The days pass relatively quickly and painlessly, and by the end of the first week of the study they have a routine going that is like clockwork.
The thought prompts Sakura to look down at her watch, and then back up at Sasuke who is sitting across from her, with his eyes closed. His sharingan is activated beneath, but she does not need to see it with her eyes. Her glowing fingers retreat and the post experiment review ends. Sasuke opens his eyes and Sakura is met with familiar obsidian. She thinks that he looks tired today.
"Are you thirsty?" She asks, realising that she certainly is.
"Hn." Sasuke nods, and Sakura moves to stand. It's almost 10am, and Naruto will be here in an hour or so. But for now it is time for a tea break.
Padding to the kitchen, Sakura sets about boiling some water and retrieving the tea set that Sasuke seems to like. There are two in the cupboard, but she has only seen him use this plain set. In her opinion, the painted set is much nicer…and perhaps it is the reason it is safely tucked away.
Sighing lightly, Sakura leans against the bench and waits. It's been a long morning, where they started a little earlier that usual (7am). They always begin early though (it is when Sasuke's doujutsu is best for testing), so that some practical theory can be done before Naruto arrives for lunch. They have gone to Ichiraku twice so far, and it was awkward to say the least. Naruto didn't seem to notice, but Sakura could feel how stiff Sasuke was as he sat beside her.
When they don't go for ramen, Sakura makes bento, and they eat amongst the research papers. Naruto still does all the talking, and Sasuke replies sometimes. She has noticed that he is different when Naruto is there; less closed off. Sakura participates some, but it's hard. She isn't sure how to act in front of Sasuke. She thought that it would be easy, but truthfully, she is worried; it's been her and Naruto for so long…what if Sasuke doesn't like the new her?
A frown comes to her brow, and Sakura shakes it off. The feeling in her chest lingers and she reminds herself that she isn't supposed to be thinking about this. She was actually reminding herself of today's game plan, before she got off topic.
The mornings are for reviewing, planning, and testing, while the afternoon is used for discovery. Because Sasuke is required to have his eyes active for such long periods of time, Sakura doesn't like to subject him to too much. She has been monitoring his chakra usage, and she is truly impressed with his stamina. However, she knows that he is not invincible - which is why she has her secret daily planner; it's flexible, but she hasn't seen it bend yet.
Like anyone else, Sakura can appreciate a good schedule. Though perhaps her enjoyment is a little out of the norm? She does enjoy writing lists, and going through the regular steps in her research - especially the linear approach.
She doesn't worry about it, though. After all, a lot of medic research requires being able to go over data again and again; if she didn't have the ability she would not be able to do much of her work, and Sakura loves her job - even the mundane parts.
It is true that other more physical missions can be a lot more fun, but she worked to get to where she is – to be a true medic nin. Sakaru knows from experience - from working beneath Konoha's former leader-, that every shinobi in the village has a purpose, and Sakura is serving hers; she is helping her people each and every day that she works for her Hokage. That is what she chooses to believe.
Because why would she do it otherwise?
The Uchiha Main house is quiet, just like every other time that she has been here, and Sakura notes that it is easy to think amongst the silence.
The water comes to a boil and she sets about making the tea. She carries the tray steadily through the sitting area, soon after, walking through the back entryway that leads to a deck. Today, they are sitting out the back of the house. There is a table similar to that in the sitting room, and cushions to sit on. Sakura prefers it out here because she gets to work overlooking the garden, which is beautiful.
The wind gusts as she sits again, reaching for her steaming cup. Sasuke does the same and he looks toward the garden silently.
"I wonder who designed the garden." She says after a moment, absently, thinking of the noisy construction crew again.
Sasuke's eyes slide back to her, before he gazes to the cherry blossom tree in the corner of the garden. There is a bench sitting beneath, and Sakura tries to decipher the moment of feeling in his eyes.
His face is blank the next moment, as he says, "My mother did."
Sakura almost stops breathing, because she did not expect the reply. She has never heard of Sasuke talk about his mother directly before, and she finds that she wants to know more.
Sasuke takes her silence for confusion, and he explains
"The compound is a replica of the original, created from images."
"How is that possible?" She asks, and Sakura hopes that she isn't being rude.
Sasuke doesn't seem to think she is, and he responds, "The archives beneath the village survived, as well as the tunnels."
"There are tunnels?" She sounds surprised, and Sakura wonders how Sasuke knows this.
He nods, gazing away. "More than you'd know." He says.
The conversation trails off and Sakura is left to think. She shifts to get comfortable on the large, cream coloured, cushion, and she leans her forearm on the table. They drink in silence, and Sakura observes her teammate openly.
Today, he sits on the tatami with a green cushion beneath him. His hair has been seen to, which both pleases and upsets her (just a little). His black hair is straight and still nowhere near as short as some of the other men she has seen, as it comes down just below his chin. Still, Sasuke wears it well.
Sakura thinks that they have made progress, if their previous conversation is any indication. He has gotten used to her proximity, also, and he no longer flinches when she reaches for him. It actually feels like they might be becoming friends again.
Sasuke looks rather comfortable, presently sitting a half-foot away from her, with relaxed shoulders, and an unthreatened aura.
It's typical, but times like this remind her of when they were children. It didn't happen too often back then, but Sakura can remember sitting with Sasuke for hours without saying much at all. She enjoyed the time in silence, but also, she remembers being worried he would run away if she spoke.
Observing him, she decides that Sasuke isn't going to run now.
So, Sakura bites her lip and deliberates on her next words.
"Sasuke-kun." She says, hoping to get his attention. She usually leaves off the suffix, calling him 'Sasuke' during the study, but this isn't about work.
"Hm?" He intones, cocking his head to look at her with curiousness in his eyes. He is sitting with his legs crossed, and he moves so that his knees are bent, and his feet are planted on the wooden floor. His forearms come to rest on his knees and his eyes meet hers.
Sakura loses some confidence.
It isn't enough to stop her, however.
"Did you think about us while you were away?" She asks quickly and rather bluntly, and Sasuke looks surprised for a moment, before he becomes thoughtful.
She still doesn't expect his reply to be,
"You mean did I think of you while I was away?"
Sakura feels her cheeks heat rapidly but Sasuke doesn't make her answer. He assumes that he is right and continues on,
"I did." He says, as he looks straight out at the garden – allowing for a long pause.
"Do you believe me?" He asks, and Sakura thinks that it is a strange thing to say.
Her eyes narrow a little. "Why wouldn't I?" She replies, and a wry smile comes to Sasuke's lips; it is almost bitter; she doesn't realise that it is in remembrance.
"Reasons, Sakura." He murmurs.
Sakura goes to reply, but she pauses, thinking, before she nods.
Sasuke is right – There are reasons.
But it doesn't change anything.
"I believe you." She admits. "I trust you, too."
"Is that wise?" He asks, and it's Sakura's turn to smile somewhat bitterly.
"Probably not." She says, standing up. The teapot and cups are placed back on the tray quickly, and the air feels thicker than before.
"We should get back to work." Sakura says, trying to enforce a more professional tone. Sasuke looks at her like he knows what she is doing, and it pushes her to move quicker.
"I'll be back." She tells him, not waiting for a reply.
Sakura can feel him watching her as she flees to the kitchen. What Sasuke is thinking, she cannot say.
xxxx
A/N Things are going to change up a little bit in the next chapter - Enter Naruto, Team Taka, and an order from the Hokage. Thankyou for reading.