Identical Lies (A Naruto Fanfic)

True 3

I giggled as I brought my cup to my lips. Before me was a hilarious sight of drunk shinobi, and it was quite the sight to behold.

Ebisu and Ibiki had taken off before anyone got too drunk, an understandable decision.

Anko and Gai had gotten into a drunk squabble, but now sat close together, talking in hushed voices and giggling occasionally.

Asuma and Kurenai were cuddling and making out, which Kakashi informed me was a regular thing because the two were a couple, though they were failing at their aim to keep in a secret.

Iruka and Kakashi were talking, being two of the least drunk in the room. I was about as drunk as them, and I was just watching it all unfold.

"Ne, Hikari-chan, I missed you so much," Kurenai said, leaving Asuma to hug me. I set down my cup just in time as she pushed me over with her lack of balance.

"I missed you too," I said, giggling. She hugged me tighter and nuzzled her face into my chest, which made me giggle more.

"You should have seen Kakashi, he was so sad to see you go," she said, giggling, followed by a hiccup.

"Ignore her drunk rambling," Kakashi piped up quickly.

"Did you miss me that much?" I asked, poking out my tongue.

"Hardly. I finally got my apartment back to myself," he said, smirking at me teasingly.

Kurenai pushed her face between my breasts, giggling, and I glanced at Asuma.

"A hand?" I asked. He gave me a smile and shook his head. I laughed and rolled my eyes.

"Kurenai, let me up," I said, and she complied with a pout.

I got up and stretched. "I'm going out for a smoke," I said, starting to walk towards the door.

"Want me to come with?" Kakashi asked, to which I laughed slightly.

"I can look after myself," I said, poking my tongue out. I walked out the door, and leaned against the wall just a few meters away from the door. The cigarette I lit filled my nostrils with a familiar smell, and I watched the smoke I blew out disappear as I looked up at the sky.

The village seemed so quiet right now. It had to be almost midnight, and the air was on the chilly side. I sighed, and puffed away.

"I'm not making anyone proud, am I? Drinking and smoking away my pain," I said quietly to myself. The silence seemed deafening, and I ran a hand through my hair. I finished the smoke off quickly, and went back inside.

"Everything okay?" Iruka asked as I sat down and reached for the sake bottle.

"Yeah, I'm just not drunk enough yet," I said, and proceeded to drink straight from the bottle.

"Woah woah, easy there," Kakashi said quickly, reaching over and pulling the bottle from my lips.

"Kakashi, I've had three cups. I'm hardly drunk, considering the time," I said, giving him a sideways glance.

"You don't need to get drunk though," he said, which made me look away and set down the bottle.

"Sake has been my way of filling the gap in my heart. I know I'm home but...habits can't exactly be broken overnight," I said.

"We don't make you happy?" Iruka asked, leaning  on the table to look around Kakashi at me.

"I haven't been as happy as I have today since I left. But being out there, I got used to the lonely silence. And the loneliness always lingers. I do what I can to tape the crack so it leaks less," I say, and look around to see the others listening to me.