Chapter Eighteen: The Cracks Appear
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto!
Sakura got home, called the hospital and learned Sasuke had been released. Smiling, she thanked the receptionist, changed into the least tattered of her shirts and short-skirt combos and sprinted into the street, not bothering to lock the door in her excitement.
Sasuke knew it was Sakura based on the feel of the chakra behind the door. She knocked several times before he finally opened the door.
"Sasuke!" She smiled, "Are you sure you feel well enough to be up?"
He glared at her, nodded, and went to close the door.
"Hey," She protested, stopping it with her hand, "What's wrong?"
"I just assume you're tired from your night out."
"What?" She asked, confused.
"You and Sai." He replied icily.
"Sasuke, he let me stay there because I live on the other side of the village. We're not an item."
"But you are a kunoichi."
"And what is that supposed to mean?" She demanded.
"It means you're trained to sell your body. To use it like any weapon."
"What are you implying?!" She shouted.
"Sakura, I never would have pegged you for a common whore." He replied.
Sakura felt her heart break. Nodding in resignation, she left before he could see the tears spilling from her eyes.
"Huh...hello?" Naruto grumbled sleepilyas he lifted the phone from its hook.
"Na...na...ruto..." The other voice sobbed.
Immediately conscious, he sat up in bed and asked, "What's wrong, Sakura?"
"He...cal...called...me a...whore." She sniffed.
"Who!?" He demanded.
"Sa..sasu...sasuke.."
"Sakura," He smiled, his voice growing soft, "You're not a whore. You're still a virgin, remember?"
The end was a bit of a tease. But it seemed to cheer her up just a bit.
"Maybe...I...ju..just forgot." She teased back.
"Do you want to come over?"
"Wou..would it...be...al...alright?" She asked.
"Of course. We can get some lunch."
"Naruto...tha...thank you." She hiccuped.
By the time Sakura got to his apartment, it was clean--as was he. Dressed casually in jeans and a T-shirt, he left his headband on his nightstand and went to open the door.
Sakura was a real mess: Her eyes were red, her hair disheveled, and she looked utterly exhausted.
"Hey, come here." He smiled, gathering her into a hug.
"I tried so hard, Naruto." She sobbed.
"I know." He replied, stroking her hair gently.
"I forgave him. I even trusted him..." She continued.
"Shhhh. Come on in and we'll get you cleaned up."
She nodded, grateful to have a friend.
Sakura and Naruto pratically lived together: When one or the other wasn't on a mission, they usually slept in the same house. Even in the same bed. But it was never sexual. They knew each other too well to let some bare skin and hugs interfere with their lives. They decided a long time ago they were platonic...like a brother and sister. It just so happened that being together comforted them--and in a world ruled by death and destruction, they needed that.
Withdrawing the box she kept in his closet, she chose a white dress--spaghetti strapped with a bit of lace along the hem--for their dinner. It was a casual day, so she too forsook her headband and opted for a more comfortable feel. She left her hair down, having forgotten a hair tye and refusing to improvise with her headband. Slipping on a pair of low heels, she walked back out into Naruto's living room.
"Ready?" He asked.
"Yeah!" She replied with a smile.
Naruto opened the door for her, closing it behind himself and locking it as they walked towards Ichiraku.
Sakura was more suprised than anyone when he walked back Ichiraku and took her to a slightly more upscale eatery. But it was nice...like a date without the pressure. And she wound up forgetting about Sasuke for a while.
'Maybe...'
No.
He was an Uchiha and his eyes didn't miss anything. What he had seen was unforgivable.
What he forgot was that although the Sharigan didn't miss anything in battle, his eyes did misinterpret other things.
TBC