Chapter Twenty-eight- Closer than Before
"Thank you again for helping us to catch that criminal." The client of the mission repeated for about the tenth time.
"Really, it was nothing." Kakashi responded once again. "All in a ninja's work."
The client bowed his head. "We will be sure to call on you again if we need your services."
"Alright then," Kakashi replied, waving a hand as he backed away with Team Seven behind him. "See you all again…maybe."
"Good bye." The client called as Team Seven retreated from the village.
"Is it just me, or do I feel like…overly loved?" Naruto commented as they left the village.
"He was just very thankful." Kakashi stated. "Very…very thankful."
"Well, we did catch a guy who's been causing a lot of troubles for people." Sakura interjected. "I guess they were just really happy to see him go."
"Yeah…." Naruto sighed.
Sasuke stared at Sakura as she conversed with Naruto and Kakashi. The events of last night were still vividly clear in his mind. He could feel his mouth tingle slightly every time he thought of the kisses he and Sakura shared.
He tore his gaze away from the kunoichi towards the road ahead of them. Ever since their mission night, they hadn't spoken much, or at least they hadn't said anything about their interaction. After saying their good nights both had fallen asleep very quickly, giving them no chance to talk in private. The morning wasn't any different. By the time Sakura had woken up, Kakashi had already been up as well, giving them no alone time to speak as they ate breakfast and waited for Naruto to wake up.
Now they were headed back to the Leaf Village. Surely they'd have time to talk during their trek home; if the same thing as a couple nights ago happened and they got to sleep in the same tent again, at least. He silently prayed that they would, as any other time they'd be with Naruto and Kakashi, giving them no chance for the whole day either.
Internally, Sasuke groaned, the day was going to be a very, very long one.
'"'"'"'"
Eventually, and a painstakingly long time later for Sasuke, night fell, and Team Seven came to a stop in a forest to rest for the night. The squad sat nestled together around a fire as they ate their dinner.
"Well," Kakashi declared, "I guess tomorrow we'll be getting home with the good news of a mission successfully completed for Lady Hokage."
Naruto nodded his head vigorously. "Yeah! And what a mission it was for Team Seven all together again! Eh, Teme? Sakura?"
Sasuke kept his face down, looking at his food. Sakura's cheeks flared slightly, knowing Naruto was probably hinting about her and Sasuke's "proximities," which had actually been them kissing, when Sasuke had come to pick her up by the edge of the rose garden, but she nodded her head. "It was good."
"Just good?" Naruto inquired, leaning towards the fire to gaze at Sakura and Sasuke on the other side. "I thought it was pretty interesting."
Sakura's cheeks darkened a shade, and she averted her gaze to her own food as Sasuke stood up.
"I'm going to bed." He announced.
Naruto looked despondent to see half of his quarry leaving. "So soon?"
"It's been a long day." Sasuke replied, not turning back as he headed for and entered the tent he and Sakura shared.
Sakura looked over her shoulder as Sasuke disappeared inside the tent, and then turned back to her food.
"He didn't even say good night." Naruto commented. "How rude."
Twenty minutes of idle chatter and eating later, Sakura stood to start heading to bed as well.
She waved a hand at Naruto and Kakashi. "Good night. I'm heading in."
Naruto and Kakashi both raised an arm. "Good night."
"Have fun." Naruto added in.
Sakura rolled her eyes as she turned away, though she couldn't stop the blush that reached her cheeks. She continued towards her tent, and leaned down to push the flap aside.
Upon entering, the first thing Sakura noticed was Sasuke sitting on his sleeping bag.
Sakura sighed as she fully came in and zipped the tent closed. "I figured you wouldn't be asleep."
Sasuke said nothing as Sakura moved over to her own sleeping bag and, like Sasuke, sat down on it. A silence fell on the tent.
Finally, Sasuke cleared his throat, and spoke without looking at Sakura. "So…about what happened at the party and…by the garden."
Sakura felt herself blush as she remembered the incidents Sasuke spoke of. "Yeah, don't think we can just leave it hanging at that…."
Another brief silence fell over the tent as they both thought of something to say next.
"Well," Sakura began, causing Sasuke to look over at her, "I think the only thing we can do…is clarify for the other how we feel."
Sasuke gazed at the kunoichi, seeming to contemplate it for a moment. The two made eye contact and kept it as Sasuke spoke. "Well, I'll confirm one thing for you…I like you…more than a friend."
Even though Sakura had dreamed of him saying those words to her many times before, and she anticipated hearing them after the party, hearing Sasuke actually say it brought a bright blush to her face.
"And," Sakura responded, also not dropping eye contact, "you should already know how I feel about you."
Sasuke said nothing, but he nodded his head.
Sakura's fingers played with her sleeping bag. "So…we like each other. Does this mean we're…um…a couple now?"
Sasuke's eyes softened as he gazed at Sakura, and without even really thinking about it, he moved forward, shrinking the gap between him and Sakura to just a few inches.
Sakura stared up at Sasuke as he moved closer to her. When he stopped a few inches short, Sakura took the initiative to come forward to close that distance between them. Their knees touched, and then they moved past that so they fit between each other.
Neither one of them said anything, like speaking would break the spell they seemed to be weaving as they kept their eye contact and came closer together. Sasuke's hand came up and cupped one of Sakura's cheeks. Sakura's eyes closed halfway as she brought one of her hands up over the one Sasuke had on her cheek. Then, without much more hesitation, Sasuke pulled Sakura's face up closer to his, and he in turn leaned down to make their lips meet.
The kiss was tender, very similar to the one they shared in the ballroom. The same feelings from before overwhelmed the two as Sasuke's hand roamed back from Sakura's cheek to lock in her hair. Sakura's hands came up and grasped onto Sasuke's shirt, which she used to pull herself closer and onto his lap as the kiss became fiercer.
Behind Sasuke's closed eyes, he could see the ballroom. He remembered how stunning he found Sakura in her dress, and how he felt dancing with her. Then she began to talk about what they meant to each other, and his heart leapt as he figured out that she felt the same way about him.
Back then when she had pulled herself up to kiss him, he expected her to keep moving, so when she stopped, he found it was probably up to him to close that last little gap between them, which seemed to be exactly what Sakura wanted him to do. He also saw the rose garden and Sakura illuminated in the moonlight as he leaned forward to kiss her again without even having really thought about it at that time.
In his mind he also saw other things. Like their fight back when Sakura and Naruto tried to bring him back. Truthfully, he didn't think he could have really gone through with what he had threatened before about killing her. He'd certainly never be able to do it now.
He also thought of their recent mission to the Land of Waves. He remembered how hard he had fought when Sakura's life was on the line. It seemed, he thought, he may have already been developing feelings for her. He also recalled how the two had interacted when they were alone with each other; on the roof of Asano's house, or on watch when they were heading back home.
Then, he recalled the time they spent together while he recovered in the hospital. It had been really nice to eat lunch with Sakura. Then, he left with Madara…and she nearly lost her life trying to get him back. His feelings may have been too jumbled, he thought, for that incident to have made him realize how he felt for Sakura, but it did seem to spark the subconscious side of him that did. After that Taka had come, Karin tried to kill Sakura, and that's when he understood how he felt. All these series of events seemed so perfectly set up just so that he could realize that he had romantic feelings for Sakura.
It would appear that even before he came back home, heck, maybe even before he left the Leaf Village when he was thirteen, that he had been slowly falling for her. Now she was his, and he wasn't going to let anyone or anything come in the way of that. Just thinking of Sakura being with anyone else made him frown momentarily, but then quickly returned to kissing her. That was another thing, he thought briefly, he enjoyed the feelings he got when he kissed her. Something about it felt so thrilling, and it also felt so right. It nearly drove him crazy to have to distance himself from her for the day as they traveled.
"She loves me." He thought, a small memory returning to his mind of that night she had confessed so. "And I think…I probably love her back. It just took me longer than her to realize it. She's great…wonderful. No matter what she's been there for me, even through all I've done. She loves me for me…and even if we both have our issues, we've learned to get past them and accept each other. I guess…that's probably what it means to be in love."
At the same time, similar thoughts went through Sakura's mind. Her mind also replayed the events that occurred ever since Sasuke came back from her perspective. Her conversation with Ino where she revealed her love for Sasuke also came to her mind.
She thought back to her days as a little fangirl, where she had first started to think she had a crush on Sasuke. Back then it was probably like all the other girls, an infatuation with the hottest guy in class. Then she was assigned to his team and got to know the real him, which is what she slowly started to really fall in love with. Her fantasies of the two of them being together fizzled out after he had left, and even now that she realized she still loved him, she still hadn't had any sort of fantasies about them besides the occasional daydream.
Now though, all her old fantasies were a reality as she held onto Sasuke and kissed him over and over. It almost fit one of her old time scenarios as well, where he'd sweep her off her feet in a ball while they danced together. The ball was over now, she got to dance with him, and in a literal way he even swept her off her feet when he carried her back home because of her bleeding feet.
Suddenly, the two fell back and Sakura's head hit her bag hard, jarring her out of her thoughts. She gasped into the kiss, and this caused Sasuke to pull away with a surprised expression. He hovered over her now, confused.
"Are you okay?" Sasuke asked, seeing her head laying on her bag.
Sakura detached one of her arms from Sasuke and rubbed the back of her head. "Well, it hurt, and it interrupted us, but I'm okay."
Sasuke gazed down at her, a light smirk on his face. Then he sighed and carefully dropped himself next to her. Sakura turned her head to look at him, perplexed. Sasuke then reached behind him and pulled his unzipped sleeping bag over them.
Sakura blushed as Sasuke repositioned himself and shoved her backpack away. "Um," she stammered, "don't you think Naruto or someone will say something if we…"
Sasuke rolled his eyes at the thought of what Naruto would say. "It's not like we haven't before. We've all traveled and slept in the same area countless times. We'll just be closer than we usually are."
Sakura said nothing, unable to argue, nor wanting to argue, with his logic. Sakura shifted so she was laying on her side. "Okay."
Sasuke smirked at her again as he finished pulling the blanket over them, and then he draped an arm over Sakura's side. Sakura smiled at him as she placed one of her own arms over him, snuggling closer to his body.
Sasuke moved his arm for a moment to cup Sakura's cheek and make her look up at him. He quickly closed the distance and gave her a sweet kiss which she responded to before he pulled away and repositioned his arm. "Good night."
Sakura stared at him softly with a smile still stuck to her face. She then brought her head back down to fit it under Sasuke's chin. "Good night."
Then, with Sakura curled up against him, Sasuke fell asleep with the traces of a smile on his face.
'"'"'"'"
"No. Way."
"I'm telling you the truth."
"No way!"
"It's true!"
"Oh my god! This is huge!"
Sakura blushed. "Well, I don't think it's huge."
Ino scoffed. "Puh-lease! You know how many girls are gonna be out for your blood once they figure out that you are dating Sasuke Uchiha?"
"Well, I mean, we haven't gone on a date yet." Sakura commented.
Ino rolled her eyes. "Fine. You know how many girls are gonna be out for your blood once they figure out that you are Sasuke Uchiha's girlfriend?"
"Well—"
"Don't you start trying to make logical statements!" Ino snapped. "You are Sasuke Uchiha's girlfriend! Sasuke Uchiha is your boyfriend! You two are a thing! You both confirmed it and made-out in a tent with your teammates in the tent right next to you! You slept with him for God's sake!"
"We were just sleeping together closer than normal. In a way, we've already slept together." Ino opened her mouth to make a harsh retort. "And what I was going to say earlier was I don't think many girls will live much longer if they really were out for my blood. I kinda have a reputation."
Ino let out a deep sigh. "You never make things easy, do you?"
"For you…no. I am your medical teacher. I am supposed to make you think about things."
"Hey! I've been going out on my own for a while! I don't need your tutelage anymore! I am a graduate!" Ino suddenly looked serious. "But back on track. You and Sasuke are together! When's your first date?"
"Uh," Sakura stammered, then averted her eyes to the ground, "I don't know…we kinda just got back and I haven't seen him since he walked me home earlier. And we didn't make any plans."
"Then why don't you go find him and ask?"
"I don't want to seem pushy! No one likes an abusive girlfriend."
"It's not abusive, it's suggestions that are occasionally violent."
Ino and Sakura shared in a round of laughter on the service counter in Yamanaka Flowers. When Ino recomposed herself, she spoke again.
"But really, when do you think you guys will be going on a date? You know I'd be happy to double with Kiba to go with you guys. I'm anxious to see the new couple in action."
Sakura blushed. "I don't know, okay? Like I said, we just got home. We're kind of trying to settle back in. When he's ready I guess he'll take me out to dinner or something."
Ino huffed. "That's so boring. Dinner. That's it. That's not a date that's a little get-together. He's gotta take you on a romantic walk! Kiss you in the moonlight! Yeah, sure, eat dinner, but get some more out of your romantic night together!"
"Ino, you've been reading too many romance novels again."
"In comparison to you."
"In comparison to a lot of girls, actually."
"Oh, whatever."
"Are we interrupting anything?"
Sakura and Ino both perked up at the voice. They gazed towards the entrance of the flower shop to see Tenten and Hinata standing there.
Ino waved them in enthusiastically. "No! No! Come in! Actually," Ino turned to grin at Sakura, "we've got some big news to tell you guys."
Tenten straightened up at this, and she gestured for Hinata to follow her. The two came forward and took a couple seats at the countertop. "What's up?" Tenten inquired.
Ino made a gesture for Sakura to speak. Sakura blushed and looked down at her lap, fiddling with the hem of her shirt till she looked up with a bashful smile on her face. "Me and Sasuke are together."
Tenten was silent for a moment, her mouth slightly agape. Hinata looked surprised. Tenten shook herself out of her stupor. "You and Sasuke? Together? Like…going out? Boyfriend and girlfriend? An item?"
Ino shook her head vigorously. "And they already made-out in a tent, followed by sleeping together!"
Tenten's mouth dropped open as she whipped her gaze towards Sakura, who shot a small glare Ino's way before she turned to meet Tenten's gaze. "Well, I guess we were kinda in the moment…but yeah, we have." She admitted.
Tenten still appeared dumbfounded. All of a sudden, Hinata spoke up. "C-congratulations, Sakura. I-I'm glad for you two."
Sakura's flushed appearance faded as she smiled at Hinata. "Thanks."
Tenten leaned forward. "So…spill the details! How'd it happen?"
"Uh…well," Sakura began as the three girls around her leaned closer with interest. "Well, we were on a mission up north, and it required the two of us be partnered up. Um…it was a ball…party…. We were trying to track someone down. We, well, we went in, we danced, we talked, and then…we started kissing. We got the mission done, eh…kissed again, and the next night when we went into our tent…we started talking, we admitted how we felt…and…yeah."
Ino blinked. "That's it?"
Tenten stared. "That cannot be it!"
Sakura shrugged her shoulders. "That's about it in a nutshell. I mean, beforehand I was kinda starting to get a…vibe that he was interested. So, after watching a little while longer…I kinda took a stab at it…and I was right."
Ino scoffed. "And yet you won't ask him out?"
Tenten gawked at Sakura. "You won't ask him out? You make the move to get you two together and you can't even ask him for a date? What is wrong with you?"
"What is wrong with you?" Sakura retorted. "Why do people think I have to make all the moves just because he hasn't yet?"
"That is called guts!" Ino declared
"That is called pushy!" Sakura responded.
"And that is called being in denial." Tenten announced.
"What?" Sakura and Ino stated simultaneously.
Tenten shrugged, and then focused on Sakura. "Why won't you ask him out?"
"Why won't you get off my back?" Sakura snapped. "I'll ask him if I feel it's right. I'll let him do what he wants to do. Cut me some slack or prove me wrong by asking out Neji!"
Tenten immediately recoiled back with a blush on her face. "Neji has nothing to do with this!"
"Ha!" Sakura laughed mockingly. "See? You have no reason to rag on me about Sasuke!"
"What about me?"
All four girls whipped their heads towards the entrance. Sasuke stood in the doorway with a slightly perplexed expression on his face.
"S-Sasuke!" Sakura declared, a light blush of embarrassment for being heard reaching her face.
"Your man is here!" Ino announced.
"Thank you Captain Obvious." Tenten breathed as Sakura stood up and began to walk towards Sasuke.
"What're you doing here?" Sakura asked as she reached Sasuke.
"Hn," he responded, only casting a half glance towards the other three girls in the shop before he swooped down and pecked Sakura on the mouth. She had about a second to react, and as he pulled away she blushed harder. In the back Ino and Tenten "ooh"ed at them. "I'm here to take you home." He answered as he slipped his hand into hers and began to tug her away. "You can talk to the girls later."
"Uh," Sakura stammered as Sasuke pulled her away from the flower shop. She waved an arm at the girls. "I guess I'll see you guys later!" She called as she disappeared down the road.
The three girls sat there, slightly surprised.
"Well," Ino chirped, "I can see why she won't make the move. Looks like Sasuke's got enough boldness for the both of them!"
"What do you think they're going to go do?" Tenten asked.
"Oh, who knows knowing Sasuke. Maybe he'll take her out and we can finally say they're dating."
"I thought they were."
"Not by Sakura's twisted bit of logic."
Tenten sighed. "She's so inexperienced."
Ino sighed dramatically. "I know. She's learning though. So," Ino turned her gaze towards Hinata, "let's move on to you. When are you gonna get the boldness to take Naruto as your man?"
Hinata immediately began to blush like mad as Tenten giggled.
"In the life of a kunoichi…no female is safe."
'"'"'"'"
"Uh, so where are we going?" Sakura asked as she fell into step with Sasuke just a few meters off from the flower shop.
Sasuke looked down at Sakura with a smirk. "I'm taking you home."
Sakura blinked. "Home? But why?" She gazed up at the sky. "It must only be about 3. There's still plenty of daylight to kill."
"I know." Sasuke responded. "But I want to give you as much time as you need."
Sakura stared at Sasuke, confused. "Why? For what?"
"Don't you get it?" Sasuke inquired, an amused smirk on his face. "I'm taking you on a date."
Ta-dah! Well, this obviously brings us into our next chapter-length part. SasuSaku date chapter! Awww. Heheh…I finished this chapter before I even really started chapter 27. I dunno why. I am just not feeling the "running through the mansion" action. It'll come eventually. I mean, I have the whole thing planned out. (And actually, this chapter isn't really finished yet. I haven't written the very beginning. I just had the tent scene in my head, so I wrote it and finished the chapter. Just gotta write the beginning!) Then I have to write all of chapter 27 or you people will never get this chapter. (Or at least not understand what happened.) Anyway, enough of my babbling. Everything's obviously finished now and my rantings are a part of the past. Till the next fluffy chapter peoples!
