[ May I ]

When the world is closing in, and you can't breathe.

"Thank you! Do come again."

"Thanks..."

Sasori handed the money to the cashier and took the bag, before walking out of the store. He looked down at the food that both his co-workers had requested him to buy as he briskly walked towards his car in the car park lot before the hot sun could burn his skin.

The redhead finally reached the lot; he slotted his car key into the car hole and opened his door after unlocking his red Dodge Neon. But he immediately stopped halfway after hearing a rather familiar voice a few meters away at the other side. He whirled around to the direction of the voice to find a rather familiar figure that he had not seen for the entire 20 years.

"Have you called your brother yet?"

"Did you ask him when would he come back home after finishing his work?"

"Yup I did, Dad. He said he would be going straight back home after his work, around evening."

"That's great. We can finished cooking his favorite dishes with Mom by that time, and surprised him; today is his birthday after all…"

A paled brown-haired with a teenage boy at his side, both holding onto a few plastic bags in their hands and approaching to their car. Sasori's eyes were fixed on both of them as they mindlessly walked side-by-side, discussing happily about their surprised plan for tonight. The teenage boy seemed to sense that someone was watching them; he looked up, and stared at Sasori who was still staring at them.

Both of them had their father's brown eyes, both of their eyes met and none of them bothered to turn away. The teenager's father noticed his son was distracted in their conversation, and stared at him. His father noticed that his son was gazing at something and he looked into the direction as well, to find his long, lost other older son staring back at him.

Sasori slowly released the grip on his car keys; his arm went back to his side, just like the day when he found Sakura and her boyfriend by the car park. His lips slightly parted yet he didn't respond, neither did the father and his son who was on the other side of Sasori's car. Not until the paled-brown haired man turned away ruthlessly and looked at his teenage son.

"Let's go."

Sasori's father slightly pushed his teenage son forward, distracting him from Sasori as they went over to get their car. His father didn't even bother giving Sasori a second look. But the redhead still didn't left his gaze on the two, while the father had got into the vehicle, driving off within seconds right in front of Sasori's eyes, completely ignoring his presence like he was nothing to him at all.

His reddish-brown eyes stared into space, just like a lifeless puppet. He was alone for these 20 years, and in all these years, his father did not even bother and went to visit him, or taking him back from the orphanage after his jail release. Sasori worked so hard alone, just to pay for his school fees, but in the end, all his hard work did paid off; he became a boss in his own company.

But now, right before his eyes, his father; his biological father, was preparing for a family dinner to surprise his other son on his birthday. And what did his own father did on his birthday? Throwing glass bottles everywhere and abusing him. That sounds more like it.

Now he's going home, and celebrates his other son's birthday together. That sounds like a happy family to Sasori… He never knew how does being with his own family together feel like… He never did…

"Buzzzz Buzzzz..."

Sasori slowly reached out for the vibration in his pocket, taking out his vibrating phone in his pocket. He stared at the caller's name, pausing awhile before answering the call.

"Hello Sasori! Where are you now? It's almost been an hour since you left the studio yeah." The loud voice responded. "I'll be back in 10 minutes Deidara." Sasori sighed, slowly opening the car door, shutting it once he get inside. He put the bag of food next to the driver's seat.

"Sasori? Are you alright? Your voice… sounds weird yeah."

"Nothing's wrong, I'll be back soon. I'm ending the call now." Sasori said, not waiting for Deidara's answer, he cut the call and put the phone into his pocket. Without further ado, he started his car and drove towards his office's direction.

0o0

"Eh, Sasori. You're back yeah."

The other artist shuffled his feet towards the blonde's table and set the food on his desk. "I'm going up to get some fresh air… Just hand the other food to Sakura for me." With that, Sasori turned around and dragged his heavy footsteps out of the door and towards the other end of the corridor.

"Wait- What?" Deidara stood up and gazed at his friend before staring at the food. "What happened yeah…" He wondered aloud. A loud click could be hear at the project work room where Sakura was working at, the door opened wide and the pink-haired walked out of the room, taking out her gloves and glancing briefly at the food on the table.

"Sasori's back? I'm famished!" Sakura delightfully reached out the plastic bag, searching for her food and fished it out. "Yosh, I shall raped these cooki-" Sakura opened the bag of chocolate chips before looking at Deidara. The blonde had a deep frown on his face, and he seemed to be so distracted to even noticed Sakura by his side.

"Dei-Deidara?"

"Huh? Oh, Sakura. I'm sorry, I was just thinking of something yeah." Deidara explained before sitting back down on his chair and began taking out his food to eat. Sakura nodded innocently, turning around and proceeds to the room, but stopped on her track as soon as she noticed something was missing.

"Oh yeah, where Sasori?" She asked. Deidara turned to look at her before pointing up. "He went up after leaving the food here. He seems pretty off back then… I was wondering if something happened when he bought the food yeah." Deidara frowned again, glancing at his food like there was a cockroach in it.

"Up…where?" Sakura looked at the ceiling. "He's at the rooftop… Oh yeah, I didn't tell you there was one back then. The staircase is actually at the other end of the corridor." The blonde replied.

"Is he feeling sick?" Sakura asked in concerned, walking towards Deidara's desk, a cookie in her mouth. "No… I don't know how to explain his expression but-"

Deidara's phone on the table rang before he could finish his sentence. He swiftly picked up the call as Sakura stared outside the glass window. "Ah... Yes… Sure… Sure. I can check it for you yeah." Deidara put up his hand and signaled a "wait" sign while booting up his computer.

The pink-haired employee knew that her boss was busy and walked out of the room alone. She looked down the corridor and indeed, she found the door that Deidara had mentioned and walked towards it, of course, with the bag of cookie still in her hand.

She opened the door suspiciously and walked up several steps to stop for a few moments to find yet another door. Sakura cautiously opened the door and popped out her head and witnessed the vast rooftop. She turned to find the redhead standing against the railing, staring at the streets.

A mild yet cooling wind blew across Sakura's cherry-colored hair. She used her other hand to stop her hair from getting put of place as she quietly stepped out from the door, in order not to startle her boss.

She tiptoed across the balcony like a skilled ninja. Sakura finally reached to Sasori's side. His lazy brown eyes turned to look at her, mildly surprised, yet didn't say anything before looking back at the busy streets. Sakura now knew what does Deidara meant, no one can fully explained how Sasori's expression always looked like, it was always hidden behind his eyes… and only for those who really understands him to comprehend what he was truly feeling right now.

And now, little by little… Sakura started to understand a little bit on how Sasori feels every time she meets his eyes… He's feeling upset, and disappointed about something…

"Want some cookies that you've bought?"

He glanced at the bag of cookie in her hand, but turned away without answering her question. Sakura took back the cookies and placed it on the other side. She placed her hand against the railing and smiled. "When I was young, and upset over something's, my friends would always sing this song to me…" Sakura turned to Sasori to see of he was listening, and he did.

Sakura grinned and began singing.

"In every life we have some trouble, when you worry you make it double." Sakura whistled while tapping her feet on the ground.

"Don't worry, be happy."

"The land lord says your rent is late, he may have to litigate."

"Don't worry, be happy."

"Look at me! I am happy." Sakura pointed at herself with a broad smile before looking back at the street, tapping her foot and whistling with the rhythm.

"Don't worry, be happy."

"Here I give you my phone number." She took out her phone and pointed at the pink cell phone.

"When you worry, call me; I'll make you happy."

"Don't worry, be happy."

Sakura whistled again until Sasori suddenly started to chuckle for a moment. His employee turned her attention from the streets and stared at him in amazement, before her lips turned into a huge grin. "You laughed! Are you alright now? This songs worked perfectly for me too!" She chuckled along with Sasori.

The redhead stopped laughing and turned away from Sakura. "How could I not laugh when you sang the song so hilarious… and awful?" Sasori added.

"Hey!" Sakura huffed angrily before crossing her arms, but her anger soon disappeared and stared back at him. "I don't know what happened to make you upset… or something. But I'm sure you have my phone number!" Sakura suddenly put her arm over Sasori's shoulder, which surprised him for a sudden.

"Even though you are my boss, you can call me when you have any worries or problem. Even if you aren't willing to share, I can always cheer you up by using my awesome methods I have in hand. Other than worker's relationship, we are friends!" Sakura exclaimed, winking at Sasori and giving a thumb up sign.

'Friends… Can we be more than friends?'

Sasori's mood immediately lightened up a bit, he gave back a weak smile and a thumbs up back. "Thank you…" He muttered before turning back and gazed at the traffic. Sakura took the bag of cookies and offered him one, the redhead accepted one and turned away, deep in thought while Sakura started whistling her own song, staring at the fluffy clouds in the blue sky.

Deidara was leaning against the door, gazing at the two of them with his phone in his hand. He smiled at the two before slightly shaking his head. "Why do I need to worry when Sakura is here?" The blonde said to himself, turning around and headed back inside the office.

0o0

"I was thinking about something… Why don't we organize a barbecue party today at the roof top yeah."

Sasori was staring at his computer before slowly turning around and raised a suspicious eyebrow at Deidara. "That's sounds fun!" Sakura grinned, entering the office after picking up a call outside.

"Yeah… and like last time. I would have to clean up all the mess after you and Hidan create the chaos." Sasori nodded sarcastically and returned back to his computer.

"Come on, I promise I will help. And this party is just for the three of us. Let take this as a celebration that Sakura had been with us for a month yeah." The blonde remarked. "And our barbeque stove is still left in the store room, we can finally make use of it again yeah." He added

Sasori stared at Sakura for a moment but returned to his computer right when she stared back. 'Is he thinking that I would not be free because I might have a date with Sasuke?'

"I don't have any date today, I'm totally free! The three of us could spend MORE time together!" Sakura said.

"… Alright, fine-"

"Yes!" Sakura and Deidara high-fived together before glancing at Sasori.

"Right. Both of you had planned this."

"You looked upset for the past few days, so we've decided to organize this to cheer you up… I already said we have many more methods to cheer you up!" The cherry colored-haired girl smiled. Sasori kept silent for a few seconds before turning to both of them and asked.

"Have you bought marshmallows?"

0o0

"This is so delicious! Yummmm!" Sakura began licking her five fingers one by one childishly. Sasori stared at her, and slightly smiled. That was the first smile he had since the day when he laughed after Sakura sang the song.

Yes, whenever he's happy, it's because of Sakura.

"Your Marshmallows are melting." Deidara grabbed the stick and handed it to Sasori, he diverts his attention to the marshmallow and ate it like a 3-years old child. Deidara chuckled but the other artist ignored him and focused on his beloved marshmallows.

"I'll get more yeah. It looks… tempting. I'll drop by at the nearest convenient shop." Deidara stood up from his chair and approached down the stairs without waiting for their answer. And in a flash, Sakura dragged her chair and sat beside Sasori. He was rather calm at first, but was shocked after realizing their distance from each other were rather small…

"Sasori, please don't mind me asking, but why were you upset on that day?"

"Mum said that your Daddy was arrested by the police, he's a bad guy! He had injured you so much, so he is arrested by the police."

He stopped eating, recalling the incident when he met his abusive father and his other own son, but he stopped thinking right at that moment and continued eating. Sakura scratched her chin, deep in thought.

Sakura knew that Sasori didn't want to answer her questions, so she immediately changed the subject. "Itachi-kun said that you didn't have a girlfriend… Is it true?" She stated the obvious.

A small vein popped out on his temple, but Sakura didn't notice it. "I can't believe you don't have one! Thinking back… do you tend to bully girls? That's why no girls like you? And during valentine's proms, no girls were willing to have a dance with you? Even your female teachers picked on you?" Sakura blurted out, but it was too late. She covered her mouth and laughed innocently.

"Deidara told you all of these… right?" Sasori pulled out the last marshmallow on the stick roughly with his mouth.

"Er… D-Do you l-like anyone in your life before?" Sakura quickly asked, changing the subject to prevent her boss from flaring up. Sasori slightly regained his composure, taking the last few marshmallows in the bag and poked it onto the stick.

"I'll take it as a yes then. Then why aren't you going out with her? Or are you waiting for that someone?"

Sasori slightly coughed a little, looking at her with both of his questioning brown eyes. "And… why?" he asked. "I'm just very puzzled why you don't have a girlfriend-"

"Ah… You're really nosey." Her boss protested, refused to answer her question, turning away. "I'm just worried about you! Even though you're my boss. I do care about your future! I wouldn't want my friend to live his whole life lonely and no one to spent the rest of his life with him!" Sakura urged.

"Tell me who is it! Maybe I can help you!" Sakura said excitedly, waiting for Sasori to answer her question.

"You would?" Sasori looked at her surprisingly, yet she still doesn't know she was the one that he was referring to all along.

"Yup! I'm sure the person would be the most fortunate girl in her life." Sakura grinned.

"Hn. You don't have to flatter your boss, you won't get promoted in any way."

"I'm serious! If I could pick again… I would…" Sakura paused for a moment but she looked away, grabbing a grilled chicken wing and started eating, like nothing had happened. The redhead stared at her, and right at the moment, her mood immediately changed, she turned and faced Sasori.

"It's alright if you don't want to tell me who. But I can promise you, if you were to confess to her. I'm pretty sure she wouldn't regret it… She probably love you just like how much you love her."

His brown eyes were locked with her green and determined eyes. Sasori smiled, he raised his arms and put out his pinky. And for once did Sakura just witness Sasori's childish side as he added. "Pinky…Promise?"

Sakura blinked several times, she stared at his adorable smile.

'Why is my heart… beating so fast?'

"Er… Yea-Yeah! Promise! Pin-Pinky P-Promise!" Sakura stuttered, her face slight turned pink. She put out her little finger and entangled with his small finger as well. And for these whole 27 years, Sasori felt so unusually happy for the first time in his life.

"What are you two doing yeah?"

Both of them stopped what they were doing and turned around to find Deidara staring weirdly at them, one of his hands was holding onto two bags of marshmallows, the other was a camera.

"Oh we are just-"

"Ahem! Hand that bag of marshmallows over. Why did you take so long? The store is just across the street." Sasori muttered, returning to his usual self. Sakura glanced at Sasori and slightly smiled.

"I bought it ten minutes ago, I was just finding my camera in my car so it took quite a while. Say, let's take a picture together!" Deidara raised his camera and pointed at it. One of them frowned while the other grinned happily.

"Yes!" "No."

Sakura and Sasori turned and faced each other. Sasori was about to protest but Sakura easily beats him to it. "Come on! This would be the first picture I'm taking with you guys! Don't tell me you're camera shy…" She smirked.

"I'm not, and I was just-"

"Guys! Say cheese!"

Deidara ignored entirely on what both of them were arguing and placed the camera on the table and set a timer. Deidara rushed and stand behind Sasori and Sakura, who were already sitting rather close together. The blonde then squeezed both of them as close as possible.

Sasori was rather shocked when his arms slightly brushed against Sakura, but the pink-haired didn't seem to mind, she raised her stick of fish-balls and waved at the camera, grinning ear to ear.

The redhead glanced at her, she's happy, and is she's happy, he would be happy too.

Ever since the eventful day when he met his father, he was upset. But now, he had almost completely forgotten about and just focused on the girl beside him. The pinkette that always makes him smile regardless of whatever thing she did.

"SNAP!"

One week had past since Sakura had her last date with Sasuke.

Two weeks had past since Sakura was finally able to understand more about Sasori, but she's still learning every single day.

Three weeks had past since Sasori knew Sakura had a boyfriend.

One month had past since the day when Sakura met Sasori at the petrol station.

And finally, 20 years had past… since the day when Sasori had actually fallen for this pink angel; Sakura.

To be continue


Author's Note:

Yup, I knew that the last chapter there wasn't much or even any SasoSaku moments . But from now on, I'm going to fast forward everything and into the SasoSaku moments, and no more stupid, crappy and random stuffs. So do watch out for the next future chapters, because… -It's Coming!-

Thanks for all the reviews you gave me. I really…really love it!

-Pocky