WARNING(S): Mentions of murder

"Uchiha!" The guard bellowed as the door slid open, "you have a visitor. Hurry up and get your ass out here."

Wordlessly, the dark-haired young man got up with a muted grunt and pulled on his shirt before following the guard out of the cell.

It was a short walk to the visitation lounge, but as soon as he stepped foot inside his eyes softened at a familiar face waiting by the wall with a cup of water in her hands.

Sakura looked up sharply and a watery smile spread across her face as she set the cup down and leapt up, rushing over to wrap her arms around him in a tight hug.

"I missed you so much," his girlfriend wept into his shoulder as they rocked back and forth.

It was a little awkward receiving affection with the guard standing there, but he huffed a quiet laugh and responded, "I missed you too."

"How have you been? Are you eating enough?" Pulling back, she looked him up and down, lips pressed together and brow knit. "You aren't getting into fights, are you?"

"No." It was cute how much she fretted, cupping his cheeks in her hands and staring him seriously in the face.

"I'm serious, you tell me right away if you've got trouble," she sternly ordered.

"I will, I promise." Closing his eyes, he nuzzled into her touch.

That seemed to soften her mood, and she pressed her forehead against his chest. There was an evanescent hint of perfume in the air, her favorite floral scent that pleasantly hit his nose and caused a pang of longing to hit his heart.

The outside world was a distant memory now - he couldn't quite remember the last time he'd awoken to sun softly shining on his face from the window instead of at the command of a guard, or how it felt to take a walk downtown for an ice cream instead of aimlessly wandering the yard with no end in mind.

His friends' faces flashed in his mind's eye, his best friend, his girlfriend, his parents - but he only got letters once a month now, instead of every week like they'd promised when he first got put in here.

His gaze darkened for a moment at the reminder. It was worth it, he told himself. Itachi's death hadn't been in vain, and he could fall asleep at night with a clear conscience despite the distrustful stares of the guards and the wary glances of the other inmates. It was worth it despite the lack of freedom, because at least the killer was put to rest.

Still, there were times he wished he'd never gotten caught - and Sakura's tender embrace reminded him of that again as she rested an ear over his heart.

"Your heartbeat is getting faster," she commented with a tiny giggle, breaking him out of his reverie. "What are you thinking about?"

"You," he answered, a teasing retort that got her face to flush that pretty shade of pink that complemented her hair.

Sakura huffed and hid her face in his chest. "You're so mean," she mourned.

"Only for you." Pressing a kiss to the crown of her head, he could smell the shampoo she used. It lingered pleasantly in his nose even as she pulled away and he lamented the loss of her warmth.

"I'll be writing you by the end of the week," she said, bright green eyes sparkling as she smiled hopefully up at him. "You'll get more commissary money too - you sure you aren't getting into fights?"

Sasuke returned her expression softly, letting her take his hand in hers. "I'm sure, nobody's picking on me."

Nodding firmly as if to reassure herself, she pressed a kiss to his knuckles and he could feel his face heat at the contact. "I love you."

He hummed in response, tapping her forehead with his other hand. She gave him a halfhearted scowl, rubbing the spot he poked with her fingertips.

"Do you have to leave yet?" He inquired quietly.

"Do you want me to?"

"No." He curled his fingers around hers and squeezed. "Just for a little while more."

"Then I'll stay as long as you need."

Warmth seeped through her words and into his chest, and he allowed her to lead him to a couple of chairs near the wall so they could sit together and bask in each other's company.