#Sakura: What are you listening to Sasuke-kun?

[moldy-flowers]

I've been hyperfixated on Sasuke for TWO years and that's too long.

Look, I love Sasuke. He's a cute lil emo guy. But he's stolen my music from me. I cant listen to songs anymore if they don't relate to him. And if they don't then I force au's on him.

Like, I'm sure you are the best American girl Sasuke, but can I listen to Mitski in peace, please??

[randomprose]

no use i just do

he may not understand it, but Sakura will always love Sasuke —for ssmonth24 day 24: confessions

Haruno Sakura loves Uchiha Sasuke. She loves him in all the ways that matter despite everything and anything. 

It’s just a fact of life—a universal truth. The sky is blue, water is wet, Naruto wants to be Hokage, and Haruno Sakura has always loved Uchiha Sasuke. 

Sakura doesn’t say it or throw around the phrase as much as she used to, but she radiates it. In every look she sends his way, in every word she speaks to him, the way her eyes always find his even in a crowded room or across a sea of people, the way she gravitates to him even without meaning to, and even the way she breathes when she’s around him. Everything about her speaks of her love for him. Her very existence itself is an expression of that unyielding and unconditional love.

To this, all Sasuke could ask is, "Still? After all this time?"

Sakura just shrugs, not even bothering to defend herself. Not like there’s anything to anyhow. Sakura has never been ashamed of her love. 

"Why?" Sasuke continues to prod, truly baffled. "There's nothing—I’m not—I’m just—” I have nothing to offer. “What do you even see in me?"

“You,” Sakura answers easily without missing a beat as if that’s enough of an explanation. “Just you.”

“And that is enough for you?”

“Well,” Sakura looks considering, hands clasped behind her and expression wholly open, always open when she’s with him. “It’s not like I didn’t try to stop. I did try to talk myself into some sense, you know?” Tried to make herself see reason and consider focusing her affections on Naruto instead—strong, dependable, steady, and safe Naruto who would never hurt or make her cry. At least not knowingly. There were other candidates too, of course. Sakura has long since passed that phase of self-doubt and insecurity, has gained confidence in herself and her skills, and knows full well of her worth. “I’m fully aware that I am a catch, Sasuke-kun. Even if you’re not aware of the fact.”

“No, I am,” Sasuke replies because he is, in fact, very aware.

“Good.”

“What happened then?” If she knows she could do better—so much better—how come it’s still him she chooses? “Why haven’t you stopped?”

“What can I say? I just couldn’t,” she shrugs again and her smile is lighthearted as she says, “Looking back, it all seems so silly. I tried to stop and I just couldn’t and after some time I just gave up trying to not love you. Sure, I hated you at times,  but that’s not the opposite of love, is it? Besides,” here her smile turns rueful, “I could never truly hate you, Sasuke-kun.” 

“Why?” he asks again, a tinge of desperation seeping at the word. How can she not hate him after everything? “How can you—What’s there to love?”

"What's not to love?” 

“Don’t answer my question with another.”

“Don’t ask stupid questions,” she retorts. “What’s there to love you ask? Everything. All of you. The good and the bad and everything in between.”

“Tch,” Sasuke shakes his head. “There really is no accounting for taste.”

“That there isn’t,” Sakura laughs, then she sighs. "It's no use, Sasuke-kun. I just love you."

It is in Sasuke’s nature as an Uchiha to self-destruct. It is also in his nature to be selfish and to take without giving, but for the life of him, Sasuke could never be selfish enough when it comes to Sakura. Because everything the Uchiha touches seems to get tainted and doomed to a life of loss, destruction, and heartache, but despite everything he has taken from her—and will continue to take from her—Sasuke cannot bring himself to damn her to a similar fate. 

“You should try again. To stop,” Sasuke says, looking at her imploringly with his mismatched eyes. "I'm broken, Sakura. Beyond repair.” He doesn’t know if he’s doing her a kindness by trying to make her see sense—because maybe she’ll listen to him if her own logic fails her—but Sasuke goes on to make his case against himself anyway. “There's no use trying to fix me. I can't be fixed."

"Is that what you think I've been trying to do all this time? Fix you?” Sakura says, throwing him a funny look before rolling her eyes. "Idiot. I've always known. Even when we were genin, I knew I couldn't fix you. That's not what I was or am trying to do. It never was."

"Then what is it that you want from me."

"Nothing! I just want to love you.” And it’s the truth too. It always was. Once she realizes what she feels for Sasuke is more than just childish infatuation and passing fancy, Sakura has never asked for anything in return for her affections. “The least you could do after everything is to let me."

Sasuke meets Sakura’s gentle gaze and considers her words. 

He supposes that, despite everything, he’s always known that it was always going to be Sakura for him, that it was always going to be them in the end, even when he didn’t allow himself to think about those things.

In the lofty years of his youth, he had often thought of returning to Konoha after settling the score with his brother and finding Sakura waiting for him. He had argued to himself that she was a logical choice and the reason his mind conjured her as a first—and only—choice was because she was his closest female companion being his teammate and somewhat friend. Not to mention, he found her the least annoying of the girls who used to fawn over him, never mind why he never questioned why he found it so.

And in the rare times that Sasuke has allowed himself to think of a future for himself after accomplishing his goals—misguided as they were—and beyond the battles and the tragedies he’s faced, it is Sakura who is a constant in those musings and the only one he sees himself with, be it settling down and continuing his other goal of restoring his clan or even just simple companionship for however long the fates shall allow Sasuke’s wretched life to go on. 

The fact of the matter is, Sasuke is to his bare bones a selfish bastard who has always thought of Sakura as his—just as much as he has always been hers as he has come to realize. 

(It does not cross his mind that Sakura is as selfish and as greedy as he is, maybe even more, in the way she loves him—how she would let Konoha burn rather than hurt him, forsake her duties if it meant she could be by his side, defend him to the death against those who speak ill of him.)

"Okay," Sasuke sighs in surrender, but it is of the sweet kind. “Okay.”

"Okay?” Sakura asks, peering up at him as if in confirmation.

"Yes."

Yes, you may love me and this time I will allow myself to be loved and reciprocate in the ways I know how. This is an act of selfishness as much as it is a kindness. For both of us. 

"Good."

The smile on her face is pleased and Sasuke lets the pleasant feeling wash over him with the knowledge that he is the cause of that.

“Sakura,” he calls to her, and her name almost sounds holy as he rolls off his tongue. Reverent like a prayer or benediction. Heavy with meaning and all the things that Sasuke cannot form the words to say.

Sasuke takes his hand and moves to close the gap between them. Sakura feels herself rooted on the spot, tensing when he steps into her space and loops his arm around her in an embrace. It takes her a second to relax and her arms to come up and wound around his waist to return the embrace. A memory comes to her unbidden and she pinches the skin on his back in warning.

"If you knock me out and leave me on some godforsaken bench again, Uchiha Sasuke, I swear to all your ancestors I will—”

Sasuke chuckles and squeezes her to him to stop her tirade.

"I already apologized for that."

“Tch.” Sakura puffs her cheeks and pouts, even as she lets him hold her against him and buries her face into his chest. "Whatever."

"I'm sorry. And thank you.” Two things that have never been easy for Uchiha Sasuke to say, but no one else has ever been more deserving to hear from him as much as Haruno Sakura. “For loving me. Even after all these years. Even when I'm—” 

"Batshit insane completely off your rockers and out of control?"

"Tch." Sasuke lightly tugs at the ends of her hair in annoyance, to which Sakura only snickers. He's trying to be sincere and maybe a little romantic here dammit and there she goes and ruins it. "So annoying."

"Ehh, you love me." She looks up at him with a teasing look and a cheeky grin before catching herself. "I mean—”

Eyes never leaving hers, Sasuke takes Sakura’s hand and puts it over his chest where his heart beats for her, hoping it’s enough for her to know even when he can’t find the words and the courage to say them yet.

I do. With all my heart and soul and everything that I am in my wretchedness, I do love you.

[twomiddlefingersforthehaters]

一生愛の人生よ! isshō ai no jinsei yo ! Love of a lifetime! This is what was pasted on her mirror. Instead of working together with Naruto and Sasuke to chase & find those scrolls… she is taking such care of her hair in the forest of death for sasuke-kun.

Kin tsuchi is mocking her by saying... "Your hair's shinier than mine... If you have time to take care of your hair, you should practice , you female swine! "

"KILL THAT SASUKE GUY IN FRONT... OF THIS BOY CHASER'S EYES"

(Sakura called 'Ino' a pig.... and now Kin called her a pig. Most of the time when she insults others it will backfire on her the next time)

This is what sasuke said to her before... "If you have time to bother me, Practice a Jutsu or Two"

Kishimoto tries to point out that instead of doing useless things to chase after a boy...try to improve your own skills. And when you promise you will do something, do it. Be a person of your word rather than being "all talk and no action."

Sasuke told Naruto the same thing to become stronger than him. What did he do? Did Naruto do nothing and just think about it and leave it there?NO. It's his honest desire to be as strong and equal as Sasuke. He trains hard and never tries to run away from it, finally getting his wish and attention from Sasuke by declaring 'I want to fight you too (Naruto)'.

The same phrase [ love of a lifetime] appeared on the wall of her room this time. But What is she doing now... holding the photograph of team 7 and crying.

Both of them are thinking of the same person 'Sasuke'.... but when it comes to Sakura's panel there is no hope.

Naruto was training here to become stronger (for Sasuke) and he was wishing for Sasuke on a shooting star. Even though he was exhausted from training… his thoughts of Sasuke made him not to waste time and went back to training.

"Sasuke is what makes him so determinated"

There are no secrets, there is no lack of trust. Indeed you trust your precious person with your mind, body, spirit and soul. You only want what's best for that important person. And you support and try to understand that person. Even if it means giving your life you will willingly and happily give it to your 'precious person'. You will not let them suffer alone, take their burden on your shoulders and show them that you will always be there for your precious person. You will always be with that 'person' in death and afterlife. You won't let them feel alone. You acknowledge their pain and difficulties. You do things to make the person feel loved and supported. you take the time to listen and understand. You give all that you can and do the best for the other person. You stand by them and support them when no one else does. You love the person because you do it without expecting anything in return. You try to be more open, communicative, and honest. You do whatever it is to show how much you value the other person. You choose to put your needs your dreams behind you because that person is more important than anything else. Instead of thinking just for yourself and your needs, you consider that person as well. Loving a person selflessly means accepting the person for who they are and who they will be. Loving selflessly is respecting that person. That's what Naruto does for Sasuke. Because his love towards Sasuke is selfless.

What did Sakura do for Sasuke:

She didn't do anything... even if she says she loves Sasuke but for that love she never did anything... she never tried to understand Sasuke... She never trusted him completely…. She dont even trust the boy she was addicted with.... And She always put herself first...

I don't care about your revenge... but I want to be with you

I don't care about your well being... but I want to be with you

I don't care if you don't reciprocate my love....but I want to be with you

It's all about herself only, not even concerned about the other person's feelings and emotions. She only care about what she wants. She overly concerned with her own desires, needs, and interests. she puts her own thoughts and feelings above other people’s. Even though she knew Sasuke didn't give a damn about her, she kept crying and screaming for his attention. Emotional blackmailing just to achieve what she want. she take all the opportunity to go on and on about her selfish love without acknowledging her own concerns about the other. She know that the person they're chasing doesn't love them, and never will.

"Her pursuing a selfish love is pretty realistic"

She's so selfish that she refuses to accept the reality, truth and facts. Her love for Sasuke is selfish and she is a selfish girl. She even broke her friendship with Ino because of that. Ino befriends her and helps her in her struggles when no one else cares, but Sakura throws away her friendship for a boy. She has never changed, and she is never going to change that aspect of her character. She's still in her delusional mind, even when signs point and hint that what she's after is never going to happen

Why does she love him? You need a reason to love someone... but she doesn't have any.

[keithisbae1]

SasuSaku Month Day 2:  From Me to You

Sasuke couldn’t stand watching the scene in front of him, of this guy lying, being so smug and acting way too friendly to his teammate. Who did he think he was? This guy was nothing more than a stranger taking advantage of her losing her memory.

If Sakura still remembered them, more specifically -him- there was no way she would entertain this loser.

But of course, what else did he expect? Naruto mentioned that Sakura had more admirers now, and with no memories of who she was or her feelings of him then it wasn’t surprising that men would want to take advantage of the situation. They knew they wouldn’t stand a chance with him, Sakura was always upfront and honest with her feelings.

And he couldn’t do anything about it.

“You know this wouldn’t be happening if you were honest about your own feelings for her.” Sasuke had almost forgotten his teammates were standing next to him. What a sight this must be.

It wasn’t planned, but as they were close by Sasuke thought about visiting his other teammates and Sakura was more than intrigued wanting to meet them. She has, she knew them vaguely enough and got along well with them but to this Sakura it would be her ‘first time.’ And she was curious on wanting to meet more of ‘Sasuke-Kun’s friends.’

How could he say no?

Sasuke was grateful for Orochimaru not being there, if there was a chance for Sakura to regain her memories, he didn’t want the first one to be the moment in the Forest of Death of them having a near death experience and having to explain everything that’s happened since then.

Unfortunately for him, team taka had decided to join them on their journey. For a bit they said.

We only want to help.

Yeah, more like they were nosey and wanted to watch him make a fool of himself. Perhaps he was being too harsh, although that was partly true, they did seem concerned and confused as to why Sakura had re-introduce herself to them. As if she and Naruto hadn’t forced all of them on dinners together as a team to get to know one another.

“Suigetsu…” Jugo gave a low warning.

“What? It’s true, how can you be jealous when you won’t even be honest with your own feelings towards her?” Sasuke said nothing, still keeping an eye on the guy making sure he wasn’t trying anything funny, but he was listening.

“What if I tell her on your behalf, then we wouldn’t have to-” He was cut off when Karin smacked him on the head causing a splash. “Idiot, you can’t confess on someone else’s behalf.”

“Oh, and you and Jugo are now love experts?”

“More than you that’s for sure.” Karin mumbled.

But he was right, what gave him the right to be angry and jealous after everything, he did to her? Not to mention this wasn’t the right time to confess.

For Sakura, leaving the village was a weight off her shoulders. Everyone wanted her to remember that it got too much and overbearing, she needed a break. Sasuke had made a promise to her that next time she could travel with him and that’s what he offered.

Naruto saw it as a perfect opportunity for the two of them to get close again so who was he to turn down such a ‘brilliant idea.’ But that’s not what this was for, he wasn’t doing this for his own selfish reasons but for Sakura.

Confessing and forcing her to remember anything wasn’t a priority.

Unless she was the one with questions.

As if feeling Sasuke’s eyes on him the man gave him a smirk putting an arm around the girl pulling her closer. Way too close for his liking.

Sasuke could swear he activated his sharingan and was about to march over there to give him a piece of his mind. Before Jugo brought him back to his senses and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder stopping him from doing something he’ll regret.

“Don’t let him rile you up, otherwise you’ll scare Sakura-San.”

“Just say the word, I can take him out.”

“I’m sure I can slip some poison when he’s not looking.” Both Suigetsu and Karin offered their solutions.

“Don’t give him ideas.” Jugo sweat dropped.

Was he the only one thinking rationally and trying not to cause a scene.

“The poison idea sounds good.” It wouldn’t kill him, but they could probably give him a bad case of diarrhoea. Karin smirked at Suigetsu when her idea was chosen.

“Peh, taking all the fun.”

And just as quickly as they interacted Sakura turned her head seeing Sasuke and his team smiling away. Completely ignoring and not even excusing herself, Sakura ran over to them basket in hand full of tomatoes.

“Here you go Sasuke-Kun,” he tilted his head confused as to why she brought him that. It didn’t help that his three teammates were also staring.

Suddenly feeling so self-conscious having not only one but four people looking at her so intensely Sakura explained.

“Oh, um Naruto mentioned that you liked tomatoes. I vaguely recalled having a recipe with them, I don’t really remember what it was for but wanted to make something special as a thank you for everything you’ve done for me up till now.”

“Kato-San was helping me find the ingredients. It was meant to be a surprise but then he got too… clingy. It was weird and-”

Sasuke merely tuned out the rest of her words, never mind the fact that she was only with this ‘Kato’ guy for him but he had recalled a similar time to where Sakura took off at one point during their mission to find some ripe tomatoes so she could make something for him for his Birthday.

It seems regardless of whether or not she had her memories she was still the same.

“Ah, thank you.” Sasuke smile warmly causing her cheeks to flush.

At hearing a cough from Suigetsu breaking their little moment Sasuke tsked taking her hand in his pulling them away. He made sure to give a well revenge satisfying smirk to the other guy who was left dumbfounded with the way she left him there. She was caught off guard feeling her heartbeat quicken to how casual and normal it was for him to grab and hold her hand like that.

The three followed not long after.

“I still think we should poison him.” Suigetsu remarked.

“I think so too.” Karin agreed.

“I never said we weren’t going to.” Jugo sighed.

“Poison who? What are you three up to?” At least Sakura was understanding and knew well enough to not include him in this scheme.

[lil-door-knob]

The Flower Prince: Gather 'round The Campfire

Prompt- At first, he felt prideful of the praise his teammate [Sakura] was getting from the Prince. But the moment he saw the blush on her face and the arm around her waist, pride was no longer what he was feeling.

Word count: 1,688 words

Estimated Read Time: 7 minutes

Warnings: Not edited.

Previous Part

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It was Naruto who had found a safe place to make camp, a small clearing surrounded by massive trees nestled next to a cave where they could sleep, a small stream only a five-minute walk away. Daiki, ever eager, was instructed by Kakashi on how camping worked and how they would set up their camp. Sakura was quite annoyed that Daiki had decided on camping- she had already made detailed plans for what she’d do once they’d arrived at the Flower Village. Said plan involved convincing Sasuke to come with her to try some of the festival games and watch the fireworks, something she’d assumed they’d have for Daiki’s return. Building up the courage to do so, she made her way to the stream where Sasuke was fishing to ask him.

Approaching the focused boy she noted that he seemed hyper-focused on the flowing water, like he was lost in thought. “Sasuke-kun?” she tentatively asked. Sasuke glanced at her an indication for her to go on. “I was wondering when we get to the village would you want to-” A huge splash cut her off as both she and Sasuke turned to the source of the disruption. 

“Eh?!” Naruto whined as he brought his head up from under the water. He stood, his new attire fully soaked and the firewood he had been instructed to fetch now wet rendering it useless for a fire.

“Naruto!” Sakura yelled, concern just as evident as the suppressed laughter, “Are you okay?” She had made her way over to where the jinchuriki had fallen in. He nodded in affirmation and complained about someone tripping him even though no one was near. After Sauke commented on it being a ghost, he quickly shut up and scurried his way back to camp scavenging anything that could replace the now-soaked firewood. Sakura allowed a smile to form on her face before turning to look at Sasuke- who already had his eyes on her. Her face burned as she looked away and mumbled about helping him catch fish.

Shaking his head he brought the almost full bucket in his right hand. “We should head back.” his voice plain. After two minutes of silence, Sakura decided to break the silence. 

“Daiki seems nice doesn’t he?”

Sasuke only shrugged.

“I mean he’s much better than some of the other escort missions we’ve had, remember Hitoshi- san? We had to carry him to the sand village.” Sakura reminisced.

“You mean Naruto had to,” Sasuke smirked. Sakura let out a small giggle. She enjoyed spending alone time with Sasuke. Although he wasn’t as social as she’d like him to be, she was happy that he’d listen to her and often entertain her conversation- although she knew he wasn’t always fully there. 

“I was going to ask earlier Sasuke-kun, but would you want to go to the festival with me tomorrow?” she eagerly waited as no response came. Sasuke simply stayed silent, as if contemplating a life-altering decision. “No worries if not, I’ll enjoy it myself. I’ll make sure to win you something too!” A strained smile made its way onto her lips, glassy eyes not shining as they usually did. 

“I’ll think about it.” Was his final response as they entered the campsite, he parted ways with her as he headed to make the fire. Smiling brighter now, Sakura went to set up their sleeping bags in the cave, making sure to place hers right next to Sasuke’s. 

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“Ne Daiki, how old are you?” Naruto inquired as they sat by the fire, fish and a small portion of rice cooking.

“I’m 14, I'll be 15 in a few months. Why?” the brunette tilted his head to the side.

“Wha-?!” Naruto nearly jumped off the log he sat on at this revelation, “Then how are you a prince- you’re barely older than we are!” he gestured towards himself and his teammates. 

“Well…” Daiki paused in contemplation, “I’m technically not a prince or anything, I’m the heir to the Yamanaka clan in my village. My dad is basically in charge there- similar to what a Hokage is in your village except we’re civilians. If my dad were to die, get too old to perform his duty, or if he resigns then I would take charge.”

“So you’re a prince?” Naruto restates, confused as what Daiki described sounds like a prince to his understanding. 

“I guess so but I don’t have a kingdom or anything. When I think of a prince I think of all those fantasy stories- so in that sense no.” Daiki lets a gentle chuckle escape his lips. 

“But you are the son of a monarch who’s in charge of a village, it doesn’t have to be a massive kingdom or anything.” Sakura explains, “So you are a prince by definition.” She states matter of factually.

Naruto gasps at this- “So does that mean when I become Hokage I’ll be king?” his voice low as if he were discussing top secret information. 

“No.”

“No one asked you teme!” Naruto glares at his teammate who meets his glare with just as much intensity. 

“Sasuke’s right Naruto,” Kakashi adds.

“Oh.” Naruto sulks staring up into the night sky, his stomach rumbling. It had been three hours since they first made camp and he was starving. He’d never admit it out loud, but right now he hated Daiki for making them camp out. They would’ve been at the flower village by now staying in the compound’s comfortable guest quarters after being treated to a five-course meal prepared by the best chef around, instead, they had to eat boring ol’ fish and share two portions of rice because the prince wanted to. Naruto rolled his eyes at the thought and tried to shake his discomfort. His mind traveled to recent events. 

A lot had happened since the formation of Team 7, Naruto himself had grown a lot from the neglected little boy to a slightly less neglected teen with some respect being put on his name. His teammates had also done a lot of growing. Yet Sasuke was the one who’d puzzled him the most, his personality was always so wish-washy that he’d have better luck making sense of tidal waves than Sasuke’s moods. It was ironic, the stoic member was the most emotional out of them- and they were on a team with Sakura who bore her feelings on her sleeve. Even so, Sasuke had learned to work with him and count on him which Naruto knew Sasuke hated. 

In his own strange way, Sasuke had grown to care about his team despite his efforts not to. Naruto grinned at this. Sasuke really was an idiot, despite his best efforts to push them away he only solidified their bonds- especially with Sakura. Now, Naruto wasn’t stupid. He knew the extent of Sakura’s feelings for Sasuke. She put her life at risk to save Sasuke, she had cried when they all thought he was dead, she showered him with undeserved affection, and even caught him when he’d fall both emotionally and physically. Sakura had developed real feelings for that undeserving jerk, she loved Sasuke. The hug she had given Sasuke at the hospital was confirmation of this- it was such an intimate moment that even he had caught on. But… Naruto wasn’t sure if Sasuke felt the same. Yes, he did care about her but did that go any further than comradery? Looking over at the two he pondered on this.

“Naruto-san?” Daiki, who had suddenly appeared next to him, piped up. Startled by the sudden appearance Naruto flinched back. “Ah, I didn’t mean to scare you. You looked lost in thought but I have something important to ask you.”

“What?” he leaned forward, genuinely interested in what he wanted to ask. “Is- God this is embarrassing-” Daiki blushed and lowered his voice, “Is Sakura seeing anyone? Like… does she have a boyfriend?”

Naruto’s eyes widened at this. “Uhhhh, no?” Although coming out as more of a question Daiki’s face lit up.

“Oh- that’s great! You know, Sakura’s an interesting girl, I’d like to get to know her more.” he bashfully confessed. Naruto wasn’t sure how to respond, he’d never heard anyone so outwardly display an interest in his female teammate besides Lee.

“Why don’t you go talk to her, then?” the sudden sound of Kakashi’s voice startled the boys. Kakashi remained in his squat position next to them, sparing a smile as he continued to read his book adding, “I bet she’d want company at the festival, I overheard she was looking for someone to go with.”

Gobsmacked, Naruto looked at his sensei as if he was insane. Although never confirmed, it was pretty established that Sakura was set on Sasuke. However, Daiki would treat Sakura better than Sasuke ever could, hell he’d already displayed that. Gah- this was none of his business, although aloof, Naruto knew when to stay out of something… on certain occasions.

-

“We could be in a warm bed right now.” Sakura grumbled as she sat down on her sleeping bag next to Sasuke, who nodded in agreement. “It’s a good thing Kakashi makes us bring our sleeping bags just in case, it finally came in use.”

“Hn. We wouldn’t have to if we just kept going.” Sasuke added, a subtle jab to the prince.

“Yeah.” the kunoichi continued, “I don’t know why Kakashi agreed to the idea.” She yawned and allowed her head to fall onto Sasuke’s shoulder. The rise and fall of his shoulders as he breathed luring her deeper into her drowsiness. 

“If you’re that tired then go to sleep.¨ He softly moved his shoulder causing a piece of her hair to cover her face. Moments like this had started to feel normal to him, her touches being such a common occurrence that he no longer felt the need to fight them, not that he felt the urge to anymore. Her tired eyes looked into his before she gave him a small smile and nodded. 

Slowly pulling herself off his shoulder and settling into her sleeping bag she slowly spoke, “Good night Sasuke-kun.”

“Go to sleep, Sakura.”

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Next Chapter

[rabbitholessk]

Last Watch

Sasuke stands and stretches his arms above his head from his perch on a tree branch above their camp. Hopping down to the wet grass below he observes the other three members of Team 7 choosing which to wake up first.

He ends up deciding on Sakura. She is historically the easiest to wake and would be helpful getting the other two up.

Sasuke walks over to her sleeping bag and finds himself fighting off a smirk. A streak of her rosy hair is running down the center of her face. The way she’s exhaling has the hair blowing up and down rhythmically. He finds himself observing her some more, with no one else bugging him or annoying him he’s able to look at her features- for identification purposes only.

(Of course.)

She has freckles on the bridge of her nose. He had not really noticed them before. Her eye lashes are pink too. He knew this, but it’s interesting to see up close.

He’s crouched down near her laid out form, still wrapped in her plush sleeping bag. His hand reaches out towards her shoulder to nudge her awake.

“Sasuke…kun?”

His eyes bug out, only momentarily, before he rights himself.

“It’s time to get up.” He informs.

Sasuke watches as she sits up on her elbows and pushes the hair in her face to the side behind her ear.

“I’ll help you get the other two up. Also…” Sasuke listens and waits for what she has to say after she lets out a yawn. “...good morning.”

He’s no morning person but perhaps today is not the worst morning. He's already had the worst morning.

“…morning. I’ll take Kakashi and help you with Naruto after.” Sasuke offers as he walks a few feet over to where Kakashi is resting against a tree.

“Ok!” Sakura calls back.

Before he can shake his sensei awake Kakashi speaks lifting one of his pervy books up to his face.

“Interesting how you chose to wake Sakura up first.”

“Tch. Don’t we need to get moving?” Sasuke chastises as he starts stomping away.

“Took you a while to wake her up too.”

He doesn’t turn around, not giving Kakashi the satisfaction of seeing his red cheeks.

[dxkk1104]

Start of everything

The forest was humming, the birds were waking up, the moon was driving away the darkness with its last strength, and the quiet breaths of his friends were keeping him company. Sasuke sat leaning against a tree, listening to all these sounds around him. The night was slowly drawing to a close. Another day would come, bringing him closer to his goal. 

Again, he could not sleep. His thoughts, the scary ones and the ones overflowing his mind, would not let him sleep a wink. They plagued him most on missions, such as today's, where nothing special was happening. Sasuke couldn't focus on anything other than tormenting himself about wasting time. 

A bird sat on a branch, watching him fiercely. Its black eyes practically drilled a hole in his head. Did he know what the boy was thinking about now? Did he understand his pain, disappointment, suffering? Was he even able to comprehend it, when even people couldn't?

"Sasuke-kun?" a quiet, girlish voice sounded in his head. Sasuke turned his head, crossing his eyes with Sakura, "Why are you awake?"

Instead of answering her right away, he stood up and walked over to her, crouching down. Barely awake, the girl blushed, lifting herself up and leaning on her elbows. Sasuke squinted his eyes.

"Go to sleep, it's still early."

He thought Sakura was so unaware of everything yet that she would listen to him without any problems, but he was mistaken.

"You didn't answer my question." she did not take her eyes off his face.

Her tenacious nature made it difficult for him to play down the inaccessible and mysterious man. Sasuke really tried to avoid explaining his behavior, but Sakura wouldn't let him.

"I'm just not tired anymore." he replied nonchalantly. 

"You look like you haven't slept a wink all night." he didn't answer her, hiding his restrained expression under his hair; how she was able to figure him out so easily "Oh..." 

"Can we not pursue this topic any further?"

He rose and returned to his previous seat, deeming the conversation over. Sakura, however, had other plans. She approached him and leaned against a tree, as if entering his private space was the usual thing to do.

"I'll stay here. It will be easier for you to sleep this way. For me, at least, it is when I know I have a person next to me who watches over me and cares about me." she pulled her knees up to her chin.

He didn't like that she cared for him so much and that she worried so much. It made him feel emotions. Emotions that he didn't want to feel because they were sneaky and treacherous; they made you make radical decisions, delayed you from your plans and changed your future to make room for another person. And Sasuke couldn't do that. 

"I don't need..." he paused when he heard her steady breathing again.

Sakura fell asleep momentarily, having rested her head against the trunk. Her hand fell inert along her body, and her palm touched his hand. Sasuke stared at it, then, as if guided by instinct rather than rational thought, grabbed her two fingers and squeezed them lightly, making sure she was still next to him. 

This is where it all started. She planted a small seed in his heart that would grow and grow over time, and Sasuke would not know how to get rid of it. Not that he wants to.

[mixelation]

here have some future you terrible thing feat. team 7

Kakashi has discovered a brilliant strategy for handling his new source of anxiety. If he offers up a prize to one student and one student only, Naruto and Sasuke will fight over it. It doesn’t matter what the prize is. It could be getting to be the first to read the mission scroll. It could be getting to pick where they eat lunch. Getting those two to fight is like getting a dog to sniff a bag of meat. 

The brilliance of goading his students into a fight is this: now they’re in the same place, and Kakashi knows where that place is, and he can watch them simultaneously and make sure Sasori isn’t appearing from the shadows to do something terrible. 

Then when he releases them for the day, he goes and finds Sasori himself. Sasori can’t be ripping the Nine Tails or eyeballs out of his students if he’s busy fucking Kakashi’s brains out, or making fun of Kakashi’s latest kitchen disaster, or complaining Konoha’s water is too hard while he cleans little balls of calcium out of Kakashi’s showerhead. 

(Konoha’s agreement with Sasori explicitly bans him from entering the village proper. Kakashi figures Sasori is going to enter either way, and it’s better for everyone if he gets distracted by how much dog hair is on Kakashi’s furniture instead of stealing village secrets.)

Kakashi feels this strategy is going fantastically well until one day he looks up from examining Naruto’s sprained wrist to see Sakura showing off a chakra scalpel to Sasuke. 

Kakashi had maybe, in his genius planning, completely forgotten about Sakura as a variable. 

“Sakura,” Kakashi calls, feeling exhausted already. She snaps to attention, the scalpel fading from her fingers. When was the last time Kakashi had talked to her? He remembers her shooting him sad, betrayed puppy eyes the other day when he’d let Naruto and Sasuke get into a fist fight over who got to learn to water-walk first. 

I may have fucked up, Kakashi thinks, crossing the clearing to Sakura. Naruto hobbles after him, his wrist already healing itself. 

Outloud, Kakashi asks, “Where did you learn to do that?”

Sakura has the grace to look guilty. “Sasori-san told me how to do it.”

“What did he teach you?” Naruto demands, face scrunching up. “Something cool? Hey, Sensei, how come you don’t–”

Kakashi ignores him, staring defeated down at Sakura’s fingers as she resummons her chakra scalpel. It’s on the smaller side, but its blade is perfectly sharp, and she hadn’t needed hand signs to do it. 

“Sasori-san has lots of good advice,” Sakura says brightly. 

On the bright side, Sasori isn’t actually demonstrating jutsu for Sakura. On the side that makes Kakashi anxiety spike and his face go all sweaty under his hitai-ate, Sakura can apparently just listen to an in-depth description of a chakra scalpel and then go off and figure it out herself. 

Completely unsupervised. 

“I tried it on a rat our neighbor found in his attic,” Sakura babbles. “It’s pretty effective. Oh! But Sasori-san says an expert can modify it all sorts of ways. Like a medic can use them to cut away clothes without damaging skin–”

Kakashi doesn’t actually think Sakura is stupid enough to go and immediately use her new technique in a spar with a friend, the way Sasuke or Naruto might be tempted to. But that doesn’t mean she wouldn’t fuck it up and then cut her own fingers off, or try something dumb like cut a sleeve off and then stab herself. 

“Sakura,” Kakashi interrupts her. “I don’t want you talking to Sasori alone.”

Sakura pouts at him, but her usually pathetic, watery pout is backed by actual anger and frustration this time. 

“But you’re not talking to me,” Sakura whines. “Sasori-san says that’s not normal. He says you should have taught me water-walking first and had me explain it to Naruto and Sasuke-kun because you don’t remember the Academy or how to learn–”

Kakashi buries his face in his hand. This is, in hindsight, a better teaching strategy than letting Naruto and Sasuke try to drown each other while Sakura wandered off. But Sasori didn’t have to explain this so explicitly to Sakura of all people, who of course immediately internalizes the opinions of anyone with an illusion of authority. 

“Wait, can you water-walk?” Sasuke asks, because while he’s doing better than Naruto, he can only get a few steps at a time. “Kakashi-sensei doesn’t make sense and he won’t let me use the sharingan–”

Sakura brightens and preens at Sasuke’s attention, which makes Naruto’s brows furrow. Maybe Kakashi can incorporate Sakura into his grand master plan by fanning the flames of their stupid, juvenile love triangle? No, that’s a worse idea than what he’s already doing… 

It’s pretty late into the afternoon, so he lets them go home. He finds Sasori in a tree a couple kilometers away, fiddling with a metal device that has a bunch of springs jammed into it for unclear but probably horrifying purposes. 

“Don’t tell my student I’m a bad teacher,” Kakashi drawls at him. “You’ll ruin my cool and hip reputation.”

Sasori levels him with a deeply unimpressed look as Kakashi lands in front of him on the wide branch. 

“I only speak the truth,” he replies, and the metal device disappears into the billowing sleeve of his cloak. “Besides, you’re ignoring her. You need a balanced team if you’re going to enter them into the Chunin Exams.”

Kakashi feels vaguely like smashing his face into the trunk of the tree. 

“I’m doing what now?” he asks. 

“How else do you intend to lure Orochimaru out?” Sasori asks. 

“With something that’s not a bunch of baby genin?” Kakashi counters. His team is… well, they’ve got a lot of potential. That doesn’t mean they’ve realized any of that potential, especially not when Kakashi is too busy protecting them from Sasori to draw any of that potential out. They will not survive an encounter with Orochimaru. 

Sasori eyes Kakashi up and down critically. 

“Whatever paranoia you have about my intentions with your team,” Sasori says eventually, “it would be counterproductive to my goals for Orochimaru to harm them.”

That is… technically true. 

Sasori’s face wrinkles into an ugly sneer. “Besides, I already promised you I wouldn’t hurt them. You think I’d break my word?”

Kakashi groans, falling back from his crouch on the tree branch onto his ass and letting his legs dangle over the side. Sasori’s argument is sound as always, even if every one of Sasori’s motivations are insane. 

“I still don’t want to use Sasuke as bait,” he replies. Sasori rolls his eyes. 

The debate over whether or not to enter Team 7 into the Chunin Exams becomes abruptly moot the next morning, when Sandaime-sama calls in a handful of jounin-sensei to suggest they enter their teams. 

“You have a lot of exceptional genin,” Sandaime-sama says, puffing at his pipe. “Even if a pass is unlikely, Konoha will make a good show.”

Kakashi has to work very hard to keep himself from seeming outwardly desperate. Sandaime-sama knows Kakashi reported on Orochimaru’s interference, even if Konoha basically ignored it. Would he really toss a bunch of green genin into this? His eye shoots over to Kurenai and Asuma, who both look perfectly calm, like Sandaime has asked them to run a couple minor errands instead of risk their precious student’s lives. 

Of course, they don’t know this exam could be significantly more dangerous than normal, and Kakashi can’t just blab his highly-classified worries in front of them. They probably think a Konoha-based exam will be less dangerous than normal. 

Kakashi’s eye darts over to Gai next, standing at his other side. Gai looks as determined and enthusiastic as ever. Maybe Kakashi will say something to Gai in private, when there’s no Hokage or secret ANBU guard to chastise or arrest him for sharing classified information. Gai loves his team. 

“Any one of my cute students would make an excellent chunin,” Gai declares, flashing a classic thumbs up. “They have already shown interest in entering. I will bring them the entry forms today.”

“On my team, Shino might pass,” Kurenai says thoughtfully. “Hinata and Kiba are… a bit immature… but the exams would be a good experience for them. I’ll also bring them entry forms.”

Asuma lets out a single snort of a laugh. “My team is also lacking on the maturity front,” he says. “But you’re right, Kurenai– this will be a good experience. Plus their teamwork is top-notch when they're not being brats; I think it’d be good optics for Konoha.”

There’s a long pause, and Kakashi feels all eyes turn to him. Kakashi ignores his fellow jounin, his own eye boring into Sandaime. 

“I’ve already given you my thoughts,” Kakashi says eventually. He doesn’t take his gaze off Sandaime-sama, but he can still feel the curiosity in the other three sensei. 

Sandaime-sama takes a long drag on his pipe, exhaling smoke through his nose. The sharp smell permeates the office. 

“We have assessed the potential threats that may come with opening our gates to foreign shinobi,” Sandaime-sama says calmly, “and regardless of what gossip you may have heard, Kakashi, we have found little corroborating evidence and judged the risk minimal. Multiple important clients have written us to ask about the status of young Uchiha. I highly recommend you enter your team, Kakashi.”

It is not a direct order, but if Kakashi ignores the recommendation, it will almost definitely turn into an order. Kakashi clenches his teeth and follows the other jounin sensei down a floor to pick up entry forms. 

“Gossip that bad?” Asume asks him, inserting a cigarette between his lips but not yet lighting it. His father may be able to get away with smoking indoors, but Asuma can’t, at least not in Hokage tower. “Is it the type you’re allowed to let us in on?”

Kakashi just snorts. 

“Figures,” Asume gripes. Neither he nor Kurenai are the least bit hesitant to request three forms each. 

On the way out, Gai claps a hand over Kakashi's shoulder. 

“You seem stressed, my rival,” Gai says. “Perhaps we should get a celebratory drink tonight?”

Kakashi feels tempted. A drunk Gai is a very entertaining Gai, but right now it’s also a sight more likely to stress Kakashi out than to calm him. Besides, if he’s with Gai, who the fuck knows what Sasori will get up to. 

Briefly, he has a fantasy of asking Sasori to the bar with them… he can’t imagine Sasori and Gai getting along, but that in and of itself could be fun. Except no, that will definitely get him in prison for treason or something. He can’t just casually be dating Sasori out in public like that. 

“I have to pass tonight,” Kakashi replies. “But I think you should warn your team to be extra cautious, even in Konoha.”

Gai raises both eyebrows. “Perhaps we should meet another time,” he says slowly, “and you can give me more specifics.”

“Yes, that’s a good idea,” Kakashi replies. 

xXx

Team 7, of course, agrees immediately to the Chunin Exam, even when Kakashi warns that they could be seriously injured or die. 

He knows Naruto and Sasuke would enter a chance at promotion and recognition even if Kakashi told them they’d have to cut off their own feet to do it. He ends his ominous warnings with his eyes on Sakura, his last ray of hope.

She doesn’t even blink. “Sasori-san said you’d try to scare us off,” she says, eyes locked defiantly with his.  

Sasori, you traitorous piece of shit, Kakashi thinks as Sakura takes the form from him. 

[amnevitahwritesstuff]

Sakura’s past is just as dark as the rest of Team 7’s. They just don’t know it yet.

Fandom: Naruto

Pairing: N/A

Rating: Teen

Triggers: Implied Sexual Abuse

Chapters: 2, 3, 4, 5 (WIP)

[I posted this on AO3 years ago but am just now getting around to posting it here.]

AO3 Link

•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•

Chapter One: Beware Bright Smiling Faces

At first she had no idea that anything was wrong.

The days when her Uncle Kazuki visited were always an exciting occasion. He would always bring Sakura the best gifts and sweets and cajole her parents into letting her stay up late with them while he told stories.

And so when her uncle began to spend more and more time with her, Sakura thought nothing of it. If anything she was eager to impress him and earn more treats. He listened to her in a way her parents didn’t. When she told him of the many girls who bullied her for her forehead, he kissed it and called it beautiful. And when she came to him, proudly showing off high marks from her first year at the academy, he stroked her hair and insisted she was ‘such a clever girl’.

And if those kisses and touches began to stray as she grew older? Well, that just proved he loved her the best. So what if Sakura sometimes felt embarrassed when his hands wandered and lingered too long? Clearly the fault was with her. She would never say anything of course. Sakura wouldn’t ever want to hurt her uncle’s feelings. After all, she was a good girl and good girls loved their uncles.

•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•

When Sakura became a genin she was ecstatic.

Whereas once she was cloistered within the walls of school or home, now she was free to wander the village, spend hours in the training grounds honing her skills, and best of all: take missions away from the village with her team for days and weeks at a time. And so she gladly put up with Kakashi’s grueling training regime and Naruto and Sasuke’s constant bickering, happily ignored the dust that dirtied her dress or the bruises she earned while sparring. Because, after all, good girls never complained and Sakura was nothing if not a very good girl.

•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•

The first time her teammates noticed that things weren’t quite right with Sakura was when she came to practice late.

Sakura was never late, if anything she had always been the first one waiting on the bridge in the morning and the last one to go home at the end of the day. And so when she showed up over an hour late one day Naruto and Sasuke were more than a little surprised.

“Where have you been?” Sasuke demanded, clearly annoyed. A strange look crossed Sakura’s face then, followed by the most forced smile he had ever seen on her.

“Oh, I’m sorry Sasuke-kun! My uncle needed me to help him with inventory this morning. I guess I just lost track of time.”

Naruto, however, someone long schooled in forcing smiles and happiness despite his often hostile surroundings, was less inclined to let the matter go. “Are you sure you’re okay Sakura-chan? You’re not sick are you?”

“Oh no, I’m totally fine! Just a little late. It won’t happen again, promise!”

And then Kakashi had shown up and the matter was forgotten.

•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•

The second time Sakura’s team took notice of her was right before an escort mission.

“Well aren’t you a pretty little thing.”

And instead of blushing and thanking the man for his kind words, Sakura flinched as if someone had slapped her.

She felt the eyes of her teammates boring into her and Sakura hastily plastered a smile on her face and thanked their new client for his compliment.

And later, when Naruto asked her again if she was alright, she deflected and insisted that she was fine while inside she panicked. They couldn’t know. They could never know. They would hate her if they ever found out. So she smiled prettily and pretended as if nothing was wrong. As if the man’s words hadn’t brought to mind questing hands and whispered praise.

•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•🌸•

The third time was the worst.

Sasuke had been assigned to spar with Sakura that day and for the most part it was like any other fight between the two...until Sasuke pinned Sakura into the dirt by the back of her neck. And instead of struggling and trying to shake him off like any other opponent, Sakura went limp.

“Sakura?” Sasuke frowned, confused. And then he noticed her hand.

It was trembling.

He ripped his hand away as if it had been burned.

He called her name again, in earnest now. Had he hurt her? What was wrong? Why wasn’t she getting up? Noticing his distress, Kakashi and Naruto wandered over.

“What did you do?!” Naruto yelled.

“I didn’t even push her that hard! I swear!”

And as the two screamed at each other Kakashi crouched down beside Sakura and recognized the far away look in her eyes.

“Sakura,” he murmured softly. “I’m going to help you up okay?” And though she didn’t respond, she didn’t stop him either when he helped her sit up.

“I’m...I’m sorry.” She whispered.

“Why are you sorry?”

“Because I...I’m...I’m just sorry.”

“Well there’s no need for that. We’ll stop for today hmm?”

Her reaction was almost violent. Sakura surged forward, eyes wide and frightened like a hunted rabbit.

“No! Don’t! I’ll be good, I promise! I’ll do better! Please don’t!” she was crying now, nearly hysterical, and the rest of her team looked on in shock as she begged not to be sent home. Naruto and Sasuke looked at each other in confusion, wondering why on earth she wouldn’t want to go home, and all the while Kakashi quietly attempted to soothe the sobbing preteen before him and pondered all of her strange behavior over the past several months.

There was only one reason why a little girl would be terrified to go home. Why she would flinch at a compliment made by a middle-aged man or freeze when shoved into the dirt.

Kakashi was not the sort of man who usually felt the urge to murder people outside of mission objectives but he decided then and there that, the moment he discovered whoever it was that had hurt his student, he would gut them.

Slowly.

[twomiddlefingersforthehaters]

My body would move on its own...

1. Land of waves

間に合え is the conjugation of verb 間に合う meaning "to make it in time".

Naruto jumped in to save Sasuke, and put both of their life at risk but.... if Naruto put himself in danger, Sasuke's body would move on its own.

2. Forest of death (fighting against Orochimaru)

Last time, Naruto jumped in to save Sasuke in the Land of the Waves arc and Sasuke's body moved on its own to save him. To avoid facing the same problem again, Sasuke is willing to give the scroll away... and abandoning his goal of obtaining the scroll in order to protect Naruto. (He never once planned on giving up his scroll when he was with Sakura and seeing how frightened she was at that moment. But when Naruto came in the scene he willingly give the scroll to Orochimaru).

" I DON'T KNOW HOW STRONG THIS GUY IS BUT... WHAT GUARANTEE IS THERE THAT HE'LL LET US GO IF WE GIVE HIM THE SCROLL?"

Why is Sasuke acting like a fool and thinking that if he gives the scroll the giant snake guy will let them go?? Don't Sasuke already know that is a trap?? Don't we know he's not the type to act like a fool at critical moments?? So why he come up with this stupid decision?? what is the reason behind his panic??

It wasn't because he felt that Naruto would make his situation worse....but because he didn't want to see Naruto put himself in danger. Check out Sasuke's reaction in the panel above when Naruto asks him a critical question. His brain completely shut down the moment Naruto arrived, his only concern at the time was protecting him from any danger. That's why he made a fool of himself and made a foolish decision.

How many times does he tell him to 逃げろ- Nigero - escape; run away. This was not the Sasuke that Naruto knew. It was Sasuke who taught him not to run away like a coward in fearful moments. Now he screams at him to run away from the enemy. That disappointed Naruto.

3. Forest of death (with Kabuto)

"USING SHARINGAN MAKES THE MARK ON MY NECK HURT..."

Again when Naruto's life was in danger... He forced his body to use the last bit of chakra to help him. Because of this he experienced immense pain in the neck. Even after all this he didn't let Naruto know the mark on his neck because he didn't want to worry him. (sfx used here was ズキッ - sharp pain; throbbing pain; pounding. Adding ッ to show 'the pain is stronger').

He didn't care about his body, he didn't care to die for him, he didn't care about the pain he was getting by using his chakra... All that mattered to him was protecting Naruto and saving him.

The result of forest of death:

What Orochimaru witnessed + Kabuto's analysis of Sasuke = Since Naruto possesses so much influence over Sasuke-kun... I must separate them immediately

Do you think he won't notice? It was obvious that he would notice the changes in Sasuke whenever Naruto was involved.

Sasuke saw through Naruto disguise .... two times.

When he was with his other teammate (Sakura) he didn't give up the scroll even though he ran away in fear. But when that Naruto kid shows up he willingly gives up the scroll.

Listening to that boy's words, he began to fight without fear of death even though he knew he could not defeat him.

These circumstances reduce his chances of success to obtaining Sasuke's body by manipulating him for his desire for power. That's why he wants to separate them immediately....if Sasuke was running away from his goal of becoming strong and risking his life for 'Naruto'.... that would be a hindrance to his plan.

4. Throwing himself as a pillow

When the fight between Naruto & Gaara.... Sasuke keeps his eye focused on Naruto. Sasuke was watching this carefully....When Naruto gets repeatedly knocked into trees by a transformed Gaara. He even said to himself, "this is not how Naruto usually fight." (Well, because he saw Gaara in backstage killing the others and walking through their river of blood with a murderous aura). Sasuke couldn't stand Naruto getting hurt over and over again with every attack. What happens after that is:

"AND... EVEN IN HIS CURRENT CONDITION, SASUKE MANAGED TO CATCH NARUTO!"

Pakkun emphasizes Sasuke's attempt to protect Naruto despite in his bad condition.

Does he really need to be caught though? Naruto wouldn't be hurt that badly if he hit the tree. Why would he risk his life to catch him when he himself is in no better shape? Why was he throwing himself at Naruto as a pillow?

whenever Naruto was in danger his body really moving on its own.

5. Naruto vs gaara

When Naruto was stuck in the sand, Sasuke tried to get up to help him, even though his whole body was in pain. Sfx used in Sasuke's panel- ズキ (zuki) onomatopoeia word for 'sharp pain'.

6. Sasuke looking for Naruto

Before this scene, we saw that Sasuke was jealous of Naruto getting stronger than him. No matter how hard he trained, he couldn't get any stronger. He went to see Kakashi for training advice. But when he hears that his brother is following Naruto, does his jealousy stop him from looking for Naruto? NO.

No matter what happens his body unconsciously rushes to Naruto when something happens to him.

7. I need to kill him, but first I want to protect him

• He placed his hand in front of Naruto, shielding him with his Susanoo.

• He protecting Naruto from the infinite tsukuyomi with Susanoo.

• He ignores Sakura and Kakashi and only saves Naruto as everyone is about to fall into the lava pit.

Sasuke could never kill Naruto…he tried so many times…he had so many chances to finish him off…but he couldn't. When Naruto was in danger.....Sasuke's body move on it's own. Because he loved Naruto more than himself.

[keithisbae1]

Baby Sarada's Adventure Part 3

“You three sure know how to make a scene, or should that be four.” Kakashi grinned behind his mask, and Sarada smiled perfectly innocently with a little halo on top of her head. She was back in the carrier strapped onto Sasuke. She did whine and made a bit of a fuss being separate from Sakura but after she cooed letting her know it was okay. Sarada happily listened to Mama. “Sorry Kakashi-sensei it was my-” “Ah, what did we say? Nothing is your fault, I won’t have my students being harassed.” The Jōnin lightly patted her head. Sakura let out a small smile appreciative, Kakashi was like a father figure to the three of them. He wouldn’t tolerate anyone messing with his students. “I’ll have to brief the details to the Hokage though.” At least to save any other future shinobi and kunoichi from dealing with the family.

“So that’s it for today, right?” Did this mean they could finally go home now? “My, my, aren’t you in a hurry? But yes when we arrive back at Konoha you can all go home. I’ll probably have another mission for you in three days, so be prepared.” It seemed someone was eager to get some sleep, deny it as he will Kakashi could see taking care of Mayumi was taking a toll on him. Sasuke was only used to looking after himself for most years, looking after another, let alone a baby would be difficult for anyone. 

“All right, now we can spend time with Mayumi-Chan!” Naruto cheered, fist pumping in the air. A bit too loudly startling all four of them. “What?” Sasuke glared at Naruto, he was joking, right? “Come on, you can’t hog her all to yourself. I want to spend some time with her too you know.” “She’s not a toy! And I need to put her to sleep, she needs more rest than us.” “Then she can sleep on the way home,” Naruto said as if it was a matter of fact like the answer was so obvious. That idiot. 

“I would like to spend time with her too Sasuke-Kun.” Sakura peered around him smiling at Sarada. She happily baby babbled reaching towards the young kunoichi. Sasuke gave a tsk annoyed again at how easily persuaded she was. “Besides, she’s your family, right? That makes her our family too, we’re a team now. Right, Mayumi.” Naruto also cooed kneeling down to face Sarada and once again she happily replied with baby sounds. As if understanding and agreeing. The three of them on the other hand stiffened, although he and Sakura were told about Mayumi, she knew there was less of a chance of her being related to Sasuke. Something Sasuke was still in denial of. Naruto seemed to think otherwise with how alike they are. “I don’t need anyone’s help looking after Mayumi, she’s my responsibility No one else’s, understand?”

This was the least he could do, right? After being so weak on not being able to save his parents, his family, and the clan. He could protect Mayumi away from harm. “Sasuke-Kun…” Sakura could see the guilt in his eyes. How vulnerable he was despite trying to glare and make Naruto back down. She could feel the tension, and wouldn’t be surprised if Mayumi could too, it was no wonder he had been overprotective of her earlier. However, then Naruto started… laughing? Or rather trying not to. What? “Pfft-” Naruto couldn’t contain himself. 

“What’s so funny?” “Hehe, nothing but didn’t you say Mayumi wasn’t her real name?” It took a while for it to click and again he glared at the blonde more annoyed. That’s what he got out of this? “Think what you like.” Sasuke turned around about to walk ahead in front of them. 

Sarada didn’t really understand what was going on as she wasn’t paying much attention, just turning her head from one person to the other as they spoke until they went up to her asking questions which she happily answered. Of course, she wanted to spend more time with Mama and the ‘idiot’ her Papa kept referring to him as. Although she was also confused as to why Mama kept referring her as ‘Mayumi’ instead of Sarada. Was it because she hadn’t seen her in a long time and had forgotten what she looked like? Yet Mama was always so happy to see her, maybe all was not lost. Sarada had to remind her she was her Mama. However, when Papa turned to walk away blocking Sarada from her view of Sakura she started to wail. He was going to leave her again. Weren’t they getting along just a moment ago? Why were her parents mean? 

“Haha, looks like your outnumbered bastard- ow!”

Naruto wailed when Sakura hit him on the head. “What have I told you about your language idiot?” “Why do you two get to call me an idiot in front of Mayumi? How is that fair?” At least the bickering eased up on all the tension Kakashi thought to himself. When Sasuke looked back down at Sarada she looked up at him with big puppy eyes and lips trembling almost like she wanted to cry again. “Why do you even want to hang out with these two?” The Uchiha muttered, he didn’t understand the baby, perhaps she found them fun to be around. I’m going to regret this.

“Fine!” Sasuke gave in which caused Naruto and Sakura to pause what they were doing. “Oi, seriously? You better not back out of this.”

“Yes, don’t make me repeat-” He didn’t even have time to finish his sentence before Naruto went running ahead of them. “Alright, team outing. Last one to Konoha has to pay for lunch.” The three of them just stood there and sweat dropped whilst Sarada giggled amused by his antics.

“Still lively as ever.” Kakashi mused.

“Does Naruto even know how to get home?” Sakura wondered out loud, he didn’t have the best sense of direction. Sarada looked up at Sasuke and then pointed to where Naruto went as if saying ‘are we going to follow him or not?’ Almost as if she understood what he said and didn’t want to be the last one. “Ah, your right. He’ll get lost if we don’t follow him. Wait up dead last!”

“Sasuke-Kun, don’t say such words in front of… Mayumi…” Sakura gave up seeing as he was long gone anyway. She crossed her arms with a huff, those boys. Did they have to make everything into a competition?

“You should go ahead, otherwise you’ll be the one picking up Naruto’s tab.” It wasn’t like their sensei was going to be coming along. “This is so unfair!” They had a head start, well maybe if she gets lucky, she can beat Naruto since he would most likely get himself lost… oh who was she kidding, they were long gone now.

“Oh, and Sakura.” Kakashi called out to her. “Don’t forget to talk to Sasuke, remember the sooner the better.”

“Right…”

Easier said than done but Kakashi did have a point. The longer Mayumi stayed with him that harder it will be to let her go. She wasn’t sure how she could convince Sasuke to listen to her but perhaps bonding and spending time with the two of them will help.

~~~

The two boys and Mayumi were waiting for her by Konoha’s gate. Sarada was just about to nod off to sleep before noticing her Mama, she let out a little squeal.

“Who got here first?”

“Who do you think?” Sasuke replied smugly. “This idiot didn’t know where he was going.”

“Hey! I did too, I was taking a shortcut.” At that Sasuke rolled his eyes. “Sure.”

“I was too!” As the two boys were glaring at each other Mayumi reached out to Sakura smiling away. The two of them were arguing nonstop about the winner before she got here so Sarada was bored. Not understanding what was going on. Seeing this Sakura took it as a perfect opportunity to steal her away.

“Well, while you two figure things out. Me and Mayumi-Chan are going to save our spots.” Sakura quickly picked up Mayumi away from Sasuke, she giggled in response happy to be with her Mama and it was only then did the two boys stop arguing.

“You okay with Sakura-Chan taking Mayumi-Chan away?” He didn’t seem too pleased last time. Sasuke merely shrugged. “I can’t stop her and if I do, she’ll probably cry.”

“Look at you being mature.” Sasuke chose to ignore that remark and walked off. Naruto was glad the two were getting along again.

~~~

Of course they ended up at Ichiraku, knowing their teammate there’s no other place he’d rather be. Not that it mattered as it wasn’t like either Sasuke or Sakura went there often. Sakura had already taken a seat with Sarada on her lap, she was again happily chewing on her hair whilst Sakura was trying to pull it away.

Sasuke took a seat next to Sakura and upon watching the scene carefully brushed all of Sakura’s hair behind her back, including the lock Sarada had in her hand so she couldn’t reach it. Sarada gave a little glare at her Papa for ruining her fun. Naruto arrived sometime afterwards greeting Teuchi and Ayame and took a seat next to Sasuke, so he was in the middle.

“Thank you Sasuke-Kun,” a light blush spread across her cheeks, it was an all too familiar scene for Sarada. Her Mama would usually turn a shade darker with whatever her Papa said or did. She didn’t really understand but was glad things were turning normal again. Perhaps they were no longer fighting now. Having nothing to chew on, she looked around fascinated by the place. It was a small place, but the smell was delicious.

“Ah, Naruto how are you doing? Oh, and who’s this cutie?” Teuchi turned to Sarada smiling at her, she hid her head bashfully in Sakura’s clothes. Usually, she was more sociable and loved meeting new people, but seeing so many faces at once can be draining. Besides it wasn’t like her Mama, Papa or the idiot were complete strangers to her.

“This is Mayumi-Chan, she’s-”

“It’s a babysitting mission.” Sasuke elbowed Naruto by ribcage, and he winced. Was he really going to blab about her being an Uchiha? It would be much too dangerous, then again, this was Naruto. It was unlikely that they would believe him. “Ah right, yeah. It’s a mission we’re currently doing. Nothing we can’t handle though.”

“Why am I not surprised, the usual I take it?”

“You know it!” Naruto grinned; his stomach gurgled in response. He couldn’t wait to eat. After Teuchi took in Sasuke and Sakura’s orders, the three were left to themselves.

“So, what should we do after this?” Naruto asked.

“We can always take her shopping?” Sakura suggested. It was more of an excuse to make her try on cute little dresses.

“I have enough clothes for her.”

“Ah ah, a girl needs more than just clothes Sasuke-Kun, and you have to find the right ones not just pick anything. She’ll need accessories too to go with them. Right Mayumi-Chan?” Sarada was still hiding but she peeked up at Sakura hearing her soft voice and gave a little hum in acknowledgement.

“She isn’t a doll.”

“But she’ll look adorable,” was it his imagination or did Sasuke and Sakura sound like two parents arguing about what was best for their child? Naruto shook it off, this was hardly an argument.

“I agree with Sakura-Chan, I think it can be fun. Then we can go to the park.” Although she was far too young to be playing on the playground, they could probably have little picnic and chill. It would be a nice experience for them as a team too.

“That sounds like a great idea Naruto,” Sakura agreed, and Sasuke sighed. There was no point arguing with these two and this was why he didn’t want them to have anything to do with Mayumi, now they’ll never leave them alone… and he was still using Sakura’s name for the baby.

Tsk.

“Here you are.” Teuchi placed the bowls in front of them. “Enjoy.” Naruto immediately dug in slurping on his ramen, Sasuke rolled his eyes at his behaviour. Sakura on the other hand looked down at Mayumi trying to figure out how to eat with her on her lap. Most likely she would try to take away her food and that would be dangerous.

Noticing her dilemma Ayame walked around the booth.

“Here, I can take her. You need to eat too.” Sakura smiled gratefully handing Mayumi over to Ayame. She looked at the woman then back at Sakura then to her again, her eyes grew big and watery as her lips started to tremble.

“Ah, don’t cry now.” Ayame started to panic, she hadn’t meant to upset the little one. Getting an idea Ayame sat at the empty spot next to Sakura. “There you go, she’s right there. She just needs to eat like her other two teammates, see?” Seemingly more calmed down now, Sarada’s hand reached over to grab Sakura’s lock which was now accessible but instead held it in her hand for comfort rather than putting in her mouth.

Sarada gave a big grin to Ayame who sighed in relief that she had managed to comfort the girl before she could cry and gushed on how cute she was. Sakura apologised on her behalf, feeling slightly guilty and was relieved that Mayumi was distracted enough so she could eat. Watching the three Sasuke couldn’t help but find it odd how upset she would get being separated from his teammate.

She’s way too attached to Sakura.

Perhaps there was something more than her looking like her Mama, could they really know each other? Still, he couldn’t quite place how. He was missing something, yet no explanation came to mind.

After Sakura and Sasuke were finished (Naruto still wanted another bowl) Sarada by now was used to Ayame completely forgetting about her lock and kept putting her hands over her eyes playing peekaboo with the woman giggling away. Teuchi had also played and kept Sarada entertained taking her behind the store to give the three of them a break. Well, he is a father himself. With her being distracted/entertained by them it gave him the perfect opportunity.

“Sakura…” This was going to sound crazy, but he needed to know so he could at least cross the idea out. “Do you… know her?” Hearing such a question Naruto almost coughed out his ramen and stared at the two in bewilderment. In what way would Sakura know little Mayumi-Chan?

Sakura seemed just as caught off guard as he did.

“Eh? Where would you get that idea from?”

“I had to ask,” he shrugged like it was nothing. “She seems… attached to you. Too much, the other day she kept pointing at you from the photo we took as team. Like she knew you.” Not to mention she would cry and throw a tantrum if she was taken away from her.

“I assumed that she mistook you for her mother.”

“You think I look like her mother?”

“Oh, that would make sense.” Naruto nodded agreeing. “I mean he’s right; she does cling to you and Sasuke too. If she’s mistaken, you two for her real parents it would explain a lot.” That may be true but no matter how much Sakura wanted to believe the Mayumi was an Uchiha, it just didn’t seem possible. Sure, maybe the two did look like her parents but not in the way Sasuke thinks they do.

“Do you really think-” Sakura held back her tongue, no it was too soon. They… she had to approach this gently on letting Mayumi go.

“Never mind.” Ayame then came back with Sarada.

“You’ve been summoned.”

“Bah, bah.” She reached her small hands towards Mama and immediately snuggled feeling safe and relaxed in Sakura’s arms. Perhaps she was going to find it hard to let her go too.

~~~

“Naruto are you sure this is the right place?” It didn’t look like a store, let alone one for babies. For one, there was no door and everything inside was empty. Sakura also had no recollection of such a store being here in the middle of Konoha and considering her and Ino went shopping a lot, if it was here, she would know.

“This was the place, maybe they’ve moved?”

“Ah, yes because that’s common.” Sasuke glared daggers at Naruto.

“I swear it was here, come on. You don’t think I want to help you find Sarada?”

“Boys, stop it! Now is not the time, not when our baby girl is missing.” She only wanted answers. Of how and where Sarada could possibly end up, no one understood what was going on or how she could get out but if they could find whoever sold the rattle to them, maybe they’ll have answers.

Right now, she just wanted to have Sarada in her arms again and never let go.

“Gee, what’s with all the noise.” An elderly woman came down the stairs, she had grey hair that was in a bun and was walking with a stick. Hardly someone who could be classified as an enemy, but they knew better to judge a book by its cover.

“Wait, I recognise you! You’re the one who sold us the rattle.” Although Naruto had tried to look intimidating with pointing his finger at her and glaring it was hard to do so as Boruto was currently sleeping in the baby carrier feeling completely relaxed and exhausted with all the drama.

“Oh, it’s you, I did try to warn you.” She walked away completely unbothered.

“Warn him about what exactly?” Sakura questioned; she didn’t seem the slightest bit fazed that they… broke into her home? Were they breaking in, I mean there were no doors but instead went inside to her what could only be assumed of was a kitchen to grab something to drink. The three followed and Sakura could only get more suspicious. It’s like she knew/expected them to come.

“About the rattle, I told him of the consequences. Whoever holds that rattle will end up trapped in the past.” She poured a glass of water taking a sip for herself.

“Er, yeah but I mean come on. That sounds ridiculous.” It did, Sakura agreed with Naruto and knew there had to be something up.

“What exactly are you saying? Look whatever problem you have with us, spill it out. It’s got nothing to with our daughter.” Whoever needed Ibiki when you had Uchiha Sakura. Sasuke knew it was most likely the stress and worry for their daughter, but he didn’t feel any malicious intent coming from the woman, if he wanted to, he could use his sharingan to get all the answers but didn’t feel the need it was necessary. It seemed more like a mistake. Bad luck?

At first, he was furious and wanted to kill someone however meeting and hearing all these strange explanations. Perhaps there was a mix up and knowing Naruto, he should have paid better attention. Sasuke put a hand on her shoulder giving it a light reassuring squeeze, he wouldn’t let any harm come of their daughter. Not if he can help it.

“What my wife means is, we’re worried of our daughter’s whereabouts. She’s missing and for now the only clue we have is this… rattle.” Her eyes soften, understanding of the two parents.

“I understand, like I said it’s a rattle that leads you to your past.” She then walked over to a cupboard to grab some biscuits and placed them onto a plate, offering them to her guests. They declined but found it weird that despite the circumstances that was given, it didn’t deter her on making lunch?

“But she doesn’t have a past, she can’t even walk or talk.” Sakura tried to make sense of the situation; how can someone go to their past when they themselves didn’t have one. I mean what adult would use a rattle? And who came up with such a ridiculous idea?

“And you two don’t?” They gave a puzzled look. Of course, they had a past. Hell, all three of them did but they didn’t understand what that had to do with Sarada?

“She may not have a past, her parents on the other hand do, so chances are whatever you two have been through. That’s where she is.” She took a sip of her water as the realisation came to the three of them.

Immediately dark thoughts came to their mind, of the war, Uchiha massacre, even the battles they’ve face from the Akatsuki and including against each other.

“Shit.” Sasuke muttered.

Regardless of where abouts she was in the past, it wasn’t one for their daughter to be in.

~~~

“Oh, she would look adorable in this one.” Sakura picked out a lavender dress, it had puffy sleeves with a bow. Sakura went to the dressing room to change Mayumi and upon seeing the result noticed the dress was tad bigger than her. Not by much but still noticeable. Mayumi couldn’t stop grinning, finding everything to be fun and amusing.

“Hmm perhaps not,” Sakura went to look for more clothing passing the baby back to Sasuke who was waiting outside the room. He couldn’t believe he let Sakura and Naruto drag him to do this, but Sakura insisted. Saying she knew what was best as a fellow woman and who was he to deny?

Perhaps he needed Sakura’s help more than he thought.

As Sakura was browsing, she came across a two-piece romper suit, the dress part was all red with cute buttons whilst the long sleeve was white with little red hearts over it. This was the perfect colour for her. Again, Sakura went to change Mayumi and it was a perfect fit, it suited her nicely.

Sakura came out to show the results to her teammate.

“Doesn’t she look adorable Sasuke-Kun?” He let out a hmp not caring.

“No, you’re right, she’s missing something.”

“Hey, hey! What about this one?” Naruto showed a very… bright orange shirt with matching shorts.

Very bright indeed.

“No way!”

“What? What’s wrong with it?”

“She is not wearing anything orange.”

“Orange is a great colour, I wear it.”

“My point exactly.”

“Oi!”

“Now, now you two. And I agree with Sasuke-Kun on this Naruto, orange wouldn’t suit her. She’s dark and mysterious like him. Red is more her colour.” Except Sasuke wasn’t wearing anything red, but neither mentioned it.

Luckily for them, it wasn’t like their entire past was filled with horror and Sarada was indeed safe.

If only they knew.

[riversimmone]

Three's A Crowd - Chapter 17

Summary:

SasuSaku. He didn't mean to kill that man. He had simply reacted to being attacked. And now Konoha is forced to hunt down the rogue members of Team 7, or risk open war. Eventual NaruHina.

XXX

Read from the beginning. This is a work in progress story you can find on tumblr and AO3 and completed on FF.NET.

[All tumblr posts will be tagged ‘Three’s A Crowd’ with their corresponding chapter for quick and easy access.]

Enjoy. :)

If there had ever any been birds nearby, something had killed them. Naruto wondered briefly if all inn keepers owned cats as he watched Hinata with fascination. She was waking up, and it was the most beautiful sight he'd ever seen. He wanted to tell her everything – from the day of Orochimaru's attack on the leaf to his own fears concerning both Sasuke and Sakura. She mumbled a sleepy "ohayou" and her eyes widened at the frown on his face. He kissed her softly and started to talk, but she cut him off.

Hinata shook her head. "You don't have to tell me, Naruto-kun."

"I want to," he said, gripping her tighter to his chest. "I need to."

She smiled and took his hand. "O-okay."

Naruto had never spoken the words before, not even when he talked with Sasuke and Sakura about what happened. The Uchiha clan had been put in its place when they tried to take over the clan, most of them killed the night an unseen figure slipped into the compound – what little that did survive died when Orochimaru attacked, using the bijuu (except for Sasuke of course, who had been with his team mates at the time). It had been a jinchuriki sure, but during the battle, Naruto had personally witnessed the ease with which he'd transformed, the grim determination in his eyes ‒ he had been complicit in the attack from the beginning.

Naruto told Hinata how, shortly after the enemy forces were driven out of Konoha, the host of the Rokubi had been killed by his own team mates to prevent the leaf from capturing him. The memory of that boy shuddering and convulsing was enough to turn Naruto's stomach at the time. But unlike Sasuke and Sakura, Naruto felt no anger toward the jinchuriki. And as it turned out, Hinata knew about the Kyuubi – she'd been told by Tsunade when the Hokage had agreed to let her act as the liaison to Kitsúne.

"They'll hate me," Naruto said, his eyes flickering over to the wall that separated him from his sleeping team mates.

"Why?" Hinata asked. "I don't think‒"

"It was hard," he interrupted, "growing up, not realising why people hated me. But that boy – the Rokubi host – he'd been abandoned by his village, and all but thrown to the wolves. It was no wonder he was so angry."

"How do you know he was?"

Naruto's eyes fell to his hands, remembering that they were entwined with hers. "I spoke to him, tried to get him to understand what he was doing was wrong."

"And he didn't listen?"

He gave her a wry smile. "He did – it was another reason they killed him. He stopped himself from wiping out the leaf."

"You saved everyone," Hinata realised. "But, why did you leave? You said last night it was to follow Sasuke and Sakura, b-but…" She bit her bottom lip, staring him in the face. "Maybe it was because of that boy – to find out where O-Orochimaru went, and stop him f-from doing that to anyone else ever again."

Naruto grinned. "I knew there was a reason I loved you… oh." He broke off when she blushed furiously.

"Y-you l-love me Naruto-kun?"

The truth was that it had just slipped out, but once he stopped and thought about it, Naruto was sure there was something there. He felt happy, lying next to her, comfortable opening up to her; his heart clenched at the thought that they would never see each other again. But he couldn't give her what she deserved. He needed to stop being selfish.

But, he had just said the words. Naruto couldn't bring himself to make the light in her eyes go out – she looked so happy, so hopeful. He grinned. "Of course!"

He just wished he could tell, from the hammering of his heart, whether he'd just made a horrible mistake.

X X X

It was still early when Hinata and Naruto filed into the room next to them; Sasuke gave her a strange look at the way she was practically beaming. Her thoughts circled the previous night, how she was still sore, and then moved to everything Naruto had told her this morning. She hoped he wasn't in for a nasty surprise if and when he told his friends about the Kyuubi.

"Okay," Sakura said, moving the conversation along – which had started as Naruto rousing on Sasuke for turning his weird looks at Hinata into a knowing smirk. "Let's get started, shall we?"

Hinata told them where the Hokage wanted to meet them, before remembering her conversation with Neji.

"Here," she said, handing a scroll over to Sakura. "Neji-niisan gave me this to give to you."

Sakura took it gingerly. "Me?"

"All of you," the Hyuuga said, noting the furrowed eyebrows of the Uchiha at this revelation. "But you have the better control over chakra Sakura-chan, and he suggested this after talking with the Hokage."

"What is it?" The pinkette asked, peering at it cautiously.

"A medical scroll."

"Huh?" Sakura's head snapped up to look at Hinata. "Why?"

"In case the plan doesn't go well and we won't be able to return to Konoha," Sasuke surmised, and the Hyuuga nodded to him.

"Didn't you two say you wanted to buy some supplies before we went?" Naruto asked pointedly.

"Yep," Sakura stuffed the scroll in her backpack. "Come on Sasuke-kun, let's give them their space." She smiled at Hinata. "Goodbye Hinata."

Sasuke gave Hinata one last, swift, calculating look before taking Sakura's hand and leaving the room, without looking back. Naruto offered them a small smile of gratitude before turning back to Hinata. She embraced him quickly, burying her face in his shoulder. "I'll miss you Naruto-kun."

"We'll see each other again."

But just in case, he swept her into his arms and smothered the startled Hyuuga. It was a farewell kiss, a goodbye hug and because it might be the last time he would hold her, Naruto took the time to make love to her again. There was no-one else around, they were behind closed doors, and he just couldn't help himself.

X X X

The weight of the previous weeks, and their last conversation with Hinata nagged at the pinkette. Kitsúne travelled in silence to the appointed area, arriving a day earlier than expected. The upcoming conversation with Lady Tsunade made her incredibly nervous, and she kept thinking about that scroll. Why would she just give it up like that? It didn't make sense.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the setting up of their camp less than fifteen minutes from the rendezvous site, and Sakura decided she'd worry about the scroll later. She tried to sleep next to Sasuke, but he rebuked her, taking the first watch instead and ignoring her. He was mad again, and that in and of itself was pissing her off. They'd argued over this before, to no avail, so she just left him be.

Come morning, Naruto decided to scout out the meeting place, leaving Sakura with a still annoyed Uchiha.

"What is your problem?" She snapped, rubbing her eyes from lack of sleep – worrying over him always did that to her.

"Hn."

"Answer me Sasuke."

"Nothing is my problem: stop worrying."

"Is it me? Did I do something?" He didn't answer and Sakura clenched her fists, watching him pack his bag. "You don't… you don't love me, do you?"

Those were the scariest words for her to think, let alone put into words. They had sex, they clung to each other in their mutual need for comfort, and when it came down to it, they were more in tune with each other than either could boast to be with Naruto. But did that equate to love, really? Sasuke frowned at her, realising there was more to the tears rolling down her face than her fear of his true emotions.

"You don't think I love you enough to stay with you if this goes sideways."

It wasn't a question. Sasuke said the words, stunned by the implications behind them. He wasn't the type to open up to others, in fact the act itself required more effort from him than even the day he'd activated his Sharingan, so long ago now. It made him miss being a Konoha ninja.

Sakura stared at her hands, terrified by his words as well. He forced his muscles to relax and lifted Sakura's head, his fingers snaking under her chin.

"I love you," he said softly, her eyes widening. "I love you more than anything Sakura. I'm so sorry I've never told you that." The tears came faster as he pulled her close. "I should have told you that."

"It's okay Sasuke," she half-sobbed into his chest, her arms wrapping around his waist – all her anger was now gone. "You don't have to."

"No, it's not – you deserve more than I've given you." He kissed the top of her head. "I promise I won't be selfish anymore."

Her head snapped up and a look of sheer panic crossed her features. "Wha‒"

"Oi, love birds!" Naruto called out, his obnoxious voice preceding his burst into the clearing. "Open your eyes – we have incoming!"

The Kumo ninja chasing the blonde knucklehead amounted to one Shinobi without a mask, and four with – as far as Sasuke was concerned, there was no reason to worry.

"Come here to die?" He asked, smirking at the blonde – he was obviously the leader.

"Nah," the man said. "We just came here for the nine tails."

Sakura glanced at Naruto as he twitched.

'Nine tails?'

"Whatever," Sasuke said, drawing his ōdachi, holding it so that the tip of the blade pointed straight at the man's throat. "You're no match for us."

The blonde cloud ninja sneered at him. "Spoken like true Konoha dogs."

Several of the ANBU darted in, positioning themselves between Sasuke and Naruto, effectively cutting them off from each other.

Sakura took a step backward as the one in front of her charged. He was smirking or grinning triumphantly behind that mask, she was sure of it. Sasuke glanced at her as she took the man out, bringing her kunai up and into his jaw. They would not underestimate her for being a girl with pink hair anymore. Twisting his ōdachi, he parried his own attacker, pushing the sword down; the momentum of his swing drove his weapon deep into the enemy's back.

But he knew it was just a distraction.

A flash of brilliant light blinded them and for a minute, Sakura thought a bomb had gone off. But she and Sasuke were thankfully unharmed. She spun around as the Kumogakure ninja advanced on them once again (there were so much more now), her eyes flickering as she noticed her blonde team mate. Sakura's eyes widened at the sight of him slammed against a nearby tree and in a pool of his own blood. Red chakra flowed from him freely.

'What the hell is that?'

The leader of the Kumo ninja grinned as Naruto started to convulse. Not realising immediately what was going on, Sasuke moved to stand back to back with her, ready to fight, and Sakura screamed out Naruto's name. They were killing him.

X X X

[evereinefaust]

. . . ⇢ ˗ˏˋ 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 ࿐ྂ

Pairing: Naruto Uzumaki X afab!Reader

Sypnosis: MC returns to her home country for a two-month vacation, excited to reunite with her childhood friends. She saw how much they changed — having already married and had children. It's only a matter of time before her lingering feelings for someone must be told.

Word Count: 3,410

Listen to your heart, when he's calling for you

Here it is. The most waited time of my life. I can now return to my home country and meet my old friends again. You were excited to return home from your work abroad. You are inside the plane, waiting for the plane to land, and in the meantime, you look out from the window at the beautiful scenery of your place. Though you were just given a 2-month vacation, it was a perfect chance to have fun with your friends before you resume your work. You wonder if they changed a lot after all those years. Of course, you also changed into a beautiful young woman. But the thing that you want is if they already had children, especially your best friends, Hinata, Ino, Sakura, and Tenten. And you wonder who married or caught Sasuke first, Sakura or Ino. You laughed at the thought.

As the plane landed, you can't contain the excitement. You are ready to leave and waiting for the pilot to say they can now exit the plane. You hurriedly sprinted outside the big flying vehicle and went to the port where your friends were waiting. After you got your baggage, you let a smile creep on your face as you exited the port. And there you saw them waving at you, your smile grew wider as you felt really really excited. You ran in their direction and gave your best friends a big tight hug. "I'm back!" You said happily. They all chuckled.

"Welcome home! We miss you!" They chorused. The five of you broke the hug and you looked at the males, Kiba, Shino, Choji, Shikamaru, Neji, Lee, and Sasuke were there, but you didn't see the blonde. You noticed that they all changed, the girls were more beautiful and the boys became handsome. "Welcome back [Name]..." Choji greeted as he munched on his cracker. "You never stop eating" You chuckled. "Here, I'll handle this" Lee grabbed the baggage from you and carry it by himself. "Thanks, Lee" You thanked him, and he just blushed slightly and nodded.

"Come on, let's go and celebrate your arrival," Kiba said then ruffled his hair. "Oh come on, you men didn't welcome [Name] properly on her arrival," Ino said, Kiba just shrugged. After your arrival, they went to their favorite ramen shop, the Ichiraku Ramen. You guys had fun while going there, talking some stuff about the [h/l] [h/c]-colored female's job and her relationship. "So, [Name]. You still don't have a boyfriend yet?" Sakura asked rather mischievously as she looked at you with a smirk. "Ah, eh... I still have none" You sweat-dropped.

"Aw... Too bad, some of us already had" Ino said. You looked at them as well with the boys, Kiba had his look of 'What's with us?'. "Really?" You raised one eyebrow as you looked back at the girls. "Yup!" Tenten replied happily. "I already had Sasuke-kun," Sakura said proudly as Ino rolled her eyes at her but smiled. "Oh? So Sakura won the contest?" You smirked. They laughed. "Yeah, but I already had a husband, I haven't introduced you to him yet" Ino stated then smiled. "Tenten-san is the wife of Neji-niisan" Hinata said shyly with a low voice.

Tenten blushed. "H-Hinata!" She stammered. The boys don't seem to be bothered by all the lovey-dovey of the girls and you, and you noticed this. "Oh? How about you, Shikamaru? Do you already have a wife?" The young adult asked the spiky male. "Temari was my wife and we already had a son. His name is Shikadai" Shikamaru replied to the girl's question. You turned to Choji while he was eating and he noticed your stare and looked at you. 

"Hm...?" Choji asked as he continued eating his ramen. "Who's your wife by now, Choji?" You asked him with a smile. "My wife's name is Karui and we had a daughter named Chocho. She so cute" Choji replied with a smile plastered on his face. "Oh... I forgot! Naruto wasn't here, right?" Ino said and looked at all of you, now your heart pounded rapidly. "Naruto-kun wasn't with us when we went to the airport to greet [Name]-san on her arrival" Hinata informed the group.

"How about we call him to join us? We still have time to celebrate [Name]'s arrival and we will stay here for a while" Sakura said then grabbed her phone out from her sling bag. She dialed Naruto's number and put the phone on her ear, he waited for him to answer but he didn't pick his phone up. "Weird, Naruto usually answers his phone," Sakura said as she looked at her phone. "Maybe he's busy. Let's call him later" You told her. "Naruto has never been busy. When it comes to celebrations like this, he's always present" Shino said. You looked down at your food and then frowned.

"Don't be so down [Name]-san. We're going to visit Naruto-kun later" Hinata cheered you up, and you smiled. The gang and you finished eating for an hour, Ino told the boys that they can go home and thanked them for accompanying you and the girls. They went straight home, carrying your baggage with them. Then, the girls and you went to the mall. "We don't have to do this, you know," You told them while walking. "We have to, [Name]-san. It's your arrival, after all. We have to keep you happy from now on" Hinata smiled.

You smiled back. It's true, you have to experience happiness too. But the only problem is, the blonde didn't come. The one that you liked since you were still a child, attending the academy where the two of you met. He was very troublesome when he was little, he was always being scold by your teacher, Iruka. In contrast to that, he was very kind and helpful. Like when you were being bullied in the academy by other boys, he always come to your aid. And that's the reason you found your crush on him.

You always watch him, his actions, and his behaviors in the academy. He always wanted to become stronger than Sasuke, but in the end, he was always the loser. But you don't care about that, at least he had a goal, perseverance, and determination. And that's what you love about him. He can be an idiot, but he has a big heart. You love the blonde that was known as Naruto Uzumaki. He was your inspiration, the one who helped you improve.

His parents are very kind, when you first come to visit at his house, his mother treated you like her own child. They always thought that you were Naruto's childhood love, which made Naruto very embarrassed when they tease him. After that first visit, he would always invite you to stay in his house. You sometimes had an overnight at his place when the two of you grew older. The two of you were called the best of friends. But that doesn't mean that Naruto would stop challenging Sasuke every day, that his crush on Sakura will fade even though she's in love with Sasuke, and that Hinata's feelings for him will vanish.

Those things doesn't break your friendship with him actually, but things were worse when the two of you were 16. You were very sickly when you were younger, and you would be sent to the hospital at least thrice a week. And this made your parents and your classmates very worried, at one time, you almost died because of your sickness. The others even cried because you were confined one time, especially the girls.

You didn't attend school for 3 months and missed a lot of studies. After you recover from your illness, your parents decide that you will start home-schooling because it will be easy enough to track your health. Your teacher approves of this, but, you don't want to leave your friends, especially Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke, Hinata, Kiba, Shino, Ino, Choji, Shikamaru, Tenten, Lee, and Neji. They were the best friends that you made during childhood.

As you started home-school, your parents would check on you every hour. They rented teachers to teach you at home, and it became better. At home, your health is checked, and you can still learn. It's a double win, if I will say. But you lost your friends in exchange for that. And that made you very sad and depressed. You know that home-schooling is a good idea, and you have agreed to this, but in contrast to that, you don't want to be separated from your friends.

During the night, you would cry yourself to sleep because of the solitude that you had during that time. And because of that, they once visit you at home. It was unexpected, your mother didn't have time to prepare food for them, but they brought some when they came. You were more than happy just to meet your friends again, just like now.

You still remember those happy times when you were with them, and now, you were. Although a certain someone is missing, and that's the reason why you're going to visit him later. "So... What do you think of this dress, [Name]?" Sakura's voice snapped you out of your trance. "Huh? What? Sorry, I wasn't listening..." You smiled sheepishly and scratched your temple. She sighed. "Somehow, you didn't change for a bit..." She stated as she put the cloth down.

"Hey! I changed a lot, you know!" You retorted back at her. "I don't see the difference. You still had your [h/l] [h/c] hair of yours, unlike us... Sakura's hair had become smooth and had soft edges, unlike her teenage self," Tenten said as she touched the pink female's hair. "Ino's hair had become longer and her bangs became long too. Hinata's hair was cut and mine grew a little bit longer" She added, you sighed. "Well, physically, I didn't change much, but you know that I changed emotionally and mentally, right?" You replied.

"I think so" Hinata answered, you sweat-dropped. "Okay, fine..." You muttered to yourself. The girls gifted you some things that you would need during your 2-month stay in Japan, which are make-ups, dresses, a new pair of jeans, a new pair of shorts, a lots of shoes and heels, gowns, t-shirts, jackets, and other things. You hate to say no to your friends when they offer you the stuffs, which will offend them. But you don't want their money to be wasted just for you.

After the shopping, you part ways with them. You plan to visit a shop to buy a needed thing, it is a red yarn. You wanted to gift Naruto a red scarf to replace his old and destroyed one. It was when the two of you were younger, you were always being bullied by other boys. One winter day, you were just walking to the place you usually go, but they saw you and started to bully you. You were known to be the child of the most popular authors in Japan.

When they bullied you, Naruto was near and sat on a swing. He came to your aid and then helped you, but he got beaten instead. And they tore his scarf, you offered yours but he declined and ran away. You just wanted to thank him for that time and plan to knit him a new one.

After you bought the things you needed, you went straight to Naruto's home with the stuffs the girls bought for you. You rode in a taxi and it is already evening when you arrived there. You arrived at his apartment and then rang the doorbell, a loud 'Wait a minute!' answered and suddenly, he opened the door. Once he opened the door, his eyes widened to see you standing in front of his home. The two of you stared at each other for a while and then you smiled.

That made him snap out of his thoughts. "Sorry, come in. I'll carry these" He apologized then grabbed the bags from your hands as you went inside. The touch lasted for a second but it still made you blush like an idiot. When you went inside, you sat on the couch as he closed the door and then placed the bags on the table. "So... What brings you here?" He muttered his question, not looking at you. "I just arrived earlier here in Japan, and then we had lunch at Ichiraku. When we noticed that you didn't come along, I came here" You explained.

"Oh... Sorry for not coming, I was busy" He apologized. "That's fine, but Sakura called you on the phone, and you didn't answer," You told him and looked at his figure. "I set my phone to silent because I don't want to be disturbed" Naruto replied then went inside the kitchen."Oh... So busy that you didn't come to meet me when I arrived?" You asked him again. "Yeah... Sorry," He apologized once again. "That's fine, at least I meet you again" You smiled.

He made 2 tea, one for him and one for you. He placed the cup on the coffee table and you thanked him. He sat on the couch next to the one you were sitting on and drank his tea. "What's with bags?" He asked. "Oh, that? That's what the girls gifted me for my arrival" You laughed, remembering how stubborn they are to waste their money just for you. "Huh? Why are you laughing?" Naruto looked at you and raised his brow. You looked away from him when you instantly made contact with his eyes, blushing.

"So... You've grown differently, Naruto. I've always thought that your hair will be like your father's, but it isn't" You compliment him as you drink your tea. "Yeah, but I decided to cut my hair short" He replied. Then the two of you looked at each other and then smiled. It's been years since the last the two of you saw each other, and it took you 2 hours inside his house, playing and chatting. It's already 8 in the evening, and Naruto escorted you back to your home.

"Thanks for accompanying me, Naruto" You thanked him as the two of you arrived in front of your house. "No problem" He smiled. You went inside the gate, opened the door, and then got the bags from Naruto. "See you tomorrow!" He smiled and then ran outside, you waved at him and then closed the door. You noticed that the baggage was inside. They really placed my baggage inside the house, eh? I should really need to retrieve the keys to my house from them.

It's already 2 months since [Name]'s vacation in Japan, she also knit Naruto's scarf during those months, and now, it's finished. A red scarf just for him, a sign of love. "Hey! [Name]!" A loud call on you made you awake from your peaceful sleep. You groaned as you rolled over the bed, hitting your face on the cold hard floor. "Ouch!" You screamed inside your bedroom, loud enough to make them hear outside. "Geez... Wake up already [Name]!" Sakura shouted.

"I guess that they will not stop bothering me unless I wake up..." You muttered to yourself, face still planted on the floor. Then, you decided to fix yourself. They plan to have a hang-out with you again. It's the final day, you are going to leave later 5 pm. You go out of your room to have a quick bath and then changed your clothes into [f/c] T-shirt and black denims. You brush your hair and let it down for a while. After that, you went down the stairs then got the keys and your bag from the table, exited the house, and locked the doors.

"Wow! You are pretty fast when you make someone wait" Shikamaru said, you just grinned. Once you went out, you noticed that Naruto was with them. "I got this lazy one out of his house just for you," Sakura said as she pointed to Naruto, he just looked away with a blush. "That's nice," You said. "Yeah, let's go," Hinata said and then you went walking along with them.

Your destination was a mall, yet again. Once you and the others entered inside, they dragged you to a restaurant for you to eat breakfast. You didn't have time to eat because you were in a hurry earlier. After that, you go shopping with them, window shop, then play some games. It was almost noon, and they decided to take you home so that you could carry your baggage and then head straight to the airport. Once you arrive back home, you fix your things,  leaving some unneeded things, and carry the ones you want to have with you.

It was already 4:45, only minutes left to go to the airport. They accompanied you to the airport as Lee carried your baggage again. Once you were there, they bid goodbye. "So... Don't forget our souvenirs, [Name]" Tenten said to you as she hugged you. "Alright," You replied. "We will miss you," Ino said then hugged her too. "Bye [Name], and don't forget to buy Shikadai's request," Shikamaru said, you smiled. "Sure, if it's for your cute son, I'll do it" You replied.

"I will buy a new dress for your daughter, Choji. Don't worry" You told him, he nodded. "I'm gonna buy you guys the best gifts to thank you all for all the things you did for me while I'm here. Bye!" You smiled and then waved at them as you walked away. They waved back, but you heard a loud 'Wait!' then turned around. "Naruto...?" You muttered, confused. He ran up to you and then hugged you tightly. "Sorry. And thank you for the scarf you gave me earlier" He said.

"You're welcome, but why are you apologizing?" You asked him and he broke the hug. "When I heard the news that you returned here in Japan, I was excited to meet you. But I was also depressed because of the news that you got sick while working. That you were hospitalized for one month, I was afraid to lose you again. And when you visited me at my house, I was glad that you're okay. The only reason I didn't come with the others to wait for your arrival is because I don't know how to welcome you. I was afraid that you would not recognize me and already had another" He confessed.

"So you're saying that you thought I already had a boyfriend other than you?" You asked him, and he nodded slightly. You sent him a smile after that. "Naruto you idiot. You know that you are the only one I love. I am also scared that if you marry Hinata or some other girl. Everyone almost had children and spouses, you know" You laughed slightly. "I just don't know what might happen if you leave, I wanted you to be by my side all the times" He hugged you again.

"Don't worry, I'll visit again" You said then took a quick peek at his lips then the two of you broke apart. "Thank you for everything, Naruto!" You waved at him and smiled, and he waved back. Once your figure disappeared from his sight, he cried silently. Tears fell down his face while standing there.

Listen to your heart, before... You tell him goodbye.

[fightaers]

“what if...it’s not meant to be.” ( naruto @ sakura!

❛⠀what ... ? ❜ whatever medical gloves sakura was about to put on is dropped unceremoniously in its little packaged box it had came with. her mouth hangs open in a small 'o', and she turns, slow, until her green eyes could land on him. there is that bout of panic when his words are first registered, though she could tell it is quickly being washed away by this intense surge of rage, one she's trying so hard to calm down; trying so hard not to manifest in a form of a fist aimed at the wall by the side of his head, because what.

❛⠀is this because of what we talked about ?! ❜ she asks him then, angry, before she marches forward, and grabs naruto by his collar.

despite the newfound height puberty has clearly graced the blonde, a height sakura expects would instil confidence and intimidation as a future hokage and opponent respectively, sakura shows no sign of hesitancy. she brings naruto against the wall, she yells : ❛⠀listen here, uzumaki naruto ! i didn't go through all of those years waiting for you and fighting for you and defending our promise to bring sasuke-kun home for you to say we're— we're— that you're basically done with me ! because i'm not ! and i don't care if you love me less than sasuke or— or— or even some girl you met last tuesday, because we are not over. i am your teammate and you're stuck with me, do you hear me ?! ❜

@fighterbound — midnights (3am edition)

[laniuchiha7]

To He, Who Hung the Stars: Ch 2

Concerns

SSBlankPeriod2023

Occasionally during their travels Sasuke and Sakura will work with towns they’re residing in to earn extra money, which is how they found themselves in their current predicament.

Jade irises roam over the three unconscious bodies laying on the forest floor belonging to the group of bandits who they were assigned to capture and bring back to the village leader for imprisonment. However the fact that one of these men happened to be a notorious missing-nin, Uehara Mizuko, from Iwa had been, likely purposely, left out of the conversation when the young couple were given this assignment.

Sakura stands with both hands pressed to her left side where she received a deep stab wound, her body already healing it along with the other ones she received, although that one is by far the worst of them considering the blade made it through the opposite side. Had it been a slightly different position her splenic artery would have been punctured – very problematic to occur in the middle of a battle although not life-threatening if she were to begin healing it right away. 

The adrenaline flowing through her veins is currently helping to keep her upright, waiting for Sasuke to finish sealing the men so they can return and rest for the night.

From his crouching position, Sasuke straightens his legs and turns to face her. Sakura expects to see some level of displeasure written across his face, given their circumstances, but he looks outright pissed. Heterochromatic eyes travel up and down her sanguinary form, as if he isn’t equally disheveled too, in an almost judgemental and disproving way to which she can’t comprehend why he’d look at her in such a way, making her stomach twist with anxiety. 

Sure their ‘little mission’ turned out to be more dangerous than expected but it’s done now, so what’s the problem? Is it just his exhaustion leaking through and she’s overthinking? Sakura takes a few slow steps towards Sasuke, wanting to check and heal any substantial injuries before they head back, however he walks right past her in the direction of the village.

The town leader gives them an apologetic spiel about how there rumor Uehara was amongst the men wasn’t trustworthy and he didn’t believe it; however she only half listens, waiting for him to give them the payment they were promised and they got. Immediately afterwards both Sasuke and Sakura return to the facility they’re residing in.

Sasuke is the first to enter their room, sliding the door open with such force it causes her to jump, she follows behind and quietly closes them inside. The agitation he’s currently emitting is palpable and Sakura can’t ignore it any longer. Taking a deep breath she asks, “what’s wrong?”

 His ridged back faces her, hand clenched into a fist, until he turns around to respond. “Sakura, I told you to stay behind me,” he tells her irately.

Tilting her head a tad, she furrows her brows trying to piece together what he’s talking about. “Huh?”

“Once we knew the gang leader was a Uehara, I told you to stay behind me while I took care of him yet you rushed ahead.”

“Because I knew I could take him,” she explains, growing more vexed. “And I did, considering I was the one who took him down.”

“But you didn’t need to, I had it handled,” Sasuke raises his tone somewhat, and she doesn’t appreciate feeling lectured.

“What does it matter now? We finished the job, we got paid, it’s over!”

“You were stabbed, Sakura.”

“And I’m fine,” she says matter of factly. “I already healed the wound as much as I need to for now.”

“What if it had been worse? Fatal? What would you have done then?!”

Pointing to the purple diamond on her forehead with her thumb, “I’m not some weak little girl anymore, Sasuke-kun!” In her younger years tears would have already started flowing at the idea of him thinking she’s useless, but they don’t in this case because Sakura knows she isn’t. She doesn’t need to prove  her worth to anyone, not even her boyfriend.

The seal is a visual representation of all the hard work she went through to become one of the strongest of their generation. However it seems Sasuke will only see who she used to be, making her chest constrict and be filled with disappointment. No, the tears don’t fall but the hurt she feels etches into her expression. “Look,” she sighs tiredly. “We’re both exhausted. Let’s wash up and rest for the night.”

Moving to grab her nightwear, Sasuke takes hold of her arm, urging her to turn and face him. Exhaling, Sakura does as he silently requests, looking up at his remorseful appearance, his eyes cast down and shoulders sagged. “I don’t think you’re weak,” Sasuke says quietly and earnestly. “But I can’t stand the thought of something bad happening and not being able to do anything. I can’t lose you too.”

He’s only worried for her, she understands, and can’t exactly fault him either considering everything he’s been through and thinking back to her almost punctured artery. Sasuke has always been protective of her, a fact that used to make her giddy inside and she supposes the idea still does to this day because it means he cares about her. However Sakura doesn’t need his protection all the time anymore, she can hold her own in a battle. It’s not that he necessarily wants her to stand on the sidelines, but rather avoid the feeling of helplessness should things take a turn for the worst; so perhaps giving peace of mind would help ease his concerns. 

Sakura lifts her free hand, with a mint green glow emitting from her palm, placing it on a cut Sasuke received on his cheek, causing him to lean into her touch. “What if I taught you medical ninjutsu?” He meets her gaze with piqued interest.

“Would you?”

She dips her chin. “You’re already very skilled when it comes to chakra control, we might just need to refine it a bit more, then I can teach you some basics. That way if something does happen, you’ll be able to heal me,” she says softly with a small grin. “We can start tomorrow if you want?”

Returning her expression, Sasuke tells her, “I’d like that.”

[dxkk1104]

When did Sakura's eyes become even greener?

Was it before the chunin exams or after?

Why did Sasuke only notice it now? Why did he even notice it?

And how many questions could he ask himself?

He was sitting across from Sakura, who was talking about the next mission, listening to the girl carefully. And looking at her very closely.

Recently, he noticed that she looked better with short hair; her eyes lit up her entire face; and she looked charming with a smile.

What…

Sasuke wriggled in a grimace. What was he even thinking about.

"Sasuke-kun? Are you okay?" Sakura turned a concerned look toward the boy. She must have noticed his internal struggle, "Why do you keep looking at me like that?"

Sasuke's heart skipped a beat.

"I... What kind of..."

"Sakura-chan, look!" Naruto interrupted him.

In perfect time.

Sakura turned angrily to her friend for interfering when he shouldn't have, and Sasuke hid his red face in the collar.

He didn't know when her eyes became so bright, but he liked it. As much as he liked everything about her.