The prompt I used is Something More for Day 2. Sorry I’m late. Real life got in the way.
She can’t help but gaze at him. There is something about him that attracts her so. They are only five years old, but she feels a strange connection between them that she can’t ignore. It’s like there is something tugging at the deepest recesses of her mind, prickling at her brain and urging her about something which she truly can’t comprehend.
She stops walking. Naruto and Sasuke continue to trudge in the streets, chattering about something. Sakura can only gaze at their backs, something which makes her heart oddly clench.
When Naruto suddenly runs off, presumably towards a goldfish-scooping booth, she can see Sasuke slowly shake his head at the blond-haired boy’s direction.
She doesn’t say anything, only sneaking glances at him from time to time.
As if sensing her gaze, Sasuke turns to her, raising an eyebrow.
“What is it?” he asks. “Is there something on my back?”
Feeling herself blushing in embarrassment, Sakura quickly shakes her head. “Oh, i-it’s nothing, Sasuke-kun!” she exclaims.
He looks at her for a while before shrugging. “All right. I’m just gonna go to Naruto and make sure that he doesn’t get himself in trouble.”
Sakura swallows as she watches him walk away.
Again, her heart twists.
It’s like he’s going away…
Like he’s starting to walk out of her life…
No. No.
No.
Please–
–don’t leave us again–
–don’t leave me again–
“Ah!”
Sasuke immediately turns around at the sound, his eyes wide in surprise. “Sakura–?”
What meets his eyes is a scene of Sakura tripping on a rock and falling face-down on the ground.
Startled, Sasuke is frozen in his spot, unsure of what he should do or say at the moment.
Meanwhile, Sakura deeply wishes for a hole to materialize on the ground below her and swallow her up.
Tears well up in her eyes. I’m so embarrassed… she moans to herself, not even attempting to pick herself up.
Suddenly, she hears footsteps coming her way. Sakura gingerly lifts her head.
“Hey.” Sasuke, whose hands are inside his pockets, tentatively approaches her. “…are you okay?”
“…I’m okay…” she sniffs, trying to put on a brave front but failing.
Sasuke stares at her, then his face lights up into a smile.
“You say you’re okay, but you look like you’re gonna cry.” Still having that tiny, somewhat amused grin on his face, he extends a hand towards her.
“Come on, lemme help you up.”
Her heart strangely pounds in her chest as she takes his proffered hand.
She has always thought that this is only a little crush, a form of small admiration which started only about a week ago.
But…
It feels like she has loved him far longer than that.
Sasuke sighed as he handed Sakura another box of tissues. Here he is on a rather stormy night, staying in one of his family’s luxurious hotels with his friends for a 5-day vacation. He didn’t want to go, but a certain girl with pink hair used her bright emerald eyes to change his mind. They’ve been friends for years, and all those years he did find a hard time saying no to her.
Sakura and Naruto came with the Uchiha family to this island paradise also owned by the Uchihas, but obviously they cannot see its beauty tonight. A storm came rolling in just as they came that afternoon. After settling in and having dinner indoors, the trio stayed at Sasuke’s room to have their usual movie marathon. They’re done watching Naruto’s pick, and currently the movie in front of them was Sakura’s choice.
The Fault In Our Stars it is.
Sasuke saw Naruto fell asleep, but the only girl in their group didn’t even notice. She was too engrossed in the movie as if it was her first time. They’ve watched it together when it was first released in cinemas since she was such a big fan of the book. After Sakura got her own copy, Sasuke didn’t want to know how many times she cried her heart out over it.
Tonight, she’s doing it again.
When the scene where Gus revealed his condition to Hazel, the waterworks came again. Sasuke knew that from that moment on, tears will continue to fall. It seems to rival the rain pouring outside. He stood up to get a glass of water and gave it to her. Sakura gave her an appreciative glance before turning her attention back to the movie.
Naruto is definitely sleeping on the other side of the couch, and Sasuke sighed – not wanting to just leave him there. The raven haired lad looked towards the other occupant of the room, busy saying the lines of the eulogy. He let a soft, amused chuckle escape from him. Sakura wore her heart on her sleeves, and it was one of her endearing traits. He can read her like a book, and vice versa. He didn’t mind what was going on in the movie, his eyes never leaving the pinkette. She would usually tease him as ‘emotionally constipated’ – a total opposite to the array of emotions that she shows. That’s the thing about Sakura, he mused. She’s real… honest.
As the final word of the film was spoken and the ending credits came, Sakura looked at the man beside him with such sad eyes. “I can’t handle this kind of heartbreak, Sasuke-kun.”
He ruffled her hair and gave her one of his small smiles. “You’ll get over it, Sakura.”
She took another tissue and blew her nose. “Good thing the hotel rooms here are soundproof. If it wasn’t, I think people would assume that someone’s been killed.” She gave a small laugh at her own words. “Well, time for your pick, Sasuke-kun! Hey Naru – oh, he’s asleep.”
Sasuke inserted the DVD of his choice and went back to her side. “Let the dobe be. He didn’t sleep in the plane.”
With a shrug, Sakura reached for the popcorn. Knowing Sasuke, he’ll choose something in the action genre –and she was right. The opening scene of World War Z played on the television. Almost halfway of the movie, Sasuke felt Sakura’s head on his shoulder. When he glanced at her, she joined Naruto in dreamland already. He secured her to his side as he continued watching alone.
As the ending credits rolled, Itachi came to his room. Sasuke just looked at him as he sat on the armchair beside him. “I came to check on you guys.”
“Hn.”
“Getting comfortable, aren’t we?”
The younger Uchiha gave his brother a glare. “Shut up, Itachi.”
Sakura moved a little, causing Sasuke to adjust himself so that she’ll be comfortable. She sighed with content which made him smile softly. Itachi just looked at them with amusement. His foolish little brother is obviously head over heels with his childhood friend.
“I’ll take care of Naruto. You take Sakura back to her room, Sasuke.”
“Thanks, nii-san.” He took the girl in his arms, pausing momentarily to let himself bask in her warmth. He could see the stain of the tears left after the movie. Then and there, he made a promise with himself.
I’ll do everything in my power to keep you happy, Sakura.
She smiled softly, the Uchiha matriarch’s face was one of great content. Sasuke held her in his arms as her life slipped away. All his emotions came crashing down, and tears flowed freely from his face. She’s gone. Uchiha Sakura is gone.
.
.
Dead, like his heart right now.
.
.
She will forever be remembered in the shinobi world as the greatest medic and a part of the legendary team 7.
To her friends, she is the loyal one who is willing to risk her life for her comrades.
To her family, she is the loving and caring mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose love is one of the foundations of the clan itself.
To Uchiha Sasuke, she is the light at the end of the tunnel… his spring… the love of his life… his one and only wife.
Konoha mourned for the loss of Uchiha Sakura and it took a while for the reality to sink in. Life continued – though a bit slowly to those dear to her. But ever since, Sasuke was never the same person again. What kept him going was the last conversation he shared with her, in the gardens under the tree they planted together.
.
.
“Anata… I think I have to leave soon.”
He held her hand and placed it on his cheek. They gaze into each other’s eyes, both with tears starting to fall. Sasuke couldn’t say anything. Words left him again, his heart too hurt for his brain to function coherently.
“Remember our wedding vows, Sasuke-kun? We promised to be together… I believe death can’t take us apart… since our feelings will forever be connected, ne?”
A nod was his reply, and he turned his head to kiss her palm on his cheek. “I… I don’t know what I will do without you, Sakura.”
She smiled at him, sweeter than ever. “I will be here with you Sasuke.” She placed her other hand on his chest, right above his beating heart. “Right here, always and forever.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
Sakura then placed her arms around his waist and placed a cheek on his chest. “Take care of everyone, okay? Take care of yourself also, anata.”
A tear fell from Sasuke’s eyes, and he didn’t bother to wipe it away. “You’re annoying, Sakura.”
Both chuckled, nostalgia hitting them hard. He made her look at him, noticing the tears freely flowing down her cheeks. Lifting two fingers, he gently tapped her forehead, and gave her one of his smiles that was reserved for her – only for her.
“I’ll see you soon.”
Sakura smiled back at him and placed both palms on his cheeks. “Arigatou,” he added.
“For what?”
“For everything.”
The tears made it hard to see, but Sasuke saw with pure clarity the smile which brought the sunshine back into his cold, cruel life.
“I love you, anata.”
.
.
Slowly, his health deteriorated. Everyone was afraid for him, but he wasn’t. He greeted death like an old friend.
Uchiha Sasuke closed his eyes, a small smile forever immortalized on his face. Though the entire family mourned, they knew he is happy now. Everyone knew the two heads of the Uchiha clan couldn’t be separated for too long.
.
.
.
They died on the same day, the same hour and minute – one year apart.
.
.
.
He looked around his new surroundings. Not far from him, someone was coming his way and made his heart leap with happiness. Twelve months may have passed, but he could never forget that hair the color of cherry blossoms and emerald eyes as fresh as spring that draw him in every single time.
He held out his hand, and she smiles as she took it with her own. They may have been on opposite sides of life for a year, but even that couldn’t destroy the red string of fate that connects the two.
No matter what, they’ll always end up together – loving each other forever.
It is a known fact that Uchiha Sasuke – prodigy extraordinaire – is a man of many talents.
The young CEO of the Uchiha Corporation, being a son of a prestigious family, was trained as a young boy not just with how to run the business but also taught the different arts. But only three people know of his hidden hobby – photography. They include his brother Itachi, his best friend Naruto, and his fiancée, Haruno Sakura – doctor extraordinaire.
He has a secret interest in black-and-white photography as a child. It started when Itachi gave him a camera on his 8th birthday. Ever since, the lad made it a part of him. But he was not ready to show his art to the world. His brother urged him to have an exhibit, but he consistently declined. He thought that there would be a right time for it.
Now, as he looked out of the glass window of his office, Sasuke felt that the time has come. His heart was still full after Sakura said yes to his wedding proposal last night. He wanted to tell the world about it but in his own special way. The sunset lit up his face which held a small smile. Sakura deserved nothing less than the best, after all.
His family was shocked to hear his proposal for an exhibit, except Itachi who felt that his foolish, little brother is little no more. He intended the opening of it to be his engagement party as well. And so, invitations were sent, preparations made, and the photographs – the stars of the night – were handle by no one but Sasuke himself.
Sakura was especially excited for his fiancé, for she knows that his talent was meant to be shown to the world. The evening of the exhibit came, and no one shined brighter than the two engaged pair. Everyone was left in awe of Sasuke’s photos and wondered what this talented young man still kept in his sleeves. The black-and-white motif was stunning, so it came to a surprise for everyone present to see an entire wall full of colored photographs.
.
.
Colored photographs of a girl with pink hair and orbs more precious than emeralds.
.
.
Sakura was left flabbergasted, her hands covering her mouth. The entire wall was full of photos of herself, candid and not, all taken by the man she loves. At the center of it was a large picture of her and Sasuke, the day they became a couple back in high school. Below it were the words in the handwriting of her fiancé himself.
.
Dr. Sakura Haruno, the love of my life who brought color and light to my dark monochrome. She showed to me the rainbow when all I knew was black and white. I am the happiest man on earth, for I will spend the rest of my life with her, loving her forever.
.
She felt Sasuke’s hand around her back, and he leaned in to say, “Surprise.”
She looked at him, still shocked. “What does this mean, Sasuke-kun? You… you said only the black-and-white ones will be featured.”
He gave her a small smile as Itachi took a microphone from one of the ushers. “Good evening, everyone. I am sure you all enjoy this photo exhibit of my little brother. Actually, it is a double celebration for us. I would like to take this opportunity to formally announce the engagement of Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura.”
The audience, filled with their family and friends, congratulated the two and gave them their well wishes. It was a rather busy night, but Sasuke was able to slip his future Mrs. Uchiha away to the rooftop of the building.
“You are definitely a man of surprises, Sasuke-kun,” Sakura said as they sat on an empty bench. “I… I don’t know what to say still.”
He held her hands with his, and looked straight into her eyes. “I wanted to tell them how much you mean to me, how thankful I am to have you, how much I love you. How you,” he kissed her forehead, “brought color and life to me.”
Happy tears escaped her eyes. As they shared a kiss, the stars shined brighter for them. Both were too in love to notice a raven haired man taking photographs of the two.
“This will be a good present for them at the wedding reception,” Uchiha Itachi said softly as he gazed at the two lovers, knowing that a love like theirs will last a lifetime.
Sasuke hadn’t seen her in months, not since the day of the
ceremony. When she turned around it didn’t take long for her eyes to find his.
It only lasted a moment, he saw surprise flash in her eyes. He knew she had
expected anyone but him, but he thinks that she shouldn’t have expected anyone except
him. Her eyes asked a thousand questions her lips would not utter, and for a
moment they stared at each other and there was no one in the room except them.
Too soon, she turned away, her gaze leaving his. “You’re all
aware that this is voluntary?” They all nodded in response. “Very well…” Her
voice trails off and her gaze turns to Shikamaru then, Sasuke could read her
eyes perfectly. “What is he doing here?”
She wondered silently, but he could almost hear the words as if she had spoken
them.
Shikamaru only sighed in response and completely ignored her
questioning gaze.
Sakura and him, they haven’t been on speaking terms, not
since the day of the ceremony when honorifics served as the ultimate offense.
For weeks he hated her, he didn’t want to see her and when he saw at
opportunity to become anbu he took it. Surprisingly for him it didn’t take long
for the anger to die out, he couldn’t hate her and afterwards all he wanted was
to take his words back.
“Nara-san, I don’t think it’s safe for a former criminal to
be part of Lady Hokage’s personal guard.” The woman besides him spoke and again Shikamaru
let out a sigh. Sasuke knew it was coming sooner or later, he had nothing to
say in his defense. He had tried to destroy the leaf, he had tried to kill her
once.
“He won’t just be part of it, he’s the one in charge of her
safety.” Shikamaru nodded over at Sasuke who just frowned in response. That, he didn’t expect.
“Are you really considering giving him the job, and risk
Lady Hoage’s safety in the process? Yeah, time’s gone by, but no one has
forgotten he’s a criminal.” The brunette spoke from the other side and Sasuke
couldn’t find it in him to care about his words. He’s faced the backlash of his
past actions, of his mistakes, since the moment he opened his eyes in a
hospital bed and everyone looked at him with disgust and fear.
He’s found that the leaf does not forget.
And in turn, he’s found he doesn’t care.
“He’s better suited in every field and I will hear no more
questions about the matter; are we clear, Hokuto, Hana? As for her safety, just
be at ease knowing that he would first die than allow her to be harmed.” There
was a smile at the corner of his lips that Sasuke did not find amusing. The two
anbu at his side didn’t seem convinced, but knew better than to press the
matter any further.
Sakura stood at Shikamaru’s side, her eyes looking
everywhere but at him. After a moment she spoke, carefully masked disdain
tainting her tone. “I appreciate the concern, but I assure you it’s not
necessary. I’m sure Uchiha-san knows his place.” And there it was, that damned
honorific he loathed, spilling from her tongue in a successful attempt to annoy
him.
She addresses him and he’s obliged to respond, because
that’s just how it goes between them. “Of course, Hokage-sama.” And he could
see it in her eyes, even if it was only there for a second; the honorifics,
they hurt her as much as they hurt him.
the first letter came on a dead summer’s morning, as day broke on her windowsill. a brown hawk tapped dutifully at the glass; she had half a mind to toss a lamp at anything that disturbed her after a four-hour sleep just two hours before her shift at the hospital started. days were long amid these times of reconstruction. sakura hardly saw her boys, as everyone was tied up in the ins and outs of daily bureaucracy. naruto found himself day in and day out, stamping through mind-numbing policy right along kakashi-sensei, or rather, the rokudaime. sai sporadically would join her for quiet dinners, cups of tea. peace was a headache, though one she was grateful for, every day.
the bird sat in quiet nobility, awaiting his recipient to pull her lazy joints into place and draw herself from the bed. frowning deeply, she rubbed her eyes, and pulled back the window to greet the hawk. “ohayo,” she grumbled, pulling a slip of paper from the bird’s carrier fold. before she could spare any possible thanks, two great wings flapped and swept the messenger off into the morning breeze. sakura clicked her tongue at the abrasive nature of it all, muttering things about a glorified pigeon under her breath.
a jolt of partial surprise sent a wave of currents through her stomach, she leaned against the frame of her window. it wasn’t unheard of for sasuke to contact his teammates in the year he had been gone. regular reports to kakashi were expected, and the occasional notification of general health to naruto or herself was a courtesy. hell, he had even sent her rare teacakes from waterfall for her birthday. still, something about her name scrawled out in his neat pen made her palms sweat. she tore at the wax seal, a little too hastily, and tried not to devour its contents too quickly.
sakura,
i received the medicinal pack you sent at the start of the season. It was addressed from the three of you, though I figured I’d thank the source.
so, thank you.
sasuke
a heavy sigh fell from her lips at the close of the letter. she had forgotten about the package. the areas up north had been suffering large bouts of typhoid fever this season. worrying was her natural state, as her father always said. but boys as strong as sasuke were not impervious to illness; it was a preventative measure more than anything else. albeit, any form of contact with him these days, even if one-sided, comforted the small part within her that imagined his fingers against her forehead some nights; a gesture she told herself time and time again was platonic affection.
going about her morning ritual, she washed the anxiety from her brow, wiped the steam from the mirror, and took a look at herself. it wasn’t often they contacted himself outside the bounds of village matter, and even less often they heard back from him outside of necessity. sakura stared deep into her own expression, the slight glow of her eyes, the trace of an absent smile that she told herself wasn’t giddiness.
her letter would reach him at his next expected stop in Yuki. She kept it direct and succinct, as she figured he might appreciate.
dear sasuke,
i’m glad the pack reached you in time. by the time this gets to you, you’ll be in snow country. lucky duck. the snow was always my favorite. stay warm. protect your fingers and toes, please. frostbite is truly pesky. i’m sure you remember the time naruto almost lost a toe. what a mess.
wishing you warmth,
sakura
it was about two weeks before sakura came to the conclusion that he wouldn’t respond. the disappointment was absent, just enough to give a small sigh each morning she opened the window, half wishing that damned hawk was plucking her out of her sleep. she was glad she hadn’t caved and mentioned it to naruto, or even ino for that matter. her self-pity party would be a small, private affair, candlelit, and accompanied by small doses of chocolate after she got off her shift. icha icha paradise is on at eight tonight, she noted absently one evening, kicking her shoes off by the door.
the incessant pecking started up at 8:17, just as the icha icha male lead and some nameless woman from a party climbed into bed. sakura threw the blanket off and clumsily threw the window open. the hawk looked up at her, blinking patiently, probably ready to set off on his next task. sakura sighed at the sight of the bird, reaching for his carrier fold, “we cannot keep meeting like this.” like clockwork, the creature gusted off into the night just as she retrieved the letter. settling back on the sofa, icha icha murmuring softly on the television, sakura traced her hands over her name in neat pen, a small smile tugging at her cheeks.
sakura,
medical facilities are far with few in between here, the pack has been useful. as for the frostbite, i have five fewer fingers to worry about than he did. i’ll manage.
sasuke
their correspondence was light and sporadic, like rains shifting up and down the plains. they talked about the weather, about the people and things he saw. sakura did her best to keep him up to date with things she decided he should know about: the budding-something between naruto and hinata, the number of babies she delivered that week (only if it was that impressive), or how many times she had to snatch icha icha out from behind a document kakashi swore he was reading. on his birthday, she sent him an oxblood scarf she had knit herself (and secretly wondered if he smelled it when he opened the box just as she would have done if roles were reversed). letters flew in and out, far into the year. it was late that autumn when the first invitation came.
sakura,
my time in snow country is coming to a close for now. the locals say we’re expecting the first real snow of the season next week. come see it.
SasuSaku Month 