This is my first story on here but I have high hopes for it! Please read it and let me know your thoughts. I'd appreciate them a lot!
After a long day of helping people with what he considered to be "stupid problems" and dealing with Naruto's constant talking, Sasuke wanted nothing more than to shower and go straight to bed. "Come on, Sasuke! A bowl of some delicious ramen will make you sleep better!" The Uchiha's best friend said a little too enthusiastically for Sasuke's mood at the time. "And besides, why do you want to go home so fast? Let's talk for a bit. We can enjoy some ramen and-" "Naruto, the last thing I want right now is to hear your voice. I'm not hungry. I'll see you tomorrow, alright?" Sasuke cut his friend off and started heading towards the street that would lead him home. "Suit yourself you asshole." Naruto shouted at the back of the boy's body, grunting a little. You'd think after the way we all welcomed him back home he'd be a little nicer, that asshole. Naruto thought to himself as he entered his favorite ramen shop of all time.
It had been half a year since Sasuke's return to Konoha and it seemed like people were over his return. He was only talked about by the young girls who giggled and blushed as they had back when he was a young kid. As he made his way home, old memories started popping up in his head and he couldn't help but stop in front of the bench before him. This was one of the spots he tried to overlook the most. He remembered the night he left Sakura there unconscious a bit too perfectly and it still upset him that the memory wouldn't go away. Even when he was away doing what he thought was right by joining Orochimaru he couldn't help but feel… guilt? Tonight was the first time he let his thoughts get the best of him. In the six months he'd spent back in the Leaf Village, he never once had dared to think about the night he had left.
"You know, I used to come here nightly and cry until my eyes couldn't take it anymore. For some reason, I thought it was entirely my fault. "If only I had been stronger and of more use to him", I'd say to myself. " The girl behind Sasuke let out a light chuckle and took a seat on the bench directly in front of said guy. "I eventually realized no matter how hard I had tried I never would've been of importance to you. And honestly, I have to thank you for that. If it weren't for you leaving Konoha and I here that night I'd probably still have the silly thoughts of you and I in my mind. " The words stung into Sasuke's ears and he couldn't understand why. The girl stood after a few seconds of silence. Her face was directly under Sasuke's and only about 4 inches of space between them.
"Sakura…"
"It's interesting that we're both here tonight. I hadn't come to this bench in a long time. Do you come here often?"
"Sakura, I-"
"No, actually, I don't want you to say anything… It sucks, you know? You walk back into my life and everyone expects me to fall for you. Hell, even Ino asked me if I was going to bring back the old rivalry. I don't wa-"
"I'm sorry." The words came out in a whisper. But they were strong enough to burn into the girl's ears. She stared up at his face and she could tell he was trying hard to show no emotion.
For some reason, she grabbed his face firmly but lightly enough to give him the option to free himself if he so desired to. He didn't. She stood on her tipytoes to reach his cheek and gave it a gentle peck. "Who the hell am I kidding? Damn you Sasuke Uchiha. You have my heart deep in your pocket." The pink haired girl whispered before letting go of the now very confused Sasuke.
"Sakura, are you drunk?" the question made the girl laugh a little. "No, I haven't had a good drink in a while, actually. I'm tired. Bye, Sasuke." Sakura sighed and started heading home and for some reason, Sasuke felt obliged to follow. Who knows? She could get robbed or attacked or something. It is his duty to protect and help people, right? "What are you doing?" She stopped and turned to face Sasuke snatching him out of his thoughts. "Let's get a drink." He intended for that to come out as a question but it sounded more like a command. Sakura raised a questioning eyebrow and sighed again. "I'm really tired. And you probably don't want to be around me after I've had a few drinks." She pointed her finger at him and laughed a little.
He couldn't help but smirk. He could tell she was beat. He was too. Still, he wanted her with him tonight. "Come on, Sasuke. I'll make us a milkshake at my place." She took his hand and it surprised her a bit that her hear felt a bit heavier at the touch just like it had back when they were young. She shook the thought away and started making her way to her house.
The inside of Sakura's house was pretty much exactly what Sasuke had expected it to be. It was organized except for her dining table which was cluttered with papers that seemed to be from the hospital where she worked. She had pictures around the whole living room area but the one that Sasuke stared at first was the one she had sitting in her coffee table. Team seven. Sakura followed his gaze and smiled. "I actually have yours, you know, your copy of the picture. It's in a drawer in my room if you want it." "Hn." Sasuke replied not removing his eyes from the picture. "I'll take that as a yes. Just remind me to give it to you before you leave tonight." Sakura replied opening the fridge door.
"Now, Mr. Uchiha, don't lie to me. Tell me how it tastes" Sakura sat across from Sasuke on her living room floor and watched as the dark haired boy took his first sip of the fresh strawberry milkshake. After a short pause, he looked up at Sakura and said "Eh" and continued to take another sip. Sakura scrunched up her nose and playfully glared at her companion.
The night went on and before they knew it, the clock in Sakura's kitchen stated that it was 3:20 a.m. "Holy shit! I have to be at work at 6!" Sakura jumped up from the floor and grabbed the now empty glasses that once contained strawberry milkshake. "I'm sorry, Sasuke. I know you have to be up early too. I kept you up." Sasuke shrugged and lay down on the floor. He really didn't mind. It was actually the most at ease he'd felt since coming back to Konoha.
After washing the glasses and putting them away, Sakura walked over to where Sasuke appeared to be asleep on the floor. Should I wake him up? She thought to herself. Are you insane? Just let him rest! He'll wake up on his own! Her little inner self responded. Sakura licked her lips and looked at the clock. I'm too tired for thinking. I'll just sleep on the couch so he thinks it happened to me too. She brought two blankets: One for her and the other for the guy who was now in deep sleep. She ever so lightly placed the blanket over Sasuke and then made herself comfortable on the couch. Before drifting off into sleep, she let her mind wander back to when things seemed to be great. Back when Sasuke, Naruto, and her waited on Kakashi and got mad at him for being late all the time. Training together, eating together, even the times when she had to stop Naruto and Sasuke's bickering over everything. Those were the moments she held closest to her heart.
Creek!
Sakura shot up from the couch and focused her eyes on Sasuke.
"Sorry, I was trying not to wake you." Said guy mumbled quickly putting his hands in his pockets. Sakura yawned and smiled. "What time is it anyway?" She asked stretching. "5:40" Sasuke replied, his eyes following her every move. "Oh shit, I have to get ready for work. Give me a second I'll be right back!" the girl almost shouted running towards her bedroom. The tired Uchiha said nothing yet started making his way to the front door. "Here, Sasuke." Her voice startled him a bit as he was expecting her to take longer than an actual second. He looked down at the picture in her hand. Exactly as he had left it.
"Hn" The Uchiha took the picture and turned to exit Sakura's home.
"Sasuke… I'm glad you came back."
The words made the boy smile. Just a little bit though, don't get too excited.
"The milkshake was good. Make a vanilla one next time."
The girl's tired eyes seemed to light up a little at the response. "Feel free to come over whenever you're in need of one." She replied, closing the door as her old teammate stepped out.
The moment she couldn't hear his footsteps anymore, she started squealing around her living room bringing her back to age thirteen again. "I need to remember to buy vanilla ice cream!"
I hope it was worth you guys' time. I'm thinking I'll continue a few more chapters. Let me know what you think, please. Thank you for taking the time to read it.