Chapter 3: Sparks

Sakura sat on the porch with her back leaning against the door sill. She watched the lazy clouds roll over the autumn sky. Kaz snuggled in her arms asleep. She smiled to herself. Kaz always wants to act like an adult, but like most kids he'll fall asleep anywhere in any position. Her grip around her son tightened with affection, the warmth of his little body was welcomed in the cool, crisp air.

Sakura hadn't planned on becoming a mother so soon in her life. She wanted one, certainly, but she wanted to enjoy her youth, mostly through self-indulgence. Prior to becoming a mother, Sakura was a chain-smoking workaholic with a taste for alcohol. She loved dating. Dealing with men was a fun game. They all want the same thing and she had the power to give it to them. But she also had the power to take it away and she loved it. Tsunade was worried that Sakura had developed a phobia towards commitment, though Sakura assured her if the right man came she would settle down. She was just having fun while she could.

Then she became a mother. Sakura made a lot of personal sacrifices she honestly did not want to make. She gave up smoking, drinking, and even her binge dating. In retrospect, she could have been bitter about having to change for kids she didn't even want, but she found that it wasn't the case.

There is an existence in this world that couldn't survive without her. It is amazing to know that there is someone who will depend on her without question. In turn that someone loves her unconditionally, even when she is at her lowest. Sakura gave up a lot of things for Kaz, but in the end, her well-being is as dependent on Kaz as he is on her. This couldn't be truer especially in this past year.

Kaz is the only person who would meet her at the bottom of her pit.

Sakura found herself lulling off to sleep with Kaz still in her arms. She dreamt of the training ground in Konoha where she, Naruto, and Sasuke first learned to work together. She started training with Kaz pretty much as soon as he was able to walk. . Although he had just learned to walk steadily he proclaimed that he would protect his girls in that two-year-old only-somewhat-comprehensible speech. Sakura laughed at her son, who always wants to act like an adult.

The scenery shifted. She and a slightly older Kaz were just short of the main gates of Konoha. She and Kaz stood still in the rain. Sakura felt someone approaching her from behind. There was definitely something wrong.

"Mama!" screamed the voice of a young girl.

Sakura jolted herself awake. Looking around her, she slowly pieced together that she was home and was safe. She looked down at Kaz who was still sleeping like a log. She tightened her grip around him once more.

"Sasuke and I need to talk," she said to her sleeping child. "Will you be alright?"

Naruto watched Sakura and Sasuke argue from the window in Tsunade's office . There was a lot of flailing arms, exasperated groans, and walking away from the speaker. When they yelled, both Tsunade and Naruto could hear them clearly.

When Tsunade heard from Naruto that Sakura wanted to have a talk with Sasuke somewhere other than her own home, Tsunade offered her personal courtyard that few people were allowed into. It is private, except for the window Naruto was presently staring out of. It is also smack in the middle of Konoha's headquarters so presumably it's safe.

Tsunade groaned out loud as she struggled to concentrate on her work while the blond haired ninja continued to brood at her window.

"Don't you have better things to do, Naruto-kun?"
"I'm worried about Sakura," he said without taking his eyes off of the pair.
"Sakura-chan will be fine," Tsunade replied while still shuffling through more papers. "She's in the middle of Konoha's most well protected building. If she needs to be somewhere safe, this place is it."
"It's not that. I'm worried about her and Sasuke."

Tsunade looked up from her papers to see Naruto's serious expression. Her face softened. She could understand Naruto's feelings. She herself is unsure about her former pupil's relationship with Sasuke. There certainly are reasons for them to be together, but she had this feeling that they are not good for each other. The hokage wondered if she made the right choice to allow Sasuke to see Sakura. Her most dedicated student seems to be attracted to drama. Sasuke probably had the same problem.

"They're both adults. I'm sure whatever conclusion they get to will at least be reasonable."

Just then, down in the courtyard, Sasuke forcefully grabbed Sakura by the wrist and pulled her over to a corner of the courtyard that covered Naruto's view of their actions. Either Sasuke realized Naruto was watching, or they were going to start making out. Disgusted by his own conclusions, Naruto turned around in a huff and headed for the door.

Tsunade only watched as Naruto slammed the door on his way out. It's Naruto I feel sorry for at this point, she thought. Sighing, Tsunade looked out the window behind her desk to survey the busy streets of Konoha. She wondered if Sakura had the chance to have a look around after being gone so long. The hustle and bustle of life was as lively as ever. A sad expression descended upon Tsunade's face.

"The delicate peace of our village rests on the shoulders of those few who love their home," she said aloud to the landscape, the sound of Sakura and Sakura continuing to buzz in the background. "Will this ever change?"

Down at the courtyard Sakura wasn't sure how things got to this point. She originally wanted to talk to Sasuke about Kaz, but for some reason they are arguing about each other. They had been there for hours, but they only argued with each other in circles.

"If it has to be this way, then fine! I can handle it if you're only interested in being sex buddies."
"Wait," Sasuke said with a look of annoyance. "I didn't say this was about sex. Don't put words in my mouth."
"I don't know what else to think about it when all we've done so far is have sex. This is the first time we've even talked! I can't-"
"Hey, it's not like you're making this easy either! Does he even know who his father is?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"It's just never come up. Besides it's not like we need—"

Suddenly, Sasuke grabbed onto Sakura's wrist and yanked underneath a cluster of trees. Sakura was about to say 'What the hell?' but was instead interrupted by Sasuke's harsh words as he leaned in close.

"Need what? You don't need me? I'm just trying to do the right thing here. Why do I have to sit here and listen to you blast me for being gone when I had to be gone? Or is it because you already have Naruto? Because he's already playing daddy for you!"

Sakura was taken aback as though she had just been slapped in the face.

"Don't bring Naruto into this!" Sakura said, in a flustered voice at the same time her cheeks began to burn. "He's offered me nothing but his support and I won't let you bring him down for any reason."

Sasuke could tell she was dead serious about Naruto, but his own anger was honest.

"But I don't like it. I hate that Naruto is the one that is supporting you. It's the simple truth."

Sasuke paused, surprised at what he just said. He looked at Sakura who seemed equally surprised. The weight of his words began to sink in for the both of them, changing the atmosphere significantly.

Sasuke was jealous.

Whether Sasuke he genuine feelings for Sakura or not, the fact is that he was jealous of Naruto for being the man in her life. It didn't matter that Naruto wasn't exactly dating Sakura, Sasuke just didn't want Naruto to have anything to do with her.

"Is that so?" Sakura said lifting a single eyebrow in sudden amusement.

Sasuke caught a twinkle in Sakura's eyes. Her expression slowly melted into a look of mischief. It was the same kind of expression she gave him six years ago. Back to those two weeks they spent together.

"What are you smiling at?" Sasuke said in a voice that was a strange mix of a threat and playfulness. Sasuke leaned in further, holding Sakura by the jaw to tilt her face up to him his lips just inches away from hers. "I bet you're enjoying this."

And in fact, Sakura was enjoying it. Love may be fundamentally missing in their relationship, but Sasuke's blatant jealously only gave her more power, a feeling she found herself getting easily reacquainted with.

"Oh, you know I am." She said

Sasuke battled back. Leaning in closer he threatened to steal her lips. Sakura's eyes only narrowed defiantly as a smirk crept up her mouth. She dared him to steal her lips. His kisses won't hurt her. The attraction that sparked between them was undeniable. Being with Sasuke brought her to a place that she was most comfortable. He brought her back to the raw, carnal feelings she indulged in before she became a mother. She could do as she pleased and act simply on her instincts.

It is in this space that she had control. She could taunt and tease Sasuke, showing him the female body that he so desired. She could give it to him if she felt like it, or take it away just as easily. Sakura realized this is what brought her and Sasuke together. Sasuke is probably the only person who could play this game with her without backing down.

Well, if that is the case, couldn't she and Sasuke simply hook up just as they were six years ago? Couldn't she go back to when she didn't have to worry about doing the right thing? Just like their first encounter, it would be so easy. Sakura's eyes dared Sasuke to kiss her. She dared him to ravage her because she knows he wants to, here in the open air of the courtyard, in plain view of Tsunade-sama who just may be watching. It really was just up to her to decide.

It could happen.

She wanted it to happen.

An image of her and Kaz standing in the rain flashed through her mind.

It shouldn't happen.

Playing this game with Sasuke was a nice thought, but Sakura did not belong to Sasuke, nor to Naruto, nor anyone else in Konoha. She released herself from Sasuke's grip.

"This isn't about me anymore," she said with her eyes closed. After a few moments of thought she looked at him, with the same clear eyes that had penetrated Sasuke when he first returned "Will you be in Kaz's life or won't you?"

In the distance, two figures sat at the top of the Hokage monument which overlooked the whole of Konoha. The pair watched the streets below. One of them, a young male, had his eyes transfixed on Konoha's headquarters, which he hasn't taken his eyes off of for hours. His partner, an older male, idly scanned the rest of the streets. Both wore protectors with the symbol of the Sound Village.

The younger male stood up suddenly. A crooked smile streaked across his face. At the street level, Sakura had just stepped out of the building. She shot a glance behind her just as a cold breeze blew by her shoulder. Sasuke followed behind her and noticed the suspicious look on her face.

"Is something wrong, Sakura?" he asked.

Sakura's eyes narrowed as she scanned the streets behind her and then finally the monument which seemed to be looking down at her. She saw nothing.

"No…" she said unconvinced. "It must be my imagination."

The young male began to laugh hysterically. "I found her." He said "I finally found her!"