Birthdays Past
Chapter 4: Water Works
By: Vampire Toy
PG 13 (Just in case)
Disclaimer: Me no own ;;
"Talking"
(Inner Sakura) – Can someone tell me how to do italics and stuff? Because how I thought you did it doesn't work…..thanks! ;
:Sound effect:
FYI: I know these past few chapters are very long and I'm sorry if it makes it hard to read for some but bare with me; the 5th chapter has been done and I will upload it Sunday to give you time to read and review, thanks guys nn
I decided to walk to the meeting place; I wanted to compose myself and get rid of the redness that might have been in my eyes from crying.
I can't tell Sasuke-kun, he'll get himself killed… I can't even give him any suspicions. (Because if he asks you'll blurt it out, idiot)
Hmmn, I looked down at the chains and untied the note, putting the two chains around my neck so I wouldn't have to carry them.
(Take a deep breath) I opened the note and read over it slowly.
Dearest Sakura-chan,
You forgot your gift earlier today so I thought I'd drop by and give it to you, but I decided not to bother you, so hopefully you found these easily; Happy Birthday Sakura-chan. My apologies for my incompetent brother, but know that I'll make your birthday wish come true.
March 28th
(HE'S INSANE! WHAT BIRTHDAY WISH! I WISH HE'D GO AWAY!) Arg….. I could almost see the smirk on his face when he wrote this…. and now he knows where I live! Good thing mom and dad haven't come home yet (:sigh:) Well, I bet its an important meeting, they wouldn't be in the Grass Village otherwise.
I sighed and put the note in my pouch and looked up to see both teams already there, wait, one more team there….(INO'S TEAM?)
"Hello sorry I'm late…"
"Your not usually late Sakura-chan."
"Ok Naruto…." (Stop making me feel bad ;;)
"Well…umm, Ino…" (TAKE CHARGE!) "Your team is on the same mission?"
"Yup."
(Thank her for the flowers!)
"Thanks."
"Hmm?"
"For the flowers."
"No problem, we were actually gonna get rid of most of those so I figured it'd save me some money to just give em to you as a gift."
(INO-PIG!)
"Heh…"
"But, I hoped you had a good birthday."
(Define 'good')
"Wait up, her birthday isn't over yet!" I looked over to see Naruto with a big grin on his face, (what's he going on about?)
"Huh? Her birthday was yesterday, let's not drag out the special treatment now." Ino put her hands on her hips.
"No way! I can't believe you Ino, you've known Sakura forever and you don't even remember! Sakura-chan's birthday is today! I even asked her parents! The 29th, tell her I'm right Sakura!"
(W-what?)
"The…29th?"
"See?"
"No!" (He's lying!)
"Huh?"
"I-its…." Everyone looked at me; Sasuke-kun gave me an odd glance, suggesting he might've thought today was my birthday as well. Hinata gave me a weak smile while Kiba broke into an argument with Naruto about when my birthday was. I couldn't tell them it wasn't my birthday…I couldn't tell them….let them know…that my own PARENTS didn't even know when my birthday was!
"You asked my parents?"
"Yeah! Right before they left for that trip thing, they're back today right?"
"You're a horrible liar! Her birthday was yesterday! You suck even worse than I thought you did!"
"Arg! Kiba! Her parents can't be wrong!"
My heart sunk, I had a sickening feeling that he'd actually spoken to my parents and that's exactly what they'd said.
"I…." (this is….embarrassing…and….I don't want to cry in front of them, I've already cried today…no more…crying…)
"T-today's mission… uh, your sensei isn't here….Ino? So, umm, the sensei's they gave me directions… we're…supposed to go somewhere to the Sand Village, here's three maps map….for the groups of three…of course…"
Everyone was silent and only nodded lightly to my directions. Ino began giving Naruto agitated looks while Hinata whispered something to him and he went pale.
"O-ok….umm, if everyone's ok with their groups…then…"
"Why don't we mix things up a bit?"
"Huh? Oh…umm Ino that might take too long…"
"I'll do it for you then, listen up everyone!"
(Ino…what are you doing? Who are you gonna put me with? Can't you see I'm in pain? If you don't put me with Sasuke-kun…)
"Me, Sakura, and Sasuke-kun are one group, Hinata, Naruto, and Shikamaru, you're in the same group! Choji, Kiba, and Shino, you're the last group!" she turned to me, "There, its settled."
I gave a weak smile and nod, well at least I'm still with Sasuke-kun (like it makes the embarrassment go away, it might've been better if you weren't with him this time…)
Ino began handing out the maps and it turned into gift-giving time. Naruto came up to me followed by Hinata.
"Sakura-chan….umm, well this gift is from Hinata and I, cause, well, we both were short on cash so we buddied up and bought you this…er, Hinata picked it out, cause ya know I dunno how to pick things like this…."
"Happy birthday yesterday Sakura-chan." Hinata smiled softly.
Naruto handed me a square package awkwardly wrapped in yellow paper. I smiled feebly and took it, "Thank you, both of you."
They nod and walked away awkwardly. Shino came next, "I have no money, so I made this, I hope you like it Sakura-san."
"Thank you Shino." I took the small package.
"THAT'S FROM ME TOO SAKURA!" I heard Kiba shout.
"You don't even know what it is." Shino replied.
"Well, urm…"
"Thank you for your gift yesterday Kiba…..kinda…"
He grinned at me and gave me a thumbs up making me twitch slightly. (If he ever licks me again….)
"Happy belated birthday." Shikamaru said handing me his gift, Choji followed him and gave me a gift as well. I wasn't sure whether or not to be happy, I knew that Ino's team probably knew my birthday was yesterday because Ino had been my friend since we were little, Kiba's team knew because of the incident yesterday (Naruto's probably the reason they thought my birthday was today, I mean it sounded like Hinata and Naruto had gone shopping together, so she must've heard it from him…). But what's my team's excuse? I was sure that we'd known each other long enough for them to know my birthday. Kakashi should've known because we had to tell about ourselves when we were first put on his team! We had to give our birthdays and ages and such, they shouldn't have HAD to ask my parents.
Its not there fault…(yes it is) its my parents….(:sob: its there fault too! You've told your team your birthday before!) it's not like I remember THEIR birthdays (you want me to list them for you?) eh….
I paused, listening as Ino gave out more orders, seemingly she'd taken the sheet of directions (all the better, I'll burst into tears if I have to give….wait…Sasuke-kun!) I looked up and over to where Sasuke-kun was standing by a tree. At the very least he must've also thought my birthday was today! (And still, no gift…not even a Happy Birthday….) I hung my head, biting my lip while I waited for Ino to finish.
"Everyone got it? Any questions?"
Naruto's hand shot up.
"What Naruto?" Ino sounded annoyed.
"It's a question for Sakura! Sakura, where'd you find me and Kakashi's chains!" everyone looked at me, even Sasuke. No one else knew the story behind it but they figured it meant SOMETHING.
(I bet you feel really smart wearing those stupid things when you don't want anyone knowing what happened….)
"Found em', are we all ready, Ino?"
"Yes."
"Then lets go!"
"Ok, you heard her, go your specific route, we'll meet at the Sand Village probably tomorrow or a day after depending on what we find, understand? Lets go!"
Everyone began to scatter until it was only Ino, Sasuke-kun, and me.
"So…lets get going."
"Sakura, come walk with me for a second."
I looked at Ino timidly and Ino's face went soft. I scampered over until I was next to her, Sasuke following behind us.
"Your team sucks." She said in a low voice.
"….." (If I say something I'll cry! Ino please don't put me in this position…)
"I mean, Naruto sucks…erm…listen, its an honest mistake…."
"My…parents…"
There was silence.
"He must've heard them wrong."
"No…"
"You actually think they said your birthday was the 29th?"
"….I KNOW they said the 29th."
"What?"
"You've met my parents Ino…"
"Well, yeah, once or twice…when we were little…"
"Only twice because they had work a lot, they still do."
"….."
"I-I mean, they're good parents, they're usually pretty on time with birthdays and stuff, but….I guess they just had a really important meeting this time and muttered the wrong date."
"Well, how about other times, holidays for instance? They're pretty good about those right? Like, Christmas!"
"We don't celebrate Christmas."
"What? But you always gave me a gift…and you said it was your favorite holiday."
"I like gingerbread."
"Sakura!"
"I'd rather not talk about this. I mean, my friends, you… all of you were very nice, you got me gifts and said happy birthday so everything's ok."
Ino was silent, she took a deep breath and crossed her arms over her chest.
"If you need to talk again, I'm here."
"Ok."
I eventually calmed myself enough to shake the likelihood that I would cry if spoken to again. By this time we had walked mostly in silence and were now setting up camp for the night.
"I'll go get some firewood, Sakura why don't you get some water? Sasuke …"
"I'll get food."
"Right."
Ino winked at me walked into the woods (what's that supposed to mean?). I sighed starting my trek into the woods and looked around, this time tomorrow we wont be able to see the forest anymore. We were on the outskirts of the desert, the last bit of forest before growths was scarce and nothing more than dry sand and caverns would greet us.
"Sakura."
(Sasuke?)
"Uh, yes?" I turned slightly to see Sasuke follow me into the woods.
"I'm going fishing, I'll walk with you."
"Huh…ok!" :BLUSH: fishing! Yes! He's doing it on purpose! So he can be near me? (….er…maybe to get FOOD)….right, but he'll still be with me!
"Ok Sasuke-kun!" (Well, I'm feeling a little better now, I should open my gifts when we're all sitting down, that might cheer me up even more…)
"Sakura….those chains…."
(No! Boo! Not the chains! Don't talk about the chains:hiss: no I don't wanna talk about it!)
"Yes?"
"During yesterday's practice Kakashi and Naruto lost those chains because they were attacked by someone…."
"…Y-yes?" (NOOOOO! Stop talking Sakura! What if he asks who the guy was? HE CAN SEE THROUGH YOU LIKE A WINDOW!)
"Did….you take those from them?"
He doesn't look too confident about that question (Because you know he wants to know who REALLY took them…..)
"Er…no…I-I found them today and….eh, I was going to give them back to Kakashi but…didn't get the chance…er.. the man/woman must've gotten scared that he/she might be caught so….um…they...uh….dropped it!" (Great job! Believably, honest to some extent….its all good)
He was silent for a while and then he stopped.
(Why is he stopping?)
:squish:
(Oh….that's why) I looked down and blushed, I'd walked right into the shallow end of the river bank. I stepped back slowly trying to limit the squishing noises just in case Sasuke-kun hadn't already seen me.
"When you finish getting the water, wait for me."
I blush again and nod but noticed a small smirk on his face. (Noooo! So much…embarrassment….)
"Sakura, take off your shoes before you go in the water again," (Yeah I already know, thanks for the heads up) "We'll dry them when we get back to camp….you can wear mine on the way back."
"I…um, that's ok Sasuke-kun, what about you? You should wear your shoes, besides they wouldn't fit me." (I hope… O-o)
"No, I'll be fine."
"….thank you." (Its hard to argue with him….which is why it's a good thing your not talking about the chains anymore ;)
We sat silently while he fished and every now and then I'd try gather up the courage to say something, but then remind myself that fishing required silence.
"Hmm."
"Sasuke-kun?"
"This isn't working." He stood up and took off his shirt and took off his shorts.
(KYA!)
"Sakura, hold my shirt like a basket, I'll be putting the fish in there when I catch them." He handed me his shirt and I could only gawk.
(Look at his body! I-I mean DON'T look! Ah! He's so muscular, well duh…he works out….EEE! He's so hot!)
Sasuke went into the deeper end of the water and began stabbing fish with the pole he'd been using.
:dies: Catching fish half naked; Sasuke-kun, this is a wonderful birthday gift I forgive you… (Hey, hey! Stay strong! Don't fall for it….don't look too long!…..well, I guess you can look a little longer…..hey wait! He caught a fish!)
"Yay! I knew you could do it Sasuke-kun!"
Sasuke looked at me with a smirk, holding the fish up for me to see.
"Get my shirt ready ok?"
(What? Is he gonna throw it or something?) He began walking over and I let out a small sigh of relief, I could almost see what would've happened should he have thrown it. I slow motion scene of the fish hitting my face was too much for me to bear.
He ripped the fish off and put it in his shirt as I held it out for him. It went like this about three more times, a fish for us each. Or so I assumed, and put the shirt down, tied up nicely so the fish wouldn't fall out.
"Great job Sasuke-kun!"
"Sakura! Get my shirt ready!"
"Huh?" (More fish!)
"Hurry!"
"Uhh! Hold on!" I grabbed at the shirt but my back heel slipped on a rock and I went flying into the water.
I hadn't realized how deep the river was further down and went completely under. I felt two hands grab my shoulders and pull me back up.
:GASP:
"Sakura, are you alright?"
"I :cough: I'm fine…" (so…embarrassed, I cant seem to do anything right around you Sasuke-kun…)
I hung my head; I must look like a drowned cat.
":cough: err, sorry I think your fish got away…." I said referring to the scattering mass of trout.
"Its ok, we have enough, I was just getting more in case…."
(Even your pretend birthday sucks!) my throat went dry and I scrunched my face. Now would be a terrible time to cry….he'll think it's cause you fell into the water….and that's a stupid reason to cry… (The whole days been bad….save for a few instances….think of those!) I can't….
"Sakura…?"
:hic: (NOOO! Suck it up!)
"Sakura…look at me….are you ok?"
I looked up slowly, biting my lip harder and causing it to bleed slightly. He looked at me for a moment and then simply pulled us both out of the water.
"Here, you can wear my pants,"
"Sorry…"
"Its ok Sakura, we didn't need anymore fish."
"Sasuke-kun, I'm so sorry."
"…Sakura what's with you?" he turned to me and I burst into tears.
"Sasuke-kun I'm really sorry! I'm so sorry!"
"For…for what?"
"Everything!" I threw my arms around him and hugged him tightly. (I'm sorry I cant tell you about Itachi! I'm sorry I always get in your way!)
We stood there for a while until my sobs died down, Sasuke just letting me hold him. I finally calmed and dropped down onto my knees.
(I'm REALLY tired now)
Sasuke bent down a moment later and I felt his arms wrap around me.
Is he hugging me! How should I take this? (Don't jump to any conclusions….) right…
He let go then walked over to pick up his pants and pull something out of its pocket.
"Sakura, I'll turn around so you can take off your wet clothes and put on my pants ok? You'll get sick if you stay like that."
"Ok." (Well, look at it this way, your finally getting in his pants right?) I took off my sopping clothes until I was in only my fishnet top, bra, and panties (and those stupid chains!). I hesitated for a moment and looked over at Sasuke, he was fidgeting with something but didn't turn around.
Just put on the pants and lets go!…..(I can't believe he's going to stay in his underwear XD)
I slipped them on and they almost fell off, (urg, well, I'm glad his hips are bigger than mine). I took off my headband and tied it around my waist to keep the pants up.
"You…can turn around now…"
He turned and stared at me for a second.
Eeep! Stop staring! Wait, I'm still in my bra, that could be it…..(but there's nothing there to look at! ;;)
"Both our clothes should be dry by tomorrow…"
"Uh, yeah…."
"We should get going, we've been gone for a while."
"Ino might get worried."
He nod and picked up the fish and my soggy sandals.
"Err, you can wear your sandals Sasuke-kun! I'm ok, really, I mean, I uh, have your pants…" (wow it feels weird to say that OO)
"No, I'll be fine."
"But…"
"Sakura, just wear them."
(He must think I'm so annoying now! Arg, ok, new rule Sakura! No more talking!)
"Ok." (You broke the rule already!)
"Sakura…"
"Hmm?"
I looked over at Sasuke and could've sworn I saw him blush a little, but I wouldn't let myself get carried away (every time you think like this you get hurt….or in trouble, just…don't think either…)
"You weren't home yesterday."
"What?"
"After practice…"
"Oh, uh, yeah, I went to eat dinner with Kiba, Shino, and Hinata."
"Oh…well…I was… going to…"
(…?)
"Here."
He handed me what I assumed he was fidgeting with earlier, a small package. (A GIFT! He remembered! ;; joy!)
"Thank you!"
"Happy….belated….Birthday, Sakura-chan."
(:tears of joy:)
"T-thank you Sasuke-kun!" :BLUSH:
"There you guys are! I have been waiting…-eh? Sasuke-kun, why are you in your underwear?"
(Ino? Oh, we're back at camp already!)
"Arg! Sakura! Why are you wearing his pants? Someone explain this to me!"
"I fell in the water…."
"You klutz!"
(She's not too bothered by this…)
"Well, hopefull you brought water and food!"
"Fish." Sasuke said bluntly holding up his makeshift fish holder.
"Water." I said timidly holding up the bucket.
"Good, at least you didn't mess around the WHOLE time."
"Now, lets eat."
Vampire Toy: Wow, this reeks of Sasusaku….hehe, SORRY! NO BODY BE CONFUSED! This is not the finalized coupling. But it is in the finals, please choose from the following couplings when you vote:
Sakura/Sasuke
Sakura/Gaara
Sakura/Itachi
nn all these are my favorites and have also been voted for the most so far…. If you would like another scene between Itachi and Sakura before the votes are finalized (so you can see how I'll be making them interact) lemme know. It will work with the plot regardless of coupling nn but first, Gaara-kun!
Sorry about the OOC'ness of Itachi but keep in mind that when he was talking with Sakura that his main goal was to get to Sasuke undetected, he was trying to act 'friendly' ;; (I know! I'm a failure!) The note, oh, the note, I hope its not confusing to anyone, Itachi IS insane, you don't HAVE to take it in a romantic sense if this isn't your coupling choice, but I can work with this note throughout the story whether or not ItaSaku is a coupling…..hmm, I did more fanart, a pic of when Sakura found the chains outside her window! (dance) again, email me if you want the link and if u have any fanart
BTW It seemed fast during the part where Sakura was home because I didn't have proper spacing, the formatting doesn't seem to want me to have those little squigglies in between scenes to separate time correctly, my apologies in advanced.
Oh, Ino, of course, needs some lovin' too, so who should she be with? Votes on that too please :)
Also, about her parents, not much is known about them and I'm not saying they're terrible parents but judging by Sakura's personality and going on the fact that her parents don't really have faces yet, I decided to make them both have jobs. It would make sense seeing as Sakura's always away at Ninja school, I don't think she would've gone if it would've meant leaving her mom alone while her dad worked….eh, my psychological spiel for the day, so sorry….
Chapter 5 with its awesome Gaaraness will arrive soon:)
R&R and flames welcome, thanks guys!