AN: Fluffy short fic to celebrate New Year with SasuSaku! :)
Dressed in a traditional red kimono, complimenting her vivid pink hair pinned up into an elegant bun, Sakura was a vision of beauty on this evening of village festivities. They were celebrating the end of another year and the beginning of the new one which would lead them to the brighter and more hopeful future. The future of peace which all the nations were striving for after the end of the Fourth War.
And somewhere out there, in a far away lands, Sasuke-kun was working hard to atone for his sins and build that future alongside everyone.
Sakura hadn’t heard anything from Sasuke for a while but whenever she started to worry, she reminded herself that this was going to take time. She couldn’t be impatient. He’d promised he would see her soon as he had gently tapped her forehead. The memory of this moment of pure affection still made her blush.
After midnight on the New Year’s, Sakura went with her family to visit the shrine. She clasped her hands and bowed her head in prayer. Please, let Sasuke-kun return home safely, she thought. She hesitated, considered asking for more, something self-indulgent, but stopped herself in time. It wouldn’t be right. Higher powers should never mess with Sasuke’s life ever again. Certainly not on her behalf.
Sakura rang the bell and headed off to get her fortune. She dropped a coin into a box as an offering and picked a strip of paper, then unrolled it to read what the new year would bring her.
Number 1: Excellent fortune. Your body, mind and heart will be at peace. Look for the moonlight and walk in the sun. Your path is clear, follow it to the end and the gods will smile upon you.
She was pleased. Already a good start. She read through the predictions quickly.
Your wish will be realized.
The lost item will be found.
The person you are waiting for will come.
It is a good time to build a new house, but make sure the foundation is strong.
It is a good time to travel.
It is a good time for marriage arrangement to be successful.
Sakura’s eyes widened in shock. The fortune was so outrageously good that it felt unreal. As far as she could remember, she’d never gotten such a lucky prediction. It was telling her everything she wanted to be told and more.
She took a moment to breathe and compose herself. No matter how she looked at it, this was only a superstition. Even if she drew good luck, some of these things were really out of her hands. Just because the fortune said the person she was waiting for will come back, it didn’t mean that Sasuke-kun would materialize next to her right this second.
Sakura checked over her shoulder just in case. She perused the people milling around the shrine. No sight of Sasuke.
She shook her head ruefully at her own silliness. This was a fortune for a whole year, if he came back in December, it would still be fulfilled.
However, believing that he’d come this year, not the next one, injected her with a much needed dose of optimism.
After deciding to get a few hours of sleep before the traditional viewing of the first sunrise, Sakura said her goodbyes to her parents and with a spring in her step she walked back to her apartment. As much as she enjoyed her family’s company, she didn’t intend to stay the night. She liked her independence and having her own space.
The first thing she noticed was that the door was unlocked. Her ire spiked dangerously as she slipped inside without a sound to catch the uninvited guest. Someone was going to get punched across the village for trying to steal from the strongest kunoichi in the land and ruining the beginning of her new year.
The second thing that came to her attention was a pair of worn out sandals, put tidily in the entryway. Sakura’s brows shot up in intrigue. The presumed burglar was either well-mannered or wasn’t a burglar at all.
Next her gaze landed on a black, tattered cloak hanging on the peg.
Sakura’s heart stuttered as the realization came over her. She hastily shucked off her own sandals and strode into the living room.
A tall figure was standing with his back to her, looking out the window. She didn’t have to see his face to recognize him. Her eyes were stinging with tears.
She put a hand over her mouth to stifle a sob and he turned around. He looked tired, but his eyes were gentle.
“Sakura,” he spoke her name in greeting.
“Sasuke-kun… is this really you?” she asked, pinching her arm to make sure this wasn’t a dream or a figment of her own imagination.
“Yes, I’m back.” Sasuke frowned and shifted on his feet, noticing the dampness of her eyes. “Is this a wrong time? Naruto said I could stay here, but I can go to a hotel.”
Sakura wiped the corners of her eyes with the back of her hand and smiled brightly at him. “It’s okay, I’m just surprised to see you here. I thought your journey would take longer,” she explained.
Sasuke nodded, his shoulders relaxing at her reassurance.
She came over to him, watching his reaction carefully. He didn’t seem uncomfortable with the proximity, which gave her the confidence to wrap her arms around him in a hug. His sharp scent of the wild woods and a man made her go a little weak in the knees. When his arm encircled her and pulled her a little closer to him, supporting her weight, she sighed and snuggled into his warmth.
“Welcome home, Sasuke-kun,” she whispered. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Happy New Year, Sakura,” he said softly. “It’s good to be back.”
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