a/n Hi everyone. Here is the new chapter. I've written it a couple of times now and this is the version I'm sticking to. Sorry that it took me so long to get my shit together xD. I have a busy couple of days so you'll see the next chapter by the weekend. It will be bumped up in rating very shortly. I've edited this once but I've probably missed things from going over it so much so I'll review again in the morning. Hope you enjoy :)
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The conference hall – turned ballroom – looks amazing, and glows golden beneath the floating lanterns and carefully strung lighting. The room sparkles with festival decorations (made from shinobi ingenuity), and the amazing aroma of dinner still lingers. Sakura would have thought that Naruto and the recreation committee invited the entire village, when she first arrived, but she knows that the hall doesn't fit that many people. He obviously did his best, and it has paid off. There are people in seats and it looks like a united Konoha front.
Naruto must not have been in charge of the food, because it wasn't three courses of different ramen, and it was delicious. Sakura could barely stop eating to chat with her political guest, though she has definitely been doing some solid talking.
It's getting on in the evening, and the open bar is starting to show- as the level of chatter rises at a continual rate. The meals are over now, and the guests mingle between the large, round, tables. The dance floor is in full swing, and Sakura looks out at Naruto and Hinata swaying happily together. Ino is dancing with her designated diplomat, and Sakura can see a paper shaped butterfly sitting in her friend's hair. Sai is on duty tonight, and apparently he has eyes everywhere – especially on his girlfriend.
Sakura wants to sigh, and she can't due to her company...
When she first saw Sasuke this evening, at Hokage Tower, he refused to make eye contact. There was a moment where he looked her over, but it was so quick that Sakura thinks she could have imagined it.
She tries to focus on the dark haired man beside her, who has been talking her ear off all night. He is a representative for a neighbouring lord, and comes in the place of his master.
Sakura isn't worried about a bad impression. She has done exactly what Kakashi asked; she looks interested, finds the guest's jokes visibly funny, and tries to get information about his thoughts on the evening, and Sasuke. She has even gone to the trouble of liquoring him up. She is imbibing, herself, but Sakura is using her metabolic powers tonight; there is no room for sloppiness.
Over all, she thinks that she is doing well.
Though, her attention has already wandered back to the dark haired nin that is sitting a meter or so away. Sakura has had restraint, and hasn't looked at Sasuke as much as she would like. She has been forcing herself to ignore his presence; which is hard, with him being the guest of honour and all.
Nevertheless, she is happy that he came. Sakura felt like she was seeing progress, when he walked into the Hokage's office for the mission brief, and he accepted everything without a fuss. This dinner is a homecoming for Sasuke, and Kakashi has emphasised its importance - it is also a political stunt for those in the fire region. The region has sent their best diplomatic representatives to check in on the once notorious criminal, and they are probably spying with all they are worth.
Sakura takes a sip of her wine, and gazes down the long rectangular table. They are upon a platform above the crowd, and Sakura feels important just being here. Kakashi sits in the middle, dressed in his Hokage regalia, above everything. She can see that he is gazing downward, and bets more than anything that he is reading his book under the table; it's an old trick that he used to try with Team 7 and Team Kakashi.
She shakes her head, and her eyes drift back to Sasuke. He is sitting beside the Hokage, and he looks miserable. He doesn't show any outward emotion, so there is nothing different there. Sakura can tell how he feels though, and she wishes to talk to him. He won't even look at her.
She supposes that he isn't going to catch her looking at him, if that is the case, and she observes his outfit. Sakura thought he looked good when she first saw him this evening, and she reaffirms her opinion inwardly. Sasuke is dressed nicely in dark civilian dress clothes, and she is a bit regretful that he isn't in traditional dress; that would require enthusiasm, and civilian clothes are much easier to deal with. After all, Sasuke only came to his homecoming celebration because of Kakashi, and Sakura knows it. Of course, she hasn't asked him, but she feels like she understands Sasuke well enough by now. This is an important moment for Konoha politically, and Sasuke won't do anything to ruin it.
"Sakura-san." The diplomat calls her attention again, and Sakura's eyes are torn away from the elusive Uchiha.
"Would you like another drink?" He asks, and she smiles charmingly.
"I'd love one, thank you." She replies warmly, reaching out subtly to touch his hand. It is brief but enough to cause the man to stumble as he stands.
Kakashi watches in amusement, asking the man,
"Are you enjoying the celebration, Representative-san?" He sounds lazy but polite, just like always.
"Yes, thank you for having us, Hokage-sama. Konoha throws an excellent celebration, and my company has been incredibly charming." The man looks to Sakura. "And beautiful." He smiles, and the woman feels extremely flattered.
Sasuke clears his throat louder than expected and then he coughs, sounding a little surprised. Sakura notes the slight lean of Kakashi and she imagines the Hokage nudging Sasuke beneath the table.
"You're welcome. We are happy to have you." Kakashi says to the man. "Though, I do hope that your leader will visit next time, during this peaceful time." He continues, nodding slowly. Sakura senses that a silent piece of conversation is occurring, and she feels the tension within the pause.
Then, the diplomat inclines his head respectfully.
"I feel that we can arrange that, Hokage-sama. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll be getting this pretty lady a drink." He bows to Kakashi, and then turns to Sakura. He offers her a smile, that she supposes, is intended to be charming.
The table is silent for a moment, as Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura sit alone. The others are mingling well, and Sakura wonders if she should do the same.
But Sasuke is free now. It might be a good idea to try and corner him while she can…
As if sensing her intention, Sasuke stands suddenly. He looks grumpier than when she looked at him last, and he glares at her before he walks down the platform stairs.
Kakashi is definitely reading his book; Sakura hears him turn a page, and he doesn't look up as he speaks –
"Go. I can handle our guest."
Sakura wonders how Kakashi knows that there is something going on between them, though she decides that she doesn't care. Sasuke is already half way across the room and heading for the exit. His walk is steady but Sakura can see the stalk from her place at the stairs.
In a second, she disregards social protocol, and rushes down to the ground. From there, she darts with shinobi like speed.
She reaches the door in time to see Sasuke walking away from the building. His shoulders are tense as he moves, and Sakura knows that he has already sensed her.
"Sasuke-kun." She calls out to him. She receives no response.
She tries again, following him at a distance.
"Sasuke, why are you avoiding me?" Sakura asks, and he slows down considerably. It takes a moment for him to come to a halt, and when he does, Sasuke does not turn around.
Sakura is always looking at his fucking back.
"Is this about what happened on the mission?" She questions directly, sounding softer than before. They are in the cobblestone street where anyone can hear them. Thankfully they are alone.
"Nothing happened." Sasuke impresses, causing Sakura to exhale in frustration.
Surely he can't really believe that.
"Then why are you running away?" She rationalises quickly.
Sasuke turns and his mouth opens like he is going to rebut. She doesn't wait and raises her finger at him out of instinct.
"Don't say you aren't because you are." She scolds him, narrowing her eyes. He scowls at her, but he isn't leaving, which is a good sign.
Sakura calms herself, and shakes her head. She raises her hands in the air before they drop to her side, limp.
"I don't know what to tell you, Sasuke." There is a pause before she pushes on - "I felt something when you showed me the Gakido and I know you did too…It doesn't have to mean anything, though, if you don't want it to."
An expression passes over Sasuke's face and he seems to be having trouble with his emotions. He looks frustrated, and angry with her.
"I'm not running away." He says again, more firmly. He ignores her other words.
"You are, but you don't have to." She tells him calmly. "Please, Sasuke – Stand your ground…and if you can't, at least finish the sharingan study with me."
She pauses to see if he will respond. He doesn't, so she implores,
"Show me the history of the sharingan. I can do the rest on my own and you'll be free of me." Sakura's chest clenches the moment the words are out of her mouth, but she knew that this had to happen at some point. Sasuke has always been just a dream; him returning hasn't changed that for her.
Sasuke nods slowly, and he looks like he is deep in thought.
"Okay." He agrees. "But we do it now."
Sakura looks back to the party and then to the man in front of her. She already knows what her answer is. She nods, and their eyes meet for a split second before he glances away.
"Alright." She says, "We'll do it now."
He processes her reply and turns. He begins to walk in the direction of the compound, expecting her to follow, and she does.
There is dread in her heart, and Sakura feels sick to the stomach. She is getting what she asked for though, and she should be happy. She will have the answers she needs.
Regardless, the impending loss of Sasuke looms heavily in her mind.
"Where are we going?" Sakura finds herself asking when they descend stone steps near the compound. It's dark, and as they move into the tunnel, Sakura shivers. A quick fire jutsu gives them a torch for light and the woman recalls Sasuke talking of the tunnels beneath Konoha.
Is it possible that there they are going to the archives he mentioned.
"I'm taking you to the place where my father taught me about the sharingan." He says simply, walking ahead of her. Sakura's heart beats quickly and she sticks close. Chakra may enable them to see in the dark, but it's still spooky down here.
"Is this allowed?" She asks. Sasuke glances over his shoulder, revealing activated eyes.
"No. Those who are not of the clan should not be down here." He replies, and Sakura nods.
She questions inwardly why they aren't going to the archives. She knows that it exists beneath the village, and has information that she can use. This is better than that, but Sakura feels unworthy.
She isn't an Uchiha…
"I'm sorry." Sakura finds herself murmuring.
Sasuke's shoulders stiffen at her words, and then he nods is acceptance. It seems that he has already made a choice.
They continue on in silence -aside from their breathing and the almost imperceptible crackle of the torch. Sakura watches the familiar symbol on Sasuke's back, and she regrets that she might not see it for a while after this.
It prompts her into action.
"Sasuke –" She begins.
Sakura is about to tell him that she is sorry about what happened on the mission, and that he doesn't need to avoid her. She can keep her distance.
The words don't come out though, and the woman takes in the fire lit alcove that they have come upon. The corridor opens into this small space, and Sakura notes that there are boulders blocking the other side of the tunnel.
"Not everything made it." Sasuke explains, and he turns to face the blank tablet that is sitting upon a stone counter, in its holder.
"We're here." He says with a tone of finality. The air seems to crackle with anticipation, and an unnamed tension sits heavy in the enclosed space. Sakura's stomach flops and she thinks that she might throw up.
This is it…