Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

-One-

To her, he had always been untouchable.

He was something to admire from afar. Something to continually long after, but never to actually grasp and to hold. Of course, in the past, she had physically touched him; held him. Skin upon skin. Flesh against flesh… Her fingers clinging to him as tears streaked down her face when she thought him to be dead, his body riddled with senbon and wounds weeping blood… His head cradled in her lap as he groaned out in pain while the curse seal overtook him. Hand held in hers and fingers grasping tight... Her arms wrapped about his person, a last ditch effort to bring him back, to subside that hideous power that snake had tempted him with... His body against her own when he managed to make it through the portal and caught her exhausted frame. His weight solid and firm behind her, his calloused fingers rough against the skin of her arm… She could go on.

Yes, all these had happened in the past, but back then she knew it hadn't meant much to him. Not in the way that it had meant to her. Despite the countless moments of contact, he had still felt so far away from her.

But now, everything was different.

She should have been completely enthralled, but there was still frustration and uncertainty, as one might imagine with the history of their relationship. It didn't help that he was about as helpful as a glass of salt water on a hot day most times. She swore that he did this intentionally to her. As if she hadn't already suffered enough, she mused in exasperation more than once. But this she would endure, because now he was back after being away for so long. Sometimes she felt like she had no idea how to handle this change. It was funny, really, as she spent most of her life playing out how things would go down between them. Analyzing every possible situation and outcome she could imagine. But sometimes such rehearsals flew away from her mind when the moment of truth finally appeared and she was left looking silly and feeling even sillier. Perhaps it was because, despite all the day dreaming and scenario building, it was that deep down she just never thought she'd finally find herself in this situation with him. It had been a fantasy for so many years that having it become a reality hadn't quite set in just yet. She felt like she might be dreaming and would wake up at any moment. Because now, after all these years, he was no longer out of her reach. But he was fragile, and she was… well… Inexperienced. It wasn't an ideal combination, but Sakura wasn't one to give up so easily.

"S-Sasuke-kun… you're back." He gave a small nod. Her nervousness made his eyes glitter in mirth, as if he prided himself on his ability to elicit such reactions from her. "We… I didn't expect you to return for a while longer."

"I missed being away from the village," he replied, and a little smile pulled at Sakura's mouth. He was homesick. "I missed being away… away from you…"he added after, his eyes faltering away from her face for a moment. Her mouth parted at those words and her eyes widened. She felt her heart thump in her chest.

"…Sasuke-kun…"

She fumbled with her words and felt like she was having stage fright. He showed up unannounced and she wasn't prepared. Ecstatic, but still not prepared. They hadn't expected him back home for a while longer just as she told him. To be more honest, she had had no idea when he'd finally return home. She hoped and dreamed of his return since he left. Longed to continue the precarious relationship that she had urged out from him before he departed. Sakura just wished that he had sent a message to give her time to rehearse.

"Hn."

There was that smirk, the one that could undo her. The one she had desperately wished to see for so long. She felt her cheeks redden at the sight of it. He smirked wider as she shifted a little closer to him; drawn to be near him like a moth is drawn to a flame. Despite the cool exterior he exuded, to her, he was like a burning beacon of attention that she couldn't ignore.

"Sakura…"

He was close; so close. He smelt like the freshness of the wilderness and sharpness of metal polish and the last, dying hints of a camp fire. So close and he wasn't trying to push her away. So close that she saw the hesitant awkwardness that he quietly exuded before her, indicating that this was just as difficult for him as it was for her. At first she thought it unbecoming of his character, but then, she thought it endearing after some thought because of who he was and what he had endured. He was someone who hadn't accepted love for a long, long time, and now, here he stood before her, ready to embrace it. His heart was so fragile and he was placing it in her hands. It was terrifying and enthralling. It was what she had always dreamed for, but oh, how tenuous it stood before her, now. Yet, if there was one thing Sakura knew she desired without a doubt, it was this, despite the risks it carried.

Those down cast eyes of his swept over to meet hers again when she boldly, albeit gingerly, reached for his right and only hand, fingers entwining into his own. He did not pull away.

"Welcome home, Sasuke-kun…"

They sat together at the edge of the wooden dock down by the lake he had trained at as a child. The warm night breeze of their temperate homeland trickled past them as their bare feet tread the water's surface. The glow of the village and the moonlight shone down upon the space, and the dull roar of life echoed off in the distance. The sounds of insects skittering over the water's surface played out from time to time, and the plop of a fish that broke the tranquility to grab one punctuated it now and then. In the thrush that rimmed the edges of the lake fireflies bobbed up and down like little faerie lights. Coupled with the light of the moon it looked very ethereal and she almost felt like she was in a fairy tale.

It wasn't their first time sitting there since he came back, and she knew it wouldn't be the last. This place was so full of memory for him. She knew she should be touched that he included her in these quiet moments of nostalgia, but somehow, it almost felt like she was intruding upon something sacred and her presence only dirtied it. But he had been the one to invite her here time after time, and she would not decline such an offer. Not from him. And he never asked her to leave or made her feel unwelcome. Still, she wished that he could pay a bit more attention to her right now. Childish, yes, she knew, considering the gravity of the location, but she couldn't help herself. His growing attention was like a drug to her and she wanted more and more of it. At first he only supplied it in small doses, but he was slowly and surely offering more as time went on.

"Sasuke-kun…"

"Hn?" She glanced over at him. He was leaning forward, his forearm resting atop his thigh and his hair obscuring his face save for the profile of his mouth which was set in neutrality. He did not look her way and only continued to peer out across the lake or out at nothing at all. It was hard to tell what his eyes were focused on. Even though only a few inches separated them it felt like miles. For sitting so close he felt so far away from her. It was a feeling made of her own construction and insecurity. A stronger breeze rushed by, momentarily brushing aside his hair so she could see his eyes; they looked glazed over in deep thought. She frowned slightly.

What are you thinking? Sakura had to wonder. She did not press on and he did not acknowledge her further. She wondered if he had even heard her at all and if his small sound of registration was simply unconscious; a visceral reaction of sorts.

"Sasuke-kun," she tried once more. This time he looked over at her. Momentarily distracted by the rippling pattern of his left eye her lips parted slightly in the perpetual awe the rinnegan summoned from within her; in the dimness of night it seemed to shine with its own inner light. She saw the eye narrow slightly in humor. The movement broke the little spell she had been under and her eyes flicked down to see the smirk that was pulling at his lips. Despite the nostalgia that he had been engrossed in moments ago, he now gave her his full attention and did not look perturbed by the interruption of his thoughts.

"Yeah…?"

Yes. She was being childish.

"I… uh… never mind," she mumbled, eyes casting down. She did not see him give her an amused look, brows furrowing in his silent humor at her hesitance. Her hands fidgeted in her lap and she kicked her feet, water churning as her toes sailed over the dark surface.

"Something wrong?" she heard him inquire. The sound of his voice made her look up once more.

"No… i-it's nothing." Sakura cast her eyes down to her lap again.

"You're not a good liar, Sakura. Not around me." Her eyes widened as she looked back to him and focused on his rinnegan again. "It's not because of this eye," he explained quietly when he noted her attention shifted. "I simply know how to read your actions. Your emotions." Those words made a faint blush creep upon her neck and cheeks. The sight of it caused him to smirk once more.

"What's wrong?" he asked again. Though his voice was quiet and calm there was an underlying tone of coercion laced into it. She knew he would not let her stay silent about it.

"It's just… you said you came back… back to the village because you missed me. I know it hasn't been long since you've gotten back, and I know there are others in the village who take up your time besides myself, like Naruto and Kakashi senpai… but… I just thought that… I mean, we've been spending time together, but... I..."

Yes. Very childish.

Understanding crossed his expression, and his eyes averted from hers. Her own were expectant and her face betrayed her embarrassment, but she felt a little better, albeit still childish, that she was able to speak her concerns aloud to him. If there was one thing she wanted to be with him it was to be as completely honest as she could. She knew it was something he would appreciate.

"I'm sorry, Sakura," he said quietly after a moment's silence. "I didn't want to rush." Sakura looked away feeling ashamed of herself again. It was stupid to try and rush things. The woman knew she should be happy with the fact that he was willing to spend time with her, to sit side by side with her, even if it were a simple gesture. From someone like Sasuke, it actually was much more, she should know. She was growing more and more comfortable in his presence, growing surer of herself. She should have known that Sasuke would need more time to mend the broken pieces of his heart. If she understood the full implications of his past and the story of his brother she might have had a better insight on the matter, but she didn't, still remaining in the dark about the tragic tale. Still, she knew there was hurt in there. Hurt he was trying his damnest to usher out of existence. Of course something like that would take time. She understood more and more why he had left the village the more he allowed her in, the more she saw the lingering scars.

"Of course… F-forget I said anything." There was another pause of silence.

"Sakura…" Unable to resist she turned her head back towards him. She saw his arm reach up and with his first two fingers he tapped her affectionately on her forehead. Another blush crept up her neck and the memory of when he left over two years ago. Sakura did not know why, but the act of him poking her forehead was a very intimate one for the man; this she was certain of. Even more intimate than a hug… or maybe even a kiss. His expression softened; it was a rare sight to see upon his face and one he did not reveal to many, she knew. That he let down his guard while in her presence was paramount to Sakura. It told her that he cared – told her that he was exposing himself to her. And God, did he look vulnerable in that moment, like she could say one word and break him completely. It was a very sobering realization, just how much she held sway over the man, even if to the outside world it was masked by that indifferent, cool demeanor of his. But right now, the outside world wasn't looking in, and he felt safe enough to let those walls around him start to crumble as if he knew she would just topple them down like her inhuman punches could topple down mountains. But the feat could not be done in an instant. It was a delicate process and it needed time.

"Forgive me… I'm trying my best," he finished with a quirk of his brows in a slightly nervous smile that contrasted with her usual image of him. Sakura's own brow furrowed in adoration. Tentatively she reached over to wrap a hand about his arm as she scooted a bit closer to him. Her grip tightened gently, and his strong appendage, the weight tangible and real and not subsiding, was a comforting feeling against her fingers.

"… Sasuke-kun…" She smiled gently up at him, her expression one of understanding and endearment. "I'm sorry. I know you are. Thank you." Sakura was doing her best to remain patient and he seemed to understand and recognize this. To his credit the man really was trying his hardest, Sakura knew. As many times as she sought him out, he came to find her just as frequently. As often as she tried to initiate physical contact between them he did not keep her at bay, and in the quiet moments when they were alone and prying eyes were not watching, he initiated it himself. Such as quiet moments like the one they were currently sharing. As if to reward her unyielding determination for him, and maybe to keep her placated she mused briefly, the man did something that she had hoped for but didn't think she'd receive. His arm reached up, her hands still wrapped about his bicep, and his fingers delicately touched her chin so he could lift her face towards his own. Her heart skipped a beat and heat crawled through her body at his touch and his expression. Closing the distance between them he claimed her mouth with his own in a soft embracing of lips. Eyes fluttering shut, she didn't bother to try and subdue the flush of red that colored her neck and her cheeks.

This wasn't the first time he had kissed her. No, not by far. But, admittedly, if she were being honest with herself, the ones so far were, well, disappointing. She felt bad for admitting it to herself, but the truth still held. They were always small and tentative and fleeting and left her wanting more. At least, she mused, they weren't as awkward as they had been during the beginning. He was proving to be more conservative than she anticipated. For him, poking her forehead still seemed his preferred choice of intimacy. At least, though, he was respectful of her; she could give him that much. Right now, though, she was feeling a little more courageous despite the words he had spoken to her moments ago. Perhaps she wanted to show him that sometimes rushing things wasn't such a bad idea. It wasn't as if he had returned yesterday. Almost two months had come and gone. She supposed it was time to test the water again, consequences be damned. Her hands moved to run across the plains of his chest when he did not pull away from her. The light touch of his fingers on her chin became more solid, hand moving to cusp the side of her face now. She felt muscles dancing beneath her fingers as they explored. At any moment she thought he might stop her as he had done in previous situations. One hand reached up towards his neck and to the hair as its base, fingers teasing into the short locks. She felt drunk on his touch and presence, his smell and taste clouding her mind. Again she asked more of him, her tongue testing against his lips. Rather than deny her advance he allowed it much to her delight. A small sound escaped from the back of his throat as her tongue slid over his own, and she reciprocated it when his fingers slid up into her hair behind her ear. Her other hand not at his neck laced behind his back, fingers grasping as she pulled him even closer and herself even nearer. His fingers tightened in her hair in response and she dared to nip at his bottom lip with her teeth. Another noise escaped him, this one prolonged and more audible than the first.

If she had not heard him confess his thoughts to her she wouldn't have believed them, for he did not seem anything but willing in the moment. Any thoughts of not wanting to rush seemed to be thrown out the window suddenly. Perhaps rushing wasn't as bad as it sounded right then and there. Without the reflexes of being a shinobi, it would have been difficult for him to bring up his right leg from over the edge of the dock to now be bent besides her with her sitting so near, allowing her now to be even closer, and she did not hesitate to close that small distance which remained. Her own hand in his hair tightened, pulling on the locks as she nipped his lip with her teeth, asking for more. His kiss became more passionate and she let escape her own satisfied moan at the shift, a very sensual sound and one she hadn't made in his presence until now. She tried to mold her body into his more than it already was.

Suddenly, she was no longer embracing him. In a move so fast she did not register it coherently, her backside was now flat against the wooden planks, legs still dangling off the end, and Sasuke was straddled above her, one arm propping up his frame aside her head. Her eyes were wide, lips parted, as she looked up at him. The normally dark right eye was lit crimson with his sharingan. His own lips were parted, his expression intense and possessive as he watched her, dark hair framing his face as her own surrounded her head like a halo of pink. That look made her hold her breath in surprise. Yet, in those eyes was also a sliver of hesitance as he seemed to struggle with himself. She found she was unable to speak, uncertain of what he might do next in this situation. Sakura suddenly felt guilty but made herself not look too sorry, for she wasn't. She knew exactly what she wanted and she made sure that he was aware of that. But as he said earlier, he hadn't wanted to rush, and she should honor that. She was playing dirty and she didn't want to make him upset. She had waited for so, so long already; a little longer wouldn't hurt, would it? Willing her heart to slow and that burning heat in her middle to subside, Sakura exhaled the breath she had been holding. Breathing in deeply, her eyes softened and then she smiled.

"Sasuke-kun…" There was nothing but love in that name as she said it, finally finding her voice to speak. That love was reflected on her face. "It's getting late. Maybe I should go home." Though she did not apologize, the way in which she told him this made it clear that she was taking the blame for his current internal dilemma even if he had initiated what had led to it. She had been the one to add fuel to the fire. His eyes closed and he breathed in deeply. She thought she saw a small tremor rack through his body. When his eyes reopened, his right eye was dark again. Despite herself she couldn't help but find it empowering that she could activate his kekkei genkai in such a manner. She tried not to smile too smugly at the notion. As if reading her thoughts he huffed out a little laugh through his nose, and she couldn't help the grin that pulled at her face. Perhaps he was laughing at himself, too, and the contradiction his actions made to his words. But she wasn't going to complain.

"Right," he finally said as he removed himself from her person. She tried not to think about how she missed the weight of his body atop her own. Think about the coolness that his absence left. Getting to his feet in a swift movement, he reached down with his hand offered to her. She took it without hesitance and he helped her to her feet. Their sandals lay nearby and they donned them, leaving the lake after. They walked at a leisurely pace to her apartment. Though they walked closely, she did not try and put her hand in his as she liked to do most times they strolled through the village, even if she was tempted. The image of his conflicted expression returned to her mind, helping to keep her hands to herself, even though the lingering passion between them and the memories of the dock minutes ago made it difficult at the same time. She chanced a glace his way at one point and his eyes looked deep in thought, his mouth set in a straight line. He almost looked… mad. Not at her, but with himself. It made her feel guiltier.

When they finally reached her apartment she unlocked the door and opened it. She expected that his troubled look would be replaced, hidden behind his cool smirk when she would turned around to face him. She expected him to tell her goodnight, followed by a poke to her forehead, and followed by something like, 'See you later, Sakura', to end their day together. Maybe even one of his small kisses if she was lucky, though she didn't try and get her hopes up too high on that one considering the tactics she pulled on him back at the lake. Withholding affection to tease her was a favored pastime of his she reminded herself. He'd surely use it now as punishment. The idea made her laugh to herself. What she didn't expect when she turned around was to see smoldering eyes and a barely contained passion exuding from his person as he watched her. It made her lose her breath, and instantly it felt like her heart was beating in her throat at the image of him there, watching her possessively for a second time that night. He approached her without hesitance, and she did not fight against him when his hand reached up to her face and the weight of his body ushered her into the foyer of her apartment. She heard the door close behind him that he must have shut with a nimble swipe of his foot. But thoughts about the door flew out of her mind when her back hit a wall. She inhaled sharply, breath hitching after as he pinned her against that wall, like prey caught by its hunter, his remaining arm blocking her escape where it was held aside her head. In the darkness of her home she saw the glowing light of both his rinnegan and sharingan as the man looked down at her, and she was caught by the beauty of them both. It caused a shiver to run down her spine to see those dangerous eyes upon her with such longing in them. Eyes that could kill her if he so desired. He took clear delight in her awe of them, she knew, as they stood in that brief moment, breaths mixing together as her eyes danced between his own. He broke the spell as he closed the distance between them; his mouth came to devour hers hungrily. She felt weak with the sheer passion he was displaying to her and her hands gripped about his shoulders as if she might fall. She was thankful for the wall and his strength as his body held her deliciously against it. His mouth moved away from hers and his hand tipped her head back, exposing her neck. She shuddered against him and sighed as he kissed the tender flesh, teeth nipping and tongue gliding.

"Sa… Sasuke…" she managed to breathe out. The sound of his name being said caused him to mold his body even more closely into her own. She let out a gasp when she felt the manifestation of his desire for her against her abdomen. It made her nervous, but even more so, it made her excited. Heat flooded through her. One hand wound up into his hair and the other splayed out against his lower back, inviting him closer. The invitation was extended further when she lifted a leg to wrap about his thigh, arching herself into him. She was rewarded with a low groan against her throat. His chest, flush with hers, she felt vibrate with the sound. His hand in her hair tightened further, eliciting another small gasp from her lips at the pain. But pain and pleasure were mixing and she didn't want him to stop. Again, like at the lake, she expected him to withdraw at any moment despite this second lapse in composure today. But he didn't. They weren't going to stop.

"What happened to not rushing things?" she dared to ask. She didn't want to antagonize him into withdrawing but she couldn't help but ask him. Much to her dismay he pulled away enough so she could see his face again. Unlike earlier at the lake he seemed quite certain of himself. Sakura saw no traces of hesitance on his features. Those mismatched eyes narrowed in humor and he brought his face closed to her own, mouth going towards her ear. The feel of his breath against it made her shudder against him again.

"I changed my mind," was his simple reply, voice low and husky. She couldn't help but laugh, and also couldn't help the shiver of excitement that coursed through her. "That a problem?" There was almost a dare to that question, as if he knew good and well she wouldn't find one but he wanted her to. Something to make it a struggle, she wondered? Make it that much more rewarding to obtain? But she couldn't find a suitable one, and she shook her head 'no'. He smirked at the movement and wore a look that said, 'I didn't think so.' Always so confident, she mused. It almost irked her enough to retort, but he stole the chance from her when he leaned closer to kiss her once more and the thought completely left her mind when his hand slipped beneath her shirt.

No, not a problem at all.