Neighbours
Knock, knock...
Sasuke opened the door and he visibly snarled at the bowl-cut youth in front of him. He was surprised to see anyone else other than Sakura at his door step and made no inclination to hide the look of disgust from seeing Lee's tights in his peripherals.
"What do you want," Sasuke snapped sharply. The Uchiha didn't have time for this. He was still living out his sickness in darkness and had a terrifying low level of patience from being woken up.
"Sasuke! Please excuse me from intruding but I must ask you something!"
He thought instinctively to shut the door in his face when the voice at the back of his head reasoned that Lee would only come seek him out if it really was something important."Tch. Make it quick."
Lee threw his hands to his sides. He was straight like a solder reporting for duty. "Sakura. She seemed quite upset today. I saw her at the hospital earlier and her usually sparkling jade eyes were dimming with every second. Please tell me what has happened to her!"
Sasuke growled, "That's her business. Now mind your own." Though, in the back of his head, a darkened feeling of curiosity took over.
"I know she had been caring for you for the past few weeks. Has she been acting different or unusual?"
"Nothing's been different about her," Sasuke spat.
But what did he know? It had only been a few weeks since he came back to Konoha and knowing Sakura as she was now was just like meeting her for the first time. She was unpredictable; abrupt and angry but completely enticing.
He was lying to himself; everything had been different.
As Sasuke went to shut the door, Lee's hand quickly shot out to stop the gesture.
Lee's large eyes seemed to narrow: "It can't be because of her new boyfriend, can it?"
Sasuke never thought he'd see the day. He was in the marketplace scoping out a certain ANBU member for a reason that he couldn't justify. At his side, his accomplice took form, clad in spandex and black shiny bowl-shaped hair.
Maybe this was why Sasuke really left Konoha in the first place. People like Lee really did give him the creeps.
"There he is!" Lee announced.
"Shut up!" Sauske hissed, "He's going to hear you."
They both whipped around the brick corner as Ryuu's eyes slid into view of Sasuke and Lee's previous location. The old lady at the bun booth smiled at the two boys as they took refuge behind her counter.
"That was a close one! But we must hurry, he's getting away!" Lee dashed forwards, leaving Sasuke to cough in the cloud of dust.
"Idiot..."
Ryuu had been seen walking into a small boutique. Lee and Sasuke both kept their wary eyes open for the brown haired ANBU. When he exited the store, a small carefully wrapped box in his hands, Lee tapped a closed fist in his other palm in an act of realization.
"Yes! Ryuu must have noticed Sakura's sadness before either of us. Such a great gentleman buying a gift for woman in need! That truly is the definition of the springtime youth!"
It took all of Sasuke's might from slapping his forehead with his palm. "It's not spring."
They had barely passed summer and yet Konoha's colours were starting change. The gentle breezing was soothing and calm but comfortable enough if you caught it in the sun.
"We haven't seen where he's going with it yet," Sasuke bit out. As far as they knew, Ryuu could have picked up the package for his mother.
Both boys kept a low profile as they continued to follow Ryuu to his next destination: the flower shop on the other side of town. How peculiar was it that Ryuu went as far as he could from the Yamanaka's for flowers despite Ino's shop being a street away.
Unless Ryuu wanted to make it seem like he was purposely avoiding his 'girlfriend's' best friend, he had to have a damn good reason to head over to the other side of town.
"What kind of flowers is he getting?"
"Quiet," Sasuke said lowly. He had already tried losing Lee but the youth stubbornly refused to drop Operation: Wilting Sakura without a fight. The orange-turning leaves were starting to irritate Sasuke's skin. A rebellious leaf scratched the back of his neck as a breeze swept by. Sasuke could feel his nerves exposing with every second.
He sat perched on a treetop with Lee several branches down.
Sasuke would save the fighting for later. In the mean time he would have to accept the fact that Lee was in on their secret mission.
"Sasuke, if I may—"
"Make it quick."
"I do not mean to be a bother but please do not pursue Sakura anymore."
Sasuke's eyebrow twitched. His eyes worked relentlessly analyzing the ANBU's state but his observation did not teeter.
"What?" Sasuke hissed through clenched teeth.
"You are her patient and she is your nurse. In terms of professional standards, a bond of romance cannot be established. "
"Don't waste my time. What are you really trying to say."
Lee drew back into a defensive stance, prying his eyes away from Ryuu's location. "Sakura has been blossoming beautifully since you left long ago. I fear that if Ryuu is not the reason, then it must be you. Please do not be offended. I am merely concerned for her."
"Are you blaming me?"
"I'm considering you a factor—"
"Fuck off." Sasuke slid from his hiding space to a spot behind the large oak tree. He didn't know why he reacted this way but damn it, an hour in and this snot-nose, spring time worshipper was pointing his finger at him for a reason that he did not want to accept.
Sakura was sad? Then that was her damn problem. He didn't know why he was out here in the first place. He told her fair and square that he didn't like Ryuu and if one day she came crying into his chest—a memento to their younger days—he would gladly say he told her so.
"I apologize."
"Save it." Sauske's calculating eyes lost focus for a second as he thought close about his predicament. "I'm going home."
As Sasuke stalked away, Lee's dramatic gasp had him reconsidering his departure...
There was some sort of rumbling in her stomach. The butterflies wouldn't stop tearing up her insides.
The night came soon enough and Sakura came in a simple black skirt, her black boots and a loose blouse.
When she saw Ryuu seated at the table, Sakura's nerves had her feet stuck to the red carpet and no matter how hard she willed herself to move, those inner demons got so tough, she thought about turning around and going home three times.
"Why here..."
A waitress in a small black dress met Sakura at the podium and ushered Sakura in, "Right this way."
He saw her over the sea of people and grinned. When she found her seat across from him, Sakura sat down steadily smoothing out the folds in her skirt.
"Hey." She started.
"I'm glad you could make it!" He started off strong as Sakura cut him off.
"Listen Ryuu, you never really let me finish the last time we were out." She tried to be as stern as she possibly could.
He peered at her quizzically. The way he looked at her pronounced a certain innocence that made her believe for a short time that he could actually be innocent. The rosette held her ground.
"I know that I am not the only girl you're seeing. I hate confrontation so I will make this quick: Do yourself a favour and make sure you stay as far away from me as humanly possible."
Ryuu half smiled in an attempt lift the accusation. He inched toward her. "Sakura, I have no idea what you're talking about. You're the only girl that I have an interest in! You're beautiful, smart, funny and I—"
Sakura narrowed her eyes, "You're lying straight to my face!"
The stare down happened, earning them a couple of stares from neighbouring tables.
"I just don't know what to tell you." He tried again. His brown eyes came to rest upon the crisp white table cloth.
When the next couple of seconds became unbearable, Ryuu then said lowly, "...What gave it away?"
"I saw you in the alleyway that day of our last date." Sakura hissed through clenched teeth. "Did it not occur to you that I might find out? I am not stupid. I want you to admit that you're wrong."
"Listen, Sakura. I've decided to stay with you. I mean, it's not every day that you see a completely gorgeous pinkette. You're striking. I... I am completely at a loss for words."
"So you think that I should just forget about the rest of them and take your word that you'll quit your games?"
Ryuu chuckled, "Well don't say it like that. I like knowing my options but rest assured that I've chosen you."
It took everything for her to keep her fists in her lap. She stared incredulously at the ANBU member, mouth opened slightly in disbelief. "Are you fucking serious?"
Lee and Sasuke were watching from the washroom hallway.
"Can you hear what she's saying?" Lee squinted his eyes to try and get a better look.
"This is ridiculous," Sasuke spat, "I'm going out there."
When he was about to step out into the dining room, Lee grabbed Sasuke by the collar, "Sasuke! Have faith. This is Sakura we're talking about. She's been through a certain heart break before and I know that she will never let someone treat her like that. Not anymore!"
Not anymore? Sasuke repeated in his head.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Sasuke whipped around to face Lee, "Are you implying that I had been the one to hurt her first?"
"You had been." Lee said profoundly. Sasuke was shocked to hear Lee speaking the Uchiha's faults straight to his face.
"It took a lot for her to come back to us, but she managed and she can do it again. Have faith, Sasuke."
Sasuke let out a growl and hid behind the corner, peering bitterly from the darkness.
"...Fucking pain."
There was a certain point where anger builds higher than one can contain. Fortunately for Sakura, the point where her anger exceeds her "punching point" had manifested a habit of her staying completely and utterly silent about that emotion.
Ino would never take this lightly. Hell no, if this was Ino, Ryuu would be on his knees. In tears.
She looked to Ryuu from beneath her lashes and bit out, "You know. I hate swans."
Ryuu raised an eyebrow. The shock disappeared from his face, "Sakura, I know you're angry but let's talk this out—"
"No need." Sakura cut him off. "You're very lucky today." Implying that if they had been anywhere else and that Sakura wasn't complete barraged by white anger, she would have punched him really, really hard.
"But luckily for me, we haven't been seeing each other for too long. I'm cutting this short to save myself some time. Get the hell out of my face."
Ryuu leaned in and found Sakura's hands on the table top. He cupped them and rubbed a soothing across her palm. "Let's think about this, 'kay? I'm really sorry."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed piercingly. "Can I go now?"
"Not yet." Lee whispered.
Sakura pulled her hand back to her lap.
"Please, Sakura. Let's work this out. This night was supposed to be a new start for me. For us."
Ryuu apparently didn't know Sakura had a temper. And when you mess with this medic on her bad day, you see your worst.
"I know I don't appear threatening..." Sakura played with a piece of her pink hair. Her eyes were half-lidded in a bored expression, "...But I assure you that I am."
"I'm sorry this didn't work out." Ryuu said lastly into her ear. "I promise that I'll keep trying for you."
It wasn't fair. Her chance at romance disintegrated right before her eyes. When he stood up and gently brushed his shirt to free himself of wrinkles, Sakura looked to the orange flame that flickered over table.
He was visibly distraught, stalking to the door of the restaurant. "Don't bother." Sakura stared straight ahead.
Sasuke and Lee took their formations. The pinnacle of youth retrieved a rose from his back pocket as Sasuke followed Ryuu out of the restaurant.
I will not cry. I will not cry. This is not my fault. Sakura told herself this over and over again. Clasping a hand in front of her chest, she readied herself to leave.
Don't cry.
Suddenly, a swift blur of black and green appeared before her eyes before she could make out who it was.
A rose was handed to her and Lee's smile was brighter than the flame at the table.
"Sakura, such a nice surprise to see you here! Looks like youth is on our side tonight."
"Lee!" Sakura blinked the tears away, "What are you doing here?"
"I heard the fireflies were brightest by the water, shall we?" He gave her his arm and she mustered a giggle and took it.
"Uchiha," Ryuu breathed, "it's past your curfew."
"Shut up." Sasuke spat.
Sasuke had rounded the corner and met Ryuu's form at the edge of the bridge.
"May I ask why you're here?" Ryuu's voice was low but menacing. He had no fear of the Uchiha.
"Cut the shit, what are you planning with Sakura?"
"Sakura, eh." Ryuu stood before the Uchiha, shoulders squared, "I'm not surprised you have an admiration for her."
Ryuu looks ready to battle now and Sasuke begins scanning over his opponent. Red eyes blazing, Ryuu starts by calling chakra to his hands.
"Answer the question." Sasuke says, fists clentched, knuckles white, "Or I'll make you."
"Because I'm interested in her. Haven't you noticed? It's a shame that I lost to you though, Uchiha. You're very lucky."
"You were planning on cheating on her. There's no way around it." Sasuke deadpanned. "You're disgusting."
"I wasn't. Unfortunately I had a run in with ex- things got a bit out of control... Sakura saw it."
Sasuke's face remains stoic. "And you still decided to pursue her? Tch. You're not worth it. Just get lost."
He turned his back to Ryuu all brooding and annoyed and began to walk away.
"I see something!" Ryuu announces and Sasuke stops in his tracks. "You like her too or in the very least, you're over-protective of her."
"You're full of shit." Sasuke whipped around to stare his opponent in the eyes.
"I'll fight you for her."
"She wouldn't go for you again. There would be no point."
"Fine." Ryuu settles, "Then don't interfere if I try to win her heart again."
Sasuke is suddenly face to face with the ANBU member, inches apart Sasuke growls: "I will kill you if you make another move."
Ryuu throws a punch and misses. Sasuke spins back landing a kick sending Ryuu crashing back into the tree. The tree shakes, sending birds into flight.
"Not bad." Ryuu rubs his jaw, smirking as the crimson lights up his hand.
Before Sasuke pounces again, he hears a voice. One that's annoying but awfully sweet. He stares at his opponent before moving a muscle, "Sakura."
"What are you doing?" She demands when she reaches them. Lee trails up behind her, his face wrenched in worry.
"Sakura..." Ryuu begins to stand, "Sasuke and I were getting reacquainted."
"Right." Sakura says sarcastically. She turns to Sasuke and says, "Leave him alone, okay? Ryuu really needs a life intervention."
The Uchiha begins to jerk in the direction of the ANBU member. A soft hand pulls on his forearm. "Let him go," she breathes.
Suddenly, Sasuke grabs Sakura's wrist. The tug is forceful and he begins to drag her away. With protests, the Uchiha ignores her. His strength is much greater than hers (in resting state of course). "Sasuke!"
Ryuu smirks. "Until next time, Sakura."
"Lee." Sasuke says over his shoulder, "Go home. Sakura and I are leaving."
It had been an hour of silence. The two walked over the bridge as the moon reflected above the water. Ryuu was right about one thing: the fireflies were the brightest down here.
"You've known?" Sasuke said first, shattering what was left of the silence.
Truthfully she thought she would be the one to open her mouth first.
Her thoughts were too vivid that even the silence wouldn't give way to awkwardness. Stopping mid-thought Sakura looked up to the shining moon.
"Yeah, for a bit. I was just looking for a time to end it." The tears were forming in her eyes again. She spun on her heels and began walking away. There was no damn way she was going to let Sasuke see her tears. She spent too many years building up that strength to save her from embarrassing emotional displays.
"You were right!" Sakura tried to play it off as a joke with a chuckle. Far from, the medic turned away from Sasuke's scrutinizing stare. "I'll head off first! See you at home Sasuke."
"Sakura, wait!"
She paused on the bridge but did not dare to turn around. Her body began to shake as the tears threatened to fall. Shutting her eyes tightly, Sakura willed herself to stop crying, even for a short moment.
"What is it, Sasuke?" She said quietly. Any louder and he would hear the quivering in her voice.
He took a step toward her as if he was about to speak.
She wanted to take a deep breath. But she knew the next breath would lead to a gasping cry.
Sakura steadied herself. With one hand over her heart she announced proudly: "I told myself I wasn't going to cry but... Heh. Fuck it." The first tear fell and then the second one. She grew the courage by not wiping them away just yet. Pausing momentarily to stare at the cracks in the bridge, Sakura looked to the Uchiha with a brave smile.
"Hn." He had the same annoyed face pasted on. He jerked toward her, placing both his hands on her shoulders.
Her eyes were blurry but she wouldn't dare blink. Not yet.
There green eyes darted to his face, scanning every possible dimension of it.
"Sasuke, what are you...?"
"Shut up," he said.
He leaned closer. The unsettling pressure against her shoulders, the heat bristling between them, a soft scent of the flowers from the garden.
She felt his lips on her forehead, swift and soft like a wind's gentle caress. When he pulled back and retracted his arms, the last tear fell from her eyes, dropping to the wooden surface.
"You..."
"Did I scare you?"
"No. I..."
His eyebrow perked over his eye, a smirk beginning to form. "Don't think too hard about it. You'll hurt yourself."
Sakura threw a fast punch in his direction but he blurred. She let her arm drop when his scent began to manifest from behind her.
"Sakura," he said into her ear. "Let's go home."
It was really draining for me to write the confrontation part between Ryuu and Sasuke (even thought there wasn't much-I apologize).
Anyway let me know. Thoughts feelings senstions, you know the drill, homies.
Autumn Letter
