~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

-Ino-

Her hands were rough. Much rougher than the previous times I have given into my desires surrounding her. Temari fished her fingers under the thin fabric of my dress shirt, forcing her way under the elastic that had held the fabric in place, just above my belly button.

I bit back a groan as Temari skillfully ran her fingers over sensitive skin, grazing her nails over my ribs, as her second hand raced to undo the buttons on the front. I heard a button pop and glared hard at Temari. "Be careful." I hissed, "I have to return this shirt."

Temari bit my chin, pulling another button off the front of my shirt with her rough fingers. "Stop," I commanded, gripping her lithe fingers. Temari let out a deep throat growl in reply, her eyes looking into mine with lust and a challenge, teeth still gently biting at my chin.

Without lowering her eyes, or dropping the challenge, she raised her hand to the next button. I narrowed my eyes at her, showing her I wouldn't give in just because she was very... very good at what she did. Her hand pressed against my stomach through the thin fabric of my shirt, the heat from her palm forming goosebumps on my stomach as she waited.

I held her gaze, distinctly aware of every breath I drew in and let out, my lips slightly parted as her lips lingered. Temari released my chin, brushing her cheek against mine before looking me straight in the eye, her dark blue half lidded as she took a deep breath. Her hips pressed against mine, grinding slowly as she tilted her head, lips a hairs breath from mine.

Temari was daring me to give in first, to concede dominance to her, and I was was digging in my heels to stop myself for doing just that. If I looked away, it would have the same effect, she would know she had won. I had issued a command and she was testing me to see if she had to follow it, and by the slight smile curving up her luxurious lips, she knows I know.

Slowly, I found the hem of her shirt and slipped my hand underneath. My fingers met the indescribably soft skin of her belly, a hard undertone of muscle just under the surface. Temari's shirt slid up my forearm and she flattened her body against mine, forcing my touch to grip her side.

I inhaled sharply, the heat of her skin rubbing against mine all but winning the contest of wills for her. Her finger slipped a little further under the button she had been toying with, and for a second, I thought she was going to open it properly when the small plastic nub clanged onto the floor.

Before I knew what was going on, my lips were crushed against hers and I had no idea who had made the first move, and couldn't find the will to care. I gripped her hips, pulling her tighter against me. Her hips made a sharp movement and I moaned against her lips at the same time her tongue ran over my lip.

I ran my hand up her side, pulling her dark hoodie along for the ride. Temari growled when I denied her access, grating her tongue against my lip once more as she ripped the last button loose and my chest was exposed.

Flexing my strength, I pushed her away so I could pull her annoying sweater over her head. Temari's eyes were dark as I tossed the garment away, dark enough to give me a slight pause before pushing her against my dressing room counter.

She turned her head when I bent to kiss her once more, an odd look I'd never before seen souring her flushed expression. "Stop," she commanded and I faltered.

"Stop?" I asked, suddenly feeling self conscious of my ripped open shirt and the sweat glistening on my chest as I panted. I took a step away from her, so we were no longer touching and tried to figure out what was going on. "Why?"

Temari set her face to stone, refusing to give any hints, "because, I said so." Temari grabbed her sweater and paused fingering the neckline.

"Why?" I demanded again, "you just said-"

"I know what I said!" She snapped, glaring at me. I'd had enough, enough being toyed with. Enough being told no, or that they didn't want me. Temari was suppose to be into everyone, so why does she keep pushing me away.

I found myself shooting daggers at my reflection over her shoulder and felt guilty for entertaining the thoughts that had gone through my head.

"You just can't..." She made an awkward gesture with her hand that I couldn't fathom the meaning to.

"Can't what?" Temari hardened at my tone and shook her head, as if to brush me off.

"Nothing, forget it."

"Temari! Just tell me!" I practically yelled, earning a look that ripped my heart in two. Logically, I knew I was hurting her by pressuring her and not letting her say what she needed to say at her own pace. But, my logic wasn't working properly at that point in time and I found myself indescribably frustrated with the entire situation.

"Why do you have to be like this? Why do you have to wait until you're backed into a corner to tell me anything?" Temari didn't answer, just stared with the same unreadable expression at the same spot on my shoulder.

The silence pounded in my ears, in the background I could make out the faint beat of a song playing with the dull thud of people talking and laughing. Just as I was about to give up, Temari's lips twitched and she spoke.

"I don't..." She closed her dark blue eyes, taking in a deep breath. "I don't like to be touched because someone else wants to touch me." Temari looked up, opening her eyes with her chin tilted. "I want to be touched because I want to be touched."

"I don't understand... what does that have to do with right now?" I asked, unable to figure out what she was talking about. If she didn't want me to touch her, why would she have started this? Why would she have come to see my recital and then come backstage to find me?

"It has everything to do with right now." She whispered, closing her eyes and dropping the defiance that she had clung to.

I was about to say something more when my phone started to ring, from our spot against the counter we could clearly read the display screen on my dressing room counter. Saku?

"Do you need to check that?" Temari asked, voice neutral, impossible to read. I debated silently on checking why she would contact me and ignoring it completely. My eyes flickered quickly between the phone and Temari, making up my decision for me when she backed away, seeing something in my expression.

I grabbed the phone off the counter quickly as Temari stared at the door, masking anything she might be feeling.

"We need to go." I whispered suddenly, "do you have your car?" Temari looked at me and for a brief second and I saw something, hatred.

"Of course, Kitten. Let's get you to your Saku." I flinched involuntarily, opening my mouth to say something more before shutting it, realizing I had nothing to say, simply nodding instead.

-Sakura-

I followed Tsunade through the large double front doors to the hospital. As soon as we walked through the doors, one of the nurses I've seen multiple times during my visits, looked up and motioned for us to go upstairs.

I can't believe she's awake, it just doesn't feel real.

My fingers shook as I tried to punch in the proper floor, they were stopped as Tay's hand slid over mine and held it, steadying me enough to hit the right key. I looked over at her and she flashed an awkward attempt at a comforting smile, tightening her grip around my hand. Tsunade's digits drummed impatiently against her thigh, hitting in the same rhythm over and over. One, two, three. One, two, three.

The doors opened with a ding and I took my first step into the empty hallway, then a second. By the time the third came into fruition my pace had picked up from slow, steady strides to a full out run.

I skidded around the doorway, Tay bumping into my back as she stumbled to stop, followed by Tsunade who moved at a much slower pace with a smile on her lips.

"Mom?" I asked, looking in the doorway as her doctor stepped away, writing a few things on his clipboard. He patted my shoulder as he walked by.

"She's doing well, but I'd like to speak to you a moment before you talk to her." He whispered, leaning down so she wouldn't hear me. Tsunade shared a look with him and passed me to lean down and give Anko a tight squeeze.

"Sakura." Tay urged, tugging on my hand so we would follow him into the hallway. I couldn't help but resist her, I want to go and tell her all the things I should have told her before the incident.

"It won't take long, this way please, Ms. Haruno." He prompted again and I nodded, giving in. When the door was closed he looked at Tay, "this really should be for direct family members only to hear."

"She's family." I insisted, cutting him off. The blond doctor looked ready to argue but simply nodded instead, putting his free hand inside of his white trench coat.

"Your adoptive mother was in a coma for a very long time, and while he vitals look good, and she appears stable; for now I must ask you not to tell her how long she's been out." He raised his hand when I opened my mouth to say something.

"Why the fuck not?" Tay asked for me, eyebrows hitched together.

"We haven't had time to run enough tests to see if there has been any brain damage, and she will be very sluggish for a few days. Her coordination will also be off, but that is normal.

"I am asking you not to say anything because we don't want to put her into shock, which could induce another coma. It's for her own safety."

"So what am I suppose to tell her? There's a window in her room, she will see the snow outside and wonder why it's snowing in August." The last thing I want to do is lie to her, if I had just been honest with her in the first place, maybe she wouldn't be in this situation.

"We are going to move her to a room where we will be able to observe her better, that does not have a window. Right now she can't see outside because it's pitch black, so we can give you a few hours with her before we need to move her." I thanked the doctor as he nodded and smiled, walking away after giving the attending nurse a few orders.

I took another deep steadying breath, preparing myself to go back inside.

"Hey, you alright there, Pinkie? Kinda look like you're about to puke y'know." Tay asked in a soft voice.

"I'm alright," I assured her, letting out a deep sigh before taking my first step back into my mother's room, gripping Tay's hand hard enough that she let out a soft whimper.

"Hey..." The word came out as a squeak and Tsunade turned in her seat to look at me, followed by Anko wearing a wide smile. "Mom," I finished, tears already building up in my eyes as I dropped Tay's hand and ran into open, waiting arms for a long overdue embrace.

"I've missed you and I love you and I'm so, so sorry..." I sobbed into her hospital gown, she held onto me while I cried, stroke my hair and humming as Tsunade and Tay left to give us some privacy.

"Wait!" I called after my crimson haired girlfriend. Tay stopped mid-step and waited, glancing at Tsunade to see who I was talking to. When it became obvious that I was looking at her, and only her; Tsunade chuckled and left.

Tay say down awkwardly and I looked at my mother. Wanting to start off things honestly for a change.

"Mom, this is my girlfriend, Tayuya."

~o~

A few hours later I stepped out the of the elevator, leaning heavily on Tay, exhausted beyond all comprehension. She didn't seem to mind, wrapping an arm around my hips and holding on so I remained steady while we walked.

She had stayed the entire time, listening mostly as I talked about school and tried – pathetically – not to mention or hint at how much time has passed. Eventually, the nurse had come back in and told us we needed to leave so they could move Anko and run some tests before she got some sleep.

Reluctantly, I had agreed that it had been proven that sleeping on the hospital floor sucks and that going home for the night wouldn't hurt anyone. After all, they would call if anything changed, and Anko did tell us to go home for the night. Albeit, I'm sure she doesn't know that home is the same place for both Tay and I.

Tay did leave it up to me in the end, promising she would stay no matter where I decided to sleep, even if it was the in the dumpster out back.

Why she had to go to that extreme I'm not sure, but it was a sweet gesture none the less.

"Saku!" I looked up at the waiting room, to find Temari and Emi sitting in the plastic chairs, and Ino already walking over to me. The bubbly blonde is once again, wearing Temari's jacket that looks entirely too hot to be wearing inside, zipped up.

"Hey, Ino." I replied sleepily, earning a playful poke in the ribs from Tay. I glowered at her and she only smirked and looked away.

"How is she?" She asked, stopping once she had caught up to us.

"She'll be alright they said, they just want to run a few more tests to make sure everything checks out." I told her loud enough that everyone in the room could hear, why Emi is here I'm not too sure. I would guess Temari was with Ino, where they came from is a mystery to me though, which would explain why she's here.

"Um, did you tell Emi?" I whispered, earning a curious look from Tay who didn't even bother to answer the unaddressed question.

"No, I thought you did." Ino replied.

"No..." I trailed off quietly when Emi stood to walk over and greet us.

"Hi! So your mom is going to be alright?" She beamed, still dressed for the dance in her simple black dress. To say she looks stunning would be an understatement. The dress she's wearing accents every curve and dip of her body, showing off her hips, legs and breasts with a simple, but effective, allure. Her hair is curled with two front strands pulled back and tied loosely around the rear.

To finish everything off, she's wearing a simple silver chain on her wrist with a matching necklace.

"Yeah, she'll be fine." I stopped before I would ask her how she knew about Anko. Temari telling her is about as likely as Tay telling her, and Ino said she didn't.

"How the fuck did you know about Pinkie's mom, Cavity?" Tay growled for me, and I winced. She didn't have to put it like that.

"I just overheard, from the big blonde lady you were with." No one said anything to her obvious lie, at least I think it's a lie, by the way Ino and Tay are looking at her.

-Ino-

I didn't stay to talk long with Saku and the Harpie. It was obvious Saku was ready to pass out at any moment, and Temari was in a right foul mood. She had insisted on staying and driving me home, even though I had told her I could walk. The hospital is only a few blocks from my home, well not a few, but it's close enough.

There was a restlessness that wouldn't leave as I sat beside her in her car. I didn't want to leave tonight off on a fight, and besides a few short, snapped words; we haven't spoken since Saku's message. Kicking aside an old, crumpled note, I debated on a few things and finally decided to just go with the random.

"Did you want to go to the park?" I asked when she turned down the road leading to mine. Temari didn't reply, knuckles white as she gripped her steering wheel, even the music she normally flicked on as soon as she got into the car was off. "Com'on, it will be fun... we can make snow angels and snowmen and have a snowball fight."

"I don't know, Ino." Temari whispered, refusing to look at me for more than just trying to be a good driver, which she really isn't.

"Pleeeaasssseee." I begged, pressing my hands together and causing her jacket to scrunch together in the front.

"Ino, you're still wearing a skirt and dress shirt, and you have my jacket. While I changed out of my dress, jeans and a sweater aren't the greatest things to go rolling around in the snow in." Temari argued, and I had to admit she was right. I looked down at the fabric of my costume, I need to remember to return this... and repair the top.

"Will you at least stay the night?" I whispered when she pulled into my parking lot, blushing furiously. I just don't want her to leave, to go back to her own bed, with her father there when she's obviously not happy with me right now.

"Kitten..." Temari turned off her car and stared up at my apartment building, her voice sad and hesitant. "I already told you-"

"I know, I know. We don't need to do anything... it's just..." My fingers crinkled the fabric of my skirt as they balled into fists. Before I could say anything more, I heard Temari's door click open and looked up just in time to see the steam rising from my breath.

Temari walked around the car to open my door, offering her hand with a sad smile. I forced myself to ignore the look on her face and took her hand, following her inside after she locked the doors.

~o~

After what seemed like forever later, I walked back into my bedroom, -changed- and dropped my costume on the bedroom floor. My hair is still wet from my shower, and my tongue still tasting strawberry fresh from my toothpaste. Temari looked up from where she was sitting on my covers, apparently boycotting pants or wearing anything I had offered in place of her oversized sweater.

I blushed, walking around to the far side of the bed, doing my best to ignore the dull look on Temari's face as she seemed oblivious to my presence. Rolling back the sheets, I slipped underneath with my back still turned to her. While I want to talk about what happened today, she's made it obvious she doesn't even want to acknowledge my presence, so I'll leave her be for now. Maybe in the morning.

I closed my eyes, ready for sleep to take me when the bed moved and I felt Temari move to lie down in place of sitting on top of the sheets.

After what seemed like forever later, just as I was slipping away, I felt something touch my back and shrugged it off as an accident when it was pulled away. A minute later it was back, more confident this time as a hand slid around my waist and Temari curled up around me. Her leg slipped between mine, bare smooth skin sliding against my thigh and calf.

I took in a sharp inhale, forcing myself to stay still and not scare her away and the sudden affection when I noticed she was shaking. It was subtle, like she was fighting to stop, to hide it from me and I almost let her.

"Temari..." I breathed, feeling her nails on the skin of my stomach as she tightened her grip and the shaking increased. Turning – awkwardly – in her hold, I tried to look at her. She hid her face in the pillows, remaining stubborn until the end.

"It's alright." I told her, "everything will be alright." Temari let out an audible sob and I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her face into my neck and chest so she could still hide if she wanted to without suffocating in the pillows.

We stayed like that most of the night, she never said a word, simply clung to me like a lifeline until she was able to calm down. And for now, that is enough.

-Tayuya-

"You you gonna be okay?" I asked, frustrated with the entire situation. She looks so dead, like someone took a fucking two by four and beat her with it and I can't figure out who did it to beat the shit out of them. Shouldn't she be, happy? What am I suppose to do here, what the fuck am I suppose to say?

I closed the door, turning the lock with my other arm still wrapped around my girlfriend's waist. Sakura lifted her cheek from my shoulder, giving me a half lidded look of exhaustion.

"Com'on, let's get you to bed." I grinned at her and she just stared back, emerald eyes tracing my face and settling on my lips. I blushed and looked away, swallowing a knot in my throat.

Her fingers brushed my cheeks, gently at first, then with more force when I refused to look back at her and those curious eyes. When I finally followed her prompts, she palm was pressed against my skin before it slid down my neck, pulling me closer.

The look reminded me of the way Temari would look at me before one of her fits of needing to be in control. It was odd, and more than a little arousing to see it on Sakura instead.

She twisted in my grip, pressing her body flush against mine against the doorway. "Sakura..." I breathed, intoxicated in the look she had me fixated with. I let my hands rest on her hips, pulling her tighter against me. The silk like fabric of her dress brushed my skin and caused goosebumps to form.

"What did I do to deserve you?" She asked, voice barely above a whisper, the subtle movements of her lips brushing mine.

"You must've pissed someone off pretty good." I replied with a roll of my eyes. She grinned and kissed me, full and flush. Her hands gripped my jaw while her tongue ran over my lips and I let her in, running my tongue against hers.

A moment later she broke the war apart, and nuzzled against my cheek. Her breath washed over my ear and tickled down the side of my face before she kissed my neck, soft enough that it could have been imagined.

She corrected the notion that it could not have happened, biting the side of my neck possessively. I groaned, feeling her hand run down my chest as she licked up to my pulse point to suck hard enough to leave a mark.

"Do you have any idea..." she kissed up my jaw and I found myself tilting my head back, perfectly happy to let her do whatever she wanted. She grabbed the Santa hat I was still wearing and tossed it aside. I had completely forgotten about it. "How incredibly hot you looked tonight?"

I swallowed a lump that had somehow snuck into my throat using rank five stealth, my skin lighting on fire as she ran her second hand down my arm.

"Or how amazing you've been with everything to do with Anko?"

"I haven't really-" I felt a wetness drop down onto my collar and paused mid response, "are you crying?"

"No," Sakura faltered, hiding her face in my hair.

"Babe, everything is alright. Your mom will be fine." I wrapped my arms around her, "geez, you aren't suppose to cry when everything is looking up. I mean, the dance is over and no one got shit faced." Well, they weren't when we left, "school is almost out, and your mom is finally awake.

"Your suppose to cry when everything is fucked up," I smirked and crinkled my nose as she pushed away with look at me with teary eyes.

"You're a horrible girlfriend." She muttered, running her hands up my chest to wrap her arms around my neck. "You're suppose to say it's okay to cry and that you love me." I laughed lightly at her comment, rebutting it with her own logic.

"Why should I have to follow the cookie cutter when you didn't?" Sakura wiped her cheeks, smudging the tear trails on her cheeks. "That doesn't seem very fuckin' fair to me." I kissed her nose, ignoring the disapproval the action was met with when she sniffled.

"You started it." She argued, voice shaky.

"You're the one who cried first!" I shot right back, earning a sarcastic eye roll. "Are you gonna be okay?" Sakura nodded, wiping away one last tear from the corner of her eyes with more threatening to spill over. "Then stop crying you wuss!"

"Just shut up and kiss me."

-Ino-

Something woke me in the middle of the night. When I opened my eyes, I felt the residual heat from where Temari had been but no longer was. I looked around for her but wasn't able to find the spunky blonde. From the living room a mew sounded and I rolled out of bed, rubbing my eyes as I walked down the hall.

I spotted Temari holding the door with one hand while trying to pry her shoelace out of Prince's mouth with the other. She cursed at the kitten who hopped around, happily playing tug a war with her unwilling partner.

"Where are you going?" I asked, folding my arms over my chest as I stepped closer to snatch up Prince. Once the kitten was snuggling under my chin, Temari stood as she answered.

"I'm going home."

"It's like, four AM. You might as well stay now." I argued, petting the purring ball of fluff that flicked it's fail along my jaw. Temari smiled, bags under her eyes as she shook her head no. "Why not?"

"Because, Kitten-" she paused when Prince turned his too big ears and eyes on her, "not you, the other Kitten." He mewed and reached a paw out to her, as if to ask for her to stay as well.

Temari scratched behind his ears as he pressed into her touch, I had to hold onto him a bit tighter for fear of him plummeting to the floor.

"Just, because." She sighed, shaking her head again as she retracted her hand.

As she reached out to open the door, I tried once more, "why won't you talk to me? Please?"

"What are you talking about? We talk all the time. I'll agree you tend to take up most of the time, but I do put in a few comments here and there." She replied sarcastically, brushing off my plea easily. Frustrated, I set down Prince who scurried into the kitchen and took a step closer to Temari. She took a defensive step back, and found her back once again cornered.

"Ino, stop." Temari commanded, eyes turning dark again.

"Why?" I asked, taking another step closer so she had no room to move. Temari started to shaking, flexing her fingers as they ball up into fists. I placed a hand on the door and leaned closer, trying to force her to look at me. "Talk to me, please. Why did you freak out earlier?"

"Back up." She growled, finally looking up at me, eyes cold and dead.

"I will once you agree to talk." I countered. Temari tried to break away to the side and I stopped her, stumbling back when she suddenly pressed against my chest, pushing me away.

"I said stop!" Her voice rose and every muscle visibly tensed. When I only gaped at her, shocked at the amount of force she had used, she reached for the door knob to find it locked.

"Why? Please Temari, just talk to me, whatever it is, you can talk to me!"

"No, I can't!" She fumbled with the doorknob for a moment more before hitting the door with a closed fist, pressing her forehead against the wood so her back was turned.

"Yes, you can. I promise, whatever it is... I won't get mad." I heard her sigh, Prince trotted back into the room to investigate the rise in noise as he rubbed against my leg. "Just trust me." Temari remained silent for a long time, before finally speaking, her back still to me.

"I can't... handle not being in control," I scrunched my eyebrows together, looking down at the demanding kitten still circling my feet as I weighed what I was going to say before speaking. "I hate being controlled... like feeling forced."

"Is it just... preference? Or?" Temari laughed, a soft sad laugh and I resisted the urge to hit myself. Apparently, my attempt to be sensitive failed miserably.

"Is it preference to not be forced?" I cringed, rushing to correct my question.

"I didn't mean it like that... I just, I don't understand." I wanted desperately to reach out and comfort her, but stayed put for fear of setting her off again. Temari didn't move from her spot against the door.

"It doesn't matter, Kitten."

"Yes it does!" I insisted, frustration building. I bunched up my fists, looking for an outlet to the tension that was growing. "If it matters to you, then it matters to me! Why can't you see that I'm trying to help!"

"Because I don't want your help!" Temari shouted back, turning to look at me, eyes burning with rage and pain. "I don't want your, or anyone's help! Don't you get it? I have never needed anyone's pity, I have never wanted it!"

Her last statement made me pause. "Why would I pity you? Temari, everyone has their problems, but they will never go away unless you talk about them. Please, just talk to me." Temari watched me for a long time, and I held my breath, hoping something had finally gotten through. Finally, in a voice barely above a whisper, she spoke.

"I don't want to lose you too."

"You won't, I promise. I'm not going anywhere." I replied with a soft smile. Temari seemed to accept my assurance, and took my offered hand as I led her back to bed; shoes being discarded along the way.

~o~

I stared at my clock, watching the sun begin to rise through my window. Temari mumbled something in her sleep, arm draped over my waist as I tried to stifled the rage that had been simmering since after our talk last night.

As silently as I could, I slipped out from under the covers and left a note on my pillow, in clear site for when Temari woke up. It said I was going to get eggs for breakfast, I suppose I would have to remember to do that on the way home as well.

I pulled on my shoes, and grabbed my jacket; pulling it over a sweater and jeans as I locked the door, ignoring the mews from Prince sitting on the counter.

In what felt like an eternity, but was in reality only ten minutes, I was standing in front of Sakura's apartment door. Futilely, I tried to calm down enough to not simply blow up in her face, but I knew if I hadn't calmed down over the hours lying in bed, I wasn't going to now.

Raising my hand, I started to pound it on the door. Twice, then I waited. Impatient, I hit the door again, and again. Picking up the frequency until I wasn't pausing at all to give them time to answer the door.

Finally, the door cracked open, and I shoved my way inside before slamming the door behind me.

"Ino...?" Saku yawned, blinking as she looked at the clock on the microwave. "It's five-thirty, what are you doing here?" She asked, unaware of Tayuya who had stumbled around the corner wiping the sleep out of her eyes.

"You knew, all this time." I said evenly, the lack of emotion in my voice must have caught her attention because she snapped her gaze back to me, and even Tayuya seemed to pay attention. "You knew, and you didn't do a damned thing!"

"What the hell are you talking about?" Saku asked, blinking with confusion scrunching up her face. Behind her, Tayuya took a protective step closer, but it wasn't quick enough to stop me as I snapped out to punch her in the nose.

I glared as Sakura stumbled back, supporting herself against her counter and clutching her nose with her other hand. Tay shoved past her and instantly had me pinned against the wall, promising death.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" The Harpie growled, so close I could smell her breath. I ignored her, keeping my attention on the source of my anger. "Oi!"

"For years, you've known and you've just let it continue! What kind of human just lets that go on?" I demanded, and she seemed to catch onto what I was talking about because she paled, holding a kleenex to her bleeding nose.

"Ino-"

"What the fuck are you talking about? Have you gone completely fucking mental?" Tayuya yelled, and I shoved off her hold, glaring at her to make sure she wasn't going to try anything more. As she positioned herself between me and her girlfriend, I decided to clue her in as well. She might as well know what kind of a monster she's sleeping with.

"Her uncle was raping her, and she trusted you! And you did nothing!" I spat, Tayuya visibly moving into shock as she turned to look at Sakura.

"What?" Harpie mumbled, trying to piece two and two together.

"Ino, please you don't know the full story-" Sakura tried pathetically to insert her side of the story. I scoffed and shook my head.

"I don't care what you have to say, how can you even think there's an excuse?" I snapped.

"I was twelve!" She offered, and the feeble excuse only pissed me off more.

"So? That is not a freaking excuse, Sakura! You're eighteen now, and you have still done nothing!" My voice rose, cracking slightly and Tayuya seemed to put herself out of the debate, unable to take a side anymore.

"She begged me not to say anything, Ino! She told me he had stopped, and if I said anything, it would only get bad again. She said if I went to the cops or told anyone, she would deny it! What was I suppose to do?" Sakura begged, tears rolling down her cheek as she pleaded with me.

"You were suppose to be her friend!" I screamed. Sakura leaned against the counter, seeming to use it to support her weight as she floundered for an answer. "You know what, save it. I don't even want to hear what you have to say." I opened the door and took a step out, turning back to say one last thing.

"I hope you can live with yourself, because I certainly wouldn't be able to."

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

There are officially two chapters left of MPP and, at this point in time I would like to say a few things.

First, thank you to everyone, old and new, who have taken the time to read my work. The kind words you have all taken the time to leave are one of the things I look forward to the most.

Second, I have been receiving a few requests of late and as I said at the beginning of this chapter, I am trying to fulfil a few. If there is anything – within reason – that you would like to see, drop a review or leave me a message and I'll consider it.

Third, I would like to announce the continuation of MPP in a futuristic setting. I have yet to decide the name for the fic, and it will likely about half of the total length of MPP. The only hint I am going to give is high school reunion.

Finally, TP – for those of you following the fic – is about half done, so I am picking up three new projects. Two are already posted on the site, Pink Crush, another Naruto fic I am revamping and reposting. And The Passage of Twin Disciplines. It's a League of Legends fic, yuri but more centric to adventure and combat / mystery than romance. It's the closest posted fic to my usual genre. Check it out! It's not bad, I swear!

Psst, but you said three! Yes, I know, the third is undecided. I have a list of future projects on my profile, if you'd like to see any of them become the third, let me know.

Anywho, thank you again, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. (Sorry it took so freaking long to get out.)- Kiravu