Hajimemashite and Konnichiwa, dearest reader-San! Apple Fairy here! .
Once again, thank you for the reviews guys. They all make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. X3
swimtwins03-Thanks, dear. I thought I was making him OOC...but I guess being calmly silly is Kakashi. XD
And I think Sasuke is OOC no matter how much I try to attempt that...sorry about that...
Oh! And it's spelled Yukata, Hun. : )
And, indeed! Sasuke would look absolutely hunky in a yukata! XD
Actually I've drawn a picture of the two in their yukatas! I would absolutely love to show you guys, but I lack the technology. -.-;
But I have been eyeing a scanner longingly in Walmart...
bluejolteon- Well thank you, dear, for the compliment. : )
Haha! Yes, I love Kakashi's line, too! I kept on laughing when I was typing it. XD
But then again...it's just Kakashi being Kakashi...XD
Silent-Spirit716- Sorry about the cliffie, dear, I'll try not to do so much cliffes...-.-; And now you don't have to non-wait anymore! I have updated!
rain-cry-wolf-Really? I thought most people would like the third chapter...shows what I know, huh? ; )
And now you wait no more...I have updated!
And it's going on your favorites! O.O
Hoorah! My story is loved! X )
BewareMySpork-Oh, that's all right, dear. I get emotional too. I even almost cried when Aeris died from FF7...
'Sasuke looks at her strangely and mumbles something about lunatics'
'Itachi collapses to the ground bloody and twitching every now and then' 'Kisame runs up to his dead corpse'
No! Why! He did nothing to you two! 'points to Sasuke and Sakura'
Well...okay, he traumatized you for life and he tried to steal your virginity while you were asleep.
'Sakura looks at him stunned' What?
'Sasuke begins to kick Itachi corpse' You bastard, stay away from my Sakura!
'Sasuke spots the tomato and mumbles something about having more pride, but keeps on glancing to it nervously'
'Naruto grabs for the tomato'
'Sasuke slaps away his hand, hisses at him, and begins to eat it like a squirrel'
'Sakura looks at him strangley and pats him on the head'
dontconfuseme-Why thank you, dear! That makes me very happy to hear that! And look...I have updated! XD
Sakura4eva-Hm...I'd rather not kill Sakura off or, as I said before, hint other pairings...but I do think Ino belongs with someone...but is it Shikamaru, Chouji, or Shino? Who's to know? ;D
kunoichi alchemist-I know! That's why I've always wanted to write that...cause of how unbelievably cute it would be! And Kakashi and Sasuke...I liked putting those two in that awkward situation. It was fun. XD
Silverstar871- Oh! Sama? Please don't say that...I just started high school a week ago...'embarrassed blush'
And yes...I suppose since Kakashi's father kicked the bucket (quite literally) he would of probably learned from...Make-out Paradise? O.o
Thank you once again...your reveiws are very nice and kind. X 3
Kayla- But of course, Hun...and now your wish is granted! X )
Sasuke: 'still running from angered rescue team which have acquired torches and pitchforks '
Orochimaru (from a bush): Psst! Sasuke! Over here!
Sasuke: 'shrugs and jumps into bush' What?
Orochimaru: Come on. I'm taking you back to the Sound village, baby, I mean, Sasuke!
Sasuke: 'looks skeptically to him' I don't know...ever since I joined your village I've been really lonely...and creeped out.
Kabuto: I don't blame you.
Orochimaru: Oh, come on! I'll keep you company, Sasuke-Chan! Who could give you more love than me?
Sasuke: Sakura...
Orochimaru: 'eyes widened' What! Fine! Go to your pink-haired whore, you betrayal slut! See if I give a damn! 'runs off crying'
Sasuke: ' gives a confused and creeped out face' Hey, aren't you going to go after him, Kabuto?
Kabuto: You kidding me? I'm finally free from that freaky pedophile! Woohoo! 'jumps up happily and cheers'
Sasuke: Uh...yeah, good luck with that...
Naruto: Hey! I found the prey,er, Sasuke!
Everyone: Get him!
Sasuke: Not again! 'runs off and is chased in a confusing but still hilarious fashion'
Apple: Do the disclaimer, Sasuke!
Sasuke'while still running': Apple does not own Naruto, but holds my fate in her hands!
Memories
Story by Apple Fairy
Words of love...
Words of rejection...
Words of asking...
Words of acceptance...
She responded to all of them with beautiful emerald eyes...
When I found out it was absolutely wonderful.
It didn't matter if she would say no or yes...
It mattered if she would answer my question, really.
It's funny what her answer was...
I never expected her to say it with such a tone
Sakura felt the warm air of summer brush her face and the sweet smell of festival foods and nature greet her nose. She spotted lights in the distant and heard cheering and talking.
They were close.
Sasuke looked to Sakura as she stared straight ahead to the festival.
Sasuke reached down for her hand.
Sakura's eyes widened a bit when she felt his hand's brief touch on hers. She jerked her hand away pretending to brush some hair behind her ear with abit of red painting her cheeks. Sasuke showed some disappointment and hurt in his eyes, but remained emotionless as always, and turned his head away from her.
Sakura gasped at the site in front of her.
It was the festival grounds. Bright lights from various paper lanterns lit the place like colorful fireflies. Stands and booths scattered with bright signs indicating their purpose sat in rows among the grounds. They were selling water-balloon yoyos, dumplings, candy, goldfish, fried noodles and fans of various colors and designs. People in different and individual yukatas and day clothes walked around the grounds enjoying themselves. Sakura's emerald eyes moved over each scene witnessed at the festival: Parents and children eating the delicious grilled squid, young couples snuggling and whispering sweet nothings in each other's ears, children trying to catch goldfish at the booth, and young teenage girls showing off new yukatas to friends and crushes. Sakura smiled warmly. She has been to numerous festivals, of course, but she always felt so excited, eager, and happy each time she went to one. Sasuke looked around the crowd and wondered when the last time he went to a festival was.
He could only recall one time when he was around six or so and went to one with his family.
The memory made his heart ache.
Sasuke mentally chided himself for being so weak.
I already told myself I'd turn the loneliness into determination. The determination to get stronger. I said I'd do anything for strength already! So stop dwelling over the past! He scolded himself. Sakura looked to Sasuke who seemed to be in deep thought. He looked annoyed for some reason.
"Sasuke?" She asked innocently.
"Hm?"
"Are you sure you want to be here? You seem irritated..." She noted. Sasuke shook his head.
"I'm fine." He answered non-chalantly. Sakura looked at him skeptically.
"What?" He asked. Sakura smiled at him.
"You can be so weird, Sasuke..." She responded smugly. Sasuke looked at her surprised, a bit irritance in his eyes.
Strange...the old Sakura I knew would never say that to my face...Sasuke sighed...but then again that old Sakura had a crush on me...
Sasuke was never used to being teased by a girl. They would usually tell them how handsome he was or ask him for a date or something of that sort...but he was never really teased by a girl. It was new. He was too popular for that type of thing anyway. He even recalled he had a fanclub! Then it hit him.
"Sakura." He addressed as he walked beside her letting her take the lead.
"Hm?" She asked as she looked to him.
"Are you apart of that 'Sasuke fanclub' thing?" He asked, trying to make it seem like he didn't care. But he did. Alot. Sakura giggled a little.
"No. I never wanted to be apart of it. I even had this silly reason. They would always ask 'Sakura, why won't you join the club?' and I would always respond 'Because, it's obvious Sasuke and me are going to be married one day. There's no point.'" Sakura laughed. "Pretty silly reason, huh? Like that would ever happen." She finished; rolling her eyes at the word that. Sasuke's cheeks reddened.
Marriage...He thought curiously. Sasuke shook his head.
"You never know...i-it could...happen..." He struggled to say as he looked into her eyes and ceased walking. Sakura looked up to him blushing and stopped walking as well. The two stood there lost in the moment. Sakura turned away.
"U-Um...anyway, what should we do first...?" She asked, changing the awkward subject. Sasuke shrugged.
"I don't care. Besides, I think I've been only to one festival my entire life, so I wouldn't know." He replied in a calm tone. Sakura stared at him wide-eyed.
"You've never been to a festival more then once?" She asked disbeliefly.
Sasuke nodded his head.
"Do you live under a rock?" She asked him amazed. Sasuke looked to her confused.
"Why waste a night at a festival when you can very well be training?" He asked rheatorically. Sakura rolled her eyes at him.
"Never mind. I know why. It's because you're allergic to a little thing called 'fun'." She told him matter-of-factly with her arms crossed above her chest.
Sasuke looked to her annoyed.
"I have 'fun' every once in a while, for your information." He retorted. Sakura smirked at him.
"Name three fun things you did this week." She dared.
"Um..."
"Well?"
"I learned a new technique."
"That doesn't count."
"What?"
"Training of any sort doesn't count." She said defiantly.
"Hn."
"So, you didn't do anything fun...?"
"...Hmph."
"I win. I officially diagnose you with the highly cureable Boring Disease." She grinned. Sasuke smirked at her.
"Oh yeah? And what cures it?" He asked a bit playfully. He suddenly felt comfortable around Sakura. It was as if they had known each other for years. Sakura smiled at him.
"Most people would recommend sake, but you're a minor. So, I say a night of fun will do?" She asked jokingly. Sasuke looked to her relaxed and nodded.
"I guess it will do...but I bet the sake would've tasted better." He agreed happily. Sakura pushed him from the back.
"Then come on! We've got alot of stuff to do!" She cheered as she kept on pushing Sasuke forward.
"Hey, Sakura! I get it! Stop pushing!" He scolded almost falling.
Sakura pointed to the various booths at the festival as the two walked next to each other.
"See that one over there sells balloons; I don't reccomend it. They usually fall to the ground by the next day. Then that one over there sells yakitori; I would defiantly get some. It's really tasty and you haven't lived without tasting some festival yakitori. Oh! And that one over there sells octopus balls, y'know the fried octopus dough balls? I reccomend those too. They're really delicious. And that one over there is..." Sakura continued as she listed every of her favorite stalls. Sasuke listened to her, not intently but not ignoring her either, just somewhere inbetween. While he listened to her he also had an urge to hold her hand. But everytime he tried to she would use that 'hair-behind-ear' trick. Eventually, he was forced to give up, but the urge still remained. Sakura looked around as she continued to point out the stalls.
"That one you can try to catch goldfish, but mostly kids do that; That one..." Sakura stopped mid-sentence as her emerald eyes widened and she stopped in her tracks. Sasuke looked confused at Sakura's surprised state. He turned his head to where she was looking.
It was a ring toss stand.
The one stand where the venders set up bottles next to each other in various rows and you attempt to throw a ring around the neck of the bottle. If you do achieve this feat you have the choice of a prize.
Sasuke looked to the stunned Sakura and back to the stand.
What's she so surprised about...? He thought confused.
"Sakura? Hey, Sakura..." He called out to her, but her gaze never left the booth. Sakura began to walk over to the booth without paying any attention to anything with the bewildered expression on her face. Sasuke raised an eyebrow and followed her.
Sakura stood in front of the booth looking up at one of the prizes with adorement in her sparkling green eyes.
It was a large panda plushie. It seemed soft and cuddly and it was unexceptionly adorable.
Sasuke looked up to it with her with bored eyes.
What's so great about a stupid stuffed animal...? He asked irritated. Sakura whined cutley as she gazed upon it. Sasuke looked down to her surprised.
"I-It's...just so cute! It's so adorable!" She explained to no one in particular. Sasuke looked to her baffled, not sure what to say.
"I-I...wish I had it..." she whispered desperatly. Sakura snapped out of her trance and looked to Sasuke guiltly.
"I-I'm sorry, Sasuke-kun. I'm being weird aren't I? Sorry. Ah...should we move on-?" She began to ask till Sasuke held out some money to the vender. The man took the money and gave Sasuke five rings.
"Ya get five shots, boy. If ya miss ya don't get refunds." The man explained as he smoked his cigerratte. Sasuke nodded emotionlessly and aimed for a bottle.
This can't be so hard...It's just like throwing shuriken at a target. Right. Just think of this as training. Sasuke told and reassured himself. Sasuke tossed the green ring as it bounced of the lip of the bottle. Sasuke looked annoyed to the failed ring, and took another one from his pile.
One after another, Sasuke failed to achieve that feat of getting the ring around the bottle, and it was annoying him badly. Sakura looked to Sasuke confused.
I didn't know Sasuke-kun liked ring toss...or maybe it's something else... She thought as Sasuke picked up the last ring.
Sakura suddenly placed her hand on his throwing hand. Sasuke looked at her with confusion and lingering annoyance.
"What?" He asked impatiently. Sakura smiled to him and kissed his hand softly. Sasuke's cheeks went crimson.
"It's for good luck, Sasuke-kun." She explained as she looked up to him with gleeful eyes. Sasuke nodded to her with a blushing face. Sasuke turned back to the matter at hand. He tossed the ring and held his breathe.
And the ring looped around the neck of the bottle.
Sakura's eyes lightened and widened and Sasuke smirked satisfied.
"Congradulations. Now pick yer prize boy." The vender ordered in a bored tone. Sasuke nodded wordlessly and pointed to the panda Sakura was gawking at. Sasuke turned to her with an embarrassed blush once he got it. He held out the plush to her.
"I got it for you..." He explained simply as he looked away. Sakura's cheeks went warm and cherry as she nodded and took the stuffed animal. She hugged it gently.
It's very soft...She noted as she looked up to Sasuke. Sasuke turned to her with that serious look on his face flavored with a blush.
Sakura smiled to him warmly.
"Thank you...Sasuke..." She whispered. Sasuke crossed his arms and looked away shyly.
"I-It was nothing-" He began until Sakura did the most daring thing.
She kissed him.
Not on the lips of course, but on the cheek. She kissed him sweetly and gently on his right cheek. Sasuke's blush increased and his midnight eyes widened. As she parted she looked to him sweetly and innocently.
"Shall we go?" She asked non-chalantly as if nothing happened. Sasuke nodded dumbly, the surprised and embarressed look still on his face as he followed her.
Sasuke placed a hand on his newly-kissed cheek and smirked.
Allergic to fun am I? Then she must be allergic to meekness to be so daring. He commented smugly as he reached for her hand again.
Sakura once again used the 'hair-behind-ear' trick and Sasuke sighed. Should of known...He commented disappointed.
But when she brought it back down she stood closer to Sasuke and let the back of her hand brush his. Sasuke looked down to her surprised as she looked up to him innocently.
"Yes, Sasuke?" She asked.
"...hn." He commented as he looked away. Sakura smiled warmly as she snuggled her new prize.
The festival date continued as it did. Sakura noticed that the genin groups each went with each other.
She spotted Hinata, Kiba, and Shino picking out good luck charms. She couldn't hear them, but the way Kiba kept on nudging Hinata and pointing to the love charms and Hinata blushing, she guessed he was teasing her crush on Naruto. Sakura also noted how delicate and innocent Hinata looked in her lily and pastel blue kimono and white obi. Sakura smiled. Hinata, always the image of sweet innocence.
She also saw Neji, Lee, and Tenten at a food stand getting octupus balls. Lee, she noticed, was dressed in an autumn leaf and light green yukata, but still walked on his crutches. Sakura's emerald eyes gleamed sadness at that sight.
She couldn't hear them also, but she saw Lee was talking about something excitedly again. Tenten soon put an octupus ball in his open mouth.
Lee blinked for awhile stunned, ate the treat, and looked to Tenten guiltily saying something. Tenten sighed and smiled to him. She shook her head, said something and put another one in his mouth. Neji obviously didn't care to be there as he ate his festival treats in silence.
Sakura also spotted Chouji and Shikamaru there, enjoying themselves even though Ino couldn't come. Sakura smiled. They were always good friends; even if Chouji was ordering a lot of food at the food stands while Shikamaru waited patiently.
Now that's a good friend.
Sakura soon spotted a familiar tan, brown-haired Chunnin teacher.
Ah! Master Iruka's here! She noted cheerfully.
Well, he needs a break too. I mean, cadets aren't exactly the calmest of ninjas...It's good that he's getting a break. She commented.
Then Sakura saw him.
Sakura hid behind Sasuke panicked. Sasuke soon stopped walking and looked to Sakura with confused eyes.
"Sakura, what-?" He began till Sakura 'shhed' him. She pointed to the fried noodle stand.
And there he stood in a yellow and blue sashed yukata with bright aqua eyes and bright blound hair.
It was their fellow teammate: Naruto Uzumaki.
He must be here with Iruka-sensei...Sakura concluded as she saw Iruka pay for Naruto's fried noodles. Sasuke looked to Naruto with scorn.
Damn. If he finds out I'm here with Sakura he probably won't leave me alone about it. And with that big mouth of his...everybody will know... Sasuke guessed as he spotted his fox-boy rival. Sakura looked up to Sasuke panicked.
"What do we do...? If he finds out we're on a date..." She whispered in a worried tone.
"I know..." He replied cooly, but concern seen in his hard obsidion eyes. Sakura jumped.
"He's coming this way!" She whispered loudly. Sasuke noticed and ran from her.
"Sasuke-!" She called out worringly. Sasuke ducked behind a bush and put his finger in front of his lips signaling silence.
'Just trust me.' He mouthed as he ducked fully behind the shrubbery.
"Sakura-chaaan!" Naruto called out as he noticed his pink-petal haired teammate. He ran to her.
"A-Ah! N-Naruto! Hello!" She called out in fake surprise. Sasuke listened intently wondering what the blond boy wanted.
Naruto smiled to Sakura as he arrived.
"Hi, Sakura-chan! Hey, what're you doing here?" He asked cheerfully.
"O-Oh, just enjoying the festival is all. You here for the same reason?" She asked non-chalantly. It's not like I can say 'Oh! I'm here with that guy you loathe, Sasuke, on a date!' That would be too cruel...She noted in her mind. Naruto nodded.
"Yup! I'm here with Iruka-sensei." He answered as he motioned to the approaching teacher.
"Ah! Hello, Sakura. Enjoying yourself at the festival are we?" Iruka asked cheerfully. Sakura nodded.
"Yes, I thought I'd have some fun for a change." She explained happily. Naruto grinned at the emerald-eyed girl.
"Hey, Sakura-chan, I've got an idea." He informed. Sakura tilted her head.
"And what's that...?" She asked skeptically. Sasuke listened more intently.
"Why don't you enjoy it with us? It could be like a date and Iruka-sensei's the chaperone or something. So, wanna go on a date?" He asked in an attempted sly voice. Sasuke suddenly felt angered at the loud ninja boy.
I already asked her that, you idiot! And she said yes! He yelled in his mind with jealousy. Sakura smiled at Naruto.
"That's nice of you to ask, Naruto-kun, but I'm fine. I'd like to enjoy it alone." She answered sweetly. Naruto looked to Sakura with sad blue eyes.
"You sure, Sakura-chan...?" He asked. Sakura smiled at him.
"Maybe we can go on a date next time, Naruto-kun, okay?" She asked hopefully. Sasuke flinched Next time...? And why is she calling him 'kun'? He wondered concerned. Naruto's sky blue eyes lightened.
"Really, Sakura-chan? Thanks! I promise it'd be a better date then that smug bastard Sasuke would take you on!" He promised as he hugged her. Sakura's eyes widened in surprised and some pink formed on her cheeks. Sasuke glanced with anger.
What does he mean 'better than Sasuke could take you on'! I'm already taking her! He corrected in his head. Sasuke's eyebrow twitched And why the hell is he hugging my date? If only I could go over there and...He trailed off. Sakura shyed off Naruto's hold and looked down embarassed.
"A-Ah...Thank you, Naruto..." She commented shyly. Sasuke felt a pang in his heart.
Iruka grabbed Naruto by the ear.
"Come on, loverboy. No more PDA out of you." He scolded as he dragged his sunshine-haired student away.
"Owwww! Iruka-sensei! That hurts! Well, see ya Sakura-chan!" He byed as he whined from the brown-haired man's hold. Sakura waved until Naruto and Iruka dissappeared into the crowd. Sasuke stepped from the bush and appeared next to her wordlessly.
"You could've gone with him. You could've left with him and ditched me to feel rejected. You probably would've had a great time with him, too. So..." He trailed off as he listed her possibilities with a cold voice. Sakura looked ahead unaffected waiting for him to finish.
"...Why didn't you?" He asked questioningly.
Sakura paused and hugged her panda plushie tighter. She looked up to him and caught his eyes.
"Because I wanted to be here with you." She answered oh so simply. Sasuke looked to her sincerly.
"...Same reason why I'm here..." He whispered silently. Sakura's face went warm.
"Shall we go?" He asked coolly. Sakura nodded wordlessly and walked with Sasuke by her side; hands brushing as they did.
So the night continued with much conversation between the two as well as the rare chuckle from Sasuke and the cheerful giggle from Sakura. The two seemed to have a wonderful time with each other you could've sworn they knew each other for years.
"...so then we put whipped cream on Ino's hand and made her scratch her nose in her sleep! It was all over her face! She was so mad when she woke up. Her mom kept on saying we did it because 'she was so sweet we just wanted to make her sweeter'!" Sakura explained with stifled laughter. Sasuke had his hand over his mouth so as to hide the smile.
"Sounds like the time I put toothpaste in Itachi's hair. Dear god, that one was fun..." He reminisced happily. Sakura smirked at him playfully.
"Oh. The great 'Sasuke of the prestigious Uchiha clan' did pranks? That's a new one." She commented jokingly. Sasuke looked to her.
"Hey, I was five...besides when did you do that prank?" He accused smugly. Sakura looked ahead in proudness.
"I was eight." She admitted proudly. Sasuke chuckled abit.
"So then who're you to talk?" He asked arrogantly. Sakura smiled to him.
"Didn't you say 'that one was fun'? So it sounds you did more pranks on your brother. Do tell..." She urged. Sasuke looked ahead with a calm look.
"Well...there was that one time when I cut some of his hair off...then when I drew on his face...Oh! I remeber this one time when I learned to work the video recorder and he was making dinner and I was spying on him. He had a fish in his hands and he was making it lip-sync to 'Barbie Girl'! He was actually moving its mouth and singing the song! Eventually he heard my laughter, caught me, and chased me around the house trying to get the video." He finished with a hidden smile. Sakura burst out laughing.
"Barbie girl! Oh man, that must've been hilarious! I would've love to seen that!" She commented between laughter. Sasuke chuckled a little.
I guess it was hilarious. I think I still might have that video...He thought reminding himself to look for it when he had the chance.
Then a loud noise interrupted their joyous laughter.
Sakura's stomach grumbling.
Sakura's face went red and Sasuke looked to her a little surprised.
"Hungry?" He asked non-chalantly. Sakura nodded embarressed.
"Y-Yeah..." She admitted with a red face. Sasuke looked to a food stand selling yakitori.
"Yakitori sound good?" He asked calmly. Sakura nodded again. Sasuke motioned to a nearby bench.
"You sit there while I get our food." He ordered as he began to walk over to the food stand.
"Ah, Sasuke I could pay-!" she began to say, but he put a finger on her lips. Sasuke shook his head.
"My treat." He stated in a disiplined tone and walked to the stand. Sakura blushed as she put her fingers on her lips.
That...felt nice...She admitted. Sakura shook her head.
Snap out of it, Sakura! This is just a date! Nothing more! Sasuke...is just supposed to be a friend...remember? She reminded as she sat down at the bench.
I promised myself 'friends only'. I'm going to give up this silly crush...right? Sakura sighed. This wasn't how it was supposed to happen...he wasn't supposed to fall in love me...I never knew he would fall for me...Sasuke...She stopped as she looked down to the cuddly panda bear.
What's there to like about him, huh? He's arrogant, selfish, mean, power-hungry...and...She thought as she tried to dissuade herself.
...and when you get him to open up he's nice, funny, smart, confident, and not to mention he's really handsome as a bonus...Sakura sighed.
Who am I kidding...? I feel so happy with him... So...should I love him...? I feel like I should, but I made a promise to myself...She trailed off confused as she looked to her sandaled feet.
Sakura soon saw a shadow fall over her and smelled alcohol. She looked up with caution.
"Twenty, please." Sasuke ordered as the woman nodded and took some already grilling skewers and placed them on a paper towel.
Sasuke waited for the rest and began to think of his sweet pink-rosed and emerald-eyed date and wondered why he loved her.
She's not all that special is she? I shouldn't be in love with a teammate anyway! I mean, think if I was in love with Naruto...Sasuke shuddered.
Um...but that's off-topic...He corrected himself feeling disturbed.
If you look at it...Sakura used to be that annoying, selfish, and bubble-headed bimbo fangirl...but now she's seemed to have matured...Sasuke glared at nothing in particular, only out if annoyance ...No...I shouldn't love her. She's weak! I can't fall in love with someone weak! But...she has gotten stronger...Sasuke persuaded himself. Sasuke huffed. There's no helping it. Everytime I try to make her look bad I keep on making her look better...Goddammit Sasuke! Get it together! She's only a girl! A girl with a good heart, sense of humor, an intelligent mind, beautiful emerald eyes...Sasuke sighed.
And that's why I love her. Because she's beautiful and perfect in my mind...and she might be able to...
"Sir?" the woman at the stand addressed. Sasuke's head shot up and looked to the woman.
"Y-Yeah?" He asked. The lady smiled at him and handed him the yakitori.
"Here you go. That'll be 800 ryo." She informed. Sasuke took out his wallet and handed her the money.
"Thank you, sir." She commented. Sasuke mearly walked away after paying to where Sakura sat and finally noticed the people that were talking to her...
...or more like trying to force a kiss on her.
Sakura stared up at the face of a middle-aged shinobi with a sand headband who looked drunk; he had two other sand shinobis with him who were in the same condition.
"Well, well, well...look at this pretty cherry blossom! Why're you alone, sweetcheeks?" He asked with slured words and alcohol-soaked breathe. Sakura looked up to the guy in disgust.
Oh great...I'm being hit on by a drunkard...Sakura thought sourly.
"I'm not alone..." She muttered. One of the other shinobi got close to her.
"What's that? You're lonely, little cherry blossom? Why don't you have some fun with us, then?" He asked as he leaned into her. Sakura leaned away and stood up.
"How about 'no'?" She answered harshly. The third ninja walked up to her and wrapped his arm around her slender shoulders.
"Aw, cherry blossom, playin' hard to get? I like 'em fiesty..." He commented as he leaned down to her face for a kiss. Sakura pushed away from him.
"Leave me alone!" She yelled and backed away till one of the sand ninja grabbed her wrist and pulled her to him.
"Not unless I get a kiss, cherry blossom." He threatened as he tightened his grip. Sakura tried to struggle free, but to no avail.
He's too strong! She thought panicked.
The man leaned in for a kiss; lips inches apart.
Sakura began to feel heart-broken and an image of Sasuke flashed in her mind.
I'm sorry...Sasuke...She apoligized sadly.
Soon Sakura felt a hand on her shoulder pulling her away from the sand ninja.
"She said to 'leave her alone'...couldn't you guys hear that our are you too focused on your failed lives?" A deep voice asked arrogantly. Sakura looked up and saw her savior.
It was Sasuke.
Sakura's eyes widened as she still trembled in fear.
"Sasuke..." She tried to whisper, but no sound came out. The sand nin glared at the young midnight-haired shinobi.
"You little punk!" He yelled as he lunged for a punch. Sasuke caught his fist and elbowed him in the gut.
The man doubled over in pain.
The remaining two glared at Sasuke and looked to their fallen friend and back to the young Uchiha-heir.
"Let's get 'im!" They yelled as they both lunged at Sasuke. Sasuke stepped away from Sakura and charged at the men.
Within a few minutes of punches and kicks the two men soon laid on the ground having matched their partner's position.
Sasuke looked down to the men boredly and glanced to Sakura with cold obsidion eyes. Sakura jumped as the memory of their first night talk flashed in her mind.
"You okay?" He asked emotionlessly. Sakura nodded wordlessly with large fearful emerald eyes.
Sasuke walked over to her and brushed off her kimono and reajdusted the collar for her from the man's harsh grab.
Sakura's face turned cherry as she felt his hands grab her neckline and straightend it.
Sasuke soon looked up to her with calm eyes and Sakura's blush deepened feeling the moment grow.
"Sakura..." He whispered softly. Sakura felt her heart beat rapidly as she looked to him with innocent and loving eyes.
"Yes...?" She asked. Sakura felt the rush of the moment's emotion and waited for his answer.
"You..." He continued passionetly.
"Yes...?" She asked him again with patient passion. Sasuke's lips parted as the moment deepened.
"You really should train more Sakura." He stated harshly and coldly.
Sakura's eyes widened and her face dropped. Her look of love soon turned to anger as her eyebrow twitched.
"What did you say?" She asked in fake sweetness. Sasuke looked to her boredly.
"I said 'You need to train more'. I mean, if I can take down those weak sand nins I think you can too. But all you did was scream and almost get a kiss forced on you. Seriously, Sakura, if that's all you can do in such a predicament I would suggest more training. You need it badly." He explained in cold-blood.
Sakura pulled away from his hold on her collar and looked at him with a 'you're not so cool' look on her face. Sakura crossed her arms in front of her chest and looked to him with furious and defiant emerald eyes.
"Listen here, Sasuke-baka." She began as she added 'idiot' at the end of his name. Sasuke's eyes widened with surprise and if he wasn't Sasuke his mouth would probably be gaping now.
But he was Sasuke, so all he could do was look at her baffled. Sakura continued with power seen in her stance.
"Tell me if you've ever been in a predicament when you were scared, frightened, or defenseless. I'm guessing you were, so tell me...
...did you jump to action or did you freeze in fear?
The human instinct is not flawless, Sasuke, every human gets frozen with fear when in danger. We're not Gods. We're not perfect. So don't go telling me I'm weak.
Besides, who's to say I don't train? Of course I train with every chance that arrives. I'm not weak. I'm not stupid.
One day, I wish to get stronger so that no one has to protect me. I will get stronger, Sasuke..." She trailed off as she moved her head closer to meet his eyes.
"And one day I'm going to be stronger than you, Sasuke Uchiha!" She threatened proudly.
Sasuke's eyes took on a shocked look and he didn't know what to say. Sakura smirked satisfied at what state she had put the 'human snowball' in.
She stepped away from their close distance.
Sakura walked over to the bench Sasuke placed the yakitori down on.
"Yum! I was starving..." She commented cheerfully as she sat down and began to eat the delicious food. Sasuke just froze there unsure of whether to be angry, sad, hurt, furious, confused, or...emberrassed.
Sasuke just walked and sat wordlessly next to Sakura as she ate oblivious to Sasuke's condition.
The midnight-haired boy stared off to space till it hit him.
I think I just got lectured by a girl... He thought baffled.
Sasuke looked to Sakura emotionlessly.
She's gotten more stronger and confident...I didn't think she had the ability to tell me off... He thought impressed.
Sasuke grabbed for one of the yakitori and ate it silently as he recalled Sakura's words.
And one day I'm going to be stronger than you, Sasuke Uchiha!
The words still rung loudly in Sasuke's head.
Sasuke smirked in fake confidence as he grabbed for another skewer.
And accidently touched Sakura's hand.
Sakura jerked her hand back and looked to Sasuke embarrassed.
"Oh, sorry-!" She apoligized until Sasuke leaned into her meeting her eyes.
He smirked to her.
"I'm holding you to that vow, Sakura Haruno, I'll wait for the day till you can beat me in a fair fight." He informed smugly.
Sakura blushed at the closeness of their faces and pushed him away lightly and looked at him with a confident face.
"You won't have to soon, Sasuke Uchiha, the day will be closer then you think." She replied in a powerful tone.
Sasuke smiled at her with arrogance and ate another skewer of the tasty yakitori.
She's strong...I like that... He thought interested as he looked at her with captivated midnight eyes.
"The haunted house?" Sasuke repeated looking to Sakura disinterested. Sakura nooded her pink-petal head and pointed to it.
"See? It's that building over there. You do know what a haunted house is, right...?" She asked skeptically. Sasuke glanced at her boredly.
"I'm not stupid. Of course I know what one is." He replied monotonly. Sakura looked to him surprised.
"So the human icicle ventures out of his cave does he?" She responded playfully. Sasuke glared at her and Sakura just grinned to him.
"So are we going to go?" He asked ignoring Sakura's joking question. Sakura smiled and nodded her head.
"Yup! I always visit the haunted house when I go to the festival." She explained as they neared the looming fearful building. Sasuke looked up to it unaffected and shrugged his shoulders.
"Fine...I don't care..." He responded uncuriosly. Sakura looked to him annoyed.
He could atleast act like he cares... She thought irritated. Sakura walked to the ticket seller and bought two tickets and the two entered the dark building.
Inside was obscured by a thick blanket of black. Sakura was already shivering.
And Sasuke, like always, could of really cared less.
So what? They turned out the lights it's not that scary... He commented boredly.
Suddenly a girl's scream was heard.
It was Sakura.
"Saku-!" Sasuke began until he could feel her push against him and hold onto his yukata tightly. Sasuke blushed at the sudden expression.
"There's something grabbing my shoulders!" She explained frightened. Suddenly a light from an old lamp lit the face of a 'zombie'.
The man grabbed Sakura's shoulder.
"Little girl...venture into my domain...you shall regret it!" The 'zombie' threatened in a fake scary voice. Sakura screamed again and began to run away.
"Ah! Sakura, wait!" Sasuke called, unaffected by the threat.
Sakura finally found a door and opened it revealing a room full of 'flames' which were really just painted on the walls and those fabric flame lamps. The real heat came from air conditioning.
A 'demon' jumped out to Sakura from the ceiling. It was obviously a volunteering shinobi.
"Ah! A delicious meal!" The man commented in that same scary voice.
Sakura screamed again and ran; When finally Sasuke had caught up.
"Goddammit, Sakura!" He cussed, annoyed, running after her again.
So the chase began with Sakura running into another room being scared by 'evil' fellows or something falling from the ceiling like plastic spiders or rubber snakes and with Sasuke not being frightened by any of it, just wanting to catch up to his date.
Finally, Sakura slowed down in a dim corridor catching her breathe and leaning against the wall panting hardly. It was hard to run in a yukata, after all.
Sasuke finally caught up to Sakura and stood next to her with an irritated look on his face.
"Are you done yet?" He asked with agitatedness. Sakura looked to him with big, emerald, scared eyes. She pushed herself against his chest shaking.
"Sasuke-kun! I'm so scared!" She screamed frightened. Sasuke looked to her surprised and some crimson formed on his cheeks.
Sasuke sighed and patted her on the back; Unable to make himself hug her as he wished he could. He thought that'd only scare her more.
"It's fine, Sakura. Besides, we've only got one room left. I'm here for you, okay?" He reassured. Sakura looked up to him with relieved, but unsure eyes. She walked away from her place on his chest.
"Alright...Sasuke..." She agreed. Sakura took hold of Sasuke's hand and the two walked to the last room together.
Sasuke opened the door noislessly and walked in. A light flickered on and red paint, imitating to be blood, covered the walls in handprint smears and violent slashes. It also splaterred among the floor.
Some dummies, faking the illusion of hung bodies, fell from the ceiling dangling on their ropes. Sakura screamed and closed herself to Sasuke again.
Sasuke's midnight eyes widened in fright as he looked to the floor where two 'bodies' lied on each other.
It reminded him of that night.
Sasuke's body shook with terror and the harsh memories flooded back to him. Sakura looked up to Sasuke surprised as she felt his body shake.
"Sasuke...?" She called out timidly seeing the fear on his face. Sasuke ran across the room and out the doors that led outside. Sakura ran after him as fast as she could.
After running for awhile to a little ways into the woods, Sasuke stopped to catch his breathe as the fear still ran through him.
You're not even worth killing...
Itachi's words rung in his head coldly. Sasuke collapsed onto the ground, and sat as the sleeve of his yukata slipped a bit from his shoulder.
His kimono had become loose from the running, his neckline drooping, yet Sasuke was too scared to notice.
The memories haunted him nonstop as he felt himself feel weaker and sadder.
Sakura ran as fast as she could to where Sasuke had gone.
I hope he's okay...She hoped concerned.
Sakura finally spotted Sasuke sitting against a tree.
When she neared she finally realized the condition he was in and sat next to him hurriedly.
"Sasuke...are you alright?" She asked as she placed her hand on his bare shoulder. Sakura's cheeks formed pink at the feel of his bare skin against her fingers, but ignored it and worried about the matter at hand. Sasuke looked ahead, not noticing her, with fear and terror on his face.
"It's nothing..." He whispered hoarsly. Sakura looked at him with concerned green eyes and wrapped her arms around his shoulders and hugged him softly.
Sasuke's obsidion eyes widened at the sudden show of emotion.
"Sasuke...you don't have to be frightened. I'm here for you. If you want to talk about anything then tell me. If you don't...then just lean on my shoulder for comfort. I'll always be here for you, Sasuke-kun..." She told him gently. Sasuke thought about this contimplating the girls' reassurance.
And for some reason the whole rememberance and sorrow of the event vanished from his mind, and all there was was her.
Sasuke wrapped his arms around her waist and leaned into the hug.
"Thank you...Sakura..." He whispered gratefully. Sakura's blush increased to a crimson as she felt Sasuke's breathe tickle her neck warmly.
Sasuke's heart once again blossomed in happiness and he felt his mind get angry at him like it had everytime he had showed affection to the girl.
By now, he ignored it and followed the foolish heart's direction.
Sakura pulled away from Sasuke and looked down blushing.
"A-Ah...Anytime, Sasuke-kun..." She whispered embarressed. Sasuke looked to her emotionlessly, but shrugged off the small heart-break.
A breeze flew by the two sending some pink strands by Sakura's face as well as the midnight ones by Sasuke's obsidion eyes. Then Sasuke realized it when he felt the wind and looked down.
His neckline was already past his shoulders and most of his chest was showing.
Sasuke blushed timidly and he looked up to Sakura, who was also looking at the failed yukata.
Her face was the deepest shade of cherry you could imagine. She finally brought her eyes up and touched Sasuke's gaze.
The two turned their heads in emberrassemnt.
"I-It must of gotten lose when you were running..." Sakura explained shyly. Sasuke nodded.
"Y-Yeah..." He agreed mortified. Sasuke stood up and went behind the tree so as to fix it. Sakura felt her heart beat rapidly as she recalled how Sasuke looked in that position.
Slightly tussled hair...and a well-built chest...his handsome eyes looking at me innocently...Sasuke kind of looked...Sakura shook her head.
No! Bad Sakura! I-I shouldn't think of Sasuke-kun that way! She scolded herself. Then Sakura finally realized it.
How lucky am I...? She thought.
I mean, girls would kill for a date with 'Sasuke of the prestigious Uchiha clan'. They would probably love to me right now...Sakura looked to the panda plush she had been holding this whole time.
I mean, he's really handsome and mysterious and girls just love that. They would want a date from Sasuke or his love. And...I've gotten all that from him. So...
Sakura hugged the panda tighter.
...why aren't I happy about any of this?
He's been dropping hints left and right about how much he loves me tonight...So why aren't I grateful?
Sakura sighed.
He's obviously not faking...he's seems really serious about this. So...why am I still not answering him? I should answer him.
I shouldn't keep him on edge. That's too cruel. But...
Sakura paused and hugged the panda more gently.
...I still don't know what Sasuke is to me.
He's a teammate and a comrade. He's an ex-crush and now like a friend...
But how do I think about his love?
Sakura looked up when she heard the rustling and saw Sasuke in his fixed yukata.
She looked to him with confused and sad eyes.
"...I'm sorry." She whispered in a fragile tone. Sasuke raised an eyebrow at her.
"For what?" He asked confused.
Sakura looked down to her stuffed animal again.
"Sasuke-kun..." She spoke his name gently.
"Sakura, what is it?" He asked, a faint tint of concern in his voice. Sakura looked up to him tenderly.
"Why do you love me?" She asked softly.
Sasuke looked at her with surprised eyes and pulled her up from where she sat. Sakura's eyes widened when she felt herself be lifted up from the ground.
Sasuke put his finger on her chin forcing her to look up to him.
"You want to know why?" He whispered as he looked into her eyes longingly.
"Yes..." She whispered passiontly
Sasuke looked to her with calm eyes.
"Because my heart only beats for you." He whispered poetically as he leaned down for a kiss. Sakura's heart raced as the memory of the hospital rushed in her mind.
"No..." She tried to whisper, but no words came out.
"Attention! The fireworks will be starting in five more minutes! Attention patrions, I repeat the fireworks will be starting in five more minutes!" A voice boomed.
The two jumped in surprise at the announcement.
It must've came from a megaphone from one of the chunnin's helping the festival... Sakura concluded. Sakura pulled away from Sasuke.
"Ah...we better get going or else we won't get a good spot, Sasuke-kun!" She reminded happily. Sasuke looked to her with heartbroken eyes.
"Yeah..." He agreed sadly as he walked past her.
Sakura looked to Sasuke guitly and followed willingly.
Sakura's own question still rung in her head.
But how do I think about his love?
Sakura raised her head to look at Sasuke's back and smiled.
I have your answer, Sasuke-kun... She confirmed happily.
"They're all taken!" Sakura yelled ,annoyed, seeing most of the hills being covered by millions of people alone or together, on blankets or standing, and all kinds of different village ninja. Sakura's eyebrow twitched.
"AHHH! This is not what I need right now!" She yelled at nothing in particular, just out of annoyance. Sasuke looked around boredly; ignoring his date's anger. Sasuke grabbed her hand.
"Come on. I think I know where we can get a better view." He informed walking away from the crowd and hills.
Sakura looked at him confused, but went along willingly.
Sasuke took Sakura to a different hill hidden by trees. He walked up it cautiously and when they got to the top Sakura gasped.
The hill had a beautiful view of the hills they were just at. It looked out onto the lake and into the black velvet sky and its scattered diamonds and it's crescent pearl.
A perfect spot to view the fireworks.
"Sasuke...it's beautiful..." Sakura whispered amazed. Sasuke looked to her non-chalantly.
"Yeah...it is..." He trailed off.
An akward silence fell upon the two.
"Sasuke-!"
"Sakura-!"
The two said each others names at the same time and looked at each other in surprise.
"You go first Sakura." Sasuke recommened. Sakura shook her head.
"No, you, Sasuke-kun." She defied looking at him curiosly. What does he want to tell me? Sakura wondered.
Sasuke, unwillingly, began.
"Sakura...I wanted you to know how I feel about you..." He began and looked to her confidently. Sakura looked to him plainly, not sure what to think.
"Sakura... I've finally seen all your good points. You're smart, kind, sweet, funny, carefree, and...most of all..." Sasuke's eyes went soft midnight again.
"...beautiful." He whispered longingly. Sakura's heart raced.
"You're not that annoying, selfish fangirl I used to know. You've become stronger now. To me you're a comrade, a teammate, a friend, and...
...a first love." He continued.
"When I'm around you I feel relaxed. You get me to open up a little, Sakura, and let me express a feeling I've never heard of in awhile." He stopped; speaking her name gently.
"What is it...?" She asked curiously.
"Love." He whispered softly. Sakura's heart suddenly jumped when she heard him say that word.
In the background you could hear the chunnin announcer repeat his message of 'two more minutes', but the two were still lost in there moment.
Sasuke stepped closer to Sakura.
"Sakura, when I'm around you the pain goes away. Itachi, my clan's death, the revenge, the loneliness...it all seems to vanish and all I can think about is you..." He continued.
"I...I love you, Sakura..." He confessed with lonely, but soft midnight eyes. Sakura's heart raced as she looked into those eyes.
"I've told you how I feel about you so now...I'll ask you again...
...Sakura, do you love me?" He asked. Sakura took her sweet time to answer, making Sasuke anxious. Sakura shook her head.
"No."
And a heart broke. Sasuke felt his heart be ripped to pieces again.
"What?" He asked not believing what he heard. Sakura smirked to him.
"I said no." She repeated. Sasuke looked to her with disbelieving eyes.
"I see...I'm sorry I-" He began in a heartbroken tone until Sakura put a finger on his lips. She smiled to him.
"You didn't let me finish, Sasuke." She explained hopefully. Sasuke's eyes gleamed confusion.
"No...I won't answer you unless you give me one thing." She explained tenderly and removed her finger.
"And what's that...?" He questioned in skeptical confusion. Sakura smiled to him gently.
"A kiss..." She whispered.
Sasuke's midnight eyes widened and his cheeks went crimson.
"A kiss?" He repeated; once again unable to believe what he had heard. Sakura's eyes went gentle.
"Yes..." She confirmed. Sasuke's face went warmer.
Sasuke placed his hands on her shoulders and looked into her eyes longingly and innocently and brought his face down to hers.
And his lips met hers. He kissed her.
Sasuke's heart blossomed in happiness again and his veins tingled with bliss. He felt himself kiss her gently and, this surprised him,...
...he enjoyed it.
Her lips were soft and warm on his and he felt himself be overwhelmed with unexplainable happiness.
Sakura's body shivered with joy and her shoulders relaxed under his touch. She found herself loving the feel of his sweet and gentle lips on hers.
The two found themselves in immortal bliss.
Sakura, on an impulse, kissed him back softly and wrapped her arms around his neck. Sasuke was surprised at her reaction but wrapped his arms around her small body pulling her closer.
And in the background the fireworks set off and bloomed into bright and beautiful flowers. Yet the two didn't notice any of that.
The only thing there were their partner's touch.
Sasuke soon broke away from lack of air and looked to her passiontly.
Sakura smiled at him warmly and whispered her answer gently.
"I love you..."
Sasuke looked to her with calm midnight eyes, but it was obvious he was celebrating inside.
After days and nights of worrying, days of harsh training to forget, and time spent of hoping, Sasuke was finally answered.
And his affections weren't for naught.
Sakura pulled herself up to him and kissed him again. Sasuke responding quickly, kissed her back, and held her closer.
It was official.
The two were in love.
With no regrets.
So finally Sakura admits her love and the two spend harmony with each other.
But all is not happiness...soon it would all fall apart.
But we must not worry about that now. Time has run out, anyway.
Thank you for reading again! Thank you once again for reading my lovely chapters. : )
Oh! And the whole 'fish singing Barbie Girl thing' I took that off of America's Most Funniest Videos.
It would be hilarious to imagine with Itachi, no? XD
Oh! And PDA means 'Public Display of Affection' if anyone wanted to know.
And remeber everyone, I am not hinting pairings in here. When I mentioned the genin groups, please remember that there are no other pairing mentions in this fanfic, for that may upset other people. Just reminiding you for when or if you review. :3
Oh...and some help is needed...when are the Gaara vs. Sasuke matches? I need help for that. -.-;
Well, thank you for reading again! I hope you have a most wonderful day! Ciao!
-Apple Fairy