Disclaimed. Alternative Universe. Sasuke and Sakura

Summary: Two months, and I became accustomed to her presence. She was the same person I found curled up, scathed, and beaten in front of my apartment door. She gave my emptied apartment a life. I couldn't push her away.


Knocking on My Door

by: you are my math

- I kissed her forehead as a gratitude for knocking in my life -

. . .

"I'm home." The words slipped through my lips involuntarily.

"Welcome home, Sasuke-san." Was her usual response.

I kicked out my shoes and neatly placed it over the rug. I ignored her simple greet as I proceeded to the kitchen to get myself a glass of water. I didn't want her to think that I am being too soft and hospitable to her. She's just my maid but somewhere inside my mind sort of tells me that she is my personal maid.

I walked to where my room is. From the living room, I saw her sitting on one of the couch, crossed legs, with a genuine grin plastered on her face. I raised my brows, and was about to ask her what is she being cheerful about. But, before my lips betray me again, I pushed aside the thoughts and continued to my room.

"Sasuke-san!" She chirped out happily.

I anticipated it, but I did not look around to see her excited blissful face because, for some reason, it gave me this sudden placidity rushing throughout me.

"I got videogames. Do you want to play?"

This time, I looked around to see her cheery face which made it hard to comprehend the declining words I was about to blurt out.

"No. I have works to do." It was flat, and straight, but I, somehow, instantly regretted it; just seeing her despondent face in a split second made me want to rethink of my words. I shouldn't have declined. "Have you cooked already?" Was all I could mustered up despite seeing her disappointed look.

"Uhm, are you hungry already? I could cook now. It will just take a minute." She stood up and went at the kitchen. I watched her, she turned around waving a finger at me with a smile adorning her face. I could've just conclude that one is a fake.

I furrowed when it directly gave me a twisted feeling inside my chest. I shrugged it away before it even more confused me.

.

.

.

It had been two and a half months already since she found herself living at my own apartment. It may seems temporary, but I don't think she plans to leave anytime soon, since she doesn't have anywhere else to go, and somehow I become accustomed to her.

It was confusing, but having her around just felt homely. I didn't even know how it started, but she gave me this smile that I didn't know I am still capable of doing. It wasn't like, I couldn't afford if she leave me soon, but the placidity I felt whenever she's in the room is important.

Before stepping out of the bathroom, I securely wrapped the towel around my waist.

Sakura was still at the kitchen preparing plates on the table. She must have sensed me, after she placed down the last plate. She flashed me a genuine smile, before announcing, "Dinner's ready, Sasuke-san."

Another twisted feeling rushed through and I silently pushed it away inside me. She really must stop doing that. "Mhm..." was my only response as if reminding her that I've heard her.

She giggled, before she went to the stove to ready the food down the table. She was rather jumpy, and that reaction confused me. A while ago, she was depressed over some unnecessary things, but now was rather the opposite. I won't admit it outwardly, but that is one of the reasons why I like her.

She smiles over the silliest matter.

I only wore a plain gray v-neck shirt, and dark pants since it's Saturday and I have nothing else to do except for the paperwork that I have to finish before the deadline. I walked out of my room to the kitchen.

She was still wearing my apron, when she approached me with a blissful grin on her face. I couldn't comprehend the next thing that happened, when she grabbed my hand and dragged me all the way to the table. "Table for two, sir?"

She probably wanted to imitate a waitress, and I found it cute when she blushed upon saying those words. She probably realized the mistake between the lines.

I smirked, my hands involuntary moved on its own, I wrapped my fingers around her soft palm, letting her lead the way.

"What did you make for dinner?"

"Uh, soup and onigiri your favourite, partnered with fresh tomatoes."

She stood behind of where my chair is, "Sit down already, master." She pointed out.

She couldn't treat me like this. She deserves better.

I sighed, disobeying her words. Instead, I reached for her back to untie the knot behind her waist. I saw a glimpse of her red cheeks that made me want to bend down to kiss it. But she won't like the idea, and I think she never will. She might probably misunderstand it as something else and the last thing I want her to think of me is being a greedy pervert. I couldn't afford that to happen.

"At least remove the apron if you're trying to act as a waitress."

"O-oui, I was about to." She tried to let the words through her lips properly, but it ended up in vain, giving her the chance to stutter. I chuckled. She was funny, her soft gestures made me loose on the edge.

When she finally removed the apron, we proceeded to sit down.

I grabbed the spoon that was neatly placed besides the plate, and took a sip on the soup. I peered, taking a glimpse of her longing face as if she was waiting for something in response. I almost thought that she was silently praying. And, it took me a moment to process that she was waiting for my comment regarding her soup.

I shrugged nonchalantly, purposely giving her a hard time.

"Tell me, what do you think? Is it delicious, average or beginner?"

This time I chose my words correctly, I didn't want to offend her; I didn't want to see her downhearted face, yet I wanted to be honest. "Not bad. Beyond average, I can eat it."

She smiled, "Are you pitying me?" She shouldn't have asking me that.

But I answered, "No." I wasn't really feeling pity. I actually like her soup.

"Hmm..." She giggled, "Really?"

I took another sip of the soup, before replying, "Really."

"Thank you."

.

.

.

She finished her food first. Usually, it was me who get to finish it before her. I didn't know, it might be because I actually enjoyed eating with her this time. This wasn't usual. I usually didn't let myself captivated over something, or if I did, I didn't let it to be this obvious.

After she placed down her plate on the sink, she proceeded to the living room to arranged something I didn't know under the TV. When I got to finish my meal, and was wiping my mouth already, I peered over to look at what she was arranging. I sighed.

I stood up, burying my hands on my pockets.

She snapped her head up to look at me, she must have heard me. "Oh, you're finish already? Wait." She went to the table to clean up the things.

"What were you doing over there?" I noted with my chin to the place she have gone to.

"Nah, nothing special, I was just arranging things." She reached for the plates and placed it over the sink. She was avoiding me, at least, she was avoiding to show her gloomy expression. She was making up to it with her usual self.

I furrowed, I could read between the lines. So why won't she just say it to me. I wasn't worried, I was anxious. My heart spluttered just by seeing what was beneath her mask.

"Do you still have the videogame you had a while ago?"

She gleamed. Now, it felt like I lit up something in me. She always get excited over the simple things.

"Uh, yes. Why?"

I strolled down to her, reaching for her cheeks. I pinched it; her blushed cheeks were irresistible, I hardly recognize what I did. I snatched down my hand, thinking why such feeling took over me. "Do you want to play?" Upon realizing those words that slip through, I beat myself inwardly.

What was happening to me? There are works that I have to finish. And the last thing I must be doing is to play on some unnecessary stuff.

But she was grinning already, and before I knew it I was suddenly pushed on the protruding table on the wall behind me. Her arms wrapped around my neck, and I was having a hard time to push her away from me because I didn't want to let this chance to pass. She loosed her grip and went back on cleaning the table.

How I wished that she stayed longer.

"At last, you really need to have fun once in a while since you're working really, really hard, Sasuke-san."

For some quite indescribable reason, I found my decision right. I smirked, went to her side to help her. She didn't expect for me to help but she, however, replied, "Thank you."

.

.

.

The TV cords and the game cords were already placed accordingly on its own plug. I made my way down the floor, since the cord of the game controller wasn't that long. Sakura insisted to just push the couch forward, but I declined saying that we could just sit on the carpeted floor instead.

"Sakura sit down already." I tapped the floor beside me.

She glanced over her shoulder, and gave me a nod, she seemed to be busy over something on the fridge, "Wait, I'll just get myself a pretzel stick."

When she came back, she already had one chocolate stick pinned on her lips. Probably one of the snacks she bought when she was out. She made herself comfortable on the empty space besides me. She waved the box of chocolate sticks over me to offer me some, I grabbed for one.

She placed down her box of chocolate stick, as she grabbed for the videogame controller. Grinning mischievously at me, she said, "Do you even know how to play this game, Sasuke-san?"

I merely shrugged.

"You will lose."

"Do you even expect that to happen?"

"Hm... I am sort of... sure."

"Hn."

The TV screen already gleamed as it read that we could already choose our own character, I hardly gave a thing on which character to choose, so I randomly picked someone who seemed capable of fighting against the other. I've tried playing videogames before and that probably gave me the idea of how this game works.

"Whoa, you chose him, huh?"

"He looks like he has capabilities to fight back."

"You based them by their looks?" She looked at me and silence meant yes to her. "This is mine. Aha."

The game started already and she was already too preoccupied on the screen. I couldn't lose.

Her character took the opportunity to give her special skills. She took another bite on her chocolate stick.

.

.

.

"Awe, how did you do that?" She slammed down her controller on the ground, frustration gyrating her. She lost again. And she had already stumbled herself near the TV for eagerly beating my own character a while ago. She was just too adorable when she couldn't accept her defeat; her soft delicate expression always gave me this kind of feeling.

"I already won 4 times, how come you never give up?" I grabbed my third stick of her chocolate snack. I never knew I would take likings of this snack. I usually didn't like sweet things.

She pouted, "I never give up." Once again, she grabbed the game controller and settled for another battle. I shouldn't have wasting my time there are works that are needed to finish no matter how free my time is. I wanted to finish it as soon as possible, but seeing her blissful expression made my thoughts died down inside me. "One more battle and I will finally taste my sweet victory."

"Hn." I stood up and proceeded to where she is.

I settled down on the empty space behind her, stretching both of my legs on either side of the floor with her sitting in between me. I peered over her right shoulder, as I loosely wrapped my arms around her petite body.

She blushed. "Sasuke-san, what are you doing?"

I ignored her, placing my chin over her shoulder, with a smirk tingling on the corner of my lips. I snagged a chaste kiss on her right cheek. "Then let's settle this one."

She smirked. "Heh."

"If you win you'll do whatever you want for consequences, but if I win..." I paused midway. She will never like it if I tell her that she owes me a kiss. She is just my personal maid, who has nowhere else to go and nothing more, though I considered her as my roommate, but still, she's probably saving that one kiss for someone. I'll just have to wait till she approved.

I pushed those thoughts away, "You owe me a sandwich and a meal on Monday that will serve as my lunch for work."

"Sure. It's nothing big deal." She took another chocolate stick from the box.

The game started again, welcoming two fighters on the ring.

.

.

.

And after the long endless battle on the ring, the animated referee on the game finally announced who the winner is.

"Sakura Haruno."

She threw her arms on the air. My breathe hitched, she was so happy. I let her win purposely to know what she will do to me as a consequence. It could be something else. And deep, deep inside of me was still hoping.

"I won. See that? I told you I will taste my own victory." She said despite the chocolate stick pinned in between her lips.

"And the consequence?"

She turned around, smirking, "Sure. You were waiting for it, huh?"

I shrugged. My arms still loosely wrapped around her.

"Well, take this, Sasuke-san!" She pinched my cheeks hard that I could only hissed out a curse word under my breath. "That's for a while ago."

"I wasn't expecting that." I rubbed my cheeks, after she loosened up the grip. I gave her a glare but I guess she seemed immune to it now that she won the battle.

"Because you were expecting big consequences to happen which is not going to happen actually." She was avoiding my gaze, I caught a glimpse of her flushed look, but I ignored her and reached for the box of chocolate sticks on the ground. I hate to admit but it was really tasty.

I frowned when it was already empty. She always made me expect for something.

"Do you still have another box of this, Sakura?" I regretted asking her that.

"I thought you hate sweet foods." I watched her deliberately teasing me. I frowned, concisely catching that small chocolate stick in between her lips. It probably was a size of a thumb.

A spark instantly ran through my mind, and before I even recognized what I've done, I slammed my lips over hers; trying to catch that last stick. My lips brushed over hers. It tasted chocolate, if I hadn't comeback into my senses immediately, I would have probably deepened it.

I let go instantly. She was bewildered. I knew it.

I watched as her eyes flashed a moment of terror. I felt like I've shrunken. I shouldn't have bet the possibilities. I should have beat myself on that aggravation.

But her soft voice woke me up on my trance, "Sasuke-san, why did you do that?"

My pride overthrown what I was supposed to say, "You don't have to say anything." I didn't want to talk, I was too afraid of what I'd get after I did. I just stayed leaning on her shoulder, as though hugging her.

When silence resurfaced, I let go.

A curve on the corner of her lips gave me a slight hope. She likes me. She likes me in no end. She blushed on my soft gestures and it seemed as though she liked it. So, instead of kissing her lips once again, I settled on her forehead, giving it a slight peck as a gratitude for knocking on my life on that fated day.

I owed her so much.


A/N: This is actually the revised version. I changed few words, but that was still that. So, leave a review. It motivates me. :)