Title: The Art of Gratitude

Title: The Art of Gratitude.

Authoress: Yuneh-chan.

Number of Words: 963.

Universe: Alternate.

Pairing: SasukexSakura.

Type: Continuous (Incomplete).

Disclaimer: I wish I did, but own it, I do not.

The Art of Gratitude;

Introducing, Chapter Two:

'Able To…'

Flashback:

"Sakura, I don't know what time I will be home. Have your father make you dinner. God knows he doesn't do anything else."

"But okaa-chan, otou-chan is working too. It's just me, at home."

"Go over to that…filth's house, then. Narutard or something."

"His name is Naruto, and he's not filth, okaa-chan!" I screamed into the phone, before slamming it down on the base. Sobbing, I jumped when the doorbell rang.

"Sakura-chan, Sakura-chan!" came an excited yell. "Okaa-chan said I could come play!"

"N-Naruto, d-don't come in!" Ignoring me, he threw the door open, eyes flashing in worry.

"What's wrong, Sakura-chan?"

"M-My okaa-chan…"

"Oh, Sakura-chan, it's fine. Come here." He gathered me to him, and held me while I sobbed all that my ten-year-old self could…

Naruto was like the brother that I would never have…Okaa-chan could never have another child. I thought that was why she buried herself in work, is because I wasn't good enough, and she couldn't replace me with a new baby…

End Flashback.

"Haruno-san?" came a soft call. "Please wake up. I would not like to explain to Ryuu what has transpired." My eyelids fluttered open.

"N-Naruto?" I asked groggily. "No…Sasuke-san. Gomen." I locked my slightly dulled emerald eyes with his dark molten onyx ones. My head was resting comfortably in his lap. Of course it was only a daydream, him saying such…almost naughty things. "B-But Sasuke-san…you never allow anyone to touch you willingly…"

"You're my boss, Haruno-san. Why did you not tell me you were feeling ill? You have a fever, and after the soccer game, you're going home and to bed."

"I'm not a child; I can take care of myself! I have other things to do, Uchiha-san!" I spat.

"Aunt Sakura! I kicked the winning goal, did you see? Oh, it was awesome!"

"I…" Sasuke shoved his phone in my hands, where he'd been recording the game. I watched it with unconcealed glee. "Oh, babe, that was amazing! How about we go out for ice cream to celebrate?"

"Can Uchiha-san come too?" he begged.

"No, Uchiha-san has other things to do." I turned to him. "I left a task list on my desk for you."

"Oh, no. If you're not working, then neither am I," he purred. "And besides, you rode here in my car."

"So? I've got two legs. You know that I'm not lazy." He stepped closer.

"You will not be gallivanting around while you have a fever!" he insisted. "I will take you both out for ice cream, and take you home and to bed!"

There was a gasp from behind us. "How dare you talk of such indecent things in front of children!" a woman hissed.

"N-No, it's not like that at all! He's my assistant at work. There are no romantic feelings between us." She gasped louder.

"Hussy," she muttered. I staggered back against Sasuke, who held my arms.

"Come, it is not worth it. You need not prove yourself to someone who will never believe nor understand you," he said quietly, but loudly enough for the woman to hear. I calmed down a little, and took Ryuu's hand.

"Ryuu-kun, have you ever been in Sasuke-san's car?"

"No, Aunt Sakura. But otou-chan has, when he was alive." I gripped my pant leg hard, so as to not squeeze Ryuu's hand. We reached the car, and I climbed into the front.

"Haruno-san, you can pick a radio station, if you wish."

"But otou-chan said you were a radio-hog!" Ryuu exclaimed, and Sasuke blushed slightly.

"Yes, I am. But your Aunt Sakura is special." I blushed, now, and hit his arm.

"Shut up, Sasuke." I turned it to a classical channel, surprising him. Ryuu and I were both fanatics.

"YAY! WE'RE HERE!" Ryuu cheered about ten minutes later, and jumped out of the car as soon as it stopped. He waited impatiently for me to get out of the car, so he could hold my hand. "C'MON, Aunt Sakura!" He dragged me over to where Sasuke was, and then towed both of us into the parlor.

We ate our ice cream, and piled back into the car, jammed out to Beethoven and Mozart, and finally reached my house. "Now, Ryuu, it's time for Aunt Sakura to get to bed. She has a fever." He leaned over to whisper in Ryuu's ear.

"Yeah, let's do it! Goodnight, Aunt Sakura!"

"Er…goodnight? It's only seven! I could never fall asleep so soon."

"Ah, ah, ah, Aunt Sakura! It's doctor's orders!"

"…But neither of you are qualified physicians," I retorted.

"I'll read you a story," Ryuu chirped. "After Sasuke-san and I take care of something."

"Oh…all right." I walked into my bedroom and changed into my nightshirt, a pink tank top, and a pair of green shorts that couldn't really be called decent. "Wait a second, when did he start calling him Sasuke-san instead of Uchiha-san?" I was suddenly pushed into bed and was being tucked in tightly enough that I probably would not be able to escape by myself. Sasuke towered over me for a minute, and then left the room. Well…I was feeling a little sleepy now that they'd trapped me in here…but I had to stay awake to see what Ryuu and Sasuke were going to 'take care of'…

I didn't last five more seconds. I was out like a nightlight during the day.

"Aunt Sakura," came a soft call. "It's seven. You need to get up and get ready for work." I jerked out of my dreamless slumber.

"Hngh?" I asked intelligently.

"Sasuke-san helped me prepare dinner last night, and we're making breakfast for you now. He just came over, knowing you would probably run late. So, go hop in the shower, unless you want him to see you like this."

AN: I thought I would be nice and update before I ran to work. XD So, what doesn't Ryuu want Sasuke to see Sakura looking like? (Like anybody doesn't know!)

Anyways, thank you guys so much for reading my story, and thanks so much for the reviews! It even got put in a c2, and this is the second day of my story's life! I honestly didn't think it was that good.

Remember kids, comments would be nice, flames are ignored, and constructive criticism is greatly appreciated.

Love always,

Yuneh-chan