"I've seen the way you look at me when you think I don't notice," Sakura says.
"W-what?" Hashirama replies, startled.
He hasn't been expecting to see her, especially as he sits at a little teahouse that isn't exactly the most popular in Konoha. She must have tracked him down.
"You heard me," Sakura says, cocking a hip. "The question is why."
Hashirama flushes, looking up at the woman before him. He's never met anyone like her. She blew into Konohagakure one day like a hurricane and nothing has settled since. Konoha functions under a diarchy as per her suggestions, led by Madara and Hashirama both. Konoha's medical field and medicine practices are flourishing and world-renowned, all thanks to this pink-haired woman of mysterious origins.
"I-I am sorry," Hashirama says, placing his paper aside. "I didn't realize it was bothering you."
Sakura shrugs, falling into the seat opposite him. "I'm not surprised honestly. Despite my years here i\n Konoha, I'm still an…outsider." Her gaze darkens, crestfallen. "I know that you and Madara both are still…curious, maybe even suspicious. It's just…I can't…" Sakura stops, arms coming up and crossing as if to barricade herself from the world.
"That isn't why I watch you!" Hashirama exclaims before he can help himself.
Sakura regards him curiously as he releases a high-pitched noise of anguish and embarrassment, his face flushed. "Are…are you alright?"
Hashirama groans, slumping until his hands cradle his head. "I'm sorry," he says miserably. "We're really happy that you are here in Konoha; you are as true a citizen as anyone else. I'm sorry if you've ever been made to feel alienated. I—we want you here."
Sakura eyes the man, expression softening into a smile. "So…why do you watch me then?"
Hashirama glances up, face still heated. "Because…because you're beautiful," he whispers.
"I'm sorry?" Sakura says, leaning forward. "Could you repeat that?"
"You're beautiful!" he exclaims loudly, leaping to his feet and staring down at the surprised woman.
He freezes, realizing what exactly he said.
Sakura blushes. "I…thank you," she says quietly as he sits once more.
"Would you tell Madara that he's Hokage alone when I die of embarrassment?" Hashirama asks, slouching and averting his gaze.
"Hashirama," Sakura says, reaching forward and laying her hand atop his. "Truly, thank you. That was the sweetest, certainly most passionate, compliment I've ever been given." She tucks her hair behind her ear in a nervous gesture. "Would you…would you like to join me for dinner?"
Hashirama turns his hand so his palm is up, entwining his fingers with hers. "I would very much enjoy that."
