A/N: A oneshot that just wouldn't let me rest. Sasuke...is not so bad in this one! :)
He hated cactuses.
He hated emerald-eyed pinkettes more.
How was he supposed to know the right way to raise a cactus? How was he even supposed to know there was a right way for it?
Nevertheless, that cactus had been his responsibility. He'd failed at it spectacularly and now, the lingering remnants of his conscience chafed.
And yet, she'd been the one who cried.
Of course he couldn't admit his inadequacy at such a menial task. He'd already been called cold, unfeeling, heartless, traitor. So, he did what he was best at. Sneered at her optimism-laden enquiry about the gift.
His birthday gift- a thorny, prickly, useless, plump cactus.
At first, he'd thought it to be a deliberate attempt at sarcasm. Not in good humour, but applicable.
Sasuke, I know it's not the best of gifts, but here, she'd joyously handed the blasted thing to him, happy birthday. Take care of it.
Her vibrant smile coupled with a hopeful stare had made his dark,murky thoughts vanish.
Sasuke! How do you find your gift? Has it shown any growth since the last time?
His mood had darkened. In hindsight, perhaps he'd been too callous.
I wouldn't know. I threw that pointless thing away.
And so, she'd been the one who cried.
Now here he was, after a week of tempestuous contemplation and violent urgings from Naruto; standing at her door, only a threadbare resolve keeping him in place.
When she'd opened the door and invited him in, her demeanour had been as irascible as her humble gift. Wisely, he kept that thought to himself. He was uncaring, but not suicidal.
Sakura's face remained a neutral mask, however her eyes gave away her turbulent sentiments. He calmly observed those transient emotions at play- anger, surprise, wariness and defeat. He'd have stuck to the meaningless, monosyllabic apology he'd arrived with, but that last emotion gave him pause.
He'd spoken the words before his brain could filter them.
I lied. I didn't throw that cactus away.
Sakura's incredulous stare indicated her desire to put two words in, but Sasuke continued, in a flurry of words- plain, raw and unrefined;
I knew it could grow amply well without water. And I thought, it would grow exceptionally well with its help. I watered it incessantly for the past week. It died. I couldn't tell you.
His rational mind told him to cut his speech short right there and take his leave, with a morsel of his pride intact.
His currently irrational mind, that sounded suspiciously like Naruto, ran dutiful interference.
I wanted to raise the cactus well. I wanted you to be proud of me. I wanted you to smile at me, approve of me..
She'd kissed him silent.
And then, she'd cried again.
...
He really, really hated cactuses.
But he couldn't hate emerald-eyed pinkettes anymore.
a/n: That's it! Had a long, painful deliberation over the usage of cactuses vs. cacti. XD Had to point it out here.