#SasuSakuTwitFest2020 prompt: "I'm not jealous"
Sakura POV/adult sasusaku
When I was writing this I was thinking of that cat meme, the one which says "asshole to the world, but a sweetheart to his girl", so yeah, that is the kind of vibe I'm trying to portrait in this one-shot. Also, if you are reading this, I want to thank you for giving it a try, I truly appreciate it. Hope you are safe and healthy wherever you are.
Today was a nice day, she thought. For the past hour, she has been drinking a delicious tea accompanied by a dozen of more delicious daifuku, while hearing her best friend talk about nothing and everything. Ino was always a good company, the girl always knew how to cheer her on, even when she was annoying, like at this exact moment. Everything had been going fine, but then Ino started talking about her own love life, or better said, started interrogating her about Sasuke and subtly criticizing their relationship. Sakura knew Ino meant no harm, the girl was only worrying, yet, it made her feel a little troubled. Not because Ino was questioning her relationship, but because it made her miss him more.
-"Really, forehead girl, I can't understand how are you so fond of him, It has been like 10 years, indeed you have been into him since we are six years old. It is a lifetime to be in love". Ino said, while dramatically raising her voice, so Ino.
-"Ino... I don't know what are you getting at. He's my husband, I'm supposed to be into him. And I would also like to point out that before Sai came, you were into him too, so I'm really confused why are you criticizing my relationship". Sakura said, trying to tease her. She loved to get under Ino's skin, and she knew her past infatuation with Sasuke was still something that irked her.
-"I'm not criticizing you, idiot! I'm just saying that I'm amused at your resilient love. Just think about it, all of our friend's love's stories are quite obvious and we have seen their development from a pretty close perspective, yet, when it came to both of you, no one knows how it happened, even me, your best friend, and although it hurts me a little, I'm more worried about you. I know the girl in love you are and how much you cherish romance".
-"And? I know I do. I have my own love story. Besides we prefer intimacy and secretiveness. Ino you really don't have to worry about it, my connection to Sasuke-kun is really strong, there's more in our relationship than what meets the eye". Sakura said with confidence. Her bond with Sasuke was strong, she didn't doubt their relationship at all.
-"You are truly a piece of work, aren't you?" Ino said, clearly exasperated. It made Sakura laugh.
-"Not as much as you, Ino-pig. Now if you don't mind, let me get back to the hospital, unlike you, some people need to work". She said with a smirk while she watched as Ino made an offended expression. Aah, you are so funny Ino-pig, she thought.
-"You are the most infuriating person I have ever come across to, at this point, I wonder myself why do I even put up with you. You are truly lucky I'm your best friend, Forehead".
-"yes, yes, Ino-pig". Sakura said dismissively while looking at the hour, she was short in time.
-"But Sakura, are you just fine with the relationship you have? like, is it even enough? Sasuke has not been around for years, and when he comes home he stays for like, what, a week? aren't you jealous of normal relationships?"That made Sakura pause. Did she? Was she jealous of other people's relationships?
-"Aa, I'm not Ino-pig". Sakura said with a smirk. "After all, we have always been exceptional".
-"So full of yourself. Has he ever bought you flowers? I have never seen him in the flower shop, such a cold-hearted bastard".
-"yeah Ino, he has".
-"Then why I haven't seen him ever in my shop?" Ino said with a confused expression. This is going to be so good, Sakura thought.
- "well... He thinks you're a gossip and troublesome, can't blame him though. He goes to a civilian flower shop at the other end of the village". She said with a sly smile. The expression on Ino's face was hilarious. She looked extremely offended and so ready to fight.
-"that bastard. He's really a-" And there it was, Ino was ready to snap. She looked like she wanted to kill Sasuke, so funny indeed. It was sad that she had to leave, she would love to stay all day making fun of Ino.
-"You know I love you Ino-pig. But your interrogation will have to end here, I have a surgery today and I'm already running late. Later, pig".
And with that last statement, Sakura left the teashop and made her way to the Hospital. Today was the first day she has seen Ino in a week, and yet, she has managed to be as annoying as usual, "really that pig". Still, she has to give it to Ino, it had been a fun lunch. With the hospital running low on staff and Sarada constantly away on missions she hasn't had a moment to relax, to have fun. Being an adult was truly boring. Besides, she hasn't heard of Sasuke-kun in almost two months.
Ino surely was noisy, that girl. She was right nonetheless, her relationship with Sasuke was far from normal, but she loved that. Nobody really knew or understand their relationship. But that didn't worry Sakura, indeed, she liked that. She liked being the only one who knows his tender side, his most intimate version. Their relationship was her treasure, and for once, she wanted to be selfish, she didn't want to share it with anyone. Everyone thought that Sasuke was cold-hearted, that he was always in a sour mood, that he didn't know intimacy and that he didn't even have emotions. Like Naruto liked to say "That bastard is emotionally constipated. He is an asshole to everybody, how do you even like him Sakura-chan!". It made Sakura smile. They said that because they didn't know him like her, and they never would because her Sasuke-kun could only be like that with her.
Contrary to popular belief, Sasuke was an amazing lover. Surely, it took some time to get where they were. He has had to go through a lot during his life, he had a hard time coming around, but he did. He had lost too much in his life, and for that reason, he had always feared coming too close to others, he feared to love and he feared to miss. But once he overcame that fear, he became ready for life, for love, for her and for them.
Their first days as lovers were too pure, he was always nervous and dizzy. It made Sakura soft to see Sasuke-kun, the man who was always so sure of himself, being so flustered. She remembered when he asked her out. It was so out of the blue that it made Sakura laugh, which irked him and almost got him running away from her, only if Sakura wasn't always so ready to react he might have run off, thankfully he didn't.
It happened two months after he returned from his redemption journey and after a team 7 reunion. It was late in the night but both of them didn't want to go home yet, so they started wandering through Konoha streets. They walked until they came to the Hokage Mountain. Just for the thrilling of it, they climbed the rock of Kakashi's face. From the top of it, the whole village could be seen, it was a nice view. Sakura was telling him about her day at the hospital when she noticed that Sasuke-kun seemed "not so good", Sakura being the medic she was, instantly worried. She started asking him if he was feeling alright, if he needed something, then she asked him to give him a quick checkup because "Sasuke-kun, you are worrying me, your face is too red and you are sweating a lot, are you sure you feel good?". Sasuke with his short patience sooner than later snapped at her, and he said: "Sakura I don't need a damn checkup, I'm okay, stop worrying for nothing, how can you be so annoying. You always do that and now you just ruined my attempt to ask you out, you are worst than the moron". After that statement, Sakura was speechless, then she looked at him, and by the look he gave her, she knew that he didn't plan to say that, it was a genuine mistake, which was way too strange because "since when Sasuke-kun makes mistakes?" Sakura was dumbfounded to say the least. "Did Sasuke-kun just asked me out?".
When she had dreamed of this moment, of him finally returning her feelings, she never thought, not even once, that she would have laughed at him and in his face. Sasuke looked extremely offended, extremely irritated, and extremely embarrassed. It was a hilarious view until she realized he was gathering chakra to his feet to jump away from her. She immediately grabbed his hand to stop him, and when he did, she hugged him. Then, she whispered to his hear "Of course I want to go out with you Sasuke-kun". After that, he walked her home while he held her hand, and when they arrived at her apartment, she kissed him in the cheek. He left with a warm and calm expression.
It was one of her favorite memories. Their love was truly her treasure, Sakura thought. Losing herself in the reverie of their love was one of her favorites things to do. She always missed him, but when she thought of all their time together, she could feel closer to him no matter how apart they were. "Sasuke-kun, where are you?" How much she wished he were here. It was funny though, how everyone was so interested in their relationship, how often the people around her questioned her about Sasuke's abilities as a lover. Little did they know, that Sasuke was a truly passionate partner, to say that he is a magnificent lover would be an understatement. He's always so attentive. She remembered how often he would wake her up with kisses and tight hugs, how often he would surprise her with little details, like the coffee he would prepare for her every time she was tired, like the single white Lilium he would leave her every day in her office at the hospital. And it was just a little of what he did for her.
She remembered their most intimate and precious times. Especially the first night they shared together. It happened after a bad day at the hospital. Sasuke picked her up and walked her home, and he, being the observer he was, noticed instantly her sour mood. When they arrived at her apartment, he cooked dinner for both of them. It was almost midnight when he decided to stay for the night, it wasn't the first time, indeed, he already had his own pajamas and toothbrush at her house. They went to bed together, it was supposed to be a peaceful night. But when they kissed each other goodnight, things started to heat up, and one thing leads to another. It was the first time for both of them, they were both nervous, but they desired each other too much to stop. In the aftermath, he held her close, and when he thought she was long asleep, he whispered to her "I wish I could hold you forever in my arms like this". The next morning Sakura woke up to an empty bed, but it didn't make her sad or anxious, because instead of Sasuke, there was a beautiful Narcissus with a note that said "I will do better, for you, because I love you with my heart". It was the first time he told her that he loved her.
Her time with him was always precious, how much she wished they could be together more often, she thought. Sakura was so lost in her memories, that she didn't realize where she was until she bumped into someone and almost lost her balance. She hurriedly apologized. Then she became aware of her surroundings, she was two blocks away from the hospital and just outside the flower shop her husband liked to buy flowers at. She looked at the red Tulips in the shop's showcase with warm eyes. It brought her even more precious memories.
She remembered her first birthday together, the funny thing is that back in time, she wasn't even aware that it was her birthday. They have been traveling for almost two months and have been exploring the countryside. They have decided to stay away from big villages, they wanted to discover new landscapes, new sceneries. They wanted intimacy and peacefulness that only the countryside can offer. But one or two days before said day, Sasuke said that he needed to go to the village, which Sakura argued to because "Really, Sasuke-kun? The next village is three days away and we just arrived here and I wanted to explore the medical herbs, I don't want to leave yet", but Sasuke being the stubborn man he was, said (while glaring) that he really needed to go, and "Don't be annoying Sakura, you already know every single medical herb that is here" so they went.
The three days' worth of traveling became two, Sakura didn't know why they were traveling so fast, but Sasuke seemed anxious and in a rush, so she didn't give it a second thought. When they arrived at the village, he immediately parted ways with her. They didn't see each other for the most part of the day, but almost in the afternoon, Sasuke came looking for her. He found her in the village library. He just took her hand in his, while she asked him with wide eyes and a nervous smile where they were heading out, but Sasuke didn't give her any answer. They walked for almost 30 or 40 minutes until they arrived at a clearing aside a river on the outskirt of the village. The scenery was breathtaking.
It was meadow was full of flowers, the water was clear, and they were surrounded by butterflies and magnificent trees, and in the middle, it was a pretty red blanket, with a couple of bentos and a basket full of fruits and dangos. But what caught Sakura's main attention was a bouquet of flowers with eight white Tulips and 2 red ones. She turned to look at Sasuke's face, just to find him looking the other way. Guessing by how red his ears and cheeks were a, and his little pout Sakura knew he was embarrassed. She was delighted. Sakura picked the bouquet and hold it close to her heart, she was about to ask him if he knew the meaning of the flowers when he talked "I read that the white ones mean "I'm sorry" and the red one's means..." He then trailed off and turned a new shade of red, looking at anywhere but her. But Sakura was as flustered as him, or maybe more. Because she knew too well the meaning of red tulips, she had been dreaming of them her whole life. They meant perfect love. Sakura was overwhelmed, it was too much. She always knew her love for him was devastating, but what she was feeling for him at the moment was beyond words. She teared up a little, being the crier she was, she couldn't help but drop a tear or two out of happiness, out of love. But Sasuke was fast to wipe those tears while wearing a smirk that made him look devastatingly handsome, surely pleased of himself by her reaction. Then he said, "Tsk, you are really annoying". Sakura laughed at this, she now understands what he meant by annoying and now, she enjoyed hearing those words, so she said "I know, anata" and then, kissed him with all the adoration she could muster.
Lost in her reverie, she didn't realize that she was already at the hospital doors. "I'm really a girl in love" she thought. She made her way, feeling light-hearted, surely lunch with Ino-pig and the walk thinking of her very own love story was a mood booster. Apparently, everyone in the hospital was feeling as good as her, every patient that came across with her greeted her with a kind smile, and the staff as well, every doctor and nurse was looking her with a warm and amused expression, like they were sharing a joke she didn't know about. "Good", she thought while smiling.
She was almost at her office when one of her apprentices came to her. It was Yuzuru, a young chunin who have been training under her tutelage for almost two years. He was hard-working, had a great chakra control, and also, he was one of the gentlest person she has ever met. She hasn't told anyone, but the boy was her favorite apprentice. She noticed that Yuzuru seemed a little anxious. If she could guess by the way he was fidgeting, the boy has to tell her something that she probably wouldn't like, too good for her good mood.
-"Hi, Sakura-sama. How are you? where have you been? Not that you have to give explanations to me, don't misunderstand me, Sakura sensei, but I have been looking for you, also, you seem really pretty today Sakura sensei, I hea-" Yes, she thought. By the way he was babbling and hurrying up his words, she wasn't going to like what he has to say. She decided to put an end to his torture and interrupt him. Yuzuru was too hysterical for his own good.
-"Hi, Yuzuru-chan. I'm pretty good and I have just arrived, I went out for lunch with Ino. Now stop babbling and tell me what you have to tell me". Sakura said while preparing herself for what she will hear. It seems like she can't leave the hospital without an emergency happening.
-"Yes sensei, well you see... You don't need to do Sazaki-san surgery. Which means you can have a free afternoon, Sakura sensei. You should probably go to your office and then leave for your house; you need to rest Sakura sensei". Wow, she thought. This is certainly something she wasn´t expecting. Now she was really intrigued.
-"That sounds nice, Yuzuru-chan. But last time I checked I was the head medic of the Hospital, which means I have to approve changes in matters like this, and I don't remember canceling or designing another doctor to Sazaki-san surgery. What is going on Yuzuru?" Sakura said while sighing. Something must really have happened.
-"Ah, it is nothing sensei. But Shizune-san decided to take Sazaki-san surgery. She said you needed a rest and she also wanted to do it to teach something to training medics. She said you don't have to worry about it since it is a minor surgery. She also said that if you don't do as she said she was going to tell Tsunade-sama that you have been neglecting yourself and she also sa-" Sakura sighed.
-"You really have it well planned for it to be nothing, and also, tell Shizune-san that I'm not little Sakura anymore. Kami how troublesome are you, I don't know what you are getting at, but I don't want to know".
-"Yes sensei, well, I will get going, have a good afternoon sensei!" Yuzuru said with a smile and a sly look. Like if he knew something that Sakura didn't, which must be true.
How weird Sakura thought. Nonetheless, she will do as she was told. Now she was an adult, but she didn't doubt Shizune at all, and to be honest, Tsunade-sama rage was still something Sakura feared. Anyways, she deserved a break. Sakura made her way to her office planning on what to do when she arrived home. With a house with no Sarada or Sasuke, she will have to find something to do by herself. How much she wished her family were in the village. She missed them, she missed her little girl, and she missed her Sasuke-kun. Shannaro, she sighed.
When she arrived at her office, she noticed a couple of strange things. First, the light was off, the curtains were down, and the heater was on. It seems like Yuzuru had been here, that boy, how many times she had told him to turn off the heater when he wasn't using it. She made her way to the window, she was opening the curtains when she noticed another couple of strangers things. There was a box of her favorite dangos on her desk, and second, a man was sleeping on her office's couch. Now everything made sense, now she knows why she was given a free afternoon, and if she was right, the responsible for it was just in front of her. It warmed her heart, it made her smile.
While looking at him, at his sleepy form lying in her office's couch, holding a bouquet full of dozen of red tulips and a single white one. She thought of what Ino asked her before.
"Aa, Ino. I'm not jealous"