Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. They all belong to Masashi Kishimoto. Besides, if I own Naruto, then, I'll make Sasuke treat Sakura better.
Summary: They were childhood lovers separated by inevitable decision. After nine years, Fate brought them together again but got the wrong first impressions from each other. What's more is that they have to live in only one house… ALONE. Will love bloom again? Or is it the other way around?… In the end, will they ever say HOME SWEET HOME? Find out!
Pairings: mainlySasukeSakura… others include NarutoHinata, ShikamaruIno, and NejiTenten
Recap of the Previous Chapter
"Don't be sad, Sakura. I'm sure you'll like their place. Besides, they have a son with the same age as yours. You'll definitely get along with him… especially because you know him already."
"Mom, I'm going out for a while. Is it okay with you?"
"It's okay with me as long as you return here before two o'clock. We have some visitors arriving later."
He was now out of the mall still running for his life. All his fan girls were behind him, racing after him. He needed to lose track of them. But, how?… Uh-oh, he's going to collide to a girl with a cap who seems not paying attention to what's in front of her.
BUMP
They both collided with each other and were now on the ground. Jade met onyx.
"Oww, that hurts!"
"Watch where you're going!"
"Me! You're the one who's not WATCHING where you are going!… There's no use talking to you."
"What are you doing here, jerk!"
"Me! How 'bout you? For your information, I live at this house. This house is ours."
"What! But this was my dad's friend's house… Don't tell me…"
'You're Sakura?'
'You're Sasuke?'
A six year old raven-haired boy attended Konoha University, one of the most prestigious schools in Konoha. Specifically, this school was famous for its high quality education, modern technologies, gigantic gyms and courts, etc. However, all of these things didn't catch his interest. Actually, nothing did. Even his own admirers and fan girls didn't seem to attract his attention. Until one day, a new girl arrived.
At first, he didn't seem to recognize that there was a new transferee student. Maybe, it was because he didn't care about what's going on around him. The moment his teacher spoke and asked the girl to introduce herself before the class, that's the time when he finally noticed her.
She had a long pink hair tied into two pigtails. She had a pair of dazzling emerald eyes that showed shyness at the same time… solitude.
"Uhmm, hello… I'm Haruno Sa-Sakura. But you can call me Sakura." she said and cast a bashful smile that caught the attention of every boy in their class… even the young Uchiha's.
At that point in his life, he had the desire to get to know her more. There were so many things about her that interested him. One was the fact that even though she had a not-so-average forehead, she still looked cute. Another was the sweetness of her voice that seemed like music to his ears. But what really intrigued him was the loneliness he could see in her eyes. What could be its cause was what he really wanted to know.
Months passed by and he was successful. He finally knew many things about her especially the reason for her solitude. He had heard from his teachers that her mother was suffering from an incurable disease. Everyday, she would visit her mother at the hospital together with her father, giving her flowers and encouragements to hold on. They would take care of her. This turned out to be another reason why she wanted to become a nurse someday – caring for a diseased individual just like what she's currently doing to her mother.
The young Uchiha discovered these facts by not directly asking the girl about them. He just got them from eavesdropping and spying. He couldn't ask her directly because he still couldn't open up to a girl or even talk to her. He couldn't even say a simple "hi" and "hello" to her. He wasn't acquainted with this thing. He wasn't even sociable in the first place. He still needed to learn a thing or two on this field. He needed a chance… But, he had all the chances he could wish for and yet, he didn't go for them…
Until one day…
It all happened when Sasuke decided to approach Sakura and talk to her… to comfort her. It was because he noticed that she was getting more forlorn these days. He wanted to know the reason for her current change of mood. But Lady Fate wasn't kind to him at that time. Before he had the chance to talk to her, she was immediately sent to the Principal's Office. She didn't return back to their classroom right after that.
'What happened to her?' he thought.
Their class was finally over, still there's no sign of Sakura. Giving up, he decided to go home. There's always tomorrow, right?
As he was walking, he overheard two teachers talking inside the café which was near his house. At first, he decided to ignore them. However…
"… Yeah. By the way, have you heard what happened to Haruno Sakura's mother? Do you know her?" said the lady with brunette hair and purple eyes.
"Haruno Sakura… Oh, the girl with the pink hair! Why? What happened to her mother?" said the other lady sitting across her.
Those words made him stop his tracks and listen to them.
"Well, you see, her father went to the school earlier to tell the child a bad news. He told her that her mother was already dead. She died because of a heart attack. After hearing those words, she got confused. Her father, then, made her realize what those meant… that they'll never see her again. She threw a tantrum and cried after that. They can't do anything to stop her from crying. Afterwards, she ran out of the office of the principal. Her father ran after her."
"Did her father catch her?"
"I don't think so. The child is good in hiding, you know… I really feel sorry for her. She's just a child."
"Yeah, me too… Where could she be? I hope they found her already…"
Sasuke couldn't believe what he heard. He was taken aback. It took him a minute before realizing that he must do something. He needed to find her. She needed a friend. She didn't have any real friends yet… She needed him.
He thought of possible places where she usually goes to. All of them were out of the list. She wouldn't go to those places in her present state. Right now, she needed a place where she could think things over, a silent place… a place where she could mourn freely. If he was in her place, he'll go to his favorite spot where the huge cherry blossom tree was located.
'Would she go there?' he thought.
"Might as well try it." and that's exactly where he's going.
He immediately went there hoping that he'll see her.
Because he's legs were still short, it took him more than fifteen minutes to get there. Scrutinizing the place, he found no one in sight. He was ready to leave the place and continue searching when he heard stifle cries coming from behind the tree. He decided to check who's in there. His heart beat faster as soon as he's getting nearer… Then, he saw her.
Her legs were near her chest. Her head was placed on her crossed arms which were positioned on top of her knees. Her back was leaning against the trunk of the tree which also served as her namesake. Her whole body was quivering from sobbing.
He walked in front of her and offered his handkerchief.
"Here. Use this." he said thoughtfully while blushing a little.
Sakura looked up and was slightly taken aback because she didn't notice him coming. Nonetheless, she got his handkerchief and began to wipe her tears. After that, she got up and gave it back to him. He noticed that her eyes were really puffy.
"Th-thank you." she muttered.
"You're welcome… you know what… you don't have to be sad for what happened to your mother. She's in heaven right now watching you. She's in there." he said pointing up at the ethereal sky.
"She's happy up there. You should be happy too. Okay?" he continued.
After saying that, she began to cry again. He felt guilty. He hated seeing a girl cry… especially her. He didn't know how to comfort her. But still, he did what he thought was the right thing to do. He embraced her.
"Please, don't cry… I-I'm here for you."
These simple words really touched her heart. She hugged him back. He decided that he would let her be. If she wanted to cry, it's okay with him. He'll be there anyway to wipe her tears and to comfort her.
After a few moments, he became aware that her sobs were getting lesser. She withdrew herself from his body and looked at him in the eye. Their eyes met. Then, she smiled for the first time this day solely for him to see.
"Thank you. I'm done crying now. By the way, I'm Sakura."
"I know who you are. We've been in the class together for the last couple of months."
"Oh, yeah! I forgot." she cast a sorry smile to him.
"It's okay. I'm Sasuke."
"Friends?" she said while grinning as she offered him her right hand.
"Friends." he enthusiastically took it.
And, this was the start of a very wonderful friendship of a raven-haired boy and a pink-haired girl. This also marked the start of a very special kind of relationship… love.
Home Sweet Home
Chapter 2: Shocking Revelations and Wrong Impressions
by Celestartial Blossoms
"Sasuke, what's all this commotion about?" Uchiha Mikoto said crossing her arms.
"Sakura, I'm also going to ask you that question?" Mr. Haruno said while walking towards her daughter.
After their parents asked that question, they immediately broke their eye contact. They now focused their attentions to them. Yet, they were still too dazed to answer their questions. They just looked at them.
Giving up, the adults decided that it was better to forget what happened and go inside the Uchiha abode. They went inside and headed to the right where they entered the living room to have their talk.
Sakura removed her cap. She and her dad sat at an azure couch located near the window while Sasuke and her mom sat across them. There was a moment of silence but Mikoto broke it by saying…
"So, you're Sakura. It has been a long time since we last met you. You were like seven year old at that time. Now, look at you! You're so grown up." she said looking straight to the pink–haired girl. She was smiling at the teen.
Sakura blushed at that compliment… and that didn't go unnoticed to the young Uchiha.
'She still looks cute just by doing that… wait a minute… what am I thinking… She's not cute… She's a different person now… like a stranger I just met… Up to now, I still can't believe that she's the girl I promised to protect.'
"Anyway, let's now talk about the more important matters." Mikoto said with a little seriousness evident in her voice. Sasuke paid close attention to what these matters were.
"Ah, yes." said Mr. Haruno turning his focus to his daughter.
"Like I said Sakura, you'll be staying here for a while… I'll be going on another business trip and I can't leave you alone. That's why I decided to bring you here again in Konoha and asked the Uchihas to look after you while I'm gone."
"That's why Sasuke, you need to behave well. Sakura will be staying here from now on." Mikoto scolded her son. Sasuke just gave a 'hmmph' while crossing his arms.
He couldn't help but think about her… how much she changed both physically and emotionally… He couldn't ignore the fact that she changed into a beautiful young lady. At sixteen, she's gorgeous enough that any man would fall head over heels in love with her.
Does he?
'Nah.'
He quickly erased that thought away. He couldn't possibly love or even like her now. She changed and her attitude was… awful. He hated to admit it but it was true. She's so sensitive and naïve. That's why what she said a while ago really pissed him off.
FLASHBACK
"Oww, that hurts!" Sakura said wincing in pain. "Watch where you're going!"
Hearing this, Sasuke was taken aback and got infuriated. Who wouldn't be if you've been accused of something that you didn't even do?
"Me! You're the one who's not WATCHING where you are going!… There's no use talking to you."
END OF FLASHBACK
For the first time in his life, he was blamed. Nobody dared to blame him… well except for his brother… but still.
Actually, the real reason why he got infuriated a while ago was because he didn't expect a girl to shout at her. Usually, every girl in town, no matter what age, would blush and treat him like a royalty. What happened was exactly the opposite. It was really surprising.
One of the things he hated the most was being shouted at most especially if that person was a girl. It really hurt his pride. It was expected that he would care a lot about that trivial thing. He's an Uchiha after all.
Sakura, at the moment, was also reminiscing what happened earlier. She, too, was lost in thought just by thinking about him. She, too, couldn't believe that he's the boy who promised him protection against all sorts of things… the boy who made her pledge that she'll return someday. How much he had changed both physically and emotionally!
Just like him, she thought that he had grown pretty well. He's more handsome now. There's no doubt about it. At sixteen, he had a very well built body that added up to his masculine aura. Maybe those were the reason why he obviously had a fan club and multitudes of fan girls.
However, even though she hated to admit it, his attitudes were appalling. His onyx eyes were now emotionless. He was now rude, and vulgar. He didn't even help her stand up after what happened a while ago. Most of all, he didn't even apologize to her. All in all, he was a jerk. How he made her angry!
Both the teens were sent out of their reverie when Mikoto spoke up.
"Since Sakura will be staying here from now on, I suggest that my son, here, will tour her around the house right now. Won't you, Sasuke?" she remarked while giving her son the say-yes-or-else-you-will-not-be-eating-any-tomatoes-for-a-month look.
Whenever Mikoto did that, her son couldn't refuse anything she told or even ordered him. As expected he unwillingly stood up, scowled to death, and said…
"Come on, I don't have enough time for this Forehead-girl." He really emphasized the last word which made Sakura twitch in anger.
"Okay already! I'm coming." she answered while marching outside the living room.
Both their parents were left, smiling.
"Look at them. They are really enjoying each other's company. I never thought that they would easily adjust with each other." she smiled totally happy about the situation.
"You're right, Mikoto."
Meanwhile…
Sasuke was walking ahead of Sakura towards the kitchen which was located at the left side of the house.
Sakura, feeling pissed off about what that jerk called her, stopped her tracks and said…
"Why'd you call me Forehead-girl, Chicken hair?"
"Because your forehead is large." he replied arrogantly not bothering to look at her or even wait for her.
"Why you!" She really was peeved off right now. She gritted her teeth and glared at his back. How she wish that glares could kill because if they could, he would be killed right now.
"Stop glaring at me. You're annoying me."
She was going to say another bunch of incoherent words but he beat her into it. He cut her words by saying…
"We're here. This is the kitchen. This is where we cook our foods and wash the dishes."
"Obviously." she remarked while crossing her arms. "I'm not a five year old kid you know."
He reacted as if he didn't hear her say that and continued his so-called tour.
Even though she wasn't in a good mood right now, she couldn't help but stare in awe at how spic-and-span the kitchen was. The whole room was painted pallid and white. Everything was in its right place. The floor was shiny. Even the stove was clean. All of them were unblemished and immaculate.
'It must be the doing of Mrs. Uchiha… Sasuke couldn't possibly be this clean. Is he? ' she thought.
"Right there is the dining room. That's where we eat… The door over there leads to the bathroom. We have two bathrooms. The other one is upstairs." he continued.
As the time passed, her mood was changing. She's not mad anymore. Actually, she's enjoying the tour. It would really be a bliss to live in this house. Everything was perfect and cozy unlike her tour guide right now.
After the tour downstairs, it was now the time to go upstairs and continue the tour.
As they were walking upstairs, she noticed that the stairs were made of good quality of wood and were varnished nicely.
When they reached the top, she was greeted with a portrait of the famous Uchiha Fan hanging on the wall. Then, she saw five rooms – two of which was located at their right side while the others were at the left side.
They first went to the first room situated at the right. Sasuke said that it was the room of his brother, Itachi. The next one was the first room at the left.
"This is my room and it is off limits especially to you." he said while walking towards the next room still at the left. He said that it was the bathroom.
"The last room at the right is my parents' while the room across them was the guest room. You'll be staying there."
"I see…"
Right after that, they went down the stairs to meet their parents. They immediately went to the living room. They caught them talking at the same time laughing with each other. Sensing their presence, the adults looked to them smiling.
"I see that the tour was over. So, how was it Sakura-chan?" Mikoto remarked.
"… It was fine, I guess." the pink-haired girl replied.
"Oh my, it is already four o'clock in the afternoon. I have to leave now for my flight." Mr. Haruno said looking at her daughter.
"Can't you stay longer, Dad?" Sakura replied with sadness evident in her voice.
"No, dear. I have to go now. I'm sorry." He hugged her tightly.
"I understand, Dad."
Mr. Haruno released her daughter from his hug and said…
"Take care now. I'll always call you to see how you're doing. Be a good girl, okay?"
"Yes, Dad." He leaned and kissed the forehead of his only child.
"Please take care of her Mikoto." he said looking at her.
"I will. Don't worry." She assured him.
"And also, please say my greetings to your husband."
"I will."
Right after that, Sakura walked his Dad towards the gate while Mikoto and her son watched them from the door. After some time, he left and everybody went inside.
As soon as they were inside the house, the phone rang. Mikoto answered it. The two teens went straight to the living room and left her behind. She returned after a few minutes with an apologetic expression on her beautiful face.
"Is there something wrong, Mom?" the raven–haired boy inquired with a worried expression.
"Well, sort of." she replied while sitting down on the couch.
"You see, your father wants me to go to America right now and help him with something. He said that it was important so, I have to leave right now… I have to leave you two here… alone." she said while looking at their expressions.
Both the teens were shocked at that sudden news. Their jaws dropped and their eyes were wide like saucers. Then, there was a moment of silence until…
"WHAT!" They both yelled so loud that Mikoto had to cover her ears.
'I'm going to stay here with Sasuke… alone! My golly! And I even thought that living here will be bliss. But now, it looks like it will be hell.'
'I'm going to live here with Sakura… alone! Is my Mom kidding me? It's too bad enough that she'll stay here and now, we'll be left alone!'
Their inner selves were now crying. Both had the same thoughts filling their heads.
'What a cruel world I have.'
After a long discussion with Mikoto about her departure, both the teens were still sulking. They were at that condition even after she left. They ate the dinner that she made for all of them in silence. They were not talking to each other even a single thing. They acted like they were totally alone in the house.
They both finished their meals at the same time and didn't bother to clean up the dishes. They would do that tomorrow. They went upstairs right after that, changed into their pajamas, and did their evening rituals like brushing their teeth, etc.
It was now eight in the evening. Both of them were inside their respective rooms already lying in bed. They were both staring at the ceiling pondering on some things. Actually, they couldn't sleep. They were still too astonished at the sudden changes of events. What will they do now? How will they treat each other when in fact, they couldn't even stand each other's presence? What does tomorrow hold for them? What will happen to them at school?
There were so many questions haunting their minds. There were so many doubts still bothering them. Especially, there were so many thoughts plaguing their intellects. However, in spite of all of these things, there was just one feeling they had been experiencing at the moment and that was…
Hope.
Yes. They were truly going through that emotion -- Hope.
Hope for wonderful days to come. Hope for a new understanding. Hope for a renewed friendship… most especially… Hope for an unforgettable feeling of LOVE.
To be continued…
Author's Note: I'm so sorry that I haven't updated this fanfic for the past two weeks. I really got busy with my school works that I hadn't had the time to work on it. I'm really sorry! --
Anyway, what do you think of this chapter? Is it good? Please tell me and make a review! I'll gladly appreciate them. Thank you!
By the way, I just wanna say THANK YOU SO MUCH for all of those readers who made a review for my last chapter. They were…
HAHACheeeziTz, Dark Angel, Rel, iluvsasukeandrobintianne-channeon kunSaki-16Miyuki Tsukada, BL, Sessome YamatoMomiro-chanGensomaden-Saiyukisasukerocks, mini-chibi-gaara-chan, hanyo-girl, lexy499, Sanzo Loverwhite-rosekissSoftwavesmaysplashBlacksash
mar25n – Thank you so much for your review. You're my thirtieth reviewer!… I truly support SasuSaku pairings just like you. I'm so glad that you liked my fic… I'm looking forward for your reviews.
Autumn Fortress– I'm so glad that you liked the plot. And, thank you so much for your review. It really helped me. Thanks also for saying that my vocabulary was excellent.
blazingheat99 – Thank you for pointing out my mistakes … Sorry if I placed lots of dialogues for my first chapter. I really can't help it. Gomen! -- … By the way, I really had to make Sasuke and Sakura meet for the first chapter because that's really the start of the whole plot.
sentimentaljuvenile – Thank you for making a review, Kaye-chan! I'm really glad that you liked my fanfic… Naniniwala talaga ako na may "KILIG" factor sina Sasuke and Sakura, right?
moonlight – Thank you for reading my first chapter though, I really have to admit that it was long. Nonetheless, thanks for having the patience to read it.
Nekio-chan - I also wanted, at first, to prolong the wait for Sasuke and Sakura to meet. However, I figured out that it was better if they meet in the first chapter 'cause that will mark the beginning of their story… Thanks for reviewing.
CrAzY-SiLLy-Me – Yup, I'm a Filipino too. I'm so glad you made a review for my first chapter… By the way, I really LOVE your story -- Konoha High.
SophisticatedAlexir – Thank you for reviewing, Lyza – chan.
krista – I'm really surprised at your review for my first chapter. Whenever I'm reminiscing it, I really have to smile… Thank you for reviewing. Don't do bad stuffs to me, okay? I updated before the three weeks you gave me.
Maiden of the Dark Light – Thank you so much for your review and also for pointing out my mistakes. It really helped me… As much as possible, I am really trying to avoid those redundant phrases.
Mistress Malfoy – I'm so glad that you liked it. About the dots, I'm so sorry for that. I really can't help it sometimes. Thanks for reviewing and by the way, I really like your penname.
luvKaWaIi– Thanks for reviewing… I don't have a myspace. Sorry! --
kawaii.athcag – Of course. Sakura will definitely be pretty in this fic.
… Thank you also for those readers who added this fanfic to their favorite lists and the c2 Communities.
…Please stay tuned to the next chapter of Home Sweet Home. It is entitled as…
Too Many First Times
