Fighting for You-
Disclaimer: We do not own Naruto!
Chapter Twenty-Two
For SSM20D7 Clear Skies
The fight had gone as exemplary as Sasuke hoped. That night and the following day, the thrill of it still lingered within his blood, adrenaline unfaded even in light of the drama surrounding Sakura's parents.
Sasuke hadn't questioned Sakura, though deep down he wanted to. He wanted her to be honest with him, to tell him exactly what their reasoning was for their sudden departure. Whether he wanted to believe it or not, Sasuke knew it had everything to do with him. Sakura was such a kind-hearted spirit, not wanting to bother him with it but the lack of discussion only proved to unnerve him more.
While they had some time to themselves with nothing in particular to do, Sasuke wasn't going to let it drag him down. He hoped to keep Sakura's mind off of it as well because even though she smiled so warmly at him, Sasuke could see in her viridian eyes that her thoughts were not entirely with him. He was determined to change that.
Not that he could when he couldn't get her away from Ino. That blond bombshell had stolen her away as soon as the four of them ventured out into the heart of the city to shop. What was worse, that left him with the dobe. Sasuke was in no mood to put up with his loud-mouthed, pain in the ass best friend who seemed to want to do nothing more than taunt him.
"Heard you and Sakura-chan slept together," he said teasingly, eyebrows wiggling and elbow nudging Sasuke in his ribs as he searched through a rack of joggers. His ball cap was meant to help hide his identity, but it wasn't doing much help when it was a very vivid orange and with him sporting it backwards. It honestly only made him stand out more — knowing him, he probably wanted to get caught. Sasuke, though, had opted to wear a black cap and shades too. "Ya know, without sex though."
"Shut up." Sasuke was done with him. He was always done with him. Naruto didn't know when to keep his thoughts to himself and Sasuke never took his annoying tendencies well. "I'm not talking to you."
"But you're talking to me, Teme," Naruto laughed and moved to the other side of the rack to sift through the more colorful joggers. "You should talk to me, ya know. It's what we're friends for."
"No."
"Wha— then what are we friends for?" The blond pouted and Sasuke only gave him a fleeting glance before rolling his eyes.
"So I can kick your ass whenever I want."
It wasn't the truth and Naruto knew it, but the interaction had lightened Sasuke's mood even bringing a small smirk to his lips. He chose a plain black pair of joggers and then walked away to search for something else.
"Oi, wait for me, Teme!" Naruto huffed, trailing behind him after snatching a muted orange pair for himself.
His friend was relentless but Sasuke knew that Naruto meant well and that he always had his best interest in mind. However, his sex life was none of that bastard's business and he would not be talking about it with him. It was a private matter that would be only discussed between him and Sakura and probably not even that. He would mostly think about it; that was safe. Sasuke was a patient man and had no desire to rush Sakura into anything like that. Their relationship in its entirety had been progressing slowly and while he did wish things could be more official between them, he knew it best to just wait it out.
It was a lot to take in for Sakura and he understood that. Sasuke was a public figure with a huge fanbase and a hectic schedule and Sakura also had her parents to think about. When he thought of them giving her an ultimatum, his heart ached. If she had to choose between him and her family, the choice would be obvious. He wouldn't blame her but he could only imagine how she must feel — how he would feel if his own family was putting him in such an uncomfortable position.
He wondered idly if it was just him or if they had always been against anyone Sakura had taken an interest in. Did she even bother before him? Sasuke doubted it. It didn't seem as if Sakura was partial to dating freely or anything of the sort. She was reserved and even timid when it came to him at times. Though there were other occasions when she'd do something to leave him flustered and unsure of what to make of it.
One thing Sasuke knew for certain was that Sakura cared about him. She wanted him to be safe and happy just as he wanted her to be. She wanted to support him wholeheartedly and be by his side as much as she could but how could it last when he couldn't find acceptance amongst her parents no matter how hard he tried to gain their approval.
When he thought about it, Sasuke was sure that he was what most parents would consider a good choice for a potential lover. He was strong-willed, loving, and honest. He had his own home, car, and a career that left him wealthy enough so that his significant other would want or need for nothing. Nobody had ever caught his eyes as Sakura had, but for her… he knew he could love her. He knew he wanted to have her. He wanted her to be the woman he gave his heart to — that had already happened anyway and he wasn't even sure when.
It didn't matter, it was just how things were. Sakura was precious to him and he had no intention of letting her go.
Not unless she told him to.
If it came down to that, it wouldn't be easy for him but he knew he could do it for her sake. Sasuke was still trying to come to terms with everything — trying to put himself in her shoes so that he could understand how she felt. He thought it couldn't have been a good feeling, to be unable to commit to someone because of so many interferences… it wasn't fair.
Still, Sasuke regretted the times he'd grown bitter over it. He regretted snapping at her as if his feelings for her and actions related to them were more genuine than her own. Those outbursts had continued to weigh on his mind even today, only one of the many things that haunted him when it came to his gradually forming bond with Sakura.
Nobody ever said these things were going to be easy and it was his first time involving himself in something so intimate — having feelings so deep for a person who wasn't a member of his family, or his team… or even Naruto. But a girl who had just come out of nowhere one day, looking so bright and pretty, making him breakfast and smiling at him in a way that was so sweet and endearing.
Had he fallen for her way back then?
Sasuke was absentmindedly shopping with Naruto, lost to his wayward thoughts that he kept trying to ignore until they finally ran into the girls. The two were just leaving a shop that smelled of subtle but alluring perfume and had intimate clothing on display. Ino's arms were loaded down with bags which she was quick to pass off to Naruto while Sakura only carried a single one.
"Do you… want me to carry it?" Sasuke asked her, voice mumbled and his skin flushing scarlet from his neck to his ears. He didn't want to think about what could've been in that bag — something that Ino more than likely talked her into getting, but he wanted to offer his help if she needed him.
"No, it's okay." Sakura held the bag behind her, looking just as flustered, if not more. "It's really not that heavy."
"Oh," he felt as if his face had grown even hotter, mind formulating all these thoughts and images that shouldn't have been there. "Okay, sorry."
"Oh my god, it's just lingerie. Get a grip." She rolled her eyes and pulled her boyfriend next to her. "I'm going to do some shopping for Naruto, so you two go have fun." She winked at them. "See ya in two hours!" Ino didn't even wait for their response. Again. She was already walking away with Naruto, snickering about something.
Lingerie. The word was too much confirmation for Sasuke, stealing his breath momentarily and short-circuiting his brain. "Do you… always get things like that?" He found himself asking before he could think better of it. He was only curious, but he regretted the words as soon as they escaped his mouth. It wasn't any of his business, but then again… lingerie went beyond that of normal everyday underwear. At least that's what he thought.
He wanted to know. Was Sakura wearing lingerie all the time… or had she purchased the new lingerie with something on her mind.
Sakura's whole face turned a bright red, quickly shaking her head and flailing her arms. "N-No! Not at all! Pig gets these for me, but I rarely wear them. I mean, I don't mind but—" she held her tongue, stopping herself from giving too much information away. They were in public!
More people began to look their way, and Sakura quickly hid her face from them by turning her back on the street. "Let's go, Sasuke-kun. I think they have more stores over there."
"Okay." Sasuke was still feeling flustered, but he wanted this time along with her and he wanted things to be as comfortable between them as possible. His hand reached for hers, pulling one away from the bag so that they could interlace their fingers. "I want to buy you something… if it's okay."
Her eyes widened, but instantly softened. "Only if you want to. I want to get you something, too." Sakura was used to people picking and buying things for her, anyway. But the gesture from Sasuke seemed a lot sweeter.
"You don't have to do that," Sasuke said with a small smile, finally feeling the heat in his cheeks fade away as they began walking together. "I have been thinking about getting something for you though. Something nice that you will like and get some use out of."
Sakura squeezed his hand and pulled it closer to her and she leaned on him and looked up. Her green eyes sparkled. "But I want to! And you're not going to get out of trying clothes on for me." She giggled. "I love useful gifts."
"As long as it makes you happy, I'll be happy." When it came to him trying on clothes and her appreciating whatever he bought her, he wanted to see her smiling, to make her forget everything else besides him.
The clothing store she chose for them to enter first was elaborate in structure and decoration. There were even modern, shapely furnishings outside of the dressing area. It was a store that looked as if it cost a fortune just to step into. Sasuke wasn't one for shopping — his mother still even completed his grocery shopping for him. He was outside of his element, but Sakura wasn't. He didn't feel out of place though. The two of them kept exchanging subtle smiles and passing glances as they wandered throughout the first floor of the store.
Sakura had a keen eye and was happily choosing different articles of clothing that contrasted his everyday wardrobe. Her excitement had his heart swelling with affection and leaving him eager to please her. In a way, he understood. Sasuke fancied seeing her in all different styles of clothing, ranging from the more comfortable outfits to the stylish ones that made her look like a priceless gem.
To him though, she was always beautiful.
Whether she had on leggings and a long, fitted t-shirt with her hair in a messy bun, or a pretty dress that accentuated her curves, revealing her slim shoulders and creamy legs and her hair being styled cutely, he adored her. She was always perfect to him.
Sasuke was always training or working for the most part so most of the time he was dressed in suitable clothing. That consisted of his branded shorts and t-shirts, joggers, and things of the like. Sakura was picking out more dressy shirts for him, button-downs, and collared shirts where the sleeves looked tight enough for him to rip them if he flexed.
"Ooh!" She squealed and quickly walked over to a light pink collared shirt. There was a pair of white shorts on the rack underneath, and a dress of the same color and collar as the shirt next to it. Sakura looked back at him, he could practically see stars in them. "Sasuke-kun, we can match!"
Was that a thing couples did? Sasuke thought he remembered Ino and Naruto matching on occasion but he'd figured that was something those two dorks were into. Seeing Sakura get so excited about it made him feel much more open to the idea.
"I like that," he told her, lips tugging apart to show his teeth in a smile. He'd never worn something so bright before in his life but he'd come to love the color pink ever since Sakura had come into his life so he wasn't opposed to it.
She quickly leafed through the shorts to find his size and then draped it over her arm. When it came to the shirts and dresses, she encountered a problem. Even on her tiptoes, she couldn't reach the hanger. Her form went still for a moment before she looked at him shyly. "Could you…"
"Hn." Sasuke held back a chuckle as he grabbed the one she was pointing to and handed it over to her.
"Thank you." She beamed. Her arm was full of clothes, both for her and him. "I think we can try these on for the first round."
The way she said that made Sasuke think that it was going to be more intense than one of his fights but he was always up for a challenge. The outfit was different for sure, but he didn't dislike it. The pale pink contrasted nicely against his ebony hair while still complimenting his alabaster skin. The white shorts went well with the shirt too. Before he stepped out for her to examine him, Sasuke removed his shades and his hat, leaving them in the dressing room along with his clothes.
Sakura was sitting on one of the flat, round chairs outside of the dressing room, waiting patiently on him.
A wide smile grew on her lips as she stood and walked over to him. Sakura was usually more reserved and subtle whenever she checked him out, but she was doing so unabashedly, even walking around him to get a better look. "It looks like I got your size right," she mumbled to herself. "How do you feel? Is it comfy?"
"Yeah," he assured her, nodding his head as he lifted his arms. "The sleeves are a little tight but I guess that's how they're made."
"Hmm." Her fingers lightly brushed against his biceps, and then slipped two fingers under the sleeve before sliding it around. "They are kind of tight." She then flicked her gaze at him and teased, "but that's probably because the average person doesn't have your muscle size."
"Hn. I'm just average." He wasn't bulky or anything, but his muscles were definitely in the way of the sleeves. "I think they'll stretch after some wear…"
She nodded and then handed him another shirt. "I'll get you that outfit. You try this on while I try this one." She lifted her dress and got into the dressing room next to his.
Sasuke went to do as he was told, removing the first outfit and changing back into his own grey joggers and the shirt she'd given him. It was more on the casual side, a lavender short-sleeved Tee made of the softest material. It was almost silky, cool and so comfortable Sasuke didn't want to take it off — the kind of material that you just wanted to rub your hands over continuously.
When he stepped out, he waited for Sakura to join him. It was another moment before she did, changed into the matching pale pink, polo dress. It was almost the same exact color as her hair, the sleeves loose on her slim arms and the hem of it coming to her mid-thigh. She looked adorable, smoothing the dress down while her eyes were on her feet as she explained how great it would look with a pair of plain white tennis shoes.
"You look beautiful," he told her, obsidian eyes marveling at how adorable she was.
A light blush dusted her cheeks. "Thank you. You look good in that shirt."
After shopping for clothes, the two ventured into many more stores. Sometimes they bought things, sometimes they didn't. Sasuke was particularly fond of the stores that had a variety amongst their selections. Including clothes, shoes, jewelry, and colognes. Sakura agreed to let him carry everything except for the bag containing whatever secret lingerie she had purchased but he refused to let his mind wander back to that anyway.
While she was busy questioning an associate on if they had a certain pair of tennis shoes in her size, Sasuke wandered over to the jewelry counter and was greeted by a peppy young lady with bright red lips and a fancy updo. She was wearing a pencil skirt and tight blazer, looking every bit a professional. Sasuke appreciated that she was — and that she didn't know, or at least didn't recognize him as he spoke with her.
He was able to be quick and sneaky enough to purchase Sakura something without her knowing.
An hour had passed by in a blur, lunchtime soon among them. Sasuke hated that his diet was already underway, but he was disciplined and wouldn't break it for anything.
Unless Sakura made museli… then he couldn't exactly refuse it.
They eventually decided on dining at a contemporary-casual restaurant that offered outside seating. The tables were small and round, perfect for a couple, each having large umbrellas overhead to shield the patrons from the sun. Sasuke was still in his shades and his cap, the two of them seated across from each other. Sakura was studying the menu and Sasuke was studying her. One upside of the shades was that his eyes were hidden, leaving her oblivious to the fact that he was watching her — that it was the cute furrow of her brow as she concentrated on the menu that made him smile.
Sasuke couldn't resist taking a photo of her just like that. She was almost too cute for him to bear. He posted the picture on his private Ninstagram, making sure to post a few more photos that he'd taken with Ino and with Naruto too, to save them from receiving any backlash — or at least most of it. She was too good not to be on his feed and he'd already said all he had to say to his fans and Kakashi could kiss his ass.
Sometimes he deserved to be free and do as he pleased and he could not stress that fact enough.
Of course, since he tagged her account, Sakura's phone pinged with the notification. It drew her attention away from the menu while Sasuke finally turned his own eyes to his. He's had a high protein breakfast with no carbs and for lunch he would be avoiding the carbs once again. There was a beef-tip stir fry with veggies that caught his eyes and he decided on it before closing his menu just as Sakura squeaked.
She must've seen the post. Sasuke smiled smugly to himself and leaned back casually in his seat, eyes rising to admire her puffed out, pink cheeks, and those bright viridian as they raised to his face.
"Sasuke-kun!" She showed him the screen. "I wasn't ready!"
"Really, I thought you were posing." Sasuke couldn't help but laugh, especially when the air deflated from her cheeks only to puff back up again.
Sakura opened her mouth to say more but was interrupted by the return of their server who delivered their waters and remained just long enough to take their orders. Soon he was gone and Sasuke had nowhere to run.
She wouldn't back down. Her cheeks were still puffed, and her brows furrowed together, still waiting for an explanation. Or perhaps an apology. "I'll get back at you," she said as she stuck her nose up in the air.
"Aw, don't pout," he grinned. When she got like this she was even more adorable than she normally was. "You look cute, there are at least a hundred comments already that agree with me."
That seemed to placate her a bit, watering her pout down. "Can we take one where we're both prepared?"
"Whatever you want." Sasuke was more than happy to take as many pictures as she wanted and if he felt like posting them, he would. But only if she didn't mind. Only sneaking one here and there was okay.
"Right now." She smiled and pointed her camera at him. She snapped a photo, taking a look, and then giggled. "Right back at you."
"Hey!" He scoffed, mouth agape for a moment as he worked to collect himself from his shock. "I wasn't ready for real!"
"No but I said I would get back at you." Sakura stuck her tongue out and pressed a few buttons with her thumbs before putting the phone down. In no less than five seconds, Sasuke's phone pinged.
As he took a sip of his water, Sasuke checked the notification. His face almost made him laugh because he looked nothing like she had in the picture he'd taken. While she looked cute, he looked absolutely ridiculous. But it was the caption that caught his attention the most and had his eyes flying back up to her face almost instantly.
'Dating a celebrity is hard.'
"Dating?" She said they were dating. "...Dating?"
Her cheeks flushed and smiled shyly. "Well… isn't that what we're doing right now?"
"You didn't say 'on a date'... you said dating." He didn't want his heart to be pounding in his chest for no reason. His hopes were up. "Are you saying… we're officially dating?"
"I would want to be…" Although her voice was soft, she looked hopefully at him. "Do you?"
Sasuke thought he had been clear on where he stood with his hopes in regards to their relationship, but now that it was out in the open, that Sakura was finally openly admitting that she wanted to move forward, to actually put a status on them… it was all he wanted. He was happy to state his wants for her again.
"Yes. I have wanted that for a long time now."
Her teeth sank into her lower lip, biting back a smile. "I've been wanting it, too."
"Then we should go for it," he said with a small smile, straightening himself before leaning forward to rest his left arm on the table, his right hand reaching across to lay over hers. "I'll be happy to be your boyfriend."
She no longer held her smile back. Her cheeks were rosy, and emerald eyes bright with happiness. "I'm happy to be yours, Sasuke-kun."
It had been so unexpected and Sasuke found that he'd been worried for nothing. Maybe it was only his mind that had been plagued since her parents' departure and Sakura was fine. Everything was fine. This beautiful day, so full of clear skies and bright sunshine had suddenly become so much more. A precious day that he would never forget.
The day Sakura finally admitted that she wanted to move forward with him.
A/N:
Happy SasuSaku Month everyone! We used day seven's prompt for this chapter! We hope you guys are staying safe and having fun for the event. Thanks for reading and all the wonderful reviews last time. We're glad to be back and aiming to be more consistent with updates again.
Kairi & Tyy