Inutenshi: Ah! So sorry!I meant to update sooner! Ah! I feel horrible!
Sassy: Quit whining! Its supposed to be a happy day!
Saku: O.o...And how is today happy?
Sassy: Why...ITS NATIONAL I LOVE YOU DAY! (hugs saku) I LOVE YOU SAKURA!
Inutenshi: O.o...Okay...Who slipped Sassy the happy pills?
Saku: Uh...Sasuke? As much as I like the attention...1:You need to get off the anti-depressants. And 2: National I love you Day ended 2 hours and 43 minutes ago.
Sassy: Wait...It almost 3 in the morning! Ah crap! (happy pills wear off, goes to bed)
Inutenshi: Oooookay. Lets get this started!
An empty cardboard box thumped and skid across the floor as Sakura kicked it aside and made her way over to the last part of her daily exercise. Her fingertips, devoid of long nails, smoothed over the buttons of her stereo before passing over and pressing the next button. The sound of electric guitars and steadily beating drums emerged as she jumped up to reach the pull-up bar bolted to her wall and clutched it tightly in her wrapped hands. She inhaled deeply as she pulled herself up then exhaled as she let herself down, exercising and meditating at the same time. Training herself while sorting through her daily schedule.
Since it was Valentine's Day, almost everyone would be busy, including her teachers. No missions or partnered training today. Her apartment was finally finished save for the empty box she'd kicked, the unplugged T.V. and little electronics randomly placed about the room. After this her daily training would be pretty much done. Naruto and Lee had stopped by with flowers, but both seemed as desperate as usual. She'd declined both of them and received many complaints which resulted in her slamming the door in their faces. Sakura didn't want to be mean, but their obsession was getting to be a little ridiculous. Ino's offer of the party was still available, but she doubted that she'd go anyway.
So another year alone it was.
Well…Sasuke probably didn't have anything to do since he wasn't into such 'pointless' things. Maybe he'd consider training with her or just hanging out or something.
She paused from a moment…then let herself drop back to the floor.
"Yeah, right." She sighed heavily as she unwrapped her sore hands and disappeared down the hall, into her room. "Five years as teammates and he still won't give me a second thought."
The digital clock in her room showed the time in bright green letters. 5:47pm and it was already dark. Of course. It was still winter after all.
Her dark green shorts and black half mesh tube top fluttered to the floor. Her blinds were closed to anyone who might want a peep through the window, leaving her room bathed in near darkness if not for the night lightbeside thekeyboardin the corner. The bathroom she entered was simple.
Dark blue walls with no pattern, a sink, cabinet, toilet, and a bath tub/shower with a dark blue curtain. Slipping in under the hot water, she gave no thought to the fact that no makeup or hair supplies littered the counter nor were the cabinet filled with bottle after bottle of body wash and perfume. Just some off the shelf medication, dental stuff, deodorant, and a first aid kit. All a shinobi really needed. She'd given up her competition of beauty long ago and stuffed all her make up and accessories, except for a few plain scrunchies, in the back of her closet.
Dedicated ninja didn't dwell on such things when there was training and missions to be done. Sakura had learned that the hard way. Her pink locks had eventually grown back to their original length and she'd finally grown into her forehead a little more. And neither should a ninja let their emotions control their actions. But then again, that was a rule that all ninja eventually broke.
Tossing the painful reminder aside, she rinsed the conditioner from her hair, stopped the shower and stepped out. A fuzzy white towel used to dry her off was cast aside, damp from its duties, as she dug out some clothes.A dark red half sleeve shirt and a loose black half shin length skirt. Simple and comfortable.
At home she was free to stretch out, free from her ever persistent friends that would smother her with concern at the slightest hint of depression or change. Here she didn't have to put on a mask and perform.
Here…she was free from him…Him and his stupid pride, rejection, insults, criticism, smart-ass comments, and overall brooding attitude and good looks that made him oh so appealing.
Sure Sakura still liked Sasuke. Hell, she even still loved him despite his betrayal on their hometown and disregard for her feelings. They were still teammates, Naruto, Sasuke, and herself, and always looked out for each other, but she was still the one who was left behind and needed rescuing most. Even after all the years of training and improving, she stillfound herself running after them, just barely catching them by their heels before she fell face first in the dirt.
It hurt to accept it, but she'd never truly be like them. She'd never be able to fight like them or defend herself, no matter how hard the Hokage trained her. She'd never be good enough...
Keeping that in mind, she snatched up her brush and combed her hair fiercely as she slipped down the hall and into the kitchen. The apple she took from the fridge nearly broke to pieces in her tight fist as she tore a chunk from it, chewing it angrily.
Stupid holiday...Stupid memories...Stupid emotions!
Why couldn't she just cut out her heart and be done with the constant torture? Why couldn't she make it stop interfering with her duties so she could just get on with life? Why did it always remind her of him? Why did he have to invade her every thought? Why did he torment her so? Why couldn't he and her stupid feelings just go away?
In a fit of rage, she slapped the brush on the counter and the apple was cast out of her grip where it exploded against the apartment door.
"Sasuke no Baka!"
Sasuke's hand was still, poised in mid-knock on Sakura's apartment door. Yes, he'd heard the smack of whatever had hit the door. And after hearing the person he'd come to see curse his name, he was a little wary of proceeding to even touch the hunk of painted wood.
The hand holding the bouquet clenched.
But he wasn't going to make his walk across town a waste of time. He could at least see what made her so angry with him. Sasuke was sure he hadn't done anything jerkish to her…recently.
His pale knuckles struck the door twice. They pulled back to hit a third time, but the door was wrenched opened, followed by a loud and angry,
"WHAT DO YOU WANT?"
…Silence…
"Um…" He paused. "Hey?"
Sakura's eyes widened.
"S-Sasuke?"
"Um…Did…I come at a bad time?" The slightly stunned Uchiha asked.
The pink haired kunoichi shook her head. "N-no…Um…What are you doing here?"
"I...Well..." He started, keeping the flowers slightly behind him. "I stopped by to see what you were up to."
Oh? Well...Come in."
She stepped aside and let him enter. Shutting the door behind her, Sakura slipped into the kitchen to get her unexpected guest a drink.
"Um...You can throw your coat wherever you want." She called.
Sasuke shrugged off his trench coat and set it over a chair as he brushed the wrinkles from his dark blue sweater and looked about at the plain apartment. To his left was a living room. It had a couch, a recliner, a table, a T.V. with a DVD player and a playstation 2 "(Does she really play with that thing?)", and training equipment neatly organized to fit. To his left was the kitchen counter, over which he could see Sakura searching for tea mix and in front of him was a short hallway with only two rooms, the bedroom and bathroom. The walls were a pale cream color or off white, he couldn't tell by the dim lights coming from the kitchen and small lamp on the table. They were the only light source since the blinds and curtains were shut and the sun had already set.
Turning to look at the door, he saw the remains of the apple sliding down the door.
"Here." His teammate said softly as she handed him the cup of steaming tea.
"Thanks." He replied with equal softness, taking the cup from her and watching as she cleaned the apple off the door. "Um…"
When she was done, had thrown the destroyed fruit away and came back to him with her own drink, Sasuke held up the paper-wrapped flowers.
"These are for you…"
Sakura almost spit out her tea.
"W-what?"
"I got these for you." The male ninja said, becoming slightly annoyed by her incredious expression and almost shoved them at her before stuffing his free hand in his black jeans and taking a sip of his tea.
She took the unexpected gift in her unoccupied hand, her eyes still wide with astonishment. The sight of the black roses surrounding the single red one made her chest ache in an unfamiliar manner. Especially the black ones, the like of which she'd never seen before, nor even knew existed.
"Sasuke…How did….Why did you-"
"I just…" He interrupted, half lidded eyes peering over the lip of the cup. "I just didn't think you should be alone today…I mean…It is Valentine's Day."
"But I thought you didn't concern yourself with stuff like this."
He huffed proudly and turned his head to the side.
"I'll concern myself with whatever I wish to." He said and took a gulp of the still hot drink, not showing any hint of comfort even though it was probably burning his tongue.
She smirked knowingly.
"Uchiha Sasuke...Are you asking me to go out with you?"
The blood rose to his cheeks either from the heat of the tea or from embarrassment. She couldn't tell.
"So what if I am?"
Sakura's smirk softened to a sweet smile as she nodded and moved into the kitchen. Sasuke let out a heavy, relieved sigh and followed closely behind her. A nice sized vase was set upon the counter and she proceeded to remove the wrappings.
Sasuke watched in faint amusement while he sipped more of his drink. His eyes followed her soft pale hands as she lifted each rose and handled it carefully. They watched as her fingertips brushed the sleek petals of a single black rose and her chest rise and fall as she inhaled its unique scent. A slight blush dressed his face when he found himself staring inappropriately.
"Ouch!" She exclaimed, cradling her finger in her other hand.
"What? Did you hurt yourself?" He asked monotonously, the blush fading away.
She nodded modestly, pointing at the last black rose that lay on the paper. A single thorn stood up out of the stem proudly as a drop of crimson slid down it. The jounin sighed heavily, setting down his cup as he took her injured appendage and stared at the blood beading up from the cut.
"You know…in the language of roses…" He spoke softly and closed his lips around the bloody digit, causing Sakura to take in a sharp breath.
She felt heat creeping through her body, starting from her finger to the top of her head and soles of her feet, staining her cheeks and turning her insides to mush. Her heart was pounding so hard and her legs quivered slightly. She feared that she would collapse right here on the kitchen floor. This was so…Un-Sasuke…like…
/OMIGOD! Is this happening/ Inner Sakura squealed. /Do something girl! SAY SOMETHING/
She would've if she could only find her voice, but the increasing heat had melted that too. All she could do was gape like a fish begging for water. Sasuke's mouth slowly pulled away and he looked her straight in the eye.
"Thorns mean danger…" He whispered darkly.
Oh yeah…Definitely un-Sasuke like. Can you say MOODSWING?
Inner Sakura had nothing to say and regular Sakura was barely getting sounds out.
W-was…was he…THE Uchiha Sasuke…flirting with her!
Had he done this a few years ago she would've swooned the moment he took her hand. But she wasn't like that any more. No siree! She was much more mature than that! Yes sir. She was going to stand up to him and his jerkish attitude, awkward mood swings, and all in all sexiness!
...Super Mega Blush!
"Something wrong Sakura?" Sasuke asked teasingly. "Your face looks like a tomato."
/SPEAK DAMN IT/ Inner Sakura screamed. /Don't just stand there looking like a freakin' fish/
Her mouth opened and a choked sound came out. She closed her mouth, cleared her throat, and tried again.
"I...I uh...ahem I'm fine..."
"You sure?" He questioned, pulling her slightly closer and placing his other hand upon her pale forehead. "You're warm. We could just stay here tonight if you like and...find something else to do."
She didn't miss the slight smile that spread across his lips. Oh how she wanted to slap that look off his face...or grab him and kiss him until their lips bled, which ever came first. Instead she opted for getting out of her lonely apartment.
"Um...No I'm fine...Just uh...uh...let me get my coat and shoes." Sakura said as she slip passed him and almost ran to the sanctuary of her room.
Sasuke stayed behind in the kitchen, still grinning.
"(That was easy enough.)" He thought proudly and stepped into the living room to grab his coat.
Inutenshi: Whoo...So tired...
Saku: If you weren't such a creature of the night you wouldn't be so tired! (turns on lights)
Inutenshi: (hisses angrily)
Saku: (turns the light off) Okay. Have it your way or mistress of the dark.
Inutenshi: Damn right I'll have it my way! (Ahem) Anywho. I know Sasuke's acting out of character, but I'm trying to make him seem a little less tense and angry now that Itachi is dead. You know. He can breath a little easier now that his second most difficult task in life is done. I'm pretty sure we all know the first. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY! When you review, don't complain about my other fanfics. The reviews are set up for each individual fanfiction to becommented onand its really rude to review a fanfiction just to nag an author on why the other fanfic hasn't been updated. I don't want any complaints about 'Take Me Home'. If there are, I just might remove it until I feel like putting it back. I don't want to sound mean and I really appreciateall you readers' support, but I don't want to checkthe reviews for this one and find a complaint about having the time to post a fanfic while not updating another. Its annoying and its rude. Sorry for the rant, but I need to make that clear and get it off my chest...Don't know when I'll update next, but I'll do what I can. I heart you all!