Author's Note: Yeah, so you've probably noticed I posted this early. Since I wrote more chapters I decided to just post chapter two. Thanks for the reviews! I tried to read and review some of everyone's stories in return, but if I missed yours feel free to tell me.

On the Contrary

Chapter Two

.: After Youth :.

The whole thing was surreal. It was not yet one hour later when Sakura had walked into her home to tell her mother of the news. Of course, it wasn't really her home anymore as she had moved out years ago, but that didn't keep her from stopping by.

Sakura had walked in to witness her mother deeply sleeping on the couch. The daily Konoha news hung loosely from her hand and Sakura removed it from her grip. Stifling a laugh, she nudged her.

Almost immediately, Mrs. Haruno's eyes blinked open and she hastily sat up to see who her visitor was. As she rubbed her eyes and squinted, Sakura briefly took in the sight before her.

At first glance it was not difficult to decipher the older Haruno's characteristics. Her mother was stout, middle aged woman who desired to be known far and wide. Because she was very tidy, practical, and controlling, Sakura was surprised to see her lying on the couch in such a position. Without her daughter and her husband, it seemed as if the mother of the family had let herself go. Nonetheless, as soon the elder woman brushed herself off, wrinkled her nose at a mess around her, and ran her fingers through her tousled maroon tinted hair, Sakura knew that the woman who raised her would never let herself go.

"Sakura? Is that you?" her mother shrieked, and before her daughter could answer, she clasped Sakura's hands in hers. "Oh, I'm so glad you could visit! How is everything? At the hospital, I mean. I were complaining about it so much last time you bothered to visit!" She stood up, eagerly looking towards the kitchen. "You know what? I will cook some of that soup you love while you tell me all about it."

"Mom." Sakura put her hand on her mother's shoulder, forcing her back down on the couch. The Haruno mother was confused, but the smile that was plastered on her face lingered. Surprised that her mother was not angry at her daughter's controlling action, Sakura took the liberty of sitting down next to her.

"Do you know about me and Sasuke-kun?" Sakura warily started, "How we're really good friends?"

Her mother frowned, putting a finger to her lips to recount the memories. He had seen Mrs. Haruno a couple of times in his life, but he had usually either tuned her out or ignored her. Or both. If she and her daughter were arguing, mentioning Sasuke would only add fuel to the fire. Fortunately, that was not the case today. Yet.

"Yes. He's the one who always made you cry, left and betrayed the village, and still managed to earn your love, right?" the senior woman remarked, as Sakura released a long, labored sigh. "I don't think I'll ever forget him."

"We've become closer," Sakura started, choosing her words carefully. She didn't want her mother flipping out, after all. "I still love him, and mom, he's not as bad as you think."

"Then why haven't you let me meet him?"

"Mother." Sakura rubbed her temples. "You're getting away from my point. Besides, he doesn't like visiting people's houses or small talk.

"We were talking today," she continued hoping to cut to the chase as quickly as possible, "…and…well…we both decided that we want to get married."

For a long moment mother gaped at daughter, and the former quickly shook her head.

"No, no, no, no, no, no, no," she muttered, volume heightening as if she were chastising a young child. She hastily stood up, face now in her hands. "Sakura! How irresponsible can you be? You're only 20, and he's so unstable…"

Sakura frowned and sucked her teeth. "I'm a big girl, mom! You mean to tell me that I can become a ninja, constantly put my life on the line and have my own apartment, but I can't marry who I want?"

"That's another thing," her mother added, exasperated. She was speaking through the cracks between her fingers--a bad, bad sign. "You're living alone in that apartment. "Who knows that that will lead to…what it could have already led to! And why didn't he ask my permission?!"

"We haven't done anything!" Sakura protested, and she too stood up. Although she and her mother were not seeing eye-to-eye, she wanted to be at least on the eye level of her mother during this conflict.

"I told him yes," Sakura softly said, breaking the tension, "And I meant it. I don't want to hurt you…but I really want to be with him."

Her mother lowered her hands from her face and studied her daughter's own visage. "This is ridiculous," she muttered. "How long has it been?"

"Seven years," Sakura told her.

"Hmph. That's amazing."

While her mother seemed slightly assuaged, Sakura clasped her hands in front of her. "Please, let me make this decision on my own. I'm not trying to be a little girl who wants to play house."

Her mother sighed, and her hard expression finally completely softened. "You have grown, haven't you?" she said, as her daughter vigorously nodded. Mother suddenly embraced daughter, and it was then when Sakura realized how much her mother's opinion meant to her.

"Just be smart out this," her mother harshly whispered. "I don't want to clean up after you!"

oOo

"Already making preparations for the wedding?"

Sasuke stopped walking and turned around to meet the owner of the voice. He knew someone was near, but he wasn't one to initiate conversations. He shoved his free hand into his pocket and gave a typical, nonchalant answer.

"No. Groceries…Sakura told you?"

"Actually, a little birdie told me."

Sasuke looked up at a nearby tree branch and scowled at his old sensei's smiling face. He was holding a book, the same one that he happened to read over and over again. Anyone could tell that aging had been good to him, even if he did wear a mask all the time.

"He also told me that it wasn't a very good proposal, but I want to know if that's really true."

"I asked and she said yes," Sasuke curtly told him. "What more do you need to know?"

"That doesn't sound very romantic."

"Hn."

"So you've finally decided to reach the next chapter in your life?" Kakashi asked, while turning a page in his novel. He didn't look interested in Sasuke's response at all as he was too engrossed in his novel, but Sasuke was sure Kakashi would listen to whatever he said anyway.

"Tch. I started the next chapter when Itachi was slain."

Kakashi gave him a skeptical glance.

"I just put off the offer for too long," Sasuke continued.

"You're not that old," Kakashi pointed out. "So I'm surprised you've fallen in love. I never had the chance for that."

"Everyone you love is dead. You told me. Now," Sasuke slowly began in a commanding tone, "Make yourself useful and tell me where Naruto is."

Kakashi raised his eyebrow at the sudden change of topic and acquiesced. "Suna. He left this morning on a C-rank mission and he'll be back in a week or so." It was now Sasuke's turn to cock his brow. Although he perceived Naruto to be an idiot most of the time, he knew his friend should have been taking higher ranking missions.

"He needed the quick cash," Kakashi clarified. "You know how he works."

"Aa." Telling Naruto about his and Sakura's engagement would have to wait.

"So do you really love her?" Kakashi asked the younger man, swaying back into their previous conversation. Sasuke had started to leave but stopped once again when he heard Kakashi's question. He didn't know why; it was as if he was opening a gate for trouble.

"Do you think you're ready for this?" Kakashi continued.

The Uchiha's brow furrowed and after a moment of contemplation he spoke. "I'm ready for this."

He gave Kakashi a quick nod, signaling that he was down with their conversation. Kakashi watched him leave, shook his head, and read the book for a more romantic tale, even if it was perverted.

Sasuke resumed walking towards his apartment and tried not to slam his bag of groceries on a table. Yes, he was ready. He hated to be doubted and he hated people interfering in his life. If he wanted to get married so what? If he didn't love Sakura after all...

Sasuke sucked his teeth and scanned at what was before him. Dusty corners, piles of unused items, and empty places at the table. There were rooms that had not been occupied in years, and untouched cabinets full of china.

Unconsciously, he swiped a rag from the bathroom and proceeded to vigorously wipe excess dust from a corner. Yes, he was ready, and if he was going to get married and start a new life he at least needed a decent looking home.

Author's Note: This is a very 'quiet' chapter IMO, but I wanted to dedicate a chapter what the parental figures would say to the marriage. So I'm sorry for the slow and boring and the lack of SasuSaku here (but come on! that's what other chapters are for!). If anyone's wondering, the story starts to really pick up during chapter four because…well…you'll see. XP