It was impossible to escape the ads. Really, it was. Everywhere he looked. there were ads; ads for what was apparently deemed, “the greatest show on earth!”
‘Tch, greatest show on earth my ass,’ the boy thought, ‘Sounds like a waste of time, if you ask me’
Of course, in his defense, it wasn’t like he had a lot of time either. After all, being the youngest CEO, at 25, in the history of the world renown Uchiha Corps. Sasuke Uchiha didn’t have time to waste on such things, for he had an international enterprise to run. Besides, even if he did have the time, he wouldn’t waste it on such childish things either. However, for whatever reason, his brother, Itachi Uchiha, a famous director, seemed to think otherwise.
*Flashback*
“Sasuke, I need a favor” said Itachi Uchiha, walking into the family estate. The man in question only glanced at him briefly from his paperwork before returning to it.
“Hn”
“I need you to take Hikari to the circus that’s in town. And before you say no, let me remind you that you owe me a favor, lest you would like me to tell mother about you missing out on the family dinners” he said. Sasuke’s eyes widened. His mother would skin him alive if she knew the truth.
“But why me? Why can’t you taker her? She is your daughter after all” Sasuke said.
“Yes, but unfortunately I have to fly out. I have an awards show and will not be able to take her. And according to the ads, this weekend is the last show. Besides, Hikari loves spending time with you” Itachi said to him. Sasuke stared his brother down. Seeing as how Itachi wasn’t letting up, he gave up and sighed,
“Fine. I’ll take Hikari” he said. Itachi smiled, knowing he would win in the end.
“Here are the tickets. They are for tomorrow afternoon at 3. The doors open at 1. Go early so that you can give her a chance to look around and buy souvenirs. Sasuke’s eyebrow twitched in slight annoyance of having to take a day off.
“Hn”
“Thanks Sasuke. Hikari will be thrilled” Itachi said, taking his leave, leaving his brother to sulk and do paperwork
*End of Flashback*
*Current Time*
The two had gotten there promptly at 1 and looked around the venue until the doors opened. While Sasuke enjoyed spending time with his young niece, he abhorred events like this.
Finally, after looking around and buying things for the past two hours, they were allowed to enter the giant arena. The seats were at the very front row. It seemed Itachi was able to use some of his connections in order to acquire such VIP seating. Before long, the arena lights began to slowly fade out as the arena floor began to light up.
From the speakers, he heard an angelic voice. The arena lights began going crazy for a few minutes until they finally stopped at the center, creating a spotlight on the person he deemed to be the ringleader.
From what he could see, the ring leader was tiny, ‘maybe it was an unusually tiny man?’ he asked himself. He couldn’t tell. The lights making up the spotlight were all different colors, creating a dark spotlight. The lights all turned off at once, immediately replaced by an actual spotlight.
The sight before him was absolutely captivating. The ringleader, was a woman. A woman with the most exotic features he’s ever seen. This woman had the most long hair, with the strangest shade of pastel pink and the most beautiful emerald green eyes. And on her large forehead, the woman had a tiny purple diamond placed on the center of it. For some strange reason, it drew him to her forehead, making him want to...to kiss it.
Moving from her exotic features, he noticed her costume. She was wearing a modest black sparkly corset top with matching black pants that seemed to poof up at the bottom, strips of the same sparkle running down the sides. She wore knee high black boots and a form fitting, signature red coat that all ringleaders wore. On her head was a tall black hat, with a strip of the black sparkles and a baton thing that she proudly leaned on. Letting the screams die down a bit, she spoke to the audience,
“Come one, come all, to the greatest show on earth! That’s right ladies and gentlemen, girls and boys, I’m talking about the one, the only, Fire Leaf Circus!” The screams around the arena were simply ear deafening.
Next to him, he noticed his niece screaming in glee, yet her voice was all that he could focus on.
“My name is Sakura, and I am your Ringleader for this evening!” she said to the audience.Sakura, huh? It was a beautiful name, and it truly suited her appearance. For someone who truly hated things like this, he was captivated by this woman,
‘Maybe this show won’t be as bad as I thought,’ he thought to himself, smirking.
For the next hour he watched the show. To his chagrin, it wasn't’ as terrible as he thought it would be. It was rather amusing, not that he would ever show it, or admit to anyone else. He saw incredible stunts. motorcyclists that seemed to defy gravity, and acrobats that were simply out of this world. Yet the part he looked most forward to was watching the ringleader, Sakura, he reminded himself, come out and engage the audience after each segment. He struggled to remember a time where a woman caught his attention as much as this one, yet he couldn’t remember the last time he found a woman so interesting, let alone wanting to get to know her.
It wasn’t until about a half hour later where he got a closeup. She was asking for a volunteer, one that would be randomly chosen. This someone would ride with the elephants alongside the trainers. A child’s dream come true. Lost in his own thoughts, he barely noticed that his niece seemed to be the lucky volunteer. She waltzed over to them.
“Hello, sweetie, what’s your name?” She asked his niece
“Hikari Uchiha” she squealed. Sakura smiled at the young girl’s enthusiasm.
“Well Hikari, you are the lucky winner. And who are you here with today?” she asked. The girl pointed to the seat next to her and said,
“With my uncle Sasuke” she smiled. Sakura glanced over to the seat next to her, to her guardian when her breath got caught in her throat. He was gorgeous. Tall, it seemed, with the darkest hair she’s ever seen, and captivating dark eyes, A true God in her eyes. She forced herself to remain in character.
“Well, then Uncle Sasuke, how about it? Would you let Hikari be our lucky volunteer?” She asked him, trying to force herself not to drool, for it would be rather unprofessional of her, and not to mention the fact that she had an audience.
Sasuke on the other hand, had to remind himself to stay cool. She was even more beautiful up close. He merely nodded at her question and watched as she took Hikari by the hand to the elephants. He watched his niece ride the elephants around the arena, not without snapping a few pictures and videos to send to Itachi.
After about fifteen minutes, Hikari was returned with two backstge passes for meet and greets for after the show.
For the next hour and a half he was a wide array of other acts. One that stood out was the one with the animals. He saw a blonde man, about his age, with blue eyes and whiskers on his face, perform his act, which was taming lions and working with the big cats. Before he knew it, it was the end of the show and he watched as the spotlights hit the Ringleader once more, for the last time of the night.
“So, did you guys like the show?” she asked the audience. She waited for the screams to die out.
“We hope that we were able to bring a smile to you face today and that you ll enjoyed the show. Everyone here worked hard in order to create a unique, one-of-a-kind circu experience for you all. The city of Konoha was where we started and it has been an honor to perform for you all once again. We thank each and everyone of you for attending tonights show and for being such a wonderful audience! So, from my family to yours, thank you! And good night!” The screams were absolutely earth shattering as everyone from staff to performer came out and took one final bow. Sakura smiled at the support given from the audience. Taking a bow herself from her podium, she waited for the lights to fade out, not before noticing a certain face from the crown
----Backstage----
“YEEEAH!” they cheered a soon as they went backstage.They all shared a group hug for a job well done.
“That was awesome, you guys, one of our best shows yet!” exclaimed a female blonde by the name of Ino.
“That’s right, tonight was a record for sales!” said a lavender-haired woman as she hugged the blond taimer.
“Alright guys, wonderful job, everyone! However, the night’s not over yet! We still have the meet and greets in about ten minutes so, everyone put our game faces on!” she said to them. While they were all tired, they loved what they did, and performed in and out of the arena with much gusto.
“Look who’s talking forehead. We all saw that look you gave that one guy. I was about to go out there and remind you that there were kids watching” the blonde women exclaimed
“Shut-up, pig!” she growled as she left to the meet and greet area. Upon entering she was awarded with applause. No matter how long she’s done this, she always blushed. It seemed she would never quite get used to all the praise.
“Nee-san!” exclaimed a tiny voice. Sakura turned to the source of the voice, pleased to see it belonged to her tiny volunteer, and her, admittedly, drop-dead sexy uncle.
“How are you Hikari?” she asked the tiny girl, “I’m glad you and your uncle were able to make it” she said.
“It was no trouble at all” he smirked at her. He was pleased when he noticed the blush coating her cheeks. She was pulled out of her trance by the small girl in her arms,
“Nee-san! can you take a picture with me?” she asked her. Sakura smiled and nodded at the girl. Sasuke pulled out his phone to snap a picture of the two, holding her autograph in the other hand. No one would ever know what he was also taking cameo photos of the ringleader.
“Now, Uncle Sasuke, you take one with Sakura-nee-chan” she said to her uncle. Sasuke looked from his niece to Sakura, pleased to see that she was blushing.
“Um, it’s okay if he doesn’t want to, you can’t force him to-”
“-It’s fine”
“Huh?” Sakura exclaimed, the blush becoming more prominent. She looked at the gorgeous man before her. He was agreeing to it? (‘CHA!’ he inner fist pumped)
Before she knew it, she was pulled right next to the man. His arm around her shoulder, smirking to the camera, which was in the hands of one of the performers who had kindly volunteered to take the picture. TenTen, was her name, if he wasn't mistaken.
“There ya go!” she exclaimed after taking several pictures of the two and then a few with the young girl. Sasuke nodded in appreciation before taking the phone from her hands. He talked with Sakura as she led them around the backstage area to meet the other performers
“Hey, um...would you be willing to send me those pictures?” she asked the man, Sasuke, as he told her to call him. He nodded at her, hoping that she wouldn't see the miniscule blush on his cheeks.
“What’s your number?” he asked her. After writing it down on his phone, he told her that he would send them later that evening. Sakura smiled at him before stepping into a small stage area where she addressed everyone in the room
“Alright, everyone, thank you so much for joining us tonight. Unfortunately, we the backstge segment will be over in about five minutes, as to give the performers and workers time to recoooperate from tonights show. So we ask that you begin to wrap up conversations and get any last minute pictures We thank you for your cooperation,” She said as she walked back to where she was.
“I’m sorry guys, but I’m going to have to finish up here, seeing as I still have some things need to take care of before we leave for tonight,” she said to the pair.
“Don’t worry. We understand. Besides, it's getting past her bedtime and she's had a pretty busy day” he said, picking up his niece who yawned and began to doze off in his arms.
“It was a pleasure meeting you, and congratulations on a wonderful” he said to her, flashing her a small smile and turning around
“Listen, Sasuke, um...we’re still in town for the next few days,” she began, not knowing where she was going with this and not wanting to jump of herself,
“Really? Well, then. would you be interested in dinner, say tomorrow night?” he asked her. Normally he abhorred dates because women only wanted him for his looks or his money. But, it didn't seem like she was like other women. And for some reason he wanted to take this chance.
“Sure!” she exclaimed. His heart thumped erratically at her smile.
“Great, i’ll text you the details” he said as he turned around and left. Sitting in his car after placing Hikari in her set, he looked through the pictures. One picture of the two stood out to him. It was of the two next to each other, his arm around her shoulders. A fierce blush on her cheeks as she smiled at the camera while he smirked at it.
A few touches later, the picture was now the wallpaper on his phone.
[Aoda plush o(〃＾▽＾〃)o I combined these two days because when I thought of a carnival it made me think of festival games and prizes! I was too late to post this for Tanabata, but oh well... I hope you can forgive me! Please take care!]
“hm,” sakura hums as she taps her chin. she looks down at the list with a furrowed brow, only looking up when someone excuses themselves in their attempts to pass by. “we can get most fruits and vegetable from the stands. i like those best.”
sarada purses her lips and tries to balance herself on the heels of her boots, arms crossed behind her as she looks around. next to her, sasuke stands with his hand stuffed in the pocket of his nin-pants, hair pulled back and his attention on her.
“mama’s always like this,” she whispers to him.
sasuke tilts to the side, bending down a bit to pay closer attention to her. “yeah,” he agrees, “i know. she takes a long time.”
“exactly!” sarada stops and spares her mother a glance before returning to look at him. “it’s worse when she bumps into someone she knows.”
“the worst.” sasuke nods, hoping this will not be the case today. it’s a little passed noon on thursday and despite the market street being busy, it’s died down since most have already done their shopping during the early morning.
“alright!” sakura turns to them, a big smile on her lips that slowly begins to shrink at the sight of them leaning close to each other, hands covering their mouths so no one will read their lips as they whisper and hiss to one another. “hey, hey, hey! what’s this? a conspiracy?”
“mama,” sarada turns to her. “papa and i will pick out the tomatoes!”
sakura blinks at them, her green eyes slowly turning to sasuke who spares her a little smirk before sarada drags him away.
/
at her huff, sasuke pauses from his sweeping and turns to her, an eyebrow raised.
his daughter is far too similar to her mother. that temper will make shinobi run, in a near future. but for now, she stands in front of the sink, wearing green rubber gloves and glaring at the water drops peppering the lens of her glasses.
“is something wrong?”
“we should be doing fun stuff,” she says, “not chores! w-we should be... we should be booking an appointment with a photographer and--”
“a photographer?”
she blushes at his question and looks back down at the dishes she’s to scrub. she shifts her weight from one leg to the other, letting out a soft sigh. “i... everyone else... has a family picture with their moms and dads...”
sasuke furrows his brow, presses his lips together and looks away. sakura stands by the hallway, the basket with their dirty, tattered clothes against her hip. she mirrors his expression, showing more sadness than he can ever allow himself to.
“so i figured... we could do that,” sarada shrugs, refuses to look back to him. “since i know you’re going to leave again.... soon. and it’s already friday...”
sakura is the first to move and at the soft pat-pat-patting of her footsteps, sarada turns to look at them over her shoulders, her expression carefully blank. it appears she is far too similar to her father, as well, sasuke notes with minor amusement.
“i’m going to add these to the washer,” sakura says. “then i will make some phone calls.”
/
on saturday, sasuke takes his daughter to a familiar dock and a familiar lake.
in his chest is a dull throb, like sweet tooth. bitter, in the fact that it’s both a good and bad feeling; that it brings him both melancholy and contentment. but it’s dull, the ache, so he ignores it and concentrates on the way sarada walks next to him, observing her surroundings.
her hair just barely grazes her shoulders and the uchiha fan has never looked so lovely as it proudly rests at the center of her back. a part of him thinks of what he’s doing; how he’s bringing the clan’s future where the clan’s past had once been.
a full circle, sakura would say.
“what’re we doing here?” she asks and looks up at him.
sasuke does not respond, just guides her until they reach the edge. he takes a seat, observing how the soles of his boots are a mere inch away from dipping into the lake’s surface. sarada stands next to him for a second before she carefully sits down as well.
“i used to sit here,” he tells her, “after i was left alone.”
sarada studies him, dark eyes sharp behind her glasses. she doesn’t ask what he means by that but she shows she understands. even after all these years, the massacre is still in the wind, whispering its tragedy and dripping its blood into the ears of the new generation.
“before that,” he goes on, eye squinted as he looks ahead at the scenery in front of them. “here is where i would practice my gōkakyū so i could show my father.”
“why?”
sasuke tilts his head. he thinks of that stern face, never once growing hazy despite how long it’s been since he last saw it. those sharp eyes. that scowl. and the pride; never directed towards him. not until it was too late. he discreetly shakes his head, exhales and says, “it’s... becoming of an uchiha to have the most brilliant flames. it’s part of our clan.”
silence falls around them and they merely sit, enjoying each other’s company. the water below sings a soft melody and the fireflies buzz by. there are ducks at the other side of the lake and sasuke watches as they waddle near the shore.
“i...” she furrows her brow, looks down at her hands as they rest on her lap, fingers playing with the edge of her shorts. “i.... papa....” she looks back up at him, her expression determined. “i want to learn.”
/
sakura finds them just as sasuke lets fire out of his mouth. the ball of flames is enormous and wild and the wind picks up speed at the disturbance. she narrows her eyes as she moves closer, one of her hands up and near her face to keep her hair away.
“wow!” sarada gasps. “it’s like what you did to those shins! it’s so cool!”
sasuke looks down at her, his expression calm and serene.
“i... want to try now.” sarada looks up at him again and gives a confident nod.
she gets into a stance and sasuke helps her adjust, moving her leg this way, bending her knee like this, straightening her back.
“alright,” he says, once satisfied with her posture. “do these seals.”
tiger.
ram.
monkey.
boar.
horse.
tiger.
sakura watches sarada’s spine bend back as she inhales air before she moves forward to let out flames. when she does so, it’s feeble and slow and it does not last long.
she presses her lips together, her attention turning to her husband who looks down at their daughter, his expression hidden behind his forelocks. there is no movement for a minute but when he shifts, its to place a hand at the top of her head, his fingers quickly tangling in her dark hair.
“we’ll work on it,” he tells her.
sarada looks annoyed with herself but her shoulders square with determination, inclining her head in a nod of agreement.
as expected of his daughter, sakura bets.
/
sunday finds sasuke sitting on the edge of their bed, watching as his wife moves from one end of the room to the other. her khaki pants are unbuttoned, red qipao unzipped, the unattached ends flapping from side to side as she walks to the messy vanity in the corner.
“maybe these,” he hears her murmur.
she tilts her head to the side, fidgets around, then does the same to the other side. she continues to rummage around, lifting and dropping things before she turns around and sets her green eyes on him.
sasuke looks down at himself, observing his dark nin-pants, his long-sleeved shirt and his white vest. is this not what he should be wearing? is he supposed to wear something more... elegant?
“sasuke-kun?” she stops right in front of him and his eyes linger on her exposed stomach for just a second before he slowly lifts his attention up to her face.
“yes?”
“how do these look?” she asks as she lifts both her hands up and moves her pink hair away, tucking the strands behind her ears. sasuke stares at the pearl earrings decorating her ears, remembering them from when they’d traveled together, long ago.
if she lets go of her hair, it’d fall back into place, covering her ears. annoying woman, he thinks as he stands up and looms over her.
“sakura,” he murmurs, lifting his hand up and beginning to take her earrings off. “you won’t even be able to see them. your hair covers them.”
“but--”
“you look fine,” he says, letting his hand hover in between them, the pearl earrings resting on his palm. “with and without them.”
her cheekbones are a dusty pink as she looks up at him, her smaller hand hovering over his as she picks the earrings up. “i...”
“now,” sasuke continues, taking a step closer and grabbing both ends of her qipao. with nimble fingers, he inserts the pin into the slider, slowly dragging it up. “you should hurry,” he says, his mismatched eyes locked with hers. he fixes her collar before his hand travels back down, under the end of her shirt and finds the unzipped and unbuttoned front of her pants. “or your daughter is going to grow impatient.”
“sasuke-kun,” she whispers, eyelashes fluttering as she closes her eyes. “stop being such a--”
“shhh.” he pulls the zipper up, his fingers dragging against her. “less talking, more getting ready.” he buttons her pants up, fixing her waistband before he drops his hand back to his side.
inhaling sharply, sakura opens her eyes and stares at him, lips slightly parted. “you are such a tease.”
“hm,” he hums, pulling away from her just as the door to their bedroom is opened.
“mama?”
“sarada!” sakura turns to her, her brow furrowed and a small frown on her lips. “you knock before you open a door!”
“sorry, mama,” sarada yelps, hunching her shoulders and not letting go of the doorknob. “i just wanted to say that the photographer is here.”
“is he?” sakura inhales sharply and begins to adjust her clothes, finger-combs her hair and avoids his stare. “alright, well. let’s go greet him, then.”
/
the photographer tries to shake her papa’s hand and he stares at it for a few seconds before her mama discreetly elbows him to take it.
sarada stares at the man, thick-lensed glasses and grayish black hair. he brings in a tripod, his camera around his neck by a leather strap. he mutters to himself under his breath as he sets up and sarada slowly makes her way to stand near her parents.
there is something forming in the center of her chest, a feeling that’s started off tiny and has been growing and growing. healthily as its being fed the back to back experiences of being a complete family.
sarada feels it grow when she catches papa looking at her. when her mama and papa are quietly talking to each other. when she walks into the kitchen in the morning and papa is reading the newspaper as he waits for breakfast to cook up, murmuring that mama is in the shower and will be out soon.
she fears that, at any moment, there won’t be any more space for it, this inexplicable feeling. she’ll blow up from the inside out, at this rate.
still she smiles at them, links her arm around her mama’s and quietly waits.
it isn’t long, though. the photographer adjusts his glasses and looks up at them, a smile that makes his wrinkled face look weird, big cheeks wobbling at the movements of his face muscles.
“what a lovely family,” he coos and moves closer. “the small ones are always the loveliest. here, here,” he places a hand on her papa’s arm and pulls him to a certain place. he then grabs mama and does the same until she stands next to papa, their arms touching.
and then he places his hands on her shoulders and guides her until she stands in between them. sarada looks up at him, follows his movements until he stands on the other side of the camera, his arms up and his hands making a square as if to measure their position.
“perfect,” he happily sighs. “alright! get ready!”
sarada feels her mama’s hands as they come to rest on her shoulders. she’s in front of papa’s armless side so he doesn’t touch her, but he moves closer until she feels warm and safe.
with this, sarada stares right at the camera and smiles.
/
sasuke easily dodges the kick. he twists on the heel of his right foot and ducks to avoid the punch coming his way. he stands back to his full height, blinking his forelocks out of his eyes and observing his daughter as she huffs and glares right across from him.
it’s a sunny monday morning and the sun is far too friendly on their skin as it makes its way through the spaces in between the branches and the leaves.
“you’re being too impatient,” he tells her. “relax and study your opponent.”
“i am!”
sasuke hums and slowly begins to circle her. sarada’s eyes go wide for a fraction of a second before she starts mimicking him, her steps just as slow and her attention just as sharp. she raises her hands up in front of her, curled into fists and positioned to strike.
“then why was i able to dodge your assault?” he questions, quietly approving of her stance and movements. “and why were you not able to catch my dodging before i did it?”
“i aimed a punch at your face, didn’t i!”
“yes,” he agrees, “and you missed.”
“papa!” she stomps a foot and though the ground cracks and shakes, there is no crater. sasuke eyes the cracks, follows them until they disappear before he looks up at her again.
“interesting,” he murmurs. “alright.” he begins to bend his knees, his arm positioned to attack from the front, the left or the back. “let’s spar for real now.”
“heh,” she scoffs, a smirk twisting her features. “i can beat you and your one hand easily.”
sasuke’s eyebrows slowly begin to rise up, his lips stretching into a slow and amused smile. “you’re a cocky little bird, aren’t you?”
“here,” she begins with a growl before it grows louder, “i come!”
he jumps out of the way, jumping up to a low branch where he stares at the small crater on the ground and his daughter coming after him, ready for the rest of her assault.
/
“w-what am i doing wrong?” she asks, turning towards him and flinching at the ache around her mouth. she’s heaving as she tries to regain her breath, sweat on her forehead and scratches and bruises peppering her body.
sasuke stuffs his hand into the pocket of his nin-pants and turns towards the front, where the water still tries to calm down from sarada’s still small and still feeble fireball. “nothing.”
“then why isn’t it coming out like yours?”
“well,” he says and takes a step back. “you have to continue to practice.”
“papa, how long did you practice before you got it right?”
“a long time,” he admits, nudging his chin forward. “go on. try it again.”
/
they spar and practice well into tuesday. sakura helps in setting up the bullseye on the trees in a similar fashion that his brother used to. he demonstrates to them, this time--much older, much wiser, much more talented--he makes every single one.
sakura is no different, save for one that’s a little more into the white ring than the dead center.
sarada, though, needs practice.
both he and his wife watch her try and try again. they stand close to each other, their arms touching, the back of their palms pressed together.
sasuke’s going to leave in two days and one night. he needs to continue his mission, finish it once and for all and come back home for good. he tilts his head and stares at sakura’s profile, the way it still shows her pride in watching their daughter struggle her way to perfection.
he doesn’t think he has it in him to leave again, after this. so he has to do it; finish his mission and come back, spend the rest of his days with his family, watch sarada bring so much good to this blooming clan.
/
come wednesday, he and his family decide to stay in.
in the week he’s been home they’ve caught up on everything they’ve missed because of his absence; he’s taken them out to dinner, they’ve cooked and cleaned together and... he watches as sarada helps pack his weapon pouch, a pout on her lips. he’s formed a bond stronger than he’d ever imagined with his daughter.
“do you really have to go?” she asks for the fourth time that day.
“yes,” he tells her, grabbing his katana and slowly pulling it out to inspect its sharp edge. “i’m... the only one--”
“that can,” she replies, looking up at him. “i know... but i wish... i don’t... i was just getting the right words--the right name to call the feeling in my chest.”
sasuke swallows as he watches her finger a shuriken. sakura appears from the hallway, his pack, with a change of clothes and an extra cloak, in her hands.
“it reminds me of a memory,” sarada says, lifting a hand up to press it against her chest. “of when mama and i were walking down the streets. everything’s filled with colors like all carnivals--like, like tanabata. it was tanabata. and it... i was so happy.”
he turns to sakura who’s staring at their daughter with a soft expression.
“i don’t think i was ever that happy, after that. mama looked so pretty and i felt pretty. i played with grandmama and grandpapa and aunt ino helped me write my wishes because i didnt want mama to know about them. i was so happy... and... and that’s how... i have felt... this week. with you.”
she looks up at them, a smile on her lips. “like everyday was a carnival. and when you leave... we’ll be so lonely.” she slowly packs up the shuriken she’d been using. “mama and i will still have each other but without you...” she sucks in air. “you won’t see the picture when it gets delivered... and...”
sakura’s hand finds his, behind one of the cushions decorating the couch. she squeezes it and sasuke swallows hard as he listens to her every word.
“but... i guess i understand.” her hand finds her chest, again, presses against the side where her heart is. “because we... are connected...”
“yes,” he agrees, giving a curt nod, blinking his forelocks away from his eyes. “we are.”
“and we are very important to papa,” sarada says, “mama and me.”
“yes,” he says, his hold on sakura’s hand tightening. “you are.”
sarada’s attention turns to sakura and they both stare at each other for a long moment, holding a conversation he can’t understand. a bond much different to theirs, to his and sakura’s, to theirs as a family of three.
“okay,” she says, turning back to him, her smile much wider. “then... today... we’ll make today... a carnival.”
“yes,” he agrees for the third time. “we will.”
/
the night before he leaves, sasuke wraps his arm around his wife, concentrates on the alignment of his body against hers, the pressure of her cheek against his chest, her arms snaked around him, hands pressed against the bones of his shoulder blades.
he closes his eyes, inhales the scent of apples and reminds himself this sacrifice has always been for them.
ss month: day three prompt: carnival note: late because i'm not a weekend writer. -x- "Sakura, this isn't necessary." She gives him that look, the one where sea green eyes flash with determination and one raised pink eyebrow demonstrates scorn more perfectly than all his scowls and one word answers put together. Haruno Sakura lifts the weighted mallet with ease, hefting it over her shoulder as she stares her boyfriend down. Sasuke knows better than to challenge her when she's got her mind set on something, so he shrugs and takes a step back. Pink lips form a wicked grin as she gives the hammer an experimental swing, a small crowd now gathering to watch the petite girl make a fool of herself at the high striker game. Sasuke folds his arms over his chest and smirks to himself. The boys around them snicker and make jokes about the tiny pink-haired girl holding a mallet half the size she is, but Sasuke knows that his girlfriend could take any one of them on, one-on-one or otherwise. She pays them no mind as she adjusts her grip on the handle, readying her posture to swing. Ignoring the jeers around her, Sakura glances behind her and catches Sasuke's eye. He nods and she grins back. Turning back to the game, she lets loose her warcry. "SHANNAROOOO!!!" With an almighty swing, she brings the hammer crashing down on the small spring-loaded lever, causing the puck to skyrocket upward with great force. It soars to the top of the tower and strikes the bell, a loud, clear chime echoing throughout the crowd. There is a stunned silence from the crowd, followed by deafening cheers. The more insecure boys in the crowd shuffle around sheepishly before disappearing. With a smug grin, Sakura approaches the game attendant and points expectantly at her prize, the largest of the bunch. Sufficiently impressed, he hands it over without argument. Pleased with herself, she accepts it and skips back to where Sasuke is standing. He shakes his head in amusement as she presents him with her trophy. "Won this for you, babe." Sakura winks at him slyly, blowing him a kiss as he stares bemusedly at the large stuffed animal. Sasuke knows she knows that he'll keep it proudly on display in his bedroom, so he accepts it with a grateful hn. Her brilliant smile is completely worth it, so as they wander off he threads the fingers of his free hand through hers, and with the other holds tightly to his new stuffed green dinosaur.
SasuSaku Month 2015
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Day 3- Carnival
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Title: You Are Coming With Me
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Summary: when the Uchiha is still recovering himself from the war, a certain girl decides to kidnap him from his room. There is a carnival outside, after all…
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Notes: I had this idea a looong time ago when I watched one of the anime fillers and Sakura actually says that she will kidnap Sasuke so they can watch the fireworks together (and they do… ❤️). I loved the idea so much and, when I saw this opportunity, I couldn’t waste it! I hope you enjoy it!
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Konoha was surely a wonderful place whenever the carnival was in the village. It was also a wonderful place during the rest of the year too but, when the streets were colorfully decorated and all the lights were on and everyone was happily walking around, then the hidden Leaf certainly became something more than simply wonderful. It became magical. It became welcoming. Being a local or a foreigner; a man or a woman; a child or an adult. Everyone could feel that. Even if you weren’t really participating, you could feel that. And you bet that, while he watched all those colors from that white hospital room, he could feel how warm the village was on that night.
Uchiha Sasuke was never into the spirit of the local parties of the village. Something as the annual carnival would never be the kind of event he would enjoy going or would even smile for. The Uchiha was a grumpy ninja and, for him, watching everything from afar, in the comfort of the blankets and with a tea in his hand, was certainly a better way of enjoying the celebrations. For him, watching was already enough. But, for her, just watching was the same as nothing.
The raven haired boy acknowledged her presence as soon as she placed her chakra focused feet on the external wall of the hospital building. He didn’t quite understand why she wasn’t using the door but, since he knew where that whole thing was going to end up, Sasuke simply sighed defeatedly. He knew she would drag him towards the carnival. He knew she would force him to go and that she would do her best to make him have a good time. But having a good time right after that war and right after that whole revolution in his way of seeing the world; didn’t seem to be the right thing. There were still a lot of things he needed to think about. To do about himself. Going to a carnival, at that moment, seemed to be nothing but a waste of time. Even if it would be a time he would spend by her side, it would still be a distraction from what he really had to do. Sasuke could not go, he knew that. But convincing his annoying teammate of that would be the hardest mission he would ever have to face.
As he was expecting, her pink haired figured emerged on his window after exact 6 seconds. His dark eyes were unaffected by her presence itself but they couldn’t help but getting impressed by how beautiful she was on that night when she first passed one leg through the hospital window frame. If that was the way she would visit him everyday, then his recovering process could last forever.
Her loosened pink locks were bathed by the dim moonlight and perfectly framing that delicate face of hers. Her seal was still proudly decorating that huge forehead of hers and those green eyes- the green eyes he loved so much- were carefully looking down so she could see where she was putting her bare foot. On her body, a dark pink yukata, decorated with the flowers that were the essence of her name and that fitted perfectly her body. Even if she was in such delicate clothes, her clumsy and unfeminine side appeared as she tried to make her way in through the window, making a part of her clothes lift and expose her legs a little up to her tights. Those legs that were also beautifully shiny due to the moonlight. Haruno Sakura was stunning at that moment. And, as soon as she looked at him, his eyes and his heart realized how much her presence did affect him. Rejecting her would certainly be difficult.
“ couldn’t you have used the door?”
“ yes…” She said, passing her other leg through the window and throwing her geta inside the room.
“ then why didn’t you?”
“ where would be the fun if I had?” She smirked, slowly tugging her bangs behind her ear.
“ hn. I’m not going to the carnival.”
She pouted. “ but I didn’t even say anything…”
“ but I know you will. Just give up… I’m not going to the carnival.”
“ … In this case…” She said, approaching his bed and sitting on the edge of it. “ I’m staying here with you.”
“ tch… This is nonsense. Go have fun with the others. They are probably waiting for you.”
“ but I want to have fun with you, Sasuke-kun… I am waiting for you.”
She looked at him with those shiny eyes of hers and the cutest expression he has ever seen. That girl likes to play dirty. And she plays really well.
“ don’t give me that face…”
“ which face, Sasuke-kun..?” She said, approaching him.
“ this face.” He said, leaning back.
“ hum… Come on… It’s carnival… We won the war and saved the world. Let’s go out and have fun….”
“ no.”
“ why not?”
“ just because.”
“ that’s not an answer.”
“ yes it is.”
“ ha! You’ve said yes!” She pointed.
“ no! I didn’t say yes for going. I said yes is an answer.”
“ …. Yes is the answer?”
“ hn, yes.”
“ and the question is come with me to the carnival.”
“ no. Tch… You’re annoying.”
“ hn, and you’re too stubborn.” She pouted. “ ahh! Come on! I’ve put on the yukata and came here just to take you with me… Are you really gonna leave a girl like me waiting? … Again?”
“…. You’ve done it by your own will and you knew my answer.”
“…. Okay then…” She said, with a sad face as she stood up. “ I was just trying to make you have a good time… You know, trying to make every day a fun day… I guess I’ll be going then… I’ll go home or I’ll go drink with Tsunade-sama until I lose my senses and meet a guy or four who will probably do something to me…” She looked at him from behind her shoulder, as she sat on the window frame. “ well… Bye Sasuke-kun… If something happens to me, tell Naruto it’s your fault for letting me go.”
The pinkette started to exit the room in slow motion as she sighed multiple times. If Sakura wasn’t such a good ninja, the life of an actress would fit her perfectly. It was convincing the Uchiha, at least. His worried and overprotective mind knew she was exaggerating a little but, deep inside, he knew that letting a girl- such a beautiful girl- like her alone in a carnival where people from the whole ninja world would be gathered; wasn’t the most clever of the things to be done. Even if no one would be crazy enough to do something with the strongest kunoichi in the world, Sasuke didn’t really want to test it. The Uchiha hated to admit that but, she had won this one.
With one defeated sigh from the boy, Sakura knew she had won.
“ you know… My doctor wouldn’t like me to leave the hospital in my conditions.”
“ I’ll talk to your doctor. I’m sure she’s going to understand… It’s carnival, after all.”
“ hn. But she’s kinda annoying, you know…” He said, standing up and reaching to the wardrobe where he had a cape.
“ you’re lucky she’s an amazing doctor, you know… And also…” She said, picking something from the outside of the window. Something that looked like a clothing itself. Sakura was surely certain he would be coming with her by the time she decided to climb that hospital.
“ she told me to give you this… Just in case you decided to come…”
“ tch… You’re impossible Sakura.”
“ hn, just go change yourself already, will you?”
As the girl kept smirking, the boy, convinced that nothing would change her mind, walked up to her, taking what she had separated for him and going to the bathroom to change. Sakura had brought him a blue yukata with some white details on the lowest part and a dark blue headband that matched his cape. His geta also had blue straps and the pinkette was sure he would look perfect in those vests. The Uchiha looked good in pretty much everything but, in that yukata she had once found in the old Uchiha compound, he would be simply stunning. And, as she had expected, he did look amazing.
When the boy came out from the bathroom, her emerald eyes couldn’t help but widening a bit. There was a blush on her cheeks and a smile was playing on her lips. Sasuke was certainly looking a lot better than when he was younger. He looked more manly. More mature. And that half exposed chest of his was certainly dragging her attention. Deep inside, Haruno Sakura was still that same fan girl as she used to be. But, this time, her older mind couldn’t help having some inappropriate thoughts. Her eyes wouldn’t simply leave him. And, of course, he noticed it.
“ what are you looking at? Didn’t I put it right?”
“ n-no… That’s not it…” She blushed harder. “ it’s just that… You’re looking really good….” She looked away, nervously tugging her hair behind her ear. The pinkette was certainly a silly girl, he knew it. And a smile couldn’t help but forming on his lips.
“ Hn, thank you for the clothes… Now, shall we?”
“ y-yes!”
Once things were ready, the duo finally exited the hospital and went to the streets to enjoy the carnival. The streets were all so full of colors and music and laughter and every one was smiling. Couples were enjoying some time alone and friends were having a lot of fun playing in the attractions. Many corridors full of food and game tents were spread around the village. There, they found many of their friends playing around the attractions and even flirting around. Naruto, for example, was surrounded by his many fan girls and, thanks to that, he couldn’t really tag along his two best friends, which, deep inside, made both of them happy to have some time alone. But none of them would ever admit so.
Just like Naruto, apparently, the Uchiha was also dragging a lot of attention towards himself. Girls were squealing every time he passed by and some of them even dared to follow them as they enjoyed the festivities. Such thing did bother Sakura a lot, but, since she had no right to be jealous or anything, the pinkette simply tried to ignore them and stay at a respectable distance from her comrade. If he wanted to try something with any girl, then she wouldn’t be the one holding him back. Even if it hurt her heart, the one thing she wanted the most was seeing him having fun. No matter what and no matter with whom, his happiness was the most important thing of the night. But, what she didn’t know, was that the only girl who could make him happy was the one standing by his side. No other girl would ever matter to him.
“ Sakura, do you wanna eat something?”
“ me? No… I’m fine. If you’re hungry, then I’ll wait right here.”
“ hn. I’ll be right back.”
As he went to wait in line, her emeralds watched as some girls tried to gather enough courage to talk to him. Most of them didn’t really make it but, out of so many, one of them did make it and, for some reason the pinkette didn’t understand, the Uchiha pointed at her while talking to that fan girl. Was she asking about her? Definitely no. Was he saying that he was accompanied on that night? Definitely yes. But Sakura wouldn’t know about that.
After the girl went away and the boy returned with two dangos in his hands, Sakura curiously asked him about what had happened, but, as expected, he didn’t answer at all. He simply smirked and handled her the dango just like he and his brother liked to share when he was younger. It was certainly something he felt nostalgia whenever those festivals were in the village.
“ thank you…”
“ hn.”
“ aren’t you really gonna tell me what those girls wanted from you and why you pointed towards me?”
“ it was nothing important.” He said, eating the dango.
“ liar.”
“ hn.” He smirked, finishing his food. “ let’s go enjoy the other attractions.”
“ don’t change subject, Sasuke!”
“ stop being so annoying. Let’s go. I’m gonna win you a prize.”
The reason behind that strange girl, suddenly, became insignificant for Sakura. Wining a prize, and wining it from Uchiha Sasuke, was definitely more important than any kind of information that someone may have asked about her. She wanted to see what he would choose and she wanted to see how much effort he would put on it. She wanted to see if he was going to have fun. And, if he did, it would have been the best prize he could ever win for her.
Passing through many attractions that required both arms to be played, the grumpy Uchiha finally found one where he could participate like everyone else. It was a game that consisted in using a hammer to hit a wooden platform with a spring that would make a metal thing go up according to the strength used. If the Uchiha was strong enough, the metal thing would hit the bell. If not, then he would surely have to be contented with a consolation prize. And he would be incredibly angry if that happened.
The one in charge for the attraction was a handsome boy with blue eyes and dark hair that didn’t seem to stop looking at the pinkette. As he held the hammer, he certainly didn’t care about the Uchiha at all. It was almost as if he wasn’t there and wasn’t giving him the deadliest glare he had ever received. Ignoring that glare was certainly a mistake. But that boy didn’t know about that yet.
“ so, cutie… Wanna try?”
“ actually no… I can’t play with this or else I’ll break it.”
“ oh, don’t say that.. Or else you’ll break my heart.”
Sasuke was about to break his face but he certainly didn’t know about that yet.
“ well, I think my… Friend wants to try it. Why don’t you give him the hammer.”
“ as you wish, Princess.”
The Haruno girl felt disgusted and didn’t mind expressing that on her face when the boy finally turned to face Sasuke. A cold shiver ran down his spine when he first saw the black pearls of the Uchiha but, after finally handling the ninja the hammer, the blue eyed boy wisely took some steps back. There was something telling him that, instead of hitting the platform, the raven haired boy was about to hit his head. And, indeed, the idea crossed her mind.
With the hammer finally in his hands, and after giving Sakura one last cocky smirk, Sasuke hit the platform. The Uchiha made all of the pose and did his best to impress her but, due to how he was still not used to use his right arm, the metal thing barely reached the half way through the bell. At that moment, all his Uchiha pride fell to the ground. How come he was still so weak that he couldn’t even win a child’s game!? And in front of Sakura!? It certainly infuriated him in a manner no one could imagine. He, the last Uchiha, the one who had the Rinnegan, the one who saved the earth and inherited the powers of the six paths sage; couldn’t make that bell ring. Something was really wrong. But he certainly wasn’t going to give up that easily.
Seven were the times he tried again and seven were the times the bell didn’t ring. His sharingan was already activated and even the blue eyed boy had already used all of his cheap talk on the girl. None of them worked and, eventually, he gave up. But Sasuke surely hadn’t. He was going to make it. No matter what, he was going to win the biggest prize for the girl.
As in a last resort, the short tempered boy finally activated his Susano'o ’s arm and, indeed, the bell rang. It rang and, consequently, flew away meters away from there. The attraction was, indeed, ruined, but that smirk on his face showed everyone he had regained his place and, of course, he had won the girl the prize he had promised her. That blue eyed boy wouldn’t dare saying no to the Uchiha after what he had just seen. No one would. Once the possible prizes were shown to the raven haired boy, he took some time to finally choose the right stuffed animal. Sasuke gave her a big panda that had both of his ears black. It was certainly the cutest and the biggest stuffed animal she had ever won. And, for sure, Sakura would keep it forever.
“ thank you, Sasuke-kun! It’s so lovely!”
“ hn… Maybe I should have given you a gorilla…” He smirked and she glares at him. “ it would fit you better.”
“ in this case I should have given you a duck. It would match your hair.”
She smirked back and he simply looked away from her with a pout on his face. Still, from the corner of his eyes, he saw as the pinkette smiled and hugged that panda tightly. Apparently she did like it a lot and seeing that smile of hers and knowing he had been the cause of it, was simply priceless. The smile that appeared on his own face was the best confirmation that, in that carnival night, Sasuke Uchiha had had fun. By the time he won the panda for her, he realized that he had had fun almost as much as she had. That carnival was certainly amazing. And it still wasn’t over. The grand finale was about to arrive.
“ attention! Attention, everyone! The firework show is about to begin! Find a good place and enjoy the end of this amazing night!”
After the signal was given, all the people that were walking around the carnival tents, changed their routes and went towards the river where the fireworks would be released. The Uchiha himself didn’t like that part of the festivals that much and he didn’t really mind not watching it. But, since he knew his pink haired teammate loved that part, Sasuke decided to make an effort and go watch it with her. Sakura deserved, after all.
The raven haired boy has known about that fact about the girl ever since they were young and watched their first firework show together. They were near the beach and they were all alone in that night that closed the summer. He remembered the smile on her face and the blush in her cheeks and the happiness in her voice every time another glittering flower exploded in the skies. Sakura was also really beautiful in that night years before and, looking back on what they have gone through, the Uchiha couldn’t understand how he even had the courage to hold her neck with his bare hand. He couldn’t understand how much of a bastard he had been towards the only one who truly loved him at that time. He really deserved to be hatted by the pinkette. But, fortunately, her heart still belonged to him. And, in order to make that heart a little happier, taking her to watch the fireworks was the least he could do.
“ … Let’s go.”
“ uh? Where?”
“ the fireworks… Let’s go watch them.”
“ what? But you don’t even like them, Sasuke-kun…”
“ but you do.”
She blushed.
“ y-yeah but… You don’t have to do it for me. I already forced you to come and… It wouldn’t be fair if I made you watch the fireworks too.”
“ tch, don’t be an idiot. If I’m here it’s because I wanted to. And if I am inviting you to watch the fireworks, it’s because I want to watch them with you, got it?”
Her emerald eyes widened and the blush in her cheeks became a lot darker. Had he really just said that? Were they really going to watch the fireworks together like before? It all seemed like a dream for her. A dream from which she didn’t want to wake up. It was Uchiha Sasuke and fireworks a after all. It had been years since they had gone together and years since she wanted to repeat that thing. A perfect mix for the perfect night. A night that she would never forget. And, hopefully, neither would he.
Some seconds later, when the Uchiha finally realized what he had just said, a blush also covered his cheeks as he looked away. Maybe using those words had been a little too much for him and he should have thought a little more before having done so. Still, what was said was already said and, as expected, it worked.
“… Fine. I would love to go watch them with you…”
“ hn, then let’s go find a place… It’s gonna be hard finding a good one but…”
“ don’t worry, I have a good place to go.”
“ uh? Where?”
“ come on, I’ll take you!”
Holding a big smile on that blushing face of hers, the pinkette, using her free hand, held his and together they jumped through all the buildings of the village. They went to the highest place of Konoha and made sure to stop only when they reached the rock head of their sensei. The Hokages’ monuments was certainly the best spot to watch the fireworks show and the Uchiha was amazed by how he had never tried it before. The lights felt really close and the whole feeling was a lot better. A lot warmer. Specially on his right hand where hers could still be found Apparently she had forgotten to let it go. And the boy didn’t mind it at all.
“ we’ve arrived right on time!”
“ hn. The show is about to start, right?”
“ yes… Thank you for coming with me… I usually come here alone every year and… It’s really good to have some company.”
“ alone? What about Naruto? What about your friends?”
“… I never really came with them here… Not even with Naruto… I guess you can say it’s my special place.”
“ and is it okay for me to be here?”
“ of course, silly.” She chuckled. “ it’s… It’s fine.”
The serene expression is her eyes as she looked at the skies made his heart clench inside. It was supposed to be a happy moment. It was supposed to be a moment without sadness. But he just couldn’t help but to feel guilty about the time she had to watch the fireworks alone. Imagining her sitting on those heads all alone was too painful for him. It was all his fault and all that he could ever say was a simple sorry. She deserved more than that. She deserved better than him.
“ Sakura… I’m really sorry…”
“ uh? About what, Sasuke-kun?”
“ about… Leaving you alone for all these years and…” He held her hand tighter. “for trying to k-”
“ don’t… Don’t continue. I already told you it’s fine, didn’t I?”
“ tch, I know you did but is it really okay? Is it really okay for me to be here at your special place or to walk around with you or to even hold your hand?”
At that moment, the boy was about to release his grip when she held it tighter. She didn’t want to let go. She didn’t want to let him go. Not again. Of course she had felt terribly bad after everything that had happened between them but she knew it just wasn’t him. It couldn’t be him. And, because of that, her heart just couldn’t hate him. She couldn’t hate the one she loves. She never would be able to.
“ I already told you it’s okay…”
“ no it isn’-”
“ it is! Can’t you see that!? I don’t blame you for that! I don’t blame you for anything… I blame myself for not being able to save you or giving you a good life… I blame myself for not being strong enough!” The tears started to pool on her eyes. “ Sasuke-kun… I could never hate you. I-I could… Never hate you…”
At that moment, Sakura gave in and started to cry. She bent her head down and he watched closely as those salty tears streamed down her face. Once again he was making her cry. Once again she was suffering because of him. Even if she said she could never hate him and that she was the one to be blamed, how could he believe her? How could he not with to be hated by her? Things would be a lot easier if she did. Things would only be natural if she did. Still, she didn’t and never would. That girl was, for sure, too stupid to be a ninja. And he was happy for that. He really was. But he couldn’t let her keep going like that. If he couldn’t make her hate him or give up on her feelings, then, Sasuke knew, it was time to, finally, let her in and accept everything she had to offer.
For their hands were still together, it was easier for the boy to pull her closer to him. Her head fell on his chest and, with all of the confidence in the world, he tightened his grip on her hand, making her feel safe in his arm. Making her feel at home by his side.
“ stop crying…”
“B-But, Sasuke-kun, I-I… I couldn’t make yo-”
“ happy? Hn… Believe me, you have… Taking me back and taking care of me… Annoying me every day and forcing me to have fun… Sakura, you have made me happy.”
“ B-But-”
“ no buts…” He sighed. “ look, you once told me you would make every day a happy day if I were to stay with you… You’ve promised me that… Are you still up for this challenge?”
“ w-what does it mean?”
“ do you still think you can make my days happier… If I were to stay by your side?”
“ I-I don’t know anymore…” She cried harder.
“ I do… If that girl back then believed she could… Then why can’t you still believe it…? I do believe it…”
“Sa-Sasuke-kun…” She hugged him tighter. “ I-I’ll try… I promise I will!”
“ hn… Good… Now…” The first firework, finally, climbed the skies. “ let’s enjoy the show, okay?”
“ o-okay…”
With a more relaxed body, the pinkette finally lifted her head from his chest. Her whole self was still leaning against him and their hands were still comfortably together. Sasuke and Sakura were truly okay after they were finally able to understand each other’s feeling and guilts. They knew what was going on inside each other’s heads and, for the first time in years, they knew what to do about that pain. They knew what to do to make the days happier. Just like a carnival, their lives would be full of joy. Every day would be fun. And that was, truly, a promise.
Summary: With her three sizes too big Batman T-shirt, dark jeans ripped slightly at the knees and ratty old Chuck Taylor’s, she looked stunning in his opinion
Rating: T-M
Disclaimer: I don’t own Naruto
Also available: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11352624/1/What-Love-Is
“Aren’t they beautiful, Sasuke?” He hears the woman beside him whisper in awe before shifting in a more comfortable position on the grass as they lay on their backs, side by side, watching the colorful fireworks and bright stars light up the sky above them.
He turned his head to look at her, shifting his weight to one side, leaning on his left elbow. his gaze traveled from her messy pale pink locks that covered half of her face to the freckles decorating her cheeks and to the smile that brightened everyone’s day. He felt one of his lips curl up into a smirk at the sight of her, completely fascinated by the showers of light around them.
“Yeah,"he murmurs, still taking the sight of her in.
With her three sizes too big Batman T-shirt, dark wash jeans that were ripped slightly at the knees and ratty old Chuck Taylor’s, she looked stunning he thought, almost smiling at the sight of her the way she was. Keyword, almost.
"Why are you staring at me like that?”
He snapped out of his trance and met the emerald gaze of Haruno Sakura. His mouth instantly went dry. Not knowing what to say to her, he licked his lips nervously before responding to her question.
“I-I…uh…there was something on your face,” He could tell that she knew he was lying by the way she rolled her eyes and muttered a “yeah right” under her breath before looking back up to see the last of the fireworks finishing up. When she starts thanking him for coming he tells her that how could he refuse when she offered him free beer on the Fourth of July, though they both know that that’s not the reason and that’s the more to it.
“But seriously, it was amazing,”
“Like you,” he murmurs, just loud enough so she could hear it faintly. The response he gets shocks him, as she turns around to face him with a breathtaking smile and holds out her hand.
“There’s a lot of holes up ahead, I’ll die before I get this shirt ruined,” He accepts her hand and holds it tightly as they walk up the trail and to the place Sasuke had parked his car, saving her from tripping over a wooden log along the way. She had sheepishly smiled at him, slightly embarrassed at how much of a klutz she could be.
When they were in his car and he had backed out of the parking lot, she looked at him with a smile and told him that she was thankful that she asked him out of all people. In return he flashed her something in between a smirk and a smile. He wanted to tell her how thankful he was that she asked him, but some things were understood without saying a word.
