Chapter Summary: This time, if he accepts the mission, he would have to find Sakura. He would have to tell her he's leaving her behind again, not even a day after they've decided on a future together. While he knows neither of them will ever live a quiet life—they are shinobi, after all, and the mission always comes first—he'd hoped for some more time with her.

Chapter Beta: Sakura's Unicorn

Sasuke leaves the old Uchiha district, still mulling over his housing conundrum. It isn't until he's wandered into the busy centre of the village that he realises it's all a moot point anyhow. Before he can even consider finding a house, he has to know the state of the Uchiha clan finances. Those, he suspects, are probably not very stable.

He hasn't really had to think of money since he got back.

Between Sakura fussing over him to eat breakfast whenever she has mornings off, and Naruto insisting he come eat dinner at the Uzumaki household every other night, and Kakashi allowing him to stay in his unoccupied apartment, he hasn't needed to worry about food or shelter. In lieu of an actual regular job, he's been performing the odd specialised job for the village, such as testing the village's sensory barrier for weak points.

It's a hand to-mouth-existence, which suits him fine after his years of wandering, but he doubts it will suit his future wife. Sakura is used to a roof over her head, three meals a day, and a life that follows a certain routine (at least as much as one can expect with a shinobi lifestyle). If they're going to be happy, Sasuke needs to re-adapt to that kind of lifestyle. Even if he hasn't lived like that since he was eight years old.

The more he thinks about it, the more Sasuke is convinced there's no avoiding it; he needs advice. The question is—who to ask?

His immediate instinct for matters like these is to ask Kakashi. His former teacher has always been good at saving money—considering how many times the man tricked his genin squad into paying the bill at Ichiraku, he has thriftiness down to an art form.

Kakashi's job hasn't exactly provided him with a lot of wealth. The post of Hokage does not pay well; it keeps the money-hungry from aspiring to it. Kakashi gets a small stipend from the village for his services, paid for by taxes and occasionally as diplomatic gifts from the daimyo or other hidden villages. On average, it probably only covers Kakashi's basic needs and not necessarily his dependents.

If anyone has experience with finances in that family, it's probably Manako.

Like most Hokage's wives have done in the past, Kakashi's spouse remains firmly in the shadows and out of public life. She even maintains her own separate residence in her name, even though Kakashi has been more-or-less living there for years now. It's why he had no compunction about letting Sasuke use his apartment when he came back.

Officially, it's a measure of protection—the enemies of great men will always try to go after families and loved ones. Even in a village of people who can handle themselves.

Unofficially, Sasuke suspects it's because the Inuzuka woman hates pomp and circumstance about as much as Sasuke does. By maintaining a separate residence she avoids any unwanted accoutrements of being married to the Hokage.

Still, the fact that she can manage two households suggests she knows her way around finances. And she owns her own business—which makes asking her a better option than Kakashi.

The only problem with approaching Manako is…it's hard to talk to her. And considering Sasuke's overall apathy toward speaking to most people, that's saying something.

Growing up, if there was anyone in the village who came close to hating Itachi as much as Sasuke did, it was Manako Inuzuka. She was one of his brother's agemates, and Manako's best friend, Izumi Uchiha, was Itachi's first victim during the massacre.

Based on his own childhood memories and the lingering effects of Itachi's Tsukuyomi, Sasuke remembers Izumi as a smart, talented girl with a kind smile. She was very similar to Sakura, both in temperament and the tenacity of her affections. Konoha lost a rising star when it lost her, and her death impacted Manako in a way that Sasuke understands on a primal level.

It would be the same as him losing Naruto or Kakashi.

As a child, Sasuke kept his distance from Manako—partially out of respect for her grief, but mostly because he needed to focus on his own hatred instead of worrying about someone else's pain.

Since the war, he's spoken to her a few times—the first instance, shortly before he left Konoha, and once or twice since returning—but mostly he maintains a respectful distance. He can see in her eyes that it's hard to look at him, and Sasuke knows that's because of his resemblance to both her dearest friend and the man who murdered her.

Kakashi might be the better option to ask after all.

He glances skyward—the height of the sun tells him it'll be at least an hour before Sakura finishes her shift. It's early enough that Kakashi will still be at the office; no doubt Shizune has him buried in paperwork.

Decision made, Sasuke heads to the Hokage Tower.

He doesn't bother announcing himself, simply slipping silently through the hallways until he reaches his former instructor's office. When he gets there, Kakashi is indeed sandwiched between two giant towers of paper, but he's clearly not working.

A familiar orange-covered novel is clutched in his hands.

Some things never change…

He wonders if he should clear his throat, but Kakashi glances up, looking crestfallen. "Oh. You're here. That was faster than I'd hoped."

Sasuke frowns. "You were expecting me?"

"Yes. Didn't Shizune say?" Kakashi sighs, moving to tuck his book away. "I was hoping it would take her longer to track you down." He notes Sasuke's blank expression. "Unless you're here on an unrelated matter and it's just coincidence."

When Sasuke only raises an eyebrow in response, Kakashi's defeated demeanour vanishes and his leans back in his chair, still clutching the book.

"Excellent. If you're here, she'll spend longer looking for you. It works out for everyone," he says happily and motions to the chair in front of his desk. "Have a seat."

"I'll stand."

"Of course, you will." Kakashi rolls his eyes. "Well, what are you here for, if Shizune didn't send you?"

"It can wait," Sasuke replies. Shinobi business always comes first. "What did you need me for?"

"Our daimyo has forwarded me letters from his counterparts in Earth and Wind Country," Kakashi tells him, sifting through one of his file folders. "There's also a note here from the General of the Land of Iron's samurai regiment—I know…not exactly your biggest fans," he adds when he notices Sasuke frown, "—which makes their request even more interesting."

"Request?"

"There are concerns about a potential enemy force rising in the North-western Mountains. Mostly, it appears to be in the Land of Earth, but Iron and Wind suspect whatever is going on is spreading to the other two countries as well. They've requested aid."

"From Konoha."

"The Tsuchikage believes that whatever the threat is, it's based around a new kind of genjutsu," Kakashi says. "So far, none of Iwa's shinobi have been able to confirm this or even find information. The same with Gaara's people and General Mifune's."

"They can't confirm it because they can't identify it, or because they've died?"

"It could be either, but I suspect it's the latter. Everyone sent to investigate has gone missing."

Sasuke clenches his fist.

"They've all requested that I ask you to check it out—seeing as how you're the foremost genjutsu user in the world," he concludes in a sardonic tone.

"We don't know that for sure," Sasuke dismisses, uncomfortable with the praise.

"I'll take my chances," Kakashi remarks dryly.

"Earth Country…"

The north-western border is about six days away—possibly ten if the mountain conditions aren't favourable. And if whatever's going on has spread to Iron and Wind…it could be a month or longer, not even accounting for the reconnaissance involved.

"I know it's a lot to ask. You haven't been back very long, and you've been sticking close to home. If you don't want to accept it, I can find someone else. As you say, there are other shinobi that specialise in genjutsu. We are still in contact with the last survivor of the Chinoike clan."

"No," Sasuke says immediately. "Chino is strong, but still healing from her past. Sending her up against an unknown enemy that has three separate countries worried…that would be unwise."

He is quiet a beat longer, mulling over the prospect of this new mission. For the first time, he finds himself reluctant to commit. Before, he would've accepted the second Kakashi brought it up. He'd probably set out without even stopping to let anyone know he was leaving.

He can't do that anymore.

This time, if he accepts the mission, he would have to find Sakura. He would have to tell her he's leaving her behind again, not even a day after they've decided on a future together. While he knows neither of them will ever live a quiet life—they are shinobi, after all, and the mission always comes first—he'd hoped for some more time with her.

"How long before I need to leave?" he asks, deliberately neutral lest his resignation be audible.

If Kakashi notices anything, he doesn't say. "Well, this time of year, the roads between here and Iwa will start to flood. I'd say you have three weeks before the main routes are impassable."

Sasuke nods. "Very well. I will notify you when I'm able to leave."

Kakashi studies him for a beat, and then his eyes crinkle in what Sasuke knows is a smile beneath his mask. "What was it you wanted to ask when you came in?"

"It can wai—"

Sasuke pauses, considering the merits of saying anything now. If he's just going to leave, he might as well stay mum on the subject until he returns. On the other hand, if it's something that will take time anyhow, perhaps now is the best moment after all.

He doesn't bother sugar-coating it. "Does the Uchiha clan retain any funds, or have they been depleted completely?"

When his clan was murdered, all of their holdings reverted to the village. Sasuke has no illusion of where most of it went—first, to pay for the body removal and funeral costs for the dead, then to Danzō and the Elders. They would've drawn from those funds in "reparation" for years, justifying it based on the failed coup and Itachi's crimes.

As a child, Sasuke's weekly allowance came from what was left in the fund, but it was controlled by the Hokage. First, Hiruzen Sarutobi and then, briefly, Tsunade Senju. After leaving Konoha the first time, he always assumed the Elders had taken complete ownership of it.

"No," Kakashi says. "Tsunade kept as much of it as possible from being used by the council."

Sasuke blinks in surprise. "Well. That's something." He suspects it's more her dislike of the council than any affection for him.

"A lot of what remained was spent during your trial," Kakashi continues, sounding apologetic, "and to cover your own reparations to the village, inside and out."

Sasuke nods. It's as he thought—he's basically starting from scratch.

"I can look into transferring whatever remains back to you. It should take a week or two. Unless… Is there something in particular you need it for? It might help speed up the process."

"No."

The idea of having to ask the village for his own money in order to get married and start a family bothers him—as if he has to ask their permission to be happy. He would rather do it on his own.

Maybe a loan…

He is doubtful even as he considers it, and it's on the tip of his tongue to ask Kakashi, but then he stops. If he continues this line of questioning, Kakashi will begin to pry. Perhaps Naruto—

No. No way will he know how.

Even if Naruto knew how to get a loan, he'd spend a good deal of time making fun of him. And then just tell him to go to Sakura which he doesn't want to do because it defeats the purpose of showing her that he can take charge of their plans for the future. If only there was someone who—

Wait. There is someone.

It's a mark of how the times have changed that Sasuke even thinks about Hinata Hyūga—Hinata Uzumaki, now, for almost six months.

He's spent more time with her since he's returned to the village, seeing as how he's become a frequent dinner guest. He pretends that it's because Naruto will nag him until he agrees to dinner, but in reality, it's Hinata's cooking. It's the best he's had in years (actually, it's the only home cooking he's had since his mother died).

She grew up learning to run an entire clan and preparing to be the wife of whatever Hyūga she was married off to. Now that she's married to Naruto, and with him so busy most days preparing for his future job as Hokage, she's the one in charge of the household.

If there's anyone in the world who won't mock Sasuke or have a snide comment on the subject of houses and loans, it's her.

Well, that's one problem solved…

"If there isn't anything further, I'm leaving," he tells Kakashi.

"See you," Kakashi replies, already flipping open his book. Sasuke is almost to the door when he speaks again. "Oh, and Sasuke?"

He inclines his head.

"Be sure to say 'hello' to Sakura for me."

The suggestion itself is innocent, but the tone is heavy with implication.

うちは

Sakura yawns and throws down her pen, the last chart of the day filled in and signed. If she wasn't able to channel her chakra so well, her hand would be cramped up from the amount of writing she's been doing today.

Still, it could be worse. I could be Kakashi-sensei.

She grins to herself and stretches like a cat, even purring with pleasure as the muscles in her back pull taught and then relax.

"You're in a good mood," a voice to her left remarks, and she glances up to see her assistant, Ando, in the doorway. He's a scrawny kid with wild brown hair and wide eyes—sort of reminds her of Konohamaru Sarutobi at that age, only with more common sense and less of a sense of humour. Fourteen years old, Ando just recently made chūnin, and his former genin squad leader suggested he had a talent for medical ninjutsu. He's been with Sakura since May and has already made her life a hell of a lot easier—and more organised.

She's inclined to agree with his former squad leader.

"It was a good day," she tells the boy with a smile, even if that's only half of the truth.

For the first time in a long time, she is perfectly and unquestionable happy. She's running the day-to-day affairs of Konoha Hospital for Tsunade while she's away, her children's clinic is still a huge success, and all the people she cares about are happy.

All of this utterly pales in comparison to the secret fact that the love of her life has proposed to her. It's a dream she never thought would become a reality, and yet it is.

She's spent every spare minute today fantasising about it. She's already dreaming of the flowers she'll choose and whether she'll have a traditional dress, or one of the beautiful white gowns that are all the fashion out West.

Sasuke is the more traditional sort, so probably the first option—

"Your stalker is here."

"My what?" Sakura demands.

"That guy you go home with practically every day," Ando rolls his eyes. "You should be careful."

"Of who? Sasuke?" Sakura laughs. "Listen, he might be a legend, but I can hold my own against him." They both have bruises from their last sparring match to prove that. "And we don't go home together, he walks me to my place. He's a total gentleman."

"Good. I would hate to find out my supervisor is a woman of loose morals."

"Loose mor—what the hell's that supposed to mean?!" Sakura demands, raising a threatening fist.

"The guy needs a haircut," Ando goes on, glancing out the window. He sounds utterly unimpressed with Sasuke, as if his status as saviour of the planet means nothing compared to being well-groomed. "Who wants to go on a date with a guy who looks like a mop? And if he's going to wait around for you every day, would it kill him to bring you some flowers? If my boyfriend walked me home every day and didn't bring me flowers now and then, I'd dump him."

Sakura is suddenly bombarded by a long-forgotten image of a different Sasuke, one gracing her with a dazzling smile and a red rose in hand.

A rose for someone else.

And while she knows that Sasuke wasn't real but simply a figment of Obito's genjutsu world, she still shudders.

"No, that would be a nightmare," she declares, earning a puzzled stare from Ando. "Never mind. If you're done criticising my love life, I'm heading home." She shrugs out of her lab coat and reaches for her bag. "And if I see Hikaru on the way, I'll tell him he better get you flowers because you're so grumpy today."

Ando sniffs in response.

Outside, Sasuke is waiting in his usual spot across the street. He leans against the wall opposite the hospital, his single hand shoved in his pocket and a preoccupied look on his face. As usual, when she steps out onto the road, he falls into step with her.

"Hello, Sasuke," she greets him cheerfully.

"Sakura."

From here, they usually head to either a nearby restaurant or meander toward one of the tree-lined roads. Mindful of his thoughtful expression, Sakura heads toward the trees; he's more likely to open up about what's bothering him if they're alone together.

They walk in silence for almost a quarter of an hour, until the last stragglers along the path disappear, leaving the street deserted but for them. As they head toward the forest where they both like to stroll, their hands inch closer together. It's enough that Sakura can sense the heat of Sasuke's, even though they aren't touching.

Until they do.

Their little fingers bump, at first by accident, and then, she thinks, perhaps on purpose, but she isn't sure if it's her or him instigating it. The fourth time, Sakura's eyes widen as Sasuke ever so slowly curl his fingers around hers—little finger first, followed gradually by the other digits, until their palms touch.

Sakura continues to stare straight ahead, but can't help the happy sigh that escapes her. She squeezes his fingers briefly, signalling her approval and even gratitude. This is the first time he's held her hand, which is a very encouraging first step.

Maybe one day he will bring me flowers, she thinks idly. And then she frowns, remembering something else Ando said.

"What?" Sasuke asks, and she jumps. She didn't realise he was watching her expression.

"Nothing."

"If it was nothing, you wouldn't be frowning."

"Look at you—ten years ago you wouldn't even have noticed," she teases.

"I would've noticed," he tells her seriously, "I just wouldn't have said anything."

She rolls her eyes good-naturedly.

"Are you going to answer?"

"I want to go on a date with you," she tells him firmly.

Sasuke blinks. "A date."

It's a statement, but she reads the question in his tone.

"Yeah, you know, you and me, spending time together, the two of us," she clarifies. "A quiet, romantic dinner, or…moonlit walks under the cherry blossoms?"

"We've been doing things like that since I got back," he points out.

"No, those weren't da—I mean, I guess, technically, yes, they do sort of fit that definition," she allows, "but it's not like…we didn't have to get dressed up nice or anything, and there was no planning a picnic or…or watching the stars together or…" Sakura flounders. She's explaining this badly and knows it.

"So planning and stars are the difference between what we've been doing and a…date?" Despite the critical note on the last word, as if he doesn't like the way it feels coming off his tongue, Sasuke's question is for clarification. As if he is truly trying to understand what she is saying, instead of shrugging it off in contempt the way he would when they were younger.

"Well, that or a romantic candlelit table for two, or dancing or…" she trails off when she sees his eyes widen—it's only incremental, but on anyone else it would be panic. She exhales through her nose. "I'm freaking you out right now, aren't I?"

"No," he says, but the syllable is pushed through clenched teeth.

"I am," she sighs, and a moment later makes a waving motion with her free hand. "Never mind. It's just…" Leftover fantasies from when I was a girl. "You're right. I'm being silly. We already do all the stuff I want to do and asking for any more would make things feel forced."

"We can. If you want to."

"No. I don't need that," she dismisses, tucking that dream back into her mental hope chest. "It's only, at some point before we get married, it might be nice to have some indication that you see me as a woman, and not just the person you happen to be in love with."

Sasuke is utterly confused at this and doesn't even try to hide it this time. He clears his throat, uncomfortable, and changes the subject. "On that note…did you have a specific time you were thinking about?"

"I'm not sure," Sakura responds. "When Naruto and Hinata got engaged, they did everything really fast—about four months. So, I guess we can use that as an estimate. About whether we should do it sooner or later, I mean." She taps her chin thoughtfully. "Except…if we have the wedding in four months, it'll be winter, and I don't really want to have a wedding in the snow. It might be romantic for about five seconds before the cold and the wet and people being inconvenienced would ruin it."

"We could wait for the spring," he suggests reasonably.

"We could…except…I sort of don't want to wait four months, let alone six," she admits. "We've waited long enough, don't you think? And I can deal with having less fuss than they had. I was actually thinking…two months from now?"

Sasuke frowns and glances up at the sky. He has his problem-solving face on.

"And this planning for the wedding," he says after a moment, sounding careful, "is something I need to be present for?"

Sakura smacks him in the shoulder—a little harder than a playful tap, but not with any malice. "Yes, you have to be involved! It's your celebration, too—unless you don't want to celebrate?"

"In that case, we may have to wait anyhow."

He stops walking and turns to face her. He looks grave, and she immediately tenses for bad news.

"Kakashi offered me a mission," he tells her. "There's something happening in the Land of Earth, and might take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months."

Sakura's chest tightens. "Oh." She swallows. "And you said yes?"

"I haven't decided yet. I told Kakashi I would let him know, but I wanted to speak to you first," Sasuke tells her. "You will be my wife. This is the sort of thing that I'm meant to speak to you about in advance. Especially if it interferes with your plans, in which case…Kakashi proposed another individual who might take the mission…if that's what's required."

He sounds like he's telling himself more than her, as if he's reminding himself about a long-forgotten social norm. Though her disappointment is rising—she'd hoped to spend more time with Sasuke before he inevitably started taking long-term missions again—she recognises the effort he's making.

Konoha wasn't built in a day, she reminds herself.

"Thank you for considering me," she tells Sasuke softly, squeezing his hand, "but don't worry. And, of course, you have to go on the mission. Besides, would you really tell Kakashi 'no' if I had a problem with it?"

Sasuke shifts uncomfortably, but his expression is unapologetic. "No."

"Good," she declares. "Some things have to come first, especially if we want to build the future we risked our lives to protect. It'd be the same if a situation came up at the hospital, or if I had to visit another village to offer medical aid. You wouldn't expect me to run things by you first, would you?"

Sasuke snorts.

"Exactly. But I'm glad that you thought this was important enough to discuss with me beforehand. It was thoughtful and…and very husbandly of you."

He looks away, but the back of his neck turns red.

"So, when are you leaving?" she asks eventually, breaking the silence.

"Soon," he answers. "I told Kakashi to give me some time. But since we've spoken now, I'll probably go back right away and tell him I can leave tomorrow morning."

"…Oh."

She isn't quite capable of hiding her disappointment here, and Sasuke notices. "What?"

"Nothing."

"Sakura."

"It's just…I mean…I know we just said the mission comes first and everything, but since Kakashi-sensei gave you that time, maybe…we could spend some of it together."

Sasuke considers, frowning in thought. "Kakashi said it's possible for me to wait a week or two," he says slowly. "If you want."

"Would you?" she asks, trying not to feel so selfishly pleased. "I mean, only if it's not going to inconvenience you—because, if it does, then you wouldn't be doing your job. And I don't want to be the one who holds you back from—"

"It won't kill me, Sakura," he deadpans, but there's a twitch in the corner of his mouth that tells her he's more amused than irritated.

She grins and leans into his shoulder.

"Let's have dinner—a team dinner! We'll have Naruto and Hinata over," she suggests. "And Ino and Sai, and Kakashi and Manako. And Yamato, if he's in the village. We can tell all of them the news together."

"You said you wanted to keep it to ourselves for a while."

"That was before you got a mission that could take months. I'm not keeping a secret this big for all that time!" she protests. "Besides, it's in the best friend code that I have to tell Ino within at least forty-eight hours of getting engaged. And you know Naruto will whine and complain that you didn't tell him before you left."

"Hm." There is a beat of silence, as if Sasuke is considering whether he should chance it—and then probably figures (quite correctly) that if the news came out while Sasuke was away, Naruto would follow him on his mission just to kick his ass (or raze a forest trying). "All right. Dinner might be a good idea."

"Great!"

"But not ramen."

"Obviously. This isn't exactly a casual conversation. I'd like it to be a little more special than ramen."

"We'll do it at my place."

"You mean Kakashi-sensei's obscenely tiny apartment?" Sakura prompts, making a face. "No. Let's have them over to my place."

This time Sasuke makes the face. "With your parents hovering?"

They both wince.

"All right. Fine," Sakura decides. "We'll have it at your place. Who cares how cramped it is when we're with people we care about, right?"

She beams at him, and Sasuke stares at her, his mismatched eyes adorably wide. He seems completely stunned for a minute, and then hastily looks away, letting his hair fall over his face again. From the tense set of his shoulders, he is considering something difficult.

"Sasuke?" she prompts. "If the dinner is too much, we don't have to. I'm just as happy telling them all individually if you—"

"Come with me."

She blinks, a little confused by the non sequitur, but shrugs. "Okay. Where?"

"No—that's not what I—" he cuts himself off, looking frustrated for a moment, and then forces himself to continue. "Come with me on the mission."

It's Sakura's turn to be stunned.

"You asked me once," he reminds her, "and it wasn't the right moment. But you're right—we're wasting time. I would prefer not to spend any more of mine without you by my side."

It feels as if the world and all its sound has suddenly disappeared, along with the air from her lungs.

"I know that you have responsibilities here," he continues quietly, "and that it would make the most sense to occupy yourself with those. I would understand if that's what you choose to do—"

"Sasuke—"

"—and with this mission, if it's…what you want, I'll go tomorrow and come back here as soon as possible."

Her vision becomes a little blurry.

"But if you—"

"I'll come with you," she tells him firmly, reaching up to take his face in her hands. "That's not even a question. And don't worry about my responsibilities here. I have people who can keep an eye on things while I'm away—they're trained for that. Besides, after the amount of work I've done for this village, I could use a vacation."

"A mission isn't a vacation," he reminds her.

"Does the mission involve paperwork?"

"I doubt it."

"Then it's a vacation," she says happily, and before she can think better of it, hugs him around the middle. He goes rigid at first and then relaxes into her embrace. "Thank you for asking me, Sasuke."

"…You're welcome."

"So, we'll go, and when we get back, we'll plan the wedding and get married," she decides, pulling away from him. "We might end up marrying in the spring after all."

"But you don't want to wait."

"It's not so bad, the waiting—as long as I'm with you."

"…Hm."

He looks a little conflicted, like he's still worried this idea is an imposition somehow. She's not entirely sure how to assure him that it's anything but, and not just because she'll be by his side.

An idea occurs to her, a little bolder than she's used to—but then, this whole situation is a little bolder than what she's used to.

"There are…other reasons this could be a good trip," she begins, trying not to sound uncertain. "It could be a good opportunity…to practice?"

Damn it, I shouldn't have phrased that as a question!

"Practice what?"

"Practice for…well…you had that second goal," she reminds him, trying and failing to keep the blood from rushing to her cheeks. She hasn't tried to flirt with Sasuke since they were genin, and isn't entirely sure how to go about it now that they're adults. When continues to look confused, she curses herself for starting out with something so…lewd.

Well, I started this, I might as well commit!

"Back when we first got put on the same squad?" she reminds him. "Remember what you said?"

Sasuke stares at her blankly for about five seconds before he realises what she's talking about.

And promptly turns as red as his favourite food.

He looks away from her, his entire body tense and Sakura experiences a moment of panic.

Oh, no! I've embarrassed him! That was so not the point, I didn't want to make him uncomfortable, I just…!

"Sasuke, I'm sorry!" she stammers over herself to say. "I didn't mean…that's not what I…I meant practice being close…the two of us—not that it's not the two of us now, it is, but—"

When Sasuke looks back at her, his cheeks and the bridge of his nose are still darker than usual, and he shoots her an exasperated look. She exhales in relief to note it's fond exasperation, and not the Naruto-exasperation.

"Annoying woman," he says wryly. "All I am to you is a piece of meat."

And he turns to walk away.

Sakura's jaw drops.

"Did you just…did you just make a joke? Sasuke? Sasuke! Wait up!"

つづく

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