A/N: Happy new year, I hope everyone is safe and healthy!
Yes, I was gone for a while... My apologies to anyone who eagerly awaited my update. A LOT has happened in my life, moving off campus, juggling school & work etc. I'm back now, so enjoy! I also want to say that it's HIGHLY unlikely I'll ever abandon Authentiques. I've been writing it for ages now and we've barely gotten into the most exciting moments of the fic; there's so much more I have left to share with you guys. IF YOU ONLY KNEW. So even if it updates take a while, trust that I won't leave you hanging forever.
Special thanks to the lovely angee1011 for her exceptional beta skills, as well as her patience and willingness to work with my disappearing acts. Thanks to her, my chapters are smooth and polished for your enjoyment!
20
Rookies
The trunk of her car shut with a muffled snap.
Turning around, Sakura nearly leapt from her skin at the sight of Sasuke, standing in wait with a hoodie covering his hair. His face stood out proudly in the moonlight, all smooth lines and striking angles.
"Kami!" She leaned back, willing her heart rate under control. "Are you trying to scare me to death?"
Amusement simmered in his eyes.
"What do you want?" She crossed her arms, feeling a strange sense of deja vu. "A ride home?"
"Home." He seemed to ponder the question. "Is that my house or yours?"
Sakura stilled, tongue running across her teeth.
Why was he smirking at her?
"Yours." When her response came a beat too late, his smirk widened.
Sakura's nails dug into her arms. Her own thoughts caught her off guard. Since when had she begun to think of the boys' apartment as home? More importantly, since when had Sasuke realized? Had she been that obvious?
He moved closer and closer, and closer still until the car trunk bit into her spine. When he peeled back his hoodie, the smirk was gone.
"How about some genjutsu training first?" He proposed.
"Wha-?" Sakura's eyebrows raised, her mind coming up short. If she breathed too hard, their chests would touch. His scent was clouding her senses. When had he gotten so close? She was suddenly aware of his warmth, both his arms caging her in from either side. Her head went momentarily blank at the sight of his fingers pressing against the shimmering black of the car.
Sakura stood frozen as Sasuke dipped his chin. When his gaze leveled with hers, red seeped into the black and the tomoe began to spin.
Instinctively, her hands flew up to his shoulders, intending to push him away. Instead, warmth seeped into her skin, taking her by surprise.
Her fingers dug into solid muscle, leaving her breathing stuttered.
A pleasant heat raced through her body in a single breath.
THUMP THUMP THUMP.
Sakura jackknifed, opening her eyes to a world where everything was too bright. Remnants of pleasure skittered across her skin. It took her sleep-addled brain a moment to catch up with the sheets tangled around her legs and the soft bed underneath her.
BAM.
The door flew open, sending a shudder through the glass window. In the doorway stood Sasuke, eyes as wide and as red as they'd been in her dreams.
Sasuke had begun with brief, sharp raps.
There was movement on the other side, but no response. His second series of knocks remained unanswered.
Sakura's chakra seemed agitated, but he sensed no danger. Gritting his teeth, he knocked a third time. At that moment, her chakra spiked out of control, and before he could think twice, he'd ripped through the door, ready for a fight. Had Kabuto broken in? Was he too late?
The picture before him, however, was nowhere near the gruesome scene his mind had conjured.
Sakura sat in his bed, eyes wide, wearing nothing but a thin silken sleeping dress.
His eyes darted around the room before coming to rest on her again. Her hair was a ruffled mess, haloed by the light spilling through his window. Shock held her mouth slightly ajar, twin spots of pink on her cheeks and a light sheen of sweat dotting her upper lip.
"What the hell?!" Her voice was breathy with sleep and deeper than usual.
Sasuke found himself annoyed, realizing he'd charged in for nothing. She'd likely been having a nightmare, but he'd assumed the worst when he felt her disturbed signature.
"Get up. We're getting your gear for the genin exams."
Still Sakura stared mutely at him, as if in a trance. She was fidgeting, the sheets twisting and creasing across her legs. Of their own accord his eyes traveled up her body, coming to rest on two hardened peaks jutting against the fabric of her nightclothes.
Following his line of sight, Sakura's gaze dropped to her person and froze. Slowly, her eyes raised to lock with his, a shade darker than their usual viridian.
Sasuke's grip tightened imperceptibly against the doorframe. A pin drop could be heard in the silence that followed.
"We leave at ten."
Sakura still hadn't moved or responded when he closed the door behind him, heading downstairs and pushing the colour of her eyes to the back of his mind.
"Is she up?" Naruto asked, eyes glued to the TV screen. His fingers flew across the console in his hands.
Sasuke sat down wordlessly, running a hand through his hair. The image of Sakura nestled comfortably in his bed, wrapped in his own sheets, had sent a startling sensation through him. Thoroughly unsettled and irritated, he pushed the thought to the back of his mind for a second time.
"She's up."
Cheek pressed against the window of Sasuke's car, Sakura willed the ground to swallow her whole, struggling to push thoughts of her dreams to the back of her mind. It was all Ino's fault. She wanted to scream.
It was a miracle she could even stand to be in the same vehicle as him. The proximity inspired her to leap through the door, never mind the fact that he was going seventy miles per hour. He'd very clearly seen her in a state that he shouldn't have, not to mention she might have been on the verge of an orgasm just dreaming about him a scant few seconds prior. She hadn't even managed the presence of mind to yell at him for bursting in on her. The only thought gracing Sakura's brain was how much better he looked in real life.
Her stomach churned. Possibly, she would be sick.
Beside her, Naruto was yammering about what colour combination he'd choose for his outfit. She'd long since tuned him out. Kakashi rode in the passenger's seat, as he never drove unless absolutely necessary. She'd been steadfastly ignoring the inky tendrils of Sasuke's hair sticking out from the driver's side, but she felt his presence like an elephant in the room. The entire car smelled like him, for Kami's sake. And to think, she'd just managed to get the smell out of his sheets.
Finally, they arrived at a covert ninja shop, nestled in an alley a few blocks behind the school. Kakashi led them to the small, nondescript shoe stall where an old man with leathery skin and greying hair greeted them, clearly familiar with the jonin. He gestured for them to come around, revealing a trapdoor that led down into a sizable store chock full of ninja gear.
Dust swirling in the air, Sakura descended in a fit of coughing that drew irritated looks from Sasuke, but there were more important things drawing her attention. For the first time all morning, she forgot all about dream-Sasuke and his orgasmic kekkei-genkai.
Kunai, swords and an assortment of knives gleamed behind a long counter. Upon closer inspection, The smell of wax wafted up to greet her. Behind the cash register sat a bored looking woman with icy hair, carefully polishing a set of weaponry. Across the room, another woman eyed the newcomers keenly (though not unkindly) from behind round spectacles. Herbs of all kinds lined the surrounding shelves. A small pot steamed to her left, smelling strongly of mint and something bitter. Naruto was ooh-ing and aah-ing in a very loud manner, but she couldn't blame him. The place was like nothing she'd ever seen before. Lethal looking weapons she'd only seen in the library's ninja books hung high against the ceiling. Racks of soldier pills filled glass cabinets on the wall. She'd have liked to inspect every inch of the place, but they had things to do.
With respectful, silent greetings to the employees, Kakashi led them through a curtained doorway on the opposite end of the room. Emerging on the other side, Sakura found herself crammed into a haphazard space, the sound of a sewing machine humming in the air.
Fabric draped across every surface, from the upmost corner of the walls to the sprawling desk on her far left. Muted colours lay heaped in a tottering pile, random tape measures peeking out here and there. A line of yellow sticky notes clung to the table leg, indistinguishable scribbles covering each one.
"Hatake, is that you?" A voice carried faintly over the hum of the machine. There sat a stern-faced elderly woman, working the foot pedal without pause. Her nimble hands slid the fabric under the needle with ease, even while her eyes darted across the party of four.
"Mume-chan." Kakashi's voice was coy, causing Sakura to raise an eyebrow. Surely, this woman was several years his senior.
"I see you haven't yet died." The woman's lip curled into a smirk. "It's been so long since you've shown your face around here, I was beginning to wonder."
"So what you're saying is, you missed me."
"Don't you get tired of wearing the same outfit ten years in a row?"
"Now, Mume-chan." Kakashi's eye crinkled "It's your fault, producing such superior quality." Naruto appeared ill at the flirtatious tone of his sensei.
The woman rolled her eyes, releasing the foot pedal to slip a needle through the fabric. Sharp grey eyes roved over the group, lingering briefly on Sakura's hair.
"You two, I take it?" She gestured to Sakura and Naruto. "First timers? New gear?"
Sakura had nodded while Naruto launched into a detailed explanation of what he wanted.
"And what about you, dearie?" The woman focused her attention on Sakura, having thrust several pieces into Naruto's arms.
"I uh- anything is fine as long as I can move around freely." The woman nodded, grabbing a few items of pre-made clothing, one black, one dark red and one ice blue. Sakura accepted them with a smile.
"And you, young Uchiha?" Her voice adopted a tone Sakura couldn't pinpoint; she was unsure whether it was good or bad.
Sasuke politely responded that he'd like a new long sleeved shirt.
Mume nodded and gestured vaguely to her right, towards what Sakura had previously assumed to be a part of the wall. Kakashi pulled back a sheet of fabric to reveal a tiny changing room, equipped with a mirror and a small stool.
"Go ahead you two, try them on."
Running her hands down the fabric, the pinkette turned gingerly in the cramped changing space. For the third time, her eyes flitted behind her to the meagre cloth serving as a curtain, meant to preserve her modesty.
Finding it safely in place, she resumed her self-inspection. Black fabric hugged her hips all the way down to her ankles, so light she barely felt it was there. A matching black blouse covered her from wrists to neck, ending just underneath her chin. She felt like a very sexy shadow and hesitated to pull the curtain.
Naruto had insisted they help each other choose their outfits, but Sakura was feeling much more self conscious in this number than she had in the roomy blue pant set she'd tried moments before.
"Come on Sakura, let's see! I bet it looks great!" the blonde encouraged from the other side. She could practically hear him bouncing with excitement.
"I dunno Naruto, it's..." she trailed off, biting her lip. The cloth was of the highest quality, crafted to withstand harsh weather and maintain the average body temperature. Kakashi had explained that such material was not immune, but quite heavily resistant to kunai blades, being infused with a featherlight metal originating from the land of Stone.
With a resolved huff, she inspected her ass one more time before sliding the curtain to one side.
Naruto's mouth hung open comically, his gaze trailing down her form for an unrestrained moment.
"Hey, Uzumaki, eyes up here!" she growled, crossing her arms.
"Wow, Sakura-chan, I mean-" he broke off with a sheepish grin. "You look awesome! Sometimes I forget how hot you are! Like Catwoman, only a sexier ninja ver-"
"What do you guys think?" Sakura's cheeks had gone a bit pink from Naruto's dramatics, and she desperately wanted him to stop talking.
"Naruto's a bit overenthusiastic, but he's right Sakura-chan." Kakashi's eye crinkled in what she took as a comforting expression. "It looks wonderful."
"It's fine." Sasuke gave his two cents without even glancing her way. She deflated a bit at his piss poor input, but that was expected. At least he was acting like his normal self, despite the encounter they'd had earlier.
"I'll try the red, Mume-san." The burgundy fabric was thrust into her outstretched arm, and Sakura reentered the changing room.
When she emerged next, she donned her original outfit. Naruto was scandalized at being left out of the evaluation process, but settled for pouting silently upon receiving a green-eyed glare.
"You'll see during the exams, you big baby." She swatted him playfully on the shoulder.
After paying and thanking the elder, the group waited while Sasuke made a few purchases out front before they left. Carrying her new clothes, Sakura began to feel the weight of the upcoming exams on her shoulders. Kakashi had assured them they'd do fine, but he left everything to the imagination where expectations were concerned, and Sasuke was even worse.
She chewed on her lip the entire ride back while Naruto went on about how cool his bright orange outfit would look when he kicked ass during the practicals. The blonde's chatter faded into the background, Sakura's eyes glued unseeingly to the houses flitting by. It was the shutting of Sasuke's car door that jolted her from her reverie. As her mind returned to the present, she found herself sitting alone in the unmoving vehicle, her empty apartment visible on the other side of the glass.
"Ino, why are you dressed like you're going to a high-society BDSM club?"
"It's a costume party, Sakura; this is what people wear."
Sakura snorted disbelievingly.
"Oh shut up. I look good, and you know it." She did a prissy little turn on the ball of her foot, as dictated by her lacquered six-inch heels. Golden hair was pulled into high pigtails, trailing down her torso over her breasts, which were minimally covered by a patent neon-pink tube-top. A matching skirt hugged her hips and a purple vest dangled from her hand. Glittering iridescent gloss covered her heart-shaped lips, coordinated with silver eyeliner winged so sharp it could kill a man.
On anyone else the outfit would be obnoxious- no, it was obnoxious. But somehow, Ino still made it look gorgeous.
"And what, exactly, are you supposed to be?"
"Zenon, girl of the twenty-first century."
Sakura's brow raised skeptically.
"I'm pretty sure Zenon didn't have her tits hanging out..."
"Yes, Sakura, but it doesn't go." Ino gestured to her ensemble as if Sakura was visually challenged. Suddenly her expression changed, baby blues focusing on a point above Sakura's shoulder. "Oh, hi Sasuke."
Sakura turned to see her housemate at the foot of the stairs, his eyes trailing down Ino's outfit with an expression of muted consternation. He continued his journey to the kitchen with the slightest nod of his head in acknowledgement of Ino's greeting.
As soon as he was out of sight, the blonde's expression soured.
"He hates me."
"Stop it, Ino. He doesn't." Sakura responded, though secretly she felt Sasuke had a noticeable aversion to her best friend. She suspected he was less tolerant of certain aspects of Ino's personality, rather than actually disliking the girl. It was a bit strange- men usually drooled over Ino, or were at least visibly attracted to her. Then again, Sasuke wasn't exactly normal...
"Anyways, it doesn't matter because-" Ino hurriedly approached her, those abominable heels making a racket against the tiles. She latched onto Sakura's arm, speaking in hushed tones as she dragged her towards the staircase. "He doesn't hate you, and he especially won't hate you when you put on the outfit I brought for you to wear-"
"Ino, you know I can't go anywhere after what happened with Kabuto-"
"Nuh-uh." Ino's expression was smug. "This is an NIU party hosted by seniors, which means Anko, Iruka and even Kurenai-sensei will be there. She oversees the publicity department, you know. Besides, they've upped security on campus; there's no way Kabuto will show his face there when he knows everyone is out for his head."
Sakura clung to the banister, her mind scrambling desperately for an excuse. She'd barely glanced at the outfit Ino brought, but she'd glimpsed patent and black. It had to be similar to the blonde's ensemble, which was way out of her comfort zone.
"I have- a lot of work to do- and-" she broke off as the two became locked in a miniature scuffle. Ino was slim but damn if that girl hadn't been training her ass off with Asuma. She'd gotten strong.
"Ino-" Sakura was on the verge of using just a smidge of her chakra-enhanced strength when Sasuke emerged from the kitchen, his eyes locking onto the pair of struggling women in his living room.
Mortified by the sudden attention, Sakura's grip loosened. She went careening up the stairs at the mercy of Ino's grip, tripping over her own feet on the way. The pair made a cacophony as they went, with Ino's heels against the wood and Sakura stumbling on every other step. Her last glimpse of the living room featured Sasuke's deadpan expression, clearly wondering why the hell she'd brought a half naked mad woman into his house.
"Which room is yours- I mean, his?" Ino's grin was sly as she glanced around.
Sakura gave a defeated sigh, gesturing to Sasuke's door. The blonde practically pranced inside, and she watched her with a groan.
When Ino got like this, there was no stopping her. She was along for the ride whether she liked it or not. Wasting no time, Ino nestled into the desk chair, a pleased smirk on her lips. She'd laid the outfit on the bed, a black micro mini number with matching thigh high socks. Sakura eyed the shiny fabric, feeling queasy.
"So this is where you sleep every night, huh?" Ino's eyes had gone narrow with glee. "Fancy bathroom, too. You guys should shower together, to save time-"
Sakura gave a long-suffering sigh, closing the door with a snap before anyone had a chance to overhear them.
"If I get dressed, will you shut up?" she grumbled, skulking into the bathroom to wash her face. It was burning hot at Ino's mention of showering with the Uchiha, and the dream she'd managed to forget by studying ninja theory all day came rushing back with a vengeance. At this point, she was getting out of the house to appease Ino as much as she was to get away from Sasuke.
"Fine, you killjoy," Ino acquiesced, realizing she'd won at least one battle today. "Just hurry it up!"
"Alright! Shots on three, let's go!"
The tequila burned a path down Sakura's throat, curling warm in her gut. Six shot glasses cracked against the tabletop, unsynchronized, as she sucked on the lemon slice in her hand.
Kiba gave her a pat on the back, slightly rougher than usual due to his intoxicated state.
"Alright Sak, you're a champ!" he praised over the thumping bass, canines appearing blue in the neon lights.
Sakura gave a smirk, but in reality the compliment barely registered. To say she was distracted would have been an understatement.
She was desperately trying to look anywhere but across from her, where Sasuke sat next to Naruto, but occasionally she'd messed up and caught herself staring at him. She was lucky he hadn't noticed, but between her hyperawareness of him and the looks Ino kept shooting her from her place in Shikamaru's lap, it was all the pinkette could think about. Alcohol wasn't helping any, either.
Earlier that night after getting dressed, she'd gone downstairs to find Naruto in a ridiculous cowboy outfit that strangely worked on him, next to Sasuke who was jingling his car keys in an irritated manner.
. . .
"Sakura, tell Sasuke he can't come unless he wears a costume!" Naruto pleaded. "I mean, the rest of us look so hot and he's in a T-shirt!"
Steadfastly ignoring the voice in her mind telling her that Sasuke still looked hot anyway, Sakura raised an eyebrow.
"You two are going to the party?" she asked, feeling Ino explode silently with excitement beside her.
"Yeah. I don't get why teme wants to come if he's not gonna dress up, though."
"Someone has to drive your drunk ass home, idiot." Sasuke snapped, turning to head out for the car.
"Aw, you bastard, you're coming for little old me?" Naruto teased, following behind him. "As if! We all know you're coming to keep an eye on Sakura, even though she'll be perfectly safe..."
Ino and Sakura exchanged a glance, the blonde's expression one of unconcealed satisfaction.
"Although," Naruto's voice carried in from the hallway "Who wouldn't wanna keep an eye on her tonight, in that outfit-"
"Naruto!" she yelled, going rigid while Ino's smirk transformed into a shit-eating grin.
"Come on Sakura, it was a compliment!"
. . .
"I'm going for a snack," Sakura mumbled to Hinata, who sat beside her. "Would you like anything?"
In truth, Sakura was only doing her best to remove Sasuke from her line of vision, and if that meant pushing through sweaty, gyrating bodies to get to the kitchen, she'd do just that.
Hinata, who'd previously never attended a party, opted to accompany her. The heiress had sat quietly by Sakura's side all night, and the pinkette worried she wasn't enjoying her experience.
Looping her arm with the brunette's, Sakura maneuvered them carefully through the crowd. In a few seconds, the muted sounds of music and chatter were left behind as the two girls stood alone in the kitchen.
"There's quite a lot of food in here," Sakura observed, surprised no one had taken advantage of the bowls lining the counter, filled with chips and cookies.
Hinata nodded, discarding a stray plastic cup that had been left on the ground before settling gracefully onto a kitchen stool.
"Are you enjoying yourself?" Sakura questioned, helping herself to some potato chips. As far as parties went, this one was fairly tame. No one had gotten outrageously drunk, thanks to the carefully watching eyes of seniors like Anko. There had been guards stationed at the doors of the building and again at the floor's entrance, allowing no unauthorized personnel through.
"It's… interesting." Hinata's normally demure tone was sprinkled with amusement.
"A bit loud," the heiress went on to add, her pale hand disappeared into a jar of cookies as she appeared to ponder her experience. "I suppose I don't dislike it."
Sakura smiled, watching her friend take a delicate bite of Oreo.
"Are you sure that's not because of a certain someone…?" She teased, feeling a bit giddy at the hands of the tequila. Hinata blushed, fighting a smile as she feigned cluelessness.
"I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about, Sakura-chan."
Giggling, Sakura felt a bit like Ino as she pressed her friend.
"He's been looking at you all night, you know."
"He has not!" Hinata's cheeks had gone pink with embarrassment, and Sakura couldn't help herself.
"You should talk to him more, I just know he likes you but Naruto can be a bit daft—"
"Hinata."
Both girls froze as a baritone voice interrupted Sakura's teasing.
In the doorway stood Hyuuga Neji, pearlescent eyes cold as ever as he regarded the two women.
"Onii-san, is everything alright?" Hinata addressed her cousin, the blush fading from her cheeks. Her lips had become pinched with worry. Sakura knew she absolutely didn't want Neji to discover her affection for Naruto, as he was unlikely to approve. However, if the Hyuuga prodigy had failed to notice Hinata's ardor until now, he was an idiot.
Sakura pouted. Why did he have to be such a killjoy?
"I need to discuss something with you." His eyes slid over to Sakura, who returned the stare with defiance.
"Alone."
Hinata turned to Sakura, a hint of worry visible in her eyes.
"Could you please give us a moment, Sakura-chan?"
Though she had no desire to leave, Sakura respected her friend's wishes. Giving Hinata's hand a comforting squeeze, she left the cousins to their private conversation.
Exiting the kitchen, she found herself unwilling to revisit the heart of the party just yet.
Spotting a door on her right that she'd previously failed to notice, Sakura paused at the feeling of a familiar presence just beyond the wood. She opened it to find an unlit stairwell, likely leading up to the roof.
Her heart skittered as she considered what she was about to do, but liquid courage flowed languidly through her veins, and she allowed it to lead her.
The stairs were narrow. A chill nipped her skin, prompting the rise of gooseflesh. Slowing her ascent, she cursed Ino's choice in clothing, especially the heels.
A layer of dust met her fingers as she pushed the door open, finding warm breeze and a blue-black sky peppered with stars.
A familiar silhouette interrupted her view of the sprawling campus, still as a statue save for his hair dancing in the breeze.
"You shouldn't be out here."
With a light huff, Sakura crossed her arms in defiance.
"I only came up because I knew you were here." She countered, wondering briefly if she'd given herself away. That sounded like she'd purposefully sought his company.
Which of course, she had. But he didn't need to know that.
Sasuke made a noncommittal noise, eyes slanting towards her briefly. She hovered by the doorway for a second before moving closer.
"You're lying," he accused tonelessly. "No one saw me leave."
Sakura fixed him with a glare, growing indignant at his assumption.
"I am not lying, you absolute ass—"
Sasuke fixed her with a murderous glare, but she was used to those by now.
"—I sensed your chakra signature!"
Leaves rustled in the wind, the dulled thumping of the base filling the silence that followed. Sakura took great pleasure in the morphing of Sasuke's handsome features from irritation to pure, unadulterated surprise.
"What?"
"I said, I sensed your chakra." Sakura faced front, feeling smug as his gaze bore into the side of her head. "I've been able to for quite some time now."
"Are you certain?" Surprise lingered in Sasuke's tone, but his eyes had gone calculating.
"Yes, I'm sure. Positive."
"And you're just mentioning this."
Sakura gave him a quizzical look.
"Well…I wanted to, ages ago, when it was a distraction during training," she babbled unnecessarily. "But I figured you'd just tell me to suck it up."
The look Sasuke fixed her with grew even more curious by the second.
"Why, is it important?"
"Yes," he answered, finally relinquishing his gaze on her.
Sakura's arms tightened across her chest. She tapped her foot, waiting for him to elaborate. He didn't. With an exasperated sigh, she let her hands fall.
"Why?"
"Signature-specific chakra sensing in such an inexperienced shinobi is rare."
"Oh." Sakura paused, letting his words sink in. "What does it mean?" she pressed on, anxiously.
"Your affinity for genjutsu is higher than I expected."
Sakura's mouth curved into a satisfied smile. Why, that almost sounded like a compliment.
Clasping her hands together behind her back, Sakura rocked lightly back and forth on her heels with contentment, replaying Sasuke's words in her mind. She wasn't sure what she'd liked more, the discovery that she'd developed a specific skill set or the fact that Sasuke had been the one to tell her.
"What did you want?" Sasuke asked suddenly, breaking her train of thought.
"Huh?"
"The reason you came to me."
"Oh…" Sakura scrambled for an excuse "Just— just needed some fresh air..." She trailed off, wondering if it sounded as untruthful to him as it did to her.
"Are you enjoying the party?" She hurriedly changed the subject before he caught on to her lie.
Sasuke leveled her a look that told her all she needed to know.
Sakura laughed.
Of course he wasn't enjoying it. Sasuke didn't seem like much of a party person. Add that to the fact that everyone was dressed in ridiculous costumes and Naruto had been pressuring him to drink all night...
"Still, I'm glad you came. Staying home while everyone else was out on a Saturday would have been boring..." The tequila was making her chatty.
"Peaceful, you mean." His voice surprised her. "With the dobe gone for a few hours."
She turned to him with a smile. Sasuke said these things, but she knew he cared for Naruto a lot more than he let on.
"You two," she mused. "I don't understand how you came to live together in the first place."
Silence stretched between them for a few seconds before he spoke again.
"Naruto and I have been friends since middle school. Our parents knew each other."
Sakura hummed, recalling the fact that the blonde's parents had passed away. Apparently he didn't have any living blood relatives at all. Her heart ached momentarily for him.
"He's lucky to have you," Her eyes shone in the darkness. "He mentioned how your family takes care of him. I can't imagine a world where Naruto isn't smiling. I'm glad he has you around."
Sasuke had turned to watch her speak, considering her words amidst the stillness of the night.
"That idiot would have found a way to be happy no matter what," he replied, the corner of his mouth lifted into a smirk.
Sakura laughed.
"Probably. I've never met anyone like him." She turned her face up to the stars, smiling at the thought of the blonde. "He's one of a kind, isn't he? Even if he eats like a pig sometimes."
"Sometimes?" Sasuke muttered, drawing a giggle from her.
As she watched Sasuke's still form, his hair dancing in the night breeze, a warm feeling rushed through her and Sakura felt happy.
"You're great too, you know," she began before she could think twice.
"Letting me stay in your house, giving up your room... Making sure I'm not out getting myself killed. I'd pegged you for a total asshole before. And the things you can do, Sasuke." Sakura was blabbering now, "I've learned a lot training under you. Your taijutsu is insane, I've never seen anyone move so fast. Your fighting style on a whole is mesmerizing, I don't know how you..." She felt rather than saw Sasuke go stiff beside her.
Uh oh. She was probably getting a little sappy and overenthusiastic.
"My favorite thing," she ventured, attempting to lighten the mood. "Is how you always wash your dishes and refill the water jug. Things Naruto could only dream of doing."
She was rewarded with a soft snort of amusement, his shoulders relaxing. It seemed the guy wasn't big on receiving compliments.
"What about me?" she teased suddenly, acting offended. "Aren't you gonna say anything nice?"
The second the words left her mouth Sakura wanted to backtrack, feeling silly and childish for trying to joke with the Uchiha. She knew he wasn't like Ino, or Naruto or any of her other friends-"
"You're alright, I guess."
Sakura went quiet, shocked that he'd played along. There was an amused tilt of his lips when he glanced back at her, and she felt her stomach do a somersault. She broke eye contact, flushing. She was so flustered she didn't know how to respond, and the silence stretched between them. It was during this moment that she realized she'd been, yet again, talking casually with Sasuke and having a decent time.
The pair stood in silence for a few minutes, lost in their own thoughts. When Sakura checked her watch and saw that it was one am, she remembered Hinata with a jolt.
Sasuke mistook her expression, suggesting it was time they left.
"Hold on, I need to find Hinata, I kind of-" Guilt burned her cheeks "-left her a while ago, and—"
"The Hyuugas left fifteen minutes ago," Sasuke informed her.
"What? How would you know that?" Sakura was disbelieving.
"I saw them walking to Neji's car." He gestured to their view below, looking at her like she was daft.
Sakura grimaced. She'd have to call Hinata with an apology tomorrow.
Sasuke waited until she was through the door first, and they returned downstairs in search of Naruto.
They didn't have to look long.
"There you guys are!" Naruto shouted over the music. Several people had left, but it was still pretty packed. The blonde bounded over to them, looking only a little worse for wear.
"Where'dya go, huh?" He threw an arm around both their shoulders. Sasuke promptly swiped it away with a glare. "I've been looking all over for you Sasuke, why won't you have a drink with me, huh?"
"Naruto, please," Sakura reprimanded. He stank of beer and his voice was way too loud next to her ear.
"I'm driving, dumbass. Do you want to get us all killed?"
"Ooohh. My bad, Teme, I forgot-"
"I could drive you home, Sakura."
There was Kiba approaching, having overheard their conversation.
"Let the Uchiha have his drink so Naruto will shut up-"
"I-it's fine, Kiba." Sakura was suddenly aware of the fact that no one but Ino knew she was living with Naruto and Sasuke. She did not want the entire school finding out.
"Come on, don't worry, I'll take care of you-"
"She said it's fine," a voice interrupted testily from a nearby table. There sat Ino, looking as perfect as she had walking into the party. "God, Kiba give it a rest. You've had about five shots anyways. Shino will probably have to end up taking you home."
Kiba grumbled but said nothing, and Ino winked in Sakura's direction. The pinkette groaned internally, knowing her friend must have seen her re-enter the party with Sasuke. Still, she was grateful Sasuke's many admirers wouldn't be informed of her living arrangements anytime soon.
"See you tomorrow, Sa-ku-raa" Ino sang in a knowing voice, baby blues gleaming meaningfully.
After dragging Naruto home (he hadn't been ready to leave), Sakura indulged in a long, hot shower. Steam clouded the bathroom as she took her time washing the stench of cigarettes from her hair, exfoliating her skin until all traces of alcohol and sweat were gone.
She'd just slipped from her robe into a pair of pyjamas when there was a knock on the door.
"Come." She knew without asking that it was Sasuke. Naruto rarely ever knocked and had likely fallen asleep as soon as he'd gotten back.
"I need to shower," Sasuke said without preamble, disappearing into the bathroom. He hadn't spared her so much as a glance.
Sakura froze on her bed. The shower began running and after a moment's thought, she got up to give him some privacy. Why did it seem like Sasuke was everywhere today? Ordinarily, he used Naruto's shower when she was there, but-
She paused at the top of the staircase, noises of retching reaching her ears.
Oh. That explained it.
"Naruto?" She knocked on the door. "Are you okay in there?"
More heaving, and then a pained groan.
"I'm coming in." She entered slowly, finding the room dark. Light peeked out from the cracked bathroom door. The smell of vomit breached her nose, and she made a face. He'd been more animated than usual, but she hadn't realized how drunk he was.
"Are you alright? Do you need anything?"
More moans issued, followed by a burp and the sound of vomit splashing into the toilet water.
"M'fine-" Naruto managed, breaking off. Sounds of dry heaving echoed against the walls.
Pinching both nostrils, Sakura stepped gingerly towards the light. A quick peek revealed Naruto in a heap on the floor, his head resting against the toilet. Relieved he was neither drowning in his own fluids or suffocating to death around his tongue, Sakura called out:
"I'm gonna get you some water, okay?"
He moaned in acknowledgement, and she hurried downstairs to fill a cup.
When she reentered his room he sat on the carpet by his bed, a hand clutching at his stomach.
That's what he got for guzzling down beer all night!
She couldn't help but pity him though, and after setting the water down, she fetched a warm cloth to help wipe his mouth.
He sipped the liquid gingerly, eyes unfocused, a crease in his forehead.
Sakura was used to taking care of drunk friends- she'd been to her share of parties in high school with Ino. The pair made it a point to shower, wash their hair and complete any necessary skincare routines no matter what. Of course, there were times she'd neglected to do so, but usually she had her shit together.
Once he was done drinking, she helped him out of his jacket and into a clean t-shirt. He managed to get his jeans off on his own, thankfully.
Propped up in bed with his wits about him, he began an endless stream of thanks, interrupted occasionally by wet burps.
Sakura shook her head, a smile on her lips.
"It's no big deal, you drunkard."
"I'm not a-" Burp. "-drunkard! I'm just-" Uuurp. "Had a lil' too much..." he trailed off, head sagging back against the bed frame.
She filled the glass once more and sat with him until he was sound asleep.
Twenty minutes later found Sakura tiptoeing downstairs for her own glass of water. She'd felt sorry for Naruto and cleaned the vomit from his bathroom, knowing he'd probably wake up and step in it the next morning, forgetting everything that had happened.
Sasuke's damp head stuck up from the couch, eyes following her into the kitchen.
"You helped Naruto." It was more of a statement than a question. Sakura nodded, knowing he could see her.
"He doesn't usually get this drunk, but you should have let him clean up his own mess."
Glass in hand, Sakura turned to face her housemate, leaning against the counter.
"I couldn't leave him like that, vomiting all over his bathroom..."
Sasuke looked at her but said nothing.
"Is- is the couch comfortable?" she asked, observing the way he was propped up on top of the comforter with a book in his hand.
"It's fine," came his short answer.
Sakura bit her lip. There was no way Sasuke would ever say otherwise; he was too gracious for that. She didn't know why she'd bothered to ask.
Rinsing her cup, she made to go back upstairs.
"Goodnight," she called quietly, her hand on the banister.
"I left some weapons in your room," Sasuke said before she could take the first step. "Use them during the exams."
Sakura blinked, realizing she'd neglected to buy weapons at the store earlier.
"Okay... thanks." she said awkwardly, still not used to Sasuke going out of his way for her. He didn't respond, and she did her best to walk up slowly even though she was dying to see what awaited her.
On her bed was a black weapon's pouch much like the one she'd seen him use in training, with a leather belt to strap around her waist and a small bag that would hang at her hip.
Inside she found eight shuriken and four kunai, along with medical bandages and a few exploding tags. Everything looked to be in pristine condition, and she felt a bubble of excitement as well as gratitude rise within her. Sasuke could be an ass sometimes, but she couldn't deny that he'd slowly become an excellent teacher. The impatience he'd thrown at her during the beginning had gradually decreased. His methods of training felt like torture sometimes, but hell if they didn't work. She wasn't one to toot her own horn, but Sakura knew she'd be able to hold her own in a spar- granted her opponent wasn't someone like Sasuke or Kakashi.
She flipped the kunai over in her hands, a torrent of emotions and memories rushing through her at the feel of it. The moment she'd seen the weapon buried in her father's chest. The first time she'd held one and felt sick to her bones. Kabuto's hands tearing at her hair, threatening to slit her throat. The now familiar feel and sound of the metal sinking into wood, digging into earth, scraping against a whetstone. The time she'd actually landed a scratch on Sasuke, but had been so shocked and remorseful she'd let her guard down like a fool, losing yet another spar.
There had been so many moments when she'd questioned her choice and felt like giving up. But she'd taken things one day at a time. She'd practically formed a new family with Naruto and Sasuke, with the rest of the rookies in their year group. Even Kakashi had become a comforting, trustworthy presence in her life. She'd pushed herself and grown strong- not nearly at Sasuke's level, but she'd come a far way from the beginning.
The pad of her thumb brushed over an uneven area on the blade's surface, and Sakura frowned. Weren't these things brand new?
Her eyes landed on a thin, finely done imprint of an uchiwa carved into the iron.
It was the Uchiha crest.
A/N:
Please tell me some of you know who Zenon is. Because otherwise I'll feel quite old (unless it wasn't popular in certain countries). If you don't, she's supposed to be a futuristic girl living in space. You can google her outfit, Ino's was meant to be the 'slutty' version. I quite enjoyed writing that scene.
What are your thoughts on Sasuke & Sakura's relationship? Which character do you think I write best/worst and why? Reviews make me happy and help me deliver better as an author!