Ink and Pastels:
III. Call.
"You're my beautiful everything." She tried to reach out to him. To stop him from leaving. But he wouldn't turn around. He kept walking, each step a crack in her lungs.
'
'
'
It was raining.
A jarring downpour.
The whole ambiance of the city was blurry, the sky a jejune charcoal.
Clouds were flattened, inky wisps.
A tangy sandalwood scent swarmed the streets, mixed with swirls of cinnamon.
Leaves careened down towards the asphalt and sidewalks, grazing the puddles and deteriorating slowly as they sunk into the water.
A chilly gale had picked up during the night, rapidly increasing the feelings of autumn. Thanksgiving was surely to be approaching in a few weeks.
Sakura sat on the cushioned ledge of her windowsill, located beneath the bay window in her living room. Her socked feet were tucked in a crossed fashion, her incandescent beryl green eyes staring out at the morbid day.
Her mind was still buzzing over the events that had occurred last night with Sasuke. Her heart still beat uncontrollably against her ribcage at the contents of his sketchbook and the fact that he had drawn her. She wondered if he drew her a lot. She hadn't had much more time to go through his sketches because her whole night had been overtaken by the girls.
Demanding to know every thing that had happened on her date.
Every word they had uttered to each other.
She hadn't told them everything; especially the part about the sketchbook and going to his apartment. She wasn't ready to reveal that until she got to know him a bit better. She didn't want her friends reading anything more into the situation.
She felt exhausted. She didn't think she had even gotten much sleep. Considering they had all stayed up the majority of the night, talking, catching up.
Her red coated fingernails were wrapped around a mug of coffee - extra cream and sugar. Her hair was all messy and pulled up into a disheveled bun. An untouched plate of toast with a side of scrambled eggs lay uneaten beside her on the cushion.
Her red sweatpants rode up slightly, rising above her ankles. She leaned back against the wall beside her, the black long sleeved shirt she was wearing bunching up at the ends. The large television was running once more on a low volume, some cartoon she didn't recognize was on. A snort reached her ears, her eyes flickering towards the three girls sleeping on the floor, all wrapped in an accumulation of pillows and blankets. She yawned lightly, smiling faintly as she noticed Karin rolling around on the floor in her sleep, muttering about deadlines and research.
Shuffling attracted her attention. Ino emerged from the stairs, scratching the tangled blob of her blonde hair. She blinked sleepy blue eyes at Sakura, making her way over towards her.
Perching beside her, she took it upon herself to eat the plate of food Sakura had made for herself.
"Morning, Forehead. Get any sleep?" Ino munched on a piece of toast.
"Not much." Her mind had been a bit preoccupied with infiltrating thoughts of his lips pressing against her forehead. The rough scratch of his stubble against her skin. The warmth of his breath as it blew into her face - he had even smelled as wonderful as he looked. Lingering hints of grape from the wine, and sniffs of cologne she hadn't noticed prior. The stopping of her own breath when his thumb had brushed across her lips.
He was trying to kill her.
That was what she deduced from the situation.
She had just met him not too long ago.
And already she found her mind clouded with the things he did. The words they had shared. He was unlike anyone she had interacted with before; and it partly frightened her. He was slowly hobbling his way into her life and she wasn't sure what to do about it.
"I think I'm scared, Ino." Ino paused, placing down the fork swaddled with eggs she was about to shove into her mouth. Cornflower eyes stared at her, imploring and a smile materialized onto her face.
"There's no need to be, Sakura."
"But I just met him. I hardly know anything about him, what if this doesn't work out? What if - what if this goes further than what we both anticipate? What if this only morphs into us going on these dates? I'm frightened. Everything he does intrigues me."
"So. Sometimes all it takes is one meeting. Keep in mind he doesn't know much about you either. It's a work in progress. Stop freaking out, Forehead. There is no need for you to be scared when I'm sure this is as new to him as it is to you. You captivate him as well. You should have seen the way he looked at you," She ran a hand through her convoluted hair, her own eyes staring at the dreary Konoha. "Besides. This is just the beginning."
Sakura pulled her knees up to press against her chest.
"How did he look at me?" She murmured against the fabric of her sweatpants. Her roommate resumed eating the eggs she had put down after reassuring Sakura she was practically crazy for already thinking like a pessimist.
"Like time ceased."
'
'
'
Everyone had left.
Ino went to work. An early morning shift at the flower shop.
Karin had departed, muttering about having to head into work early to finish a difficult case she was fighting against.
Hinata excused herself to grade a slipshod of artwork her students had given her for the impending holiday of Thanksgiving that was rapidly approaching. She had claimed she had accumulated a large stack over the week.
Tenten left to open her business after she had invited herself to a large breakfast - courtesy of the ingredients from Sakura and Ino's fridge. She made it. But situated herself at the island counter and munched happily.
Sakura didn't feel particularly in the mood to making a dent in the stack of homework that was sitting on the desk in her bedroom. All things for her internship at the hospital that was due when she returned in a few days.
She had no plans.
Well.
Except the planned time period she had scheduled into her busy life where she would wonder when Sasuke would call. If he would call.
Her eyes wandered to gallivant outside the window she had returned back to after a brief shower. Rain boots trudged through the water slicked streets. Cars roamed slowly down the yellow solid line marked asphalt. Umbrellas opened up against the precipitation.
Her fingers rubbed against her black leggings. Her hands hidden by the sleeves of her mint green sweater. Hair still damp, she twisted it up into a side bun, her bangs framing the right side of her forehead, swooshed slightly from her fingers having pushed it to the side a bit too much.
She began to wonder what Sasuke was doing.
As the rain continued to fall, casting droplets to splatter the pane of glass she was staring out of.
Wondered if he had to work at the bookstore - she had forgotten to ask him for his schedule, since she was too preoccupied with asking about other aspects in his life.
The trees slightly swayed with the impact of the wind pressing against the branches. A rough scratch reverberated in her ears due to a long branch of the tree raking against the brick of the exterior wall.
Or maybe perhaps he was curled up in his apartment reading a book, since the weather didn't exactly permit the ability to read outside. It was still raining bucket loads. Covering the streets with puddles. Dampening the civilians running about.
She wondered most of all if he was thinking about her.
'
'
'
"Get up, Forehead. We're going out."
"What?"
"You've been lounging around all day - and don't deny it, I know you. Waiting for Sasuke to call you. We're going out."
Sakura heaved a heavy sigh, nestling her head into her arm, pressing her face against the sleeve of her sweater. Going out with Ino meant getting dressed up. It meant walking in heels and outfits that were way too uncomfortable. Outfits that weren't suitable for this cold, rainy, weather.
"It's raining. It's dark. I don't feel like getting dressed up."
"Too bad. And they developed raincoats for a reason. Get up before I call Karin."
Grumbling under her breath, Sakura slipped off the couch where she had curled herself up on the cushion - watching a Halloween movie marathon all day.
She hadn't gotten anything productive done.
Except some laundry.
Ino had returned after her shift at six o'clock and was demanding they go out.
More than likely to Anko's bar. Where she would have to be designated driver because Ino would drink herself silly.
She sighed as she trudged up the stairs to find something that Ino would approve of.
A few minutes later, Ino was coming into her room to see what she had decided on wearing.
Sakura tugged the short black dress down that slid up a bit higher than she liked on her thighs. To solve the inevitable problem of being cold she had pulled black tights on underneath. Three inch black heels that had shiny bows.
"Satisfied?" She asked as Ino clasped her hands together happily.
Ino loved going out. Dressing up.
She had decided on wearing a short dark purple cocktail dress with a plunging neckline encrusted with shiny little diamonds. Her matching purple pumps were a few inches too high for Sakura's taste. Her hair was pulled back into a sleek and high ponytail, her makeup extremely thick - winged eyeliner, thick black mascara and shimmering purple eye-shadow.
Sakura had opted for braiding her hair on both sides and let it meet in the back with a sparkly black clip with little green stones. Minimal makeup. Thin line of shimmering gold eye-shadow and a light layer of black mascara on her eyelashes.
"Perfect, let's go. We can go eat an Tenny's afterwards."
It always seemed that when Ino dragged Sakura out to a night of drinking and dancing, that Kiba somehow seemed to inhabit that same bar. The two would leave together, Kiba promising to take care of the inebriated blonde, and Sakura would be left to head home alone - or to eat at Tenten's shop with her food as company.
It didn't bother her. Too much.
She loved hanging out with Ino - she just knew when they went out to drink it was because Ino was missing Kiba.
As Ino strutted towards the front door, a dark purple clutch purse tucked under her armpit, Sakura reached to grab some aspirin from the bathroom counter on her way out - shoving it into the depths of her bigger black purse.
She also made sure to grab a thick black coat for herself and a mint green raincoat that Ino had splurged on for her at some random shopping excursion. Ino had her blue raincoat slung over her shoulder.
It was going to be a long night as well.
'
'
'
It smelled.
Of sweat and tossed integrity.
Sakura was bored.
She was perched on the bar stool, swirling the white straw that inhabited the glass filled with some fruity pink drink she couldn't pronounce the name of.
Anko loved to create weird drinks and name them things people couldn't say for the life of them. It amused her to see all the drunkards try to order.
It was her fourth drink.
She was starting to get this warm, fuzzy feeling in the pit of her stomach. A warning that she shouldn't really be drinking anything else.
Ino was on the dance floor.
A martini clasped in the grip of her right hand, sloshing towards the ground every few seconds.
Dancing like there would be no tomorrow. Hair swinging around her like a whip. Her cornflower blue eyes shimmering from light intoxication and the pure rush she was getting from having the eyes of every lecher on her.
True enough though - Kiba was leaning against a nearby wall in a fierce and protective stance, his leather jacket clad arms crossed across his chest. His dark chocolate brown eyes watching over her.
Anko wasn't working.
And the bartender was some man named Rock Lee who Sakura thought might have a crush on her - he kept trying to give her drinks on the house, to which she declined.
She was tired.
Her feet were starting to hurt.
She didn't feel like dancing and it was way too hot.
People were constantly bumping into her from time to time, either drunk or from having been pushed.
She stood.
Pulling down the ends of her dress that had risen when she sat down.
She saluted towards Kiba - their signature sign - and he nodded firmly, his eyes still fixated on the dancing blur that was her best friend.
She sighed.
Downing the rest of her drink, and feeling lightheaded in the process, she made her way towards the door. Stumbling just slightly.
"Bye Choji," She called out to the bouncer. who smiled in response with an eager wave. Choji had been a bouncer there for a few years. He had become a pretty good friend of hers - especially since when she usually was dragged here she always brought him a bag of potato chips. She figured he'd get hungry having to stand outside all night.
Her heels clanked against the asphalt.
A light drizzle of rain trickling down from the dark blue sky.
The stars were bright, silver specks that twinkled each time she blinked.
She wrapped her black coat tighter around her shoulders, not really having the energy to slip her arms through the coat sleeves. She had folded up the raincoat and shoved it into her purse. The strap hung on one of her wrists, hitting her arm as she walked.
" - Sakura!" She paused as she thought she heard her name being called.
That was ridiculous.
Ino would be snuggled up in the passengers seat of Kiba's car by now.
There was no way she was calling her name.
"Sakura!" Her name struck through the silence again, and she frowned, glancing over her shoulder to see a mass of faces that were unrecognizable.
She turned back around and as her heeled shoe took a step forward - she gasped as her arm was grabbed. She was about to swing her fist back and sock the person in the face when familiar features came into her line of vision.
He was glistening. His hair speckled with droplets of rain, the bottom ends that were partly curled were dripping water onto the shoulders of his black coat. Black sneakers were caked with mud, dark blue laces woven in between the metallic holes of the shoes. Ends of his pant legs dampened.
His gold scarf was a bright contrast to the peeps of the inky red and black shielded behind the material of his coat. There was a certain uneasy glint in the deep depths of his eyes. Below his bottom eyelashes were small dark circles.
It seemed he hadn't gotten much sleep either.
"Sasuke?" It took her a long moment to process that he was standing there beside her, his grip on her arm extremely warm.
His shoulders were sagging slightly. She could see he still hadn't shaved - stubble lined the ends of his chin.
She was confused.
"What're you doing here?" She felt a bit disoriented.
"Heading home from the bookstore. Saw you. Why are you walking alone out here? Where's that girl?" Anger lined his features. She fought the urge to laugh. He was worried about her. His eyebrows were tightly knitted together, wrinkles forming on his forehead. His lips were stretched in a firm and narrow line.
"Well. I was going to go to Tenny's - but I think it's a bit too late now. Ino's with her boyfriend. She wanted us to go out since I've been cooped up inside all day and well. Here I am. Walking home, grumpy pants." She couldn't resist poking the side of his cheek, smiling as his angry expression didn't fade.
"Hn." Emitting a deep breath, he started to walk, tugging her behind him.
"Where are we going?" She asked. He chose to ignore her. "Taking me back to that dumpster? I think it missed me."
She could feel his hand clench her arm tighter in his grasp - she figured it was because he was trying not to laugh. She was a few paces behind him as he walked, watching the way his free hand was stuffed into the depths of his jean pockets. His tall build. The way his body maneuvered. The curves of his ears when the slight breeze blew back little strands of his hair. The pieces of paper sticking out of his right bottom pocket.
The wind was slowly starting to pick up every few minutes. A hefty gust or two that distorted her hair. Raking her skin with goosebumps. Her teeth vibrated from behind her lips - a light clicking sound harmonious with the tapping of her heels against the ground.
Sasuke was walking briskly - his shoulders tense.
She couldn't quell the nervous tinge in the pit of her stomach.
Or the flutters of happiness that he had appeared out of nowhere.
She didn't have to walk home alone.
'
'
'
"This isn't my apartment."
His apartment was dark.
The rain that had begun to pour again outside right when they had reached the front steps - drenching them - darkened the living room she stood in. She listened to the droplets assault the windows, a heavy sound as the silence encased her.
Sasuke sighed.
He directed her to sit on the couch.
It was black and shaped like the letter L. Situated beneath a window that was decked with white shutters.
A large television screen was up on the wall, surrounded by a large cabinet decked with tons of shelves - a sort of storage containment that covered the majority of that wall. It was filled with movies, CD discs and a plethora of video games.
A gas fireplace was off to the left of the couch where Sasuke was bent down to press the switch that would turn it on.
A yellow-orange glow began to flood the crevices of darkness that filled his apartment, sending flickers of red to dance across his brown carpet.
He turned towards her, placing his large hands on her shoulders, his dark hues peering into circles of virescent.
"Are you drunk?" He asked.
"Not yet." She felt her heart skip a beat at the flecks of red she could see in his pupils.
"I'm making you some tea. Stupid girl."
"I'd beg to differ. I was dragged against my will to Anko's bar. I was bored so why not have a few drinks?"
"You could have stayed home and drank." His voice answered back as he made his way towards his kitchen, tossing his coat on the back of a cushioned brown dining chair. Four of them were tucked underneath a tiny table in the middle of his kitchen. Gray marble counters. A large fridge. Hardwood brown cabinets and cupboards were above his head - perhaps where all his dishes, cutlery and food was stored.
She couldn't fathom was he was being so defiant.
"You don't know Ino. And believe me, I wanted to. I was waiting for your call. But Ino didn't want me lazing about all night too."
He didn't respond. She exhaled sharply, crossing her arms against her chest. The fire was warm.
She began to peel off her coat from her shoulders when Sasuke returned with a small tray. Two steaming mugs, a glass of water, and a plate of cookies was situated on it. He set down the tray on the coffee table a few feet away from her and she blinked when his gaze fixated on her and he seemed to freeze.
"What?" She asked, her voice coming out a bit choked.
He wouldn't stop staring at her.
His gaze slowly trailing down her outfit before sliding back up to her face.
She watched his Adam's apple bob and he walked off into the deeper depths of his hallway. He returned shortly with an over-sized black sweater. "Put this on." His voice sounded a bit strained.
"Sasuke, are you alright?" She asked as she tugged the sweater over her head.
"No. Thank Kami I caught you before you left that bar." Understanding dawned on her. It was her outfit. She had forgotten all about what she had been wearing.
He really had been worried about her.
A smile overtook her face.
'
'
'
Thunder roared outside.
His television was bright in the darkness that surrounded them, except for the faint glow of the fire.
The credits of a movie neither of them particularly cared for was rolling.
She was curled up in the bend of his couch, her heels tossed across the floor. An empty mug of tea was clasped in her two hands.
Glancing over toward the other end of the couch, Sasuke was all stretched out, his face buried on the armrest of the couch. His dark hair fell over his eyes. His chest rose in rhythm to his soft inhaling and exhaling.
His red cardigan was being used as a cardigan - it was pressed against the back of his neck, squished against the armrest. His black tee-shirt had risen slightly up his side.
He was asleep. She could hear the soft snores coming from him.
Reaching forward, she placed her mug down on the surface of the coffee table.
And then slowly inched her way across the space of couch until she reached where he was laying. She pushed her bangs out of her eyes as she leaned forward a bit.
She gulped.
He was even handsome in his sleep. His long eyelashes brushing against his cheekbones just barely. His hair tickling beneath his nostrils. She could see the grooves in his hair where his fingers had constantly run through it, shoving it back.
Tilting over him, her lips pressed a brief kiss against his cheek.
His eyelids fluttered open suddenly, and he turned his head in her direction.
His lips were mere inches from her own.
Her eyes widened, her heartbeat escalating to an almost painful throbbing.
One of his eyebrows quirked at her close proximity. She felt like she was going to sink into the cracks of his couch cushions.
"Sakura," He began, his dark eyes flickering from her lips to her flashing beryl green eyes. "Are you trying to molest me in my sleep?"
Red blossomed on her cheeks, her lips opening and closing rapidly as she tried to articulate words. Struggling to form a sentence as amusement filled the profundity of his dark eyes. She bent back partly, nervously chewing on the bottom corner of her lip. "I...no, idiot. You had something on your face."
"So your solution instead of wiping it off with your finger is to kiss it?" She could see he was enjoying himself immensely. He had leaned up slightly, the side of his cheek resting in the palm of his hand - as he watched the intricate levels of embarrassment flush across her face.
"I think you're delirious from lack of sleep. There was no kissing. Go back to sleep."
"So you can have your way with me?"
Sakura wanted to scream. Huffing in frustration, she tried to detach herself from the couch. She made a move to stand up - the inclinations of a massive headache appearing - when she felt his hand tug on the fabric of the sweater he had lent her.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"Home. It's late, Sasuke."
"It is."
"That means I should leave and get some sleep."
"Let me drive you."
'
'
'
They stood, once again, outside her apartment door.
She was standing, her hand on the door handle, clothed in her own coat, her purse on the shoulder turned inwards towards her front door.
He held his sweater in his hands, the edges of his lips curved upwards as he waiting for her to go inside.
"Wait right there." She disappeared into the dark depths of her house - apparently Ino wasn't coming home tonight.
Sighing, she tossed her purse on the island counter, making her way upstairs. She picked up his leather jacket off the back of her desk chair, hesitating as she also grabbed a hold of his sketchbook.
Heading back towards the door where Sasuke was leaning against the door frame, she extended her arms towards him.
He slung his jacket over his shoulder, tucking the sketchbook under his armpit. His eyes were alight with this warm glint as she nervously leaned awkwardly on her heels.
"Would you stay up a bit longer, Sakura? I didn't have a chance to call you today." A small laugh slipped past her lips as she tucked a braid that had come loose behind her right ear.
"Would be my pleasure."
'
'
'
Sakura was laying on her red comforter, her eyes staring at the ceiling.
The large four-pane windows gazed over the lights of the city that poured into her room, speckling the cream carpet with different shapes and colors. A blend of yellow, blue and flecks of red and brown danced across the perimeter.
Pink hair sprawled around her pillow.
One of her hands rested on the fabric of her heathered dark blue shirt. Her black sweatpants bunching at her ankles.
The phone was pressed against her ear with her other hand.
"You've known Naruto for ten years? That's quite a long time."
"He gets more annoying each day."
"Oh, stop. I know you care for him."
"He keeps me employed."
"Sasuke."
"Sakura."
"I'm tired - can I go to sleep?
"No, I'm still talking." Sakura sighed, a weary smile attacking the edges of her lips.
She leaned on her side, the ear not occupied by the phone pressing against the white pillowcase. Her bright eyes glanced out her window at the night of Konoha. Blinding lights and tall buildings.
"Have you always been interested in drawing?" She tried to fight back a yawn.
"Yes. Ever since I was thirteen. It was an outlet." Her eyes closed for a moment, relishing in the sound of his voice.
"From what?"
"The pain." Her fingertips slipped slightly on the grip of the phone. She rose from where she lay, her hair creating a curtain around her face.
"What do you mean?"
"My past is a bit shaky and lengthy, Sakura."
"Well, I have all night." She could hear his soft chuckle.
"My father has held high expectations for my brother and I ever since we could crawl. Itachi was the one who suffered the brunt of my fathers words and expectations to carry out his dreams. But he wanted different things. He fell in love with a woman named Hana when he was eighteen. Her parents didn't approve of him - he was a m an with no set career path. Hana loved him nonetheless. Our father didn't approve of Itachi's choices, especially Hana. My mother adored her but my father didn't care," Sasuke's voice was bitter.
"I left for college when they had made the decision to move in together. They lived in my apartment for a bit. That was until I returned from college to find out Itachi had left. Deserted Hana. His fiance. He hasn't come back since. He still calls me from time to time to see how I'm doing - often drunk phone calls he never seems to remember. Hana was so wrecked that she ran after him. I haven't the slightest idea if she's found him. Itachi is such a bastard. How could he do that to someone who devoted her whole life to him?" Sakura could his voice shake. She had never imagined Sasuke could become this vulnerable. Or that he could speak so many words.
"I think the blow of losing Itachi mellowed my father. He doesn't care what I do with my life. He only cares that I show up for dinner at my parents place from time to time to please my mother." He quieted down, letting Sakura take a few moments to process his words.
She sat there on her bed, a bit in shock. She had no idea Sasuke had gone through so much - cared that much about his brother to the point that he still talked to him. Even though he had deserted everyone who loved him.
"I think maybe he's just struggling to find himself. That he just wants Hana to be with someone better. Someone her parents approve of. I think he doesn't believe himself worthy of her."
"He's idiotic."
"Love messes with peoples' minds."
"That it does." She felt her heart skip a beat at the way his voice softened. A yawn escaped past her lips as she tried to fight off the desire to go to bed. His soft chuckle reached her ears. "I suppose you should get to bed."
"I should."
"How about I give you my cellphone number so the next time you get dragged out to drink, I'll come with you."
"Why Sasuke, are you asking to get inebriated with me?" She swore she could him muttering about there being no need to drink with intoxicating dresses and stupid pink haired girls who shouldn't go out dressed in such - it could kill people.
"Stupid girl. Get to bed."
"Goodnight Sasuke. Thank you for sharing a part of your life with me. I hope I can learn more about you."
"Aa. Same to you, Sakura. Night." After exchanging cellphone numbers and jotting his own number down on a post it note she had found stuffed in the drawer of her end table she hung up the phone.
She curled underneath her red comforter, tucking herself snug in her white sheets.
Moments before she fell asleep, her mind flashed back to earlier that night when his lips had been mere inches from pressing against her own. She swallowed thickly, trying to quell the heavy pattering of her heart.
She was really glad he had been walking home when she had left the bar.
I rewrote this about five times.
Kept changing my ideas for this chapter - I have so much in store.
Still not too satisfied with how it turned out.
But I hope you enjoyed(:
I don't own Naruto.
I also want to thank everyone who has reviewed and favorited this thus far. It really means a lot to me. Makes me realize there are people who actually like this, haha.
Again - thank you very much. I hope you will continue to read along.