(Author's note: The point of view (POV) always shifted between the author's POV and Sakura's POV only, so don't get confused since I wanted to make the story flow naturally).
..
In the stillness of my room, I reclined on the bed, my gaze fixed upon the ceiling. I was adrift in a sea of contemplation, my thoughts swirling like leaves caught in a gentle breeze. The day's events had etched their weight upon my heart, and the conspicuous absence of Sasuke's swift responses to my texts only added to the uncertainty that clung to my thoughts like a shadow.
Sasuke was clearly upset about Sasori's unexpected kiss on my cheek, a moment I swore I hadn't seen coming. Rather than pushing Sasori away as logic would dictate, I had stood there like a frozen statue, allowing that older guy to invade my personal space. It was a decision that had left Sasuke simmering with resentment during the journey back home, his silence casting a long shadow over the once vibrant camaraderie we had shared.
As I lay in solitude, I couldn't help but feel the sinking weight of missed opportunities. My chance to win Sasuke's heart seemed to slip through my fingers like grains of sand. I feared that I was hurtling towards a future where I'd grow old alone, for my heart yearned for Sasuke and no one else.
Even the charming and charismatic Sasori, who had made advances towards me, failed to pique my interest. Coupled with my disdain for French lessons, it was clear that my heart had made its choice.
In the midst of my introspection, a flicker of hope ignited within me. I remembered the moments I had captured through the lens of my camera during our trips with the photography club – snapshots of scenic landscapes and candid shots with fellow members. I reached for my digital camera, which lay silently on the cupboard, and began scrolling through the memories it held.
To my dismay, I stumbled upon a series of embarrassing duck face selfies that were promptly deleted. Then, there was a picture with Karin, striking poses like a supermodel during one of our hiking trips. And another, a group shot with Juugo, Suigetsu, and the other male members, a photo taken by none other than Sasuke.
The contrast between Sasuke's photography skills and mine was like night and day. Despite all the lessons he had given me, my photos still came out blurry, lacking the finesse that Sasuke effortlessly brought to his work.
But then, as I continued to scroll, my heart skipped a beat. There it was, a candid photo of Sasuke, peacefully gazing at the breathtaking scenery. His perfect jawline and tall, statuesque figure framed against the backdrop of nature made him look like a cover model from a prestigious magazine.
With my limited expertise in photography, I had managed to capture Sasuke's innate allure. I found myself mesmerized by the image of him, his essence captured in a moment of quiet contemplation. Another photo revealed Sasuke sitting by the campfire, his silhouette illuminated by the dancing flames. His effortless charm and rugged handsomeness were on full display, even when he wasn't trying.
I couldn't deny the truth any longer. My heart had found a home in Sasuke's presence, and every candid moment I had secretly captured only deepened my affection for him.
Yet, I was faced with a daunting question: how could I rekindle our connection after the incident with Sasori? My heart yearned for a way to bridge the gap that had formed between us, but I was at a loss.
...
In the quiet solitude of his room, Sasuke mirrored Sakura's melancholic state, lying on his own bed, his gaze locked on the phone that rested in his hand. The screen displayed a barrage of unread texts from Sakura, each message a testament to her persistence, her eagerness to bridge the chasm that had formed between them. But Sasuke was caught in a tempest of emotions, torn between his pride and the gnawing vulnerability that whispered to him, urging him to admit that he had been somewhat childish.
A heavy sigh escaped him, and with a resigned toss, he cast his phone aside. He found himself entangled in the web of his own feelings, a labyrinth of confusion that threatened to consume him. It was a battle he wasn't sure how to wage.
Turning his attention away from the unanswered messages, Sasuke retrieved his Canon camera, flicking it on with practiced ease. His keen eyes scanned through the snapshots he had taken, a mixture of annoyance and frustration building within him as he encountered a collection of blurry mishaps—random sand, someone's foot, and the like. He couldn't fathom who had dared to tamper with his camera, capturing these chaotic and mundane moments.
But then, amidst the chaos of errant snapshots, something caught his attention. A blurry but unmistakable image of Sasori and Sakura, candidly sharing a moment of laughter, a spark of genuine joy dancing between them. Sasuke's eyebrows furrowed as he tried to piece together this peculiar puzzle, the gears of suspicion slowly grinding to life.
A memory surged to the forefront of his mind, and it didn't take long for Sasuke to recall the moment when Karin had acted strangely, her motives hidden like a shadow. The suspicion that she might have been the one to sneakily borrow his camera and capture these perplexing shots began to solidify.
However, as Sasuke continued to peruse the photos, a remarkable transformation overcame him. The lingering tension in his shoulders relaxed, and a faint, unbidden smile tugged at his lips. It was impossible to resist the captivating pull of Sakura's candid snapshots at the beach.
With each image, his heart melted away a bit more, and he couldn't help but feel a warmth spread through him. The way she had been captured, her face alight with genuine joy and a carefree spirit, it was a side of Sakura that tugged at his very soul. Sasuke found himself zooming in on her gorgeous face, his earlier confusion giving way to an affectionate smirk.
In that solitary moment, as he gazed at the images of Sakura, Sasuke's inner turmoil momentarily faded. For in those snapshots, he saw not just a girl he couldn't comprehend but the heart of someone he was gradually beginning to understand.
...
As the days passed, life at Konoha High School went on as usual. Sakura had abandoned her intense 4 am morning routine, convinced that Sasuke's silence was an indication of his anger. She often found herself sitting alone on the bench under the cherry blossom tree in the schoolyard, lost in contemplation.
There, as the petals fluttered gently to the ground around her, she revisited Margareth Whitney's words. Her own happiness mattered, and she couldn't abandon her journey of self-improvement for the sake of unrequited affection. Sakura realized she couldn't let her pursuit of Sasuke overshadow her own growth and self-discovery.
While Sakura was deep in thought, Naruto and Hinata approached her, and their announcement caught her off guard. In their usual, unconventional way, Naruto and Hinata revealed that they were officially dating. Sakura tried to muster a smile, but it was a feigned one.
Naruto, ever perceptive, sensed something amiss and prodded Sakura gently. She couldn't hold back the tears that welled up as she confided in them, recounting the entire story, especially the incident with Sasori that had ignited Sasuke's jealousy.
Naruto listened empathetically, assuring her that it was common for friends to drift apart momentarily. However, Sakura couldn't shake her belief that Sasuke's feelings for her ran deeper.
Hinata, once Naruto's secret admirer, spoke softly to Sakura. "If you truly believe in true love, Sakura, it will find its way to you, no matter the circumstances."
Sakura, though still pessimistic, managed a heartfelt "thank you" to her friends as Naruto and Hinata left her alone beneath the cherry blossoms.
Unbeknownst to her, Sasuke had been watching from afar, observing the entire exchange. He approached Sakura and sat beside her with a sense of vulnerability he had never shown before. Awkwardly, he brushed a stray cherry blossom petal from her hair, causing her to turn her head in surprise.
Sasuke was taken aback by how stunning Sakura looked even when she cried. It triggered a poignant memory of their childhood when Sakura had confessed her feelings under the moonlight. Back then, his own intense emotions had left him bewildered and unable to respond properly. He had refused to admit that he loved her too, as it overwhelmed him.
Now, determined to convey his feelings more earnestly, Sasuke decided to bare his heart. Gently, he whispered to Sakura, "There's something I've wanted to tell you for a long time..."
The moment hung in the air, heavy with the weight of unspoken emotions and the promise of a new beginning. Under the cherry blossoms, bathed in the fading sunlight, Sakura and Sasuke were on the precipice of a transformative moment that had been a long time coming.
Sakura's eyes widened as Sasuke's whispered words hung in the air like a delicate petal on the breeze. Her heart raced as she turned to face him, her cheeks flushed with a mixture of surprise and anticipation.
"Sasuke," she began, her voice trembling slightly, "I... I've been wanting to tell you something too."
Sasuke's gaze locked onto hers, his dark eyes filled with intensity. "What is it, Sakura?"
She took a deep breath, gathering her courage. "I... I don't want us to drift apart. Even though things got complicated, you mean a lot to me, Sasuke."
The sincerity in her words resonated with him, and Sasuke felt his heart soften. "Sakura, I..."
Before he could finish his sentence, Sakura's trademark clumsiness decided to make a dramatic entrance. In her nervousness, she shifted her weight slightly, causing the bench beneath them to creak ominously. Both of them turned their attention to the noise, only to see the bench suddenly give way, sending them tumbling to the ground in a flurry of cherry blossoms.
Sakura landed on top of Sasuke in a rather compromising position, her face inches from his, and their noses nearly touching. For a moment, they simply stared at each other, their hearts pounding not from the fall, but from the unexpected closeness.
Sakura, flustered and embarrassed, was the first to break the silence. "Well, this isn't exactly how I imagined this moment going."
Sasuke couldn't help but chuckle, a rare sound that sent warmth through Sakura's heart. "Leave it to you to turn a heartfelt confession into a comedy."
She grinned back at him, her embarrassment giving way to amusement. "Well, at least it's memorable, right?"
Sasuke nodded, his gaze softening. "Memorable, indeed."
As they picked themselves up from the ground and dusted off the cherry blossoms, Sakura couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. Despite the clumsiness of the moment, their connection felt stronger than ever.
With a mischievous twinkle in her eye, Sakura teased, "So, does this mean you're going to confess properly now, Sasuke?"
He smirked, his pride still intact. "Of course. I just needed to make sure you were paying attention."
Their banter continued as they walked away from the fallen bench, leaving behind the laughter of a shared moment and the promise of a future filled with both heartfelt confessions and hilarious mishaps. In that moment, Sakura and Sasuke had found their balance, their friendship evolving into something deeper, with all its quirks and imperfections.
- To Be Continued -