Not Afraid Anymore
Chapter 15: Together
The following morning Sakura showed up to work in a good mood. Full of energy and ready to tackle the day. It felt like things were finally falling into place. She woke up with a renewed outlook and hopeful of what laid ahead.
She and Sasuke decided to take their relationship to the next level, to let those around them realize they were together, more than roommates, more than friends.
They were lovers. The thought of those words made Sakura's heart skip a beat. Lovers, huh?
That morning they had woken up in the same bed, in an embrace. Their naked bodies entangled from their sensual activities. While not the first time, it was different this time. There were soft caresses and squeezes, gentle looks, and languid kisses. They took their time getting out of bed, enjoying the moment and their newfound bond. It was a different side, the piece that was missing from their previous encounters. Sakura smiled to herself and let out an internal squeal just thinking about it.
She was suddenly snapped from her reverie when she heard a knock at the door. She swiveled her chair around to face her desk and straightened herself up while gently slapping her cheeks with both hands to try and shoo away those intrusive thoughts.
You can daydream about it later.
"Come in!"
At the sound of Sakura's beckoning, Ino stepped in looking as fabulous and voluptuous as ever. She was stunning, Sakura thought. Ino was curvy and full in all the right places, as for herself, she had a more slim and athletic build. Sakura sometimes wished she was fuller on the chest region, but there's not much she can do about that. Sasuke is not bothered by it, so she's content with herself.
"Sakura! I have some exciting news!" As Ino uttered those words, she had a sly look in her eyes. Sakura wondered what she had up her sleeve.
Sakura lifted an elegant brow, waiting for Ino to divulge the news.
Ino skipped her way towards Sakura and sat on the corner of her desk.
"So, I have arranged an outing to the club! We are going dancing!"
"You have to join us. I will not take no for an answer!"
"Dancing?! I-I am not much of a dancer…" Sakura scratched the back of her head and smiled crookedly at the thought of going to the club. She's never been to one. She's too busy these days.
Ino hopped off the corner of her desk and faced Sakura, full of determination. "You need a break. All you do is work, and no play!"
Sakura may work, but she did play…in other ways. Sakura's inner self chuckled at her perverted thoughts.
Ino caught her expression and her eyes narrowed.
"What have you been up to? What's that look in your eyes!? There's something you're not telling me!? Ino got up in Sakura's face. She needed to know the juicy gossip.
Sakura was spooked by Ino's quickness. "No! Nothing! I'm just thinking how out of place I would feel at the club! That's all!"
Ino wnated to press her on it, but let it slip. She was sure there was more, and she was going to find out, somehow.
Ino looked at her with doubtful eyes but dropped the subject. "Okay, fine. But I expect you to join us. Everyone, and I mean everyone, will be there. It's been so long since we've gotten together."
Sakura's eyes soften when she noticed Ino's nostalgia. She too missed hanging out with the others, perhaps this would be an opportunity to relax and get out of her routine.
"Okay, okay. I'll be there." Sakura leaned back on her chair smiling gently at Ino.
Ino's eye's lit up and she clasped her hands together with excitement. "Great! Oh, and make sure to bring Sasuke-kun, too."
Sakura's eyes narrowed at the sound of his name, Ino noticed her pouty reaction.
"I meant, as your date. I'm going with Sai, so get that look off your face."
Sakura blushed and smiled awkwardly. "Oh, right…heh."
"Well, I'm heading out. I need to get back to the flower shop."
Ino walked over to Sakura's desk and slipped a note before her. "Here is the information with the time and place. See ya!" She smiled mischievously at Sakura as she turned around and walked out.
Sakura leaned forward on her chair and reached for the note and read what was written on it out loud.
"The ShinoBeat Club, huh?"
Sakura arrived home to find Sasuke sipping on tea. At the sound of the knob turning, he slowly raised his gaze towards the door, acknowledging her presence.
"You beat me home." Sakura said with a gentle smile as she placed her backpack on a hook next to the entryway and closed the door behind her.
"Mhmm." Sasuke smiled and returned to drinking his tea.
"So, Ino came by today with an invitation." Sakura said squeamishly, barely able to keep her gaze steady and the furious blush rising on her face at bay.
Sasuke turned to her and raised a brow, waiting for her to continue.
"She wants us to go dancing with the whole group. They are meeting at a club in town tonight. What do you think?"
Sasuke's eyes narrowed and his lips turned into a deep grimaced at the thought of going to a dance club. He was not much of a dancer and much less a club-goer. This should be interesting.
Sakura could see the look of disgust in his face and began to regret telling him about it.
"Uh—Ino really wants me to go, so if you're not up for it, then I'll just go. No pressure." Sakura knew Ino would not let her live it down, so it was best to show face. Besides, she could use a night out. She hoped Sasuke would be there too, like a date, but his face looked like a clear no, or so she thought.
"What time?"
Sakura's head snapped up at the sound of his response.
"You-You want to go?" She was surprised by his receptiveness.
"It's a change of pace."
Sakura was ecstatic. She could hardly contain her smile as she walked alongside Sasuke towards the club. Today they would make it official. Everyone, or at least those close to them, would know they are in a relationship. She was nervous and excited. She knew she would get a barrage of questions.
As they walked, Sakura looked at Sasuke from her periphery, he looked calm and collected. He did not seem fazed by the oncoming storm of questions.
"Is something the matter?" Sasuke casually said as he walked next to her, his hands in his pockets, his deep obsidian eyes catching her own.
Sakura jumped at the sound of his voice. He must have noticed her lingering gaze.
Perceptive as always.
Sakura smiled inwardly.
"Uh-no. Everything is fine. Peachy." Sakura wasn't sure who she wanted to convince more, Sasuke, or herself. There was something the matter, but it wasn't that deep.
"Sakura! Sasuke! Over here!"
It was Ino, and alongside her was the rest of the gang. Everyone was dressed up for the club. Who knew the Konoha 12 was so fashion forward?
"Sakura-chan, Sasuke!" Naruto called out with a big smile as he approached them with a blushing Hinata at his side.
Ino looked around, counting heads, and gave her signal.
"Alright, everyone's here. Let's gooooo!"
Ino took Sai's hand and led him into the club, while the other's followed in tow. Sakura considered mirroring Ino's move but she was too nervous to do so, so she just fell into stride with Sasuke.
"This is going to be so cool. I haven't been dancing in forever." Naruto said with a big smile. He was looking forward to a night of fun.
"I'm surprise you came out. I didn't take you for much of dancer, Sasuke."
"Sakura wanted to come, so I joined her." Sasuke said casually as they walked in.
"Eh?!" Naruto gasped at his response and narrowed his eyes. Its not that Sasuke was uncaring, but he could be apathetic, so for him to be that thoughtful, something had to be up.
Sasuke stopped and looked at him with a raised eyebrow. Not giving much away.
"You came out for Sakura? Is there something between you two?" Naruto prodded.
Sakura was walking with Hinata, each commenting on their cute outfits, before coming to a stop next to Naruto and Sasuke.
"Yes, there is."
Sakura and Hinata were within earshot of their exchanged and both gasped. Sakura blushed heavily. She was not expecting him to be that forward and nonchalant.
"Eh!"
Sakura and Hinata were not the only ones within ear shot, everyone collectively gasped. It was comical.
Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno had a thing going on.
Sasuke Uchiha was romantically involved with someone.
They never thought to see that in their lifetimes.
