Artheph's Note: A review has been brought to my attention. And let me tell you it made Crysthur and my jaw DROP. We were like...GASP!! Inuryu: dude good story but i know i'm going to sound dumb but what's sterile? Cough cough. Just how old are you, child? This story IS rated pg-13, is it not? People 13 and older HAFTA know what sterile is. OH! I just realized I'm bashing Inuryu. I'm sorry. But it's just so gasp-inducing. OK to clarify JUST FOR YOU, Inuryu, sterile means ...you cannot produce babies. Now, for even MORE clarification, since guys can't really produce babies in the FIRST case, as Naruto so kindly pointed out to Sasuke in a previous chapter, it means guys can't produce SPERM. Is that clear enough for you, Inuryu? Hopefully, yes, because I would not like to get into any more detail. Go learn about it in biology. Anyway, this chapter is...like... BAM!! FLUFF!! Well, kinda. Enjoy.
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Sasuke woke up to the sound of chirping outside his window. Damn birds, he thought, and was about to throw a shuriken when he felt something by his side. It was Sakura. She must have gravitated towards the nearest source of warmth during the night. Sasuke sighed, but then, he caught a glimpse of her face. The spring sun was shining directly on Sakura, causing a lovely glow. It was as if she had just descended from heaven. She looked so peaceful and innocent, unlike when she was around Sasuke, always wary and cautious. Wow, Sasuke realized, she does act differently around me...I wish she wouldn't. He reached across to brush a few stray bangs off her face. She is so beautiful, he thought, like a cherry blossom. Without realizing what he was doing, Sasuke cupped Sakura's chin and kissed her cheek.
Sakura suddenly stirred from his touch. "Sasuke?" she murmured, her eyes opening.
Startled, he immediately jumped off the bed and said, "The sun's already out. You should get up."
His voice was colder than he intended. Sakura winced at his tone and turned away. She didn't see the blush that had formed on Sasuke's face.
What did I just do? Sasuke asked himself. He was about to apologize when someone pounded on his door.
"Sasuke! Mission!" yelled Naruto.
"Damn...gotta go, Sakura."
Sakura looked up. She was about to speak, but Sasuke had already left. She sighed and prepared for her day...alone.
Sakura, Sasuke thought, as he stood on a branch to rest. I wonder how she's doing. I hope she's not lonely. I hate it when she has that sad look in her eyes. Wait a second. Did I just worry about Sakura? Woah. Do I...do I ..CARE for her? Well, she IS always there for me. She's always trying to comfort me, even when I don't want her to. She's always helping me, and I've never done anything for her. I just love her presence. Woah. Did I just say I love her –
A kunai was pressed against Sasuke's throat. Somebody had snuck up behind him. "I finally got you, Uchiha," the shadow behind him said, in a snake-like voice.
The swinging door to the kitchen hit Sakura on her back.
"Oww..."
After three months of living in the Uchiha household, Sakura STILL wasn't used to those darned swinging doors. But she hadn't felt that sharp pain in her back for a while now. Why? From wherever he was in the house, Sasuke would suddenly appear to stop the door from swinging into Sakura. Sakura had taken the kind act for granted, but now that Sasuke was gone on his mission, Sakura found herself thinking,"I wish Sasuke was here..."She gasped. I'm missing...Sasuke? Suddenly, a chain of flashbacks of all the times Sasuke had been nice to Sakura came to her mind. There weren't that many, but Sakura remembered each fondly. She sat down on the kitchen floor, covered her face with her hands, and started crying. I...I...love him so much...
What happened to my sharp senses, thought Sasuke, worriedly.
"So, what happened to the great Uchiha's oh so sharp sense?" the voice mocked.
The voice was so familiar.
"Or, were you too busy thinking about your dear Sakura? How she constantly cares for you, but you never do anything in return?"
"NARUTO!!"
Naruto chuckled. "Took you long enough."
"Why you!! Wait, how'd you know I was thinking about Sakura?"
"You didn't realize you were talking out loud?"
"...I was?"
Naruto sighed. "So, do you love her then?"
"What?! What gave you THAT idea?"
"Oh I dunno. Maybe because usually when you start worrying about a girl, it kinda means you LIKE her," Naruto said sarcastically.
"Shut up."
"GASP! Do I see some romance budding?"
"SHUT UP." Sasuke was about to storm off when he realized he was still standing on a branch. He lost his balance and fell to the dark forest floor.
"Sasuke!!"
Sasuke opened his eyes. White ceiling, white walls, and a white cover on a white bed. Ahh, he thought, hospital. What happened this time? He squinted, as the sun's rays moved to shine directly on his face. NARUTO. That idiot. He looked at the injuries caused from falling off the high tree branch. Left arm in a cast. Then Sasuke tried to wiggle his toes. No good. Bandages on toes. I'm so gonna kill him. Suddenly, a scent caught his nose. Cherry blossoms? He glanced to his right. A chair had been placed close to Sasuke's bed. Someone, sitting on the chair, had bent forward and placed her arms on the bed. Her head, facing the away from Sasuke, was nestled comfortably on top of her arms. Breathing steadily, the person was asleep.
Sakura. Sasuke smiled fondly. He twirled a lock of soft pink hair around his finger. Always here. Always caring. Always loving...me? No, not anymore. Not after Itachi. Or does she? Yes? Hopefully?
Sakura woke up. She turned her head around.
"Hey," Sasuke smiled.
Cute smile, Sakura thought.
"Hi," she grinned back.
The two thoughtfully looked into each other's eyes, remembering their realizations from the day before.
Artheph's Note: This is kinda short. Sorry guys! It's just the next parts are OH SO LONG, and it cuts off perfectly here.
