title: Stories of Us
prompt: SASUSAKU MONTH 2013
rating: T-M
summary: oo1: Sakura tells Sasuke how she really feels after the war.
.oo1.
Holding Hands
"It's done," Sakura said, looking out into the empty village where she used to call home. "The war's over."
She and Sasuke stood at the edge of the cliff, looking down on their city, destroyed amidst the war. What used to be tall, proud buildings were now crumbled heaps of stone and mortar.
Sakura looked back behind her to see the rest of her friends helping each other and up hugging each other, convincing themselves that it would be okay. She opened her mouth to call out Naruto, but she realized that he was holding Hinata tight to him, and immediately felt a twinge of jealousy as she glanced quickly back at Sasuke.
Neither of the two talked for a long time, before Sasuke finally said, "Things have changed."
"They have." She looked back at him for the briefest second before averting her gaze, although she knew that he saw.
"I know that I've changed," he said. "Perhaps not in the most ideal way."
He expected Sakura to scoff, or to even raise her voice and yell at him about the times he abandoned her and hurt her and—
"Yeah."
Yeah? Just yeah? Sasuke felt frustrated. He wanted her to understand.
"I've wronged myself, Sakura. I've wronged my family. And my friends. And you." He faced her, his dark eyes heavy. She, however, continued to stare into the abyss that was once her home.
"I wasn't in my right mind during those times," he said.
"I don't think you ever were," she answered, her voice deep and quiet. "You only wanted revenge. Nothing else. You didn't seem to care about us. About the team."
"You're wrong," he said. "You guys were my family." He moved closer to her, but she backed away slowly.
"You're afraid of me," Sasuke said quietly. "I hurt you before, and you think I'll do it again." His gaze focused on her neck and saw the small scars where his fingernails clamped into her skin.
"I can't let you hurt me again, even if you're back on our side," she whispered, her eyes becoming watery with tears.
Without warning, Sasuke moved close enough to Sakura so that he could gently caress her neck, rubbing it softly. She flinched under his touch, but inside, she wanted more of him—more of that warmth that he was giving to her right now.
"Stop," she mumbled. "I can't—" She didn't know what to say. She shouldn't have let him touch her, but at the same time, she never wanted it to end.
His fingers stopped moving and he brought them back to his side.
"We can't change what's happened," he said, looking back out towards the city. Sakura didn't know whether or not he meant the remains of Konoha or their pasts.
"It'll be okay, though," she said, trying to convince them that everything would be fine soon.
"Hn." Both of them knew that nothing would really be okay anymore.
In silence, they stared out into the ruins of the city before Sasuke reached over and took Sakura's hand in his own. She looked to him in surprise, feeling his hard, calloused hand in her soft one, but he wouldn't meet her gaze and continued to look straight forward.
Tears began to pour down Sakura's eyes as she wiped them away with her other wrist. He gave her hand a small squeeze and looked at her for the briefest second.
"Please stay now," she begged, still wiping away her tears. "I missed you."
He gripped her hand tighter.
"I'm not going to leave you again."
Based on Naruto chp. 631 and above. I'm so happy to be part of SSM again! I'll be updating every day, but I'll be away for a week in July so I'll keep up when I'm back.
Thanks for all your reviews and support.
