summary And she knew that it would be different this time around. After all, the clouds said so.

theme No promises

/

cloudless

/

"I…"

And the night was dark that time, she told herself.

"You don't need to worry, Sakura."

She didn't think it was quite the same now, though. After all, the moon was very full (but wasn't it also way back when?) and the stars were bright (wait, same like last time?) and the sky was as clear as the sea.

(Still… it's different this time around.)

"I know that."

And she could feel it vibrating within her. (There is no eclipse now, is there?) The night was young and bright; the atmosphere was a breeze that passed by her neck so softly she almost cooed at the pleasurable tingles it gave.

(It's almost like your touch—)

The sky was cloudless, too.

And from this she immediately knew that the upcoming dusk would do her no harm.

(Because the clouds covered the moon and the stars—they covered the light—)

Don't start, please. He needs the light to be safe.

"I'm going to come home," He said, slowly and carefully, as if not wanting to make a promise but doing so anyway. (Promises are meant to be broken but obligations are to be kept—) And matter how careful he was in his words; no matter how much he tried to mask whatever was the underneath of the underneath—

She could see it. She could read it. She could feel it.

"I know, Sasuke-kun."

You'll come home to me.

He smirked, softly, before taking her hand in his and suddenly pulling her close. "Sakura—" And his grip was tight, almost as if she was an anchor to something, anything,everything— "Promise me you'll be here."

He needs the light to come home.

She shook her head, "I'm not a promise, Sasuke-kun." And she was smiling against his chest, and her hair tickled his chin when she moved her head—

"But I love you."

(I always have—)

"And that's all the reason I need."

(And somehow she knew the sky would remain cloudless as it was obliged.)

/

Moments later, Haruno Sakura was left on a bench by the gate of Konoha.

People passed by; they thought she'd be crying.

Yet they wondered why she was smiling and gazing at the clear night sky.

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FINI – 010806

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ramblings Thank you for all the kind words in the previous reviews! Keep on smiling someone up there loves you.

Last time, some reviewers asked what the chapter titles meant (as I was feeling weird and put them in different languages). I'm so sorry about not translating them sooner, but here we go:

01: infitiatio - Latin. Relates to someone "denying" or refusing.
02: akogare - Japanese. Means "longing".