this is: chapter seven

"Fuck." he rolled over in his large bed, hissing at the pounding in his head.

"Fuck is right." One of the lumps next to him wriggled. A mussed brown head popped out. "Sick night it was." he said groggily with a queasy smile.

"Don't remind me." a muffled third voice groaned from under the pillow. "Shut the sun off."

"Why the hell are we all in my bed?" the first man muttered.

"Because there's only one bed in here."

"I have two spare bedrooms, moron."

"…I have no idea." Two arms covered in blankets rose.

"Shut up, you two, my brain is going to crash-land into your fucking stomachs if you don't…" the third man with black hair shot out of the bed clutching his mouth.

"Don't blow cookies all over my bed or I'll kill you." the red-haired man rolled onto the floor with a painful bump.

"Haha, you fell outta bed."

"Shut your pie hole or I'll call Sai to puke all over you."

"Somebody call my name?"

"Yes." Kiba leapt up and ran into the recently vacated bathroom.

"I missed the toilet." Sai called out.

A loud clunk was heard. "Fuck!"

"Haha, you slipped in puke." Gaara gingerly rose, holding onto the wall for balance.

"Let's not play drinking games again." the black-haired artist laughed, leaning against the doorjamb.

Neither man answered, for the red-haired man shoved past him to throw up in the sink, causing Sai to laugh harder.

The trio were later dressed in Gaara's clothes in the outdoor sunshine.

"Thank Zeus for sunglasses." Kiba stomped out comfortably in his combat boots.

"Actually, I think you should thank Ray-Ban for yours." Sai scratched his ear. "Where are we going?"

"Breakfast." Gaara checked his cell phone.

The black-haired man stepped closer, unbeknownst to the third of their trio. "Don't do what I think you're gonna do. Ino will rip us apart because she can tell if Kiba went out to drink or not." he hissed. "And Karin told me that they were at her apartment last night having a girls' day."

"Fine." he rolled his eyes. "Let's not bring the cheerleader and the dog-boy back together even though we know it's for the greater good and delicious food."

"Food?" the combat-booted man's eyebrows rose. "What were you guys whispering about?"

"Here." Gaara dragged his friends into the nearest breakfast place he saw.

To her delight, Sasuke took her to her favourite greasy spoon diner with the Elvis and Marilyn memorabilia all over the walls.

"I'll have the chocolate chip pancakes, please."

"The tomato eggs Benedict."

"Very good." the waiter disappeared.

"Thanks for taking me here, Sasuke." she beamed. "I haven't been here in ages."

"I know." he said simply, taking her hand into his. "How was your studying?"

"Pretty good. I think I have it down pat. How are your classes?"

"Alright. Boring. I know everything."

"I see. How's your mom?"

"She's been better. She'll be discharged from the hospital soon. My dad's suing the other driver for hitting her."

"Whoa."

"He was speeding and ran a red light." He shrugged. "Dad wants-"

The glass door jangled open, and they automatically turned to look as a family of four walked in.

"Dad wants a mark on that guy's record." he continued quietly.

"Mm. Tell your mom that I hope she's feeling better."

"Will do."

"Excuse me." they looked up and allowed their plates to be set down. "Do you need any hot sauce, or maple syrup?"

"Yes please on the maple syrup."

They were about to dig in when the door jangled once again.

Ignoring it, Sakura began cutting her pancakes into bite-sized pieces.

However, Sasuke looked up, and tightened his grip on his fork and knife as he watched the three hungover men sit at the bar without giving anyone a glance.

"Here's your syrup."

"Thank you." she picked the small pitcher up and began to drown her pancakes.

"Three large coffees, please – one with no milk and sugar, one with three sugars, and one with two creams and two sugars." Sai rattled off cheerfully to the eager waitress. "And a cheese omelette, two orders of steak and eggs, and two sides of bacon. Thank you!" he winked as the girl swooned.

"I'll never get how you can be so freaking cheerful in the morning." Kiba muttered.

"Throwing up does wonders." Sai deadpanned.

The redhead just let his head rest in his arms with his eyes closed. "Tap me when the coffee comes."

"Of course." he scanned the patrons around the room. He caught the sight of the couple. "Why, Gaara, isn't that the girl and boy you spoke to back at Karin's two nights ago?"

He didn't bother to raise his head. "Really."

"By the window."

"Oh."

"Headache too strong?"

"That, and the boyfriend is a bit of a inquisitive prick."

"Ah." Sai gave another glance. "What a pity. He's well-built. Coffee's here, boys." he expertly took the three mismatching saucers from the waitress, and dished them out.

"Thank fucking god." Kiba took a thirsty sip and made a face. "Goddamn it, not enough sugar." he reached over to grab the sugar dispenser. "And gimme a bit of milk, Sai."

The artist carefully poured a quarter of his cream into his friend's cup.

Gaara took a gulp, and relished the liquid heat slide down his throat. He felt the headache slowly reside. Quirking his lips up, he took another swig.

Sakura polished off her chocolate chip pancakes, leaving a sticky plate. She sighed happily.

"You're still working on your Benedict, Sasuke?" she exclaimed in surprise. "You usually eat pretty fast…"

He looked up from his half-eaten remains. "Sorry love, I'm not really hungry today."

"Are you not feeling well?" she bit her lip, and reached a hand out to feel his forehead.

He allowed her to touch him, but he jerked away. "I'm fine. Not much of an appetite." he said gruffly.

Hurt by the unusually callous gesture, she turned away to look at the other diners.

She stared at the redheaded man sitting at the counter with two other men.

"I'll be right back." she stood up.

The Uchiha gave no sign that he heard her as he moodily pushed around a cube of tomato.

She strode over to the trio, and lightly tapped on the man on the left.

"Gaara?"

His elbow on the counter, he languorously swivelled around.

With his eyes half-lidded, he shot her a lazy smile. "What a beautiful sight to see after an exhausting night." he drawled.

She blushed a bright pink. "Um, thanks." she uttered.

"Won't you sit down with us?" the black-haired man next to him winked. "I'm Sai, by the way. You might remember me as the man that apologized to your table at Porcelain."

"I remember. I only came to say hello, and to apologize to Gaara for ditching him yesterday." she fiddled with her slightly frayed sweater sleeves.

"Apology accepted. No harm done." he dismissed as he held his cup up to his lips. "Kiba, the man on the end, called me right after."

"I see." she fell silent.

"You should scurry along to your boy toy over there. I think he's leaving." Sai pointed.

She whipped around to see the back of her fiancé striding out, violently yanking open the door with one tug.

"Sasuke!" she made to run after him. "Where are you-"

Gaara caught her arm. "I think you should let him cool off a bit. Stay with us and chat."

Sai watched their exchange with a mildly interested astute eye.

She stared helplessly into his jade-green eyes. "I can't. I don't even know what's wrong."

He let a knowing smirk cross his face, and let her go. "As you please." he declared disparagingly, turning his back to her to begin eating his breakfast. "For what's it worth, do go chase after him."

"It's not like you know what's wrong with him." she retorted as she began to make her way out.

"Ah, Sakura, that I do." he shrugged. "But if you'd like to subject yourself to his rather…infuriated state, do try to keep your calm."

She chewed her lip as she weighed her options.

On one hand, she didn't have to deal with Sasuke's mood, and she'd be able to attain information to patch things up easily.

On the other, it just looked uncaring but she would make it up to Sasuke if Gaara knew what he was talking about.

Cautiously she walked back and took a seat next to him.

"So what's wrong with my fiancé?"

He gave her the most furtive smile.

"Why, Sakura, it seems that he has a bit of a jealousy problem."

And I'm not about to sit back and just keep rhyming one syllable
Naw

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