Disclaimer:
The characters and world featured in this story belong to Masashi Kishimoto. This is for entertainment purposes only.
"The Land of Waves, hm?" Kakashi hummed playfully. "I never took you for the sentimental type."
Sasuke shifted from one leg to the other and frowned. He was glad Sakura was at work and not here to witness their old sensei's teasing.
"Do we have permission to leave Konoha for the day?" he asked, impatience mounting.
Kakashi leaned back in his chair. Despite his mask, the smug expression was obvious. "You know, Sasuke… I'm surprised. An accomplished shinobi such as yourself doesn't appear to have any sort of plan beside viewing the scenery from a...a hill?"
"The seaside." Sasuke wrinkled his brows. "What more do I need to plan?"
Kakashi chuckled. "Well, I have the time of departure on your request, but when are you stopping to eat?"
The younger man frowned. "We will bring something to eat when we get there."
"Really, now?" Kakashi leaned forward again. "Consider this. Sakura is working until tonight. You are leaving at dawn. Is she going to make your meal, or are you? Are you making something for lunch and dinner?"
"I…" Sasuke stopped and wondered what he could make that would be simple enough to handle on his own, yet worthy of the occasion. While traveling, he traded labor for food. When he cooked, it was as simple as possible. He briefly thought about using his susanoo to make onigiri by himself, but he dismissed that as a ridiculous use of chakra. And of course, they'd need something before returning. "I suppose we could have a meal somewhere."
The Hokage scribbled something on a small notepad. He tore the sheet off and handed it to Sasuke.
"The Sea Dragon?" Sasuke read.
"The name's a bit corny, but it's one of the best seafood restaurants I've ever visited. Go there. Sakura will like it. I'll make sure they expect you."
Sasuke thought about declining, but Kakashi's thinly concealed grin warmed his heart. A memory of Fugaku Uchiha flickered in Sasuke's memory. He nodded his head. "Ah."
"Good. Now, I should warn you, they serve several courses. You won't be in and out. It will be late when you're done."
Sasuke sighed. "We will find something else, then."
"No, I think you need to change your plans. Think of Sakura. This is a date, isn't it?"
Sasuke's eyes slid to the side as he hummed to confirm.
"And you're living together now, correct?" Kakashi asked.
Sasuke nodded.
The Hokage spread his arms as if to frame the obvious. "Then you should stay at an inn. Treat Sakura."
It felt like there were ravens flapping in his chest. "But-"
Kakashi dismissed Sasuke's doubts with a wave of his hand. He scribbled over the private travel request. "You will return here at this time the next day. Shikamaru!"
The aide opened the office door and entered. He eyed Sasuke warily. "Yes?"
Kakashi wrote something on another paper. "Send this message to the Blue Island Inn in the Land of Waves."
Shikamaru read the message then squinted at the Hokage. "For…?"
Kakashi sighed lazily. "No worries, Shikamaru. I'll pay for it personally. It's a gift for two of my precious students. I haven't been able to spend any time with them lately, and I want to ensure they have a good time. Naruto was spoilt with his wedding. It's Sakura and Sasuke's turn for a treat. Indulge an overworked man, would you? Oh, and while you're at it, see to it that Sakura has Monday off from work as well. I hate coming home from a vacation and rushing off to work the very next day..."
The aide eyed the massive stack of paperwork crouching beside Kakashi, sighed, and shuffled off. "Fine, fine, but I'm taking an extra long cigarette break."
Sasuke caught Shikamaru's raised eyebrow, and he wondered what warranted the expression.
Kakashi chuckled as the Nara exited. He turned his attention back to Sasuke.
The latter relented to the Hokage's recommendation with a shrug. "This all seems superfluous."
"Perhaps," Kakashi said. "Yet Sakura could use a vacation. She's overworked, and, well… you know. She deserves a treat."
Sasuke bit his lip at the gentle, verbal swat. He hung his head.
"Sasuke," Kakashi called, rousing him from his guilt. The older man hesitated, but his eyes wrinkled. His voice came out as a paternal nudge. "You deserve this, too."
To say Sakura was delighted by the change in plans was an understatement. Whatever fatigue she felt from a busy day at the hospital, it dissipated at the news. She hummed while packing her travel bag. Sasuke smirked as he watched her bounce around the apartment.
Perhaps Kakashi is right. He usually is...
They worked together to make a light dinner of stir fry. Sakura set a bowl of rice aside to make onigiri for the road. She surprised Sasuke with one of the modified chopping boards Shizune had introduced him to during recovery. Now he could chop fruit and vegetables one-handed. Sasuke found he enjoyed his new chore, especially because it meant he wasn't freeloading off of Sakura's kindness. He felt more and more like a partner in the apartment.
"I ought to stop by my parents' tonight," Sakura said as they ate.
Sasuke nodded.
"Would you come with me, Sasuke-kun?" Her voice warbled nervously.
He swallowed some food and stared at his plate in a moment of hesitation. When he last saw Mebuki and Kizashi Haruno, it was during Sakura's move. He had only been a friend at that point. This meeting would be a new experience entirely. He looked up at the woman before him. His heart thumped. He would put up with discomfort for her.
"Ah."
Mebuki placed a tray of ginseng tea on the table. Sakura and Sasuke sat on a small loveseat. Her father occupied a larger couch just across from them. A nervous silence hung over the gathering. Sakura had just explained that she and Sasuke were going away for the weekend. Alone.
Her mother nervously clucked. Sakura often went away with her teammates, and it wasn't unusual for her to be the sole female. To hear her daughter say the word 'vacation' instead of 'mission,' however... "O-oh! When did you two start dating?"
Kizashi crossed his arms and stared deeply into the cup his wife set before him. The revelation disabled his normal sense of humor.
Sasuke sighed. The very logical side of him knew it was useless to resent his past choices any longer, but it was difficult when presented with the Haruno's natural worry.
"Um…" Sakura's fingers wound around themselves. "Sasuke moved in a few days ago."
Her mother sat beside Kizashi with a thump. The latter's attention snapped up to his daughter and Sasuke. The pink haired man inhaled sharply.
"This is sudden," Kizashi stated flatly.
Mebuki nodded. "Very." She looked at Sasuke and narrowed her eyes. "Sakura-chan told us you'd been away… It's been two years since we last saw you." She turned to her daughter again, her brows wrinkled. "He never wrote you, right?"
On some level, Sasuke knew they were right. He should have corresponded with her. However, her parents didn't understand the guilt he already carried with him about whether or not he should reach out to her. There were days when he felt giving Sakura space to lose interest in him would have been a blessing. They didn't understand, and he didn't know how to communicate it to them. Sasuke felt sick to his stomach, but he maintained his stony mask.
The display earned a glare from Kizashi. "Young man, despite your past failings, it is well-known that you are intelligent. You must understand our concerns." Mr. Haruno frowned. His jade eyes pointed toward Sasuke like kunai. "What are your intentions?"
"Kizashi," Mebuki hissed. "It's too soon to ask that…"
"They are living together!" the man shouted. His voice cracked with emotion.
Sasuke began to realize that they would likely react this way no matter the man beside Sakura. He lowered his eyes and wondered if he would be the same with a daughter.
Sakura grumbled and buried her face in her hands. "I worried you'd act this way!"
Sasuke stood from beside her. He took a deep, calming breath. Everyone looked up at him. Then, despite his much lower chakra levels and ability, Kizashi stood as well. The man bit his lip, and the points of his hair trembled with him as he faced down the infamous war hero. Mebuki tugged her husband's sleeve.
"My intentions," Sasuke said slowly, "are to never take your daughter for granted again. I'll spend the rest of my life making up for everything."
He was vaguely aware of Sakura, still seated below him. From his peripheral vision, he could see her cover her lips with dainty hands. No doubt there were tears in her eyes.
Mebuki now stood beside her husband. The stern woman squinted into Sasuke's unwavering gaze. He couldn't decide if they were demonstrating complete trust or ignorance looking into his eyes. Mrs. Haruno regarded her daughter, her face softening with compassion.
"You trust him?" she asked.
Now Sakura stood. She wrapped her arms around Sasuke's residual limb and leaned into him. "Completely. Sasuke is a good man! He's worked so hard, and-"
"Okay," Mebuki said. She once more turned her attention to Sasuke. "Sakura has pined after you for such a long time. She's so stubborn… For awhile, I worried she would spend the rest of her life looking out over the treeline, just waiting… Now, for you to be here, and to return her feelings…"
She sighed, then exchanged a voiceless agreement with her husband. Kizashi appeared on the verge of tears. The pair bowed and said together, "Please take care of our daughter."
Sakura squeezed Sasuke's arm tighter, and he felt his heart constrict right along with her limbs. "I will," he promised.
Dawn came, and the pair slipped through the gates. Since they only planned a weekend excursion, nobody came to see them off.
After visiting the Haruno residence the previous evening, they went right to bed. The experience had drained them, yet they held hands the whole way home. They weren't ready to articulate what had occured with Sakura's parents, but something far greater had been acknowledged, and event blessed, that night.
They set off. The sky was mostly blue. Splashes of puffy clouds rolled lazily above the trees, propelled by a mild sigh of wind. Sasuke was glad for the cool temperature. He prefered to wear his black travel cloak, and he looked forward to a comfortable journey. The sight of a one-armed traveler was tempting to thieves, and Sasuke didn't want to invite unwanted attention. No, he wanted this to be a peaceful outing. He always felt safer in his cloak.
They ran down the road then dashed into the trees. As the village vanished behind them, Sasuke's heart felt lighter. The glares, rubberneckers, and nervousness remained in the streets. The wild animals never looked up from their hunt to judge his past misdeeds. His lungs delighted in the fresh air, and the tension in his limbs decreased.
Sakura laughed suddenly. Her voice was a gleeful song of celebration.
He looked at the woman running and leaping beside him. Her pink hair undulated behind her like a floral flag. Sasuke decided she never looked happier or more liberated than she was at this moment. Being with him, on the road, was what she'd always wanted, after all. Warmth washed over him.
I love her, he thought to himself, and felt a small explosion in his chest.
They stopped briefly to eat the onigiri they had made the night before. They sat at the trunk of a wide tree. It was a different silence than Sasuke had experienced during his solitary travels. Sakura's soft chewing was a comfort. Her pleased sigh caressed his very soul, and there was the warmth of her body pressed against his left shoulder, their calves just a hair apart. He felt a tingling sensation up and down his spine. It was not as forceful as a chidori, but more exciting than his first experiences with Kakashi's jutsu. Just as Sasuke had reached for more power with each technique, he thirsted for a deeper touch, a higher jolt through his veins.
When they resumed their travels, it was once more by tree branch. Sakura leapt far ahead of him, and Sasuke burst forward with his incredible speed. Sometimes, she'd give him a mischievous smirk and barrel ahead. Sakura looked over her shoulder at such times, delighting in the sight of his eyes upon her back. Sasuke never remained behind for long. At one point, he decided to catch her. He snatched her hand and pulled her to him with his one arm. Her giggle ceased as his hand lowered, urging her hips toward him. He could feel her heart hammering just beneath her soft breasts. No doubt the perceptive medic felt his pulse.
He leaned toward her.
"Sasuke-kun," she said breathily, raising her chin toward his face.
He bypassed her lips and pressed his mouth into her pink locks, right below her ear ear.
"Are you trying to escape?" he teased.
Sakura shivered. Small hands pressed into his back, inviting him closer.
"Never," she hissed into his own ear, her lips just grazing his skin. She pushed her pelvis against his sex, and he knew she was aware of his growing erection.
"Good," Sasuke said huskily. He stepped back from her, his face burning. "Catch me if you can."
With that, he activated his rinnegan. He warped ahead, leaving a forgotten birdnest in his place.
Sasuke burst from the trees onto the path below. He turned to look up and wait. His heart continued to throttle in his chest. As a seasoned shinobi, he caught his breath easily, but managing his cool attitude while feeling like this was a new struggle.
Sakura emerged from the canopy a moment later. Her face was a blend of frustration and glee. Sensing the game over, she walked to him. She playfully punched one of his shoulders, but her cheeks burned from before.
He maintained eye contact, and strove to keep an impassive face, but the corners of his lips rose just slightly. Of course she would notice.
The woman stopped before him. Sakura bit her lip and looked elsewhere. "I caught up to you," she said. "Now what?"
"I let you catch me," Sasuke pointed out, earning an adorable pout. "Now we walk. The bench is somewhere up that hill." He pointed.
They followed the path, curving over a slight incline. Slender fingers slipped through his. He squeezed, grateful for her company.
"I smell the sea," Sakura said.
They soon mounted the hill. The harbor fanned out below them, mirroring the blue and yellow sky. Sunset was imminent.
Sasuke looked down at his companion.
Sakura's hands were on her chest. "Sasuke-kun," she gasped, "This is beautiful."
Taking one of her hands, he lead her to the bench. A simple fence of wooden posts and rope warned where land gave way to air. The only other thing near them was a torch, a small beacon to warn the ships below of the rock wall. Sakura sat on the left, and Sasuke beside her. She stared out, but Sasuke had seen enough of the ocean. Truly, all the beauty he needed was before him. The sea air played with Sakura's pink tresses, and her sparkling eyes rivaled the scintillating scene below.
"So you've surely seen it," she said, not taking her eyes from the harbor.
"Hm?" He glanced in its direction. A large boat moved toward the Naruto Bridge that connected the Land of Waves to the mainland. A smaller boat followed some distance behind. He looked back at her, waiting for clarification.
"You've seen the world with eyes unclouded by hate," she said, then looked to him.
Something sparked in his chest. The wind blew the dark hair from his face, revealing a purple rinnegan and red sharingan. Sakura gasped but didn't turn away. Sasuke's eyes flickered to her pink lips. She noticed this and parted them in silent invitation. Sasuke's tongue darted out to moisten his lips. He leaned toward her. Their mouths touched briefly, softly. They parted, but a fire burst into life. He pushed some of her hair behind an ear, then ran his remaining fingers across her soft cheek as he moved in for a deeper kiss. Their teeth clicked awkwardly, causing them to draw back in brief embarrassment. It was short lived, and Sakura was the first to recover. She placed both her hands on his face and pulled him nearer. Her lips pressed against his again, and this time, her tongue slid tentatively against his.
Sasuke shut his eyes, lost in pleasure. He found himself pushing toward her, yearning for more of what he'd denied himself for too long.
His tongue was about to venture past her lips when there was a deep crash in the harbor. The ninjas pulled apart and jumped from the bench. The larger boat had rammed into one of the bridge's supporting pillars. The structure groaned like a wounded animal. Screams were just audible over the sea air. Two figures jumped from the bow of the boat just before a smaller explosion shattered the vehicle. The smaller boat sped toward the swimmers.
"Come on!" Sakura shouted, already running toward the scene.
"Right!"
The quickest way for the shinobi was straight down, then across the waves. The steep cliff didn't scare the two sennin. They deftly ran down the rocky wall. Sasuke glanced over at Sakura, recalling when they practiced chakra control by walking up and down trees nearby. She had always been better at that. She seemed to be recalling a similar memory. She gave him an approving grin. Sasuke answered her with a smug look as he picked up speed. Her chakra control was greater, but he had always been faster.
They sped over the harbor, water cascading behind them. As they drew near, the pillar submitted to its damage and topped into the harbor. Metal screeched, and people wailed. Sasuke could see blood pooling around victims from the explosion. Meanwhile, the two suspicious swimmers, made contact with the smaller boat and appeared to board. With his sharingan, Sasuke could make out masked individuals.
"Sakura," he called behind him, but he didn't need to continue.
"Be careful," she said, veering elsewhere. "I'll tend to the wounded."
In a flash, his rinnegan propelled him to the boat, right on top of a man. The suspect's mask now floated uneasily in the bloodied waves.
Screaming in shock, the man fell into the boat. The colleague he'd been helping fell back into the water. A woman stood up from beside the driver and attempted to slash at Sasuke with a katana, only to meet resistance from his Kusanagi. The unmasked man recovered from the intrusion and attempted to stab Sasuke with a kunai, but the Uchiha thumped him hard in the stomach with his knee. The man doubled over, toppling into the waves with his companion.
The swimmers struggled to board the boat, causing the vehicle to rock unsteadily. The woman took advantage of Sasuke's distraction and slashed at him again. Metal sang against metal, and it could have been a heated match if it weren't for Sasuke's many skills. His fingers flickered along the hilt of his chokutō, and a shaft of blue electricity pierced the woman's body. She fell, convulsing on the floor. The driver halted the boat now. Seeing his companion as she was, he rose up to lunge at Sasuke, but the Uchiha widened his sharingan and sent the man into a deep sleep.
Sasuke turned to the two in the water. The attempted to paddle away.
"Surrender and I won't electrocute you," he promised.
"Summoning jutsu!" the woman rasped from the boat.
A massive albatros materialized above them. Its black eyes glared down at Sasuke over a stern, yellow beak. The woman pulled herself onto its back, and she urged it to pluck her companions from the boat with its webbed feet. The creature kicked off the boat, causing it to capsize. Sasuke flipped in the air, deftly landing on the waves. He thought of his fight with Naruto in the Valley of the End as he rocked on the undulating surface. This fight was nothing compared to that, but Sasuke's face wrinkled with rage as the summons carried the perpetrators away.
I don't think so.
"Katon!" he shouted, once more weaving the signs with his single hand. A jet of fire singed the lips he had used to kiss Sakura just moments ago. The elemental torpedo hit his target. The albatross shrieked as his feet burned, and he released the injured fuel into the sea. The woman on its back cried in rage and grief, but the bird continued on to its destination.
Snarling, Sasuke bit his thumb, leapt, and directed his blood below him. "Summoning jutsu!"
A huge hawk materialized before he hit the sea.
"Garuda, after that bird!" he ordered.
The albatross was faster, but Sasuke's powerful summons didn't need to capture it. When they were just a few feet apart, the warrior leapt, his lone arm fracturing the air with electricity. A beam burst forward. The albatross jerked abruptly, then vanished back to its origin. The woman, shocked unconscious, fell like a stone. Sasuke landed on the waves before catching the suspect.
Whirring motors approached. Sasuke turned to the incoming police boats.
So much for our dinner reservation.
He found Sakura among the triage on a structurally sound portion of the Naruto Bridge. Upon learning Sasuke's identity as he gave his statement, a Land of Waves police boat escorted him to a ladder before going back out to find the other wounded suspects. Sasuke promised to visit the police department later and assist with interrogations if needed.
Sasuke recalled the letter he received from Naruto before deciding to return to Konoha. Sakura had compared the work he did during the Exploding Humans incident to the work of a Konoha police officer, like his father before him. Sakura's memory and her perception had touched him. Once more, he was out on the road, helping people. Observing Sakura organizing less experienced medics, Sasuke knew she had also found her purpose. His heart fluttered.
The sun had long since set. Streetlights revealed the strained determination on Sakura's face. Sasuke knew her stomach must be crying out as much as his. Still, she repeatedly squatted by victims sprawled out on bed rolls atop the bridge.
"Gauze!" she shouted at a young man in scrubs.
He immediately retrieved a roll and practically bowed as he handed it to her. "Here, ma'am!"
The woman ran a forearm across her eyes before she quickly bandaged a girl's leg with precision and exemplary bedside manner.
Sasuke knelt next to her. "Sakura."
Tell me what to do.
For a moment, she appeared surprised. In the heat of her mission, perhaps she was transported to Konoha's hospital, or a time during the war when he wasn't around. Sakura blinked at him before sighing with relief.
"Most of the worst cases have already been transported to the clinic. Land of Waves is woefully unprepared for situations such as this. If people have serious health issues, they usually come to Konoha. Space is very limited here. Volunteers are working to set up a temporary shelter outside the clinic."
"Okay."
He wasn't sure what he could possibly do, but she had asked. What's more, she didn't glance at the ghost of his limb with worry. She knew he could find something to do.
"That should do it!" the gray-haired man called beside Sasuke. They held some metal pipes steady. A teenage boy finished lashing his section of a tarp to the metallic frame before jumping down.
"We should do more to anchor the foundation, gramps," the teen said.
The older man nodded. "Agreed. Go fetch some of the sandbags from the flood supplies. As long as the weather remains mild, they will be of greater use here."
"Right!" The boy ran off.
Sasuke wiggled the structure to test its stability. It felt secure enough, but maritime weather could be unpredictable. He would not question Tazuna's expertise.
"Inari is following your footsteps," Sasuke remarked quietly. He could see the pride in Tazuna's eyes as he watched his grandson hurry on his errand.
The engineer nodded. "I'm glad for that. I can't keep doing this forever. The Land of Waves needs him." He took a swig of something from a canteen. "He has far more energy than I do for shit like this. To think terrorists would strike our beautiful bridge after all this time."
The makeshift hospital ward was barely finished, and volunteers were already filling it with bedrolls, gurneys, and victims. Some people sat shivering from shock under metalic blankets. Others had bloody wounds that needed further care.
Sasuke wondered how late Sakura would be up.
"Gramps, look who I found!" Inari called. He ran up to them with a single bag of sand under his arm.
A bedraggled Sakura followed him into the large tent. The outfit she wore was soiled with dust and blood. Using her monstrous strength, she pulled a wagon stacked with at least twenty sandbags. Dropping the handle, she blinked at Sasuke. The Uchiha plucked a bottle of water from a nearby table and brought it to her. She took it gratefully before tipping it back and gulping the entire contents. Finished, she released the bottle from her lips and gasped mightily. Heaving a fatigued sigh, she slouched against Sasuke.
"I haven't tended to so many people at once since the war," she murmured.
"Haruno-sama!" an older woman called. She wore a lab coat over her scrubs. She bowed toward the kunoichi. "Anyone can see that you have done enough."
Sakura shook her head. "I haven't." She looked around at the whimpering, moaning victims. "Summoning jutsu!"
Those not occupied with their own pain gaped as a slug nearly as tall as the structure loomed above them.
"Ah, Sakura!" the creature gasped. "It has been so long. What can I do to help you?"
Sakura gave her old friend an apologetic grin. "It is good to see you, Katsuyu. I try not to over rely on you, but I could really use your assistance tonight. There are so many victims, and not enough medical staff to go around!"
"Say no more," the slug said comfortingly. She disintegrated into numerous smaller versions of herself.
"Stay calm!" Sakura called as people shrunk into themselves with disgust. "She is an ally, and will help me heal you more efficiently!" The seal on her forehead altered slightly, and she went into a state of concentration.
They stayed well into the evening, ignoring their body's cries for rest. Sakura never went anywhere without a small supply of soldier pills. Shortly after summoning Katsuyu, she handed one to Sasuke. It tasted sweet - something he neither anticipated nor particularly appreciated - but he had heard from Naruto that her soldier pills had improved since his wedding.
"I heard from Choji she had a cook-off with Ino," Naruto had explained one day as they walked to lunch. He had been bragging about his wife's cooking, but decided to compliment Sakura as well. Sasuke had been amused with how obvious his friend was behaving. "Ever since then, her soldier pills, and her cooking in general, have really turned around! She'd be a good wife, Sa-su-ke!"
Presently, Sasuke overlooked the sweetness, far more appreciative of the practical vitamins and minerals and their impact on his body. He could not heal like Sakura. He lacked her nurturing personality. This was not the time to practice bandaging strangers with one hand. What he could do, however, was offer that one arm to quietly help those who could walk home. Most didn't want to talk, so it wasn't terribly uncomfortable. Most people thanked him, and a few even commented on his clan or reputation.
"I had a friend from the Uchiha clan long ago. She was a dear. Thank you for reminding me of her."
"You're not the jerk everyone claims, huh?"
"Thank you, mister! I really like your eyes."
He chuckled as the child scurried into her parents' arms.
"Thank you," her father said with a bow. "You and your wife have helped our community again."
Sasuke blinked but found himself unable to correct the other family. They wouldn't have cared either way. The parents' attention was back on the child they'd been reunited with.
He walked back to the shelter, his thoughts fuzzy with the misunderstanding. He wondered if Kakashi's reservation had something to do with it. Thinking of his old sensei, Sasuke paused at a bench to scrawl a quick note to him. If the Hokage didn't know about today's incident already, Sasuke would be surprised, but the Uchiha would be remiss not to send some report on the incident.
Terrorist attack in Waves.
Many victims.
Suspects detained.
Need more time to help.
He summoned a smaller hawk this time and directed her straight to Kakashi. His messengers knew specific chakra signatures and could find a select few no matter where they were in the world.
Sasuke turned a corner and nearly ran into a familiar pair.
"There you are!" Inari cheered. The teen reminded him a bit of Naruto. "Gramps and I were just headed to the tent to tell you we're going home."
Tazuna nodded. "Everything seems to be settled for now."
Sasuke grunted hopefully. "I just sent word to Kakashi. I am sure Konoha will support as is needed."
The older man inclined his head. "We are grateful for that."
Inari bowed much lower. When he stood, Sasuke noticed the teenager's blush and his reluctance to make eye contact. "Uh… Sasuke… You're really lucky to be with Sakura. I always admired her. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is… congratulations!" He bowed once more before running off.
This again…? "What was that about?"
Tazuna chuckled. "The poor boy has had a crush on your wife for awhile now."
"My wife, huh?"
The man laughed at Sasuke's expression. "I know you shinobi are a secretive bunch, but the innkeeper's wife has a mouth the size of your Hokage monument. The whole city knows you're staying in the honeymoon suit."
Kakashi! Sasuke clenched his fists but quickly recovered with a sigh. His suspicion had been correct. A honeymoon, huh?
Sasuke struggled to wear an impassive mask, but his mouth quirked with a strange emotion. There was irritation, yes, but also excitement at the implication. He couldn't decide if correcting Tazuna would create a bigger problem than maintaining the illusion. He wondered how Sakura would handle it.
"Well, enjoy your night, Sasuke. By the way, if Sakura asks, my daughter will return her dress sometime tomorrow. She'll have it clean and tidy!"
With a nod, the perplexed shinobi was on his way. His eyes instinctively sought pink hair. Most of the victims had been returned home with bandages and medicine. She stood with a couple others dressed in scrubs. At some point, Sakura had changed into some herself, and her hair was pulled back into a ponytail. Her back was to Sasuke. Light-footed as he was, Sasuke was able to get close enough to hear the end of their conversation.
"We are so lucky that you were in the area!" a younger woman said. "It's been a privilege to work alongside you."
Sakura shook her head humbly. "Truly, I am in awe of this community! Everyone pulled together despite the challenge. You should all be proud."
The third woman chuckled wryly. "I don't know how you do it. You should go find that husband of yours and get some rest."
"My-? Oh, um-"
"Hey, what's it like being married to Sasuke Uchiha?! He's so dark and mysterious," the younger woman swooned.
Sasuke cleared his throat, causing Sakura to spin around with a squeak. "Sasuke-kun!"
"They're right. You should get some rest," he said cooly.
The others giggled behind them as Sakura retrieved her travel bag. She quickly walked out of the tent. Neither spoke at first. Sakura hugged herself. When Sasuke could no longer take her silence, he turned to her.
"Sakura?"
Pulled from her thoughts, the woman blinked nervously. "I'm fine. Just… you heard them. I didn't know what to say. I never felt so tongue-tied! I'm sorry."
"Why are you apologizing? Tazuna thought the same. The innkeeper's wife spread a rumor."
"What!?" Sakura looked scandalized. "Why-?"
Sasuke's cheeks burned, so he pretended to look down an alley. "Apparently Kakashi booked us a honeymoon suite."
She stopped in her tracks. "Oh."
Sasuke halted and glanced at her curiously.
"Did you...correct him?" she asked.
He looked into her eyes and answered softly. "No."
Sakura's tired gaze darted to the ground. "Oh. But… why not?"
He shrugged. "I don't know. We are living together…" It felt like his heart was going to burst from his chest.
Sakura sucked in her breath. She looked at him briefly, then out toward the sea, just barely visible down the street. "What are we, Sasuke?"
He had been wondering that himself. He sighed. "Too tired to discuss this right now," he said. "The inn should be just down here."
The Blue Island Inn was a white building with a cerulean, tiled roof. From the sea, it would surely look like a square, blue island rising out of a cloud. A meticulously cared for garden wound around the structure. The exhausted pair crossed a crooked stream by way of a foot bridge. Just that small threshold gave the impression of entering an entirely different world than the city they'd toiled in the last several hours.
"I feel too dirty to enter," Sakura muttered and clutched her bag closer.
Sasuke's hair and clothing were stiff with sea salt, smoke, dirt, and a bit of blood. He looked forward to a shower. Steam rose from the building, promising a relaxing cleanse in hot springs as well. He pressed Sakura's lower back forward with his hand.
"We'll clean up inside," he assured.
The familiarity of his touch silenced them both as they made their way past protective statues, manicured bushes, and through the door.
"Ah, you must be Mr. and Mrs. Uchiha!" a plump, middle aged woman cried from behind the reception desk. She shuffled out to greet them with a deep bow. "When I realized I had a pair of war heroes in our honeymoon suit, well…" She swooned. "What a romantic outcome for two of the New Sannin! Truly, we are honored to have you here, and extremely grateful for your help!"
Sasuke stared at the well-intentioned woman sleepily as his brain stumbled through possible replies.
The medic bowed in return. "Thank you for having us. I apologize for coming at such a late hour."
"Nonsense!" the woman replied with a wave of her hand. "My husband brought refreshments to the hospital tent earlier. He said you were both hard at work helping so many people!" She regarded Sasuke now. "My brother is on the police force, you know. He said you went after the terrorists yourself! Oh, listen to me babble! You both are exhausted!" She handed Sasuke a key. "Your room is at the very end of the hallway. You have a private hot spring bath, which you will no doubt enjoy. Oh! Before I forget, you had reservations at The Sea Dragon? When they heard why you were delayed, they came here with some takeout. The owner is a good friend of mine, you see. He said to come any time tomorrow, and they'll get you right in!"
"Is it possible to extend our stay for a couple nights?" Sasuke asked. "We will help as much as we can while we are here." He started to remove a wallet from his pants pocket.
"That's not necessary," she said warmly. "The room is open for the next week, so there is no conflict. The village owes you a great boon for all your help. You are very welcome here."
The pair wished the innkeeper's wife a pleasant evening and trudged to their room. Sasuke unlocked the door and stepped back for Sakura to enter.
"Sasuke-kun," she whispered. He followed her and immediately understood her tone. "It's beautiful!"
The garden seemed to have spilled into this large bedroom. Plush, cream-colored blankets and floral pillows graced a large bed. A mural featuring rose buses, a fountain, lilies, and a koi pond flowed across the walls. Even the sliding door leading out to the hot spring was meticulously decorated with sparkling fish. Boxes of delicious smelling food waited for them on a low, round table surrounded by cushions. Beside the bed, there was a bouquet of fragrant roses and a menu with all of the inn's services.
Sakura set her bag on the floor by the door and padded across as if she'd wandered into a fairy realm. Sasuke set his pack beside hers and removed his shoes. He cleared his throat, bringing Sakura back to reality. She scurried back to the door to take off her own footwear.
"Kakashi spent too much," Sakura whispered. "I've never, ever stayed at an inn like this before!"
Sasuke hummed in agreement, but smirked at her. "May as well enjoy ourselves after today."
Sakura giggled. "I so seldom see this side of you. You're usually so… sparatan about such things."
"I suppose. I typically sleep outside or in caves. Sometimes barns. When I was last away, I was rarely lucky enough to gain access to a family's spare room, let alone an inn." He walked over to a lacquered bench by the sliding doors, and retrieved a white, silk robe which he then handed to Sakura. "Do you want to shower first?"
Sakura took him up on the offer, insisting that he start dinner without her. As the shower ran, he picked at a lukewarm box of food. It was flavorful, but it had been such a long day, and he suspected the soldier pills were doing their job. After she was finished, they switched places. Sasuke enjoyed the feeling of sloughing off the grime of shinobi work.
He discovered Sakura sprawled out on the bed, on top of the covers. Her box of food was completely empty, and it looked as if she'd snuck some of Sasuke's portion, too. He would have chuckled at her, but he knew healing so many people depleted her chakra. Furthermore, the silky robe left little to the imagination, so he was grateful he could stifle any easily-misunderstood amusement. He had decided to forego the black robe and wear a more comfortable tshirt and clean pair of boxers. As he approached her, he felt underdressed and vulnerable at the same time. It was a unique sensation.
When she heard him close the bathroom door, Sakura sat up and wrapped her arms over her chest. He looked back to the food containers only to avoid the awkwardness. His heart picked up speed.
"Sorry… I was really hungry," she murmured.
Sasuke strode over to his travel bag with an air of purpose. "You don't need to apologize," he said a little more snappishly than intended.
He thought about taking a walk, about heading to an isolated part of the nearby forest to train and burn off some of his pent up desires. It wouldn't be a good solution, though. He would have left Sakura confused and worried. Sasuke resolved to stop running away.
So, he changed directions and sat on the bed. Sakura studied him, eyebrow raised at his erratic behavior, yet she drew her limbs even closer to her body.
"Do you feel better?" he asked, his voice softer.
She nodded. "Yes. Just sore from so much squatting, bending, and, well, dragging."
He had observed as much. She was always laboring away for the sake of others. He frowned. This was supposed to be a relaxing vacation for his overworked girlfriend. He drew his legs onto the mattress and turned toward her. "Do you… want... a massage?" The words felt and sounded bizzare coming from him.
Sakura's eyes widened. She gripped at her robe. "Um… Okay. If you're sure?"
He hummed in the affirmative, but his lips twisted bashfully. "Roll over. If you want."
"Okay," she whispered. "Let me get under the blankets first." She lifted the quilt and slipped her legs beneath, then settled onto her stomach. Hugging her pillow, she turned to face Sasuke.
He looked down at his sole hand and sighed. "I don't suppose you have any of that oil with you?"
Sakura gave him a tiny smile to encouraged him. "No. You'll be fine. Thank you, Sasuke-kun."
He reached his hand out and tugged at the collar of her robe. He immediately felt clumsy and too rough for this. "Oh...Didn't you say it's easier without a shirt?"
Her shoulders tensed beneath the fabric. "I did... Hold on."
She raised herself off the mattress a bit. Facing away from Sasuke, she undid the front tie of the robe. The fabric shimmied down her shoulders, revealing her soft skin. Hugging herself, Sakura maneuvered back on the pillow. Her cheeks flushed.
Sasuke never took his eyes from her. Feeling their intensity, she chanced a peek, and her brows rose. "Your sharingan."
Clenching his eyes, he forced himself to look away. "Sorry. I…"
"It's biological, isn't it?" the medic wondered aloud recalling previous scenarios.
He shrugged. "I guess... I never got to talk to my family about it, and the Uchiha records I have don't mention… anything like that," he admitted.
"Don't be embarrassed," she soothed, sitting up from the pillow slightly. Her crossed arms covered the hint of cleavage beneath. "It makes sense." Sakura paused and bit her lip before adding, "It makes me happy to know I have that effect on you."
Sasuke cocked his head. "Do I… make your body react?" He felt so hot, he thought his skin might blister.
She giggled girlishly and buried her face in the pillow. Sasuke squinted at her, wondering at her behavior.
What an annoying woman.
"You have no idea!" she gasped out.
He wanted to know more, but the words required for such an invitation were mysterious. Sasuke decided to stick with action and see where it would take him. He leaned forward and touched her with his hand. It was a soft, experimental touch. His fingers just grazed the back of her neck, brushing across threads of pink still moist from her shower. She shivered, and Sasuke could sense her pulse and breathing increase. He felt his own body respond.
"This morning… before everything happened with the boats," Sakura started, her voice soft. "That was my first kiss."
Sasuke looked down at her warmly.
"I mean," she continued, "I did CPR on Naruto once… but that doesn't count. This was...this was really special. Thank you, Sasuke."
Sasuke decided to trace the arch of her neck into her shoulder with his index finger. "I don't count Naruto, either," he chuckled.
Her skin is like that robe...
She scoffed at the distant memory of their academy days. "I wanted to pommel him that day…"
"I doubt you wanted to hit him as much as I did," Sasuke grumbled, slightly perturbed that their knuckleheaded friend came up at a time like this. He reversed directions with his finger. "Let's stop talking about him."
They were quiet for a long time. Sakura shut her eyes, seemingly losing herself in the pleasurable gift from his hand. Sasuke marveled at his ability to comfort her with a limb that had once threatened to kill her. His chest felt terribly heavy with remorse all of a sudden. This beautiful, strong woman had waited for him for so long, putting up with much insult along the way.
"Before today, I hadn't really kissed anyone either," Sasuke confided.
"Really?" Sakura gasped, evidently delighted.
"Really." He smiled, glad to make her happy.
He stroked across her neck and repeated the soft caress on the other side. Sakura sighed dreamily below him. Sasuke wished he had two hands so that he could perform the movement simultaneously. Perhaps he would experiment with a jutsu in the future, but for now, he wanted to make her feel at ease with how intimate their bond was growing.
"Does this feel alright?"
"Wonderful," she swooned.
Encouraged by her satisfaction, Sasuke's hand explored other movements. He gently pinched down her neck the way he had felt Sakura do during past massages. The woman moaned softly, and Sasuke felt an overwhelming boiling sensation in his lower abdomen. He wanted to hear that noise again, so he continued to squeeze across her shoulders.
"Mm. That feels really good, Sasuke," she muffled into the pillow.
Oh gods...
Sasuke shifted in an attempt to conceal his erection. He wished he was also under the blanket. He paused the massage and reached for a pillow to shield himself, but doing so drew Sakura's attention. Since he was only wearing boxers, his state was very obvious. Noticing her wide eyed stare, Sasuke dropped the pillow on his lap and bowed toward her.
"I'm sorry!" he managed. His voice sounded strangled. "I'll stop! I'll sleep on the floor tonight."
"Sasuke," Sakura said in a soothing tone, "It's okay. It's normal! I don't want you to sleep on the floor." She put a hand on one of his knees.
He kept his head low. "I know… But... I'm usually more in control of myself. Lately… with you…" Normally, when he felt his discipline and emotions slipping like this, it was prior to an act of violence.
"It's a good thing," Sakura promised softly. She knelt before him. Her other hand found his other knee. "Like you said earlier, we're living together now. We're closer. We trust each other. This is natural, and wonderful."
She placed a hand on the center of his pillow. The pressure of her touch through the batting returned some of the vitality to his loins. Sasuke looked into her eyes and felt just as much hope and yearning as he saw. His chest thundered, and his veins felt full of magma. Sakura crept closer to him. Sasuke sat up straighter as her warmth drew near.
"May I move this?" she asked. Her manner was demure, yet there was so much confidence in her lithe fingers gripping the fabric.
It's happening, he thought to himself. A memory of that distant night at the gates of Konoha reammurged. He had gingerly placed Sakura on that stone bench. She looked so fragile then. Truly, without any knowledge of her training and battle expertise, anyone could equate her with a delicate doll. He remembered the tug of his heart that moonlit evening. That feeling returned during the war, slight at first, but growing following his bloody defeat in the Valley of the End. The attraction grew stronger with time, just like the woman's own power had increased over the years. That she believed in and wanted him was truly a miracle. A tiny voice in his head had always promised that they would find themselves together like this eventually.
He agreed with a slight dip of his chin. The pillow shifted, and Sasuke suddenly felt very naked, clothed as he was. He watched as Sakura studied him once more, calmly this time. Her green eyes twinkled with admiration. They promised comfort and so much happiness. It seemed more permission than neglect that she no longer clutched her robe shut. Her chest peeked out from its loose confines. It was as if they'd temporarily switched demeanors. She would have seemed so cool and in control of herself if her breasts hadn't triggered blood flow to his eyes once more. His sharingan revealed her rapid pulse. There was a nervousness in her, yet Sasuke knew she was pushing herself to bridge the gap between them.
Sakura shuffled closer, nearly straddling him. She tucked his long bangs behind an ear. Her hand trailed down his scalp and neck. He nuzzled against her hand as she continued to stare into his eyes, now fully revealed.
"Can I kiss you?" she breathed.
To answer, Sasuke mirrored her body language, angling his head and leaning forward to meet her eager lips. A jolt ran through them. Sakura's other hand stroked down his chest, tracing down to his stomach.
"Sasuke-kun?"
He moved his mouth to her neck, just beneath her ear, and kissed her hungrily. "Hm?"
"Can I touch you?" she whispered, her fingers trailing the edge of his boxers. It was as much an invitation as it was a request.
Sasuke grabbed at her behind, drawing her near. "Yes," he answered huskily.
Author's Note:
That sneaky Kakashi knows what he's doing.
I'm sure some of you are screaming at me for ending here. Don't worry. You'll find out what happened at the start of the next chapter, and then there will be more as they work to help the Land of Waves recover.
Since I started this story, I kept thinking about Sasuke returning the favor and giving Sakura a well-deserved massage. I always knew that it would quickly turn into more.
Thanks again for all the support and love. I know some of you are disappointed that "Touch" will be ending soon. Truly, Sasuke and Sakura are on the verge of starting out on their travels together. The theme of this fic has been the power of touch. It's helped to heal Sasuke, and then brings them closer together. I may write a sequel about their travels eventually, but it would have a different theme. The seeds of a story are already planted in my head, but I won't start writing anything until it's had time to germinate some.
Ch 21 is already in the works. I hope to have it up just in time so you can have a delicious Halloween treat. )