Querencia

Chapter Eighteen

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"Gosh, Sasuke, every time!" Sakura exclaimed as she walked out of their bedroom. At the sight of Sasuke's extremely naked back and therefore lack of clothes, she groaned loudly. He was wearing nothing but a pair of black boxers. "Can you please, like put on a shirt?"

"I would, but a certain someone," Sasuke emphasized, "took it."

Rolling her eyes, "And? You have plenty of shirts the last time I checked. Therefore, that is not a valid excuse." Then making a grand gesture of twirling around in his white t-shirt, she added with a wink, "Plus, I look great in it."

"Hn, obviously. Everything I own is great."

"Okay, I would have to disagree with that." Sakura laughed as she leaned against the kitchen counter. Stealing a sip of his awfully dark and bitter coffee, she wrinkled her nose. "Not everything you own is that great." Resting her chin on the palm of her hand, she said, "Let me remind you of that disgusting leather suit that you almost wore to last year's gala."

"But I made it look good didn't I?" Sasuke asked, throwing a knowing smirk her way. He remembered how flustered he had made the girl when he walked out wearing that set. Sure, it wasn't the most attractive piece of clothing he's ever seen but it still looked pretty damn good on him.

"Uh huh. Sure." Sakura nodded.

Closing the distance between the two of them, he took his drink out of her hand. "You knew I looked good."

"Quit trying to boost your already enormous ego, Sasuke."

"But I'm stating nothing but the truth, am I not?"

Rolling her eyes once again, Sakura scoffed and shoved him to the side with her shoulder. "Does the word humble not exist in your dictionary, dear?"

"I'll let you know that I'm a very humble person, sweetheart." Sasuke quipped back just a fast.

Before Sakura could escape from his grasp, he tackled her back against the kitchen counter, cornering her in. As he did that, the doorbell to their apartment rung out loudly. But Sasuke paid no mind to that as he leaned in even closer to her. Just as his breath was beginning to fan hotly against her cheek with his lips hovering over her hers, he began to tickle her to no tomorrow, earning shrieks and shouts from the rosette. And he continued on even after the doorbell continue to ring for a second time.

Giggling, Sakura exclaimed out of breath, "Sasuke, stop playing around and answer the door already. The poor delivery boy is waiting." As she said so, she tried to shove him in the direction of the door with all her might.

"But I'm not done yet."

"Oh, my gosh. Stop it." Placing her palms into his shoulder blades, Sakura gave him another slight push. "Put some clothes while you're at it too." As they continued to struggle against each other, pushing and shoving arms and limbs out of the way, Sasuke took her by surprise when he hoisted her up and threw her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

"Sasuke! Put me down!"

When he showed no sign of letting her go anything soon, she began throwing punches at his back in a sad attempt to free herself. As he continued to make his way towards the door, she felt an unpleasant rush of cold air creep up her bottom side, reminding her of her current near dressless state. "Sasuke, put me down right now. You are not about to flash my ass to this delivery boy standing outside."

The moment she mentioned that to him, Sakura immediately felt a hand come up and hold down the hem of the shirt that she was wearing, ensuring that it covered her entire bottom. "Don't worry, you're not going to flash anyone on my watch."

"Still! Will you just put me down? Our choice of clothing at the moment is not very appropriate."

"It's just the delivery boy."

"Who happens to be like fourteen!" Sakura exclaimed exasperatedly. "We're going to scar and burn his eyes forever."

"You're making it sound like we're butt naked, Sakura."

"We mind as well be!" The moment that those words left her mouth, she couldn't help but feel her face burn up. She didn't realize what she had just said until it was too late. Burying her face into his back, she mumbled, "I did not say that…"

"But you did."

From how she was hoisted over his shoulder, she could feel every chuckle that racked through his body. Judging from how hard his shoulder was shaking, she believed that Sasuke was having the best laugh of his life. Incredible isn't it? Am Uchiha laughing. The world must have ended. Despite her continous protests, Sasuke ignored her and swung the door to their apartment open, a smirk settling onto his lips.

"Well, I can see that you're clearly enjoying China." A voice answered.

Sakura stopped her flailing and struggle against Sasuke's hold when she heard the familiar voice. Oh my gosh… please don't tell me -

"Baby brother. Sister in law." Itachi smiled knowingly before sending a wink to his brother.

Taken aback by Itachi's appearance, Sasuke finally placed Sakura back on the ground and stood in front of her, trying to shield her therefore lack of clothing, from his older brother's wandering eyes. Meanwhile, Sakura stood behind him with her hands covering her beet red face. Clearing his throat, Sasuke asked, "Itachi, what brings you to here this early?"

Eyes crinkling into crescents, he said, "Oh, just checking to see if there's going to be any cute little Uchiha nieces or nephews running around anytime soon."

"Itachi!" Sakura gasped in surprise, face flushing even darker.

Pulling her into his embrace, he laughed loudly. "I was just kidding sis-in-law." As he ruffled up her already messy bed hair, he whispered into her ear, "But condoms are your best friend, Sakura dear. And I'm sure that you guys have used my gift well, hm?"

After that, all that Sakura wanted to do was crawl into bed and die of embarrassment. But luckily, she had Sasuke to come to her rescue.

"Alright, Itachi." Sasuke began, an amused smirk also settling onto his lips. "I think we've embarrassed her enough for a lifetime. I think it's time to take pity on her and free her because I don't think she's breathing right now."

Chuckling, Itachi withdrew. "Hm, I think you're right. Just look at how red she is."

"Argh...you guys… are so mean…" She whined.

.

"Knock, Knock."

Looking up from a patient's chart in her hands, a smile spread across her face almost instantly at the sight of Mikoto standing in the doorway of her office.

"Mikoto!" Sakura greeted as she quickly got up from her desk. Walking towards her boyfriend's mother with open arms, she gladly welcomed the warm hug from Mikoto. "It's so nice for the whole family to be here with us for the holidays. I was afraid that it was just going to be me and Sasuke."

Squeezing Sakura tightly, Mikoto replied, "Oh that would never happen as long as I'm around darling. My husband and Itachi might not be as free, but I am." Pulling back from the hug, she added with a wink, "Just give me a call and I'll book the first flight to China to see you two."

Waving her off, Sakura said, "Oh, we don't want to be that much of a bother."

"You're never a bother darling. I can use a girl in my life too." Mikoto laughed. "Sometimes there's just too much testosterone in my house. It was a breath of fresh air when you came along." Taking a quick survey of her messy desk, Mikoto frowned. "Still a workaholic I see, even in China?"

"Oh, it's really nothing." Sakura commented as she returned back to her desk. Combining a few folders and files in her hand, she stored them away into the cabinets. "I was just reviewing some of them before I enjoy the weekend."

"Yes, that you should."

As she took off her white coat and draped it over the back of her chair, she asked Mikoto, "Have you eaten lunch yet? I was just about to go drag Sasuke out of his office and get some lunch with me."

Laughing softly, Mikoto nodded. "Actually I came here for the same reason. I figured a lunch with both my daughter-in-law and son was a bit overdue."

Cheeks flushing red at the title that she had gained since the moment that she had met Mikoto, she simply kept quiet and led Mikoto out of the ward, which made the latter laugh even harder.

.

Taking a rest from his computer screen, Sasuke glanced at his watch with a frown. It was at least twenty minutes pass the usual time that Sakura would usually barge into his office and demand that he take a break to get lunch with her. Then turning his attention to his cell phone, which had been sitting quietly on the corner of his desk, he noticed that she hadn't replied to his last message either.

He figured it was her turn to be the extreme workaholic out of the two of them today.

Sighing, Sasuke closed the email that he was reading and packed away the documents he had spread out on his desk. Just as he filed away the last of them, he heard the door to his office open. Shaking his head, a smirk on his lips, he said without looking up, "About time you got here. I was just about to come drag you out for lunch."

"Lunch?"

Hands stopping mid-way in their cleaning process, he frowned. That was definitely not Sakura's voice now that he thought about it. Clearing his throat, he continued to put away his things, not saying anything back. As he did so, he felt the newcomer walk around his desk and daringly reached out to him.

Before Natsuki could place her hands on his shoulder, he caught hold of her wrist. Eyes dark, he looked down at her. "What do you think you're doing?"

Lips a gap and cheeks flushed, she stammered back, "Oh, well, I was just going to help you clean up before you head out…"

"I do not like nor need your assistance."

"O-oh," Natsuki continued to stammer heavily as she withdrew her hands from his grasp. Reaching behind her with shaking hands, she held up a cup of dark coffee to his face. "You seem a little tired, how about some coffee?"

Holding back the urge to roll his eyes, he tilted his head to the pile of empty coffee cups at the corner of his desk. "I think I've had enough caffeine to give me a heart attack."

And to think that he had finally gotten her to understand that her presence was no longer needed, she was quick to dissolve that thought when she began to laugh and place her hand on his shoulders as if they were the closest of friends.

Hands covering her laughs, she smiled, "You're so funny Sasuke. You're a big guy, I think you can handle another cup of coffee."

"I don't want it."

"Don't worry, I made sure to make it with one cream and just one spoonful of sugar, just how you like it."

"You're wrong," Sasuke began as he brushed her hand off of his once again. Looking at her straight in the eyes, "I like it black, and it's half a spoon of sugar. Also, it can only be made by one person."

With wide eyes, feigning innocence, she asked, "Who?"

"That would be my future daughter-in-law, who also happens to be your superior." Mikoto announced as she stepped through the open office door, startling the two. Arms crossed at her middle and her lips turned downwards, she looked behind her and asked, "Isn't that right, Sakura?"

Stepping around Mikoto, Sakura made her appearance known, "Yes, it is."

.

Leaving her son in the hands of Sakura, Mikoto pulled the brown haired girl that they had found in the office outside. Heels clicking loudly as she made her way down the hall with the girl following at her steps, she fisted her hands. Whirling around without notice, scaring the girl in the process, she bit out, "Your name is Natsuki, yes?"

"Y-yes, Ma'am." She replied back, head bowed low, as her entire figure shook with fear.

"You're supposed to be in your ward doing rounds right not, are you not?"

"...y-yes…"

Stepping one step closer to the girl, she demanded, "Then please tell me why you're in the main building, especially in my son's office?"

"I-I…"

"You must know that my son is dating another woman, yes?" She continued to question harshly. "I've heard that it's been the only gossip going around in this place." Eyes closing, Mikoto pinched the the bridge of her nose, "Then please do tell me what you're trying to do with this scheme of yours? Hm?"

"I… just wanted to bring Sasuke some coffee-," Natuski began but she was cut off hotly before she could even finish her sentence.

"It is Mr. Uchiha to you, young lady. There is no Sasuke around here as far as I'm concerned." Mikoto's eye lit up with pure anger, her brows furying in the process. "This is a place of work, you are to address my son as Mr. Uchiha, and nothing of any less. Please know your place as this is a professional space."

"Y-yes, Ma'am."

"Also, if I hear anything of this silly romance you're trying to pull on my son and ruin his wonderful relationship with Sakura, me and my husband will make it a priority that you will not be able to work your license or anything within your field in this country. Maybe even this continent, depending on how we feel that day. Have I made myself clear, Natsuki?"

Head bowing lower with each word that Mikoto threw at her, she cried with trembling lips, "Y-yes, Ma'am…"

Brushing off the front of her pencil skirt, Mikoto took in a deep breath. "Now if you would excuse me, I have a much overdue lunch to grab with my two favorite people."

.

"You're definitely a force to be reckoned with Mikoto." Sakura laughed so hard that she had to stop eating and wipe away the streams of the tears coming from her eyes. "I think you might have mentally ruined her. I don't she'll be able to come back for her night shift tonight after what you put her through."

Angrily dipping her slice of sashimi into the soy sauce, she shouted, "Serves her right! I'm not letting no crazy lunatic of a homewrecker try to ruin my son's and his girlfriend's healthy relationship." Shoving the delicacy into her mouth, she frowned, "I'll be damned if a random girl like her tries to steal away my dream of having grandkids anytime soon."

Choking on both of their drinks, Sakura could barely make a complete sentence as Sasuke sent his mother a look.

Slamming her chopsticks down on the table, Mikoto pouted, "Oh don't be like that you two. You're practically my only hope at becoming a grandmother. I mean we can organize a wedding right now, if you want."

"Ma, I thought we talked about this before." Sasuke countered with a sigh as he returned back to his food.

"Yes, we have," Mikoto nodded. Turning to face Sakura, whose face was still a bright pink, "But, I haven't talked about it with Sakura yet." Taking Sakura's hands into her own, she said, "How about Sakura? Are you up for a wedding? We can have it this weekend if you want. Hm?"

Laughing nervously, Sakura blushed, "Yes, but maybe not that soon…"

"How about next week? We'll be here for a few weeks anyways, dear."

"How about next year," Sasuke scoffed. Wrapping an arm around Sakura, he tried to give her some sense of reassurance. "We'll get married when we do, Ma. There's no point in rushing it."

"And there's no point in waiting," Mikoto exclaimed. "You both love each other, don't you?"

"Yes, but that's besides the point." He argued. Catching Sakura's gaze in the process, he gave her a gentle smile. "We'll do it when she's ready, Ma."

"Fine." Mikoto leaned back into her seat and pouted. "How about a compromise?"

"Such as?" He questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"How about getting engaged at least, hm?"

.

"No offense, Sasuke," Sakura began, making eye contact with him as they came to a red light. "But, your mother is kind of crazy…. In the best way possible."

Leaning his head back against the back of the seat, Sasuke shook his head, smiling, "You don't have to sugar coat it, Sakura. We all know she's a little out there."

"Hmm," Sakura hummed in agreement.

With the car stilled, it was the first time that night that Sasuke was able to really look at her. As the street light casted a red glow over her entire body, he took in her stunning attire.

His mother, aside from bringing all the nagging about grandchildren, she flew in another custom dress for Sakura to wear for their company's gala. Per usual, anything that crossed Mikoto's selection of approval was never anything short of amazing. The number that Mikoto had chosen for Sakura was a navy floor length, off the shoulder, mermaid style dress. And of course, being the person that she was, Mikoto made sure that there was side split, that showed a lot of Sakura's toned legs, much to Sasuke's displeasure. That just meant that he would have to steer her away from the hungry, drooling men at the event.

Reaching across for her hand, he held it close to his lips and gently laid a tender kiss upon it. "You look beautiful tonight, Sakura."

Even with the many years that she has known him, she still blushes so hard when he compliments her like that. Covering her mouth, laughing shyly, she said, "You'll have to thank you mother for making me look like this."

"It's not the dress that makes you look beautiful. No, rather, it's the person wearing it that makes the dress beautiful."

Flushing a shade darker, she whined, "Did you drink before the event? Because goodness, you need to tone it down on the sweetness. You're going to give me diabetes at this rate, Sasuke."

Chuckling with a shake of his head, he ran his thumb over her knuckles in a soothing manner. "Hn, think you're accusing the wrong person here. If anything, your favorite fast food joint is going to give you more diabetes than I ever will."

"Hey! No bad talking of my favorite place is allowed, mister." Sakura countered back with a pout. "You better not go back on your word, because I want my milkshake and fries before the gala."

"Yes, dear."

"Now don't give me that tone, young man. You know that they feed you practically nothing at these events. The food is just for show."

"I know, I know." Sasuke attempted to calm her down as he laid another kiss onto her knuckles. And as the light turned green, he began driving again, with the final destination of the local fast food joint in mind.

{A/N}: Long time no see guys! But I'm back with an update since it's my birthday (July 1st) and it's the start of SasuSaku month! Sorry for the long wait guys. I had finals that I needed to worry about. And then I did some traveling aboard. Now, I have to worry about taking my PCAT. Hence the absence. I will try to update again this weekend since actually this chapter was supposed to be much longer. But I figured it can be cut off here for now...

Anyways, hope you guys like this chapter! There might be a few errors I've missed, so I apologize in advance!

xoxo, KP