title: Born to Be Three
prompt: SASUSAKU MONTH 2015
rating: K-M

summary: o15: Things are chaotic; it will probably stay that way for a long time until his affairs are settled. But it doesn't mean they've given upon each other.

dedicated to: my baes on tumblr - i love you all!

NOTE THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE MONTH: I wanted to add Sarada in many of these prompts, because she's a part of this beautiful family too /sobs forever at my babies having babies/ but sometimes I either couldn't find a way to fit her in and, to be honest, I have little experience writing about her! Hopefully that will change

.o15.
Eye of the Storm

.

Things are chaotic; it will probably stay that way for a long time until his affairs are settled. But it doesn't mean they've given upon each other.

.

Sakura watches Sasuke pack. He gathers his clothes and other necessary items in a small bag to be slung over his shoulder. He was never a man who cared for luxury, despite his wife's pestering that he needed to take better care of himself.

"Are you…" Sakura struggles to find the words to convey her frustrations. "Leaving again?"

Sasuke stops. He puts down the cloak, half-folded, back onto the bed and turns to face Sakura. Her eyes are downcast, and the creases near her nose have seemed to age rapidly. She looks tired, exhausted, worn out, and—with a pang of guilt—he knows it's because of him.

Sakura has already suffered enough for him.

"Sakura," he begins. "I know you're upset."

Her bottom lip quivers. Sasuke knows what comes next: her eyes start to water, and she will turn her back from him in efforts to hide her crying. Each time, Sasuke embraces her from behind and wraps his sole arm around her waist, his chin over her head.

This time is no exception.

"I'm sorry," he murmurs. His apology is drowned out by her silent weeping. He knows that Sakura ultimately understands why he must leave—for the good of the village, and especially for her, but it hurts her nonetheless that he still doesn't feel redeemed quite yet.

"How long will you be gone this time?" Sakura whispers. "I'm used to it, but I don't want—I don't think—" Sakura takes a deep breath. "I don't want to live without you again, okay?" She starts to sob again, and her words dig deep into Sasuke's heart. He turns her around and allows her to cry in his chest, soaking the shirt she freshly ironed for him the same morning. His arm still comforts her in a solemn hug as he looks over her head at the crème wall behind her.

"I'll send you messages," he promises. "And gifts. I'll tell you how I'm doing. Of course, I'll want to know how you're faring. I want to hear from you, too, Sakura." He tilts her chin up and brushes the tears away. "Don't think that it isn't hard for me, either, to be away from you."

Sakura sniffs. She hugs all of him and takes a deep breath. "I'm sorry," she says. "That was selfish of me. Of course you're looking out for all of us."

Sasuke cups her cheek. She looks up at him, wondrously, as if he may kiss her. He very nearly does, but he thinks there is something more appropriate right now.

Sasuke signals for Sakura to take his hand. She does so compliantly, gazing up at him with confusion. He smirks, and guides their hands to his forehead. Sakura's face glows in comprehension, and she jabs her husband's fingers against his own head.

They say nothing, but their silence speaks worlds of understanding. Sasuke smiles. She giggles.

She helps him finish packing.

updates come regularly on tumblr for each day. I'm lazy at uploading on ff, but rest assured everything will be up by the end of this month. XD

notes: i've actually never heard this phrase before lmao