Hello dear Readers, I'm here with an Update!
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Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, just the plot.
Chapter Sixteen: After the Storm
And there will come a time, you'll see, with no more tears.
And love will not break your heart, but dismiss your fears.
Get over your hill and see what you find there,
With grace in your heart and flowers in your hair.
-Mumford & Sons
The scratching sound of the dancing pencil filled the otherwise, quiet kitchen.
Sakura sat at the island with text-books and papers splayed all around her, writing vigorously. For once, she was genuinely thankful for the usually torturous task, as it proved to be a great distraction. Yesterdays events were still fresh. Various images and exchanged words had remained with her, and probably always would.
Even if the physical and emotional aches had mostly eased up. Thanks to a certain, brooding ebony-haired boy.
Her breath caught just thinking about him.
It was noon, and still, there was no sign of her father. There was a possibility that he had come home for a couple hours during the night to rest, and left soon after. It wasn't unusual for him. Because, aside from Kizashi Tanaka being a 'womanizer,' he was also, most definitely, a workaholic. Sleep, or no sleep.
Which worked just fine with Sakura.
She dreaded the upcoming conversation.
-Ring-
The rosettes eyes shifted to her cellular device at the alerting ring, its bright screen displaying one of several messages.
'On my way, consequences be damned!'
Ino.
Despite the fear of her best-friend coming and the possibility of her father catching them, a fond smile tugged at her lips.
Under this house, there were rules. If she was grounded, or on bad terms with her father, he didn't allow her friends to come over. Which was a reasonable enough rule. But given her current circumstance, causing her this undeserved punishment - made her desperate to see her friends. Yesterday had felt like a lifetime, so much happened.
She missed the spunky blonde. Very, very much.
She needed girl time, to sort through it all, to make sense of things. And for the most part, Ino was her voice of reason... mostly.
And her fathers schedule varied, so there was a chance he'd come home late...
But if he were to come home early, consequences be damned indeed.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
By the time Ino rang her door-bell, Sakura had finished her home-work and was popping a pre-made pizza in the oven. With only a fruit smoothie for breakfast Sakura was hungry, and was certain her blonde friend would be too after the long drive here. Even if Ino was on a low-carb diet, if it was tempting enough, she would succumb... and then she would nag and whine at Sakura about it. But this meeting called for some delicious carbs.
The rosette adjusted the sleeves of her black-hoodie and the bunched up ends of her jeans before reaching for the door. Her hand paused on the knob due to processing the incessant arguing on the other side.
Who was Ino talking to? And with hostility at that.
Her brows dipped in question and she pulled the door open.
"Your walking back to Konoha, you hear me?!" Ino huffed, just as the rosette opened the door.
"Fine by me - Sakura!"
Naruto's defensive features did a one-eighty when they fell upon her.
Sakura wasn't prepared to see him, standing there, arguing with Ino...
So when she was lifted off the ground in a crushing bear hug, with exaggerated sobs in her ear, only then did she come back to. She weakly grasped his shoulders in response, having believed she was all cried out, but she was wrong. Her lungs constricted and eyes stung in his embrace.
Naruto... He came all this way to see her.
She chanced a glance at Ino, immediately zoning in on the out-of-place gash on her lip... What?
"Oh my God... Sakura." Ino gasped, looking horrified.
Which Sakura had expected, but she hadn't been prepared to hear Ino sound so pained.
Sakura looked pretty tore up yesterday, but today, her bruises had reached their peek in purples and blues. It wasn't very flattering.
She was set down, only to be enveloped in another hug. Ino clutched onto her, leaving no space between them and began sniffling with heavy breaths against her shoulder. The rosette's heart wrenched.
Ino crying, was just too much. Too unreal and painful to watch, because her hard as steel best-friend rarely cried.
Sakura hadn't been prepared for that either... Maybe some yelling and cursing directed toward Karin, Ami and Ayame. Maybe a plot to go and tipi their houses and egg their cars... Or start nasty rumors, or even confront them.
But not this.
Sakura began consoling her, rubbing her back in circles, and fighting her own emotions down as she did.
Ino released her shortly after, getting some grip on her emotions but her expression remained troubled.
Sakura exhaled sharply, "Come on you two, I have pizza in the oven."
And a lot to discuss.
"Forehead! How dare you tempt me with carbs at a time like this?"
There she is.
"Oh, thank the ramen God. I'm starved Sak."
The rosette smirked, ushering them both in, and locking the door after.
Her hands gripped either side of the tub as she slowly eased herself in. The scorching hot water caused waves of goosebumps to arise on her porcelain skin. Starting from her toes, all the way up to her scalp. She let out a blissful 'hmm,' when her back connected with the edge of the tub. Her hands released their grip to rest against the edges comfortably.
Her aches and muscles began to unwind in the enveloping heat and her eyes hazed over. She began recalling the conversations with her best friends a few hours prior.
An odd expression adorning her face at the revelations she had learned... And the interrogation she endured. She felt her face heat up, but halfheartedly blamed it on the steamy bath.
The very first words out of Ino's mouth had, of course, been about Sasuke. He hadn't been secretive in the least about following her home, since he bluntly told Naruto. And when Ino found out about the events, she suspected Naruto of keeping additional information, resulting in him telling her of Sasukes actions.
Sakura knew she couldn't keep anything from her best friend but most of the time (like now) she didn't even have to speak for Ino to know that something juicy had transpired.
Sakura didn't vocalize any of the intimate details, not with Naruto there at least, but she couldn't help but smile timidly and confess how good he had been to her - taken care of her. Ino nearly fainted with excitement. She was relentless with her questions but Sakura could sense that Naruto seemed slightly distraught by the topic, so she had been quick to change the subject. Her and Ino would have they're one on one about it soon enough. Though she wondered what was running through Naruto's mind, why he had that worried look about him.
The rosette was quick to turn the tables and make Ino the interrogated, asking how she got her lip busted. Her blonde friend had smiled deviously in response and Sakura knew she wasn't going to like what came next. It turned out, that Karin and Ami had overheard Ino and Tenten raving about Sasuke showing up at the race with the rosette (In which Sakura tried to hide her blush, and in which Ino gave her the 'You better tell me every damn detail later' look) So when the red-head revealed herself from the shadows Ino had been set off like an overdue time-bomb before a word could have been properly exchanged between the two. Her smile reached a wicked grin as she explained how good it felt to punch her square in the nose before Tenten, Naruto and Shikamaru restrained her. She got the cut on her lip from said, restraining, not from Karin or Ami. The single punch hadn't been no-where near enough to satisfy Ino but the snap she had heard when her fist connected with Karins nose did quell her violent urges somewhat. Though she also praised Sakura for the damage she herself had given to the two girls. Ino further confessed that she had proceeded to call Karin every foul name in the dictionary before she was dragged away from the scene.
Sakura shook her head at her in reprimand, even though the small smile on her face betrayed her morals... Getting physical with Karin wasn't going to solve anything.
After her explanation, Ino's mood went sour once more... She remained uncharacteristically quiet all throughout Naruto's details. Even when he confessed how he had snuck into the platinum blonde girls car and nearly gave her a heart attack when he popped his head out the backseat, asking her if she was going to stop anytime soon because, he had to pee.
Naruto also revealed that he had spoken with Tsunade after the ordeal with her father Kizashi. It appeared that Karin had bribed one of the administrative assistants into going through Sakura's file. Thus getting her fathers number, calling him, and speaking as though she was someone with some sort of title at the school, reporting Sakura for the fight(That hadn't even occurred yet)
Naruto didn't know what other lies Karin had fed the man, resulting in her father being so disbelieving and not wanting to hear Sakura's side of the story.
It was alright with the rosette though, none of it mattered anymore. She just wanted to forget the events and distance herself from Kizashi.
The only thing that left a dull ache in her heart after seeing her friends, was Ino. She remembered her best-friends expression wilt further and further with every exchange of information. Sakura sighed.
**Flashback**
"Hey, whats wrong?"
"..."
"Ino, talk to me..."
"Sakura, I - nevermind."
The rosette nudged her shoulder,"You can tell me... What is it?"
"I - I SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE!" Ino shouted suddenly, slamming her palms against the table, anguish overtaking her features,"You faced them alone... They cornered you and hurt you! Where was I? Where the fuck was I?" The blonde brashly pushed out of her seat,"With Shikamaru - I'm always with Shikamaru! I've - I've neglected you!"
"Ino, that's not true!" Sakura slipped out of her seat, grabbing the blondes shoulders,"You've always been there for me, no boy has changed that... but I'm glad you weren't in that locker room with me... If you got hurt, I don't know what I'd do... It was better that I was alone Ino."
"Sakura -"
"Its okay! Its over now, so please don't hold onto this, don't let it eat at you... "
"How can I not? ...I'm so angry Sakura! You didn't deserve this..." She clutched onto Sakura's shoulders, her voice breaking.
"Don't be angry, and please don't cry... I love you Ino, we're sisters aren't we?"
"Oh Sakura!" They held each other as Ino wept against her for the second time but without restraint now.
And then Naruto blew his nose obnoxiously, reminding them of his presence. Instead of the girls disentangling, Sakura waved the teary-eyed Naruto over to form a group hug. His taller body and wider shoulders covered them almost completely.
Sakura laughed whole-heartedly for the first time in what felt like ages.
**End of flashback**
After rubbing on Ino's 'miracle healing cream' (which the blonde had thrust at her, expressing that it worked again and again before departing earlier) over her bruises and body, she slipped on some burgundy sweat pants and a snug, black long-sleeve. Grabbing the towel she had used, and tossing it in the hamper, she balanced it on her hip down the stairs. Laundry wasn't exactly necessary, since there were only a few pieces of clothing in the hamper. But, she was restless. Being stuck in the house until Kizashi came home to discuss the weekend and when she could go back to her dorms, had her impatient. Its was 8:00pm now, with still no sign of him. If she would've known he'd be gone so long, Sakura would have kept Ino and Naruto over a little longer.
The rosette sighed, throwing the clothes into the wash, and pressing the appropriate wash-cycle. She stole a glance at the screen of her phone to find no new messages there.
Sasuke.
She considered texting him but didn't feel brave enough. He was probably busy, she didn't want to be a hindrance... The rosette had tried not to dwell on his words or get her hopes up, but she couldn't help wondering what he was doing... Where was Sasuke, right now, at this moment? In a meeting? With friends? ...With his family? A wistful smile touched her lips, he had an interesting older brother. Itachi, was it? Though, she still didn't know very much about Sasuke... Well, as much as she'd like.
But, wherever he was, she hoped he was well and safe... And that he wasn't obligated to come see her tonight. Even if she wanted him to.
Sakura was transferring her clothes into the dryer when she heard the click of the lock and the shifting of the knob to the front door. Kizashi. He was finally home. She instantly felt her blood race from within her veins. Taking in a deep breath to calm herself, she exhaled and slowly exited the laundry room.
He entered the kitchen, throwing his suit jacket on one of the chairs and placing several files on the Island-table. Having caught sight of her, he glanced over where she leaned against the entrance to the laundry room. He was silent for a moment. She had decided she would let him do the talking, would let him talk until he was satisfied.
"Sakura," He uttered lowly, shifting on his feet to fully face her.
She remained frozen, still waiting for him... He didn't seem angry, on the contrary there was an underlying emotion. Sorrow? She wasn't sure how to react, this might change her game plan.
"Come here," he said gently, waving her over, before taking a seat at the island.
She swallowed at her quickly parching throat and did as he said. Pulling a chair back, she slid into the seat, making sure to sit at the end, furthest from him. She was focused on her fisted hands against her sweat pants, refusing to make eye contact. So when her chair creaked and slid, she nearly jumped out of her skin.
"Easy, I'm not gonna bite." Kizashi said in the same gentle tone, pulling her chair until she was within arms reach. She wasn't sure what his intentions were but apprehension began settling in the pit of her stomach. She crossed her arms over her chest and continued to look everywhere else but at him. So, again, when she felt the softest caress against her cheek she gasped and tried to jerk away but he carefully held her still.
His usually rough hands were feather-light on her face, caressing over her battered skin.
What was his deal? She didn't like this...
Confused and growing antsy, Sakura finally looked at him... He was pale, his green eyes, blood-shot and half-lidded. His hair was all over the place and his usually upright shoulders were slumped. She felt something tug within her at the sight but she shoved it aside. She would not care, she would not show emotion. Her frustration intensified when he didn't cease, so she pulled away from his touch. He seemed to expect that, so he withdrew his hands.
"How are you?" He asked, leaning back into his seat.
"Why are you doing this?" She cut right to the chase. She couldn't take it. His mood-swings were making her crazy.
He let out a heavy sigh, and shifted so that his elbow leaned against the table and chin rested in his palm.
"Tsunade called me this morning."
The rosette's eyes widened at his words.
"She told me everything in detail."
She shifted her gaze away from his.
"The call I received about you had been by a student... Uzumaki's girl Karin - not a head counselor."
Sakura gritted her teeth.
"You cant be angry with me, I had been lied to Sakura... They told me you were skipping out on class to be with Uchiha Sasuke."
Her breath caught in her throat and she nearly lost her cool but he was quick to continue.
"Resulting in you failing your classes... They said that you had bullied and threatened Karin Uzumaki on several accounts because she used to date the Uchiha."
She was having a difficult time breathing through her nose, her emotions were swelling from within her... How dare they?
"So, when I came to speak with Tsunade yesterday, and I saw you in that torn state, I had been furious... And then when we were leaving, and I saw Uchiha Sasuke in the reception office - I believed it all to be true."
He fell silent, waiting for her response but she said none. Sakura didn't miss the venom in his voice when he spoke of Sasuke... Yes, he learned the truth but the damage was already done. His words to her yesterday were irreversible.
After sometime, she let out a humorless chuckle, still refusing to look at him,"If that's all, could I go back on campus tomorrow morning?"
Whatever answer he had been waiting for from her, it obviously hadn't come. His demeanor changed, he was growing frustrated.
"Were you listening to a word I said?" His white brows dipped in question.
She faced him, her anger at its boiling point,"What do you want me to say? How do you want me to react?"
He sighed,"I don't want you to be angry, I want you to understand why I had done what I did, and said what I had."
She pushed out of her chair so rapidly it nearly fell over,"It doesn't change anything... Your words about my mother were unforgivable." She silently praised herself for not crumbling at the mentioning of her and began walking away. He quickly stood, and grasped her arm, halting her.
"Hanami, wait!"
Her eyes widened at the once, endearing nickname.
'Hanami, wait for me.'
'Your so beautiful, my Hanami.'
How could she forget? ...But the man before her now, he wasn't the same person. Not even close.
She tore her wrist out of his grasp with utter disgust,"Don't you dare call me that!"
"Just listen to me -"
"Like you listened to me yesterday? Oh, wait you didn't. You never gave me the chance... Because you don't know me - not anymore! If you did, you would've known that the person -Karin, who told you all those things about me was lying! You were quick to believe her and quick to dismiss me!" She was breathless, and jogging up the stairs.
"Sakura wait dammit! I care about you, that's why I'm so hard on you... And that's why I reacted that way yesterday."
She didn't stop until she was in the hallway, just across from her room... She couldn't erase the things he had said about her mother, the things he had used against her to shame her... Why wasn't he addressing those things? Because that was truly what he thought of Mebuki Haruno? Of all the Haruno's?
Yet, Sakura had never seen him so torn, it was eating at her. It wasn't like him.
But, their bridge was beyond broken, it was burned down...
Yet, still... There was a smidge of hope, after all that's happened. After all he's done.
"I know I haven't been there... But I want to be now, and I'll start by protecting you from the Uchihas..."
What?!
All traces of repairing that bridge between them disintegrated.
Taking a deep breath for control over her ever-rising anger for the second time, she intoned in the calmest voice she could manage, "What do you have against Sasuke? You know now that the things Karin told you were a lie... So, why do you still hold a grudge against him?"
Kizashi's frame went rigid,"Because, whether those things about you and him were a full or partial lie, he was still in that reception office yesterday, asking for you... You don't know them like I do! The Uchiha's are on a league of their own Sakura - starting with the conniving older Uchiha! They don't follow rules, or conduct! They take what they want without any remorse for the person whom they are taking from."
Older Uchiha? Who's that, Sasuke's father?
Sakura snickered, "Hmm, sounds familiar."
Kizashi glared at her,"Sakura... Whatever relationship it is you have with him, you will not see that boy, do you understand me?"
He was growing furious. His mind became foggy and illogical when anger overcame him. If she didn't agree he'd put her through the same hell he did yesterday.
She wanted to scream that she wasn't a child anymore, he couldn't tell her what to do, or who to see. She was nineteen, and legally - didn't even have to be under his roof. But he had helped with the finances in getting her into the school. He could get her out if he wanted... Couldn't he? The cards were in his hands.
"If I say I do, can I leave tomorrow?"
He stared at her, long and hard before giving an uncertain nod,"I'm working so it may-"
"I can take the train..." Sakura interjected, before turning in the direction of her room,"If that's all?" She didn't wait for his reply, and disappeared inside her room, closing the door after.
Kizashi stood there for sometime, lost in his many thoughts, with regret tugging at his cold heart... Remembering Sakura's pained expression - of betrayal, and it morphing into Mebuki's features. Mebuki's midnight-blue eyes, hollow and devastated... He clenched his eyes shut, fisting his hands until they turned white as snow... Would he ever fix the damage he's caused? That he continues to cause?
Sakura... My Hanami...
Sakura lay awake in the night... It was past midnight, and she hadn't moved for hours, nor had she slept. There was too much to process, too much on her mind. There was a lot she didn't know about Sasuke, but she knew that what her father had said about him was false. Kizashi hadn't been specific about his dislike for the Uchiha's therefore, he was either hiding something more, or he was, well envious? He was especially resentful when speaking of the 'older Uchiha,' as he had referred. Maybe his company had beef with Sasuke's company? ...Whatever the case, she had no intention of distancing herself from Sasuke. Her father knew it too, she could see it on his face...
Somehow, that brought a smile to her face... Some satisfaction, of going against his wishes indirectly.
If she knew her father, she'd guess that he would come to the school and see her more often, to catch her in the act. She breathed a sigh of frustration at the thought. Why was he doing this? She didn't know how to deal with it... And, did she want to drag Sasuke into this? No, never... The last thing they both needed was more drama...
He didn't call or text all day. Not since early that morning. She figured he'd been busy, but she wished he hadn't said that he would come... She had been in anticipation all day... But after her fathers demand to not associate with Sasuke, she was now a bit fearful of him coming here. She supposed it was for the best that he hadn't come.
Heaving a sigh, she got up to brush her teeth before calling it a night. Sakura rinsed her mouth out, and exited the bathroom, heading back to the bed, and not bothering to change from her sweats. It was cold tonight. Sitting on the edge, she slipped her hands under her shirt to unhook her bra but stopped mid-way, feeling a shadow fall over her. Eyes immediately darting to the window to find a dark figure there. She gasped, and nearly fell off the bed.
...Was that Him!?
Blood rushed to her face as she quickly retracted her hands away from her bra and re-adjusted her shirt. Oh God. He just had impeccable timing didn't he? Taking a few deep breaths to get her embarrassment and nerves under some control, she hesitantly pushed off the bed and walked over to the window.
He seemed to be distracted, leaning against the wall and focused on something down below. But, she didn't mind, the sight of him had her moving sluggishly slow. Eventually Sakura stood on the cushioned bench for extra leverage and unlatched the window, just as he turned his neck to catch her gaze. Sasuke. The cast of the moons light falling over the side of his face caused goosebumps to errupt on her neck and shoulders. Or maybe it was the chill of the wind... Or maybe it was both. It took her breath away.
Neither spoke at first, until Sasuke bent down onto the balls of his feet, coming to eye-level with her.
"Hi," the rosette barely managed without sounding breathless.
The raven haired boy merely smirked in response, reaching a hand out to examine her face. His fingers were slow and tentative on her skin, tracing over her bruises. She took the time to take in his features too, it was a fair trade. She did a once-over but found herself leaning into him soon after for a closer inspection. Having detected some swelling around his eyes, and they appeared to be bloodshot too. Her lips formed a thin line and brows dipped with worry...
Sensing that in her, Sasuke began to withdraw his hand but she caught it before it could reach his side. She held his hand in both of hers, almost cradling it, and he let her.
"Sasuke... Are you, alright? You look exhausted."
His eyes shifted from their intertwined hands to her face, before giving a stiff nod in answer.
Her eyes narrowed at him. Something wasn't right.
"What is it-"
"I cant stay long," he interjected.
"...Oh."
She deflated. Well, not physically. Not because he had to go soon, but because he didn't want to discuss the topic any further... But, Why? It was a simple enough question wasn't it? She wasn't demanding to know all the details of his day, or the meaning of that curious neck-piece still around his neck, or - or the reason why he quit football... She sighed. Then his hand was on her chin, drawing it up so she could meet his obsidian peeks.
A deep, 'hmm' reverberated from his chest and it nearly swept her away from his words,"Don't be uneasy."
She huffed, coming back to,"But that's not fair... Obviously you've had a stressful day, and on top of that you drove all the way up here... I just, want you to talk to me..."
He tucked loose hairs behind her ear, seeming to be sorting through this internally, before revealing in a low tenor,"One of my meetings today... Your father was there."
Her heart dropped,"Did he do something? Did he try to sabotage you in front of those people? Oh God!" She pulled away from him and stepped down from the cushioned seat.
"Sakura."
The rosette fisted the hairs at her scalp, pacing back and forth,"This explains it! That's why he was freaking out earlier!"
"Sakura."
"Why didn't he tell me though? Because he did do something - something bad didn't he?" She turned back around, pacing back toward Sasuke, only to have him grab her. The rosette was hauled back onto the cushioned seat, right before him where he now sat on the window-sill - his legs hanging on the edge inside her room. She blushed at their proximity.
There was a mix of annoyance and amusement on his face,"This is what happens when you dig for information that's better left unsaid. I didn't want you to worry, and now your distressed."
"I'm sorry... I wont freak out, just please tell me what he said to you?"
He began playing with the ends of her hair, keeping her close to him. Unsure of what to do with her hands, she let the rest against his shoulders. Too afraid to touch him anywhere else with her current quivering. Goodness, she needed to get her nerves under control. But his hands in her hair felt so good, she nearly forgot what she had asked him, when he answered her..
"He remained professional through the meeting."
Blinking back from her trance, she eyed him in disbelief,"He didn't try anything? ...Really?"
He nodded, his hand still combing through her hair in a lulling sweep.
Breathing a sigh of relief, her hands gripped at his shoulders. She found herself leaning into him, without a second thought. Until there was a third thought. Quickly resting her head against his jaw to hide her deepening blush, she tried to sort through, when and how she had gotten so bold. But, his musky scent filled and numbed her senses, like the cool icy wind howling against them. His hands moved down her waist and around the small of her back, keeping her close.
They remained like that for sometime and it was almost, natural... Normal... Was that normal?
She breathed him in, her voice muffled and soft, "Sasuke... I - I'm not usually - I don't do this..." She paused, trying to form her words without sounding like a complete idiot,"But, with you - It feels different... I cant explain it."
The rosette kept her face buried in the crook of his neck, so she missed the fleeting light in his eyes and conscious expression. He held her a little tighter for a little longer before shifting.
"Sakura," he breathed against her throat, while stroking the pink locks at the nape of her neck - she visibly shivered,"I have to get going."
Taking another deep breath, she looked at him thoughtfully,"Are you sure you can drive?" Her hands cupped his face and thumbs moved over the barely notable swollen edges of his eyes,"You probably don't like hearing it, but you really do look exhausted... You could, take a power-nap - here, and then go... If you really must."
Sasuke's eyes were dark with emotion, looking deeply into hers, and her breath caught.
He closed his eyes, and leaned into her, pressing his lips to hers for a few sweet seconds before withdrawing completely. Her heart was in her throat and she was mute, as he began pulling out onto the roof.
Sasuke glanced down at her to find her face scarlet and eyes downcast. He smirked, bending down to reveal his haste.
"Itachi's waiting for me, I'm already late... And it wont be a long drive, don't worry," he finished resolutely.
"Your going to drive recklessly aren't you?" She folded her arms over her chest, a small frown on her face.
"Do you want me to lie Sakura?" There was a hint of teasing in his tone.
She sighed heavily,"Your hopeless..."
Their time together was short, but she understood that he needed to go... But she couldn't help but be slightly angry with him. He shouldn't have come at all, he could have called her or texted her, letting her know he couldn't come. She would have understood that... It was nearly 1:00am, she felt liable.
"I wont be able to sleep - I'll worry." She found herself confessing and then regretting it right after. The fear of coming off clingy made her want to run across the room and lock herself in her bathroom. But, she really did care... She couldn't help but worry.
He leaned low on his knee's to be eye-level with her again. Out-stretching his arms on either side of the window,"When will you be back on campus?"
Sakura gulped,"Um, tomorrow..."
"So, you spoke with your father then?"
She nodded,"He said he got a call from Tsunade... I guess he needed to hear the truth from anyone else but me..."A sad smile graced her lips but she quickly realized something else," But, he looked just as exhausted today, what kind of meeting were you two in?" She questioned, with open implication in her tone.
Sasuke raised a meaningful brow but chose not to address the question,"How did he react to the truth?"
She watched him curiously for a moment before answering,"He was - strange."
The raven-haired boy smirked and she found herself grinning at his reaction, it was contagious. He was contagious. She continued when he looked at her expectantly,"Well, he - I guess he was apologizing in his own confusing way... But, it didn't change the things he said yesterday, he didn't even address those." She finished just above a whisper. Sakura decided not to mention the discussion about the Uchiha's she had with her father. She wasn't sure if she wanted to tell Sasuke at all.
Sakura felt his fingers ghost over her jaw-line,"I'll see you on campus, then."
"Yes... Please, drive safe."
He nodded, releasing her and pushing to a stand. She leaned forward as he began retreating, folding her arms on the window-sill and resting her chin against them. Sakura saw him step off the edge of the roof and onto the branches of the tree, easing himself down with such grace she remained transfixed by him until he reached the earth and disappeared into the night without a sound.
She sighed.
Staying in that position for sometime, she got lost in her thoughts. When Sasuke said that her father hadn't said anything at their meeting, was he being truthful? He wasn't the type to lie, so she did believe him... But something seemed off with him. Whatever the case, she'd know sooner or later.
'I'll see you on campus,'
Reality seemed to hit her as those words replayed in her mind... What were she and Sasuke doing? She liked him, a lot. There was no denying that, but she was still afraid. These passed few days, being with him, crying with him - opening up to him. She felt safe, and her defensive walls had come crumbling down. But, would it still be the same outside the walls that had been an emotional prison? Outside this room?
And what about him? ...Did he trust her, the way she did him?
She didn't know the answers to those questions, but maybe that was the beauty of it? She was willing to put herself out there. Willing to put her already torn heart on the line for him. Because Sasuke was worth the risk, he was worth the heart-ache.
Even if she now had to worry about her fathers watchful eye. Even if Karin and the others decided to continue their threats and harassment's... It would be anything but easy, but she could do this.
Pulling away from the cold night, she closed the window shut and got into bed.
Throwing the thick white covers over her, Sakura found herself touching her lips and her neck. Where his lips had been. Her stomach did a flip and heat enveloped her face. Sakura found herself perplexed at how easily they fell into being intimate with each other... Or was this the normal pace? She wasn't sure, she wasn't experienced enough in this. But, when he kissed her - touched her, she felt bold enough to reciprocate it and more. It came naturally with him, like his touch was drawing those things out of her.
Her heart was thundering at the realizations. How did he get her so bothered at just the thought of him..? She really needed to get her emotions under control, this wouldn't be good for her sanity.
Wanting to clear her head and calm her nerves, she mentally recited the the answers to her upcoming quiz... And It proved to be effective, because she fell asleep soon after.
Nurses shuffled inside and out of the hospital room.
Seven-year old Sakura lay on her fathers lap, playing with the buttons of his dress-shirt.
"Papa, why is mommy always here?"
His deep green eyes were frozen in thought.
"Papa?" Her tiny hands reached up to cup his face.
His frame jerked at the contact like a zap of electricity.
Glossy eyes looked down at the small rosette, as if for the first time.
He cupped his hands over hers and pressed his head against the crown of her pink locks.
"Don't - Don't cry papa."
"I..."
His hands moved to wrap around her,"-I love your mommy, so much it hurts. And you baby - Your my light, my Hanami... But," his words caught in his throat as a deep sorrow took hold,"I don't deserve you," Kizashi barely choked out.
He wept. His tears spilling over -
Sakura, hey - hey there.
What was - Who was that?
Another nudge later and she stirred.
"Mmm - Sasuke?"
A snicker resounded,"Not quite, cupcake."
Her foggy mind cleared further and eyes cracked open. It was a dimmer setting than she remembered, her eyes came into focus eventually, adjusting to the dark room. Her cheeks felt oddly cool too.
"There she is... You were crying, in your sleep. You okay?"
Crying?
"Suigestu?"
Oh God.
Had she - did she just - mumble Sasukes name, in her sleep, in front of Suigetsu?
Her face felt hot under his inquiring amethyst gaze. But, she hadn't been dreaming about Sasuke? Her pink brows drew low, as she wiped at her damp cheeks to see that she was in fact, crying. Her features contorted, nut not because she had been emotional through the vivid dream. Waking up crying every now and then wasn't really a big issue anymore... It was the dream itself, she remembered the images even now... It had affected her so deeply. Why that memory? Why now? Maybe it had to do with her fathers odd, yet familiar behavior yesterday... She wasn't sure, but it left her feeling frustrated and numb.
And it still didn't answer why she had mumbled Sasuke's name... Maybe her subconscious was out to get her. Whatever the case, she made herself look like a sprung groupie in-front of the silver-haired boy. Who also, wasnt Sasuke's biggest fan.
"Sakura?"
Her eyes shot toward Suigestu, leaning toward her from the leather seat right across. Had he sat there, all through her nap?
"Uh, yeah... Sorry about that." She ran a hand through her hair, a sheepish smile on her face.
He grinned, pushing off his seat,"No prob... Was it a bad dream or somethin'? The Uchiha break your heart?"
She wanted to correct him. Her dream hadn't been about Sasuke but, it was an easy way out of explaining herself.
"I - don't even remember, weird right?" She shrugged, playing it off.
Her eyes traveled of their own accord to find all the seats empty and the train unmoving,"Hey, are we-"
"Yeah, we got here about mmm-seven minutes ago?"
Feeling embarrassed, Sakura felt the heat intensify on her cheeks,"Oh... Great!" She hastily got out of her seat and reached up to the baggage compartment to grab her school bag. Only for him to reach for it at the same time, brushing their sides together.
"I - I got it, Thanks Suigetsu."
His hands were by his sides again but he remained rooted to the spot beside her. Blocking her path.
"Its pretty late, not safe for you to walk all the way to your dorm on your own."
She shifted on her feet,"Thank you but, I'll be okay."
"I insist," he expressed with not much room for debate. But she'd really rather walk on her own, and it wasn't that late. Just short of reaching 10:00pm, she'd be fine.
"No, really - I," She sighed in defeat. He couldn't hear her, because he was already out the door. Coming to a stop on the paved road, patiently waiting for her.
Really not in the mood for this.
Gripping the strap of her bag, she paced out the door and right passed him.
"Hey, wait up!" He jogged until he was beside her, though she kept her fast pace.
Letting out a low whistle, he threw her another charming grin,"Ease up girl, I don't get volleyball training every other day. I'm struggling here!"
"Sorry, in a hurry."
He raised a silver brow,"I can see that... So, where were you coming from anyway? I was in Sound City for the weekend."
"Oh, nice... I was, visiting home."
Just a little longer, she was nearly at her building.
"I heard what happened Friday... Those girls, they could learn a lot from you," he said, grabbing her arm jut as they reached her dorm building.
She was hoping this wouldn't have been brought up.
"But, I retaliated, I'm no different from them... You give me too much credit."
He shook his head,"No, your completely different... You defended yourself and your friends, that's admirable. And they know nothing about that."
She looked at him then, really looked at him. He was serious, to the point where it could be misinterpreted for anger. She couldn't disguise her curiosity. Those girls used to be his friends - he used to be (and may or may not still) in love with Karin. Yet, he really saw those things in her? Thought so highly of her?
"Thank you, Suigestu," She said with a smile.
A wide grin spread across his face,"Just being honest..." He took a step closer and his hand was up and around her shoulder, pulling her close before she could even react,"I'll see you around, Sakura," He whispered in her ear, with an unidentifiable edge to his tone.
A bit shocked at the abrupt physical contact, it took her a second to shift uncomfortably in order for him to get the hint. He withdrew, a bit reluctantly from what she could tell, moving with backward steps, with his eyes remaining on her.
She felt a chill crawl up her neck at his gaze, and it wasn't the pleasant kind. He sent her an exaggerated wink before facing forward and turning a corner out of her line of sight.
Sakura stood there for a few more seconds, unsure if she had just imagined it all.
How, strange.
Mentally shaking her head, the rosette turned on her heel, entering the building.
Inhaling deeply, she took to the steps, anxious for what the next few days held for her.
She could do this.
This chapter was a little slower than usual but it was necessary. Whadya-think?
'The older Uchiha,' Sakura's guessing it to be Sasuke's father, but is that really who Kizashi dislikes so strongly?
'Was Sasuke being honest,'Look back at Sasuke's choice of words to her interroagtion, did he lie? Or avoid the truth... Clever Uchiha that he is.
'Naruto seemed troubled,' Any ideas as to why Naruto isnt the happiest person about Sasuke and Sakura becoming exclusive?
Cant wait to hear your thoughts! Also, Sakura's father, though a complete jerk, wasnt always... What are your thoughts on his actions, and Sakura's memories of him?
And, how do you feel about Suigestu's advances err - I mean actions?
;))) Until the next update my dear friends!