AN: Sorry about the long break in between chapters. I decided to read through this story for some inspo and did a lot of brainstorming for the remaining chapters. I stayed up late to make sure I got a chapter out for this week since I'm going to be gone for several days for my little sister's bachelorette party and wedding. And I really didn't want to make you wait any longer! I know that can be frustrating when you get into a story that's not completed. In the meantime, you guys have left me the sweetest reviews! I know I've said it before, but it really makes me so happy how many of you have been keeping up with this story. I seriously can't get over when you take time out of your day to let me know your thoughts. It just blows me away when people tell me they've binged this story because I know I've felt that way about stories in the past. And I'm glad you've enjoyed Sasuke's POV and I've been able to do it justice so far. Thank you so much and I hope you enjoy!
I do not own Naruto
Chapter Nineteen
Sakura woke up during the early rays of dawn to something tickling her cheek. Groggily, she blinked her eyes open and swept away the pink hair shadowing her face. In response to her movements, she felt a twitch against her hip that brought Sakura back to her senses.
Her small hands were nestled against Sasuke's chest as they lay on her bed, his arm firmly around her waist as if he was afraid to let her go and their legs were tangled together. She felt her face heat at the sheer intimacy of their closeness, able to feel every rise and fall of his chest against her hands. Sakura smiled as a feeling of pure bliss swept over her and she buried her face into his strong chest to feel his heart pound against her cheek.
Sasuke... He's here with me... He's...
Sakura had once dreamed of what it would be like to have Sasuke hold her like this. At another point in her life, she didn't dare to dream of this, because such fleeting fantasies were incredibly painful when he was so far away from her. But now, here he was holding her close in a way that claimed her as his.
She sighed in contempt, nuzzling his chest with her cheek again. Any daydream she had ever had could never compare to this feeling. Sakura gently pried herself away slightly to gaze up at his handsome face with features that looked like they were carved out of stone. Her eyes wandered over every detail from his strong jaw to his long lashes to the way his raven locks grazed his face. Her green eyes slowly shifted down to his lips that she knew were so soft, it should be a sin.
"It's always been you. I love you, Sakura."
Her heart pounded heavily against her chest, thinking back to the way his lips had formed words she'd always wanted to hear. Words she knew were hard for him to say, considering his past. She closed her eyes, her ears able to hear every syllable and the cadence of his voice as if he was speaking those words to her right now.
All this time, Sasuke has loved me?
Sakura thought back to the memories he had shown her last night. That was how he saw her all this time? She played back every moment the night before, wanting to etch it into her heart and brain until it left a clear permanent mark on her soul. Sakura touched her forehead with light fingertips, recalling every time Sasuke had tapped his fingers there and the true meaning behind the action. She was sure there was some kind of deep past significance that he would tell her one day. The first time he had tapped her forehead before leaving on his redemption journey, she sensed that the seemingly small gesture was something important and even slightly intimate. But she never would have thought back then that he...
Her fingers brushed against her cheek, imagining how Sasuke had lovingly wiped her tears away and then moved to run his fingers through her hair. Finally, she brushed the pad of her thumb against her bottom lip to recall the sweetness of their first kiss. Sasuke had been so gentle with her at first like he had been afraid to break her. His lips perfectly molded against hers and moments later, he embraced her more passionately. It's like Sakura could feel him holding back the fire that burned for more more more...
"Good dream?"
Sakura's eyes fluttered back open slowly as if she were drunk and her cheeks reddened at being caught reminiscing a private moment. He was watching her closely and Sakura looked away, too embarrassed to handle his gaze.
"You... you could say that." Sakura could feel even more warmth rise to her face. This was all so new and too good to be true.
After a painful moment of silence, Sakura's green eyes flickered up to meet his mismatched stare. She flinched when she saw the strange look that he was giving her. He was watching her so closely and she shifted, fully aware that his eyes caught every small detail. Sasuke's hand twitched against her small movement, but he didn't remove his hand. He continued to hold her body against him and Sakura felt every sense melt away.
I wonder what he's thinking right now, Sakura wondered, desperately caught under his burning eyes as her stomach tightened in anticipation.
Finally, Sasuke asked, "Are you hungry?"
Sakura blinked, not expecting that. Confused, she answered, "Um, y-yeah. A little, sure."
Sasuke nodded and his fingers tightened against the fabric on her waist, actions betraying his words. "I guess we should get up then."
"I guess," Sakura answered, trying not to let the disappointment show in her voice.
Sasuke lingered a moment longer and he seemed to be contemplating something. His eyes flickered down and Sakura held her breath. When his eyes shifted back to hers, there seemed to be a silent question there and Sakura closed her eyes as she saw him begin to lean in.
"Ow!" Sakura exclaimed as Sasuke pinched her nose.
Her eyes flew open as she rubbed the bridge of her nose and saw that Sasuke was already standing from the bed.
"Well?" he asked, looking back at her nonchalantly. "What are you waiting for?"
Sakura sat up in her bed, legs tucked beneath her. She could have sworn he was going to kiss her. Sakura's lips almost ached from the absence of his and she proceeded to pout as she puffed her cheeks out in annoyance. Sasuke's lip twitched upwards slightly at her reaction and Sakura's jaw dropped when she saw Sasuke smirking down at her.
Sasuke was teasing her.
"Hey!" she exclaimed, crossing her arms. Sasuke's smirk grew and he huffed out a laugh at her overreaction.
"What?" he asked with mock innocence. "I thought you wanted breakfast?" And with that, he turned and left the room.
Sakura stared after him, dumbfounded. After a moment, her eyes softened and she giggled into her hand at his playfulness.
He seems happy, Sakura thought, smiling to herself. Could it really be because of me? It all seemed like fantasy and Sakura had never felt happier or more at peace.
Sasuke and Sakura's relationship was a blossoming romance, exciting and fresh, yet somehow familiar and comfortable. His mother's vase sat on her coffee table, filled with colorful flowers, and his family photo rested on the mantle place along with a picture of Team 7. Despite being fragile new lovers, there was an unspoken agreement and Sasuke quickly moved in to claim Sakura's apartment as his own. They slept side by side, night after night, sharing quiet kisses in the dark with passionate breaths that mingled together.
Sasuke's hand would roam over her clothes, past her shoulder, down her waist, and trail his fingers along her thigh. Sakura would shiver, longing for more, but they never breached past that point. She didn't want to push him, didn't want to scare him away, no matter how much her body ached to feel skin against skin.
Day after day for two weeks, they lived a life of domesticity that included cooking, cleaning, laundry, and reading together. During the daylight hours, their kisses were short, sweet, and few and far in between. It was like they were shyly tiptoeing around each other until the night enveloped them and pulled out their passion. With the darkness drowning Sakura's room, their room now, Sasuke would grow brave and run his lips across her forehead when he thought she was sleeping. His fingers would draw lazy circles against her thigh and Sakura would remain perfectly still, afraid he would stop if he discovered her awake.
And Sasuke, she was quickly realizing, loved to tease her more often than not. It was a playful side to him that she loved, even if it could be frustrating at times. As Sakura watched Sasuke reading at the coffee table, she decided it might be time for a little payback. As she passed him, Sakura crouched and planted a kiss on his neck, and her breath softly glided over his ear. In response to her bold move, Sasuke jumped, knocking his book to the floor and banging his knee against the table, causing the vase to rattle. Sakura quickly stood and stuttered out an apology as she looked down at him with wide eyes.
Sasuke looked away from her and muttered, "It's okay."
She blinked down at him in wonder, noticing in surprise that his ears and neck were tomato red. Sakura scurried away and giggled to herself, proud that she could elicit such an exciting reaction.
Now, as the days dragged on and Sakura prepared to return to work since her body had fully healed, she began to question what it all meant. Although the pair flowed into a natural rhythm, there was never a formal discussion on what their relationship was.
Does this mean I'm his girlfriend?
When the thought formed into her mind, Sakura felt a blush rise to her cheeks. She quickly shook her head and silently chastised herself for slipping back into her childhood lovesick days. Even still, her heart pounded heavily, unable to get the title out of her head. She sat a kettle of water on the stove to boil with shaking hands.
"You okay?" Sasuke asked and she glanced back to see his head turned, studying her from where he sat on the couch.
"I-I'm fine," she said, her stutter betraying her answer.
Sakura couldn't breach this topic. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears at the mere thought of asking him such a thing. A worry gnawed at her stomach, wondering if he thought of her in that way. They shared many things and were basically living together, but would Sasuke think of that title as too much?
She decided not to chance it and didn't ask.
Sasuke had been doing so well since he returned to the village and grown more and more affectionate with her. She didn't want to ruin that by being too needy.
Sakura sighed as she collected their mugs and teabags. She knew they would never be the kind of couple who would hold hands or act loving in public. Somehow, that made it more special in her heart and she found that she was okay with that. It was like their love was there's only and made their stolen kisses feel more sacred.
But she wanted to be his girlfriend. She wanted him to claim her that way. Was that asking for too much?
The first kiss that Sasuke shared with Sakura unlocked something that was suppressed inside of him. It was like he was seeing Sakura for the first time, in a whole new light. He'd long known that Sakura was beautiful, with pastel pink locks and shimmering green eyes, it was impossible not to notice. But now, he was aware of her every movement, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant. Every time her body shifted; his eyes moved with it. Sasuke now knew every visible inch of her.
He felt wrong for wanting her so deeply this way. When his thoughts would begin to wander, he'd bring himself back, but the dull ache of his body reminded him of his heart's deepest desire. Still, Sasuke reigned his senses in, worried of pushing her too quickly. But he craved more of the feeling of her lips against his and her soft skin against his fingertips. During the night, his fingers would twitch against her waist, thoughts running wildly through his head with imaginings of sliding his hand against her bare stomach or the inside of her thigh.
This is too much, too fast, Sasuke silently cursed himself.
He was feeling overwhelmed with the feeling of want and that scared him a little. He never dreamed he could want someone this much. That first kiss had opened the floodgates and his heart was now exposed and able to be broken.
Sometimes when he closed his eyes, he couldn't will away the image of her broken body beneath him. His ears filled with the tune of a thousand birds and his heart squeezed with all the pain he'd inflicted upon her throughout the years. But Sasuke had promised himself that he would be a better man when Naruto had beat the sense back into him. Sasuke knew now that he had precious bonds that he couldn't break, even when he thought he had wanted to. He had a strong bond with Sakura that he didn't want to tarnish so he made a promise to himself that he would be gentle with her.
And then there were times when he couldn't help but tease her for his amusement. Sasuke found it unbearably cute how excited Sakura would become or when she would puff her cheeks out in annoyance. It's like they were playing a game of cat and mouse, unsure of when the other would pull away or kiss them so sweetly that it left the other weak in the knees.
During one particular instance, Sasuke approached Sakura as she was cooking supper. He stood behind her in the tiny kitchen and gently leaned his body against hers as he reached for a mug that was placed in the cabinet overhead. Sakura stiffened as his chest pressed against her back. As quickly as his body made contact with hers, he had the mug in hand and was pulling away. The air felt much cooler now with the absence of her body heat.
Sasuke glanced back at her and smirked at the way her hands fumbled over the cooking food and she dropped a wooden spoon. He had to get her back, after all, Sasuke knew she was testing his patience. It was like she would find the tiniest shorts in existence to wear in front of him.
She had to be doing that on purpose, right?
He poured himself a drink and eyed her long, toned legs. He could see as much of her legs now as when he'd spotted her in a towel the first night he spent in this apartment. The first time she'd pulled out those tiny red shorts, Sasuke pretended not to notice until she walked away, shoulders slumped in disappointment. But Sasuke would eye her when she wasn't paying attention, his stomach tugging with every stride and bend her body made.
I'm not sure how much longer of this I can take.
Returning to work felt bittersweet for Sakura. She missed the satisfaction she found from contributing to the village in her own way and was eager to return to treating patients, working on projects, and overseeing the mental health clinic. However, she was more than hesitant to leave the comforting haven of her apartment. Normally, Sakura grew bored when she had idle hands, but it was less of wanting to leave her apartment and more of not wanting to leave a certain person.
"Are you sure you should be returning to work so soon? You've barely healed," Sasuke asked her, his forehead creased in concern.
Sakura smiled to herself as she gathered her belongings and stuffed them into a shoulder bag.
I think he wants me to stay, too...
Sakura sighed and rolled her eyes teasingly as she slung the bag over her body. "It's been over two months! I swear I'm fine now. I can't stay gone from work forever." She made her way to the front door and slid her shoes onto her feet. "I've left my tasks for too long and it's going to start becoming a burden for others."
As soon as Sakura said this, she began to feel a little dejected. She could imagine the pile of paperwork on her desk awaiting her. Sasuke's frown deepened, her words not soothing his concerns in the slightest.
"Try not to push it," he said.
"I wouldn't do that," Sakura said.
Sasuke cocked his eyebrow at her, not believing her. Sakura knew he was conjuring up images in his head of her working late hours, taking double shifts, and skipping meals.
Sakura laughed awkwardly and rubbed her arm. "Alright, I'll try," she mumbled.
Still not believing her, Sasuke sighed and opened the door. "I'll come get you later."
Sakura nodded and flashed him a bright smile before walking out the door. She took a few steps and halted. After a short pause as her stomach performed summersaults, she impulsively ran back up the steps and kissed Sasuke sweetly on the cheek.
Sasuke started and looked down at her. She returned his startled expression with a blush and wordlessly turned on her heel to leave. Her foot barely touched the ground to complete one step before Sasuke snatched her arm and spun her towards him.
His hand moved to her waist, pulling her close as his lips locked onto hers. Sakura felt her breath catch, caught off guard by such a bold move that was uncharacteristic of him, especially this early in the morning. Her eyes closed and her hands found purchase on his shirt, small fingers bunching up the fabric against his stomach.
Pulling away from her much too soon, Sasuke's mismatched gaze looked intensely into her eyes. "I said I was coming to get you later," he said. "Don't be late."
Her mind nothing more than a puddle, all Sakura could manage to do was nod. She paused, wondering if returning to work was the best idea. Before she could talk herself out of it, Sakura turned and stumbled down the steps.
With a goodbye like that, it was going to be hard to focus on the rest of her day.
Sakura was only halfway through her shift and more than eager to return home. She couldn't remember the last time, or anytime, she'd wanted to be at her apartment rather than tending to the wounded. There had indeed been a mountain, or several mountains actually, of paperwork sitting on her desk. She'd knocked out most of it during the beginning of her shift and lunch. As she had snacked on a power bar while sifting through documents, she could picture Sasuke clicking his tongue at her for not taking a proper lunch break.
"Forehead!"
Sakura turned her head, already expecting her blonde best friend upon hearing the nickname. Ino jogged down the hallway, her long silky hair whipping behind her as she rushed to Sakura's side and clasped her hand.
"I haven't seen you in ages! What's the deal leaving me here to pick up all of your slack," Ino said, frowning in annoyance.
Sakura matched her look and jerked her hand away. "Excuse me, but I was kind of busy healing every bone and organ in my body. Besides, you could have visited me in the hospital."
"I did!" Ino exclaimed, placing her hand on her hips. "Not my fault you were out cold and didn't know the difference. Besides, I've been a little busy picking up your responsibilities." Ino wiped her hand against her forehead. "I don't know how you do it. It must have something to do with your freakish man strength. It's like the work at the mental health clinic never stops."
With Sakura being away from work, it was only natural for Ino to oversee the clinic since she was the one who helped Sakura open it.
"Anyway," the Yamanaka continued, "I figured I needed to give you and Sasuke a bit of alone time. Not that your mission together wasn't enough alone time." She wiggled her eyebrows at this and Sakura blushed at the implication.
"It was a mission! Like that's hardly the time."
"I don't know," Ino said, seemingly not believing her. "Sasuke looked awfully defeated sitting by your bedside. Gods, what did you do to that man? I've never seen him look like that before. It was... weird."
Sakura blushed. Sasuke-kun was really that worried about me?
She had thought she remembered him crying over her at the base of the mountain, but Sakura had been so exhausted and out of it that she thought it was a dream.
Ino was eyeing Sakura closely now and Sakura started, realizing that she was so caught up in her thoughts that she hadn't answered her friend.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Sakura asked, shifting her feet uneasily.
Ino narrowed her eyes and pointed her finger at Sakura. "What's going on with you and Sasuke? Spill. Now."
Sakura blushed and looked away from Ino, rubbing her arm and smiling stupidly.
Ino's eyes widened. "FINALLY."
"I-Ino!" Sakura sputtered, feeling herself become flustered. "Calm down, someone will hear you," she said, glancing around.
Ino didn't seem to care and her eyes were lit up as she clasped her hands in front of her. "You did it! You finally got your first kiss! It's about damn time!"
Sakura felt herself growing mortified as two younger women walked past them and looked in their directions, snickering in their palms. She grabbed Ino by her wrist and drug her quickly towards her office before the blonde could blurt out anything else that would cause Sakura to never be able to show her face in this building again.
She closed the door and turned towards her friend. Sakura fiddled with her lab coat and mumbled, "Yeah, we kissed."
Ino shrieked in response. "How? When? Was it great? Well, of course, it was great. Or was it? I doubt either of you has had much practice." Ino ignored the look Sakura shot her and continued. "Ugh, finally, you've been keeping me waiting forever."
Sakura put her finger to her lip, pondering the rapid-fire questions. "Um... about a month ago. It was..." Sakura thought of the way Sasuke held her sweetly as he brushed his lips gently against hers. Then, her thoughts turned to this morning when he sent his lips crashing down to capture her in a kiss. Heat pooled in Sakura's stomach, comforting and warm, and she blushed. "It was perfect."
"A month?! H-how many times have you kissed? I cannot believe you didn't tell me right away. Where did it happen?"
Sakura's blush deepened and she looked away, unable to meet Ino's piercing blue stare. "Uh... on my bed."
"On the bed. So, does that mean you've had sex? I mean, you had to have if you skipped straight to the bed."
"N-No!" Sakura sputtered, horrified at the assumption. "It's not like that!" Sakura sighed. "Look, I'm not even sure if we're dating and-"
"How can you not be sure?" Ino asked, confusion written all over her face.
"Well... He hasn't exactly called me his girlfriend or anything. I'm not sure what he's thinking."
"Sakura..." Ino's eyes softened momentarily, but as quickly as the expression came, it was gone. Instead, she was squealing and wrapping Sakura into a tight hug.
Taken aback, Sakura eyes widened as she asked, "What are you doing?"
Ino grabbed onto her shoulders and held her at arm's length. "This is amazing! Forehead! What are you looking so down for? Come on, you know Sasuke's not the type of guy to go around kissing all kinds of girls. This is amazing! Why are you getting so hung up on this?"
"Hung up on-" Sakura shook her head and gave Ino a disbelieving look. "Aren't you the one who complained that your boyfriend wasn't planning your birthday six months in advance?"
"That's not the point. You have to make him commit. But this is amazing! Isn't it amazing?"
Sakura blushed again and smiled fondly. "Yeah, it is..." Sakura could feel Ino's infectious excitement and found herself becoming giddy. Thrill churned in her stomach and Sakura squealed in return until Ino and Sakura were bouncing up and down like they had reverted to 12-year-old school girls.
"Okay!" Ino said, reigning them in and getting down to a business-like expression. "So, this means that you and Sasuke are going to the festival, right?"
"Festival?"
"Yeah, the summer festival is next week. You two are going together?"
"Oh. Uh, well," Sakura rubbed her arm. "I don't know about that. Sasuke-kun doesn't seem like a festival kind of guy."
"Well, then make him go," Ino said. "All of the couples will be there! Naruto and Hinata, me and Sai. Hell, even Temari is visiting so Shikamaru can take her. You have to go! It'll be fun."
"But-"
"No but's! Attendance is mandatory so you better be there!"
"Well, okay," Sakura agreed, still unsure.
Ino clapped her hands once together. "It's settled! I'll be there beforehand to help you get ready." She whipped open the door and left, leaving no room for argument. Sakura watched her leave as the excitement from before began to dissipate. Because there was absolutely no way that Sasuke would want to take her.