Ch. Title: Her Stubbornness
Theme: Girl literally forgets boy, boy had to prove himself to girl etc etc etc.
Genre: Angst/Romance/Comedy
Word Count: 4,826
Pairing: Sasuke and Sakura
Ch. Summary: Unexpected news was thrown to Sasuke about his pinkette teammate.
A/N: This is a late tribute to Naruto 685. *flails* this is important as a Sasusaku shipper, If you haven't read that chapter, go read it now.
edit: fixed some missing words
-my feelings will reach you one day
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The three members of the newly reunited Team seven had finally arrived at their meeting point. The silent aura was deafening and Uzumaki Naruto wasn't amused with Sakura and Sasuke's silent treatment with each other.
No wonder he had a gut feeling that this mission would be an awkward one, after all their mission was to escort that Kumogakure ninja back to his village.
Speaking of that Kumo ninja, that bastard, can't he take care of himself alone? He's a ninja for pete's sake and a bodyguard of the Raikage after all. The former kyuubi host mused angrily.
At last, when the blonde-know-it-all Kumogakure ninja had arrived, Team seven immediately went along with the mission.
(-)
In the forest, the pink-haired kunoichi and the Kumogakure ninja was walking ahead leaving behind the former kyuubi host and the former Uchiha avenger.
Shi can't help but notice that the Konoha medic was taciturn all throughout the journey. The pink-haired medic didn't even greet him this morning and her usual friendly demeanor was flat and somber.
The Kumogakure ninja had decided to start talking to the pinkette kunoichi.
"Sakura-san, is everything alright?"
Upon hearing Shi's voice, the pink-haired kunoichi tilted her head towards his direction and she replied with a forceful smile,
"Of course, Shi-san."
"Pardon me for saying this, but you're acting strange." Shi noticed.
Confusion was seen on the medic kunoichi's facial expression.
"Am I? Uhm, it's just a lot of things had clouded my mind lately. Don't worry about it." Sakura retored.
"If you need any help, I'm just right here. Sakura-san."
Sakura forced her lip to an upward motion. She smiled forcefully at the Kumogakure's direction and mentioned, "Thanks, Shi-san."
(-)
Meanwhile the two Konoha ninjas namely Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke were witnessing the conversation between the Kumogakure ninja and their pink-haired medic teammate.
The former kyuubi host irritatingly scowled at their interaction and he knew Sasuke was also feeling the same way with the sudden friendliness of that guy towards Sakura.
Naruto quickly whispered to the dark-haired ninja's side and murmured, "Sasuke, did you talked to Sakura-chan yet…you know… about the— you know what I'm saying?"
The Uchiha survivor knew what Naruto was talking about. The dark-eyed ninja just answered him by a simple, "Not yet."
"About her lost memories, do you think will she ever remember everything?" Naruto asked.
"I don't know."
"What do you plan on doing?"
The former avenger was starting to get annoyed by Naruto's sudden inquiries. He knows that his best friend is also worried about the two of them, but he can't do anything about Sakura's lost memories. He already did what he could do for her to remember him. He realized he just made himself an ass in front of her all throughout this problematic ordeal. If she doesn't help herself to remember those things, then it's not his problem anymore.
Did he have already given up? Not in any chance. But he was thinking to give their pink-haired teammate a space for the meantime.
What's the matter right now is Sakura was still mad at him about that Iron Country incident. He wanted to explain to her the full details, but he doesn't know where to start. He can't just walked straight up to her and mention, –"Sakura, I tried to kill you and I'm sorry for that. Let's just forget the past."
It's not easy to forget the past. Out of all people he knows that familiar feeling of pain. That's why he restrained himself to talk to her until she recovered some of her remaining memory of him.
He quickly turned to his idiot best friend and croaked,
"You're annoying me with your questions, Dobe. Shut up."
But his best friend idiot was still persistent.
Upon hearing this, Naruto widened his eyes and shouted, "Teme. I know you're upset, but please can't you see the whole picture here."
But Sasuke just grunted at the former kyuubi host, "Stop shouting. Your voice keeps giving me a headache. It's annoying, so shut up."
Upon hearing his best friend's retort, the former kyuubi host widened his eyes. He knew Sasuke was upset, but he can't just stand there and not say anything. He immediately shouted back, "OH—SO AM I THE ONE WHO'S ANNOYING NOW? YOU TEMEEEE! STOP ACTING COOL AND ACTING LIKE YOU DOESN'T CARE!"
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Meanwhile, on the other side of the road…
Not knowing that the Kumogakure ninja and their pink-haired medic teammate had stopped walking and decided to look back solemnly at her teammate's direction because of Naruto's sudden loud voice.
Haruno Sakura saw how her two teammates were bickering with each other like idiots.
She just creased her forehead at the childish behavior of her two teammates. The pinkette mused, 'Are they always these intense?'
It seems like she had already experienced this before. Suddenly, her headache was returning and a sudden vision was flashed inside her head.
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BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT!
"If you two are just going to barf the food then don't eat it!"
BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT!
"Teme, you think you're cool now huh?!"
BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT!
"Hn. Shut up. Dobe!"
BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT!
"You're all right? Mr. Scaredy-cat?"
BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT!
"There's a man only that I can kill. My…That time I was crying…"
BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT!
"Sakura, you must have noticed it first right?"
BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT!
"Your analytical ability and genjutsu know-how is the most improved on our team."
BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT!
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Those memories, if she wasn't mistaken those memories are coming back from her genin days. It feels nostalgic remembering those scenes and of course, her dark-haired brooding teammate were also included in those flashbacks.
Haruno Sakura realizing that her lost memories were slowly coming back to her. She felt her temples and a recurring pain was easing inside her head.
She mused, 'It's slowly coming back…and it's painful.'
Then the Kumogakure ninja saw her painful ordeal and hastily went to her side and asked,
"Sakura-san, what's wrong?"
'Ack!'
But the pink-haired medic kunoichi had only muttered, "It hurts!"
Sakura quickly closed her eyes not realizing that she was almost stumbling.
(-)
Upon realizing that their other teammate was having a hard time, Uzumaki Naruto promptly saw Sakura's figure was about to fall down.
But with a blink of an eye, Naruto realized that his dark-eyed best friend quickly teleported behind the pink-haired medic's direction and Sasuke immediately caught the medic kunoichi just in time on his arms, preventing her whole body to fall down to the ground.
Naruto had only mused at his sudden gesture and he was still grinning at Sasuke's actions, 'Sasuke…you!—Heh.'
Meanwhile, the Uchiha survivor was panting and he quickly looked towards the pink-haired kunoichi's side.
The young kunoichi was sudden perplexed to what Sasuke did to her. She thought she was still having those sudden flashbacks and Sasuke catching her body was just a figment of her imagination.
But she was wrong.
This is really happening before her eyes.
Did Uchiha Sasuke have saved her from falling off to the ground?
She saw how his lips were still pursed in a horizontal line. His solemn expression was still the same. His eye brows furrowed and those cold-heartened coal-colored eyes were still glaring at her widened viridescent orbs.
The medic kunoichi can't believe what she was seeing. Sasuke caught her frail lithe body like she was a feather of some sort. He even carefully made sure her body didn't hit the ground.
Her headache was still lingering, but she felt that the pain was subsiding. She can't concentrate to what was happening and she was still dazed by her dark-haired companion's sudden action.
All she could feel was Sasuke's radiating warm from his body and his heartbeat. His chest pressed upon her left shoulders and arms. Upon realizing she was blushing from his actions, she quickly avoided the Uchiha survivor's melting stare.
It was awkward, but she needs to tell him that he can already release his grasp from her shoulder. The pinkette then stuttered,
"Sasuke-kun, Yo—you can release me now. Th—thank you for catching me."
Upon hearing Sakura's protest, the former avenger realizing he was still holding her close to his chest. Sasuke quickly released his grasp and he awkwardly went back to Naruto's side.
Even the blonde-know-it-all ninja was shock and dismayed. He was just an inch away from Sakura. Despite that, Shi didn't felt that the Uchiha survivor quickly moved beside their direction.
Shi realized that this person's speed was amazingly unbelievable. His moves were kind of lightning or something. The Kumogakure ninja saw how that Uchiha survivor had caught Sakura in his arms and he frowned at the Uchiha survivor's heroic gesture towards the pinkette.
(-)
Just outside the Kumogakure's gate. Naruto had finally stretched his arms in the air. After journeying for about eight hours and a half, they had finally completed the mission successfully.
Naruto inwardly smirked at the news where the blonde-know-it-all would be staying back at his own village. Now that Shi was no longer a problem between Sasuke and Sakura, the former kyuubi host was quickly relieved.
After successfully delivering the important document alongside escorting back the Raikage's bodyguard, the pink-haired medic quickly thought about Shi-san's preposition back at the Raikage's office.
Well since Konoha and Kumo had been allies since the last war and it's a part of their international treaty, the Kumogakure ninja told Sakura that their village needs some professional medic ninjas for their recently renovated hospitals. For six months they needed to train the newly recruits for Kumogakure's newly built hospitals and the Raikage had already approved of the idea.
Upon hearing this from Shi, Sakura contemplated if that's a good idea. She had concluded that it would be a great opportunity for own career growth. But still, it's for six freaking long months and she wondered if it's a good idea after all, But she thought that the long-term assignment will make her mind stray away from thinking about her missing memory and that Uchiha stuck up.
(-)
Three days had past…
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Sasuke and Sakura weren't in still in talking terms. At Ichiraku that night, after consuming the whole ramen bowl, Uzumaki Naruto who was frustratingly exhausted from Sasuke and Sakura's pathetic excuse for not accepting his dinner daily invites. He was thinking of doing something to convince each other to make up.
Naruto recalled.
The pinkette excused, "I'm sorry, Naruto. I have a hospital shift tonight."
On the other hand the Uchiha survivor excused, "I can't make it. I'm busy."
Excuses. Excuses. How long those two would be avoiding each other. This is really getting to his nerves. The former kyuubi host had decided to visit Uchiha Sasuke. He wanted to talk to him about this important matter. Naruto decided he doesn't want to lose his both best friends. They're the only family he got and he won't let it happen for Sasuke and Sakura to avoid each other for a long time.
When the former kyuubi host had arrived at the Uchiha's residence, he immediately entered the premises without knocking and he decided to shout Sasuke's name.
"Sasuke! Are you home?"
Upon hearing a distinctive annoying voice, the former avenger who was busy sharpening his ninja tools at his bedroom decided to go outside his room to check who's the house intruder. He quickly regretted for not locking his front door properly.
Oh well, who in his right mind would be breaking inside the Uchiha compound? Only idiots and dumbasses.
Nevertheless he was right. Standing in front of his living room was his idiot best friend.
"There you are! I was thinking if you're not busy—" Naruto shouted across his living room.
With crossed arms, Sasuke thought if scolding this idiot wouldn't do any good, might as well get straight to the point and just ask what he wants this time. The former avenger was still glaring intently at the blonde idiot and he seethed,
"What do you want?"
Naruto responded, "It's about your situation with Sakura-chan."
Upon hearing the blonde's response, the former avenger raised an eyebrow at the former kyuubi host. Sasuke remained silent and was still glaring at him.
Naruto then continued,
"If you haven't noticed, she's still pretty pissed off at you since that incident. Just my observation. And you're still not doing anything to win her back."
But Sasuke just cursed inwardly, now his best friend was starting get on his nerves.
Here we go again. Naruto who was stating the obvious reason was right. But well, up until now he didn't know what to do. He realized if it was better for her to forget him totally so he would've just moved on with his life. His manly pride was preventing him to win Sakura back. His stupid Uchiha pride.
Girls worship the ground he walks on and girls chased him ever since he was young. Not the other way around. He wouldn't chase someone for their affection. He thought.
But this girl isn't just someone or some fan girl of him. This girl was the light who filled his dark existence, the one who didn't gave up on him.
The girl who cried her eyes out to confessed her undying love for him that night before he went to Orochimaru.
The girl who still decided to love him even though everyone was against him.
The girl who waited for years for him to come back.
The girl's heart that he had once broke and he still regretted it up until to this day.
But he knows he couldn't just forget her and let that Kumogakure tool to take her away from him. Upon realizing that their pink-haired teammate has become one of his precious comrades and eventually the medic kunoichi's romantic feelings had already reached him, he decided to pursue her back. He couldn't just let Sakura fall for that Kumogakure ninja know-it-all.
Sasuke continued, "If the only thing that she could remember was back at the Iron Country, then I can't do anything about it."
"Why wouldn't you explain yourself to her?" The former kyuubi host retorted.
The former avenger narrowed his eyes at the ground, avoiding the glaring stare of his best friend, "It's too complicated. Besides, even If I explain it to her, I don't think she still loves me like she did before."
Upon hearing those words, Naruto widened his eyes and asked playfully, "How about the kiss? You said you kissed her right? What happened to that? Maybe she'll think about it."
"Yes, our kiss was quickly ruined after she remembered that incident and she started to grab that blonde-know-it-all hand and ran away from me." Sasuke growled.
"Ugh, I told you we would've punched that clown's face before escorting him back to his damn village!" The former kyuubi host shot up his arms in the air like he was about to punch somebody.
Naruto continued, "Anyway, that's not the only reason why I came here. I heard from Ino that Sakura-chan was asked by the Raikage and that idiot Kumo-nin to work for their village for six months. Something to do with newly built hospitals or whatever."
After hearing that from his best friend, Sasuke immediately clenched his fists. It seems like Sakura's determination to leave Konoha is so strong and he's one-hundred percent sure it was because of that incident and him.
This is getting way out of hand. If he didn't do anything right now, he'll lose her forever. Damn with his Uchiha manly pride and he's the only one who could stop her from leaving the village.
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That night, Ino went to Sakura's residence to have their long waited girl's night out. This is the only day of the week where the both of them have their day offs.
Not only that, but Ino had already heard the news from Shizune who was told by the Hokage that Sakura was invited by that Kumogakure ninja to partake on a six month medical mission in their village. She was dying to ask her pink-haired best friend if the news was true.
Ino quickly thought if her best friend would accept the overwhelming preposition, in fact that will help Sakura to think about the things about her entire memory loss situation.
But out of all people, the Yamanaka kunoichi knew that her best friend will just be running away from a certain person named, Uchiha Sasuke.
She realized it wouldn't solve anything and if it's the last resort to stop her from leaving Konoha then Ino would give it a second try to convince her best friend this time.
The blonde kunoichi started to grab the nail polish from Sakura's drawer and she decided to begin painting her toe nails at the floor board. While her pinkette best friend was relaxing on the bed flipping some fashion magazines and books.
Ino decided to break the silence, "So…forehead, are you really leaving Konoha?"
The sea foamed-eyed kunoichi tilted her head towards the blonde and was suddenly astounded, "What! Uhh…Where did you heard that Ino-pig?"
Ino asked playfully, "Shizune slipped the other day. Just tell me, are you really accepting Kumogakure's proposal?"
Sakura who was reading some magazines and books paused at the scene and wasn't sure what to make of it. She deeply sighed and when she's finally ready to answer her best friend's inquiry she breathed,
"Well, I think it's a great opportunity for me to practice my medical ninjutsu and besides, the Kumogakure needs some help back there and I thought why not give it a try."
But the cerulean-eyed kunoichi frowned at her answer,
"Do you really want to do this?"
Sakura smiled towards her best friend while flipping the last page of the magazine, after she is done from the magazine she decided to get the book on the other side of her bed. She decided to flip the pages and pretended to read the content,
"Of course. Why would I turn down such a perfect opportunity for a career growth?"
Upon hearing those words, Ino sighed heavily and rolled her eyes at the pinkette. Prompting Sakura to ask her back,
"What's the matter?" Sakura asked.
The cerulean-eyed kunoichi who is painting her toe nails minutes earlier then stopped and decided to go over to Sakura's bed.
"Sakura…Listen to me, if you're running away because of what happened at the house, I don't think this is a good idea. I'm sorry for putting you through that. Your teammates and I just want the best for you to finally remember your lost memory."
Upon hearing those words, the pink-haired kunoichi had decided to lean back on the headboard of her bed. She was now facing her cerulean-eyed best friend.
The pinkette paused for a second and decided to respond, "I know what you're saying. But…but I realized, I can't go on like this. I don't want to love someone who doesn't care about me."
Ino just breathed, "Sakura…"
The pink-haired kunoichi's eyes blossomed and her expression brightened. Sakura then continued, "But really thanks to you guys, something had triggered inside my memory and that's my memory of Sasuke-kun and even though my memory of him doesn't fully return, I know deep inside my heart. I was in love with him before. To be honest, Ino, I don't want to love him anymore. How can I still love someone who tried to kill me before?"
Ino then raised an eyebrow, "So you have finally remembered him?"
Sakura shook her head, "Not all of it. But I only remembered where we fought each other."
The cerulean-eyed kunoichi saw that her best friend's viridian eyes was starting to get watery and Ino knew any minute from now, Sakura will start crying from this talking. She was not the right person to explain the grim details at what happened back in Iron Country. But she has no choice; she needs to voice out her opinion but in a different way.
"Listen to me forehead. When we were both young, we used to compete for Sasuke-kun's attention. I don't know if you still had remembered those times, but I had already given up my silly crush for him years ago."
Ino then continued, still staring at her pink-haired best friend, "And not only because you're my best friend, but I had realized in the end, you're the right girl for him. Look, you didn't stop loving him for two and half years, I mean if that was me, I would have given up already."
Upon hearing those words, Sakura was taken back. She can't still remember that her best friend used to have a crush towards that stuck-up Uchiha.
The pinkette uttered, "You're right, but I'm already tired of loving someone who doesn't even love me back. Two and half years have already been wasted, I guess it's time for me to find my happiness, don't you think? And maybe just maybe, I can find it back there in Kumogakure."
"Listen, Sakura...The thing with Shi...I know he's the Perfect guy. He's always there for you, not only he's handsome and you guys have a lot in common. But—But it doesn't necessarily mean he is also the Mr. Right guy, especially if Mr. Right guy had already captured your heart first."
The pinkette had finally stood up from the bed and upon hearing those words. Sakura knew deep inside her heart that Ino was right. She was just making excuses, but she thought this would be a perfect opportunity to finally forget that stuck up Uchiha. Loving him longer would just make things harder for her.
How can she still love someone who tried to kill her before? How crazy is that? And that stupid 'Sasuke-kun' keeps ignoring her after that incident. Yes, she was still mad at him, but if he really feels something for her, Sasuke-kun would had already talked to her and straighten out things between the two of them.
But no, that stuck up person was still the almighty prided selfish Uchiha, even though she can't fully remember her memory of him, she knows deep inside her heart that she once loved that stuck up Uchiha.
She then answered her best friend, "You cannot change my mind Ino. I have already decided and I think this would be for the best."
Upon hearing those words, the blonde kunoichi just inwardly sighed. Ino knows that if Sakura had already decided to leave Konoha then there's no amount of words could stop her at this point.
It's all up to you Naruto and Sasuke-kun.
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The next day…
Sakura just got back from her medical errands just outside the village, Shizune asked the medical kunoichi to get some rare medicinal herbs just outside Konoha, since Shizune was too busy with the hospital and being the Hokage's secretary. The Hokage's assistant then asked a favor from Sakura to get the rare herbs for her instead.
It was already dawn when she finally went home and the pinkette hurriedly walked towards the entrance of the village. She stopped her tracks when suddenly she saw a familiar figure. It was none other than, her brooding teammate, Uchiha Sasuke.
Sakura breathed,
"Sasuke-kun."
Her emerald orbs still gazing at the Uchiha's face.
While the former avenger acknowledged her presence,
"Sakura."
The Uchiha survivor's expression was still emotionless. His cold-hardened onyx eyes was still staring through the pinkette's petite face.
The former avenger then broke the long pause,
"You're not avoiding me this time."
She reprimanded quickly, her half-lidded eyes were still glued to his emotionless expression,
"Is there a reason for me to avoid you, Sasuke-kun?"
Sasuke's expression was still ambiguous. His lips were still frowning.
"No. That's why I'm wondering why you have to go." The former avenger growled at the pinkette.
Upon hearing those words, Sakura's emerald-colored orbs had widened from shock. Is he stopping her from leaving Konoha?
Then suddenly a great nostalgia feeling had settled in. Sakura felt a Déjà vu all over the place.
It feels like Sakura had already experience this before. The summer night sky and the beautiful crescent moon appearing on the horizon, the cold bench on the side, the stunning trees were lit by a dim light of the light post and the way they stood across from each other.
Then a wriggling sound was heard from Sakura's head. It was the same pain from before. It seems like part of her memory are coming back.
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BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT!
"What are you doing here prowling in the middle of the night?"
"Why won't you say anything to me? Why do you always keep so quiet? You never say a single word to me?"
"Go back to bed."
"…but a thing like revenge cannot ring anyone happiness, not even me or you, Sasuke."
"I'm not the like the rest of you. We have different paths that we must walk."
"I told you I don't need your help. Don't try to look out after me."
"Even if I have friends and family, but without you, I will still be lonely."
"I'm so in love with you, I can't even stand it!"
"I will do anything for you!"
"You really are annoying."
"Sakura. Thank you."
BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT!
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Upon witnessing that sudden flashback inside her head, Sakura promptly tilted her head towards the former avenger. Wide emerald orbs glaring at the dark-haired ninja, she was creasing her forehead and upon learning and remembering a fragment of her lost memories. She realized that she once had tried to stop Sasuke from leaving the village at the very same place they're currently standing on.
At last, the pink-haired kunoichi had remembered that she was really in love with him before. She felt the hot trickling tears were about to drop from her eyelids, but she managed to control her urge to cry. She won't cry in-front of him. She inwardly thought.
Sakura then drawled, "Uchiha Sasuke."
Oh no, she was calling him by his whole name. Sasuke gulped at the thought and he was nervously clenching his fists.
The viridian-eyed kunoichi continued, "Did I confess to you at this very spot where we're standing?"
He remained silent, but knowing Sakura's famous temper. He decided to answer her inquiry with,
"Yes." Sasuke replied almost like a whisper.
"Then, I'm taking it back."
Upon hearing those words, Sasuke promptly raised his right eyebrow at her direction. Confusion was seen on his emotionless façade.
He grumbled, "Taking back what?"
His monotonous voice was still calm, but his tone has confusion and resentment.
"I'm taking back what I'd confessed to you, two and a half years ago."
"What the hell are you saying, Sakura?"
"You heard me, Sasuke-kun."
When the pink-haired kunoichi was about to walk out from the scene, a pair of hands had stopped her tracks. Her teammate's arms quickly grabbed her waist from behind. It was too quick; that she didn't even had a time to avoid his unpredictable gesture.
She felt her heart was about to explode and upon feeling the radiating heat from her teammate's torso, she didn't realize her face is already flustered.
Sakura had realized that her teammate was hugging her from behind.
'Idiot! Admit it yourself that you liked it.' It seems like her inner self was appearing once again.
She immediately jerked from her teammate's sudden romantic gesture. Sakura quickly stammered from the former avenger's action,
"Sasuke-kun, wha—what are y—you doing?" She was stuttering.
The Uchiha survivor was still hugging the pinkette's petite body. One of the rare things where the former avenger had broken his own rules is when he was letting his guard down. He values his own personal space, but at this very moment, He didn't even care if someone can see them. Nevertheless, Haruno Sakura was an exception to his own rule.
His half-lidded eyes were still staring at the ground. Sasuke's face weight was resting on her right shoulder.
Sasuke's monotonous voice became erratic, "I didn't expect you to forgive me, but If you want to know the truth. Then I will tell you." Sasuke raggedly whispered into her ear.
Eventually, the former avenger's urge to restraint his feelings for Sakura were suddenly gone out of the blue.
The pinkette's fragrance was intoxicating, it was sweet and fresh like she was a real cherry blossom flower. Well she was named after that tree right? That made sense.
Sasuke thought if someone can see them right now, especially that idiot, Naruto, he and the others would be ten times happier if he'll just admit his feelings for her. Shame on you. He mused. Her body warmth was really something, he felt something foreign and different yet at the same time it was amazing.
To hell, with his personal space.
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tbc
A/N: Guest, Stella and Matthew Uchiha, thank you for your thoughts!
Guest: Yes, I will definitely let Sasuke tell Sakura about what really happened back in Iron Country. Next chapter, I suppose. Thanks!