembered the pain in her eyes, he heard the quivering in her voice and his hands dropped and he disappeared to the rooftops.

At home Sasuke didn’t shower or even change his clothes as he fell into bed. He wondered what Sakura was doing right now. Was she crying? Was she getting ready for bed and telling herself it was over, it was over and it was her idea. Was she on her way here to reverse everything she had said or done? He would accept her; he would accept her and probably never let her leave in the morning. That was a silly thought, he knew she wasn’t coming.

He had caused her so much pain over the years. He was never blind to it, he knew what he was doing and to be honest he did it to get her to stop what she felt for him. In his twisted mind it would be much easier for her to hate him rather than love him. But something had happened; Sakura had gotten under his skin, she had gotten into the very core of his brain and he had to look her way. Then he did and he was hooked. He always knew he didn’t deserve her but had been thankful she decided to stick around. It seemed he finally pushed his luck to the very end.

Would Sakura ever take him back? Did he have another chance after she had given him so many? Ironic how she pushes him away now when he tries to go back and she would have, without second thought, come back when he was ready to murder her teammates when she was a genin.

Sasuke knew he was not a being who deserved love, much less her love. He spent so much time trying to get her to see that, but she only loved him more. He found it idiotic before but now he believed he understood her. He understood her need to always be with him because he wanted to be with her right now. He wanted to hold her, he wanted to smell her hair, he wanted to hear her voice as she said useless silly things to him at night to try and make him laugh. He wanted to tell her he loved her.

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Naruto was almost asleep when the loud panicked knocking on his door scared him half to death. He bolted up and was at the door before they got the chance to do a second round. He was surprised to see Hinata but when he saw the look on her face he knew something was wrong. A million things went through his head. Was it a fight with her father, did he find out about what they did? How could he have known? Naruto felt he should try to prepare himself for a murderous father making his way into his home next.

“What’s wrong?” He asked letting her in. She rushed in besides him and began pacing in the middle of the room.

“Misako talked to me just now.” She said not looking at him as she continued to pace.

“She did?” He asked trying to keep cool. What on earth could that woman possibly have to say to Hinata now? “What did she say?”

“She apologized.” Hinata said; her voice short and angry. Naruto had never seen Hinata actually angry before.

“And you’re upset about that?”

“She admitted to manipulating you and me,” Hinata said stopping her pacing and meeting his eyes.

“But she apologized.” He repeated.

“I asked her why she did it and she asked why I was assuming it was all her fault.” Her hands were visibly shaking. Naruto walked over taking her hands in his; he looked into her eyes waiting for her to calm down in his arms.

“We’re over this,” He said steadily. “You and me right? We talked about this and you forgave me right?”

“Well yes…”

“Then why are you so upset?”

“How can I not be upset?”

“I know but just let it go.”

“Naruto,” He held her tighter his cheek meeting hers.

“Just let it go.”

He held her tight until he felt her finally give in and relax. He wasn’t as stupid as people said him to be, he was sure most of what Misako had been genuine; even though he knew what had happened, he had already forgotten it. He wanted Hinata to do the same, how could they go back to the way things were if she always held on to this mistake?

He pulled away from her only to kiss her. He had to get rid of any doubts she had left. She was a strong ninja but as a human she had her fair share of insecurities, and he took it as his job to get rid of them.

“I love you,” He said pulling away from their kiss. “I love you and only you.”

“I love you too.” She said smiling and finally blushing that sweet wonderful Hinata blush.

“Stay the night?” He asked and she blushed harder.

“I thought you said you were tired.” She said looking away from his bed.

“I am, but just stay, just sleep.” He led her to his bed; reluctant at first but she let go and let him lead her in.

She removed her shoes and jacket leaving only her pants and shirt on. He was a bit disappointed at that but decided not to say anything against it. They settled into bed, her back to his chest with his arms wrapped around her. Together they slept in a deep sleep leaving the world of their troubles behind.

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Misako threw her shoes off in front of the door. That certainly did not go where she wanted it to go. She was glad she at least tried, she thought with a sigh, she honestly didn’t expect Hinata to forgive her but at least she spoke her piece right?

“Where have you been?” Yuna’s voice was sharp.

“Out.” Misako did not want to deal with her of all people right now.

“Out doing what?”

“Don’t worry about it,” She pushed passed her sister but Yuna grabbed her roughly before she got to the stairs.

“Have you been crying?” Yuna’s voice was more suspicious than concerned.

“No.”

“What happened?”

“Nothing?”

“Stop lying to me.”

“You’re hurting me!”

Yuna let go of her arm and Misako stumbled back.

“Father’s coming in a few days. You better not have done anything to make us look bad to him.”

“I think you took care of that for both of us.”

Yuna laughed.

“Don’t turn into a sullen sister on me now, you never had any complaints before.”

Misako turned her back on her sister.

“I’m going to bed.”

She went to room and shut her door. She had played along for a long time, but she wasn’t stupid or proud like her sister. She knew something was coming and by all means they deserved it.

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Ino was not one to believe in true love. She believed in love, she believed you could love one person, or two, or three, or more but she didn’t believe you could completely and truly love one person your entire life. She never believed in a soul mate to complete you and she never really believed in monogamy either. Strange how so much can change when the right person comes along, strange how your world can be completely turned upside down and you grow to like it.

In his apartment Kiba sat up in bed; his bed sheet was covering his waist as he sat up flipping through the channels on his television. His arm was around her shoulder as she pretended to be interested in the action movie. When she turned to sneak a look at him a realization hit her. She never believed in love, but it seemed love was sitting right here with her.

“Why are you staring at me?” Kiba asked not looking her way.

“You get me distracted.” She teased and she saw a coy, sexy smile reach his lips.

“Like wise babe.”

After a moment she sat up, she had never been one to keep such important subjects in the dark.

“Kiba,” She said and he looked at her hearing the change in her voice. “I think something serious has happened.”

“What do you mean?” He looked confused and on guard.

“I think I’ve fallen for you.” She said meeting his dark eyes.

“That is serious.” He said nodding and she nodded back here eyes widening. “Certainly didn’t plan on that did you?”

“I normally try to avoid it.” She confessed.

Suddenly she saw him smile and he reached for her pulling her back to him.

“Well then I guess it’s a good thing I fell for you too.”

“Seriously?” she asked surprised.

“Of course,” He kissed her gently. “How else could I put up with all your bullshit?”

She gasped loudly and moved to slap him but he caught her wrist, pinning her to his bed and un-wrapping his bed sheet from her body. Despite the insult Ino laughed loudly as he climbed on top of her moving to kiss her again.
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-TBC-
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AN: I put the scene between Ino and Kiba because it is going to lead into something that is happening at the end of the story. Also I gave the sisters a bit a scene because I wanted to give them some more time and let you really see what's going on and hopefully to give you an understanding of why Misako said what she said. I believe she is really truly sorry but she doesn't really know how to tell someone she's sorry when she's never had to say it or ever felt the need to. There is one more scene between Hinata and Misako along with Naruto and Misako. Also some pretty intense stuff between Sasuke's "women" and something happens when 'daddy' comes back to town. Again if you remember I did say there would be a happy ending but we need a story to get there.

AN: Before you ask: Yes, Sakura and Sasuke are officially broken up but NO the story is NOT over.