Colder Spots
the first of many more to come
The first time they fall asleep together is two years after Sakura's rather sudden arrival.
They are sitting on Tobirama's futon, playing Cat's Cradle out of all things (he's not really sure how he's gotten roped into this. Maybe her very convincing argument of I can't sleep has been what's caused him to cave), with the actual cat curled up comfortably between them and purring.
They haven't really been talking, instead just enjoying each other's quiet company, when suddenly Sakura drops the elaborate weave with a dejected sigh.
I don't know why I've thought of this right now, she whispers when he raises an inquisitive eyebrow. But I think this is what I'm going to miss most when I go back.
He imagines that maybe her voice breaks a little bit at the end. They lapse into silence once more. Sakura is staring glumly at the collapsed cradle that is still wrapped around Tobirama's fingers, and with each passing moment he can see her get more and more worked up about the whole ordeal.
I think I'll miss the smiles, he tells her quietly.
She looks up at him, eyes wide. Then the tears start slipping down her cheeks. Slowly, as if afraid she might frighten him away (a ridiculous notion. He might be scared, yes (a tiny tiny tiny bit), but he'll never run), Sakura shuffles around Cat over to his side and ever so slightly leans into him. Tobirama isn't really sure what to do, but he slides a tentative arm around her anyway. She sniffles.
And then he pulls her onto his lap and weaves his fingers into her hair and she buries her face in the crook of his neck and chokes out heart wrenching broken sobs, fingers clutching at his shirt, and somewhere, deep down, something fragile within Tobirama breaks.
He holds her gathered close against his chest that night as they lie on the futon (she wakes up with a start hours and hours before dawn, a strangled Sasuke slipping past her lips. She's shaking. He watches calmly as she turns around to look at him, and one hand comes up to gently trace the contours of his face. She whispers something, but he in the darkness he can't see her lips move and it is too low for him to catch, before snuggling closer. He tucks her head under his chin and holds her tight until she falls asleep once more, and then a bit longer still.), and despite the fact they wake up in each other's arms the next morning, Tobirama can't shake the impression they have just said the first of many more goodbyes.
He knows she feels it, too.
A/N: I am so looking forward to the next few chapters (only four more to go!). They are all so bitter-sweet and I love them. How'd you guys like this one?
Just one more month to go!
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