Sasuke stood quietly in the backyard of his home, the crisp evening air washing over him. It had been two days since they had returned from the Land of Mist—a mission Sasuke had been more than ready to see end.
In the silence, he found himself reflecting on those last few days of the mission, the tension that had followed their argument still lingering in the back of his mind. Sakura had been sharp with him, her humor laced with sarcasm and irony, all the things that once made him smile now acting as barriers between them. But beneath the teasing, Sasuke knew she was still angry. He had made a mistake. She hadn't forgiven him yet, and he wasn't sure when she would.
They had returned earlier than planned—three days ahead of schedule, after the mission had been successfully completed. It had been late when they arrived, and despite their proximity, each had returned to their own home, their work piling up in the days that followed. Sasuke hadn't seen her since. Now, standing outside, he realized how much he had missed her.
They had exchanged messages, of course. For this, Sasuke thanked the new technology that Kakashi had introduced to the village. Sasuke had written to her every hour and Sakura had replied with some emojis showing the middle finger. However, for Sasuke, messages would never be the same as physical proximity.
The soft rustle of the door behind him broke his thoughts. He turned to find his mother, Mikoto, standing there with a plate in her hands, offering him a small, knowing smile.
"Sasuke," she called, her voice light but warm, "Come inside. You should have some fruit. It's good for the body, especially after dinner. Helps protect against the seasonal viruses."
Sasuke hesitated for a moment before walking toward her, a subtle sigh escaping his lips. "I'll join you in a moment," he muttered, though his voice lacked the usual sharpness. There was something comforting about his mother's insistence on these little rituals, even if he had never really been one for them.
Mikoto didn't press further, only nodding as she placed the plate on the table just inside the doorway, giving him space. Sasuke followed her inside, the warmth of the house contrasting with the crispness of the night air. He entered the living room, where the familiar scene greeted him.
Izumi, Itachi's fiancée, was sitting on the sofa, her attention focused on the fruit she was carefully peeling with a delicate touch. Her eyes flicked up at him, a teasing glint in her gaze. "Taking your sweet time, Sasuke?" she remarked, her tone lighthearted.
Itachi sat beside her, his face impassive, as always, but the corners of his mouth lifted slightly in what could almost be called a smirk. "He's just savoring the peace and quiet," Itachi commented without looking away from the TV.
Fugaku, seated on the opposite sofa, barely acknowledged Sasuke's entrance, his eyes glued to the television screen. Sasuke moved to the third sofa, the same one he had always sat on.
Mikoto handed him a plate of fruit, a smile tugging at her lips. "Here, eat. You'll feel better."
Sasuke accepted the plate, nodding in acknowledgment, but his thoughts were elsewhere. "Is everything okay?" Mikoto asked, sitting beside him, her eyes soft with concern. She could always tell when something weighed on him, even when he tried to hide it.
"Just tired," Sasuke answered quietly, although he wasn't sure whether it was the mission or the distance between him and Sakura that made him feel that way.
The soft hum of the television filled the room as the Uchiha family settled into their evening routine. The latest episode of a popular romance series was playing, something that aired every night at the same time, and tonight was no exception.
The show was supposed to be a heart-wrenching romance—filled with longing glances, intense drama, and moments of passion. Yet, to Sasuke, it seemed like nothing more than a never-ending cycle of breakups, tearful reunions, and empty promises. He couldn't understand the appeal.
In the background, Fugaku's voice rose in mild annoyance. "What's the point of this show? In all these episodes, the only thing we've seen is this couple breaking up and getting back together a hundred times. How is that supposed to be romantic?"
Izumi let out a light laugh from the sofa beside him, her eyes still glued to the screen. "Oh, come on, Fugaku-san, it's not about the breakups. It's the drama, the tension!"
Mikoto, sitting near Sasuke on the other sofa, raised an eyebrow at Fugaku. "It's a romance series, Fugaku. It's supposed to be dramatic. It's full of ups and downs for the main couple."
Fugaku huffed, clearly unimpressed. "I'm watching everything except the romance, then," he muttered under his breath, turning his attention back to the television.
Izumi, Itachi and Sasuke chuckled at Fugaku's comment, but before anyone could add anything else, a sudden sound broke through the room—the sound of the front door opening with a quick creak. Everyone turned their heads just in time to see Shisui burst through the door, his usual carefree energy on full display.
"Ah, thank goodness you're all in here!" Shisui's voice was a little breathless as he strode into the living room. His expression was unusually serious as he scanned the room. "Quick, change the channel to Konoha Live—now."
Mikoto furrowed her brow in confusion, looking over at him. "Shisui, what's going on? We're in the middle of a show."
Izumi frowned slightly, her arms crossed. "Yeah, sit down and relax for a bit, Shisui. You're always in such a rush."
Shisui barely seemed to notice the tone of her words. "I'm telling you, it's important! Sakura-chan has a a live interview on Konoha Live for five minutes, and we need to watch it."
Sasuke's head snapped around at the mention of Sakura's name, his earlier distraction quickly melting away. His pulse quickened just hearing her name spoken aloud, and he glanced at the screen briefly, as if considering changing the channel himself.
Mikoto, Izumi, and even Fugaku all looked at each other, suddenly aware of the urgency in Shisui's voice.
It was Mikoto who spoke first, with a slight frown. "Sakura? A live interview? Why didn't she tell us about this?"
"It's not like she knew. According to what Naruto told me now, the television had sent words to her just a few minutes ago," Shisui said, looking around for where the remote control was.
"What a lack of professionalism," Fugaku said as he crossed his arms. "They should have given the girl time to get ready."
Izumi laughed and elbowed Itachi, both of them ready to tease him but holding back. Sakura had become an important element of discussion between them and a very important person to everyone. Sasuke's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Sakura, and before he could stop himself, he turned to look at Itachi, who was casually holding the remote control in his hand.
"Itachi," Sasuke said in a flat voice, but the command was clear. "Change the channel."
Itachi was now ready to have a little fun with his brother. "Why?" He said without changing his expression. "I'm enjoying this show."
At that moment he hears everyone in the house shouting "Itachi, Konoha Live, now!"
Fugaku, who had been grumbling under his breath about the show, let out an exasperated sigh. "For once, can we just watch something that isn't full of nonsense?"
Izumi and Mikoto both looked toward Itachi, now almost in unison. "Come on, change the channel," Mikoto said gently, though there was an amused look in her eyes. "This is important. It's Sakura."
"Alright, alright," Itachi muttered with a smile, pressing a button on the remote. The screen flickered, and then Konoha Live appeared, much to everyone's relief.
The room fell silent as Sakura's smiling face appeared on the screen. She looked poised and confident in her usual way, wearing a light but professional outfit. Sasuke felt a small knot in his chest tighten, his eyes locked on her image, feeling an odd mix of pride and anticipation.
"She really is something else." Izumi remarked softly, her voice full of admiration.
Mikoto smiled warmly at the screen. "She's grown so much… I'm proud of her."
The room remained quiet as everyone watched Sakura's live interview unfold on the screen. For nearly an hour, she spoke with confidence and grace, explaining the revolutionary treatment she and Shizune had developed to combat the disease spreading in the Land of Mist. Sasuke couldn't help but admire her calm demeanor—her poised answers, her steady gaze, and how effortlessly she handled the questions. He was impressed by how professional she seemed, even though this was her first time on live television.
"And now, Sakura," the journalist began, her voice taking on a more playful note, "there's something everyone in Konoha is dying to know. You're not just a skilled medic and a brilliant mind—you're also the girlfriend of one of the sexiest shinobi in Konoha. How does it feel to be with Sasuke Uchiha, the man who's turned every fangirl's heart to mush?"
Sakura's face instantly turned crimson, and for a brief moment, her eyes widened in shock as she stared at the screen, her mind racing. The room went quiet, except for the soft murmur of the TV, and everyone—Sasuke included—held their breath, wondering how she would respond.
Sakura blinked, clearly thrown off by the sudden shift in the interview. Her voice came out carefully, almost too composed, as she tried to wrap her mind around the question. "W-What do you mean?" she stammered, her cheeks still burning bright red.
The journalist didn't hesitate, leaning in a little closer with a playful glint in her eye. "Oh, come on, Sakura. It's no secret that you and Sasuke Uchiha are in a relationship. The whole village knows about it! So, tell us… what's it like to be dating the Sasuke Uchiha?"
The awkward silence in the room was palpable. Mikoto stifled a chuckle, her hand hovering near her mouth as she tried not to laugh. Izumi's eyes sparkled with amusement, though she didn't say anything, simply watching the interaction unfold.
Fugaku, ever the stoic figure, grunted from the couch. "This is ridiculous," he muttered under his breath, though even he couldn't help the tiny smirk that tugged at his lips.
Itachi, on the other hand, just smirked at Sasuke, who was now squirming slightly in his seat, clearly uncomfortable. "Sexiest shinobi. Very pround of my little brother." Itachi observed dryly, his voice almost too calm for the situation.
Back on the screen, Sakura was still struggling to regain her composure. She cleared her throat before answering, her voice sounding much more professional than she felt. "I… I mean, it's not something I really think about," she said, trying to deflect. "We're both just… doing our best in our own lives. There's nothing to it."
The journalist, undeterred by her answer, leaned forward even more, her smile widening. "But don't you ever find yourself thinking about what it's like to date someone so... desirable? Especially considering how many hearts he's broken with this choice?"
Sakura's face went even darker, if that was even possible, her mind scrambling for a way out. "Well, uh… Sasuke's never really been one to care about that sort of thing," she said, her words coming out a little too quickly. "He's more focused on his mission and... training."
The journalist pressed on, clearly enjoying the discomfort she was causing. "So, you mean to tell me that Sasuke Uchiha—the Sasuke Uchiha—has never once charmed you with a smoldering look or a sweet word?"
Sakura blinked, her face turning even redder at the implication. Her hands gripped the armrest of the chair, her knuckles turning white as she forced herself to remain calm. "Same as any other couple."
But the journalist wasn't finished yet. "Okay, another question—because we all know Konoha's got its fair share of sexy shinobi, but how do you handle it when other women are practically throwing themselves at Sasuke? Does it ever make you jealous?"
Sasuke, now a bright shade of red himself, shifted uncomfortably on the sofa. His eyes darted to his family, but none of them seemed particularly sympathetic. Instead, they were all trying to suppress their laughter, and even Fugaku had let out a small chuckle at the absurdity of it all.
Sakura glanced at the camera, then back at the journalist. With an exaggerated sigh, she replied as professionally as possible, "Sasuke-kun is the type of person who doesn't really pay attention to that. So… no. I trust him."
"Awww Sasuke-kun, you just called them so sweet Sakura." The journalist said, making Sakura blush even more. "Tell us more, dear. Just like Sasuke, you're a pretty sexy woman. Does Sasuke get jealous of you? How do you handle this?"
Sakura started rubbing her hands on her legs as if in embarrassment. "We both trust each other and don't focus on others but ourselves."
"That is so sweet. But we have something else to ask,", voice suddenly a little more playful. "Konoha has long admired Sasuke Uchiha's strength and stoic nature, but many people are curious about something more… personal. If you don't mind me asking, how is Sasuke Uchiha in bed?"
For a split second, everything in the room seemed to freeze. Even the sound of the air conditioning seemed to stop. Sakura's face immediately turned pale, her eyes widening in shock as she stared at the journalist, her mouth opening and closing as if trying to find words. She was speechless, her mind racing, trying to come up with a response that didn't involve hiding under a rock.
The family, on the other hand, was in total chaos. Sasuke's face went as red as Sakura's, his eyes narrowing in disbelief. He looked like he might combust at any moment.
Shisui, Itachi, and Izumi were already laughing uncontrollably. Izumi had her hand over her mouth to stifle the laughter, but her shaking shoulders gave away just how hard she was struggling. Itachi leaned back, his eyes glinting with amusement, while Shisui was practically doubled over in hysterics, trying to catch his breath.
Mikoto looked horrified, her face as red as her son's. She quickly covered her face with one hand, as though she could somehow shield herself from the awkwardness. Fugaku, meanwhile, looked completely unamused, his usually serious demeanor stiffening. He wasn't laughing, and the steely look on his face only made the situation even funnier to the rest of the family.
Sakura, still frozen, managed to squeak out, "That's... that's too personal to talk about on live TV!" Her voice came out a little high-pitched, betraying her discomfort. She shifted in her seat uncomfortably, trying to make the awkwardness disappear, but it wasn't working.
The journalist, however, was relentless. "But you two have had some intimate scenes in the past, haven't you?" she continued, her tone teasing. "It's obvious there's more than just medical work going on in your relationship, Sakura. How was it? Was it as passionate as the girls imagine?"
"I... I'm not answering that," Sakura said firmly, her voice barely above a whisper. She crossed her arms tightly in front of her chest, as though trying to physically block out the conversation. "These things are not discussed on a live broadcast."
At that point, the room erupted with laughter again. Shisui wiped his eyes and let out a breathless, "You're handling this way better than I would've, Sakura."
Izumi looked at Sasuke, trying not to laugh, but failing miserably. "I didn't know you had that side to you, Sasuke," she teased with a wink, though her voice was shaking with laughter.
The journalist, unfazed by the tension she'd created, moved on to another question, still wearing that smug grin. "Alright then, let's change the topic. Since we're on the subject of family, what's it like having a father-in-law as fierce as Fugaku Uchiha? He's so serious, it's like he doesn't even know how to laugh."
The moment the words left the journalist's mouth, the entire room burst again into uncontrollable laughter. Mikoto was snickering behind her hand, her eyes glistening with amusement.
Fugaku's eyes narrowed, the serious look on his face growing even more intense, but this time it was clear that he wasn't happy with the direction the interview was taking. "I do know how to laugh," he said, his voice so serious that it only made the situation more comical.
Sakura was looking at the journalist very seriously. A look that was screaming What do I want here? "Well, actually, Fugaku-san is very kind and loving to everyone," she said, suddenly switching to a more serious tone. "And I think we need to speak with much respect when we refer to great figures like him. Don't you think?"
Fugaku straightened up at the praise, his posture shifting into something that looked suspiciously like the proud father-in-law stance. He even puffed out his chest slightly, as though he were trying to show off his 'fatherly' pride. The sight of him trying to look 'fierce' and proud only made everyone laugh harder.
"Yeah, you're really intimidating, Fugaku," Shisui managed between fits of laughter.
Itachi grinned, adding to the teasing, "At least, you've got the serious look down. No one can deny that."
Fugaku shot a glare at the two boys, but there was no hiding the fact that he was, perhaps just a little, enjoying the attention. Still, his voice was as firm as ever. "I am not a joke."
The interview had ended, and Sasuke was sitting there, absolutely paralyzed by the awkwardness that was now filling the room. He could still hear the echo of the journalist's voice in his mind, asking personal questions that, for some reason, seemed to have set off a chain reaction that no one had warned him about.
He had never felt so exposed. They hadn't told anyone. Not even their families. Sure, deep down, Sasuke knew they all suspected—or maybe they knew—but none of them had ever outright acknowledged it. Now, the cat was out of the bag, and Sasuke had no idea how to handle the situation.
His family, all sitting in the living room, turned their eyes on him as the screen flickered off. Sasuke could feel the weight of their stares like a physical presence. There was nowhere to hide.
Mikoto, his mother, was the first to speak. Her voice was calm and kind, as always, though there was a trace of amusement hidden behind her words. "Sasuke, darling, you don't have to feel embarrassed. We all knew about this."
Sasuke swallowed, his throat dry, and glanced down at his hands, still not knowing how to respond. His body felt frozen in place. How did she know? How did they all know?
Fugaku, sitting across from him with his usual serious expression, let out a low sigh. "We're not blind, Sasuke," he said in his deep, authoritative voice. "We've all seen the way you and Sakura interact. No one's been fooling anyone here."
Sasuke shifted uncomfortably on the couch, hoping to shrink into the cushions. His father's bluntness only seemed to make him more self-conscious.
Izumi, sitting beside her fiancé, Itachi, couldn't help herself. She chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "You thought we didn't notice, huh, Sasuke? Your face gives it all away."
Itachi, sitting next to her, smirked in that usual calm way of his. "We've known for a while. You two can't exactly hide it when you're practically glowing when you're together."
Sasuke shot his older brother a look of mild annoyance. He was really starting to feel the heat now. Everyone was so casual about it, but Sasuke felt like the world had just opened up underneath him.
Mikoto, sensing his discomfort, tried to ease the tension. She smiled warmly at him, trying to make him feel better. "It's really nothing to be embarrassed about, Sasuke. You've always been a bit... reserved. But seeing you with Sakura, how happy you are, it's clear to anyone who's paying attention."
Shisui, ever the joker, leaned back and crossed his arms. "Well, now that it's out in the open, we should probably officially congratulate you." He grinned mischievously. "Any wedding plans, Sasuke?"
Sasuke stared at him, his eyes narrowing. "Not before him," he muttered pointing to Itachi.
The whole room burst into laughter at that, with Izumi and Itachi shaking their heads, still chuckling softly. Sasuke simply sank lower into the couch, crossing his arms in front of him, wishing he could disappear.
"Don't worry about the jokes Sasuke," Fugaku said calmly. "Take your time, but when you make up your mind to take the big step together then you should tell us in advance. Even though we live in these modern times we still have our traditions. We will go ask Sakura's hand in marriage from her parents properly."
"Sure, father," Sasuke said, nodding in approval.
Everyone dispersed to do their usual evening chores while Sasuke was still sat on the couch and was confused by everything that had happened in just 1 hour. He laughed to himself and looked at the clock on the wall. He couldn't wait to call Sakura and why not tease her a little, but he had to wait. He knew when was the perfect time to call her, when she was alone in her room and not in the presence of her parents. Thinking about this, Sasuke remembered that now their relationship was public and if not tomorrow soon he would have to meet Sakura's parents. He had to apologize for keeping this fact a secret.
Meanwhile, Sakura walked along the streets of Konoha, her footsteps slow and measured. Her mind raced through the events of the evening, replaying every question, every glance from the journalist. The warmth of the gathering still lingered in her chest, but it quickly began to sour as the weight of her parents' likely questions settled over her. She imagined their curious looks, their probing words, their expectations. Would they approve? Of course , at least her mother. Mebuki and Mikoto spent almost the entire day together and had no reason to be against it. Would they tease her or, worse, try to rush things?
Her hands gripped the straps of her bag a little tighter as she neared her home, her heart racing in a different way now. A mixture of nerves and excitement, but mostly, the anticipation of facing the reality of what came next. She knew she would be alone in her room soon, and the moment that happened, she would allow herself a breath.
Sakura stepped through the door, the familiar warmth of her home wrapping around her like a blanket. She kicked off her shoes, and made her way toward the living room. The soft clink of dishes from the kitchen reached her ears as she entered, and she caught sight of her mother, standing by the counter, a smile so wide it could rival the sun itself. Her mother's eyes glistened with excitement, but there was a gleam there too—something mischievous.
On the sofa, her father sat with a cup of tea, his usual serious expression plastered on his face. But when he saw her, his lips twitched into a grin that meant trouble. Sakura's stomach dropped. She had a feeling tonight was going to be one of those nights.
"Hi, Mom!" Sakura greeted her mother, offering a small, tired smile.
Her mother beamed back, her voice warm and enthusiastic. "Hello, my sweet! How was your evening? Was it exciting? Did everything go well?"
Sakura raised an eyebrow as if to tell her mother why she was acting like she didn't know. As if they hadn't seen the interview and didn't know anything. Even if they hadn't, it was impossible for her mother's friends not to have seen it and immediately called her to congratulate her.
Before Sakura could answer, her father slammed his teacup onto the table, his serious demeanor instantly morphing into something a little too dramatic. "Welcome, Mrs. Haruno, who will one day be an Uchiha," he said, practically leaping to his feet. Sakura froze.
"Uh—what?" she asked, unsure if she'd heard him right.
"Yes!" Her father was already making his way toward her with the speed of a ninja, holding his cup of tea like some kind of weapon. "The future Mrs. Uchiha, who couldn't even drop a hint about the relationship when we've all known for who knows how long." He threw his hands up in the air. "Do you know how many people in the village have been waiting for this moment?! And you kept it a secret—a secret—from your old dad!"
Her mother, still leaning on the counter, had a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. She shot Sakura a knowing look before chiming in, "Oh, come on, dear, he's just teasing. It's not every day your daughter is dating the Uchiha heir. He's a little excited."
Sakura's face flushed a bright shade of red. "Dad, can you stop? This isn't funny."
Her father ignored her, raising an eyebrow. "Not funny? I think it's hilarious. So, tell me, how did he ask you out? Did he sweep you off your feet with a dramatic, 'Sakura, will you make my cold, lonely heart a little warmer?' Or was it more like… 'Sakura, I need a medic, and you're the best I can do'?"
Sakura's eyes widened, horrified by the sheer imagination her father had for this scenario. "Dad!" she groaned, hoping the floor would just open up and swallow her whole. "That's not how it happened!"
Her father wasn't done yet. "Oh, and please, tell me he didn't pull that 'I'm too cool for feelings' routine." He scoffed dramatically, sinking back into the sofa. "You know, the 'I'm an emotionless Uchiha' speech. I've seen that look on his face before. It's not fooling anyone! It's in their DNA to be a pain in the ass. "
Sakura slapped her hand to her forehead, her eyes practically burning with embarrassment. "Dad, please, I'm begging you!"
Her mother couldn't hold it in anymore. She burst out laughing, her shoulders shaking with mirth. "Oh, dear," she chuckled between giggles, "you're making her embarrassed!"
Her father, however, was relentless. "I'm just trying to get the details. The important details, like who asked who, and when Sasuke finally came around to realizing he needed someone who could actually tolerate his attitude." He shot her a sly glance. "How many times did you have to punch him before he realized he was in love?"
Sakura groaned, sinking into the nearest chair. "Dad, this isn't the time for jokes!" She shot a pleading glance at her mother, who was still laughing too hard to intervene.
Her father shook his head dramatically, though a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "You know, I should've known it was coming. The moment I saw Sasuke, I could tell. That 'too-cool-for-this-world' look. He'd make the perfect son-in-law." He raised his cup of tea in a mock toast. "To the Uchiha heir, who is just as cool and aloof as his name implies."
Sakura couldn't believe her father. "You're impossible!" she groaned, but despite herself, she couldn't stop the small laugh that escaped her lips.
Her mother wiped tears from her eyes as she calmed down. "Alright dear , enough teasing."
"Of course," Kizashi said, "now we need to move on to more serious things."
"Seriousness and you are like two parallel lines, dad." Sakura said, now a little more relieved from the embarrassment she was feeling.
"Now Sakura, you know that your father is a very open-minded man. So feel free with this old man."
"For what exactly?" Sakura asked confused.
Kizashi came closer and winked at her. Sakura raised an eyebrow and was looking at him. Kizashi took a deep breath and winked at her again.
"Dad, it's better to say something than to just wink."
"Did you two… do that?"
"That…?" Sakura asked.
"Yeah that..." Kizashi said as he rubbed his two index fingers together.
"What that?"
Have you and Sasuke... well, you know... ever been more intimate with each other?" He raised his eyebrows suggestively, clearly enjoying the discomfort he was about to cause.
Sakura's face went an alarming shade of red. Her eyes widened in complete shock. "What!?" she screamed, her voice high-pitched in horror. She clutched her chest dramatically. "What kind of question is that, Dad?!"
Her mother, still grinning from the earlier teasing, leaned against the kitchen counter, pretending to be busy but clearly listening intently. She had a knowing smile on her face, clearly enjoying the role reversal as Kizashi took over the "embarrassing parent" duties.
Kizashi, however, looked utterly nonchalant as he took a sip from his cup of tea. "It's a completely normal question for a couple, Sakura. Why be ashamed? Me and your mother were younger than you when we went on a picnic in the forest and we—"
Sakura stood up immediately, her hands flying to her ears. "No, no, no, no!" She shook her head furiously, her eyes wide with panic. "I do not want to hear this! I will leave the room right now if you keep talking about this!" She started taking a few steps toward the door, hoping to escape the inevitable discomfort that was fast approaching.
Her father, ever the mischievous troublemaker, wasn't going to let his golden opportunity slip by. "Oh no, sweetheart," he called out in mock concern, leaning forward on the couch, "you can't leave yet. You haven't heard the best part."
Sakura froze, her hands still covering her ears, her eyes squeezed shut. "Dad, please stop!" she cried out, taking one more step toward the door.
Her mother, unable to contain herself anymore, burst into laughter. "Oh, Kizashi!" she gasped between chuckles, covering her mouth. "You're terrible!"
"Terrible? I'm just telling it like it is," Kizashi replied with an exaggerated shrug, still grinning from ear to ear.
Sakura, nearly at the doorway now, turned to face them one last time, her hands still clamped over her ears like she could block out the entire conversation. "I'm leaving," she stated firmly, her voice shaky with the embarrassment of everything that had just happened.
But her parents weren't done with her yet. Her mother, still chuckling, called out to her, "Sakura, don't go just yet. You need to tell Sasuke he's invited to dinner tomorrow! We need to discuss important matters—like this one." She winked at her husband, who nodded in approval.
Sakura groaned loudly, still covering her ears. "No! " she said, half-shouting, before quickly turning on her heel and bolting out of the living room.
Her parents burst into laughter, their voices echoing through the house. "Tell him, sweety!" Kizashi called after her teasingly.
Sakura, almost halfway up the stairs, turned around to shout back, "I swear you two are immature!" With that, she disappeared into the hallway, her face still burning with mortification.
Sakura shut the door to her room with a soft thud, her heart still racing from the mortifying conversation downstairs. She leaned back against the door for a moment, closing her eyes, willing her cheeks to cool down. There was no way she was going to survive this if her parents kept that up. She could still hear her father's teasing voice echoing in her mind.
"Stop it, stop it," she muttered to herself, shaking her head as she walked over to her bed. Her clothes felt tight on her skin, and she quickly shed them in favor of her comfortable pajamas—anything to feel normal again.
As she tossed her clothes aside and pulled her pajamas over her head, she heard the faint vibration of her phone. She turned around, her eyes landing on it where it lay on the bed, the screen glowing softly. The name that appeared on the screen made her stomach flip—Sasuke.
Curious but still slightly tense, she picked it up. The message read: "If you're alone, I want to call you."
Sakura stared at it for a moment, a slight smile tugging at her lips. Since they had returned from the Land of Mist, they had not been able to meet. The hospital had welcomed Sakura with endless work and of course Sasuke had been very busy too. Not to mention that she was still holding onto that anger from their fight and hadn't even replied to his text message. However, tonight they had to talk.
She pressed the call button, bringing the phone to her ear as she flopped down onto her bed, her face still slightly flushed.
After a few rings, the line clicked, and Sasuke's voice came through, smooth as ever, though there was an underlying amusement to it. "Hey," he greeted, his tone calm, almost teasing. "The sexiest shinobi is speaking to you. You're welcome."
Sakura blinked, immediately rolling her eyes. Oh no, she thought, now realizing exactly what he was referencing. That interview...
"Seriously , -ass?" she asked, her voice dripping with mild irritation.
There was a brief silence on the other end, before Sasuke's voice cracked with amusement, though he kept his tone low. "Honestly, I wasn't sure whether to be flattered or horrified, but... yeah, I guess I can live with it."
Sakura couldn't help but chuckle, despite herself. "You're an idiot. I didn't know you had such a big ego."
Sasuke's chuckle was quiet but genuine. "Well, someone has to. I guess it's just a side effect of being so perfect." There was the usual smugness, but it was wrapped in the affection that Sakura was used to.
"Leave it," she muttered with a mock glare, though she could feel the warmth spreading across her face once again. "You're insufferable. But fine, how did your family react to the interview?"
Sasuke's voice softened slightly, and she could tell he was rolling his eyes. "They loved it, actually. It was... not surprising. They're just teasing me more than usual, but they're glad."
Sakura relaxed a little at that. "Good. That's really good."
She paused for a moment, twirling a lock of hair around her finger absentmindedly. "My parents were the same," she admitted, though the words still made her cringe. "They're... excited. My dad went a little overboard with the teasing, though."
Sasuke laughed on the other end, and it sent a pleasant shiver down Sakura's spine. "I can't imagine that. Your dad's a bit... intense, isn't he?"
"Understatement of the year," Sakura muttered, but she couldn't suppress her smile. "Anyway, they wanted to let you know—" She paused, almost dreading the next part. "They want you to come for dinner tomorrow night."
"Dinner? With your parents?" Sasuke's voice was somewhat happy.
"No Sasuke, what the hell. With the neighbors."
Sasuke was silent for a moment. "Why the hell do I have to have dinner with your neighbors?"
Sakura groaned, her face burning at the thought. "Yes, with my parents! I'm sure my dad will make it a... memorable evening," she said, her voice trailing off with a sigh. "You'd better be prepared for some... interesting questions."
Sasuke's tone was light, teasing again. "Oh, I'm sure I can handle it. Your dad doesn't scare me."
Sakura shot up in bed, now both mortified and confused. "Don't say things like that."
Sasuke laughed softly, and she could hear the amusement in his voice. "I'll behave. I'm looking forward to it. Guess I'll see you tomorrow."
Sakura let out a small sigh of relief, though the dread of what tomorrow might hold was still lingering in her mind. "Alright, tomorrow. I'll warn you now, Sasuke—be ready for anything. My parents are... a lot."
He chuckled again. "Don't worry. I've been through worse. Besides, it's not the first time I've met your parents, Sakura."
"Yeah, I know. Well good night then Sasuke-kun." she said softly, ready to end the call.
But Sasuke's voice stopped her before she could even press end. "Don't hang up yet," he said, his voice a little too smooth for her comfort.
Sakura rolled her eyes dramatically. "What now?" she asked, already half-expecting some kind of ridiculous comment.
"I'm just getting started," Sasuke teased, a hint of mischief in his voice. "I miss you."
Sakura's heart skipped a beat, and she found herself at a loss for words for a moment. "You miss me?" she asked, trying to sound nonchalant but feeling her cheeks burn.
"Yeah," Sasuke said, his voice a little lower now. "I miss you... and I can't wait to kiss those beautiful lips of yours."
Sakura's face went from red to crimson in an instant. She pulled the covers up to her chin, as if somehow hiding would make her embarrassment disappear. "Sasuke!" she sputtered, feeling her entire body flush. "Seriously, after everything today, you're going to say that now?"
He chuckled, clearly enjoying her reaction. "Why not? I've been thinking about it all day."
Sakura groaned, burying her face in her pillow. "First the journalist, then my father, and now you. What is this, a tease Sakura night?"
Sasuke's laugh was low and rich, and Sakura could hear the teasing in his voice. "I'm just having some fun," he said with a smirk that practically bled through the phone. "I missed you, so what's the harm in reminding you how much?"
She could almost hear him smirking on the other end, and her face grew even warmer. "Sasuke, you're impossible," she muttered, still trying to play it cool.
But Sasuke wasn't done. "I missed you so much, I think I could just eat you all…"
Sakura, already mortified, pulled the pillow tighter around her face. "Enough!" she exclaimed, her voice muffled. "I'm gonna die from embarrassment at this rate."
"Didn't think you'd be shy," Sasuke continued, his teasing tone never wavering. "You haven't missed me, huh? You haven't been thinking about kissing me?"
Sakura sat up quickly, holding the phone away from her ear for a second as if that would somehow protect her from his words. "Sasuke-kun, you have to stop," she said through gritted teeth, trying not to smile despite her blushing face.
"Why, I'm having fun here," he said in a teasing tone.
"Sasuke-kun, I'm telling you, tomorrow's gonna be torture," she muttered, closing her eyes in frustration. "You need to rest, so lie down and relax. Trust me."
There was a long pause before Sasuke's voice came through, cool and teasing. "Sure, boss." He sounded amused, like he was picturing her exasperation, but then the tone shifted to something more serious. "Hey, how about lunch tomorrow? I'll pick you up during lunch break. We can grab something to eat."
Sakura's brow furrowed. She wasn't quite ready to let go of her irritation. "No," she replied quickly, her voice clipped.
There was a beat of silence on the other end, then a soft exhale of frustration. "Come on, Sakura, think about it. I'm offering you a nice lunch, and you're going to refuse me?"
"Yep," she said again curtly. "Just because you're coming to dinner, don't think I'm over my anger with you."
She could practically hear him rolling his eyes. "Fine, then. You're the boss. Don't go out with me. Tomorrow I'll make your dad tell me every embarrassing story from your childhood. I can't wait."
She couldn't help but let out an ironic laugh. "That sounds like your problem, not mine," she said, trying to sound unaffected. "The answer is still no. You can do whatever you want with my father, but I'm not interested in lunch with you tomorrow."
There was a long pause, and when Sasuke spoke again, his voice was playful, but with a hint of mischievous warning. "You really have no idea what you've gotten yourself into, do you?"
Sakura narrowed her eyes even though he couldn't see her. "I think I can handle it."
"Good luck with that." His voice softened, then a grin was detectable in his tone. "I can't wait for tomorrow night. See you then. Goodnight, Sakura," he said quietly, his tone just a little more sincere.
Sakura's heart skipped a beat, her smile softening as she lay back down. "Goodnight," she whispered back, before finally ending the call.