I Love You, Despite It All

*Hey guys, wanted to do another short little story :) Hope you guys will enjoy it.

Sasuke looked down at his watch and sighed...only another ten minutes more. He got off work early, so now he's waiting for Sakura to come out; he even bought lunch and everything for her.

Actually, it's been about 5 months since they've been dating. They met about a year ago by getting introduced to each other by Sasuke's friend, Neji. At first, he thought she was shy and quiet, but then he noticed there was just something sorrowful and mysterious about her.

After a few friendly dates together, he got to know her more, and slowly...he got interested in her. He learned later that she had recently been married, but her husband died almost two years ago because of a car accident; that was the reason why she was always so quiet and didn't smile much.

...she even still wears her wedding ring.

Despite that, he didn't know how, or why, but he eventually fell in love with her. Her eyes were always so sad, she doesn't smile alot, and she always looked so lonely. He just felt the need to protect her.

He knew that she probably won't be interested in falling in love with another guy because she still loved her husband...but he asked her out anyway. To be honest, he was prepared to be rejected, but to his surprise, she actually said yes. He never asked why she agreed, though, because he knew clearly that she was lonely and didn't care much anymore. She just probably agreed for the heck of it.

And whenever he looked at her, he knew that she didn't return his feelings. Her eyes were always so distant whenever she was with him. After dating for 5 months, she's been smiling more and loosening up, but her eyes were still the same...dull, distant, and never really focused on him.

To be honest, it hurt. It was painful that she didn't love him back...that she didn't care for him as much as he cared for her. But he wanted to take care of her, he wanted protect her, so it was worth it. He didn't really expect her to have any feelings towards him anyways.

Just loving her like this was enough.

After waiting for a few more minutes, he finally saw her come out of the building. He quickly got out and walked to the other side of the car to open the door for her. "I brought you lunch." He made a faint smile at her.

"Thank you." She replied without even looking at him and getting into the car. Sasuke closed the door and walked back over to his side.

"I got off work early so I was able to buy you something. You wanna go somewhere or do you just wanna go home?" He asked as he drove out of the parking lot.

"...um. Will it be ok if we went to the cemetery?" Sakura asked quietly.

Sasuke felt a slight throb in his chest...he already why she wanted to go. "...sure, why not?"

"Sasuke, I don't want to force you."

Sasuke gently grabbed her hand, ignoring the ring on her finger, and smiled reassuringly at her. "It's fine. If you want to go, I'll take you."

Sakura glanced over at him and then back down at her lap, staying quiet.

"Do you want to go buy roses or anything?"

She shook her head.

Sasuke squeezed her hand gently and then let go. "Alright then, let's go."

The car ride there was long and silent. Even when he tried to start a conversation, she usually would only reply with minimal words.

He gave up and just didn't talk anymore. She was quieter than usual and judging by her expression, he knew he shouldn't bother her much.

When they finally reached the cemetery, Sakura stepped out of the car first. Sasuke got out and he just silently followed her since he's never been to this cemetery before, nor has he seen her husband's tombstone. They walked through the gate-entrance and by at least 5 rows of tombstones before coming to a stop.

His eyes roamed over the name written on the tombstone. Naruto Uzumaki.

So this was guy, huh. Her husband...the one she still loves...the reason why she won't move on.

Sasuke watched as Sakura knelt down and reached down, gently running her fingers over the carved name. He felt a sense of longing when he noticed the way she was looking at the tombstone.

He had never seen her like this before...her eyes were so full of love. It was so different from when she looked at him.

Sasuke clenched his hands into fists and averted his eyes. Goddamn, it hurt so much.

Sakura smiled sorrowfully and let out a sigh. It's been nearly a year since she's visited the grave. "I miss you..." She whispered.

Unfortunately, Sasuke heard, and he just seriously wished he was deaf or blind right now.

Sakura once again ran her fingers over the name and memories flashed in her mind. She could feel her tears coming, but she restrained it...she didn't want Sasuke to see. She already knew that bringing him here would only hurt him, that's why she didn't want to force him. She glanced back at him, and clearly, he looked hurt.

Sakura slowly stood back up. "...we can...leave now, if you want."

Sasuke gazed back at her and then down at the grave. He shook his head. "I want you to stay a little longer, Sakura."

"But you-,"

"You came here to visit him. I know it's important to you, so there's no need to rush to go. As for me, I'm fine." He lied.

Sakura stared at him, unsure whether to stay or go. But then she knew he'd be persistent if she didn't listen, so she turned back around and sat next to the tombstone.

Sasuke stood there quietly and put his hands in his pockets. Wow...she must've loved alot.

'I'd do anything to have her look at me like that...' He thought and sighed. He didn't know how long he and Sakura were going to last. He was just waiting and waiting until the day Sakura will eventually break up with him. He was surprised that she actually even stayed with him this long.

As he gazed at her staring at the tombstone, he honestly was jealous. Naruto was one lucky guy; he's already dead and his wife is dating another man, yet she still loves only him.

Sasuke wanted to try romantic things with her to try and get her to fall for him or get some kind of reaction...but so far, in 5 months, he hasn't even have the courage to kiss her. The most they've done was hold hands. He couldn't even recall the last time they hugged.

He didn't really try any moves her...he knew she would reject him if he tried to kiss her; that's why he was too scared to do it; and he knew had to consider her feelings, too. But...he'd really like it if she would make a first move or at least be the one to hold his hand first or something.

After another ten minutes of silence, Sakura got up. "...let's go."

"Are you sure you don't want to stay-,"

"Hurry up." She interrupted and walked past him.

Sasuke saw her glance back slightly towards the grave and her eyes saddened.

He also glanced back and he felt like he shouldn't leave without saying anything. Slowly, instead of following Sakura, he walked over to the tombstone and knelt down, bowing respectfully. Sasuke stayed silent for a few moments before speaking. "...I'll take good care of her. I love her, and even if she still loves you, I promise I won't take away the bond you two have..." He replied quietly and ran his fingers across Naruto's name.

He slowly got up and as he looked back, he saw Sakura gazing at him. "...just wanted to say something." He smiled.

Sakura just nodded and then continued walking. Although she acted like she didn't hear anything, she heard what he said. She knew he loved her...alot. And throughout their five months together, she did grow some feelings towards him. He took care of her, he was always there for her, he was patient and kind...she felt bad that she couldn't love him as much as he loved her.

She just couldn't forget about Naruto. He died right after they just got married; how could she ever forget that?

Her body stiffed and she was torn out of her thoughts when she felt Sasuke suddenly grab her hand. "Ah, sorry..." Sasuke muttered, realizing how she tensed up, and then slowly let go.

Sakura felt a guilt rush over her. She always, always hurt him. She could never understand why and how he loved her so much when she couldn't give him anything or love him back. Her eyes averted down to his hand and she shyly grabbed it.

Sasuke was taken by surprise when he felt her holding his hand. He looked at her and couldn't help but smile when he saw a faint blush. This was the first time ever that she's ever held his hand first and made a nervous expression like that. It was cute.

He entangled his fingers with hers and held her hand tighter.

...they walked, hand in hand, until they reached the car.

So. First chapter! What'd you guys think of it?

I know, this is really different from many SasuSaku stories. I thought it'd be interesting if I wrote one like this.

Review, tell me how you like it, or if you don't, I accept any criticism. The next chapter will be up shortly.

OH! And I'm currently working on my two other stories, "Fated to Love You" and "Married to Sasuke Uchiha," so please be patient; their new chapters are also coming up shortly.