A/N: It's been 4 years since I posted what was intended as a one-shot, but with all the social distancing going on I'm finding more time for writing. This is for the Sasuke x Sakura fans that want to see a sweet relationship in the cannon universe, sans a ridiculous amount of angst - I'm terrible at writing angst. Enjoy!
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It was a cool, crisp June day. The sun rose in the east so the world hadn't come to an end, and yet Sasuke Uchiha was still in Sakura's bed. Part of her thought he'd vanish in the night, or that the previous evening had been nothing more than a dream— though certain sore muscles begged differently.
"Good morning," Sasuke murmured. His arms tightened around Sakura as she laid with her cheek pressed against his well-muscled chest. "I thought about getting up to make breakfast, but I really didn't want the night to end."
"We'll have plenty of other nights," Sakura promised. She angled her chin to press a kiss to his warm lips.
"There's only one first time," Sasuke said.
Sakura swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood, stretching her back and calves. "And a second, and a third, and a fourth," she teased.
A warm blush stained Sasuke's pale cheeks. "That was pretty fantastic. Those medical skills of yours are quite useful." He smirked. "I always knew you'd put that big brain of yours to good use one day."
He ducked as Sakura playfully threw a pillow at him. "I'm going to take a shower. Help yourself to cooking something up for breakfast. You know where everything is." He had learned the layout of the kitchen the night before when they'd made dinner together.
"You want some company in the shower?" Sasuke's dark eyes twinkled mischeviously.
The offer was tempting, but Sakura just wanted a hot shower and a good rinse. "Maybe another time. I do definitely want breakfast though."
After her shower, Sakura slipped into a cotton robe and with slightly damp hair, made her way to the kitchen, bare feet padding quietly on her tile floor. Sasuke had made good use of the time and had prepared eggs and miso soup.
Though, instead of eating any himself, he sat at the table with his prosthetic removed rubbing at the remainder of his missing left arm. It tore at Sakura's heart to see his amputation. It was really the only time she couldn't find herself able to forgive Sasuke or Naruto. After their epic battle with a goddess, they decided they still needed to duel one another — both losing their dominant forearm and hand in the process. If she hadn't gotten there when she did, they'd have both bled out and died.
They were both complete idiots.
Sasuke looked up at her silently, his face an apathetic mask.
Sakura sat beside him at the table, reached out and gently grasped his left arm. His nerves were inflamed and the skin mildly bruised where the prosthetic attached. He wasn't taking care of it as he should. She sent a wave of healing chakra into him — soothing the inflammation and healing the microscopic bleeding. She felt him relax under her ministrations.
"I'm tempted to leave the prosthetic off, but it does help with balance. And the First Hokage technology that Tsunade utilized makes the hand functional," Sasuke admitted. "I can even channel my chidorion the left without damaging it."
"Then I suppose it's a good thing you'll be traveling with a renown medic for the foreseeable future," Sakura said. She released her grip on him and began to eat some of the soup. It was a simple breakfast, but nutritious. "I'll need to inform Master Tsunade, Kakashi, and Ino that I'll be leaving for a while."
Sasuke ate his eggs silently and nodded. "I can wait a few hours," he murmured.
"Maybe you'd like to visit Naruto and let him know?" Sakura suggested.
He paused with the eggs halfway towards his mouth. His mis-matched eyes looking across at her. "Maybe we could visit him together?"
Sakura smiled. She wasn't sure if the two rivals wanted a private moment or not. "I'd like that," Sakura answered.
"I could ask him to meet us at Kakashi's office." Sasuke began to chew his eggs, his brow furrowed in thought. "Otherwise, he might try to get us to eat ramen."
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Sasuke felt strange being inside Sakura's apartment without her. He'd replaced his prosthetic and it felt much better after Sakura's healing touch. It wasn't the same as his real arm, but he'd been foolish. He deserved the constant reminder of what his desire for vengeance had cost him. He was forever grateful to Naruto, because he knew that the loud-mouthed blond had never told Sakura what their fight had truly been about.
He'd still been lost in the darkness of his avenging quest. He was willing to destroy all of Konoha, make everyone feel the loss he'd suffered. When really, Itachi had been forced by Danzo and the council to destroy the clan — those guilty of that crime were already dead. The other culprit had been his own father and clan elders — willing to overthrow all of Konoha. So many were killed needlessly.
Itachi had forgiven Konoha. What right did Sasuke have to hold on to the bitterness and quest for equal destruction?
The memory of making spaghetti with his mother came to mind. Normally, the memory only brought him sadness, but last night he'd been able to think of her and the childhood memory with fondness. Maybe having Sakura with him during the next few weeks would do him some good. Instead of looking forward to spending time with his friends, he could actually spend time with his cherished friend.
He wandered onto the balcony and braced his arms on the railing. He closed his eyes and smiled softly as the cool wind blew across his face. It was mid-June and the summer heat had yet to set in. The smell of the balcony garden tickled his olfactory and he thought back to the night before with Sakura.
Sakura Haruno was most certainly his cherished friend. There were only two people he'd consider being intimate with — the other one was in love with Hinata Hyuga, so he wasn't about to confuse that situation.
It might be nice not to be alone, not that he deserved that sort of comfort. But, Sasuke wasn't a fool. Sakura did deserve some comfort, especially after all he'd put her through for the last several years. Her constant affection was one of the few rays of hope in his life. She'd been patient thus far, but he wasn't a fool. If he didn't do something to solidify their relationship she would move on. He thought about the way Kakashi and she had fought alongside each other — his old teacher could very likely turn into competition. And compared to Kakashi Hatake, Sasuke knew he'd lose when it came to what sort of life could be offered.
Sasuke didn't like to lose.
He spied Sakura's approaching form on the street below and he felt a thrill of excitement at seeing her return to him. She looked up, met his gaze, and waved before disappearing inside the first floor lobby.
He had the door opened and waiting for her.
"Thanks," Sakura said, brushing past him, slightly breathless. Her eyes were mildly bloodshot. "Things got a little emotional with Tsunade and Shizune," she explained. "And then they got really emotional when I visited my parents."
"You visited your parents?" Sasuke hadn't even considered that Sakura still had a family. Everyone else on Team Seven had been an orphan and he'd not really thought about Sakura's mother and father. "I would have gone with you to see them."
Sakura laughed. "You do not want to meet my father right now. Not if you want to be able to walk."
"Your parents don't like me?" Sasuke asked softly. "Why not?"
"They aren't quite as forgiving as I am," Sakura pointed out. "They don't take kindly to people that try to murder their daughter."
"Kakashi and Naruto saved you," Sasuke reasoned. "And you did try to kill me that day too." He reached for her pale hair, tucking a loose strand behind her ear. "I can be quite charming."
"The only way my parents will want to see you is either at your funeral or after you've given them a grandchild," Sakura said, stepping past him. She started for her laundry room and fished the clothes out of the dryer. She added the items to her half-full pack. "Ino will come by twice a week to keep my plants alive and check on the place. If I'm going to be gone for a while, I'll have her sublet the place."
Sasuke sat on her couch and watched her pack. He hadn't considered the fact that Sakura's parents didn't like him. It made him feel ashamed. "I want to see your parents before we leave."
Sakura chuckled. "No, you definitely do not." She closed the dryer door and zipped up her bag. "Did you get in touch with Naruto?"
"I sent him a message with my hawk to meet up at the Hokage tower at ten," Sasuke said. It was nine-thirty. They'd need to leave soon. He needed to see Sakura's parents. His mother would be disappointed in him if he didn't try. He was done being an avenger. And if he didn't apologize to Sakura's parents, what sort of atonement was he truly seeking?
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Sasuke and Sakura were ushered into Kakashi's office. The Hokage sat relaxed with his feet propped up on his desk. A neat stack of papers were on the corner of his desk and an old, worn copy of Icha Icha was facedown in front of him. Naruto stood at the window, staring outside. They both looked over at them when the couple entered.
"Good morning, Sakura," Kakashi said pleasantly. His tone grew more aloof when he addressed Sasuke. "It's an unexpected surprise seeing you in person, Sasuke."
"Lord Hokage," Sasuke answered, dropping his head in respect.
Naruto smiled broadly at Sakura, his smile grew wider as he took in Sasuke's presence. He rushed to Sakura's side and took her hands. "Guess what! She said yes. Hinata is going on a date with me!"
Sakura laughed at Naruto's enthusiasm. "I told you, Hinata adores you. This is what — your fifth date? You are still just as excited as on your first one." She squeezed his hands in affection. "Next thing you know, you two will be getting married."
Naruto's eyes warmed at the idea. He looked over at Sasuke. "What are you doing here, jerk? I thought you were too important to visit our village. Did your hawk messenger get a sprained wing? I was surprised to get your message to meet here."
"I never said I was too important to visit the village, just too important to visit you," Sasuke retorted.
"Kakashi, I will be accompanying Sasuke on his travels," Sakura said. "I already turned in my notice to Master Tsunade."
Kakashi's eyebrows raised slightly. "Okay, if you're sure. I don't have any pressing issues that would require you to stay." His charcoal gaze looked deep at her, making sure there were no signs of distress. His dark eyes flickered towards Sasuke momentarily. "We'll miss you though, Sakura. Do you know how long you'll be gone?"
"It would really be helpful on my mental health project," Sakura explained. "Sasuke is already wandering around the four corners of the earth, so he'd be a good escort."
"I could assign an ANBU team to you if you'd prefer," Kakashi suggested. His gaze never wavered from Sakura. "I could even have Naruto serve as interim Hokage and go with you myself." He slid his feet of the desk and settled his chair flat on the floor.
Sasuke's jaw tightened at the idea. He knew his old team leader saw Sakura as something more than his old student.
"I can come too!" Naruto enthused. "I love extended missions!"
"Naruto, you're not leaving Hinata needlessly," Sakura scolded. She reached across Kakashi's desk and placed her hand over his. "Thank you, Kakashi, but you're Hokage. I know you're just trying to pawn off all the paperwork," she teased.
Kakashi's dark gaze turned towards Sasuke again and his flicker of distrust felt like a knife in Sasuke's gut. "If you harm her, I will come after you with the full extent of the Allied Shinobi Forces," he promised. He flipped his hand over and squeezed Sakura's hand.
"I'm not offended," Sasuke said, forcing himself not to stare at Sakura and Kakashi's joined hands. "I know what I did in the past. I won't do it again. You fought for me when the Allied Shinobi Forces wanted to kill me for my crimes. I ask that you continue to have faith in me. I'm on a quest for atonement and Sakura's project to improve the mental health of the young war victims means a lot to me. I want to help build such a legacy."
Naruto swarmed in on Sakura and swooped her up into his arms, causing her to drop Kakashi's hand. "You'll write, won't you, Sakura-chan?"
"Of course," Sakura promised. "When Sasuke sends his reports I'll be sure to write you. I'll be reporting to Master Tsunade regularly too."
Sasuke stared across at Kakashi unwaveringly, watching Naruto and Sakura from the corner of his eye. "I will protect her."
Kakashi chuckled. "Who's going to protect you from Sakura?"
"Hey!" Sakura complained. "I'm standing right here!"
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"So, I guess this is it," Sakura said, her pack strapped across her back as they stood outside her apartment building.
"We have one more stop," Sasuke said.
"Do you want to go by the Uchiha district?" Sakura smiled at him sympathetically.
"No. I want to visit your parents."
Sakura rolled her eyes. "We've been over this. It's not a good idea, Sasuke."
"If we're going to try a future with each other, I want to make an attempt to repair the damage I've done against you and your family," Sasuke argued stubbornly.
"Very well." Sakura sighed. "Don't say I didn't warn you."
The Harunos were civilians and lived in a part of Konoha that Sasuke wasn't familiar with. They were both low-level ninja, but didn't practice. Though, after so many years, there was a lot of Konoha Sasuke wasn't familiar with. Their house was quaint and her parents were sitting on the front porch on a swing next to each other speaking quietly. Her mother laughed at something her father said.
"Mom? Dad?" Sakura called a they approached.
The Harunos stopped swinging abruptly. Her tall, broad pink-haired father rushed towards Sakura and enveloped her in a hug. "You took pity on your old man and decided on one last goodbye?"
Sakura's mother's familiar green gaze settled upon Sasuke. Her blond eyebrows were knitted together in recognition and dislike. "That's not why she's here, dear."
"Mom, Dad, this is Sasuke Uchiha. He insisted on speaking with you both before we head out," Sakura explained.
"Mr. and Mrs. Haruno," Sasuke greeted, bowing his head respectfully. "It is an honor to meet you. Your daughter is a remarkable woman."
"The last time I saw you was at the academy graduation," Kizashi Haruno said. "You've gotten taller." He kept his strong arm around his daughter's shoulders protectively.
"Our daughter trusts you, but we do not, Sasuke Uchiha," Mebuki Haruno retorted. "All you've done is cause our daughter pain and heartache. I understand you had a tragic childhood, but that is no excuse for the abuses you've inflicted, young man."
"I understand your dislike of me," Sasuke assured them. "I often dislike myself. However, Sakura has been a constant source of good in my life. I cannot promise to make Sakura happy, but I will promise that she will be cared for."
Kizashi relaxed his arm and pressed a kiss to his daughter's forehead. He stepped towards Sasuke and placed his hand on his shoulder. "Sakura has defended you repeatedly and while I have my doubts, I appreciate you coming by."
Mebuki closed the distance between her and Sakura and gave her daughter a fierce hug. "Be safe, dear. We'll be here for you regardless of what happens. We're proud of you and love you." She glanced over at Sasuke, but said nothing to him as she then turned and walked back inside the house.
"Remember to write," Kizashi said, letting go of Sasuke and following after his wife.
"That went better than I thought," Sakura mused. "I thought Dad was going to be the one to give you a hard time, not Mom. Shall we be off?"
"Yeah," Sasuke agreed, watching as the Harunos closed their front door. They didn't hate him, they just didn't like him. He could work with that.
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It was strange for Sasuke to travel with Sakura. He'd traveled with his Hawk teammates more than he'd traveled with Team Seven. The difference was he'd treated his Hawk teammates as tools to be used. Sakura was his friend and after last night — his lover?
Sasuke had spent years trying not to care about her. He'd left Konoha because of her when he was thirteen. He knew if he stayed, the affection from her, Naruto, and Kakashi would cool the rage within him. He would never have avenged his clan if he stayed. He wouldn't have been strong enough to help them defeat Kaguya if he'd stayed in the Leaf village.
They'd only been outside of the village for a few hours, but it felt like it had always been the two of them. His mind was reeling. It was nice to feel a part of something more than just himself — having a partner rather than followers.
She wasn't a burden like he thought she'd have been when they were kids.
They were resting a few hours outside of the village having scrounged up dinner. He had thought to hunt some small game while she scrounged for edible roots and berries. She'd been good at both. After they had parted for half an hour to hunt, she came back with two rabbits and an assortment of edible roughage. He'd caught a small bird.
"Vegetation is an important part of a balanced diet," Sakura said. "If one isn't educated about plants though, they could easily consume something poisonous."
Sasuke smirked. "I made that mistake before. Fortunately, Orochimaru's training led to my resistance to most poisons." He gestured towards the rabbits. "You want to put them on a spit while I start a fire?"
"Just give me a couple of seconds to skin them," Sakura said. After a few twisting motions, she had the rabbits skinned neatly. She stuck them on a spit and then positioned them for a good roasting.
Sasuke did the jutsu his brother taught him long ago and started a blazing fire to cook the meat. "It's easier having someone help with the hunting," he admitted.
"We should have enough extra for a couple of meals," Sakura said.
"Where did you learn to skin a rabbit like that?" Sasuke was pretty impressed. He was quite capable of skinning a rabbit, but he'd never done it like that. He'd always used a kunai.
"You learn a lot as a medic. I spent my first year working exclusively with animals, learning the anatomy and physiology of anything I could get my hands on," Sakura explained. She poured water from her canteen into a pot to work on boiling the vegetation. "Just don't ask me to scale a fish."
"Fish are usually my last resort," Sasuke admitted. "I'm not a big fan."
Sitting side by side, they quietly enjoyed their meal. Sakura secured the leftovers and stuck them in her pack. "So, are we going anywhere in particular?"
"We're heading south," Sasuke said. "I don't wander aimlessly, if that's your concern. I travel between Orochimaru's various lairs. Sometimes, I resupply at his hideouts." Orochimaru still had dreams that Sasuke might donate his body one day. It wasn't going to happen. Sasuke's powers surpassed Orchimaru's own.
"You aren't still intending to give him your body, are you?" Sakura asked, as if reading his thoughts.
"Did Tsunade make such a demand of you when she trained you?" Sasuke thought about how the Sannin trained him and his two childhood teammates. It was rewarding to realize the Third Hokage had at least done one thing right when he'd selected his genin team. "Orochimaru is a complicated person. His number one priority is self-preservation. He wouldn't survive if I wanted to kill him."
Sakura snuggled against his side. "Remember, your body belongs to me now," she teased.
Sasuke smiled. "Same holds for you." He wrapped his arm around Sakura's shoulders and drew her closer. "We should call it a night. If we maintain the pace we had today, we'll reach the next lair by the end of the week. We could spend a few days in a guest room there."
"I knew it, you don't like roughing it either," Sakura said.
"I don't mind roughing it. However, traveling with you gives me more motivation to find a bed," Sasuke explained. He shifted his hand to Sakura's chin and angled her face up for a kiss. He leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. It was strange how such a simple contact of the flesh made his heart pound. He really had been missing out these past couple of years.
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A/N: Before anyone goes claiming Sasuke is OOC, he has to drop his guard with Sakura if they actually form a real relationship— and since they're married with a kid in cannon, these are just scenes we aren't privy to in the manga/anime. I'm tired of Sasuke/Sakura angst. If Naruto and Hinata get sweet moments, Sakura and Sasuke deserve them too. And while it's fun seeing Sakura jealous about Karin and Sasuke, it's more fun seeing Sasuke jealous about Kakashi.