Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
There would be love by kacau
Just because it's not like in a fairytale, doesn't mean it's not love.
She doesn't smell like strawberries nor cherries, like many would have imagined. No. Sakura's scent is a mix of earth, blood, mint and rain. And he likes it, because it reminds Sasuke of who he is, of who they are.
When he comes back, she is the first to see him. He had gone directly to the Hokage's office, too afraid ─ though he wouldn't admit ─ of how Naruto would react. It isn't until he sees her bright surprised eyes that Sasuke realizes he is even more afraid of what Sakura would do.
She stops, turns around and reenters her sensei's office, announcing the Uchiha. The man behind her takes his time, analysing how beautiful she currently is. And, then, she walks past him, without even another look. He's astonished and hurt but he has to talk to Tsunade, so he pushes those thoughts to the back of his mind.
It's strange to be back, Sasuke realizes. So much has changed and so much hasn't. Naruto is still a baka and he's still his best friend. Neji Hyuuga is peculiarly understanding and the two become friends. Ino Yamanaka is a deeply annoying girl but he's thankful for her friendship and her intent on helping him get back in touch with Sakura.
Sakura, however, seems to avoid him. She ignores Sasuke and the man starts missing the time when he would be the center of her attention. It surprises and alarms him how much he aches for her presence.
It's after a mission that he finally gets alone with her. Sakura is healing him and her gentle touch makes his skin burn. She grazes his chest with her glowing left hand. Sasuke grabs her wrist and their gazes lock. He sees despair and fear and all he wants is to make her feel better.
"I love you."
He doesn't mean to say it, the words just slip out of his mouth, natural, soft and Sakura knows it wasn't meant for her to hear. But she did. And, for the first time since he came back, she smiles at him.
"Took you long enough."
They kiss. And it's passionate and agressive and, when it ends, they're panting. But it doesn't matter.
Sakura knows Sasuke isn't a prince charming. She knows he will never be romantic, that he doesn't like to hold hands ─ though he will let her do it, because that's just how much he loves her ─ and that he will probably beat the crap out of any guy that looks at her the wrong way. And that's fine. She might have crushed on that fairy tale version of him she had created when she was younger but she fell in love with the real Sasuke.
So what if he would think of her a little as if a possession? He was hers too and she would yell it in the face of any girl that didn't seem to get the message.
Their relationship was bizarre and unique. They understood and respected eachother, they would fight sometimes but that just made making up much better. There would be kisses out of nowhere and disappearing in the middle of work, there would be training together and Sasuke letting Sakura hit him because she sometimes needed the encouragement. There would be love.
Neither of them was perfect. He was reserved and dark and she was impatient and too loud but, together, they were complete. They were cheesy and romantic in their own way. They didn't need anybody else's.
Sasuke and Sakura are partners, lovers, friends and ninjas. They are what they are. They don't have to be happy ever after as long as they are together.