A/N: And once again, I am back with another story of SUSH combo: High on Fluff! This time, this is a birthday special and chapter dedicated to our one and only pink haired Kunoichi: Haruno Sakura! BTW, if you want to see a Fallen or Yakuza fanart, just go to my deviantArt account. By the way, any requests for this one-shot collection? Any Omake ideas?

SUSH combo: High on Fluff

A Gift to the Blossom

Pink petals swayed with the wind as a raven haired teen walked the pathway in the park. He still couldn't believe that he betrayed his own village to seek out a man whom he thought was stronger than his brother when in reality, Itachi was unbeaten by that sannin.

"For three years… I made them all go through a hard time, yet," he touched the metal part of his forehead as it reflected the sun's rays. "They still accepted me despite how I turned my back on them and how I almost had Naruto killed…" He stopped walking when he reached his destination, the meeting place of his old team. No one was there yet, it's always been like this, and he was always the first to arrive.

Sasuke sighed and crossed his arms after leaning on one side of the bridge's railings. He lowered his head slightly and closed his eyes to do some more thinking. "Maybe I can get stronger if I seek for help instead of power. Maybe when I get too close to someone, and the time comes my brother plans to take him or her away, I can fight protecting that friend of mine, just the way how I blocked Haku's senbon from killing Naruto." He slightly opened his eyes and stared at the wooden ground below him. "Could someone grow strong when they fight to protect their loved ones? As far as I can recall… that's how Naruto fights…"

"Good morning Sasuke!"

He looked up and saw his female teammate in front of him, smiling brightly as always. Sakura seems to be a bit more cheerful today than yesterday and that leads to Sasuke tilting his head slightly to the side and raising a brow, examining her. "Aa." Came his reply and she smiled in return then turned around and leaned on the railing opposite to him, hands clasped behind her back and humming a cheery tune while looking up at the sky.

"Something's up, I just know it…" he thought. "Come to think of it, I kind of like her when she isn't acting as a fan girl… and… she isn't calling me Sasuke-kun but just my first name. So… we're on first name basis without an honorific or any suffix attached, that's nice." A small smile tugged on his lips as he continued to look at his teammate. "Okay, today is March 28…" he stopped and his smile faded as his eyes widened a bit. "Oh shit! Of course! It's Sakura's birthday today! That could be the reason why she's so damn happy and I'm so preoccupied in my thoughts this morning!" he sighed and drooped his head. "No wonder there was a red circle on number 28 in my calendar back home… I should start labeling what to remember on that day."

"Are you okay?"

The Uchiha prodigy looked up and gave a nod. "Just… thinking of some stuffs…" he muttered and she nodded in understanding then gave another smile. "Hey, Sasuke, you should smile some more, it suits you." And she went back to looking at the clear blue sky, failing to notice the faint blush on his cheeks.

"Alright, what can I get her for today? It's kind of too late though, maybe… should I? Dare I be the one to ask her… out…? Now I know how she feels when she asks me out…" he, yet again, sighed and mustered up all the courage he'll be needing. "Um, Sakura..?"

"Hmm?"

"I… was wondering…" he began, feeling his face heat up. "If… well… um…" he tried to look for the right words, not believing that he would be nervous by just asking a simple question. Why? Oh yeah, he's afraid she might reject but why would she? Then an image of a certain ANBU popped into his mind and he gritted his teeth at this while his fists clenched tightly. "Damn that stupid, idiotic ANBU…" he thought and gave another sigh. "Never mind…"

Still, why would he think about Sai all of a sudden? He heard from Naruto and Kakashi how much Sakura hated him and his guts, and how both she and Naruto preferred him over Sai. So what was he to worry about? For once, he hated his pride. "Just wanted to say happy birthday…" he said and avoided her gaze by looking away and closing his eyes, trying hard to calm down.

Sakura smiled and thanked him. Then, his mind kept nagging at him for being a coward and again, he was angered and this time, swore he would ask her and do whatever it takes to give her the best birthday present. So, "Sakura..?"

"Yes?" She asked, looking up with a flicker of hope in her green eyes. "I hope he'll ask me out. Please oh please! That's all I ask for my birthday! Please Sasuke, say those words…"

"Are you… um… do you have any plans… for… the day..?" he asked, not making eye contact and bowing his head to let his bangs hide his red stained face. Sakura held in her joy and was beaming inside. "No, in fact, I'm free, why do you ask?"

"Well, you see, I figured that… maybe… you… would… um…" he racked his brains but then got an idea, something that would not make him fail, something that would make her feel down at first but would get the surprise of her life. In his mind, he smirked, then, managing to wipe the blush away, he looked up. "Train with me, I don't think I'd want to have another spar with Naruto, he'll keep asking the time and ranting about ramen and Hinata." He gulped a bit. "And Kakashi-sensei will probably read his perverted book while sparring with me and he might laugh all of a sudden… that'll be… weird…"

He noted her eyes cast a look of sadness but lit up again and smiled at him. "Yeah, sure." She said and in Sasuke's mind, did the wheels in his brain started to spin, thinking up of plans to make her feel happy and special. It was the least he could do after all those years he's been rejecting and pushing her away.

Later on, team 7 was complete and they headed for their C-rank missions and a few D-rank ones. As soon as the sun came setting, they were back at the bridge and Kakashi and Naruto handed Sakura their presents after greeting her a happy birthday.

"Thanks Naruto, Kakashi-sensei." She said.

"Now, don't open that unless you're at home, it'll spoil the surprise." Kakashi smiled beneath his mask and Naruto grinned. "I hope you like my present Sakura-chan, Hinata-chan helped me in looking for a good present for you!"

"Okay sensei, and yes Naruto, I'm sure I'll like it." She beamed and both male shinobi turned to Sasuke who gave them a "what" look. "Teme! Where's your present to Sakura-chan?"

"He already greeted me earlier and his present is, well, he's going to um…" she blushed.

"I asked her out, why do you guys think am I still standing here, waiting for you guys to go?" he asked, trying hard not to blush and to keep a passive face. Naruto and Kakashi looked at each other than at the Uchiha and grinned. "Have fun then." And Kakashi disappeared in a poof and Naruto ran off to where else? Ichiraku…

"So, let's go train." She said, forcing a smile. "I should be happy! At least I get to spend the day with him. It's not everyday that Sasuke asks a girl to spar with him."

They headed in the forest and searched for a clearing. They found one near a stream and decided to train there so that if ever they get thirsty, they can just take a brake and drink from the stream. "I heard from Naruto that your taijutsu improved," he said and walked a bit further from her and got into a fighting stance. "Care to show me?"

Sakura nodded and mimicked him before both started a series of punches and kicks, blocks and dodges. Sasuke found an opening and pulled her arm towards him and saw her surprised face, he smirked and kissed her on her forehead, earning a blush from the girl. He then made sure he wouldn't put too much force on punching her on the gut and she somewhat staggered backwards, not seeming to mind the slight pain as her widened eyes looked at him, face still red. He pocketed his left hand, smirked and raised his right hand, gesturing her to come and attack. "Don't let your guard down just because I kissed you."

She gritted her teeth and clenched her fist as a vein popped at the side of her head. "No fair! You're so sneaky!" she yelled and charged towards him, but being blinded by anger, Sasuke sighed, stepped aside and she ran straight to the stream, getting soaked. She emerged and spat out water, then glared at Sasuke who squat in front of her with another one of his smirks. Recalling how his brother used to annoy him, he raised his index and middle finger, and then poked the girl on the forehead. Somehow, seeing her seethe with anger didn't make him furious at the thought of his clan's murderer. "Hmm… you do look cuter when you're mad."

Sakura huffed and pouted, then looked away, muttering a few words which he didn't quite get. He shrugged and offered a hand to her which she took and pulled herself up. "Great, it's my birthday and I'm soaked…" she murmured and Sasuke looked at her as she shivered a bit. Inwardly, he snickered, time for phase three. The first two, one being able to kiss her and two being able to annoy her were done easily; now, does he have the guts for phase three? Yep, he does.

The kunoichi nearly jumped when two arms encircled around her waist from behind and a warm breath breathing onto her neck. "Cold..?" she nodded meekly. "I'll take care of that." He added and when she made a mistake, though she didn't care, by turning around, he kissed her on the lips. Altogether, Sakura felt like fainting.

Without waiting for her to return the kiss, he flicked her right ear with his tongue and smirked. "Happy Birthday Sakura, I love you too." He whispered in her ear and she shivered, right before he claimed her lips once again, this time, she returned it and pulled him closer. "This is the best birthday present ever!" Inner Sakura yelled.

A/N: Why I love you too? Well, Sakura already confessed her love for him right? And well, after thinking long and hard about loving someone, he decided it was time to return the same feelings to Sakura after making her wait for years! Also, he planned on gaining power by protecting his loved ones with his life. For those who are wondering about Kakashi and Naruto's presents, the jounin gave her a photo album filled with pictures of who else? Sasuke, and since Kakashi is a great ninja, he managed to sneak in the Uchiha's home. Naruto had Hinata's help in picking out a gift for her and it was a stuffed wolf which they thought would remind her of her love.

Next: Why boys play pranks on girls (AU type)