Hey guys, before I begin, I'll just say that you'll totally like this chapter! (Hopefully :))
Chapter 18- Sweet
When someone had a friend like Ino, not hanging out was out of the question. Sakura's life currently involved at least three hangouts a day and Ino made sure everyone attended all of them. Not like Sakura minded it, after around two months of studying vigorously, she did like finally hanging out and relaxing with her friends given her outgoing nature. It's been three days since her exams ended and she has done quite a lot of activity in this period, beginning with visiting her parents and going out with her mother in law to hanging out with all of her friends on a daily basis. At this point, life almost seemed nice to Sakura, except for the absence of a certain someone who she didn't speak to for two whole weeks now, let alone seeing.
"Hey, Sak! You're coming tonight aren't you?" Sakura suddenly heard Tenten ask. The girls decided to hang out for lunch today and as always, planned the next hangout being in the current one.
"Are you sure any of you all will actually want me to come?" Sakura playfully asked, already knowing how the girls will drag her if she ditched them while also not feeling so comfortable about it, after all these girls were going on a date. At least that's what they were calling it although it wouldn't be like that for Sakura. Surprisingly, all the girls in the group were taken for the time being, even Tenten, who did try to hide her relationship with Neji but of course it wasn't possible when she had friends like them. Although Sakura was married and had a partner, going on a date with Sasuke wasn't something she thought about. She'd rather call this a hangout but of course the girls will leave no chance to tease her calling it a date, moreover, Sasuke is not even in Konoha. The girls are really expecting her to attend it alone, in which case she'd be.. third.. fourth... fifth... she lost count on what wheel.
"Come on forehead, you can't miss this you know! It's going to be super fun! Also, it's not like we're going on an intimate date. It will be just a hangout so you can join alone!" Ino said, more like lied through her teeth.
"We'll see that in the evening." Sakura replied confidently.
"When is Sasuke-kun coming back, Sakura-chan?" Hinata suddenly asked and Sakura's face fell slightly. Well, even she didn't know. He was supposed to be back in three weeks and that already passed, but she didn't know exactly when he'd be back nor she got the chance to talk to him.
"I.. didn't talk to him for a while. He was supposed to be back someday around this time. I will call him today.. I suppose." She muttered quietly. No matter where she was or what she was doing, Sasuke did manage to make a place in her mind, and she felt his absence everyday.
Little did she know, this absence was close to over.
Sometimes later..
Sakura entered the Uchiha Residence lazily. The thought of having to go on another hangout was itself tiring regardless of how much fun she'd probably have, on top of the tiredness of the hangout she just came back from. Moreover, the idea of attending one alone while the girl busied themselves with their partners sounded... uncomfortable.
She sighed, brushing all her thoughts off and decided to rest for a bit upon going to her room. She was only walking along the corridors to her room when she almost clashed with a figure, slightly jumping backwards.
"Oh! Forgive me young mistress! I didn't mean to-"
"It's alright Hotaru! I'm sorry, I didn't notice you approaching. Also, I already told you a lot of times to call me Sakura." Sakura responded with a giggle. Hotaru was one of the maids in the Uchiha Residence who was often found around or assisting Sakura, for she was one of the many assigned for the couple and Sakura being the gentle human she was always treated everyone of them as an equal. The males in the family did maintain a stoic nature and weren't as excessively welcoming to them as Mikoto and Sakura were, more like they maintained a professional behaviour at all times.
"U-uh alright Sakura-san! Would you like some tea?" Hotaru asked embarrassedly.
"No.. it's alright. Thank you Hotaru." She gently responded.
"Oh.. maybe some snacks?" Sakura looked at her curiously now, what's with the sudden suggestions? She was always told to let them know if she needed anything, not get provided with suggestions by them. Not like she minded it, but she chose to ignore it nonetheless.
"Really Hotaru, it's alright. I just came back from lunch actually, so I really don't have the appetite." Sakura explained.
"I see.. still, tell me if you need anything Sakura-san! I was just thinking you might enjoy having tea, after all it's been almost a month.." Hotaru muttered in a whisper, but audible enough for Sakura to hear, who immediately glanced at her, now with a slight frown, confused about what she was talking about. Hotaru, noticing Sakura's sudden glance at her stiffened.
"Um- n-nevermind me I-"
But it took Sakura no longer to get the context. Hotaru probably didn't know that Sakura herself didn't know about this either, but now that she understood, her eyes widened as the realisation occurred to her.
"I'll see you later Hotaru!" She cut her off and rushed along the corridor.
Sakura almost ran towards her room, unsure of what to expect but impatient as well. By the time she reached towards the room, she was already panting, half because of the rush and half because of an unknown excitement coursing her body. She swung the door open the moment she was at the doorstep-
"Sasuke-kun!"
There he was, standing on the other end of the room, in front of the desk and his back facing her. The person she has been longing to see for weeks. Oh, how much she missed his presence..
Sasuke's eyes shot up at hearing her voice, if he was facing her, Sakura would probably notice the change in his normally unbothered expression. But he didn't care. Her uttering his name out of her mouth alone was soothing to him, he waited so long for this, to hear her soft voice, to see her beaming face, her sparkling eyes, and now, the wait was finally over.
He turned to face her and at an instant, emerald clashed with onyx. How did he survive three weeks without waking up to see this beaming face of hers every morning? Did she miss him as much as he missed her? He couldn't help but wonder, he hoped she did, because she certainly drove him crazy without even trying, by her mere absence alone. It wasn't until a while when sasuke realised they had their eyes still locked on one another. Not like he minded it. As always, he could get lost in those gleaming greens.
Of course, there's wasn't one instant when Sasuke looked anything other than perfect according to Sakura. Three weeks later, he looked even more handsome in his formal attire, his blazer taken off and cuffs of the shirt rolled till near the elbows and first two buttons undone, he sure was tired but oh, did he look charming. It seemed that both were pouring their three weeks of longing through that eye contact. She didn't know for how long it actually lasted, but it seemed to her that it continued for hours.
"Sakura." Sasuke uttered her name to which her eyes suddenly widened a little. She was brought back to reality, as if dragged away from the obsidian pool that was Sasuke's eyes. She stiffened, looking away from him as she felt her cheeks beginning to heat up. As much as Sasuke liked to see a flustered sakura, which he was realising now, he didn't like as it occurred to him that he interrupted the moment between them, he wanted to look at her eyes.
Sakura stepped forward, the door behind her closing as she finally entered the room and walked towards where Sasuke stood. She stopped around a foot away from him, her blush clearly evident now which Sasuke noticed as she looked up at him once again, giving him an innocent smile.
"Welcome back Sasuke-kun!" She warmly greeted him and he had to admit to himself that he felt touched. He grew up all his life watching his father go here and there for work, sometimes his mother too. And after growing up both Itachi and Sasuke got indulged with travelling as well when they started working. Travelling was quite normal in their family and even for Sasuke. And yet Sakura greeted him so excitedly upon his return, like his return was special, and it felt good.
"Uh.. I went out for lunch.. with the girls." Sakura muttered out, slightly embarrassed as she wondered if sasuke noticed her excitement. "When did you come home?" Sasuke heard her ask suddenly.
"Just a while ago. How were your exams?" He asked her, all while staring into her emerald pool, how could he not when she had such alluring eyes and flower like delicate expression? He'd pull her into his embrace if he could, just that they were not on those terms.
"It went fine.. why didn't you let me know you'll be home? You.. never said when you're coming back.." her voice trailed off, not angry but she surely expected him to do so. Sasuke was never used to being welcomed with such warmth, so he never bothered to tell when his flights are. Moreover, this time it went particularly busy, all in all he didn't really consider informing, until now.
"Sakura.. it was quite busy when coming back or else I-"
"It's alright Sasuke-kun, I understand. I hope it went well!" Sasuke couldn't help but smile at her statement. She is so gentle and soft, and yet so empowering and independent. He nodded. Sakura smiled back gently. "You must be tired, take rest. I'll make something for you alright? Just give me a while."
"Don't." That's all Sasuke could blurt out at that moment. Not her doing this again. However, immediately he felt the urge to explain after Sakura looked at him questioningly. "You were out too. I can't let you work now, I ate during the flight and I've already asked for tea. Don't worry."
Sakura gave him a hesitant smile upon his statement, though touched at his thoughtfulness. "Alright.." she responded. Sasuke excused himself to change before the lingering awkwardness could take over now that the conversation was pretty much over. He really didn't feel grand about it but it amused him how the slightest conversation with Sakura eased his mind, he actually forgot about the stress of the day during those mere minutes. He smirked to himself as he made his way to the closet.
After a while..
Sasuke shouldn't have let Naruto know he was back.
"RAMEN!"
"For the seventh time, no."
The moment Naruto got to know about his return, he has been bugging Sasuke to hang out with him. Sasuke, being the workaholic he was, already got back to work after freshening up a while ago, sipping his tea, working on his laptop and thanks to Naruto- sighing multiple times in a minute.
"Heh, I just remembered, you can't say no anyways. The group date is today." Naruto suddenly said.
Group date?
"Care to explain?" He asked nonchalantly, despite being quite curious.
"What's with you and Sakura-chan and either of you never knowing about the hangout plans?! We're going on a group date this evening, Neji, Shikamaru and Sai will be there too! Well, Sakura-chan was apparently supposed to attend alone too but now that you're here it will totally be a perfect 10! Didn't she tell you?" Group date eh? They talked a while ago, but he never heard her mention something like that. Why'd she not tell him?
"I'll ask her."
Sasuke worked for a while longer, he noticed Sakura pacing here and there in the meantime, working. He was yet to ask her about the hangout Naruto talked about, wondering why wouldn't she tell him. Did she not want to go with him? Or was it because they were labelling it as a date and they certainly were not on such terms? Nonetheless, he decided to ask her about it. After finishing his work he shut the laptop and got up. Realising Sakura was in the balcony, he made his way there.
"Try to understand Ino, I can't."
He stopped right where he was, a few feet away from her. She was facing his back, speaking on the phone in a rather hushed manner but enough for Sasuke to hear.
"It's not like that.. I would come but you know Sasuke-kun just came back today. He must be tired and I can't ask him to join me in like that. And.. I don't want to leave him alone when he is supposed to be there with me Ino. Maybe.. some other time.."
So that was the matter? Did she really think he was too tired to accompany her? As always, whatever she'd want it would be done. At least that's what Sasuke had in mind for a while now. Moreover, he wouldn't be tired to be with her. Why did she do so much for him so willingly? Even a couple of months back, he didn't think he is marrying someone so giving and selfless, but there he was, with a wife who constantly looked out for him in every possible way even when she wasn't obliged to.
"Hey, I'm sorry about it, but I really can't-"
"We're going."
Sakura gasped at the sudden cut off, immediately turning back to face Sasuke. How much did he hear?
"Sasuke-kun?!" She muttered out, her voice still low and a slightly feared expression taking over her face.
"It was Sasuke wasn't it? Did he say yes? OH MY GOD FOREHEAD! You totally have no excuse now, I'll be waiting and if you don't come I'm obviously dragging you." Sakura heard ino talk on the phone excitedly. Oh boy..
"I'll call you later." She quickly said and cut the call, glancing back at Sasuke who was still staring at her intently.
"I.." Sakura began, but she was immediately at a loss of words, specially when she noticed Sasuke walking towards her, the distance between them decreasing more and more until he was around... less than a foot away.
"You're really annoying sometimes, you know that?" Suddenly she heard Sasuke speak, his tone neutral but eyes shut. Annoying.. did he really mean it? This is the second time she heard him say it and this time he certainly looked more stern than the last. Her widened eyes turned into a slight frown and as if Sasuke read her mind, he answered the question he knew she was about to ask."
"When you look out for everyone, except yourself." He explained, now opening his eyes and staring at her again. Sakura immediately averted her gaze from him. "You're not obliged to stay in the house just because of my presence Sakura. And what made you think I wouldn't accompany you?" Sakura looked at him again. So he was willing to go out with her? Was she really getting scolded by her husband for this? If this is so then Sakura had to admit, he really has a different way to express his feelings everytime, his actions are alone enough for her to understand that he wouldn't treat her badly, he never did, and she likes this sweet man Sasuke on the inside.
"Are you sure? You just came back today and y-"
"Shh, Sakura." He cut her off once again, a slight smirk forming on his lips as he hushed her, probably because of her developing blush. "I'll wait for you in the evening." He said. Sakura didn't need to ask more. She smiled at him.
"Arigatou.."
Sasuke only smirked at her appreciation.
The same evening..
Sasuke was now sure he grew accustomed to being around Sakura without even realising it. He did miss her presence, the warmth she radiated, her gentle eyes and heartwarming smile, her calling his name... and now that he was back getting to witness all of it again, it felt relieving, satisfying, calming. She looked as bright as always, wearing a floral outfit today, much suited to her name. Her occasional dazzling smiles as she conversed only made her look more attractive than she already was. Sakura sure was a capable and independent wife and a sense of pride kicked in within sasuke knowing he was the one she's married to despite the lingering uncertainty about her life beyond this marriage. As much as it felt relaxing to be around the people close to him after a long and annoying business trip, he couldn't help but eye his wife frequently, noticing her spectacular features again and again. If possible, she was glowing even more compared to the last time he saw her three weeks ago, and much more relaxed and peaceful too.
"I see, Ino should've rather agreed to Sakura not attending." Everyone's head turned to Sai as he suddenly spoke. The group was now sitting at a round table, large enough for five of the couples to sit beside one another on the round shaped cozy couch. Sai smiled and continued as he felt everyone's eyes on him. "Ah, you can't really take your eyes off of her Sasuke. Looks like we interrupted your reunion." And that was enough for the entire group to begin teasing the couple like crazy, giving loud squeals and praises of adoration while Sakura furiously blushed. As much as she was surprised and wondering if Sasuke actually did that and the reason behind it, she couldn't help but feel her heart flutter at his possible action. Was he really looking at her? Why'd he do that? Was something wrong that caught Sasuke's attention? Or did he actually look at her out of adoration? Nonetheless, she couldn't stop blushing, not when she knew her husband's eyes were on her and they were the centre of attention. She could only imagine how Sasuke was probably feeling. Was he as flushed as her? Was he angry? Considering he got caught staring, he probably was.
And Sakura was right. Sasuke glared at Sai in a merciless manner. However, he did feel the heat coming up to his cheeks. Just great. Now things between him and Sakura will get even more awkward, exactly opposite to what he wanted. What would she think of him now? He could already feel how uncomfortable she became by just being beside her and he felt nothing different. As always, she was violently blushing and he liked it out of every other factor that was annoying him at the moment. He did come to realise that Sakura was extremely shy around him and he liked when she was responsive to the littlest things. Tch, adorable. However, he could not stay in his thoughts for long as he felt Naruto nudge his elbows with a wicked grin. Sasuke internally sighed, already knowing how this evening would go.
The same night..
The ride home was quiet and like both of them expected- awkward. It was already late by the time they reached home. Both Sasuke and Sakura avoided eye contact with one another and speaking was out of the question. As soon as they reached the room Sakura discarded some of the accessories she wore and let her bun loose, heading towards the closet to change and Sasuke sat on the bed, indicating her to go first. He could clearly feel the awkward tension between them and he knew Sakura was probably too shy to even look him in the eyes after what happened. He had to admit, he was equally embarrassed but this was getting unbearable. He was feeling the urge to talk to her, precisely to let her know she looked absolutely stunning today. Well, she did look stunning everyday and Sasuke only smirked at the thought. Fuck it. If he was caught staring he might as well let her know why.
"Sakura."
The moment Sasuke called her name, she stiffened. They didn't speak ever since that incident and she wondered what he'd do next. Was he angry?
"Yes..?" She hesitantly asked, turning back to face him as slowly as possible. As much normal she was trying to keep herself, it wasn't possible with Sasuke looking at her with such an intense gaze. It often annoyed Sasuke that she was so scared of him, why'd she feel like that? However, this time he couldn't blame her. He himself averted his gaze from her, still unable to register what he was about to say. He felt himself blush at the thought alone.
"You.. looked good today." There. He did it. He blurted out not caring of the possible outcomes and he still couldn't meet her eyes, which he could feel was now fixated on him. Sakura could swear she lost her breath. She couldn't help but observe every little feature of her husband. She never saw him in this state before, eyes averted, a beautiful shade of pink on his cheeks, looking as handsome as always with his bangs caressing his smooth skin of his face and lighting in the room highlighting every feature of him even more in her eyes. A pleased smile formed on her lips and she gave a prominent blush.
"Thank you Sasuke-kun.." She shyly muttered, now it was her turn to shift her eyes away noticing him looking up at her. She could feel her heartbeat getting faster and she spent no more time almost running to the closet, wanting to be away from his intense gaze and totally flushed. Sasuke smirked as he watched her run away. Always adorable. It was amusing how only this much of his words had so much effect on her. Now she was bound to spend a lot more time in the closet to hide from Sasuke and he knew it. Not like he minded it, he too was ready to give all the time to his shy little girl. His? He smirked again.
Sakura needed a while just to regulate herself. She still couldn't believe what just happened, or whatever happened the entire evening. Uchiha Sasuke, her husband, known for his cold nature, someone she barely saw complimenting, was first caught staring and now confessed she looked good? She repeated today's events over and over again in her head, all while in the closet. She smiled this time. She never thought she'd witness Sasuke's sweet side but there he was being sweet to her at all times possible. It made her heart happy. You'd be surprised if you knew what you do to my heart, Sasuke-kun.
Author's note- YEEEE I LOVE THIS CHAPTER!! He's finally back and there are so many things yet to happen! Stay tuned!
A little bit about myself- I know I haven't shared much about myself apart from the fact that I'm one huge Sasusaku fan (which is, pretty obvious xD) but once I got this question a few weeks ago so I'll answer- I've been a Sasusaku shipper since 2018 (the same year I started watching Naruto). Sasusaku has been at the top of my favourite list since the beginning and my rest two favourite ships from Naruto would be Shikatema and Minakushi (but nothing beats Sasusaku). I started with watching the anime, and the only manga scenes I saw are from social media. Apart from that, I'm following (not so religiously) Boruto manga and anime solely for Sasusaku moments and Sarada. It kind of makes me sad how the anime often cuts off Sakura's manga scenes and how she's so over hated in some parts of the world but I guess we'll have to live with that :( anyways, for me she'll always be our queen and my favourite!
Next chapter release date- 7th August, 2021.
