#cause like his silence during his and ino's conversations was so!!!

[torgawl]

thinking about how haibara and ino are both optimistic and cheerful people who are eager to prove themselves to people they admire. they both express joy in helping their seniors but also like the feeling of being dependable by others. to add to this, ino is seen as this little brother figure by other older sorcerers. i think this is why nanami having a soft spot for ino is so touching. you can't help but wonder if he sees fragments of his only friend in him. you can't help but wonder if nanami sees through ino what haibara would've been like growing up.

[sweetcathedral]

Note: Finally revamped this story I had in my docs for a couple of months! I had to buy up all the mangas to fully understand the use of cursed energy & techniques since they contain detailed explanations from Akutami. Also had to take out ‘fillers’ since my intention was to keep it a short story that can either stand alone or could turn into a mini series later on, if I wanted to. My intention with this piece was more about story telling than nsfw, so skip to the last segment for nsfw. Hope y’all enjoy!

⚠️: 18+, backstory, plot, light bondage, fingering, raw, breeding

It was a bright and early morning for you to be running errands, but you were too excited to keep still, since Nanami was able to book a day off for you. You decided to pass the time grocery shopping for the ingredients you needed for lunch and dinner later on. Should I make macarons for dessert this time?

“Are . . . are you, o—okay? . . .” an eerie voice stops you in your tracks.

A cursed spirit hovers over the rails on the bridge ahead of you. You pass through this bridge often and the cursed spirits you encounter were usually no more than grade 3 at most, but this one was a grade 1. Nanami never let you anywhere near a curse that was more than a grade 3, probably because he didn’t want to risk the chance. Although you weren’t a Jujutsu sorcerer like he is, he trained you as if you were one.

You look to see if there was anyone around. No one. Carefully, you approach the curse, who’s taking no interest in you,

“I’m sorry,” you softly muttered. Upon absorbing the spirit through the brush of your finger, a series of feelings and memories flood your mind. Sadness, anger, jealousy, regret, anxiety, depression, mourning, resent. A funeral, a woman jumping off the bridge, failed tests, a child being burnt by cigarettes. The feelings and memories were never this vivid to you. Ah, I should’ve ignored it, you thought to yourself as your vision began to blur. But the last time you ignored one was back home—when your ex decided to take their own life. Everything went black.

It was only a fly head, but as time passed by it slowly grew on your ex, taking a toll on their physical health, then their mental health. After finishing their university degree, the job they finally landed was at a black company. The more hours they racked up at work, the less time you spent with each other.

“Sorry, I’ll be coming home late again.”

“Can we reschedule?”

“I’m afraid I can’t make it today.”

“How about another time?”

“Sorry, I need to take this call. It’s for work.”

Day by day they became distant and unresponsive to you. You were probably just as frustrated as they were. A feeling you’ll regret when the company calls to inform you of your ex’s body being found outside of work. They had jumped off the roof of the building. When you arrived at the morgue, a cursed spirit you haven’t seen before was latched to their lifeless body. The fly head you last saw had grown into a curse during the time they were away from you. Without hesitation, you absorbed it through the palm of your hand and all of their emotions and memories clouded your mind. Pain, stress, pressure, anxiety, depression, resentment, jealousy, anger, frustration.

“We’re on a tight schedule this week. I need this done by the end of the day.”

“You don’t have the luxury of a break right now.”

“What do you mean you can’t get it done? Do you know how important this is?”

“The meeting wasn’t a success. I’m gonna have to demote you.”

“Better than being fired.”

“Hey, if you do this for me I’ll put in a good word for you.”

“Thanks to your hard work I was able to get promoted.”

All of their darkest memories played through your head, all the way until they walked to the roof of the building and jumped off. When you got back home, you broke down and cried in guilt and shame. You should’ve dealt with it before all of their feelings accumulated past the point of saving. The company.

After your emotions calmed down, you changed into a simple black outfit: a baseball cap, tee, jeans and your leather boots. That same night, you decided to break into the company and out of pure anger and regret, you take on every curse you saw in your path.

“Emerge from darkness, blacker than darkness. Purify that which is impure,” Nanami chanted.

The veil spills over the building, where a numerous amount of employees committed suicide. Branding it as stigmatized.

“There was a recent suicide report this morning,” Ino looks over to the stained silhouette on the pavement before following Nanami.

The duo entered the building and scanned through each floor up until the roof.

“Hey, isn't the building supposed to be crawling with curses? Cause there wasn’t any on my way here,”

“Something’s not right,” Nanami thought for a moment, “Ino, did you bump into anyone on your floors?”

“Nope. They emailed the president to make sure that the building was empty,”

“Are you sure?”

“You wanna double check with me?”

Nanami and Ino make their way back down, this time examining every single room and closed door. There was no trace of residuals either. Usually there would be a few fly heads here and there, but it was spotless—a complete ghost town. Nothing?

“NANAMI!”

Without hesitation, Nanami sprinted to where Ino shouted. When he flung the door open, Ino was being engulfed by a large curse, similar to that of a human centipede. This must be the one that ate all the other curses.

“Ino! Hold still!”

Just as Nanami aimed his technique, you absorbed the curse from behind, freeing Ino and pushing him out of the way. Resulting in you being hit by Nanami’s cursed energy across your upper body. They quickly rushed to your side,

“We have to get her to a hospital!” Ino panics as he puts pressure on your wound. You were out cold and unresponsive, but you still had a faint pulse. Nanami immediately takes off his blazer and bundles it up, applying it to your wound.

“It’ll be too late when she reaches the hospital,” he closes his eyes to think for a quick moment. Shit! “Tell Gojo to get Ieiri here!” he tosses his phone to Ino, already dialing Gojo’s phone. Please, don’t die. Your pulse started to fade and your body went cold. Please . . .

Before Gojo was able to answer, your eyes flutter open and you look around to see Nanami and Ino hovering over you in shock.

“Huh? Who are you people?” you slowly get up and notice your ripped top covered in blood, “eh? EH?!”

You patted yourself in a panic. You’ve seen blood before in movies, but never this much blood in real life. There was no sense of pain and the gash was gone, leaving no scar behind. Nanami swings his blazer over you,

“You stained it, but it’s better than nothing,”

“Stained? I stained it?” his blazer was soaked in blood. “Wait, this is my blood?!”

“Um, yeah, . . . you kinda died,” Ino responded from behind him.

“Hellllloooooooo! I picked up, you should be grateful!” Gojo’s voice shouts from the phone.

Nanami takes his phone back from Ino and hangs up.

“Can you stand?” he averts his eyes back to you.

“Um,” you look down and wiggle your toes to see if your legs were injured before standing. No sign of pain, but they were trembling so you kneeled instead.

“What are you doing here? ‘Cause I doubt you work here.”

Feeling caught, you frantically try to make up a quick excuse.

“. . . revenge,” there wasn’t an excuse good enough to hide what you were doing, so you told the truth. The whole truth: from when you first saw the fly head to how you ended up at the company on personal terms.

“You know, you have talent for someone who’s not familiar with curses. Your body unconsciously healed itself,” Ino pointed out. He was comfortablely laying on his stomach, his hands propping his head up and his legs sprawled out on the floor. Nanami was intently listening to you, leaning against the wall.

“Is anyone else in your family able to do that?” Nanami asked.

“No. At least, I don’t think so. I’ve always lived with my grandparents, so I don’t know much about my birth parents,”

Cursed spirits were an everyday thing to you. For as long as you could remember you’ve always been able to see them, it was only until you pointed one out to your grandmother that not everyone could see them. As for your supposed talent, you only learned that you were able to absorb curses a couple years ago. You paid no mind to it, but now that you’ve met Ino and Nanami it’s different now, and confusing.

Ino talked to you about their Jujutsu world. The meaning of curses, cursed techniques, cursed energy, him, Nanami, Gojo, the higher ups, the students, the school, and more. Nanami stood there in silence, listening to your conversation between you and Ino, only interacting when prompted.

“HEY!” a shout echoed through the building, startling the three of you.

“What the—”

“Ino, get her out of here.”

“But isn’t that just Gojo?”

“Leave. Gojo can’t know about you.”

Nanami quickly helped you and Ino up, pushing you through the door before closing them.

“Hey! Who said you could hang up on me like that!” you can hear Gojo through the doors.

“You came here ‘cause I hung up on you?” Nanami asked, not hiding his annoyance.

Ino holds his finger up to his lips, telling you to keep silent as the two of you quietly walk out the building, the sound of Gojo and Nanami’s bickering fading away.

“Man, we’re finally out,” Ino sighs.

“Oh, I still have Nanami’s blazer,” you start to take it off, but Ino stops you.

“It’s fine. Keep it as an excuse for you to see him again. Here,” he pulls his phone out, “if you’re comfortable, I can type out our infos in your phone.”

Without thinking much about it, you hand him your phone. He adds both their contact info before waving his goodbyes and heading back into the building. The whole night felt like a fever dream, but the feeling of Nanami’s blazer around you reassured you that what happened that night was real and that you’ll live to see another day.

“NA~NA~MIN~CHAN~!” Gojou shouts from the door of the lounge. Tch. Nanami sighs from his seat, casually reading the business and stock section of the newspaper.

“What are you doing on your day off? Cause if you—,”

“Nothing.”

“Boo, why don’t—,”

“No.”

“I didn’t even finish what I was saying yet!”

“Declined.”

“. . .” Gojo stares at him in silence before punching his middle finger through Nanami’s newspaper. For fuck sakes. At this point, Nanami’s patience has run out and he rips the newspaper in half, exposing the rest of Gojo’s arm. He kept up with Gojo’s antics for far too long, that even Gojo was surprised he lost his composure.

A series of bickering and material noises can be heard coming from the lounge. As Yaga was about to open the door to see what all the yelling was about, Gojo ran into him, trying to escape from Nanami’s beating.

“Principal Yaga! Perfect timing ‘cause I think you should reconsider my proposal to put that man on a leash!” Gojo points to an exhausted Nanami in overtime mode.

“. . . Get off of me,” instinctively, Yaga had his arms out when Gojo comfortably jumped into them.

“Principal Yaga, apologizes. I’ll clean up right away,” Nanami collected himself and bowed.

“Don’t bother. Satoru will clean this mess,”

“HUH?!”

In the end, Yaga had produced several cursed corpses to monitor Gojo so that he finishes cleaning up and repairing the damages.

“It’s my first time hearing you book a day off. Never took you as someone who lets themselves rest,”

“Working alongside Gojo has made me rethink my decisions,” Nanami doesn’t know why, but ever since he helped you that day Gojo’s been especially clingy to him. Like a little sibling asking to be babied and given attention 24/7, it was annoying and drained his energy every day. Did he find out? The reason Nanami had been keeping you a secret from Gojo and everyone else (except for Ino) was to keep you free from their restrictions and expectations. Knowing Gojo, he would immediately use you against the higher ups, so Nanami chose to stay quiet about you. Keeping you as far away from their world as possible, but conversing with you regularly wasn’t helping nor making it easier for him. He should’ve cut all ties with you the moment you messaged him about his blazer, trying to return it. He had more than enough money to easily replace it, but . . . in all honesty, he just wanted to see you again. Don’t bring personal feelings into work, don’t bring personal feelings into work, don’t bring personal feelings into work, he repeated to himself over and over again.

It’s been a little over a year since you first met, but even if that was enough time for you to move on he still felt guilty falling for you. To Nanami, it felt wrong liking someone who had just lost a loved one, but overtime the temptation of taking a step forward kept growing on him. Suddenly, the vibration of his phone goes off. Ino?

“Hello?”

“Nanami! She won’t wake up, the idiot went and took care of a grade 1,” Ino panicked.

Tch.

“I thought I told you to keep the area free of curses,”

“I did. I don’t know where this one came from, though,”

“I’m on my way,” Nanami hangs up and excuses himself for the day.

Please be okay.

The sound of quick shuffling and frantic mumblings start to get louder as you come closer to waking up. Someone’s here? Nanami? You open your eyes and look around to see Ino pacing back and forth beside you,

“Ino? What are you doing—?” a flood of memories rush back to you: your unfinished errands, the ingredients, the bridge, the curse, collapsing, an unfamiliar figure. Could that be . . . “Hey, how’d you know where I was?”

“Hm? Oh, your neighbour called me and told me that you collapsed at the bridge. He said that he helped carry you home, but to come check up on you just in case,”

You think back to your neighbours, but no one comes to mind who’d be willing to help you. The neighbours you’re surrounded by are the types to call an ambulance, if they ever came across a situation like that. You don’t even converse with them much, since Nanami wanted your interactions to be kept to a minimum. So over protective. As you get up from your couch a wave of dizziness falls over you, making it hard for you to stand.

“Are you okay?” Ino rushes to assist you and settles you back down on the couch.

“Yeah, just a head rush,”

“I’ll go get you some water,” he runs to the kitchen (not that it’s far).

Ino was like a little brother to you and Nanami, he always kept an eye on you because in his words “if something bad were to happen to you, I just know Nanami would break inside”. You look down at your hands, still trembling from the curse you dealt with earlier, but feeling nothing out of the ordinary. The first time you absorbed a curse that strong was when you first met Ino and Nanami, but there were no signs of repercussions. The amount of energy that cursed spirit held was reversed to heal your wound and bring you back to life. You hear the front door being opened and see Nanami rush into the room, he sighs a breath of relief upon seeing you.

“Welcome back,” Ino says from the kitchen.

You try to welcome him too, but you were scared he was going to lecture you about safety and all that, so you kept quiet. Even though you’re avoiding his eyes, you can still feel them boring into you. He walks over and lowers himself at your eye level, taking your trembling hands into his.

“. . . I was about to lecture you, again, but I’m happy enough to see you alive,”

You finally look up to meet his eyes. Although he’s holding a stern face now, you can tell that he was just worried. Is he still hung up about that accident?

“I’m fine, you know it’s not like last time,” you softly reassure him.

“I know . . . I was still worried, though,” his thumbs brush over your hands.

Ino comes from around the corner with a glass of water, taking a seat beside you on the couch. After both of you fill Nanami in about what happened to you, Ino says his goodbyes, leaving just the two of you alone.

“Man, must be nice coming home to a girl after a long day at work. Good for Nanami,” he says to himself, whistling out the door. He deserves it.

All of a sudden, something latches tightly over his mouth and throat, dragging him into an empty ally. Ino manages to loosen himself out of the grip and turns to see,

“Gojo?!”

“Ya-ho!”

Gojo waves his hand with a stupid grin plastered across his (pretty) face. After finishing (cheating) his duties at the lounge room, he changed out of his usual uniform and made his way back here. His all black outfit consisting of sunglasses, a loose tee, jeans, and oxfords.

“What the hell is wrong with you?!”

“I didn’t know you were the one that’d come check up on her, what a surprise.”

“Wait, how’d you—!” the call flashed in Ino’s mind. “You were the neighbour that called me?”

“Ding, ding, ding!”

Nanami’s already stressed enough. How long has he known?

“If you’re thinking about how long I’ve known, then it’d be ever since the day he hung up on me when you guys were at that black company mission.”

How immature. “Then were you also the one that set up the grade 1 curse?”

“I mean, duh.”

Ugh, crazy. “Just so you know I plead the fifth,”

“Is that an American joke you learned from her? Anyways,” Gojo crosses his fingers and pulls his sunglasses down. “Domain expansion: Unlimited Void.”

“Nanami, wait,” you pull away from him for a moment to catch your breath, but he pulls you back in for a deeper kiss.

Once Ino left and the door clicked closed, Nanami threw himself at you in a heated flash. At first, it was the feeling of his hands tracing your body and now it’s his soft lips leaving marks along your neck and collarbones. He’s sitting on the edge of the couch while you’re facing him, prettily settled on his hips. You slip out of your top and bra, since it was already half way off from Nanami fondling you underneath your clothes. You can feel his bulge as you teasingly grind your hips. His hand grips your hips,

“Keep doing that and I won’t be able to hold back.”

“Then don’t hold back,” you whisper in his ear before taking his hand and guiding it to the wet spot underneath the slit of your satin skirt. Without wasting his chance, he twists his fingers in you, holding you down on his hips and watching you melt into lewd expressions, burying your face in his chest as your hand clenches his shirt. Only gasps and moans were able to tumble off your wet lips as your body twitches from ecstasy.

“That’s a good girl,” his voice reverberates down the nape of your neck. He loosens his tie to bind your arms behind you, switching your position so that your back is facing him now. Knowing what he’s about to do makes your stomach flutter. You raise your trembling hips a little, feeling him brush the tip of his cock along your slick folds before pushing you down on him.

“Haa!” the force of it sends a shuddering wave through your body.

“You told me not to hold back, so don’t you start complaining now,” Nanami grips your face and turns it slightly towards him, kissing your tears away. The feeling of his rough hands slowly drags down to your throat and tightly grips at the sides. He thrusts into you hard as you beg for him to fill you up inside. The tip of his cock kisses your cervix stroking every inch deeper into you.

“Fuck,” he groans. A warm feeling fills you up in your lower abdomen and gushes out onto the couch. You and Nanami fall back, panting to catch your breaths.

“Are you okay? I hope that wa—,” you shut him up with a kiss. Slowly lifting your hips back up, you feel his cum dripping down your thighs. You slip his cock back inside you, his hands embracing you once again as he gets bigger. Unable to focus, you fall into a drunken daze getting lost in his pleasure.

[nejiten-lives-on]

What Girls talk about//Nejiten fanfic

day 1 for nejiten month (sfw)

- by me :) @nejiten-lives-on

It didn't take the byakugan itself to tell that Tenten had liked Neji Hyuga.

At this point Tenten was losing all hope, for the past few months she had countless tries to catch Neji's eye. Unfortunately for her, all her attempts to get Neji to notice her failed miserably. Neji had the eyes of an eagle but yet failed to see Tenten in the way she wanted him to. (Or so she thought)

It was a girls day out, & Tenten couldn't wait to have a relaxing day. Hinata, Sakura, Ino, Tenten, & Temari (surprisingly) were all at a Boba shop together. Later on they would go to the Hyuga compound to enjoy a movie together. Then Ino said

"Hey guys, that guy over there is kinda cute, one of you guys should go talk to him."

Sakura growled "Why don't you go talk to him Ino-pig?"

"Because I've been trying to get with your new teammate billboard brow." Ino fired back.

"You must be really good with the guys since you get a new one almost every month or so Ino" Temari chuckled.

"What can I say, a pretty girl like me can't stay single for too long, but I think this time with Sai it's going to be different." Tenten noticed Ino quirky suppressed the urge to blush & chuckled a little.

"Tenten what are you laughing about." Ino said.

"Uh, nothing just thought of something."

"Or maybe someone." Temari smirked.

Ino & Sakura started giggling & she knew this wouldn't be as relaxing as she thought. As Shikamaru would put this, this would be troublesome.

"Tenten how about you try to talk with the guy over there?" Sakura said.

"Im good." Tenten shot back quickly.

"Ooh so you do have someone else in mind." Ino chuckled.

To her left side Hinata was just sitting quietly hoping the teasing wouldn't go to her next.

"I wonder who it is." Sakura sarcastically.

"I think its kind of obvious, lucky for her we're going to get to see him when we go Hinata's house later on." Ino said with a wide smirk.

Tenten quickly suppressed the urge to blush but failed.

"Could you guys not, I don't like that cold-hearted, possessive, ice cube of a human."

"Sorry Hinata." Tenten quickly added

"Its fine." Hinata said with a smile

Hinata was so sweet, unlike her cousin. Tenten thought. Who was sometimes sweet but for the most part prideful & self absorbed, but with a face like Nejis' who could really complain.

"Look she's probably thinking about it right now." Sakura said to Ino.

"You guys need to stop with the teasing." Temari said.

"Thank you Temari." Tenten said with an eye roll

"And you Tenten need to Neji how you feel." Temari said.

"Wow was it really that obvious that I got the hots for Hyuga.." Tenten Said.

"Yea it totally is." Ino said.

"To everyone but him." Tenten said with an eye roll.

Sakura & Ino began to chuckle again.

"What are you guys laughing at now?" Tenten said with a bit of annoyance in her tone.

"Well isn't it obvious that Neji likes you back?" Ino said.

"Uh no, cause he doesn't. He probably doesn't even consider me a girl." Tenten said.

"You guys are both oblivious to each other's feelings for one another" Temari said.

"I just think-, no I know that Neji’s feelings towards me don't go any further than to being his teammate & friend." Tenten said.

"if anything the most he considers me as is a training dummy." Tenten said with a half chuckle built in with a tone of annoyance.

"Well let's test your theory when we go to Hinata's house." Ino said.

"Speaking of Hinata.." Ino looked to the shy girl to her left "You & Kiba, anything going on between you two?" Ino asked with a smirk.

Hinata's face became crimson & she started drinking her Boba in hopes Ino would stop targeting her. Sadly Its didn't work.

Poor Hinata, Tenten thought.

.

.

.

As they were walking to Hinata's house a conversation sparked up.

"Hey Temari." Tenten said

"Yea Ten?"

"Who initiated the first move, you or Shikamaru?"

"Well surprisingly Shika did, told him some time too." Temari said with a light chuckle.

"But I mean it was worth the wait."

"Why Tenten do you ask, want Neji to make some moves on you?" Ino said teasingly.

Tenten rolled her eyes "Even if I did, Neji has way too much pride in him to even think of doing that."

"Okay so doesn't that mean that you have to be the one to make the first move?" Sakura said.

"I mean when you put it that way.. but Neji probably wouldn't want someone as simple & bland as me anyway." Tenten said with a sad tone.

"Aww Tenten don't feel that way, you are so beautiful." Temari said

"Hai, you really are Tenten." Hinata added.

"Yea for sure & you have a really nice figure whether Neji can see it or not." Sakura said

"Trust me I bet he has noticed, who knows if he may have used his byakugan on you for other non-training purposes." Ino said with a wide grin.

"Ino stop!" Tenten said with a crimson face.

I guess all that talking was useful, they got to the Hyuga compound really fast.

.

.

.

At the compound the girls said their greetings to Hiashi & went to Hinata's room first.

"Wow, your room is huge Hinata."

"You say that everytime Ino." Sakura said

"Because its true." Ino said with hands on her hips.

Temari didn't plan on staying for long but the rest of the girls insisted on a sleepover.

After they had their fun Temari had left but before she left she reminded Tenten to try to make a move on Neji.

"Oh yea I almost forgot." Ino said with a smirk.

"So how do you plan on making your first move on Neji?" "Maybe going into his room & seducing him." Ino said with a wide smirk.

Sakura started laughing "This will be fun."

.

.

.

Next thing you know Tenten was being dragged by a group of chuckling girls running the halls of the Hyuga. Even Hinata seemed to be enjoying this. They were going to the side branch families part of the compound.

They knocked on Neji's door & ran, leaving a confused Tenten in shorts & a loose pajama top outside of Neji's room.

Neji came outside & was surprised Tenten was there, especially in that attire.

"Did you want to go training at this hour, If so I wouldn't mind but is a little late don't you thi-."

"No!" Tenten said quickly "Today me & the girls were just hanging out & I guess we're ending the night with a stay at Hinata's house... which is also your house." Tenten began to ramble.

"And as you can see they kind of just knocked on your door & left me here." Tenten said rubbing the back of her neck in embarrassment. "Surprise I guess."

"Well I suppose it isn't such a bad surprise." Neji said.

"Neji your flirting attempts are lame." Ino said at the corner of the hall with the rest if the girls head peeking around.

"You guys were here the whole time?!?" Tenten yelled

"Not anymore bye." Ino shot back & ran back to the main house with the Pink & Blue haired girls.

"Well unless you plan on chasing them back to the main branch you're welcome into my room."

.

.

.

Tenten walked in, nothing new it was the same room she would be in almost every other day when she came to pick him up for afternoon training.

She sat herself on his bed while he was right besides her.

Neji was a little closer than usual, not that she minded.

"I'm sorry did I disturb you, If you want I can go back to the-."

"No!" She could feel Neji stiffened "Ahem, no you were not disrupting me at all."

"Oh okay." Tenten said

They stayed in silence for a while but really for the two it was nothing new, but Tenten noticed that there was some kind of tension in the air.

"So what did you do today?" Tenten said to break the silence

"Nothing much, the boys & I just went out to BBQ together."

"I bet it was Choji's idea." Tenten chuckled

"Yea, not surprising but we were all getting tired of going out for ramen ever outing." Neji said.

"What do you guys even talk about when you meet up?" Tenten asked, maybe this would give her the opportunity to see what kind of girl was ideal for Neji.

"Nothing much just Naruto's crazy stories, missions, games, & girls." Neji said regretting the last part knowing Tenten would ask a storm of questions. Neji then spoke before giving Tenten the opportunity to talk.

"What do you girls talk about?"

"Uhh, basically the same thing I guess Ino's crazy boy stories, missions, our teams, & boys. Oh and a lot if teasing, well at least on me & Hinata's end." Tenten said with a bit of annoyance.

Neji lightly chuckled, it was a rare sight but Tenten always enjoyed seeing it.

"So what kind of boys do you talk about?" Neji asked.

"Don't worry only cute ones come up in our conversations." Tenten laughed

"Wow so then I suppose you guys must talk about me a lot then." Neji smirked

Neji & his pride, it was unbeatable. Tenten thought to herself.

"Okay whatever pretty boy don't get all cocky." Tenten said, stopping herself from rolling her eyes.

"Hm, so you admit that I'm pretty." Neji said smirking at Tenten

"Is it not obvious Hyuga, or do you want 100 more of your fangirls to stalk you during our training sessions." Tenten said sarcastically.

"I mean I'm sure they are just afraid that their beloved Hyuga might be taken away by a pretty girl." Neji stated

"And what does that mean exactly?" Tenten questioned

"It means.." Neji stared deep into her eyes "That I think you're very beautiful Tenten."

Tenten just looked back at with shock. It wasn't like Neji to be so straightforward with his feelings, usually a "Hn." was enough for her but for Neji to be this talkative for this long was rare. Was she in some kind if genjutsu?

"And I don't know if you are unaware but you have some fans as well, but I usually deal with them."

"What are you getting at Hyuga?" Tenten asked regrettably

"I'm saying that I like you Tenten."

Neji Hyuga, the ice block of the leaf himself actually has feelings? And even more shocking they were for me? Tenten thought.

Tenten was not about to let her emotions overcome her, although it was too late to suppress her blush (she was sure she was a darker shade of red than Hinata has ever been) She got herself together & said.

"I like you too, Hyuga."

At this point their faces were mere inches apart & they was heavy tension in the air.

Neji being the gentleman that he is politely asked "May I..?"

Tenten nodded

Neji grabbed Tenten's waist & lended in.

Slowly she could feel Neji's breath near her face & immediately started blushing. Then his lips touched hers & were met by a tender kiss. Neji's lips were soft & gentle. They were going slow, not that Tenten didn't mind the only thing on her mind was Neji Hyuga & his soft lips.

After a gasp for air Neji didn't hesitate to lean in for another soft & tender kiss. This one was filled with passion & hunger. Tenten gasp which gave Neji the opportunity to slip in his tongue & have power over her mouth. It was a deep & compassionate kiss.

After their 'make out session' They looked at each other briefly & chuckled. Tenten could feel her cheeks getting red & surprisingly Neji's cheeks were lightly tinted as well.

"Well I guess it's getting a bit late, I think I'll head back to the main branch compound."

"You know, you could always stay in my room for the night." Neji said with a smirk

Tenten blushed & threw a pillow at him. "Hyuga don't get too ahead of yourself."

"Hn"

"I see the old Neji is back, tell him I had fun & I might want to do it again." Tenten said smiling lightly

"Will do, I'm sure next time will be enjoyable."

Tenten exited his room & went straight to Hinata's room. Needless to say the screams of teenage girls were heard from all around the compound.

I guess the day did end up being relaxing, Tenten thought with a smile.

[sgrayonderii]

faster than starlight

Growing old together was a luxury. Sasusaku AU.��

It makes absolutely no sense that the child in front of him is his daughter, yet as soon as she utters a heartbroken “Papa,” Sasuke knows it to be true.

But he doesn’t have time to concern himself with mismatched memories and unfounded theories. The facts are these: someone has threatened his child and his wife has been kidnapped.

In the aftermath, he is so relieved that he writes off his hazy memories of a child barely reaching his knees as a manifestation of his desperation.

---

During  his regular check ins, Naruto grumbles that he needs to stay in contact more often. The Hokage waves his arms around in a way that is supposed to be threatening and berates him on proper reconnaissance protocol. “And Sakura-chan is lonely with you gone so long!” he adds in at the end of his tirade.

Sasuke scoffs because that idiot is the last person to be talking to him about protocol with his noodle stained shirt and toppling mountains of paperwork. And he can't help but feel a bit insulted by the implication that his self imposed gag order included Sakura.

She is his wife. His beloved partner and his most trusted confidante. Even if it was technically not related to his mission, he keeps contact with her regularly without fail. Sasuke has never been as good as expressing himself as well as he should, but he knows that Sakura in her endless patience found a way to understand him.

---

Sometimes, Kakashi invites him to lunch.

It is always slightly awkward and spent more often than not in silence. Or in uncomfortable one-sided conversation about erotica.

But at the end of every meal, Kakashi claps him on the shoulder, telling him to not be a stranger with a chuckle. But the laugh never quite reaches his eyes.

“Remember you always have a home here.” Kakashi tells him. 

---

At times, Sarada is overjoyed when he comes back. She attaches herself to his side and chatters about nonsensical things that reminds Sasuke of his wife.

But sometimes, Sarada is cold.

She is stand-offish and acts as if he committed another unforgivable sin. She makes snide comments about leaving mama by herself and scathing comments about forgetting his daughter’s face.  

Perhaps this is a rebellious phase? Children grow up fast Sakura tells him.  And who is he to question her?

---

It is subtle, almost unnoticeable. But there are times at home when things are slightly off.

The apartment always seems to be in need of some repair. Every time he seems to even blink, a new piece of technology seems too occupy their living room mantle. And there are no calendars in the house.

In hindsight, he is sure that Sakura is the first to notice. But Sasuke is a boiling frog and he doesn’t realize until it’s too late.

He should have figured from the relief in her eyes whenever he returns home. Or on the quiet nights when she holds his hand so tight as if he will disappear. He should have noticed from the desperation in her kisses. He should have seen it in the falter of her smile.

And then Sakura starts hiding her appearance.

At first, Sakura brushes it off as a bad haircut she is too embarrassed to show others. Then it’s a particularly bad sunburn. After that an allergic reaction to a lotion from Ino gifted her.

He tries to not let it bother him. But with every progressive visit home, the stronger the illusions Sakura wraps herself in. 

He feels like he has not seen his wife in ages.

Until, one day on an unexpected stop home, he catches an unfamiliar middle aged woman in his home. This woman attempts to cast her genjutsu as soon as she notices him but his eyes are quicker. Sasuke dispels the illusion, striding forward until they are face to face.

He reaches out to her but she flinches back. The woman immediately starts apologizing, but Sasuke in between the roaring in his ears and the constricting of his throat, cannot make sense of her ramblings. However in the midst of her panic and his confusion, he does recognize the seal on Sakura’s forehead.

And for him, the pieces finally start falling into place.

So Sasuke asks the question that he has been dreading but never acknowledging, “How long have I been gone?”

---

The further he travels, the more time passes. It is simple physics. It is the law of the universe.

The remnants of Kaguya are far in between and past distant suns. His Rinnegan, his wife theorizes, is like a blackhole connecting two points, compressing space and time in a way that cuts across the cosmos.

Sasuke is a shooting star in the grand scheme of things, where great distances are crossed in a blink of his eye while all he cares about on earth is spinning madly on without him.

He watches as Sakura carefully aligns the hundreds of letters and messages and gifts he sent in the order she receives them.

Sasuke picks up the last correspondence, two weeks ago for him but half a year for Sakura. After a long time when he can finally keep his voice from trembling, he asks “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I just didn’t know how to tell you.” Sasuke has never seen Sakura look so ashamed. She covers her face to hide from him but her tears still fall silently. “It would have just caused you more pain.”

“And keeping this from me wouldn’t?!” He is shaking and his Sharingan bleeding. He feels the familiar sting of betrayal. Because of all people, his wife is the person he trusts the most.

But Sakura, despite her tears, speaks calmly. Determined. Resigned. She still does not look at him and he cannot see anything else but her. “If you had known...” she is shaking too now. “If you had known dear, that this would happen every time you go.... Would you still leave?”

And both husband and wife know his answer.

---

A presence like Kaguya’s cannot be tolerated. Even if he cannot watch Sarada grow up. Even if cannot be by Sakura’s side. As long as they are safe in a corner of the universe, Sasuke is willing to sacrifice anything.

It is a habit now to check the date when he returns.

Sometimes only a few weeks have passed. Other times, months have elapsed. But regardless, Sasuke tries to return as much as possible if only for his own sanity. 

Those visits home reinforce what he is fighting for. He wants to protect the place his brother died for. He wants to help Naruto who saved him. He wants a world where Sakura can smile and where Sarada no longer has to fight.  

But most of all, in the darkest most fragile part of his heart, he knows that in reality he just can not bear losing anyone else.  

And eventually, the Seventh Hokage informs him that the last visages of Kaguya are discovered in the depths of a lost faraway planet. The final nail in her coffin.

It breaks his heart to tell his family.

There is no telling when he will return, if he returns at all. And judging by the distance, Sasuke isn’t even sure anyone will be left to return to.

It is a selfish thing for him to ask of her. He should be wishing for her happiness; he should be freeing her from being chained to him. But he asks anyways, because even if it is a lie, Sasuke needs a reason to endure.  A quiet request. A promise.

“Will you wait for me?”

Sasuke desperately wants a home to return to and to him, Sakura has always encompassed that feeling.

---

The next time he returns, his mission is complete and it has been a decade since Sarada’s face has been carved onto the mountain.

Sakura’s hair is gray now and her vision is blurry. She has wrinkles under her eyes and her once strong hands are withered.

They are separated by a lifetime now.

I’m home.

“Sakura, I’m sorry for everything.”

But she still smiles for him like she always does. Like she did when they were young and so hopeful for the future. “Welcome home Sasuke-kun.”

---

Nowadays, Sasuke Uchiha is nothing but ghost story. More legend than man and more cautionary tale than hero.

And nowadays, man slightly younger than the Hokage accompanies Sakura Uchiha.

No one knows where he comes from, just that he appears one day and immediately worms himself into the heart of the Uchiha matriarch.

On the good days, the villagers watch the young man walk side by side with the aging woman. Sakura Uchiha speaks more animatedly than she has in years and the young man smiles tenderly at her as if she is the only person in the world.

Some villagers click their tongues in disapproval. They raise issue with the Hokage about how this swindler is taking advantage of the affections of poor old woman. The old woman’s years of loneliness has made her susceptible to his gold digger’s charms.

Others pity Sakura Uchiha. She is a woman from such a humble background who rose the ranks and accomplished  so much only to be abandoned by the man she loved. Even if it was unorthodox, they wanted the old woman to have a bit of happiness.

But Sarada Uchiha dismisses these rumors and speculations with a sad smile, merely telling her bothersome citizens to leave the couple alone and let them live in peace.

And this man, who comes out of nowhere like a lone meteor, stays by Sakura Uchiha’s side until the end of her days.

A/N: Another sad one, but time dilation has always been one of my favorite physics/sci-fi concepts. Thank you for reading and Happy Holidays!

[book-shish]

Just so you know (shikatema week 2020 - Day 2)

I have not written fanfics for a long time. I have ideas with different otps but I can’t find the time to write them but I have been in an infinite genjutsu with Shikamaru/Temari pairing during this quarantine so I decided to write for the #Shikatemaweek2020 with the prompt: Marriage

I don’t own Naruto or any of its characters

SUMMARY:  What happened to Shikamaru and Temari after Naruto and Hinata's wedding?

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13625829/1/Just-so-you-know

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just so you know

The festivities of Naruto and Hinata’s wedding is far from dying down. Temari sat silently alongside Shikamaru and his teammates as she observed the people around them. Gaara is with Rock Lee and Tenten talking about what not. Rock Lee is not much of a drinker so as Gaara so she doesn’t have to worry about her Kazekage brother. Then there is Kankuro with the rest of team 8, he is already drunk but it’s not the first time he is drinking with the Konoha nins. She knows her brother can handle himself.

The person beside her, however, was in deep thought but then he surprised her when he turned to her and spoke, "Would like to take a walk with me?"

 "Now? Hey are you already drunk Nara?"

 He just shook his head. Then looked at Ino as if relaying a message.

 He stood up and took her hand naturally as if it is already a habit.

 They went on a direction that is familiar to her.

 They arrived at the forest in the Nara compound at a serene evening. It calmed Temari a bit after a long joyful day. She is glad she can spend time with Shikamaru this way before she and her brothers get back to their village.

 It isn't the first time Shikamaru brought her there. But now it felt different…it felt different because they are not just friends anymore.

 They sat down at the porch in the shed they usually hangout. A familiar silence filled them for a few minutes. Temari spoke first, "What are you thinking Nara?"

 Enjoying the stillness the forest brings him, Shikamaru might be hundred steps ahead in his thoughts but today was different. It opened a lot of things to think about in that moment especially towards woman he is with, "I am thinking about today. I am just so happy for Naruto. He had been alone all his life and now he has Hinata," he finally replied.

"Yeah, that kid deserves all the happiness he has right. He goes on and on about being hokage. But, who would have thought marriage is one of the things Naruto would think about after the war huh? " She continued, "Naruto is unpredictable as ever. Really, how can someone feel that the person they are with is the person they want to spend their life forever?"

 Realizing her question, she awkwardly shifted. The moonlight radiates brightly so they can’t hide the blush on their faces. As she was about to place her hand in her lap, Shikamaru took it and look at her. This was all new to them but then the topic of marriage is not a subject either of them have not thought about.

 “When we were trapped in the infinite tsukuyomi what was your idea of a perfect world?” he asked her.

 Her brows knotted at his random question but then remembered the dream, “Well, I dreamed that my wonderful brothers needed me and my opinion matters to them. What about you?”

 He sighed. “Asuma and Kurenei sensei were tending to a crying baby. And my mom is as usual nagging at dad. Then I thought, marriage was troublesome. And someone agreed with me.”

 “Who was it?”

 “You.”

 “Me? So your perfect world is not getting marr- ”

 "No Tem”, he cut her off, “Temari it was when I realized something. Just so you know I am in this for a long haul. I know we had been in only a few dates but we have known each other for most of our lives. You are the only girl I would go the trouble to ask out or bring here. And I'm gonna work hard to be worthy of you. Although we live three days away but you know there is already a project between Konoha and Suna. And-"

 "Shika, its unusual of you to start rambling," she teased wanting to lighten up the predicament they are in. She did not hide the joy of hearing these from him and gave him that smile he fell in love with. "Are you asking for my hand in marriage now?"

 "Hhmm, not yet,” he looked down in their interlaced hands “I am just putting this out there because there might be long line suitors waiting for you in Suna.” He also teases, “Plus, I have to ask your brothers permission first you know…before asking you."

 "How very traditional you…." she grinned.  This kinds of continuous banter and comfortable conversations they have is the reason why they work well together.

 "We're both have important positions in our villages. And I don't want to be selfish asking of you this soon to..." he trailed off caressing her hands.

 "To move here in Konoha?" she asked as if reading his thoughts.

 "Well yeah. It’s going to be a drag eventually. I don't want to cause a political rift just because I want to marry and be with the woman I love."

 "Baka," she whispered.

 He chuckled hearing this, "And that's the response I get after saying I love you. How trouble-"

 Surprising him, she leaned up and quickly kissed him. "Baka, I love you too.” She looked at him seriously with her teal eyes and continued, “Just so you know I consider Konoha as my second home now and my brothers would understand whatever decisions I make. And their opinion is what only matters to me."

 The smile he only gives to her appears on his face as if he gotten the answer to a question he has not yet asked. Then he leaned forward and kissed her, this time properly. Knowing they are in the same page and their feelings are out in the open, they can face whatever things comes their way.

  A/N: There goes my first Shikatema fanfic. Are they OOC? Please review and let me know your feedback.

[briefololtragedy]

Hashirama’s Plan

Chapter 4 of Fire Station 9

Pairing: Tobirama x Sakura

Rating G 

Summary: Sakura tells Tobirama of her plan to raise enough money to beat KPD.

Also posted on AO3 (for chapters 1-3)

The men were bustling about the station getting ready for the day. Tobirama sat in his office drinking his cup of coffee. He could tell it was going to be a long day. The florist was coming over to discuss the ball and ideas for events. Some of the men were giddy with excitement to have a woman in the station. 

Tobirama remembers when he talked to some of the guys about her idea. All of them jumped at the opportunity to help with the decorations and set up. His younger brother Itami was also on board to help with creating the pillars. Apparently Sakura and Itami knew each other from high school. Tobirma’s eye started to twitch.

With one last swig of his coffee he left his office. He needed more coffee, which meant venturing to the kitchen to get it. As he walked through the hallways he could hear the voices get louder in the dining area. Brief snippets of the conversation flooded through his ears. Konohamaru was giddy with excitement. The new recruit was Asuma’s nephew, but didn’t seem to take after the older man’s laid back nature. 

“Hey boss when is Sakura going to get here? I haven’t seen her ages.” Tobirama was debating spiking the boys coffee with cough syrup. Hmm while he was at it he should also spike his brother’s coffee as well. 

“Will you calm down. How will you ever be able to keep calm in a fire or emergency situation if you are as excitable as a puppy?” Konohamaru's face fell flat. 

“Sorry it's just Sakura is friends with Naruto and I grew up with them. I haven’t seen her since she started her own business.  Ami always looked up to her. Sakura was her inspiration for going to nursing school.” Tobirama lifted an eyebrow at that. 

“How did a florist inspire someone to go into nursing school?” Before Konohamaru could respond they heard a soft voice break through all the noise. 

“Oh there you are. I wasn’t sure where you wanted to meet so I hope you don’t mind that I just let myself in.” Konohamaru ran to Sakura to pick her up. 

“Sakura-chan! I haven’t seen you in ages.” Sakura laughed at Konohamaru and gave him a hug back. Tobirama was surrounded by children. Where the hell was the coffee.

“Konohamaru how are you? Is Ami doing ok? Have you asked her out yet.” Konohamaru started to stammer. 

“Sakura, she is just a friend.” He could hear the pout on Konohamaru’s face even with his back turned. 

“Of course. It’s really Hanabi you like.” Before he had to tell them to break up their bonding moment, Sakura stopped it. 

“We should catch up some time. Come by the flower or coffee shop when you are free. I have things to discuss with your Chief.” As Tobirama took a sip from the elixir of life he noticed how all the guys were staring at her. He then took in her appearance, he understood why. She was wearing a pair of exercise pants that were fifty percent  mesh and a sleeveless racerback exercise top. He could see the definitions of her arm and back muscles. Her hair was braided down her back. She didn’t look like she was trying to attract attention, but the auror around her pulled people in. Yeah they would have no problem finding help. 

“Tobirama-san is there somewhere you would like to go over the plans some more. I have come up with some ideas I would like to run by you.” With a heavy sigh he started to lead her to his office. However, he was interrupted by one of the crew members offering her a cup of coffee. It was Deidera. He had been with them for a little over a year, he was the arsonist expert. He didn’t know why irritation overcame him. He narrowed it down to having to wait longer to go over the plans. Tobirama also thought of how Deidara should be investigating one of the recent factory fires. 

Tobirama was intrigued when he saw her take her coffee black. He would have expected a ton of sugar and cream. Instead she took a small sip and then nodded her head.  When he saw her smile the irritation faded some. 

“Do you want to join me to discuss this or not.” Yep he was still irritated. The crew started to scatter. Sakura just rolled her eyes at him. 

“Jeez someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.” The men all froze when she spoke waiting for him to go off on her. Instead she walked ahead of him and he followed. 

Sakura looked around his office, it was psycho killer level organized. There were no papers on his desk. He had desk organizers with neatly stacked papers, on the counter behind him. A couple of awards and certificates decorated his walls. His office was like him, no nonsense. 

“Alright Sakura-san lets get this over with.” Sakura watched him sit elegantly in his chair, while she just plopped in the guest chair. He just looked at her and didn’t bother to continue the conversation. Sakura knew he wanted her to start talking. 

“First I wanted to see if you have asked the men if they would help with decorations and set up?” Sakura was hoping he was at least able to carry enough conversational skills to ask a simple question with people he worked with everyday. 

“They all were in agreement to lending a hand.” 

“That’s great! It will help us save a lot of money. On the topic of money I have been thinking of different events that can take place during the ball. One of them is to have an auction.” Sakura paused waiting for him to say something. He tilted his head and was silent for a few seconds. 

“An auction. Doesn’t that mean we have to get products for the attendees to bid on?” Yep here comes the pessimistic attitude. 

“Well I was thinking about that. Did your school ever have student auctions senior year?” Sakura was praying that he would say yes. 

“No.” Tobirama wanted her to get to the point. 

“Oh. Ok. So in high school the student council would set up an event every year. Students from the senior class would be put up for auction. The other grades would then bid on them. The seniors would create a list of what they would do for the day for the person who placed the highest bid on them. It didn’t cost any money for the auction itself and always brought in a good amount of money for Grad Week activities. So I was thinking that we could do something similar with the firefighters.” Sakura looked at him hopefully. The man had a great poker face. 

“You want to auction off the firefighters to raise money?” His voice was tight when he spoke. Tobirama didn’t like how this sounded. But he liked the idea of no money going into the event. 

“Yes. Each firefighter would create a bio to have posted before the event. The attendants can access it on your website. I was also thinking of having two of my friends help with creating photos for the website as well.” Sakura wanted to scream at him to just accept the idea. 

This idea left a bitter taste in his mouth, but he wouldn’t have to participate in it. 

“And what would my crew be doing for those who win?” Sakura was anticipating this question. She knew Tobirama’s distaste for the firefighter calendars that some of the other stations would create, so knew this would not be his cup of tea. 

“They would have a day with the firefighter. It will be in the rules that everything is to remain respectful for all parties involved.” Tobirama folded his arms and leaned back. 

“Will your friends charge for the photos?” Sakura found hope bubbling up on the inside. 

“No they will be doing it as a favor.” Sakura just had to treat Sai and Ino to a dinner of their choice. 

“Fine.” Sakura found herself jumping up in excitement. She looked over to Tobirama who looked like he was going to explode. 

“Sorry. I got a little excited.” Sakura sat back down in her chair. She pulled out some files from her bag and tried to appear like the professional business woman she was. 

“We could also auction off some days for people to spend time in the firestation.” Tobirama didn’t know where the idea came from or what possessed him to say it out loud. 

“That sounds wonderful!” Sakura clasped her hands in front of her in excitement. Maybe this would be so bad. They settled into a more detailed conversation about the logistics of the ball. It seemed like only moments had passed, but when he glanced at his watch they had been in his office for over 2 hours. 

As she went to open her mouth Tobirama’s office door was flung open, causing her to jump. She didn’t realize Tobirama jumped slightly as well. 

“Chief, Deidara is back from the scene of the factory fire.” Jin then walked away. 

Tobirama cleared his throat and got up to move. 

“I have to speak to one of my guys. Do you mind waiting out in the main hall?” 

“Of course not.” With that Sakura gathered her things and took off. Deidara was standing outside the door and Tobirama saw him glance at his Sakura’s backside as she left. 

“Deidara, come in.” Tobirama knew he was in for a long meeting. He could not bang his head against his desk. 

_______________

Sakura found herself back in the dining hall. There were some old upholstered arm chairs in the corner by the windows. The beat up old chairs looked far more comfortable than the wooden dining chairs. Sakura quickly settled into the worn out chairs and grabbed her phone. She sent a quick text to Ino about the upcoming job. She then silenced her phone and picked up her tablet. Sakura wasn't in the mood for Ino at the moment. 

A few minutes went by as Sakura worked. She was so engrossed that she didn’t realize someone sat in the chair next to her until they spoke. 

“Hi I’m Kotetsu. You must be Sakura, the person helping with the ball this year.” Sakura looked up to see a man around her age sitting down next to her. He had brown eyes and dark black-blue hair. His hair was slightly wild sticking out at odd angles. He overall was handsome, if not on the plain side. 

“Yes, I’m Sakura. Nice to meet you.” Sakura extended her hand to shake his. It was then she noticed the boyish smile that crossed his face. 

“So are you going to help us beat the KPD this year? “ 

“That’s the plan. I heard that you guys are willing to help as well, which will help.” 

“Yeah lots of the guys are looking forward to helping.” Kotetsu was now leaning over, arms on his legs and he talked to her. 

“Hey Kotetsu, we have to clean the engine. Get your ass over here.” A man with brown hair that covered one of his eyes called out, interrupting the conversation. 

“Guess duty calls.  I look forward to seeing you around more.” With a wink he ran off. Sakura found herself sighing. She wasn’t sure if she could handle flirting and starting over. She was supposed to be done with this. Stupid men. 

Sakura busied herself with her tablet. Hashirama had sent her a list of the crew members of station 9. She hoped all of them would be in agreement with the plan. 

_____________________

Deidara finally finished giving Tobirama the report. Sadly it seemed they would have to work with the KPD on the case, which meant he would have to work with either Izuna or Shisui. Tobirama felt a bitter taste come up his mouth. Shisui was decent to work with, but Izuna grated on his nerves.

Tobirama needed to stretch his legs and found himself walking with Deidara out of the office. 

“So is the florist single? I can see why the crews jumped to helping with manual labor, Un. “ Tobirama rolled his eyes. 

As they rounded the corner he had to stop for a second. Sakura was sitting in one of the beat up chairs, he made a mental note to get new ones the moment they had the extra money. She was hunched over her tablet, engrossed in her work.  As he went to speak to her, he heard him. 

“Sakura! How is my little brother treating you?” Hashirama bounced into the station, like a monkey with cymbals. Sakura looked up from her work and smiled at him. 

“Hashirama it's good to see you again. Tobirama has been great to work with. I am just working on our main event for the ball.” Tobirama let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. 

“Brother what are you doing here?” Tobirama made his presence known to the duo. He quickly evaded his brother’s hug. 

“I wanted to see how the planning was going. Tell me what is the main event?” Before Tobirama could speak, Sakura cut in. 

“Well we still need to discuss it with the crew, but we were thinking of an auction. A day with a firefighter. Thank you for the list, by the way. There are 3 crews in this station, so I hope that if all 12 participate we would raise enough money.” Sakura started to gather her things. Hashirama was deep in thought. 

“Don’t worry I’m sure all the guys will jump at the chance. Also count Tobirama and myself in as well.” If Tobirama had no self control his mouth would be hanging open like a fish. What did his brother just say? There was no way in hell he was going to participate in this. 

“What was that brother?” Hashirama had a glint in his eye. He went over to Tobirama and slapped his back. 

“Oh come on. Don’t be a stick in the mud. This is for charity. Don’t you want to beat KPD?” Hashirama knew exactly what to say to get his brother to agree to this. 

“Fine.” Tobirama had no desire to participate in the event. He wasn’t fully on board with it.  He wanted to raise more money this year. If the goal was to raise money for charity there was nothing wrong with some competition, right? Plus he couldn't make a scene in front of Sakura and the guys. The moment Hashirama and he were alone they would discuss this. 

[ariannjs]

PDA | A SasuSaku FanFic (One Shot)

When the Seventh Hokage received the great news from the Shadow Hokage that all the traces of the Otsutski Clan were now eradicated, he finally felt completely at peace. It's been a few months after the gatecrashed Chunin Exams, and with a mischievous glint in his eyes, Naruto announced for them to have some sort of a victory celebration, much to Sasuke's chagrin.

He insisted that it was something that they all deserve, and that it was time to show appreciation to everyone close to them considering all the hardwork they've been giving for the village because for once, the possibilities of them encountering supernatural enemies could only be counted as distant memories.

Despite Sasuke's apparent disagreement to the matter, no "Hn", "Tch", nor Amaterasu threats could stop Naruto as he started informing Konoha 12, their senseis, and their families to the said upcoming celebration. He also did not fail to remind Sasuke time and time again that his presence was a must because he's been involved – more than required – in the guarding of peace in the shinobi world.

No one could remove the excitement of the Hokage as he kept on proudly mentioning how he had been organizing the said party, declaring it to be some sort of a much awaited holiday for all his colleagues and friends. When discussed, Sasuke just rolled his eyes at the irony that his best friend couldn't even organize his own life, and now, he was organizing a feast for a bunch of people.

Naruto soon admitted that he has resorted to asking their wives to do the planning and preparation so as not to cause a mess resembling another Shinobi World War. With that, Sasuke commented on how Naruto's still a total dobe even after all these years.

Within the week of their wives' party arrangements, Sasuke found himself slowly resigning to the idea, something he would definitely not admit in front of the dobe. Even though he was still uninterested, it dawned on him that the first and last celebration he'd ever been a part of was his own wedding several years ago. And it wasn't even a long and relaxed reception, since he and Sakura were already set to travel together right after their wedding – a journey that wasn't entirely a walk in the park considering how they're not only a married couple, but two-thirds of the new generation of Sannin at their own right as well. Hence, the first few months after their wedding were more focused on keeping themselves and the village safe from the people who wanted to seek them and take advantage of their prowess.

Speaking of, how many wedding anniversaries had he missed? He frowned at the thought. It wasn't even that he forgets, but somehow, deep inside him resided that one-track minded shinobi that had his eyes fixed on his job to protect the people he values and the village that his brother safeguarded at the cost of his reputation and his life.

Still, many times, he wished he could've been more intentional in showing any sign of remembrance to special dates to both his wife and daughter, but he yearly found himself often rationalizing that any celebration was futile if the world could be in danger at any given time.

Now, however, he realized how the dobe could actually be right – that having a little commemoration to the wipeout of their other-worldly enemies was a considerable idea. For once, he felt as if a huge baggage was lifted from his shoulders, and that all his years of sacrifices away from Sakura and Sarada were worth it.

This post-Otsuski season was quite new to him, considering the fact that tracking any mark of the said clan became his purpose in the past years. Even so, he couldn't deny how satisfied he was when he admitted to himself that it's time to loosen up a bit and finally be there for his family – a term that's been foreign to him until a certain pink-haired maiden changed his life after willingly and wholeheartedly accepting the Uchiha insignia on her back.

The party was going well in one of the function halls at the Hokage Tower. If it meant having the kids enjoying the feast on the table, and the adults having fruitful conversations that were not entirely focused on their lives as shinobi, then that, for Sasuke, meant it was going well.

After a short speech from Naruto about how he was grateful for everyone's contribution to the stability of Konoha, the guests spent the rest of the evening with more food, drinks, games, dancing, and catch ups. Naruto even emphasized how Sasuke was one of the main people that should be acknowledged and appreciated for all that he has done. And even though the said man was kind of flattered (something his face didn't show, of course), he was glad that the spotlight was quickly away from him and everyone went on doing whatever they found enjoyable to do.

Sakura was keeping an eye on her husband. She knew how Sasuke never wanted social interactions with numerous people especially in a single event, but she couldn't deny how glad she was that somehow, her husband was at ease and probably even enjoying the party in his own subtle ways. She chuckled inwardly as she made a mental reminder to commend Naruto for actually being able to drag Sasuke to the party.

Her eyes scanned the room. She grinned when she saw all their children bantering while devouring the desserts that she and Hinata had prepared, glad that all of them were enjoying the presence of their friends, and most of all, the presence of their parents who were all finally available in one gathering without any mission or work being hindrances.

Catching the big beam of Sarada, she remembered how very apparent Sarada's gladness was when Sasuke mentioned that he most likely wouldn't leave much anymore. Seeing her daughter happy gives her joy above all.

As she shifted her gaze on the other sides of the room, she found the adults enjoying each other's stress-free company which was quite a rare sight during the Chunin Exams attack and the few weeks after it.

Amused, she shook her head at the sight of Kakashi and Guy who were in some sort of another petty competition through a card game, with Yamato closely monitoring the duel, and Kurenai sighing at how childish her fellow instructors were.

Then she caught sight of the couples: Naruto had just started eating beside his wife after his speech, munching on the various meals that Ino and Temari had prepared, yet quite disappointed that Hinata didn't allow him to have some ramen for tonight. Across them, Choji was still eating ever since the party began, causing his wife Karui to scowl at him in what seemed like dismay. Temari was fiercely playing Shogi with Shikamaru by the balcony, and Temari seemed to be winning because of the wide smirk on her face. At the far end of the room, Ino was singing a love song to Sai through the Karaoke, and the pale man smiled every once in a while although he seemed to be filled with curiosity on the Karaoke manual in his hand. Overall, they all appeared to be too engrossed with their partners.

But then there was her and Sasuke, casually standing beside each other by the window.

No big deal.

She shot a glance at her husband, who, as expected, was harboring a bored expression on his ever so handsome face. It was obvious how they were both growing uncomfortable by the minute, but really though, shouldn’t they actually do something together or at least talk about anything?

"Anata?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you want me to get you a drink or something?"

Sasuke briefly gave a glance to his wife. "No, thank you. I'm already full."

"Oh, okay."

There were beats of silence until Sasuke surprisingly spoke again, "How about you?"

"I'm good, too. Thanks, Anata." Sakura sheepishly smiled.

"Hn."

And then she didn't know what to do next.

While everyone was having fun with their mates, and the kids were enjoying themselves, there they were, standing awkwardly as if they weren't even married for thirteen years.

Sighing, she stared back at the people in the room, until all of a sudden, Kiba called out for the others to join him, Shino, their fiancées, and Tenten who had no other partner but Lee, on the dance floor as he played a slow and sweet music.

The other couples entertained the idea and began to occupy the space that was proclaimed as the dance floor, slow dancing with their partners as if it was a high school prom night.

Without a thought, the Uchiha matriarch didn't even bother to budge, for she knew that her husband would not appreciate it if they did the same thing. However, she felt the stare of the Uchiha patriarch beside her, as if weighing the situation if it was a must for him to resort to public display of affection through dancing – something he surely wouldn’t enjoy doing even without a partner involved.

And then Sakura heard him sigh. "Sakura...do you..."

"No need, Sasuke." She cut him off and gave him a faint smile. "There’s no need to adjust for me and everyone else." She then turned her head back to the pairs and watched how Sai twirled Ino in front of him, bragging to everyone about how he got to learn that move from one of his books.

Sasuke frowned at his wife's response, quite disappointed with himself that he could do extreme stunts and deadly jutsus to save the world yet he couldn't even move a muscle to romance his wife just because of the presence of their friends. However, he would forever appreciate Sakura's patience with him and his diminished social skills. If Sakura wasn’t a part of him now, he wouldn't even survive the first minute of any party, which shows how much the personality of the pink-haired Uchiha complements his.

Naruto, however, caught a glimpse of the uneasy couple. He smirked playfully before yelling that caused the other people to turn to them from across the room, "Oi, teme! What are you and Sakura-chan doing over there?"

"Oh. Stop being a drag, guys," Shikamaru butted in. "I know dancing is quite troublesome but it's relaxing, too," he said as he swayed to the music with his wife in his arms.

Sai chuckled when he noticed the Uchiha pair. "You don't want to dance? Then perhaps you could kiss or something so you aren't merely standing like lampposts there, Ugly and Coward." If Sasuke didn't know the guy to be normally too straightforward and careless with his words, he would've punched him on the face right after he heard him say the word lamppost.

"Heh! I actually kind of like that suggestion, Sai," Their former sensei intervened with that closed-eye smile of his, probably imagining something out of his favorite book that he's been reading for more than a decade now.

Sakura seemed to be frozen on the spot. More than her own thoughts about how awkward the situation was, she was thinking that it might be too uncomfortable for Sasuke already. He had been away for far too long, and the last thing she would want to happen was for him to feel uneasy and pressured with the teasing of their friends when he's around.

"C'mon, Sasuke." Naruto wiggled his eyebrows while proudly holding Hinata by her waist. "Look at every couple. We want to see our Shadow Hokage go lovey-dovey with his woman too! We never witness your sweet side!"

Ino nodded almost too aggressively. "And Sakura's always alone. When I brought her to the place where you've had your first date, she almost didn't want to return home."

"Ino!"

"What?" Ino giggled at the blushing Sakura, not even bothered that her best friend's clenched fists could actually crush her to bits. Turning her head back to Sasuke, she winked. "We've always wanted a SasuSaku sweet encounter right in front of our very eyes, Sasuke. Even just this once. What do you say?" It's funny how time went by, Sakura's best friend used to have a deep crush on the Uchiha as well when they were younger, but now, she was happily clinging into the arms of Sai.

Sakura avoided glancing at her husband, not knowing how to react. They were all right anyway, but throughout her years with Sasuke, she has learned about the fact that he's not fond of showing sweetness publicly. Sasuke has his own ways of expressing tenderness when they are alone. But recently, after returning from his long journey that took him away from his family for how many years, it was almost like they were back to square one in terms of their intimacy. She sometimes almost felt like a teenager trying to figure out if her crush has a crush on her too.

As Sasuke's wife, she never lost the faith that he treasures both her and Sarada deeply, and that their feelings are connected, regardless if Sasuke shows it or not. Yet, no matter how much she denied it, it was true that she terribly missed how affectionate he used to be. And the sight of the couples around them did not fail to give her a tinge of envy.

On the other hand, Sasuke was just listening to the words of their friends, considering every statement that he knew was given for the purpose of both suggesting and teasing. And when he turned and saw his wife staring at the floor with a very shy demeanor, he just couldn't help but remember the young Sakura he first fell in love with – that woman who was very bold, but at the same time quite sheepish as she often blushed big time only because of him. He then smirked as everyone began to cheer his name, expecting whatever sweet stuff the great Uchiha would do to his wife.

He realized that they were right. He really lacked in showing feelings for his family publicly, and recently, even privately. He always believed that feelings should not get in the way of missions, but was his family just a part of one of his missions as a shinobi, too? He mentally shook his head to his own question.

So what if their friends were watching?

Smiling to himself, he sighed in satisfaction with his resolve and then gently cupped Sakura's face with his lone hand. His wife's widened eyes earned a softened expression from him, an assurance that he was not doing this to please their friends because he wanted to do it too and he wanted to make her feel special.

The chanting of his name came to a halt when everyone saw him leaning in and giving his wife a chaste and passionate kiss on the lips. The scene caused their friends to have a mixture of surprise, amusement, and awe painted on their faces.

After all, it was a once in a blue moon experience to witness the Uchiha Sasuke resolving to Public Display of Affection.

And oh, Sakura was stunned. Even Sarada who was in the living room had a shocked expression on her face when she saw her dad initiated the romantic gesture.

Have you ever kissed dad? She remembered asking her mom during that time she hadn't seen her dad after a long time yet. And now, she was witnessing the answer to her question in front of her very eyes. She couldn't help but beam widely although some of her friends were partly amused and partly grossed out. With her peripheral vision, she even noticed a flustered Boruto covering the eyes of young Himawari with his two hands. But she didn't care, this scene was so significant to her that it completely drove out all her past doubts about the complex relationship of her parents.

Everyone in the room cheered once again, genuinely happy for their friends whom they've missed seeing together.

Sakura's eyes started brimming with tears, causing Sasuke to instantly pull away.

He then whispered, "Hey...did I do it bad? I'm sorry, it's been so long."

Sakura chuckled slightly and shook her head. "Shannaro!" She muttered as she playfully hit him on the chest.

Sasuke’s lips curved upwards. At least he did not disappoint his wife. There was a momentary worry that he might have hurt Sakura once again when he saw her tear-filled eyes. Yet, witnessing her emerald orbs sparkling with joy made all the previous awkwardness so worth it. Staring at her, it dawned on him how much he had missed her all this time. He then briefly pulled her into a hug as the people started dancing again and focusing on their own stuff. He made a mental note to continue their alone time at home.

 Their children went ahead, maybe they were still gonna lurk around to play some games or get some midnight snack from Thunder Burger. After saying their goodbyes, the couples parted ways towards their own homes, including Sasuke and Sakura who were quite behind everyone else on the street.

Sasuke focused his gaze at his wife.

She deserved better. He has known that all this time. But it softened his heart time and time again that she has chosen to stay with him all along. He would never understand what made her love him since they were younger, even when he turned his back from her and everyone else.

There was something about her love that always reminded him that he has a home to return to. And even after not being around for majority of their daughter's years due to his important outside missions to protect the whole village, that love did not even diminish. If anything, he could feel that it grew even stronger than before.

He nodded to himself. He was done taking advantage of his wife's love for him. He was done making his daughter have failed expectations from him. He came to a conclusion that it was time to start anew and make them feel all the love that they deserve, even though he didn't really know how exactly to begin.

Sakura was yet again astounded when Sasuke grabbed her hand as they walked towards their house. Her gaze fell on their intertwined fingers. The feeling of his hand on hers never failed to make her heart race because she wasn’t used to an intimate Sasuke.

And then Sasuke stopped walking. "Sakura."

Her eyes met his. His eyes may have different forms due to his Sharingan and Rinnegan but she has always loved those eyes. She would always be grateful that she has the privilege of seeing them up close while gazing at her in such a tender way. "Yes, Sasuke?"

"I'm sorry." Sasuke looked down. "I know I even asked Naruto to give you this same message when I was away, but maybe, I...I never really knew how I could make it up to you. All I know so far is to apologize." He then shifted his eyes to Sakura whose face was filled with surprise.

In the past few times that he returned, they never really talked about their relationship. Their conversations were just either about their jobs or about Sarada. But now that Sasuke was bringing this up, astonishment was just written all over her face.

Was this really her husband or was she just trapped in a genjutsu? She almost thought it was more of the latter.

"You know I've always been bad with expressing anything. And I'm grateful you accept me nevertheless." He gave her a small smile. And with an intent gaze, he asked, "But Sakura, can...we start again?"

"W-what do you mean?"

"I want to be a better husband to you and a better father to Sarada. Will you give me a chance?" He uttered almost pleadingly.

Sakura burst into tears. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Maybe this was what his time away from them did to him, it matured his heart and his mind a lot. And maybe her waiting was truly not in vain, it might have taken some time, but Sasuke finally got to forgive himself from everything he has been carrying since he was a child and from those things he had done in the past.

Her lips then formed a smile, she was just so proud of her husband after everything. With happy tears still falling down her cheeks, she slowly nodded at him, earning a rare wide smile from Sasuke. “Always, Anata.”

After tonight, she just knew, everything would be positively different with her husband. And the idea made her absolutely excited to witness a very affectionate Uchiha Sasuke in the long run.

————

© September 2018 AriannJS

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Please don't hesitate to comment your views and feels on this. :D My other SS fics could be found here! :) Also, I'm encouraging y'all to check out my other book of short stories called Journal of Hearts. It's a compilation of original short stories (not fan-fictions) and it would show a different side of my writing.

After a long time of not writing, I'm still exploring once again in terms of constructing plots and improving my writing style. So eventually, I see myself returning to writing original one-shots other than fanfics! Hope you could continue to support me and let me know what you think about my few stories in that book too! Thanks & God bless!

Like what I do? Please consider supporting me on ko-fi as I continue to write fictions and make song covers! A cup of coffee would be a big encouragement! :)

- A

[tipsyraconteur]

Good Boy, Part 4

Annnd here is the last part of this fluffy dogstrosity. I managed to break 200 followers during the blogging of this story, so thanks to everyone that followed! I really enjoyed writing some pure fluff for tumblr, and I’m sure I’ll do it again in the future when I need a break from my longer stories. Thanks for reading, and enjoy!

Good Boy, Part 4

KakaSaku Coffee Shop AU

Rating: T

Word Count: ~2.5k

[ Part 1 ] [ Part 2 ] [ Part 3 ]

-

The next day, Sakura started her shift with a smile on her face and a song in her heart. Well, not really, but she definitely began the shift in a good mood. It was hard not to feel positive: she’d totally aced her make-up test with her professor and she was about to have two days off that she could spend catching up on schoolwork and sleep. Most importantly, however, was the company she was expecting during her shift that day.

Maybe it was stupid to feel so excited, but she was excited.

Four days ago, Kakashi had been a strange man with a pug who’d flirted with her before not paying for his drink. Now… well, she was starting to hope that he’d be more. Maybe a lot more. When Sakura had made the dubious decision to call Ino and ask her for advice, Ino had squealed “ASK HIM OUT” loud enough that Sakura had had to pull the phone away from her ear.

Sakura wasn’t sure she had the courage to do that. But maybe she could handle reminding him that she had the next two days off, in the hopes that he would ask her out himself. Sure, it was pretty cowardly, and that didn’t exactly sit well with Sakura, but neither did asking out a customer while she was at work. Somehow, she thought her boss would frown on that.

Sakura didn’t want to piss off Hana. Hana was the older sister of Sakura’s friend Kiba, and the last thing Sakura wanted to do was upset her boss, especially since it would also reflect badly on Kiba’s recommendation that she work there. And after the conversation she’d had to have with Hana earlier that week about a certain unpaid-for drink, Sakura was probably on thin ice already.

As if her very thoughts had summoned her, Sakura felt her stomach drop as she heard the sound of the back door opening and her boss’s voice ringing through the air.

“Hey Sakura,” Hana said easily as she locked the back door behind her. “I’ve had to rearrange my schedule this week, so I thought I’d come in and do inventory tonight,” she said, smiling brightly.

Sakura forced what she hoped was a believable smile in return. It was a few hours before the time when Kakashi came in, but who knew how long inventory would last? If Hana was still here when Kakashi arrived with four dogs, Sakura wasn’t sure how she would react.

And it had to be four dogs. He had to have run out by now, right?

“Is there anything I can do to help?” Sakura asked hopefully. Maybe she could hurry this along.

“No, I just need you to run the shop. I’ll try not to get in your way too much.” As Hana set down her bag and plucked her inventory clipboard from the wall, Sakura held back a sigh. All she could do now was hope that inventory was finished before Kakashi made his grand appearance.

For the next two hours, Sakura handled customers while Hana puttered around the shop counting things. She counted milk jugs, syrup bottles, and boxes of napkins and stir sticks. Sakura mostly tried to ignore her steadily growing anxiety and failed miserably every time she checked the time. However, a certain fatalistic mood began to settle over her as the clock hands crept closer to what she thought of as “Kakashi Time”. After all, he was just a customer who had some dogs, and they were a coffee shop that was dog-friendly. So, it wasn’t like either of them were doing anything wrong.

…Right?

“Sakura.” Hana’s voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts, and Sakura turned to take in the sight of Hana counting the various sizes of cups. “Do you know why we’re missing shot cups?”

Without thinking, Sakura answered, “No, I don’t know why we would be—” and then stopped, trailing off. Puppuccinos. Goddamn puppuccinos.

Hana’s eyes narrowed. “Sakura?”

Sakura gave a wincing smile. “Well, you see, we’ve had a customer lately who likes to bring in his dogs, and Starbucks does this thing where they give out little cups of whipped cream and call them puppuccinos…”

Hana folded her arms, looking unimpressed. “And you thought we needed to keep up with Starbucks, apparently. Did you not realize that would throw off inventory? It looks like theft, Sakura.”

Sakura swallowed. Why did she have to have so many conversations with her boss regarding Kakashi and thievery? “Well, I figured that we don’t charge for extra whipped cream, so it would be okay.” When Hana’s expression didn’t change, Sakura sighed. “I didn’t think about the cups. I’m sorry.”

Hana watched her narrow-eyed for a moment longer, and then a curious little smirk crept over her face. “So… who’s this new customer?”

Fuck. Sakura felt her face start to get hot, and her voice was a trifle squeaky when she answered, “What? Which customer?” Smooth, real smooth.

Hana casually inspected the nails of her right hand, although she was obviously still watching Sakura from the corner of her eye. “You never break the rules, and now you’ve broken them twice in one week.”

“I— Well, I mean, I just made a few mistakes. It’s a coincidence.”

“So, you’re telling me puppuccino customer isn’t also didn’t-pay-for-a-drink customer?” Hana’s smile had begun to take on a positively wolfish quality. “He must be cute.”

Sakura opened her mouth to make some sort of excuse—just what kind of excuse, she wasn’t sure—when she was saved by the tinkle of the bell over the door. At least, she thought she was saved, until she looked over and saw a certain lanky figure in the doorway.

Kakashi leaned casually in the door, holding it open, smiling lazily. Lifting one silver brow, he whistled—and then the dogs started walking in.

"Oh, no," Sakura whispered to herself in mounting horror. But there was no stopping it.

First was Pakkun. Out of the backpack for once, he was wearing the same blue halter that all of Kakashi's other dogs had worn, but it was so small and cute that Sakura had to repress the urge to make a very awkward high-pitched noise. Next came Shiba, and the Bisuke. All of them were holding their own leashes in their mouths. When Uhei came in the door, he paused briefly and wagged his tail before continuing forward.

That wasn't the end of Kakashi's dog parade, though.

Another smaller brown floppy-eared dog stepped through the door, followed by two other dogs of lanky, medium build. All three looked like mutts of indistinguishable breeds. But the last dog that came in caused both of Sakura's hands to fly up over her mouth. He was a dark dog whose breed wasn't immediately obvious—definitely some bulldog, maybe some bull mastiff—but he was easily the largest dog that Sakura had ever seen, the top of his head reaching higher than Kakashi's waist.

All eight dogs filed into a line before the counter, and each of them sat politely, still holding their leashes in their mouths. Completely ignoring her shocked expression, Kakashi let the door swing shut and approached the counter himself.

"Medium flat white and eight puppuccinos, please," he said pleasantly, like he hadn’t just released a canine horde upon her workplace.

“Kaka—” Sakura began, trying not to cringe, but she was cut off.

“Kakashi Hatake, why the hell are you standing in my coffee shop with every dog you have?” Hana’s voice boomed from behind her. Sakura turned to blink at her. “Let me guess… you’re the new customer I keep hearing about?”

“Oh, hi Hana. I didn’t know you worked here,” Kakashi replied in that same pleasant, unflappable voice. “It’s nice to see you outside the shelter.”

Confused, Sakura asked, “You know each other?”

Hana snorted, smirking at Kakashi. “You know I volunteer at the animal shelter. This guy,” she said, pointing at Kakashi, who looked admirably unphased by her ire, “is the guy they call when there’s a dog no one else will adopt.”

Sakura turned to look at him, briefly distracted from the tense situation. "Really? You take all the dogs that no one else wants?"

"No," Kakashi answered, looking offended, as if there was no way he would be that much of a sucker. After a long, pregnant pause, he added, "I only take the ones that Pakkun likes." Another pause. "Mostly. Pakkun didn't really like Shiba at first. I had to talk him into it." From the front of the line of dogs came a small, disgruntled 'boof'.

Sakura really wanted to ask how one went about talking a pug into something, but she decided it wasn’t the time. Especially when Hana glared from her to Kakashi and then said, “Neither of you have answered my question. Why are you here with all of your dogs?”

There was a moment when Sakura and Kakashi both looked at each other and then back at Hana, and then they both started speaking at the same time.

“Well, he saw the ‘Dogs Welcome’ sign in the window—"

“Oh, it’s really a simple explanation. I really like Sakura—”

“And when he asked what the limit was I didn’t know what to tell him because no one’s ever asked that—”

“And I thought I’d bring in a whole bunch of dogs to try and impress her.”

Sakura had trailed off, belatedly registering what he’d said about liking her, and was now struggling not to turn red again. Hana had her arms folded and was staring at him.

“It seemed like a good idea at the time,” Kakashi finished blithely, though the smile he gave was a little sheepish.

Hana was now pinching the bridge of her nose, her eyes squeezed shut. “Sakura,” she said slowly. “Make the man his drink.” Opening her eyes, she pointed at Kakashi again. “You. Take your dogs outside. There’s not enough room for them in here. And pay for your drink first!” she added as Kakashi started to move toward the door.

Kakashi chuckled awkwardly as he moved back toward the counter. “Right. Of course.”

In the awkward silence that followed, Sakura rang up Kakashi and made his change, both of them endeavoring to ignore the indistinct muttering coming from Hana, who had returned to her clipboard. Sakura quickly moved to make his flat white, very carefully not looking in Hana’s direction as she did so, and also avoiding looking at Kakashi.

“Medium flat white,” she said in a meek voice devoid of her usual cheer as she approached the counter and held out the drink.

Kakashi gave her an apologetic smile as he took it. “I’ll, uh, just take this to one of the tables outside,” he said, and within a few moments he’d herded his dogs back through the door, and Sakura was once more left alone with her boss.

Quickly busying herself by wiping down the hot bar, Sakura was startled when the silence was broken by Hana slamming down a whipped cream canister and a stack of shot cups beside her.

“When you give out whipped cream for dogs, you need to adjust the cup tally on the inventory sheet,” Hana scolded. “Don’t call them ‘puppuccinos’ again until I can verify that Starbucks doesn’t have that copyrighted.”

“Yes ma’am,” Sakura said, hope rising in her chest.

“Go take a break,” Hana finished gruffly.

Sakura blinked. She was always by herself in the shop on Wednesdays, so she never took a break. “But I don’t take breaks on—”

“Fuck’s sake, Haruno, know a good thing when you hear it!” Hana said in exasperation. “Take. A. Break.” And she shoved the whipped cream and cups toward her.

A silly grin threatened to break across Sakura’s features, and she quickly repressed it. “Of course, Hana. Thank you!” she said sincerely, albeit quickly, as she slid out from behind the register and beelined toward the door.

“Fifteen minutes!” Hana called after her, and she might have muttered something else, but Sakura was already out the door.

Letting the door shut behind her, still holding the cups and whipped cream canister in her hand, Sakura looked toward the table that Kakashi stood beside. And maybe it was the charmingly shamefaced grin he had, or all of the built-up tension of the last ten minutes—or maybe it was the pile of dogs who were crammed around his feet. But Sakura couldn’t hold it in anymore, and she burst into slightly hysterical laughter.

“I can’t—believe—you brought—eight dogs in here,” she gasped between giggles, and Kakashi’s grin grew as he watched her, his eyes warm. “I thought Hana was going to kill me. Or you.”

“Are you impressed yet? Because I’ve kind of run out of dogs and I promised Pakkun I wouldn’t adopt another one for at least a year.” Kakashi carefully stepped out of the pile of dogs and toward her, plucking the stack of cups and whipped cream from her hands and placing them on the table behind him. “Hey, do you think Hana can see us from inside the shop right now?”

Perplexed by the apparent change in topic, Sakura answered, “Well… no? She’s probably too far back to be able to see this table from—”

Sakura cut herself off as Kakashi dipped his head down close to hers, her breath catching in her throat. “Good,” he murmured, and with one hand raising to cup her face, he pressed his lips to hers.

She didn’t react at first, completely stunned by this turn of events. But when he went to pull away, her courage finally decided to show up, and she leaned toward him, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him back with an enthusiasm that Ino would’ve been proud of.

Kakashi hummed low in his throat in response, his free hand finding the small of her back. When she pulled back slightly to take a breath, he smiled at her, and she smiled back.

“You know, I probably shouldn’t show up here again… at least not for a while,” he said as she slowly moved back a little, her face warming as her actions caught up to her.

“At least not with so many dogs,” she quipped, biting her lip.

“You’re off tomorrow, right?” he asked, and when she nodded, he continued, “Let me take you to dinner. No dogs.”

“I don’t know…” Sakura hedged, trying not to grin. “I’m kind of only in it for the dogs.” The fact that Uhei chose that moment to come and sit on her foot made the grin break through.

Kakashi laughed, somewhat ruefully. “How about dinner and a dog park afterward?”

“Yeah… that sounds fun,” Sakura said, beaming.

Sakura didn’t miss Kakashi’s quiet, relieved sigh as she bent slightly to stroke Uhei’s head, much to the dog’s obvious tail-wagging pleasure.

“Now then,” she continued, reaching past Kakashi for the cups and whipped cream, directing her attention toward the dogs. “Who wants a generic equivalent, definitely-not-copyright-infringement cup of whipped cream?”

[vanilluhbeaux]

stability

vanilluhbeaux (distinque)

Summary:

"This is a Catholic nut-house, Doctor. Everyone's mad here and I wouldn't trust what anyone say. Not the patients and not the clergymen."

x

The first time Sasuke came was in March. March 17, 1962, to be exact. It was a rainy, stormy day and he approached the brick building with extra caution, just as his boss told him. A liscensed therapist, he had no idea why he was sent to a mental institution, but didn't voice his frustrations. He kept them inside, bit his tongue, and straightened his tie. He remembered his boss telling him that keeping his mouth shut was the reason people went off the deep end, but he paid no heed. For all he could tell, his boss was bat-shit insane. The old geezer never did anything but obsess over his dead parents, as if they were gods or something. Sasuke wasn't too interested in Orochimaru, but what the old man could do for him. He might've been crazy, but the man was a genius. Working with him could help him advance his PHD, and that's what Sasuke needed. He needed an adnvancement, and he needed one fast. Staring up at the big, brick building, he knew that this would be an interesting experience to say the least.

When he walked into the building, a shock of pink hair greeted him. She was dressed in a bright blue dress, the middle sinched together with a brown belt, showing off a tiny waist. On her feet were white tennis shoes, ones meant for runnning. She was helping up a blonde-haired girl, the same age as she. "There you go, Ino-pig," she said, putting the girl in a chair. "Be good," she said, pointing to the girl. Her tone was serious, but gentle, the same tone he used when talking to his patients. If he hadn't known better, he would've thought that she was the same as he, a doctor tending to a patient. He would've liked to believe it, but the ink on the back of her neck told him different. She was a patient herself, a patient of this facility. She'd obviously had extensive education – or natural skill – in comforting and easing pains, for he felt his own self being swayed by her short words.

He never expected her to turn around so quickly, and he never expected for her to have the brightest eyes he's ever seen. They shone like emeralds, and reflected promise – of what, he wasn't sure. Sasuke could tell that this girl had potential to be something like him. What is she doing here? he thought, giving her a soft smile. "You must be the doctor," she said, her voice still soft. "Doctor Uchiha, if I'm correct."

"You are," he answered back smoothly. "You wouldn't happen to know where Father Kakashi is, do you?" he asked her, watching her smile. The twist of her pink lips made her whole face light up, and Sasuke noticed, but refused to be moved by it. Crazy girls are still crazy, even if they are pretty, he said in his head, watching her with a careful eye.

"Father Kakashi is the room in the back and towards the left," she said, pointing in the direction. Sasuke began to excuse himself when she grabbed his sleeve and added, "But I wouldn't trust him." Sasuke opened his mouth in confusion, but she spoke quickly and quietly. "This is a Catholic nut-house, Doctor. Everyone's mad here and I wouldn't trust what anyone says. Not the clergymen and not the patients." With that, she let him go and walked in the opposite direction, towards the blond girl sitting in the chair. "Be on your way," she said to him, not looking his way.

Following the girl's orders, Sasuke walked towards the back. He could vaguely hear a light hum to a song he'd almost forgotten. Throwing a longing, worn look towards the pair of women, he turned and walked where she'd told him, fighting her to be right.

.

.

.

repetition

It was during his first session that he learned the pink haired girl's name. The blond she was helping when he'd first arrived, Yamanaka Ino, spoke highly of her as she laid on the little black couch. With her dull blue eyes shining and white hands in the air, she said smiling, "I was a little bit lonely here, all by myself. I know that what I see isn't real, but really bad nightmares, thanks to Sakura. They aren't really there, you know. They're just night terrors you have when you're awake. I get really lonely, all by myself." While Sasuke jotted this down, she stopped smiling and cackled, before setlling her face into a light smile. Her laugh was loud and echoed through the makeshift office, repeating itself to itself. Ino seemed to take bright delight in this, for she did it three more times. "Sakura's really great, you know. She's smart and she's pretty and she's great. I used to be really lonely, all by myself, but Sakura makes sure that I'm never lonely. She's really pretty. She told me that man in green andthe woman in pink weren't going to hurt me. They're not real, Ino-pig. You can rest now, Ino-pig. Don't fret, Ino-pig. Be good, Ino-pig."

"So Sakura helped erase the people you see?" Sasuke asked, which made Ino shoot up from her seat. She stared at him with big, blue eyes, and narrowed them at him. With flared nostrils, she snorted at him.

"What the hell are you talking about?" she asked him, suspiciously. She eye'd him up and down before leaping in front of his seat, grabbing onto the sides of his chair. "You're trying to take Sakura away from me, aren't you?!" she accused. "You can't take her away from me," she growled. "You can't make me lonely any more! You're not leaving me! She's not leaving me! YOU CAN'T TAKE HER AWAY FROM ME! SHE'S MINE! SHE'S MINE! SHE LOVES ME VERY MUCH! YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME!" she screamed. She pointed a finger towards his chest and screamed at him, "DO YOU FUCKING UNDERSTAND, INO?!"

The next moment, her eyelids started drooping. She tried to give him one more menacing stare, but collapsed into Sasuke's lap, her head landing on his thikgh heavily. Begfore Sasuke could look up, a voice cut in, "I am so sorry for her behavior." Sasuke averted his deep brown eyes to look at the girl with pink hair and green eyes, and offered her a small smile. He took notice of her floral white dress and white gym shoes, not usual attire for anyone in a mental asylum. He also noticed the syringe in her hand – not that he commented on it. "She gets defensive when someone so much as mentions me. I guess you could call it jealousy, but she's confident that I love her," she said, bending down to pick the larger blonde up.

"She's afraid you'll leave her one day," Sasuke said, jotting what she said in his notebook. His voice was even and clear, even as he struggled to keep his eyes off of her. "She's obsessed with you," he said, licking his pen, "She thinks you're her savior or something like that." The pink haired woman giggled at this.

"I don't think it's wrong to like someone else, Doctor," she said, lying the woman on the couch and sitting next to her. She spoke easily and freely, as if the walls weren't meant to confine them to the room, to confidentiality. Conversation came easily with her, he noticed, and wrote that down on a seperate sheet of apaper, which he quickly labeled 'Sakura.' "We've all developed a crush on someone else at one point." She crossed one leg over the other and laughed through her pink lips. Her white teeth made Sasuke smile, but the scar under her neck made him shiver.

"This is more than a simple crush, Sakura," he warned, reclining in his chair. "She's here for a reason – Ino's dangerous. Crushes can be dangerous, you should keep yourself alert around her." Sakura cocked an eyebrow, and placed her elbows on her knee. He noticed the way her dress rode up a teensy bit, revealing more of her creamy thighs. A light smile graced her pink lips and she said something with her eyes, though Sasuke wasn''t good at non-verbal communication.

"Is that so?"

"It has to be," he responded quickly, causing her sit back. "Are you a doctor or a patient, Sakura?" he asked. Judging from the slight widening of the greenest eyes he'd ever seen, he caught her off-gaurd. He wasn't sure if this was a good thing, considering she could be completely insane. He wasn't sure what he was doing with her, but before he lets himself progress any further, he'd have to know.

"Would you believe me –" she'd started, but an opening of the heavy metal door scared her into silence. From that door emerged Father Kakashi, the head of the asylum. His silver hair stuck out at odd ends and his visable eye was lonesome, but Sasuke was sure that he had never met a more rightous man.

Sakura, on the other hand, was not so sure. His lone eye wandered across the room and settled on the pinkette, a small smile crossing his covered lips. "Well, if it isn't Little Lizzie!" he exclaimed, clapping a hand on Sakura's bare shoulder. The girl visably grimanced, and threw his hand off of her. Glancing around at Sasuke, he said, "I see you've done your duty and came for your own evaluation. It may do you some good, love."

"My name is not Lizzie," the girl growled under her breath, glaring at the man. "I was entertaining the company, t'is all. I don't need an 'evaluation', Father," she sneered at the man, huffing slightly. "I have all my senses, but I believe that you don't have yours." Sasuke looked over at the man, who remained impassive, yet amused.

"Your record says otherwise, Lizzie," he continued, much to Sasuke's confusion. Kakashi saw this, and chuckled at him. You poor, poor fool, he thought, looking at Sasuke with a slight sense of pity. Leaning against the doorframe, he continued, "You haven't read, Doctor?"

"This is a Catholic nut-house, Doctor! Everyone's mad here and I wouldn't trust what anyone says. Not the clergymen and not the patients!" Sakura yelled, her voice strained and angry. Her fingers clenched and unclenched, forming fists and open palms. Her floral dress seemed like more of an obstacle than a bright distraction and she was seeing the world in black and white – Doctor Uchiha was white and Father Kakashi was black.

"Sakura murdered her parents with an axe when she was thirteen. She's been stuck here since," Kakashi spoke evenly, sending a warning look to Sasuke. "Sakura's dangerous, Sasuke. She may seem sweet and cute, but it's an act. She's not stable and she's not reliable. Don't get attatched to a pretty face," he said, walking out.

Sakura sat still on the couch, playing with the hem of her dress. "I'm stable," she muttered, fiddling with it. "I'm stable." She closed her eyes and inhaled a breath and said it again, "I'm stable." She peeled her eyes open and looked into Sasuke's dark brown orbs. "I'm stable," she spoke, clearly. It was a promise, but to whom, she wasn't sure. Sasuke, on the other hand, wasn't as convinced.

"You're a patient?" he asked, slowly, tenatively.

"Yes," she said, only her lips moving. Her eyes were still locked with his, and every tilt of his head, she followed.

"Did you murder your parents?" he asked, equally as slow and equally as timid. Her green eyes followed him, and were still the greenest he'd ever seen. She licked her pink lips, prompting him to do the same. Her pink hair settled on her shoulder as she contemplated the right answer to his loaded question.

"No," she'd settled on. Sasuke released a breath he didn't know he was holding, and moved closer to her. She smiled at this action, all pink and white. "You're very beautiful, Doctor."

"As are you," he responded, his face a mere inch from hers. Her cheeks grew rosy as her eyelids closed.

"I've got a crush on you," she said, closing the distance between them briefly. It was a simple, quick gesture, a peck between two pairs of lips. Sweet and soft, but lacking in an aspect they both did not know. There weren't sparks, but she did feel a magnetic closeness between the two that they did feel. Green eyes looked into brown, but only saw her reflection staring back at her. She placed a small, tender hand on his chest and pushed him back, only slightly. "I'm stable," se whispered. "You're afraid," she swore.

"Should I be?" he asked, taking her hand in his, but not holding it. Sakura was a dangerous woman, according to Kakashi. She'd admitted to being a patient, and he knew that becoming attatched to someone who could have committed two acts of murder was certain death. Sakura was death, beautiful but quiet death. A poison or drug, something that chilled his nerves and made his heart beat just a little faster. Gorgeous, but deadly.

Femme fatale.

"I can't tell you that, Doctor," she said, smoothing her dress.

"And why not?" Sasuke demanded. He put his hands on her shoulders, watching her flinch ever so slightly. "You're an enigma."

"I wouldn't trust what anyone says. Not the clergymen and not the patients," she said, trailing softly. She stood and walked towards the door, smiling softly at him. "I'm a patient. Crushes can be dangerous, you should keep yourself alert around her," she said, with a light sniff.

"Wait—let me have three more words!" he said, grabbing her wrist. Sakura shook violently, but shook her head softly at him. I love you was all she heard when he opened his mouth. She turned and pressed another quick kiss to his lips, leaving him breathless.

"I'll wait for you. I'm stable."

[sakumulti]

Okay

What up it's 1 and I just wrote this thing in one sitting on my phone so here's a non-proofread, impulsive, unplanned piece of writing that did not at all go how I'd originally thought it'd go.

Summary: An accidental run in leads to an important conversation about a subject Lee had been avoiding since the war had finished.

Genre: Hurt/Comfort?

Pairing: LeeSaku if you squint

Disclaimer: no ownership of Naruto etc and also never finished shippuden so working off the wiki and what I remember of fandom of the timeee

“I hope you're actually doing okay.”

The sentence had caught him off guard, leaving him to turn and look at the other ninja.

He'd been training late, making one last lap around the village when he'd nearly ran into Sakura as she left the hospital for the night. Exchanging a quick apology, he'd brushed off her questions of how he'd been doing with a quick ‘Fine’ as he readied himself to continue his lap. He would've loved to spend hours talking with her, but he had to keep to his training so as to not shirk his duties.

But, as he'd readied to continue on, Sakura’s words had stopped him.

… He was doing okay… wasn't he?

Letting out a nervous laugh, he rubbed at his neck absentmindedly.

“Of course I am, Sakura! I'm in top shape!” He announced proudly, making an attempt to hide his hesitation. However, even he could tell his usual enthusiasm wasn't present in his voice.

As he watched her, he noted the way her brows knit together, the way her eyes crinkled a bit as she frowned. If anything, it had caught him even more off guard. As he was about to speak, ask if perhaps she was alright, she broke his train of thought as she spoke up.

“Dammit, Lee… you know that's not what I meant.” Even as she closed her eyes in what he'd imagined to be frustration, he couldn't find it in himself to really think about the answer she seemed to want. He couldn't help it as his body slumped slightly, a faint sense of guilt settling in himself for…. lying? Was he lying when he had said he was okay?

Averting his eyes, he had missed Sakura’s movements as she moved closer to him, hesitantly reaching for his hand.

“Lee… come with me right now. There's… something I want to talk to you about.”

Were this any other time, he was certain he'd be over the moon. Sakura? Asking to talk to him and take his hand? The thought was something he'd dreamt about for years. However, with the way their conversation had been going, he felt the usual sparks inside him simmer as a feeling a dread grew within him.

Closing the distance between his and Sakura’s hands, he popped on a big smile. “Lead the way, Sakura!”

He was still elated at the contact, but he couldn't ignore the way Sakura’s frown stayed in place as she sighed, little reaction from her otherwise but a secure squeeze around his hand as she started on a slow walk in some direction.

Whatever it was Sakura intended to talk to him about, she didn't elaborate on it during their walk, leaving an almost uncomfortable silences to settle in between them had it not been for the chirps of crickets around them. As they continued on, Lee’s apprehension of the future conversation grew. He thought of situations where Sakura announced she was leaving Konoha, where she had some important mission that she'd never return from, or if she was sick. There were also the thoughts that nagged at him about what if something had happened to one of their friends and he'd been left out of the loop or other such disastrous situations his brain built in the silence.

Finally, after what seemed to have been a long, arduous walk- which, in reality, had only taken under ten minutes- they'd finally stopped to sit at some bench on a road he'd passed by plenty of times during his training. He couldn't tell if he was relieved or not as dread continued to build in him as Sakura brought her hand back to herself to sit in her lap, leaving him to nervously clutch his thighs as he awaited whatever news he was sure she was going to deliver. After a few more moments of silence, Sakura turned to face him, causing him to straighten his back in response.

“Lee… we really need to talk about… Neji and Guy…”

Ah.

That's what this was about.

Resisting the urge to bite his lip in response, Lee averted his eyes once more focusing on the cracks in the stone road before them.

“What about them? Guy is recovering and Neji has been… has been laid to rest.” He hadn't expected it to be so hard to talk all of a sudden, but he felt like if he had been looking at Sakura, he wouldn't have been able to speak at all.

“That's exactly the point, Lee, what about them? How are you feeling about all of this?” He noted the concern in her voice as she spoke up, bringing his hands together in front of him as he absentmindedly rolled his thumbs around each other.

He had to think about it for a second, trying to compile his thoughts into a proper sentence even as he felt Sakura’s expectant eyes on him.

“... I guess… I guess I'm feeling how you'd expect? I miss training with Guy-Sensei and I miss… N-... Ne-” having thought out his response beforehand, he was struggling to understand just why he was finding it so hard to talk together, not even noticing how his hands clenched together tightly as he continued staring at the ground. He bit his lip, ashamed, he thought, about being unable to answer as simple a question as ‘how was he feeling?’

When he felt arms encircling him all of a sudden, he looked over in surprise to Sakura as she leaned her head on his shoulder. His hands had even loosened their grip on each other in response to the shock.

“Lee… I know… we all miss Neji.” As she said that, she gave him a tight squeeze that left him holding his breath. He couldn't tell if it was from the fact it was her hugging him or if it was due to what she said, but he found it difficult to breathe even as she pulled away ever so slightly to try and look at him. “But we're all also worried about you. You were teammates… I can't even say I know what it feels like even if I want to say I do.

“And… because of that I just want to make sure you're okay. No ones seen or heard you talk about this with anyone… When… Sasuke left, I had Ino and the rest of our friends to talk to, but… I asked Tenten and she says you haven't talked to her about any of this.”

He couldn't deny that, and he couldn't stop the way his eyes grew blurry as he tried not to blink. If he blinked, he wasn't sure if he'd be able to stop the onslaught of thoughts and emotions that were threatening to spill out.

“Guy-Sensei said… not to cry when Ne-Neji die--died… To remember what he'd e-entrusted to us, instea-ad…” He was shaking now as he but his lip, struggling to speak evenly while his brows scrunched together as he desperately tried to hold back the tears building up in his eyes.

“Lee… it's okay to cry… This… This is a tough thing to handle…” As she spoke, he noticed the way her voice quivered too, but the reassurance of her words and the arms around him left his defense crumbling as he bent over, leaning his arms on his legs and burying his face in his hands. He hated the tears that started to fall as he shuddered and tried to hold back sobs.

As he cried, Sakura tightening the hug around him, he felt her start to shake herself as he finally let himself say what was on his mind.

He missed Neji, he hated having not been able to do anything to save him, he blamed himself for his death and Guy-Sensei’s injuries despite there having been nothing he could do, and he just wished things would've gone differently.

As this went on for who knows how long, he leaned more and more into Sakura’s hold, leaning against her as he finally wrapped his arms around her too.

He wasn't sure the last time he had cried -had allowed himself to cry- but, as his cries finally started to slow and his breathing started evening out, he couldn't deny the difference he felt within himself. Something felt lighter, if even only slightly.

Continuing to lean into Sakura’s hold, he was almost ready to fall asleep, having not noticed the way Sakura had started to run her hand over his head until just now as he reveled in the peace it instilled in him after this ordeal.

Despite his desire to stay like that for as long as Sakura would allow, he had to force himself to pull away from her comforting hold. It was late when they'd run into each other and who knows how late it was now after all of that. She was bound to have another shift at the hospital in the morning and he knew she needed all the sleep she could get.

So, slowly, he worked his way away from her, not quite straightening himself as he stared at her as he stewed over his thoughts. After all, after something like this, how did you address it? Did you say a simple ‘good night’ before parting ways?

Even as he thought in silence, Sakura just left him be, a faint questioning look on her equally tear stricken face. He wished he could have comforted her the way she had for him just now, but he was thankful for the time to collect himself

“I… thank you, Sakura. I think… I really needed that.” It was simple and not all of what he'd wanted to say in thanks, but, as the turbulence of the situation left him drained, it was all his tired mind could put together to form a half decent thanks in response to her actions.

“It's no problem, Lee. Just… in the future, if you ever need someone to talk to, know that me and the others are always there for you, alright?” Taking one of his hands in hers again and giving it a reassuring squeeze, she smiled faintly even as her brows turned up in concern.

At her words, he fought down the resurgence of his swaying emotions. He had focused so hard on ignoring the whole thing, he'd in turn ignored his friends as they tried to address the situation.

Nodding as he wiped at his eyes, hoping to clear the last of whatever tears were leftover after that bout of crying, and smiled faintly.

“Okay… the next time I feel like this I… I will come to you instead of ignoring it like I have been.” Those words had been hard to say, but the way Sakura smiled at him in response, it seemed worth the struggle.

“Thank you, Sakura… For all of this…”

“It's no problem, Lee. I'm just glad you’re feeling better.”

And so, as they said their goodbyes and decided to meet up again in a few days to talk about some more things, Lee couldn't help the ever growing admiration and gratefulness he'd had for Sakura and his friends. Truly, he would have to find a way to properly repay her someday.

And, perhaps, a start on that repayment could be an honest response to her questions of how he was doing.

[manikas-whims]

A Chance at Redemption [4]

[1] [2] [3] [...] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13]

Chapter 4: Becoming the Centrepiece

"Smile out of mannerisms, it will be fake... Smile for someone else's sake, it will be genuine..." -Sai

The sound of water dripping from a crack in the ceiling of the underground room penetrated the dead-silence of the place. Everything inside the room was eerily quiet. Even the people sitting on the wooden stools chose meaningful stares over the use of verbal communication. A sharp crack was heard and all the eyes turned to see the latest member enter through the only door to the room. His dark form was thoroughly soaked and he was heaving. When he passed a hand through his wet, off-white locks and pulled-out a red lollipop from his pocket, everyone recognised him as the leader of their small rebel group. He waved his hand at them and took a seat next to the only other person from his village; the first being himself. He felt the busty girl take a long breath of irritation and ignored her.

"Should I begin?" A deep, lazy voice asked him.

Darui was slightly, only slightly, taken aback by the question. Everyone was looking at him with a strange sort of seriousness radiating from their persona. No greetings? Okay...He sighed, pulling the lollipop to the left side of his mouth using his tongue and then spoke, "Alright, you can begin with it Shikamaru."

Shikamaru rolled his eyes and began, "I take it that most of us already know why we are here?"

Some nodded an affirmative at him while the others shrugged unknowingly.

"Today, at around seven past twenty in the evening, two strange looking guys came at my house, one of whom was carrying a huge sword behind his back. The guy with the sword was very lean and had white hair that contrasted well with his violet irises. He also had very sharp, shark-like teeth. His partner on the other hand was tall and had scarlet-red irises and an unusual sort of fiery-orange hair.." Shikamaru explained.

Everyone nodded their agreement for him to continue so he went on, "...No doubt they work for the Uchihas but..what intrigued me the most was their interest in the search of a certain kunoichi. And the girl they were looking for is.."

"Is?" Kiba pressed immediately, unable to contain his curiosity. Everyone awaited his response while Chouji started stuffing more and more chips into his mouth.

"The girl they are searching for is..", he paused for effect then finished, "Sakura Haruno."

A number of gasps and statements conveying shock, followed right after his words. It took them about two minutes to calm down from the revelation he had just made.

When the quiet of the room was restored, Ino was the first one who spoke. "I see. So this is the reason why Sakura has not been invited to this urgent meeting?" She asked.

"Yes" Temari was the one who answered.

As soon as those two weird men said their goodbyes and left the Nara Clan's Compound, an air of anxiety surrounded Temari. She wondered, if they have been questioned about their pink-haired friend then isn't it obvious that the others might've been too. When she told about this to Shikamaru, he said that he was thinking the same. Immediately after that, they ate the dinner with Shikamaru's parents and then secretly, Temari summoned her trusted weasel, Kamatari and send him with a message requesting an urgent meeting of the FoK. The minute the message reached Darui, he forwarded the message to all the other members keeping in mind the short request made by Temari at the end of the message. 'Do not call Sakura.' It read and so he complied.

Everyone was asked to report at the HQ at 2:30 sharp after midnight, without being noticed by their family members. So here they are, discussing about this latest concern. Temari insisted that Sakura must not get involved in this case and should also not know anything about this. It can be very dangerous for her already broken mental stature. Thus, Temari deemed this as the best for her.

"They appeared at the Hyuga Compounds too. And they really did ask about Sakura." Neji admitted.

Darui took a lick of his lollipop and asked, "Anyone else got to meet them? Or at least saw them?"

Shino was the only one who raised his hand in a yes. "They came and asked if I have seen any pink-haired girl around. I gave a negative response and they left. And yes, they looked just like Shikamaru has described them." Shino told Darui and the others in his solemn tone.

"I have never heard about anyone like that before. Did they participate in the war?" Samui asked, her irritation replaced by interest.

Before anymore confusion could occur, Sai intervened, "Suigetsu and Juugo."

"What?" The pale-blonde girl asked.

Sai turned to face Samui and answered, "The men Shikamaru, Neji and Shino are talking about, are Suigetsu and Juugo. They were once a part of Sasuke's Team Taka."

"And you know about them because?" Kiba asked.

"Because I used to work for the Root Division. There, I was supposed to stay up-to-date about the three former members of Team 7. And for that, I was given all the details about Sasuke's life as a Rogue Shinobi." He explained, flashing them his signature fake smile.

Nobody really liked the fake smile that Sai gave them. It was a usual thing for them but still very creepy. The boy was taken up into the Root at a very tender age and no one knows what Danzo did to turn the boy the way he is. It is hard to imagine that people can be restricted from their very own emotions just for the sake of keeping up with the standards of a shinobi. The only people who have been able to bring out any sort of change in his emotionless personality are Sakura and Naruto. Sai accepted the help of his teammates because unlike others who only saw him as a replacement for their previous teammate, both Sakura and Naruto treated him like a different individual. Like he was not any substitute for the team but a completely new member. Yes, it took them some time but they were the first ones who offered him a hand in friendship. No one else has treated him like they did. But ofcourse, new additions keep coming and in his case, this new person came in the form of a blonde, extremely enthusiastic female.

Ino is the only person who actually accepted his out of the usual behaviour and tried to help him out when Sakura and Naruto weren't around. It is hard to believe that a girl as emotional as her became really close to an emotionless guy like him. And for some odd reason, he enjoys her cheerful presence. Personally speaking, he enjoys her company the most. It will be the worst nightmare for him to lose the bond that he shares with her...

Instinctively, he whipped his head only to find her smiling softly at him. She appreciates him the way he is...

"But why are Sasuke's ex-teammates looking for my beautiful Sakura-chan?!" Lee interrupted Sai's thoughts and ask-yelled.

"That's exactly what we are here for." Temari answered, "We need to find out why these guys are after Sakura."

"Before joining Sasuke's side, those two guys were used in a regular basis as Orochimaru's test subjects." Sai stated.

"Which means that maybe they are only looking for her to cure them of any side-effects that they are suffering from because of Orochimaru's experimentation on their body." Shino suggested.

Shikamaru who had been silently listening to the whole conversation, stood up from his perch on the stool. His getting up indicated that he has properly deduced all the ideas, suggestions and conversations.

"No that cannot be the case since the one with the sword..I mean Suigetsu," Shikamaru spoke, nodding at Sai for informing them about their names and then continued, "Suigetsu himself told me that its an order given to him by his higher ups."

"Heh!" Kiba scoffed, "For what purpose would Madara want Sakura?"

"No" Shikamaru shook his head.

Everyone looked at the Nara-genius and awaited his completely figured-out response.

"Its just as Sai told us. These guys were a part of Sasuke's team." He stated matter-of-factedly.

"I have an inkling that the younger Uchiha is the one involved here." Shikamaru explained.

The moment he uttered those words, a string of 'Whats' and 'Whys' were flung at him. Everyone was confused about the involvement of the youngest Uchiha in this whole mess.

A blonde haired kunoichi was the most befuddled by hearing this. Her light blue irises looked around with anxiety. Her mind wandered around the thoughts of her best friend since childhood and then towards the aloof Uchiha Survivor, who now doesn't happen to be the only survivor. She pondered, if the boy kept away from her pink-haired friend for so long then why would he suddenly want her to come back to him? No one can really say what's going on in his head. He is just like the Kyuubi-boy used to be- unpredictable.

"But why does Sasuke want to see Sakura now? Now, after leaving her on a bench during a cold night and after already trying to kill her twice?! Wasn't that enough for him?!" Ino asked, mustering all her feelings for her friend in her words.

Apparently, her words actually struck a lot of them. Kiba, Lee and Sai's expressions saddened as if they recalled a very bad, long-forgotten memory from the recesses of their brain. Tenten shifted awkwardly in her stool and to everyone's immense surprise, Chouji's munching on the potato chips came to a halt. Even Neji and Shino looked more distant all of a sudden while Temari gave a reassuring squeeze to Shikamaru's sulking shoulder. The leader of their group and his assistant Samui were the only ones without any painful expressions on their faces. They were completely clueless about what caused such a disturbing silence amongst the members. It must've been something excruciatingly agonizing.

"I don't really know what happened between Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno in the past..." Darui began.

When everyone looked at him with their solemn expressions, he continued, "...but I suppose it would be the best if Sakura doesn't find out about this. It will only add to her tension even more. Therefore, I suggest that until we are able to desist the actions taken by Sasuke and his sidekicks, one of us must stay with Sakura at all times."

Shikamaru sighed, "Not a bad idea, Ino can stay with her after her working hours at the hospital."

"And one of us can secretly watch-over her during her time spent at the hospital." Temari added.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"I can do that." Samui spoke all of a sudden.

All the heads whipped in her direction and stared at her incredulously. After her angry chiding at Sakura during their previous meeting, no one had expected her to say something like this. Something so supportive for the pinkette.

"I said I will watch over her during her working hours at the hospital." She spoke again, this time more authoritatively so as to make everyone get her point.

"Okay then, her protection has been settled." Darui spoke, "Now, there is also this problem that most of you have still not been questioned by those two guys. So whenever you see them, try diverting their minds away from their mission and make them loose interest in the case. If this doesn't work then a silent kill will be the second option. Are we clear?" He asked.

"Yes!" Everyone shouted in unison.

"Alright then, we have another meeting tomorrow afternoon about the discussion of stopping the Hyuga Clan Extermination." Darui reminded.

Everyone nodded and then Samui announced, "Dismiss!"

All the members of the FoK exited the HQ after hearing her command and dispersed into different directions to head towards their respective homes.

Sakura woke-up by the first rays of the sun peeking at her face through the open-window in the bedroom of her small apartment. She took a long yawn before getting out of the duvet and stretching her limbs to prepare her frail body for the day. With dark-circles covering her eyes, she walked towards her bathroom. Not only has she been sleep-deprived for four months but also experiencing loss of appetite. If her body is still doing proper functioning then its all thanks to the corn-soup that she takes every morning as her daily meal. She wants to keep her body nourished but whenever she tries, she is unable to swallow even a single bite of the solid foods available at her home. The outcome of the war has effected every individual in some form. And in her case, it's the loss of sleep and appetite, which have made her already thin, athletic-built even thinner.

She stared at the sluggish-looking girl in the mirror and spoke, "I will talk to her today."

The memories of her previous day's activities flooded her brain. She recalled how determined she had been when she exited her office at the hospital. Her squared-shoulders and confident stride towards the Hyuga Compound were still fresh in her mind's eye. She had gone to talk to Hinata about the whole clan elimination thing but as soon as she reached the main doors of the pale-eyed girl's house, the images of the young heiress's weeping face returned into her thoughts. She lifted her hand but found herself unable to knock so she did the best she could- she left the Hyuga Compounds without having any kind of conversation with Hinata Hyuga over the pressing matter of her clan.

Sakura punched the mirror with all her might, frustrated at the reflection of her own form, looking sadly at her. No more casualties can be afforded. She decided that even if the fate tries obstructing her goals, she will leap over and talk Hinata out of her sorrowful state for the sake of her vulnerable clan. Etching that agenda in her mind as the main goal of the day, she picked-up her tooth brush from the sideboard.

.

.

.

Sakura exited her hospital's office like every other day, locking the door behind her. She recalled her aim for the day- a convincing talk with Hinata. Today, she is not going to cower-away by the mere thought of the weeping face of the Hyuga Princess. Today she will woman-up and do what she must for the good of an entire clan.

She walked out of the hospital greeting every nurse and fellow doctors on her way.

As soon as she stepped down onto the stone pavement, she was pulled into a strangling embrace. When she was released from the tight hug, her gaze fell upon her childhood best friend's form. The blue-eyed beauty dragged the pinkette along with her on the sidewalk, in the direction of the Yamanaka Flower Shop. Sakura tried questioning her actions but the blonde didnot answer. With an eerie smile plastered on her face, Ino turned her head back at the huge building of the Konoha Medical Hospital and winked at a silhouetted figure on the rooftop of the building. A heavily-busted girl emerged from the shadows and winked back at the long, ponytailed girl. When the young Yamanaka Heiress turned back to face her bestie, the girl on the rooftop top vanished in a poof of smoke. Their plan is working pretty well. Now that Samui has done her part in guarding Sakura, its Ino's turn.

It was three in the afternoon and the sun was at its peak, shining fiercely in the sky. A tall, raven-haired man passed a hand through his dark locks and looked-up at the high building before him- The Hokage Tower. The man was summoned by his great grandfather to meet him for an important discussion at the said place. He sighed, wiping the sheen of sweat forming on his forehead because of the heat radiations from the sun. As if the hot temperature wasn't enough, his black sweatpants and equally matching T-shirt increased the heat even more. But still, this is the colour that suits his aloof persona, so it is best to wear these. Breathing out another sigh of irritation, he entered the Tower.

On reaching the top floor, he slammed-open the door that led to the office of the head of this village without even considering a polite knock. The man sitting on the chair before the desk only smirked at his behaviour and stood-up.

"Sasuke, I have been waiting for you." He spoke.

The young man scoffed, "What do you want, Madara?"

Another man present in the room, who had been completely ignored by Sasuke up until now walked over to him and spoke up, "Is this how you treat your elders?!"

The eldest amongst the three smirked even more. Both his grandsons are completely poles apart. They are nothing like each-other. One is a conceited, aloof, self-righteous youngster while the other is a middle-aged obedient sycophant. Both are strong enough to win against all odds yet when it comes to choosing one, Madara will nominate the younger one because even though he is a hot-headed man, Sasuke owns a perfect pair of Sharingan. Plus, he is well-acquainted with the hatred that comes with these eyes. Sasuke will be Madara's choice as a successor any day without any doubts.

"Did you find her, Sasuke?" Madara asked.

"Find who?" The younger one asked his own question.

Madara immediately understood that Sasuke is only playing with him. He knows what the whole deal is about but still wants to hear it from his great grandfather. Some guts he has.

"The girl that you've been looking for. Have you found her?" Madara asked the complete question this time.

"Not yet." came the curt response.

"Why you?! Behave yourselves infront of Madara-sama!" The other grandson scolded Sasuke again.

"I'm trying." Sasuke teased.

Although it may look like a normal banter between two blood-relatives but in case of the Uchihas, one must be very careful. Madara noticed the hostility in Sasuke's eyes and the glare of the other one. So, before their anger could escalate any further, he diffused the scene.

"Good Sasuke, for answering truthfully. You must find her by the end of this week. However I shall remind you that you only have two days and today before this week comes to an end. Hope this much time will be more than enough for you?" Madara asked in a firm voice.

"I will find her by tonight." Sasuke stated with an air of ego about his words and left the tower. If this is what he had been called here for, then it was a complete waste of his precious time.

The other man kept glaring at the youngest member of their prestigious clan leave without any sense of respect for their leader. No wonder Orochimaru took him in to join his lair of misfits.

"Obito" Madara called out and the man turned his gaze away from the door to face his great grandfather.

"Yes, Madara-sama?" He bowed.

"Don't worry too much about Sasuke's behaviour. He is exactly how I used to be." Madara said.

"I see. If this what you want from me then I will stop interfering in his matters." Obito bowed again.

"Hmm..." Madara nodded, "You may take your leave."

With that said Obito bowed once more to their clan's leader and left the Hokage's office.

"Man..we're getting nowhere with this." muttered an utterly bored Suigetsu.

His tall accompanist looked down at him with no hints of sympathy. He was not at all worried about the water-loving boy's boredom, he was more concerned about his master's constantly growing anger because of their failure in finding the woman he so desperately wants to see. If they don't find her by the end of this week then only fate knows what Sasuke has in store for them. It is important for them to do this to quell Sasuke's furious stature of mind.

"We need to find her." Juugo mumbled determinedly.

"But-"

Before Suigetsu could argue, Juugo stopped him and glanced at a building towards his left. Confused by his actions, Suigetsu also peeked out to assess the cause of Juugo's interest. It was an ordinary flower shop, one of those where you can search through or request for the bunch of your choice. What was so special about it, Suigetsu could not see.

He simply asked his tall partner, "What?"

Juugo's eyes squinted as he continued staring at the store, "Look at the Banner."

Suigetsu quirked his brows but then did as he was asked to and indeed, he too was just as dumbfounded as his fiery-haired comrade. There in pure Kanji, on the centre of the banner was the name of the shop, etched in big and concise letters: Yamanaka's Flower Shop. For a duration of full three and a half minutes their eyes remained glued to the banner. It felt like one of those experiences wherein you keep talking nonsense about something and suddenly that thing appears out of nowhere. Suigetsu took a huge gulp, not of the water stored in his small pack but of the anxiety and excitement building up in the pit of his belly.

"But I thought this civilian gossip was a...plain rumour." Suigetsu mutter confusedly.

"But seems like...it is true afterall." Juugo muttered back.

Unconsciously, their legs initiated the short jog towards the shop, halting only when they reached right at its door. If the civilians were sure about sighting a pink-haired female at the Yamanaka's Flower Shop, then maybe this is the evidence that they had been waiting for. Both of them exchanged a glance and nodded their heads before pushing-open the door to the shop.

Sakura sighed for the umpteenth time as she stared at the customers searching through the different assortments of flowers to find the perfect ones for their loved ones. She wanted to lash-out at her best friend for dragging her unwillingly to the Flower Shop owned by her parents. She was so determined to talk Hinata into helping them out for the Mission of the FoK but Ino kept ignoring her. So now here she is, helping her friend with handling the shop.

To calm her worried soul, Ino also informed her that the meeting of the FoK has been shifted to 12 o' clock midnight for some unknown reason. This provided Sakura a breath of relief and she rejoiced at the thought that still has a lot of time to convince Hinata and then bring her along to join the meeting held tonight. But then, her goal will only turn into a reality if she ever manages to sneak out of this shop without being noticed by her chirpy best friend.

"Excuse me, can you help me find the Lilacs?" A man asked her.

She walked around the counter and guided the man towards the flowers he had asked for. Ino was busy in the backyard, helping out some customers with a few exotic varieties of shrubs. Sakura's intuition told her to use this moment to her advantage and attempt her escapade.

She recalled the way Samui had called her a 'bitch' and how Tenten was angry at her for failing in being able to bring Hinata to their previous meeting. Not only that, everyone else present there was also slightly disappointed by her. She needs to get over the label of being 'weak'. And for this sole purpose, she is going to milk Hinata into joining the FoK. She took a long breath to calm her quivering heart and decided to leave the shop.

As she lifted her legs to make a dash out of the shop, she heard the door to the shop being pushed open. For some reason, she felt her intuition poking her to have a peak at the incoming customers. She excused herself from the man examining the lilacs and walked to the door, making sure there were no flaws in her henge that could lead her into trouble. In a flash, she found herself hurled onto the cold, wooden floor and gasped.

A/N: So this is it for the fourth chapter of A Chance at Redemption. I know it ended kind of like a cliff-hanger but I'll update soon.

This time the Opening Quote is given to Sai. I don't really know if anyone's even reading them but anyways XD

So what do you think of all these events revolving directly or indirectly around Sakura?

Hope you enjoyed reading this chapter.

Like/Reblog/Share

*NEXT CHAPTER WILL POSTED WHEN THIS ONE REACHES 20 NOTES.

Much Love

~Manika

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[itslulu42]

The Scroll (pt 1)

Part Fifteen of Ninja Dorks Flailing at Interpersonal Relations

Emotions are running high in this chapter!

One | Previous

FIFTEEN

"What the fuck?" Sakura wrenched her hand from Sasuke's grasp.  "You didn’t ask me if we should get married.  Where did you come up with this idea?"

The only reaction was the slight crinkling of Sasuke's brow.  "You mentioned it this morning."  He turned away from her and to the village leader.  "You'll have to excuse her."

Sakura gasped as her belly burning with embarrassment and humiliation.  The only thing that kept her from punching Sasuke to the next mountain was the light shade of pink his face was turning.

"Maybe you two need to talk it out."  Yasuo frantically shooed away a group bringing a platform to the front of the crowd

“That’s not necessary,” replied Sasuke.  “Sakura has always wanted to marry me.”

The terrible truth of his statement pushed Sakura to her breaking point.   Not wanting to have the argument in the middle of the village, Sakura lunged for Sasuke.  He grunted in surprise as she threw wrapped her arms around his midsection.  She channeled her chakra down her legs as she crouched down.  Sasuke was half-tossed over her shoulder as she gave a terrific leap into the air.  

The village shrunk to meaningless dot as Sasuke's cloak whipped around them.  She let go of Sasuke when the cloak wrapped around her head, but she kept a steady hand on them as the approached the surface of the adjacent mountain.  They landed in tandem on the cliffside and separated to face each other.  

"Was that necessary?"  Sasuke tugged at the cloak around his shoulder to straighten it.  

"You don't want to have this conversation in public," Sakura said as she resisted the urge to stamp her foot.  "Why did you think I wanted to get married?"

"You were talking about it this morning."

"Yes!  Because I was talking about Naruto's wedding.  I wasn’t asking to elope with you!"

Sasuke furrowed his brow. "I don’t understand why you are so upset.  You said the only thing that you needed at your wedding was the man you are going to marry."

Sakura clasped her hand together and brought them to her chest.  "I said that it was the only thing I needed at my wedding, but I want more than that, Sasuke!"

Sasuke huffed. "You should make up your mind."

"Sasuke, I don't want to marry you!"

The scream echoed in the empty mountainside and Sakura hoped that it didn't carry far enough to that they could hear it in the village.

Sasuke furrowed his brow in confusion.  "What?"

Sakura threw her hands up into the air.  "Sasuke... we can't get married.  You’re not ready to be married.  You came up with the idea because of Naruto.   And I’m not going to be a part of your stupid friendship where you always try to one-up each other.  I thought you learned your lesson when you lost your arm!”

Sasuke drew back in anger and Sakura knew she had pushed him too far.  "I'm the one that suggested we get married.  You're the one that opposes the idea."  

The only warning Sakura had was a small spike of chakra before Sasuke vanished.  Angry, Sakura tossed her pack against the cliff wall and then marched over to join it.  The sun had only been in the sky for a couple of hours and it was already burning at her skin.  She sat down once next to her pack in the shaded area.  "It figures that he would leave now."  She punched the rock next to her and turned it into dust.

What was she going to do? Was Sasuke coming back for her? Did he just need some time to cool off before he would return?  How long should she wait for him?

Sakura had not hesitated when Sasuke asked her to join him on his travel, happy that they were on the same page.  Sakura had imagined her relationship with Sasuke a hundred times.  She had dreamt of bringing Sasuke over to her parents’ house for dinner.  She imagined chatting with Ino as they picked out flowers for the bouquet.  She had visions of an incredibly smashed Tsunade in the corner of their small wedding reception.  She had never imagined getting married in the middle of a mountain town with little warning and no friends.

Sasuke said he was ready to married Sakura, but it didn’t feel like it.  It was impossible to deny the feelings she had for Sasuke, but she was tired of waiting for him.  She tired of feeling alone even when she was in his company.  Yes, he had returned to the village specifically for her.  He had kissed her, but he had yet to say he loved her. He rarely initiated conversation with her, leaving Sakura with the pressure of filling the silence, carefully choosing her words in his presence.  The one time Sakura spoke unrestrained caused Sasuke to run off rather than hearing to her words.

Naruto would have pestered her until she was forced to admit what was bothering her.  Ino would have invited her to go out and Sakura would have shared her story willingly.  Kakashi would have...

Sakura bit her tongue. It was unfair to compare Kakashi and Sasuke to each other, and she had done her best to dismiss any thoughts of Kakashi after Pakkun’s scolding.  But she missed him.  She missed his bed.  She missed waking up with a snoring dog at her feet as stood in the bedroom doorway to call her to breakfast.  She missed sitting on his couch as she watched TV while he read a book next to her for companionship.  She admired his commitment and his selflessness.   He gave nothing less than everything for the village.  

Sakura dug into her belongings searching for the scroll Kakashi had sent, eager for a reminder of home.  Her fingers traced over the wax seal, her finger catching in the bite mark left behind by Pakkun's teeth.  Trembling, Sakura broke the seal and unfurled the scroll.  A small note fell out, and Sakura lifted it to read.

Konoha will always be your home when you are ready to come back.  Take care. 

Yours, 

Kakashi

Sakura crinkled the note in her hand, hating the disappointment blooming in her chest because of her own greed.  Thanks to Tsunade and Pakkun, Sakura had begun to think there might have been something between two of them.  She had built up the message in her head into some grandiose statement only to be met with more disappointment.

Kakashi was a man, someone who had a lifetime of grief before she was even born.  What would he want with a silly girl like her, someone who had run off her with her childhood crush because she couldn’t see beyond the stars in her eyes?

Foolish

Sakura dug through her belongings for a water bottle when Sasuke reappeared.  Sakura returned the half-opened scroll in her bag.  “Where did you go?”  

“I had to return to the village to tell them there wasn’t a ceremony,” Sasuke replied.  “It was humiliating.”

“Join the club.” Sakura wiped the tears off her face and took a long drink of water before speaking.  “Sasuke, why do you want to marry me?”  

“You’re strong and you can take care of yourself.  You’ve always wanted to be with me.  I never have to worry about you if we are apart.”  He shrugged.  “Since Naruto was getting married I thought it was our time.”

“I see.”  And Sakura did.  

Back in Konoha, Sai was constantly reading psychology books so he could be with Ino.  Shikamaru was studying treaties and navigating a political minefield so he could be with Temari.  Sasuke loved her enough to marry her, but not enough to want to take care of her.  He wanted to give her a relationship but didn’t understand the responsibilities of being in one.  Would he ever be ready?

Looking at his face, at his cool compose expression, she wasn’t certain.  He was so calm while her longest-held dream fell apart.

“Sasuke, this isn’t working.”

“I don’t understand. Why does it matter when we get married when this is what you have always wanted?”  

“Sasuke, you want to marry me because of Naruto, because I’m a convenient choice because I can stand on my own two feet.  But you there was only one answer that you needed to say, and that is because you love me.”  Sakura pressed her hands against her mouth to hold back her sob, squeezing her eyes shut. “Sasuke, you didn’t even think about saying it.”

“You don’t want me.” Sasuke placed his hand on his sword and Sakura tensed before she realized the only fidgeting.  “Am I not enough?”  For the first time, she saw his confidence waiver.  

Sakura turned her back to him, unable to bear the hurt expression on his face.  She could no longer hold back her tears as she began to sob in earnest.  Through it, she waited for Sasuke’s to reach for her, to feel his hand on her back, to hear his voice.  She only cried harder by his absence.

Sakura was able to speak again when her body wrung dry of tears.  Sasuke had sat down during her breakdown on a nearby rock, pulling at a thread on the bottom of his shirt.  Sakura returned the empty water bottle in her bag.

“Sasuke, I’m the greatest medic-nin in the world.  My place is in a hospital, where I can make medical advancements so every country can benefit.  I understand why you’re out here, I really do, but I belong in Konoha.  If I were to ask you to live there with me, would you do it?”

Again, she was met with silence, but the minute reactions on Sasuke’s face told its own story.  He was finally catching on to her point.  

“Konoha, the village, hasn’t felt like home in a long time, Sakura.”  His hand vanished under his cloak to rub at what remained of his left arm.

“I know.”  Sakura nodded her head, “I know.  I think I want more than what you want to give and it’s not fair to either of us.  One of us is always going to be disappointed.”

Sasuke gave a soft laugh. “I’m trying to remember a time when you didn’t have a crush on me.”

Sakura stood up to give him hug, her words muffled by his clothing.  “Idiot.  I don’t have a crush on you.  I love you. I think you’re brave and strong, and what you’re doing is incredible.  But we don’t belong together.”

“Can I ask for your help if I need it?”  Sasuke removed himself from his grasp.

“Of course,” replied Sakura as she gave him a soft smile, “but you won’t.”

Sasuke raised his hand, hovering in mid-air as he tried to decide what to do.  He finally settled for patting her on the shoulder as a goodbye. Sakura turned away, grabbed her things, and used the body flicker technique to leave Sasuke before she lost her courage.  She wasn’t going to watch him walk away this time.

Part Sixteen

[roraewrites]

twenty

[ sakura’s secret ] rating: m

// another update for being such good people. thank you all :)

previous | next

“Thanks for helping out around the house.” Kizashi grunted as he flung the snow from his shovel over his back. Sakura smiled as she did the same. Of course the gray clouds overhead decided to dump snow for three days straight, never giving up.

Sakura had helped her father around the house, shoveling snow from the driveway and from the sidewalk, or helped her mother with prepping dinner and keeping the house clean throughout the day. Eventually when the snow would quit falling and she’d run out of things to do. Even now with cleaning the house everyday, she was only sweeping and dusting imaginary dirt at that point in time.

She huffed and grunted one last time and she threw her last shovel full of snow. The driveway was now clear again -- until tomorrow, that is -- and she had nothing else to do that day. She enjoyed keeping her mind busy and preoccupied. Sakura stayed away from her phone as much as she possibly could lately, hating that her mind still focused on Sasuke as much as it did.

“Wanna grab a bite to eat?” Kizashi muttered from beneath his jacket as they walked inside. The snow from their boots fell to the porch, trying to hang on to the cold grasp from outside, but eventually began to melt when the heat from inside came oozing out.

“Where?” Sakura asked in return as she removed her beanie and began to undo her boots. Her hands were completely numb and her arms throbbed as she removed her jacket and inhaled deeply. It felt so warm and relaxing inside, all she wanted to do was take a nap now.

“We can go for bagels and hot chocolate down at the coffee house?” He offered with sincere eyes, and upon his offer, Sakura grinned and nodded her head. The bagels they made there were perfect, and they always put the perfect amount of cream cheese on them too.

Her father pulled his car out of the garage and the two of them began their way towards the little shop. It seemed that everyone else that lived on their street had began to shovel their driveways out as well, for all they could see were mounds of snow flying up in the air and over the snow berms.

Kizashi pulled right up in front of the shop, and as he hopped out, Sakura did as well. She could already smell the banana bread, donuts, bagels and every other baked good that awaited her from the inside. When they walked in, she inhaled the sweet, savory flavors and exhaled slowly.

“It always smells great in here,” she pointed out as they headed towards the front counter.

“Two hot chocolates and two bagels.” Kizashi ordered while he waved Sakura off to find a booth. The coffee house was typically overflowing with people after Christmas, but this time around, there seemed to be less than usual.

Sakura scooted into an open booth and pulled her phone from her pocket. She had been expecting a text from Ino, seeing as tomorrow night they’d be attending a New Year’s party. The only message she saw made her frown while her pulse began to throb.

It was another message from Sasuke, and as much as she wanted to tell him to kick rocks, she also wanted to see his gorgeous face.

Can you call me?

She pursed her lips before typing her response. She felt both nervous and excited to talk to him after it being a week without speaking. She craved his touch and to hear his voice, but she was also still disgusted with the fact that she didn’t know who exactly he had been with.

When I have time.

She kept her words short and stern, and by the time she finished placing her phone back in the pocket of her jacket, her father was walking to their table with their drinks in his hands. “They’re warming up the bagels, they’ll be right out.”

Sakura didn’t like the way his teal eyes watched her, and instead of asking him what he was doing, he was the first to speak. “Everything okay?”

Sakura nodded as she took her cup from his hand. The porcelain was warm from the liquids inside, and before she took a drink, she decided it best to let it cool off a bit longer.

“You just seem out of sorts lately.” His eyes finally averted from her gaze as he looked out the window. It was a complete winter wonderland. “How’s the boy you’ve been talking to lately?”

“Um,” Sakura stuttered. “Fine.”

Kizashi’s eyebrow arched at her answer; he clearly didn’t believe her. Instead of pushing the subject, he sighed and leaned forward until his forearms held his weight and his fingers intertwined with one another.

“I can tell when you’re lying.”

Sakura should’ve known that. Her father might’ve been an odd character, but he always paid attention to the little things in life. She didn’t want to ask ‘why’ because she knew what she did when she lied. Instead of looking someone straight in the eyes and lying, she’d look to the center of their forehead and concentrate on that spot.

“Why does it matter?” She asked before she took a drink. “It’s just a silly, not really official relationship. Just a thing, it shouldn’t matter.” It took all she had to convince herself of that, but on the inside, she could feel her heart growing heavy while a lump appeared in her throat.

The two of them fell quiet afterwards, and just in time for one of the employees to bring them each a bagel with cream cheese. Kizashi ate his almost as quickly as Sakura did, and before they knew it, they were each sitting on their own side of the table, staring each other in the eyes.

“I know it’s something you shouldn’t talk your father about, but I’m just concerned about my daughter.” He spoke once more, and Sakura knew that that would be the last of that conversation.

Sakura nodded her head, grabbed her cup and they began to walk out of the building side by side. Maybe she’d get ahold of Karin and spend the rest of the day with her.

.

.

.

“I hate snow.” She spoke from behind Sakura. Karin had wanted to practice braids, and with Sakura’s hair growing longer with each passing month, she was perfect to practice on. The redhead had finished a cute, lopsided fish tail with Sakura’s pastel tresses. Quiet music played from her laptop nearby, and when Sakura stood from her floor, she flopped down beside Karin on her bed.

“How was your Christmas?” Sakura asked with a quiet tone. Karin didn’t respond right away, instead a low grumble came from her throat which caught Sakura’s attention.

“It was alright,” she murmured before letting her ruby eyes find Sakura’s eyes. “Not a lot happened.”

She wasn’t sure what to say now, but instead of continuing with that topic, Sakura rolled to her back and sighed. “Mine was alright. We had breakfast, went to the parade and then just wandered through Old Konoha--”

“Is it pretty there?”

“Old Konoha?” Sakura’s slender brow raised in question.

Karin nodded in silence.

“Yes. Especially during spring time. The cherry blossoms start to bloom and it’s one of my most favorite things to go to. There’s a festival and lots to do! You’ve never been?” Sakura readjusted in her bed so she could see Karin’s entire face; pale yet gorgeous. The curves that formed her cheeks was something every girl envied, and even the way her hair fell was something unique yet satisfying.

“Well when it starts up, maybe we can go.” Most times kids would gather for the fair that would take place in town, while couples would go and enjoy the romantic views from the hill tops. Either way, it was an event that the entire town would attend, and it was always huge.

“I’d like that,” Karin responded with hard eyes and a gentle smile. Sometimes it was hard for Sakura to get through to her, but in the end, she enjoyed her time with the Uzumaki. While the two girls conversed in Sakura’s room and somewhat watched a movie on Sakura’s laptop, she felt her phone vibrate from her nightstand and when she grabbed it, she noticed Sasuke’s codename light up on the screen.

“What?” Karin asked, her tone firm and eyes narrowed slightly.

Sakura glanced up at Karin, her lips parted and viridian eyes wide with curiosity. “Oh? It’s nothing!”

“That’s not nothing. You’re blushing, Pinky.” Karin’s gentle smirk came to rest on her lips, and while Sakura felt vulnerable underneath her fiery gaze, she refused to give in.

“I always blush,” Sakura muttered underneath her breath before she opened the text. It was a little after ten at night now and she still hadn’t called Sasuke. It wasn’t like she had promised that she would call him today, she only said when she had time that she would call him.

Sleep well, Sakura.

It was plain and simple, unlike Sasuke who was such a mystery but there was just something about him that drew Sakura in and she just couldn’t put her finger on it. No matter what she did or where she went, he was always on her mind or popping up in front of her. It was odd, but she also found it appealing in some sort of weird way. She shrugged the thought off before putting her phone to the side.

“Did Ino ever get ahold of you?” Sakura changed the subject, trying to distract her mind and rid the dusted shade of red from her cheeks.

“About the party tomorrow?” Karin grinned. “She did. It’ll be rad!”

Sakura smiled at Karin. Her eyes had come to life and that wide smile made Sakura feel butterflies in her stomach. It wasn’t always that the redhead would smile like that, but when she did, it made Sakura feel something like fire coarse through her veins.

“It shall.” Sakura agreed.

.

.

.

“Pancakes, sausage, eggs and hashbrowns for breakfast, girls!” Mebuki called up the stairs.

Sakura was hardly awake when her mother’s familiar voice rang through her ears. To her surprise, both her and Karin had fallen asleep on her bed while her laptop still played through a random show that came on automatically. She exited out of the Hulu app, turned her laptop off and placed it in its case. Soon, her hand came to rest on Karin’s shoulder.

“Hey, you hungry?” She spoke in a groggy voice. Sakura gently shook her friend awake, and when she finally caused Karin to stir, the redhead’s fiery eyes tried to focus in on Sakura. It didn’t occur to her just how different she looked without her glasses on.

“I could eat,” she returned as she placed her glasses on over her nose and began to sit up. They both made their way down stairs with cautious steps and sleepy eyes, only to be greeted by a stack of pancakes, white porcelain plates and the overwhelming scent of black coffee.

“There’s plenty there, so eat up!”

After all four of them finished up with their breakfast, they began to take their plates to the sink before rinsing the syrup and grease from their plate and placing them in the dishwasher.

“Do you two have any plans tonight?” Kizashi asked from the kitchen table. His face had been stuck in the newspaper the entire time throughout breakfast, and when he finally lowered it, Sakura scoffed at the fact that he had been reading the morning comics.

“Really, dad?” Sakura smiled as her eyes fell to the page. He shrugged before she rolled her eyes playfully. “We’re going out with Ino and Naruto. Not sure when yet.”

“Well just let us know. If you need a ride, you call us. Got it?” Mebuki’s tone was firm, her eyes serious and hardened over with that motherly look that Sakura was all too familiar with.

“Of course,” Karin chimed in with a small smile.

.

.

.

Like usual, Naruto picked all the girls up and they all piled in his car and he drove them off to the location for the party. To Sakura’s surprise, it was closer to downtown Konoha and extremely close to Sasuke’s condo. Being that close to him caused Sakura’s heart to race, but instead of dwelling, she sunk back into her conversation with her friends.

She had picked a black dress that was fitting and very casual for the night. It came to hug against the middle of her thighs, and even Karin had commented that it wasn’t too long, yet it wasn’t too short. With a shrug, she slipped on a pair of black ankle high heels and found some jewelry that would go along with it; the dark gray cardigan that Karin pulled out of her closet matched her heels, and within seconds, she was ready for the night.

Karin redid her hair that night as well, braiding it down the side, clipping her bangs to the side while Sakura curled her rose quartz locks, letting each strand fall with a bounce. Karin allowed Sakura to curl her hair as well, taming the red locks of hair that inhabited her head.

With each girl all dolled up and looking cute for the night, they were now in the car and pulling up to the selected party house for the night.

“This is it?” Karin asked from the backseat, next to Sakura.

“It might not look like much, but it’s killer on the inside!”

“Who’s house?” Ino asked.

“Sai’s. You know Sai,” Naruto jabbed at her with a shit eating grin. Ino playfully punched his arm before turning around and facing Sakura and Karin.

“Alright girls. Who’s going to be your New Year’s kiss?” Ino’s smile was dangerous and it made Sakura’s stomach somersault just thinking about it. Neither of them answered, which caused Ino to frown and roll her eyes. “Fine. Mine is definitely going to be Sai.”

Her baby blue eyes shot back to Naruto, dangerous and wild as he shrugged and shook his head. “I could’ve told them that.”

“Whatever, Loudmouth! Let’s go.”

Sakura laughed at her friends and exited through her door. The four of them embraced the cool night air as they began to walk down the road. It was always like Naruto to park a couple blocks away -- in case of cops. Tonight would be different, Sakura thought. They ever partied this close to downtown, and as they walked up on the entrance to Sai’s house, they were greeted by his fake, eerie smile and dark orbs.

“Welcome,” he greeted and casually stepped aside. “I see you’ve got a lot going on for you tonight, Naruto. You sure you can handle all of them at once?”

Ino laughed louder than she had meant to, and Sakura scoffed. Karin’s face flushed completely red, a darker shade than her hair as they walked through the door. Naruto on the other hand had his hands balled into fists while his azure eyes burned with anger.

“You bastard.”

While the front room looked like a complete masterpiece, there was nobody around. No music, no drinks, no food, nothing. Sakura took in her surroundings, memorizing the staircase that led upstairs and how the kitchen was located just off the front room.

“We’ll be downstairs.” Sai answered casually, and with that, he led the way from the front door and towards a door that was located farther back in the house. It was completely blowing Sakura’s mind that she still hadn’t heard a single voice or sound of music, but the second Sai opened the door, a staircase was revealed, and the faint pounding of bass sounded through her ears.

“These walls are really soundproof, eh?” Karin asked before rasping her knuckles against the wooden walls.

“That’s what happens when you grow up in a family of artists.”

The five of them began their adventure down the stairs and through another room about the size of the entry way. Alas, when Sai opened the door, they were in a large basement and welcomed by flashing, strobe lights and thunderous music. The amount of people that filled the room amazed Sakura, and one by one, they began to file in.

“This is amazing!” Ino cooed from beside Sai. He simply nodded before pointing towards the bar that resided on the left side of the room.

“Alcohol is over there. If we run out, then we run out.”

His monotone voice was finally drowned out by all the different noises, and one by one, the four of them began to drink their drinks. Time began to fly by with each drink that Sakura downed, and instead of trying to relax and enjoy the party, she felt her heart throb with more pain after every drink.

By the time eleven-thirty rolled around, she felt absolutely exhausted. Her feet hurt from all the walking around and dancing that their small group had been doing, and instead of withstanding the pain, she resorted to quieter place and began to rub out her aching feet.

“Everything okay?” A deep, raspy voice sounded from behind her.

Her eyes could hardly make out who it was, but instead of answering, she scoffed. “Everyone seems to be asking that lately. It’s getting annoying.” She had loose lips thanks to the alcohol and she immediately regretted her bitchy comment.

“Well, you’re over here and not with the party. Plus you’re rubbing your feet.”

“Who even are you?” Sakura dropped her foot from her lap and turned to the find the mysterious voice. She had heard it somewhere before, and to her surprise, it belonged to Kiba. “Oh.”

His toothy smirk sent chills down her spine, and the way his dark brown eyes settled on her made her cheeks heat with a blush.

“Feeling sassy tonight?” He teased lightly. Sakura only scoffed once more before she rolled her eyes. Although she had never really talked to Kiba, it was nice to converse with someone in a somewhat quiet and relaxed atmosphere. Even with the slight sting of alcohol coursing through her veins, she felt her body begin to relax in Kiba’s presence.

“It’s just been a rough week.” It was the first time she had answered someone with complete and utter honesty, and to almost a complete stranger. Again, alcohol seemed to have that effect on her, causing her to do things without thinking them through first.

“I feel ya,” Kiba grinned while he scratched the back of his head. “Say, I see you around at parties but never actually have the time to talk. Crazy, right?”

“That, or you’re just trying to get lucky tonight.” Sakura smiled at her ‘sassiness’ and watched as Kiba’s eyes widened and his cheeks glowed with a faint tint of red.

“No, that’s not--”

“Chill! I’m only kidding,” Sakura giggled. When she slipped her heels back on over her feet, she stood to meet his standing form and offered a gentle smile. “I’ll see you around.” With that, Sakura made her way back towards Ino, Naruto and Karin and greeted them with an ear to ear grin.

“Hooking up with Kiba?” Ino shouted over the music.

“Hell no,” Sakura laughed back. The last thing she wanted tonight was to think about guys and their silly ways. Her heart still throbbed for Sasuke after all, and if she was going to be hooking up with any guys, it would be him. But she had sworn him off, due to his selfish and arrogant ways, now here she was, at another party with her friends and a potential guy that had taken interest in her.

Sakura had decided that she was done with drinking after her talk with Kiba. The last thing she wanted was for something to happen and internally destroy her life and draw her down. Although she had her friends there with her and they would never let anything happen to her, Sakura didn’t want them to have to put their night on hold just to babysit their little pink haired friend.

It was only five minutes away from midnight now, and while the music continued to blare on, Sakura began to exit the room and climb the steps up to the main floor of Sai’s home. She immediately vanished through the front door and out into the fresh midnight air. People continued to scatter the streets, and it was only a matter of a couple minutes before the countdown started and lips began to lock on one another.

Sakura exhaled hard as she took a seat on the concrete steps and hugged her arms around her body. Her curled locks fell down in front of her face as she leaned over and concentrated on the snow that lined the streets. Everything felt cold around her now as she melted into the cool air. Finally, she could hear yelling from down the street, each voice counting down from ten and it echoed throughout the tall buildings and car filled streets.

She smiled to herself and acknowledged that this upcoming year would be her time to shine. She would move out of her parent’s home, start college and eventually meet a new guy that wouldn’t go against her trust. Sakura finally felt her eyes start to burn as tears pricked the corners of her eyes. She refused to cry, refused to give in to the sadness in her heart, and it was when she heard the final number echo throughout the street that her phone began to ring violently.

“Hello?” She answered immediately without looking at the caller ID.

“Sakura,” his voice gasped into the phone. Her heart was in her throat, hearing his voice sound so panicked, yet the way he spoke her name sounded all too slurred and it stirred worry in her stomach.

“What’s wrong, Sasuke?” She asked immediately. Sakura was no longer sitting, but she was on her feet and pacing back and forth. The cold air no longer had an effect on her as she bit her lip and waited for his answer.

“Come here.”

She frowned at his response. “Where are you?” She asked once more, her tone firm and voice low and hard. There was something wrong with the way he spoke, and as much as Sakura hated the fact that he had called and she had answered, she needed to face him and figure out what exactly was wrong with him. Whether he was lying in the street hurt somewhere or lost, there was something wrong with his voice.

“The bar by my home. I want to go home--but I’m so--”

His voice cut off, as did his phone. The call dropped and Sakura felt immediately sick to her stomach. She was no longer pacing around in front of Sai’s home, but running down the slick and icy sidewalks.

Viridian eyes began to scan for the building that Sasuke’s home resided in, and the second she found it, she began to search her surroundings for a bar and for a guy that was stumbling around outside.

“Fucking hell, Sasuke.” She cursed to herself. Of course, the one night that he called her was on New Year’s when plenty of people roamed the streets at midnight. This was going to be near impossible, but whenever it was Sakura that needed help, he was almost always there immediately.

Her heeled feet carried her down the busy streets, and although many men had made rather vulgar and disgusting comments towards her, she continued her search for Sasuke. Bar after bar, stranger after stranger, she searched everywhere. Sakura finally glanced at her phone and felt her stomach flip upside down when she saw that time had been ticking by. It was now twelve-forty-five and still no sign of Sasuke.

Sakura was now almost to his building, and finally she found him. His back was leaned up against the building while he sat on the cold, hard ground and came to rest his head on the wall. He looked exhausted, almost like he was sleeping when Sakura ran up to him.

“What the hell, Sasuke!” She started, her eyes wide and her chest heaving with anger when she was nearly to him. His head snapped in her direction and she couldn’t see those dark, alluring eyes that she had grown all too familiar with, but the second she marched right up to him, she had her finger poked into his chest while tears rimmed her eyes.

“I thought you were fucking hurt or something happened to you! You can’t just do that. You can’t just tell me to come here and tell me you’re somewhere that you’re not! You can’t just--”

Sasuke’s arms had come to wrap around her, his lips pressing to hers all too fast and her mind was now in a whirlwind of thoughts. His scent surrounded her, she could taste the alcohol on his tongue the second it slipped passed her lips, and the way his body felt against hers was everything she wanted, everything she needed -- just not now.

Sakura pulled away, and Sasuke stopped. Instead of continuing what he wanted to do, he exhaled deeply and allowed his eyes to close. In the dark of the night, under the light that provided light to the residents that lived in the building, they stood in silence and comfort in one another’s arms.

His head rested against hers, while her arms wrapped around his waist. Sakura could hardly breathe, but with Sasuke safe in her arms, she finally inhaled, then exhaled her relief.

“I was so scared,” she muttered, “don’t do that ever again.”

[maya-and-world]

About me, him, us

A little thing a did after watching the last episode of Naruto. Things can be a little out of character, but I really liked writing it.

Pairing: SasuSaku

Rating: free for all ages ^^

                                   -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"Please allow me to do this, Kakashi-sensei."

Sakura thought and reconsidered on this topic for a long time until she was able to make this request to the Hokage. Determination and longing moved her. Love made her make the final decision.

How did it go until she got there, in front of her sensei and said those words? The days were bitter, full of feelings that made her feel terrible: poor friend, terrible daughter, poor student, bad doctor, terrible ninja.

It started on Naruto's wedding day. No, she knew she had started well before that, but she was uncertain whether the start was two years ago or since her thirteen. However, Sakura felt the emptiness at her side and in her life when her friend got married. She was there alone. Sasuke was present in memories. Also wrong. Sasuke was there in his own way, distant, watching, not forgetting and not being forgotten. He had even sent a congratulatory message to Naruto and Hinata. How thoughtful... A sweetness that made Haruno smile. And then suffer from longing. He could be there, could not he? What was keeping Sasuke from meeting others on such a special day?

And with that thought, her resolution was born.

"I wish you both happiness" Sakura told the newlyweds after the exchange of the marriage vows. Naruto grinned, his trademark smile. It pleased Sakura so much that her friend was happy beside someone who he loved and loved him in return. The same was true for Hinata. Sakura knew and recognized much of Hinata's love for Naruto. A love that was kept in the dark, sprouted tenderly for a long time, which took time to be brought to the surface. Wonderfully, for Hinata, not only was she rewarded, her love grew and bore fruit. A marriage, a family, an  eternal happiness.

"Hinata," Sakura called out. "If Naruto makes you cry - no, if he makes you sad for a second, tell me. I will remind him how lovely and precious his wife is". Naruto complained, saying he would not make mistakes. In the end, the three of them laughed. The Uzumaki family would be happy, Sakura knew.

Sakura remembered what she had saved. "Here. A gift to you". She held out the note. Naruto's curious blue eyes instantly recognized the message and the owner of it, reflecting the emotion of his best friend's memory.

"Did you meet him, Sakura-chan?" Naruto questioned as he handed the note to his wife.

"No. Sasuke-kun sent through a hawk" she shrugged, trying to keep her best smile. She and Hinata noticed the slight disappointment when Naruto let out an "ah, I understand". But his next speech surprised by its positivism.

"Got it. He sent the hawk to you, Sakura-chan... I wonder why... ".

Naruto was sensitive, Sakura had to recognize, to cheer her up with the suggestion hidden in his words. Smiles, lively conversations and lots of photos filled the rest of the day. And while Sakura genuinely enjoyed herself, part of her blamed herself for not forgetting that feeling.

"I'm a horrible friend" she told herself, after all, as a special celebration of the beginning of a new family took place, there she was, envying. And it was not just with Naruto and Hinata. It was also with Ino and Sai, Temari and Shikamaru. It was not envy for the party or the wedding to be the subject of the ninja world. It was not the admiration caused by the beauty of the couple or the shame felt by the hands held together and the complacent smiles. It was just... Sasuke was not there. All that she would easily trade only for his – physical – presence.

After going home, while changing to go to sleep, the thought of earlier was once again explored. What was keeping Sasuke from meeting others on such a special day? She did not understand. Two years was not enough? What else was there in the world to see? To understand? Sasuke did not disconnect from the village. She heard about his presence in Konoha during the Toneri incident. Sasuke appeared in the vicinity when she resolved the impasses with Kido and no one would convince her otherwise. He was there. She knew. He became involved with all that torment that was with the explosive people. He sent a message to Naruto. And even after all this, why not come back home? She really could not understand.

She did not understand.

She did not understand.

That was it. In the end, she did not fully understand Sasuke. Lying on her bed, Sakura reflected on the abysm between her and the Uchiha. Pretentious she was when she believed she understood Sasuke's heart. She did not deny that there was a part of him she knew about, but there was a lot to get in touch with. "If he was here, it would help. We could talk" Sakura muttered to herself.

But ... Was his presence really necessary?

Sasuke was spending his days exploring the world. What was so fascinating and mysterious about the outside of Konoha that kept him so amused? Taking him away from home, her, and Naruto?

Maybe, just maybe, she should understand this first.

                                                   .....

What was only a 'maybe', an ethereal possibility, was increasing, taking root and becoming an indestructible decision. However, it involved other things. It involved leaving her hospital and her children. Leave her parents, her friends, the village. Everything. And it weighed heavily. The weight came because every time Sakura decided to leave everything, she remembered Sasuke, how he lost everything once. With Sasuke, she learned the unspeakable value of friends and family. And she wondered, then, how he would feel to know that she had left such treasures aside for a trip that had him as one of the reasons - or the main one.

It was hard to face Ino and her parents in the last few days. It was hard to bring smiles to her lips and happiness to her eyes. They were there, but... Sakura felt so... Dislocated. That was how she started to define herself for days. Things were no longer in their tracks and she just wanted to... Run away. Get out there, breathe. Breathe a new air, find peace.

She managed to get out of the hospital and went to see Tsunade. Talk. Expose herself. Unburden. Advise herself. It was not like she did not trust her mother or Ino. Her feelings, at that moment, were not comfortable to be shared. Just as she was to Tsunade decided to become the sannin’s student and a doctor, it just seemed right to go to the old Hokage to advise about leaving everything.

Tsunade listened to each word carefully. Shizune too. "Just to see, to feel, to understand" was the justification that Sakura used and that showed all the restlessness in her heart. Shizune highlighted a phrase spoken in the monologue pronounced by Sakura. "How can I offer comfort when I know nothing?" Tsunade nodded and realized what her student was feeling. Sakura just wanted to be at the same level as Sasuke, not physical, but emotional. That was how couples acted - even though the two were not officially one.

"Once you came determined to become my student. Today, I see the same resolution in your eyes. The difference is that before you came because of Naruto and Sasuke. Today you came for you and Sasuke. Go. You are an adult and know how to protect yourself. Do not let him escape".

Sakura thanked her immensely for the words and the support for that madness. Her next path was to the Hokage room. Yes, to the Hokage and not to her parents. She would only tell about her decision if she was allowed to leave. She would not be so stupid to suddenly disappear. She would not go if Kakashi would not allowed her to. She was a ninja and her medical services were important.

Kakashi was surprised by the visit, but he did not dislike it. Sakura was a good sight for his tired eyes of paperwork. The Hokage questioned the reason for his student's presence, internally wondering what problem had arisen.

Sakura calmly explained her decision and her motives that led to such. Bowing, she asked. "Please allow me do this, Kakashi-sensei." The silence of her teacher made Sakura look up again. No answer was bad or good?

"I already have one of you venturing out there. And now you want to do the same? "The white-haired man asked with a false irritation.

"Sasuke-kun is not here, Sai is always on mission and Naruto now has his family with Hinata. Are you afraid of feeling lonely if I leave?" The rejoinder came with amused laughter.

"What if I do not allow it, Sakura? Are you going to run away like Sasuke did?" he wanted to know how willing she was.

"Will you declare me nukenin and put my photo in the Bingo Book if I do?" she still kept the amused tone.

"I will lose many Anbu in the attempt to capture you. And Naruto would come after you this time. I can’t make Hinata be abandoned when she's newly married. "

Sakura laughed at the Hokage's comment. However, when the laughter subsided and Kakashi saw the green eyes, he could only agree to that request. He did not remember her asking him anything all those years. She was always a gentle, independent girl who wanted what she wanted. He would do this for her. And for Sasuke, too.

"Can you make my trip look like a mission? Sorry to ask for this too, Kakashi-sensei, but I do not want people speculating. Sasuke has been kept so hidden in the shadows, I do not want his name involved as a reason for my escape and in rumors spreading out there". Sakura even suggested an official way, which could be said that she was doing research, especially on remedies and alternative healing techniques. Kakashi agreed, on one condition: that she really did this research. New methods for Konoha could arise, which could save more lives in case of need. Sakura nodded and the search sounded good to her curious medical side. A new chance to save someone pleased her, making her feel her importance as a doctor.

Sakura decided she would leave in two days, leaving early in the morning, before the village woke up. Kakashi gave her time off for the rest of that day and the next, and Sakura would take good leave of the nearest ones. "Can we have tea tomorrow, sensei?" the young doctor thanked him once more when the Hokage promised to arrange ten minutes for her.

                                                      .....

The path to her house was filled with reflections. How could she tell her parents that she was leaving the village on a purposeless journey? "I'm a horrible daughter," she told herself. Opening the door to the house has never been so difficult. The hallway never seemed so empty. Hearing her mother's voice calling made her heart ache.

"Dad's going to be late?" The rosy girl was uncertain about talking to each other individually or at the same time. She decided to wait for her father to return after hearing that he had gone to the market only to buy an ingredient for dinner.

Waiting in the kitchen, watching her mother's back, Sakura felt like a little girl again. She offered help, however, perhaps predicting that something was different, Mebuki denied the offer and left her daughter resting. Sakura studied closely every detail of her house that was visible to her from where she sat. She would change the comfort of home, the embrace of her parents, by the unknown. She hoped that her trip would worth the exchange and that she could find the answers she was looking for.

Kizashi returned and was surprised by the daughter's presence at that hour. "Kakashi-sensei gave me time off." The parents were surprised that Hokage had released her from work. Not that Kakashi interfered in the hospital and clinic she set up, but him letting her out of work was a way to show that no work was to be done by her. And there was always a reason for that.

"I need to talk to you. Can you sit down, please? Mom, I'll help with dinner and the dishes later". The parents sat down and it was visible that they expected nothing good information. Once again, Sakura explained how she felt and how she came to the decision to leave.

"I could lie to you two, saying the same that will be informed officially. But I can’t. You are my parents. I'm going on a personal trip. I need to understand where his heart is". It was not necessary to explain to whom the "his" was referring. Mebuki and Kizashi knew, as any father and mother would know. This was the first time Sakura could remember seeing her father talk seriously about something without the jokes.

"I'm sorry for being such a bad daughter. I do not deserve parents like you" she apologized. Mebuki, touching her hand, insisted that they had never thought or would thought that of her. Sakura could not thank them in a lifetime for the understanding she was shown. "You've spread your wings for a long time ago, Sakura. You have the strength and ability to fly away from the nest. And who knows to build your own" Mebuki said and forever would be engraved in the memory of Sakura the greatness that a mother has.

"Thank you so much. I love you". Sakura shared the last dinner with her parents before leaving them.

                                                         .....

Ino listened sadly, but not shocked, at the novelty. The blonde just wanted to make sure it was all her friend's conscious will. Sakura did not need to hurt herself anymore. The years had already been too cruel to her with Sasuke's distance.

The surprise came with the date of departure.

"Tomorrow ?!" The blue eyes jumped.

"Yes. Do not worry, my reports are ready. Present them at the next meeting. And we've been talking about people who excel at work with us, have not we? Choose one to be your assistant". The practical way that Sakura was treating that farewell bothered Ino so much that she blew out what was pounding in her mind.

"Why does it have to be you who strive? You're the one who's done it all for both of you".

"I know how it sounds, but I need to. It's about me, him, us. It's to put everything together" Sakura smiled.

"And if it don’t? You probably will not even meet him, Sakura" it was a sincere concern of a dear friend.

"Still, I need. Like I said, it's something that has been bothering me and I need to solve it, get rid of it from my heart. "

"You're not even going to say goodbye to Sai," the sweet girlfriend appeared.

"Can you tell him when he comes back? I know he'd like to hear from me, but I will not be here anymore. And you can comfort him. "

"Sorry, Sakura. My happiness hurts you. "

"No. I have to apologize for your happiness to bother me. I'm the wicked one in this story. Please enjoy your happiness".

Ino started the hug. She was moved by the invitation that was made to her.

"Will you have dinner with me today, Ino?"

"But what about your parents?"

"They set me free and forced me to say goodbye to my friends," she smiled, those beautiful green eyes shining and providing a beautiful sight for a memorable moment.

                                                       .....

Hinata was the one who opened the door. Sakura brought a gift for her first visit to the Uzumaki residence. Naruto was in the shower, so the two women took the opportunity to chat. Seeing Hinata sharing the new experiences so smiling filled Sakura with good feelings.

After hearing from Naruto the memories he created with his wife, Sakura touched on the subject that had brought her there. Hinata chose to leave them alone, but Sakura insisted on her presence.

Naruto accepted better than she expected. Although it was apparent how much he wanted her and Sasuke's life to be different, he gave his support and shared beautiful words with her. "Since when did you become so wise?" she asked, her eyes watering. Hinata did not get too involved, did not feel right for her, but she pondered the same as Ino.

Just as she wished to Ino and Sai, she shared her most sincere wishes. "Be happy and enjoy each other's presence”.

                                                         .....

There were few times that he exchanged news and reports with Sasuke, and in one of them Kakashi purposely wrote a sentence at the end of the message. "If you know about Sakura, share it with me." The Hokage knew Sasuke would have his way of understanding what that meant. No, Sakura was not incommunicado. Sensible, periodically she reported her advancement in the research, her whereabouts, and her state of health. Kakashi just felt it was fairer for Sasuke to know that Sakura was currently wandering around, just like him.

                                                         .....

Months passed and with them her interior changed. Sakura felt different. Looking at the sky, feeling the sun, listening to the animals and the wind brought different feelings from before. People came to bring her more stories and teachings. The change in her heart was one of the answers she sought, but the most important one was not yet answered. No matter how she came across the world's beauties and sorrows every day, her heart always cried for her house, for the village, for her loved ones that stayed behind. There was not a single day she did not think once, "Oh, how I wanted to be home". She often wondered how her parents, Ino and the children, Naruto and Hinata were or like how Konoha should be different from when she left.

It was funny that she had no hope of bumping into Sasuke. She was having fun doing her research and becoming interested in the smallest differences between cities and their unique cultures. She admitted that she divided herself between homesickness, her old routine, and the amusement the new one provided. It was fun and profitable to travel. No wonder Jiraiya spent so much time from place to place to write his books. But what about Sasuke? Was it this exciting feeling that kept him away? Was the village important at some point to protect it, but boring to live? Was it just walking aimlessly that Sasuke felt his sins being redeemed? Or did Konoha constantly remind him of them and so he decided not to make a fixed dwelling?

                                                         .....

Eating, Sakura noticed the trio of men whispering on one of the tables in front of her, in a corner of the restaurant. It was not a good sign. Never was, no matter what. She questioned whether it was about being recognized as a Konoha’s kunoichi or being marked as a possible target for theft. Not that it mattered, she would easily defeat them if they sought confusion in the future, but she did not want to draw attention.

A black figure stood between her and the trio. Had time stopped? The world? Where had the sound of the lively conversations of the passers-by and the others who dined gone?

Tears. She could feel them falling, but she did not dare even blink or he could disappear.

"You're going to salt your food like that".

It has never been so important to hear his voice. She never felt so happy to hear him speak.

"It's just ... It's the best food I've ever tasted. I'll never forget it" she managed to say through the tears.

Sakura laughed as Sasuke let out a small sound in response to her speech. Wiping her tears, she asked if he wanted dinner. She showed off her free dinner coupons. There was one more for him.

"Changing your services for food stamps?" He seemed confused and intrigued.

"Sometimes. It was just a treat, a gift" she replied, surprised that he had accepted the offer. After he had made the request to the waitress, she resumed the dialogue. "How did you find me?".

"It was easy with the whole town saying about a skilled and gentle doctor with pink hair and beautiful green eyes".

She did not know what frightened her the most: the words or the way they were uttered, as if they were something trivial, as if he said those words every day.

"What is it, Sakura?" Sasuke fretted with his teammate staring at him for so long.

"Just looking".

"Why?".

"Making sure it's really you. You know, they've tried to impersonate you before". She brought the subject Kido, trying to get him to confirm his presence that day.

"And how do you know I am me?"

"The intensity of your gaze, your voice. I know yours characteristics, both striking and simplistic. I recognize all of them".

The onyx eyes watching her intently made her heart race. How could he be so handsome?

They divided the table and dined in silence. Sasuke asked for something that was easy to eat with only one hand. He must have been accustomed to this now, after traveling for so long alone. Every now and then she looked at him, and every time she noticed something different. He looked healthy and no injuries were visible. It seemed like a dream to be like this with him. When the trio from before had risen, she watched the way of the men to the exit.

"Is there a problem?" Sasuke noticed her quick watch.

"Not anymore, now that you're here." Sasuke did not respond and continued to eat. Sakura blushed intensely after a few seconds, after her brain processed her words. She seemed to have flirted with him. And it was not her intention, it was only that with his oppressive presence, that men lost the potential interest in her - whatever it was.

"Are you staying in town?" The Uchiha questioned, taking a sip of water.

"I'm leaving today. And you?".

"Just passing through. I was in the neighborhood when I heard about you. "

"How did you know it was about me?"

"I do not know another doctor with pink hair and green eyes."

It was good to hear that, Sakura thought. If in all those days and days and traveling he never found another like her, it was something to be congratulated.

"Did you take a detour for me?" The question left without her thinking too much. It upset Sakura who was sounding so intimate when she knew the walls Sasuke had imposed.

"Kakashi told me to let him know if I heard about you".

Straight and impersonal as always. Not that it bothered her. She thought a little about the reasons the Hokage made that request. Well, she would thanks him for the help when she return, after all, she was able to meet with Sasuke after so long thanks to Kakashi.

"It's been a while since you've been out of Konoha. Is your research so extensive? "The Uchiha questioned after finishing his dinner, while Sakura had already finished and was waiting for him. She did not expect him to know about the research, but she was not surprised that he knew what was happening in the village and the people related to it. He certainly had his means of finding out.

"I can extend it as much as I want."

"Has the Hokage chosen you to lead it?"

"I volunteered." Tell him or not? To tell him that the trip she made was motivated by her feelings for him or keeping the research as the starting point?

As they left the restaurant and under the feminine looks admired by his physical appearance - which she noticed and he ignored - they continued the conversation, not before Sakura herself suggested that they move away from the city and follow a path through a forest.

"Why did you volunteer? Do not you have important things to do in Konoha?" He was referring to the care of the children who suffered from the war.

Sakura lost the words. How could she explain her frustration and her sadness at Sasuke's absence to him so that her decision to travel was understandable? How to explain to him that yes, she had important things and people in Konoha, but to leave them was an absurd necessity that she had to realize? That he became her priority again? Or rather, he has always been at different intensities?

If in doubt, switch to the next topic.

"I remembered! Naruto and Hinata were delighted with your note. I venture to say that for Naruto it was probably one of the best wedding gifts he could get. "

Sasuke did not respond. Again, the normal for him. The distance, the do not get too involved. Sasuke stopped the instant he felt the movement in his cloak. He turned around so he could look at Sakura from the front, since she had been a few steps behind. And even though she knew he was looking at her, Sakura preferred to face the ground.

"Are you hurt?" An important question for her. His well-being was one of her priorities.

"No".

"Not even a scratch? Or a broken bone, an insignificant cut? Something I can do for you?" Her wavering voice brought out a softer voice in him.

"No".

"That's good" and the tears fell once more.

Sakura had so much to say and did not feel entitled to vent. The last hour had been so special and so full of meaning and yet she did not feel she could reach him. But he was there, wasn’t he? Within reach of her hand, within reach of her eyes. It was so many days without him. And as someone who seemed to have left the day before, Sasuke reappeared and it did not matter if it was a sudden, temporary lap, but it mattered that they were finally side by side, face to face.

"I missed you," she confessed. "A lot," she added. "And the research? A side effect of when I asked Kakashi-sensei for permission to travel. And why travel? Because I wanted to understand you". Sakura let go of Sasuke's cloak covering her face with both hands. Talking about the pain she felt was even more painful. A little breathless, feeling lightly desperate, ashamed, disoriented, and helpless, Sakura bowed to herself, hugging her legs. She kept talking, unsure if Sasuke would hear clearly and understand what she was saying.

He listened. He understood.

"I wanted to see what you have seen during your journey, to feel what you have felt, to perhaps understand your heart. Because, no matter how hard I try, I can’t see a reason that keeps you away from home. We are there. Me, Naruto, Kakashi-sensei. We are waiting for you and waiting and waiting and you come close but never returns. So I wanted to understand what's so fascinating in the world out here to not let you go back. And I really, truly, truly want to understand you so that I can comfort you when you need me. And to become a person who can be by your side I left everything behind, even though they are precious people and even knowing that you can hate me for it, because I left what you value and lost once. But I was there alone. You were here alone. So... If it's to be alone, can’t it be the two of us alone, but together?".

When his hand touched the top of her head, Sakura came to understand that there was a lot to talk about her, him, them.

                                  -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

I intend to make a continuation. When will I post? Do not know.

Hope you enjoyed it and forgive me about any mistakes. English is not my first language ^^

If you speak or can understand brazilian portuguese, you can read the original one here

[ajokeformur-ray]

Hey , can I have a Bleach and naruto match up? (Female + Male ? If it's to much , then just male ) I'm a Russian Capricorn who has long brown hair and green eyes. I'm chubby and really small. I love doing fan edits and listen to music. I'm a tea and coffee addict . Also , I love spicy food . I love playing video games and if you interrupt me I get pretty mad . I'm an introvert and like being alone , but if I really like someone I gladly be with the person. Im daydreaming 24/7 . I'm a good listener that's why I let people talk more than I do. I easily get mad and jealous , but I won't say anything 'cause I assume that I'm going to annoy the person. I'm a really lazy person . Thanks !<3 - requested by  @ximagine-bleachx

You certainly can! I love multi-fandom requests *hinthint*I really hope you like your ships. I interpreted this as wanting a male AND a female ship for both fandom - was that right?

GIFS NOT MINE

Abarai Renji

- He dislikes spicy food but that’s okay, more for you!

- Renji would fight, die and kill for you without a moment’s hesitation!

- I can see the two of you relaxing on a Sunday morning, gaming together or with Renji watching you game, finding you more entertaining than the game itself. 

- He’s prone to bouts of depression after a big defeat during a match, and if he ever opens up about it, you’d be the one to bring him back to himself and find the determination within him. 

- He’s serious when it really counts, so if you’re the one needing comfort, he’s right there for you, no questions asked.

- If anyone ever hurts you... they better run, because he’s pissed.

- Cheering him up when he’s depressed by buying him the latest sunglasses at  Gin Tonbo.

- He’ll leave you be when you want to be alone, but if it’s for too long, he might get a bit down but wouldn’t bring it up, understanding that you need time alone.

- The only way you’d ever get jealous is when the women in the Division gush over him walking around in his night-time clothes, but he’d show you that yours is the only opinions he cares to hear.

- Physicality doesn’t matter; he loves you for you.

Shikamaru Nara

- Wouldn’t give you a reason to be jealous - he’s too lazy.

- He wouldn’t understand why you were jealous and would think it troublesome.

- Won’t ever ask you to do something for him that he could do himself, wanting to avoid confrontration.

- Would treat you delicately because you’re a woman, and he doesn’t want to have any arguments or fights so would often bend to your will for a quiet life.

- Would often ask his dad for advice when it comes to you - Shikaku would tell him that men destroy themselves for the ones they love and that women are kind to the men they love, despite their actions.

- He’d be mortified if he ever needed your help with anything.

- Lazy mornings every day - he has no inclination whatsoever to do anything productive. 

- He’d sacrifice himself for you in a heartbeat.

- Any conversations you have with each other are deep and essential - you’re the couple that only speak to each other when you really have to - actions are how you communicate with one another.

- Both of you are daydreamers and can often be seen sitting side by side with similar vacant expressions on your faces.

- Cloud gazing together.

- Again, physicality means nothing, he loves you for you.

Orihime Inoue

- This lil’ cinnamon roll is so perceptive that she’d know what you’re feeling, thinking, and may even know why and what she has to do to help you, coming up with a solution, if there was one.

- Both of you dreaming of the future together, coming up with scenarios together, or even day dreaming in silence, interrupted by Orihime’s loud exclamations and enthusiastic questions.

- She’d cook for you. Good luck xD 

- She’s do her best to never burden you, though of course she would because she’d be with you and relationships are a type of teamwork.

- You’d game, she’d do homework.

- She’d try her hardest to not interrupt you unless she really really had to.

- She would, obviously, this is Orihime we’re talking about, but she’d be so apologetic that you’d forget being mad or annoyed at her and focus on making her smile again.

- She’d never give you a reason to be jealous, making you her only priority.

- Physicality means nothing to her - she loves you for you.

Ino Yamanaka

- Physicality does mean something to Ino, and perhaps she’d ask if you want to lose weight with her by dieting together, but ultimately, she wouldn’t ever push or force it, and would love you for you.

- Ino is more outgoing than you are, but she’d never force you to go socialising with her. She’d insist but if she could see that you were hugely uncomfortable, she’d apologise and drop the subject, and would find a way to make up with you.

- She’d try to motivate you into being less lazy, talking to you about it the way she is with Shikamaru.

- Ino would die for you.

- Her nickname for you would definitely be flower-related. If you don’t like it, she’d only use it when she reaaaaaally wants to annoy you, for whatever reason.

- You don’t need to worry about how little you talk; Ino can fill in all the gaps for you! Just smile and nod and answer questions in the right places and try not to zone out too much, and she’ll be none the wiser.

- It’d be a very loving, fulfilling relationship, though you’d clash on quite a few personality traits.

- But she’d be endlessly proud of you and the relationship that you share together.

[itslulu42]

Yuregakure

Ninja Dorks Flailing at Interpersonal Relations Part Twelve

This part has a meme!

Below the cut or you can creep on over to FF.net.

One | Previous

Sakura and Sasuke arrived in Yuregakure a day later than planned. Sakura's pleasant travel companion had disappeared after the incident with the ninken.  She hadn't said anything of it during their travel, but she had reached her limit by the time they reached the village.  The innkeeper had commented on what an attractive couple they were, but Sasuke hadn’t responded; Sakura accepted the compliment with a strained smile.

Sakura took advantage of Sasuke’s silence by splurging on a room with a large double bed.  She wasn’t certain when the next time they would be in a proper inn was, and she had no desire to sleep on a futon if she could avoid it.

They went to eat at a small restaurant around the corner form the inn.  Sakura ordered for the both of them, while Sasuke stared mulishly out the window.  

Sakura clenched her fist under the table and gave her sunniest smile.  "What's wrong, Sasuke-kun?"  Sakura would have missed the clench of his jaw if she wasn’t' staring at his face.

"There's nothing wrong."

"You've been really quiet for the past two days.  I said I'm sorry I ran off with the ninken.  I didn’t know I had run off that far."  Sakura took a shaky breath, worried she had already messed up so soon on their journey.

Sasuke set his chopsticks on the table and took a drink of ice water.  "It's not that.  It's..." He pressed his lips together.

Sakura pouted. "What?"

"What were you doing with the Hokage's dogs?"

"They are ninken," Sakura corrected.  "They like to play fetch with me since I can through the ball farther than anyone else in the village."

"But they belong to Kakashi," Sasuke stressed.  There was something unfamiliar about his tone that prickled underneath Sakura's skin.

"And what is wrong with Kakashi?"

Sasuke scowled and picked up his chopsticks once more.  "He doesn't deserve to be Hokage."

What?

Sakura stopped chewing, her mouth full of rice.  

Sasuke must have seen the irritation on her face because he elaborated.  “The Hokage is supposed to be the strongest person in the village and that is not Kakashi.  Naruto should be Hokage.”

Sakura swallowed, the food jamming in her throat in her haste.  She took a quick drink of water and then slammed the cup down on the table. "Don't be ridiculous Sasuke-kun. Naruto still has some growing up to do before he's ready for the position.  Kakashi has as much leadership experience as anyone else in the village and he’s intelligent. He’s establishing the necessary infrastructure the village needs to be successful in peacetime so Konoha won’t have to rely on missions in the future.  There’s politics involved in being Hokage and Naruto is not there yet."

"Kakashi is overrated. He only became famous because he had a Sharingan and now he doesn't even have that anymore."  Sasuke's nostrils flared.  “He may have been able to create a Susanoo, but that’s all the credit I’ll give him.”

Sakura's anger faded away as she took a look at Sasuke's expression.  She tilted her head to the right.  

Sasuke was pouting.

Sakura raised a napkin to her lips to stifle her giggle.  When Sasuke's snapped in her direction, she burst out in a chortle. "Oh! You're still mad his Susanoo was better than yours."

"It was not better than mine," Sasuke ground out.

"I don't know about that.  Kakashi only had the ability for a few minutes and he made a critical hit." Sakura tapped her finger to her chin in thought.  "Now that I think about it, Naruto thought Kakashi's Susanoo was better too."

Sasuke's face turned into a thundercloud.  

The expression was too much for Sakura, causing her to burst out in laughter.  Everyone in the dining room turned their direction; Sakura raised a napkin against her lips to muffle her laughter. It was a fruitless effort; one look on Sasuke's scowling face was enough to set her in another fit.  

"I can’t believe you’re jealous!"  Sakura chortled, reaching across the table to give Sasuke a pat on the hand. "It's okay Sasuke-kun. Kakashi's eyes are both the same now, so you don't have worry about him stealing your thunder anymore."

Sasuke withdrew his hand from table.  "I'm not hungry anymore. I'm going back to our room at the inn."

Sakura felt a little guilty as Sasuke walked away, worried that she had pushed him too far. Sighing, she finished her food quickly and went out to explore the village.  

The shopping district was just a few blocks away, and Sakura made use of her time to stock up on necessary items.  She purchased more scrolls and ink for recordkeeping.   She also bought a proper set of pajamas for the evening.  Walking back to the inn, Sakura contemplated sending Kakashi's shirt back to Konoha, but decided against it in the end.  It's not like Kakashi would need the shirt since the village had changed the uniforms.

Sakura returned to their room to find Sasuke reading on the bed.  He had showered while she was gone, his hair was still damp and the smell of soap hung pleasantly in the air.  He gave her a smile when she walked in, causing her stomach to fill with butterflies. Instantly, she knew that things between them were back to normal.

Pleased, Sakura retrieved the goodbye letters she had received during their travel to Yuregakure.  She flipped through them, surprised how many people had signed their name at the bottom.  She recognized her neighbors, some patients, and even some shopkeepers.  A lump rose to her throat, astonished by their kindness.

Sasuke cleared his throat; Sakura turned to find him holding a box of tissues her tissues in her direction. She gave him a shaky smile, gratefully accepting his offering.  She pressed a tissue against her eyes to wipe away the tears that were forming.  Then, she reached for ink, determined to respond to everyone who wished her well.

After a couple of hours, she had a neat stack of letters on the table ready to be mailed out in the morning.  The only scroll left unopened was from Kakashi which she tucked in a pouch in her travelling pack.  

"I'm going to get ready for the night." Sakura pulled out her new nightclothes and her toiletries.  "I'm going to take a long soak since I don't know when we will be able to do this again."

Sasuke chuckled.  “There are many caves, but not many rivers where we are headed.”

“That’s what I was afraid you would say,” Sakura mumbled as she headed out the door.  

When Sakura returned from the baths, Sasuke had already laid out his sleeping bag.  She looked at him in confusion as she set her toiletries down. "There's plenty of room on the bed, so you don’t have to sleep on the floor.”  

Sasuke's cheeks turned slightly pink.  "That's... inappropriate."

Sakura blinked in surprise.

Oh, that’s right.  

She had forgotten about that small detail.

Determined to save face, Sakura plowed on. "Don't be ridiculous Sasuke.  The only thing we are going to do is sleep.”  She placed her hand on her hip and leveled him with the same look she gave her misbehaving staff at the hospital.

Sasuke stared at a spot on his sleeping bag before sighing.  "Fine.  As long as you don't hog the covers."

"I'm told I'm very good company."  She squished the pillow on the bed, trying to fluff it up.  The pillow resisted.

"Who told you?"

"Hmmm?" Sakura gave a small punch to the pillow, causing the seam to rip and the stuffing shoot out and hit the wall.  

"Who told you were good company in bed?" Sasuke asked in a strained voice.

Sakura turned to him.

Kakashi

"Ino," Sakura lied, her brain catching up with the conversation and Sasuke’s train of thought. "We have movie nights sometimes with Hinata and Tenten."  

Sakura gave him a smile and then turned her back to him to march across the room.  She jammed the stuffing back into the ruined pillow case.  She retrieved her own meager pillow from her pack and tucked it under her arm.

When she turned back to Sasuke, he looked abashed.  “I thought… never mind.”  He lifted the covers and settled on the right side of the bed, facing up to look at the ceiling.  

Sakura bit her bottom lip, trying to quash her grin.  Sasuke looked so stiff and uncomfortable.  She turned off the lamp on the table sinking the room into darkness, save for the light streaming from the window.  Sakura settled into her side of the bed, shoving her own inadequate pillow under her head, and then pulled the blankets up to her chin.

“Goodnight, Sakura.”

“Goodnight, Sasuke-kun,” Sakura whispered back.  

Sakura wriggled, trying to get into a comfortable position without disturbing her bedmate.  One of the springs on the bed was worn, and she could feel it pressing against her back.  She rolled over to the left side to avoid it.  Her breathing evened out, and soon she could feel herself drifting to sleep.

What felt like moments later, she was startled awake as she landed on the floor with a thud.  

“What the hell?!”  Sakura rubbed at the back of her head as she glared up at Sasuke who was peering down at her.  “Did you just push me out of the bed?”

Sasuke huffed, tossing the covers off of him.  “I had to! As soon as you fell asleep you rolled over to my side of the bed and you…you…”  Sasuke’s voice died out.

“What?” Sakura crossed her arms, her bottom still smarting from the expected wake-up call.

“You…you…you cuddled me,” Sasuke sputtered.  “I tried to free myself, but you hugged tighter and throwing you over the bed was my only option.”

“I wouldn’t cuddle you,” Sakura argued, trying to convince herself as much as Sasuke.

“Whatever,” Sasuke replied as he ran a hand through his hair. He stood and walked back to his sleeping bag.  “You can have the bed all to yourself.  I’m sleeping on the floor.”

Sakura opened her mouth to argue some more, and the closed it with a snap.  She could avoid that irritating spring which had poked her back if the bed was all hers.  Sighing, she climbed back into bed, yanking the blankets around her closer since she was now deprived of company.  

Kakashi had never tossed her out of bed before.

Mortified by her thoughts, Sakura rolled to her side and hugged her pillow close to her chest.  She tried to ignore the guilt in her stomach.

Sleep was a harder to find the second time around.

Thirteen

BONUS!

Sasuke: Bed sharing is inappropriate.

Sakura: