It was an arm wrestling contest that she would never forget.
(CHEATING)
"Oh please, like you could beat me."
Sakura Haruno wouldn't normally have taunted an armless man- given her profession- but this man was asking for it. They sat at a local bar, surrounded by their friends and sharing a drink when their third teammate, Naruto, let it slip that she was the current arm wrestling champion in the village. Sakura was preening from the compliments when a certain dark haired Sasuke Uchiha challenged her. She, of course, scoffed and pointed out his good appendage.
Sasuke had the balls to smirk at down her jest— knowing she was drunk off her ass but still standing tall. "Having one arm doesn't make me useless, Sa-ku-ra."
The Sa-ku-ra in question rolled her eyes. Of course Sasuke would equate a lack of an arm to uselessness. "I didn't say useless, Baka. Just that you can't beat me."
The air bristled so much so that Naruto cowered in his seat behind his wife. Hinata, as sweet as she was, laughed and called the bartender over.
"Show me." Sasuke challenged, dipping his face mere inches from Sakura's to meet her challenge.
"Fine." Her nose nearly brushed with his as they smirked at each other.
A round of 'ooooo's' went around the bar as tables and chairs were shuffled to the side to make way for the main event.
"Dude! Sasuke!" Kiba called across the room. "Cut your losses now, she's not worth it!"
"You're just saying that because you lost to me. Several times, might I add." Sakura reminded him, popping her chair in front of the impromptu arena of their table. Another chorus of 'ooooooo's' filled the room again as Sasuke took his seat as well, placing his right elbow against the wood. Sakura eagerly did the same with her own, flexing her fingers in anticipation.
Sasuke canted his head to the left and then right, popping his neck before flexing his own hand and folding it against her own. A third set of hands- the bartender's- lay over their joined hands and solemnly announcing the rules.
"There will be no use of chakra enhancement." The crowd booed at that. "Elbows are to stay firmly on the table without assistance from their other hand." A few men snorted from Sakura's side of the bar as she shrugged, raising an eyebrow at her opponent. Sasuke simply ignored the comments, focusing only on his goal in mind. This was it.
"3!"
Sakura and Sasuke shifted comfortably in their chairs.
"2!"
They smirked at each other, formulating their plans of how they could win this challenge.
"1!... GO!"
Fingers and arms flexed as soon as the bartender released his own grip. Sakura locked her wrist in place and dug her elbow into the tabletop, creating an iron grip against Sasuke's hand.
Sasuke, however, barely flinched and planted his feet firmly on the ground to balance himself. Trying to put some force behind his grip, Sasuke shifted in his chair to make up for lack of an arm for support.
Honestly, it was hard. Not that he would ever admit it, but it was. Sakura had become quite a powerful opponent when it came down to it. She was built for pressure and formed by high expectations of herself. Her stubbornness is what helped her become who she was. Becoming stronger, loving him unconditionally and bringing him home. That's something he loved about her.
He sighed deeply, hanging his head and fire spreading across his cheeks under the pressure. He sat like that, struggling against this crazy mind game they played against each other.
"Give up yet?" Came Sakura's taunt. He peaked up through the fringe of his bangs, seeing that Sakura was seemingly unphased by this little game of theirs.
"Never!"
She chuckled under her breath, putting pressure against his wrist and their joined hands were starting to fall in her favor. Sasuke smirked, letting her fall for his plan. Just as she had a few inches away from victory, he struck.
"Marry me, Sakura." He said, meeting her eyes.
"HUH?!" Said the room collectively.
It was no secret they were together. Sakura wasn't as subtle about it as he was. Sasuke had been thinking about this for a few months and now seemed as good a time as any to propose. They were in front of all the important people in their lives already, so why waste the opportunity?
Sakura, meanwhile, gave the cutest sounding 'huh?' and color drained from her face. One could almost see her spirit leave her body. Even when she was struck with surprises, she was adorable. He smirked as her hand loosened her grip and he slowly pushed against her hand.
He was so focused on winning that he missed how her eyes seemed to come to life again. He was a few inches away from his own victory when their joined hands were suddenly in her favor again. He gasped at the sudden jerking and looked up to see smug verdient eyes.
"Okay, I'll marry you."
He gasped, once he realized how serious she was. His own grip loosened and she took her victory.
The room erupted with cheers and congratulations (of both kinds) for them. Sakura ignored it all in favor of sitting on her fiancé's lap and kissing him soundly— which, of course, earned them a few catcalls and whistles.
"Yes, I'll marry you. In every country, every village, and every life." She murmured to him as they brushed their foreheads.
Sasuke smirked, hand pulling her closer. "Don't make promises that I could force you to keep."
She chuckled and gave him another kiss.