Sakura scrapped her nails against the nightstand, rough wood biting back as she clenched harder. "Lee, for the last time, I am fine." She felt a pang of guilt as he jerked his hand back, a smile faltering across his face.
"You just seem very tense. That's bad for your youth." From the corner of the room Gaara snorted.
Sakura had had enough. "You're right honey." Green eyes sought out the offender, who was pretending to be absorbed in a political document. "I am tense." She flashed the redhead a look of utter contempt. He smirked back. "I'm going for a run." Lee smiled as she pecked his cheek. He gave her a dreamy wave before she shut the door, placing a barrier between herself and the rude intrusion upon her home.
Muscles convulsed in happy relief as Sakura jogged through the trees. Leaves fell and clung to her sweat stained body. The tension bleed out through her pores, was exhaled with every harsh breath. The physical strain felt good. It acted like a numbing drug to her frustrated mind. An eerie wind wound through the branches and carried with it a sweet twang. Following the melancholy notes, Sakura soon came upon a clearing. Under a large oak tree sat Sasuke, guitar in lap, deftly moving his fingers along the strings.
"I never knew you were so musical inclined, but you play beautifully." Sasuke looked up, the moonlight catching his eyes. Sakura was reminded of why he had made him the town heartthrob.
"Well if my time in Sound taught me anything, it's a strong appreciation for what certain vibrations can do for you."
Sakura lowered her gaze, sadness glinting through her pink lashes. "You don't talk about your time there much."
"Hn," he grunted. "No one really asks." His fingers combed the ground, picking up a stick. He removed the bark with gentle motions.
"Did you get a chance to talk to Naruto?"
Sasuke laughed. "Yes actually." He caressed the now smooth wood. "It went better than anticipated. I think Gaara got the brunt of it."
A puzzled expression furrowed Sakura's brow. "What do you mean?"
Snapping the twig between two fingers, Sasuke gave his patented smirk. "Let's just say that the dobe is more angry with Gaara than me."
Slight annoyance replaced the puzzled features. "So I have you to thank for my new house guest." She massaged her temples. "As if dealing with Lee wasn't hard enough."
"Is Lee so hard to love?" His tone betrayed an interest that Sakura hadn't expected.
"No, Lee's easy to love." She shrugged. "He's just not so easy to live with."
"Ah."
A silence permeated the forest, and, after several loud heartbeats, was broken. Sasuke had begun to play again. This time the music was soothing. It compelled Sakura to move closer, finally settling next to her one time crush. He was not bothered by her presence, and so they stayed for a long time. Sasuke plucking out a sweet tune, and Sakura finding a sleepy solace from what the vibrations did for her.