"I love you," she breathes out softly and returns the kiss that is pressed to her lips.

Slowly, she turns around to face him and stares up at him. The moonlight catches her hair - illuminating it and making it seem like a halo. She looked like an angel and perhaps Sasuke wasn't the most religious man, but Sakura was the one divine entity that he would pour himself into whole-heartedly.

The waves crashed against a section of big rocks nearby and Sasuke looks over there from the corner of his eye, noting that it is secluded and hidden from all but the moon and the vast sea. Smirking, he presses a gentle kiss to her forehead and trails kisses down her face until he gets to her jaw. He slowly starts guiding her by her hands, walking backward, towards the group of big rocks.

"Where are we going?" She gasps out in between kisses that littered her face and captured her lips. Her eyes were closed and she was just relishing the feeling of having him there with her.

"Just here. Keep your eyes closed and hang tight," Sasuke answers and Sakura notes, disappointedly, that he has released his hold of her hands after giving her one last kiss.

She could hear him walking around in the sand and could hear the rustling of something, but before she could get caught up in listening to him she was enraptured with the sea. The sounds of the waves were so near and she just knew that the sky looked beautiful. She debated just peeking, but before she could follow through, Sasuke was taking her hands again.

"Open your eyes."

And she did.

"Oh my god.." Sakura breathes out.

Before her was Sasuke's shirt laid out in the sand - not in the way of the tides but also still hidden by rocks - and there was also a pile of seashells and clams littered around his shirt. It was beautiful and she couldn't help the smile that took over her face. He took the time to display this for her and she couldn't think of a better way to say that she loved it other than turning towards him and grabbing his face, pulling him towards her so that she could lay a passionate kiss on him.

"Do you like it?" He asks, pulling away to rest his forehead against hers.

"Of course."

What happened next was a blur. His touches were gentle and his kisses were intoxicating. He had pulled her towards him and the next thing she knew, she was on her back and on top of his shirt. Her hair fanned out around her head, but he still gently brushed away her bangs from her face when they got stuck. He nips at her neck, hiking her leg up and slowly removing her shorts. She watches him, a little bit of anxiousness showing, and he smiles at her.

"Relax. No one is going to see us."

Sakura nods and returns the kiss he gives her gently as he moves to tower over her. Chewing on her lip as he pulls away, her eyes close as soon as he is closer to her than ever.

Breathing out softly, Sakura's head rolls to the side to look out on the water. She smiles to herself, her fingers gently playing with Sasuke's hair as he rests against her while looking at his phone. Her eyes took in the beautiful setting of the moon and the stars in the sky reflecting in the water. She felt at peace. She wished she could stay here together.

"You're just upset because I'm better than you," says Sakura as she sticks out her tongue.

Itachi rolls his eyes, setting down his controller, but there was a small smile hidden on his face. Currently, Sakura and Itachi are playing Mario Kart while Sasuke is off in town picking up something. This was a normal occurrence whenever Sasuke left Sakura to her own devices at his house. If Itachi wasn't accompanying her, then Mikoto was, and Sakura honestly couldn't think of better company. She loved the Uchiha family very much - even though Fugaku could have a giant stick in his ass.

"Care for a rematch?"

"You're on!"

Sakura stares at the screen, her mouth slightly open. She looks at Itachi and then back to the screen with utter disbelief on her face.

"You cheated!" She cries out as they watch the reels and Itachi shakes his head.

"Using a blue shell is not cheating."

"Yes, it is!"

"All is fair in Mario Kart.. isn't that what you said in the previous match?" Itachi chuckles out and Sakura only huffs, crossing her arms. The ringing of her phone catches her attention and she quickly answers it. She mouths a 'sorry' to Itachi who only nods.

"What? Is he okay?"

Itachi looks at her with concern before she mumbles out an 'okay' and 'I'll be right there.'

"I have to go... Can you let Sasuke know that I will talk to him tomorrow?"

"Of course... Just be careful."

Nodding, Sakura gives him a small grim smile before she is hurrying out of the house and rushing down the street to her house.

Throwing open the house door, she quickly grabs the keys to her car. Hurrying outside, she opens the car door to her little yellow bug and starts the car. Taking in a deep breath, she backs out of the driveway and starts down the road. The palm trees, houses, and the ocean become distant in her rear-view mirror as she heads into the city. The sky was slowly darkening and the stars came out to replace the clouds. Sakura wished she could appreciate the sky, but she knew that now was not the time to stop and stargaze. She had something more important on her mind.

Pulling into the hospital, she quickly parks her car and is running towards the emergency room. Scanning the lobby, Sakura spots a mop of red hair and black hair. Her heart plummets when she doesn't see familiar blond. Quickly making her way over to them, she gently touches the shoulder of Hinata and the red-haired woman.

"What happened?" Sakura asks once they realize it's her.

"You know Naruto," sniffs the redhead, Kushina who is his mother, "he got too ahead of himself today. All the warning we had was, was.." She stops and takes a deep breath. "All the warning we had was: hey ma, watch this! And then... Then he had an accident with the four-wheeler. He was trying to jump one of the hills at his Uncle's while standing, but the hill gave away to a steep drop-off at the edge of the property near the fence line. He rolled into the fence and the four-wheeler didn't stop."

Sakura shook her head, gently offering a hug to both Hinata and Kushina.

"He'll be okay, I'm sure of it."

"You should have been paying better attention, you idiot," Sakura growls out as she glares at Naruto from where he was propped up on his bed. His left leg and arm were broken from the landing, but other than that his ribs were bruised and he had some cuts and bruises from the impact of the four-wheeler running into him. It hurt, surely, but he would live and he would have some memories from it to remind him to be cautious. Hopefully.

"You had me scared," Sakura grouches as she pulls him into a careful hug. She was upset, but overall she was more worried than anything. She had been in the emergency room many times because of Naruto and each time, it scared the daylights out of her. Thankfully it was never life-threatening. She had no idea what she would do without him.

"I know, I know.. I'm sorry," Naruto mumbles out from her shoulder. "I won't do it again."

"You better not," Hinata says softly as she re-enters the room with a bowl of ramen. Sakura could practically see the drool without even looking at Naruto. Honestly, he was ridiculous when it came to ramen.

"Yes, ma'am," Naruto mock salutes and graciously accepts the food as Hinata settles down next to him to help him in case the bowl started tipping over. Watching them, Sakura couldn't help but smile. They were perfect together.

"I'm going to go ahead and leave. I'll be back with this week's schoolwork. Thankfully Thanksgiving break is this week.. So you only have one week of school work to do," Sakura says as she gets up to leave. "You better be careful."

"Of course, I always am."

Sakura rolls her eyes before looking pointedly at the two casts adorning the body of the blond. Hinata giggles before giving Sakura a sweet smile.

"Be safe," Hinata says softly and Sakura nods before leaving.

Sitting on the bench, Sakura lets out a soft sigh.

She gazes at the sea with a look of adoration and longing. She couldn't wait for it to warm up again, but at the same time, she could. By the time the summer came, she would have been graduated and starting her schooling for her career. She wasn't sure if she was ready, but she was going to have to be. Not just for herself but for her family, too. She had to make sure that she succeeded.

"Hey."

Looking away from the water, Sakura squints in the direction of the voice. The sun was behind him but Sakura could make out Sasuke's figure as he comes to stand by the bench. His hair was messed up and the darkness under his eyes was noticeable. He must have been cold as he wore a long-sleeve turtleneck.

"Hey.. Sorry for leaving so abruptly yesterday. I was going to wait for you to get back but.."

"But?"

"But Naruto's mom called me and said that Naruto was in the emergency room," she finishes and Sasuke just nods as he comes to sit down next to her.

"My mother is going over there right now with dinner," Sasuke says and Sakura nods. She knew that Mikoto couldn't help but want to help, even the tiniest bit, her best friend out. Knowing Naruto and Kushina, she was sure that the latter would be babying the blond and he would be milking it as much as he could. After all, he was their only child and they were absolutely blessed to have them. Being able to have Naruto was a miracle to them.

"He's okay," Sakura says and leans her head against his shoulder.

"I know."

They sit there and stare out at the water. The tides come in gently and Sakura closes her eyes, resting against him. She didn't get very much sleep the night prior. Silence washes over them and it was nice. The wind blows through their hair gently and Sakura thinks back to Hinata and Naruto on his tiny bed.

When people look at her and Sasuke.. Do they think that they are perfect together, too?

Faire season was upon them and Sakura was more than ready for it.

She loved going to the fair and she was looking forward to experiencing it with Sasuke and her other friends. Usually, she and Ino would act as dates since everyone in her friend group seemed to have one. This year, though, she had Sasuke and it made her giddy the night before the first day.

"What are you so excited about?" Sasuke asks, looking up from his phone, at Sakura who was perched on the windowsill of her room.

"The fair is tomorrow." She answers, turning away from looking out the window, and settling her gaze on him. "My friends and I always go."

"Ah," he says and looks back at his phone. Sakura's heart drops a little, her smile dropping down. She looks down slightly, deciding that the little chip in the paint of her window sill was more interesting.

"Do you not like the fair?" She asks after a while.

"It's okay."

She nods though he can't see it and brings her knees up to rest her head on it. She supposed one more year just her and her friends wouldn't be so bad.

"Are you ready yet?!" Hollers Ino as she busts into Sakura's room. Her blue eyes take in the decidedly less excited state of her best friend and her eyes narrow.

"What did he do," she demands and Sakura only sighs.

"It's not what he did, he didn't do anything," Sakura answers as she finishes rummaging through her closet and decides on a soft candy-apple dress with spaghetti straps. She slips it on over her white long-sleeve turtleneck and wiggles her way into leggings and ankle boots.

"He's not coming," Ino states, and Sakura only nods. Sighing, Ino wraps her arm around her. "Come on, we can have fun without him. We did pretty well up until now without him anyway," Ino gives her a smile and Sakura returns it.

The fair was packed. Kids, adults, couples, and friends were running around together. The stars lit up the sky as the stalls lit up their lights down the different alleys of vendors, games, and activities. The excitement was budding in Sakura's heart and she looked at Ino with joy on her face. Despite this being the last year that they would most likely be able to enjoy this together until many years later, they wouldn't let the daunting future get to them.

They go through several stalls, all of them laughing and giggling together. Even Naruto was there and for that, Sakura was grateful. She was glad that he was able to get out about with them despite his temporary wheel-chair.

"No, don't do that!" Sakura laughs out as Naruto balances his corn-dog on his nose. They all knew that it would fall and it was no surprise when it started to tip and Naruto scrambled to get it before it fell in the dirt. He wasn't so lucky, but Hinata graciously offered her corndog to him. They were cute and it made Sakura's heart squeeze a little uncomfortably when she thought back to Sasuke. She wished he was here with her.

"Hey forehead, I bet that I can make more of these balls into the fish bowls than you!" Sing-songs Ino as she tugs Sakura into the direction of the vendor. Sakura laughs before playfully elbowing her.

"You're on!"

Sakura narrowly loses to Ino, but she doesn't mind. They carry on playing pointless games like that together. The night continues to wear on, but Sakura doesn't think about Sasuke for much of it. She is too busy enjoying the dumb antics her friends get into like Kiba accidentally knocking into Mr. Hatake and Mr. Guy on their "friendly outing" at the fair and Naruto hiding from his parents because he forgot to ask them permission before leaving. It was all in good fun and Sakura wouldn't trade it all for the world.

Currently, she was in line for the ferris wheel. She watches the line get shorter and shorter, excitement filling her as she gets closer to the front of the line. The view at the very top of the ferris Wheel was immaculate. She could see everything from there: the city, the beach, her house and the ocean.. It was breathtaking.

"Ugh, I have to pee," whines Ino and Sakura rolls her eyes.

"You always have to go! Can't you hold it? It'll be our turn in no time," Sakura groans out and Ino shakes her head no with pleading eyes. "Fine! Go, be quick."

"Of course! I'll be right back," Ino screeches as she runs off. Sakura only rolls her eyes but her attention is caught off guard when she spots someone she didn't expect to see there.

"Itachi?" She questions and the tall male turns, locking eyes with her. With him, she could see Sasori, Deidara, and a couple others that were once band members as well. Sakura was glad that he still hung out with them regularly. He mumbles something to them and Deidara looks over at Sakura knowingly before carrying on with the rest of the group while Itachi heads towards her.

"Hey," he greets as he stops in front of her.

"Hi," she answers smally as she looks up at him. "I didn't know you liked to go to the fair," she says and he just shrugs.

"My friends wanted to go and I had nothing better to do," Itachi supplies and Sakura nods. She figured as much. She wanted to ask about Sasuke, but she knew better.

"Are you enjoying it?" Sakura settles for instead and Itachi smiles a little.

"It isn't terrible, if that's what you're asking."

Sakura laughs and they continue to chat as the line moves along. The conversation between them flowed so casually and smoothly, Sakura was glad that she had caught him when she saw him in the crowd. She always felt so care-free around him. She didn't feel the need to front around him, she could let her walls down. She was grateful to get to know someone who was like her.

"Miss, sir? Can you please either step out of the line or board the ferris wheel?"

"Oh, I'm sorry," Sakura mumbles as she realizes that they were now in front of the line. She had got so caught up in talking with him that she hadn't even realized that it was her turn to get on. Looking at him and then around the area, she couldn't find Ino. Chewing on her lip, she didn't know what to do. She was holding up the line, but she didn't want to get on by herself. The passenger cart in front of them was ready to be entered and in a way it taunted her.

"Do you mind if I join you?"

Sakura blinks, processing what he just asked and it takes a moment for it to sink in. She is caught off guard but the reassuring expression in his eyes assures her that he saw the anxiety in her face. She gives him a smile before stepping inside the cart with the help of the person in charge of the wheel.

"Sure," she says and gestures for him to follow.

They settle in nicely and patiently wait as others get in their carts and the wheel to actually start.

"Thank you.. My friend Ino was supposed to join me, but she hasn't made it back from the bathroom just yet."

"It isn't a problem. The lines to the bathroom was quite long, I'm sure she is just caught up there or found someone she knew," Itachi says quietly.

"Probably. Knowing her, she's fixing up her makeup while she's in there, too," she laughs out while Itachi chuckles.

Silence falls over them and Sakura couldn't help but smile. They were nearing the top of the ferris wheel and she was excited to see everything. As it came to a stop, a gasp leaves her as she takes it all in.

The stars twinkled in the distance and the full moon was high in the sky. In the distance, Sakura could spot the ocean glistening underneath the night sky and the city lights looking like little strips of stars on land. Peace was settling inside of her and all of her constant worries have been lifted. Sighing, she relaxes more into the seat.

As it starts moving again, Sakura breathes out, "Isn't it beautiful?" as she turns around to focus on Itachi again. She had almost forgotten that he was there because of how quiet he had been.

"It is," he says softly and she makes eye contact with him. She takes in the look on his face and she couldn't quite figure out what it was, but something felt.. Different. Thinking nothing of it, she smiles.

"I'm glad we could agree on that."

As the ferris wheel came to a stop, Sakura slowly gets out and turns around to Itachi.

"Thank you for accompanying me. I should probably go find Ino," Sakura says.

"It was my pleasure. I'll help you, she's the loud blonde one, right?" Itachi asks and Sakura laughs before nodding.

"Yes, that would be her."

They walk down the aisles together, chit chatting, and enjoying each others company as they search for Ino. Hearing loud obnoxious laughter, Sakura's ears tune into a table off to the side where Naruto was seated with Hinata, Kiba, Ino, and.. Sasuke.

"Oh, there you are. I've been looking for you," Sakura says as they head towards the table. "Why didn't you come get me when you were done?" She asks, looking at Ino with pointed eyes and completely ignoring Sasuke who was shooting narrowed looks at her and Itachi.

"I did, but you were already on the ferris wheel. I sent you a text," Ino says and shrugs. Sakura lets out a sigh, checking her phone to see that she did, indeed, send her a text.

"I best be on my way, I'll see you around, Sakura," Itachi says and Sakura gives him a smile in parting.

"See you around and hey!" She calls out as she gets further away. She waits for him to turn around before continuing. "Thanks for going on the ferris wheel with me, it was fun!"

Itachi only offers a smile before disappearing into the crowd.

Sakura smiles, watching him go, before turning around towards her friends and Sasuke once more. She could see the displeased look on his face, but she didn't care. Itachi was her friend, she had every right to spend time with him if she wanted to. Besides, she would have gone on the ferris wheel Ino or Sasuke if either of them had been there.

"It's getting late, I think some of us are about ready to head out. Do you need a ride home Sakura?" Ino asks as she, Naruto, Kiba, and Ino get ready to leave.

"I'll take her home," Sasuke cuts in and Sakura has to stop from rolling her eyes but she didn't have to because Ino rolled her eyes enough for the both of them.

"Well, be careful, okay?"

"Will do." Sakura gives each of her friends a hug and watches them leave. After they are long gone, the sounds of the fair is the only sound around them as they stare at each other. Sakura was upset and she had every right to be, but she didn't quite understand why Sasuke was upset with her.

"Lets go," he mumbles and roughly wraps his arm around her as he starts leading her out of the fair. She pushes away from him slightly and walks a little to the side of him. She misses the tightening of his jaw in favor of focusing on the path in front of them. They remain quiet all the way to his truck and even once they are inside. They sit there for a moment, not saying anything. Sakura breaks the silence first.

"I thought you weren't coming."

"I changed my mind," he grunts. "I thought that you weren't interested in my brother," he glares at her.

"I'm not," Sakura says firmly. Sasuke starts the engine, quickly pulling out of the parking lot and onto the road. Sakura subconsciously held onto the door, feeling a little nervous. Sasuke wasn't the best of drivers when he was in a mood.

"Then why did you go on the damn ferris wheel with him," he finally says and she could feel the anger coming off of him in waves.

"Because he is my friend-"

"He has no friends, Sakura." He interrupts her as they pull into her driveway. "Can't you see? He hates me and is wanting to do what he can to get under my skin. He is using you."

Sakura couldn't believe what she was hearing. She knew Sasuke was jealous and that he got into his head a lot. It was particularly bad when it came to his brother and this wasn't so much as about her. From her understanding, jealousy towards Itachi had been an ongoing thing since he was twelve.

"Sasuke, you can't be serious. He wouldn't do that-"

"You don't know him!" He yells, hitting his fist against his air vent in his truck. "I've lived with him, he is my brother!"

Sakura's heartbeat picks up and she fumbles with the door handle but the door locks. She could feel the anxiety building up in her chest as she takes in the very apparent anger that Sasuke is exhibiting. The broken airvent is evident of it, but as if that wasn't evident enough, he lets out a frustrated yell before running his hands through his hair roughly and lightly tugging at the strands.

"Just stop it," he says after a moment.

"Stop what?" She asks softly and he slowly turns to look at her.

"Stop getting involved with him. He isn't worth it," Sasuke says as he leans forward and presses a gentle kiss to her forehead. She slowly nods, ignoring the thrumming in her chest. The usual butterflies were now a swarm of bees that couldn't escape and it stung.

"Come on, my parents aren't home. You can stay the night with me."

"Okay.."

As they pull out of Sakura's driveway, she shoots her mom a text per Sasuke's instruction to let her know that she will be staying at Ino's tonight. Sakura felt terrified for lying to her, but she didn't feel like she had a choice.

Once they arrive at Sasuke's house, he finally unlocks the door and hurries around to her side to lift her up out of the truck much like he did the first time she had spent the night.

"You look beautiful tonight," he murmurs as he carries her inside the house and up the stairs to his room. Sakura mumbles out a soft 'Thank you' as he gently lays her against the smooth blankets of his bed. His gentle touches are such a contrast to his earlier behavior that Sakura didn't know what to think as he starts kissing on her neck and down her collarbones after he removes her dress and turtleneck. She didn't know what to think as his hand entwined with her as his body became one with hers.

And she didn't really know what to think when instead of feeling happy and fulfilled after being joined together, she cried instead.