Three days had past since Sakura had seen Sasuke and made ANBU. She BADLY wanted to see him, but she didn't know if she had to go on a mission or not. She decided to go check in at the headquarters and if she didn't have a mission she would go see him. She put on her nin-gear carefully, She put on her armor on, she put the Kakashi like mask on and tucked her had into it then put the hood on to cover it.
She put her kantanas on and left. She jumped on the rooftops until she reached the ANBU headquarters. She entered and saw that there weren't that many people there today. She went up to the front desk, "Are there any missions for team 56?" She asked the woman. "Hold on, Hun." She said as she checked her papers.
"Nope your teams off for today, "She answered. Sakura smiled and nodded, "Arrigato." With that Sakura headed home, but not quick enough for when she was about to leave she ran into Sasuke, literately. She fell to the ground with a thud, Sasuke looking down at her, he hood still on and her ANBU mask still covered her identity. "I'm sorry." Sasuke said reaching a hand out to help her up.
Sakura took his hand and stood up, brushing herself off. "It's alright." The mask muffled her voice. "I haven't seen you around, I'm Uchiha Sasuke." He said holding a hand out to shake. Sakura shook it. "May I ask your name?"
Sakura quickly thought of a name, "K-Katara." She said. Sasuke laughed, "No last name?" Sakura smiled, but Sasuke couldn't see. "I can't give away all of my identity." Sasuke nodded, "That's quite true." She nodded back. "I shall be going." She said starting to walk away. "Hai, I'll see you around." Sasuke said turning around and continuing on his way.
Sakura quickly went home she changed out of her ANBU clothing and went outside. She went to the Uchiha mansion and waited for Sasuke to return. She waited 30 minutes before he came, "Ahoy, Sasuke!" Sakura said at the approaching Uchiha. The Uchiha boy smiled widely, "As to you, Sakura-Chan. And may I ask why you are here?"
Sakura laughed, "Can I not come to visit?" Sasuke smiled, "Well I mean I thought you may be busy with missions, I mean I haven't seen you for days and all." Sakura nodded, "True." "And.." the Uchiha boy add, "It's your birthday tomorrow." Sakura grinned at that, "I didn't think you would remember."
"Didn't think I would remember?! Are you kidding me, Sakura? How would I not remember?" He said with a laugh. Sakura laughed as well. "Would you like to come in?" Sasuke asked taking out his keys. "If it is alright with you." She answered. "Hai, of course, Sakura, you are always welcome." Sasuke said opening the door.
Sakura walked in and he after her. They both removed their shoes and went inside. Sasuke led her to his room, "Do you mind if I take a shower? I just return from a bit of training and I'm pretty sweaty." Sakura nodded, "That's fine."
Sasuke motioned to his bed, "You can relax while I take one, and I'll try not to be long." Sakura lay on the bed and nodded, "Take your time." Sasuke smiled and took some clothes and went into the bathroom, closing the door behind him.
An hour passed before Sasuke was done, he came out to find Sakura laying there looking up at the ceiling. He smirked and jumped on the bed beside her, "Hey." He said leaning over her. She blushed, "Hey." He lightly touched her cheek with the back of his hand.
Sasuke felt the lust coming up in him again, "Sakura, I'm having this lust again." He said as he stopped touching her and sat up. Sakura lay there staring at him, 'H-he wants to kiss me again?' she thought. Sasuke looked down at her, "I felt as if I crossed the line yesterday, do you think… Do you think I could, kiss you, again?"
Sakura didn't know what to say, the last kiss had made her realize that she still had the childhood crush on him. It wasn't that she didn't like him. He was a much better man now. He wasn't cold or rude. He was nice and caring, at least towards her. She looked at him again, his expressions that of a lovers, the same as the other day.
She nodded her approval. Sasuke leaned down over her, he stared into her green, emerald, eyes, His lips brushed hers, as if he was trying to torture her, and it was working. He raised a hand to her cheek and finally he kissed her. Sakura closed her eyes, as did Sasuke. Sasuke enjoyed being around her, with her, or even just the sight of her. She was the one who had risked everything to try and save him, as kids. She was the one who had loved him, but now he thought that she didn't like him like that anymore but only as a dear friend. Oh how wrong he was.
With that kiss, Sakura felt every bit of that childhood crush rushing back. She felt it, she felt the burning of love for him, and she felt the feeling that she did as a child. Sasuke slowly separated the kiss, he opened his eyes, to see Sakura's eyes still closed. He smiled and the hand that was on her cheek, brushed away what little hair that was on her face. She opened her eyes to see a smiling, Uchiha boy looking down upon her.
Sasuke took her hand off her cheek and sat next to her. Sakura was now looking up at the ceiling. "S-Sasuke-kun…" Sakura said, somewhat breathless. Sasuke turned and looked at her, "Hai?" Sakura sat up and looked at him, "T-That offer you gave Me.." The first words of that sentence brought a smile to Sasuke's face. "When does it expire?" Sakura finished.
"Hm, when you are absolutely sure, you don't want to accept it." Sasuke answered her. Sakura nodded. "Why do you ask, Sakura?" Sasuke asked curiously. Sakura blushed lightly, "I-I was just wondering is all." Sasuke smiled and chuckled, "Sure."
Sakura smiled as well. "Hey Sasuke, do you think we could maybe have some lunch?" Sasuke nodded and stood up, "Ya, come on." Sakura stood up and followed him. They went into the kitchen and Sasuke got out some sushi. He set it on the table with 2 chopsticks. Sasuke sat down across from Sakura and he smiled, breaking his chopsticks. "Enjoy." He said as he took a bite. Sakura smiled and broke her chopsticks, she took a bit as well.
Once they were finished eating Sasuke cleaned the dishes and sat back down at the table. "what is it you would like to do for your birthday tomorrow?" Sakura smiled, "We are all meeting each other at a pub not far from my house, remember, Naruto gave you the invite." Sakura said poking his nose. Sasuke laughed, "Oh ya, I'm forgetful between missions." Sakura laughed as well, "I don't blame you."
"Well then what would you like to do now?" Sasuke asked poking her back. "I think I should be heading home, I have some things I need to do before the party tomorrow." Sasuke nodded, "Shall I walk you home?" Sakura smiled, "That sounds nice."
They both stood up and went to the front door, they put on their shoes and left on the walk to Sakura's house. Once their Sasuke walked her to her door, "I'll see you tomorrow, Sakura-Chan?" Sakura nodded, "Hai, Sasuke-kun." She gave him a light kiss on the cheek and went into her house, closing the door behind her.
Sasuke went home and Sakura went shopping for a new outfit. She found a white dress and white shoes, the dress showed her shoulders, and she knew that her justu for the tattoo would come in handy. The shoes were nice, they weren't too dressy but not to casual. She also got a purse, it was white too.
Sakura went home and put it all on, she admired the girl in the mirror then set aside the new clothing. She then left again to go get dinner. She went to the ramen shop and got miso ramen. After she had eaten she went home and had some tea.
She then put on her pajamas and fell asleep.
She awoke in the morning to a knocking at her door, she got up looking at the clock on her way to the door, it was 9:00 am. She opened the door to see Ino standing there holding a bag. "Sakura! Happy birthday! May I come in?" Sakura nodded and let her in. She closed the door, then sat on the couch. "What is it, Ino?" Sakura asked tiredly. "Well I thought I would surprise you with breakfast!" Ino pulled out some pancakes, eggs, bacon, and rice. Ino smiled, "Enough for the two of us, is it alright?" Sakura smiled and nodded, "Hai, I needed a wake up call anyway."
Ino already knew where everything was in Sakura's house, she was her best friend now and she had been over to her house many, many times. Ino got out plates and chopsticks and cups for orange juice.
Ino set everything on the table and motioned for Sakura to come sit down, with a smile.Sakura came and sat down, "Thanks, Ino, it all looks so good!" Sakura said beginning to eat. Ino nodded and began to eat as well. Once they had finished Ino cleaned it all up, Sakura stood up, "Ino I need help, I'm not sure if my outfit is good enough. But I have to take a shower first." Ino nodded. "Go ahead, Sakura." Sakura got in the shower and washed off, good. Then came out and put on the outfit. She then went out of the bathroom and showed Ino, and Ino clapped. "Sakura it looks amazing on you!" Sakura smiled, "Arrigato."
Ino nodded, "I need to get going, Sakura, I have to run the flower shop, but I'll see you tonight!" Ino said as she closed the door behind her. Sakura sighed, "What now?" She lay on her bed and took off the shoes.
She fell asleep and was awakened by a knocking at the door again. She got up and looked at the time it was now 5:00 pm. She had skipped lunch completely?! She ran to the door to find Kakashi standing there, smiling through his mask. "Ello, Sakura-Chan. Are you ready to go?" Sakura nodded and quickly put on her shoes and got her purse. "Ready!" Kakashi nodded and Sakura came out locking the door behind her.
They walked to the pub to find everyone there already, except Sasuke. She took a seat next to Ino and an empty chair for Sasuke. Everyone gave her a warm welcome and Kakashi got her a drink. Sasuke arrived when Sakura took her first sip, he took the seat next to her, "Hay everyone sorry I'm late." He said slipping a small box into Sakura's hand under the table.
Sakura grasped the small box in her palm wondering what it was; she looked at Sasuke, but her simply grinned lightly to her. "E-Excuse me." She said standing up and walking back to the restrooms. She went in, and opened the bow, she found a small necklace with a little pendent on it of a cherry blossom, flower. It had small pink stones for the petals and a small diamond in the middle. She marveled and gaped at how beautiful it was. Before long she heard a knock at the rest room door.
"Sakura?" It was Ino's voice. "Are you ok in there?" she asked. Sakura quickly put on the necklace and put the box in her purse. "Ya, I'm coming now!" Sakura said as she came out. "Heh, sorry Ino." She said smiling to her. Ino smiled and nodded, "It's fine, now c'mon!" she said grabbing Sakura's arm.
Sasuke saw Ino dragging Sakura back over and it caused him to laugh. Last time her remember they were mortal enemies. Then he noticed something around her neck, which caused him to smile even more. It was the necklace he gave her. "Sorry guys." Sakura said as she took her seat beside the ravenet.
"I'll get you a drink Sakura." Sasuke said standing up and going over to the bar. He came back with a drink, something Sakura wasn't familiar with. "Here." He said setting it down in front of her. "What is it?" she asked looking at it. "Just try it." He said before he started conversating with Naruto. Sakura picked up the drink and took a sip. She hadn't known what to expect, but it was actually very sweet. "Careful." Sasuke said looking at her. "There's a lot of alcohol in it." Sakura nodded back.
Hours passed, and Sakura and the other talked and drank. By the time most of them had left only Sasuke, Sakura, Ino, Shikamaru, Hinata, Naruto, Kakashi, and Asuma remained. Kakashi approached Sasuke, "Maybe you should take Sakura home, she seems to be a little intoxicated." He said motioning to Sakura who had her head down on her crossed arms and was talking to Ino, in a lightly slurred voice. "Will do." Was Sasuke's answer.
He gently took Sakura's arm, enough to make her stand up, "Hm?…" she said staring at him. "I'm taking you home, you seem tired and you're a little drunk." Sakura nodded, and took her purse. "Ya." She said lightly that he almost didn't hear it.
He dragged her out of the restraunt and walked her down the street, still grasping at her arm. "Sasuke… you don't need to be so forceful." She said, pulling away. He released her and took her hand instead. They continued walking until they came upon her house. She rummaged through her pockets to find the keys, Sasuke took them from her hand and opened the door. He picked her up bridal style and carried her inside, to find that she was quite light. He took her into her room, and by the time her laid her on the bed, she had fallen asleep.
He sighed and took off her shoes and purse. He pulled the covers over her and kissed her lightly on the forehead, when he turned to leave he was caught by a very lose grip on his wrist. "Please…." Silence. "Stay…" Sasuke looked down at her, her eyes heavy with sleep and her mouth cracked open a little, as she looked up at him. "Alright." He said in a soft tone. "Scoot over a little." He said as he came back and stood on the side of the bed. She moved over enough for him and her sat down taking off his shoes and shirt and laid down next to her, staring up at the ceiling.
He figured it was best he stay anyway, if in the morning she had hang over. He wondered why she had wanted him to stay in the first place, was it because she was too intoxicated? Then a sudden warmth across him caused him to snap out of his trail of thought. He looked down at his chest to see Sakura with her arm across him and her head resting on his chest. He blushed lightly. She looked up at him and smiled, "G'night." She said as she closed her eyes and fell back asleep.
He smiled and placed his arm on her upper back, enough to be able to stroke her soft strands of pink hair. He ran his figures through her soft locks and twirled them in her hand and figures, but not enough to awake her. He then noticed something he had never noticed much before, as the moonlight showed her soft and elegant features. He noticed her lips where a soft red, almost a pink and her skin was perfect and soft. Her hair complimented her white, creamy skin and lips. Her cheeks were lightly tinted with a red, most likely from her intoxication, but it added nicely to her. Even her wide forehead was beautiful.
He then felt sleep taking over as her continued to stroke her hair. He slowly drifted away, and his hand slowly stopped stoking and rested lightly on her back. He slept, with the fragile pinket koniochi in his arms.
