First Time


It was 9:00, sharp. As expected, Sakura heard a knock on the door; he was always there on time.

She walked over, opened the door, and Sasuke stood there, holding a bag. "I said I'd bring breakfast." He smiled faintly at her.

Sakura moved out of the way so he could come in, and then closed the door. She followed him over to the kitchen as he took out breakfast sandwiches and set them down on the table.

"So where do you wanna go shopping? Like I said, I got paid, so I'll buy anything for you." Sasuke replied as he handed one sandwich to her. "Anywhere specific you wanna go?"

Sakura took the sandwich and stayed quiet for a few moments before responding. "...actually, I don't want to go."

"...then do you just wanna stay home?"

Sakura slightly shook her head. "Can we just take a walk?"

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. She usually didn't like to take walks; especially with him. He knew it was kind of awkward to just walk side by side in silence; but it didn't matter. He was used to it anyways.

"Sure. I know a garden park we can go to. Finish eating and I'll take you."


When they got there, Sasuke was surprised that barely anyone was there. 'Well...it's kinda still early...' He shrugged and got out of the car. He walked over to Sakura's side to open her door, but she was already out.

"Isn't it beautiful here?" Sasuke made a small smile at her as he started walking towards the garden.

Sakura just nodded and followed after him. Her eyes stared at the delicate flowers and she ran her fingers over the petals as they walked by. When they passed by some roses, she kept her gaze on them.

Naruto always bought her roses. Whether it was a special occasion or not, he'd buy it. Sometimes, he'll buy roses just to surprise her...to show her that she was important to him.

Sasuke slightly looked back and his mood slowly died down. That expression again...the same one she always does whenever she thinks of him. Sasuke noticed she was looking at the roses.

'Ah...so he probably bought her roses alot, huh.' Sasuke thought and let out a small sigh. No matter where they went, it always seemed like at least one thing reminded her of Naruto. He couldn't ever recall her giving him her full attention.

'Well, she doesn't even like me back, so why would I expect her to even look at me?' Sasuke shook his head to himself.

Sakura averted her eyes from the roses and saw Sasuke shaking his head. Once again, that guilty feeling came over her. Although she acts like she doesn't notice, she does. She notices the way he looks at her with those sad eyes...they were always longing for her. And she wondered how he always guessed that she was thinking of Naruto. He knew her too well.

And that fake smile. She knew that most of the times he smiled at her, he was forcing it. She didn't understand why he would put himself through this just because he loves her.

"...you seem to like roses. Do you want me to buy you some?" Sasuke suddenly stated.

Sakura shook her head. She didn't want him to buy her roses that reminded her of Naruto.

Sasuke spotted a small cherry blossom tree next to him. It was perfect...the flower matched her. He took a step towards it, plucked off a small flower and then walked to her.

Sakura nearly flinched when he suddenly moved a few strands of her hair behind her ear. Then she saw the small pink cherry blossom in his hand as he also secured it behind her ear.

"Then I'll just give you this. Your name means cherry blossom, so it suits you." He smiled at her. He was happy that she didn't move away from him when he reached to touch her. He always scared to do it because holding hands was the only physical contact they've ever really done.

His arms slowly dropped back down to his sides. With her standing so close to him, he felt the strong urge to just hug her, but he restrained himself and forced himself to step back.

Sakura's eyes traveled from the ground up to meet his eyes. "Why do you do this?"

Sasuke blinked, not quite getting the question. "I just wanted to get you a flower-,"

"Not that. Why do you stick with me, knowing that I can't forget him?" Sakura was a bit afraid that she was too blunt. She didn't want to hurt him, but she had to know...during a whole 5 months, that's all that's ever been on her mind. Why was he still with her?

Sasuke was taken back by her sudden question. She never talked about their relationship, ever. This was the first time she had asked him anything about why he stuck with her this long.

"...roses..." Sakura started. "...roses remind me of him. He bought them for me all the time."

"...I know. I can tell by the way you look at them." Sasuke made a faint smile. "Everywhere we go, there's always something that reminds you of him."

"Then why are you still with me?" Sakura asked again.

Sasuke was scared to say it. Honestly, he's never said "I love you" to anyone before. "Sakura..." He paused for a moment before continuing. "...until the day you tell me to leave you, I'll always be here." He said instead.

"Would you leave me if I told you I wanted to break up right now?" Sakura tested. She saw a slight moment of his hurtful expression.

"If that's what you want, if that's what makes you happy, of course." Sasuke replied calmly, but inside, he was worrying why she would even say that.

"Really?" Sakura narrowed her eyes.

Sasuke felt like his heart just dropped. "Are you trying to say you want to break up?" He dared to ask.

Sakura stayed quiet.

Oh, shit. Sasuke was seriously panicking by now. Why was she not answering? Was that a yes? Was this it? Is today really the day she'll dump him? His hands unconsciously clenched into fists.

Sakura shook her head and Sasuke thought she was going to say something disapproving about him or apologize that she couldn't go on with him anymore.

"You give me so much patience. I don't know how you're able to stay with me, knowing my past...but as for me...I don't want you to leave me."

Sasuke just stared at her beautiful emerald orbs in surprise. She was never the type to such sincere words. Well, at least, not to him. He wondered if he was dreaming; this was a bit too good to be true. If she didn't want to break up yet, then wouldn't that mean she was opening up to him, even if just a little?

At that moment, he didn't care whether she was going to push him away or not, and without another thought, he suddenly pulled her into an embrace. He felt her body stiffen, but he just hugged tighter. "I'm sorry if you hate me for this, but please...just let me hold you for a bit."

Sakura blushed faintly at the sudden contact. She couldn't recall him ever hugging her, and to be honest, she didn't entirely hate it. It felt...nice.

Sasuke couldn't help but smile when he felt her hugging him back. Sasuke couldn't believe this was happening right now...here he was, holding the girl he loved in his arms. It felt like heaven.

Sakura remembered how Naruto used to hug her, but...he never held her the way Sasuke did right now. Sasuke was hugging her as if it was the last time he was going to see her or as if his life depended on it. He was hugging her like she was everything to him.

For the longest time, she felt those butterflies in her tummy again. And for the first time since Naruto passed away, her heart was racing for another man.


One step closer at a time ;)

Hopefully, that was enough romance for this chapter, even though it was short. Review and tell me how you liked it.