WARNING: CONTAINS FLUFF
The perfect gift, a perfect kiss, a not so perfect reaction
When Sasuke walked into his living room, he was surprised to find Sakura cross-legged on the floor, in front of the fire, with a mug of coffee.
"Are you ok?" he asked, eyes still blurry from waking up.
"Of course, it's Christmas day!" exclaimed Sakura as if it was the first Christmas ever. Sasuke plopped down beside her, stretching one leg out and bending his other one up so he could lean his arm on it.
"Do you wanna open presents now?" asked Sakura hopeful, even though Sasuke's eyes were closed. He peaked an eye open, nearly falling back as Sakura was inches from his face.
"We get food, then we open presents." He compromised, and she leapt up marching to the kitchen, returning to the living room minutes later with a tray composed of coffee, and two bowels of Okayu. Sakura set it down on the coffee table where Sasuke sleepily crawled over, as they ate their breakfast together and the snow fell outside the window, it was strangely comical to Sakura as it seemed too romantic. Unable to hold it back much longer she let out a giggle, which sparked Sasukes interest.
"What?" he asked taking another bite of the Okayu.
"Just this set-up, with the snow falling and all, is such a movie cliché, I just thought it was funny." Sasuke raised an eyebrow, shook his head and continued to eat as Sakura then giggled at his reaction.
"Will you please hurry up!" she exclaimed having finished her breakfast within seconds.
"Well I'm sorry I didn't obtain food habits worthy of Narutos." He said looking from Sakura to her empty bowl, to which she responded with a loud gasp of indignation.
"Well I'll have you know-"
"Done." Said Sasuke quickly before Sakura could start into a lecture about eating.
It didn't take long for her to jump up and reach for the nearest presents, the first being from TenTen and Neji, it was no surprise they had gotten them new weapons; although Sasuke scoffed, Sakura loved hers. TenTen had a knack for finding weapons for women which were disguised as jewellery.
They sat for the next thirty minutes opening presents from the rest of the old rookie nine, laughing at some and grimacing at lee's, but finally the time had came to give each other theirs. Sakura felt nervous even though she knew she shouldn't, Sasuke would appreciate what she had gotten him, but it didn't quell the fear bubbling up inside of her. She handed Sasuke the long rectangular shaped box with shaky hands and Sasuke raised an eye as to why she was so worried. It didn't help his current state of emotions either; it was the first time Sasuke had to buy someone a present with meaning.
Sasuke took the lid off the box and was pleasantly surprised to find a Ninjatō, he let the smile that was tugging on his lips to break free and Sakura swelled with pride knowing she had got it right. She knew that Sasuke had been eying up the sword for a long time, but he never got the chance to buy it.
"I'm impressed." He smirked setting the sword back in the box, also noting the oil, powder and polish she had got for it.
"Thank-you." She smiled, but now saw the look of trepidation on Sasuke's face as he left the room to get her present. Although Sasuke was nervous about giving Sakura her present, she was twice as nervous to receive it. What if she really didn't like it, and she let that portray on her face, she would offend Sasuke and it would just ...not be a good idea.
Sasuke came back into the room with two boxes, one small and one of medium size. He handed them to Sakura and sat down, his face stoic, successfully hiding any emotion; he just hoped she didn't hear his heart beating faster than it should.
Sakura lifted the lid off the smaller box and gasped, the most beautiful, obviously hand-made, necklace sat in the box. She never expected something so precious from Sasuke, and it made her feel bad she had gotten him something 'practical'.
"Sasuke, its beautiful." She gushed running her finger over the three jewelled cherry blossom petals hanging on the end of it. Sasukes heartbeat slowed down, and he let his features relax an almost cocky grin on his features.
She reached for the second box and smiled, thankful that he too had gotten her something practical. It was two books she had been searching for over the last month and couldn't get. She saw Sasuke smirk and she looked up with a questioning glance.
"You're not the only one who does their homework."
After their morning of opening presents all Sasuke was ready to do was go to bed again, but as always Sakura had other ideas. Standing outside in the cold, he stared in the window at the taunting fire in the house, mocking him for being a push over. Sakura wanted to go outside in the snow and Sasuke, always wanting to make her happy, said yes. It was strange how although it annoyed him, he always wanted to please her and would never say no to her. This wasn't something that happened just because of their twins, this was something Sasuke found he always wanted to do for her. The thought however, didn't unsettle him as it used to.
"Sasuke, come over here, the lake is frozen it's amazing." Shouted Sakura from a distance.
"Sakura be careful on that." He scolded, then cringed that Uchiha, Sasuke, had just said something so corny like that.
"I'm ok, I'm a medic jese." She rolled her eyes and continued to skate across the lake. Sasuke stood at the edge of lake, breath hitched, just waiting for her to fall but she sped along the ice without a care. She twirled and skated over to Sasuke but couldn't stop herself in time and she crashed into him, sending them soaring into the snow.
"Sakura are you ok." Asked Sasuke panicking, but what he thought were tears, was laughter as Sakura pushed herself up to look him in the face.
"Your face." She laughed again.
"That wasn't funny." He said now angry as he lifted her up. "I'm going back inside."
"Sasuke wait, I'm sorry I was only messing around." Said Sakura, still finding the serious look on his face slightly funny.
"What if you had hurt yourself or the twins?" he asked still angry, but Sakura knew it was only because she had scared him.
"Seriously Sasuke, do you think that little of me. I'm a medic, do you really think I would put the twins' safety at risk." She said trying to calm him down. Sasuke had to admit she was right, he was insulting her skills as a medic by thinking she would do something so irresponsible.
"Sorry." He said sticking his hands in his pockets and Sakura smirked at her win. She then marched over and linked her arm with his, and led them down one of the streets of the compound.
"Where are we going?" he asked as they walked the silent streets watching as a few wildlife, still awake in the snow, ran from covered bushes or trees.
"Just for a walk." Said Sakura smiling at him.
"Go this way." He said leading them down a narrow alleyway. It was the first time that Sasuke and Sakura had walked these grounds together, and although Sakura often explored it she had never been down here before. Only Sasuke knew the secret paths and mystery that often surrounds his haunted complex.
At the end of the alley Sakura could see running water and sure enough as she got closer there was a mini waterfall, flowing over several large boulders. It was like a tiny forest, many of the greenery were white but the flowers were in bloom and Sakura couldn't understand why there were so many flowers alive in the winter.
"It was my mother's idea." Supplied Sasuke, as he saw her questioning look towards the flowers. "She said she wanted to have a piece of spring in the winter, so she tracked down flowers which bloom in the winter."
"That's a really cool idea." Said Sakura as she wandered around the tiny 'garden'.
"What other secrets does this place have?" she questioned sitting down on a large rock.
"I'll show you one more, but the rest stay secret. Not all secrets are good." He frowned and walked over to Sakura offering her a hand. Thankfully Sasuke didn't dwell on his last statement.
"What are we going to see now?" asked Sakura skipping alongside Sasuke like a child.
"You'll see when we get there." He smirked as they arrived back at the lake.
"Umm...the lake isn't a secret Sasuke, we were here like an hour ago." Deadpanned Sakura.
"Stand back." Said Sasuke as he let go of her hand. He sucked in a large volume of air and blew out a huge ball of fire; it cut through the ice like a knife through butter and created a tunnel which went the whole way underneath the ice, to the ground below the lake.
"Wow." Said Sakura speechless at what she had just witnessed. Sasuke took her hand again and they walked over to the tunnel where Sakura was surprised to see steps.
"Another one of my mother's 'great ideas', it only works when the lake is frozen because it's too deep to swim to." He said as they walked further and further beneath the ice, Sakura saw all sorts of creatures frozen in the water. After a few more minutes of walked they arrived at a large rusted steel door. Sasuke formed a few hand seals and with a screech it swung open.
When Sakura walked inside it was nothing like she imagined, it was cosy and warm. She thought, as would anyone, that it was going to be damp and cold. The walls were still made out soil but it was hardened, there was a slight resemblance to Orochimarus hideout, not that she would ever voice that, but the atmosphere was totally different here. It was very peaceful.
"What is this place for?" Sakura couldn't help but ask.
"Well you'll see in a minute when we get to the end of this tunnel." Said Sasuke unable to stop himself smirking at her awe struck face. They eventually came to another door which Sasuke opened the normal way, behind it was the most finely furnished living room, and there was even a fire. It had a rich luxurious carpet and large double sized sofas. It was the perfect den for when the weather was cold and miserable.
"This is amazing." Said Sakura taking off her wet boots and coat, Sasuke did the same and went over to light the fire as Sakura curled up on the sofa.
"Coffee?" asked Sasuke laughing at the saucers eyes Sakura gave him.
"This place really is amazing." Gushed Sakura, snuggling deeper into the plush cushions.
Sasuke came back with their coffees and sighed as he too sank into the sofa. The sound of their coffee drinking and the fire cracking was all that echoed in the underground world.
"When was the last time you came here?" asked Sakura breaking the silence.
"I come here every Christmas day." He said remembering all his past Christmases alone.
"So that's why I could never find you!" exclaimed Sakura at this revelation, which left Sasuke confused.
"What do you mean?" he asked turning to look at her, setting down his coffee.
"Every Christmas I would come to check on you, you're all alone up here and every year I can never find you!" she laughed at the thought of him being curled up underground, purposely secluded from everyone. Although it seemed funny to Sakura, Sasuke was affected by her words. When he felt most alone, was actually the time when he was most cared about.
"I didn't know." Was all he could respond as Sakura set down her mug of coffee and stretched out on the sofa.
"Well of course you didn't, I believe that's what we just established." She snorted'
"So...what now?" grinned Sakura as she contently wiggled her toes, then pulled her legs back into her as she sat up staring at Sasuke waiting for their next 'adventure'.
Sasuke reached out and tucked Sakuras hair behind her ear, lingering his thumb on her cheek for a few seconds. He let his hand drop and Sakuras eyes followed the fallen hand then glanced back up to Sasuke's face. He had his head tilted back with his eyes closed, as if he was antagonised by something.
Sasuke was in a dilemma, he could no longer deny what he felt for Sakura anymore. He was ready to move this further but he felt that this was one-sided. Sakura clearly didn't feel the same and if he tried anything it could ruin this whole delicate situation.
"Sasuke?" came a quiet voice beside him; Sakura reached out and took his hand concerned. He opened an eye and saw a mix of emotions on her face. The main one being nervousness, though not the kind he saw this morning when opening presents, this type of nerves was a lot deeper. He sat up and stared into her eyes, moving closer to her. Whether it be instinct, or she really wanted to, Sakura was moving closer to him as well.
There was that tense, almost awkward moment before every kiss, where two people's faces are just inches from each other and neither knows who should move in first. With little hesitation however, Sasuke bridged the gap between them. This kiss was very tender, filled with trepidation; it was as if Sasuke was conveying his feelings within a kiss. As Sakura relaxed herself into the kiss, Sasuke felt more at ease and very slowly he was moving forward and Sakura was falling backwards onto the sofa. He broke their kiss to allow Sakura to fall back fully on the sofa and he could lie beside her without lying on top of her bump.
His hand rested on her belly, running it from the top, to the bottom and there was a very precious moment between them. Sakura reached up and cradled Sasuke's face, his eyes closed and it was Sakura this time that closed the gap between them.
"This is...different." smiled Sakura after a few moments silence, to which Sasuke responded by giving her a chaste kiss before climbing off the sofa.
"Where are you going?" asked Sakura leaning on her elbows.
"I'm hungry."
The few days that passed since their encounter were quiet but comfortable, they hadn't kissed again since that day but things were at least not awkward. Sakura was happy that she didn't feel pressured into anything physical with Sasuke, he never said anything to her about Christmas day but there was a definite shift in their relationship. Although things were good, they were nowhere close to being a 'couple' and there was still a big question Sakura needed answered.
"Ino, what happens next?" she said slightly anguished and a little confused.
"That's a good question; I mean I know things are ok at the moment but if you want this to go further, one of you are going to have to make a move...again." Said Ino, which was the answer Sakura expected, but she was waiting for Ino to say something which would solve this 'situation' instantly however unattainable that was.
"Kami, trust you two to do something like this." Exclaimed Ino breaking Sakura sharply out of her daze.
"What have I done now?" said Sakura defensively.
"Well, I wanted you two to get together and when you do it's as if nothing even happened." Sighed Ino frustrated, when she thought of Sakura and Sasuke finally kissing she thought they would fall in love instantly and they would be a proper family. Ino was down heartened to see that they were a long ways off from being 'in love'.
"Sorry for not being entertaining enough pig." Grumbled Sakura taking a sip of her water.
"I kissed Sakura." Said Sasuke throwing a punch at Naruto, who dodged it and swung one of his own.
"You what?" replied his teammate dropping his arms an inch from Sasukes face.
"I said I kis-"
"I know what you said," Naruto cut in "I'm just confused."
"What's new." Mumbled Sasuke taking the bandages off his knuckles, he looked at Naruto who had a disappointed look on his face and it agitated Sasuke.
"Naruto?" he questioned.
"I'm just worried about what's gona happen if something goes wrong, having kids together was supposed to be platonic and mixing feelings with that are bound to cause problems." Sasuke was taken aback; had Naruto really just said something so sensible ...and right?
"When did you get so intense?" said Sasuke frowning.
"I love Sakura, and I don't want to see her get hurt." Replied Naruto, a serious tone in his voice, which provoked Sasuke because Naruto was now insinuating that he was going to hurt her?
"I wasn't planning on hurting her, Naruto."
After their spar and brief conversation referring to Sasuke and Sakuras now more complicated relationship, Sasuke was very wound up. It seemed like everyone assumed he was going to hurt Sakura, did they think he was only using her? Did anyone ever stop to think that he might actually have feelings and why was everyone so concerned about Sakura getting hurt, she could just as easily hurt Sasuke. Not that he would ever bring that point up as Uchihas don't say things like that, but Sasuke was definitely frustrated and didn't like the fact that his closest friend had no faith in him.
A/N So, I have two very exciting surprises for you come then end of this fiction which obviously I am not going to tell you what they are as they are a surprise duh, but I am hoping you will like ^_^.
Also I am not sure when this fiction will be finished, within the next few chapters I'm going to have to do a time leap, maybe even two time leaps but there is still a lot to get through. Never fear :D
Preview:
Tsunade placed her hands on Sakuras stomach and let the green glow seep into her belly examining the twins. Every now and then Tsunade would frown then smile it was disconcerting for Sakura to watch.
"Tsunade...is everything ok?" asked Sakura beginning to get worried when her mentor was unresponsive.
Flowne xx
