Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
Present Day;
Christmas was as elaborate as ever in the sleepless neon city. Green and red lights flashed all throughout the bustling districts of Tokyo, as the decorated holiday came in full force. Vivid decorations were set up in almost every busy street and store front, attracting an even higher number of crowds. Throughout the past weeks, Sakura had settled nicely, which was a rather surprising accomplishment. However, not celebrating the beloved holidays with her parents was as somber as it sounded.
Although lonely without her parents, Sakura was invited to the Hyūga compound for a rather friendlyChristmas. Ino informed Sakura that every Christmas night was spent with their group of close-knit friends, as they all considered themselves vital to one another. The majority of the day was spent with obligatory family, and then night came with a i of wine and friends.
"Sakura-chan!" Hinata exclaimed, as Sakura was seen coming through the open doors. "Merry Christmas!"
It was safe to say that Sakura's old friends had welcomed her with open arms. Perhaps the most difficult process of returning, was facing the music of deserting those that did nothing wrong to her. Thankfully, her old group was understanding and was more than willing to put all the strife in the past.
They had known what happened between Sakura and Sasuke, and sided with her completely. However, it was just a gift within itself to have their old group back once again.
"Hinata, your home is beautiful." Sakura said in awe, as the high ceiling of Hinata's traditional Japanese home was hard to miss.
"Oh, this? It's nothing." Hinata spoke softly. Beyond humble and graced in all the right places, Hinata was truly an undeniable catch. She was always bashful, as Sakura could remember. But growing older had done her confidence well, as far as Sakura could tell.
"We're outside, if you'd like to follow me."
Sakura followed the dark-haired beauty through the elaborate compound, and into the spacious garden. Outside, a red-faced Ino and Temari sat on the traditional engawa, both accompanied by a hefty glass of wine.
"Merry Christmas, Sakura!" Ino said as she got up and swung her arms around Sakura. "You ready to drink?"
"I can have a glass or two."
"By glass or two, I think you mean the whole bottle," Ino said. "I can't believe you went to the office today, crazy."
"They needed me in today." Sakura said with a gentle smile. Sakura sat between Ino and Hinata, as she made herself comfortable and at ease with the help of the red wine.
"How was Hokkaido?" Temari asked, as curiosity peaked her interest.
"Ah, it was.. beautiful." Sakura said, followed by a sigh.
"Do you miss it?" Temari followed.
"Of course I do."
"Don't make her sappy, you're gonna make her go back." Ino said as she waved her arms.
"It's still a bit strange being here, but I'm glad I came." Sakura said as she sipped her dark wine.
"I'm elated," Temari said with a smirk. "Now, Sakura, you've probably been asked this a million times... but have you talked to Sasuke?"
"Temari." Hinata scolded lowly, as she knew that was a sensitive issue that Ino had warned them about. However, with wine anything was possible.
"Ah, It's ok, and no I haven't." Sakura said with a sympathetic smile.
"Did you date anybody back in Hokkaido?" Temari pressed on.
"Well I did, but it didn't last long," Sakura said. "Too different." She added with a shrug.
"Well, I can tell you one thing. You'll pick up men here in no time." Ino said. "Intelligence... beauty... work-driven. That's the total package." The blonde accompanied with a wink.
"Ah, don't be silly," Sakura said as she shook her head. "I didn't come here to meet men."
"If I had a dollar for every time I heard that one." Ino muttered under her breath.
"Well, I know Temari is married to Shikamaru, and Ino is dating someone named Sai. What about you, Hinata?" Sakura asked with a smile, curious about her friend.
"Ah.. I.. I.." Hinata stuttered, her face turning a bright shade of pink.
"She's been getting awfullycozy with one of our old friends." Ino asked. "Hey, shouldn't he be here soon, Hinata?"
"We.. we.. we need more wine." Hinata said quickly, her voice trembling.
"I'll get it." Sakura said as she stood, and grabbed the empty bottle of wine.
"It's on the kitchen counter! You can't miss it!" Ino called as she shook her empty bottle of wine.
Sakura made her way through the patio door, and onto the kitchen she saw on her way in. She disposed of the empty bottle of wine, and reached for a new one on the counter.
"Where's the wine-opener?" She asked herself, as she was surrounded by what seemed like an endless stack of drawers.
From a short distance, Sakura could hear the front shoji door open.
"Hello! Anyone home?"
Sakura felt a bundle of nerves surround her, as the familiar voice sang through her ears. Her hand trembled slightly against the bottle of wine she held.
"Ah, sorry I'm late.. my parents wanted to take pictures last minute, and the photographer was late."
Sakura quickly turned her head to the doorway, as she saw the familiar blonde she once called friend. Instantly, the two met eyes, as it was almost unbelievable to see.
"Sa.. Sakura-chan." Naruto finally called.
The blonde crept in a closer, almost as if he walked too fast, the dream would disperse. However, this wasn't a dream, as Sakura Haruno was standing right in front of him.
"It really is you, isn't it?" Naruto asked with a smile.
In what seemed like a matter of a millisecond, Naruto felt the arms of the pink-haired woman wrap around him. Her familiar scent filled his senses. Gently, he wrapped his own arms around her.
Memories of their long-lived friendship encircled him. From the times of sitting next to one another in their classes, to their sleepless nights sneaking around the bright, lucid city. Her sudden absence was almost like losing a piece of himself, as years of silence didn't resolve any of his questions.
"Im sorry." Were the first words she spoke to him in over five years.
The flushed girls awaiting the highly anticipated wine decided to let the two reconcile, as they quickly escorted them to Hinata's living room. Naruto spoke about his career, which left Sakura in no shock, as she knew he would always end up pursuing a career in engineering. He was stubborn as she remembered, but she sure knew he was undeniably smart.
"What about you, Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked, eager to hear her answer.
"Well, I went to university back up north, and I landed a job in accounting."
"Hinata said you worked for Taito? That's great!" Naruto exclaimed.
"Ah, yeah, it's a good company. They're really taking care of me out here."
"You're staying... right?" He asked, his eyes seemingly worried.
"Well.. for now, yes."
Naruto lifted his hand and displaced her hair playfully, just like he used to. "As it should be, because we just have a lotto catch up on."
Sakura beamingly smiled, as there was nothing more she could have asked for this Christmas.
"Hey, Sakura-chan... do you mind if I ask you something?" His cheerful voice suddenly became stern.
Sakura crossed her shoulders as she let out a deep sigh, as if she already know what the subject was going to be about. It was the topic that everyone was so cautious about.
"Is it about Sasuke?" She asked, as her eyebrow raised. "Because that seems to be a popular topic tonight."
"Ah, well, I just want to let you know, regardless of what happens, I don't want to lose touch with you this time."
"Nothings going to happen, as long as he doesn't find out I'm here."
"That's going to be difficult, the city may be big, but you'd be surprise how fast word gets out. And besides, he's still my best fiend." Naruto explained.
"Well, let's just enjoy today, we can worry about all that some other day." Sakura countered with a smile.
"Whatever you say, Sakura-chan." Naruto replied as he messily ran his hand through her hair again.
"I sure miss doing that."
The night was heavy, as Sasuke was unable to rest his eyes. Once again, it was another year spending the fruitful Christmas alone. His family was still off on business ventures, and his brother decided not to return for the holidays from his home in the states. His body was bare, cold and exhausted, as he couldn't seem to lay still as he heard the click from his digital clock. The pile of brown hair next to him smelled like citrus, a smell he wasn't really fond of. He turned his back towards the disrobed woman, and let out a sharp sigh.
Her name was irrelevant, he believed, from when she introduced herself at the bar the night before. She was a banker from a well-known company in one of Tokyo's most ritzier city. Her age was a mystery, but she told him she in her 3rd year of university. Sasuke didn't care for this much information, as he wasn't interested in anything besides onething.
The smell of citrus that lingered around her hair was too overbearing, he just couldn't face it. The second Sasuke reached his hand to wake the sleeping woman, a small spectacle in his vast, glass windows caught his eye. His arm hovered over the woman, and retracted itself as the dark-haired man was far more interested in the subtle events that took place outside. He quietly stood, and walked over to the glass. Specks of white began to fall in a rhythmic pattern. In the first time in seven years, snow was falling.
December, 7 years prior;
"You don't mind being alone?" Sakura asked as she removed her tan-colored scarf. Snow was on the forecast, and the city of Tokyo was beyond frigid. Unfortunately, skirts were mandatory at school, and Sakura was at the mercy of the dress code.
"Mm. I don't mind." Sasuke said as he hanged his coat on his coat rack.
"And none of your helpers are here?" She asked, referring to his housekeepers.
"They're spending Christmas with their families." Sasuke added as he removed his shoes.
"Oh." Sakura said as she removed her loafers as well. "I'm sorry. But, what about your parents?"
"Business trip."
"And your brother?" She asked once more.
"He's spending Christmas in the states," Sasuke replied. "Sakura, It's fine. You're here, that's more than enough."
A gentle smile was plastered on her face at his compliment. Carefully, she walked over to the spacious glass-walls to catch a glimpse of the snow outside. Sakura was always fascinated with the concept that was Sasuke's room. It's glass walls held what seemed like the entire city's panoramic view. Bright, breathtaking city lights flashed beneath the curious girl.
"You have the best view, Sasuke-kun." Sakura said as she placed a hand on the glass wall.
The snow was falling at a much more rapid pace now, as Sakura looked up to see a blunder of white.
"It's our first snow day together." She said with a gentle smile.
It was true. They were two years into their relationship, and never had the city of Tokyo experienced the phenomenon that is snow.
"Mm." Sasuke replied, as he went to stand behind her. He placed a hand on the small of her waist.
"Sakura." He called lowly.
Viridian green eyes looked over to the man standing right behind her. His cold, yet gentle hands found their way beneath her shirt, as he placed a firm kiss on her nape. Sakura gasped lightly as the simple kiss made her feel an unexpected way. It was deemed innocent, however, she felt the need to feel more.
"S..Sasuke-kun."
Throughout their years of being together, Sasuke had never pressured Sakura into doing anything she didn't want to. Although hungry mouths sometimes wandered to places besides their lips, it never went anywhere past that. However, this time, it was different for the prying girl. She felt a certain fire in her, a certain curiosity that needed to be fixed. For her own sake, and for his sake as well.
Sakura moved the familiar hands that rested on her waist up to her breast. Fueled by her sudden movement, Sasuke moved his wet lips away from her neck. Eager with anticipation, Sakura removed her school top over her head, leaving her only in her simple bra.
"Sakura." He called, as he was taken by surprise.
"Please." Was all she could manage to say.
Dark, obsidian eyes swam deeply into her own, as he saw the eager look on her face. He was never one to go beyond his limits, as his patience was undoubtedly high with her. He always assumed she would ask for thiseventually, but not this second. However, he was not one to protest; after all, he had needs as well.
Sasuke placed his hands gently around Sakura, as his hands rested lightly over the clasp that kept her breast in tact.
"Are you sure?" Sasuke said once more.
"Please." She lowly said, a plead in her voice was heard
He did as she asked, as his hands then unclasped the fairly easy contraption. In a mere second, he dropped the flimsy piece of fabric on the floor, and was exposed to the most beautiful sight he's ever laid eyes on. He took a step back to admire the coy beauty that was displayed in his prescience.
Sasuke swallowed his hunger, as it now became difficult to not ravish her in an instant. Sakura stood still, standing only in her pleaded skirt and knee high socks. Her face yearning, yet red with modesty. The dark, roaming eyes went from her shy averting eyes, down to ample curves that led to her legs. The snow was falling in a rapid pace now, causing a backdrop of white behind her.
It was a view he could remember for the rest of his life.
Sasuke stepped towards her once more. His wandering hands found the nuisance of the zipper that nestled behind her skirt. Sakura wrapped her arms around his neck, awaiting what was to come.
"Sakura." Sasuke assured her in a gentle manner, as her skirt dropped to the hardwood floor.
"Merry Christmas, Sasuke."