– Hoping that you’d write another fic because you don’t just draw well – writing may be something you would enjoy too because I definitely enjoyed that fic you posted.
* Entry for sasusaku Month 2018, Day 23 – New Dream
** Brace yourselves for a mental image of a singing and dancing Sasuke. (Happy Birthday! More babies please?)
*** I do not own Naruto and its characters.
This is the story of how I died.
Don’t worry, this is actually a very fun story and the truth is, it isn’t even mine.
This is the story of a girl named Sakura and it starts with the sun..
********
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Kami, I don’t know why I ever climbed that tower.
sigh
That stupid dog Akamaru acting like a royal horse had me running, stumbling and falling. All I wanted was to lose those two ruffians so I could live my dream. A dream that will only come true once I’ve managed to sell the crown.
Who knew that deep within the forest, lies a tower with a well hidden secret?
I’m sure you never knew. Because if you did, you might have known about it. You knowing about it would mean that I may not have been the one telling this story.
After getting hit by something and losing consciousness, I found myself wrapped (?), tied (?), surrounded (?), by a lot of hair. When I say a lot, I’m saying several feet of hair that should not have been possible. That’s not all! The hair I’m talking about was pink. Not just your regular pink, but bubblegum pink! I mean, have you ever met someone with a bubblegum pink hair?
I don’t think so.
To get back my satchel, I agreed to take her to see the lanterns. But she doesn’t know that I am not gonna do it. Seeing the floating lanterns would mean that we have to get close to the castle and I’m telling you, the castle and I are not exactly friendly with each other.
Hence, my current predicament.
With almost all the menacing ruffians surrounding me while hanging on some coat hook, Pinkie, I decided to call her, captured their attention that got one of them singing about his dream:
“ I’m malicious, mean and scary
My sneer could curdle dairy
And violence-wise, my hands are not the cleanest
But despite my evil look
And my temper and my hook
I’ve always yearned to be a concert pianist”
The song went on with someone else’s dream being told until I think, almost everyone’s turn was finished.
“Saiwould like to quit and be a florist
Yamato does interior design
Shino is into mime, Choji’s cupcakes are sublime
Neji knits, Kiba sews
Kankuro does little puppet shows
And Gaara collects ceramic unicorns…”
Naruto, the one singing and playing the piano, with a hook instead of a hand, then turns to me, “What about you?”.
“I’m sorry, me?” Does this usuratonkachi mean me? The pretty boy those palace guards can’t get the nose right on those posters?
“What’s your dream?“, said another thug.
No way. “No, no, no. Sorry boys, I don’t sing.”
Several swords threaten to harm my smoldering, onyx eyes made me decide to go for it. Standing on top of the bar, doing a tap dance, I sang:
“I have dreams, like you, no, really
Just much less touchy-feely
They mainly happen somewhere warm and sunny
On an island that I own, tanned and rested and alone
Surrounded by enormous piles of money”
Ahhh.. My dream! Yes! The crown which I can only retrieve once I take Pinkie to see the lanterns is the key to success. Much to my relief, they continued singing, chanting about dreams. All thanks to her charm. Wait… No, no, no. I do not find her charming. She’s underdressed, a little bit clumpsy, she’s got pink hair and, her eyes are green, jade ones filled with wonder, eyes that can see right through the soul. *ehem*
We were interrupted by the doors opening so loud that I took us into hiding behind the bar. I heard the guard captain Kakashi yelling “Where’s Senju? Where is he?! I know he’s in here somewhere. Find him and turn this place upside down if you have to!”.
Really, now is not the time to get caught. I haven’t lived my dream yet! And what about Pinkie? Her mother Kaguya will kill me before the guards do if she finds out I was the one who got the looooong haired girl out from that tower. Yikes!
Naruto then flips a switch, opening a trap door to a secret passage. “Go, live your dream.”
Grateful for letting us escape, I thanked him. “I will.”.
“Not you,” he replied, “Your dream stinks. I was talking to her.”
Shame. To think I thought I’ve warmed up to him after all those singing and dancing.
Now, did I tell you what kind of girl Sakura is? Nope? Well, she is kind and sweet. Right after thanking Naruto for everything, she kissed the thug on his cheeks.
*****
Entering the tunnel was a bad idea. We were chased by the guards and those thugs Orochimaru and Kabuto. Almost drowning and dying, her voice broke and her eyes were moist with something else – tears. “This is all my fault. She was right. I never should have done this.” She started to sob which I found nearly heartbreaking. “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry Senju…”
Almost drowning and dying, I decided it wasn’t a bad idea to tell her who I really am. Senju Tobirama? No, that wasn’t my real name. “Sasuke.”
Her puzzled face urged me to go on. “My real name is Uchiha Sasuke. Someone might as well know. ”.
“Hmmm.. I have magic hair that glows when I sing.”
“What?” From sobbing, she then had that look in her eyes that told me she might be delirious. She suddenly became excited. “I have magic hair that glows when I sing!”
The thing when you’re about to face death, your life flashes before you. At times you panic, desperate to fight for your life. There are times too, when you start blabbing total nonsense like this pinkette here. In her case, she chose to sing, just like how she sang her heart out when several blood thirsty thugs were about to poke me with their swords.
“Flower gleam and glow, let your power shine..”
The dark tunnel turned bright when her pink hair glowed. This must be a dream! Maybe I haven’t gone with those two snaky, sneaky thugs to steal the crown. Yeah, that must be it! Maybe this was just a premonition of some sort telling me not to set foot on that tower.
*
Her pink glowing hair had another story to tell.
It appears that Sakura’s hair can heal wounds too.
She wrapped my wounded hand with her hair and sang a special song and voila! My hand looked like I have never gotten that wound in the first place. It didn’t even leave a scar! She told me not to freak out but who does not freak out with a pink glowing, magically healing hair?
Two things played inside my head at that moment.
She said that because her hair had some magical powers, people tried to cut it and wanted it for themselves that’s why her mother kept her in that tower to protect her gift. No wonder the idea of getting out to see the lanterns excited and made her sad at the same time. Staying meant she can never live her dream, leaving meant she’ll break her mother’s heart.
I felt bad about her situation. Compared to the grandiose that was my own dream, hers was not too much to ask for. Sure, she needs protection because her hair looked like it had a neon sign saying “odd”, but seeing those lanterns intended for the lost princess seemed like it meant the world to her. What would I not give to see happiness reflected on those beautiful emerald eyes?
It was settled right there and then.
No matter what it takes, I will help her dream come true.
Oh, she said she liked the name Uchiha Sasuke better than Senju Tobirama.
Awkward, I guess? I left her alone so I could “gather more wood for the fire”. When I came back, she had that gloomy look in her eyes and it bothered me, a lot. “Hey, uh… can I ask you something? Is there any chance that I’m gonna get super strength in my hand because I’m not gonna lie. That would be stupendous.”
It may not have worked so I may have to say something stupid in order to change that. “Hey, are you all right?”
“Oh! Sorry, yes. Just, errm, lost in thought, I guess.”
“I mean because here’s the thing. Superhuman good looks, I’ve always had them–born with it, but superhuman strength? Can you imagine the possibilities of this…?
*
With Akamaru falling for her charms, we managed to enter the gates of Konohagakure undetected. The entire kingdom prepared for the day’s festivities, the birthday of the lost princess. Someone I know bumped people and animals because her hair was stuck. Good thing there were little girls who were braiding each other’s hairs. With my brilliant mind never running out of ideas, I whistled to attract their attention and pointed out Pinkie, whose hair they happily braided and adorned with flowers.
I knew it’s the enemy territory. The danger of me getting caught was present with all the palace guards roaming the area. But my desire to see a certain someone happy was too strong. For the first time in my life, I wanted to do something that was not for myself and my heart seemed to beat faster than it should. There was something in her, the magic she wields perhaps, that got me thinking twice about my priorities in life and the truth was, she was becoming a part of it.
It was almost dark when the people were asked to proceed to the boats. While she was busy painting the streets, I managed to rent a gondola that would take us to view the lanterns. We left Akamaru behind with a bag of apples for him, a way to thank him for helping me let Sakura enjoy today. It was her birthday afterall.
“Where are we going?”
“Well, the best day of your life, I figured you should have a decent seat.”
She gave me a smile that made my heart skip a beat. If she was having the time of her life now, I on the otherhand, am living to see that smile.
The sea was so still you’d think it also yearns to find the lost princess. Everything went silent as all the men and women waited for the first lantern to light up the sky. It has been 18 years and yet, the princess is still a lost one. What should have been a celebration turned into a heartbreaking moment when she was taken away. Who did it, no one knew. Until this day, every soul hoped that she would one day, find her way home.
“Hmm.”
Sakura was once again lost in thought. “You okay?”
“I’m terrified.”
“Why?” My onyx eyes sought hers, hoping to find the answer.
“I’ve been looking out a window for eighteen years, dreaming about what it might feel like when those lights rise in the sky. What if it’s not everything I dreamed it would be?”
“It will be.”
I tried my best to reassure her. To let her know that it’ll be okay. She took a deep breath and seemed to ponder, “And what if it is? What do I do then?”
“Well, that’s the good part I guess. You get to go find a new dream.”
Her husband couldn’t stay put in the same place for long.
He gave his best to not let it show, but after years of observing him closely, Sakura was good at understanding what was going on his mind without him explaining it with words.
So she always knew Sasuke was feeling restless when he kept looking out of the window during the day. His gaze locked on the clouds and the endless blue of the sky, and he looked like a bird with plucked wings, eager to soar away.
SasuSaku Month 2018 – Day 14: Wait For Me Rating: T Context: Non-mass/non-shinobi AU A/N: So, writer’s block on top of some personal stuff equals no writing, but I’m back and I’m not about to give up on SSM, even if I’m really late on prompts. Thank you guys for reading and I hope you like it! 😀
Sasuke shot up from his bed with a startled gasp, he looked around wildly trying to find the thing that woke him up. Only the darkness of his hotel room greeted him. He sighed deeply and rubbed his face, frowning at the sweat running down his temples. His heart was hammering against his rib cage and a certain sense of anxiety was bubbling in his stomach. He tried shaking off the tension on his shoulders and fell back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. He figured he must have had a nightmare and willed himself to calm down. Without realizing, he managed to doze off enough to settle into a light slumber.
Not long after he was being shaken awake and blinded by light. He shielded his eyes from the brightness and saw his older brother, in his sleepwear, zooming around the room in quick strides gathering up his belongings.
“Itachi?” Sasuke was thoroughly confused.
Itachi threw him a single look, but it was enough to make him freeze in panic. “We’re leaving on the first flight to Konoha. You have five minutes.”
He threw the covers off of him, without hesitating, and changed quickly. There were a million questions running around in his head, but he dared not ask after seeing that hard look on his brother’s face. Thankfully, he didn’t have much to pack and was done just as Itachi was opening their front door. He followed without a word and jumped into the taxi that was waiting for them.
“Airport,” Itachi commanded as soon as he slipped in behind him. The car drove off.
“What’s happened?” Sasuke asked, not being able to hold in his questions anymore. “We’ve barely had a meeting with our prospective business partner here in Suna an-“
“Sasuke,” Itachi cut him off with a deep frown. “There’s been an incident. Your wife…”
Please, no. Sasuke froze as fear gripped his heart.
It has been more than two years since the day he crossed those gates and left his village looking for redemption and a new view of the world. Now he was standing a few meters away from Konoha gates, and he wasn’t sure of how to feel. It’s been a long time, full of learning and diverse experiences but above all, full of reflections. He’d carried in his heart so much hate and desire for revenge that he’d had to make a side other feelings. And now that his soul was clear of those dark tribulations, he felt charged with many different emotions. Feelings that he couldn’t really unscramble.
It had been two months since he decided to go back to Konoha. He made that decision after having helped so many people and more importantly, after losing part of the guilt he felt for the offences he committed before the war. On the last village he’d stopped by, things had been really calmed, so calmed that he’d had a lot of time to relax and to think. This spare time filled his mind with thoughts of one pink haired kunoichi. He could remember the warmth of her smile, the kindness in her eyes and the connection they had shared when he gently poked her forehead with his fingers, passing her the sign of affection he tenderly stored in his heart and reminded him of his beloved brother. It was time to come back. His burden was lighter, and he was missing her too much. It was time. So, now he was there, in those gates that had seen him leave more than just one time. He felt a knot in his guts, looked up to the sky, felt a fresh breeze in his face, took a deep breath and walked in.
He felt the urge to look for her, but he wasn’t sure of her location. So he decided to follow the protocol and walked towards the Hokage’s office. He had to inform Kakashi of many of his missions. He didn’t take the shorter direct route though. He went through the streets that were close to Sakura’s family house and then to the ones facing the Hospital. Maybe, just maybe he could meet her in the way. Additionally, by walking through those secondary streets, the probability of encounter Naruto was lower. He had missed his wedding six months ago, and he knew Naruto would harshly remind him of that. He did wanted to go and would have gone to if it weren’t for the bandits he was following to aid a small village. He sighed at that; he could have Naruto yelling for later.
He walked slowly, scanning all the surroundings, feeling a kind of nostalgia and still a hint of sadness. Even though almost all the village was completely remodelled after the Pain attack, the atmosphere was the same, some streets and house remained untouched, and a lot of the new buildings kept the same style. Tons of memories flew back to his mind. He remembered happy moments with his family, dark, sad images and the turmoil he felt for many years. But this time, those hateful feelings were in the past. Somehow returning to Konoha was easy and harshly difficult at the same time. He passed next to Ichiraku Ramen, and the memories of team 7 invaded his soul with warmth, and then he remembered eating there with Sakura two days before leaving into his redemption path. He remembered how comfortable he felt in her presence and how calming her gaze was. He was possessed with mix feelings. He sighed again and kept walking. He finally reached the Hokage building and luckily and unluckily for him, he didn’t run into any familiar face in the way.
He found the Hokage’s office open and walked in. Kakashi in surprise at his presence opened his eyes widely. Sasuke hadn’t informed anyone about his comeback, so certainly his former sensei wasn’t expecting to see him in his office. Sasuke reported some of the most important details of his missions and other relevant information he had gathered. There were some important things that were worth discussing further, but Kakashi was buried in paperwork, and none of those matters were urgent, so they agreed to address them in another day. Sasuke was ready to leave when Kakashi interrupted him. He mentioned that both Naruto and Sakura were outside of the village in separated missions. Sasuke couldn’t help to feel disappointed at this. He was expecting to see her emerald eyes soon. Kakashi noticed the expression that Sasuke couldn’t wholly conceal. And teasing him, he recommended Sasuke a fine Inn and told him that it was one block away from Sakura’s new apartment, suspiciously giving him many details about the latter location. Sasuke noticed his sensei’s tone and gave him a hard look while he turned back and left the office.
Yes, he needed a place to stay. His previous apartment was destroyed years ago. And after his trial was over and he was set free, he didn’t really look for a new place. He knew he would be leaving soon so didn’t worry about that. That time he stayed some nights at Kakashi’s, Naruto’s, two different Inns (which he disliked) and even some nights at Sakura’s family house. Although he didn’t appreciate the teasing tone of Kakashi, the information he gave him was valuable. He left the Hokage building and decided to go to that Inn. He could see were Sakura’s apartment was and visit her some other day.
It was quite far and when he was in the middle of his way he felt how droplets of water hit his head. A sudden heavy spring rain started. Fortunately for him, he was still wearing his cloak, so he just pulled up his hood and kept walking.
Then the unexpected happened. He was five blocks away from the Inn when a something resonated in his ears.
“Sasuke-kun”
That was so familiar. He turned just to meet her gaze some meters away. Sakura’s big green eyes met his onyx ones. She had returned earlier from her mission. The rain was pouring hard. And for a moment, for them, it seemed to have stopped. They looked intensely into each other eyes. For Sakura, everything froze, and she couldn’t believe that he was there in front of her after all that time. After an instant that felt like hours, Sakura smiled at him, moved and started walking towards him. She was wearing an utterly soaked cloak with the hood up. Her eyes were tearful. She no longer had bangs falling on her forehead. Soaked streaks of pink haired were to one side of her face. While he was still digesting that view, and his heart was skipping some beats, Sakura hugged him firmly.
She wasn’t thinking. She just followed her feelings. And now that she was hugging him so tightly she felt self-conscious and worried about what Sasuke could think. But while she was getting ready to let him go and say sorry, he hugged her back. She had her arms around his neck, and by doing so, she had pulled down the hood of his cloak. He had placed his arm around her waist. And although the hug lasted for just a few seconds, for them it felt like forever. And there they were for a brief period of time embracing each other, while their cloaks kept soaking from the pouring rain of a spring afternoon.
He separated, just to look at her kind eyes, and calmly told her, the exact words she had been wanting to hear from a long time.
“Tadaima Sakura”
Her heart skipped a beat. She felt happy and so many more things. She pulled her hood back and grinned at him.
“Okaeri Sasuke-kun”
He felt calm, her smile made him feel at home, and his heart was filled with affection. He had made a good choice by coming back to Konoha, by coming back to her.
If there was one thing the three best friends have in common, it would be their stubbornness.
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura begged their parents to let them go to the camping trip that Itachi went to, but the adults blatantly refused. The ten year olds crossed their arms at the final verdict despite their pleas and decided to meet up at the wide backyard of the Uchihas.
“It’s really no fair! Why can Itachi-nii go and we can’t?!” the blonde screeched with irritation.
The only girl laid back on the well-maintained grass which the boys followed not a moment later. She looked to her left where Naruto was. “Okaa-san said it was for older kids only. And she said to wait because we’ll have our own field trip as well.” A small pout formed on her lips. “But I remember that the teacher said it will only last a day and we won’t go camping.”
Sakura turned her attention to her right when she heard a snort. “They treat us like kids.”
“But we are, Sasuke-kun.”
“Nuh uh! We’re ten. That’s two numbers already!” Naruto butt in. Then a wide smile appeared on his face. He sat back up, waving his hand around. “Let’s just camp here then! We can make our own tents and bonfire and watch the stars and all that!”
Sasuke and Sakura sat up as well. The childhood friends slash neighbours looked at each other with matching grins on their faces. The three then ran off to their respective houses, gathering materials for their impromptu camping. They found a loophole in their parents’ words, and now they’re going to have an adventure of their own.
But the adults found out while they were busy rummaging things for their activity. After a quick meeting between the Uzumakis, Uchihas, and Harunos, the kids were granted permission to camp out at the vast lawn of the raven-haired family. The grownups helped with setting up the large tent for the three to share and the kids spent the majority of the afternoon playing around the yard. When twilight came, Sasuke’s parents came to bring them food and prepared a bonfire for them.
As the sky turned darker, the trio lied down on the ground, watching the twinkling stars. “I wish we had fireworks,” Sakura thought out loud.
Naruto raised his hand in agreement. “That’s right! It would be perfect dattebayo!”
But the little girl suddenly shuddered. “But I find them a bit scary though. They’re beautiful… only that they’re too loud.”
“Not all of them are loud and scary,” obsidian held jade eyes in his gaze. Seeing her confused, Sasuke smirked and took off to the shed, where a stack of sparklers left after the New Year’s celebration were kept. He took the box and presented it to wide emeralds and sapphires.
“That’s so cool, Sasuke!” Naruto exclaimed, practically drooling at the sight. He took some and proceeded to arrange the sparklers in a large circle on the ground. The young Uchiha took one and handed it to Sakura. He was taken aback with how hard she shook her head.
“It might burn in my hand,” Sakura wailed.
“No it won’t,” he assured her. He took her hand to make her hold the unlit sparkler and clasped it with his. “You trust me, right?”
She nodded, though her eyes still held a little fear in them. “Of course, Sasuke-kun.”
“Then there’s no need to be afraid, okay?” She nodded again in reply and the dark haired boy called out to their friend who was still busy with his work.
“Oi, Naruto, light up this sparkler.”
“Ehhh let me light up these first!”
Onyx eyes darkened into a glare. “Usuratonkachi.”
The blonde crossed his arms and pouted. “Fine!”
When he did, Sakura tightened her grasp on the hand-held firework and Sasuke held on to her even tighter. Sparks then formed, and despite her glassy eyes, the pinkette started to smile. The Uchiha waved their joined hands around until a laugh came from the girl.
“See? It’s not so bad right, Sakura-chan?” Naruto asked her.
Her grin became bigger. “Yeah!”
“Sasuke!”
The trio turned around to see Fugaku walking towards them with a frown, Mikoto following closely behind. “I told you not to light these without adult supervision, right?”
The boy lowered his head, feeling the full effect of his father’s scolding. Somehow, it seems like he was always disappointing him. Before he could say his apologies however, a voice spoke up for him.
“It’s my fault, Fugaku-san! I wanted to see fireworks but I find them too loud and Sasuke-kun said that not all are loud and brought the sparklers but saw that I’m afraid and he helped me not to be scared anymore,” Sakura proclaimed in an earnest tone. “Please don’t be mad at Sasuke-kun. He was only helping me.”
The little girl bowed while her two friends were bewildered. Following her, Naruto also bowed and responded, “And I was the one who lit up the sparkler, Fugaku-san. Though it was Sasuke who told me to but I followed him anyway on my own will ‘ttebayo.”
‘They’re defending me,’ Sasuke thought. Gratitude filled his heart and also mirrored his friends’ action before his parents. The sight softened the Uchiha patriarch’s heart. He felt his wife’s hand grasp his own, much like how his son was still holding Sakura.
“Fugaku, there’s no need to be so harsh.” She turned towards the youngsters who were still bowing low. “Sasuke-chan, Sakura-chan, Naruto-chan, please raise you heads.”
When they did, she gave a motherly smile at them. “We will supervise you in lighting the sparklers. I actually prepared marshmallows, chocolate, and crackers for you three. You can make your own s’mores after, okay?”
The three beamed at her. In no time, the backyard lit up with bright sparks. Fugaku was the one who lighted them all up and the children’s eyes reflected the bursts of light. Making the s’mores was the next agenda, and the adults left them for a while.
While they were busy in making the snack, Sasuke was a bit bothered with Sakura’s stare. When he called her out for it, surprise came to him in the form of her hugging him out of the blue.
“I’m sorry, Sasuke-kun. You got scolded because of me.” Wide onyx eyes saw Naruto with an all-knowing and teasing smile. He wanted to wipe it off his face but his mind focused on the girl’s warmth. Tentatively, he returned the gesture.
“It’s not your fault, Sakura.”
She tightened her embrace, not daring to look at him. “But you still got in trouble because of me.”
“But you defended me, right? I don’t mind as long as it’s for you,” he whispered before he could think of his words. The boy felt his heart racing, silently praying that Sakura wouldn’t notice it. He felt like a entire fireworks display was happening in his chest. But as the moments passed, he realized that he didn’t hate it. Too distracted with his own reaction he didn’t realize that the pinkette was in the same state as him.
“Thank you for helping me overcome my fear, Sasuke-kun.” When she removed her hold on him, she was surprised to see him turn as red as his favourite tomatoes. The boy didn’t trust himself to say anything, so he simply nodded in reply.
From afar, Mikoto was busy taking photos of the two with her DSLR, smiling widely and already planning to present her little collection of photographs she’s taken as a gift for Sasuke and Sakura’s wedding day in the future.
Eyes the color of the earth looked around, anticipation keeping her on her toes. She received a letter stating that the founder of the children’s clinic where she’s working will come to visit and all the staff was eager to meet her again.
Then she saw it, pink hair that could only belong to the strongest medic in Konoha – probably the entire shinobi world, accompanied with the dark-haired member of the famous and legendary Team 7. The two came closer, and when they were already near within earshot, the head staff waved her hands in the air to greet them.
“Haruno-san! Uchiha-san!”
“Ogata-san! Hisashiburi!” Sakura exclaimed, hugging the older woman tightly. The latter also greeted Sasuke, to which the man responded with a nod. The two were then ushered towards the receiving area of the clinic and were served with warm tea.
After a few minutes of catching up, the medic went straight to the important topic. “I came to check up on you guys, and we also heard that there were bandits around the area?”
The young woman nodded and shuddered. “Hai. It was a large group and all of them were captured before, by Uchiha-san.”
Sakura looked at him, a bit surprised. “So that’s the reason why you looked confused when Kakashi-sensei sent us to investigate?”
“Aa. I thought I already dealt with the problem,” Sasuke admitted.
“But apparently another group formed and they are still just waiting to strike,” the older woman continued. “Though they haven’t come near here yet –”
Ogata spoke too soon. Suddenly the doors were opened by force and three burly men came in brandishing swords almost as large as them.
“We’re here to get –”
The robber wasn’t able to finish his sentence as they were rendered unconscious by the two Konoha shinobi. The battle didn’t even last a minute, for the group of twelve was nothing compared to the two that make up the neo-sannin.
Sasuke and Sakura stood side by side, gathering the criminals outside the clinic.
“Looks like we didn’t have to search for them. We should tell Kakashi about this,” the lone Uchiha announced. The medic nodded in agreement.
“We hit two birds with one stone today. Not only did we check up on the clinic, but we also cleared the mission of getting rid of these idiots in record time I might add,” Sakura replied with an amused tone, earning a smirk from her companion.
“That was awesome!”
Both turned back to see the children looking at them with awe. They rushed towards the two, forming an excited circle of little ones trying to get their attention. Their chatter was interrupted with a bright flash of lightning promptly followed by a loud clap of thunder, causing some of the youngsters to scream.
Sakura took everyone inside while Sasuke was responsible to take the men to the Raikage. He didn’t return until late afternoon, just as the rain stopped for a bit. Not long after, the storm continued to rage on. The Uchiha was immediately occupied with the kids, as they still look up to what he did just this morning. The kunoichi couldn’t help the fit of giggles as mismatched orbs sent a look on confusion towards her.
“It’s your turn, Sasuke-kun. They’re already finished with me.”
The children took him to the playroom as Sakura continued with healing the sick ones. After that, she sat down with the staff and discussed the clinic’s matters. The meeting didn’t last that long and afterwards she offered to help with making dinner.
The pinkette went to the large room to call everyone to eat. It functioned as a conference hall and the kid’s preferred space to play when they couldn’t go out during the rainy days. An amused smile formed when she saw the little ones in front of Sasuke in a basic taijutsu stance.
“Balance is important, not just with your body but with the mind as well, okay?”
The children nodded and chorused, “Hai, Uchiha-sensei!”
Onyx and amethyst looked up to see delighted emeralds. Sakura gave a small chuckle as she walked towards him. Standing beside her teammate, she faced the youngsters and clapped her hands.
“Time to eat, everyone!”
With an eager and unanimous “Hai!” from them, little feet rushed towards the dining hall. The two adults were left behind, walking slowly and taking their time.
“You were teaching them taijutsu?” The medic began.
He nodded once. “Aa. They begged me to. It was either that or they want me to read a storybook for them.”
“Eeeh I would have liked that,” Sakura replied with a teasing tone and Sasuke just nudged her playfully. A month already passed since they traveled together and both were in a level of comfortable far exceeding those of just teammates.
The dinner was a rather lively affair. The storm continued outside, and when the clock strikes nine in the evening, it was then bedtime for the kids. As he accompanied the children to their room, Sasuke felt a hand tugging his pants. When he looked down, he saw a little girl with cerulean eyes holding a teddy bear.
“Uchiha-sensei, can you please check if there are monsters under my bed?”
A young boy around the age of nine came towards them. “Mihoko, you shouldn’t disturb Uchiha-sensei! You saw them fight, right? They’re tired and they need to sleep too.”
The lass looked down in embarrassment. Then, her eyes widened when she felt herself lifted up by Sasuke.
“It’s okay. You don’t have to be afraid,” he assured her.
The child smiled brightly at him, wrapping her tiny hands around his neck. “Arigatou, Uchiha-sensei!”
It took a few more minutes for everyone to be tucked in. One lone hand stroke the the top of Mihoko’s head, making her fall asleep quickly. Sakura couldn’t help the smile on her face. “I didn’t know you get along so well with children, Sasuke-kun,” she whispered.
He merely shrugged. “It’s training,” he replied softly a second later.
The kunoichi tilted her head to the side in confusion. “Training for what?”
Sasuke moved the little girl’s blanket towards the child’s chin. He glanced up and simply answered, “For our future.”
An amused smirk formed on his face when the medic’s face turned as rosy as her hair, eyes wide with surprise and her jaw slightly dropped. Lifting two fingers, he lifted her chin up to close her mouth. It rested there for a few moments until he poked her forehead softly.
“Come on, let the children sleep.”
Sakura was still frozen in place and so Sasuke took her hand with his and led her out of the kids’ room.
Sasuke had never really been one to think about girls, much less actively pursue one. In fact, he had never really thought about it much even since when he entered the Ninja Academy at the age of five and encountered girls really for the first time. All that drastically changed when he was twelve and became a genin. It seemed that the world had all about imploded when he set foot into that cursed classroom. It seemed that every single girl there vied for his attention and fell all over themselves for it. It was foolish and unbecoming. Even now as he grew taller and stronger, it never seemed to stop. It was annoying, really.
Sighing, Sasuke shifted on the bench he was sitting on. To guard against the winter cold, he rearranged his black cloak and scarf tighter about him with his one right hand. A couple of women walked past, giggling, and trying to catch his eye. He ignored their attempts at getting his attention and eventually they disappeared from his line of vision.
Staring down at his only hand in his lap, Sasuke tended to reflect on his life and what he had done. Today was no different. His mind often wandered back to his goals as a genin and how misguided he had been. He thought about how he had killed his own brother, the last of his flesh and blood with his own hands. Sasuke wished if only he had been stronger and not been so consumed by revenge, maybe his brother would still be alive today. Maybe if he had just done things a little differently…
Sasuke had done so many things that should not have been forgiven so easily. Even she, who should not have forgiven him so easily, had as well. She annoyed Sasuke the most after all. She, his best friend, and teacher had all forgiven him way too easily. However, it seemed more as if his official pardon from Konoha Village had been granted by the village elders in an attempt to hide the fact that Uchiha Itachi had in fact been the village’s greatest hero. Sasuke’s various accomplishments taken from when he was a missing-nin such as eradicating members of Akatsuki (Itachi included), disposing of the criminal Orochimaru, and helping secure victory during the Fourth Great Shinobi War were just merely excuses Konoha’s elders had used to pardon Sasuke and to hide the truth about Itachi.
And yet, for all of his achievements that granted him his pardon rather easily, Sasuke was incapable of properly asking a girl on a date.
It had been about a year since he had last seen her.
Upon this thought, it seemed as though a boulder had settled into his stomach. It made Sasuke uneasy. Uchiha men were nothing if not proud of being certain and sure about themselves. The unease he felt only served to make him feel more anxious.
Sasuke pushed the thoughts from his head, shut his eyes, shifting a little on the bench, and waited. The chill in the air was not unpleasant and Sasuke felt that he rather enjoyed this weather. Winter was almost at an end, but soft snow still blanketed Konoha and brought with it a quiet sort of solitude.
However, that confounded boulder still nestled in his abdomen.
Sasuke had asked Sakura to meet him here today. Sasuke did not explicitly say it was a date, but he DID say he would see her next time he came back. Actually, Sasuke had managed to catch her during the past week since he had returned, but she had been busy with her hospital duties. However, what frustrated Sasuke was the fact that she did not even suggest that they see each other at all when he bumped into her. Sasuke thought to himself “Surely courtship was much easier during my parent’s generation, that, or Sakura is just incredibly dense, in fact—“
Sasuke’s thoughts were interrupted by a flash of pink in the corner of his eye and he heard a soft giggle.
“Morning Sasuke-kun,” Sakura trilled out. Sasuke peered at his pink-haired team mate out of the corner of his eye and acknowledged her with a barely perceptible nod. “…. Sakura.”
Sakura giggled again and sat down at the other end of the bench. She was wearing her usual outfit of a red top, skirt, shorts, black gloves, and knee high boots. To guard against the cold however, she was wearing a tan colored poncho with an attached hood over her outfit.
Sasuke continued to look at her from the corner of his eye. Sasuke decided that Sakura really had no clue as she was sitting much too far away from him.
This bench was a special sort of place for Sasuke and Sakura. It was the bench Sasuke had left Sakura on when he had defected from Konoha when he was twelve. It was the night Sakura had confessed her undying love for Sasuke.
Yet, here she was sitting on the other end of the bench, her legs dangling over the edge. Sasuke felt the knot in his stomach begin to loosen as he watched her legs swing lightly back and forth.
Sasuke was the first to break the silence. “How is the dobe doing anyways? How are him and Hinata?”
“He’s his usual cheerful bubbly self! I think Naruto’s going to propose to Hinata soon. Everyone knows already actually, even Hinata herself. It’s not really going to be a surprise because well, it’s Naruto, you know he can’t really keep secrets,” Sakura laughed.
“Hn. That idiot really can’t. How’s that pervert-hokage doing?”
“Hmm…” Sakura hummed, “you really shouldn’t call him that. Kakashi-sensei’s doing quite well actually. Times are peaceful so there really isn’t much for him to do. He visits the ninja academy often and spends a lot of time with Naruto since he’ll be the next hokage. Sometimes he, Naruto, and I get together and have dinner every now and then if we’re not busy. You should join us tomorrow since you’re in town.”
“Ah.”
A comfortable silence fell between them. Not an awkward sort of silence, but the kind of silence that falls between two people that just enjoy being in the presence of each other.
“Let’s get going,” a statement, not a question. Sakura giggled because giving statements rather than questions was just SO typical Sasuke.
Sasuke rose to his feet. Sakura followed suit, Sasuke watched as she brushed the snow off her behin—back of her skirt.
As they walked, Sasuke thought about the girl by his side. She was so different, yet so much the Sakura Haruno he had known when he was a boy of twelve years old. Sasuke frowned when he thought back on how much Sakura had fawned over him in the past and how much she did not now. He thought about the times back then when she actually had too much to say and too many useless stories to tell and too much gossip to share. Not much of a conversationalist himself still, now he wished she would fill the silence with her incessant chatter.
Sasuke stiffened when he felt a light touch on his arm. Realizing it was Sakura, he relaxed and looked at where she was pointing. “Want to go in there?” Sakura asked, pointing at a teahouse. It was a place Sasuke might have picked himself if he had not been so lost in thought.
It was a snow-covered old wooden teahouse that appeared to be well-tended.
Hanging from the top of the door frame of the entrance, was a canvas fabric split down the middle. The gently worn canvas cloth had characters on it that were gently rubbed away from years of use. Sasuke entered first and parted the cloth for Sakura. When her shining eyes emerged from behind the cloth to meet his, Sasuke felt his breath catch in his throat, his mouth felt dry, but the knot in his stomach loosened completely.
The interior of the teahouse was constructed of well-oiled wood. An small old lady with silvery-white hair pulled into a bun wearing a pale lavender kimono was sitting at a counter where incense was burning. Her eyes crinkled with a smile as Sasuke and Sakura approached.
“A table for two please,” Sakura smiled. The old lady nodded and reached under the counter for a menu. The old woman stood up and gestured for the pair to follow her into the teahouse. At a leisurely pace, the old women led them into a high-ceilinged room containing about ten to fifteen wooden tables. Paper lanterns hung from the eaves, casting a warm glow from the ceiling. Eventually their hostess indicated a table in the corner next to a window situated in the back of this large room. Sasuke seated himself on the side of the table next to the wall, Sakura took the other side and they settled on the cushions. Sasuke sat with one knee up while Sakura sat on both her knees.
“It is only you who tends to this teahouse.” Again, a statement, not a question.
“Yes it is,” the old lady replied. “My husband built this teahouse for me, he died seven years ago.”
“Ah, that’s why I was drawn to this place. It seemed so well-cared for despite its age,” Sakura murmured.
“Thank you, my dear. Please make yourselves comfortable, I’ll be back in a few minutes.” The old lady set down the menu and padded away.
After the old woman left, Sasuke found himself studying Sakura as she removed her gloves and then the cloak from around her shoulders. He realized that this girl, no, woman, was someone he hardly knew now. Sakura was a powerful kunoichi with outstanding medical prowess and incredible chakra control. During the 4th Shinobi War, he remembered how he had admired her power when she fought the juubi clones. She rescued him too–found him when he was wandering another dimension’s desert, where he might have perished from the heat and dehydration. Her confession. How Sakura fiercely declared how much she still loved him. Sasuke regretted his actions, how he had cast a genjutsu on her and how during the Hokage summit, he had almost killed—
Sasuke shook his head, dispelling his thoughts. He decided not to dwell on his dark thoughts right now when he was with Sakura.
Sasuke’s mismatched eyes roved over Sakura’s form. Now she was studying the menu intently, unaware of Sasuke’s gaze. He looked at the creamy skin on her neck, the gentle swell of her breasts and noticed how her hips jutted out from either side of her slim waist.
Finally looking away from her, with the grace of a seasoned nin, Sasuke removed his cloak and smoothly unwound the scarf from around his neck. Sasuke didn’t notice Sakura’s eyes following his movements.
“I’ll never get tired of watching you.” Sasuke heard Sakura breathe.
Sasuke froze in the middle of removing his scarf.
“What did you say?”
Color rushed to Sakura’s face, abruptly she stood up, turned heel, and stammered over her shoulder “I gotta go to the washroom!” She quickly walked away.
Sasuke sat stunned for a minute at what had just transpired. Gathering his composure, he decided he’d ask her about what she said when she returned.
——————
Meanwhile, in the washroom, Sakura splashed cold water onto her face to cool down her heated cheeks. She had totally spoken her thoughts out loud without thinking. Sakura stared into the mirror in front of her and sighed in frustration at her still rosy cheeks. She swiftly splashed more of the icy water to her cheeks and resolved she wouldn’t hang out with Sasuke alone again. They needed Naruto to get rid of this weird tension between her and Sasuke.
“What is with Sasuke-kun anyways? Why is he only asking me to meet with him and not having Naruto or even Kakashi-sensei come along? What was his problem?!” she fumed to herself in her head. This wasn’t what she had in mind really when Sasuke had told her he’d see her when he came back.
Sakura froze as she remembered the words of her sensei.
“A true shinobi seeks for the hidden meanings within hidden meanings.”
She was on a date with Sasuke. Not that she’d ever get the answer out of him if she asked him directly. He just wasn’t that kind of person. The fact that he had made the first move though, spoke volumes. With this realization, her anxiety finally faded and the color left her cheeks.
She couldn’t stay in this washroom forever. After a deep breath, Sakura opened the door of the washroom and went back to their table. Sakura started to kneel down on her original cushion, when their eyes met. Sasuke, using his only hand, patted the cushion to the left of him, signaling to Sakura that she should take the seat next to him.
“It’s okay! I’m fine where I am!”
“But over there you have no wall to lean on.”
Sakura paused for a moment, at a loss for words. Not truly understanding Sasuke’s intentions, quietly, she stood up and complied.
Sakura moved over to sit next to Sasuke on the free cushion. As she does, her thigh brushes his. In a hardly noticeable movement, Sasuke breaks the contact.
“You seem tense. The tea will calm you.” Sasuke had ordered tea and had a few sips of it already while he was waiting for Sakura to return. Sasuke picked up the white teapot on the table and poured the steaming light green liquid into a simple white tea cup. His fingers graze hers as he hands her the tea cup, lingering slightly, before releasing the cup.
“It’s a rather soothing brew isn’t it?” Sakura commented as she leaned back, closed her eyes and took a long draught from her cup.
When she opened her eyes again, she found herself staring into Sasuke’s black obsidian eye and rinnegan eye. Sasuke had leaned forward, with his sole hand planted on the ground on the other side of her, to her left. Sakura’s back was still against the wall.
Sakura swallowed the tea with some difficulty and felt her heart hammering in her chest, the sound thundering in her ears.
“So what did you mean with your comment earlier?” Sasuke asked in a soft, low voice.
Sakura brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, something she tends to do when she’s nervous, Sasuke noted. “I was just.. uh.. making a joke, trying to make you feel uncomfortable.” Sakura bubbled out, trying to brush off Sasuke’s question.
“You know what you said.”
Sakura closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths to steady herself, much to Sasuke’s amusement. Finally steeling her nerves, she opened her eyes and said with surprising clarity, “Yes, it’s true, I would never get tired of watching you, ever.”
As soon as the words had left her lips, Sasuke leaned forward and his lips brushed hers in a light, gentle kiss.
Withdrawing, Sasuke noticed Sakura’s mouth hanging slightly open in shock, her eyes wide and round. “We better get going,” Sasuke smirked. At that, Sakura seemed to snap out of her daze and managed to nod. The both stood up, gathered their things and donned their outerwear.
As the couple approached the counter, the old lady smiled brightly, “Leaving already?”
Sakura fumbled around in her poncho, looking for her wallet. Sasuke was already placing coins on the counter and didn’t let her pay.
Sakura bowed to the old lady, thanking her profusely. “Thank you for everything grandmother. Your teahouse is lovely. I’ll come visit you again soon.” Sakura gave her a bright smile and clasped the old woman’s warm, small hands. Sasuke nodded a silent thanks to the matron who quietly chuckled.
Sasuke once again parted the curtains for Sakura. Sasuke realized that the writing on the cloth had rubbed off where the fabric had been repeatedly parted in the same place, likely by the woman’s deceased husband for her. Similar to how he’d been parting the curtain for Sakura.
Sasuke stepped outside. Snow had started to gently fall.
Sakura had already walked ahead of Sasuke and was in the middle of the street. She twirled around with her arms in the air in delight at the falling flakes.
Sasuke quietly watched Sakura. She seemed almost like the first flower to bloom at the end of winter, signaling the beginning of spring. So delicate and beautiful, but powerful enough to bloom despite the lingering chill.
“While I love the beauty of spring and the warmth it brings, nothing quite beats being with the one you love on a quiet and cold winter’s day,” Sakura sighed, looking over in Sasuke’s direction.
Sasuke reached out with his hand, wrapping his arm around Sakura’s waist, pulling her tightly against his chest. Sakura found her face and hands pressed into Sasuke’s warm, broad chest. Staying there for a few moments, she drew her head back and looked up into Sasuke’s face. They both looked at each other and their lips, hovering like fireflies, dance back and forth until they meet for a kiss. Sakura wraps both her arms around Sasuke and his hand moves up from her waist and into her hair, his hand on the back of her head, drawing her deeper into this kiss.
As they kiss, Sasuke’s hand travels downward to her neck and his hand lightly grazes her arms. Sasuke’s tongue is allowed entry to Sakura’s mouth. Without thinking, his hand eventually brushes over her breast and Sakura gasps against his lips, startled by the touch. Sasuke freezes and pulls back, breaking the kiss, as he’s gotten carried away. Now was not the time. Not on such a day of such beautiful melancholy and gentle solitude.
In a rare moment, Sasuke’s cheeks flush from slight embarassment. Sakura smiles at Sasuke and seems to understand. Rising on tip toe, she gently kisses his cheek. Sasuke’s face breaks into a gentle smile at the kind gesture. Sasuke shifts Sakura to his right side, sweeping her underneath his cloak. His arm travels around her waist and her left arm winds around his. Arms around each other, they walk back to Sakura’s place together, feeling warmer than they had ever felt on a cold winter’s day.
———————————————————————————————————–
So this is like my first and only fic I’ll probably ever write. I’m sorry if it’s kind of.. boring? I had to get it out of my system and really I just wanted to convey a quiet winter atmosphere that reflects the beginning of or the budding of Sasuke and Sakura’s relationship. It starts out very gentle and slow. But there’s an underlying warmth and coziness there, that I think is similar to how it feels when you’re curled up next to a fire on a cold day. I like their quiet understanding they’ve developed (they have always had it, but it was more tumultuous and angsty) by the time they are adults and their connection that they don’t express outwardly with words or show to others, it belongs to them and they only show it to each other. They’re all about little moments and small gestures. I can’t really explain it. But they give me a lot of feelings. So I had to write this. I’d appreciate any feedback. I hope it’s decently written. 🙂
Day’s Notes: a fluffy canon compliant continuation of this one shot (x) but you don’t have to read it. this fic can stand on it’s own. The Day 16 fic is also meant to be paired with those two fics but can stand alone (x)
Years of traveling light and using summoning tattoos had left Sasuke a minimalist. When he had first acquired an apartment when he returned to Konoha, his home was empty except for the bare essentials.
That was, until Sakura got involved in the arrangement of his home.
When they were simply spending time together, Sakura would bring something along to add more life to his apartment. Something to make it more “lived in” as she put it.
.
.
A wall clock in the shape of a cat on the wall by the fridge.
Wind chimes that hung on the veranda.
Succulents from Yamanaka Hana, imported from Suna.
Throw pillows and an afghan, handmade by Sakura and her mother, for the well worn couch that found its way from Kakashi’s old apartment.
And slowly, she put her touch on the more intimate parts of his home. Her little things made their way into his bedroom.
A reed diffuser for the calming essential oils she used for aromatherapy.
A wall tapestry with a painting of mountains, a gift from Sai.
Blackout curtains, so that he wouldn’t be disturbed by the bright Konoha sunshine that shone from the inconvenient east facing bedroom window.
.
.
These were all things that weren’t necessary to live but they were things that made his life better. Each little piece made his apartment a home not just shelter.
But Sakura was slowly crossing the line.
Sasuke lifted up the metal tube contraption and and spun the handle at the top. There was a slight disturbance in the flow of the spin.
A grinder.
Sasuke set the grinder back down on the countertop, not quite sure what to make of it.
“Sakura.”
“Hm?” Sakura hummed, walking into the kitchen with dish rags fresh from the wash.
The silence that followed was filled with unspoken feelings. For a little while longer, you allowed yourself to bask in the warmth she radiates. You don’t know if you could ever feel that ever again.
Hitting a pressure point on her neck, she started to lose a grip on reality. And as she started to become unsteady and ultimately fall, you used your own body to catch her from hitting the ground. The tears that flowed from her closed eyes glistened in the moonlight. For a few more moments, it was just you and her and the falling leaves.
You carried her carefully to the stone bench. It’s the least you could do, after she opened her heart for you, and only you. Despite your genius status, you still couldn’t fathom how she just knew you were leaving the village. You never told anyone of your plans, yet she still found you. Instinct? A sense of foreboding?
You will never know now.
Gazing at her sleeping form, you reached out to gold her hand, one that was starting to get colder due to the night’s temperature. Suddenly the thought of the possibility of coming home after seeking revenge came flooding in your mind.
“Would you still care?” you mouthed softly, fully aware that she won’t be able to answer.
Yet something in your heart hoped that somehow she will. Though not a minute longer, you shove the thought away, thinking it will only serve as a distraction for you. He might use Sakura against you, because despite everything else, she remains to be one of your most precious people. In a twisted way, you’re protecting her and she will just have to live not aware of that fact.
Before you could think about it, you pressed your lips against hers like a fleeting touch. You’ll forget about this moment of weakness and she will never know. Stepping back, you turned towards the village gates again, delayed but still determined.
Maybe she’ll wait for you… maybe she won’t… only the years can tell which one will happen.
.
.
The shinobi war unlike any other finally came to an end after the Infinite Tsukuyomi was released. After your treatment and a long arduous trial, you were declared pardoned of your crimes. Being able to perceive everything in a new light, you wanted to see the world and along the way, redeem yourself of all the wrongdoings you’ve done. It was a self-imposed mission that you needed, something no one can stop – not even Sakura.
She and the sixth hokage came with you to the village gates. Kakashi, like the father figure that he is to all of you in Team Seven, left with reminders that he hopes you will take to heart. When Sakura asked you to stay a little while longer, it felt like déjà vu.
This time, you explained it carefully to her, hoping she’ll understand. For a moment, you were tempted to accept her offer of coming with you, but you managed to catch yourself and turned her down. Maybe someday, but not now. She is still needed in Konoha, and you won’t be selfish anymore.
Her mood immediately darkened and the sight felt like a punch to your gut. Hoping to appease her, and wanting to at least leave her with something, a thought passed your mind.
Lifting two fingers, you poked her forehead right on her seal, proclaiming – silently vowing – to see her soon. And as another heartfelt ‘thank you’ left your lips, a blush formed on her cheeks which you responded with a small yet genuine smile of your own. In that moment, you wished she would somehow understand.
And as always, she did.
.
.
You sent a note to Kakashi that you’ll be coming back home for a while. You don’t know what to expect, but a soft voice in your head ignored for so long whispered, expecting that the certain kunoichi mentioned by Naruto in his letters who is spring personified would be there.
As you stepped closer to Konoha, a feeling of dread started to slow you down. You still don’t know you if you even deserve this chance of having a future so different from before; and though you try to deny it, there is a little fear in your heart. Fear that maybe you can never truly belong anymore.
Fear that she already got tired of waiting for you to come and moved on.
But Sakura always had a special ability to see the good in even the worst, and you hold on to that belief. The promise she held in her eyes when you left was your source of hope in your travels, after all. Maybe, despite the time that passed, she will be there to be with you.
The village gates came into view and with it were three figures waiting for you. It caused you to momentarily stop, a surge of feelings you couldn’t name one by one washing over you. Pink hair swayed with the wind as she opened her arms to welcome you back.
You felt like time slowed down that very instant. And then you realized, you weren’t actually waiting for her to accept you. She already did, ever since. You were just simply blinded by hate to notice it. A love that you shoved aside in favour of revenge. She was always there, always a constant pillar of support.
You were actually waiting for yourself to be deserving of her love. Until now, you still think that she deserves someone else, someone not haunted by the claws of the past. But unfailingly, never wavering, she chooses you over and over again. Despite everything you’ve done, she would still constantly pick you among the rest. She gave you another chance and you won’t allow anything or anyone – not even your idiotic self – to waste it now. You knew that you are a changed man, still a work in progress, but hopefully good enough to be able to stand beside her.
This time, you promised to yourself as you hugged her back, neither you nor her would be waiting in uncertainty ever again.
I’ve never seen a person I loved so broken and bloody before.
My body holds a mind of its own as I hold him close, trembling like a broken machine against this man I have come to love. He smells like sweat and blood.
For once in my life since meeting him I don’t think about whether he saw me as annoying or not for being beside him.
Sasuke is dying.
I never knew just how much tears a person could produce,but it feels like I produce them all.
I think of nothing but Sasuke as I cry over his dead form, wanting to avoid the needles of Haku’s wrath sticking out of his body and failing badly. I can’t stop shaking with the anger and pain weld up inside me.
I miss him even as I stare into his pale and scratched face, knowing in those moments that I will have to leave him.
I hang on anyway, I hang on in the whirlwind of incomprehensible thoughts flying through my head.
Sasuke, Sasuke,Sasuke…
I’m sorry I was so annoying, I’m sorry I wasn’t a better teammate for you, I’m so sorry…
Please come back…
Please-
“Sakura?”
I gasp, hearing Sasuke Uchiha’s voice once more. Then my eyes widen when I register his open eyes. The dark color of them are filled with surprise at my face.
I am too happy and relieved to see him again. It is like he came back from the dead just for me, but I know it isn’t like that. I know it but I don’t care. A joyous sob escapes my lips and I bury my face in his neck.
“You’re alive!”
I felt Naruto and Kakashi shuffle in behind me to get closer to Sasuke, happy to see their teammate and student alive as well.
“Ack, Sakura, I can’t breathe!”
He chokes, and I reluctantly let go of him.
As the others begin to talk to him I notice Sasuke still staring at me like it was the first time we ever met.
I can’t even feel surprise because I know that in a way for both of us, it is.
After all, this is the first time I realized how much I love Sasuke, and for him the first time he actually sees me.
SasuSaku Month 