This took way too long to publish; it's literally just been sitting in my files waiting for me. Unfortunately, there's nothing after this, but hopefully that'll be changing soon. As always, I appreciate your reviews!
It takes me a moment to catch my breath and I find myself having to place a steadying hand against the wall; my legs are still shaking. I can't remember the last time I allowed myself to get off thinking about Sasuke.
"Sakura!" I can hear Sasuke call and oh Kami it makes me tremble after what I've just done. I grab a towel and knot it tight just above my chest, then open the door. His mouth is slightly open but his jaw is clenched and his eyes slip to my collarbone before meeting mine again.
"What? Is something wrong?" I prompt him, suddenly feeling a little self conscious. He shakes his head.
"Naruto's here," he pauses for a moment, seeming to fix his gaze on a spot past me, "Just come down when you're ready."
I nod and shut the door as a soft flutter unfurls in my stomach.
"Hey!" I squeeze Naruto's shoulder and take a seat beside him on the deck.
"Hey!" he gives me a hug.
Sasuke lays on the grass, eyes closed to the world. I watch him for a moment, noting the way his mouth curves slightly down, the way his brows furrow vaguely, even in rest. Naruto catches my attention in the corner of my eye. He smiles softly, knowingly. I flush and shake my head. Naruto grins and nods. I scowl and look away.
"Are you feeling better today?"
"Yes, a lot better, actually," for a number of reasons. "I lost Kuro-San, Naruto."
"Sakura," Naruto's face softens and he pulls me against him. He knows how much Kuro-san meant to me and I realize as he holds me tight that my reluctance to tell them yesterday didn't stem from any insecurity with Naruto. Naruto's always been there for me, he's always empathized with anything I'm going through. It was about Sasuke being there. Maybe I thought the same he's thought about us when it comes to sharing our feelings. Maybe I was afraid he'd think I was silly for letting something like this affect me after everything he's been through. But I'm glad I told him, he was there for me. Naruto and I pull away, "How'd it happen?"
"He had another heart attack," I shrug in disbelief.
"Are you sad that you weren't there?" he asks. Briefly I look at Sasuke whose eyes are open and whose head is turned to gaze at me.
"No, I'm not," I avert my eyes, "Even if I had been there, I might not have been able to do anything, and I think that would have been worse."
"I think so, too," Naruto says, giving me a subdued smile.
Naruto stays for almost the entire day, providing a filler for every moment of silence that settles between the three of us. Sasuke and I don't talk much, he looks at me even less.
"What happened? I thought you guys were getting along," Naruto says as we step onto the porch to say goodbye.
"That only ever seems to last for a day," I roll my eyes, "It's - Something happened and now he's not comfortable around me."
"What'd you do?"
"Why do you just assume it was something I did?"
"Because you always do something," Naruto barks a laugh.
"Fucking baka," I shake my head, trying not to laugh.
"So what happened?" Naruto presses.
"You probably don't want to know. It's such an insignificant thing, honestly," I try to brush it off with a flick of my wrist.
"You're just making me want to know more," Naruto crosses his arms over his chest stubbornly.
"Well you're better off not knowing, trust me on this one," I shoo him away, "Go home, we'll see you soon."
"All right," he eyes me skeptically, trying to figure out what it is I'm hiding, "But you need to sort out whatever it is."
"Thanks for the advice," I keep waving him on as he slowly backs up the path.
"I'm serious, Sakura," he points a finger at me.
"I got it," I turn my back on him and wave, retreating into the house. Sasuke is halfway up the stairs, not looking back. I don't think I can talk to him about this. The hint of fear at the thought of broaching such a subject with Sasuke prickles up my spine. I know it comes from some childish terror of rejection, but it shouldn't mean anything now; we're adults. I fist my hands, trying to muster the strength. If I ever want things to go back to normal I need to suck it up and talk to him, just like I've been doing with everything else. This won't be any different. I ascend the stairs and turn into Sasuke's room, closing the door behind me. Sasuke regards me coolly.
