#slight sasusaku

[sea-owl]

You know, I still want an AU where Mebuki and Kizashi become the team parents for team 7. I have only found one so far and that's Rays of Spring Sunshine by sparklyfaerie over on AO3.

So let's add some more to the internet, lets make a childhood friends au for team 7. For shits and giggles we could also potentially add Sand Cousins to this AU later, also Merchant Haruno clan. (For those wondering what those are here's a link or two or three)

Okay, so here's what I'm thinking. We have merchant Kizashi Haruno who moved to Konoha to help expand business. Mebuki, who was originally from Suna, was a chunin level ninja during the war but retired after and moved with her husband. After the move to Konoha they have Sakura.

Mebuki has gotten a job in the village as a social worker or the equivalent to that. Because of her previously being a shinobi, a lot of her cases are children whose ninja parents died on missions. Most of them being clan kids, it was easy to find new living situations for them with other clan members and then do check ins. A lot of clans already had procedures put in place for this, too. Then, one day, she got her newest cases with a muttered good luck. Mebuki looked them over, Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki. The only survivor of the recently massacred Uchiha clan and the vessel for the nine tailed fox.

Oh dear god, what the hell?! The mom in Mebuki was ready to fist fight someone. What moron deemed it okay to let two little boys who are obviously traumatized live on their own? Nope not on Mebuki's watch.

As the new case worker for each boy, Mebuki does have to go make house calls. She takes Sakura with her, so not only will Mebuki stay calm, with several little eyes watching her, but sometimes having another child there will relax the other, and having them play together gives Mebuki more insight.

"Sakura, be nice to these boys," Mebuki tells her daughter. "Life has not been kind to them, so we must."

The little girl nodded as she followed her mother to the first apartment.

Mebuki almost fainted at the state of the apartment she entered. Does no help this boy clean? Or at least show him how?!

"Are you my new social worker?" Naruto asked, recognizing the symbol on the file in Mebuki's hands.

Mebuki nodded, getting down on the boy's eye level while she talked to him. "Yes, I'm Mebuki Haruno, and this is my daughter Sakura. May we come in?"

The boy was on edge which Mebuki didn't blame him for he has gone through almost as many social workers as he had years on this earth. But after a gentle nudge to her daughter Sakura got him to relax a little. The way he bombarded her daughter proved Meuki's suspicions true, the boy was starved for attention. It was partly why Mebuki brought her along, and her daughter's empathy was sometimes needed to help gaining other children's trust.

Sakura spending time with Naruto also gave Mebuki an insight that this boy was indeed left to fend for himself. Well, she'll have to change that. One of these days later this week, she'll have to come back with Sakura to start teaching Naruto basic life skills. She'll be damned if this boy is only surviving off ramen.

The next stop was Sasuke Uchiha's apartment. This one Mebuki was more hesitant on bringing Sakura to. Trauma and the reaction to it is unpredictable, especially in ones so young. Mental health is also often ignored among shinobi and ninja clans. Mebuki highly doubts Sasuke has received anything in healing besides his physical body.

Unsurprisingly, the boy is angry and demands they go away. Unfortunately, Mebuki is just as if not more stubborn. She's a former shinobi. Does he really think a locked door is gonna stop her?

She makes a deal with Sasuke, if she can get in then he'll work with her since he'll be seeing a lot of her in the next few years. Sasuke snorts but takes the deal thinking she won't get in, after all this women is just a civilian.

30 seconds later, Mebuki Haruno is standing inside his doorway file ready in hand.

Mebuki is right that this visit was completely different from the one she had with Naruto. Sasuke kept his focus on her with maybe one or two glances at her daughter after introductions. Sasuke seemed more interested in getting them out as soon as possible and isolating himself. Well, that won't do either. Mebuki makes a mental note to make frequent visits to Sasuke's place. According to his file, the last social worker didn't even try to help this boy with his isolation issues. Guess Mebuki will have to go the exposure therapy route. Even if it's in small bursts with her or with her and Sakura, the boy needs some sort of human interaction.

Maybe she can get him and Naruto to hang out one day? Though they may need Sakura there to buffer out the two as a middle man.

So Mebuki got to work. The Academy was currently on a break for two weeks, and Kizashi was currently away on business, so all of her visits she did have to bring Sakura. Naruto liked having her around. Sasuke seemed to tolerate it. Naruto eagerly took to learning from her, whether it's because he was learning with Sakura or Mebuki actually took the time to patiently explain things to him, she wasn't sure. She still had to break into Sasuke's apartment every time, but she actually got that boy to go out into the world even if it was just errands. And he's acknowledgumg Sakura more on the visits even sorta speaking to her. So that's a win in her book.

It was during this time that Mebuki learned the boys were actually in the same class as Sakura in the academy. She knew they all went to the academy but not the same class. This info from Sakura and the information on how they're treated helps Mebuki adjust on what she needs to do with the boys.

"Mama, Naruto, and Sasuke are lonely," Sakura stated to her after one of the visits.

Mebuki nodded. Her daughter was sharp minded. It did not surprise Mebuki Sakura picked up on the boys' loneliness.

"I want to help them."

"Continue being kind to them Sakura," Mebuki instructed. "They both need it, and maybe a friend."

When the academy started again, Mebuki wasn't surprised to hear the kids didn't interact much. The classroom and children themselves have their own social rules they tend to follow. Sakura was also friends with Ino Yamanaka, one of the most popular girls in class. So by proxy, Sakura was in the middle of the social circle, too. Sasuke wouldn't dare get close to it, and Naruto wouldn't have the chance.

What did give Mebuki some surprises was her first time checking in on the boys without Sakura. Kizashi had recently returned home and was gone again with Sakura on a daddy daughter weekend trip. Naruto, being disappointed that his new friend was away, didn't surprise Mebuki much. But it did hurt to think he thought it was because Mebuki or Kizashi didn't want her around him. Surprisingly the boy let Mebuki comfort him saying no they weren't forbidding it, this was just a planned trip before Naruto became Sakura's friend.

"Where's Sakura?"

Sasuke's question would have thrown Mebuki off had it not been for her ninja background. But she had seen the boy slowly warming up to her daughter.

"She's with her father right now."

"Hn."

This gives Mebuki an idea. On Friday afternoon, while children were in school, Mebuki had placed a sealing jutsu on the boys' apartments, one that locks them out. She also left a note saying they are to come over for dinner. After she sends Sakura to go get Naruto while she goes get Sasuke, and Kizashi starts on dinner.

Sasuke was glaring at her when she got to his apartment. "How did you do this?"

Mebuki smiled, with that pout he was trying to hide Sasuke almost looked his age. "Just because I retired being a ninja doesn't mean I still don't know how to use jutsu Sasuke. Now come on we have some things to pick up before dinner."

And that's how Friday dinners started, leading to weekend sleepovers after Mebuki and Kizashi insist that it was too late for the boys to be wondering in the dark. Kizashi's jokester nature warmed Naruto up to him fast and she swore she saw Sasuke smirk once or twice at one Kizashi's awful jokes. After a while Mebuki could stop putting the sealing jutsu on the apartments when the boys just started following Sakura home on Fridays but she kinda wants to see who figures out how to break the jutsu first.

They still don't interact unless they have to in the academy but Mebuki is starting to suspect that's more on the boys wanting this friendship to be private. Sasuke is naturally a private person and Mebuki suspects that Naruto is afraid of the public either turning one of his friends away from him or that they'll be ostracized like he was.

Mebuki knows this is technically crossing some professional boundaries but honestly she does not give a damn. And technically they're over at her house as Sakura's friends. Good luck trying to deny these boys one of their only two friends.

Mebuki can do without the pranks though. Naruto may be the only one the village blames for them but she knows better. That is not Naruto's handwriting and Naruto was never that detailed before.

It was around the time of graduation that Mebuki was starting to become a little worried. She was excited for the kids don't get her wrong but the politics of the whole thing was a pain in the ass. Newly graduated genin in Konoha were pretty much considered emancipated minors. Genin who were wards of the state like Naruto and Sasuke would be aged out of their social workers care. They would then be put on teams based on skillset. Mebuki was worried how well that was gonna work out for the children. The only ones she can see them working well with is one another but likely hood of all of them ending up on the same team was not very high.

Well she might as well start preparing. She'll have three jonin showing up soon. One to talk to the parent of Sakura and two to talk to her as the social worker to Naruto and Sasuke.

Mebuki couldn't help the laugh when she learned that all three meetings would be with Kakashi Hatake. Oh is he gonna have his hands full, she hopes her little brats gives him hell.

I'm imagining after the war team 7 stumbles into the Haruno's house at some point because Mebuki put that same damn sealing jutsu on all of their apartments. Mebuki starts chastising Sasuke like "Where. Have. You. Been?!" like he's a teenager who missed curfew and not a wanted missing ninja for the last three years. Later on when Sasuke and Sakura start traveling together Mebuki and Kizashi have a bet on how many grandchildren they'll have by the time they return and what the genders will be.

[sukea69]

The night Sakura and Sasuke get married, Ino kisses her out the back of her own wedding reception. She can hear the noise of the party she and Hinata planned down to the last detail, her new husband inside waiting for her to return, and she's in a dirty alley with her ex best friend turned rival turned friend again, and she has her tongue in her mouth.

Ino kisses better than sasuke does. Soft, sweet lips, tongue sure and demanding, just a hint of teeth.

Sakura is gasping into her mouth in seconds, returning the kiss with a passion she didn't know existed inside of her. Her hands are all over Ino, in her hair, on her shoulders, grasping at her waist. She's so soft, the curves of her hips and stomach, her bare skin.

Sakura isn't ready for Ino to pull back, her eyes heavy lidded. She steps out of Sakura's grasp and leaves her panting up against the wall, her hair a mess.

"You know where to find me if you get bored of him." she says, and with a flick of her hair, she's gone.

The night Sasuke and Sakura get married, Sakura sneaks out of their marriage bed and makes her way to Ino's house.

[tranquil-turbulence]

SS Month ‘23 - Day 22

Day 21 | Day 22 | Day 23

Prompt: Star Wars

WARNING(S): Mentions of death, referenced murder, canon-typical dark themes, borderline yandere Sasuke

Another morning had come. Rain pelted the roof with a deafening, rhythmic patter, the skies were gray and thick with heavy clouds, and the atmosphere left the young woman feeling drained as she went about her routine. A shower, some food, freshening up, and she was ready to get dressed - but one look out the window made her hesitate. With a sigh, she reclined on her chaise in her robe and slippers with a hot cup of tea, gazing pensively at the outside world.

Sakura hummed a distant tune as hot steam hit her face. The tea was floral, fragrant, and mild on the tongue. The burning logs in the fireplace threw a warm glow across the room, its popping and crackling soothing to her ears.

Despite the comfort of the room, her heart felt numb.

“We’ll find him, I promise,” her best friend had promised, cerulean eyes and a fierce expression flickering across her mind as if it had happened yesterday. It had been a week since the Jedi protecting this planet had followed a lead on the Sith, and their missing presence had set the citizens on edge. They weren’t extremely important to the Galactic Commonwealth, but there were enough nobles and merchants to feel pensive about their largest source of protection off chasing heretofore unknown threats. Many had begun to grumble to themselves, cursing the Jedi. She, however, had faith. Naruto had been her oldest and dearest friend, and when he promised her something, he rarely broke it. He would find the last of their childhood triad, and he would bring him home.

The sound of a doorbell chiming from the first floor nearly made her choke on her tea. She turned, hesitant to get up; she hadn’t been expecting anyone.

But then Naruto’s beaming grin filled her mind, and she set her tea aside, the ceramic clinking against the end table, and got up from the lounge. She could practically hear him now. “We found him, Sakura! He’s safe and sound!”

Her breath was short as she hurried down the stairs, nearly tripping over her own feet. She tugged at the ends of her sash again, putting an almost uncomfortable pressure on her ribs, but she didn’t care - and as she got to her foyer and all but threw the door open, she parted her lips to greet her visitor--

--and it just as quickly died on her tongue, eyes growing wide at the cloaked man towering above.

“W- who--?!” She gasped, taking a step back into the warmth of her home. Her fingers gripped the door frame tightly, threatening to crack under her strength.

The hooded man paid her little mind, ducking as he stepped in after her. Rain dripped from the fringes of his clothing, dampening the stone as he calmly removed his shoes.

Sakura watched in horror - and surprise - as he removed the hood, and shocking amber eyes met her own. Familiar amber eyes.

“I’m home,” the voice of her childhood friend - and crush - murmured as he gently shut the door, insulating them from the chill of the rain, “Sakura.”

Gingerly, he reached out to cup her chin - and shut her mouth, which she had been unaware was open. There was a certain fondness in his face as he beheld her, eyes flickering up and down across her visage.

“Wh- what-- why--” She fumbled with her words, blinking rapidly. “What-- what happened to you, Sasuke? It’s been ten years…”

The softness in his face hardened somewhat, and his hand left her face. “I’m sure you know what happened to me.”

“But… why?” She searched his face, followed every scar and wrinkle, and unconsciously reached for him. “What did you have to gain? We looked for you - Naruto--”

“Don’t speak of him to me,” he abruptly hissed, eyes narrowing into slits as he snatched her hand.

Sakura swallowed as his tight grip made her bones ache. He certainly had grown, not just in stature, but in strength since he had been kidnapped.

“Thanks to the Sith, I’m more powerful than I’ve ever been. For all that old man has done, it’s thanks to him that I can protect what I love.” Some of that softness returned to his gaze as he added, “I can protect you.”

“What’s wise about selling your soul to the devil?” She countered, clasping her other hand around his. “Sasuke, it’s not just you that’s chasing power. I’ve been an apprentice under the Grand Healer for a while now, and I can hold my own in a fight! I don’t want to be a burden on you anymore.”

A tiny smile spread across his lips, and he let out a wry chuckle. “Sakura… you could never be a burden to me. That Mark looks… divine on you. I can sense you’ve grown in strength.”

The pink-haired woman let out a tiny squeak as he leaned in. Warm lips pressed against her forehead, right against the Seal. Power thrummed to the surface in response, an unconscious force pushing back against that malevolent power she felt bubbling inside of him.

“S- Sasuke…”

“You don’t have to worry about me leaving you alone.” Pulling back, he grasped her shoulder. “I’m not going anywhere, ever again. Would that make you happy?”

She stared openly at him. “What… did you do?”

His eyes flashed. “My master is no more, if that’s what you’re wondering. And I have no intention of following in his damned footsteps.”

What should’ve been relief instead hung around her shoulders like dread. Killed? The Sith Lord Orochimaru? The man so obsessed with immortality and power that he went through apprentices like napkins? The man who singlehandedly carried the blood of countless Jedi like a cloak?

Sasuke’s gaze was too intense, too probing - and she found that she had to look towards something else. She settled on his chin.

“You… you’re going to stay?”

“That’s my intention.” He said it as fact. No questions about it, no implicit pleas for shelter.

Forcing a smile, she nodded and stepped away. “Let me brew you some tea while you dry off your cloak.”

[loveforuchiha]

A list of some Sasusaku fanfics you can read on AO3 and fanfiction:

Heartbeats by wolf08 (It's in fanfiction)

Summary: Sasuke and Sakura discover that misinformed rumours have tarnished Sasuke's reputation across the land. Unwilling to endanger his companion, Sasuke urges Sakura to return home, but his proposal is met with a surprising response.

Coming Home by DeepPoeticGirl (It's in fanfiction)

Summary: He hadn't told her the news. He hadn't told her he was coming home today—hadn't told her he would be able to hold her in his arms, once again, in just a few minutes. He hadn't told her anything at all.

Of love and lust, and shattered control by DeepPoeticGirl (It's in fanfiction)

Summary: Sasuke and Sakura both learn of the many different ways to get each other off. Although eager to learn, such first times are not without slights of awkwardness and embarrassment.

The wall you painted by DeepPoeticGirl (It's in fanfiction)

Summary: High school romances are not built to last. Or so he thinks. [Delinquent Sakura and nerd Sasuke]

Her Response by FantasyofLena (It's in fanfiction)

Summary: He stood in the shadowed corner of her bedroom, leaning against the wall, observing her blanketed form with a look of apprehension as he spilled the contents of his heart to her.

Sense Memory by KuriQuinn (It's in fanfiction)

Summary: Sasuke listening to Sakura's heartbeat and or performing CPR on her. She's not breathing, or showing any signs of life, and that worries him.

[psy-ay-ay]

ohmygod OHMYFUCKINGGOD SASUSAKU heaven if you even care???btw??

[sporksaber]

I have never really liked sasusaku, but arranged marriage sasusaku au. Writing as the thought comes to mind so they may not be endgame.

So sakura comes from The merchant clan. The harunos are super important to the village and its really important not to piss them off. At 6 years old sakura starts insisting she wants to be a ninja and her grandmother, the clan matriarch, agrees that she can join the academy and become a ninja if she does well.

The uchiha meanwhile, are approaching the point of no return with their political instability. And then they hear that the granddaughter of the Haruno head is now training as a ninja and they see the perfect way to reestablish a foothold in the villages power structure and a buffer between them and danzo.

So 6 year old sakura ends up at dinner at the uchihas to meet sasuke. She hates him. He's a spoinled brat who keeps hiding behind his mom and loudly whining about anything and everything, and little sakura was very mature for her age. She has a few nice moments pf interacting with itachi about the academy before sasuke realizes his brother's attention isnt on him and gets between them, but all the other adults dismiss her completely and dont even properly speak to her.

Sakura decides she hates all of them.

The arrangement goes through.

(Mikoto is not happy about it, her baby is only 6. But she figures that it's not set in stone since a proper engagement cant happen until theyre 16 and a traditional marriage has to wait until 19. The haruno also dont fully expect it to go that far and are fully aware that the uchiha are trying to gain advantage in the village, but theyre ready to milk this for all its worth. Itachi thinks it's adorable. The uchiha elders dont care how it ends up as long as they get what they want. Danzo is furious and the third is staying out of it (because he sucks) while the other clans are biding their time until they see how this is going to go.)

Sakura being engaged(to be engaged) to sasuke does change her dynamic at the academy a bit. She does have other kids who mess with her at first, but its shut down by sasuke and some other aolder uchiha. This pisses sakura off because while it wasnt a battle she wanted to fight, that didnt mean he coild fight it for her. She befriends ino on accident and encourages her friends crush on sasuke because she does Not want him. His fiance hating him kind of puts a damper on ino's crush though.

The engagement is enough to keep the massacre from happening.

Sasuke doesnt like sakura in the way that he doesnt realize he kind of likes her. At some point her getting mad at him makes his heart flutter. Also, uchiha are possessive by nature and he sees her as his (the reason why he stepped in when other kids were making fun of her).

The other uchiha at the academy think its the funniest shit in the world even though they would never let that kind of slight towards the main family slip in any way. If you find sakura having one of her onesided arguments with sasuke because he was following her or something you can also find several older uchiha kids making aggressive eye contact with eachother, mentally daring eachother to slip up so they can laugh without worrying about someone snitching. (There is a rare occasion where shisui, who often volunteers as the uchiha-haruno liason, is found actually laughing his ass off at their antics. The other uchiha still dont laugh though, because being blackmailed by shisui is way worse than getting chewed out by an elder.)

Their engagement is known among the clans and the civilian politicians, but its not exactly common knowledge. Not everyone knows. Naruto doesnt know, and he still jas a massive crush on sakura.

So team 7's genin dynamic now becomes sakura hates sasuke who likes sakura but more than that just knows theyre going to be together forever because that's how its always been, sasuke hates naruto because hes an idiot who has a massive crush on sakura, who also hates him because he's an idiot who has a massive crush on her. And naruto sees sasuke as his ultimate rival (just in ninja, he straight up does not realize that sasuke likes sakura. He thinks theyre just wierd friends the way her and ino are kind of wierd.).

Sakura and sasuke are able to quietly sit next to eachother without issue by the time theyre graduating, theyre frequently together whenever sakura isnt with ino. Thr sevond naruto shows up an argument immidiently starts though.

In kakashi's romance novel language, its a classic enemies to lovers love corner set up. And kakashi is Invested. He thinks this is the funniest shit ever.

Now onto graduation. Im dropping the wierd kidnapping expired milk plot. The narusasu kiss still happens though. Naruto pranks kakashi, kakashi says he hates them and gets himself added to sakura's List.

Sakura likes hanging out with ino and learning chakra theory and does not answer her dislikes or goals for the future (which are, respectivly, marrying sasuke and not marrying sasuke). Sasuke likes his brother and tomatoes, dislikes naruto and people trying to take what's his, and wants to takeover the police force. Naruto likes ramen and sakura, dislikes the three minutes ot takes for ramen to cook and sasuke, and is going to become hokage.

The bell test goes pretty much the same as canon in that they fail the first part, except this time sakura and sasuke have a onesided argument early on, sakura's genjutsu is some flavor of her actually being married to sasuke and she starts gagging when she breaks it (and she does break it, she's been put under genjutsu by other uchiha before), and sasuke tries to start a brawl with naruto when he claims he's gonna get the second bell for sakura. Naruto is tied to a pole, sakura and sasuke feed him, they pass the test.

Kakashi is promptly accosted by first his cute kohai itachi (who wants him to take training his brother seriously) and then a haruno contingent (who want him to take training sakura seriously). He then meets the other new instructers to bemoan his cute students and their families only to be told he needs to take training them seriously. No one understands him.

(He goes to bed with the image in his mind of kushina and minato yanking him aside in the market to make fun of him and then tell him to take training naruto seriously. Not even his own brain understands him.)

Im trying to think ahead and decide where the funniest moment for naruto to find out that sakura and sasuke are engaged. And what ideas would be good for the time skip because i dont like the timeskip and sasuke's not defecting anyway.

Ive decided earlier is better.

The first month of training is always d ranks. So there's some training but mostly kakshi kicks back to make fun of them as the pull weeds and chase cats. On one such mission kakashi is laser focused in on them as the secret comes out. He wishes he had popcorn.

So naruto is bumbling around and knocks into sakura, who is caught by sasuke. Naruto turns to start apologizing while sakura revs up to start yelling at him when the old lady theyre working for calls them "such a cute pair." Naruto starts yelling because theyd be a cuter pair, sakura starts yelling because Gross, and then sasuke is like, "well she's my fiance."

Naruto sputters and sakura groans. She tells the old lady that theyre not technically engaged yet, but is mostly drowned out by naruto and sasuke's ensuing brawl.

Kakashi watches for as long as he could before the damage they were causing became too much and he was forced to step in. Sakura just wants to dissapear.

Now naruto's sitting there with some comedically sized bruises, crying and asking if its true. Sakura sighs and says yes and he colapses to the ground.

Its all very dramatic.

Cue uchiha family+team dinner, which sasuke finally agreed to because he wants to be like, look at my family with My Fiance. The only time Kakashi has ever been on time to anything because he doesnt want to miss a second.

Sakura is already there talking pleasantly to itachi about chakra pathways (itachi has been getting her books since she was little, i dont think i ever mentioned that. Itachi still thinks they are adorable and is fine with bribing her to come over with increasingly rare books). Sasuke eventually stopped trying to force them not to interact after the first few years and is fine with it as long as he is also sitting directly next to them.

Kakashi is giggling to himself as naruto is ushered in by mikoto still looking shell shocked. His entire world has been turned on its head.

Dinner starts formally and then drifts into casual conversation. Sasuke makes eyecontact with naruto and scoots closer to sakura, who just gives him a wierd look before ignoring him. Naruto makes a noise like a dying cat.

Mikoto pulls him into conversation, smiling serenly (he's so much like kushina). He says some things that are red flags. Eventually after he mentions that he has a hard time buying groceries sakura offers to go with him in the name of team solidarity. Sasuke promptly offers to also go, "you hate shopping," "if its bc we're a team then the whole team should go."

So they go shopping. And the entire time sasuke is trying to mess with naruto subtly while sakura glares at him because he's being clingy like he is to itachi. Sakura is explaining how to choose produce and calories and nutrients and raising a disparaging eyebrow anytime a vender tries to say something about naruto being there. (The harunos are not ninja, they can say what they want.) Naruto is torn between giving her his full attention and bristling at sasuke's behaviour. Overall it's a very fun trip.

This brings us to the wave arc. Same as originally, naruto demands a cool mission and the hokage agrees (once again, theres some extra political moves going on. The og version of the team doesnt have strong political power). In comes tazuna.

Their sendoff has a bit more fanfare this time, with itachi and mikoto saying goodbye to sasuke and itachi giving sakura a new book and some snacks for the team.

When sakura first see the puddles she looks at kakashi but he shushes her. Literally. She is offended.

The two ninja pop out and "kill" kakashi. Sakura falls back into protective position and casts her own genjutsu. Naruto freezes and sasuke takes out one ninja and kakshi pops back up to take care of the other.

It continues like canon. Zabuza shows up, sakura's once again on defence, kakshi is caught and then the boys free him, haku spirits away an unconcious zabuza. They get to tazuna's with sakura taking lead and the boys carying kakashi because she's the only one who knows medical information. (A note: with the uchiha clan alive sakura and sasuke are already aware of kakashi's eye, and sakura has been briefed on what to do with chakra exhaustian.)

Sasuke takes this moment to continue taunting naruto with the fact he's engaged to sakura. Sakura does not appreciate sasuke's praise as a tool to mess with naruto. Tazuna is very confused.

I think kakashi continuing with the mission at this point is out of spite towards everyone who assumed hed be a bad teacher, might as well prove them right.

Kakashi goes to teach them tree walking but sakura and sasuke already know. He moves them to waterwalking, which sakura gets very quickly and is then sent on guard duty. Its at this point that the feelings of isolation naruto has really hits home. Not only are they engaged theyve had years more training than him.

Sakura talks trade routes and infrastructure with tazuna. She also helps carry heavy things with chakra enhanced arms. (I dont remember what fic i originally saw this in, but i love the image of sakura casually picking a steel beam that it usually takes 4 to 6 men to carry as they watch in awed confusion. Im definitly going to give her an oversized weapon later.)

The big moment of divergence here is that i want haku to live, so so does zabuza. So sakura, with her merchant family's knowledge that a jounin might know but a genin never would, speaks up naruto style, "instead of dealing with thugs like gato who are inevitably going to double cross you, wouldnt you want the strength of a village again?" zabuza gets pissed before sakura reveals that theres anlther coup forming with strong backers.

Ive lost steam at this point, rapid fire.

The invasion still happens during the chunin exams because i want the 3rd to die. The uchiha are able to cement their new goodwill status in the village and sakura naruto and sasuke are on civilian duty during the battle.

I think itd be funny to still break up the team. So sakura gets promoted. Theres some political stuff that goes into it (a wedge between her and sasuke is a bonus to those who are still against the uchiha clan) but also she did well and tsunade has a minimum she needs to fill.

Tsunade mercs danzo prerty early on too.

Post chunin itachi takes naruto shopping while sakura is busy, sasukes is pissed. Cue brotherly bonding.

At the end of wave the whole team started getting touchier with eachother (started by sasuke clinging to sakura to prove he could and progessing to reassure naruto that he was a teammate they care about.

At some point after they all start displaying casual affection between eachother shisui starts a rumor that all 3 are dating.

With sakura busy with chunin training sai is put onto their team. It takes awhile for them to get used to it.

Naruto and sai become roommates.

They have study sessions at naruto's place because he'll need better knowledge of politics if he's going to become hokage.

Sasusaku is endgame.

Im dome for now.

[renmedys]

BACKS TURNED, FACES FORWARD

haruno sakura is tired of always being left in the dust. (or: sakura throughout the years, chasing after people who might be too far gone.)

pairing: haruno sakura/uchiha sasuke (slight) content: character study-ish, slight romance words: 3.5k notes: my attempt at a character study (not really). its just that 685 forever has a chokehold on me & i love sasusaku & kishimoto rlly did his main heroine dirty. originally i wanted it to be more of a piece about team 7 collectively, but winded up being a little more sasusaku centric xdd

     HARUNO Sakura has spent her entire life gazing upon two backs. And she’s tired of it, of course she is. Sasuke was never once in reach, but after he set out on his quest for power and vengeance, even the slightest trace of him was hard to come by. That teenage back and the red and white fan that sits proudly upon it—Sakura wishes she had some way she could reach him from across the continent and alleviate the weights which burden him so. But she could not stop him. Not with her words or actions, and not with her love. 

And what use was love if it couldn’t save anyone, especially the very person who brings it to life within you? 

She wanted to curse her weakness, and to curse Sasuke most of all for all the tears she shed and the nights she lay awake. Yet still she cannot. Love would not let her, and that was the cruelest thing of all. She would love him to her grave, and whether that is testament that her love is true or that she is just plain old stubborn, she’s not sure. What she’s sure of is that she’s tired of watching Naruto run off ahead of her in Sasuke’s pursuit.

Sakura has been watching this whole time. She watched the curse mark embed itself into Sasuke’s flesh, take root like an invasive plant. Orochimaru sank his fangs into him, and though she’s sure Sasuke’s not foolish enough to hand over his body so willingly, even she could tell that the venom was corroding him from the inside out. His bloodline—Sakura does not pretend to know its blood-steeped history, and she’s long since stopped pretending to understand the pain and hatred that comes with it. But she does know the pain that it has brought her, and the pain it has brought Naruto. 

She can see the way Naruto’s eyebrows furrow the tiniest bit at Sasuke’s mention, the way his gaze softens at the murmur of his name to the way it hardens when people speak ill of him. She notices the skyward glances, the clenching fists. His steadfast promise, his unwavering shinobi way, she can see its resolve strengthen for the sake of Sasuke. Like her, Naruto loves Sasuke, and Sakura can see this too. It is ironic, then, that it is Sasuke who possesses superior sight in the Sharingan who cannot see the same.

Nonetheless, Naruto has been chasing Sasuke all this time. And what has Sakura been doing? Weeping like a damned, helpless damsel, waiting for someone else to do all the work to bring back her Prince Charming? She has watched the Uchiha crest grow smaller and smaller upon the horizon of her heart, so faint and out of reach that despite thinking of him every day, she feels he is going to dissipate. Naruto, too—his back has grown broader in the years he has been away from the village, but smaller as well the further she lags behind. 

The same scrawny brat has grown into someone reliable, and Sasuke surely has advanced as well. Sakura cannot sit idly by any longer. Not that she has, by any means—under the tutelage of Lady Tsunade she has grown into a medical ninja of unmatched potential and honed her physical prowess to the highest degree she can. But it is still not enough. So long as she cannot reach Sasuke’s heart, she is afraid it will never be enough.

“Sakura.”

Naruto’s voice shakes her out of a trance. They are sitting side by side on the bench by the village gate, the same scene that marks the biggest failure of Sakura’s life. The sakura trees are blooming, but Sakura cannot say the same for herself. Each passing day she is continuously wilting. There is no cycle for her, only an everlasting process of fading until one day she will have fallen completely from the branch. 

“Sorry,” she says. “I was lost in thought.”

“About Sasuke,” he asks, though he says it like he already knows.

Sakura nods, twiddling her thumbs. “I wonder what he’s up to.”

Naruto typically takes it upon himself to brighten a dismal atmosphere, but today Sakura is sullen enough that she does not want to be cheered up. No, she wants to linger in this sadness a little longer, let the melancholy soak the way one does in a freshly drawn bath. It is better to face the pain than to continue shutting it down. To bleed is to be alive, so to hurt is to love. 

“You know him,” Naruto says, sinking against the backing of the bench. “Probably moping about revenge and all that. He won’t come to his senses unless we sock it to him, Sakura.”

“I know that, idiot.”

Naruto gives her a sideways glance and smiles. Pats her on the back a couple times, then stands in preparation to leave. Naruto is more sensitive than most, in that regard.

“I miss him,” Sakura says, before Naruto has a chance to turn his back to her again. “I wish he would come back. If we could just talk to him…”

“Guys like him,” Naruto says, “only talk through their fists.”

“I can’t beat him,” Sakura admits sorrowfully. She buries her face in her hands. “I’m not strong enough to get through to him.”

“Right now, neither am I.”

Naruto’s confession brings Sakura’s face out of her hands. She turns to Naruto, who is smiling against the blue sky and blossoming petals. 

“I lost to him at the Final Valley,” he continues. “I’m sure Sasuke’s gotten super strong since then, too. So I’d probably lose to him now anyway.”

“Then—”

“That’s why we both gotta get stronger.” Naruto turns, looking over his shoulder. “That way, no matter how strong Sasuke is when we see him again, it won’t matter. Because it’ll be two against one!”

Yes, Sakura thinks, her eyes closing as her lips pull upward into a smile. Tears are pooling in her waterline. They will get Sasuke back. And when they do, they’ll be three again. Naruto’s back is growing ever smaller as he walks toward the village center, but for once, she doesn’t mind it. 

     AMONGST the broken rubble of Orochimaru’s hideout, Sakura is perusing the halls like a child lost in a maze. She’s not looking for anything in particular. No, that’s not true. She’s looking for a reason. Something, anything that might explain how Sasuke had become the stranger that stood before Naruto and Sakura, how the clan crest etched on his back had fanned the flames from a kindling warmth to raging wildfire. There must be something. 

Naruto is outside, still standing in the crater left behind by Sasuke. Locked in place, his head is tilted upward, and the sky is clear despite the way their hearts are overcast. Yamato and Sai are by him, having left Sakura to wander on her own, but she can sense the little inkborn mouse that Sai sends to tail her, to make sure she doesn’t go off too far or get herself into danger. Sakura has always been the most observant of the three—so it’s an easy task to hear the tiny footsteps that tap against the stone floors a few paces behind. 

Sakura pushes it out of her mind. Let them follow her all they like, it doesn’t matter. What matters right now is finding something that will help. She checks every path and every turn until she turns the last one and finds a dead end. She places a hesitant hand against the stone bricks. She’s ready to accept defeat and reconvene with the makeshift Team Seven. She’s ready to go home, she thinks. She wonders if Sasuke ever misses Konoha. If he ever misses home. (Was Konoha ever home to him?) Then she feels her hand sink into the wall. Her head whips around as she sees one of the bricks push inward. She pushes harder, until the grinding of stone relinquishes into a click. The wall crumbles. It seems that the explosion from earlier broke the mechanism.

Regardless, Sakura ducks her head to squeeze through the hole that has appeared, and on the other side she is rendered speechless. The room sprawls out before her, empty and bare but familiar. To her right, aligned against the corner, there is a desk and a chair pulled out in front of it. Someone was here, not too long ago. She walks over. Somehow, she can tell—if there is anything of value in this room, it will be in this desk. She reaches a tentative hand toward the drawer, careful not to break it. It’s unlocked, and it slides out smoothly. There’s a blank white sheet of paper. It’s been ripped apart and put back together. The paper is fraying at the edges, and when she flips it over she begins to cry. 

The smiling faces of their younger selves—Kakashi, Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura—they are gazing back at her, though Sasuke and Naruto are, of course, glaring at each other more than they are posing for a picture. There’s no doubt about it. This belongs to Sasuke, and it proves nothing if not that Sasuke thinks of Konoha, of them. Enough that the attempt to sever these ties is remedied by tape and glue, shoddy though the job is. Sasuke is not yet out of reach, and for now, that is enough.

     WHEN Sakura tells Naruto she loves him, she already knows that Naruto won't be fooled. He’s not that same naive kid anymore. But she says it anyway, because it’s worth a try if it means obtaining closure. She disregards the shocked faces of all those around her, ignoring the way their eyes are baring into her back. She meets Naruto’s gaze, and she meets it with headstrong determination, a conduct becoming of the kunoichi she knows she can be. She will kill Sasuke, and she will kill her love when she does. Then it will all be over. 

She tells Naruto she loves him. That she’s done chasing after the once noble Sasuke who has fallen to criminal and fugitive status. She says to him that Sasuke keeps getting farther and farther away, that in her mind’s eye she can hardly see the Uchiha crest on his back anymore. That it is Naruto, who remains steadfast by her side and staying true to his word, whom she loves now. A woman’s heart is as changeable as the autumn sky, she laughs, and she hugs him.

Naruto does not move, and instead he shoves her back by the shoulders. He tells her, “I hate people who lie to themselves.”

They argue. Naruto says it's not just about the promise anymore. He wants to help Sasuke, and Sakura can see through the windows to his soul that he knows more than he is letting on. Inside, Sakura wants to scream. Why is she always the last one to know things? Why is she always outside of the loop? What does Naruto know that he cannot tell her, that she does not deserve to know? How can she ever reach Sasuke when everything is always one step ahead of her, whether enemy or comrade or information or life? 

“Fine!” she tells him. “I’m going home.”

She beckons Kiba and Lee and Sai, and they follow. She bites her lip to stop it from trembling. She cannot show weakness here. Sakura must not falter.

Her plan is simple, and executed despite a few bumps on the way. Kiba, Sai, and Lee are put to sleep, Naruto caught in it too. 

At the bridge, she sees him, cloaked and standing over a woman’s body. Sakura doesn’t have time to worry about who she is. 

“Sasuke!” she yells. “I’ve come to join you! I’ve gone rogue from Konoha.”

Sasuke meets her eyes with skepticism, eyes blood red and whirling with the Sharingan. He tells her that if she’s serious, she’ll kill the woman he’s standing over. Sakura can tell she’s wounded, though not fatally. She could live, if Sakura treated her. But Sakura says that she’ll do whatever Sasuke wants, and even when she flinches at Sasuke’s desire to destroy Konoha, she forges onward. When she walks by Sasuke, a poisoned kunai is ready to strike. With it in her trembling grasp, she thinks to herself, “Right now, if I stab Sasuke, it’ll all be over.”

That moment of hesitation, the multitude of thoughts that flash through her head in that single millisecond are enough to spell her doom. A chidori is crackling with static behind her, and if it weren’t for Kakashi intercepting and redirecting the blow, Sakura was as good as dead. Of course she knows why she faltered, even if she resolved time and time again to bring this to a close. She doesn’t want it all to be over. She wants Sasuke to come home, to be himself again, to smile with her and Naruto and Kakashi and to be Team Seven. 

Kakashi orders Sakura to take the woman and leave. Tells her that this is not a burden she needs to bear alone. That it is his fault, his failure as their teacher and mentor, that led to this rift between them. Sakura is tired of being coddled. Tired of things being out of her hands and sick of being reminded time and time again that she can do nothing but rely on others. She takes the red-haired woman who Sasuke has now abandoned away from the battle, treating her as the tears flow uncontrollably. She’s careful to make sure none of them drip onto open wounds, because she can handle this, at the very least. 

“Sasuke…” coughs the woman, her eyes on the verge of unconsciousness, “you don’t know Sasuke anymore.”

Everything after that is a blur. She leaps into action, ricocheting herself off the arch of the bridge in a sudden movement, kunai ready to pierce the very back she has spent her adolescent years chasing after. But she freezes, and she falters once more. She cannot do it, and such is the curse of love. 

Sasuke whirls around and brings a hand to her throat. This time, Sakura is okay with it. Better that she die by his hand than somewhere on the battlefield, unfulfilled. She closes her eyes, waiting for the release of death. This love was going to die eventually.

That much is evident when it is Naruto, always only ever Naruto, who can reach Sasuke with his words. 

    IT is in the midst of battle when Sakura sees him again. Kneading chakra and channeling into her medical ninjutsu as she treats Naruto, Sasuke leaps down to land in front of them. He says her name, for the first time in what feels like forever, and the sound of his voice washes over her like a springtime breeze. This is the Sasuke she knows. Warm and strong and genuine. Sure, his announcement of his interest in the position of Hokage shocks her (as it does everyone else), but she can look past it. 

At his arrival, Naruto has seemingly recharged and been given a burst of new energy. Looking over his shoulder, he thanks her for the healing, tells her to take a break. 

“Let’s go, Sasuke,” Naruto says, and Sakura is sure that he means no harm and is simply oblivious to how the words spear her heart. She’s done being reduced to a spectator. She’s done sitting on the sidelines and merely being the third member of Team Seven who cannot compare to the great Uzumaki Naruto and infamous Uchiha Sasuke. Haruno Sakura is a Konoha shinobi, too. Haruno Sakura is an apprentice of one of the great prodigal three, too. 

She will take her stand here. Not once has she been proud of her life, of her journey of being a shinobi. But today, that will change. She always considered herself beneath them, figured that their destinies were simply far greater than hers. But Haruno Sakura, you are not only the third member of Team Seven, an apprentice of the prodigal three, but also the Fifth Hokage’s disciple. She feels the heat bubbling in her forehead as the 100 Healings Mark settles. Her once greatest insecurity has now become the shore which harbors her greatest achievement, and this time, she stands beside and not behind Naruto and Sasuke. This time, their clan crests circle each other as equals. Yes, this is how it was always meant to be. Even in the crossfire of war, Sakura cannot help but wish for this moment to last forever.

But when the tides of the war ebb and flow, as they do, she wonders if that feeling of equality were nothing more than her own childish delusions. A belief in grandeur, a meaningless faith in a destiny greater than oneself—was that all her efforts amounted to?

Obito is kneeling before her. Sasuke has been whisked away to some other realm in a different time-space that only Obito can reach. Naruto is off occupying Kaguya, and Sakura has once again been relegated to a supporting role where she cannot do anything on her own. Assisting others, helping others—don’t get her wrong, she’s happy to do these things. But it is so damn frustrating to see her teammates do, on their own, the things that she cannot. 

Sakura swore off self-pity years ago. Still, it manages to stick, like gum on the sole of your shoes, the residue forever there, unable to be washed off. As she’s pouring all her chakra into Obito, she can only pray for a miracle. She had tossed off her tattered combat vest, it falling to the floor as she quickly pushed her sleeves up. She released her mark, letting all the chakra she’d been kneading and storing flood through her. She can feel a prickling electricity travel down her neck down to arms, the mass amount of chakra she’s circulating through her body making her heat up, and if Obito can’t find Sasuke soon, she’s going to burst.

Suddenly, a portal opens, and off in the distance stands Sasuke, facing the opposite direction. She can see him as clear as day, though—she’s been staring at his back all this time, after all. She’d recognize it no matter the distance, because no physical distance can match the mental rift she’s come to realize exists between them. She still loves him, of course. But she can’t deny it any longer.

She yells his name. It falls off her tongue flawlessly because it is second nature. His name was engraved into her from the moment she was born—this was the boy she was always meant to love and always will.

Sasuke turns and begins to run, and it takes every fiber of Sakura’s being to maintain the portal, and she can tell Obito is struggling just as hard. She’s not sure how much longer she can hold out, and she can tell she’s nearing her end when the portal begins spasming, flickering as it tries to close. The portal is growing smaller and smaller as the seconds tick by, and Sasuke is nowhere near. This is it, Sakura thinks. This will take the place of the greatest failure of her life.

Her eyelids flutter as sparks fly from her hands, the heat combusting in her veins as she falls back from Obito, weakly. Her body is collapsing, and she can see the ground growing ever closer, until—

She feels an arm around her and a warm presence she could never mistake. She has barely enough strength to merely shift her gaze to the man who caught her, and she is met in return with the same red wheels of the Sharingan. But this time, there is no spite, no hatred, no vengeance. There is fire, but it is gentle and caressing, and suddenly she realizes there was never a rift between them at all. 

To show one’s back is to show vulnerability. To leave it unguarded symbolizes trust. Sasuke and Naruto have shown her theirs all this time not because they were leaving her behind, but because they knew she would never betray them. It’s so stupid. If that was what they meant, they should’ve just said that. Sakura feels a tear well up in her eye. 

“You’ve got it from here,” she mumbles, giving Sasuke a grin. 

Sasuke allows himself the slightest of smiles. “I made it here thanks to you,” he says.

“Hmph!” she scoffs with pride. “You got that right.”

“Sakura.” Her name sounds so right in Sasuke’s voice. “You did well.”

She feels a blush rise to her cheeks as her consciousness begins to fade. 

“Come back alive,” she says as he sets her down against a rock. “And tell that to stupid Naruto, too.”

Once this was all over, they would be together again. As three, as Team Seven. The way things were always meant to be. And this time, Sakura’s not falling behind.

[daifukumochiin]

Summary: Sasuke's orderly life at elite Sairiumu Academy is disrupted by the arrival of Hinata, a timid transfer student whose obvious crush on him, a young man dedicated to his craft and his current relationship, stirs unease. (Initial SasuSaku with SasuHina endgame, modern Norse myth AU, high school, angst, romance, photography, postmodern-ish fic). Rated T

LIGHTS,

BOWS, and

MISTLETOES

an entry for SasuHina Month 2024, Day 27 : Forget and Remember

(for @peachy-hina, since December) @sasuhinamonth

ffnet: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14369143/1/Lights-Bows-and-Mistletoes

ao3: https://archiveofourown.orgy/works/57030778

Part 1: Lights go to Chapter List>

ii

“Do you… know her?” 

Sasuke pointed at Hinata Hyuuga’s name and bit the inside of his cheek, stopping himself before he could candidly ask, Is she your sister or something like that?

Neji Hyuuga now listened exclusively to lectures for his university exam preps instead of podcasts of his favorite foreign photographers. He pulled the kuukipods off his ears as his amethyst eyes lazily scanned the list of potential new club members, his lips in a slight, critical frown, fully ignoring Sasuke’s question.

Despite his better judgment not to bother Neji Hyuuga with any club affairs, Sasuke was determined to know. They have the same family name, and they do look too similar to be unrelated; if they happened to be related and Sasuke ended up offending her by rejecting her advances, he wanted to ensure things remained cool and cordial between him and Neji.

After all, were it not for Neji, he wouldn’t easily be club president. To sum it up in a phrase, Sairiumu Academy is a dog-eat-dog world. A capitalist's dream-come-true to pool the next generation of wealth, forge quality networks, and keep the hierarchical levels established. Leadership roles especially in its clubs always held substantial stakes: prestige, discretionary authority, access to funds valued at millions of ryo, and popularity. So when spring came, and the senior upperclassman would enter university the year after, no one expected Neji Hyuuga, former president of the Photography Club, to instate Sasuke Uchiha as his replacement.

Though Sasuke's works have been featured in various magazines and he had won multiple awards since childhood, he was no major company's son. His elder brother works as the right hand to the CEO of the Haruno Group, but that was about as economically significant as their family was going to get. A fair share of their family business depends on serving as one of Haruno Group’s subcontractors. This might be impressive in lower-tier social circles, but it was unremarkable within Sairiumu Academy's ivory halls. However, Sasuke's reputation at school skyrocketed when Neji announced his succession during his Stepping Down Ceremony:

"I have faith in Mr. Uchiha's eye for beauty. It's not far-fetched to say he will become our generation's legendary lens. He doesn't find the light; the light finds him. And it was all nurtured here. I want everyone to be reminded that this club, in its 300-year history, will publish its greatest issue of the Inuwashi under Sasuke Uchiha's capable hands. And that is what I leave you with."

Then he raised his champagne glass. There were oohs and ahhs as though a sweep of magic. Sasuke felt his cheeks burn. But, of course, he had been more than prepared to take on the role. Neji Hyuuga had scouted him to spearhead the club as early as middle school and convinced him of a worthy pursuit that tugged at one's artistic ideals and the boiling of a young man's blood: Neji Hyuuga dreams of global recognition for Sairiumu's Photography Club, one for Hinokuni's history books—the prestigious Kage Jinkoutekina Radiance Capture Merit Prize Competition for Photography, a competition so highly esteemed and sought after by major exclusive schools worldwide. 

In all its long history, Sairiumu had only made it until the finals but never won. Why that is, no one could genuinely point out. Neji is convinced that no one truly cared until he did. He may not have the innate gift that he believed would propel the club to world recognition, but he has found the perfect arsenal in Sasuke. Even Sasuke understood this early on. This was why they were friends.

"Looks good to me,” said Neji. Before Sasuke could reiterate what he had intended to know, he added: “Nobody of note. You either have your hands full or find a few diamonds in the rough here and there to help you with your goal. So choose wisely.”

Sasuke didn’t press the matter any further. 

go to Chapter List>

[greatideas-badwriter]

SasuSaku: Sacrificed To The Banished Prince Ch. 25-Mature Content Warning!

Sakura couldn’t sleep. Just a few hours ago, she and Sasuke almost took a very important step in their relationship. If Akuma hadn’t begun to take over the prince’s body, they definitely would’ve gone through with it. It was the way the Uchiha man had been more honest because of his slight fever that gave her the courage to face her fear. Now that his curse had successfully gained control, that charming sincerity was easy to forget. As a result, the anxiety had returned. 

Akuma suddenly turned onto his side to cuddle the pinkette, running a hand up her back and into her hair, where he gently massaged her scalp. His deep voice hinted that he was acutely aware of her current state, “Flowers need rest or they’re susceptible to wilting.” 

She closed her eyes and took a calming breath while enjoying the sensation, “Akuma….” 

They were both quiet for a moment before the curse ceased his massage and grunted. He slid his arms around the princess and pulled her close so her back was pressed to his front. His face was buried in her hair as he grumbled almost begrudgingly, “You’re afraid of the prince.” 

“No!” Sakura said quickly. “Sasuke would never hurt me. I know that. It’s just….”  

Another long pause occurred. Eventually, Akuma broke it, “You’re concerned you won’t be able to withstand it.” 

Tears welled in the woman’s eyes as she sniffled, pulling her husband’s hand from her stomach up to her face to study it in the dark room, “I want to make him happy, but I’m worried I won’t be able to overcome my memories.” 

“A scarred goddess you may be, but a goddess you are, nonetheless.” Sakura closed her eyes when his large hand gently cupped her jaw, her lips pressing to his palm. Akuma whispered uncharacteristically comfortingly, his thumb brushing against her cheek, “A great demon such as myself needs no magic to confirm that idiot prince has unending patience for this princess.”

The pinkette allowed his words and gestures to calm her a bit. A bittersweet emotion flooded her heart as she realized the situation they were in. She nuzzled her face into his palm with a frown, earning a sound of approval from the demon. “I-I’m sorry, Akuma. This must be difficult for you.” 

“You insult me, Pet,” he replied half-amusedly, “As if comforting a weeping damsel would burden something of my strength.” 

Sakura had to remind herself then that Sasuke was able to hear and see all that occurred while Akuma was in control. She gritted her teeth and said nothing for a long time. Eventually, her overwhelmed mind had her lips moving again, “Of all the things I’ve attempted in my life, this is one thing I cannot fail. Sasuke deserves better than someone like me.” 

The hand against her lips swiftly moved down to clasp firmly around her neck, not tight enough to cut off air flow but enough to shock her. “You will not utter such nonsense, understood?” She couldn’t respond because she was too surprised. The hand loosened when Akuma appeared to realize that, “The affections, much less the embrace, of something so pure is something of which I consider no being worthy.” 

Warmth met Sakura’s face, her brow furrowing as she bashfully forced herself to be sincere, “A-Akuma…. Please give me advice. I’m scared.” 

Suddenly, she was on her back, the demon glaring down at her with Sasuke’s handsome face, “You dare ask me to instruct you on how to please another man? I may have accepted my fate but don’t mistake that for complete surrender.” Before the woman could even come up with a reply, his expression mysteriously changed to one of realization, then he was changing his response, “Though, who am I to deny an ill-fated princess pleasure in her final days?” 

‘What is going through his mind? Why did he change his mind so quickly?’ 

Confused, Sakura nodded. 

Akuma lifted her chin to claim her gaze firmly, his tone low and sensual as though he was barely controlling himself, “Weaker demons would take advantage of this situation to claim you for themselves.” The blush on Sakura’s face heated further. She was too stunned to react. “If I offer physical instruction, you’ll endanger yourself, so words will have to suffice.” 

“Okay….” 

Awkwardly, the woman waited for him to begin giving her advice, only for him to smile and lay down at her side. She turns to face him, unsure of what was happening. 

“There is no advice that pertains to every man and woman other than doing what feels pleasurable. Tell that idiot prince when you like or dislike something, and he’ll do the rest, I’m sure.” 

‘He keeps getting upset and then calming down so quickly tonight. Is he alright?’ 

The air had obviously tensed, so the princess hesitantly asked, “Are you angry?” 

Akuma’s eyes closed as he placed his hands behind his head, “Does the fact that I’m not the one with the privilege of exploring every inch of your skin leave me unsettled?” He needn’t answer such a question because the truth was evident. 

Feeling guilty, somehow, Sakura turned onto her back, too, and tried to fall asleep once more. She wasn’t sure if she felt more reassured after that conversation or not. All she knew was that she was determined to be brave for her husband’s sake. 

In the morning, Sakura awoke to a surprising sight. Sasuke was still asleep at her side. She was half-cuddled into his side, so she studied his relaxed face while she had the chance. Akuma almost always discarded the prince’s shirt, so his warm skin was bare. The softest hint of morning light slid through the curtains to provide vision enough to admire Sasuke’s beautiful body. The woman had never been comfortable with physical touch with anyone, much less men, but that was a fading fact the closer she became with the prince. He didn’t like it even more than her most of the time, but he’d never once pushed her away, even when it was obvious he wanted to. 

‘He’s so considerate of me,’ she thought, eyes drifting down to his neck and shoulders. 

Warmth and affection fluttered in the pit of her stomach. She appreciated everything he’d done for her since their meeting. Reminiscing in their time together reminded her of why she was willing to lay her life on the line for his happiness. Sasuke Uchiha was a wonderful person. He deserved the freedom he’d unfairly been denied all these years. 

He suddenly groaned, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed. His brow furrowed. With the hand not connected to the arm around Sakura, he reached up to rub his eyes. The fingers at the small of her back twitched as the man seemed to notice her presence. Then, he froze, slowly moving his fingers from his eyes to glance at her with tired eyes. 

She nervously averted her gaze, lowering her head and tightening her hold around his waist while waiting for him to say something. ‘Will he be angry at me for asking Akuma for advice, or that I cuddled with him?’ 

Another groan left him moments later, and his hand ran up her back to hold her more firmly, “I’m not upset.” 

Sakura cautiously lifted her head to meet his gaze. He seemed as awkward as usual, but he didn’t appear irritated in any way. His lips remained in a tense frown as he searched her face. “But….” 

“Though it might not always be under my control, this body is still your husband’s. So long as certain lines aren’t crossed, I won’t blame you for needing attention.” 

Sakura blushed, ‘I never thought I’d be someone who required affection, but he’s right. If Akuma wasn’t there to comfort me last night, I wouldn’t have gotten any sleep and might’ve even had a panic attack in my anxiety.’ 

She sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes as she mumbled nervously, “Just as you’ve corrected me, I can’t accept having rights to your body simply because we’re wed. If you’re uncomfortable, please don’t hesitate to tell me. I want to properly respect you.”

As though he responded on autopilot, barely a second could pass before the prince spoke, also sitting up so that the blanket fell to his hips and left his bare torso open to the cold air, “You’re not just my wife but my lover. The Demon’s advice wasn’t incorrect.” He rolled his neck, with a grimace before rubbing his shoulder almost shyly, avoiding Sakura’s wide-eyed gaze, “If there’s something you want or need, if it’s within my abilities, you’ll have it.” 

‘I never expected him to be so direct!’ She also averted her gaze bashfully, “Likewise. If there’s anything I can do for you, please tell me.” 

Things were a bit tense between the couple as they took turns bathing and freshening up before Sakura prepared a late breakfast. Then, after the meal, both appeared unsure of what to say or do. 

The pinkette glanced between her husband’s rigid frame as he stoked the fireplace, the doorway to the bedroom, and the door to the cabin itself while trying to figure out how to ease the situation. She noticed the massive horse eating some hay in the stable outside and an idea popped into her head, “Um, Sasuke?” 

He made an acknowledging sound without turning to look her way. “Shall we go for a ride to get some fresh air?” 

That seemed to garner his full attention because he looked over his shoulder with a guarded expression. After searching her face for a moment, he nodded curtly, “Dress warmly.” 

So, a while later, the duo was out in the stables. Sakura was still wary of the large beast and remained a step behind her husband as they approached it. When it noticed them, it didn’t hesitate to walk up to Sasuke, who smoothly ran a hand up its face to its neck, where he patted it almost affectionately. Sakura watched in awe as the man’s eyes softened while speaking quietly to the horse. 

‘He likes horses, doesn’t he?’ Seeing him being gentle with an animal made her heart flutter. She studied the warmth in his expression, ‘Will he ever look at me like that? I think I’d melt if he did.’ 

“Don’t be afraid. Come here.” 

The woman jumped in surprise, blushing at having been caught staring as she accepted Sasuke’s outreached hand and allowed him to guide her closer. Her fingers trembled as she cautiously touched the animal’s mane. 

“His name is Shadow.” 

A smile tugged at the pinkette’s lips as she gradually became more comfortable since Shadow seemed to enjoy her caresses, “...He seems so powerful.” To Sakura’s surprise, a chuckle met her ears. She looked at Sasuke’s face in confusion, blushing brightly when she saw he had a hand to his mouth to muffle the sound. 

He shook his head moments later and forced his face to become passive again, “He’s essentially a big dog.” She was confused until he picked up some hay and offered it to the beast, who eagerly took it with a chuffing sound. “He’ll obey just about anyone who feeds him something tasty.” 

The pair accidentally met gazes before looking away. 

“Let’s get going, then,” the prince said without delay. 

Sakura nodded, watching him expertly mount the horse. He then reached down to offer her a hand, caution evident in his dark eyes. Recalling how he’d kept her safe during their travels on the way to this cabin, she gave him her trust and allowed him to pull her up with stunning ease. The air left her lungs when her back brushed against his front. She tensed as the horse began walking out of the stable and into the snow-covered path leading into the woods surrounding the cabin. 

At first, she struggled to remember how to relax her hips into the horse’s movements. That changed when a snow rabbit suddenly darted across the path they were galloping along on, causing Shadow to suddenly rear up onto his hind legs, neighing in surprise. 

Sakura yelped, only for a strong arm to wrap around her middle, holding her firmly to her husband so that she wouldn’t fall off while the beast came back down and began trotting along again. Little puffs of clouds left both her and Sasuke’s mouths as they breathed heavily. The heat from his body was bleeding into her skin from between their clothes because of how close they were. 

‘...He hasn’t let go.’ Indeed, his arm was around her middle, his hand gripping her opposite waist tightly as though he was concerned she’d faint if he moved an inch. 

The only sound other than Shadow’s hoofs hitting the ground was their breathing. She prayed she wouldn’t make a fool of herself or panic as she recalled Akuma’s advice. ‘I’m scared, but it’s not the fear I’m used to. Do I…? Yes, I think I might like it when he holds me like this.’ Shivering with anxiety and cold, Sakura bravely forced her body to relax against Sasuke’s, a hand cupping his on her waist. His breath noticeably hitched, but neither said a word as the ride continued. 

Sakura’s heart was pounding so loudly she was sure her husband could hear it. She felt small against his larger frame. It was as though she was a child compared to his muscular body. The fact was intimidating, but it also stirred something inside her she’d never felt. It was an almost anxious feeling but not so uncomfortable. She didn’t know how to identify it, but her body sure wanted her to do something about it. She just wasn’t sure what that was. A shiver ran down her spine as she realized she could feel every breath Sasuke made against her. 

He evidently took that as her becoming too cold because he guided Shadow to turn around, “Let’s go back.” 

A tiny sound of confirmation left her lips, but she couldn’t possibly form words in her bewildered state. 

The entire ride back to the stables was silent. By the time they arrived, Sakura was nearly sweating. Sasuke climbed off the horse first, then turned to offer her a hand. She took it, unable to meet his gaze. Something, she didn’t know what, would happen if she did. 

‘I should excuse myself to freshen up once we’re inside so I can calm down and catch my breath.’ 

That was the woman’s plan, but her legs nearly gave out when she tried to take a step toward the stable’s exit. An increasingly familiar, strong arm wrapped around her waist, turning her naturally toward its owner so her hands pressed against Sasuke’s chest. Their eyes met and the duo froze. The heat in Sakura’s entire body rose, only to flush down into the pit of her stomach. Without realizing what she was doing, the woman gently tugged on her husband’s shirt so he’d come closer. Then, the newlyweds were kissing. 

It was soft, cautious, at first. Her eyes had closed on instinct, but they crept open when Sasuke pulled away a bit. The man searched her face with a serious expression as though waiting for her to reject him. When it didn’t happen, his eyes danced down to her lips and back up before he kissed her again, more deeply this time. Sasuke’s lips were soft and warm until Sakura felt a wet heat slip past her teeth. 

‘Is that….Is that his tongue?!’ 

It was her first time kissing someone so deeply, but she didn’t outwardly panic and hesitantly allowed him to take the lead. A tiny squeak escaped from between them as the woman’s back hit the stable wall, Sasuke’s hand coming to cup her cheek as he angled his head to deepen the kiss even further. Her fingers clutched his shirt like her life depended on it as she did her best to reciprocate what he was doing. It was…hot, his tongue. The sensation of it swirling intimately with her own, not to mention the taste of his saliva, made Sakura’s knees weak once more. 

Sasuke pulled back after a few moments, his lips moving against hers as they stared at one another through half-lidded eyes, “Are you alright?” 

She kissed him with a flushed face, unable to get enough of his affection, “Mhm.” 

A strange expression she didn’t recognize met his handsome features, and then he was picking her up like a princess and carrying her toward the cabin. She was startled, looking between his focused face and the nearing doorway. Her blood was rushing with anticipation. 

Before she knew it, she was laying on her back amidst pillows and blankets spread out in front of the burning fireplace, Sasuke kissing her just as eagerly as he had outside. Her fingers trembled as she nervously released his shirt to flatten her palms to his chest. Sasuke was everywhere, everything. His heat chased away every bit of the cold along with the warmth of the fireplace. If it wasn’t his lips and tongue possessively moving amidst hers, it was the way his calloused fingers would brush against her cheek, her neck, her hands. 

Never, not once, did he move swiftly or become too rough. Though it was only in the back of Sakura’s mind in her extremely preoccupied mind, she didn’t take for granted how concerned he was with scaring her. The prince was going at an extremely slow pace for her sake. He was giving her the constant ability to stop him. 

Minutes of passionate kissing passed before the woman had to come up for air. Sasuke picked up on it and naturally dipped down to press slow, sensual kisses into her neck. He spoke between presses of his lips to her damp skin, “Go ahead.” 

‘Is he able to read my mind or has he come to understand me so easily after all the time we’ve spent together?’ 

Sakura wasn’t sure about that, but she deemed it a question for later. Instead, she unbuttoned her husband’s shirt with fumbling fingers. Once it was entirely undone, he made short work of sliding it off his arms and tossing it aside before coming back down to reclaim her lips. 

The heat in the pit of the woman’s stomach was gradually moving even lower, and she was clueless on what to do about that. Her legs squeezed together instinctually, a soft moan becoming lost between their mouths. Sasuke was usually a bit awkward, having to often ask for clarity on matters others might deem simple. Today, though, he seemed more confident than usual. The hand on her cheek left to grab hers and press it to his bare chest. He carefully slowed their kiss. Sakura’s eyes opened again as he slid his tongue from hers. 

Both were breathing more heavily than usual. They said nothing as he put his weight on his knees so he could free his other hand. With the movement, the princess’s hand slid to his abdomen, her pulse skyrocketing further as she felt the muscles beneath his pale skin. 

“I’ll undress you.” 

Her eyes heatedly met his and she nodded, watching silently as Sasuke took his time unbuttoning her dress’s front. Though her confidence faltered, Sakura didn’t stop him and even aided him in slipping the garment off over her head. His eyes didn’t leave hers when he then unzipped her skirts and slid them down her legs. The unbearable heat in the woman’s loins faltered. 

‘My scars! I forgot he’ll see them! Will he find me ugly because of them?’ 

To her confusion, the man didn’t even look at her body as he dipped down to give her a chaste kiss. He held himself up with one hand and used the other to guide her back into an arch so he could unhook her brassiere. 

She bashfully averted her gaze with her hands on his shoulder. ‘I don’t want to see the disappointment on his face when he realizes how plain and unsightly my body is. It might just break my heart.’ 

The prince said nothing, but dipped down to press gentle kisses to her neck, her shoulder, down her chest, to her stomach where he reached up to cup one of her breasts. Sakura’s breath hitched and she looked down to see the prince’s heated gaze studying her slim figure. Now, the inexperienced woman had never willingly been in such a situation, but somehow she just knew what that expression meant. She blushed, bashfully reaching down to run her fingers through his hair. She shivered excitedly when his calloused hand gently squeezed her breast. 

Soon, Sasuke sat back on his knees again, this time studying his wife’s face as he removed the remainder of her undergarments, parted her legs, and angled them around his hips. When he unbuttoned his own pants, the woman covered her face, “I-I’m afraid….” 

The man stopped what he was doing. After a brief pause, he ran a hand up her hip to hold her waist. His voice was gentle in a way she’d only heard a few times before, “You’re safe. I promise.” 

Tears welled in her eyes as she squeezed them closed. Her voice wavered, “Can I… Can I keep my eyes open? If I can’t see you, I can’t help but remember-” “Look at me.” 

Sakura peeked between her fingers, to see him watching her patiently. He was entirely unclothed, but she didn’t dare look below his torso. She was much too intimidated by the situation. When she couldn’t bring herself to move, Sasuke carefully took her hands in his and moved them from her face before coming down to kiss her. He spoke between presses of his lips to hers, “Keep your eyes on me.” 

Sakura’s terror melted with her husband’s kisses and small, reassuring remarks until he felt it was time to try continuing where they’d left off. While the Uchiha prince’s tongue flirted with the idea of slipping into her mouth again, he slid his hand from her waist downward, between her legs. A great shiver ran down her spine when she felt him hesitantly massage her most sensitive area. Dark eyes remained locked on hers the entire time. 

He spoke against her lips as he began feeling about for a sweet spot, “This is also my first time willingly, so we’ll learn together, alright?” 

The woman hadn’t known that. She nodded quickly, her back arching as a strange sensation arose from where he was touching. He pulled back a bit, glancing between them. Gently, he repeated what he’d done, making Sakura’s breath hitch and drawing his attention back to her reddening face. 

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. Some of the tension in his shoulders appeared to ease as his fingers moved more confidently, “Does that feel good?” 

“I-I think so, yes,” Sakura mumbled, too scared to move or look away from his face. 

“You’re wet,” he whispered into her skin, dipping down to kiss her chest. 

The pinkette bit back some kind of sound that tried to escape her as the prince began focusing all his motions on that one spot that sent odd, exciting sensations up her body, “Is that bad?” She was embarrassed. 

Sasuke made a negative sound, glancing up warmly, “It means that your body likes my body.” He continued what he was doing while gradually decreasing his hesitance. His low voice rumbled against Sakura’s skin as he explained, “If you aren’t wet, it hurts when you have sex.” 

Without thinking, the woman began to ask, “Is that why it-!” She clamped her mouth shut, and the man ceased his actions. Her brow furrowed as she immediately began apologizing, “I-I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to-” “It’s fine.” 

He kissed her with a serious frown, “As much as I wish this was your first experience, I can’t change history.” He kissed her again, “I’ll replace those memories with new ones, alright?”

Sakura nodded, cupping his cheek with watery eyes. He returned to what he was doing before until the mood had returned to how it was before her slip-up. Soon, he was pressed against her with studious eyes searching for any sign of trouble. 

“I’ll try putting it in,” the prince said. One of his hands was on his wife’s lower abdomen while the other was between her legs so he could guide himself. 

She still couldn’t bring herself to look away from his face and became tense with fear when she felt a terrifyingly familiar pressure against her entrance. Tears flooded her vision immediately, her teeth gritting. The prince stopped, causing her pulse to quicken in panic. She shook her head while blinking to clear her vision, “N-No, don’t stop.” 

It took a moment for Sasuke to respond. When he did, he pressed inside only slightly more before coming down to wipe at his wife’s falling tears, “You don’t have to if you’re not ready.” Sakura leaned into one of his hands’ touch, “I want you to have my body. Please keep going.” 

A warm sound rumbled from Sasuke’s chest. He took a deep breath, “Then open your eyes.” When he began pressing further into Sakura, his voice became forced, but he didn’t acknowledge it. Instead, he made the woman’s heart flutter by saying, “When you feel scared, say my name to remind yourself that it’s me, not him. As many times as you need.” 

Feeling unsure, Sakura shakily asked, “Will you say my name back?” 

‘When he talks, I feel a little calmer.’ 

The man kissed her with an affirming sound. 

So, after taking a moment to gather themselves, Sasuke pulled back to slide himself the rest of the way inside. Sakura winced when she felt him press against her walls, ‘He’s bigger than Hihara was. It stings a little….’ 

The prince’s name left her lips as she reached for his shoulders again. Like an echo, Sasuke whispered hers right back. He intertwined their fingers on one hand, kissed the tip of her nose, and then began moving. His jaw flexed as he did. 

For a bit, neither made much noise as they figured out how things worked and what felt good. It surprised Sakura, but the small ache faded rather quickly. What she thought she’d never enjoy after her terrible first encounter soon began to feel not-uncomfortable. 

Her breath hitched when a cramped feeling met the small of her back. Sasuke released her hand to run his fingers down her chest to her waist, where he gripped. His gaze was warm and lustful, as was his voice as he breathed the words, “Relax you hips. Like when we’re riding Shadow.” 

“Okay…!” She gasped while following his advice.

Then she lost control of her eyes. They traveled down her husband’s torso to his lower abdomen. Her stomach flipped as she watched his muscles flex as his hips ground into hers at a steady pace. She could feel him watching her and shyly met his gaze again. 

‘I’m okay. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to do this, but I can, so long as it’s Sasuke.’ 

His jaw flexed, a small, attractive sound rumbling his chest. A rasp met his tone that was new, “Don’t squeeze like that if you want me to last.” Sakura gasped as she felt him twitch inside her, his tempo stuttering.

She blushed, “Sorry.” 

He shook his head with a tiny smirk, coming down to kiss her over and over. 

It wasn’t long before something unfamiliar began to happen to Sakura’s body. A tight, electric feeling began to coil in her lower regions. It’d flare with each thrust of Sasuke’s hips. By this point, both had a thin sheen of sweat coating their hot skin. Though her body clearly wanted to continue toward this new sensation, Sakura became unsure because it was something she’d never experienced before. Honestly, she wasn’t sure what it was. Her sexual knowledge was still very much lacking. 

A tiny moan escaped her when Sasuke hit something inside her for the first time. Her back arched and her hands fumbled to grab onto whatever part of him she could, “S-Sasuke, that-!” 

Sasuke allowed her to cling to him, looking between them with his forehead against her shoulder, “Stay relaxed, Sakura. Don’t tense up.” He breathed heavily when the woman naturally squeezed him again, “God, you’re close. I can feel it.” 

The tightness heightened at the sound of his breathy voice, causing a louder moan to leave the woman. She released him, instead reaching up to hold handfuls of pillows. The Uchiha man’s eyes widened as he watched her back arch and her head fall back in pleasure. She whined in an unexpectedly sexual voice, her brow furrowed and eyes heavy-lidded, “Close? Close to what?” 

‘He knows what’s about to happen? That means it’s okay, right? He wouldn’t keep going if it was a bad thing.’ 

A low moan left the prince’s lips. He held Sakura’s waist with both hands, pressed his hips more firmly against hers so her legs would part further, and settled into a better tempo with a face that said he was in for the long haul if need be. 

Sakura had no idea what had come over her. Her body wasn’t obeying her, and sounds she’d never made were leaving her lips. One moment, she realized whatever was going to happen was seconds away, and then she was enveloped entirely with a heavenly pleasure she never imagined she’d feel. Hell, she wasn’t sure how the body could comprehend such a thing. 

Sasuke let out a relieved sound, pressing into her fully and breathing heavily while bending over to study her face, “There you go. It feels good, doesn’t it?” He twitched and pulsed within her, but he didn’t stop trying to comfort her, “You’re okay. We did it.” 

An odd, heated sensation pooled within her on the tail end of whatever brilliant thing was happening to her body. Finally, she was able to breathe again and panted for air, tears slowly rolling down the sides of her face to drip into her hair, “Sasu…ke….” 

The tiniest hint of a smile met the prince’s lips and then he was kissing her again.

 ‘We actually did it.’ 

The reality of the situation suddenly hit Sakura and a sob got caught in her throat. Sasuke acted unsurprised and freed her lips to kiss her forehead, brushing sweaty strands of pink hair from his wife’s face. All she could do was hug him and repeat the words “Thank you,” over and over. 

[aestheticorpsblog]

Sasusaku Song lyrics 2/?

One look, dark room Meant just for you Time moved too fast, you play it back Buttons on a coat, lighthearted joke

Post-war Sasuke was different, he wasn't as rough as he used to be. He was softer and calmer. It took Sakura by surprised whenever he sent her looks of longing during the Team 7 meet-ups. It was a very soft sentimental look- as if he was proud of the kunoichi she became.

It was nearly a year after the war had ended on Sakura's 19th birthday that Sasuke had initiated something between the two of them.

He had given his coat after a long chilly day of working in the hospital to the point of exhaustion. It wasn't awkward between the two of them, slight banter from both their parts and Sakura thanked him for walking her home.

No proof, not much, but you saw enough Small talk, he drives Coffee at midnight

She could see Sasuke putting in an effort in their relationship? Sakura did not where they stood, he was sweet enough to bring her coffee after her shifts at midnight and he initiated small talk whenever they saw each other. Sasuke and Sakura were too undefined to know what this meant. Sakura couldn't get her hopes up.

The light reflects the chain on your neck He says, "Look up" And your shoulders brush No proof, one touch, but you felt enough

It was the summer festival coming up when Sakura felt Sasuke's shoulder brush against her. The lanterns in the sky reflected against the necklace she wore of the Haruno clan. Sakura was busy looking at Sasuke when he turns softly towards her and speaks calmly, "look up." Sakura looks up and sees the fireworks explode and watches in awe as the sky is filled with pretty lights. "It's beautiful," she whispers not realising Sasuke is looking at her with an indescribable look on his face.

"Aa"

You can hear it in the silence (Silence), silence (Silence), you You can feel it on the way home (Way home), way home (Way home), you You can see it with the lights out (Lights out), lights out (Lights out)

She knew something was changing in their relationship, it was in the silence when he walked her home. She could feel it when he had showed up to her house after a massive blackout spread through Konoha and she smiled at the fact he trusted her that much to show up to her for help in a crisis.

You are in love, true love You are in love

Sakura always knew her feelings for Sasuke was love- love in it's most purest form. It wasn't a romantic or platonic sense, her love ascended titles. There was no way to describe it other than pure and it was pure in the sense it would never change the fact she loved him as a whole. It was her version of true love.

Morning, his place Burnt toast, Sunday

It was on a particularly gruelling shift on Saturday night that Sakura fell asleep at her desk only to wake up in bed with Sasuke. She panicked thinking she as late but then realised she had no shifts on Sunday. She lulled back into sleep and woke up hours later feeling better than before. She could smell something burning and quickly rushed out of bed to make sure Sasuke didn't burn his food to come to the most funniest sight she has ever seen. Sasuke glaring at a piece of burnt toast. Sakura giggled and Sasuke's head snapped up and his eyes narrowed. "Hn." He muttered distastefully.

You keep his shirt, he keeps his word

It wasn't rare that she spent the night at Sasuke's house. He had a separate pile of shirts that were too small for him for her that she liked wearing because of how large and comfy they were. Whenever she would ask if he would come back from his repenting, he always promised he would, and now three years after the promise, he was back.

And for once, you let go Of your fears and your ghosts

Sakura knew the only thing holding the relationship from becoming more was her hesitancy, but she knew that he was ready and so she let go of her demons and insecurities and jumped onto the platform Sasuke was offering to her.

One step, not much, but it said enough You kiss on sidewalks

It was slow in the beginning, instead of walking with a slight gap next to her when they walked he was close. His right arm would always brush against her and he could feel her freeze slightly when it did. It was only on their third date did Sasuke kiss her outside on the pavement of Ichiraku's.

One night, he wakes Strange look on his face Pauses, then says "You're my best friend" And you knew what it was, he is in love

It was on one of the nights they spent together that he converses with her on a serious topic. He explained his clan's history and how he felt after learning the truth and how ashamed he felt almost killing her. Sakura holds him while he speaks and he breaks down in front of her. He had fallen asleep on her shoulder and she was about too as well until he jerked up with a melancholy look on his face. He grabbed Sakura's face and put their foreheads together. "You're my best friend." He kisses her with a passion and a new emotion in his taste that Sakura recognises as love.

You can hear it in the silence (Silence), silence (Silence), you You can feel it on the way home (Way home), way home (Way home), you You can see it with the lights out (Lights out), lights out (Lights out)

He knew something had changed when he saw Sakura in a different perspective, her forgiveness and kindness when she treated him after the war had shown Sasuke the side of Sakura he hadn't seen since they were genin. He never really recognised how'd he felt until after the blackout when he went to her house for help.

You are in love, true love You are in love

She was his family, his partner and half. The love he felt had passed the sense of romance as it was more than that. She was his and he was hers and they were entwined in their fate forever.

And so it goes You two are dancing in a snow globe, 'round and 'round

The perfect world of theirs was never broken, no matter the distance it was always Sasuke and Sakura, no matter who try to separate them

And he keeps a picture of you in his office downtown

Sasuke always carried a photo of team seven when they were genin on him but he also had a separate photo of Sakura. She was looking away from the camera with her eyes lit up and a large grin on her face. It showed how expressive she was and it brought joy to Sasuke, he would stare at it for hours.

Sakura had a framed photo of the both of them in her office at the hospital. It was a gorgeous photo of them laughing without knowing someone was photographing them w

And you understand now Why they lost their minds and fought the wars And why I've spent my whole life trying to put it into words

Sasuke understood how deep the Uchiha love ran, he went ballistic when he heard what happened to Sakura and his clone, he felt rage, protectiveness and most of all worry. What if Sakura was hurt? Sasuke knew he couldn't live in a world without her and he would have lost his goddamn mind. He would have rained hell on everything and everyone.

'Cause you can hear it in the silence

You can feel it on the way home You can see it with the lights out

You are in love, true love You are in love

[frostmarris]

summary: Eyes like sea glass, hair like coral, teeth like blades - a heart full of all the righteous fury of an ocean tempest. There are few things more dangerous than a mermaid that's been wronged.

pairing: Akatsuki/Sakura, (slight one-sided /sasusaku, but this isn't an ss fic)

raiting: M

additional tags: MerMay, historical fantasy AU, pirates, found family, plenty of gore

notes: Been collabing with @kimazuiiii and @fernybee-art for a MerMay Sakura AkaSaku story/project, and here's the fic I've written for it! I've become so obsessed with this au hehe

Enjoy!

Light filters into the grotto, slowly and gently creeping over the edge of the high, high walls until the beams reach down to touch the bed of soft sea-grass down below. The grass, arm-long and deep green, waves and sways in a soft current, catching the sunlight and creating a soft shimmer that moves from one edge of the bed to the other, up and over the mound in the middle. Bubbles occasionally drift up from that middle spot, the sea floor raising in a soft hill that slopes gently before evening out, and the swaying grass moves a little differently here, something hidden in the patch.

The beams of daylight reach further down through the water, brightening the grotto as the sun, so far far above, reaches its peak in the sky. The light threads between the swaying grass to catch on pink lashes, warming her cheek and shoulder as the girl lays on her side, curled up and napping peacefully. Her eyebrows furrow as the sunlight reaches her face, shining behind her closed eyes, beckoning her to wake up, and, after a few short moments, Sakura yawns and rolls onto her back. She stretches, her arms reaching up above her. Her fingers just barely reach past the tall grass surrounding her and the light catches on the emerald green scales that cover her limbs - from the tips of her clawed fingers to her shoulders - and the fins of her tail, a soft, pale green that fades to yellow with the subtlest iridescent shimmer, reaches out past the seagrass as well.

[llaureleii]

SasuSaku Christmas FanFic

- A small fic dedicated to this new drafted artwork. Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas! - 

The Konoha families had gathered to celebrate the arriving end of the year. Naruto had wanted to host a huge celebration, as it had been too long since he’d last properly left the office and seen so many familiar faces. The large pine Christmas Tree was the centerpiece, adorned with golden baubles, casting a perfect reflection of faces of all who stood in front of them. Sakura had become particularly nervous; despite her headstrong nature and known confidence, her face had become almost as blushed as the of her dress. She stood subconsciously dusting herself off, fidgeting with the ruffles. She observed the other couples mingling naturally. All the wives knew exactly how to act and relax. Heck, even Hinata had picked up so much more confidence. But for someone so self assured, Sakura felt unfamiliar with this scene of public celebration.

Sasuke was already there, who everyone had expected an absence from. He was standing by the tree, the shine of the reds and golds had drawn the attention of his pitch black gaze. Sakura had told him that she and Sarada would take a little while to get ready, and that he should go on ahead. Sarada stood next to her mother, as her face lit up from how decorative the place had been made. 

“Mama, what’s wrong?” Sarada asked, right before she got an idea and smirked at her mother.

“Eh?! Oh, it’s nothing! I’m just making sure I’ve put this thing on right!” She exclaimed, still fidgeting with the dress and avoiding eye contact with her teasing daughter. Sarada rolled her eyes with a smile. Sakura was always like this with anything to do with her Dad. 

Sakura stood awkwardly giggling when she felt two hands push her forwards.

“Eh?! Sarada! What are you-!” Sarada drew in a deep breath.

“C’mon now, Mama, stop acting like a newlywed and go stand with Papa already!”

Amidst the two girls’ commotion, Sasuke’s eyes widened at the familiar voices. A glimmer of movement caught his eye in the reflection of the decorations and his stoic face lifted into a slight smile at the notion of his family. He turned to a flustered Sakura being nudged into his direction by a teasing Sarada, until they both clocked his smiling gaze. 

It was the first time Sakura had actually looked at her husband fully without redirecting herself to other sights, and what a sight he was. His hair looked smoother than usual; had he brushed it? The perception of his silky tie stretched out his frame, and he looked a lot taller without his cloak. The tie was a deep red, matching his wife’s attire, which of course he could not help but notice.

Her figure was revealed with the fitting of the seams. The blush pink was soft but glimmered under the dim-lit golden hue of the room, and a decorative, pleated fabric hugged her torso with its unique fit to the top of the dress. 

For the length of time they had been gazing upon each other’s clothing, and of course, each other, Sarada had already run ahead to talk to the other kids. 

‘A tie suits you once in a while, y’know.” Sakura joked

“So does a dress.” He replied, both giggling. “You look lovely, Sakura.” 

Sasuke was a man of few words. But when he said them, he knew exactly what to say. Sakura couldn’t help it. Her face had become rosy once more, but she wouldn’t look away this time. She had spent too many years desiring such moments as these to turn away from them. 

“Thank you.” She looked up towards him, her emerald eyes sparkling under the gold twinkles of the Christmas tree. 

Sasuke found a bit of colour running to his face. He felt his cheeks go warm with pride. 

“So then..” He walked behind her to her other side, offering his right hand. “Shall we?” 

Her face melted into a softened smile. As she lifted her hand, they both noticed the sparkling ruby that adorned her skin. 

“You... you wore it?” He asked, not expecting this marital statement to now be made public knowledge.

“Of course I did! I want everyone to know how proud I am of you. Of us. And what better way than this ring? Now, I can keep you with me whenever you’re away.” Her hand slipped into his, and he clasped it tight. 

Sasuke wasn’t as material as Sakura. He may not have had anything physical to hold onto when he was away, but his memories of her were infinite and just as special, and reminded him that he had not something, but someone to call home.

Sasuke’s face was left fathoming his wife’s words, and how he wanted to hold onto them forever. He wanted to hold her hand forever. He wanted to remain with her. Forever.

Their expressions relaxed, and hand in hand, they walked forward together to join in on the celebrations. Sarada had been watching secretly the whole time. She knew her parents weren’t so brazen to act like that in front of her, but she was completely fine with it. She knew they had to cherish the little time they could spend together when Sasuke was in the village. Besides. every little moment they had, felt like another infinity.

“Merry Christmas, Sakura.”

“Merry Christmas, Sasuke.”

[emimaki]

Naruto's secret

I really don't know how this will do, if anyone's going to be interested, but lately I've been over-analyzing Naruto and read a lot of takes on the ending. I wrote this short little snippet with Naruto's true feelings in mind regarding his ending. Mind that I incorporated my original characters, Daichi and Kasumi Uzumaki, who is Naruto's older sister. They're not the main point of the story but if anyone's interested in them, I could share some infos about them later on. Disclaimer: This is a HEAVY anti-Naruto ending, anti-NaruHina, anti-Naruto The Last, slight anti-SasuSaku. NH shippers DNI. _____________________________________________________________

"You think I could stay the whole week?" Naruto asked his brother-in-law who was draping a blanket over his slerping wife's shoulders.

"Mh? Sure, I don't think Kasumi would mind but dont you have your family to return to?" Daichi questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"Ah right..." A small sigh left Naruto's lips as they twitched into a sad smile. "Is... something wrong between you and Hinata?" Daichi sat across from Naruto, looking at him worriedly. Naruto pinched the bridge of his nose and exhaled through his nostrils. "Can I be honest with you, Daichi? From a man to another."

Daichi nodded without second thought, "Of course Naruto. We're brothers, aren't we?" He grinned at the blonde in front of him, causing a warm smile to spread across his lips but it quickly turned into a frown. "I never loved Hinata." He finally admitted, causing Daichi's eyes to widen in shock

"What?! What do you mean you never loved Hinata?" He asked, standing up from his seat and slamming his hands on the table. "Not so loud!" Naruto whisper-yelled, putting a finger in front of his mouth as he glanced at his sleeping sister worriedly. When he saw that she was still fast asleep, he let out another sigh before continuing. "Look. I know this sounds awful but hear me out. When we went on that mission to prevent the Moon from falling on the Earth, I got caught into a genjutsu."

Daichi's eyebrows knitted in confusion, "Wait, I thought perfect jinchurikis couldn't get caught into genjutsus." "I know, I was confused to but... It happened. And in this genjutsu, I got to see Hinata's memories. How she spent her whole life pining after me, yearning for me to acknowledge her. I felt bad. Because I never noticed it. I didn't know she loved me. I thought what was doing was merely camaraderie because I knew I'd do the same for any of my friends. Then I remembered Neji's last words. How my life wasn’t just my own anymore. And then- I talked with Sakura. She said that a girl’s feelings don’t change that easily. So I understood that she’d never love me like I love her, and that Hinata will always keep loving me. That’s why I decided to return her feelings. So I could hopefully grant Neji's last wish and make her happy." Naruto finally admitted, after 13 years of repressed emotions.

____________________________________________________________

Lemme know if y'all want to see the rest, cuz I wrote more, just wanted to see how this do.

[chattegeorgiana]

Why do you think Karin isn't popular as Sakura and SasuSaku? Maybe becayse she was introduced too late in the story and her horny personality ruined her?NS/SK route could be a reality. But Karin lack of popularity and appeal killed SK!! So Sakura was the best option to Sasuke.

You know what this whole thing boils down to imo? Hypocrisy & too much self-inserting.

The same people that try to take the moral high ground with Karin's inner side that shows she has the hots for her are the same people who will act THE SAME WAY she does on the internet, screaming how hot Sasuke is, ho they'd do a thing or two to him and yadda yadda.

But because that's a dark side of them - same way it was with Karin, and people don't like to admit they also have a dark side to them, they reject that, and embrace Sakura, because they self-insert with that light aspect of Sakura's.

But I also said hypocrisy right? So where does this whole thing fits into? Right there, in the self-insert process. Why?

Because canonically, Sakura's also been shown to have the hots for Sasuke AND be a just as much as a pervect as Karin is.

Who do you think Naruto created A WHOLE HAREM transformation jutsu for huh? She even says when Naruto "hits" Kaguya with it that "it might work on her". It's not hard to put two and two together.

She's been shown to be just as interested in peeping on Sasuke (back in pt 1), as Naruto was shown on peeping on her (in part 2).

It's part of this whole triangle thing.

The only SLIGHT difference is that Sakura's been holding that part of her as hidden as possible cuz she is more of a "control "control freak" - after all, she's a master of a jutsu that's the PINNACLE OF CONTROL, to the point she doesn't admit it much to herself cuz she supresses inner Sakura (dropped plot point), while Karin is real with herself and doesn't try to control anything. She just goes along with it and it's real to herself.

However, funnily enough, she does all that pervertness stuff IN HER MIND, where we as a reader can observe her, so ofc we judge her for something that happens on the inside, as if it were to happen on the outside.

Because on the outside, as we've seen, she's more the seducing type, not the "imma jump on you and ravage you type", even if that's what she feels/thinks inside.

So I think that was/is the problem with Karin in this whole equation. Imo SS became a thing only as a byproduct of NH, although having more standing ground than NH in terms of development (even if it's more negative, at least there's mutuality between them, whereas NH barely has that).

But alas, it is what it is at the end of the day.

[fokuroocs]

About me

Hi, I'm Fo / FoKuro / bew. Call as you please. I can't tell you exactly how old I am, but I'm roughly 20+.

Thai / Eng OK! For OCs artwork Only.

for Fanart content is here Fokuroi I'm multifandom and multishipper.

for fandom: MHA / AOT / One Piece.

for shipper: eremika / sasusaku

I am mostly active on Bluesky FoKurooc

Feel free to come talk to me!

about my OCs: It is a universe created based on information from the real world but with slight modifications based on something I love/like.

Basically, there are 4 dimensions. and 2 sub dimensions. 1. Celestia +Land of God and Archangels+ 1.1 The Limbo 2. Coven +The witch dimension + 2.2 Mysterious Mansion A special dimension that only authorized people can enter. 3. Mortal world 4. Gehenna +Land of the Death+

ask box: Open

[didisficrecs]

SASUSAKU FICS

Read

The Flip Side — rtn au, fluff

Not Too Late – slight angst, fluff

Like Fire and Leaves – rtn and vampire diaries mix, angsty smut

Patterns – rtn, bickering, tension

Sharp Edge

We Do The Dance Electric – blank period, banter

A fever you can’t sweat out by uchiharvno – rtn angsty angst, smut, angst so so so so good

You make my heart beat faster – rtn

Pockets by pinipig – blank period

this tumblr drabble — emotional dark angsty smut

To Be Read

Exes meeting again after not speaking for years (sorta) by @sun-summoning – rtn

Samsara – tbr, plot driven

Sweethearts – rtn modern college au, tbr

matchmaker, matchmaker…how did you get the girl? by @anthropologicalhands – rtn

Rtn series by brumel – rtn, angst, smut

We Draw the Lines in the Leaves by Lady Momo – rtn

Also anything by KuriQuinn on ao3