I pull my jacket tighter as my feet carry me to the Hokage Tower. Last night I tossed and turned thinking about who I can go to for advice. Tsunade was that only woman that knew of the official order and even though I'm still upset with her, I need someone to talk to. My heels click against the stone stairs and I walk quickly to her office door. No one bothered a second glance since I've spent so much time here.
I walked into her office and shut the door loudly. Tsunade sat the file down and watched as I plopped into a chair that was centered in her office. A sigh escapes my mouth as I lean my head back looking at the ceiling.
"What's on your mind?" Her voice is thick with concern. Just yesterday I learned that I'm being forced to marry Sasuke, we have to have kids and the punishment is death if anything disturbs the marriage.
"Where do you want to start?" I roll my eyes and lower my head slowly to look my sensei in the eyes. Her blue orbs are full of sadness and yet again she looks defeated. Tsunade reaches into a drawer of her desk and places another file on her desk. I can make out the Uchiha and Haruno symbol on the cover.
"I know that you are angry with me but there was nothing I could do. If you both were to fight this, then they would take you both out."
"I don't want to talk about the council of geezers. I just want some advice on where to start and how to go about this." I stand from my seat and begin to pace around the room. Our friends are going to know something is seriously wrong once Sasuke and I are married. Oh crap, that means I will have to live with him too.
"The hardest part of this is fooling your friends. I'm going to assume that Kakashi and Naruto already know. They can help you with a cover but you and Sasuke have to figure this out." Her tone was one of a teacher. They train you for a lot while in the academy and Tsunade taught me how to heal the injured and sure the sick. But no one ever taught me how to pretend to be in love.
"Even if we do fool our friends and they buy it, won't it be too fast? I mean once Sasuke and I are "married" we will have to share a house and everything." I used air quotes when I said married. No matter what this union is nothing more than a forced marriage by the High Council.
"You will have to figure it out. Again, you and Sasuke will have to figure it out." Kakashi had given me the same advice last night before things got weird between Sasuke and I. There really isn't anything else to do in this situation.
"Thank you Tsunade. I'm going to head home before Sasuke sees that I'm gone." I give her a hug before I turn on my heels and hurry away from the office. Snow continues to fall and the white substance is forming a thick layer over the village. My pocket starts to vibrate and I pull my phone out to answer Ino's call.
"What do you want?"
"We are all going out tonight. Meet us at our usual spot."
Before I could respond the call ended with a click. Going out sounded like fun, I only have a few more weeks of being single. After we get married, I won't be able to go out and have fun with my friends. I don't want the council to think anything I do is considered "adultery".
I reach my home quicker than I thought, as I open the door two familiar chakras are radiating from the living room. Naruto and Sasuke are sitting on the couch watching some sort of action movie, the familiar clashing of metal signaled that.
"Hey Sakura! Did Ino call you?" His voice was cheery and a smile was plastered all over his face. Sasuke didn't react to my presence and I roll my eyes.
"Yeah." I reply loudly as I retreat to my room to change back into my house clothes. My favorite spandex pants and sweater replace my ninja outfit quickly. There was a thud from the living room and I hurry back into the living room. Naruto is laying on the floor laughing up a storm while Sasuke remained stagnant with no reaction. I take a seat on the love seat and reach for the book on the coffee table, my feet tuck under me and I lean into the arm rest.
My gaze went over the page to the two men sitting on the couch. They have both grown out of their childish looks and replaced with well defined features. Naruto had a more chiseled chin, a slight shadow from not shaving this morning and his spikey blonde hair was better maintained.
For Sasuke though, I'm able to see more of a change. Looking at his eyes, there was proof that the stress of avenging had worn him. His jaw is more defined and his face is smooth from shaving this morning. A peaceful aura is coming from him, which is something I never thought was possible. Although his face is expressionless, you can see that his mind was working on something.
Sasuke's coal gaze looked towards me and my eyes cut quickly back to my book. How could we all sit here in quiet? There are so many unanswered questions that I have and I know that Naruto has some as well.
'Stop stressing. Just enjoy the time with them.'
'How am I supposed to stop stressing? There are so many questions.'
'Look over at them. We've wished for years for this exact moment. Later we can discuss our arranged marriage but for now just relax.'
My inner was right. Ever since Sasuke left the village, having him home with Naruto and I was my ultimate dream. My heart leaps as I hear a chuckle come from the duo. Sasuke has a small smirk and again my heart leaps. Ever since we were children he's had this way to cause my entire being to turn to mush. As a genin my mind was set on convincing Sasuke to love me and marry him. Hmm I guess part of my childish dream is coming true, but this will never be a true union.
The door opens and I don't even bother to look who is walking into the quiet house. Ino plops on the couch beside me, ripping the book from my grasp. Throwing the book onto the table, the two men look over to the new addition to the group.
"Why aren't you getting ready Sakura?" She grabs my hair and starts to fiddle with the ends. Sasuke's eyes are focused on me instead of the blonde to my right. I have to keep myself from blushing at his intense gaze.
"I have a lot of time before I even have to think about getting ready Ino." I pull my hair away from her and mindlessly continued the twirling of the pink locks. Sasuke returned to looking at the movie and I let out the breath I had been holding in. My entire body was screaming for me to try and engage him in a conversation but it needs to be in private from the others. Even though Naruto knew the situation, it's not his business on how we go about it.
"Come eat lunch with me forehead!" Her voice is high pitched and I honestly don't want to leave my warm house. I shouldn't leave Sasuke alone either. If he tries to take off, then I need to be here to stop him.
'You just want to be near him and we both know it.'
'I don't remember asking your opinion.'
My inner rolled her eyes and went back sulking in her hideaway. Ino's blue eyes are staring at me with such intensity that I unfold myself and run into the kitchen. I start pulling out the ingredients to make ramen. As my blonde female friend entered the room, she hopped up on the island to my dismay.
"I'll cook lunch. I'm not leaving." My hands busy themselves with making the food. Ino was messing with the small timer that was normally on the large island. Every time she moved the handle it would ring the bell and of course, because she's Ino, the bell continuously sounded in two second intervals.
"Stop!" I slam the spoon down on the counter and turn to face her. The amused look on her face makes me want to smack her upside her head. She was fucking doing this on purpose. Naruto walked in and snatched the timer from her placing it in his pocket.
"Even I wouldn't annoy Sakura while she cooks." Naruto leaned against the counter and watched every move I made while I plated the ramen. His eyes were the size of saucers by the time I was finished.
"Take these two Naruto. Ones for the statue in there." My voice is low and I can feel the anger in my tone. Yes, I'm still angry at Sasuke for many things, but I still care for him and those feelings are more intense then the anger. Joining Ino at the table I stare into my bowl and freeze.
As genin, going to Ichiraku was a sign of a job well done. Naruto would try to eat his weight in ramen while Kakashi would read his dirty book. Sasuke would sit there quietly eating his food while I was a typical teen. My eyes would watch every move that Sasuke made and I studied him every second I could. Back then, before the chunin exams, I was in love with the cool, quiet Sasuke. Too blinded by the façade he let everyone else see, Naruto was able to get closer and see who Sasuke truly was. I let my blind crush keep me from having a real friendship.
"Earth to Sakura. You still there." Ino waves her hand in front of my face as I quickly blink my eyes focusing on her. I feel the heat rush to my cheeks as I blush a bright pink, eating my food before she questions me further.
After lunch, the two blondes helped me clean the kitchen. Sasuke returned to his bedroom and he's been there for almost two hours. Looking at the clock, it's almost 4 in the afternoon and time to start getting ready. Ino disappeared into my room earlier and knowing her I most likely have an outfit laid out for me. This was the problem with having her as my best friend, she liked to control everything. As if I were psychic, a black dress is laying on my bed with a pair of red stiletto heels. It's 20 degrees outside and she picks this out for me. Has she completely lost her mind?
'Look at it this way, you can try and seduce Sasuke just a little. Show some skin, dance and ya know drink just enough to keep a good buzz.'
'You have lost you mind too. There's no way I'm going to try and seduce the human statue that is Sasuke Uchiha.'
'If you don't, then I will.'
Ignoring her once again, I take off into the bathroom to being the preparation I need for that little black dress.
The music is loud and my body moves to the beat. The girls and I have been dancing for hours and drinking in between sets. Naruto and the boys have been walking back and forth between the table and the floor. Sasuke has sat there most of the night sulking. I know he doesn't want to be here but he could at least try and be normal.
I can feel my body getting warmer and warmer after each drink and before long I'll be getting to my limit. Going back to the table, Naruto and Sasuke are sitting taking shots. I scoot into the booth on Sasuke's side and lean on him in a childish manner. A laugh escapes my throat as his eyes cut down to look at my face.
"Ha Sakura you're drunk!" Naruto pointed and laughed like a child. Moving off of Sasuke, I leaned over the table to steal the sake from him.
"Not even close. Did you forget that Tsunade taught me everything I know?" Pouring myself a drink, my throat welcomes the familiar burn. Another hand jerks the bottle away from me. I look to meet two scarlet eyes and a smirk.
"Hn. Doesn't matter what she taught you, you still can't keep up with us." Did he really just say that? I can keep up with them more than he knows. Sasuke takes a cup full and refills his cup before I can take the carafe back.
"You two better start getting along." Naruto's voice is low and his eyes are intense. My eyes cut to him and my brows furrow as I look at him. He leans back in the seat and puts his arm behind his head.
"I'm just stating the obvious. You two are stuck together now."
"You think I don't know that Naruto? Trust me I'm not over the moon about it." I rip the bottle from Sasuke's hand and drink the remaining half bottle. I hear a chuckle from my right and I punch the man.
"Hn." It didn't faze him. Of course Sasuke Uchiha wouldn't flinch at my strength. My hands smack the table as I stand from the table. Now I just want to go home and try to act like none of this ever happened. Naruto stands and grabs my arm as I turn away. Sasuke has gotten up as well and now we are at a stand still.
"Nothing it going to change. What we can do is move on and try to work things out." Naruto's voice is sincere and full of hope. I turn to look at Sasuke who hasn't said much since we walked through the doors. Over the years I've lost hope that we could return to how we used to be. Naruto and Sasuke, the most important people in my life, both left me and I had to pick up the pieces. Ino helped as much as she could but I poured my entire being into my medical training. Could this be our chance to try and fix things?
"How do we do that?" He releases my hand and a waitress brings over another bottle of sake with three cups. Naruto's face is plastered in a huge smile as he pulls me into the booth once again. This time Sasuke is sitting across from us.
"Time for some bonding." The three cups were filled as we all took it quickly. Sasuke has a red flush to his face and I can't help but stare at him. There's an electric current in the air as Naruto fills the silence with chatter about Hinata. Tearing my eyes away from him I feel the sudden wave of dizziness wash over me. The alcohol is starting to rush through my system but I can't let the guys see. I take the drink Naruto hands me and slowly the glass empties.
This doesn't go unnoticed by Sasuke. The smirk on his face widens and I feel my face get hotter from the staring contest we are having. He pushes his glass away and stands holding his hand out to me. I take it with confusion all over my face.
"Hn dobe I'm taking her back home. I've had enough socializing for a day." Sasuke voice is cold but there is an unknown meaning to his statement.
"But why does Sakura have to go?" Naruto begins to pout but Hinata runs to the table as we speak.
"He's under my watch Naruto." I release Sasuke's hand as I realize I've been holding it for far too long. Calluses cover his hands but they aren't too rough.
'I wonder what those hands can do.'
'Oh hush. I can't deal with you right now.'
'Ha ha you're just trying to keep yourself from jumping him'
I don't even bother responding because I know it's true. The alcohol is working its magic on me and I follow Sasuke closely as we leave. The air is nice against my hot face, he hands me my coat and I wrap up knowing that I'll be too cold soon. Snow has covered the entire village creating a romantic feeling. Romantic? Shaking my head to clear my thoughts I focus on putting one foot in front of the other.
Once we reach the house, the sake hits me like a shock. My head is starting to become fuzzy and I stumble into the entryway as Sasuke is behind me. Making my way to my bedroom, my back hits the wall. Two strong arms are pinning me and his body is almost flush with mine. My jade eyes clash with his black orbs; his breath sends chills down my spine
'About freaking time!'
Before I can respond, his lips are on the shell of my ear.
"Don't wear that dress in public again." His voice is deep and ragged. I can feel his chest moving unevenly and I look closer. What was wrong with my dress? One hand lowers down to my thigh and rubs against the hem of the dress. The dress was one of my skimpier ones and the hem was only six inches past my ass.
"Why?" My voice cracks from the intense energy radiating from us.
"Only I can see that much of your skin." Sasuke pulls away from me and vanishes without a trace. What in the hell just happened? Storming to my room, I slam the door shut as I jump into my bed not even removing my shoes. Only he can see my skin? Who the hell does he think he is?
Sasuke fucking Uchiha will be the death of me.