Title: The Art of Gratitude.
Authoress: Yuneh-chan.
Number of Words: 927.
Universe: Alternate.
Pairing: SasukexSakura.
Type: Continuous (Incomplete).
Disclaimer: Yuneh-chan owns nothing, whoopee. Let's throw a party.
The Art of Gratitude;
Introducing, Chapter One/Prologue:
'Not Quite…'
He stared at me unblinkingly, and my eye twitched. "Haruno-san, your next meeting is in five minutes," he stated, pushing his reading glasses up a little higher.
"As much as I respect that, Uchiha-san, I want to see my nephew's soccer game. Reschedule or have them have the meeting without me. I will see his game," I reiterated for what seemed like the millionth time.
"Haruno-san, this is the fifth meeting this week, I really must protest."
"Dammit, Sasuke! I refuse to miss his game! I understand that I've already missed four meetings this week, but I can't lose him too! I can't be my mother!" I threw my glass paperweight at the wall and buried my face in my hands. The Uchiha did not move from his position, his blank gaze directed upon me.
"You cannot cry forever. It's been four and a half months. You had no control over what happened to Naruto and Hinata."
"SHUT UP!" I screamed, slamming my hands on my desk. "Sasuke, please don't…it's all my fault. And the only thing I can do to make up for it is to be there for Ryuu now. It's my fault they're gone, and as his legal guardian, I have to be there. Please, Sasuke. Please…" He sighed and pulled out his phone.
"Ami-san? Yes, please have the meeting rescheduled for tomorrow morning at 10 am. Yes, I will take full responsibility. Yes, my head is on the chopping block if she fails to show up this time. Thank you for your time, Ami-san. Goodbye." He snapped his phone shut. "I believe we have a soccer game to attend." I sniffled and wiped my nose on my sleeve. He looked at me in disgust.
"I used all my Kleenex when I had that cold last week, and I don't want to walk through the office with stuff hanging out of my nose!" I muttered defiantly. "Besides, I brought all those spare shirts because I'm such a messy eater. Turn around." He obeyed, and I pulled off my blouse and pulled a crisp, new one, on. I trusted Sasuke over all people not to peek on me while I was dressing, as he was like…hormonally and emotionally constipated.
"Haruno-san, let's hurry before you are late for the game as well."
"Shut up, Sasuke," I said reflexively. We walked out of the office as I finished buttoning my shirt. I wiped the last of my tears away, and he walked beside me, standing a few inches taller. "Sasuke," I murmured after a while, sitting in the passenger seat of his sports car. "Do you really think it wasn't my fault?"
"Of course it wasn't. You did tell them to go out on a date, but you didn't say where to go, and you certainly didn't tell them to get hit by a drunk driver." I smiled weakly.
"Thank you." I took a deep, shaky breath, and calmed myself down.
"Hn," was his ever-articulate reply.
To be truthful, I'd had a crush on my assistant for a long time. And I knew that he knew, because Sasuke was the smartest person I'd ever met. I mean, he'd advised me against dating Neji, Hinata's cousin, because we had nothing in common except for our dry humor that not many other people understood. But, Sasuke hadn't had a girlfriend in the whole time I'd known him (he was the longest-lasting assistant I'd ever had), so I was perfectly certain that I didn't stand a chance.
A lot of people said that we were the perfect pair, that we evened each other out. I was the fun-loving, happy-go-lucky, care-free, free-spirit to his control-freak with responsibility on the brain all the time.
"Haruno-san, we are here," he said, parking the car, as well as jerking me out of my thoughts. We got out of the car, and walked over to the run-down bleachers that overlooked the perfectly manicured soccer field.
"Aunt Sakura!" came a cry before I was tackled to the ground. I laughed and held my nephew close.
"Hello, Ryuu-kun. Sorry we were almost late." He smiled toothily at me, and then turned to Sasuke.
"Uchiha-san, thank you for allowing my aunt to come." He bowed politely, and I stared at him for a moment, before my eyes became teary. "Aunt Sakura..?" Ryuu questioned.
"So cuuuuuute!" I crooned, glomping my adorable nephew.
"Can we please have all players to the field please, the match is about to start. All players to the field, please, as the match is about to start. Thank you."
"That's you, babe," I commented softly, stroking his silky blonde hair as I looked deeply into his pale lavender eyes. Most people found them disconcerting, but I simply adored them. "Win for Uchiha-san, m'kay?"
"Yeah! For Uchiha-san!" Ryuu pumped his fist in the air, as he ran to the field.
"For Uchiha-san, eh?" Sasuke asked, quirking an eyebrow. I blushed, looking away.
"I am teaching him to be a gentleman. Since you let me come, I decided it was only fair to have him win the game for you." He sat beside me and leaned close enough to whisper in my ear.
"What if it wasn't Ryuu that I wanted a thank-you from?" he purred, making me shiver as my eyes glazed over.
"S-Sasuke…" I replied thickly, making him chuckle.
"Yes, Sa-ku-ra?" he asked, his breath tickling my ear. My breathing hitched as I grabbed the front of his jacket to stop my world from spinning.
"W-What are you doing?"
"Why, isn't it obvious that I'm…"
AN: I'm so sorry that I'm evil and enjoy cliffhangers. I'll try to update soon, as to not keep you in suspense for too long, wondering what the hell Sasuke's doing. XD