This is the edited version of the chapter, enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Naruto or the characters mentioned in the story

Chapter VII - THE DOMESTICATION

Sakura had came back that night with things she would need for at least a week. Sasuke said nothing seeing her big bag, but told her to go to sleep instead.

Sakura was too tired to bicker so she just went along with it and doze off right away.

In the morning she woke up a little later than usual, she couldn't see the harm since she's free from her hospital shift but then she realized that she's not at her own house, and that the owner of the house in fact is an early riser, so she could not sleep in even in Sundays.

She follows the smell of food to the kitchen "Sasuke-kun?"

"Hn"

"Good morning" she greet

"Morning" more like giving a statement than a greeting "Breakfast"

"Uhm, I see. Thank you Sasuke-kun" She takes the plate of tamagoyaki that he gives her

"Are we still going to the market again today?" she ask

"Aa. We haven't finished" Sasuke asnwer while turning away from the stove, looking at morning Sakura for the first time, she only has a tank top and a pair of really short shorts on under her open bathrobe, her short hair has been pulled up in a small bun messily and the scent of her body becomes quite noticeable, Sasuke take the sight fully.

He shake at the thought of this looking like a couple's morning routine, and if he—if they, play their cards right, that's exactly how the future might be for them.

"So, sasuke-kun"

"Mm?"

"Have you ever thought of maybe painting the place?"

"No"

"Oh, you don't want to?"

"I said I never thought of it"

"What about something that's not white, maybe eggshell or light ocra?"

"…"

"What do you say we take a look at paints too today?"

"No"

"Oh, okay"

"We'll do it tomorrow"

"Eh?" The disappointment vanished from her face "That's great!"

They quickly left the house and head to the market before it gets crowded and plan to get back as quick as possible to meet the rest of the team for dinner in the evening.

Sasuke would always choose the most uninteresting-fashioned things, and after lots of protest from Sakura he finally suggest that she picks stuff that she would like as well, since they would practically live together now (discount the shift the rest of the team has during the day while she's gone), making Sakura blush furiously and forced to hide her face from him for the rest of the afternoon.

"Forehead!" Ino calls from her shop "Don't dare go to the market without visiting me!"

"Hey, Ino-pig. We're just a little bit in a hurry"

"A-are you two… On a date?"

"N-no not at all" Sakura stammer while Sasuke just act as if nothing happened and just stay as he is

"Really? Sure seem like it, I even heard from Lee yesterday that you in fact were, but I couldn't believe it until I see it myself"

"Too bad eh Sasuke-kun, we could've made a great pair"

"Ino-pig!" Sakura warn her not to embarrass herself and disturb Sasuke

"Geez, don't need to get all protective of your man, I have been eyeing someone for myself as well" she smiles brightly

"Eh, really? Who?"

"Erm, I won't tell this time. You woul never let me hear the end of it"

"Of course I wouldn't do something like that Pig, just tell me"

"Neh neh, don't mind me. I don't wanna bother you two, aspecially because Sasuke-kun had just recently arrived back" she winks at Sakura and whisper, but loud enough for Sasuke to hear "I bet he comes back to win your affection Sakura, keep it up"

"Shut up! Let's go Sasuke-kun" Sakura grabs him by the sleeve, Sasuke follow her without protesting

"Eh, they are really really kawaii ne" Ino say to herself, wishing the new guy she has a crush on would someday accompany her shopping around the market, but without the scowl. He would probably get in a fight with someone for giving them offensing nicknames though

After a long day at the market they have bought more than enough necessity than Sasuke would rather have in his house, but since Sakura pick them out, there's non he would dispose.

Putting away the groceries, now the house start looking like there's people alive living in here, Sakura even replaced the bulb from the light that was too bright for Sasuke, seeing the sight of her In her civilian short red dress and a piece of bandana on her head smiling to the new homey-looking living room "Isn't it nice now, Sasuke-kun"

"Hn" Sasuke says meaningfully. It does feel much more like home

"By the way, what are you gonna do with the two remaining rooms?"

He shrugged

"You know, if you'd ever settle down and have kids in this house, you could use those rooms" Sakura say casually, not realizing soon enough that the expression on Sasuke's face has slightly shifted "Eh, eh forget I said anything Sasuke-kun"

Sakura feels like the more she spend time with Sasuke the more stupid things would accidentally say. Baka baka baka!

"I'm not planning to stay long"

"Eh? You're gonna buy another house?"

"No. I'm going to leave"

"Leave? What do you mean Sasuke-kun?"

"I can't stay. My objective is now, to seek redemption... first to the people here, but then i have to go"

"B-but..."

"But like you said-" he turns to her "Konoha will always be home"

"So, you're gonna comeback some time after you left? F-for good?"

"I don't know"

Sakura bow her head, feeling a huge wave of sadness through her, after all this he's just going to leave again? She thought everything was going to be alright. Sakura turns away from Sasuke and pretend she's looking around the house admiring their work but in reality she's just trying to hide her tears... She doesn't want Sasuke to see them, and think she's weak hearted as she was back in their genin days

"Sakura" his voice becomes a lot softer as he calls her name

"Hm" She answer withouth looking at him

"We'll be late"

"R-right"

Sakura hurried to change her outfit to a more presentable one, they're eating out at a barbeque place tonight, some restaurant that's a tad fancier than their usual get-together, Ichiraku. It has been a special occasion since it's Yamato Taichou's birthday, and he doesn't know that we're taking him there yet. Sakura try to put on the happiest face she can master.

Sakura carefully pick up the dress she secretly bought today while Sasuke wasn't really paying attention. It's deep puple with a flowered detailed, short in leght, falls right in the middle of her thigh, and she has ditched her combat sandals and switch them with some strappy ones with a little pumps under the heels.

She looks at the mirror, that they also just bought today, and fix her hair that's thankfully has been cooperating with her since she has been using the shampoo Ino gave her for her birthday. Falling perfectly around her face and then add some color to her face

"Sakura"

"Coming" she quickly finishes up, stealing one last glace at the mirror before bursting out, catching up to Sasuke that's already waiting outside "Gomen gomen Sasuke-kun"

"Hn" he replies

Sasuke is wearing a plain white top with a big black coat and black pants still with his usual combat sandals, but he still seems more handsome than usual

She figures he might have put in a little more effort since it is the first time he would be going out since his return to Konoha. Sakura smile at the thought

"What's the hold up.." his voice trails away as he sees Sakura in her state, but he's either to prideful or too much of a coward to pay her a compliment

"Sorry Sasuke-kun I was trying to look nice, it is a special occasion after all"

"Let's go" instead of walking slightly ahead of her like usual, Sasuke wait for her tonight as they walk side by side

"You look nice tonight Sasuke-kun" Sakura blushe as she honestly say what she thinks of his appearance

Even she could compliment him. Sasuke makes a note to himself to let Sakura know that he also finds her looking nice, before the night actually ends, somehow. "Hn" he just say

"Sa-sakura-chan you look great!" Naruto say to her as they sit on their reserved table

"Thanks Naruto, you don't look too bad yourself"

He doesn't indeed. He's wearing his usual orange pants but with a black jacket that he buttons all the way up neatly.

"Ugly… you actually look less ugly tonight" Sai offer Sakura a sweet smile yet his words just screams out his death wish. There's a loud thud as his face connect with the table from the impact of Sakura smacking him on the head, hard

"Thanks Sai, that's very sweet of you" Sakura say sarcastically, obviously annoyed

And then finally, Kakashi sensei arrived with a very emotional looking Yamato, crying on his sleeves "I-I love you all" he sobs

"Eh, Yamato-taichou don't be like that, we can't eat if you snot all over the place" Naruto say

Sai just smile

"Happy birthday Yamato-taichou" Sakura sings

"Ne Yamato, don't get too emotional" Kakashi gesture his hands up and down over Yamato to try to calm him down

"B-but everyone dressed up, and even S-sasuke-kun is here (snot) I am so grateful to have such wonderful teammates" he cry even louder with tears streaming even harder

Sasuke sigh thinking of how uncomfortable it is for him to be here, but in the atmosphere of this scenery Sakura absent-mindedly put a hand on top of Sasuke's hand and just continue smiling towards her friends that's trying to comfort Yamato that just get even more emotional over the gestures.

"Our team really are something ne, Sasuke-kun?"

"Hn"

Sasuke decided to take the moment for all it's worth and squeeze Sakura's hand a little bit. Sakura in the state of shock pulls away her hand completely and look away from Sasuke out of reflex

"S-sorry" She say

"Aa" he say with a hidden mixture of dissapointment and embarrassment

The night goes on awkwardly for both Sasuke and Sakura, even though they try to mask it so anyone wouldn't say anything to add to their embarrassment.

"Ey, Sasuke when are you actually gonna get your ass off your house and train with us? it won't kill you dattebayo"

"I've been wanting to try sparring with you" Sai agrees with Naruto

"Hn"

"Good to know my students are so fired up to train" Kakashi happily chrip

"You too Sakura-chan, we've never trained together anymore"

"O-of course"

"So, tomorrow then?" Kakashi ask

"No" Sasuke and Sakura answer almost in unison

"Eh? Why not?"

"I hav- We have plans already"

"I knew it! It is a date, it is written right here" Said points to the page of his magazine he's been hiding in his shirt "First the date, and after a few it will come to the nightly ecch—"

"Sai" Sakura warns him "We're not doing any of that"

"It's just decorating" Sasuke say "Platonic activity, orders from the Hokage while I'm in probation, it doesn't mean anything"

"Y-yes" Sakura say, hiding the stung she felt when Sasuke said platonic

"Whatever you say" Kakashi say

"Eh, Kakashi senpai don't you also have an important meeting with the council tomorrow?"

"Ha ah, yes I almost forgot"

"Ne Kakashi sensei make sure you won't be late this time it's going to be so embarrassing dattebayo"

"Eh, why would the council ask for you Kakashi sensei?" Sakura ask

"Oh he, it's probably nothing important"

"Haven't you heard Sakura-chan?"

"Heard what?"

"Kakashi sensei is the one rumored to be the next Hokage elect" Sai finish for Naruto

"Haa, really?"

"Didn't Tsunade-baachan tell you anything Sakura-chan?"

"No, we're too busy with our project lately we never actually talk about anything else"

"Well I guess we now know how you felt when Minato-sama became the Yondaime Hokage, senpai" Yamato smile brightly to Kakashi

"Eh, don't say things like that, I was just called by the council, they might have something else in mind, maybe it's just a secret mission or something"

"Unlikely. The Hokage always takes care of mission assignment no matter how low or high the rank is" Sai say

Naruto and Yamato nods in agreement

Kakashi just smile and not say anything. Before he left, Obito did tell him that in the last conversation he had with Naruto, Obito told him to be Nanadaime, and he was sure that Kakashi would be the Rokudaime Hokage. But there's more talented shinobi or kunoichi that would gladly take on the position rather than Kakashi, but if it was given to him, he vowed to take it with full responsibility for Minato-sensei, Rin, Obito and his dreams of becoming the Hokage.

The night ended up with a light goodbye as the group part in front of the restaurant. Sasuke and Sakura walk in the same direction heading back to his house, without a word Sakura feel more awkward than she has ever been, and she wish for anyone to come between them and break the ice. Where is Naruto when you need him?

Sasuke's walking several step ahead of Sakura noticing how big the gap between them has become in silence, he take a look behind his shoulder and see Sakura clutching her arms and looking down. Sasuke stop and let Sakura catch up to him before giving her his jacket

"Sasuke-kun?" Sakura was taken by surprise

"You shouldn't wear anything like that at night, no matter how good it looks on you" he flatly say

"T-thank you" did Sasuke just pay her a compliment? Does he think she looks good? "For the jacket—" she catch up and walk beside him, still looking anywhere but his direction "-and the compliment"

"Hn" Sasuke say after a while

The days after that went on, they did what they say they would. They painted the room and put back everything on its place.

And after finishing up the last room, both of them feel a similar certainty... something feels wrong. Of course it's nice to spend time with each other but, Sasuke feel domesticated while Sakura feel like she has failed her original purpose-to be his friend-and she's scared she'll end up somewhere unpleasant again, but suppress her agony for the sake of her little yet powerful spark of happiness, that has been because she feel like she had finally be someone that knows Sasuke. Really knows him.

And after three days of break, Sakura begin to feel somewhat unproductive. She needs to get the arm done. So that night she had slept early and then woke up early the next day, then sprint to the library before going to the Hokage's office.

She couldn't wait any longer. He shouldn't wait any longer either

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