Sakura

I stabbed the steak a little harder each time I took another bite.

He's lonely. He's so obviously lonely.

Sasuke sat across the crowded table from me, next to Naruto. The rookie 9 plus some other acquaintances had all gotten together for a barbecue at our typical restaurant.

Naruto was cuddling up to Hinata the whole night, an arm securely tucked around her shoulders.

Kiba had invited his new girlfriend.

Ino and Sai had been sneaking gestures under the table for at least an hour now-except it wasn't sneaky because everyone could tell.

Shikamaru and Temari were even sitting closer than they normally do, and their bickering was down to 50%.

Choji brought Karui.

Even freaking Shino had flirted with the damned waitress. Twice.

Sure, Sasuke was back. He'd accepted that he was allowed to have help, and have friends and that we weren't just burdens. But I mean come on. He and I were the only two single people in the group for months.

Am I so unbearable to him that I've been sitting across from him all these dinners, more single, more available each time, and he after all these years doesn't even want to consider me as a romantic interest?

Why did I fall in love with such a fucking asshole?

'I'm right here!' I wanted to scream at him. 'Am I really that bad?' Too annoying for even one date?

And he doesn't show interest in any other woman, if he did this would at least make sense. But no, he isn't. He just can't stand me even when he doesn't want someone else.

"Hey guys, Hinata is feeling slightly sick. We're going to head home, " Naruto announced, he and his painfully beautiful wife standing up to leave.

As everyone said their goodbyes and waved or hugged the couple, more people followed suit.

"Yeah um, I think Sai has the flu. Better go give him a checkup," Ino cooed, making eye contact with only her boyfriend. The silence made it evident that everyone was uncomfortable by their shameless dirty talk, yet they dashed off without even waiting for a response.

I rolled my eyes as Choji and karui excused themselves as well, leaving a little more gracefully. I even hugged her despite hating her guts since I've been 16. Kiba and his lady-friend left without anyone noticing, probably also in a 'rush.'

By the time Temari and Shikamaru, even Shino had ditched us as well and I was left with the wall of a human in front of me, I was pissed. All our friends were going off to have sex or cuddle sweetly to sleep, while I had to figure out some way to not awkwardly say goodbye to Sasuke and go home to my sad excuse of an apartment.

Nonetheless, I smiled and began to get up from my seat when the arrogant jerk finally spoke up. "You forgot to pay."

I snapped my eyes shut and inhaled deeply. Couldn't he even be courteous enough as a fucking friend to pay my bill for a drink and three pieces of meat with his hierarchy trust fund? Knowing I simply forgot may I add, and that no one else paid their share. I'm that relentlessly aggravating to him? He won't mention it to the idiots that ditched us and will cover them, but he'll gladly remind foolish little Sakura to pay the minimal Ryo he suddenly won't afford.

I opened my eyes and forced the tightest smile at him. "Oh my bad, Sasuke-Kun. Sure am glad the other 11 that just left were respected enough to pay themselves," I seethed through gritted teeth, searching my pocket and slapping ryo on the table.

He frowned, shifting awkwardly. "I just thought we could share the bill and scold them tomorrow, but if you want to be emotional–," he began before I cut him off.

My eyes widened. "Oh, you're right. Stupid 'emotional Sakura.' Forget about it. I've got the whole check,' I said, pulling out more ryo as I spoke.

Sasuke also stood up, "Sakura hold on. For god's sake that's not what I meant," he spat, following me out of the restaurant.

There it is again. Talking to me like I'm a toddler that needs to be coaxed. We were in a fairly empty street now as he continued to trail after me.

I whipped around and glared at him, stopping mid-step. "Stop being so fucking condescending when you talk to me!" I shouted, marching towards him and shoving a finger in his face.

He didn't like being told what to do. I know that. But it still slightly surprised me when he glanced at me and was livid. He grabbed my wrist and shoved my hand away. "Then quit having a tantrum before taking a moment to let someone elaborate on what they're trying to say," he sneered, leaning in angrily.

I pushed his chest with my two hands and he almost stumbled backward. "Oh, you're one to talk about temper tantrums, Sasuke Uchiha," I spat, tears welling up despite my pride begging me not to cry amid a fight with this damned man.

Sasuke groaned and wiped his face. "What is your issue lately?"

Is he trying to be an ass? "My issue? You want to know what my issue is, Sasuke?" I said, implying impatience.

He gaped at me. "Yes. For fucks sake tell me what in hell your issue is."

I couldn't help it. A tear slid down before I could hold it in. I sniffed aggressively. "Is it so damn hard to even imagine me as an option?" I spat, striding forward and glaring up at him.

Sasuke seemed to be taken aback by my outburst. His eyebrows drew together and he just faintly stumbled. "What?"

I breathed in slowly to gather composure. "I said, is it so damn hard to consider me, to imagine me as an option?" I asked again, slowly.

Sasuke gulped and peered down skeptically at me. "I don't know what you mean-,"

"Bullshit!" I yelled, finally grasping a full reaction from the stoic peace of shit. His mouth clamped shut and he stilled. "You're not dumb Uchiha, you know exactly what I mean."

He scoffed and crossed his arms. "I'm going to need you to elaborate, Sakura," he drawled on, eyeing me.

I rolled my eyes and turned away from him in a huff. "Oh for god's sake," I began, turning towards him. "We've known each other our whole lives. I was annoying when we were younger, yes, I know. But I'm not younger anymore. I've wanted nothing but the best for you for years now and have treated you with nothing less than all my love, loyalty, and care."

Sasuke's tense features softened. "Sakura what-,"

"Shut the fuck up and let me talk you prick!" I interrupted again. He sighed and nodded.

I sniffed again, glaring squarely at him. "All this. All my love for you, all my waiting, all my patience, and still you won't consider me. You can't even for just one second imagine that you'd want to be with me. You have no interest. We go to all these dinners. All these bars, all these parties, and watch our friends get together and start to have lived together and love each other." I was silently crying as I spoke and my tears evidently started to make Sasuke rigid.

"You don't have to love me. I don't expect that from you. I know that. But couldn't you at least pretend to fucking care a little about me? For the sake of my stupid heart, couldn't you just give me the time of day?" I started up again.

"Sakura-,"

"Because you don't! You won't make an advance, you won't be the first to initiate hugs when we meet up. You won't allow yourself to be with me because I'm just so god-damned miserable to even think about playing in love with you after all this time," I continued.

"Sakura-,"

"You don't have to love me like that Sasuke. But why do you have to be so fucking blunt about it to the point where you don't even treat me nicely considering that it's not going to happen. You could at least be nice-,"

"For fuck's sake shut the hell up and let me speak to you!" Sasuke shouted, gripping my shoulders and shoving me closer.

I froze and stopped talking, staring wide-eyed at him in shock.

He sighed and wiped his face with a hand, standing taller. "Look, not that I owe you an explanation, but I fucking have imagined it, I've even considered it, not even that, I've wanted you! I thought you understood that," he spat, sucking in an exasperated breath.

I blinked. "What? You…, How would I know that?" I said, still not fully processing his words.

Sasuke looked at me like I was dumb. "The forehead tap, idiot. The necklace with my clan's fucking symbol on it for your birthday. I walk your ass home. I eat lunch with you. You see me doing that with any other girl?" he asked expectantly.

I gaped at him. Now realizing that yes, those things could be considered, in some cases, romantic. "But you never said it out loud. I had a right to assume that even after all that if you won't express romantic interest, it must mean that there's just no way you'd want me like that-,"

"Oh my god, why does everything need to be said aloud?" he asked, a pissed edge to his voice.

I solemnly looked up at him. "I don't know. I think too much. I need confirmation, Sasuke." I said, almost too quietly to hear.

He softened slightly. "Well, I prefer actions to words. You know that better than anyone, Sakura," he said.

I frowned, feeling foolish for my clingy thoughts. "So what. You like me?" It sounded so childish and silly, and yet somehow, it pulled a smile from Sasuke's blessed features.

I scowled at his condescending face and was about to retort to his ignorance when I felt warm hands rest around my neck. I froze and returned my gaze to his dark eyes. I planned to speak but any words were silenced by the abrupt presence of warmth on my lips.

Sasuke was kissing me.

I noted this swiftly as my eyes scanned over his closed ones while he pressed his lips to mine, surprisingly soft.

I sighed and shut my own eyes, reaching my arms around his neck and giving in, finally. Sasuke's head cocked lightly as he deepened the kiss, opening his mouth more, carefully. I followed suit and opened my own, pressing closer against him.

After a sinfully long moment, we pulled away for air and I gasped almost childishly at what had just happened, bringing my fingers to caress my lips that just tasted Sasuke's.

I blushed as I looked back up at him, mouth still open, one hand lazily spread over his shoulders. He still had his palms cupping my jaw as the corner of his mouth quirked.

My mouth opened and closed a few times until finally, "So?" I asked, hesitantly.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed and confusion tinted his face. "So what?"

I took a deep, choppy, breath. "So do you like me? I just asked you that." I stated pointedly.

Sasuke scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Are you kidding me, Sakura? I just kissed you," he breathed.

I crossed my arms and huffed. "I just wanna hear you say it. Please, Sasuke."

He sighed and shoved one hand in his pocket, placing the other at the back of my head, pulling it towards his face, and softly pecking my forehead. He pulled away and offered a sinister smile.

I stood frozen as he started to walk away, in the direction of my house. Confused, I debated not following him until he paused and turned his head slightly back. "Yeah. Something like that. Now zip it and let me walk you home."

I stayed still. Were those words enough?

He groaned and turned more towards me, extending a hand. "Sakura." His eyes were lit and I could tell he was fighting some excuse of a smile.

I let a grin spread across my cold cheeks and nodded. "Okay then," I gave in, accepting his hand.