Summary: Some hearts chase what they canโt let go. Some shadows refuse to fade.
Word count: ~1.6k
Tags: canon divergence, angst, angst, angst!!!
a/n : Havenโt written SasuSaku in forever tbh. Not even a pairing I write a lot, but they still own my heart in the most frustrating way, so my brain went โwhat ifโ andโฆ here we are ๐ธ
โSakuraโฆ Of course. When itโs not that moron, itโs you.โ
Sakura bit her lip. Sheโd traveled so far, prepared herself for this moment, and yet, Sasukeโs words still struck her like a blade. Theyโd never stopped searching for him, but somehow, he always managed to slip away.
โAll Naruto and I want is for you to come back.โ
His jaw tightened. โNot this nonsense againโฆโ
โNonsense!?โ Sakuraโs fists clenched, her heart heavy as she thought of her friend. โSasuke-kun, do you even realize how many laws youโve broken since you deserted? How many innocents have died because of you? And Narutoโฆโ Her voice cracked. โDo you know how much heโs suffering? What heโs going through? Heโs being hunted by the Akatsuki, enemies are piling up, and youโโ
โEnough.โ Sasuke cut her off coldly. โI donโt care about Narutoโs fate. If heโs really as strong as the rumors claim, heโll survive. If not, then heโs not the shinobi I thought he was.โ
โH-Howโฆ?โ Sakuraโs voice trembled. โHow can you be so cold? Heโs your friend! Donโt you care about the village? Your own brotherโโ
Sasukeโs Sharingan flared instinctively at the mention of his brother, his expression darkening as rage simmered beneath the surface. โDonโt you dare bring him up. What gives you the right to meddle in my business? Who do you think you are to lecture me?โ
Sakura took a step back, a lump forming in her throat. The darkness that had long consumed her teammateโs heart was laid bare before her. He was still consumed by fury whenever his criminal brother was mentioned. Yet, despite the sadness weighing on her, a spark of anger ignited within.
โWho am I?โ she shot back. โYour teammate! Yourโฆ friend. Maybe youโve forgotten, but we were part of the same team! Itโs my duty to care about you, Sasuke-kun! Pleaseโฆ stop this madness. Come back to the village. We can help you. We can help you get revenge. You donโt have to be alone!โ
A low, humorless laugh escaped him. Sasuke looked at her like she was nothing more than an insect, a mere obstacle in his pathโand god, it hurt.
โHelp me?โ he sneered. โI donโt need your help. Or that idiotโs. Youโve only ever held me back. Even now, youโre still trying to stand in my way. Tell me, Sakura, havenโt you ever thought that if youโd focused on your training instead of pointless feelings, you might actually be able to stop me? Like you couldโve tried to do four years ago?โ
Tears stung her eyes, a cruel reminder of her sensitivity, and of Sasukeโs talent for twisting the knife and wounding her. His cold, mocking stare told her he was doing it on purpose.
โPointless feelingsโฆโ Her voice was barely a whisper. โIs that what my feelings for you are? Justโฆ pointless? How many more times are you gonna stomp on my heart, Sasuke-kun? How many more times will I have to watch the boy I care about sink deeper into darkness?
Say whatever you want about me, but deep down, you know Team 7 helped you. Have you forgotten the mission in the Land of Waves? When you almost died? Or the Forest of Death?
Why do you keep choosing the path of loneliness when your friends are ready to fight by your side? Canโt you see that hatred has clouded your judgment!?โ
No matter what she said, she was shouting at a wall. Her words didnโt reach the rogue ninja. His indifference was so absolute that she wondered if he was still the boy sheโd loved or if she was just a stranger to him now.
โHatredโฆโ he began, his voice cold, โis what keeps me alive. While you and Naruto waste your time on what you call love, I get stronger. Iโm close to my goal. You should be with your precious Naruto. Heโs the one in danger, not me. I donโt need to take a trip down memory lane, Sakura. Youโre wasting your time. Go back to Konoha.โ
He turned to leave, his movements deliberate. It was clear he didnโt see her as a threat, otherwise, heโd never turn his back so carelessly. Sakuraโs grip tightened on the kunai hidden beneath her cloak, her knuckles white with force. She couldnโt let him go. Not yet. Who knew when theyโd track him down again? She had toโฆ she had toโฆ
โSASUKE!โ
He didnโt stop, not for a second. He simply ignored her. โSTOP!โ Her cry echoed through the clearing, but Sasuke kept walking, unrelenting.
Sakura didnโt hesitate another second. Her legs moved on their own, driven by fear and determination. The chakra-infused kunai hummed in her hand, fueled by her resolve to stop him. She leaped, her heart pounding, aiming for his exposed back.
For a fleeting moment, she thought surprise might give her the edge. Her wide eyes locked onto her target, the blade ready to bite into flesh.
But Sasuke was never vulnerable.
Without even glancing back, his body tilted, fluid and almost lazy. The movement was so natural that Sakura realized too late heโd anticipated her. His hand closed around her wrist mid-air with chilling precision, and with a sharp twist, he deflected the bladeโs path.
Her breath hitched, cut short by the force of the impact.
โPathetic,โ he said flatly, his sidelong glance glinting with a blood-red glow.
Sakura trembled-not from fear, but from rage. She struggled to wrench her wrist free, to reclaim her kunai, but Sasukeโs grip was like iron. Every muscle in her arm burned under the strain.
โI wonโt let you go!โ she cried, tears blurring her vision.
Finally, he turned his head slightly, his Sharingan glowing. The air in the forest seemed to freeze, swallowed by the abyss in his eyes.
โYou really think a trick like that would work on me?โ he said. โIf you still donโt understand the gap between us, Iโll have to teach you again.โ
โYou never understood, Sasuke-kun,โ she continued, her voice breaking. โFrom the beginning, Iโve always been ready to do anything for you. Even now, after everything youโve done, part of meโฆ canโt stop loving you.โ
Her breath came in ragged gasps.
โCall it weakness, call it pointless, whatever. Itโs the truth. I love you, Sasuke-kun. And Iโd rather die here, by your hand, than watch you disappear into that abyss again.โ
She shut her eyes, unable to bear the weight of his crimson glare any longer. Silence stretched between them, broken only by the frantic beat of her heart.
โI never asked you for anything,โ he said at last, his voice like ice. โNot your help. Not your love. All of thisโฆ is useless.โ
His words cut deeper than any blade. Sakura shook her head, vision clouded by tears, and her cry ripped from her chest, raw and broken:
โYou think itโs easy?! You think I chose to love you?! It hurts, Sasuke! It hurts to watch you sink deeper into darkness, it hurts to see Naruto break himself trying to bring you backโฆ And yet I canโt stop!โ
Her voice cracked โIf I had a choiceโฆ I wouldnโt love you. But I donโt. I never did.โ
Something flickered in his eyes, so brief it couldโve been a trick of the light. Yet he leaned closer, slowly, his breath brushing her lips. Sakuraโs heart raced as she tilted her face up, ready to kiss himโanything to hold him off, to buy her time, even if it was the last thing sheโd ever do.
โDonโt,โ he whispered, his gaze burning with contempt. โArenโt you ashamed of beingย so weak?โ
She froze, breathless.
"I-"
Deep in her heart, she knew his words held no truth. In another life, sheโd still choose to love him. No matter how much it hurt, her pain was nothing compared to his. She hadnโt lost her entire clan to her brotherโs hands. She couldnโt abandon Sasuke. Sheโd thought she could kill him, or at least try, to spare him a life of suffering without his family. But Naruto would never forgive her, and sheโd never forgive herself. In that split-second hesitation, she realized she didnโt want to hurt Sasuke. Heโd stopped her so easily, exposing her shortcomings. Four years of training โ for what? Why did she have to love him so fiercely? She wanted him to come back, to take his place in Team 7, to see him smile, even just a little. Butโฆ Sasuke didnโt want to be saved.
Their gazes locked, a moment suspended, before Sasuke jerked his head away, releasing her wrist like discarding a useless object.
He stepped back, his face unreadable once more.
โYouโre really annoying.โ
Before she could respond, his crimson gaze flared again. The Sharingan spun, drawing her in despite herself. She tried to look away, but it was too late, a cold wave swept through her mind.
The trees seemed to dissolve, the ground vanishing beneath her feet. Her connection to reality slipped away. Her breath caught, her knees buckled.
โSleep,โ Sasuke said simply.
And darkness swallowed her.
โโโโโโโโโโโโ
The sound of his footsteps faded into the night. He didnโt look back, not once. But his fist clenched.
His heart had beat faster, just for a second. Just one. When sheโd screamed her love. When her lips almost touched his.
He hated that weakness.
Those bonds he thought heโd severed, those invisible chains tightening again at the faintest spark of sincerity. How could she still stir this in him after everything heโd destroyed?
He quickened his pace, as if to outrun the shadow of that absurd emotion.
โI canโt afford this,โ he thought, eyes fixed on the horizon. โNot while Itachi lives. Not until I reach my goal.โ
Soโฆ I keep writing Itasaku and Shisaku, pouring my heart into these stories, but honestlyโฆ does anyone even read this anymore? Feels like the fandom is completely dead. I know my stories probably arenโt amazing, and maybe thatโs why nobody interactsโฆ itโs kind of sad to put so much energy into something that might just disappear into nothing. Anywayโฆ if by some chance someoneโs still around, hereโs where you can find them ๐
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : Sakura always looked forward to his summoning crows because it meant she would finally see him again, but today the crow appeared when she least expected it... And Itachi rarely deviates from his plans. So this can't be a good omen, can it?
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : The Uchiha massacre happened, Heavy angst, major character death. [Posted on August 23, 2022.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : Today is the day Sakura decided to confess her love to her long time friend. She thinks it might be time to either win him over or move onโฆ ๐๐๐๐. Is that Itachi!? Oh my gooood. Did he just kiss a girl!?!?!?
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : Slice of life, fluff, angst and some humor. [Posted on September 11, 2022.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พโคท read here or on Ao3 ใLast edited May 20, 2024.ใ
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : Sakura loves him. She knows she does. Yet he seems determined to believe that sheโs mistaken about the nature of her feelings.
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : unrequited love? Confused!Sakura. Slight humor, eventual romance [Posted on September 30, 2022.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พ Characters : Haruno Sakura, Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Itachi, Sabaku no Gaara, etc. ( some characters will only be mentioned.)
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : Maybe Sakura was wrong. Maybe she had been fooling herself about him. Maybe she had imagined half of their interactions. Maybe it was all in her head. That must be it, otherwise how could she explain what she had witnessed?
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : Epic friendship, romance, humor, fluff, unrequited love or is it?, angst, open ending [Posted on December 5, 2022.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : Shisui was just a soldier, witnessing the violence and atrocities of war since he was old enough to walk, and then there she was, surrounded by flowers, the most beautiful of all, his lovely cherry blossom. Pure, innocent, she was the most beautiful landscape he'd ever seen. (Story containing gifs narrated with text.)
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : first love, romance, heavy angst, implied/referenced violence, 4GNW, major character death [Posted on March 29, 2023.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : Sakura doesn't know when it started, but she knows how it will end. After all, sheโs once again dealing with an Uchiha. It must be her curse.
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : medic Haruno Sakura, Anbu Uchiha Itachi, angst, injury, emotional hurt, denial of feelings, fights, arguments, break up, male-female friendship, misunderstanding, alcohol, some humor, eventual fluff, angst with a happy ending [Posted on April 23, 2023]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : What's the point of being sorry? The damage is already done.
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : modern setting, cheating, hurt no comfort, implied sexual content, attempt at humor, fluff, heartbreak, angst with a happy ending [Posted on June 14, 2023.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : Sakura loves movies, popcorn and yelling at the characters on her TV screen. And then there's Itachi.
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : friends to lovers, fluff & humor, short&sweet, childhood memories, movie reference, OS, romantic comedy [Posted on July 22, 2023.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พโคท read here
๐๐ฏ๐ผ๐๐ ๐๐ถ๐บ๐ฒ
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พPairing : Sakura Haruno/Uchiha Sasuke ft Narusakusasu [platonic]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : Theyโre friends, right?
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : canon divergence, friends to lovers, no Uchiha massacre, fluff & humor, team 7 as family, past relationships, male-female friendship, eventual romance, jealousy if you squint, idiots in love, possessive uchiha sasuke [Posted on November 3, 2023.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : โI need an angel to save me from myself. Holding my savior keep my heart upon the shelf.โ
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : strangers to friends to lovers, Uchiha massacre, canon divergence, near death experience, character death, slow romance, canon-typical violence, platonic soulmates, hint of narusasu, team 7 as family, BAMF Haruno Sakura, angst with a happy ending [Posted on November 5, 2023.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : โ [โฆ] She fidgeted under his gaze. He'd always had a particular way of scrutinizing her. It was almost as if he was looking into her soul, and it was sometimes quite unsettling, but that was Sasuke.โ
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : modern setting, friends to lovers, feeling realization, misunderstanding, idiots in love, fluff & humor, childhood friends, tooth-rotting fluff, protective Uchiha Sasuke, pop culture references [Posted on November 24, 2023.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พPairing : Past Sakura Haruno/Kin Tsuchi, Sakura Haruno/Uchiha Shisui
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : "This mษn - for there's no doubt thษt this strษnger is one - hษs no business meddling in her ษffษirs. He doesn't hษve to hold her like he's ษfrษid she'll disษppeษr, like he knows her, like she's one of his loved ones. She's none of those things. Sheโs nothing."
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : heavy angst, suicide attempt, minor character death, depression, bisexual Haruno Sakura, post-break up, dark humor, family loss, pre-relationship, eventual fluff, movie reference, angst with a happy (hopeful) ending [Posted on December 8, 2023.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : Reincarnation, historical references, soulmates, canon divergence, civil war, falling in love, angst, major character death, 4GNW, minor sasusaku, bittersweet ending. [Posted on April 12, 2024.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พPairings : Itachi Uchiha/Original female character(s), Itachi Uchiha/Sakura Haruno, minor Sakura Haruno/Hoshigaki Kisame, minor Shisui Uchiha/Haruno Sakura etc,.
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : Sakura knows she shouldn't, she knows it's wrong. She knows sheโs a horrible person for even thinking about building her happiness on someone elseโs pain. She wants to be selfish. But he's no better, is he? He wants to take, take and own everything she is. He wants to have his cake and eat it too. Itachi is selfish like that. Or maybe they're just two jerks who deserve each other.
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : modern setting, toxic relationships, Itachi is a little shit, cheating, sexual tension, manipulation, jealousy, angst, morally ambiguous, possessive behavior, implied sexual content, implied blow jobs, religion kink, humor, sexually experienced Sakura Haruno, love/hate, drama, gay character. [posted on May 9, 2023]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พโคท read here or on ao3 (Last updated July 2, 2025)
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พ โคท New chapterโs up! (NEW RELEASE!!)
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : They say that pain builds character, if so, then Sakura must have built a strong one.
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : Established relationships, Heavy angst, hurt no comfort, drama, break up, modern setting, jealousy, friendship, eventual fluff, making out, sexual tension, protective shisui uhiha, illegal activities, murder, possibly unrequited love, denial of feelings, arguing, fights, implied/referenced character death,. [posted on April 26, 2023]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พโคท read here or on ao3 (Last updated March 16, 2024)
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พ โคท New chapterโs up! (NEW RELEASE!! September 4, 2025)
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : He comes home late, acts strangely, and she doesn't recognize him anymore. Time passes and things get worse. Maybe it's time to know what's really in the depths of her heart.
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : modern setting, heavy angst, domestic violence, hurt no comfort, established relationship, drug use, emotional infidelity, unrequited love?, drama romance, drug addiction, falling in love, arguing, eventual happy ending. [Posted on May 10, 2023]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : [โฆ] as she took a bite of her gyoza, Sakura wondered โ and she would wonder for years to come - what on earth had possessed her to cause such a scandal during such a convivial dinner.
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : modern setting, drama & romance, angst, attempt at humor, cheating, shisui is acting suspiciously, misunderstanding, arguing, fluff, implied sexual content. [Posted on March 30, 2023]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พโคท read here (Last updated May 31, 2023)
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : At the age of 6, Sakura believes there are only 4 essential things in this world: her parents, anmitsu, Ino Yamanaka and Shisui Uchiha.
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : Modern AU, Unrequited love, Friendship, Multiple pairings, From childhood to adulthood, Angst [ with an eventual] happy ending. [Posted on October 5, 2023.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : 'Did he love her or was she just a trophy for him? Was she just a hole he could empty himself into whenever he felt like it, even when she didn't?'
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : angst, toxic relationships, gaslighting, verbal abuse, verbal humiliation, emotional infidelity, cheating, self-esteem issues, implied/referenced domestic violence, implied sexual content, panic attacks, Hidan swears, some fluff etc., [Posted on October 13, 2023.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : You can't control your heart. Feelings come and go. We are only slaves to its whims.
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : established relationship, love triangle, angst, falling in love, unrequited love, friendship/love, emotional infidelity, possibly polyamorous relationship, Awkward tension Itachi is so confused. [Posted on April 28, 2023.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พโคท read here (Last updated January 21, 2024)
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : โThree months. It had been three months since he'd sat at the same table, at the same time, taking the same thing in order to take part in what had become a ritual. He'd sensed that today was the day. That the young woman would eventually come to him.โ
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : modern setting, mafia, police, pre-relationship, (possible) future fic. Given the theme, expect to read about sensitive subjects. Such as mentions of abuse, drugs, violence, illegal trafficking in almost any form. Please proceed with caution. [Posted on February 21, 2024.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : Sakura is a country girl who dreams of the big city. She always thought she'd travel someday, but the universe got in the way and now she's trapped in Konoha, except it's wasn'tย herย Konoha. Stuck now with familiar but unfamiliar faces, she must find a way to navigate this new world.
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings: Isekai fic. | Posted on September 19, 2024.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พ โคท Read here [ch.1]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พ โคท New chapterโs up! (NEW RELEASE!! September 3,2025) [ch.3]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : Playing drinking games is fun, Itachi thinks, until scandalous revelations come to light.
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : established relationships, Alcohol, Mention of past sexual relations, humor, friendship, threesome implied etc., [Posted on December 15, 2022.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : Theyโre in love, your honor.
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : no Uchiha massacre, fluff, established relationship, sexual humor, sexual fantasy, implied sexual content, no smut, awkward romance [Posted on October 10, 2023.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : Sakura has a thing for men with long hair. She always has. That's why, when she takes part in a show designed to get all her exes in the same room, they realize that they have only one thing in common: their hair length.
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : modern setting, past relationship(s), suggestive themes, crackfic, humor, Sakura is so done, all her boyfriends are nuts!! [Posted on January 17 & 18, 2024.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary: Imagine Sakura admiring Itachi's beauty in the rain. He knows she's there, but doesn't acknowledge her presence. Looking at him, she wonders how she ended up in the hands of the Akatsuki, first as a prisoner, then as Itachi's lover. Sakura fell in love with her former teammate's enemy.
Itachi is a man of few words and sometimes Sakura wonders if what they share is an illusion or reality. But it's in his subtle gestures and the way his body mold to hers during their sinful nights that she knows Itachi feels as much as she does, that he is on her side now and forever.
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent type : Video. [Posted on September 18, 2022.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContext : A love/hate AU where Sakura would have been in love with Itachi all her life, but when he slaughters the uchiha clan (except for Sasuke) she finds herself heartbroken. She hears of Itachi's prowess throughout the five great Shinobi nations. He even joins the Akatsuki, much to her dismay. So she vows to bring Itachi to justice and bring him back to the village, even if it means dying. In this AU, Sakura is much stronger than in the canon, having devoted herself to her training from an early age.
Of course, she is unaware that the Uchiha massacre was ordered by the village's higher-ups, and that Itachi is in fact a spy.
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent type : GIF. [Posted on October 24, 2023.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContext : None. Just Itachi and Sakura being pretty.
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent type : Edited Pic. [Posted on April 3, 2024.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พโคท watch here
โหโฟหยฐ REQUESTSโหโฟหยฐ
.
.
. โฆ. None for the moment, it's a new concept. If you feel like it, you can send me some. If you're shy, you can do it anonymously. All I ask is that you remain respectful and kind.โก
I canโt believe Iโm backโฆ Exactly one year AFTER my last update. And guess what? Once again, on my birthday.๐๐ I like to treat myself sometimes. I totally deserve it, I swear!
Writing this takes so much time and energy. Even though I think about it a lot, I donโt have much time because of work. BUT today, Iโm posting the final chapter. It might seem rushed and a bit messy, but I donโt have the strength to redo it, soโฆ I hope youโll still like it, even if itโs short!
Summary : They donโt do calm. They do drama, fire, and way too much attitude.
Sakura hated being late. She was picking up bad habits from her English literature teacher. She supposed it didn't help that he was her mother's nephew, but still!
It certainly didn't run in the family since Uncle Sakumo wasn't known for his notorious lateness; in fact, he was always there at the right time.
She assumed that her cousin, and incidentally teacher, had picked up this bad habit from one of his childhood friends. She still remembers that seventeen-year-old teenager with the ugly orange glasses who used to push her on the garden swing.
Who wears glasses in the middle of winter? And orange on top of that?
Obito had always been a kind and helpful person. Kakashi had told her that he often helped the local grandmothers with their shopping and was sometimes even late for class because, as he put it, he'd "run into a black cat", although she wasn't quite sure of the version because she'd only been five or six when her cousin had told her about it when he was babysitting her.
It wasn't unusual for her mother, Mebuki, to ask her beloved nephew, as she called him, to look after Sakura when she was very young. So it's only natural that Sakura thought of Kakashi more as the big brother she'd never had.
She wasn't sure if Kakashi felt the same way, but since he often catered to her whims when she was little and beat up the kids who bullied her when she was still a child, she assumed he might see her as his little sister.
He wasn't the type to be expressive with his feelings, but his actions spoke for him. He loved her in his own way.
Even today, as she grew up, he could tease her and correct her in class when she chatted a little too much with her friend Ino. He always had that mischievous gleam in his eye, taking a malicious pleasure in poking her, much to her annoyance.
Long story short, Sakura had an annoying 'big brother'.
โWait up! Wait! Hold the doors, please!โ She barely managed to catch the bus. Leaning forward with her hands on her knees, she caught her breath before boarding the bus, thanking the driver as she tapped her IC card against the reader. She'd been lucky! If she'd had to wait for the next one, she'd have missed the first hour of class. Not really something she could afford, the teacher had scheduled a test today and she needed to maintain her good grades.
โSo Haruno, forgot to set your alarm this morning? What a shame... if you'd missed the bus, I wouldn't have been able to see you in classโฆโ
Sakura felt a wave of annoyance wash over her. Ugh. She hated the sound of that voice. No, rectification, it was just him she hated. Frowning, she turned to face her first headache of the day.
โShut up, Uchiha!โ she glared at him before realizing the passenger sitting next to him, she instinctively stood straighter feeling her stupid cheeks already heating up. She bowed slightly, the action causing the Uchiha to roll his eyes.
โGood morning, Itachi-kun!โ
Itachi Uchiha was without doubt the most handsome boy she'd ever seen in her young life, and really, she'd seen some cute boys. Every time she saw him, she felt her heart skip a beat. She wasn't the most discreet, but he'd never called her out. He wouldn't have. He was far too polite for that. Too much of a gentleman. Maybe he just wanted to spare her feelings, who knows? A high school crush was harmless anyway. Itachi inclined his head politely, acknowledging her greeting.
โSakura.โ
โI hear you've been accepted next year into Tลdai National University. You must be happy. Congratulations.โ She offered him a gentle smile. She was genuinely happy about his success. Tokyo University was one of the most prestigious. Not just anyone could get in, but she had noticed that Itachi had always been very intelligent. That was probably one of the things that had seduced her, well, that and his gaze; it was so deep... it was like drowning in the abyss, the only difference being that she'd never felt the urge to pull herself out.
For a second, Itachi looked surprised. He was probably wondering how she knew? It wasn't as if he'd been putting up flyers in the school corridors. It was possible that she'd heard, all right, that she'd been eavesdropping while Sasu-jerk complained to his best friend, Naruto, that his brother was leaving next year for the big city and that it bothered him because he wouldn't be seeing his precious nii-san anymore and yada yada yada. He should be happy that his brother is leaving the Konohanian countryside. Honestly, you'd have to be crazy to want to make a life here. She herself wanted to fly to the city. Let's face it, she was far too pretty to be a country girl.
โThank you. This is indeed a great opportunity. I'm sure Sasuke will do just as well when his turn comes. Maybe even better,โ he said, smiling fondly at his little brother. She saw Sasuke blush and had to stop herself from gagging. Itachi's only flaw, alas, was his little brother. A demon straight from the bowels of hell. Little shit. But hey, if she ever hoped to be Itachi's wife, she'd have to pretend to share his affection for his brother, although she wondered how anyone could love that bastard, but love is made up of concessions, they say.
So it was with the fakest smile she could muster that she replied: โUm-um, Sasujer- I mean, Sasuke's a pretty good student. I'm better than him in several subjects, of course, but, I'm sure, if he takes his cue from you then he'll only succeed.โ
There. She compliments, boasts and spits. Perfect. It's a happy medium. Itachi still needs to know that his future wife is smart too. She heard Sasuke scoff. He knew very well what she was trying to do and hadn't missed her dig, but if they had one thing in common, much to her dismay, it was that neither of them would admit it to Itachi because they both craved his approval. Unbeknownst to them, Itachi was actually amused by their antics. He wasn't blind to the pre-existing hostility between his little brother and the girl, but most of the time he didn't intervene because it was harmless.
โAnyway.... Sakura resumed, looking sideways at Sasuke, I envy you a little. I can't wait to get out of Konoha myself.โ
โ You're not the only one... โ Sasuke commented under his breath, earning himself a knee blow. He grunted, massaging the sore area as he glared at his classmate.
โOh, did I hurt you? Sorry, Uchiha. The bus went over a speed bump and I got thrown off a bit,โ she said with an innocent look.
Smiling sweetly, even if it was fake, had always gotten her out of trouble as a child, and she supposed her pretty face and big green puppy-dog eyes had a lot to do with it. In another life, she'd probably been Puss in Boots. What was Sasuke going to do anyway? Yell that she was lying and make a scene on public transport? unlikely. He'd settle for giving her a murderous look and wishing her doom. At least, in the presence of his older brother. So she had the advantage. He was fuming, she knew, and that was enough to widen her smile.
All things considered, her morning wasn't off to such a bad start. She'd chatted with her huge crush, annoyed her sworn enemy and managed not to be late! Yep! It was off to a good start!
โธปโธป
She takes back everything she's ever said. It was not a good fucking day!
It's a shame, it had started off so well, but of course God and the Universe hated her, they had every reason to love her and yet she was the one who always ended up in a mess.
She would have to leave this Earth for a week or two, just to give the galaxy something to think about when it had lost one of its brightest stars. No, she wasn't arrogant, she'd simply grown up hearing all her life that she was pretty, loved, smart and safe.
Her mother, Mebuki, wanted to teach Sakura early on the importance of appreciating and loving herself. Her father felt that it was even more important for her future life that she have enough self-esteem not to let others walk all over her.
This intensified after she came home from school with bruises one day. She had long been bullied by mean kids who couldn't stand anyone being different.
Even though she had cried a lot during this period, her confidence had gradually grown with the love and unfailing support of those closest to her.
She remembers her cousin Kakashi's anger and how he had dragged her to the playground to name her bullies. Child or not, he had made sure that no one would ever look at her the wrong way again.
That was the day she decided that if she didn't fulfill her dream of moving to the big city and failed in her plans to become an actress, she would move in with Kakashi.
Having such a reassuring guy by her side would probably make a miserable life in the countryside more bearable.
It would be wise to have a plan B, but Sakura had never wanted anything other than to become an actress.
Which brought her back to the reason her day was ruined:
It was common knowledge, or at least obvious to anyone who looked into it, that Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura couldn't stand each other.
For as long as she could remember, she'd always ignored the bastard, even when he tried to pull some shit on her.
If asked when it started, she would have said when they were in third grade.
It was a day like any other, at least for her, which was rather sad because it was actually a day when she'd been picked on again.
She could have had more than scratches and her hair pulled if Uchiha Itachi hadn't stepped in to defend her, with Sasuke trailing behind him.
At the time, she still thought of Sasuke as that shy little boy who wasn't interested in anyone but his brother. She still remembers the enthusiastic way he talked about him at school.
Perhaps it was only then that he deigned to open up: to praise the merits of his hero, his nii-san.
It could have ended well, she could have befriended him, but the attempt at friendship failed exactly one month later when she had the misfortune to give Itachi some dangos sticks.
She had spent the pocket money her parents had given her, but she had wanted to thank him sincerely for his help. A month, that's how long it took her to save each piece.
Apparently it was an unforgivable mistake because Sasuke hadn't appreciated Itachi's smile, attention and thanks at all. It was after that that this demon's behaviour had changed. Never openly in front of Itachi , but enough for anyone to detect the embers of his jealousy.
Frankly, it was ridiculous.
Fuck him. She didn't need him as a friend.
She already had others and anyway, she'd lost the little esteem she had for him at the very beginning of their futile attempt at friendship.
This, however, never stopped Itachi from treating her with kindness and respect - at least one of them had learned his lessons in education. Anyway, Uchiha Sasuke had once again ruined her day, and while it was usually a matter of minor things, petty and immature blows, this time he'd gone too far.
You see, Sakura owned a magnificent pendant with a cherry blossom at its tip, a necklace given to her at the age of four by her dad, Kizashi.
She treasured it like the apple of her eye, firstly because it came from one of the most important men in her life, but also because she hadn't taken it off since she'd received it as a gift, especially since she'd lost her father four years ago.
This explains why she was so angry when Sasuke had the idea of snatching it from her, taunting her by dangling it in front of her eyes.
The more annoyed she became, the more he took a malicious pleasure in removing her pendant from her grasp.
Maybe calling him a โpathetic little prick who'd never do anything with his life and it was no wonder his father favored his brother while brushing him asideโ wasn't her proudest moment, but he held her precious jewel between his fingers so she could use the confessions of an eight-year-old boy heard so long ago, at a time when, she'd thought, she could become his friend.
That's when she'd seen the change.
The way his body had frozen in shock, that quick gleam of pain in his eyes quickly swept away by pure anger.
She could see in his eyes the displeasure he'd always felt towards her turning into burning hatred.
If he could have killed her at that moment, she was sure he probably would have, and that was enough to make her take a step back.
Okay, she didn't like Sasuke, that much is clear, but never to the point of wanting to stab him, she wasn't crazy. A killer even less so, if she were to be one it would be for a role while she shot her next film or series, but apparently he didn't share her sentiment, judging by the glare he gave her.
โSasujer-, I mean Sasuke,โ she corrected herself quickly as she saw his expression darken.
โSave itโ he cut her off curtly. Sakura scowled, her annoyance showing again. Asshole.
She could expect anything, but his next move, she admitted, she hadn't anticipated. He took a few steps back, the pendant still in his hand, an evil smile on his lips, and Sakura felt her heart stop as she realized what he was about to do. He was backing up to the edge of Lake Naka, she had to stop him, now! She moved towards him but stopped when he let the chain slip through his fingers, holding it back at the last moment as she screamed:
โSTOP! Don't do that!โ
โWhy shouldn't I? A pathetic little prick like me who'll never do anything with his life has no reason to have scruples, Haruno.โ he spat, throwing some of her words back in her face.
It was obvious to her that her words had got to him.
She bit her lip, she had to get that necklace back.
She tried to take another step forward, and he in turn took another. The naka park had a beautiful lake, and in other circumstances she might enjoy it, but right now this very lake risked swallowing up her most precious possession.
Sasuke wasn't going to do that, was he?
He knew it came from her father. She'd shown it to him proudly when they were still children and innocent, far from the animosity they felt now.
She supposed she'd underestimated his desire for revenge because the next thing she knew, he was throwing her pendant into the lake, smiling in a way she could only describe as sadistic.
A smug, triumphant look on his face.
โNO!โ
Blinded by anger and responding to an impulse, she threw herself at him, landing the most masterful punch she'd ever thrown at anyone.
He grunted, but retaliated just as quickly.
If she insisted on fighting, he wasn't going to be shy about retaliating with every kick or punch she threw at him.
Sasuke believed in equality in a way. He thought that if a woman could throw a punch that hard, then she could handle a fight.
He'd probably miscalculated the situation, though, because Sakura lunged at him again, shouting insult after insult, before punching him twice in the chest.
Directly on his solar plexus.
She knew that hitting him there would make it hard for him to catch his breath. It's a diaphragm thing or something.
She then stood up, watching him hold his chest and struggle to catch his breath, and approached the edge of the lake.
โYou'll pay for this, Uchiha. Once I've fished out my necklace, I'll make you regret hell!โ
She glared at him as she hastily removed her backpack and, without further thought, plunged headlong into the lake under the bewildered gaze of the Uchiha, who nevertheless tried to hold her back.
The water was quite deep and although he doubted she'd drown in it, there had already been cases of drowning.
Of course, most had been drunken men who had fallen into the water and young children, but still. He winced under the pain in his side. He'd never imagined Sakura had such powerful fists.
This girl was not human.
He straightened up and watched in tense silence the slight wave she left after her dive.
There was no way she was going to find her necklace. This became all the more worrying when she failed to surface after two or three minutes. She should have caught her breath by now, but there was nothing. Just the lake and its smooth surface. He couldn't even see her, and yet with her bright pink hair, he should at least have seen something if it was a shadow, but nothing.
โHaruno? Hey Haruno! Come up, this isn't funny anymore!โ He had a bad feeling. He was a first-class asshole, but that didn't mean he'd be capable of killing another human being. Sure, he was quick to give in to anger and yes, for a second, he'd wanted to kill her, but there was a world between thinking it and doing it, and no matter what anyone said about him, no matter what Sakura thought, he would never cross that line. Like, ever. He approached the edge, glancing at his classmate's abandoned bag, feeling nervous.
โSakura?! Forget that stupid fucking necklace! I'll buy you another one, okay? Come back!" but no answer. โShit, damn it!โ he said, angrily hitting the surface of the water, splashing himself in the process.
โธปโธป
Sakura Haruno had imagined her death in many ways. Ten to be exact, but none of them involved drowning at the bottom of a lake after a leg cramp. She could have risen to the surface, but sheโd been so focused on finding her pendant that sheโd exhausted herself. Drowning like that was by far the most pathetic death she could have had. If she had to die, she preferred it to be exceptional.
After a long and successful career, for example. After frequenting the best places in Tokyo, then traveling the world with her hard-earned money. After dedicating her first Japanese Academy prize to her parents. She could have flirted innocently with other actors before going straight back to the man who truly owned her heart.
Instead, that stupid Uchiha had thrown away her most precious possession and changed the whole trajectory of her life. If an afterlife existed, she would surely haunt him for the rest of his life. Sure, they didnโt like each other and competed for his brotherโs attention, but Sakura wasnโt stupid. She could be delusional, but not to the point of believing that Itachi-kun preferred her to his little brother.
She herself favored Kakashi. He was like her brother, so she understood the attachment one could feel, but Sasuke was blind when it came to his brother.
She vaguely wondered if, when she died, she would see this famous โLightโ Melinda Gordon was always talking about. She felt she still had unfinished business with the living, so if such a thing did exist, something told her sheโd probably be stuck in this world.
Unfortunately, sheโd have to wait a little longer before seeing her father again. Not that sheโs thrilled at the idea of joining him; sheโs sure her dad would be upset to see her again so soon. After all, every good parent wants longevity for their child, and she was disappointed to disappoint him in that respect.
And what would become of her mother? And Kakashi? And her friends?
She was a loving girl, she was aware of that, she had managed to establish real bonds and she felt sorry not to see them grow any further.
Sheโd miss those days when she and Ino would paint each otherโs nails, Hinataโs shy, gentle, quiet presence. If Sakura felt restless, sitting next to the Hyลซga and watching her knit would relax her. She also enjoyed her dojo sessions with Tenten and their bรด training. She enjoyed lying in the grass next to Shikamaru, watching the clouds and bickering about how sheโd beat him at their next game of Shogi.
And then there was Uzumaki. Sheโd never thought sheโd ever miss the blond. He might have been closer to Sasuke, but heโd always been kind to her. Annoying at first, certainly, a real pest, especially in elementary school, but sheโd come to understand, after an exchange with her parents, that Naruto was probably trying to befriend her, but was simply being awkward. So she could say without too much difficulty that Naruto was indeed her friend.
So, yes, she would miss her five friends.
The advantage, if there was one, was that she wouldnโt have to put up with Sasuke, that devilโs minion, any longer, but she was sad that she wouldnโt have the chance to see his older brother again. She hoped he would be happy.
Would he miss her? ah, probably not. Why should he? Sure, he was always nice to her, but she was never more than the weird little high school girl who had a crush on an older guy.
Itโs a shame, but thatโs life, she supposed. She couldnโt have it all.
โข
โข
โข
She was running out of air. She could no longer hold her breath, she felt the water invade her lungs and panic take hold of her.
Her body was no more than an anchor dragged to the bottom, her vision blurred and as Sakura felt the last flickers of consciousness fade, a blurred orange and black silhouette seemed to be heading towards her.
She wasnโt sure, but for a moment, she thought she saw Naruto. Unconsciously, she began to smile. Only that idiot could wear such a garish color, but at least in autumn he was in the theme.
Funny how the mind works. Of all the people she could have imagined saving her, Naruto wasnโt at the top of her list, oh not because she thought heโd let her drown, but rather because sheโd always thought that if anyone was going to save her, it would be Kakashi.
Heโd looked after her since she was a little girl, after all.
She wasnโt complaining, far from it, it was in the blondeโs nature to help others, Sakura was just sad to realize too late the immense presence Naruto had in her life.
You only realize the value of things โ her friends, in her case โ when you lose themโฆ
Losingโฆ ah yesโฆ she was losing consciousness, she remembered now.
The last thing she perceived before the darkness took her was an outstretched hand and the gentle finality of her smile.
โธปโธป
โIsโฆ sheโฆ brea...thโฆing ?โฆura!โ
โdโฆ knโฆow! Chโฆkraโฆโ
Voices? Why does she hear voices? They seem so far away. Sakura has trouble understanding what they're saying. People, perhaps? What's happened to her? Why does she have a headache and why does she feel so heavy? She has an irrepressible urge to vomit, so that's what she does, except that she realizes she's just spitting up water. Water? She grunts. Shit. The lake. Sasuke, her pendant. She dived for it and almost drowned.
โShe's waking up! Sakura!? Sakura-chan?! Are you all right?โ
โStop yelling, dobe!โ
โBut Sakura-chan almost died!โ
She thought she heard a snort and something like "this wouldn't have happened if she'd used her chakra". She'd recognize that voice anywhere in hell. It was him. That bastard. That child of the devil. The other one, she thought, as her senses slowly returned, was probably Naruto. Where Starsky was, Hutch was never far behind.
Boy, did her chest hurt. She'd swallowed way too much water, but fortunately had spit it all out. Her lungs seemed lighter, less obstructed, if that made sense. She could still hear the two men arguing above her, and she felt irritation creeping in.
โWhy don't you both shut up? Youโre driving me crazy. Always bickering. Try silence sometimes.โ
โSakura-chan!!!โ She barely had time to sit up when she felt a weight collide against her body. She stifled a curse. A little more, and he would have tackled her to the ground. Sakura was about to scold him when she remembered her last thoughts when she thought she was drowning. The silhouette she thought was Naruto. Had he pulled her out of the water? It wasnโt a mirage then? She slowly relaxed in his embrace, allowing him to hold her, her expression softening.
โI'm fineโฆโ she coughed once, twice, feeling her throat burn before she repeated, "More fear than harm. You can let go now, Uzumaki. The free cuddling session's overโ she added with a slight note of amusement in her voice, remembering the stupid crush the boy had on her when they were ten. She felt Naruto stiffen against her. Confused, she gently pushed him away, and her gaze met his. Cerulean blue eyes were studying her with concern. She blinked. Why was he looking at her like that? And what'sโ
โWhat's that thing you're wearing? You think you're a ninja or something?โ she laughed. Because really, Naruto and his fashion sense... Well, she knows he loves going to conventions. - He often cosplays, and she appreciated the care he took to reproduce the outfits of his favorite characters, but she was sure that the next convention wasn't for another six months. Naruto, for his part, seemed even more worried. His fingers tightened on her shoulders and he probed her as if trying to find the secrets of the universe on her body. She didn't like it. He was acting strangely. Usually he laughed loudly and rubbed the back of his head, but not this time. What, she worried him that much? Well, she supposed it was justified. She'd almost drowned, after all, but still.
โStop staring at me like that, Uzumaki. I know I must have worried you, but I'm fine now! I spat all the water out of my lungs.โ
โW-why are you calling me that?โ
โHuh?โ
โโ'Uzumaki', you keep calling me that.โ
โThat's your name,โ She deadpanned.
Naruto glanced to his right. She followed his line of sight and stiffened in turn when she remembered they weren't alone. Sakura glared before opening her mouth in shock. Wait a minute. He wasn't wearing that earlier! When did he have time to change? How long had she been unconscious? And why was he in cosplay too?!
โSas'ke... I think Sakura-chan hit her headโ
โhn.โ
โWhat do you mean 'hn'!? We need to call Baa-chan or Shizune-san!โ
This time, Sakura scoffed, โdo you really expect Satan's spawn to help me ? If he saw me sprawled on a puddle instead of helping me up, he'd probably step on me to avoid getting his sneakers wet.โ
Sasuke gave her a strange look and she only responded with one of her glares. After that asshole had thrown her necklace into the lake, he had no right to judge her or make any comment. She'd fallen in the water and nearly died, no wonder she looked like a madwoman.
โListen, I almost died, I just feel a bit out of it! Itโs nothing, itโll pass, and thenโฆ MY NECKLACE!โ she suddenly interrupts, her hand instinctively going to her neck, but it wasnโt there. She looked around her in a panic. No, no, no, no, she was sure sheโd seen the chain in the water.
โUh... you mean this?โ Naruto fumbled in his jogging suitโat least, she thought it was one. His outfit was really bizarre. Before her eyes dangled her pendant. Emotion overwhelmed her as Naruto placed it in the trembling palm of her hand: โWhen I found you, you were holding onto it tightly. So I kept it until you woโโ โTHANK YOU, NARUTOโ Sakura hugged him tightly, cutting off what he was about to say. She felt her cheeks dampen with tears, but she didnโt care! She had found her most precious possession.
S-sakura-chan!โ his face turned red, as he stammered, waving his hands. Hands that Sakura took in hers, squeezing with more force than she'd intended, โthank you, really. I thought I'd lost it.โ she smiled brightly, putting the pendant back around her neck, her heart lighter.
โAll this for a necklace?โ commented Sasuke with a hint of annoyance in his voice. She felt her temper flare up again. She stood up, pointing at him with barely contained anger, which seemed to surprise him greatly.
โYou, shut the fuck up! It's all your fault! I'm warning you: if you ever pull a stunt like that again, I'll send you to your ancestors!โ
There was a tense silence before an amused voice interrupted them: โnow now, my cute little Chลซnins. Let's save the violence for our enemies, ne?โ Sakura turned as one, recognizing her cousin's characteristic tone. Finally, someone friendly! She was about to smile at him when her face fell. What theโฆ
โKakashi?โ The latter blinked at the young woman's uncertain tone, and his expression was... well she wasn't sure. She couldn't tell with that stupid mask hiding his face. I mean, he usually wore some kind of black medical mask sometimes, or even scarves or bandanas to hide his face, some weird private joke apparently, but this was on a whole other level. โWhat's that stupid mask you're wearing? Don't you think you're taking the joke a little too far?โ
Kakashi watched her for a moment before approaching. Why was he moving as if he didn't want to frighten a wounded animal? He gave her his characteristic smile, but she could see he looked alert. She noticed the tension in his shoulders: โMaa, Sakura-chan! I was hoping for an invitation to dinner before we were on a first-name basis.โ even though he had that laughing tone, she sensed it wasn't genuine. She'd heard that tone enough times in her life to know when Kakashi was about to throw his fist in someone's face. So she quickly avoided the blow she knew was coming. He looked surprised, as did the other two boys, if she was to believe the sound of shock Naruto made and the expression on Sasuke's face.
โYou've been working on your reflexes... good job, Sakura.โ There was this caution as he spoke her name, as if testing her, as if making sure it was indeed her first name. She frowned, more confused than anything else; though worry and a strange feeling settled in the pit of her stomach.
โWhat was that? I almost drowned and you already want to send me back to my creator?!" she sounded angry, and that was enough to make him pause. He raised his hands to soothe her โMaa, not at all Sakura-chan, I was just checking if you were diligent in your training.โ
She stared at him unimpressed. โYou know I am. Anyway, I'd like to go home! I'm all wet and I might as well change.โ
โSakura-chan! You should go to the hospital first, ya know, check that everything's okay!โ
โUzumaki, I'm not going to clutter up the emergency room. The doctors have better things to do. Besides, I feel fine.โ
Sasuke snorted, and Sakura turned to him, โSomething to say, Uchiha?โ he arched an eyebrow, and she could have sworn she saw the corners of his mouth lift briefly. He was just messing with her, right? She took a step in his direction before Kakashi stopped her.
โCome on kids, no fighting! If Sakura-chan says she's fine, we can believe her, she's a doctor after all.โ
โdoc- what-โ
โyeah ttebayo! Don't be an asshole sas'keโ
Sakura was speechless: she was a what now? She was sixteen for crying out loud, and she was just a high-schooler! And who would spend years of their life studying medicine? One shouldnโt have to sacrifice their youth for that. She wanted to be an actress and travel the world, thank you very much. Uncle Sakumo used to tease her by saying that given how she cared for others, she would make a good doctor; apparently Kakashi went along with the teasing. She huffed. If that's how he wanted to play it.
โSince we agree, I'm going home!โ she was about to leave when she noticed she wasn't quite in Naka Park anymore.
She must really have been out of her mind if she hadn't noticed her surroundings before. Although it vaguely resembled it, it wasn't quite the same?
It looked more like a large space where people would come to jog, honestly.
And since when was vegetation so lush? What the hell was going on here?
She glanced back and noticed that the three men were watching her, each with a different degree of concern.
She almost laughed when she saw Sasuke's, it was barely perceptible; she wouldn't even have seen it if she hadn't lingered on his eyes.
Does he feel guilty now? Would Satan actually have a conscience?
She put her hands on her hips, fully turning around and sizing them up, wondering when theyโd agreed to play cosplay.
Something caught her attention, though; her eyes widened when she noticedโฆ was that a fucking Katana?
Why was Sasuke walking around with a katana on his hip?!
Sasuke seemed to notice her gaze because he placed a hand on his sheath.
Something was wrong. Something was really wrong.
She'd been so absorbed by their bickering, by the anger and then the shock of almost dying that she'd completely overlooked the rest. But how could she have ignored that? Itโs not just something you can miss. It had been right in front of her from the start.
1. she was no longer at Naka Park.
2. Naruto took offense when she called him Uzumaki, even though she rarely called him by his first name.
3. He wore a suit with a weird headband. All three boys did.
4. The child of darkness seemed surprised by her anger, or rather, no, surprised that it was directed at him, as if this wasn't their daily routine. Honestly, she hated him. He knew that. So why did it surprise him so much that she took it out on him?
5. Kakashi. He seemed just as surprised that she called him that. As if he was uncomfortable with her lack of distance or honorifics. Which she only used when they were in class to maintain a professional environment.
6. He'd tried to hit her? She wasn't sure. Kakashi had never laid a hand on her; they used to bicker like kids when she was younger, and he always let her win their supposed 'fights,' often with Obito as a spectator who laughed until he cried.
7. Kakashi calls her a doctor. A doctor? When he knows her dream of leaving the countryside for the city to become an actress. She could overlook that and consider it a silly tease, but he said it with a certain conviction. As if it were a fact. And Naruto hasโฆ confirmed?
8. Naruto and the other demon look older. Which is odd. She's sure they're the same age, but the way they stand reminds her of something sheโs seen beforeโtrained soldiers. She knows this because Uncle Sakumo was in the Jieitai. He was proud of his military career, at least until that tragic incident, which he shared with her. Coming from Kakashi it shocked her less, even if he seemed different. It was likeโฆ
Sakura bit her lip. Once again, she took the time to study each of them, as well as her surroundings. Nervously, she ran a hand through her hair but was stopped by her headband. She hadnโt put on a headband that morning. She slowly untied it and held it in her palm.
โIs thisโฆ?โ It was the same as the one the three boys wore. She ran her index finger over the emblem, puzzled. Why was the emblem of the Konoha town hall on this? She could understand appreciating her village, but wearing its emblem? She would rather wear a Hello Kitty top. It was way too patriotic for her taste. She was neither proud nor happy to live in this hicktown. She definitely planned to move to Tokyo.
โSakuraโฆ chan?โ Naruto asked, just as perplexed.
She looked up, her brows slightly furrowed.
She glanced down at her clothes.
These werenโt her clothes.
She would remember if she had decided to wear shorts made of... is that Lycra?
And a skirt, if you could even call it that.
She would never go out in a kitchen apron. What the fuck?
And that red top? She wasnโt a fan of the cut.
And her beautiful pair of sneakers had been replaced by some damn sandals. Her toes were bare.
Yet she remembered getting a pedicure with the girls this weekend. It made no sense.
And there was this strange feeling in her body. She placed her hand against her stomach; it felt like something was swirling inside.
โSomething's wrongโฆโ she murmured before meeting their eyes.
โSasuke,โ said Kakashi's strained voice.
โI'm on it.โ On what? She stifled a gasp of shock as suddenly his eyes shifted from black to red. She took a step back as his gaze seemed to x-ray her. She didnโt think sheโd ever seen him look this serious. Honestly, the change in eye color already freaked her out, but his stare made her even more uncomfortable. It was as if he could see the depths of her soul; she felt exposed. Vulnerable. What felt like an eternity actually lasted only a minute before the red returned to black.
โHer chakra pathway system is the same. A little off, itโs probably due to her fall, but her flow is regular and her signature is definitely Sakuraโs.โ
โWait, you think Sakura-chan!?โ the blonde panicked.
โMy Sharingan detects no fluctuations in her chakra. Itโs not a genjutsu.โ
Sharin-what? Did he just say genjutsu? Naruto was the first to run over to her, grabbing her by the shoulders and shaking her. โSakura-chan, is that really you? Did you hurt yourself when you fell? You remember me?! And Teme, and Kakashi-sensei!?โ
โWhat are you talking about, idiot!? Get off me!โ Usually, Sakura wouldโve freaked out hearing such strange words, but this time, annoyance took over. If Naruto kept shaking her like a rag doll, she was going to throw up on him. Without thinking, she punched him. She hadnโt meant to do that; it was like her body reacted on its own. Of course, when they were younger, she had hit him before, but never with a punch or anything that would hurt him. It was more like slaps and taps on the armโnothing too serious. But this time, she acted on instinct. She watched in shock as the blond was sent flying several meters before crashing into the trunk of a tree. โNARUTO!โ She immediately ran over to him and crouched down beside him. He looked a bit dazed, but when he met her gaze, a bright smile spread across his face, followed by a loud laugh.
โSakura-chan! Itโs really you!โ Sakura looked at him, first with worry then annoyance. โOf course itโs me! Who else could it be, dumbass!โ
Right now, Sakura preferred to believe they were all in some kind of collective illusion because there was no way a punch could do this. Yes, she knew how to fight, and yes, she could hit hardโ just ask Sasuke and his solar plexus โbut not that hard. Maybe she was even dead and stuck in some sort of purgatory. At this point, she was ready to believe anything because there were too many anomalies, and she felt like her life was about to change.
โOkay kiddos, it was fun and all but I really think you should check in with Tsunade-sama, Sakura. You never know what might've happened being underwater for that long.โ
Tsunade-sama ? As in Senju Tsunade, Naruto's great-aunt? That Tsunade?
She wasn't just a doctor, she was a surgeon living in Osaka.
Sakura wasn't going to drive four hours just because she'd dived into a lake. Kakashi was a little overprotective, or so she thought.
Plus, Tsunade-san would probably scold her for falling into the water and almost drowning. She's not the type to coddle anyone.
Maybe her husband Dan, but that was during New Year's when Naruto's parents invited her family over. Those parties were really just an excuse for the adults to get drunk and relive their teenage years.
The good thing was that she didn't have a bedtime curfew.
Over time, inviting each other, including the Uchiha family and the families of her five other friends, became a tradition, especially when they went out to watch the fireworks.
Honestly, if the families socialized, it was mostly because of their kids, but Sakura thinks that over the years, some had really become friends or at least comfortable enough to be on a first-name basis.
โYou should get checked out by a Hyuga. It's unlikely my Sharingan missed anything, but the Byakugan can definitely spot any anomalies if there are any.โ
โHinata-chan came back from her mission yesterday! You can ask her, Sakura-chan!โ said an excited Naruto to an even more confused Sakura. They were saying words that made no sense, but the way they said them, it was as if they expected her to really know what they meant. What did make a little sense was Hinata. She knew Hinata. Hinata was familiar and reassuring, and even if she didn't have a bloody clue what Naruto meant by "returned from mission", it was familiar enough for her to latch onto.
โNow that that's settled... Uzumaโ Narutoโฆโ she corrected herself when she caught sight of the blond's puppy eyes; this was getting ridiculous. โWould you mind walking me home? I still feel a bit dizzy.โ
โUh?? Of course, Sakura-chan!! Butโฆโ he glanced quickly at Sasuke, โdon't you wanna have Sasโke walk you home?โ
Nothing could have stopped the expression of disgust that appeared on her face. โWhy would I want Beelzebub to take me home? I'd rather eat tree bark. Come on, I'll buy you some ramen to thank you !โ she was already leaving under their stunned gazes and Sasuke's glare. This was familiar. Now, if only he wouldn't look at her as if she were an oddity.
It wasn't long before she heard Naruto's footsteps joining her. He'd started running as soon as he heard "ramen" anyway. God knows, Wednesdays were his favorite days, especially because the canteen served ramen. This school really wasn't thinking about their student's health. She rolled her eyes as she listened to Naruto talking enthusiastically about his "new techniques" and "it's so cool, โttebayo, I'm gonna beat Teme's ass" and something about becoming a " fromager,* believe it " or something like that. She was pretty sure that a) it was a French word and b) it probably wasn't what he'd said because she doubted Naruto wanted to become a cheese specialist. But whatever. He seemed happy to ramble, so she'd let him. She still had to figure out what was going on.
So she did what any confused person would do: she nodded. If she wanted to understand what was going on, she might as well go with the flow.
โธปโธป
Walking back to the village alongside Naruto, Sakura realized she was in deep shit.
Her heart rate had increased steadily as they walked through what he called 'Konoha.'
This wasn't Konoha. She'd lived here all her life, been born here, and although some of the streets and signs were familiar, this wasn't the countryside she criticized all day long.
She had stopped several times, observing this village full of life, so much so that sheโd ended up letting herself be dragged along by a slightly more worried Naruto.
She'd tried to keep up appearances, but in all honesty she was lost.
Where had she landed? What was going on? Why were all these people dressed so drab and ugly?
She didn't like to judge, but she honestly felt like she was in a period movie. Here and there, she had the impression of spotting people wearing navy uniforms and, for the most part, green vests, each with a red swirl.
And she was certain, from the number of times she'd seen this symbol in her blond friend's house, that it was something affiliated with him and his ancestors.
It just didn't make sense.
She was this close to losing her shit.
It was when they stopped in front of a house she didnโt recognize that she felt her heart might just stop. โWeโre hereโ the blonde said. No. This wasnโt her house. Yet, there was her last name on the mailbox, but she didn't understand. Her mom couldnโt have moved. Nothing had changed since she got up that morning to go to school, then jumped into the lake, and now... everything had felt off ever since they pulled her out of that damn lake. She was tempted to go back and hide there. She took a step to leave, when suddenly the front door swung open. For a moment, she felt, really felt, her heart stop. The sight before her couldnโt be real.
Standing on the doorstep of her supposed home was a tall man with an imposing build, dull pink hair, blue eyes and a dazzling smile that she now saw only in her dreams. Tears welled up in her eyes. Shock, incomprehension, pain, nostalgia and that tiny feeling of hope all came together. Her dad. Her dad stood in the doorway.
โSa-chan? What happened to you? You're soaking wet.โ
Sa-chan. Oh. He hadn't called her that since she was a toddler. Probably because she had complained that she was too big for that baby nickname. Yet her father had laughed heartily but had never dropped the affectionate pet names. Hearing his voice again, with that oh-so-sweet nickname, made her completely break down. She would probably regret it later, but she burst into tears, throwing herself into her father's arms. Like a little child seeking comfort. Her body shook with sobs, and despite his confusion and mounting concern, Kizashi Haruno hugged his little girl, for after all, that's what she would always be: his little girl.
Sakura would have time to figure out where she was, what was going on, and even face the confused looks from Naruto and the others, but for now, all she could see, all she wanted, was the warm embrace of her dad. To feel the warmth of his large hand patting her back and to remember the familiar scent of his cologne, the softness of his voice; she'd even put up with his 'dad jokes' and the embarrassment she felt as a child when he dared to tell them to the waitress at the restaurant when he took her out for their 'father-daughter' lunch. Yes, Sakura had time, and even if it was false, even if it was just an illusion, she would live in it for a little while, if it meant experiencing that moment again.
A/N :
For more information about this fic, I highly recommend reading it on AO3. I included a lot more details and context in my authorโs notes over there. I just wanted to cross-post it here, but for better understanding, AO3 is definitely the way to go.
Hereโs the link if youโre interested.
*๐๐ข๐๐ข๐ญ๐๐ข: The term "Jieitai" (่ช่ก้) refers to the Japan Self-Defense Forces. These are Japan's military forces established after World War II under the country's pacifist constitution. They are primarily responsible for national defense and disaster relief operations. Although called "self-defense forces," they have also been involved in international peacekeeping missions and humanitarian operations.
* ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ ๐๐ซ = Actually, Naruto said "I'll become HOKAGE, believe it!" I thought the word 'fromager' was funny because when you say it in French and your head is elsewhere, you might actually believe that's what he's saying.๐
CHAPTER TWO IS FINALLY OUT!ย
***
Summary :ย โSakura wakes up to a reality that shouldnโt exist. Sheโs deadโprobably. Maybe. The evidence is conflicting, and the more she thinks about it, the less it makes sense. Her father is here, treating her like nothing is wrong. Narutoโs looking at her like sheโs just escaped from an asylum, but Sasuke? That bastard is acting like sheโs the idiot. If this is the afterlife, she has some serious complaintsโstarting with the fact that hell is missing a certain war criminalโย
Sakura is determined to get Itachi to train her, and what better way to convince him than by cosplaying his beloved little brother? With a bit of playful trickery, maybe sheโll get him to give in, amused by her efforts. After all, sheโs a devoted kunoichi, and he appreciates the way she takes care of Sasuke. A stubborn and determined girl, she shows up every day at the Uchiha compound, ready to surprise him with her best techniques. It was agreed that if she managed to land even a single hit on him, Itachi would train her. (Which she eventually achieved after six months, to the horror of her teammate.)
Omg!! Thank you for the response. Donโt worry about it being long; I love reading it. Iโm also glad that Iโm not the only one who reads a lot of Sakura fanfic. I think without her it would be boring, plus the people that ship with her make it more interesting, especially with her and Itachi๐คฉ
Thank you for your question! ๐ฅบ Iโm so happy to know my love for Sakura is shared. Iโm a Multi-Saku shipper myself. She's so amazing that, oddly enough, she fits with everyone. She really is the โจIT GIRLโจ she thinks she is! โก
how did you become an Itasaku shipper, if you donโt mind me asking?
ย I donโt mind.๐
To be honest, my love for them really started with my love for Itachi and Sakura individually. I was head over heels for him back thenโcompletely obsessed! But I think we can relate on that, haha. I also loved Sakura a lot because she represented what girls were like at that age and how silly we could be at 12. She had her weaknesses and felt so real. That made her development incredible for me, especially when she grew into a strong woman and accomplished medic-nin. Even though she got a lot of hate for being obsessed with Sasuke, I never liked the double standard since Naruto was just as obsessed with him.
When I was a kid, and even now, I read and still read a lot of fanfiction focused on Sakura because she was my favorite female character in the franchise. One day, I was browsing ffnet and stumbled upon a fic that had Itachi and Sakura together. I was really surprised. Back then, I was naive and didnโt know much about pairings. I stupidly thought people only wrote about canon couples.๐ญ๐ญ Thatโs kind of how I discovered the concept of crackships and rare pairings.ย
I was intrigued. I started wondering what their dynamic would be like if a romantic relationship developed between them, and since I already loved each character individually, I thought it would be interesting to put them together. I began reading fics that featured them as a couple, and I just slowly fell for them. I gradually but surely became enamored with what could be created between them. I found some incredible stories involving them, including some of the most popular fics from that time on ffnet.
I think I eventually realized that Itachi was a perfect match for Sakura. He was everything Sasuke wasnโtโand couldnโt be for her (though I love Sasusaku too). I can't really explain it; it just felt so obvious. Physically, they matched, and their personalities complemented each other in a strange way. Sakura was like the light at the end of the tunnel, the hope for renewal. She was the balm that could soothe Itachi's wounds, the softness in his chaotic and violent life. To me, Sakura has this aura of peace surrounding her. Itโs like gravity.ย
Over time, we learned that all Itachi wanted was to find that peace. A woman who wants to help and heal others paired with a man who dreamed of a world where everyone could understand each other and live in harmony? I mean, they were meant to meet. I also feel like Itachi could really support Sakura; even though he was emotionally damaged, I think he wouldโve shown her that she was a gem in the making. I donโt think he wouldโve belittled her or her abilities, and at the same time, I believe Sakura wouldnโt want to disappoint him. Thatโs just my interpretation. Their relationship wouldโve been different from hers with Sasuke. I think they would treat each other more as equals, respecting one another and pushing each other to always do better.
I believe Sakura could show Itachi that the world isnโt just a place of violence and deception. She could help him see that his dream of peace isnโt so utopian and that itโs actually possible to achieve.
So to answer your question, I think I became an Itasaku shipper without even realizing it. Over time, as I read more fics about them and my admiration for each of them grew, my appreciation for their pairing just kept getting stronger. I happened to stumble upon a fic about them one day, and it literally changed the course of my life. Since then, Iโve wanted to share the love I have for them with others by bringing them to life through my stories. Iโve been writing since I was 13, but I never had the courage to publish and share my work until much later.
Today, I hope to share that with my readers, that they enjoy what I write, and that we can geek out together over the characters, the dialogue, and how much we love or hate them depending on their personalities in my stories, haha.๐
Anyway, I hope this response wasnโt too long. If it was, sorryโI got a bit carried away!๐ฅฒ
can behind the facade get a part 2 please please please please please please please please
Hello.๐ฆ
Iโm happy to let you know that 'Behind the Facade' is indeed getting a part 2! Iโve already started writing it, and I hope to wrap it up soon. So stay tuned!โก
She had to put a few customers in the coffee shop in their place but nothing she couldnโt handle. For Sakura, this was all temporary. She was only working to make money until she could finish medical school. So if putting up with jerks was the price she had to pay for a better future, she would do it.
Sakura knew what she wanted to do with her life the day she witnessed the rescue of a life. A woman was choking, and it was bad enough for Aunt Tsunade to grab a pen and perform a tracheotomy. It was the most beautiful moment of the little girlโs life. She couldnโt explain why, but seeing that her aunt had erased all of her โpatientโsโ fear and relieved the fear of her loved ones by saving her life was a sight she couldnโt get enough of. She wanted to be a part of something, to help others. Seeing that expression of gratitude and relief when the person understood that they were no longer in danger. It may have been small, but it had shaped Sakura. She had always been a hard worker.
The shop doorbell rang, signifying the arrival of a new customer. Instinctively, she looked up and saw a familiar pair of black eyes. It took all her willpower not to smile stupidly. The man approached the counter, a small smile on his face (god he was cute when he smiled like that).
โHey, blossom. Itโs been a while.โ
โShisui, hi! The usual, I presume?โ
โPlease.โ
She nodded with a smile and went to prepare his order. A Grande Caramel Ribbon Crunch Crรจme Frappuccino. Shisui was a regular customer, but she was pretty sure sheโd seen him hanging around her campus before. She didnโt know if he was a student here or just visiting someone. But she had noticed that there was a girl by his side, maybe his girlfriend.
He was in the company of Uchiha Itachi, a medical student just like her. She remembered that the man wanted to be a neurosurgeon. He was serious, diligent, and very intelligent. He had a very cute brunette on his arm. Izumi was her name, if she remembered correctly. Despite Itachiโs beauty, it was Shisui who caught her attention. She had never dared to hit on him or anything, but they had a good feeling. He knew that she was studying medicine and that she knew his cousin. She had a little crush on him. Ino had told her to go for it, that she needed to get laid, but Ino always thought she should have more fun and study less, soooโฆ
She preferred to be his friend for now, assuming he considered her as such. (That didnโt stop her from fantasizing about what his lips would taste like after drinking his caramel frappuccino, though.)
.
.
.
The day continued at its usual pace, with the hum of the coffee machines and the steady flow of customers providing a comforting rhythm to Sakuraโs thoughts. She glanced at the clock; her shift was nearing its end. The idea of spending another evening poring over her textbooks at the campus library was both daunting and thrilling. Each chapter brought her closer to her dream, each study session was a step towards the future she had envisioned for herself since that fateful day with Aunt Tsunade.
Her thoughts drifted back to Shisui. His visits to the coffee shop were the highlights of her day, and their brief exchanges left her heart fluttering. He always had a way of making her feel seen, which was something she deeply appreciated amidst the often impersonal atmosphere of the cafรฉ. Despite the unspoken tension, she valued their budding friendship.
The doorbell rang again, and Sakura looked up to see her manager, Kurenai, entering. โHey, Sakura,โ she greeted warmly. โYou can clock out now. Iโll take over.โ
Sakura nodded gratefully. โThanks, Kurenai-san,โ She removed her apron, hung it up, and grabbed her bag from the back room. As she exited the shop, the cool afternoon air embraced her, a welcome change from the warmth inside.
On her way to the library, she decided to take a detour through the campus park. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the landscape, and she found herself reflecting on the day. She wondered if Shisui ever thought about her as much as she thought about him. It was a silly thought, but it brought a smile to her face.
As she reached the park, she saw a familiar figure sitting on a bench, engrossed in a book. It was Itachi. He looked up as she approached, a polite smile forming on his lips.
โSakura,โ he greeted. โOn your way to the library?โ
โHi, Itachi. Yes, I am. Taking a short break before diving back into the books.โ
He nodded, closing his book. โJust donโt overwork yourself.โ
Sakura laughed, sitting down beside him and allowing herself a moment before getting back to studying. โYou should take your own advice!โ Their lighthearted banter brought smiles to both their faces. Sakura liked Itachi; conversing with him was always enjoyable. He seemed to always have an opinion, and he expressed it with an eloquence that she found undeniably attractiveโplatonically, of course. As they chatted, she felt grateful for this brief escape from her studies. They talked about their classes, their professors, and their shared experiences in medical school.
Eventually, the topic shifted to Shisui. โYou know, my cousin talks about you quite often,โ Itachi said casually, his eyes studying her reaction.
Sakuraโs heart skipped a beat. โOh? What does he say?โ
She hoped it would be something positive. Honestly, she would have to change cities if he saw her as just the crazy barista who knew his order a little too well. He didnโt seem to think she was crazy, but she often recalled that French meme that said, โPOV: youโre talking to the crazy person on the bus to avoid getting killed.โ Maybe that was exactly what Shisui was doing. She snorted. She was being ridiculous.
Itachi chuckled, unaware of Sakura's thoughts. โHe thinks youโre incredibly dedicated. He admires your work ethic.โ
She blushed, feeling a mix of happiness and embarrassment. โThatโs nice to hear. I think highly of him too.โ
Itachiโs smile grew. โYou should tell him that sometime. Heโs not as perceptive as you might think.โ
They continued talking until the last rays of the sun faded from the sky, signaling the onset of evening. Realizing the time, Sakura stood up. โI should get going. I still have a lot to study.โ
He nodded. โMe too. Good luck with your studies.โ
โThank you. You too.โ
As she walked towards the library, her mind buzzed with the possibility that maybe, just maybe, Shisui saw her as more than just the barista who made his favorite frappuccino. With renewed determination, she pushed open the library doors, ready to conquer another chapter in her medical textbook. Tomorrow was another day, and who knew what it might bring?
โโโโโโ
Shisui pushed open the door of the cafรฉ, the familiar chime signaling his arrival. The scent of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the sweet aroma of pastries. It had been two weeks since his last visit, and he hadnโt realized how much he missed this placeโhow much he missed her.
Heโd had a rough day. His law classes were particularly grueling, and the weight of his responsibilities felt heavier than usual. As he walked toward the counter, he couldnโt help but think that seeing Sakura's smile might lift his spirits, though he wouldnโt admit that to anyone, least of all himself.
His eyes scanned the room, instinctively searching for the familiar shock of pink hair. There she was, bustling behind the counter, her focused yet serene expression a balm to his frazzled nerves. He felt a tingle of anticipation as he approached her.
โHey, youโ
Sakura looked up, her eyes widening slightly in surprise before a warm smile spread across her face. โHey yourself! Let me guess," she said, pretending to ponder with an amused glint in her eye, โA grande caramel ribbon crunch crรจme frappuccino?โ
โYou read my mind!,โ he replied, a smile tugging at his lips. Watching her prepare his drink, he felt a familiar flutter in his chest. He appreciated her kindness, and the way she always seemed to remember what he ordered.
While she worked, his thoughts wandered. He wondered how his life had become such a mess in such a short time. Shisui had never faced significant problems in his life; he was born into a good family, and although his parents had died when he was a child, he couldnโt say he had been an unhappy kid. His grandfather, Kagami, had taken care of him, and even though there were moments when he felt a sense of lossโespecially during Motherโs and Fatherโs Day at school when he had no one to give a gift toโhe couldnโt say he had lacked love. Of course, there had been times when he envied his cousins for having their parents around, but he remembered fondly how Aunt Mikoto had always doted on him. He was the third son, and while Uncle Fugaku was a bit stricter, he supposed that inviting him on a father-son road trip was his way of making him feel included in the family. He was grateful for that, but he never forgot his grandfather. Kagami was all he had known, so in a way, he was a father to him. After all, it was Kagami who had wiped his nose and put a Band-Aid on his knee when he fell off his bike at four years old.
He suddenly snapped back to the present when Sakura's soft voice reached his ears. She didnโt seem to have noticed that he had zoned out. She offered him his drink, that same kind smile on her lips. Maybe thatโs what he needed after his crappy day: a friendly smile and his favorite drink served by his favorite barista. โHere you go, Mister Uchiha. One Grande Caramel Ribbon Crunch Crรจme Frappuccino.โ
โThanks, Miss Haruno,โ he said playfully, their fingers brushing briefly as he took the cup from her. The contact sent a small jolt through him, a reminder of the complicated emotions he was grappling with. He was drawn to her, no doubt, but his recent breakup and the tangled mess of his life made him wary of getting too close.
He found a seat by the window, where he could watch her while maintaining a semblance of nonchalance. As he sipped his drink, he thought about the conversations theyโd had, the way her eyes lit up when she talked about her dreams of becoming a doctor. She was so full of life and ambition, a stark contrast to the burdens he carried.
Shisui sighed, leaning back in his chair. The truth was, the idea of someone like Sakura becoming important to him was both thrilling and terrifying. He wasnโt ready to dive into another relationship, not when his own life was still a puzzle he was trying to piece together. Yet, there was a part of him that didnโt want to let go of the possibility that she could be someone significant in his future.
Their interactions were a delicate danceโflirting just enough to keep the connection alive, but never stepping beyond the boundaries they had unconsciously set. He wondered if she felt the same way, if she was as confused by their dynamic as he was.
When his drink was finished, he stood up, catching her eye once more. โSee you around, Sakura.โ
โTake care, Shisui,โ she replied, her smile tinged with a hint of something he couldnโt quite decipher.
As he left the cafรฉ, he made his way back to his apartment, where he lived with Itachi. He was sure his roommate had his nose buried in his books. Generally, when Shisui came home, Itachi was always either sipping a cup of tea or studying. Sometimes he would be sitting on their balcony, quietly reading a book, although he did so a little less now that the weather was starting to cool down. Overall, Shisui couldnโt complain about his little cousin. He was a discreet and tidy roommateโtoo tidy at times. He had never seen a room so well-organized. It reminded him of military barracks. Not that he knew what they looked like, but soldiers must be disciplined, so he assumed that keeping their living space clean was part of their training.
The walk gave him time to clear his mind. By the time he reached his place, he felt a little more grounded. Opening the door to their shared apartment, Shisui was greeted by the sight of Itachi at the kitchen table, surrounded by textbooks and notes. How surprising. He shook his head fondly. His cousin looked up, a slight smile playing on his lips. โGood evening, Shisui. How was your day?โ
The Uchiha shrugged, setting his keys down on the counter. โIt was fine. Stopped by the cafรฉ and saw Sakura.โ
Itachi raised an eyebrow. โOh? How is she?โ
โSheโs good,โ he replied, a small smile playing on his lips. โBusy as always, but she seems happy.โ
Itachi nodded, closing one of his textbooks. โYou know, she mentioned she hadnโt seen you in a while. She was a bit worried about her โfavoriteโ customer.โ he said, recalling the earlier conversation from when he had gone to grab a coffee at her workplace.
Shisui chuckled softly, his heart warming at the thought. โDid she, now?โ
Itachi leaned back in his chair, studying his older cousin thoughtfully. โShe seems like a good person. Someone worth knowing better.โ
Shisui sighed, running a hand through his curly hair, surprised to find only the minimum of tangles. It wasn't uncommon for his dark mane to be a mess by the end of the day, and not for the best reasons. The most amusing ones: like a delicate, manicured hand tugging at his strands while his sinful mouth was nestled between the thighs of his latest fling. โI know. Itโs justโฆ complicated. My last relationship didnโt end well, and I donโt want to drag her into my mess.โ
The dark haired man hummed in understanding. โSometimes, the best things in life come when you least expect them. Maybe itโs not about being ready, but about being open to the possibility.โ
Shisui nodded, his cousinโs words resonating deeply. โThanks, โTachi.โ
As they sat in companionable silence, Shisui felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe there was a future where he and Sakura could be more than just fleeting acquaintances. For now, he would take it one day at a time, cherishing their moments together and letting fate take care of the rest.
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : Sakura always looked forward to his summoning crows because it meant she would finally see him again, but today the crow appeared when she least expected it... And Itachi rarely deviates from his plans. So this can't be a good omen, can it?
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : The Uchiha massacre happened, Heavy angst, major character death. [Posted on August 23, 2022.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : Today is the day Sakura decided to confess her love to her long time friend. She thinks it might be time to either win him over or move onโฆ ๐๐๐๐. Is that Itachi!? Oh my gooood. Did he just kiss a girl!?!?!?
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : Slice of life, fluff, angst and some humor. [Posted on September 11, 2022.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พโคท read here or on Ao3 ใLast edited May 20, 2024.ใ
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : Sakura loves him. She knows she does. Yet he seems determined to believe that sheโs mistaken about the nature of her feelings.
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : unrequited love? Confused!Sakura. Slight humor, eventual romance [Posted on September 30, 2022.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พ Characters : Haruno Sakura, Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Itachi, Sabaku no Gaara, etc. ( some characters will only be mentioned.)
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : Maybe Sakura was wrong. Maybe she had been fooling herself about him. Maybe she had imagined half of their interactions. Maybe it was all in her head. That must be it, otherwise how could she explain what she had witnessed?
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : Epic friendship, romance, humor, fluff, unrequited love or is it?, angst, open ending [Posted on December 5, 2022.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : Shisui was just a soldier, witnessing the violence and atrocities of war since he was old enough to walk, and then there she was, surrounded by flowers, the most beautiful of all, his lovely cherry blossom. Pure, innocent, she was the most beautiful landscape he'd ever seen. (Story containing gifs narrated with text.)
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : first love, romance, heavy angst, implied/referenced violence, 4GNW, major character death [Posted on March 29, 2023.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : Sakura doesn't know when it started, but she knows how it will end. After all, sheโs once again dealing with an Uchiha. It must be her curse.
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : medic Haruno Sakura, Anbu Uchiha Itachi, angst, injury, emotional hurt, denial of feelings, fights, arguments, break up, male-female friendship, misunderstanding, alcohol, some humor, eventual fluff, angst with a happy ending [Posted on April 23, 2023]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : What's the point of being sorry? The damage is already done.
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : modern setting, cheating, hurt no comfort, implied sexual content, attempt at humor, fluff, heartbreak, angst with a happy ending [Posted on June 14, 2023.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : Sakura loves movies, popcorn and yelling at the characters on her TV screen. And then there's Itachi.
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : friends to lovers, fluff & humor, short&sweet, childhood memories, movie reference, OS, romantic comedy [Posted on July 22, 2023.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พโคท read here
๐๐ฏ๐ผ๐๐ ๐๐ถ๐บ๐ฒ
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พPairing : Sakura Haruno/Uchiha Sasuke ft Narusakusasu [platonic]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : Theyโre friends, right?
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : canon divergence, friends to lovers, no Uchiha massacre, fluff & humor, team 7 as family, past relationships, male-female friendship, eventual romance, jealousy if you squint, idiots in love, possessive uchiha sasuke [Posted on November 3, 2023.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : โI need an angel to save me from myself. Holding my savior keep my heart upon the shelf.โ
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : strangers to friends to lovers, Uchiha massacre, canon divergence, near death experience, character death, slow romance, canon-typical violence, platonic soulmates, hint of narusasu, team 7 as family, BAMF Haruno Sakura, angst with a happy ending [Posted on November 5, 2023.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : โ [โฆ] She fidgeted under his gaze. He'd always had a particular way of scrutinizing her. It was almost as if he was looking into her soul, and it was sometimes quite unsettling, but that was Sasuke.โ
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : modern setting, friends to lovers, feeling realization, misunderstanding, idiots in love, fluff & humor, childhood friends, tooth-rotting fluff, protective Uchiha Sasuke, pop culture references [Posted on November 24, 2023.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พPairing : Past Sakura Haruno/Kin Tsuchi, Sakura Haruno/Uchiha Shisui
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : "This mษn - for there's no doubt thษt this strษnger is one - hษs no business meddling in her ษffษirs. He doesn't hษve to hold her like he's ษfrษid she'll disษppeษr, like he knows her, like she's one of his loved ones. She's none of those things. Sheโs nothing."
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : heavy angst, suicide attempt, minor character death, depression, bisexual Haruno Sakura, post-break up, dark humor, family loss, pre-relationship, eventual fluff, movie reference, angst with a happy (hopeful) ending [Posted on December 8, 2023.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : Reincarnation, historical references, soulmates, canon divergence, civil war, falling in love, angst, major character death, 4GNW, minor sasusaku, bittersweet ending. [Posted on April 12, 2024.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พPairings : Itachi Uchiha/Original female character(s), Itachi Uchiha/Sakura Haruno, minor Sakura Haruno/Hoshigaki Kisame, minor Shisui Uchiha/Haruno Sakura etc,.
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : Sakura knows she shouldn't, she knows it's wrong. She knows sheโs a horrible person for even thinking about building her happiness on someone elseโs pain. She wants to be selfish. But he's no better, is he? He wants to take, take and own everything she is. He wants to have his cake and eat it too. Itachi is selfish like that. Or maybe they're just two jerks who deserve each other.
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : modern setting, toxic relationships, Itachi is a little shit, cheating, sexual tension, manipulation, jealousy, angst, morally ambiguous, possessive behavior, implied sexual content, implied blow jobs, religion kink, humor, sexually experienced Sakura Haruno, love/hate, drama, gay character. [posted on May 9, 2023]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พโคท read here or on ao3 (Last updated July 2, 2025)
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พ โคท New chapterโs up! (NEW RELEASE!!)
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : They say that pain builds character, if so, then Sakura must have built a strong one.
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : Established relationships, Heavy angst, hurt no comfort, drama, break up, modern setting, jealousy, friendship, eventual fluff, making out, sexual tension, protective shisui uhiha, illegal activities, murder, possibly unrequited love, denial of feelings, arguing, fights, implied/referenced character death,. [posted on April 26, 2023]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พโคท read here or on ao3 (Last updated March 16, 2024)
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พ โคท New chapterโs up! (NEW RELEASE!! September 4, 2025)
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : He comes home late, acts strangely, and she doesn't recognize him anymore. Time passes and things get worse. Maybe it's time to know what's really in the depths of her heart.
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : modern setting, heavy angst, domestic violence, hurt no comfort, established relationship, drug use, emotional infidelity, unrequited love?, drama romance, drug addiction, falling in love, arguing, eventual happy ending. [Posted on May 10, 2023]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : [โฆ] as she took a bite of her gyoza, Sakura wondered โ and she would wonder for years to come - what on earth had possessed her to cause such a scandal during such a convivial dinner.
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : modern setting, drama & romance, angst, attempt at humor, cheating, shisui is acting suspiciously, misunderstanding, arguing, fluff, implied sexual content. [Posted on March 30, 2023]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พโคท read here (Last updated May 31, 2023)
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : At the age of 6, Sakura believes there are only 4 essential things in this world: her parents, anmitsu, Ino Yamanaka and Shisui Uchiha.
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : Modern AU, Unrequited love, Friendship, Multiple pairings, From childhood to adulthood, Angst [ with an eventual] happy ending. [Posted on October 5, 2023.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : 'Did he love her or was she just a trophy for him? Was she just a hole he could empty himself into whenever he felt like it, even when she didn't?'
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : angst, toxic relationships, gaslighting, verbal abuse, verbal humiliation, emotional infidelity, cheating, self-esteem issues, implied/referenced domestic violence, implied sexual content, panic attacks, Hidan swears, some fluff etc., [Posted on October 13, 2023.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : You can't control your heart. Feelings come and go. We are only slaves to its whims.
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : established relationship, love triangle, angst, falling in love, unrequited love, friendship/love, emotional infidelity, possibly polyamorous relationship, Awkward tension Itachi is so confused. [Posted on April 28, 2023.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พโคท read here (Last updated January 21, 2024)
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : โThree months. It had been three months since he'd sat at the same table, at the same time, taking the same thing in order to take part in what had become a ritual. He'd sensed that today was the day. That the young woman would eventually come to him.โ
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : modern setting, mafia, police, pre-relationship, (possible) future fic. Given the theme, expect to read about sensitive subjects. Such as mentions of abuse, drugs, violence, illegal trafficking in almost any form. Please proceed with caution. [Posted on February 21, 2024.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : Sakura is a country girl who dreams of the big city. She always thought she'd travel someday, but the universe got in the way and now she's trapped in Konoha, except it's wasn'tย herย Konoha. Stuck now with familiar but unfamiliar faces, she must find a way to navigate this new world.
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings: Isekai fic. | Posted on September 19, 2024.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พ โคท Read here [ch.1]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พ โคท New chapterโs up! (NEW RELEASE!! September 3,2025) [ch.3]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : Playing drinking games is fun, Itachi thinks, until scandalous revelations come to light.
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : established relationships, Alcohol, Mention of past sexual relations, humor, friendship, threesome implied etc., [Posted on December 15, 2022.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : Theyโre in love, your honor.
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : no Uchiha massacre, fluff, established relationship, sexual humor, sexual fantasy, implied sexual content, no smut, awkward romance [Posted on October 10, 2023.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary : Sakura has a thing for men with long hair. She always has. That's why, when she takes part in a show designed to get all her exes in the same room, they realize that they have only one thing in common: their hair length.
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent warnings : modern setting, past relationship(s), suggestive themes, crackfic, humor, Sakura is so done, all her boyfriends are nuts!! [Posted on January 17 & 18, 2024.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พSummary: Imagine Sakura admiring Itachi's beauty in the rain. He knows she's there, but doesn't acknowledge her presence. Looking at him, she wonders how she ended up in the hands of the Akatsuki, first as a prisoner, then as Itachi's lover. Sakura fell in love with her former teammate's enemy.
Itachi is a man of few words and sometimes Sakura wonders if what they share is an illusion or reality. But it's in his subtle gestures and the way his body mold to hers during their sinful nights that she knows Itachi feels as much as she does, that he is on her side now and forever.
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent type : Video. [Posted on September 18, 2022.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContext : A love/hate AU where Sakura would have been in love with Itachi all her life, but when he slaughters the uchiha clan (except for Sasuke) she finds herself heartbroken. She hears of Itachi's prowess throughout the five great Shinobi nations. He even joins the Akatsuki, much to her dismay. So she vows to bring Itachi to justice and bring him back to the village, even if it means dying. In this AU, Sakura is much stronger than in the canon, having devoted herself to her training from an early age.
Of course, she is unaware that the Uchiha massacre was ordered by the village's higher-ups, and that Itachi is in fact a spy.
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent type : GIF. [Posted on October 24, 2023.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContext : None. Just Itachi and Sakura being pretty.
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พContent type : Edited Pic. [Posted on April 3, 2024.]
โฉๅฝก ๏ฝฅ๏พโคท watch here
โหโฟหยฐ REQUESTSโหโฟหยฐ
.
.
. โฆ. None for the moment, it's a new concept. If you feel like it, you can send me some. If you're shy, you can do it anonymously. All I ask is that you remain respectful and kind.โก
โI know.โ Sakura replied, eyebrows furrowed. She was slightly confused by his words.
โI won't be a substitute for him.โ
โI've neverโโ
โAre you sure about that? Because you were particularly obsessed with him before.โ
Oh.
OH.
Anger rose in her. How dare he? Had she even given the impression that she was not sincere in her intentions? Sure, there were physical similarities, but that was it. They were very different. She knew it.
She clicked her tongue, annoyed. โI was twelve. I was just as obsessed with clothes, but I got over it. We all have a past, Itachi. Are you going to blame me for that too?โ
Itachi stared at her for a long moment, an indecipherable glint in his eyes. He nodded once. โI apologize. I didn't mean to offend you. I just want to make sure you know what you want or rather who you want.โ
Sakura was about to get angry, but suddenly she realized something. Itachi wasn't really trying to offend or hurt her, he was just concerned about the possibility of her using him to replace Sasuke. It would have annoyed her under normal circumstances, but she relaxed, a warmth spreading through her heart.
โItachi, I promise you I'm done with your brother. You're the one I want. I love Sasuke, but not like this. He's a dear friend and I'll always cherish him because he's my family too, but I have feelings for you. Strong feelings. I want to be with you. Just you.โ
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
Summary : โ [โฆ] Sometimes she'd manage to kick him out and throw a can of bleach at him, telling him that 'if he hoped to touch her he'd have to disinfect himself first', other times she'd be vulnerable and pathetic enough to allow Itachi to give her a head.โ
HELLOOOO!!๐ฅฐ Can't believe it's been 6 months since the last update of this fic!
Today is a very special day because it's my birthday!! Yaaay ๐ฅณ I thought for this lovely July 2 I'd treat myself to a new chapter (which I had to write, so is it really a present lmfaoo??) anyway!!! Things have been pretty hectic on my end and I've disappeared both here and from my AO3. I'm not gonna lie, I was feeling pretty demotivated! BUT I really wanted to get a chapter out for at least one of my fics for my birthday.๐ฅบ
โข โยฐโง๏ธก ๐ผ๐: light angst, jealousy, insecurity, mention of past sexual relationship, fluff. [modern au]
โข โยฐโง๏ธก ๐บ/๐: I've always found smau interesting and I love reading them, but this time, for the first time, I'm doing one myself. Hope you enjoy it.โก
AO3 Comments are SO SO SOOOOOOO important because you can only leave Kudos ONCE. You add to the hit count ONCE (every 24 hours).
So whenever someone updates their fic, the ONLY way an author knows who their regular readers are is if they comment on each chapter. And we WANT to know who's still reading.
Believe it or not, some of us think about the name that pops up constantly in the comments and go "omg I can't wait to see what they think of THIS SPECIFIC SCENE cuz I KNOW they'll say something about it!!!"
origamiaround
blakekathryn
janainaart
turnnoffyourmind
gummygunk
pixelskylines
andulkaphoto