Posted: 3/17/2019

Sasori let out a heavy sigh the second he was sure that Sakura was out of ear-shot.

He had seen the look in her eyes the moment he had relented to helping the kitten. They had had these conversations many times before, about how she gave too much of herself to others and asked for nothing in return for her sacrifices. Whether it was letting one of her friends crash on their couch because they were too drunk to drive home or her having to cancel date night at the last minute or leave early from parties because of an emergency at the hospital - there were times that he hated how selfless she could be, but he knew he would never tell her to stop either. She wouldn't be the woman he loved if she did. He did, however, tell her when it bothered him; and, judging by the small frown that had tugged at her lips and the guilt that had darkened in her normally brilliant gaze as she left their room, it was clear to him that she already knew how he felt.

Which is why he had asked her to go and call Kiba Inuzuka.

He was upset and he needed a few seconds alone to cool his head and calm his nerves before he said something he regretted. After all, Sakura was happiest when she was able to help others, and it was one of things he loved the most about her. It would be foolish to let something as small as an injured kitten ruin everything they had worked so hard for.

Looking down at the helpless little ball of fur, Sasori felt his gaze soften slightly when the creature cracked open a pair of bright yellow eyes. Chuckling softly, Sasori gave the kitten's ear a gentle rub before whispering, "Sleep, little guy. She won't leave you alone if she sees you're awake."

Anxiously biting her lip, Sakura moved swiftly down the small hallway that led back towards the front door.

It didn't take much to know Sasori was upset, the slight pinch in his brow when she stumbled in with the kitten was enough for her to know he wasn't happy. She didn't regret saving the kitten, though, and she never would.

But that wasn't why he was upset.

"Call your Inuzuka friend. He's a vet, right?"

Letting out a soft sigh, Sakura came to a stop as she reached the small entryway to their apartment. Then, spotting her haphazardly discarded jacket lying a few meters away from her equally scattered-about boots and bag, Sakura bent down to scoop the semi-damp overcoat into her arms and fish her phone out of the insulated inside pocket. Unlocking the device with one hand, Sakura carefully hung the long coat on the rack beside her fiancé's before reaching down to collect her boots and set them down in their rightful place on the mat by the door. Opening her contacts list, she quickly scrolled through the list of names, her eyes scanning hastily until she found one "Kiba Inuzuka."

Breathing out a small sigh of relief, Sakura tapped the small picture of Kiba posing with a mechanical bull, the one that his sister had rented for his veterinarian school graduation party, and lifted the cellphone to her ear. After waiting through several rings of the dial tone and Kiba's iconic belch-filled personal voicemail, Sakura left him a quick message.

"Hey Kiba. It's Sakura. I found a kitten outside by the hospital. It's leg is hurt. Can you come by to look at it when you get back? Call me back if you get the chance. I'll see you soon."

Lowering the phone, Sakura ended the call and was about to head back towards the bedroom when she noticed a second set of hastily abandoned shoes lying by the door.

'He must have been about to look for me.' She thought, smiling softly before bending down to pick up each of his boots and setting them aside properly. She then noticed a light on in the living room.

Curiosity getting the best of her, Sakura moved quietly into the small living space, her green eyes widening as she took in the sight.

The light she had seen was emanating from the perfectly arranged string lights that Sasori had spun around the small Christmas tree that they had set in the corner of the living room. And beneath the tree was a series of small gift-wrapped boxes, some from her fiancé and others from her long-distance friends, her parents, and his grandmother and cousins. Taking a few steps further into the room, Sakura felt tears prickle in the corners of her eyes and she gasped softly in surprise. Laid out on the low-table in the middle of their living room was the dinner that Sasori had left early from work to make just for her - shrimp tempura. He'd even had their bowls of rice and vegetables set out across from each other along with a large bottle of their favorite sake. Lifting a hand to muffle the start of her sniffles, Sakura felt her chest tighten at the sight of the dinner setting. He had even put the shrimp in the Christmas-themed serving bowl that she had forced him to buy last year after they had been forced to separate their meal into various small bowls, because that was all they had owned when they moved in together.

Biting her lip hard to keep herself from crying at his thoughtfulness, Sakura took a few steps closer to their cold dinner before kneeling down beside the table and using her sleeve to wipe away some of her tears. Then, reaching forward, Sakura lifted the lid to the container of tempura and carefully extracted one of the cold morsels.

He went out of his way to do all of this for her, and yet they couldn't even enjoy it because she had decided to bring home an injured kitten...

"You idiot," she said softly, gazing at the low-table tenderly for a moment before popping the slightly soggy treat into mouth and chewing.

It was cold and the breading was a little mushy, but it still was some of the best tempura she'd ever tasted. Because he had made it for her. And only her.

Swallowing past the lump in her throat, Sakura felt something deep inside her chest break and she bowed her head in shame.

Whether it was letting Ino or Naruto crash on their couch when they were too drunk to drive home or having to sacrifice their personal time together because she was needed at the hospital - Sasori never threw a fit like she would have. Instead, he was patient with her and continued to support her love of helping others, even though he was often the one who paid the price. And even when they did talk about it, when he reached his limit or felt she had crossed a line, he never once asked her to stop.

"I understand." And he really did.

But dear kami was she starting to hate those two simple words, ones which she had heard from him time and time again whenever she did something rash or reckless. They were words that he said to her because he wanted to support her in doing what made her happy - they were meant to be encouraging - but to her, at this point, his acceptance of her selfishness only made her feel one-hundred times worse. And even he always accepted her apologies, long-winded and rambling as they were, Sakura knew she was being selfish and that she took his kind and subtle, self-sacrificing nature for granted.

Not anymore.

Lifting her head, Sakura looked at the dinner setting a second more before lifting the lid off of the red, snowman-spotted ceramic container and grabbing one of the empty serving bowls, filling it with the once-crispy shrimp. Then, rising to her feet, Sakura carried the bowl over to the kitchen along with a bowl of rice and vegetables, all of which she quickly covered and set inside the microwave to reheat. Leaving the food to heat-up, Sakura returned her attention to the rest of the food and alcohol sitting on the low-table and set about sealing the leftovers and placing them in the refrigerator to be eaten tomorrow. And, in her quest to stow away their missed dinner, Sakura caught sight of a second bottle of sake tucked behind the milk in the refrigerator door.

"I love that you're always so prepared," she said with a smile as she exchanged the bottles and shut the refrigerator door just in time for the microwave to buzz.

Setting the chilled bottle of sake on the counter, Sakura knelt down to pull the small serving tray that Ino had given to her back in college, the blonde had used it to surprise the pinkette with breakfast in bed the day after she took her national board exams. Then, after pulling the warm bowls out of the microwave and arranging them along with the bottle of sake, two drinking glasses and two pairs of chopsticks, Sakura picked up the tray and was just about to start her journey back towards the master bedroom when her phone rang.

Letting out a frustrated sigh, Sakura set the tray back down on the kitchen counter and extracted her phone from her back pocket with a small grumble. However, as soon as she recognized the caller ID, Sakura immediately answered the call.

"Hey, Sakura. I just got your message. I'm leaving the clinic, so I should be there soon. Can you tell me anything else about the kitten? Like, how old it is?"

Humming softly, Sakura wandered away from the kitchen and into back into the small living area as she thought about her answer. By the time she answered, she found herself standing in front of the decorated evergreen tree that she and Sasori had picked out the other week. "It doesn't look very old, Kiba. It could probably fit in the palm of my hand. Also, one of its hind legs is hurt."

Hearing him mumbling softly to himself over the phone, Sakura crouched down gently touched one of the small ornaments hanging from a low-hanging branch, a small, red tool box that she had bought for Sasori during their first Christmas together. He had accused her of being cliché, but they both knew it was secretly his second favorite ornament on the tree.

"Okay. I'll be there soon."

A little surprised by his abruptness, Sakura simply said "okay" before the call ended and she was left squatting in front of her Christmas tree.

Running a tired hand through her tangled ponytail, Sakura was about to stand up when she caught sight of a tiny plastic stethoscope hanging on another branch - a Christmas gift from Sasori after she was promoted to the position of head cardiothoracic surgeon in the emergency department two years ago. Brushing a slim finger over the curve of the plastic bell, Sakura smiled softly, her heart warming at the memory until her eyes fell upon the pair of elegantly carved wooden figurines that hung nearby. This ornament had been gifted to them by Sasori's grandmother, Chiyo-sama, the former director of Suna Medical Center and the most gifted wood-worker Sakura had ever met. It was also their all-time favorite ornament.

Per tradition, they had hung the ornament front and center on the tree, hanging at eye-level by the sleek gold ribbon. It was a wooden carving that Chiyo had made of the two of them to embody the woman's favorite picture of the couple - one which the pair kept framed and hung on the wall by the front door ever since. The picture had been taken a few weeks after her birthday two years ago, on a particularly beautiful day in the early spring. She and Ino had been out on a walk during a long break between research meetings when they ran into Sasori and Shikamaru on their way to the hospital. As it were, there had been a small accident at the engineers' lab that resulted in the Nara receiving a second-degree burn on his forearm and Sasori dragging the man's lazy butt to the hospital. The two women had taken a good look at the Nara's arm before agreeing with the redhead's decision and pushing the reluctant man in the direction of their workplace, each offering a veiled threat that they would know if he didn't go.

And then, as soon as Shikamaru was sent on his way, Sakura had moved on to fuss over her then-boyfriend, stubbornly ignoring his protests that despite some of the red patches of skin on his hands and forearms he was fine. She, on the other hand, had forcibly rolled his sleeves up to his elbows and turned his hands over multiple times just to make sure that he was telling the truth. After that, she had taken his face in her hands and turned it from side to side, fawning over him for several minutes before he took hold of her worrying hands and silenced her multitude of questions with a kiss. Looking back on the memory, it was adorable, but it hadn't been until later in the day that she'd found out that Ino had recorded the entire exchange as a video on her phone - and that the woman was happily sharing it amongst their colleagues in the ED.

It took a few more days for her to find out that Sasori had secretly sent the video to his grandmother, whom was tech-savvy enough to isolate one of the most beautiful and romantic pictures Sakura had ever taken with Sasori - the kind that she knew Sasori never would have knowingly posed for. Looking up from the expertly crafted ornament, Sakura's gaze moved across the room towards the beloved photo and she couldn't help but smile. Surprisingly, the famed photograph wasn't of their kiss, but of the moment immediately after, when Sasori had rested his forehead against hers and smiled that beautiful smile of his just for her.

Suddenly, she longed to be with him.

And so, without another thought, Sakura moved back into the kitchen to grab the tv tray, thankful that their food hadn't gone cold again, before heading straight back down the short hallway that led to their bedroom.

Hearing her soft footsteps approaching, Sasori lifted the now-dry but still fussy kitten into his arms and turned to face the doorway, his back resting against the foot of their bed as she entered the room. Choosing not to look up from the kitten, Sasori waited quietly for her to join him. And when she finally did, he didn't speak, and he didn't move when she rested her head on his shoulder. However, when she carefully set down a tray of food down on the floor beside them - food that he had made for their dinner - he tilted his head in her direction, indicating that she at least had his attention.

It wasn't until she spoke, though, her tone soft and shaky, that he focused his slate-colored eyes on her. He was mildly surprised to see that she was trying her hardest hold back tears.

Nevertheless, Sakura looked up at him and whispered, "I'm so sorry, Sasori."

Predictably, he stayed silent for a moment, waiting to hear what else she had to say before responding. Smiling gratefully at him, Sakura lowered her gaze for a moment and sighed, "the dinner that you made, the Christmas tree... Sasori, it's all so beautiful and perfect... I... I'm so sorry."

Feeling his chest tighten as some of her tears fell on his shoulder, Sasori carefully supported the kitten with one hand before raising the other to gently wipe away the few tears that were running down her cheeks. Then, just as he was about to turn and press a soft kiss on the crown of her head, she continued.

"I... really don't deserve you, Sasori."

That made him pause.

Frowning slightly, Sasori was about to protest, when Sakura sat upright and glared at him through her tears, her expression telling him very clearly to just shut up and listen as she tried speak without choking on her tears. He obeyed wordlessly, watching closely as she wiped furiously at her tears and took a few deep breaths. Then, after several seconds of expectant silence, it seemed like she was calm enough to finish speaking without being interrupted by sniffles.

However, what came out of her mouth was not what he had been expecting.

"Why are you always so calm about this, Sasori?" Sakura asked. "I never think about my actions and I'm always inconveniencing us in order to help someone else... I'm always hurting you and ignoring your feelings... I'm so selfish and yet... you still love me and you still support me ... WHY?"

Blinking slightly at the tone of her voice, a strange mix between disbelief and accusing, Sasori took a moment to take in the sight of his fiancée, his gray eyes tracing over every detail of her facial expression, from the wrinkle in her brow to the slight quiver of her lower lip. He could see the guilt and despair clouding her normally vibrant eyes, the tense set of her shoulders and the hands trembling in her lap. It was obvious to him that she was just barely holding it together. All because she wanted to hear what he had to say - because that was the type of person she was.

Letting out a soft sigh, Sasori knew there was only one way to prevent his love from dissolving into tears within the next few minutes. So, as he gently laid the swaddled kitten in his lap, he turned towards his bride-to-be and raised his free hand to cup her cheek. He wiped away a few stray tears with his thumb before leaning down to touch his forehead to hers. Holding her anxious green-apple gaze, he spoke softly and slowly, "I love you, Sakura. I love your desire to help others, to put your family and precious friends first, and that always try to make things up to me."

Sakura stared helplessly up at her lover, her chest tightening and fresh tears leaking from her eyes as Sasori continued.

"There are so many words I can think of to describe you, Sakura," he said as he stroked her cheek tenderly, "but 'selfish' is certainly not one of them."

"But-"

"If anything, I am the selfish one in this relationship."

Pulling away from him slightly, Sakura made another attempt to protest, "But-"

Sasori glared pointedly at the pinkette before reaching out again and pressing his index finger firmly against her lips. "It's the truth, Sakura."

He smiled faintly when she frowned at him. Apparently she was the only one allowed to be selfish.

However, before she could pull away and try to argue his words, Sasori placed his entire hand over her mouth and spoke honestly.

"I wish that I didn't have to share you, Sakura. I wish I could keep all of your love and your passion," he smiled, "and your anger to myself."

Eyes wide, Sakura stared at the man before her in surprise. Never, had she imagined he would say such words to her. And she had no idea was to say in response.

Sasori, on the other hand, found her speechlessness adorable and, seeing her now on the brink of bursting into happy tears, he removed his hand from her mouth and instead opened his arm to let her come closer and curl up against his side. Once she was settled, Sasori chuckled softly and continued where he'd left off.

"And it's more than that, Sakura," he said, leaning over so that he could kiss her forehead gently before he continued, "I've always admired how genuine you are and how you aren't afraid to act like a child from time-to-time."

Leaning down further, Sasori graced his blushing, crying, sniffling fiancée with a quick peck on the nose before resumed his praise, "I love that you aren't afraid to speak your mind or to yell at me when I'm being a moron."

Giggling softly, Sakura cracked a small smile as she laid her head on Sasori's shoulder and continued to listen to his gentle voice.

Sasori, on the other hand, smiled slightly at the sound of her quiet, tinkling laughter. And so, in hopes of encouraging her better mood, Sasori gave her a small, one-armed squeeze before looking her in the eyes grinning. Then, he asked softly, "And do you know what I love the most about you?"

Eyes wide, Sakura smiled shyly up at him and replied, "What?"

Leaning down to gently touch nuzzle her nose and rest his forehead against hers, Sasori answered honestly.

"What I love the most about you is that even when you gave so much of yourself to others, you saved this - your fears and insecurities - for me. I'm grateful that you trust me enough to let me hold you and talk you through moments like this."

Watching as her eyes grew incredibly wide, Sasori smiled gently and gave her a light kiss on the lips before looking down at the ball of fur laying in his lap and adding softly, "Beside, if I can't support your efforts to rescue an injured kitten, I don't deserve to have you for the rest of my life, Sakura."

Cheeks pink and her eyes dry and puffy from crying, Sakura leaned up and captured his lips in a soft kiss. When they parted, she smiled lovingly at him before snuggling closer and whispering, "Thank you, Sasori."

Smiling down at her, Sasori gave her side a small squeeze before redirecting his attention to the kitten that was fast asleep in the towel in his lap. However, before he could open his mouth and properly address the fact that they really didn't have the time to raise a kitten, there was a knock in the door. And, much to his amusement, Sakura grumbled unenthusiastically about Inuzuka's with crappy timing.

"Here," he said with a soft chuckle as he lifted the kitten up off his lap and placed it in Sakura's arms, "I'll get the door."

Smiling gratefully up at the redhead, Sakura waved her fiancé away before turning her attention to the dazed little critter in her arms. He must have woken up when Sasori picked him up. Reaching down with a single finger, Sakura cooed softly at the adorable little fluffball when he mewed softly in protest to being awoken. Then, after watching the kitten willingly sniff the tip of her finger and let her rub his fuzzy head, Sasori knew there was no turning back.

It was official. She was in love.

Sorry, this one is also a little short, but... perhaps the cuteness will be enough to make-up for the shorter length?

Let me know!

~Smash