The Games We Play

In her dream there was a distinct knocking sound going on amongst all the accusing faces surrounding them. Naruto stood by her side while many of the Hyuuga elders, especially her father glared down at them. Naruto opened his mouth to defend them selves when she heard the knocking again and missed what he said.

“What?” She asked but when he turned to her he only knocked from his voice again.

Dazed and sleepy Hinata rolled over and in a blur found the door in Naruto’s apartment but found no Naruto. They knocked again and she wondered how long they were there before they would get annoyed and leave, then again maybe it was Sasuke or Sakura who was used to Naruto taking forever. She heard Naruto in the shower and sitting up she contemplated going to answer it but thought that might cause more questions and trouble then it was worth and settled back to snuggle in his oh so warm bed until he was out of the shower.

“Naruto, are you home I need to speak with you.”

When the sound of the voice hit her ears Hinata’s eyes flew open and her body went rigid. With out thinking twice she jumped from the bed, momentarily forgetting she wore nothing but her underwear and one of Naruto’s shirts, and flew to the door. Her hair still in her face from the nights sleep, and her eyes still groggy but sharp in temper she stood in the door daring Misako to do or say anything.

“H-Hinata?” Misako squeaked with a blush at her cheeks and Hinata tried not blush in her own predicament after it dawned on her what she was wearing. She owed it to herself and to Naruto not to fall in front of this witch of a human being so she stood as proud as ever despite her cold bare legs.

“What are you doing here?” She asked, though despite herself, the question came out more accusing then she expected.

“I-I-I wanted to speak to Naruto…” The girl said blushing furiously and looking at anything but her.

“He’s in the shower, but I’ll tell him you came by.” Hinata said and began to close the door when the pretty girl stopped her.

“I wanted to talk to you too,” She added quickly and Hinata stopped closing the door looking hard at her.

“You do?”

“Yes, I went by your house this morning but your sister said you weren’t there, and then I came here.”

Hinata stood between the girl and the half closed door still in the large t-shirt and underwear considering the words the girl just spoke. She had gone to her home and spoke to her sister; meaning Hanabi had probably known she hadn’t been home last night…did she have to worry about being in trouble? Hanabi was hard to read, did her father already known and was just waiting for her to come home….

“Hinata,”

Startled out of her thoughts she looked toward the bathroom door to see Naruto freshly clean standing in sweat pants and she blushed as her stomach flipped.

“Who’s at the door?” He asked and came towards her grabbing a shirt from the dresser.
Before she could stop him he was besides her trying not to look embarrassed as Misako looked between them with an unclear expression.

“I-I’m sorry to disturb you two…” The girl stammered, “I wanted to talk to you, I came to look for you after I heard Hinata wasn’t home. Your neighbor said you hadn’t left yet and told me to keep knocking till you answered…I didn’t know…” She looked at Hianta’s bare legs and tussled hair and blushed. “I’m sorry…I’ll talk to you later…”
As she turned to go, his curiosity got the better of him.

“What did you want to talk to me about?”

Seeing he was dressed, and knowing there was no real threat Hinata forced herself to sneak behind her boyfriend and get dressed properly. She didn’t want to leave the conversation but she didn’t want to stay in her exposed attire either.

“I…wanted to apologize,” She heard Misako say and as she was putting on a pair of pants she paused.

“Okay,” Naruto said standing strait.

“I don’t think this is the best time…I should go.”

“Its never the wrong time to apologize if you mean it.” Naruto said and Hinata smirked to herself as she grabbed a comb through her hair. She sat on the bed combing out her hair when she saw Naruto open the door wider and let in the girl who avoided looking at Hinata at all costs.

Naruto closed the door behind her but didn’t move from his spot. Even though she did not like this girl, Hinata couldn’t help but feel sorry for her at this moment. She no doubt felt trapped, and she didn’t blame her for figiditing or stuttering as she tried to get the words out.

“Are you thirsty?” Naruto asked after a moment. “I have some soda or something in the fridge.”

“No, no I’m fine.” She said quickly after looking at Hinata for a fleeting moment.
They all stood there in silence for a moment to long after Hinata was done brushing out her hair. She was starting to get hungry too and if this girl only came here to stand there and waist time…

“Hinata,” she said suddenly and Hinata lifted her eyes from the floor to the large emerald green eyes that haunted her dreams.

“I’m sorry,” She said still not looking at her. “I’m sorry about what I said last night, I’m sorry about how I’ve been acting and I’m sorry about everything I ever did. I know you two are together, I know…I was a despicable person and I don’t expect you to forgive me but I want you to know I’m very sorry about everything.”

Hinata saw how her hands were shaking, and noted the trembling in her voice. She was either a bonified sociopath or she was truly sincere but since there was evidence to go both ways Hinata refrained from speaking. She watched carefully as the girl turned to Naruto, and noted how unlike her, she met Naruto’s eyes.

“I don’t believe I have a right to ask for your forgiveness Naruto.” She said. “I’m sorry for everything I did and said and how I tricked you repeatedly…that was a horrible thing to do and I don’t expect you to forgive me for that. But I wanted to tell you I was honest that day you came to my house, everything I said I was honest then it was true, and I’m sorry for ruining anything you two had…it wasn’t…”

“Girl’s talk too much,” Naruto said grinning and Misako stood stunned. From the bed Hinata threw him a glair before looking just as confused.

“I know your sorry Misako, I know your not lying and it’s not like me to never forgive someone. If you know what you did and you truly are sorry about it, that’s enough for me.” He smiled sincerely at her and Hinata took a deep breath.

“I forgive you too,” She said getting both their attention. “If Naruto can’t hold a grudge, then neither can I.” She stood up and despite her inner feelings smiled a pretty smile extending her hand to the girl.

Misako stared at Hinata’s hand for a second before she hesitantly accepted it and tried to smile. It was an awkward and brief shake between the two women but was done and to them it was a treaty, and most of the tension did leave the room.

“It’s very honorable of you to come here today,” Hinata said with her same smile.
“I felt I owed it to both of you.”

“Will you sister be speaking to Sakura?” Hinata asked before she could stop herself and saw Misako’s face grow dark.

“Yuna…” She started. “…doesn’t believe she has done anything wrong.”

“What do you mean?” Naruto asked behind her.

“Everything I learned, I learned from her, after all she is all I’ve known my entire life as a nomad. But unlike me, I felt really bad for what I did after I realized how much you two do care about each other and what I caused. Yuna though…Sakura is an obstacle she must get rid of to achieve her goal, she wont quite until she believes she can get Sasuke.”

Naruto laughed.

“Apparently she doesn’t know Sasuke very well.”

“She knows Sakura,”

“Sakura could kill her!” Hinata said as the image of a bloody Sakura grinning came into her head.

“That wouldn’t go very well for your village would it.” Misako said and then it dawned on Hinata.

Everything made sense. This entire game of theirs, the players, the chess pieces, the objective…how could people be so cruel?

“How could she…” Hinata said feeling over powering emotions for her good friends who were caught in that woman’s web.

“Because she can,” Misako answered. “No one will stop her.”

“You could stop her.” Naruto said still at his place by the door.

“She’d kill me,” Misako said with an amused grin despite the sadness in her eyes.

“What about your father?” Hinata asked and Misako thought.

“He’s due in town in a few days…” She blinked twice and then a strange expression came across of face.

“Did you think of something?” Naruto asked.

“I think i did,” she smiled larger. “If there’s one thing my sister treasures above anything in the world it’s my father’s pride.”

“We can help,” Naruto said quickly. “Sakura and Sasuke are my own siblings; they don’t deserve to be treated like your sister is treating them.”

“I agree,” Hinata said. “Tell us what to do to beat your sister at her own game.”

*************************************************

Resting her head heavily on her right fist she tapped her pen lazily on the dark wood table. The room was oddly cold for mid afternoon; perhaps there was something wrong with the air conditioner. Maybe she could excuse herself to go check on it. Several strands of pink hair fell into her vision but she made no move to rid them, she wasn’t even paying attention or following along to the conversation.

Sakura had been happily working in the hospital avoiding all human contact except her patients for the past three days. She had a good system going; she stayed well after midnight to do her paperwork and then stayed in her office catching some sleep to be there for the five am shift. She took a few hours to herself during the day to shower or eat. Three days after Sasuke left her apartment she hadn’t seen him or hear from him, she had gone out of her way this time to avoid anything dealing with Sasuke. This included her present situation sitting in the mysteriously cold conference room with Tsunade, Shizune, several other Konoha officials and the Tanako clan.

When Mr. Tanako had arrived Tsunade ordered Sakura to be dragged from her office to attend the meeting. Sakura really had no way to argue this but in her belief this was the last place she should be, not just in the room but sitting directly across from the woman who helped tear her relationship with the love of her life apart.

Had in been a week ago Sakura may have felt some deep boiling white rage in her stomach but right now she felt nothing. She felt no anger or sadness; she felt no need for vengeance in the form of breaking every bone in her body anymore. She knew Yuna kept looking her way and you didn’t have to be a ninja to feel the vibes from that girl but Sakura just couldn’t care anymore. She was exhausted; mentally and physically, she was also pretty sure she was getting a stress cold because of all this. How could she be angry when she was so heartbroken, a heartbreak she brought on herself...

“I believe Sakura would agree,” Tsunade nudged Sakura’s shoulder and she snapped to attention.

“Huh wha-oh yes! Yes I agree!” Sakura said with a large smile. She straightened her back and took the hair out of her face. She snuck a glance and Tsunade who was trying not to glair at her as she continued to speak.

“We are on page five,” Shizune whispered in her ear.

Sakura looked and tried not to blush when she noticed she was still on page one. She scrambled to the pages when tried to find the place.

“Paragraph three.” Shizune whispered again. Sakura nodded finding her place and trying to keep attention.

So far she had missed the entire presentation as to why Konoha was in need of more money. She skimmed through the pages, she suddenly saw why Sasuke had mocked it so much, and it was easier to see when it was in black and white. But still she worked next to the Hokage she knew the financial situation Konoha was in and how bad it could go fast if they didn’t seek outside help.

Drifting away again from the conversation she began to doodle on the side of her paper. She made a cartoon of a ninja girl beating up lots of men who had black hair and black eyes. She was pretty proud of it too, when she moved the paper to admire her work Tsunade reached over and turned the page for her. Sakura couldn’t pretend not to blush this time around deciding to put her pen down and just fallow along, she felt like she was in school all over again.

“Oh my, it’s been a long morning hasn’t it Hokage.” Mr. Tanako smiled and his red cheeks got redder making him look drunk and jolly.

Sakura liked him, he was fun and bold. She figured he was probably what Yuna would be like if she wasn’t so evil lacking the soul of a decent human being.

“Oh yes but very productive Mr. Tanako again I want to thank you for you’re time,”
Mr. Tanako put up his hand stopping Tsunade and laughed.

“It is my honor to help the villages of the shinobi. Not to mention the hospitality you have given my daughters in m absence, I can not thank you enough for that.”

“You’re daughters are very pleasant, I was certainly surprised of Yuna’s understanding of our villages political party.”

“Yes well Yuna is very well rounded in many areas,”

Sakura snorted.

Looking up quickly she saw everyone staring at her, she blushed but forced herself to cough several times to act as to clear her throat.

“Perhaps you should get something to drink.” Tsunade whispered to her apprentice.
Sakura nodded excusing herself from the cold and fake room.

Taking a much need large stretch she made her way to the lounge. She smelled coffee and she smiled, coffee sounded good. She was even happier to see it wasn’t the strong dark half burned coffee at the bottom of the pot either, it was a fresh pot. She wondered who made it.

“Oh good the coffee is ready,”

Sakura stopped pouring the coffee in her green cup. Seriously what were the odds!

“Oh Sakura,” Sakura didn’t have to look to see Yuna made several steps back when noticing her. “Do I need to call assistance or a body guard to protect me?”
Sakura took a deep breath. She wasn’t worth it.

“No Yuna, I’m just getting my coffee I didn’t sleep much last night.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, busy night?” She got braver stepping up considerably closer to her.

“Yes, the hospital gets very busy on a full moon.”

“So I’ve heard,” Yuna grabbed a cup from the cabinet above them while Sakura got the sugar. “Speaking of which, you will be happy to know father has decided to donate a significant fund to you’re hospital.”

“That is good news.” Sakura wondered where they stashed the cream, or maybe she could just use milk.

“We will be leaving tomorrow.” Yuna said as Sakura found the cream.
“So soon?” Sakura said distantly.

“I would like to say good bye to Sasuke.” Yuna said and Sakura had to admire the girl’s boldness. Really, no decent human being would be so bold, hell not even half the villains she killed were that bold.

“I’ve been looking for him but no one seems to know where he is, have you seen him? I think despite everything, I really should say something.”

The cream was in danger or being crushed in Sakura’s hand and spilling all over the floor. She took another slow deep breath.

“I don’t know where he is.” Sakura said honestly.

“Aren’t you two together?” Her voice was so sweet Sakura wanted to laugh, or break her nose it was hard to tell which.

“No, not anymore.”

“Oh?”

Sakura turned her head, her green eyes meeting the raven haired girls dark ones in a dead stare.

“No.”

“Oh that’s a shame,” she poured her coffee into a white mug. “A man like that shouldn’t be on the market for long, maybe I’ll come back to Konoha on my free time. It is very lovely here.” She said something else but Sakura didn’t hear it on the count that her mind was already blazing with the images of fresh hot coffee all over Yuna’s pretty face and expensive clothes; along with a bloody nose, a black eye, and maybe a broken jaw to boot. She could just tell everyone Yuna fell down the stairs, she could beat the pretty face so hard she went into a coma and couldn’t say anything against that…

“Yuna!” Both girls turned to see Misako standing at the door. “Father wishes to speak to you.”

Yuna nodded to her sister and turned back to Sakura.

“Enjoy your coffee shinobi,” she said with such acid in her voice it was everything Sakura could do to control her rage while she listened to Yuna slowly walk away.

“Sakura…” Misako’s voice was tentative and shy still in the door way.

“What?” Sakura spat still shaking with rage.

“Tsunade said to tell you to take the rest of the day off,”

“Whatever,” Sakura said turning to leave not giving the younger Tankao as much as a second glance.

****************************************************

Sasuke was not in a good mood. He was not in a fair mood. He was not in a bad mood. He was in the worst mood he had ever been in, he was in such a bad mood he didn’t leave the house in fear he really would kill someone if they asked how he was in passing. His phone rang several times but he ignored it, there was someone at his door in the morning but he ignored them too. He sat in his room on his bed starring at the balcony window Sakura had come through on one to many occasions.

For three days he gave her space. He didn’t go looking for her, he didn’t ask about her and he didn’t even go anywhere she was likely to be. He left her completely alone to think about her decision; he let her believe he was really going to allow it to happen. But Sasuke is an Uchiha and Uchiha’s are proud people, never one to lie down and accept defeat.

Sasuke had let Sakura believe she was through with him long enough. She had been right, she did believe she loved him too much and he didn’t love her enough, but that was not the truth. In age old tradition Sasuke didn’t know what he had until he lost it. But even that was the real truth, because Sasuke didn’t want Sakura, he needed her.

Sakura was his light in his universe of darkness. Sakura was the glue who helped him piece back together all he thought he lost. He lost a lot, most because of his own ignorance and vengeance but he couldn’t loose her. He would not let her walk away this time, he would not accept that and she had to know that.

*~*~*~*~*

Upon her release Sakura saw to it to take some lunch and eat her first full meal in almost a week. It felt good; she had forgotten how good food was. Also it seemed she wasn’t the only who noticed her sudden increased appetite, Ino took it upon herself to join her after seeing Sakura at the café coming back from a delivery.

“What’s got your appetite back?” Ino asked crossing her long legs giving everyone a flash of her thigh. Sakura swore she saw several boys almost snap their neck.

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” Sakura mused.

“You and Sasuke still together, to be honest I wouldn’t expect anything different considering-”

“No we broke up.” Sakura interrupted and Ino’s mouth dropped.

“You what?”

“We broke up.” She repeated getting more food on her fork.

“Seriously?” Ino leaned in closer.

“Yes, seriously, why is it so hard to believe?”

“Because it’s you and Sasuke! The guy knocked you out and left you on a bench and you still went back for him.”

“I went looking for my team mate, that’s not the same thing!”

“Right...”

“If you got word Shikamaru went missing right now you and Chouji would be in Suana faster then anyone could blink.” Sakura pointed her fork and Ino shrugged.

“Okay fine, but what I mean to say is Sasuke was everything to you, after everything that happened you now pull the plug?”

“It was time.” Sakura said.

“It was time a year ago but you never listened to us.” Ino countered. “What really happened was it because he cheated on you?”

“No it was more then that, no doubt the cheating helped open my eyes but really it was so much more. I got to thinking about our life, past and present and I realized his heart wasn’t in it as much as mine was. And that hurt, I mean really how can you stay in a relationship when it’s not equal input?”

“I can see that,” Ino agreed waving down a waitress.

“So in the end I decided that if he was in it as much as I was then he would have not cheated so I was forced to see the truth in that he just didn’t feel that way. I mean I don’t doubt he loves me but I don’t believe it’s as much as I love him.”

“Wow, did you tell him that?” Ino asked after placing an order for ice tea.

“Yes.”

“And what did be say?”

“He didn’t say anything. He just asked if that’s what I really thought. Then he said he thought we could work it out but I had obviously come to a decision on my own and he respected that.”

“Damn,” Ino said quietly.

“Yeah, that’s what I was talking about and he didn’t pick it up. He just goes with it, he never denies it and he never fights for it he just lets it be. Even when we started going out, he never officially asked me it was just understood and then I was ‘Sasuke’s Woman’.”

“That was a historical day,” Ino smiled and Sakura glared.

“No jokes please, not now.”

“Sorry,” The waitress came by giving Ino her drink. “I agree with you.” She said mixing in some calorie free sugar.

“If I was in you’re shoes I would have done the same, I’m proud of you Sakura.”

“Proud?”

“I know you love Sasuke, hell we all know that, but I’m glad you finally did something for you. I’m sorry you had to leave him but I’m glad you were strong enough to do it on your own even if it was in such horrible conditions.”

“You’re very considering right now,” Sakura said tilting her head. Ino blushed. “Is there something you want to tell me?”

“Kiba and I called it official.”

Sakura didn’t know what to say. Her brain went for a serious loop before she found her voice again.

“You and Kiba?”

“Yep,” Ino sipped her tea.

“Well I’ll be damned.” Sakura whispered; that was certainly the last news she ever thought she’d hear.

“I wanted to tell you but I was actually going to wait,”

“Thanks.” Sakura said still getting used to the idea of the two most monogamy phobia people she knew now together. Inner Sakura gave it two months.

“So where have you been the last few days or did this happen just now?” Ino asked changed the subject off herself for once.

“It was Tuesday night.”

“Where have you been the last two days?”

“The hospital, I think the nurses officially think I live in my office.”

“Oh Sakura, you need a night off babe.”

“Try a year.”

“Let’s go out tonight, its Friday anyway weekly girl’s night right.”

“Why not, it’s been awhile since I last drank.”

“Last time I saw you drinking you were on the roof of you’re apartment in the middle of the day, like last week.” Ino reminded and Sakura frowned.

“I had an excuse,” She muttered and Ino laughed.

“I should go,” She downed the last of her tea and stood up. “I’ll see you tonight at nine at our place.”

“Sure.” Sakura waved good bye to her friend taking to notice of all the men who watched Ino leave the café.

Finishing her food Sakura was beginning to look forward to tonight. She loved her friends, and loved her girl friends even more and tonight she would really need them.

*~*~*~*~*~*

Misako packed the last of her shoes and zipped up the smaller suit case. She sighed looking at the six bags of luggage that was hers, she was really going to have to learn to start packing lighter. Maybe she’d just give stuff away in the villages they visited next time around.

Heels clicked down the hall and into her bed room.

Yuna stepped in dressed the nines in a black slinky outfit showing a lot of leg and ‘fuck me’ shoes. Her hair was down and styled perfectly, she looked amazing.

“What are you doing?” Misako asked, she was sure they were leaving in the morning, they didn’t have time to go out anymore.

“One last night out on the town,” Her sister smiled that smile.

“Do you really think that’s a good idea?”

“Why not, we’re still guests here.”

“But Yuna…I mean all the shit that went down…”

“Oh nonsense,” she waved her hand and then smiled at her sister. “Come with me.”

“Oh, no I don’t think so. I don’t want to be anywhere near you if someone decides to rip you to pieces.”

“What’s with all the sudden attitude!” Her sister glared at her. “You used to be all for it, now your just…ugh I don’t even know what you are, but you are certainly boring!”

“Okay okay, I’ll come just let me get ready.”

“That’s more like the sister I know and love.” Yuna’s face melted from anger to sincere happiness.

“Your insane.” Misako said before Yuna walked out the door. She stopped half turning to face her.

“Everyone’s gotta be a little insane to survive in this world don’t ya think? Be ready soon okay.”

Once she was sure she was down the stairs and out of ear shot Misako grabbed her cell phone from the charger in the wall. She flipped it open and quickly hit the keys before flipping it closed again and picked the first thing she saw in the first suitcase she opened before heading to the bathroom with her make up bag.

*~*~*~*~*~*

Hinata was in the library when her cell phone buzzed. It was on the table and it made a lot of noise in the quiet building, several people glared at her and she mouthed an apology as she reached for it.

She had a text message from Misako.

“Green light”

A small twinge of guilt crossed her stomach and for a moment Hinata felt bad being a part of such a scheme. She bit her lip and let her eyes wonder, she saw Sakura entering the library. She looked like she hadn’t slept in days; she looked unhealthy and very sad.

Hinata waved to her and Sakura sat across from her with a few scrolls and a very unenthusiastic smile.

“Are you okay?” Hinata asked quietly.

“Surviving,” Sakura answered and with out another word on her health she opened the scrolls.

All guilt left Hinata instantly as she sat across from her very sad friend. She hated seeing her friends so upset, at least this time there was something she could do about it.

“I’m sorry Sakura, I must go.”

Sakura only nodded but didn’t look up to say good bye.

*~*~*~*~*~*

Misako looked around the kitchen, then the dinning room and then the living room before she found her father in the back room pulling books from the shelves.

“Father?”

“Yes my dear?” Her father said with out looking up.

“I just got a letter for you.”

He nodded still not looking up from his books.

“These leaf nin are fabulous! Some of their teachings, their beliefs are few I’ve ever encountered. Have you enjoyed your time here?”

“Uh…yes…yes I have.”

“Have you and your sister been behaving yourself?”

“Yes, of course.” She smiled at the man when he looked at her and smiled back.
“What is it you said you had for me?”

“A letter from the Hokage sir,” She handed him the unopened cream colored envelope.
Mr. Tananko ripped it open and read it before smiling.

“It seem the Hokage would like to meet me for drinks, would you like to come along?”

“I would sir, but I was already asked to join some of the friends I’ve made in town."

“Oh wonderful, is your sister going with you?”

“Yes.”

“You girls have a good time, but before you go can you tell me were this bar is, I’m afraid I don’t know the city like you do.”

**********

The rest of the day passed with out incident and despite her lingering depressing for dumping the love of her life Sakura was looking forward to a night out with her friends. She was pretty sure Sasuke wouldn’t be there he didn’t hold alcohol well and he hated crowded places anyway.

She dressed in black pants with a floral red and black top, it suited her well and gave her the illusion of more curves then she had. She liked it a lot. Her feet wore pretty heels instead of the usual sandals and her hair and make up and fallen perfectly in to place. It felt good to dress up for once and she felt even better opening the bar doors and seeing a crowd of people. She looked around once and saw Ino waving to her in the back of the room at a corner table with so many familiar faces and she waved back pushing her way through the crowd.

Ino was of course dressed for attention but it seemed the only attention she wanted was the guy sitting next to her with a beer already in his hand. His free hand on Ino’s exposed thigh while he talked to Shikamaru about another bet of some kind.
The bar was loud and smelled of sweat, alcohol, and smoke. Her friends were louder and laughed and joked all trying to be heard above the music and noise. It was perfect, for the first time in over a week Sakura smiled for real and laughed from the heart.

So of course just when she ordered her second around everything decided to go to hell.

*~*~*~*~*~*

TBC