AGAIN BEFORE YOU CONTINUE READING, JUST KNOW THAT I'M STILL WORKING ON MY STORY WRITING SKILLS; SO THIS ONE IS VERY FAST PACE AND IT MAY NOT FLOW PERFECTLY. (So if you don't like it I understand; just stop reading and don't leave angry comments please!)
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I apologize now. I'm much better at writing snippets but I hope you enjoy my attempt! Anyway, here is chapter 2!
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Present Day...
Sakura Haruno felt the beginning signs of a huge migraine coming on and rubbed at her temples slowly with her fingertips to try and alleviate some of the growing pressure in her head while her other hand held her phone up to her ear. She was groaning inwardly as the familiar and very loud voice of the woman on the other end seemed to pierced straight through her pulsing head. 'Why me? Why is she always like this? Why must she call me on a weekly basis just to sing the same tune over and over again when nothing has changed? She should know this by now.'
"...and another thing...," her mother continued to drone on and-on-and Sakura began to slowly tune her mother's shrill voice out to the best of her ability while she sighing quietly to herself; resigning herself to the fact that this was just how the woman was. It had been the same old routine for them ever single week since she had finally decided to move out of her parent's home. For the past few years now, her worried mother would call at least once a week to lecture Sakura about all of her life's choices thus far (even though Sakura was only 23 years old).
She would complain about how her daughter was going to die alone...
...and about how her daughter must not love her mother very much because she would allow her to die before ever being able to see (or spoil) any of her 'precious grandchildren' and... well, the list was very, very extensive.
It was a never-ending cycle of the same exact thing over and over again; the same inquiries, the same bullshit nonsense that would constantly be spewing from her mother's mouth. Don't mistake this for the young woman hating her mother; in fact, it was the complete opposite. Sakura loved her mother very much, but she was just simply starting to grow very tired of it all. The pinkette needed something to get both of her parents off of her back, (for her father was just as bad as her mother) and it needed to happen... soon. Luckily for her, Ino chose that moment to make an unexpected appearance into her office just as she was about to, quite literally, pull her hair out. Sakura gave her mother a quick apology before swiftly hanging up after telling her she would call her back later. Ino smirked at her from her seat across the large, oak desk as she crossed her arms over her ample chest. "It was that bad, huh?"
"She's getting completely ridiculous, Ino," Sakura huffed as she raked her small hands through her pink hair in irritation. "Why is it that she has to insist I'm doing everything wrong. That I can't do anything on my own without having a man by my side. It's just so... stupid and an old-fashioned way of thinking. From a logical standpoint, it doesn't make any sense."
Ino chuckled at her best friend's annoyance which caused said woman to frown. "She's just worried about you." Ino was trying to mediate, like she always did, but Sakura wasn't having it; not today. She was to riled up from all of the work-related stress and such.
"No," she said angrily as she narrowed her green eyes at the blonde. "She's just concerned that I won't be able to produce enough grandchildren for her liking by the time I'm 30. Plus, she keeps bugging me to bring someone home for Christmas this year. UGH. It's so... annoying."
Ino cackled then. "Well, I have something that will take your mind off of things for at least a little while anyway, and it should cheer you right up." The exaggerated smile on her friend's face was one that held secrets; which was concerning for the pinkette. Ino rarely hid anything for her and when she did, it usually was something that Sakura didn't like nor would she ever approve of. 'What is she up to now?'
Sakura observed her cautiously. "Like what?"
"Dinner. Tonight. With the gang."
Sakura stared at her blankly for a full-on minute before running her hand down the length of her face. "Ugh... Ino, I don't know ab..."
"You can't say no," Ino insisted as she sat up straighter. "I've already told Hinata that you would be there and you don't want to disappoint her, do you? You know how long it's been since we've been able to see her. Plus, Sai and Naruto are coming along as well. It'll be fun."
"You want me to come and hang out with you guys so that I can be a fifth wheel all evening," Sakura frowned in disgust before crossing her arms over her chest. "I think I'll pass."
"No, you won't," Ino spoke evenly as she stood her ground; leaning forward while her bright blue eyes grew serious. It was a standoff as the two women stared each other down. "You are coming out with me tonight Sakura and that's final. It will be fun; a night you will never forget. I promise." The slightly pleading look Sakura was getting from the woman made her sigh. 'Why is it so hard for me to say no to people; why do I always give in so easily...what am I like? But I guess Ino is right. It has been a while since I've went out with everyone and had some fun... plus, I have been missing all of my friends a lot lately...'
"Alright...," she whispered as she finally relented.
"Yay," Ino squealed as she jumped up swiftly from her seat; nearly toppling the poor chair in the process due to her excitement, right before she grabbed Sakura by the hand and began to drag her along behind her. "Oh, I'm so excited! I have the absolutely perfect outfit in mind for you to wear tonight. It might be a little cold for it but you will look fabulous in it; I guarantee it. I've got it all planned out in my head. First, things first... we are going to..." Sakura smiled softly to herself as she followed her best friend willingly to the doors that led to the outside world.
'Maybe tonight won't be so bad. After all, it has been a while since I've done anything...fun.'
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Sasuke Uchiha was in absolutely no mood to go out tonight. He had just had a hard and long day in the office and his evening plans consisted of relaxing on his comfy couch and drinking a cold beer in complete solitude. So, when his friends came knocking on his front door mere seconds after he got home from work, he felt somewhat annoyed by their presence. Especially when the blonde had quite literally pushed (shoved is more like it) his way past Sasuke, forcing his way into the male's home; Sai followed shortly thereafter. The Uchiha ran a large hand though his unruly, black hair before letting it drop limply to his side. He was trying desperately to remain unaffected, but the slight tick in his brow was a clear sign that he was irritated; neither of his guest paid any attention to it however. He gritted his teeth together before letting out a harsh breath; telling himself to relax and calm down before he did something that he might regret later. "I told you at the office that I wasn't in the mood to go out tonight."
"Yeah, but when are you ever in the mood to do anything with us, you bastard. We just think that you need to get out more. You know, loosen up a little every now and then. All you ever do is sit at home and mope around or go to work. You need to change things up a little... you know." Naruto was trying desperately to get Sasuke out of the house; as he physically began to drag the Uchiha towards the front door by his arm. But Sasuke was resisting; that is until...
"Plus... Ugly will be there." Sai, who had decided to finally speak up for the first time since his arrival, had that weird pull on his lips again as he gave both men his signature, squinty-eyed smile. 'Who is he talking about? Who is ugly?'
"SAI!" Naruto face-palmed while Sasuke just stared at them both with a look of pure confusion written all over his face.
"Who are you talking about?" Sasuke asked as he raised a brow at the dark-haired boy when Naruto refused to answer him.
"Oops. Was I supposed to keep that part of our little outing a secret from Uchiha?" Sai, none the wiser, continued on as if Naruto wasn't staring daggers at him. "I guess Ino did say something about not telling him about Sakura coming along as well tonight. It must have slipped my min..."
"Wait a second...," Sasuke whispered, though his tone gave the pale boy pause and he exchanged a look with Naruto while Sasuke tried to process what he had just heard. They watched silently as Sasuke's dark, onyx-colored eyes widened with recognition and realization. The Uchiha's heart was racing frantically against his rib cage and he felt all of the breath within his lungs leave him as he became completely detached from his own surrounds; completely consumed with his inner musing.
'Sakura.' He hadn't heard that name, he hadn't heard her name specifically in a very, very long time. After having practically beaten Naruto to a pulp the last time the loud-mouthed blonde happened to mention something about her (which was about a year ago) no-one had dared to ever bring her up in any type of conversation again...that is until now. By this point, Naruto had released him; allowing Sasuke to sink into one of the nearby dining room chairs as his mind ran wild with thoughts of her. "Sakura..." Her name was a breathless whisper departing from his thin lips as he said her name for the first time in years and he felt his heart clench violently at the thought of her...
'Has she changed much since I last saw her...
How was she doing now...
Was she in love with someone else...
...or does she still love me?
Will she want to see me again... after all of this time had passed?
Will she forgive me... for what I've done?
Do I stand a chance anymore... at being able to call her mine once again?
Do I even want to know the answer to those particular questions...?'
"Look man," Naruto started calmly while placing a gentle hand on Sasuke's shoulder; interrupting the Uchiha from his inner turmoil. "If you don't feel like going, we won't force you to go. Hell, if you don't want to come with us because of..."
"No," the Uchiha said; interrupting Naruto's little speech as he came to a decision. "I'll come."
"That's okay we understand, we...wait...what!?" The blonde was stunned. Even Sai, who normally wasn't good at understand emotions or even showing them, had a slightly confused look on his face. "You changed your mind that easily? Just like that? But you just...is it because of Sa..."
"I said I'll come! Now, leave me alone so I can get ready." Sasuke slowly stood to his feet before making his way down the long hallway that led to his bedroom; ignoring Naruto's, constant and annoying, stuttering and Sai's extra creepy yet somehow knowing, 'genuine' smile. As the young man dressed himself in a simple black shirt and washed-out jeans, his mind began to wonder.
'Sakura...'
With her bubblegum, pink shoulder length hair...
Thin, but still very much feminine frame shaped by her still growing curves...
Her soft gentle smile that was set on her plump, soft pink lips...
Her bright, expressive green eyes that he could stare into for hours on end...
'Sakura, huh...,' Sasuke thought as he grabbed his coat before heading out the door with the boys. 'Maybe going out tonight with them wouldn't be such a bad thing to do after all.'
Maybe he could finally make up for lost time like he had been secretly hoping to be able to do; someday...
...maybe he would be able to win her back; if she wasn't already in love with someone else that is...
...because he knew that he hadn't stopped loving her. His feelings for her...they hadn't changed, at least in that department. He felt ready to make up for lost time; to beg for her forgiveness if need be.
One thought though caused his heart to ache as they neared their destination. 'If she had stopped loving him; if she never forgave him; would he be able to handle it? Was it simply too late to fix things with her? Had she been able move on from the past... from him?'
He had to know.
He had to try.
Because he was still deeply and irrevocably in love with Sakura Haruno. That fact... would never change. No, his feelings would never change.
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Sakura was cold; freezing actually. The icy chill from the nighttime air ran across her bare, exposed flesh; causing the pinkette to shiver and she pull her soft coat closer to try and keep its warmth against her body. 'Why in the hell did I agree to wear this stupid dress (if you can even call it that) in the first place? I probably did it to stop the arguments over what to do with my hair.' She glanced down the street once more as the two women made their way swiftly down the small, dimly lit sidewalk. "Hey, why did we have to come to this place, Ino? It's so far away from our apartment." Sakura finally asked after a prolonged silence.
"You know how Naruto can be," Ino said as she rolled her blue eyes before glancing at her phone once more. 'She's been doing that a lot today... ever by her standards. What is going on with her? It's strange, that's for sure.' Maybe she would ask her about it later. "We had to find a place that served ramen as well as other things," her friend clarified when Sakura remained silent.
"I mean, I get that part, but..."
"Enough of the arguing, Sakura. We're here!" Ino entered first and she held the door open behind her for Sakura to do the same; the heat from inside blasted them the second they walked in, warming their chilled skin almost instantly; much to Sakura's relief. The restaurant was rather small but had a really cozy, warm feel to it; it was nice. The dark interior though made it somewhat difficult to see very well at first but Sakura was soon able to spot her friends, mostly thanks to Naruto's brightly colored orange shirt that he seems to always be wearing. She smiled softly when she heard his yammering above all of the other hustle and bustle going on throughout the small space; it was nice to see that some things never changed. As they made their way through the row of tables and over to the largest one that was situated in a corner where their friends were currently seated, the pinkette saw four figures sitting strategically around the circular table; all fitting easily onto a cozy looking booth, leaving just two spots open; one for her and one for Ino. Sakura felt her heart stop and her feet halted her forward momentum as she soon recognized who the fourth, previously unknown to her, guest was. There seated beside the loud-mouthed blonde... was someone with whom she hadn't seen for years. Someone that she thought she would probably never see again; at least, not in this lifetime. She couldn't help but stare dumbly at him; as she was left completely and utterly stunned.
It was none other than Sasuke fucking Uchiha.
She gulped slowly as her bright, wide green eyes scanned him slowly from head to toe.
His dark, jet-black hair was unmistakable; it had the same unruly spikes in the back that she remembered (that she had been extra fond of) ...
His body (from what she could see of it) had grown not just in height, but in muscle as well; he looked...strong...
His pale skin contrasted harshly against the dark surroundings; almost giving him an ethereal glow...
His side profile (from the small glimpse she got of it)... was still as handsome as ever.
She was going to be doomed if she was forced to stay here much longer. She would easily revert back to her old ways... where he was concerned. Sakura couldn't do this; no, not here... not now. 'What. The. Hell. So, this must be why Ino picked out this particular dress for me to wear tonight... she had to have known that Sasuke was coming. What is she up to?' Sakura was angry; she was furious; she was seeing red. "Ino," Sakura hissed after finally pulling herself out of her own mind right before planting her feet firmly on the ground as she simply refused to go any further. Ino had just grabbed her arm while she was... preoccupied, and was now trying to drag her over to the table; over towards him. "What in the hell is he doing here."
"Oh, did I forget to mention that Sasuke was coming tonight too? Silly me, it must have slipped my mind. Never mind that now though... come on, I'm starving." Ino's pulling had only intensified and she was now half-pulling and half-dragging a very unwilling and unhappy Sakura behind her; inch by painstakingly slow inch, they were moving closer. 'Damn these heels!'
"I'm going home," Sakura insisted as she tried to turn the other direction; but Ino wouldn't allow it. 'I'm going to kill you later for this,' she huffed as she glared daggers at her best friend. If only looks could kill; then the blonde would have been six feet under a while ago.
"No, you're not," Ino sighed in irritation, as she stopped and turned towards the pinkette; an annoyed expression twisting her feminine features into a harsh scowl. The girl had stopped pulling but refused to let go of Sakura's arm; for fear the woman would bolt the second she did (which wouldn't have been far off from the truth). "Come on Sakura it's been what... like five years since you've seen the boy. Both of you have matured a lot since then so you both need to just grow up and face each other at some point. We are all friends after all so it would be nice to hang out with the both of you at the same time every once in a while." Sakura appreciated Ino's attempts to bring them back together but... she just wasn't sure she was ready yet. Her heart was still broken...she was still completely in love with this boy turned man. She knew that Sasuke would be her biggest weakness. That her resolve would crack easily; it would break into a thousand different shards if he even so much as wanted her again. She would be unable to deny him... and that fact scared her. She shook her head in the negative and took a step back; ignoring Ino as the girl rolled her eyes.
"Ino, I don't think..."
Ino sighed and placed a gentle hand on Sakura's shoulder. "Please, just don't fight me on this. I promised you we would have fun, didn't I? So, let's go and just hang out. No expectations. You probably won't even notice he's there anyway. He's still not much of a talker." Sakura worried her bottom lip between her teeth as she glanced back at the Uchiha who still had his back towards them. She groaned inwardly before finally relenting. It would be better to get this over with now while she still had some amount of dignity left; and her best friend was by her side. Besides, she was certain that Sasuke knew she was there, or at least coming and it would be obvious that she was trying to avoid him if she didn't show; that he still had some sort of effect on her if she turned tail now and ran. She was determined to try and keep a tight hold on her resolve but... she didn't have much faith in her abilities.
"Okay...but just this once." Ino smiled warmly at her before happily dragging Sakura the rest of the way to their destination; to what she could only assume would be her demise. Sakura was found to be correct when Ino strategically placed her in the only empty seat left; the one that was directly beside the Uchiha. She avoided his dark eyes as she took her seat slowly. She could feel his gaze upon her and couldn't stop the small shiver that ran down her spine; she just hoped he couldn't see it. Plastering on the warmest smile, that she could manage, Sakura looked at all of her friends as they began to talk excitedly amongst themselves.
'Let the fun begin.'
Author's Notes:
(Sasusaku au. Sakura is a very, very forgiving person in this fanfic just a heads up and it is a little fast pace. I hope you still like it anyway. I will most likely go back and improve this short story in the future but for now I hope you enjoy it as is.)
If any of these sound like your own writing or another you have read I apologize but I didn't copy anyone's work. This is entirely my own writing.
