departure
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I can smell the sweet scent of cinnamon on his collar as I wrap my arms around him tight. He doesn't return the gesture, but finally allows me to; neither steps in nor out. Traces of perfume and alcohol and him are there as well, along with something I can't place before he finally moves away. His eyes search mine, cool and dark against the bright emerald of my own.
The party within the house seems so far away now. I can hear Kiba yell something, and there's a faint crash, but my ear strain to hear only the few simple words he murmurs. "I'm going to come back, Sakura. I won't leave you here."
I have enough strength to stay dry eyed, but my voice cracks slightly. I clear my throat. "Somehow, for some reason, I believe you."
His lips twitch into something that's not quite a frown. His gaze flicks over my shoulder, briefly, and then up. "Mistletoe," he wonders quietly.
I don't look up; I knew it was there. "Yes."
He eyes return to mine, and in that moment, I hear nothing but the blood pounding in my ears, and the roaring of the silence. His fingers twirl a lock of my hair absently, and he leans forward just enough that I can feel his breath on my skin. Unable to look away, I rest my palms flat against his chest, and wonder what to do.
He finally, finally smirks. The expression I've been waiting two years for. My legs, suddenly, aren't as strong, and my head seems to whirl. He catches me just before I hit the ground, and puts a strong hand to the back of my neck. I hitch a breath, holding on to his shoulders with a white-knuckled grip. "Sakura," he rumbles, deep within his chest.
Then, he's kissing me. His lips are searing hot against mine, molding perfectly, our breaths heavy in the archway as the party goes on in the other room. I give in to my weakness, leaning against the wall heavily and fisting his sweat in my hands, holding on tight. His slips beneath the tail of my shirt, smoothing the plain of my back as shivers run delicately up my spine.
"Hey, Bastard! Didn't think you were…gonna…oh, wow." Naruto stares, shocked, at us from the door way, bottle in hand and hat sliding off. "Holy-…um, I'm gonna…" Then he's gone, leaving us breathless under the mistletoe. I stare up at Sasuke unsurely, and he slowly, gently, puts me back on my feet. His arms disappear quickly into his coat, and he glances in the other room before placing a careful kiss to the side of my mouth.
I open the door, look up. He stares back, fiddling with an idea, then hands me a gift, eyes averted. "Two more years, Sakura. I'll be back, and we'll pick up where we left off." He briefly catches my gaze, then saunters outside, shoulders hunched against the falling snow. I wait until his car disappears into thefog, then close the door and finally settle on opening the gift.
I get the wrapping off, throwing it haphazardly to the side. The box is hardly the size of my palm, and I hesitate to open it. After a few moments, I muster the courage and lift the lid, only to gasp in pleasant surprise. Inside, nestled against fine silk, is a simple silver chain.
My fingers grasp the delicate chain, lifting it out of the box as I squint at the dangling charm.
I smile, and brush my thumb over the glittering Uchiha emblem.
"I believe you, Sasuke-kun," I murmur, leaning over to clasp the necklace, and watch as it falls gently against the hollow of my neck.
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Had to get back in the funk. Inspiration is crap. Ha.