Carousel
Round and round like a horse on a carousel, we go,
Will I catch up to love? I could never tell, I know,
Chasing after you is like a fairytale, but I,
Feel like I'm glued on tight to this carousel
The ticking clock on the wall was getting louder by the hour and Sakura sighed in frustration. Patients' files were scattered on her desk haphazardly with a mass of different colors of highlighters and pens. She tapped her red pen against one file and hummed in thought. Dinner spun in the microwave across from her desk; another frozen meal. Tsunade would laugh at her meager attempt to stay on her work. A knock echoed through her office and her head shot up. Glancing at her clock and seeing that it was almost two in the morning, she suddenly felt a chill run up her back and across to her shoulders. Rising from her seat she told the person to come in. She couldn't feel any chakra so she was expecting one of the many civilians that worked in the hospital but her eyes fell onto someone completely unexpected.
"Sasuke-kun?" Sakura whispered. The dark-haired man stepped into the office, a grim look hanging on his porcelain countenance. Finally, Sakura felt his strong chakra as he released his masking technique, purposefully or not she wasn't sure, but it wasn't as electrifying as it usually was. She felt her eyebrows bunch together, frowning immediately. His face was too pale. The medical professional emerged and she ran around her desk, pulling her hair back into a tight ponytail. Her black gloves felt weird on her hands as she slipped them on. They felt heavy since her hands were clammy and aching from all of the writing she had just been doing for hours on end. "Sasuke Uchiha, talk to me." She demanded.
His dark eyes flickered to her and then he sighed. Sakura rushed to his side when his eyes lulled back into his head and he started to fall to the floor. She groaned under his dead weight. Her office was on the bottom floor away from everyone else since she required the research labs and a place to get away from the rest of the going-ons in the hospital. It had been quite hectic after the war. She thought she was going to lose her mind because of the strong stench of blood and bleach on the top three floors therefore Tsunade permitted her to stay in the basement floor. In this situation however, it wasn't very helpful.
She eyed her couch that she sometimes slept on when she didn't have the strength to go home. His erratic breathing was making her skin crawl. What on earth have you been doing Sasuke? Sheasked the universe as she eased her way over to the sofa. Not having the time or the hands to clear her favorite comforter, she heaved Sasuke's body onto it. Her forehead was starting to drip in sweat. Was it from nerves or because Sasuke was so damn heavy? She wasn't too sure herself. Kneeling down beside him, she assessed his arms and then his torso. Sakura reached for his hand and took his wrist carefully. His pulse was erratic as well and this took her through a loop. His chakra was erratic and his breathing mimicked the same results. She looked down at her gloves. There was no blood that she could see. The time it took to get his vitals and check to see if there were any serious injuries, the clock chimed three. Sakura sighed heavily. It ticked her off that she couldn't figure out what was wrong with him. His eyes looked a little sunken in. Sakura ran her hand over his forehead and sent chakra down through his body, starting with his temples. Sasuke seemed to relax slightly and Sakura sighed in relief. She took off his dark blue head-wrap and placed it on the floor. She moved to take off his cloak and suddenly his hand was on hers.
"Sasuke-kun? Are you okay? What the hell have you been doing?" Sakura asked, shocked he was moving so quick despite the condition he was in. She also took note of the sand that flew from his cloak. Sakura looked as the sand hit the tile and the way he looked at her. He looked remorseful.
"Sakura, I…" He didn't finish. Suddenly, Sakura started laughing. The way Sasuke looked at her made her laugh harder. She removed his hand and put it down to his side. "You of all people know how important it is to drink water." She simply stated. His frown deepened.
"Please take off the cloak, Sasuke-kun. I need to go down the hall to get you an IV and some fluid. Lay back down and wait a second," she commanded when he started to get up, "please." She added and he stopped half-way attempting to get up. He stared at her and she started to feel her face heat up. She was glad that it was relatively dim in her office. Sasuke briskly took of his coat and shook it off. The frown never left his face.
Sakura jogged down the hall and back again with a mobile IV and a bag of fluid.
"I wonder what made him so distracted that he is this damn dehydrated?" She asked herself out loud. Opening the door quickly, she almost quit moving after her eyes went back to the couch. He was shirtless and laying down, with his arms crossed over his lower stomach. She straightened herself out, even though it was difficult. Be professional damnit. He's not that good looking, she scolded herself.
"Sasuke-kun," she hoped to Kami her voice wasn't shaking as she stepped to him, "please uncross your arms, I need to find a vein so I can hook you up to this IV."
"Hn." Sasuke replied and did as she asked. She caught his eyes when she knelt down beside him and gingerly searched for an appropriate place to stick in the IV. He didn't flinch when the needle penetrated his skin.
"You don't have a fever or anything but you'll still need to rest for a few hours okay? Dehydration can do some serious damage. You could've gone upstairs and they would've helped you, I don't understand why you took the time to come all the way down here in such a poor condition." She rambled but stopped when he looked at her. His eyes were dark but she saw how tired he seemed to be. "Is something troubling you Sasuke-kun? This is so unlike you. You're usually in spick span shape." She stood up and looked down at him. "Well, I'm going to do some work. Get comfortable." Sakura stated. Going back to her desk, to get back to work, she felt Sasuke follow her with his mismatched eyes. She didn't know how she was going to manage doing work while Sasuke was laying half naked on her couch in her office.
The clock ticked louder. Sakura could hear Sasuke's breathing but he wasn't asleep. He hadn't said a word and it had been almost two hours but then she went over to the couch to check his vitals again. His eyes were heavy, with what she couldn't place it, when she ran her hands over his chest. Green chakra flowed easily over his small wounds that he hadn't bothered to bandage. Sakura smiled sweetly at him and she saw him open his mouth slowly.
"I missed…home." Sasuke's voice was so quiet and Sakura wasn't sure what she heard was right. He had been gone for a few more months again. She smiled a little. Then she took in his form and at the space where his arm would have been. Scars covered his body and she almost broke down into tears. He was still trying to carry everything by himself and it broke her heart. Inwardly sighing, she went back to her desk and started putting information in the Uchiha's file.
Come, come one, come all,
You must be this tall
To ride this ride at the carnival
"Sakura…"
Sakura looked to Sasuke and smiled at him.
"Yes Sasuke-kun? You really should try to sleep."
"Thank you, again. I don't know where I would be without you." Sasuke didn't move or look back at her. She thanked the heavens because she was blushing like a mad woman and biting her pen anxiously.
"I know you can take care of yourself Sasuke-kun. If you need to talk about anything you can tell me." Sakura was still staring at him, his bare chest in full view. Sasuke adjusted and she soon saw herself staring into his black orbs. She breathed out slowly.
"Is it true?" He asked quietly. His eyes weren't hard or calculating like usual and Sakura cocked her head to the side at the question.
"What's true?" He is sure talking a lot. His tone was intriguing to say the least.
"You're seeing…someone." Silence filled the air. Sakura felt like she could cut it with a kunai. Finally regaining her senses after such a strange uncharacteristic question, she cleared her throat.
"Now who on earth told you that?"
Sasuke's eyes hardened then. "Naruto did, in a letter."
Sakura sighed. Naruto always causing trouble. She knew she wasn't going to be able to avoid the question, especially since he was staring at her so hard.
"I went a few dates with some guys. But nothing serious." She replied. The words felt weird coming out of her mouth. Sasuke turned his attention to the ceiling and became quiet.
"Sasuke-kun? Please don't tell me…" Sakura realized what had happened to him. But why did he act in such a manner? Was he jealous or sad that Naruto had told him such a thing?
"You said you would wait." Sasuke's voice was harsh, like she was used to back when they were genin. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Her dinner had long run cold and upon noticing the time and lack of food, her stomach growled angrily at her. More silence ensued and finally Sakura stood up. Sasuke sat up in response. He was content on looking at the floor.
"I think he just wanted you to come home." Sakura replied. He looked at her and she felt her heart slowly hit the pit of her stomach. She added slowly, "we wanted you to come home Sasuke-kun."
Oh, come, take my hand
And run though playland
So high, too high at the carnival
Silence fell over the pair and Sakura's stomach growled loudly again, interrupting the awkward situation. Oh thank you. She thanked Kami above and made her way to the door. "I'm going to grab something from the cafeteria. I'll bring you back something okay? And quit moving around so much."
She made her way up to the first floor, her mind in a whirl. Adrenaline pumped through her body. High, she felt elated. So high. Sasuke Uchiha was jealous. Sakura almost stopped at the thought.
"What gives him the fucking right to be jealous? I'm more than capable to go on dates. I'm sure he's screwed plenty of girls while out and about." Muttering to herself, she still managed to subconsciously get two platters of food and speed down back to her office. Obscenities and dark remarks flowed from her mouth even as she pushed open the door. She closed her lips when she saw Sasuke's dark obsidian eyes staring at her from the couch. Looking down at her hands, she took notice of his tray of food. She hadn't thought about grabbing his food because she was so pissed, yet she managed to do it anyway. Sasuke then stood up and held out his hand for the tray. Sakura shut the door with her foot. His eyes were entrancing. They watched her every move and she felt a warm feeling in her stomach. Her heart fluttered. Handing off his food to him, Sakura then pulled out two lap trays from behind the door, setting his up on the side of the couch nearer her desk. She slowly sat down on the side closer to the wall and a file cabinet, meticulously arranging where her tray was going to go. Sasuke kept his eyes on her.
"Sasuke-kun. Is something wrong? I know it's not great. Maybe I can cook something better for you later?" Sakura felt the anger subside as easily as it had come. Sasuke nodded and then they started eating quietly.
And it's all fun and games,
'Til somebody falls in love,
But you've already bought a ticket,
And there's no turning back now
Sakura couldn't help herself. "Were you jealous?" The question slipped out before she could think of an easier way to ask it or make it more eloquent or not as fucking desperate. Sasuke didn't shift uncomfortably or put his chopsticks down, things Sakura was expecting, but instead turned completely towards her and look directly into her eyes. The rice stuck to her throat and she coughed, trying to hide her stupidity and from his dark eyes. She patted her chest in a fit. Sasuke seemed unworried. It looked like he didn't care at all, like usual.
"Who have you been going on dates with?" He asked quietly and avoided the question. Sakura took in a sharp breath.
"Why do you care?" She spat. The anger returned, ten times heavier. "It's not like I'm your girlfriend or anything Uchiha." The words stung and made her heart ache. Sasuke's eyes flitted over hers and she saw what she thinks is regret, but it's gone before she really can rely on her skills of deciphering the apathetic asshole in front of her. "Don't look like you fucking pity me. You're gone for months on end. What do you expect me to do? It hurts to see the man I have loved since I was twelve leave all of the time. If you must know, I am seeing someone." The lie slid over her tongue easier than she thought she would. It didn't make her heart any lighter, but when his face turned into a scowl she felt as if she had accomplished something.
"His name is Daisuke. Medic-nin like myself. He understands. He also has blue eyes." She wasn't sure why she added that in but when she looked at Sasuke's face she told herself it was because they were on the complete opposite of black. His eyes were hard and the scowl had turned into a deep frown.
"Why are you lying to me Sakura?" His voice hissed. She was wishing she had turn on the main light and not just the lamp on her desk so she could fully see him. Her heart skipped a beat when she felt him push her back against the couch arm. His body was heavy but his weight wasn't as much as she expected. Immediately her hands shot up in protest. They hit his chest, palms flat. She could easily knock him off but the strength to do so evaded her at this crucial point in time.
Round and round like a horse on a carousel, we go,
Will I catch up to love? I could never tell, I know,
Chasing after you is like a fairytale, but I,
Feel like I'm glued on tight to this carousel
Because I love you. I want to see you jealous. I want you to love me.
"Who said I'm lying." She retorted, despite what her thoughts were screaming. The feeling of his warm body under her sweaty palms felt unreal. Mind reeling, she skimmed over his abs in awe. Snapping attention back to his eyes, his smirk was a delight compared to scowl that usually graced his countenance.
"He wouldn't appreciate you touching someone else like that." He said matter-of-factly. Sakura snarled at him and bawled her fists in response. Sasuke leaned closer into her and she could feel his breath tickle her nose. He was so close. The thought of his lips on hers made her squirm and that warm feeling returned to the pit of her stomach. Seeing the way Sasuke's eyes lit up, she cursed his observation skills. He leaned into her and with his mouth right by her ear he whispered, "he definitely wouldn't like it if his girlfriend was getting turned on by someone else either."
This horse is too slow,
We're always this close,
Almost, almost, we're a freakshow
Sakura wanted to punch him in the gut and to kiss him at the same time.
"In your dreams." The statement was weak but she could literally say nothing else when she felt his warm lips on her neck. She was sure he could feel her pulse quicken under his mouth because he smirked again. Sakura closed her eyes and tried not to moan at the sudden feeling of his teeth biting at the spot. Without any indication, it was suddenly cold which caused her eyes to fly open. Sasuke was back to eating his food as if nothing had happened.
Right, right when I'm near,
It's like you disappeared,
Where'd you go? Mr. Houdini, you're a freakshow!
Sakura surprised herself when a low growl came from her throat.
"You have pissed me off for the last time." Her words dripped with venom. Sasuke looked at her and shrugged.
"What are you going to do about it?" He was taunting her. She knew it and it made her even more livid.
"You can't just do whatever the fuck that was and not follow up!" The volume of her shout seemed almost incredible to her own ears but he did not so much as flinch at the outburst.
"Daisuke would be heartbroken." Sasuke gave her a sideways, knowing glance.
Sakura felt her resolve fall away. Her heart thudded in her chest.
"I lied."
And it's all fun and games,
'Til somebody falls in love,
But you've already bought a ticket,
And there's no turning back now
Round and round like a horse on a carousel, we go,
Will I catch up to love? I could never tell, I know,
Chasing after you is like a fairytale, but I,
Feel like I'm glued on tight to this carousel
"I know." He replied. Sakura looked down as she felt the hot tears flowing down her cheeks.
"You always make me so mad." She explained. Another plate of food was surely going cold but she completely lost her appetite. He was just toying with her and the fucker knew how to do it so easily.
Why did you steal my cotton candy heart?
You threw it in this damn coin slot,
And now I'm stuck, I'm stuck
Riding, riding, riding
"It's better than someone else making you mad." He answered, a genuine smile on his face. She could barely see his face through her tears. Once again his body was on hers.
"It's better than someone else making you cry." He added, taking his thumb and gently wiping her cheeks. She sniffed. His words were slowly inching their way into her heart. He always had a way with words even though he wasn't very practiced with them.
"It's better than someone else making you think dirty thoughts." He bit down on the same spot as early and she mewled in response. She couldn't stop herself from doing so. His lips followed her collarbone and back up to her chin and then finally he pressed them softly into her lips. Sakura stiffened at the sudden warmth but relaxed quickly. Without anymore hesitation she wrapped her arms around his neck, careful not to squeeze too hard. She had no idea if they were ever going to talk about this night again but she would always remember it as long as she lived. With all of her broken but mending heart, she hoped he would remember it too.
Round and round like a horse on a carousel, we go,
Will I catch up to love? I could never tell, I know,
Chasing after you is like a fairytale, but I,
Feel like I'm glued on tight to this carousel