SasuSaku Month 2015

x Day O1 – Matchmaker x

"Are you really going to leave?"

She asked, chest tightening at the very thought of him leaving again – she had grown used to the lack of his presence and she was confident she'd survive once again, but it was him; it was him that was going to be alone and it stirred her up inside.

"What if … I asked you … to take me with you?"

"My sins have nothing to do with you."

As though having been locked outside her own house, her features saddened; she wasn't mad or anything nor did she feel insulted – she simply wanted to help. She thought that there might've been even the slightest thing for her to do.

And then, showing her the most beautiful expression she'd ever seen, Sasuke smiled, his only index and middle finger gently tapping the Yin Seal on her forehead; there was this newfound light in his dark and mismatched eyes that enveloped her in warmth, sent her heart fluttering.

"I'll see you soon … And thank you."

And off he went.

In that moment, Sakura felt this need to touch her seal as if to make sure that his sign of affection hadn't been some sort of illusion. Despite the meaningful appreciative words he'd offered her, Sakura's brain was only capable of comprehending a single word – love. It didn't matter whether it was her own love shouting through the loud thumps of her strong heart or his shy, blooming feelings.

Sakura tried her best not to think things through that thoroughly, for she knew that had she done that, it wouldn't have been mere tears she offered him.

She wanted to tell him that she understood, that it was carved on every single fibre of her body that he had to leave, that he was, ironically, the only person capable of securing a bright future but she couldn't quite form words. All she could think about was their daughter, sleeping soundlessly in her bedroom and her asking where was he.

He turned his head to look at her and for once in her life, Sakura was able to decipher the melody of his being for it sounded so alike her own sad, sad symphony. She could clearly see the restrain in his features, feel the burning love in his eyes and it pierced her. But still, she said nothing.

Had she opened her mouth, she knew she'd beg him to stay, for her daughter, for his own happiness, for her. But no, she was stronger than that. So she looked at him, held his gaze reassuringly.

Do what you have to, Sasuke-kun. However this unfolds, we love you.

Much to her surprise and dismay, he took one, two steps closer, mere inches parting their bodies. She felt her lips dry as though they hadn't been offered attention by his and she fought the urge to habitually drive her hand to his neck, pulling him closer, forging their beings into one for a few affectionate moments.

She wasn't so sure he would refrain himself, though and that caused her to fist her hands. Her green orbs pleaded him not to close the distance, not to make it impossible for her to let him go now, when they had everything. Still, he lowered his head, closed his dark, enticing eyes –

And his lips landed steadily on her forehead, his only arm embracing her head. What followed her surprise were her hot tears slipping fast down her silky cheeks, arms wrapping around his back.

Darling…

And so he left, again.

"Then, what's better than a kiss?" young Sarada questioned, eyes filled to the brim with excitement.

Saying Sakura loved her daughter was really an understatement – it was deep and hardened love that allowed her to live and that little doll with large, onyx eyes, was part of both of them. Looking at her, emerald orbs gleamed; she could have told Sarada endless stories of the kisses the two of them had shared, the depth of their heartstrings but it wasn't that that helped Sakura through the times when he couldn't be there.

Recalling the moment Sakura first thought of love, love in its most truthful form of existence, she raised her hand, fingers tapping the child's forehead, earning a mixture of genuine surprise and fluster.

"What's gotten into you all of a sudden?!"

"When you meet your father, I think you'll know."

Sakura liked sitting on her bed and looking at her old photographs at night; ease would fall upon her tense heart and for brief, sweet moments worried would cease to exist. She'd drift through surprisingly clear memories of her ever changing youth, linger whenever she felt happiest.

Her old team 7 photo was by far her favourite. Needless to say, those were her most precious moments of innocent youth, of blooming love and of growing into the beautiful cherry blossom that so many held dear. The thing that would always draw her attention first was her hair; she had grown it out as an adult once again, for it wasn't inconvenient and, what more, she liked it, but back then things weren't quite the same – Have you heard? Sasuke-kun likes girls with long hair!

And then she would be reminded of her longest friendship, of her old blond friend, no longer a rival in love, only to be reminded of her huge forehead that she used to be so insecure about – a forehead that was now joined by a very powerful asset in battle, a seal that only enhanced her intriguing and beautiful features, her master's legacy.

But, in that moment, Sakura didn't have it in her to stop her thoughts from straying, eventually making her heart clench as she envisioned her husband's aristocratic face. Then, as to set herself at ease, her brain, taking into account Sasuke's most meaningful expressions of love, objectively concluded that Sakura's forehead had played an utterly important role in the development of their relationships, whether or not, at the said moments, Sasuke knew about Sakura's old lack of confidence or she was aware of the meaning poking it had to him.

This forehead of mine not only wields the proof of the hardships that came along the way, but it was one hell of a matchmaker for Sasuke-kun and I, too.