The moonlight shone onto Sasuke's skin, illuminating his sharp features. Sakura felt her breath caught in her throat, as his presence left her confounded. Sakura's vivid eyes widened, as Sasuke stood only an arms-length away from her.
He was home.
"I was able to cut the mission short." The dark-haired man said, daunting a regal navy yukata.
"Glad you could make it, Sasuke!" Naruto exclaimed with a giant grin on his face. The blonde placed a rough arm around Sasuke's neck. "And you even had enough time to change," The blonde teased.
"Mm." Sasuke lowly replied, unbothered by the close contact. All he could seem to concentrate on was the small figure standing before him.
Brilliant emeralds stared at her favorite pair of onyx-colored eyes. It had been exactly two weeks since they had last seen each other. And every time he returned, she felt whole. Because regardless of how long he was gone, seeing him was her bliss, every time.
Naruto playfully slapped a hand on Sasuke's back, "Hinata and I are gonna try to grab a good spot to see the fireworks, we'll catch up with you two later." Naruto smirked at his two friends, and excused himself back into the bustling crowd.
A shy smile found itself on Sakura's blushful face, as Sasuke stepped closer in her vicinity.
"Welcome home." She said softly, her eyes unable to leave his.
"I'm home." He assured her.
Sasuke noticed the familiar brooch on her hair. Carefully, he reached out to the side of her face, and adjusted the already perfectly positioned hair-clip.
"It was crooked." He lied, as he only wanted an excuse to touch her.
Hand in hand, the two trailed towards the awaiting firework spectacle. But much to his disliking, it seemed near impossible to even find a decent place to stand. Sasuke huffed, as his eyes skimmed the busy fairgrounds.
"It seems as if the entire town is here." Sakura remarked, as her smaller stature didn't allow her to see much. Sasuke looked at the woman beside him, and then out toward the vacant hills.
Suddenly, he remembered of the specific area which they once shared. His eyes constantly searched for that familiar, desolated location.
And once his skillful eyes had finally located it, he gently tugged Sakura's hand. She quickly clasped it with her own hand, and followed his eager steps off the pavement and onto the grassy hills. Once Sakura resized where he was taking her, she smiled slyly to herself.
"Ah, here again." She said lowly.
Sasuke turned to her and smiled, "Yeah."
It wasn't just an elevated patch of a grass, but instead, a place where an unexpected kiss was once shared.
The bashful woman carefully sat on the grassy terrain, making herself as comfortable as possible. Sasuke quickly followed suit, sitting closely beside her.
"How was your mission, Sasuke-kun?" Sakura asked, curious about his closed assignment, and how he managed to cut it short.
"Repetitive." He replied.
"Ah, so nothing new?"
"Definitely not," Sasuke added. "The village is in such a tranquil state, it's almost terrifying."
His candid statement couldn't help but make her chuckle. She knew his words rang true, as peace continued to be held within the five great nations. Hospital visitations consisted of airborne sicknesses and routine procedures, rather than grave injuries gained from war. It was truly phenomenal, at how the times had truly changed.
"Now that the Anbu isn't as overloaded, our scheduled missions will probably be cut shorter. I should be home more often now." He announced.
Since the start of their relationship, their schedules have remained conflicted with one another. Sakura, managing the children's ward, worked countless hours throughout the day, as she had the rule of her entire floor. While Sasuke, sworn to Anbu, held lengthy missions that could take up to months at given times. It wasn't ideal, but it was their reality that they've dealt with.
Yet despite their conflicting schedules, they still made it work.
With that unexpected announcement, Sakura gently smiled, and placed her head on Sasuke's shoulder. "Well, I can't wait to spend more time together."
Feeling the warmth of her head against his, he smiled, as he compared the distance they shared on the same night ten months ago.
"Have you been here all day?" Sasuke asked, as he knew Sakura enjoyed the day-long festivities.
"Ah, no, I just got here not that long ago." She admitted, fidgeting with her fingers.
"Why? Wasn't it your day off?"
"Well, yes, but I assumed you weren't coming." She spoke lowly. "So, I didn't really want to come."
Sasuke frowned, as he heard her dismal words.
"I'm sorry I couldn't come sooner."
"Sasuke-kun, you don't have to apolgize," Sakura responded. "You carry a very important role in the village, you never have to apologize for that."
Although her words rang true, he still felt a deep pang of guilt. Regardless of his absences, he wouldn't want Sakura to miss the villages festivities, as he knew just how much she enjoyed them.
"I would want you to come regardless." Sasuke stated.
"It's just not the same." Sakura replied lowly, her hands unable to stay still.
Sasuke found her sensitivity charming, as he laid eyes once again on the woman before him. His eyes skimmed the perfectly-placed, yet very unfamiliar, white kimono that Sakura had worn.
"Is that a new kimono?" Sasuke inquired, as he had never seen Sakura wear the frilly kimono before. It was surely white, with small blush-colored flowers around the edges.
"Ah, yeah, I just bought it today. Do you like it?" Sakura asked, her cheeks quickly flushed.
Sasuke knew white kimonos were a sign of innocence, luck and purity. They were usually worn by priestess in shrines, and of course, new brides.
"You look beautiful."
Taken aback by his comment, the now bashful woman felt her skin grow hot. The peak of her cheeks turned the lightest shade of pink, as Sasuke wasn't one to compliment so freely.
"Did you put your wish on the bamboo tree?" He asked, breaking her timidness.
"Mm. Did you put one?" Sakura asked, already expecting a firm no as his answer.
"I did."
Shocked by his unexpected statement, Sakura's eyes widened.
Since they were kids, Sasuke had never been one to participate in free will with such activities. Even though Tanabata was a festival to enjoy for any age, Sasuke had never been fond of any whimsical traditions, or ancient folklore. And yet, here he was.
"What did you wish for?" Sasuke asked.
"Well, this year I wished for more than usual." Sakura admitted with a nervous smile.
"Let's hear it." Sasuke said.
"Good health for my parents," She said as she began to count each wish on her fingers, "A safe delivery for Hinata, an extended era of peace-"
As he predicted, she was still so selfless even after all these years. Everything she did, she did for others.
Sakura cleared her throat slightly, as she now held up the final finger, "And for Sasuke-kun's happiness."
The last wish she spoke of, did a number on the dark-haired man.
Throughout the hasty and strenuous years, Sasuke's happiness had been unbalanced to say the least. Since birth, pressure was only awaiting and arising. It seemed as if the older he got the more burdens he would deal with involving the head family. He knew without a doubt, that his sole clan was to blame, as the intensity of responsibilities seemed to have no end. Perhaps his clan was to blame for his somewhat cold demeanor, and for the ways he felt impassive with others.
And yet, throughout those handful of years, there was always a beacon of light in his dark tunnel. And that light was in the shape of a capable woman with blush-colored hair.
Since their youth, he knew Sakura had always meant a great deal to him. There was no other girl that tended after him like she did. And as they grew older, he accepted their mutual friendship. It wasn't just being teammates, it was having someone to lean on, someone to confine in- it was knowing you were not alone.
In times of peril, and in times of prosperity, she was there.
If only she knew, that her final wish had reached its sucsession many times over, because of her. But yet..
"You didn't wish anything for yourself?" He asked.
"Ah, I'll be fine this year." Sakura replied with a genuine smile.
She was still so selfless, he thought. Never had she put anyone before herself. Year after year, she continued to prove at just how much of a self-effacing woman she was. She spent countless hours over her scheduled time, healing and relieving the pain of others. And that was only one quality of many that Sasuke had always treasured.
"The fireworks are about to start, Sasuke-kun!" Sakura exclaimed in excitement, as she clutched her hands. His eyes caught the bright expression on her face from the corner of his eye. Her beaming face was lightened in excitement, as she awaited eagerly.
Nothing can be more beautiful in this world, he thought, than this woman sitting aside him.
Following the first noisily explosive, the darkness in the sky was quickly filled with luminous colors. An aerial spectacular steadily filled what seemed like the brim of the heavens. Various colors, bright and radiant, spontaneously painted a vibrant picture.
"Sasuke-kun." She softly spoke in the midst of the
captivating spectacle. Her hands reached out to his, and pulled it close to her cheek.
"I'm so happy you're here."
Truthfully, he didn't know what he did to deserve this. He didn't know what past life he led, or what god he pleased, in order to have met such a woman. Such a crass-like man m, with such a selective liking, and with such a cold reputation, shouldn't deserve such kind-natured woman by his side. And yet he knew, she was the only one he could see himself with, until the end of his days.
If only there was a way that he can extend this moment, or capture it for the better.
"Sakura," He began, "You can make your last wish come true right now." Sasuke said.
"How?" Sakura asked, genuinely interested at his words. "How can I fulfill Sasuke-kun's happiness?"
As soon as she finished her sentence, her eyes widened with anticipation, as Sasuke grabbed her hands, and gently helped her up. From there, he took out a small box in his yukata's pocket. Gently, With two hands, he opened the small wooden box, and what came next, ignited her heart to embers.
The silver-banded ring hosted a glistening, ruby-red diamond in its center. The stunning gem changed it's own hues, as its mirror-like surface reflected the colors of the fireworks overhead.
There couldn't be anything more perfect.
"Marry me, Sakura."
Seven years prior
It was well past sun down, as team seven had just completed yet another lengthy mission. It took five days of intense training and new skill to fulfill the mission scroll they were given. Tired, they trekked their way back to the village's large gates. But before they could step any further, Kakashi halted his steps, and turned around to his three students.
"Alright, children," Kakashi teased, as he stared at his pack of chunin students. All three students had a rather dull look on their faces.
"Since you behaved so well on this mission, I have a surprise for you."
"Is it ramen?" Naruto asked, as he held his stomach, even though he had just ate about an hour ago.
"No, Naruto." Kakashi flatly said, followed by a defeated sigh.
"A new sensei?" Sasuke asked, his arms crossed.
"Ah, be nice, Sasuke." Kakashi reminded the youngest Uchiha.
"Then can we leave now?" Sakura asked in a pleading tone. All she wanted was a long shower to wipe off all the grime and dirt that stuck with them the past five days.
"Ah, no. I wanted to see you all have fun together, so I decided we'd have enough time to check out the Tanabata festival." Kakashi said, smirking under his infamous mask.
Suddenly forgetting all the unfavorable feelings she was currently feeling, Sakura shrieked, her eyes beaming wide with stars.
"Kakashi-sensei!" She exclaimed, clasping her hands together. "I forgot it was today!"
Quickly, she grabbed the hands of the somber Uchiha and the unexpected blonde, and made a run for the festival grounds.
"Ah, wait for me." Kakashi spoke a little too late.
Tanabata came in full colors and crowds. Festival games and rich street food were lined across the entire fairgrounds. Along the way, Naruto and Kakashi lost themselves in the stalls of various ramen, leaving Sasuke and Sakura alone. Sakura, nervous beyond belief, walked carefully behind Sasuke.
"What do you want to do first?" His question took her by surprise.
Timid, Sakura looked around the spacious area, as the options seemed endless. And without words, she walked towards the thing that caught her attention the most. Sasuke turned his head, seeing Sakura walk towards a rather colorful tree.
"What's that again?" Sasuke asked. The paper-filled tree was filled with strips of colorful paper, making it seem like a cluster of notes.
"It's a wishing tree, Sasuke-kun." Sakura said, as a noticeable blush appeared on her cheeks.
"A wishing tree?" Sasuke asked.
"Mm. You put your wish on the paper, and tie it to the tree. You make a wish, and the gods listen." Sakura explained, as she held up an empty piece of paper.
"Seems childish." Sasuke muttered. Sasuke Uchiha was born into a noble clan, where participating in such festivities was frowned upon. Their clan was based on traditional customs, something that a colorful wish was much removed from.
Sakura took a piece of paper and a pen, and quickly jolted her writing. Sasuke, with curious eyes, tried to see what she had wrote.
"Give me one." He muttered, as he stood closer next to Sakura.
With a warm smile, Sakura reached for another strip of paper, and handed it to the participating Uchiha. Just as quickly, Sasuke wrote down his own wish.
The tree seemed almost as if there was no more space to add anymore wishes, but Sakura found an empty spot near one of its lower branches. She kneeled down, and carefully tied her wish around the wishing tree with a red piece of string.
"You could've just asked me to tie it higher." Sasuke said, as he stood on his toes to tie his wish around the upper branches.
"Ah, It's fine." Sakura said.
"It looks like the fireworks are about to start." He mentioned, as he saw the crowd of people disperse from their standing. "Do you want to see them?"
"Mm." Sakura said, as she tightly secured her wish. Still kneeled low, she turned her head, still with the same smile. "I'd love to see them."
He wasn't sure why, but in that precise moment, he felt his heart full, and his skin rise in warmth. Not only was she undoubtedly beautiful, but she alway remained so warm-hearted towards him, regardless how he treated her. She was kind, gentle, and always willing to put herself on the line for for him. Although unrelenting with others, Sakura had never shown such character at Sasuke.
No matter how much he tried to repress any feelings he felt for her, they always surfaced back. And truthfully, he preferred it that way.
He wouldn't mind doing this every year, as long as it was with her.
Sasuke reached out his hand, offering her his strength. Happily, she took it.
"What did you write?" She asked.
"To get stronger," He replied firmly. "What did you write?" He asked, as curiosity lingered around him.
"Ah, it's a secret." She said, a blush settled upon her cheeks. A gentle smile found her lips, as she noticed that his hand never left hers.
It was the same wish she wrote for the past six years, and the same wish she swore to write down every coming year.
I wish for Sasuke-kun's happiness.
The vibrant fireworks continued to dance throughout the black of the night sky. Crowds cheered and applauded, as the bright illuminations kept them mesmerized.
When the final firework burst, Tanabata had officially come to a close
"Wasn't that beautiful Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked. Still enthralled, Hinata squeezed Naruto's arms, "Do you think Sakura-chan was able to see the fireworks after all?"
Naruto looked up, and then back at the hill, where he saw his two friends tenderly embrace one another.
Just as he thought, clearly, something great had happened.
"I'm sure."