A/N: Hi, everybody! This story is set in a time in which after Sasuke killed Itachi, he returned to Konoha, instead of forming Hebi (no war or anything, even though it's pretty awesome). It's about six years in the future, and Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, etc. are all around twenty-three to twenty-four years old.

Constructive criticism is welcome. Enjoy! :)

"If I say who I know it just goes to show

You need me less than I need you.

Take it from me, we don't give sympathy.

You can trust me, trust nobody.

But I said you and me

We don't have honesty.

The things we don't want to speak.

I'll try to get out, but I never will.

Traffic is perfectly still."

- "Trust Me" The Fray

Chapter 1: Drunk - Detached

Sakura sat at the bar in the crowded pub, gazing tiredly at the scene around her. It was one of those rare nights— a free night, the night before your day off. A night in which there were no missions to be assigned, no work to be done, no training to be accomplished. You were free to do whatever you want, as late as you wanted to. It was a night she, and most others, thrived on.

Don't get them wrong, it wasn't that they hardly ever got any time off. They all got their occasional free leisure days, but to have all of their breaks scheduled at the same time? Now that was a rare time indeed.

Since they had all come of legal drinking age ("they" being the Rookie 9 and Team Gai), they had taken to the habit of meeting at this pub on these rare nights, and it had become almost automatic that whenever the occasion came, they would all be here.

Dragging a sore hand through her oddly pink hair, she sighed. It had been an exceptionally long day at the hospital, and while she loved what she did, it was—quite frankly—a relief to have the night off.

Funny, she thought, rubbing her aching hands together, To spend the entire day healing patients just to have sore hands myself.

She was slightly upset at herself for being so drained. These nights only came around every so often, and she felt almost guilty for wasting it. Allowing herself to perk up, she looked around the dimly-lit room, smiling slightly to herself as she watched her long-time companions bustle around. An energetic-as-ever Naruto grinned widely at a blushing Hinata as he begged her to dance with him; a smug Ino and Ten Ten high-fived triumphantly as they destroyed a disgruntled Kiba and Shikamaru at pool; a blank-looking Sai stared at the game, still trying to figure out human relations; two men, Shino and Neji, were engaged in a casual conversation about weapons towards the back; a ravenous Chouji was scarfing his face with the low-quality bar food; and an uncharacteristically quiet Rock Lee sipped apple juice at the table, too afraid to go near any alcohol of any kind.

She looked towards the far corner of the room, but immediately wished she hadn't. The beginnings of the good mood she had been building up vanished as she gazed on at the man silently self-stationed in the back.

He sat on a secluded bar stool, present, but looking as though he wished he wasn't. In fact, if Naruto hadn't dragged and forced him to come, he probably wouldn't be. He had his head leaned back against the wall, onyx eyes boredly scanning the area, but taking no particular interest. His hand loosely held a bottle—most likely a beer—and was brought up to his mouth every so often for a long sip. He let off a rather... disconnected aura. One that warded off any possible minglers without a glitch.

Should I go over and talk to him? Sakura asked her inner-self nervously.

Pssh, are you kidding me!? Does he look like he wants to be bothered?

Well, I know, I just thought maybe—

"Hey," a woman's voice said, interrupting her thoughts.

Sakura whipped her head back to see a smiling Ino, her pool game apparently over. Trying to shake her mind of any depressing thoughts, she attempted a smile back, but knew she failed as she watched her friend's expression.

Ino set her hands on her hips and huffed, obviously annoyed. "What's the matter with you? It's not like you to be so mopey-dopey on a free night. And it's only two in the morning!" She turned her gaze to where Sakura was previously looking and mouthed a silent 'Oh.'

Looking at Sakura's slightly-pained expression, she leaned in closer. "You know, really, Sakura," she said in a low voice. "It's been six years. He may have come back to the village, but that doesn't mean he's gonna be Mister 'happy happy fun fun.' You've gotta get over him." She stepped back and spread her arms out wide. "I mean I did, and look at me now! I'm basically the shit."

Sakura finally let out a much-needed laugh. "Thanks," she grinned. "Ino-pig."

"Anytime, Forehead," the blonde smirked back. "Now come on, you haven't even had anything to drink yet!"

"Oh, no, I'm not really in the mood—" she protested, trying to wave off the pushy girl.

Her teal eyes rolled her eyes in response. "Riiiight. Come on, it's on me!"

Knowing from years of past experience that protesting any further wouldn't really get her anywhere, she submitted, accepting the cold beer her friend thrust into her hands. Uncapping the bottle, she took a deep swig and swallowed, the chilled liquid slightly burning her throat.

"Feels good, right? Oh what am I saying, damn right it does!" Ino snapped, patting Sakura on the back. "I'm gonna go play another round of pool. Wanna join? You could probably help pick up the slack on the boy's side," she smirked.

Sakura shook her head. "No, go ahead. I'm fine."

"You sure?"

She nodded.

"Alright," Ino shrugged. "I'll see you later!" she called over her shoulder as she began to walk back.

Sakura sat in the stool, staring at the glass bottle in her hands. Ino had been right, it did feel good. A little too good, actually.

When was the last time I had a beer? she marveled, turning the drink over in her hands.

With all of her time consumed by her medic work and missions, there hadn't been much time for drinking, and it wasn't long before she had downed the entire drink and ordered another.

And another.

And another.

And maybe two more after that.

Finishing off her current round, she slammed a fist on the counter, rattling the dishes and cups. She groggily stared at the bartender. "'Nuther one pleeaase meester?"

He let out a deep chuckle. "I think you've had quite enough there, miss."

She whined in protest, about to have another go at the counter when something out of the corner of her eyes caught her attention. Ino was still playing that game of pool, and it did look like an awful lot of fun. She stumbled off the stool, about to take her up on her previous offer.

"You alright there, miss?" the bartender asked, conflicted as to whether or not he should help her.

"I goddit, I goddit..." she mumbled, waving her hand at him.

Finally making her way over to the table, she leaned heavily on Shikamaru and smiled widely. "Hey guyrrs! S'alrighh if I haff a turrnn?" she slurred.

"Shit! Sakura's hammered!" Kiba exclaimed, trying to bite back a laugh. The others looked at her in shock.

Sakura made a pouty face at him. "Am not! Only had 'bout two... Or wuz it f-fourr..."

Suddenly lurching over, she heaved, throwing up all over the floor. People groaned, stepping away in disgust. Someone cheered.

Recovering from her initial shock, Ten Ten chuckled as she walked over towards her. "Alright, Sakura, I think you've had enough alcohol for three nights. We better get you home."

"No!" Sakura shouted, trying to back away. People began to look over. "I wanna pla—!"

She let out a small shriek as she tripped over a chair and began to pitch backwards. Wincing as she prepared herself for the heard contact she was about to make with the floor, she was quite surprised to find herself land on something not hard at all. Actually it was kind of... Warm.

"I got her," a deep voice said. The others stood back in an even larger surprised silence than before.

"Bastard?" Sakura thought she heard Naruto say, but it was warped and far-away sounding, so she couldn't be sure.

She looked up at the person who had caught her. Despite her vision being a little fuzzy and her judgement a little clouded, with his dark as night hair and eyes to match, she was unmistakably sure who was holding her.

"S-Sasuke?" she mumbled in confusion. But that was the last thing she said before everything went black.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed! Please review!

Really. Reviews raise the self-esteem, ya know.