CHAPTER TWO.
Sakura stands hesitantly at the doorway of the spare bedroom. Her left hand pauses at the feel of the doorknob to her new room at the Uchiha household. 'No,' she corrects herself as she feels the obtrusive weight of her wedding band, 'this is also my household now.'
The creak of the wooden floorboards under her feet echoes softly as she moves the last box of her belongings into the room, a reminder of the room's lack of use. She steps inside, her heart fluttering with a mix of emotions. The pale yellow walls, a cheerful hue chosen by Tsubaki, contrast with the memories Sakura holds of her. 'This was part of her dream...' she thinks, feeling the weight of stepping into a space once destined for another life, another reality where pale yellow matches alongside Kyo's light green room and Sato's baby blue walls. Tsubaki and Sasuke's perfect little family of five.
Her new queen-sized bed, adorned with Sakura's dark purple bedding and her favorite pillow with the stringy tassel border, sits awkwardly in the corner. It feels out of place, like it's intruding on a past that never had the chance to bloom. The delicate lace window treatment, filtering light from the outside world, is covered in dust - a testament to the passage of time. 'Even the light here feels like it's from a different time,' Sakura muses, her eyes tracing the patterns of lace and dust dancing in the streams of sunlight.
Tracing her hand along the wall, Sakura can't help but feel like an intruder, a virus intercepting a healthy host. She hates that she's made herself so needed by Sasuke that she now wears a small gold band from him. 'We're so close, yet there's still so much we just can't say to each other because of the grief,' she contemplates, the proximity a constant reminder of their intertwined lives. She just wants to help Sasuke. Sasuke, who has cried into her shoulders just as many times as she's cried into his. Sasuke, who doesn't mind her loud and obnoxious ways. Sasuke, who opened his home to her. Sasuke, who is just a wall away from her.
The room's air, musty with disuse, slowly changes as she moves around, her own scent mingling with the old. Each of her movements stirs up motes of dust, as if awakening the room from a long slumber. Atop the mahogany dresser on the far wall, Sakura sets up all her cosmetics, tiny tubes and bottles and brushes and sponges and plastic compacts in a disarray of colors. She turns on her candle warmer, hoping to fill the room with sweet lavender and eucalyptus. She throws the fancy heels and party shoes she never gets to wear anymore to the corner of her small walk-in closet, half of her wardrobe on the floor.
Tiny footsteps pound along the floorboards of the second floor of the Uchiha household. Sakura knows whose feet those sounds belong to and readies herself for a tiny intruder. Her unpacking is interrupted by the sound of Sato's eager footsteps.
"Munchkin," she announces out loud before the little boy has entered her new room. "I thought you were with your Papa and the baby munchkin."
He bursts into through the open doorway, his youthful energy cutting through her reflective mood. "Sakura! Can you help me fight off Papa and Baby Kyo? They're ganging up on me!"
His innocence and excitement bring a smile to Sakura's face. The boy's eyes, a rich brown reminiscent of Tsubaki's, sparkle with the same warmth and kindness that had always drawn Sakura to her friend. As Sato looks up at her now, those eyes seem to echo Tsubaki's gentle gaze, flooding her mind with memories. His hair, wild and dark, is unmistakably Sasuke's – the same unruly locks that Sakura often noticed would fall into Sasuke's eyes during their serious discussions about life and duty. She remembers how she used to find it endearing, the way Sasuke would absentmindedly brush it aside. But it's Sato's smile that captivates her the most – wide, unrestrained, and filled with a joy that she has never seen on Sasuke's face. It's a vivid reminder of the rare moments when Sasuke would let his guard down, showing glimpses of warmth that were often quickly stifled, as if Sasuke could not allow himself any happiness past curses and cries.
"Ganging up on you?"
"Yeah! Papa's making me share my mega blocks!"
"Oh no! Sounds like you need saving," she replies, her heart lightening.
"I'm bringing back-up," Sato yells out as he runs down the long hallway. Sasuke and Kyo lie on the floor of Sato's room, ready to terrorize the four-year-old. Their banter is a reminder of the normalcy and joy she's trying to instill into her boys' lives. Whether or not she includes Sasuke as part of those boys is a problem for another time, a future Sakura that has the energy, and a future Sasuke that's not lost to his grief.
As Sato builds and builds and Baby Kyo tears down tower after tower, Sakura finds herself immersed in the moment, letting the giggles of her little family melt away.
Sakura gently pushes Kyo's stroller along the path of the sun-dappled park, stopping near the playground where Sasuke and Sato are playing. The laughter of children fills the air, mingling with the distant chatter of parents and the rhythmic creaking of swings. She bends over the stroller, smiling at Kyo, who gurgles happily at her attention.
"Look at you, all smiles today," she coos, tickling his belly. Kyo's laughter, pure and infectious, bubbles up, and Sakura feels a surge of joy. The scent of the fresh grass and the warm sun creates a perfect backdrop for this simple, beautiful moment.
Nearby, Sasuke is helping Sato climb the jungle gym, his usually stern expression softened into a smile. "Careful, Sato. You're almost at the top," Sasuke encourages, his voice filled with a rare, tender warmth.
"Papa! I don't need to be careful! I'm a military police like you!" Sato exclaims, his little arms reaching for the next rung. His youthful exuberance and fearless spirit are a stark contrast to Sasuke's cautious guidance.
Sakura gently rocks Kyo's stroller back and forth near the playground, watching Sasuke assist Sato with getting back on top of the jungle gym. A playful idea sparks in her mind.
"Hey Sasuke, you better be careful. Sato looks like he can climb faster than you," she calls out with a teasing smile.
Sasuke looks over, one dark eyebrow raised. "You might be surprised. I haven't lost my touch."
Sakura laughs, "Oh? But it's been a while since you were actually on the field. You're just a paper-pusher now, right? Might be a bit harder than you remember."
Sasuke smirks, pointing two fingers between his eyes and her. "Just watch, Sakura. I'm not as out of practice as you think."
As he skillfully begins to climb, Sakura can't help but chuckle. "Just be careful, we can't have you showing off and then taking a tumble. Your kids will never let you live it down."
Reaching the top with surprising ease, Sasuke gives her a victorious look. "Who's out of practice now, huh?"
Sato claps, thrilled to be sitting right next to him at the top of the jungle gym. "Papa's the best!"
Sakura joins in the applause, her laughter mixing with Sato's. "Alright, alright, point made, Champion Climber. Now come back down before your luck runs out."
As Sasuke jumps down and helps Sato with his own descent, a familiar parent from the park approaches Sasuke. It's Shikamaru and his son. Sakura stays away, trying to focus her attention on Kyo. She's never liked Shikamaru much. When Tsubaki passed away, the Nara family seldom supported Sasuke and the boys – only bringing around frozen meals once or twice in the past two years, sending a single Christmas card, and carpooling Sato to his daycare only when Sakura's classes got in the way. But it was always Temari reaching out, happy to bring her son but cautious to not be too close. Shikamaru was supposed to be Sasuke's friend, not his wife. And when Shikamaru dropped the rope of their friendship, Temari had a hard time connecting with the grief-stricken Sasuke.
Now, Sasuke and Shikamaru are talking while Sato runs off to catch up with Shikadai. The two men look calm and composed as they talk, catching up like the past two years haven't happened, discussing work and home and traffic and the weather and whatever other small talk men make that means nothing at all.
Sakura tries not to stare, but she can't help it. She can't hear what the two men are talking about as they supervise the children playing, but Sakura's curiosity gets the best of her.
Sasuke stands tall and confident compared to Shikamaru's relaxed stance, his posture a testament to his disciplined life as a military child. His broad shoulders, subtly outlined under the fabric of his crisp, white button-up shirt, hint at the strength beneath, muscles toned from diligent training. Sasuke's face, usually set in a stoic expression, carries an air of calm authority as he talks with his somewhat-maybe-on-a-good-day friend.
His hair, black and unruly, gives him the same slightly untamed look that Sato and Kyo have both inherited, as if resisting the orderliness that is meant to rule their lives. It falls just above his dark gray eyes, adding a touch of nonchalance to his otherwise composed appearance.
Sakura can't deny the quiet charisma that Sasuke possesses. There's an undeniable handsomeness about him, not in a flashy or overt way, but in a manner that's compelling in its simplicity and authenticity. 'Sasuke's kind of handsome when he's not being annoying', she will admit to herself and absolutely no one else.
The conversation takes an unexpected turn when Shikamaru gestures towards Sakura and comments, "Having a reliable nanny like her must be a big help with the kids." The words, intended as casual praise, hit Sasuke like a physical blow. "Easy on the eyes, too."
Sakura watches, her heart racing, as Sasuke's cool demeanor shatters and breaks apart. His response is sharp and uncharacteristically emotional. "She's not a nanny," he asserts, his voice laced with a mixture of grief, love, and unmistakable pain. "Sakura is family; she's the only family we have left. We wouldn't have survived without her." His voice cracks, revealing the depth of his feelings and the burden of his grief.
"You have a whole clan," Shikamaru scoffs, trying to wave away the show of emotion.
"A whole clan?" Sasuke can hardly breathe as his heart breaks with every word, sputtering louder as the conversation continues. "The whole clan left us, Shikamaru. Even you left us. Sakura's the only person I have left."
Shikamaru, taken aback by the uncharacteristic display of emotion from Sasuke, stumbles over an apology and quickly excuses himself. Sakura sits next to the stroller where Kyo now naps, a storm of emotions brewing inside her. 'I never realized how much Sasuke cares about me', she thinks, both touched and confused. This is just supposed to be about getting Sakura financially stable. Their signatures are on a fancy piece of paper at city hall for insurance reasons. The ring on her finger is simply to ward off lechers thinking she's a single mom at the grocery stores.
Regaining his composure, Sasuke walks over to Sakura, his eyes softer, yet still swimming in molten swirls of emotions. His dark gray eyes meet hers for a brief moment, revealing all the feelings Sasuke is stifling: pain, regret, shame, hurt, betrayal, frustration… but there, on top of it all, is a calming thankfulness meant only for Sakura to read. "Let's get the kids some ice cream," he suggests, a simple offer that feels like a lifeline to normalcy.
It's 8PM. The Uchiha house is quiet, creaking into its wooden foundation with the swell of the evening winds. There's a storm brewing according to Sakura's phone. Her little monsters are tucked into bed, but Sakura knows she will need to wake up to lull them back to sleep after the rain comes pouring down. Sakura sits in her room, the events at the playground replaying in her mind. She's lost in thought when she hears a faint knock at her door.
"Sakura, can I... talk to you?" It's Sasuke, his face etched with a turmoil of emotions barely contained. His voice is hesitant, a stark contrast to his steadfast reserved nature.
"Of course, Sasuke," Sakura responds, concern lining her voice as she gestures for him to come in. He sits at the edge of her bed, his posture tense, eyes fixed on the floor.
"I... I need to apologize for earlier. At the park," he starts, his words faltering. "I shouldn't have lost my temper like that. I put you in an awkward position."
Sakura watches him, her heartbeat growing heavier watching him struggle with his words. "Sasuke, you don't need to apologize." It made so little sense to her, to apologize for claiming her, to apologize for saying she was a part of his family. She was his family. She was their family. They were just two adults trying to keep everything together for two little boys against a storm of chaos.
He shakes his head, the weight of his emotions seeming to crush him. "It's not just that," he murmurs, his voice breaking like never before. "I... I don't want to lose you, Sakura. I can't handle thinking you can be replaced. You're more than just someone who looks after the boys. You're everything to… us."
Sakura's heart rips apart as she hears him, a mix of sorrow and warmth flooding past the dam in her soul. She moves closer, offering a hug, offering anything to get rid of the pain marring his face. "Sasuke, it's okay," she whispers. "Come here."
He hesitates at first, murmuring a soft "no," but as she wraps her arms around him, he breaks. Tears begin to fall, his taller body shaking with the intensity of his sobs. It's a rare moment of vulnerability, and Sakura holds him, offering her presence as solace.
As he calms, still sniffling, he wraps his arms around her waist, pulling her closer. His embrace is firm, almost desperate, as if he's holding onto a lifeline. Sakura feels his warmth, the strength in his embrace, and realizes the depth of his fear of losing her.
In her arms, Sasuke finds a haven, a place where he can let down the walls he's built around himself. Sakura understands then the profound bond they've formed, one that transcends the roles they've assumed. It's a connection born of shared struggles and unspoken understanding, a silent promise of unwavering support.
They sit there in silence, the night wrapping around them, a moment of peace amidst the storm of their lives. Sakura knows that this is just the beginning of a long journey of healing and understanding, but in her arms, Sasuke finds a moment of respite, a brief escape from the burdens he carries.
They sit in the quiet of the room. Sakura can feel Sasuke's grip relax slightly, his breathing steadying as he finds solace in her embrace. His vulnerability in this moment, so starkly different from his usual composed demeanor, speaks volumes of the trust and bond they share.
Sakura gently strokes his hair, a soothing rhythm that seems to calm the storm within him. She can sense the shift in his emotions, a gradual easing of the tension that had been so palpable moments ago. In the silence, a deep understanding passes between them, an acknowledgment of the strength and comfort they find in each other.
Moved by a surge of affection and the depth of their bond, Sakura finds herself leaning towards Sasuke. Her hand, almost of its own accord, reaches up to his face, her thumb lightly tracing his jawline. In a moment of impulse, she plants a soft, tender kiss on his cheek.
The kiss, brief yet significant, hangs in the air between them. As Sakura pulls back, she's suddenly aware of the intimacy of the gesture. This is her friend, Sasuke. This is her best friend's husband, Sasuke. This is Tsubaki's Sasuke. Her eyes widen, and her cheeks burst into a flaming red blush. "I... I'm sorry, I didn't- ," she stammers, her heart racing with a mix of embarrassment and surprise at her own boldness.
Sasuke, equally taken aback, sits frozen for a second. His usual composure falters as he processes the unexpected turn of events. He touches his cheek where her lips had just been, a look of confusion and embarrassment crossing his features. "No, it's – I mean, I didn't – You don't have to...," he struggles to find the right words, his usual eloquence lost in the wilderness of this moment.
The room fills with a silence that cuts through her core. Sakura's eyes can't look away from his chest. Her nerves can't stop replaying the edge of his skin on hers. Her heart can't stop seeking out his warmth. Her tongue savors the taste of his skin. Her mind can't figure out what to do. She shifts uncomfortably on her bed, trying ease some of the knots forming within her body, while Sasuke stays still, his unblinking gaze staring at nothing.
Finally, Sasuke clears his throat, attempting to regain some semblance of normalcy. "We should probably get some sleep. Kyo has that birthday party tomorrow," he says, his voice steadier but still carrying a hint of his inner turmoil.
Sakura nods quickly, eager to escape the awkwardness somehow someway. "R-right. Yes, sleep. Good idea," she agrees, her words tumbling out in a rush.
As Sasuke stands to leave, their eyes meet briefly, a shared understanding of the uncharted territory they've just stumbled into passing between them. The door closes softly behind him, leaving Sakura alone.
In the quiet of her room, Sakura sits for a moment. No thoughts are safe. No feelings are safe. She wills herself to become a status but can't stop a smile from curling at her lips. Utter betrayal from her own body. 'What the fuck?' her first thoughts return to her. Sakura's heart is still fluttering with a mixture of embarrassment and something else she doesn't want to touch. The only thing she can force her mind to focus on is the roar of rain as it beats against her window.
END OF CHAPTER TWO.