Rating T
Even though it's nearing midnight, the village is still alive to celebrate the marriage of Naruto and Hinata. The ceremony was beautiful and they looked amazing together. All of our friends had their love there, well except for me. My right hand holds the paper tighter as I say farewell to Kakashi sensei and Lady Tsunade. Before the party began, Sasuke's hawk appeared to deliver a letter of congratulations. Everyone else was too focused on the newlyweds to realize that it was my birthday and I wouldn't have it any other way, but if Sasuke wanted to congratulate Naruto he would've done so. This letter was to congratulate me on 20th birthday, we've kept our contact secret from the others up until now.
When Sasuke came home after I was taken, we developed a deeper relationship than just teammates. On my days off we would isolate ourselves in my apartment, enjoying each other's company in silence. Even though he was only home for a few short weeks, this time he promised me that I would join him the next time he came home. A breeze causes me to shiver and I look around to see that I'm almost home. Tomorrow I would go by Kakashi's office to see if there has been any new information from Sasuke. It's been almost a year since he left and every fiber of me wants to join him on his journey.
Unlocking my front door, I gently place the single key and the note on the kitchen counter and remove my small heels. The events of the day are catching up as I move to my bedroom and a small box is sitting on my perfectly made bed. There's a card dangling off the lid.
'Happy Birthday to our dear daughter. We love you very much and only wish the best for you. You have become such a powerful, determined young woman worthy of surpassing her master.'
A warm smile spreads across my face and I place the card gently on the bed before tearing open the soft pink paper. My mother has always wrapped my presents in pink paper, saying that it was only fitting because of my naturally pink hair. Opening the box with my tired fingers a new cloak welcomes me. Pulling it from the box I notice the Haruno circle has been stitched into the back and the insides are lined with pockets for tools and scrolls. My parents know that I rarely go into the field anymore, most of my time is spent working with the Children's Mental Health Hospital and the main Hospital. I appreciate the gift as I go to hang it alongside my old mission gear in my closet. It feels like a life time ago that we were battling Akatsuki and tracking down Sasuke only to have our village destroyed and thrown into war. Back then things were almost simpler, taking orders and carrying out missions as needed. Now I'm the making decisions and overseeing training of new medics.
Sighing as I move to pull off my dress, but a familiar chakra stops all movement. This chakra…My legs move faster than my mind as I swing open the front door to find Sasuke. His eyes widen for a brief moment at my intensity and enthusiasm at this hour. The smile that only Sasuke could create flashes over my face, fighting myself from wrapping my arms tightly around his neck.
"Sasuke, I didn't think you would back." The words almost come out as a whisper, stepping to the side allowing him to enter my home. There are so many unspoken words between us that I wish I could have answer to, but for him to come by my home first instead of Naruto or Kakashi's is heartwarming.
"Ah. Neither did I." He takes his cloak off and hangs it by the doorway, kicking off his shoes as well. The beat of my heart skips at his actions, looks like he will be staying for a while. Since I had a spare room the last time, Sasuke stayed with me since the apartment he had as a child was destroyed in the Pain attack. Maybe he will be staying tonight as well.
"Would you like some tea?" His head shake no as I move closer to him and take a step to the kitchen. Reaching for the box on the top shelf, I feel Sasuke beside me causing a blush to form on my face. It's been so long since I've been this close to him, all I want is to be closer.
"I see that you kept my note." Smiling, I nod to him and back away from the counter. It seems that Sasuke isn't in the mood for tea. My green eyes meet a single black orb, his other hidden behind the raven locks. Silently I was afraid of his rinnegan that last time he was home, first hand feeling the effects of its genjutsu. There were a few nights after the war I would wake up with the ghost pain in my chest, a small reminder of how close Sasuke had gotten to the true side of darkness. Moving the raven locks away I see the purple orb staring right at me, a shiver running through my spine. His body tenses at my touch for a moment before relaxing into my hand.
"Of course I would." A tension builds in the air, it reminds me of the first and only time we kissed. It was a slip on my part but neither one of us fought it, we had been sitting in the living room for most of the day. The way he seemed so peaceful and at ease something overcame me, it was against my better judgement but we wouldn't have changed it. Then the next morning he departed on his journey again so we couldn't discuss our current status.
Ignoring my better judgement again, I stand on the tips of my toes and graze my lips to his. This time his body relaxes against my touch and the pressure is returned. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I'm pulled flush against his body. His lone hand is holding the small of my back and my fingers play with the ends of his hair. Breaking away to take a deep breath we rest our foreheads against one another. My eyes are closed but I can feel his gaze on my skin.
"I'm sorry…" Feeling embarrassed, I head into the safety of my bedroom. With all the emotions a wedding can bring, it gave me a little more confidence to show Sasuke that I still care. I hear Sasuke walk to my room and stop just outside the threshold, my back hiding the redness of my face. Maybe I should've waited until we had a chance to decide what we are instead of acting on impulse.
"What's wrong?" His question brings more thoughts to my mind, what am I to you? Am I still just a teammate? Why did you leave right after our kiss? Is there someone else…I keep the tears at bay, it's been so long since I've cried in front of him. Sucking in a long breath, my body turns and drops onto the bed to meet his gaze again.
"There's so many unanswered questions." Looking down at my hands that are playing with hem of my dress. It doesn't seem to faze him as he makes his way over to me, his tall figure towering over mine.
"Then ask." I don't have to look to know there's a signature Uchiha smirk covering his face. Could it be that simple? Sasuke isn't much of a conversationalist, so why now?
"Am I just your teammate?" It seems to take him by surprise and as a nervous chuckle hits my ears. My eyes dart up to look at his amused expression, annoyance filling my body. Jumping up from my bed to try look eye to eye with him but I fail miserably.
"You've never been just my teammate." With his answer come a small tap to my forehead, tears form again in my eyes and I pull him back to me. Our lips meet with a little more fire, more passion than a few minutes ago. Fingers grip on my hip and mine tangle in his fingers, the room around us fades. I step back and my knees hit against the bed making us crash onto the bed unceremoniously. We break apart and laughter fills the air, mainly from me but there's a small laugh coming from the Uchiha as well. The room turns silent again and I stare up at the dark ceiling.
"Did you get the present from your parents?" Spring up from my spot I straddle his lap, ignoring the arousal forming in his pants, and glare down at him with a confused look. Another infamous smirk and tap to my forehead causes me to go from confused to dumbfounded.
"I made a promise to you last time. It's already been cleared with Kakashi and Tsunade." Gasping, I let the tears fall and my lips crash onto his once again. Letting my lips part just enough and our tongues explore each other. The sensation is new and it warms my skin with each passing second, but I pull away to catch my breath. Our breathing is ragged and there's an electric charge in the air. The hairs on my neck stand at the feeling and I give him a loving smile before a yawn hits me. Sasuke clears his throat underneath me and a shift in my body causes me to fall back onto the bed.
"Are you staying tonight?" My hands smooth out the short pink locks and fidget nervously with the ends.
"Ah." A blush hits me, my spare room was turned into an office that way I could work from home. The couch isn't exactly comfortable either which leaves only one option.
"Will you stay with me?" The silence as I wait for his answer is nerve racking, if he rejects me now then I'll feel even more self-conscious. My legs swing off the bed to allow space between the two of us, maybe I've misread the situation. A grunt of disapproval comes from Sasuke's mouth as I pull out a pair of sleeping clothes.
"Go change." Nodding without looking at his face I enter the bathroom that's attached to my room. A thought in the back of my head moves to the front, what if he's gone when I come back? I lock eyes with my own reflection and what I see causes me to gasp. Puffy pink lips, a deep blush that matches my dress and pure joy covers my face. Sasuke just admitted to having feelings for me because he wouldn't have kissed me if he didn't. Tonight has shown the change in our relationship, we've stepped over the barrier into unknown territory that leaves me wanting more.
Peeling the dress from my body, I replace it with a deep red tank and black shorts. Looking back in the mirror I take a deep breath in and move to exit the room and what I see makes my heart flutter. Sasuke has changed clothes as well and is laying on the normally empty side of my large bed waiting for me to return. Excitement overcomes me and I move faster than I should to join him earning a chuckle from the Uchiha.
Laying down under the covers, I leave some distance between the two of us. Still nervous that he would leave if I pushed things too quickly. A yelp comes from my throat as a single arm hooks around my waist to pull me flush against his front. My face buried in his neck and his breath tickling against my ear.
"Happy Birthday Sakura." Smiling into his pale flesh, a twitch in his lips make me feel butterflies once again. For now Sasuke is home with me and whenever he leaves I will be going with him. There is still more healing that Sasuke has to do, more acts of redemption but this time I will be there to support and love him. If the darkness threatens him again, I will be there to pull him away from it. That's all I've ever wanted and now I have the chance. Today has been the best birthday by far…