A/N: Everyone knows I am a DISCLAIMER here, so I don't need to repeat.

Of Legends and Lovers»» A SasuSaku Fic

Chapter Two: He's Back!

"Okay," Neji whispered "You fox kid take care of her or else---" Then he did so many hand movements and disappeared in the thin air.

"OK alright!" Naruto said "now as I was saying, Hinata-love…"

Sakura sighed, "Nee, Gaara-kun… can we order now?" Sakura asked. He was staring at her all the time. Then he briskly nodded. Suddenly, Ebisu appeared in the scene.

"Lovebirds?" he asked "It's so sad, I didn't bring some girl here."

"That's not it, Ebisu-sensei! Gaara-kun and I have no other relationship than friendship!" Sakura insisted. "besides, it's really these two beside us who are LOVEBIRDS, nee?"

"Oh yeah, nice one!" Ebisu cheered on Naruto. Hinata just smiled shyly, and then looked at a distance. She looked at every corner, then sighed as she looked at Sakura's lonely face.

"She wasn't that lonely before he left," she thought. "I wish something good will happen to Sakura-chan. I want her precious smile to be back, and I know so is everyone else."

Night finally came. It was a cold night, and winter is really fast approaching that November evening. It was Chouji who volunteered to look after the food--- as the usual food storage, and Hinata and Ten-Ten took care of collecting invitations. They were outside, and so is Neji and Naruto. All of the senseis are in, except the moderator of everything. Anko and Kurenai had a sudden truce not to ruin Kakashi's sweat and blood, as they say.

Gaara, Lee and the rest except Sakura and Ino are not yet there. They said they'd pick up the best flowers for that certain night. And so, the two girls finally came in. Sakura, who wore an accented golden gown down to her heels fascinated everyone in the hall. Lee's eyes turned little hearts, while Gaara was red all over. You'll notice that her extreme beauty was released. Her hair flew as she takes her path to the center, and it makes her more attractive, promise!

Hinata and Ten-Ten are still worried about their sensei. Anko and Kurenai waited outside to make sure he will come.

"Oh no, not this time!" Sakura told everyone. "Nee, Naruto it is only you, I and Sasuke-kun who know how late Kakashi-sensei comes! It will be two hours after the said time!"

Everyone groaned in annoyance.

"Hai! And his very lame reason is:" Naruto said.

"I GOT LOST IN THE ROAD OF LIFE…" they both chorused.

Everyone laughed. Then back to Hinata and Ten -Ten, Kakashi finally arrived. He was beside some dark figure, and then the girls concentrated in counting the invitations.

"When we add Kakashi-sensei's invitation it would be 24 copies, but it was written that we have 25 copies!" Ten-Ten cried "Who has the other one?"

"Mine," an emotionless voice chanted, then he gave the invitation and stunned the two girls.

"What's gone with you? You look pale!" Kakashi exclaimed. "Let's go in. The guest of honor finally arrived with me,"

Ten-Ten and Hinata curiously followed, then glanced back to the last invitation. Uchiha Sasuke.

Sakura was handed a glass of liquor and she toasted with Naruto.
"For Kakashi-sensei's usual lateness!" Naruto yelled. Everyone suddenly stopped chitchatting as Kakashi finally arrived with the two girls. Naruto was shocked and too stunned to move.

When it's Sakura's turn to look and be curious about what had happened… she looked straight into the people at the door. Everyone's eyes are on her.

Black onyx eyes, raven hair, usual facial expression… same forehead protector, and an attractive face.

No, I must be dreaming! Wake up Sakura!
"Can somebody please help me?" she suddenly asked. "My imagination… it sucks---" she was stopped when the figure she thought as imagination walked towards her.

"You're not dreaming." it said, rather he said. "…Sakura,"

She was stunned, surprised, happy, excited--- everything a living person can feel. She dropped her glass challis and then it broke the deafening silence. Even Naruto big-mouth has nothing to say.

"Gomen?" she asked. "Stop fooling me people! Don't--- Don't make a fool out of me! Someone has used a jutsu and plays a trick on me!"

Then she suppressed a tear flowing freely on her face as she began, frantically picking up the glass pieces she had broken. Suddenly on the middle of her meddling act, a hand helped her in picking the pieces, and she saw black hair Not like Sadako's! Hah! Who had watched Rings 0, 1, and 2? The Ring trilogy is most fave movies!--- sorry to interrupt, hehe! and she stopped,noting the way strands of that said black hair would move in his rhythm and almost touch her face.

"S-Sasuke-kun?"

He looked at her way and then she noticed the very small distance between them, and she could hear his rhythmic breathing. She could also feel his warm breath fanning her pale face as it continues. She touched a piece of the shattered glass and it made a small cut on her index finger. He quickly got her hand and stared at the wound. He felt it's warmth as it cupped his own hand--- and she was now crying.

"Does it hurt?" he asked anxiously. "C'mon now, we're getting first aid,"

She continued to cry and didn't care to say a word. This moment seems to be forever and a split second in reality. He helped her got up still they are hand-in-hand. Everyone proudly looked at Sakura, and some girls started to cry too. Soo emotional! Oops! It's not them, but the writer--- ME! Sasuke brought out a handkerchief and wiped her tears away.

"I thought you'd be glad when I return, but you cried." he said nonchalantly. "I guess I was wrong."

"Yeah, Hell yeah!" Sakura cried out loud. "Wrong interpretation, Sasuke-kun!" she wiped her tears with the wounded hand and the handkerchief became blood-stained. "Those were tears of joy, man!"

He chuckled against his will and it stunned everyone. Naruto sniffled his tears away. "I'm sooo glad for Sakura-chan!" he cried. He went near to the couple. Kakashi went to them too. Anko got her camera and then she clicked. A flash--- and it's a picture.

"You four seems a picture-perfect cause of the entire reunion," Tsunade-sama began as she entered the scene. "Can I join?"

Everyone nodded happily.

The whole night continued and Sakura's small cut was dressed. Sasuke was still beside her, and she clings to him. Sakura realized what she's doing.
"Oops! Sorry, I just get carried away," she winced and she was blushing. "Hey, aren't you supposed to go away me right now?"

"What do you mean?" he asked innocently.

"Ah! I know you well, my friend!" she exclaimed. "You hate girls doing that--- except when---" she sobbed.

"Hey, Sakura!" he asked "what's wrong with you?"

"Except when you already have a girlfriend for the last five years!" Sakura cried out. "Wahhh! My waiting has no use after all."

"Of course not," he said and he smiled brightly on her. "I left my heart here at Konoha," he blushed slightly.

"Gosh!" Inner Sakura cried out. "Go for it girl!" Sakura cleared her throat. It was her very chance to talk to him!
"Anou, Sasuke-kun… can we--- talk?"

"Sure," he agreed and then he followed her lead to the outside garden. The place was somewhat cold, and Sakura almost shivered. He arrived, pacing next to her and Sakura looked at him directly. She seized that moment to look at him and this was her night.

"What do you want to talk about?"

"…"

"Ne, Sakura?"

She went back in the glimpse of reality, and she smiled at Sasuke gratefully. "Hai?"

He looked at her directly, as if he was observing the entire appearance of Sakura. A thought raced his mind--- examining how beautiful she looks. Matured, womanly and elegant. The little Kunoichi wasn't the one he met years ago, and she'd grown into a very beautiful and attractive woman. Her graceful movement swept him away--- as if everything wasn't real.

"Aa… I won't leave Konoha now, you know…" he started a topic of a conversation. "I finally got it--- everything, but…"

"Banzai then!" she exclaimed. "I'm so happy! You don't know how I'd become these years waiting for you! I… missed you very much!"
She stopped bickering as he fell silent.

"…did you… missed me?"

He stopped. "Of course I do," She clapped inside her, "and so as the others," he continued.

"Good," she smiled shyly and she looked directly on him. "Well, I think we should--- wait, you haven't finished your 'but' a while ago, what was it?"

"… I got revenge but I--- still feel so deprived," he continued "something's missing in me,"

"Nani? The strongest here misses a thing that ruins him?" she asked, unbelievably. "Oh come on Sasuke-kun. I know that's not you--- not the way you take something. You always played strong--"

"I don't know, it's just it." he said nonchalantly, breaking her words.

"Aha! I know it!" she cried "Lovelife?" she blushed, "never mind what I've said, he-he..."

"Love… life?"

"I said never mind!" she scolded, and she cupped her mouth. It wasn't someone ordinary but her beloved. "Gomen,"

"Daijoubu desu," he replied plainly. He gazed up the sky. Kakashi told him he prepared something special for everyone. He told him to look up and then suddenly, a burst of differently colored lights lit up their night.

"Whoa! Fireworks!" Sakura exclaimed happily. Sasuke glanced next to her--- and she was just pulled next to him. His strong arms had made her to that point. She was really deep crimson. The vast distance turned to a narrow one. How could this be happening? His wisps of hair moved to her face as the cool wind blows gently. Sakura lifted her arm and with stable fingers she brushed one lock of his hair behind his ear. He smelled wonderful. She loved the way he looks at her this night and wishes it won't last. Then a flashback came to her.

/FLASHBACK NO. 2/

"… For any couple watching the Fireworks together, an indemnity of love is present…"

"Anou! Is that true?" Sakura asked her aunt as she was busy looking up the sky.

"Hai, Chinese people believe in that."

"But we are not Chinese!" Sakura cried. "I wanna take Sasuke-kun to a fireworks place!" She grinned.

"It happens, Sakura. Believe me. That's how me and your Uncle got married."

"Sasuke-kun…" she thought.

/END OF FLASHBACK NO. 2/

Sakura smiled at Sasuke and she suddenly cling to him. Sasuke doesn't want to let go of her. To them, that was the happiest moment they had. Snitching a glance to Sasuke, she blushed. Her wish did came true. Then Kakashi noticed something in the sky--- going down and glimmering.

"Meteors?"

"Wow! Hinata-chan! We should wish!" Naruto cried, and he pulled her next to her. Anko and Kurenai rushed to Kakashi's side.

"Wha---" he stopped as they cling to him.

Sakura smiled wider. Yippee! Meteor shower means hope for lovers at the same place! Wow! Sasuke-kun's beside me. Hmmm…

"Any problem?" he broke the deafening silence. "hn?"

"Nothing!"

"…" he was staring at her.

"Wakari masu?" she asked. "or I need to repeat--- nee! Lee-kun, Gaara-kun!"

The three boys glared at each other. "So you've returned," Lee spoke first.

"Hn." Gaara and Sasuke subsequently sneered.

"Hey, guys! Cool off! I know you are all former enemies---" Sakura spoke up softly but almost scolding them.

Sasuke turned away from Gaara and Lee. Then Sakura followed her like a lost cat. Sasuke smirked jubilantly to himself that at least he still got her tied up in his finger. He could hear Lee and Gaara scowl. He looked back again on them and he smirked. Gaara grunted, and Lee left. Gaara gave him an angry glare before he left.

"Special relationship with them?" Sasuke asked. "they glared at me all the time,"

"Friends, actually. Best friends." she answered. "They usually keep my company while you were--- practically, away. Yeah."

"Really," he muttered without enthusiasm in his usual bored tone. He looked at her directly, and then he remembered when Kakashi was the one who gave him a reason to go back--- but something deeper. He had told him that Lee and Gaara loved Cherry blossoms… and in his literal way of talking has some meaning in it.

That's because she grew beautiful, you idiot. he scolded himself.