Chapter Twenty-Six
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Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO!
"Which European Power defeated the Mughais by the 1750s?"
"Great Britain."
"Europe's Pope launched crusades during the medieval era to?"
"Can we open my presents now?" Sakura whined. Closing her book, the rosette slumped against the sofa. Glancing at the clock on her wall, she sighed. "I've been studying for three hours now…"
"No. Wrong answer. Europe's Pope launch crusades during the medieval era to fight Muslim, convert non-Catholics, and wipe out heresy." Sasuke smirked at the blank, annoyed look that the rosette aimed at him.
"Don't be annoying, Sasuke." Sakura commented. Then sticking her bottom lip out, she pouted. "Come on, Sasuke. It won't even be my birthday anymore in twenty minutes."
Rolling his eyes at Sakura's childish actions, he dropped his textbook onto the floor and walked to the kitchen table. Sakura smiled as he gathered up all of the presents and carried them to the living room. Setting them down beside her, he let her do the honors of picking the first present.
Judging by the blinding neon orange wrapping, the two said, "Naruto."
Laughing, Sakura ripped the paper off, carefully though.
"Just rip it off, Sakura. Don't be annoying."
"No," Sakura glared at him playfully. "The person who wrapped this present took their time to wrap it nicely. So, the least I can do is not tear their hard-work to shreds."
"Hn. Just hurry up then."
Behind the neon colored wrapping paper was the cutest, most adorable stuffed animal she's ever seen. It was a plush nine-tailed fox holding a cup of ramen. Pushing the little button on its paw, Naruto's incredibly loud, energetic voice filled the room. "Happy Birthday Sakura! Here's to the birthday girl, a year long subscription to Ichiraku Ramen!"
Sakura laughed as she found a mini certificate inside the plush ramen cup. Looking at Sasuke, she held the animal to her cheek. "Okay, this awesome."
Sasuke scoffed. "Hn. Mine's better."
"Oh, really?"
"Aa."
"Alright, let's open it now and I'll be the judge of it." Sakura challenged.
"Open it last." Sasuke said as he handed her a different gift.
"Why?" Sakura took the gift and began to open it slowly, yet again. She was confused though.
"Because."
"Okay...," Sakura turned her attention back to the present in her hand. It was from the Hyuugas and of course, Tenten.
Inside, Sakura found a rectangular box that held a daisy designed perfume bottle. It was a fresh and feminine fragrance by Daisy, Marc Jacobs.
"Wow. This smells really good." Sakura commented as she sprayed it on her wrist.
"Hn."
Sakura merely stuck her tongue out and continued opening the rest of her gifts. From Shikamaru and Temari, she got an enormous pure white fan with cherry blossoms drawn on it. Ino and Kiba got her a diamond necklace. Then lastly, from Mikoto and the other male Uchihas included, she got a simple white dress. It was simple, yet elegant; tight at the top and then flaring out at her waist.
Running her fingers over the material of the dress, Sakura felt a bump at the hem of the dress. Raising an eyebrow, Sakura flipped it over. There, at the corner of the dress was the Uchiwa fan.
"This is gorgeous." Sakura breathed, holding the dress to her chest.
Sasuke nodded. Reaching over to what's left of the pile, he handed her his gift.
It was a box wrapped in navy with a silver ribbon. Sakura held it up to her ear and shook it. Smiling, she asked, "What is it?"
"Open it." Sasuke smirked.
"What is this?" Sakura gasped as she opened the small, velvet box. Inside, a shiny rock laid smiling back at her.
"A ring." Sasuke replied bluntly with a shrug of his shoulders.
"Clearly." She rolled her emerald orbs. Wetting her lips, she asked, "But... what does this mean?"
"Hn."
Sakura became quiet. The rosette opened her mouth to say something but she decided against it. Hesitantly, she asked," ... Are you proposing? Is this a 'will-you-marry-me' ring or a promise ring?"
He looked her, making her melt into a puddle of goo instantly. His onyx pools reeled her in and that was it, she was a goner. "Hn. I'll let you decide."
"Sasuke...," his name came out of her lips no more than a whisper. Her breath was caught in her throat as she gazed at him.
The young Uchiha haven't moved an inch since she opened the velvet box. His eyes were following her every move; calculating, examining, determining what the rosette was feeling. A million things were running through his mind. Was it too soon? Too sudden? Is she going to accept it with a dazzling smile? Or was she going to throw it at his face, then run away? Sasuke didn't know.
He felt her eyes on him, of course. She took a deep breath, and exhaled twice as long. After what seemed like forever, he heard her say, "Well... aren't you going to help me with this ring? Some gentleman you are, Sasuke. Jeez, it's the least you can do after giving me an engagement/promise ring. Hmph."
Sasuke smirked, amusement was laced in every word she said. Although, he could detect a bit of nervousness in her voice. She was just as scared as he was. This was a big step for both of them. Engagement or not.
Sakura handed him the box with slightly trembling hands. Taking the ring with his fingers, he extended his other hand. Smiling, Sakura placed her hands in his. Ever so gently, Sasuke slipped the ring onto her left ring finger. Unknowingly, they both released a breath they never knew they were holding the whole time.
Sasuke was the first to move as he jumped to his feet and began cleaning up all of the wrapping paper around them. Hastily, he gathered them all of up and walked to the kitchen's trash can. He too, was nervous, still.
Sakura smirked at the sight of him trying to shake the nervousness off by hustling around like a busy beaver. Getting up, she grabbed his arm. Slipping a hand behind his neck and she ran it through his raven locks. Yanking his head down, she looked at him in the eyes. "Hey," smiled, "this isn't finished until you kiss me."
He scoffed. Bending down, he pecked her lips and turned away. But Sakura wasn't going to have it. Instead of letting him go, she got on her tippy toes and yanked his head down, hard. Their lips smashed together, it was rough and hard but it was a homerun. No, it was home. The kiss was soft and sweet, long and genuine. Sakura smiled into the kiss, while he raised his hand and cupped her face, his thumb caressing her cheek. He pulled her close with her other arm wrapped around her waist. It came to a point where their lungs were screaming. Unwillingly, Sasuke let her go. No matter how much his lungs burned and cried for oxygen, he didn't want to stop.
Their foreheads touched each other, nose to nose as they separated. Sakura's breathless laugh caressed his lips as he found himself gazing into her bright, emerald pools. "Now that's how you finish it," she whispered, smiling.
"Aa." The corners of his lips tilted up into a smile.
Suddenly, someone clapping obnoxiously was heard behind them as the person said, "Now.. that's a kiss. BRAVO!"
It was Sasori. A heavily drunk Sasori to be correct.
The couple separated from each other, embarrassed. Sakura linked her arms with Sasuke as she let out an embarrassed laugh. Her face was redder than Karin's hair. Meanwhile, Sasuke had his head turned elsewhere a blush began creeping up the back of his neck.
"Such a cute couple, you two are!" Sasori squeezed them into a hug. "Just lovely."
His breath reeked of alcohol, it was terrible.
Gaara came rushing in, "Sasori." Immediately, he pulled the drunk redhead off of the two, mumbling an apology.
Sakura laughed nervously, "It's alright."
"Oh!" Sasori exclaimed, shaking Gaara off of him. "I totally forgot! Happy Birthday my dear baby sister!"
The girl was dragged into a bone crashing hug. Sasori planted a sloppy kiss on her forehead as she spun her around. Crying anime tears, "My baby sister is eighteen now! Why? She's all grown up!"
Everyone sweatdropped at the drunk redhead.
"Uhh...," Sakura said, "I'm still your baby sister."
Her efforts in calming Sasori worked, the redhead stopped crying and began spinning the girl around in circles again.
Deciding that Sakura had enough for the night, Gaara stepped in and separated the two. "Alright, let's give Sakura our presents."
"Of course!" Sasori pulled away and straighten his suit and tie. Instantly, his drunken state became sober.
Sakura raised a single pink eyebrow and looked at Sasuke. He merely shrugged.
Sasori handed her a small, rectangular box, then a fairly big squared box. "The small one is from mom and dad. The big one is from us."
Unwrapping the smaller one, she pulled out an envelope and a key. Frowning, she opened the envelope. Inside, she found two letters. One was handwritten, clearly from her parents. But the other was from a judge, a court letter. "What?"
"You're eighteen, Sakura." Gaara explained. "An adult."
"Huh?"
"Mom and Dad felt that you're quite an independent girl. You've worked your ass off for what, ten years now? They felt that if you didn't want to be dragged into the Hauno business, it's perfectly fine."
"But that would mean that I'm not connected to the Haurno name at all...," she commented.
"Sure, but you won't have to deal with any of the bull that a daughter of a powerful businessman would have to deal with."
"No."
"What?" Now it was the Haruno's brothers turn to be confused.
"No. I don't care about all of this business crap -,"
"Exactly, that's why we -,"
"No," Sakura interrupted yet again. "There is no way I'm letting the Haruno name be dispatched from me. It's awfully nice of you guys to offer this option to me but no. I just got back my family, whom I've been missing since like forever. And I'm not letting go that easily. You guys still owe me a lot of birthdays, gifts, love, and time. And I'm going to get them one way or another." The rosette laughed, a film of tears forming in her eyes.
"What did I tell you?" Gaara smirked, nudging the girl. "I was serious that time you fell that I wasn't going to let you go."
"Good." She smiled.
"Well then," Sasori tossed her the key from the box, "we'll be expecting you in a few days."
"Sounds good," Sakura wiped away her stubborn tears. Grasping the other gift, she took a deep breath and said, "Hmm... let's hope this is good."
A box full confetti met with her face. "Okay... what?"
"Well, aren't you going to reach in?" Gaara smirked.
Reaching into the box, Sakura moved her hand around. Then, her fingers brushed across something square. Confused, she picked up the object by it's metal ring. It was a car key. Gasping, she flipped it around. "You're kidding?"
"Nope."
Screaming, Sakura tackled them. "You got me my baby!"
"And it's parking right outside." Gaara pointed towards the window.
Sakura's emerald orbs widen as she jumped up and ran to the window. And there it was, her silver baby, an Audi R8 Spyder. "Oh gosh," she turned her head, "I love you guys. Did I tell you that?"
"No, but we know."
"Oh, yeah." Sasori smirked. "I have another present for you guys."
Sakura heard Gaara groan. Frowning, "You guys?"
"You and Sasuke."
"Huh?" Her brows knitted together in confusion. Taking a seat on the arm of the chair Sasuke was occupying, she waited for Sasori to explain.
"Well.. since you're eighteen now, I bet you're going to be a bit feisty... so let me help you guys out." Sasori said. This earned him two clueless looks.
"Here." The redhead tossed a square packet at Sasuke, landing into Sasuke's hand.
Onyx orbs dropped from the redhead's face to the little object in his hand. Blood immediately rushed up the back of his neck. Turning his neck to the side, he tossed it to Sakura. Awkwardly clearing his throat, he heard Sasori chuckle.
"Oh. My. Fucking. God. Sasori!" Sakura kicked him in the shin. She threw the condom and it went flying, hitting the laughing redhead square in the face. "Not funny! Gaara!" She glared at Gaara.
"I told him not too." Gaara raised his hands up in defense, a way of saying that he had absolutely nothing to do with it.
"What? You're eighteen. Those hormones has to be everywhere, baby sister." Sasori commented, smiling at Sakura's flushed face.
"You, brother, is still heavily drunk." Sakura huffed, crossing her arms across her chest.
"Why my dear baby sister, I am very sober right now." Sasori laughed. Waving his hand in the air, he said, "Alright, come one. Let's watch a movie."
It was around two or three in the morning when the movie ended. No one actually really knew. But the movie ended though, for sure.
Yawning, Sakura stood up and stretched like a cat. Grasping the remote, she turned off the TV off. By then, her brothers were already walking to the door. She and Sasuke followed them. Sasuke leaned against the door frame with his arms across his chest as she stood next to him.
"Thanks for coming over and thanks for the presents too." She smiled, hugging her two brothers goodbye.
"It was nothing." Gaara said. "I'll head out first." The redhead bid her one last goodbye before leaving.
"Wow." Sasori began, looking at Sasuke. "This boy of yours is quite a gentleman, Sakura. It's morning and hasn't banged you once! Got to give you props Uchiha, I'm shocked."
Sakura was speechless. Glancing at the young Uchiha beside her, his neck was supporting a heavy red blush, just as she predicted.
"Okay, you were a good boy all night. So I'll let you have the pleasure giving my dearest baby sister a blowjob before school. The bedroom's all your's, kid."
"Sasori!" Sakura yelled, blushing furiously.
"Oh, yeah, I totally forgot...girl's like romantic things. Hmm...," thinking, Sasori suddenly snapped his fingers, "so why don't you guys have a blowjob in the shower. Pretend the water is like the rain. It'll be like a kiss in the rain, expect it's a blowjob in the rain."
Sakura was mortified. Her face reddened, but this time it was out of anger. "Sasori, stop! And go home!" She slammed the door in his face and spun around on her heels, retreating back to the sofa.
Running a hand over his face, Sasuke sighed. Walking to the sulking rosette on the sofa, he grabbed his jackets and kissed her forehead. "Hn. Love you." Just as he turned to leave, Sakura pulled on his wrist. "Just stay. Your extra bag of clothes is in my closet. Plus it doesn't really make any sense to leave and then come back an hour later."
"Hn. It's actually two hours later."
"Oh, whatever, Sasuke." Sakura whined, pulling on his wrist.
Grunting, he placed his jacket in its original place and sat down beside her. Immediately, the rosette curled up into the space in his side, causing them to lie down. Resting her cheek on his chest, she listened to the thump-de-thump of his heart beating. His arm slipped around her waist as he pulled her closer. Sasuke's ears twitched as he counted the seconds between each breath she took.
Seconds after seconds, minutes after minutes, they laid there listening to each other. The clock on the wall clicked obnoxiously as it counted down the seconds of every minute. Birds were chirping as the sky turned an ocean blue, and peeks of the morning sun were beginning to show. Occasional honks were heard here and there from rushing drivers in a hast to reach their destination. Then it would become silent again, or as quiet as a moving world full of life could manage.
Sakura's eyes watered as she covered her mouth for the incoming yawn. Wiping away her tired tears, she tried striking up a conversation, "How's Daisuke doing?"
Resting his free arm behind his head, "Pretty good for a five year old boy I guess." Sakura laughed. Looking down at her, "But he keeps on complaining that he wants to see his Nee-chan. 'It's too boring without her.' That's what he said."
"Well, then," she smiled, "please return this message. It's boring for Nee-chan too without having him bouncing off the walls around here."
"So...?"
"Hn?"
"Would you prefer to live in the city, country, or by the beach?"
"What kind of question is that?" Sasuke frowned.
"A question." Sakura said. "Just answer it, and answer why."
"The city," Sakura nodded. His answer was predictable. "There's always something happening in the city. Silence doesn't really exist here. That's probably why the feeling of aloneness doesn't ever creep up and swallow you alive."
"I always thought that you would have preferred the silence."
"Being around you isn't silence is it?" Sasuke smirked.
"Okay, that's enough sir." Sakura commented. "What is it that makes me so annoying?"
"Everything about you makes you annoying." He said, staring out into space. "You're contantly on my mind for no reason. Just seeing a dash of pink anywhere triggers an image of your disgusting bubblegum colored head in my mind. Every time some random girl laughs, my mind alters it, so that all I hear is that weird hiccuping, silent laugh of yours. Which is highly unattractive. Sometimes when I catch a whiff of perfume,I can practically smell that reeking odoor of yours. It's awful."
Sakura felt her blood run cold. He just flat out insulted her and offended her at the same time. It hurt. "..."
Sasuke knew that she was going to be pissed at him, but he continued with a small smirk. "You are really stupid if you thought that that was what I thought of you."
"...what?"
"You're contantly on my mind because I'm never complete without you. You're the only one that me feel the way that I do. Whenever you're near, my heart beats a little faster, my breath gets caught in the back of my throat, and my hands gets clammy. If you'll let me, I could kiss your lips all day and run my fingers through your gorgeous pink locks. Your scent is like a drug, I swear. I just can't get enough of it. And don't even get me started with your laugh. You have got to have the sexiest laugh known to man."
She was flabbergasted. Sakura searhed for words to express the shock that she was feeling, but she found none.
"You have no idea... about what it felt like standing at that altar that day...with you standing a mere foot away from me and Ino was in the way. I felt like I was at funeral, not a wedding. You know what never crossed my mind?" Sasuke gazed at her intently.
She shook her head.
"Why didn't I ever resist the arrange marriage? Sure, it's my father's life goals for me but that doesn't mean that I had to comply. But then, I realize, the reason that I didn't resist the marriage was because of my Granny. Just like any old grandma, she wanted her grandchildren married off and have kids of their own so she could be a great grandma. It was the look on her face when my dad told her about the arrange marriage that killed me. She was wearing a smile, a true smile. It's been a long time since I've seen that smile. And that moment, I couldn't do anything about it. I just couldn't."
"...I undestand," Sakura whispered quietly. She was amazed that she even managed to get those words out. But truthfully, if she was in Sasuke's position, she probably wouldn't have even had the guts to do it.
"But I love you."
Sakura smiled instantly. Jokingly, she replied, "Pfft, what's not to love?"
"Aa." A moment of silence slipped in as Sasuke hesitated. Onyx orbs traveled down to her heart-shaped face, "What do you feel about meeting my family, again?"
Sakura paused. "What do you mean 'again?'"
"I think it's time for them to officially meet you. Properly this time."
"Please elaborate." Sakura smiled in an embarrassed manner, "You've totally lost me."
"Hn." Sasuke pinched her button nose, in which she swatted his hand away. Smirking, he said, "I want them to meet you as my official girlfriend."
Smiling even brighter, she propped herself up on his chest, "My, aren't we a gentleman here."
"Shut up, Sakura."
"And the gentleman facade goes away. Of course." She stuck her tongue out as she got up and got ready for school.
Sasuke got up and followed her. Before she closed her bedroom door, he said, "And my parents really wants to talk to you for some reason. Granny, especially."
Sakura stopped in mid-action, "Your Granny? S-she wants to talk to me?"
"Aa."
Concern flashed onto his face as Sakura let out a mournful shriek. Dramatically, she slammed the door close. From behind door, Sasuke heard her scream in frustration, "Granny's going to hate me!"
Shaking his head at the girl's dramatic nature, he turned around and left for his belongings.
It was a quarter 'til seven when Ssuke was leading againt the wall, facing the bathrrom mirror. He watched as the rosette flumbled with a tube of mascara as a trembling hand swiped it through her lases. At this rate, she was ever going to get done. Not to mention, smuges of mascara was guaranteed to cover her eye lids.
Sighing deeply, Sasuke turned the rosette around and took the tube out of her hand. She let out a shocked cry but shut her mouth when Sasuke sent her a glare. He tilted her chin up and began swiping the mascara through her lashes for her.
"Sasuke...," Sakura whispered through a sweet smile.
"Hn."
"You don't have to do this."
"If I don't, we're going to be late and you'll look like a raccoon."
Her lips curled into a smile. "I love you."
"Love you too." Sasuke planted a kiss on her forehead. Handing her the tube, he turned her around to face the mirror. "There. Done. Beautiful. Now let's go."
Sasuke left without another word, leaving Sakura there speechless. Quickly, she grabbed her belongings and hustled after the dark-haired teen. Unable to swipe that ridiculously, stupid smile off her face, she tackled him from behind. He felt her arms slip around his torso as her body molded itself into the curve of his back. He could feel her racing heart pounding in her chest from the sprint she did. Standing on her tippy toes with her head close to his as possible, "You're the best you know that?"
"Hn. Of course I am."
"You're totally the one."
"I know."
"I love you."
"I love you more."
"I love you most."
A/N: Sorry for the wait, but I've been really busy. I really do hope this is good enough for now :) Although, I promised to answer all of the questions you guys had in this chapter, I only managed to get a portion of them in. Don't worry, they'll be answered in the next one :) Well then, I should get to bed, it's quite late over here. Good night, morning, or afternoon wherever and whenever you're reading this :)
HAPPY BE-LATED BIRTHDAY TO NaRcIsSiStIcAlLy In LoVe!
{Thanks To:} x-JanoskiansBabey-x, xXmysterious-unknownXx, ILoveSxS, 8melody23, divinecriticizer, Princess Amara of the Sand, Just Believe786, SkeleTonQueeN06, uchiha. sakura. 23, BlackPoppy. 0, mandycandy, Dina Sana, NaRcIsSiStIcAlLy In LoVe, BananaphoneBob, DiamondDreams789FIFi, Lilac Queen, pseudononymous17, Freedom and Hope, sakura-sasukelove-forever01, BlueSakuraAC, and impromptumelody95.
~ KP