Theme # 11 – Gardenia
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto… dum de dum…
---In which Sakura refuses Sasuke's invitation to lunch and Sasuke accepts Sakura's inivitation to dinner---
"Geez, why is Kakashi-sensei so late?" Naruto whined.
"Hn."
Brushing the hair away from her eyes, Sakura tried to pacify the restless blonde ninja. "Naruto, I'm sure he'll come soon. You know how he's always late anyways."
"But it's been THREE hours!"
"Shut up, dobe. Your voice is giving me a headache."
"What did you call me, Sasuke-teme?!"
"You really can't hear, can you. I said, Shut. Up. Do. Be."
Naruto let out a battle cry as he jumped towards the Uchiha, only to be punched in the face by Sakura.
"Naruto," she steamed. "Leave Sasuke-kun ALONE."
"Hn." Smirk.
The three lapsed into silence again.
Tired and still a little sleepy, Sakura flopped down onto the ground and leaned against the bridge. Unable to withstand the silence, she faced Sasuke and tried to start up a conversation. However, she soon tired of the "Hn"s and turned to Naruto, who immediately began yammering away about ramen and how he was going to make ramen the official food of shinobi once he became Hokage.
POOF.
They all looked up, and before the copy-nin could say anything, Naruto and Sakura jumped to their feet to shout, "YOU'RE LATE!"
Pfft,thought Sasuke. So childish.
"Gomen, I was on my way here, but this little kid was stuck in –"
"LIAR!"
"… Naruto, you didn't even let me finish my story."
"Hmph." Naruto crossed his arms. "I don't need to hear the whole thing to know that you're lying."
Sakura brushed away the dust on her shorts. "Kaka-sensei, what are we doing today?" Even though Kakashi was technically no longer their teacher, the members of the former Team 7 still met on Sundays to train and spar under Kakashi's tutelage.
Peering at her over his ever-present orange book, Kakashi said, "Ah. I forgot. We're not going to do anything today. You can leave. Jaa ne."
"WHAT?!" screamed Naruto in indignation as their silver-haired teacher disappeared in a puff of smoke.
"Quiet down, baka," snapped Sakura. "Ne, Sasuke-kun, since we have this day off, let's go hang out."
She regretted her words the instant they came out. Why did I ask him that? He hates being asked out. Stupid habit. Stupid, stupid habit.
Casting her a bored look, the Uchiha "Hn"-ed before giving her a curt no.
He felt his chest tighten as her face fell, the way it always did when he rejected her. Refusing her invitations had become like a reflex after all these years. Though not one he wished he had. Too bad he would rather kiss Naruto's feet than admit that he actually might want to spend an afternoon with her.
I knew that one was coming. Sakura sighed inwardly. Plastering on a smile, she opened her mouth to tell Sasuke it was okay, maybe tomorrow, but another voice drowned out her words.
"YOSH! Come on, my youthful students!"
That was Gai's voice, which could only mean…
"SAKURA-SAN!"
Inner Sakura cringed.
Sasuke scowled.
"SAKURA-SAN!" A figured dressed in tight green spandex suddenly appeared right in front of Sakura and gave her a wide grin, complete with sparkling white teeth.
… "Uh. Hi, Lee-san."
Lee swooned at her melodious voice and conjured a bouquet of red roses out of nowhere.
Sasuke's scowl deepened as he stared at the bundle of flowers being thrust right underneath Sakura's chin. Where had he been keeping those flowers? In his pants? Pathetic, fuzzy-eyebrows.
Lee bowed before her. "Sakura-san, my love for you burns brighter than the flame of youth within my soul!"
Sakura tried to edge away from him as hearts starting pouring out of his eyes, but he grabbed her hand and thrust the bouquet of flowers into it.
Sasuke's eye twitched.
Naruto pushed Lee away from Sakura. "Why would she want to go out with you? We already know who she wants to date, and guess what? It's not you!"
The pink-haired kunoichi frowned at Naruto, before turning to address Lee. "Gomen, Lee-san. I can't accept this."
Looking forlornly at the roses now back in his hands, tears began to form. Alarmed, Sakura stepped forward to console him, but his head snapped up, eyes shining with determination.
"Don't worry, Sakura-san! I WILL become worthy of your love! I'll do 200 laps around Konoha everyday until you go out with me!" Having declared this vow, Lee dashed off, followed by a beaming Gai and an exasperated Tenten.
Sakura blinked.
Naruto and Sasuke glared at Lee's disappearing figure in the distance.
"Oi! Neji!" Gai called to the Byakugan user, who still stood near Team 7, leaning against a tree, arms crossed. "Let's go! Today may be the day where you blossom into the beautiful flower that you were destined to be!"
Pushing himself off the tree, he said to Gai, "I'll catch up with you guys later." He made his way over to Sakura.
"Haruno-san, a word please."
Her eyes widened, but she nodded her consent.
"In private."
Sasuke's gaze darted from Sakura to Neji and back again. He narrowed his eyes as Neji led Sakura away, trying to burn a hole in the Hyuuga's back with his ominous glare.
A chuckle from Naruto.
"Dobe, what are you laughing about?"
The Kyuubi vessel grinned. "Looks like someone's a little possessive of his precious little Sakura-chan."
Snort. "Yeah right."
"Oh really? Then explain why you look like you want to slaughter Neji right now."
Damn. "I… don't."
It was now Naruto's turn to snort. He opened his mouth to let out another cheeky comment, but after seeing Sasuke's face, he decided against it.
"Sasuke-teme, let's go. Sakura will find us later."
"Hn." The Sharingan user made no attempt to move.
"Ramen, my treat," offered Naruto generously, knowing completely well that Sasuke would refuse. And sure enough…
"I'll stay here."
Naruto smiled.
---
How long could two people talk? This was taking way too long in his opinion. And he definitely didn't like the carefree way Sakura conversed with Neji. It was like… like they were friends.
At last, the two parted, with Sakura calling out cheerfully, "See you later, Neji-san!" and the Hyuuga giving her a brief nod.
"Sasuke-kun? Naruto?" Her voice was puzzled. "Why are you guys still here?"
"Sasuke-teme here wanted to wait for you," said Naruto with a sly smile.
Glare. "Hn."
"Ah." Pause. "You didn't have to, though."
"Oh no, we had to. Sasuke wanted to treat the two of us to some ramen." Okay, that was pushing it a little too far, but Naruto obviously liked to live life on the edge.
Sasuke-kun… wants to treat us to ramen? What? "Is that true, Sasuke-kun?"
Damn that Naruto. But I'd rather have Sakura near so I can keep an eye on her. And keep her away from that Neji… "… Yes."
I'm the ultimate match-maker! thought Naruto gleefully, as he started heading towards the Ichiraku Ramen Bar.
"Wait."
They looked at her.
"I can't go."
…
"Wah! Sakura-chan, why not?"
Eyebrow raise from Sasuke.
"I… I promised to meet Neji for lunch." She looked anxiously at the two of them. "You guys don't mind, right? I mean, I already promised Neji, and you can't really go back on a promise… And it's not like this is the only time we can hang out, and…"
Naruto cut in. "It's okay, Sakura-chan. We don't mind. Right, Sasuke?"
Sasuke made no reply and walked away.
"Sasuke-kun!"
His shoulders stiffened.
"You're not upset, are you?"
The concern in her voice was too blatant to miss, and for some odd reason, that bothered him. He opened his mouth without thinking, and he next words that came out of his mouth were probably the worst ones he could have chosen. "Hn. I don't care."
He didn't look back as the distance between him and Sakura grew. He couldn't look back. Couldn't stand to see the look of hurt on her face. If it bothered him so much to see her upset, then why did he keep hurting her? Stupid habit. Stupid, stupid habit.
---
"Hyuuga."
He landed noiselessly in front of the Byakugan user.
"Uchiha."
Sasuke glared at him.
Neji merely smirked. "I don't have time for exchanging pleasantries; I have business to attend to."
"… She's taken."
The Hyuuga let out an inward snort. The fool actually thought he was interested in Sakura. She hadn't told Sasuke that their lunch "date" was actually just to discuss an upcoming mission?
In that case…Neji thought. I'll have some fun with him then.
Aloud, he asked loftily, "By who? You?"
The Uchiha's glare intensified, if that was even possible, but he didn't answer.
This is too easy. He can't even bring himself to say that she's his. "I see. That's what I thought." He side-stepped Sasuke as he continued on his way.
"She's not yours to claim."
Neji turned around. "Oh, and if that's the case, then why did she agree to go out with me?"
"…" If looks could kill, then Neji would have been slaughtered and brought back to life eleven times already and then slain again.
"You're clearly in no position to tell me – "
"If you hurt her, I'll kill you."
The white eyed ANBU captain scoffed. "Then why are you still alive?"
"…"
"…"
"Stay away from her."
And then he disappeared from sight.
Neji smirked. Too easy.
---
'Attacked by enemy shinobi on second day…' scribbled Sasuke as he took a bite of the stuffed tomato. 'Easily taken care of. Injuries to the team: Tenten was grazed on the cheek by a kunai…"
Just then, his phone rang.
"Hn. Uchiha residence."
"Sasuke-teme, what are you doing at home?!"
"Dobe, what do you want?"
Sasuke could just imagine the grin on the other boy's face. "C'mon! Let's go spy on Sakura and Neji."
Neji. His hand unconsciously tightened on the receiver. That evil fiend of a…
"Hey, hurry up. They're at – "
Click.
A few blocks away, the blonde ninja frowned. He hung up on me.
---
Ever since that phone call, the Uchiha found it impossible to concentrate. Letting out a frustrated sigh, he glanced down at his mission report. The last sentence he had written was 'Tenten was grazed on the cheek by a kunai'; he had spent a good hour doodling and trying to remember what happened after Tenten was scratched.
Amidst the drawings of a decapitated Neji, a hanged Neji, a Neji riddled with kunais, and a Neji being stewed in a giant pot of boiling goo, was a tiny sketch of Sakura. Damn. How did that get there?
He scribbled over it. Leaning back in his chair, Sasuke thought, I might as well go out. I'm not getting anything done.
Depositing his empty plate into the sink, the Uchiha headed out.
---
After aimlessly wandering about, Sasuke found himself in front of the Yamanaka's flower shop. The usual flower display on the outside was gone, meaning that if Sasuke wanted to buy flowers, he would have to actually enter the shop. But why would I want to get flowers anyways?
However, that thought didn't stop him from pushing the door open and stepping inside.
---
"Welcome! Hold on, I'll be out there in just a second!" called Ino from the back, after hearing the door open. Stashing the flower pots on a shelf, she dashed out, smiling cheerfully and almost tripping over a fallen bundle of flowers.
"Hi, welcome to Yamanaka's flower shop! How can I – " She saw Sasuke and froze.
Silence.
And then…
"SASUKE-KUN!"
Though his face was apathetic as always, inside, he cringed. Hadn't she gotten over that phase yet?
Ino gleefully flung her arms around Sasuke's neck.
"Ino… please get off of me."
"Ah Sasuke-kun! It's so good to see you! Did you come over to see meee?"
"…"
Releasing him, much to Sasuke's relief, Ino wagged her finger at him. "If you're here to ask me on a date, I'll have to decline." She splayed her fingers apart so that he could clearly see the ring on her finger. "I'm taken."
Sasuke snorted. Thank god. I pity Shikamaru.
"So… Are you here to get flowers for Sakura?" asked Ino with a gleam in her eye.
"…"
He didn't want to get flowers for Sakura. How had Ino gotten that idea? However… if he gave flowers to Sakura, then he knew for sure that she would leave Neji and come to him. That didn't mean he had to reciprocate any of her feelings, of course. It just ensured that she'd leave Neji. Hah. That'll teach that pompous asshole How dare he question me.
"Now, now. Don't be shy." Ino grinned. "Well, first of all, what are your intentions?"
"Hn?"
"As in, what are these flowers for?"
"…"
Ino mentally slapped her forehead. Good grief, he was hopeless. "I mean, what are you trying to say to her by giving her these flowers? 'I love you'? 'Congratulations'? 'I want to surprise you and whisk you away to the beach for a long night of playful romping'?"
Sasuke scowled at the last one.
"… I'm kidding."
This is ridiculous. Just give me the damn flowers so I can go rub it in Neji's face.
"Here." Ino handed him a small bouquet.
Sasuke stared down at the white flowers. "Huh?"
"Gardenias," supplied Ino. "They're her favorite."
"Ah." Pause. "How much?"
Smoothing down her hair, Ino said, "It's on the house. Just… just make her happy."
"…"
---
Humming quietly to herself, Sakura happily stirred a pot of ramen on her stove. Today had been a lot of fun. Even though Sasuke had rejected her again, lunch with Neji was extremely nice. True, it had only been to brief her about a future mission, but Neji had provided her with excellent conversation. She enjoyed the friendly banter that passed between them.
Turning off her stove, Sakura smiled with satisfaction and poured the noodles into her bowl.
"Hn."
Sakura jumped.
And succeeded in spilling her dinner on the floor.
"Shit," she cursed and spun around. "Oh."
"Hn."
"How did you get in here?!"
"… The door was unlocked."
Putting her hands on her hips, Sakura frowned. "You can't just go waltzing into another person's house. At least knock, for heaven's sake."
"…"
Sighing, Sakura turned from him and grabbed a towel from the counter to wipe up the mess. "There goes my meal," she muttered. To Sasuke, she asked, "Is there something you wanted?"
"Here."
Sasuke held out the flowers, as Sakura faced him, dirty rag in hand.
"Oh!" exclaimed Sakura. "They're beautiful. How did you know that I loved gardenias?"
"Hn."
"Hold on," said Sakura. She dropped the rag into the sink and quickly washed her hands. Then graciously, she took the bouquet from him. Taking a deep whiff of their fragrance, Sakura smiled into the blossoms.
Now that he had given her the flowers, Sasuke eagerly turned to leave, before she started spewing any sort of lovesick confessions to him. Though he suddenly realized, she hadn't done that in years.
"Wait."
He paused, but didn't face her.
…
He felt the pressure on his arm first. Then he was spun around and just as he was able to properly focus his eyes on her, he felt the pressure of her lips on his. Before he had time to respond, she pulled away, flushing profusely.
"Gomen," apologized Sakura. "I won't do it again; it's just that – "
Letting the color fill his cheeks for an all-time record of 3 seconds, Sasuke shook his head lightly. "It's okay."
She smiled in relief. "Ne, Sasuke-kun. Do you want to stay for dinner? I can whip up another batch of ramen right away!"
She never quits, does she. Sasuke opened his mouth to give her his usual curt "no", but found himself accepting her request instead.
Sakura beamed at him. "Okay, just sit over there, and we'll have dinner in 5 minutes!"
Slightly dazed, Sasuke lowered himself into a chair. Did I just say yes? Why would I say yes… What the hell…
But after watching his pink haired teammate whiz around the kitchen, hurriedly trying to cook up more noodles before he could back out, the lone Uchiha survivor relaxed into his seat. He would talk to her about Neji later.
Mental note to self: Buy more gardenias in the future.
After all, that kiss had been rather nice.
---owari---
AN: Huzzah. Another one done. I wish I could have expanded more on some of the parts, but then it would be toooo long. I'll do that in future one-shots. Maybe I'll do a continuation of this one so that we can have a jealous Sasuke arguing with Sakura about her relationship with Neji. Yay.
Must also get around to writing some angst. Just because I read so much of it.
And must also get around to brainstorm about a PoT fic.