Sakura was struggling to stay asleep, and she had already slept for almost a whole day. It felt like it was early morning, just before sunrise. She admired Sasuke's face and how it looked so calm in a sleeping state. She started to focus on his lips and how smooth they were. Memories of the night rush to her and the warm sensation of having him touch her. She blushed, 'oh my god, it happened,' Inner Sakura was screaming inside, 'you go, girl,'.
"Sakura," said Sasuke, still looking like he was asleep. Sakura was very surprised.
"Eh,.. Yes Sasuke," said Sakura.
"Having you stare at me makes it hard to sleep," said Sasuke.
"Eh! Sorry, Sasuke, I'll leave you be," said Sakura. Sakura started to get up to leave the bed, but she felt Sasuke's hand grab her.
"I didn't mean for you to leave," said Sasuke. He pulled her for an embrace. He was squishing her face to his chest.
"I know," said Sakura. "I just can't sleep," this concerned Sasuke, and he started to open his eyes, loosening his hold on her.
"Are you having nightmares again?" asked Sasuke. He was worried the boundaries were failing.
"No, I just feel like I have had enough sleep," said Sakura. Sasuke sighed in relief and didn't want to go through all of that again. They were still under house arrest for at least another two nights till the poison was out of their system.
"Ok, don't go too far," said Sasuke. He moved Sakura's hair behind her ear and kissed her head. Sakura went bright red.
"U-Um, ok," said Sakura. Sasuke started to close his eyes, trying to go back to sleep.
"There is a nice waterfall in the area. It's within the boundaries," said Sasuke.
"Ah, thank you," said Sakura smiling. She picked up her Yukata, put it on, and then headed out of the room. She could see the book that Sasuke was reading yesterday. She was curious about what it was, so she took it with her to explore the grounds.
The river was right in front of the building, and Sakura started walking along the path of the flowing water. She loved hearing the sounds of the river flowing, which was calming. She breathed in, and the air was so clear she could smell the rainforest.
She started to climb the high steps up towards the waterfall and found a resting area. She made herself comfortable and decided to look into Sasuke's book.
She opened the first page, and it had Kakashi writing on it.
-I put a fake cover so Sakura wouldn't know. It may come in handy.
Sakura just realised that Sasuke was reading icha icha paradise. She blushed and put the book down. She giggled a bit at the thought of it all. Memories of the night came back to her. His lips were on hers, and his body was pressed against hers. It felt unreal, like a dream. She freaked out for a moment, thinking, what if this was just a genjutsu? But it wasn't, and it was nothing like a genjustsu or anything like Yume's control. It was real.
It was six days ago since she ran into Sasuke on the stone bench. She couldn't believe how quickly things moved compared to how they interacted before.
They were always sending letters to each other. Sakura updated him on all the events that were happening at Konoha. Who was seeing who, and how she was doing. She also updated him about her work with the mental health hospital.
He would send short responses like 'good work' and 'that's handy'. Even if they were short responses, he would always send one.
Sasuke did visit Konoha on occasion before Naruto's and Hinata's wedding but only briefly. He never stayed in the city overnight, not that she knew of.
They would have small chats, and she would try to ask to join him, and he would cut her off before she could ask by poking her forehead and saying maybe next time.
It surprised her that he would agree to stay at her house, but she was so tired even to realise.
Looking back at the past six days, so much had happened, and she never expected this. She hoped, but she always got hot and cold messages from Sasuke.
More memories of the past six days of how Yume started to take control were beginning to resurface.
It did make her feel uneasy knowing how easy it was for Yume to take over her mind. It reminded her of how Sasuke put her in a genjutsu, which wasn't pleasant and how hard it was to escape it.
It was Yume's favourite memory to use against her. She would also add Sasuke's memories of after she was knocked out.
"You want me to play at romance?" said Sasuke to Kakashi. "I have no reason to like her, nor does she have reason to like me,"
It made the memories even worst. She was surprised that Sasuke and inner Sakura didn't come past it. Sakura could start feeling a presence approaching, one she was very familiar with.
Sasuke sat next to her and noticed the book that he had read. He blushed and kind of facepalmed himself.
"You read it?" asked Sasuke. Sakura still looked deep in thought,
"Huh?" said Sakura. Still looking in the distance. "Oh, you mean icha icha paradise,"
Sakura turns to face him. "Nah, I think I had already read that one, when I stole it from Kakashi," said Sakura with a smile. "Sasuke,"
"hn?" said Sasuke.
"When you knocked me out with your genjutsu at the great war, what did you say?" asked Sakura. This took Sasuke by surprise. He's trying to remember what he said. He recalls that he wasn't being nice.
"I don't remember. It wasn't something nice," said Sasuke. "Why do you ask?"
"Yume would play that scene repeatedly, but she added bits that I wasn't aware of," said Sakura. "Like, 'You want me to play at romance?' and 'I have no reason to like her, nor does she have reason to like me.'"
"That sounds like something I would have said," said Sasuke. Sakura expected as much, but it still hurt. She returned to her deep thoughts and wondered how she had felt now.
"What are your feelings now," asked Sakura. This caught Sasuke by surprise, and he wondered why she would ask this now. Isn't it obvious how he feels now.
"Sakura," said Sasuke. Sakura turns her head towards him, and he reaches out to poke her forehead. Then grabs her face and leans in for a kiss. "How I felt back then is different from how I feel now,"
She blushes and moves closer to him. She leans into Sasuke's shoulder and rests her head on it. The sun started to rise, and they watched the beautiful sunrise together.
After watching the sunrise, they returned to the building, where breakfast was prepared. They both enjoyed the company, eating and discussing the events they missed together. Sasuke shared more details of his travels with Sakura. Sakura felt a sense of peace that she hadn't felt for a long time. Knowing Sasuke was okay and willing to open up with her filled her with happiness.
"So, are you going to tell me why you keep poking me in the forehead?" asked Sakura. Sasuke smirked. It was about time for him to tell her.
"It's something my older brother would do to me," said Sasuke. Sakura understood now that it had much more meaning than she thought. Sasuke started to explain to Sakura his life before his parents died and how much his brother meant to him. Sakura listen attentively to Sasuke.
"I'm sorry," said Sakura. "I acted like a brat around you when we were young,"
"Sakura, I think I'm the one that needs to apologise here," said Sasuke. "I have caused you more hurt than any annoyance from you,"
Sasuke got up and handed his hand to help Sakura up. Sakura blushed at the gesture and accepted it. They started to head to the other room.
"I'm going to take a shower," said Sasuke. This gave Sakura an idea, and trying to find the courage to go through it.
"Sasuke," said Sakura going very red in the face.
"hn," responded Sasuke.
"C-Can… I …join you," said Sakura regretting even asking it. Sasuke looked at Sakura and was taken aback by her question, making him smirk.
"If you like," said Sasuke. Sasuke started walking towards the showers. Sakura was standing there like a deer in headlights. "Are you coming?" asked Sasuke. That woke her up. She nodded and followed him. She wondered if she was going to regret it.
Sasuke started taking his clothes off and went into the shower, turning the water on. He looked at Sakura, smirking. She looked a bit apprehensive about undressing.
"Are you afraid?" said Sasuke teasing Sakura. She huffed and started to undress. Sasuke looked away to make it easier for her.
Sakura walked in and placed her hand on Sasuke's back. Sasuke turns around, watching the water run down her hair. He gave her a small smile and lifted his hand to brush Sakura's face. He moved his hand towards the back of her neck, pulling her in for a kiss.
Sakura slowly broke away from the kiss and spoke. "Sasuke,"
"Hn," responded Sasuke.
"C-Can I, um, is it ok, i-if I, um, can I please wash you," said Sakura. She felt embarrassed for even asking such a question. Sasuke was a little taken aback by the request but found it a bit sweet.
"If you must," said Sasuke with a slight grin. He hands her the wash sponge. Sakura looked at it and was stunned that he was letting her do it. She gladding accepted the sponge and started to wash him. She was enjoying every moment of being around him, watching Sasuke being at ease around her and just living in the moment with each other.
Once Sakura was done, Sasuke grabbed the sponge off her. "Sakura, turn around," said Sasuke. Sakura blushed and complied with his demands. His touch was soft, like he was trying to memorise every inch of her body.
Sasuke felt like he was being tortured, having Sakura in front of him and touching her skin. It was driving him crazy. He had to stop,
"Sakura," said Sasuke.
"Uh? What's wrong, Sasuke?" said Sakura. She turns to face Sasuke, who looks like he is in pain. "Sasuke, are you ok?" he grabs Sakura and embraces her with his body. He moves his mouth towards hers and kisses her deeply.
Once Sakura can break free from his kiss, she turns the water off.
"Um, should we continue this in the bedroom?" said Sakura, blushing. She didn't need to tell Sasuke more than once. Sasuke grabs Sakura over his shoulder and starts to head towards the bedroom.
"Oi!," yelled Sakura. "I can walk, you know,"
"I know, but this is more fun," said Sasuke. "Also, I don't think you will be able to once I'm done with you,"
Sakura was slightly scared and excited at the same time.
Author notes:
Sorry for the delay, just needed to take a break from it. My updates with slow down because I got a lot going on at the moment but I will continue so don't worry.
There is something to be looking forward to and it is the 23rd Oct, Sasuke retsuden manga is coming out!
