"Kyuubi!" I exclaimed happily, grinning at the my love's head summon. "How have you been?"
"Okay, and you?" he asked, flashing me a toothy grin as his tails swished back and forth behind him.
I grinned and laughed, "Never better! Where ya headed to?"
"To the hospital, seems Kit is injury prone. But then again, you already know that." he replied, which made me laugh again. "So what's got you so happy, Koneko?"
I smiled at the old nickname. "Nothing. Everything. Life. I just-" I sighed, still smiling, and shook my head. "It's rather hard to explain, Kyuubi-kun."
"Well would you mind trying to explain then? I haven't seen you this happy in ages." he said, looking at me, his curiosity plain on his face.
"Alright, I'll try. Would you like to head over to the hospital and I'll do my best to explain?" I inquired.
"Sure, but didn't you just get off of your shift at the hospital?" he asked.
"Yes, but it would save you time, wouldn't it? Besides, I don't mind the walk." I said, smiling down at him.
He sighed and shook his head, "Alright, Koneko. Now, tell this old fox what's got my Koneko so happy that she's spinning in circles."
"Well, it started a few weeks ago…" I started as we began to make our way towards the hospital.
"It's about damn time one of you two saw what's right in front of you, but to think that it took Kit's mother videotaping him talking in his sleep to get one of you to realize it! And you tried to seduce him?! I knew there was a reason I call you Koneko! I'm very proud of you, Kitten, and extremely happy that you're trying to take matters into your own hands." Kyuubi said, his tails lazily swishing behind him as he walked. "Say, what time are visiting hours over?"
"Oh, at around ten at night, but they should let you stay later since you are his summon." I said, extremely happy that Kyuubi-kun was pleased with my efforts. "If they try to kick you out though, then just tell them that I said it was alright that you stay as you are supposed to be making sure he stays there and doesn't try anything funny."
"Will do, Kitten. Now you best be getting home, the sun's starting to set and you never know what kind of weirdos are out there." he said, not entirely joking.
"Kyuubi-kun! Not only am I a grown woman and a Kunoichi, but I am apprentice to one of the legendary Sannin, Tsunade-sama! I think people will think twice before messing with me and if by chance they do then it's more than likely that I can handle them." I told him, and feeling a bit peeved, I turned and began to walk in the direction of home once again.
"I know, but I wouldn't want my favorite Koneko getting hurt." he called after me in a teasing tone.
"Whatever you say, Kyuubi-kun!" I called over my shoulder before continuing my walk.
"Hello, Sakura-san." I looked over my shoulder to see who had addressed me.
"Ah! Hello, Sasuke-san." I said, turning to face him. I didn't want to be rude to him, after all, he is Naruto's best friend. I was only vaguely familiar with him, but from what little time I'd spent around him I knew that he was aloof, somewhat arrogant and cocky and could be rather cold. He drew a lot of attention from both Kunoichi and civilian women from of varying ages from around the village. He had his own fan club and when he would pass by, many people would often swoon, squeal, screech, and/or faint. To be honest, it would get rather annoying and I honestly wasn't seeing what they saw. Who would want someone who, to most people appeared to have the personality of a rock? Perhaps there was something more to Uchiha-san than met the eye? After all, I doubt Naruto-kun would spend so much time around him if he were that bad? Perhaps I should ask Naruto about him later? I really shouldn't be judging someone who I hardly know.
He had caught up with me and we were now walking side by side. "Might I ask why you are walking unescorted so late?"
"Unescorted?" I asked, glancing at him.
"Yes, without an escort." he repeated. I know what unescorted means!
"Why would I need an escort?" I asked, slightly annoyed.
"Because Sakura-san, a woman of your stature, let alone any woman, shouldn't be out and about this late without an escort." I then understood completely.
"That is a completely sexist and inappropriate thing to say, Uchiha!" I growled out, my temper flaring to life. Naruto's best friend or not, I wasn't going to take this lightly.
"I didn't mean anything-"
I cut him off, reeling in fury, "No, you listen here and you listen good, Uchiha. I've worked hard to be a good kunoichi and an excellent medical ninja. I'm better than anyone, including Tsunade-sama, in my field and I will not have my accomplishments belittled by a man simply because he insists that I am frail, weak, and unable to defend myself because I am a woman. If you're going to have a sexist attitude around me, then you can leave, because I have no want nor need of company with morals and ideals such as the likes of yours!" with that, I stormed off.
"Sakura-san, wait!" I heard before I felt him grab my wrist. "I didn't mean that the way it sounded!"
I turned towards him, glaring as I forcefully yanked my wrist out of his grasp. I laughed sardonically, "Oh, yeah? Well, could've fooled me! It sounded to me like you were making yourself out to be a pompous, sexist asshole, but I could be wrong. So what did you really mean, pray tell?"
He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I am sorry, but it's been ingrained in my head practically from day one that women are to be protected and cherished, so when I saw you out here, alone at night, instinct kicked in. I know you're not weak, quite the contrary in fact. I hold much respect for your accomplishments. I didn't mean to belittle you. I honestly didn't intend to offend you in any way, and am very sorry that I did." he finished, looking down at me wearily.
I sighed, his words having calmed me down somewhat, "I suppose that is understandable, especially since as a ninja it's often either follow your instincts or die." I said to him, before narrowing my eyes, "Just don't ever imply I am incapable of protecting myself ever again or I will make sure, one way or another, you are unable to procreate."
I took a bit of pleasure in the fact that his already pale complexion turned sheet white at my threat. I tuned and began walking away, before turning my head back around to look at him and arching an eyebrow, asking in a seemingly sweet tone, "Well, are you going to walk with me or not, Sasuke-san?" I then turned back around and started walking in the direction of the house that my mother and I shared.
"Ah, sure. But are you sure you still want me to es-, er, walk with you, Sakura-san?" he asked, hesitantly.
'I guess my threat really did get to him.' I thought smugly to myself. Aloud I said, "Why not, I could always use the company."
"Er, so, Sakura-san, what are your plans for your birthday?" I asked, apparently startling her. That was understandable, since I'd been quiet for the past few minutes, struggling to find a way to start a conversation with the vision in front of me.
"Uh, I'm not exactly sure, but knowing my friends they're not going to let me have a moments peace. They never let me just relax on my normal birthdays, so since this'll be the big two-oh, they're going to go insane. I love them all to death, but it's giving me a headache just thinking about all of the places they're going to drag me to…" she said, laughing while talking about her friends. I tried to hide the smile that was threatening to stretch across my face at the sound of her beautiful laughter.
"How was your shift at the hospital?" I asked as I became more comfortable conversing with her.
"Oh, it was insane, especially since Naruto's a baka!" she exclaimed, eyes wide. I loved having people like her around, she was so free with expressing her emotions, so unlike my family, who are constantly masking them. Why else do you think I put up with the dobe?
"Wait, why was Naruto at the hospital?" I asked, confused. Dobe hates hospitals.
"Do you even have to ask?" she asked, eyebrow raised. Oh, damn… No! Keep your thoughts pure, she is to be respected, treasured, not thought of as a sex toy! But how the hell am I supposed to keep my thoughts pure when she has that expression on her face and she's dressed like that?! …Damn. Wait, she was dressed like that while Naruto was there?! What the hell?! I suddenly remembered to listen, it honestly isn't a good idea to get this spitfire angry. "Naruto and his training… Gah! He has no sense of control on the field!" she said exasperatedly, causing me to chuckle. Her head shot up and her face showed an expression of shock.
"What?" I asked in confusion as her face slipped into a smile.
"Why Sasuke-san, I think that's the first time I've ever heard you laugh!" she said happily.
"Perhaps if we spent more time around each other then you'd have heard me laugh before." I said, finally letting a smile slide across my face. The way I see it, if she'll possibly be my wife someday, why not allow her to see this side of me, the side even those closest to me rarely saw?
"You're right! Naruto's getting an earful, hogging you all these years!" she said, and I wasn't quite sure if she was joking. "Oh, this is my place! Thanks for walking with me, Sasuke-san!" she said happily as she walked over to her door.
"My pleasure, Sakura-san." I said as she unlocked her door.
"Goodnight, Sasuke-san." she said as she began to slip inside of her house.
"Goodnight. Oh, and Sakura-san?" I asked, causing her to peer around the door. "Just call me Sasuke."
Before she could respond I walked off.
How was I to turn her attentions away from my best friend and to myself? I wondered as I walked away from Sakura's house. I instantly scowled at the thought, she'd always pined after him, always him while I'd stay back in the shadows. I'd never thought that I'd be the jealous type, but here's the proof, staring me in the face. The dobe thought I merely wanted her to get my annoying fan girls off of my back but he's dead wrong.
I love her, honestly, I do. I've loved her practically as long as the dobe has, but I'd stayed away. Why? Because my best friend loved her, that's why, and I thought he'd make her happy. So I'd waited, and waited, and waited for Naruto to make his move. But he never did. He couldn't see that she loved him as much as he loved her, as much as I loved her. Then Naruto's sister gave her that makeover and all of those idiots in the village who hadn't noticed her before began trying to get their hands on her. I let a few weeks go by, thinking that Naruto would finally ask her out and then those idiots would leave her alone, but that baka still refused to do so. So, I then made the decision that if he wouldn't step up and be a man, then I would. I could make her happy, show her how I feel while he refused to. All I have to do is get her to forget Naruto and fall in love with me.
It shouldn't be that hard to make her forget her first love.
I do realize Sasuke is probably very OOC, but you must realize (if you haven't already) that in this story the Uchiha massacre never happened.
I do hope you enjoyed it,
~Kassy