Morning came around and Sasuke jerked up suddenly, drenched in sweat. He looked down and Sakura, his expression softening and lying back down in an attempt not to wake her. Sakura had stayed asleep all up to the point where he laid back down on the bed.
She had thought about going back to sleep at first, but after a few moments of lying there she realized that he seemed warmer than usual and tense. Sakura let out a short yawn before sitting up and rubbing her eyes, trying to wake herself up enough to give him her attention.
"Sasuke?"
She propped herself up on her elbow as she raised an eyebrow at him. He seemed to be sweating and his face was a little pale. Had he'd had a bad dream or something? She couldn't remember ever seeing him look like that and it was enough to send a chill through her. She didn't like that look on him, the uncertainty on his face.
She pulled herself up to where she was closer to his head, staying propped up on her elbow. She furrowed her brows at him as she tried to figure out what was wrong because she knew there was no way she could ask him. He'd just brush it off like it was nothing. She knew that something was definitely wrong though.
She leaned over to him and kissed him gently before brushing the hair out of his face.
"It's alright. It was a nightmare I'm guessing?" she said quietly.
He held her close, a worrisome look on his face. "I'm fine. It was just a dream."
She continued to look at him for a long time, debating on if she should push the issue or not. She highly doubted that she was going to get a straight answer from him, so that was the only thing that convinced her to lay her head back down on his chest. There would eventually be a time when she could bring this up again, but now certainly wasn't it. It would probably just piss him off if she continued to pester him about it.
She continued to run her hand through his hair over and over again. It had been something her mother would do when she was a girl and it always comforted her, she could only hope it would do the same for him.
"I love you so much," he mumbled before giving her a deep but gentle kiss.
She looked up when she felt him move and was surprised by the kiss he gave her. She didn't hesitate to return it, tightening the hold she had on him until he pulled away.
"I love you, too. More than you know."
She smiled at him before kissing his chest and then laying her head back down, the worried look crossing her features again. She couldn't possibly imagine what was bothering him so much, but she'd help in whatever way she could. She loved him more than anything, and she knew that wasn't going to change. Unless his feelings changed, cause her's certainly weren't going to, than this would be it. She could easily see herself with him for the rest of her life.
"Want me to get you a glass of water or make you breakfast or something?"
Sasuke nodded. "I do like tomato omelets, but I also like being with you."
She'd be up for either, and it wasn't like she couldn't go make breakfast and then they could go back to cuddling on the couch or something of the sorts. She certainly didn't have a problem compromising.
"Why don't we stay here for a little bit, and then you can go take a shower and I'll cook you breakfast. Then we can go from there," Sakura suggested.
He nodded in agreement. "We should shower separately."
"Yeah, just don't break into the bathroom this time."
"Then don't invite me in then lock the door and I won't break in," Sasuke joked.
"I was just giving you a challenge. It would of been too easy if you could of just walked right in." She smiled at that.
She had been surprised he hadn't just broken the door down completely then. She had figured he would of been impatient, but no, instead he decided to break in by picking the lock. It seemed Sasuke would use any excuse he could to use his ninja skills.
She laughed and laid her hand down flat against his chest. She moved to where she was laying on her stomach, her chin resting on that same hand as she looked at him.
"I'll cook though and you can eat while I shower."
She was trying to keep the subject changed, because despite it all he still looked troubled by whatever his dream had been about. If he wouldn't talk, this was the best next thing she could do for him.
She relaxed against him as she started to trace circles on his stomach. The least she could do was give him something else to talk about.
Sakura smiled at him. "So they're leasing apartments at that complex I told you I was thinking about moving into. I think I'm gonna get one. That is if you think you can stand living just two blocks from me."
"I can't stand living two blocks from you." He gave her a little smirk. "Wait a little longer before getting your own place."
"You really don't want me to move there?"
She raised a curious eyebrow at him. Sasuke had to of had a reason why he didn't want her moving just yet and that right there was enough to worry her. Her mind started to jump to conclusions and it made her feel silly for even considering them. One was he was breaking up with her. That would explain why he was acting so odd and then not wanting her to move in closer to him, but then why would he of even bothered to say he loved her.
Sasuke wouldn't waste his time going so out of the way to pull a prank like that. Another theory would be that he just didn't want her that close. That one stung a little...
He paused, an amused expression forming on his face. "No, I don't want you moving there."
She couldn't help but narrow her eyes at him. She had caught that stressed word and everything suddenly began to click. Was he asking her to move in with him... Unofficially?
In all truth he was probably just letting her in on his plan. He'd ask in his own due time and it would probably be after the village found out they were a couple and the dust settled down. Until then though she'd need to at least get some things from her house and move them here. Like a toothbrush, some clothes for her, etc. etc.
She thought about what living with Sasuke might be like. It would definitely be something she'd enjoy. She wouldn't have to say bye to him every night or wait until his night training to see him. She could wake up next to him, she wouldn't have to miss him and she could make sure he was taking care of himself. It would be ideal and she knew she'd be happy without question.
She pushed herself to turn in the bed and sit up. Sakura pushed the hair out of her face before running her fingers through it to try and smooth it down some.
"So you want an omelet?" she asked.
"Hn."
She laughed. "Okay, well go shower and I'll have it ready for you when you get out."
She looked over at him as he got out of bed. She leaned over and grabbed the pair of pants he had discarded earlier and pulled them on before she got out of bed herself and went about straightening the sheets as she began to make it.
"If I'm not here when you get out I might be at the market. I don't know if you have any tomatoes here," Sakura said.
"I always have tomatoes here," he retorted with a scoff.
She laughed, shaking her head as she followed him from the bedroom. She went to the kitchen and opened up his refrigerator glancing around at the food.
Sure he had food, but she had to take in he only got back from his mission yesterday. Surprisingly enough though he hadn't been lying and there were in fact tomatoes. She could only shake her head as she grabbed them along with eggs and cheese.
As she went about cooking, Sakura couldn't help but let her mind wander a bit. If she was right and Sasuke was going to ask her to move in with him than a lot of things would be changing.
Also, if he was planning on asking her to move in, than that meant they would have to tell people. If he was ready for that than she wouldn't object, but she wondered how long it would be or what he was waiting for. Things between her and Sasuke though were going smooth and better than she ever expected. It was a big step moving in together and she wanted to do that more than anything. The next step though would be marriage. That would probably take a hell of a lot longer, but if things kept up, she could easily see it happening.
Finishing with his omelet she set it down at the kitchen table along with her own and sat down, smiling at one of the pictures there was of him and his family sitting out before she turned and started with the dishes.
Sasuke didn't take too long in the shower. They had just taken a shower the night before, though they hadn't gotten too clean while they were in there.
He appeared from the bathroom briefly, but quickly disappeared into his bedroom in search of clothes. She glanced over her shoulder. She could only watch him walk by with a smile on her face before she looked back down at what she was doing.
After a few minutes he came out of his bedroom, fully clothed in his usual training clothes. He walked into the kitchen, looking for Sakura with his hair still dripping with a bit of water.
"Smells good," he said.
She just kept up with doing the dishes, that was until she felt his arms snake around her waist and pull her back against him. She hadn't even heard him coming. Sasuke was an expert at stealth, her only excuse for him being that he just walked that way.
Then he planted a kiss on her cheek before releasing her and turning his attention back to the food. He sat down and starting eating the omelet.
"I'm glad."
She leaned back against him, her smiling growing. She looked at him as he took a seat and began eating. He seemed to be enjoying it which was more than enough for her. It wasn't until she put the last clean pan away that she finally came and sat down next to him, eating her own omelet.
"I'm gonna leave here around one so I can head home, change and still get everything done before two o'clock. Ronan thinks I get off work at two. More than likely he'll be waiting in the hospital lobby." She rolled her eyes and took another bite.
Sasuke frowned. "Hn."
She wasn't saying all of this to make him jealous, but instead to simply give him a head's up.
"While you're gone I'm going to see Naruto," he said.
Sasuke finished his omelet he stood up, taking his plate with him to the sink and washing it. He was quiet, which wasn't unusual for him. He was often silent for long periods of time, even when he was around Sakura.
"You're going to willingly spend time with Naruto?"
She looked at him in curiosity before shaking her head and going back to her food. They would probably wind up doing only one of two things. Either eat ramen, or train if not both.
She knew that Sasuke cared about the blonde, he had admitted he was his best friend on a few occasions, but that didn't necessarily mean he tolerated him. Naruto just understood Sasuke better than most people and apparently even Sasuke wasn't immune to his uncanny ability to make friends with almost everyone he met.
"I need to discuss something with him," he clarified.
She stood up and walked to the sink, washing the plate and then putting it up. She glanced up at him for a short moment, trying to figure out if he was okay or not. He didn't looked bothered by anything, so she could only assume he just didn't have anything to say. That was just how Sasuke was.
Sakura smiled at him gently. "I'm gonna go take a quick shower."
"Hn."
She ran her fingers across his back as she passed him. She always wanted to touch him, just to double check she wasn't real and she wasn't dreaming. Sure it had been a couple of months since they got together and she shouldn't still be in shock, but she was.
She was so scared that it was all going to get taken away from her and something was going to happen to him. Going into his bedroom she grabbed her clothes before going back to his bathroom to take a shower.
When she got out of the shower she went to the mirror, wiping the fog away. She stared at herself for only a short moment, trying to go over in her mind what Sasuke saw in her. She wondered what attracted her to him, what had made him first start to care about her. She kept going over things like that in her head, a simple confidence issue that almost all girls had. He had chosen her, and for the life of her, she couldn't figure out why.
Sighing she changed into her clothes, taking the shirt and pants she had borrowed and folded them. When she left the bathroom she crossed through the living room to the bedroom, smiling softly at him as she passed and saw Sasuke sitting down and reading. He didn't look up as she walked by.
She put the clothes away in his closet before going back into the living room.
Sakura slowly eased down beside him, curling her feet underneath her as she leaned against him, her head on his shoulder. She glanced over what he was reading, it involved the sharingan. She boiled it down that he was just doing research to better his fighting style.
She decided to let him read, instead turning her attention to his apartment. There were a few pictures of his family here and there and then nothing but the furniture she had put in here. That was one reason she felt so at ease here. He hadn't changed a thing about how she decorated this place and it made it feel like home to her. It was her mark in his world and she felt so at peace with the thought.
Before long he reached a stopping point in his book and shut it, setting it down on the nearby coffee table. Then he turned his attention to Sakura.
"You look comfortable," he said with a smirk as he wrapped an arm around her.
She smiled softly as she moved closer to him. She hadn't meant to distract him, it was kind of nice just sitting there as he read, but then again she wasn't going to object to his attention, either.
"Yeah, I'm comfortable, but you smell weird."
She was joking with him on that last part. One of the things she loved most about him was how he smelled. It was unique and something that made her feel calm. She honestly couldn't explain it. She loved everything about him, the only thing she could really find herself getting frustrated over at times was his pride. She admired him at times for it, but when he did things like keep his troubles to himself and not admit to needing help, she wanted to kick his ass.
Sasuke raised a curious eyebrow. "With how close you and I always are, I've probably got your scent all over me. So if I smell weird, it's your fault."
"That's called the scent of clean." She laughed and leaned up, kissing his neck.
Sakura laughed. "Or it could just be the cooties, who knows?"
She shrugged as she looked out one of the windows. She could see rain clouds coming and by her guess, they'd probably be here tonight.
"You can blame it on me though. No one would ever believe me if I told them you were a closet cuddler."
He was though, which was perfectly fine with her. She craved his touch, and she doubted she'd ever reject standing within arm's length of him.
Sasuke smirked. "Yes, no one will ever believe you. So don't bother telling anyone."
"Don't worry, I'm saving that fun little fact for blackmailing in case I ever want something."
She had been surprised with Sasuke over the first few weeks they had been together. She hadn't expected him to let her always be so close and hell, he was the one usually initiating it. Now, she was used to it. Even more so she was used to not touching him in public, which she was sure would probably be the norm anyways. Besides maybe holding his hand walking down the street or a quick kiss on the cheek, nothing between them would really change if there was someone else around.
"What were you reading?" Sakura asked.
She knew it was over techniques, but her question was more directed to the topic of what they were and the like. He was always looking to better himself, another quality she admired. He wasn't the type of guy to settle for mediocre or average, a fact that made her feel special that he chose her. It was something that led her to believe he'd be able to uphold his promises and do whatever he set his mind to.
He would make ANBU, a captain more than likely, he'd rebuild his clan, etc. etc. Sasuke had a future, and she could only hope that nothing would change that kept her from being apart of that future.
"Special mission tactics for sharingan users," he said calmly. "I intend to learn some of Itachi's strategies."
She looked up at him. Sakura was sure that the subject of Sasuke's brother was a sensitive one to him. She hardly ever hear him so much as mention his older sibling and whenever he did he would always wind up brushing it off like it was nothing.
Besides what Kakashi told her and what she'd read, she didn't know anything about Itachi. Sasuke wasn't angry with the mention of his brother but he didn't seem necessarily happy to bring him up. She'd have to watch herself, but she wanted to know. She was curious.
"Sasuke... Did you forgive him?"
She knew he had accomplished his goal, but she wasn't sure if it brought him happiness or closure or what else was going on in his mind. Sasuke had never spoken about what happened between himself and Itachi or how he killed him.
The only other time she'd heard him speak of him was when he told her the clothes had belonged to him that she had gotten from the Uchiha district. He had seemed okay with it, but she couldn't recall ever seeing him wear them.
It took him a minute to think of a proper answer to Sakura's question. He seemed to be in deep thought.
"Forgive isn't the right word," he finally answered. "Murdering our clan wasn't right, no matter what the reason. And I wouldn't have chosen the same path. But I understand what he was thinking and his reasons behind it and I no longer hate him."
She grew quiet for a moment, letting it soak in. He had seemed okay with everything that happened, well, as okay as someone could get. It was comforting to know he had at least some form of closure when it came to that part of his life.
"It's good you don't hate him anymore."
She wasn't really sure if she could ask him anymore questions. His relationship with Itachi was always something she wondered about. They had to of gotten along at some point in their lifetimes.
Sakura gave him a soft smile. "You're a good guy, Sasuke. I hope you know that."
She sat up enough to look at him, leaning forward and kissing him gently. Sure he had made some of the wrong choices along the way, I. E. trying to shove a chakra infused hand through her head, but she had long ago forgiven him for that and pushed it from her memory.
Sasuke was a good person and he'd always do what he thought was right. Also, it was getting evident that the village was starting to forgive him as well. There weren't quite as many dirty looks directed his way the past week or so.
Sasuke had a far away look on his face and it really worried her. She could never tell what was going on in his head.
"Hn."
She smiled briefly at his one syllable answer. He was just agreeing with her to avoid saying what he really thought. It was a typical move on his part but it also made her think about what his real opinion of himself was. He had done a lot of things in his life that he probably wasn't technically proud of but she knew he didn't regret anything. He was the type of guy who accepted that whatever happened in the past, happened. He was good though, and she knew that and she'd spend however much time she had to trying to get him to see it, too.
"What do you want to do until you have to leave?" he asked.
She put her head back on his shoulder, hugging him closer to her.
"I don't know. I'm fresh out of ideas. What do you want to do?"
She was content sitting here with him, but she knew she wouldn't be able to sit still for long and neither could he. If they weren't trying to keep things secret they could go somewhere, like for a walk or to the training grounds. Anything.
Also, the fact she really shouldn't be running around the village was there. She couldn't risk running into Ronan, or at least, she didn't want to risk it.
Thinking about her question for a moment, he smirked. Without a word Sasuke stood up and went into his bedroom, catching her off guard but returning a minute later with three scrolls in his hand. She recognized them. She could remember digging around and finding them when she had gone through the things at the Uchiha district. She had thought she had been around their archives and had been gathering up some of the written history on his clan.
"You might find these interesting," he said as he sat back down on the couch.
She took them from him, pushing herself to sit up. Sasuke seemed to be watching her closely.
Getting up, Sakura moved to the floor in between Sasuke's legs, leaning against him and the couch as she laid the scrolls down on the table in front of them. She was careful as she opened one up, only reading a few lines before she stopped, her eyes wide with excitement. The rosette quickly turned her upper torso to look at him, a serious look on her face. There were medical techniques inside, ones she'd never seen but had heard of.
"It's really okay that I'm reading these? I've heard of these techniques, but they're very top secret. I don't think anyone outside of your clan has seen these," she asked.
She wanted to read them so bad, but she had to be clear with him about the importance of them. Tsunade had gone over some of the hardest jutsus to learn and the most effective. The Uchiha medical scrolls were on both of those lists but they were highly restricted to Uchiha medics only and used with such discretion that the techniques couldn't be copied. She couldn't believe he would trust her so much with something like this.
He smiled a little then pointed at one of the unopened scrolls. "See this marking on the outside. That's my clan's symbol for top secret information. It's not forbidden, just requires permission from the appropriate person. Go ahead and read them. Someone should know this information."
"I feel so special to know the appropriate person."
She laughed gently as she leaned back, reaching up to pull him down so she could kiss him. She pulled back just far enough to smile at him.
"Thank you," Sakura added.
Sakura turned back to the scrolls then, her attention falling to the one that was already open as she began to read it. She skimmed over it to get a basic understanding before taking in the fact that Sasuke was looking over her shoulder at it. So when she went to read it a second time, she paused every few lines to explain to him the mechanics of the technique. What each hand sign was for, what the purpose of it all was, what you should be looking for, etc. etc. Sasuke was the type of guy who liked to understand things, she could at least run him through the basics.
She wasn't sure how long she spent reading before she put the last scroll aside, leaning back and hooking her arms over his legs as if she had just had a huge meal. She took a turned to look at him but her eyes fell to the clock instead. It was almost one, which meant she would have to go, something she really didn't want to do. She had to though, a feeling she was dreading as she finally turned to look at him.
"I need to go."
She sighed before pushing herself to stand up and moving around the table as she picked up the scrolls. She walked over to one of his bookshelves and slid them in a small open space, turning back to him.
"Can you leave those there for me? I want to keep looking over them but I can't exactly take them with me."
If someone caught her with those it would be fairly obvious that Sasuke trusted her... A lot. Ino would be able to put two and two together with no problem.
"That's fine," he agreed with a nod.
"You're training tonight, right?" she asked.
He nodded again. "I can't afford to miss training."
He frowned once more. Sasuke walked over to her, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her close and giving her a short kiss. She stayed close to him, looping her arms around him as she hugged him.
She had been so worried about him, even more so when she first saw him last night. He had acted so strangely but he seemed to have pushed aside whatever had been bothering him. It relaxed her that he wasn't pacing his apartment or brooding in a corner somewhere.
"I'll see you late tonight. If you manage to get rid of that guy earlier than expected I'll be with Naruto," he said, looking annoyed that she had to go.
"It'll probably be tonight. I'd like to say sooner, but he's not exactly easy to get away from."
Sakura let out a heavy sigh before pulling away from him and walking towards the door. "I'll see you then."
She thought about saying she loved him again, but she wasn't about to put him in the situation where he felt obligated to say it back. She knew how he felt and that was more than enough. She didn't have to hear it from him to know he loved her too. Instead she just left, going to take care of her responsibilities.