Sakura didn't know which Naruto she liked better; a sober one, who told her how much he liked her or a drunken one who showed her…in more than one ways.

()()

Sakura sighed as she groggily made her way up the stairs to her apartment. It had been a long day at the hospital…really long. With a whole ANBU squad coming back from a brief but dangerous mission, Sakura had not even had time for a simple lunch break. She had worked for most of the day—without a break mind you, so to say she was exhausted was an understatement. Right now, all she wanted to do was get up these extremely annoying stairs, take a nice hot bath and crawl into bed.

So, imagine her surprise (and annoyance) when she found Ino waiting outside her door. 'Ugh, I'm too tired to deal with Ino right now,' she thought

"Sakura, there you are! Do you know how long I've been waiting here?" Ino exclaimed as she crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot impatiently. Sighing, Sakura mutter a 'go away Ino' before making a bee line for her door, only to be blocked by the chatty blonde.

"It's freezing out here! You're lucky I love you this much to wait out here for you. Now I've got something to tell you and I won't leave until you say yes!"

For the hundredth time that day, Sakura sighed. She was too tired to argue with Ino now. The fates must like playing games with her because things like this always seemed to happen to her. Once, just once she would have liked to get home without any distractions. 'Maybe if I ignore her, she'll go away' Sakura thought, though she knew that would never happen.

"…so you just have to come okay?" Sakura blinked, amazed at how fast Ino seemed to talk, knowing that she couldn't have been thinking that long. As soon as Ino saw the befuddled look on her face she said, "You weren't listening, were you?" Sakura could only nod. So much for ignoring her, she thought, figuring Ino would retell her whole story over. Ino sighed, "Look, to make a long story, I'm having a party on the 24th and I want you there! Got it? And I won't take no for an answer!

Knowing just how stubborn Ino was, Sakura knew she could be waiting out here all night. She knew in the end she would have to say yes. Still…that didn't mean she couldn't try and weasel herself out of it.

"Ino, what are you doing standing outside of my door at," She glanced at her watch, "12:42 AM"?

"Well I just decided I wanted to have a party and – hey! Stop trying to avoid the question! There's no reason you can't come, so don't try and make up an excuse, or say you have to work at the hospital."

Well, there went plan B and plan C. Crap. Sakura sighed, "You won't go until I say yes?" Ino nodded. "Fine I'll go okay. Now will you please leave? I'm exhausted. Grinning in a way that would have put Naruto to shame, Ino made her way to the stairs. "See you tomorrow night Sakura!" Ino called as she faded into the night.

'Tomorrow?' Sakura thought, that only gave her24 hours—well less than that, seeing as it was tomorrow already, to prepare herself for this party. Sakura trudged to her door as she got her key out of her pocket.

'Well,' she thought ironically, 'so much for that nice hot bath.'

()()

Work the next day had gone by surprisingly quick. Apparently everyone had heard about Ino's party and was either attending, or miserable that they weren't. Sakura was surprised that word got around so fast and she was even more surprised at the amount of people who were going. The only patient she had had that day was a little boy who scrapped his knee, and even he knew the basics about the get together. Since there was no one who needed her immediate attention, she decided to take a small break

Sakura chuckled and shook her head in disbelief. Honestly, she shouldn't have been this surprised; it was Ino she was talking about after all. If you wanted to know the latest gossip or wanted something to be known quickly, Ino was the girl you went to. she could have the village updated on a certain topic in less then four hours. She was just that good. Sakura laughed quietly at her thoughts.

"Sakura!"

Still giggling, she turned around, only to find the girl who had just been occupying her thoughts.

"Hey Ino, what's up?"

"Oh my gawd, have you heard? Everyone knows about my party—and their all coming! Wow I must been super popular and--"

"Is there something you need?" Sakura asked, cutting in on Ino's ramble.

"Oh right. Um, I just wanted to tell you that the party is at my house, duh. It starts at seven and ends whenever, and you better wear something sexy! I mean will you get a guy?"

Sakura shook her head amusingly. Having known Ino for so long she knew that the comment had not been meant to be an insult. Even though, it seemed that Ino's latest project was to get her a man. Not just any man, oh no, but the perfect man. So far all of Inos 'dates' for her had either been too arrogant and snobby or tired to get a little too personal to soon. Sometimes it was even a nasty combination of the two.

"Everyone's going to be there, including Naruto." Ino stated, adding a wink at the end.

Sakura felt her face heat up in embarrassment. "Shh Ino, be quiet!" Sakura hissed as she made an attempt to cover Inos mouth. She knew she would have regretted telling Ino her very well kept, and somewhat hidden secret.

Ever since Naruto had come back from his two year training period (which was a long time ago) people had been looking at him differently, especially the female population. Everywhere he went people would always stop and look, even if only for a moment or two. He had ultimately matured and people where starting to notice, especially when they learned that he had yet to give up on him promise to rescue Sasuke. Sakura knew the moment they reunited things would change.

And they did.

They hung out more and talked about everything. Sakura had grown extremely comfortable around him and him her. Though it may not have seen it, Naruto had matured, although he still kept his childlike and mischievous personality, seeing that a lot of their conversations would end in Sakura punching him, for saying something stupid or perverted, or both. And though she would never admit it out loud it was a part of him, it was a part of him that she had grow to love. Wait—love? She couldn't love Naruto…could she?

Sakura sighed once again. She remembered once that she had let it slip to Ino that she may have felt something more than friendship for the blond haired ninja, and Ino had never let her live it down since.

"—and come on Sakura, this could be your chance! Ugh, you're doing it again, aren't you?"

Not bothering to deny it, Sakura felt herself begin to smile. Even though Ino could get on her nerves at times, (which, was most of the time) she knew Ino had the best interests at heart.

"Look I have to go get ready, but think about what I said, well what little you actually heard. I mean it. Sakura you should tell him how you feel." With that Ino made her way towards the exit and left.

Sakura smiled after her. Well so much for that needed break she thought as she made her way back to the office, with Inos words still lingering in her head. She had debated several times on telling Naruto. She even thought about using subtle hints, though quickly decided against it, seeing as Naruto probably wouldn't get it. Besides there was no way Naruto could like her back. She knew that in their early years together he had been infatuated with her. Surely after all these years his feelings must have died down.

Right?

()()()

Sakura had to shield her eyes the moment she walked into Inos house. The bright, flashing lights were enough to give some on a heart attack. She closed her eyes, giving them a moment or two to adjust to the obnoxious lighting. When she opened them, she could barely make out the image of Ino coming her way.

"Sakura, love the outfit! It's very you!" Ino exclaimed loudly, so her friend could hear her over the loud music. Sakura looked down at her outfit, wondering if she really should have worn it. She was wearing a light pink halter top that had cherry blossoms starting at her left hip and extended toward her right shoulder. Unconsciously she tugged her black mini skirt down; trying to make it longer then it really was.

On her feet she had a pair of black heels that she knew she was going to regret wearing. Not knowing what to do with her hair, seeing as she never really came to parties, she left it down and placed a small clip shaped like a cherry blossom towards the side of her hair. Overall she thought it was a nice outfit and one that didn't make her look like a….slut.

She turned her attention back to Ino, "Thanks! So nice party you got."

"Hehe yup! I'm so glad I decided to throw it." Ino giggled, grabbing onto Sakura as she stumbled her way closer to her. If Ino had been any other person, she would have thought they were drunk. However, Sakura knew that that was not the case, seeing as Ino could hold her liquor surprisingly well.

"So, see anyone you like?" Ino questioned, elbowing Sakura suggestively.

'Well…that didn't take long' Sakura thought, though even as she thought that, she felt herself scanning the room, drifting over the heads of various people. Despite herself, she could already feel herself begin to frown. Most of the guys in the room looked taken, gay, or too drunk to comprehend reality. Especially the blonde in the middle of the…

Wait, blonde?! How many people did she know in Konaha that had that shade of blonde; one. "Naruto?!" Bewildered Sakura could only stare as Naruto danced his way around the room.

"Wow you found tour man fast!" Ino loudly exclaimed.

"He's not my--" Sakura was silenced as Ino placed her hand over Sakuras mouth. "Don't deny what the heart knows." Sakura stared at Ino, shocked to hear something so…mature come out of her mouth. "I mean, we all know you want to DO him." Ino giggled, emphasizing the word do. Well so much for mature. Sakura chuckled as she let her gaze return to the blonde only to find he wasn't there anymore.

"Sak'ra-chan!"

Sakura turned in surprise to find Naruto waving enthusiastically at her from a small table near the bar that Ino had 'bought' to the occasion. She smiled brightly, cursing herself for acting like a love sick fool. She walked over to him, with a mischievous Ino in tow.

"You came, Saku-chan!" She made a move to sit, ignoring the way her heart fluttered at his nickname for her, only to be stopped by Ino.

"Well it was lovely talking to you Sakura, but I have guest to attend to. I shall leave you in the company of Naruto. Remember don't do anything I wouldn't! And use protection!" With that, Ino turned and was instantly lost in the crowd.

Sakura blushed deeply as she glared at the spot where Ino once stood.

"Prot'c'ion?" 're you gonna get 'urt?" Naruto innocently asked. Sakuras blush deepened—if that was possibly—and waved her hand dismissively as she sat in the seat across from Naruto.

"Never mind that, are you having a good time?" Sakura asked, effectively changing the subject.

"I was, but th'n Sak'ra-chan cam along 'nd now itz grreaattt." Naruto exclaimed, unaware of how much he slurred his words. Sakura smiled. Leave it to Naruto to say the simplest things and yet they mean the most to her.

She then listened to Naruto go on about god knows what. She guessed that a drunken Naruto and a sober Naruto weren't as different as she thought. They both were loud and liked to talk. Sakura giggled and shook her head at her thoughts. Naruto, thinking she was listening to him, laughed and stood up so fast his chair almost fell over.

Startled, Sakura looked up to find a grinning Naruto with his hand out stretched toward her. "What?" Sakura questioned. "Come on lets go!" Naruto exclaimed while impatiently waving his hand in front of her.

"Huh?" was all Sakura could say. "To go danc'in, of 'ourse. Weren't you lis'enin'?" Shocked, Sakura could only let herself be dragged from her seat to the crowded dance floor.

Well, this ought to be interesting.

()()()

Surprisingly, a drunken Naruto was a better dancer then Sakura thought. Though his balance was a bit off, he had impressed her with his actual knowledge of how to dance. Just like he was in battle (and pretty much everything else), Naruto always went above and beyond what people had excepted him to do. Though slightly reckless, his insane dance moves had the crowd cheering. Currently Naruto was in the bathroom puking the contents of his stomach out. She guessed that all the dancing had upset his stomach, and being drunk didn't help.

"Hey there sweet thang"

Turning Sakura saw a man about her age, maybe a year or two older. Sakura distantly remembered him being a patient of hers sometime ago. She also remembered he was there because his girlfriend at the time had caught him flirting with another girl. Ether that girl had one violent temper or it hadn't been the only time that he got caught --or both, she shuddered. Turning her attention back to, Ryou?, she noticed that he had already taken the stool next to her and was ordering a drink.

"Hey there babe, let me get you a drink, names Riku." She was slightly amused but more disgusted at how it looked as if the man was about to fall over in his seat. Sakura rolled, silently hoping Naruto was making his way back to her now.

"Yea no, its ruude to i'nore sumones whos t'ying to talk to you," Not surprising, Riku had dropped the 'act' when she started to 'ignore him'. 'So much for that great idea', she thought. Turning once more she addressed Riku as nicely as she could. "Look—Riku, I'm already here with someone so I think it would be best if you leave." After a moment, when she noticed he wasn't making an attempt to move, she made an attempt to leave herself, but was stopped but a hand on her wrist.

"Don't be so stingy, ats the old'st 'xcuse ever." Sakura sighed. She was so not in the mood to deal with this. Turning around, she was prepared to give the guy a good punch, when someone beat her to it.

Sakuras eyes widened as she saw Naruto standing over a barely conscious Riku. His stance was stiff, as if he was trying to hold something back and his fists were clenched so tightly that Sakura thought he might break skin. His lips formed a fierce scowl and his eyes were beginning to bleed red.

Wait, red?!?

She had to do something to calm him down. She wasn't sure why the Kyuubi would be present at a time like this; though she assumed that the alcohol must had had some influence. All she knew was that she had to find some way to calm him down and get him somewhere less crowded. The last thing anyone needed was a Kyuubi enhanced Naruto running around Konaha. But besides the alcohol, she couldn't think of anything that would trigger the Kyuubi to come out. From what little she knew about it, she was aware that the Kyuubi would make an appearance when Naruto was in a life threatening situation, or he let his emotions get the best of him. Since Naruto wasn't in a life or death situation, she could only assume that Narutos emotion (whatever it was) had gotten the better of him.

Dragging herself out of her thoughts, she made her way over towards Naruto, grabbed his hand, (which probably wasn't the smartest thing to do, but what else was she suppose to do?) and started dragging him towards the door. She distantly noticed Ino cheering her on form the side. She rolled her eyes, smiling slightly. Some things never changed. Pushing herself past the crowd that had begun to form, Sakura made a b-line for the door and proceeded out into the night.

()()()

TBC…

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