chapter 5
We would like two rooms please," Sasuke said politely. The women looked up apologetic " Oh I'm sorry dear, we only have one left. Just as Sakura was about to tell her thank you anyway, Sasuke spoke up, "That'll be fine" he said quickly. Sakura looked at him shocked. "Sasuke-kun"?
He stopped and side eyed her with an eyebrow cocked. "Do you not feel comfortable"? Sakura quickly put her hands up and waved, " No no it's not that, I just didn't expect, well.." She trailed off. "Its fine", she smiled.
"Are you sure"? He asked staring at her eye brow still raised. She smiled brightly, "Positive, it just caught me off guard is all".
Sasuke hesitated slightly, he motioned for her to go ahead of him, she blushed and went ahead with him following behind. When they got to their room, Sasuke opened the door for her, blushing wildly Sakura walked in.
It was a cute little room one big bed, a small couch, and a bathroom, and it had this lovely sliding glass door that lead to the outdoor onsen. They set their stuff down and un packed.
"Is your journey always like this, it seems so peaceful", she said dreamily. " Not always.. some places aren't so inviting," Sakura heard what sounded like hurt in his tone.
Sakura looked at him sadly, "I'm sorry Sasuke-kun". " No its my fault, but that's why I'm on this journey, to atone for my sins, and little by little make up for my wrongdoings." He spoke with his eyes locked on the ground his eyes hidden by his long hair.
Sakura walked up to him and squeezed his hand lovingly, he looked down to see Sakura with a sweet smile on her face. "You're a great man Sasuke-kun, dont forget that".
Their faces drew closer, Sasuke reached out and grabbed the nape of Sakura's neck, and gently pulled her closer, then softly their lips touched, their mouths automatically parted and started moving in sync. Sasuke was the first to pull away again.
Sakura felt her heart pound rapidly, she barely remembered where she was until Sasuke's hand lifted her chin upwards, she realized her eyes were still closed , she fluttered them opened to see Sasuke gazing longingly at her.
"Sakura I... thank you, he said with so much emotion, it sent a shiver up her spine. Sakura cupped his face in her hand and smiled, "Your welcome Sasuke-kun".
They both went to go onsen to freshen up,and when they returned they both noticed they were starving, so they went into town to go eat.
The tiny town was well lit with beautiful lights , they quickly found a nice little restaurant a few blocks away from their inn. They ate and chatted a bit, enjoying each other's company, Sakura hadn't seen Sasuke smile so much in a single day, if at all, it made her so happy to see him this way.
They made it back to their inn a few hours later, they hadn't realized it had gotten so late. walking back, Sakura bodly grabbed Sasuke's hand, to her surprise he intertwined their fingers and held it gently, Sakura blushed feverishly and this public display of affection..
Back in their room they stood slightly awkward for a few moments, both very tired from their travels. Sakura finally broke the silence,"Do u want to change in the bathroom, and I'll say out here"? She asked suddenly. "I'll stay out here you take the bathroom," he said. Sakura shut the bathroom door behind her, she took her time putting on her night clothes and freshening up.
When she finally stepped out, Sasuke was sitting on the bed, back to her, in a navy blue t- shirt and gray night pants, his head wrap he usually wore was off and his hair spiking freely.
"Sasuke-kun" Sakura spoke softly, Sasuke turned slowly, he froze, Sakura was wearing a small red tank top, and skin tight black shorts, her short pink hair smoothed down, his eyes wandered her slim figure. Sakura realized this and blushed as she nervously grabbed her arm. She walked cautiously to the bed, and stood nervously staring at it.
"Sakura"? Sasuke's asked. "Huh"? "Oh I'm sorry", she rubbed her neck embarrassed. Sakura slowly crawled into the large bed, and gently lied down, Sasuke did the same.
Sakura's heart beat like a gong, she tried to steady her breathing, but she feared it wasn't working well. Sasuke turned the light off, "Goodnight Sasuke-kun," Sakura said between staggering breaths.
"Goodnight Sakura", he said. Sakura wasnt sure if she could fall asleep at this rate. She stared at the ceiling for what seemed like forever, her mind racing.
It felt like her insides were in knots, then when she was sure her heart was going to pound out of her chest , she felt Sasuke move closer to her.
For whatever reason, Sakura didn't care, she calmed way down, it eased her to know Sasuke was comfortable enough to sleep this close to her.
Eventually Sakura's eyes grew heavy and she faded into a deep sleep.
Sakura's eyes opened slowly, she heard a faint noise coming from beside her, she turned her head to see Sasuke, back to her and trembling, she turned completely over to her side, then she heard it... it was a small noise not very loud but it was consistent.. it was.. sobbing.
(Oh Sasuke-kun) Sakura thought, heart breaking. She gingerly reached out and touched his arm, he twitched ever so slightly, then she moved closer to him and began to gently caress him lone arm. After a few minutes he slowly stopped trembling and the soft sobbing ceased.
Sakura shut her eyes, relieved. Suddenly she felt Sasuke turn his body to face her, she kept her eyes closed and began to caress his side. After a few brief moments, she heard her name being called ever so quietly, "Sakura".
Her eyes opened slowly, she met his gaze, his face was soaked with tears, "Sasuke-kun, what's the matter", she said wiping tears from his cheek.
Sasuke stayed quiet for awhile, before he closed his eyes, " Just another nightmare", he said voice shaking. "You haven't had one in months", Sakura said. Sasuke sat up slowly, and sat on the edge of the bed, back to Sakura.
"This was a different one", he said blandly. " "Sasuke-kun"? She asked confused, sitting up also she moved right beside him. "This one, his hand gripped the sheets, this one was about that night.. my family.. He hung his head.
Sakura put her hand on his shoulder. "Sasuke-kun, you don't have to tell me". " I know", he said. Sakura smiled sweetly, "Im here Sasuke-kun, I'm always here"
Sasuke told Sakura everything, about the night his family was slain, every detail. He told her about Itachi's truth as well, how he was ordered by the higher ups and the Hokage to wipe out the Uchiha, and how his brother left him alive because he loved him so much.
After he was finished Sakura stared at the floor, she didn't know what to say, it was horrible what he had to go though, all the pain and deception, it must weigh so heavy on him. She didn't say anything she just grabbed his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, and lied her head on his shoulder.
They stayed still in that position, like statues until sunrise. Then Sasuke finally turned to her and said " You should get some more sleep". Sakura looked up at him and replied, "so should you". He hesitated at first, but eventually, he complied. They fell asleep not long after, this time wrapped in each others arms.
Sakura woke to the sun brightly peaking through the curtains on the sliding glass door. She turned to see Sasuke had gone. There was a note left on his side of the bed. The note read :Went out for awhile be back soon. Sakura stared down at his flawless writing, she gripped the note and held it to her chest.
"Sasuke-kun", she whispered, he must be still shooken up about his nightmare, reliving that Hell may not be new but Sakura could tell it still hit hard on his mind.
Sakura sighed, and got ready for the day. After she was finished, she decided to head out and get breakfast. She walked around the town until she found a cute little restaurant, it reminded her of the ones back home in Konoha.
She ate at the bar in silence when the cook behind spoke up, " Now i know a pretty thing like you isn't in here all by herself", he said with a wink. Sakura looked at him with a shy smile.
Well I'm here with someone, I just decided to grab a quick bite to eat is all," Sakura said. "A boyfriend I presume", the cook said with an eyebrow raised. Sakura blushed bright red, "Well, I-I... She said flustered.
"Haha it's fine sweetheart, pay no attention to the prying of an old man", he said chuckling deeply. Sakura smiled embarrassed.
After picking up some more provisions, Sakura headed back to the room. She walked in to see Sasuke was still gone, she sighed, she was starting to get worried. Sakura walked to the bathroom to freshen up.
She splashed cool water in her face and fixed her hair, she looked up to the mirror at her reflection, tears filled her green eyes. She wondered where Sasuke was, and if he was ok, she knew he must've been still having a hard time coping with what happened last night, it twisted her heart to think of Sasuke in pain.
Tears streaming down her face she jumped in the shower, she let the hot water comfort her. She sang a lullaby her mother use to sing to her at night when she had a nightmare or she was sad, or upset, like she was right now, it always soothed her.
When she walked out of the bathroom freshly showered and clothed, she froze when she saw Sasuke sitting on the edge of the bed gazing at the wall ahead of him.
"Sasuke-kun"? Sakura walked up and sat next to him , just like she had done last night. She glanced over at him, but he hadn't looked up or even moved.
Assuming he wanted to be left alone, she turned away defeated, as she started to get up a voice stopped her in her tracks.
" My mother use to sing me that lullaby when I was young", Sasuke said still looking at the wall.
Sakura stood paralyzed at his words, he has never spoken about his parents specifically, he had barely even told her about them at all until last night .
Gathering up courage Sakura responded, "Mine too", she sat back down next to him dreamily looking at the wall.
" I use to get bullied a lot for my forehead, I never had luck making friends, when I tried to play with them, they'd trick me into thinking they wanted to, then they'd only make fun of me and run away". "I'd come home crying, and my mom would sing it to me to make me feel better.
"I spent most of my time alone or with an imaginary friend or my stuffed animals, and when id come home self esteem completely gone, wondering what was wrong with me, because I was being teased mercilessly all day..she'd sing it to me in different voices, like a monster voice, or dinosaur voice, or something, Sakura giggled "It's kinda silly," she said.
Sasuke seemed to ponder something for awhile, then looked at her seriously, " You were a lonely child then, like me and Naruto" he asked.
Shocked, Sakura looked up at him, " Yeah I guess I was, although it wasnt like you and Naruto, I still had my parents, I couldnt say I was like you two exactly", she looked down.
A realization hit Sasuke, Even if she did have her parents, the other kids still shunned her and treated her like an outcast, for something she had no control over, much like him and Naruto.
Sakura still had her eyes locked on the floor.
"Tell me something good," Sasuke asked softly. Sakura suddenly smiled and let out a little giggle.
" Well..when I was a little girl, my parents bought me this stuffed fuzzy white bear with a light pink bow to keep me company, I named her Kimi-bear, and I took her everywhere with me, she never left my side, I wouldn't even let my mom wash her, Sakura giggled, the only time she got cleaned was because I insisted on taking a bath with her, but then one day I lost her at the park and never found her, I was devastated.
Sasuke just sat and listened with a smirk on his face. They talked about their childhood, for hours.
Sasuke even told her about how he was always jealous of Itachi and wanted his father's approval, and how his mother told him when they were alone all they talked about was him, although he never learned what was said.
Sakura was glad he'd finally opened up to her, Sakura looked down with a smile across her face.
" I wonder if they would've liked me", she said almost as if she were thinking out loud. Sasuke turned his head and looked at her with a soft smile, " They would've loved you", he said confidently. He tapped her forehead lightly.