Photograph
Chapter 10: Will you marry me
A diamond, emerald in cut and set in a platinum band. On either side of the set diamond was and in laid Uchiha fan.
It sparkled in the light, shinning like a brilliant star. Gorgeous in cut and clarity and specially designed for a beautiful, young, Uchiha to be.
It amazed him how little the village had changed. He supposed he was grateful for it, though. He didn't think he could bare it if he had been left behind.
It was surprising to him, how eagar his friends were to forgive him. He guessed they were just happy to know they weren't betrayed.
Sasuke sighed as his thoughts returned to his problem. She was beautiful, smart, stunning in every aspect of her person, and he wanted her all to himself. Sakura was one and only person whom haunted his dreams these days. No flash backs of death, no guilt in his heart. It was simply and cleanly dreams of love, and want.
He loved her, he wanted to be with her for the rest of his life. He wanted to start a family with her, he wanted her to be the mother of his children. She was everything he would ever need in his new life, and he do anything for her.
The only problem was telling her. Ever since the celebration two weeks prior, he'd found I more and more difficult to talk to her about his feelings. He had this nagging feeing in the back of his mind that picked and poked at him, as if trying to tell him that something was wrong.
Sasuke stepped into Ichiraku's and sat down at the counter, next to his best friend and former teacher.
"Hey Teme, your late." Naruto said, slurping down his third bowl of Ramen. "Don't tell me you're starting to take after Kakashi-sensei?" Kakashi cleared his throat next to them. Sasuke rolled his eyes.
"No, just taking my time." Sasuke replied. "Thinking." He continued.
"About Sakura?" Kakashi asked, without looking up from his bowl. Sasuke sighed for the umpteenth time that day.
"Yea." He replied, picking up his own bowl and beginning to eat.
"How long you gonna procrastinate?" Naruto finally asked after a time of silence.
"I'm not procrastinating, I just haven't found the right time." Sasuke defended.
"Yea, sure." Naruto replied incredulously.
"I had a chance two weeks ago, but of course everyone in the world had to choose that time to need to talk to her." Sasuke explained begrudgingly.
"Oh suck it up and just ask. Sometimes spontaneity can be the best romance." Kakashi explained.
"Someone's been reading their books again." Naruto said sing-songedly. Sasuke smirked in amusement. Kakashi sighed.
"They used to respect me." He mumbled to himself. Sasuke and Naruto laughed.
"Anyway," Naruto said once they had settled down. "Just set the mood and ask her, it's not rocket science. You have to make her listen. Take a breath and jump."
Sasuke sighed.
"I hope your right, dobe. This isn't getting any easier."
Sakura packed her briefcase, a small smile playing on her face a she worked. Today had been a good day for her. She loved days like this.
Pediatrics had been short staffed today, giving Sakura a chance to do what she loved most. Working with children. She always jumped on the chance.
Now today, after a full day of doing check ups and physicals, and putting cute little neon band-aids on scraped knees, she was ready to go home to her sexy boyfriend with a big smile on her face and a loving, caring, motherly attitude.
It took Sakura no time at all to reach her apartment. She unlocked the door as she did every day, she stepped in and removed her shoes as she did every day, she draopped her bag on the couch with her jacket as she did every day. Everything about her arrival seemed completely routine to her, until the distinct aroma of baking chicken, and tomato sauce wofted to her nose.
Her brows wrinkled in confusion for a moment before she called out.
"Sasuke?" She called.
"In here." Was her reply. Sakura followed his voice into the kitchen all the while saying:
"What is that wonderful smell?" she stopped in the door way to find Sasuke at the stove stirring a pot of something unknown. He wore a slightly dressy pair of blue jeans and a nice navy blue button up shirt.
"I'm making dinner." Sasuke explained. "Chicken parmagean, and penne pasta with marinara."
"Wow," Sakura said walking up to the stove and tasting the sauce of the spoon Sasuke held out for her. She gave her approval. "Today just keeps getting better." She continued her smile growing.
"Really? And what great things have made your smile so bold?" he asked, turning to face her and wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Well," she started. "I got to work in Pediatrics today. I had so much fun, all those little kids were so adorable. There was this one little girl with this big chubby chipmunk cheeks and bright red hair in pig tails. And this cute little boy kept telling me how excited he was about starting the academy next year. It was so wonderful, I just feel so uplifted and light, and happy."
Sasuke smiled as he listened to Sakura explain her day. Her excitement seemed to reassure him that she truly was the one for him. Her love of children, her oversized heart, her caring attitude, she was perfect, and he knew that no matter what he could do this.
"I'm glad you had a great day." He said kissing her lightly and sweetly. "Dinner's ready." He continued when they pulled apart. She smiled and turned to the table.
Sasuke fixed two plates and carried them to the table. He set one in front of Sakura and one at his seat and then turned to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of wine. He poured two glasses and returned to the table.
"Wow, Sasuke, what's the occasion?" she asked taking a sip from the glass.
"Do I need an occasion to treat the most beautiful woman in the world to a nice meal." Sasuke retorted. Sakura smiled through a blush.
"I guess not." She replied.
The young couple talked and ate for a good hour, before Sasuke stood and cleared the now empty plates. Sakura smiled after him.
"That was a delicious meal, Sasuke-kun." Sakura said, using the name she knew he loved.
"I'm glad you liked it." He replied turning around to face her and leaning against the counter.
"So any other plans?" Sakura asked smiling suggestively.
"Actually, yes." Sasuke replied walking up to her and squatting down in front of her. Sakura smirked awaiting for him to make his move.
She squeaked cutely as he scooped her up and carried her out of the kitchen. She smiled and kissed his neck as he carried her. She looked up when she realized he wasn't heading for her bedroom.
"Sasuke? Where are we going?" she asked confused.
"The back yard." Sasuke replied simply.
"Oo, kinky." She replied smiling.
"You've been spending way to much time with Ino." He explained as he stepped out on to the patio. Sakura giggled.
"I know."
Sasuke set Sakura down on her feet, and she looked around gasping. The entire back patio was lit by white candles. The floor was covered in red rose petals and a small round table set for two. On the table were two plates with a piece of chocolate cake on either.
"Oh, Sasuke." Sakura gasped. "It's beautiful. Did you do all this for me?" she asked. Sasuke chuckled.
"Of course, who else would I do it for?" Sakura smiled and let Sasuke lead her to the table, where he pulled out her chair for her. He then sat across from her.
"Sakura?" Sasuke started, stopping her from digging into her cake.
"Yes, Sasuke?" she asked setting her fork down.
"Remember when you asked me what the occasion was, and I told you there wasn't one?" he asked. She nodded. "Well lied. You see, I've been planning this for a while now, and well…" Sasuke stood from his chair and got down on one knee in front of Sakura. She gasped as she realized what he was doing.
"Oh my god." She whispered breathlessly.
"Sakura Haruno, will you marry me?" Sasuke asked, pulling out a diamond ring from his pocket. Tears welled up in Sakura eyes as she looked down at the young man.
There was a fear in his eyes, a fear that she would reject him. The lines of his face were soft, and hopeful. She could only imagine what she looked like to him.
"Yes." She finally answered. "Yes, Sasuke Uchiha, I'll marry you." She continued smiling a teary smile.
Sasuke smiled back, a true genuine smile as he placed the ring on her finger and then embraced her with a deep passionate kiss.
When they pulled apart Sakura looked down at the ring and smiled. She laid her head on his shoulder.
"It's perfect."
A/N: OMG!!!!! Sorry it took so long to update, I've totally gotten caught up in the laziness of summer. Sigh… that and the fact that my cousin is getting married and I'm the maid of honor and I have so much to do. Lol
Anyway, please review. Next chapter will hopefully be up soon.
-RED