Sakura nervously eye herself in the mirror. She wore the olive green yukata that Ino lent her. Unlike her, Ino own a wide variety of yukata and kimono with different colours and designs. It was already afternoon yesterday when Sasuke asked her out and she has no time to go and shop for clothes. She can't even fix her hair the way she wants it. It looks like her hair is rebelling against her for years of neglect making her spend more hours on conditioning to fix it nicely.

Thankfully, Ino offered one of her yukata to use. She made a mental note that next time she will shop for decent clothes too. To be honest, she has more medical textbooks at home than set of clothes. It can't be helped. It was years ago when she gave up vanity and focused all her time to master medical ninjutsu.

'I wonder if I look attractive now? Maybe I need to put more makeup?'

She dabbed some eyeshadow on her crease to give a glow on her eyes. Then, she picked up her lip tint and tainted her lips with hue of red. While lightly pressing her index finger on her lip she wondered how it will feels like if Sasuke kissed her. Instantly, her face heats up. There's a possibility that it can happen tonight. It would be wonderful to share their first kiss under the fireworks. Her mind squealed. Her thoughts are running wild but can you blame her? She loved the boy since he was a kid and 10 years after they are having their first date! Then she realized that 10 years is a very long time to be in love and smiled at the thought. Patience is really a virtue and all things will come to those who wait.

Sakura dismissed her musing and wore the hairclip that Sasuke gave her. Once again she look into the mirror and encouraged herself internally. Certainly, she may not be the most beautiful girl in Konoha but she is definitely not ugly.

She erased all her doubts and insecurities she felt at that moment, took her purse, and left home.

———

It was already 5:45PM when she reached the Shrine. Knowing Sasuke, every time they have a mission, or a training session, or even a simple dine out with team 7, he is always on time, to be exact, he always showed up before the agreed time. She doesn't want to make Sasuke wait, so she made sure that she will arrive early. After all, she told herself that she wasn't like those typical girls who will make the guy wait on the first date.

When she approached the Torii gate of the Shine, Sakura heard a familiar voice called out to her. When she turned around, it was Naruto with the rookie 9 and Team Gai. Her eyes scanned the area but Sasuke is not with them.

"Sakura-chan over here!" Naruto called out to her again.

"Naruto." She acknowledged him.

"Happy birthday Sakura-chan!" Naruto greeted her happily and the rest of their friends followed with the greetings.

"Thank you." Unable to contain herself she asked Naruto. "Have you seen Sasuke-kun?"

"Sasuke? No." Naruto answered. "I don't really think he likes going to festivals. That guy is a complete antisocial. He hates crowds."

"I see." She answered quietly. For some reasons she began to worry but she dismissed that thought immediately. It is still too early.

For a few minutes Sakura stayed with them until Chouji showed up with Shikamaru.

"Hey guys."

"Damn Chouji, you are late, more late than Naruto." Ino started nagging.

Shikamaru started yawning. "This is so troublesome."

"Let's go guys! We'll be late for the play." Tenten called out and the group followed.

While the group is taking their leave, Ino stayed to talk to Sakura.

"How bout you Sakura?" Ino asked her and quietly whispered. "Where is he anyway?"

"I don't know but he will be here for sure." Sakura said assuring Ino.

"Well, he better be or I'll kick his ass." Ino warns her. Dismissing the threatening look in her face, she continued. "I know you're not into that kind of stuff but just in case you two decided to do it, at least use a protection." Ino tease.

"Ino!" Sakura felt her cheeks warm up. "What on earth are you saying? He is not even my boyfriend!"

Ino laughed heavily. "I'm just kidding. Tell me all about it later." She bid goodbye to Sakura and joined their other friends.

Sakura continue to wait and checked on her clock, it is 6:30 in the evening already. It is very unusual for Sasuke to be late. It isn't like him. Sasuke shows so much respect on other people's time because he also value his own time.

The streets are now bustling with people. People are chatting animatedly, enjoying food in the sidewalks, and playing games.

Although worried, she trusts that Sasuke will not stood her up on their date, ...right?

Busy with her thoughts, she didn't noticed the couple that were standing behind her.

"Sakura." Coming from a familiar voice.

"Itachi-san, Izumi-chan." Sakura greeted them happily. "It is nice to see you here."

"Happy Birthday Sakura. You look so pretty today!" Izumi said happily.

"Thank you Izumi-chan. Do you guys happen to know where Sasuke-kun is?" Sakura asked. As soon as she mentioned Sasuke, the expression on their faces changed. "We were supposed to meet tonight, but he is running a little late, which is very unusual." She continued.

Sasuke is never late. This is the first time.

"Do not wait for Sasuke." Itachi immediately stated.

"What do you mean?" Sakura asked confuse and worried.

"He is in a mission with father. He won't make it tonight." Itachi responded.

"Oh."

"Would you like to come with us instead, Sakura-chan?" Izumi offered, trying to make her feel better.

"It's okay Izumi-chan. You two should enjoy your time together." Sakura said refusing the invitation.

"Are you sure Sakura-chan?" Izumi asked worriedly.

"Absolutely." Sakura forced a smile.

Itachi already told her that Sasuke will not be able to make it. However, she still waited there for three more hours. Earlier she cannot seem to move away from the spot where she was supposed to wait for him. A big part of her believed that somehow Sasuke will show up but after hours of waiting it started to sink in to her that it is pointless. Without waiting for the fireworks to light the dark sky Sakura left the festival and walk quietly in the direction of her home.

After taking the stairs and leaving the Shrine, she saw someone leaning on the pillar of the Torii gate. It was Sasuke.

She stopped walking and her eyes lit up in joy. "You're here! I knew you'd come."

She knew he would come. Sasuke is very matured and responsible even beyond his age. Most of all, Sasuke is not the one to break promises and commitments. He is a man of his word.

Immediately she ran towards him and grabbed his hand. "Let's go, we can still catch the fireworks show."

Sasuke expected this. He knew Sakura so well and she will most likely to forgive him than to be mad at him. For a moment, he wished that Sakura was never this understanding. She is always so forgiving and his resolve is wavering.

"I went on a mission with my father's orders"

"Right. Itachi-san told me and I understand. Emergencies do happen in our line of work."

"No. I can refuse if I want to."

"...but you're here now and that's all that matters."

"I'm leaving team seven."

She is in the brink of crying but she bit her lip hard to hold back her tears. "Why?" she regretted asking that question as soon as it came out from her mouth. She wasn't sure if she's ready to hear his answer.

"Because it's a waste of time. I am done playing child's game with you and Naruto."

"Why are you here then, Sasuke-kun?"

"There's something I need to ask you."

"What is it?"

"Tell me, how do you feel about me?"

"Eh?" It is in this moment that she should have heart fluttering feeling, instead, this whole scenario is unsettling. Something is not right and she can feel it.

"Why are you asking that all of a sudden?"

"I need to know." He has to know. Only when he knows how she truly feels about him that he can do what he needs to do.

"I— umm..." She mustered all of her courage. She has been waiting for this moment all this time. She even played different scenarios of her confession in her head. The things she's going to say. The things she will do. "I like you Sasuke-kun, ever since I met you. I mean, it must have been very obvious since we're kids right? I want you to know that the feelings that I have for you back then, it never changed."

It is a proper courtesy to answer someone's confession yet Sasuke remained silent.

A deafening silence filled them and Sakura does not like it. Again, the unsettling feeling started creeping on her skin.

"Sasuke-kun? Say something."

"Forget about me, Sakura."

This is the right decision. He and Sakura has no future together and there is no point to prolong whatever they have any further. By doing so, he is doing her a favor. Rejecting her now allows her to move on and open her heart to someone else. As for him, being the proud Uchiha that he is, he would continue to honor their name, respect their tradition, serve the clan, and live up to the expectations of his father. After all that's what sons do, making their father proud. He resolved to do his responsibilities as an Uchiha and as a son of his father.

There is no mistaking it. Sasuke is rejecting her, in their first date and in her birthday. As if to ridicule her more for being rejected, the fireworks starts to light up the dark sky. The supposedly happy event had her heart broken.

Without another word, Sasuke pulled himself away from the pillar and started walking.

"Why are you acting so strange? You're scaring me." Her gaze followed him but he just continue to walk as if she did not exists.

"Wait."

"Wait!" However, her pleas were ignored. The tears that she tried so hard to conceal were now flowing freely on her cheeks. Sasuke kept walking ignoring her shaking voice.

Loud thuds can be heard behind him followed by the warmth of a body he is so familiar with, her scent filling his nose, and slender arms enclosing him to an embrace.

'Why do I feel like you are slipping away?'

More than his rejection, she felt that she will lose him completely and she cannot stand it. She loved this guy her whole life. He is someone she cannot live without.

"Don't go... please, don't leave me."

Sakura started sobbing behind him, soaking the backside of his shirt. He can feel her hot tears on his skin. He gritted his teeth and did his best to remain calm and composed.

For a moment they remained in that position. Sasuke stared up in the sky filled with colorful illuminations. For the past 3 years, team 7 go to the festival to watch the fireworks together celebrating Sakura's Birthday.

And now, this will be the last.

His hand hovered hers and his palm lingers on her skin before he grabbed her hand and untangled her arms off him.

"From here on out, you and I will take a different path."