Gift

Sasuke looked himself at the mirror, examining the exposed emotions into his own onyx orbs. Putting up a cold indifferent facade was not much of a problem for him. That was the story of his life, either way. But putting up a cold facade for her was bound to be troublesome.

He had taken his decision but going along with it was the hardest part. He knew he felt responsible for the child Nao was carrying in her organism, but love, that is something he wasnt sure whether he felt or not about the kid. And the worst part of it was that he already felt like a horrible person for feeling so detached to his future kid.

He hoped that things would change as soon as the little human came out of his mother's belly and landed into his fatherly hands.

But till then hope was all he could master, and hope wasn't exactly the stable ground for the base of a healthy family.

He tried to fix his collar tie but the door opened suddenly and he was forced to interrupt the procedure by turning around to look at the intruder. Nao walked towards him, all grace and elegance in her new expensive blue garment, smiling widely at her future husband.

''Sasuke-kun, let me fix this for you.'' She said, as she took on fixing Sasuke's tie. Sasuke gave out a soft nod and focused his eyes on the mirror that seemed more interesting than his future wife.

Nao finished fixing the tie for Sasuke and kissed his cheek softly.

''It's time to go down and welcome our guests, hun, don't you think? We're already late at our own party!'' Nao said in a joking, mocking tone and Sasuke simply gave her an understanding look.

''Alright.'' He said in a fainted but calm tone as Nao took his hand and led him out of the weakly lighted room.

As Nao led him out of the quiet room and they walked down the stairs towards the big Uchiha living room that had been accordingly decorated for the party, Sasuke's heart couldnt stop beating in insane rhythms in the thought of facing Sakura anytime soon.

He had to keep up his facade at all costs and remain cold and typical to the pinkette. It was his duty to become a responsible husband and father. He had failed to get an important job like Itachi, so he should at least do that. Or thats what he thought it as.

To his own merry relief, Sakura and her parents hadnt arrived yet. He allowed himself to take a breath as he and Nao walked deeper in the living room, greeting everyone each by each in a kind manner. Sasuke's mother nodded at him approvingly while Itachi was busy showing off about his job to some Uchiha relatives scattered across the room.

Nao dragged Sasuke along with her towards some of her own relatives, a bunch of elderly couples that were eying Sasuke with a critical eye which unnerved him, though he kept his collected facade despite that.

His future wife started introducing him to them, speaking of him with the best of the words. Sasuke simply nodded softly every now and then, secretly dying from boredom deep inside. Nao's relatives didnt seem like people he'd like to associate with, as far as he could tell. They seemed a bunch of old rich elitists that were too judgmental for their own good.

''I am telling you I'll come, now stop pressing me!'' Sakura yelled at her dad, fixing her dress one last time in front of her mirror. The truth was that she was trying to find excuses to delay their leave, but her parents were already stuffed with her childish act and had started complaining.

''Sakura Haruno, get the damn down so we can finally leave! Good christ, we are already late! What will the Uchihas think of us?'' Claris yelled, anger coloring her thin voice.

''They can think whatever they want! I am only doing this because you asked me, either way. If I am going to come without my will, at least let me fix myself fine before we go!''

Sakura yelled back, fixing her make up a little and taking a last glance in the mirror.

''Oh my god, she's just like you!'' Sakura heard her mum taking her frustration out on her dad and couldnt help but let out a soft giggle.

She let out a deep sigh, as her parents started quarrelling downstairs and decided to hurry before the whole neighborhood could learn their entire inside history. She walked fast down the stairs, watching out as to not trip on her own long elegant red dress which was hugging her thin silhouette perfectly. Her hair was caught up and she had let a few hair strands fall on her sides', giving her a romantic look.

She stepped out of the house and looked at her parents who paused their annoying bickering to look surprised back at her.

She took a deep and brief , silent breath and said:

''I am ready.''

Not.

Ino talking to Hinata in phone:

''Soo, I cant believe that lucky bubblegum head friend of ours is going to Sasuke's party! Oh my god, I want to go too! This is so unfair!'' Ino yelled at the phone to Hinata.

''Ino, calm down. I don't think Sakura likes this that much to begin with.'' Hinata replied dryly.

''Huh? And what's that supposed to mean? '' Ino made a confused noise, slightly annoyed by Hinata's lack of enthousiasm.

''Ino, I can't believe you are so dense. All these years at school, and even now, you were never able to tell, to read the signs Sakura gave us. She never told us, but…I think she loved Sasuke, and not just a crush. I mean didn't you see how she puked that day we told her about Sasuke's wedding?

Or if you remember, that day at the ball, years ago, when Sasuke kissed you when you were drank. Sakura went out and puked. Ten Ten told you everything about it the other day. Isn't it obvious? She loves him like mad. And sadly , from what I see, she isn't over him, even now, after all this time. How can you think this party will be anything but miserable for her?'' Hinata said in a low yet colored with anger voice for her friend's inabilty to realise obvious things.

''Hinata…, now that you put it that way…I always thought Sakura overreacted and I thought it was suspicious, too. But …why didn't she tell us?''Ino asked, confusion obvious in her voice.

'What I know is that there has to have happened more between her and him. Sakura hasn't been honest with us, as it seems. But that only gives more fuel to my suspicions.'' Hinata said pensively, concern filling her chords.

''As in?'' came Ino's question asap.

''The things that happened, they weren't good things.'' Hinata finished off, sighing.

Ino stayed silent, as Hinata's words circled in her head, causing her to think into them. And the more seconds flowed by, the more she found what Hinata said reasonable and liable.

''Ok, then, listen up Hina-chan. Operation: Sakura's diary.'' Ino said after a prolonged mutual silence.

Sakura got out of the car in the slowest motion she could manage, under her parent's annoyed glares.

''What? Those heels are killing me!'' she sput out, unnerved by the heavy atmosphere.

''Have you finished with your excuses? Cause, oh look, we are late 10 mins!'' her mother said in a sarcastic tone as she looked at her watch.

Sakura gave her a hostile glare, but hurried up and followed after them towards the Uchiha gates.

A guard opened to them and let them in, as all three walked in an horizontal spread, next to each other.

But as they got closer to the door, Sakura slowed her pace again and hid behind her parents, getting an angry glare from her mum, which she returned with the same force.

Her dad rang the door bell. At the sound of it, Sakura bit her lip and took a deep silent breath, turning her gaze at the souless ground.

Soon the door opened wide and a servant greeted them with a wide yet formal smile.

''Welcome, may I see your invitation?'' the gray haired man asked kindly.

Aaron pulled it out of his jacket's pocket and gave it to the man. The man inspected it, then his face light up even more, as he returned his gaze to the Haruno family.

''Oh , welcome, Mister and Miss Haruno. Please, step in.'' He said as he made them room to enter and closed the door behind them, retrieving his post in the hall way.

''That way, if you please.'' The man said, pointing the right way towards the living room to them. The Harunos procedded towards the direction they had been shown, wearing their smiles, except for Sakura, which was feeling her heart cold and heavy.

As they slowly walked on their way and they were soon in the vast living room, they became visible to the guest's eyes. Sakura chose to stay hidden behind her parents, even though she knew that made her look dumb. But she couldnt help it, her heart was racing one mile per second and her throat felt suddenly raspy.

Some seconds after they had entered the room, Mikoto Uchiha noticed them and nodded to Itachi from the other side of the room towards their position. Both started walking towards them, smiling warmly.

''Welcome, my dear. I am so glad to see you came.''Mikoto said, smiling as she stood in front of them, looking at them kindly.

''Yes, welcome. Please, consider this as a party for your daughter's return, too.'' Itachi said wearing his fake smile as he bowed politely to them.

''Is this Sakura?'' he asked softly, trying to see her behind her parents. Sakura bit her lip deeper, hating all the attention.

Claris sighed annoyed at Sakura's childish behavior and moved one step to the left so that Sakura was fully exposed to the Uchiha.

''Excuse our daugther, she gets nervous around that many people.'' Claris laughted it off, embarassed.

Itachi stared at Sakura, surprised for some seconds.

''But she has no reason to. She is a beautiful young lady that brights this dull party up.''

''Itachi!'' Mikoto interrupted his flirting.

Sakura blushed but stayed silent, staring back at Itachi in embarrassment and observing his traits in the same time. He looked a lot like Sasuke. Were they twins or something? But still, Sasuke had that something about him that Itachi didnt.

''Don't worry, Miss Uchiha. Let the young ones speak their minds. That's what youth is for.'' Aaron said, laughing it off.

''Indeed.'''Mikoto smiled kindly.

''Speaking of young ones, Itachi, go get the couple here, please.'' Mikoto said to her son.

Sakura felt her knees weakening. She didnt want to go through this but she had to.

''Of course, mother. '' Itachi said as he nodded to them and left.

Mikoto smiled, waiting for her son to come back. Soon, Sakura saw Nao and Sasuke making their way towards them slowly.

Once they were close to them, Mikoto talked.

''Sasuke, Nao, give a welcome to our guests. They may not be relatives but they are equally important to us.'' Mikoto said in a soft tone as she looked at the Harunos.

''Welcome.'' Nao said indifferently, as she observed them in a bored mood.

''Thank you for coming.'' Sasuke nodded , speaking in a low tone. Sakura was still looking at the ground, refusing to look Sasuke in the eye.

''Sakura, would you give Sasuke-san the gift you bought for them?'' Claris said, nodding to her distracted daughter.

Sakura blushed but then forced herself to act normal.

''S-sure.'she said quickly, extending the bag she was holding towards the couple, still not looking at them. She wasnt the one who had bought the gift or even chosen it but her parents had forced her to lie that she had.

''Arigato, Sakura.'' Sasuke said softly looking at the gift. Soon, Sakura felt warm fingers brushing against her hand, as Sasuke took hold of the bag. But they were gone as soon as she had felt them.

She let out a silent sigh, cursing herself for being so weak. She was both mad and sad with Sasuke but she knew she could do better than this. After all, it was Sasuke we were talking about, he'd be more than happy to see her in pain for him.

She forced herself to look at him but he was looking at Nao. Nao brought eye contact with her fiance' to give Sakura a cold glare that made Sakura freeze.

What a bitch. Sakura thought, her cheeks slightly colored with anger.

No, this isn't good, Sakura. Don't let it get the best out of you. Don't get into competition mode with her, you MUST get over Sasuke, got it? Good.

Sakura turned her gaze elsewhere ignoring her completely, but she could still feel Nao staring at her with all her hostile might. Sasuke noticed this and thumbed Nao's hand, getting her attention back to him.

''So, please, make yourselves comfortable. The dinner will be soon. Until then.'' Mikoto said smiling as she bowed kindly and left. Itachi immitated his mother. Sasuke gave Sakura one last secret glance before letting Nao drag him with her away.

''Oh my my, he got himself a rude wify.'' Her father joked once they were away.

''Suits him just fine.'' Sakura said behind her teeth, digging her nails into her palm in nerve.

''OOOOOO, Sakuuuuuraaaa-chaaaan!''a loud yell came from somewhere in the room and soon an orange flash was seen running towards them.

''What's that?'' her father asked frightened.

Sakura took a second to realise. But once she did, a smile broke into her lips.

''Naruto.'' She whispered, making her father glance at her confused.

By then, Naruto had already arrived at their spot, and pulled Sakura into his arms.

''Sakurra-chan! It has been so long! It's Naruto! Don't tell me you forgot me! Believe it!'' Naruto yelled in her ear causing Sakura to cringe. Nontheless, her joy to see him again was so big that she ignored it and hugged him back tightly, leaning her head on his shoulder.

''Naruto-kun! Of course, I didn't, silly! I 've missed you!'' she said in a slow tone, patting his back.

Naruto smiled and then pulled away to look at her in wet eyes.

''I can't believe you're here.'' He said in a broken voice but still grinning.

''Neither can I.'' Sakura said remembering where she was at the moment.

Naruto gave her a confused glance but Sakura brushed it off, smiling.

''Mother, father, if you'll excuse me, I have some catching up to do with this old friend.'' She said turning to her parents who nodded in reply.

''As you wish, sweety. We will be around, if you need us.'' Her father said.

Naruto grinned and Sakura linked her arm to his.

''Let's go.'' She said softly, genuinely happy to have seen Naruto again.

From some spot of the other side of the room, Sasuke was secretly giving jealous glances their way.