Prompt: Sakura finds out Sasuke is going to leave the village again.

Set before Sasuke goes on his journey of atonement.

Do not own


Future

Sasuke sat patiently next to Sakura while she redressed the bandages on his arm. She was kneeling beside him on theplush grass of the training grounds. completely immersed in securing the wrappings around the nub of his elbow. Her pink hair was longer, falling elegantly passed her shoulders. The diamond seal was slightly crinkled because of her furrowed eyebrow, while she lightly bit her lip in concentration. It was no wonder she was his sweetest weakness.

Sasuke looked at her in a amusement as he caught her eyes shift momentarily to his solid and firm chest. The most adorable blush adorned her face from the sight. Sasuke couldn't help but tease her by lightly flexing his muscles. She continued to wrap the bandages, pointedly ignoring her earlier action and willing the burn in her cheeks to disappear.

"There." she said, tying the knot at the base of his nub, her hand resting slightly on this arm, "All done."

Sasuke lifted his blue shirt over his head. He easily put his right arm through his sleeve, while Sakura helped him with his left. She smoothed his shirt down over his torso, absently leaving her hands on his stomach. Sasuke didn't mind, in fact it was a sensation he often craved. Her touch was electric and soothing. He then turned to Sakura, his mismatched eyes reflecting a gentleness reserved only for her.

"Thank you." he said. The softness in his eyes flustered Sakura. Her heart was running throughout her entire body, sending flutters to every part of her.

"You're welcome." Sakura finally managed. She quickly averted her gaze from him. She started to cut the apple she had brought to their meet up. Her slices were neat, even and lined perfectly on her plate. Sasuke relaxed against the tree. He was unable to look away from Sakura. He could feel her love for him invade his entire existence. It banished the loneliness that had consumed him for so long.

"Sasuke-kun, would you like some apple?" she asked. She held her plate towards him. Her offering was so simple, yet for Sasuke, those apples were worth more than water.

"Yeah," he answered with his attention on her. She picked a delectable slice and held it out to him. He reached for it, purposefully brushing his fingers against her hand. His hand lingered against her's, as he memorized the skin beneath his fingers.

Sasuke's gentle mismatched stare sent a new wave crashing over Sakura. He made her feel precious and cherished. She was completely captivated by the feelings he was evoking within her. And his touch, sent funny tingling sensations throughout her body.

"HEY, Sasuke, Sakura-chan!" Naruto yelled. Sakura's hand jerked in suprise, separating from herself from Sasuke's touch. The apple slice slipped from her hand and fell onto the grass. The loud, rambunctious ninja walked eagerly towards his teammates, completely unaware of the moment he spoiled.

"Oh, apples!" he said, reaching between Sasuke and Sakura and picked an apple slice off the plate, "Thanks Sakura-chan!"

Naruto popped the slice in his mouth, enjoying the sweet tasting fruit. He was oblivious to the matching irritated looks Sasuke and Sakura were giving him.

"Yum, that was so good!" Naruto said, "Hey Sasuke, before you leave the village, we shou—-"

The sound of a shattering plate stopped Naruto in mid sentence. He looked over to find Sakura had crushed the plate of apples with her hand. Glass pieces and apple slices were scattered on the grass beneath her. She stared at Sasuke with disbelief and anger in her eyes.

"You're leaving!" she exclaimed. Naruto warily glanced at Sasuke. His mouth was set in a grim line, but his expression remained ever stoic.

"Yeah." he finally answered. He never looked away, his gaze unapologetic and unwavering.

Sakura slammed the rest of her plate on the ground, the pieces making a sharp breaking sound. She sent a final glare in Sasuke's direct, her green eyes narrowed in anger and hurt. Then she furiously walked away from the two boys.

Sasuke briefly glared at Naruto. The blond Ninja smiled sheepishly, "So, you haven't—"

"No shit, idiot!" Sasuke countered as he stood up. He quickly followed after Sakura. She was practically running. Her pink hair was flowing behind her.

"Sakura!" Sasuke called from behind her. She only quickened her pace. Her feet stomped the ground angrily, her fist clenched at her side and Sasuke knew that tears were more than likely pooling in her eyes.

"Sakura, please wait." he called again. This time, she whirled around, her eyes shining with the start of tears.

"You're leaving again!" she yelled, "And you weren't even going to tell me?"

It had been the first time he had ever been on the receiving end of her infamous temper. It was quite different from her usual tenderness towards him. However, Sasuke could understand her reason for being upset. They had spent the last seven months building their relationship. Their time together was as natural and consistent as the rising sun.

In the mornings, he would wake up next to her. During the day, he was taking her on dates or training with her. At night. they spent their time lost in enthralling, deep, and sometimes even flirtatious conversations. Then the next day, they would repeat the entire routine.

"No, I was going to tell you." he corrected, like he was explaining a concept she didn't understand. It only infuriated her more.

"When are you leaving?" she demanded, placing a hand on her hip. Sasuke momentarily looked away, his eyes clouded with guilt. He regained his composure and locked his eyes onto her.

"In three weeks." he answered bluntly.

"Three weeks!" she screamed, turning away from him again. Just as Sasuke began to follow her, she whipped back around. Her eyes lit with desperate fury. It was a radical contrast to the first time she had tried to convince him to stay. She was all fire now and clearly upset with his lack of honesty.

"Why are you even leaving?" she asked, then in a much softer tone, "Do you really hate it here?"

"No, Sakura, no, I don't hate it here at all." he objected, "I just need to amend some things from my past."

An achingly familiar pain overwhelmed Sakura. Sasuke was still holding on to his past. Her love was not enough for him again. She felt her heart drop to her stomach, as the fear of him leaving began to clutch at her throat.

"Then please, I'm begging you, please stay with me." she pleaded, her voice cracking with tears, "Fix your mistakes as a ninja of Konoha, with team seven." she paused, debating her next words. before she tentatively said, "With me."

Sasuke frowned slightly. His resolve was steadily and eagerly weakening. It had been the main reason why he had procrastinated in telling her. He knew her love would cause him to waver. He already wanted to agree with her. Damn, she was annoying.

"I can't hide under Konoha's protection." he stubbornly answered. "The people I've hurt need to know I am doing this out of my own will."

"But you helped save the world!" she pleaded,"You've been pardoned—"

"I'm also the reason for the Raikage and Naruto losing an arm." he interrupted, refusing to let her tears affect him, "I've challenged all the Kages. I've attempted murder on the eight tails. I sought power from a criminal who was responsible for the death of the third."

"But you also stopped the reanimation jutsu!" she said, unaffected by the truth of his deeds, "You helped the entire alliance! You fought against your own blood. You protected Naruto….and everyone!"

Sasuke forced himself to block out Sakura's influence. "Sakura." he said in a low voice, "I need to seek clarity for myself. I need to atone for the things I've done."

"Why can't you do those things here?" she repeated, "Why are you so insistent—"

"Because I want to bring our children into a world of peace." Sasuke interjected. He inhaled deeply, restoring his resolve. "They should not have to pay the price for my sins."

Sakura's heated anger turned into complete and utter shock. The whirlwind of her emotions muted all coherent thought. Her mind was too preoccupied with the image of herself holding a baby girl. Sasuke was standing behind her with his arm wrapped affectionately around her waist, while swooned over their dark haired, dark eyed baby girl. He was happy.

"Our children?" she finally asked, a new blush bloomed across her face. That phrase reverberated around her head. She couldn't quite process the idea yet.

"Our children." he repeated, completely confident in the idea.

It irritated her that Sasuke was so calm and collected. The implications from his statement did not phase him at all. He acted as if their children already existed. But, unlike her, Sasuke was always so certain of everything.

"So as in I'm the mother and you're the father." Sakura clarified, moving her finger from her to him, "Like a family?"

Sasuke huffed, "Yes." he answered, "A family."

Her continued silence began to unravel Sasuke's nerves. It wasn't the way he had intended to tell her about his plans for their future. However, she did deserve to know why he was so adamant about going on this journey.

"How long have you been thinking about this?" she asked suddenly, her voice echoing between them, " About us being a family."

Sasuke finally lost his composure. He turned his head away from her, poorly concealing the slight redness in his cheeks. If he could, Sakura was sure he would have his arms crossed.

"I've always thought about it." he muttered, refusing to meet her eyes, "Though, it's been more clear to me since the war ended."

Sakura's heart was going to explode from the new realization . Sasuke wasn't consumed with his past, like she previously assumed. He was concerned about the future; their future. He wanted a family with her. He wanted a life with her.

Sakura burst into uncontrollable and emotional tears. She was so unspeakably happy, Her chest heaved sporadically and her lips quivered as she inhaled uneven breaths. Her wracking sobs alarmed the Uchiha in front of her.

"Sakura" he called softly, stepping closer to comfort the woman in front of him.

"Shannaro, Sasuke Uchiha!" she cursed, wrapping her arms around his torso and hiding her face in his shirt. Sasuke was uncertain about her reaction. He opted to gently and awkwardly wrap his arm around her waist.

She sobbed a few times into his chest. Then she pulled away and glared at him. Her face was red and puffy. Her green eyes were still filled with tears, but they had ceased in their steadfast stream down her cheeks.

"Don't say stuff like that when I'm mad at you." she scolded, sniffling in the process. He smiled down at her.

"Next time, I'll be a complete and total ass." he said, as he started to rub soothing circles on her back.

She pressed the side of face against his chest. "Don't do that either." she demanded, her breathing returning to normal.

"Just smile or something, I don't know." she rambled, tightening her hold around his waist.

Sasuke smirked against the top of Sakura's head. "Alright." he agreed.

End.


A/N: I needed flirty, dramatic, and fluffy sasusaku. I'm such a sucker for this otp. Anyway, this is one of my favorite prompts that I've ever written.

Much love

US