Ink and Pastels:
II. Date.
She stared, stricken with amazement, at the cobalt and black marks that infiltrated each and every book sprawled in the crevices of his room. Thoughts, feelings, disagreements he had to write down. Had to commit and make a part of the literature he possessed.
'
'
'
Sakura stood outside the bookstore, pondering.
She wondered if she should go inside.
Did she want to? Maybe.
Would he remember her? After their coffee 'date' she had been contemplating going to the bookstore address he had given her for a few days. Hastily written on that piece of sketchbook paper with his slanted handwriting.
She riffled over the tons of reasons why she didn't think she should go:
She had to work - not until next week.
She didn't know where the bookstore was - he had written the address down for a reason, with simplistically clear directions.
She was creeped out by his sheer confidence - well no. She kind of admired that characteristic he possessed.
So after much squabbling with Ino over the stupid excuses that she so apparently had concocted, here she was. Standing outside the bookstore Books 'n Things, pacing back and forth several times.
Occasionally glancing into the depths of the two-story shop, where she could see people bustling about as they perused for their next ideal piece of written work. The wooden railing that led a two-step incline towards the front door was covered in ivy and white daisies.
She nervously chewed on an inside corner of her bottom lip. Irritating her gums as she tried to make a consensual decision.
He clearly wanted her to see him in his element. Working. Surrounded by literature. She had always enjoyed reading herself, though she hadn't much free time to herself lately to actually curl up with a great novel.
Yet here she was.
Wasting time by shifting her weight from one brown boot clad foot to the other. Trying to devise a carefully calculated plan to casually walk in and peruse - without really actually looking at the books.
The sky was a limpid light cerulean, blots of white clouds pasted here and there of random shapes she never could distinguish.
Bright flecks of sunlight peeped through the gaps in the trees, stippling the sidewalks with many different shaped shadows. The wind had calmed down slightly the past few days, now just breezing past like a soft trickle.
Leaves were slowly spiraling downwards.
A slight mist was spread across the horizon, hazing the view of the numerous billboard signs in the far distance.
It was early. For a Saturday morning.
At least to her. Nine-fifteen was still a bit early to be walking around the streets aimlessly. As she had been doing for a good fifteen minutes before she had stumbled upon the wooden sign peeking out behind a tree - one could hardly see it unless they squinted.
Steeling herself, she inhaled a quick moment before she relaxed her shoulders. She took the few footsteps she needed to reach the door. Grasping the brass handle, she opened the door and stepped inside.
Success. She had triumphantly squandered a good chunk of time where she could of been sleeping or completing her notes on her fifteen page report, maybe even spending some extra volunteer work at the hospital by being stressed out if she should go inside a bookstore. Where it was possible he wasn't even working a shift this early.
The bookstore was huge. Tall shelves filled with a variety of different sized books. Diverse colored spines. Both paper and hardback bounded. Even sections split into the disparate genres.
She was in awe.
Cream painted walls. Crisp maple hardwood floors. Minimal decorations, just simple posters depicting nature and pictures of food such as fruit.
Adjacent to the door was a line of registers. Two were occupied with employees, whom already looked exhausted and in anticipation for the shift to come to an end. A huge circular showcase displayed new releases, the hottest magazines, brochures, and even store merchandise.
She could only imagine what the rest of the bookstore appeared like.
Sauntering down the aisles nonchalantly her bright eyes scanned the perimeter, every nook and cranny she passed, for any signs of Sasuke. Not that she was looking for him if someone were to ask her.
The black leggings she wore felt too tight against her thighs. Washed-out carmine sweater too huge, enveloping her hands if she dangled her arms by her sides - which she had to do, her leggings had no pockets.
She had conveniently forgotten her coat when Ino not so gently shoved her outside their apartment, ordering her to find this man. To bow down to the ground in thankfulness for purchasing her an already discounted coffee. And to beg for another date.
She snorted to herself. That was hardly a date. She'd conquered the majority of the discussion portion and hardly acquired a detail about him.
Red fingernails wiped sweaty palms on the sides of her pants as she stepped over a pile of books dumped unceremoniously on the ground, perhaps a lazy employee was going to come back to stack them later.
Her bangs were braided back along the right side of her head, above her ear. She had straightened her hair, slim pink strands trying to stretch so desperately past her shoulders.
Only a light amount of black mascara on her upper and lower eyelashes. Red lip-gloss glazed over her lips to match her sweater. Same feather earrings she had worn to the coffee shop.
Swerving around aisles, she trekked up a spiral staircase that led to another level of shelved books. Her eyes roamed towards a small in-store restaurant, then over the sign indicating the art section where she caught a blur of black and blue. Pausing in place for a few seconds, she swallowed thickly.
Regaining feeling in her body, she progressed in the direction of the section for art. Photography books assaulted her vision, documentation of famous artists and self-help books on how to draw. Mirth flickered across her face at the range of titles the books contained 'Drawing for Dummies', 'When In Doubt, Stick Figure It', 'Lines, Lines, Lines'.
Her boots came to a halt when they bumped against a leg.
Sasuke was perched on the floor. His back against a bookcase, his left leg outstretched towards the other shelf. His right leg was tucked beneath the bend below his left kneecap. His muddled hair back to it's original design. Torso fixated with a navy cardigan vest pulled over a striped long sleeved black and white plaid dress shirt.
His head was inclined forward, poured over a thick novel. Sakura's eyelashes fluttered a few moments as she tried to grapple with his actions. One of his hands was rapidly darting a pen across the margins of the page he was currently fixated on.
Black ink slathered the starched pages. She could see his slanted writing, his flecks of thought covering the corners and sides of the pages.
"What are you doing? Desecrating the book like that. Books are meant to be read, not crumpled, creased or written upon." The negligible curve of his lips didn't go unnoticed.
He didn't cease in his conquest to litter the page as his lips parted, "Hn. Disagreed. I own the book, I can write all over it if I please."
She tossed her hands in the air as she exhaled a blast of frustration - a puff of carbon dioxide. Leaning carefully against the shelf closest to her, she peered below at him disapprovingly. Metaphorical daggers were piercing his flesh from the sheer force of her diabolical stare.
"Aren't you supposed to be working? This is a serious lack of work ethic, buddy."
He halted the pen that was producing ink onto the page he had currently paused upon. It was already half daubed. He lifted his head, dark eyes stealing away her breath when his gaze met hers.
A moment of silence passed between them.
The books stayed still where they were while witnessing their heated staring contest.
One minute seemed to pass.
Her scintillating eyes were challenging him; daring him to look away. His book lay forgotten in his lap, the pen tucked behind his ear. One of his eyebrows did that wicked things where it quirked up as though wondering why she even bothered taxing him.
Three more minutes to tack on the wasted time tally.
A voice entered the premises, popping their privately constructed bubble "The teme - No. What - yes, I know. I can't find Sasuke, you idiot. How is he supposed to check up on that if he's gone MIA? He always runs off to read when it's slow like this." A ray of sunshine appeared in Sakura's line of vision. She squinted, believing she was seeing things, a bit delirious perhaps due to not having any breakfast that morning.
She internally sighed in relief as it indeed came to be a man. He was tall. Striking ruffled blonde hair, strands that poked out on all sides as though literal rays of the burning sun. Whisker-like scars stitched across his cheeks. Electrically shocking blue eyes stared at her, the phone he was holding dropping by his side. A large blazing grin overtook his face as he tossed the phone directly against Sasuke's chest - making the aforementioned victim grunt.
"Teme! Who is this? All this time I think you go off to read and here you are mentally undressing this beauty with your eyes. You sly devil, you." Sakura could see the irritation cross Sasuke's face but noted the affection he held for this probable friend in his eyes as he sneered in his direction. His lips opened to retort but she beat him to it.
"Sakura Haruno. Hi. The deemed beauty, thank you. I'm a friend, I think." The man narrowed his eyes, apparently deep in concentration as he studied her, gaze lingering just enough not to be considered lecherous before he returned his attention to the lump on the ground. Still recovering from being assaulted by a phone.
"Nice to meetcha Sakura! I'm Naruto. Naruto Uzumaki. I own this bookstore. This teme here is supposed to be my manager but he likes to slack off a lot." Sakura smiled as Sasuke threw a dirty glare at Naruto. He rose from the ground, shifting as he rearranged his jeans, tucking the book beneath his arm. She could see the deep layers of friendship attached to the two of them.
"Hn." Sasuke rubbed the back of his neck, sighing acutely. Sakura could see that he was about to leave. His body was turned slightly away from her. His frame was tense. Aggravation lined his expression.
And honestly she didn't want him to just yet.
She hadn't been able to actually talk to him and uncover his intentions. After all he had been the one to invite her here. Nor had he called her - though she could see where that would be a problem. Intense stalking methods would have to be planned for him to of achieved her number, or found the building to the residence she inhabited.
"Nice to meet you too. Um. Would you mind if I asked Sasuke something real quick before you send him back to work? I promise not to be long. Then you can steer him into the direction of his torture." Naruto's face scrunched with laughter, his eyes beaming as he chuckled. "Sure thing, Sakura!" He nodded his consent. And before he walked away he fixated Sasuke with a sneaky grin.
Sasuke rolled his eyes, his gaze fastening back on her. Crap. She forgot what she had wanted to ask him. She hadn't even really devised a speech before she had come inside, anyway. She didn't think he would've been working today. Plus she didn't believe she actually was going to see him again, what with her being so busy. She wanted to ask him on another date. But oh god. What if he said no? What if this was all a ploy to mess with her head? He was surely cunning. Could certainly pull a trick like that off.
She realized she was lost in her thoughts when an incredulous look briefly flickered over his face. He coughed to hide the smirk that always tried to appear when he was in her vicinity.
"Oh. Right. You see, I was wondering perchance if you'd like to grab some dinner tonight? Or tomorrow. Whatever works, but it has to fit my schedule." Growing a bit unnerved by his staring and the fact he wasn't uttering any syllables she glowered at him.
He simply nodded, a small smirk peeking at the corners of his lips as he turned away from her to head back to work.
Stupid idiot. Who ruined books. And didn't clarify a time or place to eat at.
She felt her heart skip a beat. So, to escape inevitably what was about to occur (the unwanted cracking of a huge smile on her face) - she then rushed towards the door.
But. She paused.
She had to leave him with some indication of details.
Rummaging in her purse she managed to find a napkin, not caring if it had been used or not, along with a pen. Taking a few minutes, scraping the pen against the fabric of the napkin to get the ink out, she only happened to rip the paper slightly and the pen released minimal ink.
Sighing, she wrote out her number with a note demanding he call her at a suitable break time to discuss what was going to happen.
As she made her way towards the front door, she almost walked into Naruto who appeared as if he was waiting for someone. He was nervously shuffling around, his orange van sneakers squeaking against the wooded flooring.
He looked up and noticed her walking slowly in his direction. His face burst into this vast white teethed smile, his blue eyes crinkling. "Sakuraaa," He dragged out her name and she laughed softly. "How'd you like the bookstore?"
"It was great, I hope I can come back sometime soon. Can I ask you for a favor?" Her fingertips pushed back strands of her pink hair as her free hand reached out to grab the door handle.
"Of course! Anything for Sasuke-teme's friend. Whatcha need?" She reached into her purse and outstretched the partly torn napkin with Sasuke's name etched on the front into Naruto's now extended palm.
"Could you please give this to Sasuke? I'd really appreciate it."
"Ooh. A love letter?" Sakura laughed as she stepped outside, holding the door open to give Naruto a last thankful smile.
"Something like that. Thank you." She headed out of the shop.
Naruto's lingering wave could be seen in her peripheral vision as she struggled not to skip down the sidewalk.
'
'
'
"Forehead. You're killing me here. You aren't honestly going on a date wearing that?" Ino's disapproval wasn't hard to miss. It laced her words completely. Her hands were currently fixated on her hips, her cornflower eyes wide in disbelief as she watched a kneeling Sakura riffling through her closet for something to wear later that night.
Watched her hands halting on a choice of a ruffled dark blue top.
He hadn't called yet.
It had been exactly five hours, twenty three minutes, and six seconds since she had left the bookstore.
Not that she had kept count of the time.
"Well at this point I'm not going on a date, Piglette. So I have no idea hypothetically what I would wear if said date were to happen on this planned evening." Ino scoffed, slumping down beside her to help peruse the items in the deep confines of her closet.
"Oh hush. It's happening. He'll call. Sitting at the table staring at the phone just waiting for a call isn't helping the matter though."
"I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about." Ino laughed at her, Sakura smiling in response as she watched her go through each item, deciding what would be suitable for her.
"You could wear that dress you wore on the date with the-coworker-who-shall-not-be-named. That way it'll erase every ugly memory you associated it with that night. I'll even help you with your hair and make-up. You can borrow a pair of my heels. I'll make you so pretty he won't know what to do with himself."
"You just anticipate things like this to happen, don't you?"
"Well, duh. What else are best friends for?"
"Fine. Just...keep the phone away from me."
'
'
'
After twenty minutes of struggling when it dawned on Sakura that she had forgotten where she tossed the dress - of course after she had gotten rid of the wine stains - she had finally found it stuffed in the pull out dresser drawer. A dresser stashed in her closet for things she didn't plan on wearing again in the approaching days.
Ino had left to browse around the kitchen, hoping to find something in their fridge to eat for a late lunch. After Sakura had returned from the bookstore, she had walked in to see Ino curled up on the couch watching cartoons. She assumed Ino had left her mother in charge of the flower shop that morning and that maybe she had a dance session in the evening. She just didn't question her friends' work schedule - it always fluctuated.
She could hear her grumbling about stupid carbs, and how food was stupid, and that she missed Kiba. And Kiba was stupid.
Ah, Kiba.
Sakura knew he was completely in love with Ino. He just had a really hard time expressing it, due to his womanizing nature and Inos' flirtatious behavior. And she knew Ino loved him. They had been this weird thing for several years, years beyond when she had met her. But she had known this girl long enough to realize she was afraid of having her heart broken. Of being rejected.
She understood, and that was why she had been planning for weeks to go down and see Kiba at the auto shop. She had just wanted to wait for the right opportunity, because she knew it was never good to meddle in other people's love affairs. This had been going on for a while though, and she knew they'd both be happier if they just took the time to tell each other.
As Ino loved to express though - people were stupid.
She smoothed out the choice dress for the maybe planned date, her fingertips grazing over the material. Wanting to choose a pair of Ino's shoes herself knowing the woman would pick an outrageous sized heel she would kill herself walking in - she was distracted by the shrill sound of the house phone ringing.
The phone that never rang much since they both used cell phones and it was only for dire circumstances, such as a stray number for people they wanted to evade where they could easily just delete the messages and forget about them.
She rushed out of her room, making a grab for the phone on the center of the kitchen island counter before Ino could even turn around to grab it herself. She stuck her tongue out as Ino huffed in irritation, slamming the fridge door shut to direct her full attention to the conversation about to unfurl.
"Hello?" She asked breathlessly, her heart hammering in anticipation for his voice on the other side of the line.
"Er. Hey Sak'. I was wondering if anything happened with Mr. Mysterious. I hadn't heard from you later that day and I'm surprised Ms. Piggy hasn't called with any deets." Her heart almost seemed to explode as she heard Tenten's voice flood the earpiece.
"No - not yet, Tenny. I'm waiting for him to call actually, I asked him out on a date tonight - "
"You asked him. Out on a date. That seems a bit backwards."
Sakura laughed. "I know, it wasn't planned. Do you want to come over tonight, though? We could plan a sleepover with the girls. Even if I do go out on the date, Piglette will surely have me on a curfew."
"Yeah, sounds great. I'll contact everyone to make plans, bring snacks, and their sharp tongues of interrogation. Tell Ino to let me know if he calls! Oh, and get him to pick you up so she can play the overprotective Dad card." After a bit of small talk, Sakura laughing often, she hung up the phone to see Ino's wide cerulean eyes peering at her creepily from across the counter.
"Ten' gave me permission to play Dad?"
"Yes, and everyone's coming over later to hear about this probably not happening event."
"SCORE." She flailed around the kitchen happily before re-opening the fridge.
As Sakura placed down the phone momentarily on the counter, she froze as it rang again. Ino glanced in her direction and smirked. Assuming it was Tenten again, perhaps having forgotten something or wanting to ask what to bring later - she placed the phone back up to her ear, pressing the green button to talk.
"This is Sakura." Her breath hitched when she heard his voice flood the receiver and pour into her ear.
"Got your note. Accidentally called an old man who talked my ear off about there not being a Sakura in the premises and me being a sucker for being given the wrong number. I mistakenly typed in a wrong digit."
"I'm glad you realized your mistake. Wouldn't want you thinking I rapidly aged and changed my gender just to fool you."
"Detrimental, surely." She laughed softly, and heard him pause for a moment. Puzzlement flickered across her face as she heard scuffling in the background and a muffled "Gerr'off teme, I want to see you blush when you accept Sakuraaaa's proposal!".
She covered her mouth to try and disguise her choking laugh as she heard the sound of wood scraping against wood and the sound of something being smacked. Probably Naruto for wanting to listen in.
"Sorry. The dobe."
"Oh yes. The dobe, I completely understand what that means." She could almost see his face scrunch in irritation at her teasing.
"Means dead last. Term of endearment I suppose for the idiot. You're getting off topic."
"Right, my apologies, sir. I'll start over, redirect myself. Hello, Sasuke, man who has captivated my attention. Would you like to so humbly accept my offered invitation to dine with me tonight? I hope six o'clock works for you. I have a place in mind - " He cut her off. Abruptly.
"I already made a reservation. I'll pick you up at six." The line went dead.
Sakura hung up the phone and relaid the conversation to Ino who had plopped herself on the kitchen counter, watching the ranging expressions trickling across Sakura's face during their conversation.
"Ha. Told you he'd call. Let's go get you ready."
'
'
'
She could hear Ino shrieking in the her bedroom, hardly trying to contain her excitement.
It was about five fourty-five in the evening and Sakura was all dressed up, sitting on the couch positioned beneath the bay window in their rather large living room. A tan clutch purse perched on the cushion beside her. A white fleece coat hanging along the back of the couch. White heels with straps that wrapped around her ankles were currently resting on the surface of the coffee table positioned between the couch she was sitting on and the couch across from her.
The television was on, the volume very low as it related what the weather would be like for the night. Her attention was elsewhere. Her mind was more focused on trying not to make a fool out of herself this evening because of nerves. Though she had no reason to be nervous.
Everything was planned.
After her phone call with Sasuke, Naruto had actually called her back asking the whereabouts of her house for Sasuke had claimed he was too busy and couldn't bother calling back to ask. Naruto had made the comment he was just embarrassed and too full of pride to admit it.
Ino had consequently dragged her into her bedroom to start the preparations. It took a good forty minutes if she had been counting. Ino was more of a mess than she was. Running about trying to find the right shades of eyeshadow. Crawling beneath her bed for the extra bag of eyeliner pencils she had been to lazy to place on her vanity counter.
Though Sakura had to agree it had been worth it in the end; all the extra effort.
She felt pretty.
Ino chastised her saying she looked absolutely stunning and Sasuke would "shit his pants" when he reached their doorstep to whisk her away for a romantic evenfall.
Since she had straightened her hair after her shower that morning, Ino had left it as so, simply braiding the sides into a side bun. Her bangs were brushed out to rest along the right of her forehead above her eyebrow - slightly wavy from having been put in a braid earlier.
Her cream dress was freshly pressed, no wine stains in sight. The sparkles glittered in the basking of the overhead lighting. Her fingertips hastily fiddled with a silver charm bracelet winded along her left wrist.
She resisted the urge to smudge the barely-there gold eyeshadow. Ino had delicately winged the black eyeliner on the upper corners of her eyelashes. Creating a smoky effect when met with the corners of the bottom lashes being decked with black eyeliner. Thick black mascara that really elongated her fair eyelashes.
Pale glossy pink lip gloss that almost matched the natural color of her lips. It was sticky. She had realized that when she had to reapply it. She had gone to brush her teeth and encountered that fiasco of a messed up toothbrush and fingers coated with the residue of the lip gloss.
All in all - she was slightly exhausted from the preparations.
However, she had to admit she liked what Ino had done.
Now she was sitting. Waiting. Thinking. Devising an escape plan.
This would be their second date. Well she would count it as their official first date. Her objective for the evening was to uncover all she could about this enigma called Sasuke.
She wouldn't be the only one talking this evening. Even if it meant she had to force open his mouth - though that was the drastic back up plan.
Continuing to fiddle with her hands, she unceasingly glanced at the clock fixated above the entrance to the hallway. Resisting the urge to chew on the corner of her bottom lip - didn't want to have to reapply the stupid lip gloss.
She could hear Ino approaching from the depths of her bedroom, about to sit down beside her when the door was knocked upon.
Her eyes met Ino's. There was no way she could let her answer the door, she'd berate Sasuke with a million questions and ruin the date before it even started. Honestly. She needed new friends. Ino was going to be the death of her.
Standing up briskly, she raced towards the door - almost running into it as she opened it. Then again she almost fell down the stone stairs as she took one look at Sasuke and slammed the door shut.
Ino burst out laughing.
It took her a second to perceive what she had done.
Feeling her cheeks flush with embarrassment, she reopened the door to see Sasuke leaning against the door-frame. His dark eyes crinkled with obvious knowledge of the fact she found him alluring.
Black turtleneck sweater - covered with a firm black leather jacket and familiar royal blue scarf.
His dark jeans were fitting, leading to black dress shoes.
His dark hair was pushed back neatly, a few loose pieces sticking to his forehead as she had seen the day she noticed him sitting in the booth, alone. Caught up in the passions of his sketches.
He outstretched a gloved hand towards her, tilting his head towards the dark car parked a few paces away on the curb, "Shall we? Or would you like to close the door again first?"
"It was the wind." His entertained nod suggested he knew it wasn't, but he gave her the benefit of the doubt.
Gesturing for Ino to quickly grab the things on the sofa, she fixated her shoes to her feet, tossing her sweater over her arm and clutching her purse. She placed her hand in his palm.
But before he could take her away from the prying eyes of her bestfriend - Ino of course had to intervene.
"Have her home before midnight! And don't do anything funny, mister!"
"Wouldn't dream of it." Sakura wanted to curl into the bushes out of the sheer slivers of abash that shrouded over her. Ino placed a hand on her hip and wouldn't close the door until Sasuke had carefully pulled her away from her home and towards his car. He opened the door and allowed her to situate herself in the passengers seat before he made a move to the other side.
Momentarily rolling down the window, Sakura tossed a glare at Ino and made frantic gestures for her to go away. Ino complied but not before smirking at her and blowing kisses. She quickly pressed the button for the window to close back up when Sasuke slipped himself into the drivers' seat.
"Where are we going?"
"You'll see." Clever response.
"You aren't taking me to a dumpster to eat day old donuts while we watch starve-ridden animals scavenge through the clutter of litter on the ground are you? I think we should save that for another date."
He put his key into the ignition, blasting a onslaught of warm air into her face. Turning the knob to lower the amount of force, he chuckled.
"Aa. Another date, eager aren't we?"
"Just clarifying. Wouldn't want you to get your priorities messed up. That kind of romantic date should be saved for someone you really care for."
"Just be quiet. When we get there, you will know. Be patient."
Sakura leaned back in the cushioned seat of his car, occasionally glancing at him through her peripheral vision as he pulled away from the curb and drove to his destination. She hoped she could contain herself.
He cleaned up very well.
'
'
'
Her first thought when she stepped out of the car was that she was way too under dressed.
The restaurant looked like a hotel in some extravagant country that she would never step foot in. Large shiny glass windows, a huge sign with carved marble figures hanging on the sides.
Seriously.
She figured she was going to have to take out a loan just to pay for the appetizer. Surely this kind of restaurant was way too expensive. Gaping like a fish, her eyes wanted to fall out of their sockets.
She barely heard Sasuke calling her name beside her.
" - ura. Sakura."
"Yes?" She answered, still acclaiming the place with her eyes.
"That's the hotel I'm staying at. The restaurant is behind it." What. Come again. He lived here? Right. Well at least she was on point with the fact she had thought it was a hotel. She had been right of course.
Though it was hard to tell since the sign was in some foreign language she hadn't bothered to read.
Hearing Sasuke chuckle to himself beside her, she allowed him to practically tug her alongside him as he walked alongside the four foot black iron gate towards the back of the hotel.
"I knew it," She gushed as she regained her composure, noticing the dumpsters lining the sides of the hotel. A few overhanging lanterns basking the asphalt in a rich golden-brown glow. "You are taking me to a dumpster. Very classy, sir."
"As I said before, no. The restaurant is behind the hotel. We are by the side right now." Sakura closed her mouth, wanting to riposte but she knew Sasuke had a quick tongue and an ever quicker retort.
Shivering slightly due the bitter cold of the night, her viridescent eyes watched his frame as he walked. Broad shoulders slumped slightly due to his heavy leather jacket. His dusky hair glinting with streaks of dark cobalt. His grip on her wrist was warm. She could feel the hard calluses on his fingertips - the cause of too much drawing. And presumably from writing since she had seen the way his pen darted.
Although his expression was blank, she could see faint laugh lines. The almost gone dark circles beneath his eyelids. The slight curve to his long and dark eyelashes. His thin lips not at all chapped as she might have expected them to be. The trace of faint stubble he still hadn't bothered to shave.
Before she could continue her monologue inside her head of the details below his face, he halted in front of a small Italian bistro. Small iron wicker bistro tables were outside the restaurant, draped with red and white checkered table cloths. Glass candles were placed in the centers of each table, along with a single red orchid. A string of white lights strung from light post to light post. She could see the restaurant was crowded with people inside. A few inhabited the outside tables - a few couples. One or two families with tiny children.
"Would you prefer inside, or outside? If it's cold we can always move."
"Outside is fine." She mumbled, astonished she had never noticed this place before. It was beautiful.
He led her towards a table in the corner, beneath a lamppost. She deduced it was probably because she would be warmer beneath the light. He must have realized her coat wasn't very thick.
Pulling out her chair, she sat down in the seat and he sat across from her, his back towards the throng of citizens enjoying their dinners or waiting to order. He leaned forward, his hands clasping together, his elbows digging into the cloth.
She could see tiny flecks of dark blue and gold in his eyes as the light refracted onto them.
"You look nice." Sakura watched him nervously state, feeling one of his legs tapping beneath the table, causing it to vibrate slightly.
"Thank you, you look nice as well."
"I mean..." He seemed to be struggling with his words and she reached a hand over to lightly place it over top his own.
"It's alright, Sasuke. I understand." He seemed to frown, apparently not liking the response she gave but he deserted whatever he was going to respond with as a waiter approached them, asking what they wanted to drink.
They ordered a bottle of white wine - it had been red that had tried to molest her dress the last time, anyway. She was peering down at the menu, browsing at her options as his deep voice broke the peaceful silence.
"Sakura - no. You don't look nice - " Her eyes widened at the insult that slipped out of his lips and he rolled his eyes, leaning back in the chair. "Aa. You look...superlative." Sakura felt her lips arch and a splutter of laughter slip past her lips. A breathy, light laugh that she noticed his lips part at.
"Well, thank you. I'll take that as your closest effort to calling me beautiful, yes? You didn't need to struggle to get it out, stupid."
"Aa."
She made a pfft'ing sound of release as she tried to control her laughter. He had seemed to be struggling more than a minute to gather the right words to call her something more than nice. It amused her - and caused her chest to tighten with adoration - to know he was trying.
He was really trying.
'
'
'
"College?" Her fork wound up strands of the steaming white angel hair pasta smeared over the whole expanse of her plate, doused in marinara sauce.
They had swiftly gone through a battle and a half of wine. The pit of her stomach was filled with such a warmth that she knew if she drank any more wine she wouldn't be able to control herself from dragging him into her apartment.
She had more class than that - but he was incredibly heart wrenching and she couldn't tear her eyes away from him.
He took a moment to chew the piece of steak he had placed into his mouth before he answered. She had been grilling him with questions the majority of the dinner. It was like playing twenty-questions except she barely gave up answers about herself.
"Oto. Acquired a bachelor degree in Engineering and a master's in English. A minor's degree in art."
"Whoa, multi-talented. Very impressive." She had crossed one of her legs over the other.
"You know the whole point of a date is for both individuals to learn about each other?"
"You know that didn't happen the last time, right?"
"Hn."
"Don't 'hn' me, sir. I will leave right now!"
"Without dessert?"
"I'll take it with me!" He released a heavy chuckle and she smiled warmly.
If she was going to be honest with herself, she would say their date was going extremely well. She hadn't dumped any wine on herself. The food was exquisite. Sasuke was actually answering her barrage of questions. Customers around them weren't irritating or a disturbance. The whole environment was impressive. She was simply enthralled.
"Family?" His sudden question caught her off guard.
Oh Kami. The family inquisition. An apprehensive laugh slipped past her lips and a silence filled their once chatty atmosphere. He let them bask in silence as he watched her grapple with her thoughts.
"My mother passed away when I was four. My father suffered from depression and departed shortly after. I lived with my aunt Tsunade for the longest time - so I consider her as my mother. Ino, the crazy best friend you met who is probably counting down the time until I get back home, I see as my sister. How about you?" She watched his Adam's apple bob as he swilled a surplus of surrounding air.
"My parents - excessive mother who babies me a bit too much. Strict father. Older brother who isn't around much but we still talk from time to time." Sakura felt something stir in the crevices of her heart. This was the first time somebody hadn't stared at her with pity etched in the depths of their pupils. It was the first time that someone hadn't apologized for something they had no control over.
She found him refreshing.
The fact that he simply answered her question, no obvious pity dancing in the depths of his eyes - though he didn't really give off much expression to begin with. She appreciated that he didn't say sorry.
She had encountered enough condolences in her life to build a bridge with all the jars of quarters.
They finished the rest of their dinner, a few more questions being asked - favorite color, how long had he known Naruto, how long had she known that crazy overprotective harpy.
And then.
The waiter returned with a black book filled with their check.
Sakura reached for it but snagged her hand back when Sasuke gripped it firmly in his own. Her eyes were gaping as he shook his head.
"No."
"Um. Yes?"
"No, stupid. I'm paying."
"What? How is that fair? You payed the last time."
"So. Pre-first date. This is the actual first date."
"You're insane. That makes no sense - give me the bill, Sasuke."
"Absolutely not."
He released her hand when he affirmed it was safe to do so, and he placed his credit card inside. He waited until the waiter returned to hand it to him, whispering to the man. When the waiter departed, he stood, staring at her.
She assumed it was because he was waiting for her to get up.
Standing up, she pushed back her chair, moving it beneath the table as he situated himself beside her. He draped his leather jacket over her shoulders, keeping his hand just barely against her waist. It was as though he didn't quite want to make contact with her. Yet he wanted to keep his hand there so she was kept close to him. She didn't complain.
"I want to show you something." He began to lead her back towards the entrance of his hotel.
"Is it the inside of that dumpster?"
He simply shook his head.
'
'
'
"What are you, a historian? Hello, books, I think you seem to have misplaced the original design of this apartment."
Sasuke had taken her back to his apartment.
She assumed it was to show her his collection of comic books. Not the inside of his pants, as she knew Ino would be suggesting.
She wasn't going to lie - she was a bit flustered. Still having her arms shoved through the sleeves of his leather jacket, inhaling his scent every time his gaze was turned away from her. He had deserted her in the living room - having escaped into what she assumed was the depths of his bedroom.
His whole place was covered with books. Books, bookshelves, wall hangings depicting book covers and an array of different paintings.
Although his color scheme seemed to be lacking - all dull blends of morbid gray and slate blue, the colors of the book spines and paintings replenished fragments of color. His apartment also seemed to be huge. She could tell from the hallway there were an assortment of rooms. And closets. Had to be. The hotel had to be a few stories high, it certainly looked grand enough.
She fidgeted. He had been gone for a while.
"Sasuke?" She called out. "Did your books swallow you up?" He returned, ruffling his hair and blinking at her wit.
"Here." Was all he said as he handed her the sketchbook she had seen him drawing in at Buns and Beans. "Open it when you get home. Alone."
"Kinky - "
"Sakura." She laughed at his exasperated glare, nodding in confirmation as they retreated from his apartment. He had muttered aggravatingly that he had a curfew to meet. Wouldn't want to face Ino's wrath.
'
'
'
They stood together outside her apartment door. His jacket was still cast over her shoulders. Her hands nervously clutched together, her own coat in her hands, her purse tucked inside the coat pocket.
Ino had left the light on, dousing the both of them in an orange hue.
Sasuke had his sketchbook in his arms, holding onto it as he glanced down at her.
"I had a really nice time with you."
"Aa." Sakura took this as his signature word for yes, or for anything he agreed with.
Her heels scraped lightly against the ground as she shifted slightly, trying to think of something to say. She watched as he tucked the sketchbook beneath his arm, one of his hands pressing against her waist. A daring feat he hadn't finished accomplishing earlier.
The other reached forward to cup her left cheek. He lifted her face slightly, his dusky eyes peering.
"I'll call you." He muttered as he pressed a chaste kiss on her forehead. His lips lingered a few inches away from her forehead as he watched the splash of crimson spread across her cheekbones and tips of her ears.
And before she could process anything, the pad of his thumb traced across her lips, wiping away the remaining lips gloss. He whispered in her ear "I'd prefer to kiss you without this," and he walked away from her.
She was left standing at her doorstep, still wearing his jacket with his sketchbook now held in her hands, dumbfounded.
Damn lip gloss.
'
'
'
"Sakura, would you hurry up? All the popcorn will be gone by the time you get your butt down here."
"Hold on - I'll be there in a minute."
After Sasuke had left it had taken her a few minutes to try and regain the processes of her functioning brain.
She had slipped inside, into her room to change into much wanted pajamas.
Cleaned the makeup off of her face.
And was now sitting on her red comforter, flipping through the pages of his sketchbook. Dozens upon dozens of drawings attacked her eyesight. A myriad of flowers all heavily detailed, some colored with the colored pastels. Others just created with black and white.
He had drawn Buns and Beans, even drawn the restaurant they had gone to. Had drew the outside and the inside of the bookstore he worked at. She found herself infatuated with his sketches. She couldn't stop staring at them.
Just as she was about done, Hinata appeared in her doorway, a shy smile on her face.
"S-Sorry Sakura...Ino wanted me to um f-fetch you. What are you d-doing?"
The sound of Karin fighting with Ino reached her ears from downstairs. She could hear their usual screaming contest for the remote. She assumed Tenten was baking something for later.
None of that mattered though.
She felt her heart clenching way too tightly. The corners of her eyes were brimming with tears that weren't quite ready to drip down her face - she didn't want to smear his artwork.
"Just looking, sorry. I'm coming."
She placed down the sketchbook, and headed downstairs with Hinata for an undoubtedly full night of questioning and laughs. She wiped her eyes as she tried not to think about the sketch she had stopped on.
It had apparently been his depiction of her when she had opened the door for their date.
He must have drawn in it when he had disappeared into the depths of his apartment.
She couldn't believe that was how she had appeared to him.
And written in the top corner with black ink was the thing that had made her so emotional.
'There weren't enough words in the English dictionary to describe how breathtaking you were tonight. I'd like this back, actually.'
I don't own Naruto.
This was longer than I expected.
Hope you enjoyed(:
Excuse the typos.