Like Water, Like Love

Chapter 6: Breathless

Summary: nejixten, sasuxsaku She pushed him away, he drew her in. She wanted an embrace, he wanted to embrace her. She loved someone childishly, he loved her passionately. Their relationship was like water, like love.

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If I remain here, I can't see reality
I want to find my future, so I promised myself
That I would change, but at times its painful
So when all the candles are blown out
Will my desires be answered?

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Tenten

One, two, three days, and Sasuke was already back.

I throw open the door eagerly, fingers tingling at the mere thought of Sasuke's return. The doorknob twists in my grip in an exhilarating spin.

He is covered in blood.

His hands are dripping crimson onto the gray pavement, staining the ground. His clothing is nearly soaked through with the thick substance, trailing down his bare lower legs and sandaled feet. I fearfully look up at his face, afraid of what I will see.

The cuts and blood scream in my ears, leaving a resounding numbness through my entire body.

"Ah… Ah…" I stammer; I hesitate. "Sasuke…" My voice hints desperation and searches for answers.

The raven-haired Uchiha simply grunts and expresses through his subtle movements that he wants to find sanctuary in the house. I take his arm and lead him cautiously to the living room, careful to not hurt him anymore.

Seating him on a space near the table, I examine my bloodied hand, warmed by the temperature of his fluids. I don't have anything to wipe it on so I have to snatch the medical box from the cabinet with unclean hands.

His eyes drive into my back the entire time.

Bandaging his facial wounds, I try to ignore his unfaltering glare, concentrating on the quickly dirtied white bandages. Next, I move to his arms, which are equally damaged and literally spewing blood.

It is amazing how he is still conscious.

I have to change those tatami mats after this.

I continue to wrap his injuries in the medical tape, willing myself not to inquire about the mission.

Nervously, I realize that the only part of his body that I have not finished is his abdominal area. The liquid is seeping through his cut apparel, but I am still too uncomfortable to say anything.

With a stammering voice, I timidly ask, "Can you take off your shirt?"

"Tenten…" It is almost like a grunt.

"It… you… blood…"

"Hn."

My cheeks tinge with pink as he gingerly removes his top, placing it on the reddened floor next to him.

I cough a couple times, trying to suppress a silly grin that will surely spread across my face if I see his figure. Deciding to start from the back, I seat myself with my feet tucked underneath my legs and wrap the bandages around his torso. As I reach around his left to receive the roll of bandages in my right hand, I realize the awkward position we are in and halt my actions momentarily.

"Hn."

I continue.

Sooner more than later, half of his body is covered in white. Not bothering to replace his ruined shirt, he stands up, towering over me. His onyx eyes bore into mine, and I look back determinedly at him, trying to capture his complex thoughts. But they slip through my fingertips and soon his retreating figure greets my dimming eyes.

Shaking my head, I stand up and clean up the medical supplies, wiping the crimson from the tools and table.

I look down at the small pool of blood where Sasuke had been seated and sigh wearily. Tatami mats are excruciating to replace.

The day passes as a regular routine. Me doing my thing, Sasuke doing his. Living in separate worlds under the same roof. It is ironic and laughable, but this is how it works.

At night, I whisper through the darkness, "What happened?"

At first, I think he is already asleep, but at last he replies, "A lot."

"Hm?" I encourage.

"Ah."

End of conversation.

I wrap the thin blankets tighter around my shoulders.

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"Sasuke, let's go choose rings today!" I suggest enthusiastically at breakfast a few days later.

"Ah."

He sets down his now-empty milk glass and rises, a signal for me to follow.

I glower and press my face up against many windows, acting completely engrossed in the jewelry on display. But between gasps and exclamations of adoration, I steal glances at the nonchalant Uchiha who is always looking the other direction.

Frowning, I ask the store clerk how much a particular ring costs.

"Two hundred thousand yen, miss," he replies cheerfully.

"Really?"

I turn to Sasuke, who is intrigued by the ceiling patterns.

"What do you think about his one?" I ask, a little too enthusiastically.

He scowls, but nods anyway and gives his characteristic, "Hn."

I purchase the set of rings on my own and exit the store with my supposed fiancé trailing behind me.

He is scowling even deeper than before and repeatedly throws glances behind us as I push open the door.

Strange?

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His lips catch mine in a breathless, life-binding kiss. He extends his arm behind my waist, bringing me closer to his core of warmth as clapping erupts behind us.

Damn, he's a good kisser.

A white-eyed shinobi seated in row one glares at my tight-fitting white gown that trails a few feet behind me and my partner's black tuxedo.

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And three years later, that white-eyed shinobi comes to my door as I cradle a baby.

"Tenten, come train with me."

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Notes: Thanks for all the encouragement, everyone! I blame my depression in the last chapter on this very very sad movie I was rewatching (( A Millionaire's First Love )). D: Anyway, thank you thank you thank you. :D

Sorry about the REALLY short chapter. I didn't really know how to go through the time skip so fast because I didn't really want to drag on their wedding. D: I might rewrite this chapter if it goes badly.

Next chapter will be SasuSaku, probably Sasuke POV. Explanations and such :D