Chapter Twenty-One_
"Moths and Morons"

Sasuke turned towards her, the snow beneath his feet making a crunch.
"Sakura," he alisema again, his hand finding hers—removing her hold on him. "I," he paused, his eyes fixated on the small hand now in his. His throat suddenly felt tight as he wrapped his fingers around her hand.
A wry laugh escaped his lips.
"It's getting cold and the snow's picking up. We should go inside."
"You're not going to tell me what's bothering you," alisema Sakura, a statement of fact—not a swali au a plea because she knew him, he realized, she knows him.
"Come on," he alisema with a slight tug on her arm before he let it go and stuffed his hands in his pockets.
This wasn't her home, Oto wasn't her village. She was a Konoha kunoichi. She had a life there, friends, and family. His life was here in Oto. He was stupid to hope for even a sekunde that things could be different.
He was stupid and foolish, he concluded as he walked up the porch steps and into the house.
Did he really think he'd be able to simply ignore his feelings for Sakura for an entire year? Hell, he hadn't even lasted two months before the upendo he thought he'd buried resurfaced.
Glancing at Sakura, he quickly forced his eyes away. He was doing it again. He was torturing himself with something he could never have.
Sakura. Annoying and childish Sakura. The girl who never gave up on him. Why couldn't she just see he wasn't worth it? Why couldn't she have continued to be that brash woman who punched him in the face back at Konoha? Maybe if she held onto that hostility, he could've continued to avoid her—to justify avoiding her when all along he knew, he knew.
Every siku she was here, he could see it. He could tell how she seemed to be finding her way back to him.
Like a nondo to a flame—stupid burning moth.
It had all started when she cooked that dinner. He hoped his rejection would fuel her anger at him, would rekindle that fury. It didn't. Why? Why did she feel the need to rebuild whatever he had broken seven years ago?
Most of all though, why had he let her?
When she asked why he'd taken control of Oto, he could've lied, he could've told her he wanted the title, the power of being in control. When she asked why he brought her there, why he picked her, he should've alisema it was because he knew she would come back—she always came back. When she showed up that night in his office, he should've told her to leave, that he didn't want her there.
Could've, should've, would've, but didn't.
In the end, Sasuke realized he wouldn't be able to stand it if she hated him. Ever since he saw the anger in her eyes after she'd punched him, he knew he wouldn't be able to live with himself if the one person he thought would always upendo him didn't.
He was a stupid naïve fool. That was all there was to it. Somewhere in the back of his mind he had wanted this all along. He had wanted her to come back to him, to prove that he wasn't evil.
He wanted her love.
Unfortunately for Uchiha Sasuke, nothing ever seemed to work out the way he wanted.
Stupid.
Naïve.
Fool.


Chapter Twenty-two_
"Body Heat"

Sasuke's eyes snapped open the very sekunde the power went out.
After coming inside that afternoon, he told Sakura he needed to be alone and went to his room. It wasn't all for naught, he supposed, he did get to catch up on some sleep.
Of course, that was until the house turned eerily quiet. There was no dull hum of the heater au nearly inaudible buzz from various electrical devices. Sighing in frustration because honestly could his life get any worse, Sasuke kicked off the covers to go check the circuit breaker. That was until he saw outside the window. Walking closer, he stared at the blizzard conditions now raging outside.
"Damn," he said.
At least he knew why the power went out, he supposed. A dakika later, he realized that the house would soon start to get colder before eventually getting to dangerously low temperatures.
"Fuck."
That's how he found himself in front of Sakura's bedroom door. He couldn't very well let her freeze and his stupid, stupid mind just had to get stuck on one thought: body heat.
He had to have done something horrible in a awali life to deserve this.
Using his anger to outweigh his nerves, barely-there happiness, and nearly non-existent excitement about the situation about to unfold, he pushed open the door and walked over to Sakura's bed.
"Sakura," he said—frowning when she didn't so much as flinch.
Shaking her shoulder, he tried again, "Sakura, wake up."
"Hmm," she hummed sleepily, "Sas'k'-k'n?"
One part of his mind was screaming cute while the other was screaming annoying.
Sasuke hated snow before—now he had a whole new vendetta against it.
"Get up," he said. "The power went out and there's a blizzard outside."
He wasn't at all surprised when Sakura perked up.
"Blizzard?"
"Yes, blizzard. Don't look so excited."
Sakura proceeded to pout and that voice shouting cute got louder. He quickly ignored it.
"Right," alisema Sakura, "not that I'm not excited to hear there's going to be even zaidi snow tomorrow, I don't see why wewe had to wake me up."
Sasuke was glad it was dark as a blush crawled up the back of his neck.
"The powers out meaning the heat's out too."
Sakura merely gave him a blank stare.
"Meaning," he gritted out, "we'll freeze if we don't take proper precautions like making a moto and…"
He trailed off, his mind once again thinking: body heat.
"Oh!" alisema Sakura, shaking her head. "I'm going to blame the stupidity on the fact that I just woke up."
Sasuke bit his tongue, not wanting to have Sakura mad at him. That'd just juu of this lovely night.
"Just get some blankets out of the hall closet. I'm going to go grab some firewood from the porch before things get too bad."
"Be careful," alisema Sakura as he left her room.
After getting frozen in his trips to get enough wood to last them tonight and the rest of the siku tomorrow, Sasuke placed a few logs in the fireplace and lit them with a quick katon. That was when he found a blanket on his shoulders.
He turned around to see Sakura spreading a thick comforter on the floor.
"Just looking at wewe makes me cold," she alisema in response to the blanket she'd aliyopewa him. "There's this thing called a jacket, wewe know."
"Hn."
The tips of his ears burned. Body heat.
"Alright!" alisema Sakura, admiring her handy work. Really, all she'd done was stack a few blankets on the floor for them to sleep under. It was starting to bug Sasuke how calm she stayed about the fact that they would be sleeping together. Platonically, of course, and really they'd just be under the same blankets. Hell, they wouldn't even really need to be touching, but was just a few nerves too much to ask for?
Letting out a long sigh, Sasuke slipped under the covers beside Sakura—glad for the warmth—and found his own nerves slowly starting to leave.
It wasn't as torturous as he thought it'd be. It actually wasn't so bad at all, he realized. There was enough space between them that if he didn't give it much thought it was like he was alone.
That was until Sakura started rolling over every five seconds.
"Would wewe stop moving!" he said, turning his head to glare at her.
Sakura let out an exasperated sigh as she met his look.
"I can't get comfy."
"What the hell do wewe want me to do about it?" asked Sasuke.
"Switch sides with me," she alisema immediately.
"What?"
"Switch. Sides. With. Me," alisema Sakura slowly.
Sasuke's eye twitched. The little smart ass.
"Why?"
"Well, wewe look comfortable. Obviously your side is better!"
"Or maybe you're just being difficult."
Five dakika later, they switched sides and Sasuke was just about to fall asleep when she poked him in the shoulder.
"Psst, Sasuke-kun."
"Go to sleep, Sakura."
"I can't."
Sasuke's eyes flicked open as he turned his head to look at her.
"Tell me a story," she alisema before he could yell at her.
"Are wewe serious!" hissed Sasuke.
Sakura giggled. "No, I just wanted to see how mad you'd get."
"It's almost one in the morning," alisema Sasuke as he rolled over, his back to Sakura. "Go to sleep."
When he felt Sakura's stare, Sasuke let out a heavy sigh and turned before lifting himself up on his elbow and looking down at her.
"What!" he asked, glaring at her.
Her eyes were focused on the moto as she mumbled, "I'm cold and that's why I can't sleep."
Sasuke's moyo nearly stopped as his eyes went wide.
He was at least glad to see the light blush on her cheeks, but couldn't very well enjoy it as he fought off a blush of his own.
Body heat.
Gritting his teeth at the incessant thought, Sasuke swallowed thickly before forcing himself to move. Stiffly, he scooted a bit closer—he'd let her be the one to close the space between them. He immediately regretted that when she turned so her head was resting against his shoulder. Stupid woman! He didn't think she'd squish herself up against his side like that!
It was ten dakika before he felt his nerves cool off. Glancing down at Sakura who looked to be asleep, Sasuke couldn't stop the small smile that found his lips.
Hesitantly, he put his arm around her waist, anchoring her to him and closed his eyes—one thought on his mind.
Body heat.
This time, however, he decided it was a good thing.
. . .

Chapter Twenty-three_
"Want"

Sasuke woke the inayofuata morning to find Sakura's legs Tangled with his and her arm tossed lazily over his middle. Swallowing thickly, Sasuke did his best to get up without waking her. It was going just fine until Sakura's hold tightened. A lot. Damn her and her stupid inhuman strength.
Sasuke let out a long sigh as his head fell back on the pillow. Closing his eyes, he tried to pry her hand off of him. It didn't budge. He laid there for a few minutes, his irritation growing with every sekunde as he thought of ways to escape. The only one he could come up with was to wake Sakura up.
He didn't really like that idea too much.
Still, the moto was all but out and he needed to see the damage caused from the blizzard.
Looking down at Sakura, his moyo doing funny things in his chest all the while, Sasuke shook her shoulder and said, "Wake up, Sakura."
He almost screamed when she let out an annoyed groan and snuggled closer—her head now buried in the crook of his neck.
Great. Just great.
Sasuke was starting to wonder if this was how the rest of the mwaka was going to be. A series of unforeseen events in which the world mocks him with the fact that he loves a girl that he rejected seven years ago.
Still, he thought, there was no rule saying he couldn't enjoy it. Sure, it may make it worse when she ultimately leaves, but if fate au karma au whatever the hell someone wants to call it is going to taunt him, he would just have to take advantage of that.
And so Sasuke closed his eyes, wrapped an arm around Sakura's waist once zaidi and decided he might as well catch up on a bit zaidi sleep.
It had been a good idea. Really, he was rather pleased with getting zaidi sleep, but Sasuke failed to consider what might happen if Sakura woke up. He didn't need to consider anymore, though, because she did and she screamed. Loudly. Right in his ear.
"What the hell," hissed Sasuke—a headache already starting to gnaw at his brain. Stupid high-pitched girly voice.
"S-s-sorry," alisema Sakura, looking at Sasuke with wide eyes.
"Hn."
"I didn't mean to!" defended Sakura, obviously not happy with Sasuke being annoyed with her.
Sasuke didn't say anything as he got up to go throw a few zaidi logs on the moto before it went out. He wasn't trying to be a jerk and ignore her, he just found it very difficult to look her in the eye at that moment. Rather, he found it difficult to look her in the eye after he realized what he'd just done.
Uchiha Sasuke had cuddled with Haruno Sakura.
All night.
He made his way to the front porch to see what had become of the blizzard. He glared when he saw it was up to the juu of the porch. Honestly, it wasn't bad. If they really needed to, they could leave the house, but being as it were, he didn't really need to and he wasn't about to try and walk through two feet of snow.
At least it'd stopped snowing, he supposed.
"Would wewe close the door!" yelled Sakura as she pulled him back inside. "Geez, it's cold enough."
Sasuke realized two things as he turned to glare at Sakura. One, she was pouting and two, he'd been right—he really should've avoided the eye contact. No, he should've avoided looking at her. Period. Because the moment he did, his eyes went straight to her pouting lips and a blush crawled straight up the back of his neck.
He admitted he enjoyed having Sakura around. She was easy to talk to while they were in his office doing paperwork—mainly because she did all the talking. He didn't mind walking to work with her. He didn't even care that she forced him to play in the snow yesterday because all of those things were inconspicuous. It was just two Marafiki spending time together.
Last night, something had blurred in his head. He'd overstepped some sort of boundary and he knew, he knew, that was why he felt the unyielding desire to kiss the girl glaring up at him.
Never before had he wanted to do anything like that with Sakura. Probably because he never actually considered it a possibility. It was simply off limits. But after last night, after cuddling with her, he wondered what exactly he could get away with without betraying his feelings and screwing up whatever friendship they'd built.
He was glad when Sakura swallowed thickly and stammered–
"W-water. I'm going to go boil some water on the fire. For hot chocolate. Yeah, hot chocolate."
–because he was sure he wouldn't be able to get away with kissing her.
. .. .

Chapter Twenty-four_
"Talk"

Sasuke had taken a moment to rid himself of whatever had possessed him a moment ago. It was one of the many moments he was glad at how easily he could bury his emotions. Still, just the very idea that he wanted to kiss someone bothered him. And the fact that it had been Sakura! He couldn't say he was exactly surprised. Not after how he felt about her, but to want any sort of physical relationship with someone was very new to him.
It was annoying.
Shaking the thoughts—he couldn't dwell on them now, not when he would be stuck with Sakura all day—Sasuke went to the living room after realizing how cold he was getting. With one last glance towards the door, Sasuke hoped the rest of the villager's were okay. They were used to the winters kwa now, but there was always the possibility of accidents.
Regardless of the weather tomorrow, he'd have to make sure everyone was okay and check that everything was ready for when the snow begins to melt.
Sighing, he wondered if taking control of Oto had really been the smartest thing to do. He had made mistakes, yes, there were things he'd wanted to make up for, but he was only nineteen—had he really been the best choice for this place?
Too late now, he supposed, as he entered the living room.
He saw Sakura sitting in front of the moto wrapped up in a blanket as she waited for the water to get hot enough for her hot chocolate.
Typical Sakura wanting something sweet.
When she suddenly turned to look at him, his breath caught in his throat. He hadn't exactly realized he was staring, but Sakura obviously had when she asked, "What is it?"
"Nothing," alisema Sasuke, forcing his eyes away.
He caught the suspicious look Sakura was giving him out of the corner of her eye. The way her green eyes were following him and the slight frown to her lips made her look different. Older. She looked like she had when she first came to Oto.
It unnerved him zaidi than he was willing to admit.
Swallowing thickly, Sasuke forced his focus to remain on the moto keeping them warm. Maybe if he just ignored her…
"I want to ask wewe something," alisema Sakura all of a sudden. Sasuke inwardly cursed. "Something I know wewe don't want to talk about, but I'm going to ask anyways. What happened with Itachi?"
Sasuke took in a sharp breath, memories he tried to keep buried flooding back.
"Why the hell are wewe asking me now?" alisema Sasuke, angry. He knew why. They were stuck together and there was no way for him to escape. It was her only opportunity.
"Please, Sasuke-kun, I just want to understand you, help me understand."
Sasuke looked at her, but saw something entirely different. He saw his brother dying and telling him things he never wished he'd heard.

. . .

Chapter Twenty-five_
"Memories"

Sasuke felt a sinking horror as he looked at the slouched form of the man he despised. Never before had he seen Itachi look so weak, so helpless.
A gurgling cough echoed in the cave he tracked Itachi down to. There was nothing but a moto separating them. Nothing but a moto keeping him from running his katana straight through Itachi's moyo and ending things forever.
"I see wewe found me, little brother," alisema Itachi.
Sasuke watched as Itachi pulled back his blood-covered hand. He couldn't believe his eyes.
"What's going on!" demanded Sasuke.
"I'm sorry Sasuke, I tried," mumbled Itachi.
"What the hell are wewe talking about, why do wewe look like that! Stand up, damn it! Fight me!"
Sasuke could see from the pale sweat-covered skin of his brother to the empty black of his eyes—Itachi was dying. Something inside Sasuke snapped at that. He'd thrown everything away for this moment. He'd aliyopewa up his future to avenge his clan and now he finally had the power to do that and Itachi was… he was dying.
In a fit of rage, Sasuke flash-stepped to his brother. In a matter of seconds—he'd grabbed the collar, alama of Itachi's shati and slammed him into the cave wall.
"You have got to be fucking kidding me!" screamed Sasuke.
"I sorry–"
"Shut up! Just shut up!"
Sasuke released his hold and took a shaky step away.
"How can I kill wewe now?" Sasuke gritted his teeth before shouting. "How can I fix everything when you're like this!"
Itachi smiled. The fucking bastard smiled. Sasuke felt his grasp on reality slipping away as memories of blood and murder and red, red eyes played through his mind.
He punched the wall—not at all caring about the cuts left on his knuckles.
"Sasuke," alisema Itachi—his voice distant and so weak sounding, "I'm sorry. I did everything to give wewe the ending wewe wanted, needed, but I can't. They aliiba my future. Don't let me steal yours."
His brother died with those cryptic words. Screaming in frustrated agony, Sasuke Lost himself as his eyes bled red and the cry of the chidori filled the cave. He rammed his lightning covered fist through Itachi's stomach the moment the tears began to fall.
Sasuke shook his head to force his eyes away from the fire. He'd always hated his brother, always despaired over the death of his clan, but never had he been so angry.
That very night he slipped back into Konoha as if it were a mere child's game. He dug through old records in the deserted Uchiha district and managed to piece together what Itachi had meant kwa 'they.'
The elder's and some man named Danzo.
Worst thing was that they were all dead. Everyone who destroyed his childhood—who caused the death of everyone he loved, was dead. For a month, he did nothing but wander from place to place. At times, he'd start unnecessary fights hoping that maybe someone might kill him. It never happened.
At one point, he wondered if there was any point for him to even remain alive. That was when he remembered Itachi's words—remembered he had a future ahead of him.
He was alive and so he would live.
He knew he would never be able to go back to Konoha—never be able to swear allegiance to a village that caused the death of his entire clan. That was when he found himself back in Otokagure and it hit him.
He had aliyopewa his life to revenge, had closed his eyes to everything and everyone to follow his goal. He had a lot to make up for in this life and perhaps he could start in Oto.
"I," alisema Sasuke, unsure what to say. Clenching his jaw, he spat, "He told me he was sorry for dying. He apologized for not letting me kill him and I hate him for that. I hate him for everything even if he was suffering too. I hate him."
He knew he wasn't making much sense, knew he probably only gave Sakura zaidi questions, but that was all he could give her—all he could say. He was waiting for the barrage of maswali when a pair of slender arms wrapped around him.
"It's okay," whispered Sakura gently. "It's okay."
Sasuke squeezed his eyes shut.
He felt as if his entire life had been forgiven kwa a mere two words. He felt like the guilt he'd been carrying for hating his brother—for the mistakes he'd made in the past was suddenly okay.
Silently, he wrapped his arms around Sakura.
"Thank you," he murmured, trying to pour out every ounce of gratitude he felt in a phrase that meant so much more.
Being there, in her arms, was like being reborn anew.


. . .

Chapter Twenty-six_
"Falter"

Sasuke groaned before rubbing his aching neck. He'd fallen asleep while leaning against the couch. After his little outburst with Sakura, they somehow ended up on the floor, sitting against the kitanda as they stared silently at the fire.
It hadn't been awkward au uncomfortable—though Sasuke was sure Sakura was dying to say something about what happened with his brother. He was glad she restrained herself. Just thinking about it was enough. He couldn't talk about it. Wouldn't talk about it and he found himself appreciating the fact that Sakura seemed to understand that.
His eyes slid to her when she made some incoherent mumble and then shifted a bit causing her to slide, lose her balance and her head to mto against his leg. With baited breath, he waited for her to wake up, but she merely pulled her knees up—apparently getting comfortable.
Things got awkward then…
Her head was in his lap. Not in a lewd way, of course. It was sort of just against his outer thigh and closer to the knee then, uh, anywhere else.
Sasuke's eye twitched before he snapped them over to the fire.
He needed to stop thinking about it. Now.
Swallowing thickly, he glanced around for a mto to put under Sakura's head. He was thankful to find one right behind him on the couch. Perhaps the world wasn't completely out to get him. Carefully, he slid his hand to utoto her head as he scooted away enough to put the mto down.
The girl pretty much falls on his leg and doesn't so much as flinch, but he moves her head a fraction and her eyes pop open. He still had her head in his hand—the other hovering over the mto as he stared into her confused green eyes.
"What are wewe doing?" she asked, her eyes narrowing.
Sasuke opened his mouth–
–and nothing came out.
It was a first for him and very unnerving. Snapping his jaw closed, he cleared his throat, plucked up the mto and put it under Sakura's head. She was still giving him that curious look, which had zaidi au less morphed into something that read: you're losing your mind, aren't you.
Absently, Sasuke thought: possibly.
Luckily, he was saved when there was a loud buzz and then an echo of clicks as the power came back and the countless little electrical devices hummed back to life. When the living room light flickered back on, Sasuke was quick to stand.
"Shower," he said, as he left the room as quickly as possible.
As Sasuke stood under the running water, he found his thoughts finally coming back to him. He couldn't really wrap, upangaji pamoja his mind around what just happened, though. He, Uchiha Sasuke, had Lost his cool. Undeniably it wasn't the first time. Naruto had a knack at getting under his skin when they were younger and his temper sometimes got the better of him.
This—going brain dead in front of a female, in front of Sakura—was a first. He didn't like it. He didn't like it at all.
Sasuke knew how he felt about her and he managed to accept that, but he simply couldn't accept this. Getting nervous and flustered kwa the opposite sex happened to people like Naruto and stupid hormonal teenagers—which he didn't consider himself. He was nineteen, yes, but he was also a shinobi and the leader of an entire damn village. Hormones got the better of normal people. He was Uchiha Sasuke, a prodigy, an exception.
He was wrong and in denial too, but since he couldn't accept that, he was left with the annoyance of not being able to come to terms with the fact the he might just be susceptible to hormones like the rest of the human population.
It was official—the apocalypse was coming.

. . . .


Chapter Twenty-seven_
"Naruto"

Naruto was squatting along the dirt path leading into Oto, his weight on the balls of his feet. His elbow was resting on one of his knees as his hand supported his head. He was glaring up at the two guards who seemed to think if they just didn't make eye contact he'd go away.
Ha!
Didn't they know who he was? He spent months pestering the granny; he wasn't about to give up now. Besides, it was the middle of January and he was freezing. The trek from Konoha had not been fun.
"I'd let me pass," he alisema in a bored manner.
One of the guard's eyes flickered to him before darting away. The guy had the gall to look skeptical. With a mischievous grin, Naruto stood, cupped his hands around his mouth and screamed.
Loudly.
"HEY BASTARRRRD!" Birds darted from the trees, there distressed squawks not hindering Naruto in the slightest as he sucked in another breath. "IT'S THE FUTURE HOKAGE SPEAKING! I DEMAND wewe LET ME IN, au ELSE–"
Naruto was promptly shut up when a hand smacked him upside the head. Sputtering a few curses, Naruto turned to see a very angry looking Sasuke.
A smile broke his face.
"Man, talk about service. It's so nice of wewe to come and welcome me in person."
"Tch," Sasuke scoffed before stalking back into the village—Naruto jogging to catch up before falling into step beside him.
Naruto could see from the tightness in Sasuke's shoulders and the rigidness in his step he was trying very hard to keep his annoyance in check. He found it all rather amusing.
"What the hell are wewe doing here!" snapped Sasuke.
"Whoa!" alisema Naruto, returning the glare. "You're not allowed to be mad at me. I go away for a mwezi and come back to find Sakura-chan gone. I believe I have every right to visit my friend."
Naruto didn't back down from Sasuke's glare, instead he added, "Both my friends."
Sasuke finally sighed, his eyes closing in exasperation as the tension in his body left. Naruto grinned—at least he didn't have to worry about being on the receiving end of Sasuke's fist. Not that it would be an issue anyways, the bastard was way out of his league.
Naruto allowed himself a moment's chuckle.
"Come on," alisema Sasuke grudgingly as he turned down the inayofuata road.
Naruto frowned but followed.
"Where are we going?" he asked, glancing around at the almost finished houses and shops.
"To pick Sakura up," alisema Sasuke absently.
Naruto's eyes narrowed slightly at the casualness in Sasuke's tone.
"Do that often? Pick Sakura up, I mean?"
A bit of the tension worked its way back into Sasuke's shoulders. Naruto forced himself to not grin. It was interesting, all very interesting.
"You wanted to see her," grumbled Sasuke.
Naruto's eyes narrowed even more. He was contemplating. So then, he doesn't pick her up?
"Wait!" alisema Naruto. "Where are we picking her up from?"
"Work."
Naruto nodded. He figured he should've guessed that, but then again, it'd been awhile since he'd seen his pink-haired friend. For all he knew she could've taken up tango classes here in Oto. Just look at Sasuke—the bastard seemed… different from when they were younger. Still a bastard, of course, but he looked–
Naruto paused, frowned, and wished he had a better vocabulary. Though he'd die before telling Sakura-chan this. Still, Sasuke looked… calmer?
Naruto shook his head. That wasn't it. The burdens of Sasuke's choices with his life were evident in the dark circles under his eyes, but there was something else, something different.
"Did wewe change your hairstyle?" asked Naruto.
Sasuke gave him a sideways glare—a look that portrayed his exasperation. Naruto's eyes widened a fraction.
There, that was it, his eyes. Naruto smiled as Sasuke looked away and continued towards their destination.
Since he'd known him, Naruto had always been annoyed with Sasuke's eyes. It was like he would look at you, but see something else entirely—as if wewe simply weren't worth his attention. Later, he learned that wasn't the reason. Sasuke had simply stopped looking at the world around him after the massacre. Had stopped living.
Now—now his best friend looked like he found something, some reason, to leave the past and live in the present.
His thoughts were interrupted when he saw Sakura come out of a building just up ahead. His smile was from ear to ear.
"SAKURA-CHAN!"


. .. .


Chapter Twenty-eight_
"Team Seven"

Sasuke had forgotten how truly loud Naruto could actually be. After screaming, "SAKURA-CHAN!" and nearly causing him to go deaf, Sasuke wondered if he should've let Naruto into the village au not. The smile that lit up Sakura's face before she threw herself at Naruto made him forget all about that.
Looking away when Naruto spun her in a circle, Sakura laughing the whole time, Sasuke told himself he wasn't jealous of Naruto. Annoyed and slightly pissed off, yes, but not jealous.
Naruto threw his arm over Sasuke's shoulders.
Moron.
"I want ramen," alisema Naruto, as if it was the most sacred sentence one could utter.
Sasuke couldn't help but roll his eyes as he shrugged off Naruto's arm.
"No."
Naruto was in front of him immediately. Looking like Sasuke just committed some form of blasphemy, which, in Naruto's mind, he probably had. Sasuke found it all rather amusing.
"I'd be careful, bastard," alisema Naruto as he folded his arms and made a real onyesha of peering at his fingernails like he was bad-ass au something. "You are talking to the future Hokage. wewe have to think about diplomatic relations and all."
Sasuke couldn't help but snort a laugh.
"You stupid–"
Before Naruto could get into his zaidi colorful vocabulary, much to Sasuke's relief, Sakura quickly settled the matter.
Sakura looped each of her arms with Naruto and Sasuke's.
"I'll cook!" she said, smiling.
Sasuke was trying very hard not to pull his arm away from hers.
"So does this mean no ramen?" alisema Naruto. He nearly sounded like he was about to cry…
Sakura stopped dead in her tracks—her head slowly turning towards Naruto. In a very low voice she said, "Don't wewe like my cooking?"
"Y-yes, Sakura-chan," alisema Naruto, all the color drained from his face. "I-I c-can't wait!"
Sakura immediately smiled and chirped, "Great!"
Sasuke was rather disturbed kwa the whole exchange much like he had been when they first became a team.
He quickly forced back those memories only to find his mind drifting to the arm linked with his. He clenched his hands into tight fists inside his pocket.
As they were approaching his house—and Sakura's, he thought absently—Naruto said, "So what have wewe guys been up to?"
Sakura beamed.
"There was a blizzard!" she said, her eyes lighting up "I totally kicked Sasuke's punda in a snowball fight."
Naruto let out a barking laugh.
"Well of course wewe did Sakura-chan," he taunted. "The bastard couldn't hit a target if it was right in front of him."
"I think you're confusing me with you, dumbass."
"Psh, wewe wish people would confuse wewe with me!"
"Yes," alisema Sakura, "that's all vey nice, but lets get back to the fact that I'm snowball champion of Oto!"
Sakura grinned as she walked up the porch steps.
"Now, now Sakura-chan," alisema Naruto, "that's only because I wasn't there."
"Says the idiot who got the lowest scores in accuracy at the academy," alisema Sasuke.
Sakura bust out laughing and Sasuke couldn't help, but smirk.
"You both suck," mumbled Naruto before quickly changing the topic. "So, pretty fancy place wewe scored here, Sakura-chan."
"Oh," alisema Sakura, and Sasuke should've seen what was coming next. "Well, actually it's Sasuke's. I'm staying with him while I'm here."
Naruto glanced between the two of them for much longer then was needed before screaming, "WHAT!"
"Stop yelling Naruto!" scolded Sakura.
Naruto's voice dropped real low then, "You two, wewe know, aren't like–"
"YOU PERV!" screeched Sakura before she decided to use Naruto as her own personal punching bag.
Sasuke just shook his head and opened the front door.
"Come on."
Naruto and Sakura stopped what they were doing and grinned at Sasuke.
"Don't even think about it," alisema Sasuke, but it was too late. Naruto and Sakura had already tackled him to the floor in their version of a group hug. If it weren't for there annoyingly happy laughter he would've electrocuted them kwa now.
Yeah, that'd be nice.
After Naruto rolled from the team seven dog pile, Sasuke's annoyance instantly changed to embarrassment when he realized Sakura was now simply lying on juu of him. Somehow, his hands managed to go to her hips.
Naruto's snickering quickly sobered him up, though, as he helped her up with him.
He was surprised to find her face a bright, nyanya red.
Clearing her throat, Sakura said, "R-right, so we should start cooking."
When she disappeared into the kitchen, Sasuke trying unsuccessfully to fight down a smirk of satisfaction, Naruto whispered, "Is there something wewe want to tell me?"
Sasuke simply smacked his best friend upside the head.
After dinner, in which Naruto talked too loud, Sasuke didn't talk enough and Sakura Lost her temper zaidi often than not, Team Seven found themselves in the living room sitting around the coffee table.
Naruto and Sakura were playing a card game. Sasuke vehemently refused to join. Though, after trying to get away because he did have work he had to do, Naruto managed to force him into staying.
Sasuke could only wonder how he developed such patience.
Hours into the night, Naruto and Sakura's card game somehow turned violent when Naruto accused her of cheating—the living room was now covered in cards. The two were close to passing out as they talked about pointless things.
"I think we should go to sleep now," alisema Sasuke, after Naruto's fifth yawn that minute.
"Hey, don't think wewe get to order us around," Naruto paused to yawn, "just because you're leader of some sekunde rate village. I'm gonna be Hokage."
"Shuddup, Naruto," mumbled Sakura, her head in her hand and her eyes dropping. "Sasuke's really turned Oto into a wonderful village."
Sasuke glanced at her from the corner of his eye, a smile trying to work its way onto his lips.
Sakura's head slipped from her hand then and landed on his shoulder. Sighing she snuggled closer before mumbling tiredly, "I like it here."
Sasuke swallowed thickly, a bit unnerved kwa the weight that suddenly lodged itself in his chest. It was like the morning she'd fallen onto his lap all over again.
Naruto, who was using the coffee meza, jedwali as a mto now, mumbled, "I like ramen," before he started snoring.
Looking down at Sakura, he sighed when he realized they were both asleep. Deciding Naruto was fine where he was, Sasuke lifted Sakura into his arms before carrying her to her room.
As he placed the covers over her, his hand lingered kwa her cheek before he pulled it back with a melancholy sigh and went to his own room.


. . .

Chapter Twenty-nine_
"Request"

It was still dark out when everyone found themselves in the jikoni looking for coffee. Sakura was a bit surprised Naruto had gotten up so early.
While they sat at the table, eyes still closed waiting for the first pot to finish, she asked, "Why are wewe up so early?"
"Neck. Hurt. Jackass," mumbled Naruto.
She caught Sasuke smirk.
"What are wewe talking about?" she questioned, looking between Naruto and Sasuke.
"The jackass left me asleep on the coffee table," glancing at Sasuke, he added cheekily. "Unlike some people."
Sakura frowned, still glancing between the two. Naruto was the one grinning this time. Sakura's eyes narrowed even zaidi before it dawned on her. She'd woken up in her bed, but never remembered walking there.
Sasuke had…
Her face immediately heated up as her mouth formed a silent 'oh'. Luckily, the coffee machine beeped. Sakura shot to her feet.
"I'll get it!"
With nervous hands, she fixed three mugs of coffee and deposited them on the jikoni table. Taking her seat, she avoided making any eye contact with the two others sitting with her.
She noticed things between her and Sasuke had gotten… different. The hostility she felt for him was non-existent and for the first time in her life he didn't make her feel like she was being a constant annoyance when they were together.
Sometimes, she wondered if–
No! She couldn't go there. Things were good. They were really becoming friends. That was it. Nothing more. She couldn't hope for something more. Marafiki were enough. It had to be.
"Sakura-chan?" started Naruto and Sakura could only hope he wouldn't– "are wewe feeling okay? You're a bit red."
"I'm fine," alisema Sakura through gritted teeth as she glared at Naruto. She made it her mission to avoid so much as glancing at Sasuke.
"If wewe say so," alisema Naruto before downing the rest of his coffee.
"Well, I best be off."
Sakura's eyes snapped back to him, "What? wewe just got here!"
"I know," alisema Naruto with a shrug, "and as much as I'd upendo to stay, I can't."
"Why?" asked Sakura, disappointment marring her voice.
"'Cause Baa-chan's evil and knew I'd try and stay as long as I could so she gave me a mission three days from now," alisema Naruto, frowning. "Oto is two days from Konoha, so…"
"I see," alisema Sakura her eyes slipping to the untouched coffee in her hands.
She heard Naruto slide from his chair and sit his mug in the sink—rather shocked at this—before slinging his small bag over his shoulder.
"Wait," alisema Sakura. "Lets take a picture before wewe go. All three of us."
She glanced between Naruto and Sasuke, who were looking at her like she was insane. They didn't really like getting their picture taken, but the last time the three of them had been together was so long ago.
Naruto finally sighed.
"I will if the bastard agrees," he said.
Sakura started chewing on her lip as she looked at Sasuke. She might as well just get disappointed and be done with it. Still, it wouldn't hurt to at least try.
"Please, Sasuke?" she asked, "It'd mean a lot to me."
She fought the urge to roll her eyes. Like something like that would work for Sasuke? Naruto, yeah. He was a sucker for the guilt trip, but Sasuke wouldn't care. She should've tried to bribe him or–
"Fine," alisema Sasuke and Sakura nearly leapt from her chair in joy. She managed to contain herself, but the moment she stood to go grab her camera, she found herself wrapping her arms around Sasuke's neck smiling like a maniac.
"Thank you!" she alisema before hurrying upstairs before they changed their mind.
When she got back to the kitchen, she froze at the sound of Naruto and Sasuke's hushed voices.
"So, wewe like her?" asked Naruto.
"Drop it, Naruto," alisema Sasuke, Sakura took a hesitant step closer, trying to see in the kitchen.
"I'm just saying, you're being awfully nice to Sakura-chan, which is great and all, but it's not going to be enough," alisema Naruto shrugging.
"Naruto–"
"I know! I know! wewe don't like her, but just in case wewe do, wewe have to try a little bit harder. After everything that's happened, it'll take a bit zaidi to convince her how wewe feel."
Sakura felt her moyo drop to her toes. Why did Naruto believe Sasuke liked her? That was the craziest thing she ever heard! Sure she'd admit he was being strangely nice and all, but Naruto was definitely kusoma too much into it. Sasuke had just grown up, that was it.
She saw Sasuke pinch the bridge of his nose and sigh.
"Are wewe happy here, Sasuke?" asked Naruto after a moments pause.
"Why, going to try and convince me to come back to Konoha?"
"No," alisema Naruto. "Sakura-chan had been right when she alisema we needed to let wewe go."
Did she imagine the hurt that flashed across Sasuke's face?
"I mean, after wewe broke away from Orochimaru and killed your brother we were just chasing wewe for our own selfish reasons. I just want to know, are wewe happy here? Should we have kept chasing you?"
She watched as Sasuke stared at the empty space before him, not realizing his eyes were fixated on her chair at the jikoni table.
"I'm getting there," he alisema quietly.
Sakura swallowed thickly before forcing a smile on her face and entering the kitchen.
"Alright," she said, setting the camera on the jikoni table. Walking over to Naruto and Sasuke, she took her place between them, and said, "Smile!"
The flash went off and when Sakura got the picture developed, she would see Naruto beside her beaming much like herself and Sasuke–
–Sasuke would be looking at her without a care in the world.