Sasuke's POV

All I've been able to think about the past few days, the color pink and my impending marriage. Sakura has always been someone special to me, but to what degree? Is what I feel romantic or friendly? Sitting up on the bed, I rub my face with my hands. I told her I would try and I do want to try. After all the years I've held feelings for her, there's no way they can be just friendly. Every time she laughs my chest is filled with happiness, when she cries I want to wipe her tears. When I was gone and heard the news of her success, I was filled with pride.

Could this marriage be an actual marriage? Shaking my head, I walk to the bathroom to wash the sweat off my face. Last night I had another nightmare about my family. Even after avenging them, I still carry the fear that one day everything I hold dear to me will be taken. It's been even more intense the past few nights since I found out Sakura and I have to produce and heir. There's no way I'd ever be a decent father, there's too much darkness inside of me to help raise a young child to seek the light. Turning on the shower, I step in and let the hot water take everything off my mind for a moment.

The house it too quiet when I exit my room. Sakura hasn't left her office since early this morning. Something we both have in common, we both hate down time. I could be training with the dobe but Tsunade won't allow that until the holidays. Speaking of that, I need to find Naruto and Kakashi something but I've already ordered Sakura and it won't be ready until next week. Buying everyone a gift seemed pointless honestly, they don't care if I'm back or not. Maybe I could go out unsupervised for one afternoon, I have a few hours to kill before dinner.

I knock on the door a few times, each time getting louder. I've noticed, since I've been back, that Sakura loses focus on the outside world when she's working. Every night when she reads I see that she's able to drown out the loudest of sounds. The door swings open fast and her face is covered in irritation. Annoying woman…if she would've left the door open then she'd be fine.

"What Sasuke? I'm trying to finish my last two files." She sounds angry but I can tell she's been working nonstop since about six this morning.

"I'm going out." The words leave my mouth plainly. I need space away from her warmth and have time to process my thoughts. This whole babysitting thing is starting to wear thin as well. If I were to leave the village, I would already do it after learning that the council is forcing our marriage.

"You can't go out alone. I can't go because I need to get these finished." Her arms fold over her chest and her face gets red with frustration. I'm bothering her work by wanting to leave the house. I could go out with another member of Rookie 9 but who.

"I need to do a few things." I'm not going to give it away that I'm going shopping for the dobe and pervert. In all honesty, I just need space. Since coming back, there has been someone constantly around me. With Orochimaru I was alone most of the day, closed off from outside contact training. It's been a shock to my system having them around me and wanting to keep busy.

"Call Naruto or Kakashi." She's stalked back to her desk typing on her phone. I couldn't ask them to go with me since they were who I'm shopping for.

"Not them. They are part of the things I need to do. Who else?" Now I'm starting to get irritated. This entire situation is starting to get on my nerves and I have another week before my house is finished. It's not like I hate being around Sakura, I just need time away from her. It's starting to become over baring.

"Sai said he would go with you. Meet him at Ino's shop." Her phone was slammed into the top drawer of the desk. Why was she starting to act like a child? If she loses her temper this easily, then how will she be with our child. There's something missing here, maybe one of her cases is tougher than she thought.

"Hn. What's wrong?" My tone is flat as I try not to show much interest in what's bothering her. The walls around me are still there but she's been slowly chipping away at it for years without even knowing. A sigh comes from her mouth and she pulls her hair free from the tight bun.

"There's a chunin at the hospital that was poisoned while on a mission. We've tried to flush it from his system but it's not all coming out. Tsunade is working on breaking the formula down to find an antidote, it's taking longer than we thought." Her face drops with each word. This kid is laying in a bed slowly dying from a poison and there's nothing she can do. That's extremely rare for Tsunade and Sakura, between the two of them there aren't any medical mysteries.

"You will figure it out. I'll be back in time to get changed for dinner." Turning my back to her, I slowly leave the house. My coat is zipped fully and I inwardly smile at the cold wind blowing on my face. Freedom is mine for a short time before I reach the flower shop.

Now I need to start figuring out my feelings for Sakura. There's always been this unseen force drawing me to her, as a genin I found myself seeking comfort from her. In the forest of death, I held onto for dear life after the bite from Orochimaru. In that same forest I wanted to end the people responsible for hurting her so badly. When she was caught in Gaara's sand, I wanted to make sure that she would never be hurt again. But are those feelings friendly or romantic?

But seeing her cry makes me want to punch myself. Most of our genin years I was the main reason for her tears. I was tougher on her than I was Naruto, she was too focused on her looks than her training it drove me insane. After the forest though, she really wasn't the same Sakura again. The girl that followed me like a puppy was erased from the planet and something new replaced her. I could always tell she cared for me, that day it changed though. It went from something childish, to something more mature.

Now, she's the strongest kunoichi in the village and she's a far better medic than the Hokage. The years I was away she took the time to shape herself into an amazing ninja. She can fight beside Naruto and I without a doubt. Then there's the fact that she's matured into a beautiful woman. Her face has thinned out, she's grown into her curves and her presence is known when she walks into a room.

Sai is standing outside the shop as I approach the building. Ino's inside arranging flowers and cutting individual flowers. Sai begins to walk beside me through the village, his eyes never leaving my figure. So this was my replacement on Team 7 after Naruto returned from training. His skills in combat are decent and his scroll art is something to be seen, but he doesn't seem to mesh well with Naruto and Sakura. The dobe was telling me about one of their first missions together Sakura punched him hard enough to send him flying backwards but he wouldn't tell me why.

After going to a few shops, I decided on what to give my two male team members. Sai was within a two-foot radius of me the entire time, to be expected but it doesn't make it any less annoying. He's probably going to walk back with me to Sakura's house to make sure I went where I was supposed to. The entire trip as been relatively quiet except for the whispers of the villagers. I knew that they detest me and they have every right to, after all I was a rouge shinobi who got off with a very light sentence.

"I don't see what they see." Sai sounds confused as the statement leaves his mouth. When it comes to emotions, Sai is far worse than I am. Yes, I can be a human ice cube and not reciprocate feels well, but that doesn't mean I don't have him. Him on the other hand, he doesn't understand them at all.

"What do you mean?"

"Naruto and Sakura have spent most of their lives trying to get you to return home. You've always been someone that they have cared deeply about. They risked their lives, their careers even, to make sure you were safe to come home." His voice gets deeper with each word. There's anger lacing his words and I can sense him stiffening as we get closer to Sakura's house.

"I never asked them to." My heart tightens. I thought they would forget about me completely once I left. Sakura would find someone else and Naruto would let our bond break. That was the plan but life has a twisted way of throwing plans off course.

"You didn't need to. Naruto sees you as him brother and from what I understand the brotherly bond lasts a life time. That means doing anything to help that person. Sakura…she loves you more than anything. I've witnessed how much loving you hurts her; she's defended your name with every breath she's taken since you left." Sai's almost yelling at this point and he's turned to face me. My entire body is tightening from the speech, I feel guilty. Naruto has always been able to handle more pain and loneliness after growing up alone. He's always been able to pull himself from the darkness and find the good in life. But Sakura…she's always loved with her heart on her sleeve. It seems no matter how much pain I cause her she will continue to care for me and love me. I don't deserve that love…but why does my heart warm from the thought of having it?

"I can't change my past. The only thing I can do is make up for it." Walking up the porch steps, Sai is on my tail and I turn to face him. There's a smirk on his face and he leaned against the door frame.

"So you're going to sleep with Ugly?" The door swung open and Sai went flying back. I step back to see Sakura standing over Sai with another fist raised in the air. Setting my bags down on the porch, I join the two shinobi in the street.

"What did I say about calling me Ugly? Also I'm not sleeping with him!" Another punch landed in his stomach. Sakura is fuming from Sai's poorly chosen words, small craters are left in the earth as she stomps back into the house. A chuckle escapes my mouth as I watch the door slam close again. The little Sakura I knew has definitely grown into a woman, her childish ways still show from time to time but it's a pleasant flash back.

"Sai go to the hospital." Picking the bags back up, I enter the house quietly as I hear Sakura ranting from her room.

"Sai is SO stupid!...How can he ask Sasuke that? I mean seriously…I get that he's emotionally deprived and uneducated on how to express what he's thinking. Yet he can read me like a fucking book…" Read her like a book…She been trying to hide her feelings for me since I left the village. Is she angry with herself for caring for me?

Stalking back to my room, I place the gifts in my closet gently. My back met the soft mattress and I stare up at the ceiling. In a few hours, Sakura and I will be having dinner. I told her I would try and this is the first step, but how do I do it? Taking a woman to dinner is something that I never thought I would do. Romance is something that I know nothing about, yet here in a month that pink, hot headed, strong medic will be my wife. She deserves someone that can give her romance and happiness, someone to raise a family with and someone who can return her feelings. After everything I've done, how can I be that someone?

My hand reaches for my phone that Tsunade gave me. I click on Naruto's name and the ringer is loud in my ear.

"What do you want teme?"

He sounds out of breath and irritated.

"Are you busy dobe?"

"Just got done training."

"Come to Sakura's but stay quiet. Mask your chakra."

"Why?"

"Just get here."

I end the phone call and throw the object back on the table. Naruto's been able to process his feelings and convey emotions his entire life. Trying to figure out everything on my own isn't going to help me. Maybe he can help me process my thought. My window opens quietly and the blonde is sitting in the floor taking off his shoes. He must've been training with Kakashi to cause him to get this exhausted and deplete his chakra this much. Training would help me so much right now.

"What do you want teme?" He takes a seat in the chair in the corner of the room. Naruto crosses his arms over his chest and starts to pout.

"I need help." Naruto's eyes widen at the bluntness of my answer. I've never asked him for help before and he's the one person I trust right now.

"Why?" Seriously…How dumb could he be?

"I'm only going to say this once. Once. So listen closely." My voice is deep. I'm asking him to examine my deepest thoughts and process them. He nods, acknowledging my statement, and sits further back into the chair.

"You understand what has to happen between Sakura and I in a few weeks. I've always had something pulling me towards her. Whenever she cries, I feel angry and upset. While I was gone and I heard of her accomplishments I was filled with pride. The past few days have been pleasant being in her company. Every night I notice different details and tendencies that she has."

Naruto sat on the edge of his seat as I finished. It's by no means a declaration of love, maybe of attraction.

"Sounds to me that you have feelings for her Sasuke. You aren't completely emotionless. I've watched the two of you throughout our lives. Between you and me, I knew that you two would end up together. Sasuke, I know you think you don't deserve to be happy but you're wrong." Naruto's sincere and honest with his response. He's been able to see through my ruse and analyze my emotions.

"So what do I do?" He's the one that's been there for her since I left. They are like siblings and he should know what I should do.

"Just tell her teme. She's been waiting her entire life for you."

"I'm not telling her! I still don't know what degree I feel for her." I throw a pillow at his head, knocking him back in the chair.

"What the hell? You love her ya moron!" Naruto walks to the window and opens it quietly.

"So take this advice, just fucking tell her and man up. I mean, you're marrying her in a few weeks. Might as well get it over with."

With that, he leaves. Could he be right? Do all of my feelings for her lead to love. That could be the unknown attraction between us, the force that always made me want to come back to her. Maybe tonight will clear things up for me.

After taking a shower, I change into a long sleeve, black shirt and a pair of jeans. I called the restaurant to reserve a private table for Sakura and I. Tonight, I am going to try and show her that I will take care of her. As I walk to the living room, I pull on a jacket and Sakura exits her bedroom. Keeping my eyes normal is difficult, she looks absolutely amazing. She is wearing a red sweater with tight black jeans. The simplicity behind her outfit is what makes her look beautiful.

"Are you ready Sasuke?" Blinking a few times, I nod in response and lead the way out of the house. The sun has just set in the sky and the village is alive with the Friday night festivities. Sakura is standing closer to me as we pass through the crowded streets, my arm wants to wrap around her waist and puller her closer. I stop myself though. Moving too fast and doing anything could damage what little progress we have made. The last thing I want is for her to pull away and close up the wall around her.

Arriving at Yakiniku Q, Sakura stood closer to me as we walked back to the table I had reserved. Removing our shoes, I waited for Sakura to take her seat before I took mine across from her. She fidgets and messes with the chopsticks sitting out in front of her. It's amusing to see her nervous. It reminds me of the girl I grew up with. She's biting her lip in deep thought, I wonder what's on her mind.

I reach across the table and place my hand on top of hers. Stopping the fingers playing with the wood, her eyes meet mine. There's a spark in the air as we stare at each other. Has this always been there or is it new? A woman brings over the plate of meat and vegetables along with sake, Sakura places her meal on the grill and I follow suit. The silence is awkward, unlike at her home where it's peaceful. Maybe I should try to start a conversation?

"Sakura, do you have an idea on how to help the chunin?" I say as I flip the items on the grill. She was distraught about this earlier and it's hard for a medic when they can't heal someone. Sakura sighs loudly and moves her cooked food to the plate.

"I have an idea but it's never been done before." Picking at her food, you can see that her mind is going a mile a minute. I take a bite of my food, Sakura runs a hand through her pink locks and I find myself wanting to do the same. Why?

"Tell me." I'm interested because if there's a medic that can achieve something new, it's Sakura.

"I read about an herb from Suna that helps absorb poison. Maybe if I can place the patient in a bath with the herb, Tsunade and I could get the poison out." It could work with the best two medics at the same time. With multiple sources pulling out the toxin, it wouldn't have a chance. Then Tsunade could further examine the substance and find an antidote.

"Sounds solid. With multiple extraction points it could work." Sakura's cheeks flushed. I complimented her and she noticed. I'll never be the guy to call her beautiful all the time or say the right words, but the least I can do is try and treat her right.

"Thank you. Are you excited for the compound to be finished?" A harmless question that brings built to my heart. The last time I was in my childhood home, my parents had been slaughtered. My eyes drop from her to my plate, what would life had been like if they hadn't been killed? Would I have picked Sakura from the start and followed tradition and courted her? Or would she love someone else? I feel something in the pit of my stomach. I don't even have her now so how can I ask myself all these questions?

"I'm sorry if I upset you Sasuke." Her voice drops and I shoot my eyes back up to her. I'm not upset, I'm just trying to figure everything out.

"I'm not upset. It's just been a long time since I've been home." Too long honestly. Yes, I used to pay respects to my clan but I never stayed longer than an hour. The memories were too much to bare as a child, but now there's some peace thinking of home.

"Are you sure that you want me there?" The question is blunt. There's a hidden meaning behind her question and I need to figure out what she is really trying to ask. Technically she will be an Uchiha when she comes, but she won't feel like one. If there was someone I would trust to bring into my home, it would be her. She's always been respectful and remorseful for my family.

"Yes." I answer lowly as I take another bite of food. Another blush spreads across her face as we continue to eat in silence. This time the ice has been broken and no awkwardness is present.

Paying for dinner, I lead Sakura on a walk through the village. This time I pulled her slightly closer to me as the streets were even more crowded. We walk slowly through the village enjoying each other's company. Tonight has been pleasant, Naruto may be an idiot but he is right a few times. These feelings I have for Sakura are more than friendly, which terrifies me. If something were to happen to her because of me I wouldn't be able to live with myself. Sakura pulls me from my thoughts and we enter Ino's flower shop.

"Hey forehead, Sasuke!" The blonde yells from across the room. The air is filled with many different floral scents, almost overwhelming to say the least. Sakura moves over to the counter quickly and I follow reluctantly, this wasn't part of the night I planned.

"What are you two doing out?" Ino closes a catalog and shoves it under the counter.

"Sasuke took me to dinner tonight." Sakura's leaning over whispering but my ninja hearing doesn't fail. I can hear every word clearly.

"What? Like a date?" Ino's eyes widen and she pulls Sakura over the counter, almost smashing their faces together. Sakura nervously laughs and shrugs her shoulders. Was this a date? I would say so…

"I don't think so." The pinkette backs away and her face is as red as a tomato at this point. Turning away, she goes to look through the premade bouquets. Ino looks at me and wiggles her brows at me, a devilish grin plastered on her face. Knowing her, she would be calling everyone in our friend group to tell them about this. Sakura is looking at an arrangement of red, pink and white roses. The pink reminds me of her hair and the other two are familiar to the Uchiha clan, red and white are two components of our fan. Her fingers run over the petals gently before she turns away to walk back to the front of the shop. I grab the small bundle and Ino's beside me before I can tell.

"On the house." She's leaning against the wall with a smirk on her face, arms crossed over her chest and head cocked to the side. Was she able to read me like Naruto? Information could be dangerous in her hands; her mouth is bigger than the dobe's.

"Thanks." She takes them to wrap the ends in a plastic covering. Humming is coming from her mouth as she finishes wrapping them completely. A small hand extended the flower to me and I gently take them from her.

"Treat her right." A wink is the parting gesture as I turn my back to her with a small blush forming on my cheeks. Sakura is standing outside watching the villagers walk around and the children trying to catch the fresh snowflakes. I place my left hand on the small of her back and offer her the flowers with the other. Shock covers her face before a large smile, she grabs them and holds them close to her chest.

"You didn't have to Sasuke. I could've came back and gotten them tomorrow." I tighten my hold on her and pull her in the direction of her house. The flowers remained resting on her chest the whole way home. Seeing her smile from the small gesture made me swell with happiness. This is what it felt like to be happy and content, it's something I've been missing for a long time. My hand doesn't leave her until we are on the porch of her house.

Entering, she goes to the kitchen to grab a vase. I watch as she arranges them in a meticulous way before disappearing into her office with them. They are sitting on her desk bringing color to the room. Her smile is soft as she looks back over to me, so much love is in her eyes. It draws me to her. Before I know what's happening, I pull her close to me and I study her face.

Her mouth is slightly open from gasping at the action, a pink tint is gracing her cheeks and her breathing becomes short and uneven. The spark is in the air again and she's trying to back away, her hands on my chest. My arms hold her to me and my head lowers down to hers. Closing my eyes, I gently press my lips against hers. A few seconds go by and as I try to pull away, hands lace themselves in my hair and she's returning the pressure. I pull her flush against my chest.

Breaking the kiss to breath, I keep my eyes low and look at the floor. Why did I just do that? An impulse just took over and I acted on it. Being around her bring feels like home, a warm hand brings my face up. Sakura's looking at me intensely with pure joy in her eyes. The hand moves from my chin to my cheek, the warmth pulls me closer to her.

"Sasuke…thank you." She embraces me in a tight hold, my arm loosely wraps around her shoulder and waist. So many emotions are running through me at this point, it's like a wave washed over me and I can't break to the surface. Were these new emotions a bad thing? Or should I just let myself drown in them? When I first moved in, I thought trying for Sakura meant having meaningless sex in order to give her satisfaction. Now, all I want to do is try and make her happy. Try to make her feel cared for and loved. Time can only tell how this will all work out.

Her arms release me from their hold and there are small tears running down her cheeks. A tightening sensation in my gut makes me want to wipe them away, so I do. I wipe the salty liquid on my pants as I dry her face. Have I done something wrong to cause her pain? Does she think I did this to try and fool her? Why is she crying at all? So many questions and I know that I won't be getting a straight answer. Sighing, I pull her back into my chest as the sobs stop.

"Stop crying Sakura. I'm sorry." I whisper in her ear and she steps back away from me. There's no evidence of sadness in her eyes, but there's something else. Something I can't put my finger on.

"Don't be sorry. This better be you trying though." A cocky smile dons her face as she wipes away the remaining tears. Sakura Haruno is trying something to be amazed. Her heart is bigger than any other person I've known. She cared deeply and doesn't give up just because she gets knocked back a few times. A small smile comes to my face.

"Hn." That is the answer she was expecting as she grabs my arm to take me from her office. Who knows how long we have been in there, but it feels like we've taken a step in a new direction. Stopping at my door, she releases me.

"Good night Sasuke." Her voice is sweet as she turns to talk down the hallway. I watch her back until the door closes quietly. Stepping into my room, I toss off my clothes and fall onto the bed.

My heart is racing a mile a minute and there's a tugging feeling in my heart. These emotions have been locked up inside of me for so long. Sakura has been chipping away the wall over the years and now it's starting to crumble. Locking away most of my emotions means locking up the remorse and sorrow from my past behind that wall. Hopefully going home will help me find closure with my past so I can move on with my life. Sakura will bring color to the dark nature that is the Uchiha's. My mother would've been over the moon with Sakura's coloring of pink and green, my father would've probably been shocked by it but the fight in her would've made him look past it.

Draping my arm over my eyes, I smirk from my last thought. Pink would definitely cheer up the compound.