Date: 6/4/13
Rating: T
Genre: Cute, Romance
Prompt: Sasuke is forced to live with Sakura after he comes back to his village for his probation period/Sasuke stays with Sakura in her home just after the war because the Hokage doesn't want him to stay unsupervised.
"Why are you here?"
Sakura turned around and saw Sasuke leaning on the doorframe, arms crossed, a puzzled expression on his face. She snorted. "Well for starters," she said, "this is my apartment, and I live here." Sasuke scowled, about to retort, but the sound of sizzling water as it boiled over the pot caught Sakura's attention. Quickly, she whipped back around to lower the heat and wiped her hands on her apron. "Anyway," she continued, her back to him, adding a few shakes of pepper into the contents of the pot, "dinner is almost ready, and—"
"You're acting like this is normal," he said, as he watched her move to the counter and begin to chop more vegetables.
"You're going to have to elaborate for me, Sasuke-kun."
Sasuke rolled his eyes and stepped into the kitchen. "This. You cooking for me. You cleaning for me. Greeting me when I wake up. Greeting me when I come home. Asking how my day was." He grabbed a fistful of his hair and sat down. "You're acting like my—" Sasuke stopped, unable to finish the sentence. He stole a glance at Sakura, wondering if she noticed. She didn't.
Wife. Sasuke took this time to observe her. Sakura in her apron. Sakura with her hair up. Sakura humming a tune as she added more ingredients to the dish. She played the part well, he thought. But that was Sakura—the kunoichi with monstrous strength, the woman with the gentlest touch. He glanced at her left ring finger and then at his, wondering how well he could play the other half.
"I'm under probation," he said, clearing his throat, feeling the heat slowly rise up his neck. "You don't have to do this for me. It's—it's annoying."
Sakura paused what she was doing and placed the knife on the cutting board. "I'm not doing it because I have to," she said as she opened one of the cabinets, taking out a few plates and bowls, and turned to face him, "I'm doing it because I want to, because I remember." Sasuke raised his brow. Sakura looked away, laughing awkwardly. "When we were genin, you told me how painful loneliness was, and, well, when I found out you had to live with me I promised myself that as long as you lived under my roof you'd never feel lonely. But I guess I overdid it, huh?"
Sakura opened the drawer took out the chopsticks, placing them over the pile of plates and bowls on the counter. "But," she said, the corners of her mouth turning upwards into a smirk, "I suppose I'll always be annoying. I'm sorry my presence has been such a bother to you."
"That's not—"
"Lighten up, Sasuke-kun! I was only kidding." Sakura turned to stick her tongue at him as he glared. She shook her head. "You're always so serious," she said, chuckling as she walked back to the stove. "Anyway your probation is almost up, and soon you'll have a place all to yourself. Though," she mused, "I do have to admit, I'll miss seeing you every day."
Sasuke stood up. "Who says we won't?"
"Hm? Oh, I mean, we're probably going to be busy doing our own things, you especially. Sure, I'll still have my shifts at the hospital and training, but you'll have to take the chuunin exams and win back the trust and respect of the rest of the village. You'll have all of that and more." Sakura turned around. "It's going to be—"
A small gasp escaped from her lips. It was only a small gesture, but while she was talking Sasuke had set the table, taking everything she piled on the counter and placing them over the placemats he knew Sakura kept near the pantry. She looked surprised, silently thanking him for the help. But Sasuke just shrugged, glancing at her left ring finger and then at his. He knew Sakura could play the role, but so could he. He smirked. "I can make time."