It was almost a week now since he was following her. Watching her live her little life was really entertaining.

He was currently in the trees of the hospital's backyard watching her spending time with a group of kids. She was reading to them. Two kids were sitting in her lap while the others sat around her. Sakura's head was rested on top the little girl's head who was in her lap.

He felt like he was falling in love with her all over again, She so naturally maternal. He let himself fantasize about a pregnant Sakura. How ethereal would she look and how it would be like to have a family with her. It warmed his heart. He always pictured himself marrying Sakura. Even as a kid. After all the second part of his goal was to revive the uchiha clan. And Sakura was the matriarch in his head till date.

He knew it probably wouldn't be easy, getting her to trust him entirely again, but he would try. He wouldn't give up. He will be the one to chase after their love just as she did once before. For now, he can harbour love for the both of them.

–

He approached her when she left the hospital and offered to walk her home once again. They were walking towards her house right now.

She looked at him, her eyes hooded because of the sun. She smirked, "You know I'm beginning to think that you're following me" She laughed at him. He felt the hairs of his neck stand straight up. He swallowed and just laughed along.

"Not following, i just know what time your shift ends and thought i should walk you home" He replied. He swore he saw her blush for a second. For his own peace of mine, he convinced himself that she did infact blush.

"Well that's rather sweet, i was thinking of getting something to eat, you wanna join?" She offered. Without even thinking, he agreed to it.

She wanted him to try out this new little dango shop that just opened. He listened to her go on and on about how exquisite the stuff was there. He smiled to himself. This was one of the many things that he loved about Sakura, when she's passionate about something, she's not afraid to show it. He hated sweets but for her, he'd swallow the fucking lava.

She stopped talking when she saw Shikamaru, who was walking in their direction, with his eyes closed and hands tucked in his pocket. Sasuke saw the way her smile widened and her eyes lightened up when she saw the Nara man. He clenched his fists tightly, that's how she used to look at him when they were kids. He couldn't remember the last time she looked at him like that.

"Shika!" She exclaimed with a wide grin on her face.

Shika? Shika??! How close were they for fucks sake.

Said man, smiled at her and walked towards her, "Hey, Sakura" he greeted.

She hugged him, her hands wrapped around his neck. His hand instinctively wrapped around her waist. It was only for a brief second but it made Sasuke see red. Fuck that redemption journey crap, i wanna send this guy's head on a fucking journey, He thought, gritting his teeth.

"When did you get back from your mission?" She asked.

"Just now actually", he replied.

She smiled, "Well I'm glad to see you're in one piece" she said, placing a hand on his shoulder. He smiled back.

"Actually i do have a wound on my back that i want you to heal, but first, i need to report to Kakashi, I'll stop by your house later if that's okay"

It. Wasn't. Fucking. Okay. At. All.

Dropping by her house? Wasn't that unprofessional? Which made him wonder once more, just how close these two were.

He always thought him and Naruto were the only two guys she was close to, but apparently not.

"Sure of course, come by anytime" She replied, sweetly.

What the fuck Sakura? You're not supposed to let other men in your house, it's not safe. He thought to himself, or well rather, lied to himself.

He knew Shikamaru was harmless and it wasn't her safety that he was concerned of, more like he didn't want this 'hands in the pockets cool guy' try and get in her pants.

They bid their goodbyes and then started walking again.

Don't say it, Don't say it, Don't say it!

"Y'all seem close", Fuck i said it.

She looked at him, smiled and nodded and then looked away again, staring at the road. "He's a really close friend" she said, still smiling. It looked like she was reminiscing about something. He frowned. Really? Thinking about another man while you're with me? God Sakura. He thought, disappointed with her.

But it was fine, it had to be. He wasn't gonna ruin his little unofficial date with Sakura over his jealousy. She was allowed to have guy friends other than him. It's fine, Really.

–

Conversing with Sakura was so easy. When he didn't know what to say, she took over and talked for the both of them. He felt extremely comfortable with her and hoped she felt at least half as comfortable with him.

They talked about her work, what she had been upto while he was travelling. They talked about everything he did while travelling. All the people he met and helped. How he stayed in a small village to help this little family with farming.

He loved spending time with her, more than anything. He was a fucking idiot not to do this sooner.

After they were done eating, he paid the bill. She insisted they split it but he didn't listen to her.

Now, they were outside her apartment.

"Thanks for tagging along Sasuke, I had a great time" she said before leaning in.

Fuck Is she gonna kiss me?

She did. Just on the cheek but it was still something. Her lips were so soft and all he wanted was to taste them. He had to control himself from being an animal. They were still repairing their relationship. Or atleast, he was.

He felt his face getting hot, his cheeks were burning. He probably looked like a fool right now. She noticed that he was blushing and chuckled. Before she went inside her, he stopped her.

"Sakura?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you have plans for dinner tonight?" He asked, the nervousness was visible from miles away.

Her eyes fluttered in surprise, she looked so adorable when she did that. She smirked, there was a glint of amusement in her eyes, "Are you asking me on a date, Sasuke?" She asked.

It was his turn to be surprised, he didn't expect her to ask him that so directly. He swallowed and then nodded slowly, "Yeah?"

She smiled, "I'm free at seven", she said and without saying another word, she went into her apartment.

Sasuke had the biggest smile on his face.

He went back to his routine of sitting in the trees and watching her.

She got some chores done and the poured herself a glass of wine, took out a magazine and was curled up in the couch right now. She looked adorable. He wanted to join her, cuddle up with her, lay in her lap.

His train of thoughts was interrupted when he saw Shikamaru ringing her door bell. Son of a bitch. He completely forgot about him coming by.

She opened the door and instantly smiled at him before inviting him in.

They were talking about something he couldn't quite decipher, but by their body language, he'd go as far as saying they were flirting.

Eventually they got to the healing part.

If watching them hug made him see red, then watching him shirtless in Sakura's living room while she was touching his bare body, made him feel red. He wanted to spill blood right about now.

She's just healing him, She's just healing him, She's just healing him. He chanted to calm himself down.

Is she— blushing? Why the fuck was she blushing?

Nauseous, I'm physically nauseous he thought, feeling bile gather at the back of his throat.

Once they were done and Shikamaru was clothed, finally. She poured them some wine and they sat down by her kitchen counter.

Sasuke activated his sharingan to read their lips. They were talking about his mission and what it was about.

"It was a joint mission with the land of sand. There's a group of people who have been abducting young girls, the reason's still unknown, but it's safe to assume there are more of them. We arrested them and turned those men to the authorities in suna, they're being thoroughly investigated" Shikamaru elaborated on his mission.

Sakura looked extremely pissed. She was frowning and gritting her teeth, "Trafficking of young girls, god, that's fucked up" she said, gripping onto her glass with a force that might shatter it. Shikamaru took the glass from her hand, "Calm down, we'll find out all the people behind it soon, don't worry" he comforted her, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear.

What the fuck is going on? Seriously, why are they so close? Sasuke thought, his breathing getting a bit heavy.

He couldn't understand what they were saying yet again so he took a risk and went outside her apartment door, now eavesdropping. He peeked through the window, she had visibly calmed down now.

"So, a join mission with suna, I'm guessing you met Temari?" She asked, her voice holding an emotion he couldn't quite decipher.

Shikamaru nodded, "Yeah as a matter of fact, i did" he said.

Sakura bit the inside of her cheeks and just then, He looked at her with a look of amusement, "What's wrong Sak, is that jealousy i see?" He asked, smirking.

Sasuke's face cringed, Why would Sakura be jealous?

Said woman rolled her eyes, but didn't say anything. "Did anything happen between you two?" She asked, staring at the ceiling

Shikamaru sighed and shook his head while not looking at her, "Of course not" he almost whispered.

Suddenly, her eyes lit up. "Why not?" she asked, tilting her head to the side.

He looked her straight in the eyes now, "She's not you" He said, without any hesitation.

Sakura's eyes widened as a blush tainted her cheeks, none of them said anything after that.

Shikamaru sighed once again, "I think i should go, i need to sleep" he said and got up.

She nodded, "Yeah you should, I have to go out now anyway" she said and got up as well.

Shit they're coming out, Sasuke thought and immediately jumped to the roof of her apartment.

He watched them bid their goodbyes and Shikamaru leave.

One thing was clear to him right about now, Shikamaru and Sakura were most definitely not just, friends.

He returned to his little tree and watched Sakura chug another cup of wine before going into the shower. He realised she was getting ready for their date. He blushed like a twelve year old girl at that thought.

He genuinely thought that she was distancing herself from him, but that wasn't it at all. It seemed as though she really had forgiven him and that she didn't mind being with him. He smiled widely.

He sat back and closed his eyes, thinking about their time together as genins. How she would fawn over him openly and follow him around all the time. He said it annoyed him but he secretly loved it.

After the loss of his family, no one cared for him. No one bothered to check on him, worry about him, love him. Not until her. She loved him when he didn't deserve it.

He felt her presence and turned around, she had gotten out of the shower. This time, however, he did not stare.

If he truly wanted a meaningful relationship with her, this had to stop. He couldn't keep following her like this. He had to put an end to it and most importantly, he had to come clean to her. He's trying to be a better man for her and that's what he plans on doing.

He got off the tree and teleported to his apartment with the help of his rinnegan.

He took a quick shower and changed into a fresh pair of clothes.

He thought of what to do with his hair. Sasuke fucking Uchiha was pondering upon how to style his hair. Who would've thought.

He just left it like it was as he did not know what else to do. He looked at the clock, Fuck it's almost seven, He thought and hurried.

He teleported back to sakura's house and knocked.

"Just a minute!" came her voice from inside.

He was getting sweaty palms right about now.

When she opened the door his jaw dropped. She looked so beautiful. She hadn't dressed up all fancy though. She wore a short, sleeveless black dress that slit near her thigh. It had white butterflies all over it and She had let her long hair down, her bangs were parted to the side, covering half of her eye, it was supported with a pin.

Simple yet so beautiful.

The dress showed alot of skin, while it excited him, it also pissed him off a bit, he didn't want men to stare at her. But it was fine, she can wear whatever she wants, he can fight off anyone who dares to touch her. He didn't need to, of course, because Sakura was more than capable of doing it herself. But if it came down to it, he wouldn't hesitate.

She grabbed a jacket and her sling before closing the door.

He couldn't help it and he said it, "You look really.. beautiful"

She blushed instantly and swallowed, her eyes doing that fluttering thing again. She smiled widely, "Thank you, Sasuke."

He stepped closer to her and tapped her forehead, "Shall we then?" he asked.

"Sure"