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Chapter 4: Week three
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Patience
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''Sasuke, stop tapping your fingers on the table, it's making me anxious'' she asked
He did as he was told, but then started to walk around the room
''What is wrong with you, darling?'' Mrs. Uchiha looked at her grandson with worried eyes
''He's nervous because he's waiting for an important email from an investor and the man is taking forever to reply'' Sakura explained ''but walking around the house making everyone else anxious too won't help'' she said with her brows furrowed.
''This is not just anything, Sakura'' Sasuke ran a hand through his hair ''this is really important and might define the future of the company''
''Well, you being anxious here won't change his answer when it does come, so how about we go chill out? When we're back you can check if he's replied''
''No, when he replies I need to be right here to give him a response straightaway''
Sakura made a face
''You're not your secretary, Sasuke, show him you're a busy person too and if he wants to have your attention he needs to wait a couple of hours too'' she said ''look, take your cellphone with you. If he replies, you'll receive a notification. Meanwhile, let's go outside do something so you don't keep thinking about it!''
Sasuke resisted a little, but ended up accepting Sakura's suggestion.
''I heard there's a yoga and meditation class going on at the park 10 minutes from here, we should go there!''
Sasuke immediately regretted having accepted that.
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If Sasuke needed a test of patience, he was having it.
Used to a much faster pace in life, having to stay still in the same position for long minutes, only concentrating on his breath, was torture.
Sakura, sitting on his right, seemed like she was having the greatest time. Well, at least one of us is, Sasuke thought.
First, he decided to use that time he had to stay still to worry about his problems and try to figure out how to solve them. When he finally realized he was starting to feel too anxious by doing that, he decided to stop everything he was doing and focus on that stupid yoga class. It must serve for something if there were so many people attending it.
He felt two small hands on his shoulder and when he opened his eyes and looked behind him, he saw pink hair.
''I'll help your muscles relax, just concentrate on your breath'' she instructed
He closed his eyes and finally allowed himself to relax.
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''What are we searching for?'' he was walking a few steps behind her
''Any place that sells acupuncture needles''
Sasuke stopped
''For yourself, right?'' he said
Sakura gave him a mischievous smile and said nothing
''Sakura!''
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''Are you sure you know what you're doing?'' he asked, alarmed
Sakura breathed in deeply
''Sasuke, I told you I've studied 3 years of acupuncture, I know what I'm doing''
Sasuke remained doubtful until the last second, but when he realized the needles didn't hurt at all, he finally managed to lower his guard.
''I bought some incense too'' she said ''don't worry, it's a very soft one, only to help you relax. I'll leave you here in your room for 30 minutes, okay?''
''Thirty minutes without moving?!'' he shouted, horrified
''Time will fly, I promise you'' she patted his shoulder and then turned off the lights ''I'll be back before you can say Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia!''
''Hipo what?''
But she had already left the room and closed the door behind her.
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When Sakura finally came back to remove the needles, Sasuke felt surprisingly well. He was feeling lighter and much less stressed out or anxious. That acupuncture thing really did work after all!
''How are you feeling?''
Sasuke thought about it for a second
''It depends, what will you have me do if I say I'm still a little anxious?''
Sakura looked at him maliciously
''Your grandma mentioned she wanted to have some of the walls painted, and I offered our four good hands to do the job!''
''What walls?''
''The whole garage''
Sasuke let his body fall on the bed again, groaning
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The garage was enormous, and it would require at least two layers of paint to make it look acceptable. Why not just hire someone to do it?
''Because it's a good way to spend our time and to help you grow patience'' Sakura explained, bringing a music player to the room and plugging it.
''Please not K-pop'' he begged her
Sakura gave him a wide smile when BigBang started to play
Sasuke closed his eyes, defeated, and grabbed a roller brush.
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When they were done for the day, Sakura rushed to the balcony, where Mrs. Uchiha had been painting again, to call her to take a look at the walls they had been painting.
''Mrs. Uchiha!'' she called ''you were right, that beige looks awesome! You'll love how the garage will look once we're done! Would you like to come and take a look at how it is now or would you rather see it after we finish painting all the walls?''
The Uchiha Matriarch didn't move, she looked asleep on her wheelchair
''Mrs. Uchiha'' Sakura called again, touching her shoulder ''let's go back inside, it's going to get cold here soon! You can finish your painting tomorrow!''
The woman didn't move
Sakura's smile died and she held her breath
''Mrs. Uchiha?''
She brought one hand to her neck, searching for her carotid pulse
''Sasuke!'' she screamed
On the easel, the painting was finished: the couple watching the beautiful landscape from the bench in front of the Uchiha's Matriarch's house, one with dark and one with pink hair.
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Empathy
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The funeral was held on the following day. The town's cemetery was large despite the small number of people living in it, and it had a place reserved for each family. Mrs. Uchiha was going to be buried next to her husband, just like she wanted to be. She had a faint smile on her lips the moment the coffin was closed, she hadn't suffered.
''Do you want me to try to call them again?'' Sakura offered, standing next to Sasuke as he watched the coffin be carried away
He shook his head
''I've called her 9 times, she won't answer'' he said ''Father must be very busy if he hasn't answered the phone nor called me back. Let him be, he doesn't deserve to be here anyway''
Sakura touched his arm, but said nothing. Sometimes, nothing is the best thing to be said.
When the funeral procession was over and Mrs. Uchiha was buried, Itachi came closer to them, a smirk on his face
''I thought you and Karin were doing well'' he said to Sasuke ''Father will like to hear you two are back together''
''We're not back together'' Sakura corrected ''I just came because I knew Mrs. Uchiha'' he didn't need to know the whole story.
Itachi said nothing, he didn't even look at her. He was watching Sasuke's face.
''Cheer up, boy, she was what, 95 years old already? She was having a lot of problems remembering the past too, it was for the best''
Sasuke's mouth twitched
''She was 88'' he corrected
Itachi released a mocking smile
''Now, you're not going to cry, are you?''
''Itachi, I think that woman in a red dress is calling you'' Sakura interrupted, pointing at the woman who had come with Itachi to the funeral.
''Well. Take good care of my little brother, Sakura, but don't get your hopes up, he will not bump Karin to go back to you, he wouldn't be such a fool'' he winked at her before turning his back to them and walking away.
Although many people attended the funeral - after all, Mrs. Uchiha was a well-known person -, only a few came to give Sasuke condolences, most going straight to speak to Itachi, who had a far more amicable expression.
The few who did, though, made Sasuke feel only worse than he already was.
Sakura turned to him after the last man was away enough not to hear them
''Would you like to go somewhere more private?''
He hesitated for a moment, then nodded. Sakura took his arm and led him to the cemetery's garden, where they could be away from the crowd.
''Do you want to be alone?''
When Sasuke didn't reply, Sakura understood that as a 'yes' and stood up
''Stay'' he asked, his voice failing
Sakura sat down again. After a moment, she said:
''I can't even start to imagine what you're going through right now. But know that you're not alone, you have people who care about you and love you who will be there for you. You can count on us for everything. It's okay to be sad, and it's okay if you want to cry. Just know that I'm here for you for whatever you may need''
His face was full of sorrow when he turned to face Sakura, but he managed to show her a small smile before hugging her, burying his face on her neck. She held him tight, knowing there was nothing else she could do for him at that moment, but making sure he knew she was there for him. Always.
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Companionship
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They decided to go back to Konoha on the day that followed the funeral. Sasuke was still shaken because of what happened, but he was coping with it very well.
''The photo albums Mr. Uchiha asked for were placed in the car, Miss Haruno'' the butler said ''and I packed Mrs. Uchiha's last painting too, she confided to me she wanted you to have it''
Sakura almost started to cry when he said that. She would never be able to spend her mornings with Mrs. Uchiha painting, like they'd wanted to do.
There was silence inside the car while Sasuke drove back to Konoha. To make things a little better, Sakura said:
''Okay, it's a cartoon character, you have 20 yes or no questions to ask''
Sasuke released a small smile. They used to play this when they were younger.
''Hmm is it a female character?''
''Nope'' Sakura smiled at him, glad he had chosen to play with her. Yes, things would be okay.
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When they finally arrived in Konoha, it was already dawn.
''Do you still want to do something today? I won't work tomorrow'' Sasuke said when they entered the apartment, Kira greeting them. Even though a maid had been to the apartment every day they were away to feed her and give her attention, he'd missed them both with all his might.
''I have to call Shizune to say I'll be back at work tomorrow'' Sakura replied ''but then we can do something, of course! Have you got anything in mind?''
Sasuke thought about it for a second
''How about a movie? And we can try to make dinner again tonight''
Sakura giggled at the perspective of trying to cook with him again
''That sounds great!''
After watching a few Youtube videos to learn how to cook spaghetti sauce, they finally decided to give it a try. And you know what? It tasted great.
After they were done doing the dishes together, Sakura made them popcorn and a sweet she'd learned from her foreign friend using condensed milk, butter and chocolate powder for them to eat while they watched the movie.
''What would you like to watch?'' Sasuke asked when Sakura sat next to Kira on the couch and handed Sasuke the popcorn while she held the sweet.
''How about we do a Star Wars marathon?''
''That would take more than 20 hours'' he pointed out ''I was hoping we could end the marathon today''
Sakura gave it a little thought
''Lord of the Rings marathon then?''
Sasuke Googled the length of the movies
''Not including The Hobbit trilogy, it would take approximately 11 hours and a half''
Sakura smiled
''Challenge accepted! You won't be working tomorrow and my shift only starts at 7pm anyway'' she said
Sasuke chuckled
''Fine, let's do this''
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Affection
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''That was a terrible idea, I'm dead on my feet'' Sakura said when she woke up and found Sasuke in the kitchen drinking coffee. They went to bed that morning at 10 am, it was 4 pm now.
''Just to make it clear, it was your idea'' Sasuke smiled
Sakura wanted to retort, but she was stunned by that smile
''I have no regrets!'' she declared, raising her head high ''I'll take a shower, are you making breakfast?''
''I bought some bread, cheese and ham if you want, there's also a strawberry cake I bought you'' he took a sip of his coffee
''Really?'' she ran to the kitchen and found the cake on the table, it looked delicious! ''Oh my God, thanks a lot!'' she hugged him tight.
When she realized how awkward that was and how uncomfortable Sasuke seemed, she let him go
''Uh, sorry, it was a thing of the moment'' she put a lock of hair behind her ear ''I'll take a shower and then we can eat!''
When she entered the bathroom and closed the door behind her, Sasuke looked down at himself. He hadn't realized how much he'd missed that hug until that very moment.
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Sasuke found it weird not to have Sakura's company. He was growing used to it again.
Given he had decided to work from home during the rest of that month, so he didn't need to handle the pressure of working at his office, he tried to do some work while he waited for her to be back. A 12h shift would take forever, he realized, the time was passing by too slowly.
When had he started to miss her so much?
Coming to terms with the fact he wouldn't be able to do any work that day, he decided to stop and think of everything they'd been through those past two weeks. His heart raced when he thought about her hug that morning, and he tried to remember every time she'd touched him during these days they'd been together.
What was this warm feeling inside his chest?
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Independence
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''I must say I'm rather disappointed''
''We can do something cool tomorrow, I promise, I just really need to work until late today! There were two big accidents because of the rain and we'll need to perform a big surgery for each patient. I'll need to stay and help the other doctors'' she made a pause ''You're probably used to having people there for you 24/7, but when you date someone who has their own job and responsibilities you have to be understanding sometimes!'' she provoked ''You'll be fine, I promise. I'll be back tomorrow morning'' she hung up
Sasuke didn't know what to think. She was right, he was used to having Karin always available for him. Well, she had nothing important to do all day long, she had no responsibilities whatsoever. He had always been the one to cancel plans, it was odd to be on the other side for once.
Still, he couldn't help but to feel extremely proud of Sakura and the work she was doing at the hospital.
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Commitment
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''I'll be more careful next time I say 'surprise me' to you'' Sasuke said, looking up at the hot air balloons in the sky.
''It will be amazing! I've always wanted to go ballooning!''
''I'm not sure about this, Sakura, is it safe?''
She gave him a mocking look
''Is big Sasuke Uchiha afraid of heights?''
Sasuke rolled his eyes
''Of course not'' he defended himself
She giggled
''You can hold my hand if you're scared'' she provoked him
Sasuke snorted
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Despite the taking off and the landing being a little turbulent, the rest of the flight was smooth. They went up until the went past the clouds, it was beautiful from up there: they could see the clouds under them and the endless sky in the horizon.
What Sakura wasn't expecting was for it to be that cold up there, but she tried her best to pretend she was fine. Sasuke noticed it, though. After a moment of hesitation, he embraced her from behind.
Sakura was alarmed at first, but after a moment she relaxed in his arms, leaning back on his chest. The balloon's owner simply watched them
''You two make a lovely couple'' he voiced his thoughts ''a perfect match!''
Sasuke and Sakura looked at each other and laughed. If only he knew!
When they landed, there was a breakfast table waiting for them. There was so much food it looked like a banquet! Sasuke watched as Sakura spoke to the balloon's owner about the land, his business, and many other subjects. She had always been great at talking to people about all things, even those she wasn't well familiarized with.
He couldn't help but to admire her, once more that week, for the amazing person she was.
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''Anywhere else you'd like to go, my perfect match?'' he asked as he drove back home
Sakura giggled, he'd been calling her that ever since the ballon's owner had said that to them
''As a matter of fact, I do! There's going to be a baseball match this afternoon and I thought we could watch it!''
''You don't even like baseball'' he looked at her, confused
''I don't, but It's been so long since I've last watched a match, I want to know if the stadium is as exciting as I remember it to be''
Sasuke smirked and made his way to the local's baseball stadium.
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''HIT THE BALL! THE BALL!''
Sasuke tried his best to conceal a smile. What Sakura hadn't expected when she decided to watch that day's match was that it was an Amateur's game, from a local school. None of the teams knew exactly what they were doing.
Sasuke should have suspected something when he saw the stadium almost empty, only the kids' parents there to give them support.
Sakura sat back down next to Sasuke, crossing her arms
''They're just too bad!'' she complained
Sasuke chuckled
''You should go there and teach them how to do it then'' Sasuke offered
Sakura thought about it for a second
''You know what? That's exactly what I'm going to do''
''Wait, what?'' Sasuke's eyes widened when Sakura stood up and made her way to the field ''Sakura!''
She literally interrupted the game - there were no securities there given it was an amateur game with only a few people watching - and said to the boys she would teach them how it was done. Their coach tried to interfere and tell her she shouldn't be on the field, but well, who says no to Sakura?
Sasuke tried his hard not to laugh out loud when Sakura stepped on the field and told everyone to watch closely as she showed them how to do it.
And wasn't she actually good at it?
Sasuke remembered she used to play baseball with her father when she was younger, even though she hated it, just because it was one of his passions and one of the few things they did together. She grew up to be a good player, it was a shame she didn't continue to practice once her father died in an accident.
Sasuke laid back on his seat and watched Sakura teach the young boys. He missed those days.
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Sakura's interference had such a good impact on the boys' performance that some of the parents wanted Sakura to take the old man's place as their kids' coach when the game ended. In the end, it was a great game - thanks to Sakura, of course, who made it both funnier and better.
Sasuke clapped when Sakura came back to his side
''Coach Sakura, huh?'' he provoked
''Someone needed to help those poor kids, dear God'' she said, massaging her temples ''Are you ready to go? There is one last thing I would like to do before we go back home''
''Don't you have to work today?''
Sakura shook her head
''Not today, I asked Ino to cover my shift so I could keep my promise to spend the day with you''
Sasuke didn't know what to say. He felt a little guilty for making her skip work because of him, but at the same time he really, really wanted her company. He was grateful she'd decided to spend her day with him after all.
He cleared his throat and handed her the car keys
She looked at him in shock
''Are you serious? I don't even need to ask?''
He shrugged and gave her a side smile.
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''It's really relaxing here'' Sakura commented, taking her sunglasses off and touching the water beneath them.
Sasuke nodded in agreement. Despite having lived in Konoha for almost his entire life, he'd never been to that one park, much less rented a wooden boat there. Well, that didn't sound like something one would like to do by himself, and he had no one to go with him, Karin wasn't too fond of nature activities.
''It's almost sunset, the view will be amazing from this lake'' Sakura said. They had stopped close the other end of the huge lake, where there was no one else but them. The view from there was fantastic.
''This reminds me of our first time riding a paddle boat'' he recalled, trying to hide a smile ''all the other couples and families were doing so well and we couldn't make the paddle boat go in the right direction, we ended up hitting the rocks and the edges of that lake all the time''
Sakura threw her head back and laughed
''Those were good times!''
There was silence for a moment, both immersed in memories about the past
''I'm sorry'' he ended up saying without thinking, the words slipping out of his mouth.
''For what?'' she asked
He thought about his next words carefully
''For… having let you go 11 years ago. Even though we only dated for one year, that was probably the best year of my life, I hope you know that''
Sakura looked to the side, visibly shaken. She didn't want him to say this. It was easier to think there had been no regrets, no what-could-have-beens.
''It's okay'' she said, even though deep down she never forgave him for having left her, not because of that.
He knew that. He knew Sakura was deep down still upset, after all those years. She'd really loved him, and he never deserved that.
She wiped a single tear that fell from her eye and put on her sunglasses again.
''We should go back'' she said, her voice back to normal. She'd always tried her best to conceal her feelings, and she'd always failed miserably.
Sasuke nodded, and quietly turned the boat and made his way back to the dock.
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Honesty
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Sakura had taken the day shift that day. There had been an accident in a factory and she changed her shift with Ino - who was much less experienced - so the blonde would be able to rest while Sakura worked during the rush. She was only able to leave the hospital at 9:20 pm, so many patients there were, but she was happy: they managed to help them all and most of them would be going home that same day.
When she entered the apartment, Kira jumped on her
''Hey there'' she greeted him, patting the furred head ''where's Sasuke?''
The dog barked twice, then started to climb the stairs that led to the Sasuke's rooftop. When Sakura arrived there, Sasuke was waiting for her with a bottle of champagne and chocolate fondue, a plate with a fruit salad next to the chocolate.
''I trust you didn't add tomatoes to this fruit salad'' she smiled, sitting on the sun lounger next to his.
''C'mon, Sakura'' he smiled back at her ''knowledge is to know tomato is a fruit, wisdom is not to put it in a fruit salad. I consider myself a wise man''
She raised her hands in front of her claiming defeat ''Okay, Mr. Wise man''
He chuckled
Sakura grabbed a strawberry with a fork and dipped it in the chocolate
''How was work today?'' Sasuke asked
''The usual, except that with more patients'' she began ''we only had to perform 3 surgeries, though, the rest of the workers only needed a few stitches so it was easier. How about yours?''
Sasuke laid down on the sun lounger
''I must admit I miss my office'' he said ''but I certainly don't miss the stress that comes with it. I will consider keeping working from home, and only go to the office when I really need to. Karin would like that too''
The strawberry in Sakura's mouth tasted sour this time
''She will love it, I'm sure'' she managed to say
After a moment of silence, Sasuke said:
''How was med school? When we broke up you were still waiting to see whether you'd be accepted at Konoha's University or not''
''If we're going to talk about the past I'll need to drink that champagne'' Sakura laughed nervously.
Sasuke smirked and opened the champagne, filling her goblet.
After taking a few sips, she started
''Those were probably the most exhausting years of my life. But I made many friends that have been with me ever since, like Shizune. Then there was the residency, which took a few more years, but at least I was getting money from it'' she giggled ''that's it, I guess. There isn't much to say, really''
Sasuke nodded. He was about to reply when Sakura bit her lower lip, as if she wanted to say something. He waited.
''How about you? Was it worth it?''
Sasuke knew what she meant. He took a long while to reply.
''As soon as we broke up, my father sent me to study abroad. He passed one of his two companies - the one I'm currently running - to my name, as promised, and made me a legit heir again to his fortune''
''That was the most profitable break up I've ever heard of'' she said bitterly ''but you didn't answer my question''
Sasuke lowered his head, thinking hard before replying. Was there any use in lying?
''Yes'' he looked down at his goblet.
Sakura simply nodded
''And I suppose Karin was his idea too'' she guessed
Sasuke filled his cup again
''It was. Her father is a very famous prosecutor who's trying to become a politician. He's aided my father during a time of need in the past too, so it only seemed right to marry us'' he sighed ''she's not too bad, you know?''
Sakura tried her best not to make a face
She's not me
''As long as you're happy with this arrangement'' she shrugged, taking a big gulp of her drink.
Sasuke didn't reply
Was he really happy?
He didn't hate Karin, but he didn't love her either. He had never questioned this marriage decision before, so why was he doing it now?
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Thank you very very very much for reading this chapter! I hope you like it!
Big hugs!
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Blackfan Diamond