"Sakura, you're so clueless!" Ino mused, shaking her head at her pink-haired friend.
"No, you just read too far into things." Sakura said, also shaking her head.
Sakura was visiting Ino in the flower shop for some much-needed girl time. She sat on the checkout counter as Ino bustled about the store, tending to the flowers. Sakura had just finished telling Ino about her experiences with Sasuke over the past few weeks.
"Sakura, the man has essentially let you take over his house. And you're sleeping with him!" she said emphatically. "Clearly, Uchiha Sasuke is smitten." Ino sighed dramatically. "I just always thought it would be me who he fell in love with."
Sakura stuck her tongue out at her friend. "You're completely overreacting. He is not in love with me. He just needs a companion." Sakura shrugged, not quite believing her own words.
Ino glanced at Sakura knowingly. "Even if he's not in love with you, he's still a man. Maybe he wants something besides companionship." She raised her eyebrows suggestively and winked.
Sakura shook her head vigorously. "No, no, no! Sasuke isn't like that." she said quickly. "I mean, I don't even know if the man possesses a sex drive." There's no way I'm telling Ino that Sasuke has never done anything with a girl. Sakura thought to herself. Maybe that means he isn't interested in women sexually? But if that's the case, then he's going to have one hell of a time trying to revive his clan. Sakura thought to herself with a wry smile.
"Then why don't you try finding out?" Ino suggested eagerly. "Tease him a little bit! Try and get into his head."
Sakura frowned. "I'm not sure if that's a good idea…"
Ino rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Sakura, he sleeps next to you every night in his underwear. You wouldn't have to do anything obvious." she said mischievously. "Just give him a little push."
"Sasuke, why do you continue to walk me home every night?" Sakura asked that night as they routinely made their way toward the Uchiha compound. Sasuke had been escorting her home from the hospital for a little over three months, and Sakura had been sleeping at his house every night for nearly six weeks. "I mean, when I was in my apartment, it was one thing," she explained. "But now that I'm coming home to you every night, wouldn't it be easier for you to just wait for me there?" she asked slyly, wondering if the act of walking her home was his way of trying to express his feelings for her. (If he had feelings for her at all.)
"If I'm waiting for you at home then I can't carry your things." Sasuke shrugged.
Sakura rolled her eyes, smiling. "I'm not completely helpless, you know. I've been carrying my own things for years. I'm a kunoichi; I'm a student of one of the legendary Sannin; and I'm second-in-command of the Konoha hospital. I think I can carry some paperwork with an orchid balanced on top." Sakura smirked.
Sasuke changed his approach. "Well if you're carrying things, then you can't defend yourself from an attack." he pointed out casually.
Sakura scoffed. "If there was an attack, I'd obviously drop everything to defend myself." She gave him a sideways glance. "Do you really think I'm that incompetent?"
Sasuke shrugged noncommittally.
"Hey!" she shoved him playfully. "I took care of myself for years after you left. You didn't seem to care so much about protecting me then." she teased.
But that struck a chord with Sasuke. "Sakura," He hesitated. "Do you still resent me for that? For leaving you?"
Sakura bit her lip. "I mean, I don't actively resent you." she said, trying to keep her words kind but honest. "But if I stop and think about it for too long, I start to get angry. So I just try to focus on the fact that you're home now and we've become close friends and that's all that matters."
Close friends. Sasuke's thoughts lingered on those two words. In the past, he had never imagined that he would become close friends with Haruno Sakura. She had been too obsessed with him to ever be capable of simple friendship. He never would have thought that he would not only become her friend, but he would also be letting her platonically sleep in his bed every night.
He never thought that he would eventually want something more than a platonic relationship…
"Was it something I said?"
Sasuke was pulled from his reverie by Sakura's anxious question. He quickly shook his head. "No, I was just thinking."
"About what?"
Sasuke ignored her question.
"Oh dear God," Sakura said, fanning herself with her hand as they walked into the Uchiha manor. "Why is it so hot in here?"
"Oh, I forgot to mention: the air conditioning isn't working properly." Sasuke said casually.
Sakura groaned. "I've been sweating my ass off all day long in that damn hospital, and now I'm going to sweat at home, too."
"Go take a shower while I open some windows." Sasuke suggested, already opening the window above the kitchen sink. "It's cooler outside than it is in here."
Sakura groaned again to no one in particular as she dragged her feet down the hallway to the master bedroom to pursue a cool shower.
Sasuke smirked to himself in amusement as he proceeded to open nearly every window in the house to let in the cool night air. He wasn't particularly bothered by the heat, but he wanted to ensure Sakura's comfort.
He was heading toward their bedroom when he saw something lying on the ground in the dark hallway. As his eyes adjusted and he walked closer, he noticed that Sakura had left her boots in the middle of the floor. Continuing to the bedroom, Sasuke saw that Sakura had also left her shirt lying in the doorway. That's odd, he thought. That's when he spotted her shorts lying on the floor in the middle of the room, followed by her—
Sasuke's eyes grew wide. Laying on the floor right outside the closed bathroom door was a black bra and some lacey panties. Someone just couldn't wait to undress, could she? Sasuke thought with a smirk. He quickly composed his face as he heard her shut the water off and step out of the shower.
Sakura stepped out of the bathroom in her towel. "Whoops," she said with an innocent smile. "Let me get that," she said, bending over to pick up her undergarments from the floor.
Sasuke noticed that when she bent over, the bottom of her towel rose dangerously close to her butt, making him look away awkwardly.
"I was just so hot," she explained, "I couldn't wait until I got to the bathroom." She smiled sweetly at him as she crossed the room and bent down to pick up her other articles of clothing.
Sasuke swallowed, walking into the bathroom hurriedly. He was suddenly in need of a very cold shower.
"Stop fidgeting." Sasuke said with a hint of annoyance as Sakura sighed in exasperation and flipped her pillow to the cooler side for the seventh time.
"I'm sorry, I'm just hot!" Sakura snapped, laying back down and staring at the ceiling fan, wishing it would do its job and cool her off.
"Then do something about it besides rolling around and sighing every five minutes."
"What do you suggest I do?" Sakura asked, scowling at the Uchiha in the dark.
"Do what I did." Sasuke suggested, the darkness masking his smug smile "Just take off your clothes." Indeed, Sasuke was lying there in just his boxer shorts, cool as a cucumber.
Sakura blushed. "I don't think—"
"Just do it and stop complaining." Sasuke said nonchalantly, folding his hands behind his head as he stared at the ceiling.
Sakura looked over at Sasuke curiously. "Somebody seems anxious for me to get naked." she taunted, sliding her pajama shorts off and dropping them on the floor beside the bed.
Sasuke scoffed. "You won't be naked as long as you're wearing underwear." he reasoned.
Sakura rolled her eyes. "Alright, fine." she agreed, thankful for the darkness as she pulled her tank top over her head and threw it across the room.
"Do you feel better?" Sasuke asked her, still staring at the ceiling so as not to make her feel uncomfortable.
"I do, actually." Sakura admitted, taking a deep breath and exhaling. "What a smooth move." she muttered smugly.
Sasuke's cheeks felt warm. "It wasn't a move—"
"So tell me, Sasuke." Sakura said abruptly, propping her head up on her arm as she turned to face him. "What are we?"
Sasuke blanched. "Earlier you said we were friends." he reminded her.
"Friends don't sleep together in their underwear."
"They do when they're hot." Sasuke said casually.
Sakura snorted, choosing a new angle of attack. "Alright, so we're friends. But be honest: do you ever…I don't know…feel anything? Like, don't you ever wonder?" she coaxed.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Sasuke replied stubbornly.
Sakura sat up, commanding his attention. "Look at me, Sasuke."
Sasuke was at odds with himself. On one hand, he most certainly wanted to look at Sakura right now. On the other hand, he was trying very hard to conceal his feelings for the young woman.
"Sasuke," Sakura urged softly. "Please." she pleaded.
Sasuke sighed, turning to look her in the eye. "What do you want from me?"
"I want an answer."
"No."
"Are you refusing to answer my question, or is that your answer?" she demanded to know.
Sasuke huffed, looking away again. "Go to sleep."
"Sasuke!" Sakura said, becoming very irritated. "If you're my friend then you can tell me the truth."
"Well then maybe we aren't friends." Sasuke said shortly.
Sakura froze, a hurt look appearing on her face.
Sasuke backtracked. "I didn't mean it like that." he said in frustration, pulling at his long black hair.
"Then how did you mean it?" Sakura asked acidly, glaring at her teammate until he answered her.
Sasuke sighed deeply, turning to meet Sakura's hard eyes. "I can't answer that." he said softly, a pleading look in his eyes. "Please," he begged. "Don't make me."
Sakura felt frustrated enough to explode, but she heard the sincerity in his voice and forced herself to speak calmly. "I don't understand."
"You don't have to. Just trust me."
Sakura crossed her arms, throwing herself back onto her pillow. "I don't know if I can trust you." she told him honestly. "You left me behind once. And even thought I don't resent you for it, I can't help but wonder when you're going to leave again." she admitted quietly. "I just want to know that I'm not expendable to you."
Sasuke quickly moved towards her, scooping her into his arms and pulling her close to his chest. Sakura gasped softly as he held her tight.
"Listen to me," Sasuke said quietly into her ear. "You are far from expendable. I really fucked up when I left you before, and I will always regret that. And I can't promise that I'll never disappear again. But you have to believe me when I say that no matter how many times I leave," He paused to gently kiss the top of her head.
"I will always come back for you."
Sakura had happily fallen asleep in Sasuke's arms before she could think of a decent response to his heartfelt sentiment. Although it was very hot in their room the next morning, neither Sakura nor Sasuke wanted the embrace to end when they woke up in each other's arms. They had slept straight through the night – a first for Sasuke since he came home over three months ago.
Sasuke was the first to stir, squinting as the daylight burned his eyes. After a few blinks, he yawned and became aware of the girl fast asleep in his arms. He breathed in the scent of her hair and sighed happily, pulling her closer.
Sakura felt Sasuke's arms tighten around her and she lifted her head up sleepily, trying to find his face. She looked up at him, still only semi-conscious. "Hey you," she smiled serenely.
"Hey." he replied quietly with a smile.
"I've never seen you smile like that before." Sakura commented.
Sasuke didn't say anything, but continued to smile unabashedly for the first time since his childhood.
It was then that Sakura's brain revisited the events from the previous night, and she couldn't help but remember how Sasuke had failed to give her a definite answer to her questions. She couldn't help but note their current position: she was lying with her torso halfway on top of Sasuke's chest as he held her close; her head had previously been tucked under his chin. She also became aware of the fact that they were both still in their underwear, and her cheeks flushed.
This isn't something friends do, she decided. But he'd rather die than admit it.
"You okay?" Sasuke asked, pulling her from her daydream.
"Yeah," Sakura said quickly. "Just really hot, that's all." she lied, abruptly pulling away from Sasuke.
Sasuke raised an eyebrow, but didn't pursue the matter further. He was too busy looking at Sakura – really looking at her for the first time since she had taken her clothes off the night before. His eyes wandered shamelessly, following the curves of her body and taking in the smoothness of her skin. He'd never seen her like this before, and he had to admit that he really liked it.
Sakura noticed his wandering gaze and self-consciously adjusted her bra, feeling very out of place.
Sasuke steeled himself. "You look good." he assured her.
Sakura blushed. "Thank you." she said, looking away.
"What's wrong?" Sasuke asked, sensing her discomfort.
"Nothing." Sakura said quickly, finding her courage. "I've just been thinking." she said, her hand seeking his and grasping it. "The way you just looked at me…and the way you held me last night…" she paused, gathering her thoughts. She took a deep breath. "Even if you won't admit it, you feel something for me. I'm sure of it." she said confidently, giving him a sly grin.
Sasuke felt his face grow warm. "I don't want to talk—"
Sakura put a finger to his lips, effectively silencing him. "We don't have to talk about it; I don't need a confession from you right now. But I do want to try something." she said mischievously, letting go of his hand and removing her finger from his lips. "You know, between friends." she said with a flirtatious wink.
Sasuke tried to mask his anxiety as Sakura crawled closer and straddled his hips. He looked up at her in disbelief, wondering what on earth was going through her head. He was also suddenly aware of how his body reacted to Sakura's actions as she sat on his groin; he hoped she wouldn't notice.
But Sakura did notice, although she didn't outwardly show it. I knew it, she thought to herself with satisfaction. As she laid her hands on his chest and leaned forward to whisper in his ear, Sasuke noted the particularly stunning view of her cleavage that he was getting.
"Tell me, Sasuke-kun," Sakura whispered seductively, purposely adding the suffix to his name. "How does this make you feel?"
Sasuke gulped, refusing to answer. He suddenly felt very warm, and it had nothing to do with the lack of air conditioning in the house.
Sakura responded by trailing small kisses along his jawline and down his neck. Sasuke shuddered agreeably, his pulse quickening.
"Hmmm?" Sakura probed, nibbling on his ear.
Sasuke's heart felt like it was going to burst from his chest. "Sakura," he breathed, determined to maintain his composure.
"Yes, Sasuke-kun?"
But Sasuke had already lost his train of thought.
Sakura gave him a sultry smile. "You can't possibly tell me that you've never wondered what it would be like to…" she taunted him, her lips just barely brushing his. "…kiss me." she finished.
Sasuke held his breath, eagerly waiting for her to kiss his mouth.
But Sakura raised her head and returned to kissing his neck, running her hands up and down his torso sensually.
"Sakura," he repeated rather raggedly; he was quickly losing control.
"Yes?" she asked, subtly grinding her hips against his while she gazed at him through her lashes.
Sasuke couldn't stifle the moan that escaped his lips as he grabbed onto her hips.
Sakura smiled with satisfaction. "So you are enjoying this."
"Sakura, please." Sasuke begged this time, closing his eyes.
"Say it." Sakura commanded.
Sasuke refused, biting his lip so hard that he thought it would start bleeding.
"Say it." she repeated, pressing her hips harder into his. "If we were just friends, you would've pushed me off long ago."
"Fuck," Sasuke growled, grabbing Sakura and pushing her backward onto the bed as his lips crashed into hers passionately. She returned his kiss with equal force, lacing her fingers into his hair. Sasuke's hands roamed her body hungrily, wanting to touch every inch of her exposed skin; he couldn't get enough of her. For weeks, he had longed to touch her like this. For weeks, he had battled his feelings. And now they had reached a crossroads.
Sasuke knew that their friendship was effectively ruined, but he hoped that that meant their intimate relationship could finally flourish.
"Wait," Sakura stopped him.
Sasuke paused, breathing heavily.
Sakura gave him an impish grin. "Are you finally admitting that you're interested in me for something physical; something other than platonic companionship?"
"No," Sasuke said breathlessly, kissing her again. "This is me admitting that I love you."
A/N: I survived the 27 days of organic chemistry – hallelujah! And I also made an A in the class – even better! I have to say, getting emails about new reviews while I was in class really brightened my days – thank you for that! I hope y'all enjoyed this chapter, because I really enjoyed writing it! I've had it written for weeks, and I'm so glad I finally got to post it. My new goal is to get at least 5 reviews and 10 Story Alerts/Favorites before I'll post the next chapter. As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas for future chapters! (I just finished writing chapter 10 today.) Until next time, dear readers!
