Chapter Text
It had already been three months since Sasuke and Sakura have been sneeking out from their respective living areas and meet up with each other.
For Sakura- it would sometimes be easy to find a way to leave the village, coming up with a mere excuse- "I want to find a specific herb for this medicine I am researching", or "I want to go see a show in the next village."
Sasuke, on the other hand, had it harder- not that he ever cared. Karin always seems to have an interest in where Sasuke is headed, but he usually just ignores her and has Suigetsu distract her while he leaves. He doesn't really care what the team is doing while he's gone, as long as he is able to see Sakura.
Today, they had planned to meet at seven pm in their usual spot- the tree that they had first met three months ago.
Sakura was excited. They weren't able to meet each other in two weeks, and they usually saw each other every chance they got. So- she was more than happy that both her and Sasuke were free today, she couldn't wait to tell him what she had been up to, and hear what he had been doing these past few weeks as well.
Sakura looked into her closet, picking out her usual outfit, with the white shirt under her red qipao. She hazily put on her skirt, running over a mental checklist of everything she needed to do before going out the village. She finished doing her laundry, she finished her reading that was assigned by Tsunadae, as well as the little side project for a new blood work she had been curious about.
Oh- that's right! Sakura remembered seeing Sasuke quite underweight. Whenever she had asked him about it the previous visits, he would always brush her off, telling her that it was "fine", and that he was just under some "mild circumstances", whatever that meant. De-coding Sasuke's words always meant assuming the worst of it- he always tries to play it cool. Sakura pouts. She'll make him some dinner and force feed him today. He has to take care of his health if he wants to be stronger. She tells herself.
Sakura heads over to the kitchen, going over the ingredients in her cabinet. She had all the ingredients she needed for a roasted tomato onigiri. He does love tomatoes.. Sakura pondered. He'd probably have a higher chance eating it if it's something he likes.
So, Sakura got to work. She put on her apron, turned on some backround music, and started cooking. She was not the best cook- but she knew how to make food good. It was all about the effort that you put in, and especially following the cookbook- you could never go wrong with that.
After an hour and a minor cut (Ouch- though she healed half-way to continue on with her work), Sakura finished making the onigiri, and had time to pack some fruit and a flask of water. She put them all in a cloth lunch bag, and grabbed her coat. As she walked outside, she noted that there weren't a lot of people walking around. This was normal, and she paid no mind to it.
Sakura reached the end at the gates of Konoha, and masked her chakra as she speed through the trees to meet Sasuke.
_________________
Sasuke had been up since early morning, specifically telling the team not to follow him anywhere- and that they could rest for the day. He never specified where he was going, what he was doing, and whether he was going to meet up with anyone, but he did make sure to tell Suigetsu to keep Karin off his back, and that he could have all of Sasuke's food for the day if he did.
Food barely came in, where they were staying at. It was a secluded cave, with little bushes of berries scattered throughout, with nothing else. The bushes have been ravaged, all the berries gone in mere days, leaving the team to go hunt or fish in nearby rivers. With that, it always resulted in them eating small portions, or just not eating at all (which was usually what Sasuke did).
Sasuke had went to the nearest village to look over some shops, thinking about what to get Sakura. It wasn't usual for Sasuke to get something for Sakura, but they hadn't seen each other in weeks, from busy schedules, and he missed her dearly. It had been weeks since he last saw her, and he really wanted to see that soft smile she only reserved for him.
As he walked through the shops, he mentally thought about some possible gifts he could get her:
A bracelet: She may need to come up with an excuse as to why she had it.
A ribbon: She probably doesn't wear that anymore.
Perfume: It could be a good gift, though maybe it will not be appropriate in medical settings, and she's always in the hospital.
A small mug: It would be awkward for Sakura to come back to the village with that.
A small keychain: It doesn't seem like something that would raise suspicion, and she can keep it hidden.
Sasuke decided to buy Sakura a small keychain. It was a little one- with a green thread, and a red woven flower in between. It reminded him of their eyes: green for Sakura, and red for his Sharingan. He hoped Sakura would like it, and maybe be able to take it home.
After buying the keychain and some snacks (most of which were her favorite chocolates), Sasuke started heading towards the forest, to their usual hangout spot.
____________________
Sakura had been sitting on the branch for around 20 minutes, waiting for Sasuke. It wasn't unusual he was late, he usually gets fussed over by his team- all of them too curious and nosy to know where he's headed, what he's going to do, who he's going to hang out with, etc. etc.
Although, Sakura thought, he isn't this late, usually only by five to ten minutes.
Sakura sighed, looking above her. The sky was beautiful today, the clouds moving at a steady pace south, slightly covering the sun. The sun was peaking though the clouds, illuminating it with a yellow-ish white-ish glow. The sky was a bold blue color, not a single sign of debris in sight. The trees looked lively as well, the leaves projecting its green everywhere, little leaf shaped green hues dancing on Sakura's skin. It was a pretty nice day, with pretty nice weather.
The wind was barely there, barely cooling her down from the sun. While the sun wasn't too hot, Sakura still felt like she was going to sweat, but she guessed it was from running so fast to be here. The wind whispered to her skin, mumbling little gusts of winds that could have not been noticed, if not for the way her skin formed tiny goosebumps. It was truly a good day.
And when Sakura felt a presence, and heard a "Sakura", come out of a certain man's mouth, behind her, with his hand rested just on top of her on the tree trunk, his cloak gently enveloping her to invite her into his warmth, a steady heartbeat beating in the back of her shoulder, she knew it was a wonderful, extraordinary day.
"I am sorry I was late, I was-" Sasuke wasn't even able to finish his sentence before being attacked by a hug from Sakura. She practically collapsed against him, clinging onto his neck.
"Sasuke, stop apologizing. You're here, that's all that matters." She let go, stepping back to give him space to breathe, although it looked like he disliked her decision of moving away from him.
Sasuke noticed the cloth lunch bag. "What's that?" He asked, curious to what she brought.
"Oh yeah!" Sakura had almost forgot about the lunch, and quickly went to retrieve it. "You're such a dummy- thinking that skipping meals and training more will make you stronger. How will you get stronger if you have no energy to train?" Sakura patted the spot next to her, inviting Sasuke to eat.
Sasuke sighed, surprised that she had noticed. He had noticed the past couple of days that he was growing slightly weaker, thinking that it was for not sleeping enough. He crouched down, before sitting next to her.
Sakura opened the bag, taking out the bento of onigiri. "Here." She gave the box to him, holding the flask of water. She closely watched Sasuke as he opened the box, taking in his surprised face of delight, of him immediately reaching for an onigiri before taking a bite.
Sasuke was amazed. He couldn't tell if it was because he hadn't eaten in a few days, and starved himself before that, or because Sakura's cooking was truly that good. The rice was the perfect balance of sticky and soft, the seaweed perfectly crispy and salted to perfection. The tomatoes- god, those tomatoes- tasted like the ones his mother used to make, that grew in their garden. They were salty the first bite, and as you chew, the juice transforms into a sweet-tangy nector - pure heaven.
Sasuke groaned quietly, taking in all of the flavors, and devouring the onigiri in mere minutes. He chewed fast, looking at the 4 other onigiri's in the box, right before almost choking to death. From chewing too fast and trying to swallow before his body was ready, a piece of rice went down the wrong pipe, causing him to choke.
Sakura luckily saw that coming, and started patting his back to help him spit the food back out. Sasuke eventually stopped choking, and Sakura handed him the flask of water, to which Sasuke greedily drank.
"Sasuke-kun, if you want more, I can make you plenty more to bring next time we meet." Sasuke shook his head, carefully chewing and swallowing before replying.
"The team will wonder where I got the food from- they'll probably finish it before I even set it in the cave." Sasuke muttered. Sometimes he didn't know why he was still with that team.
Sakura chuckled. "Well, then I'll make more just for you to eat before you head back. How does that sound?"
Sasuke suppressed a sigh leaning into Sakura's hair. "Thank you." He mumbled into her pink hair, his lips feeling each soft strand that moved against his lips.
Sakura changed her position, so that she was hugging Sasuke, her arms wrapped around his neck, and her legs wrapped around his torso.
"You don't need to thank me Sasuke-kun."
Sasuke closed his eyes, feeling his eyes start to prickle, daring the tears to start flowing. He grunted in a slight whine, a small protest for not being able to say his thanks properly. To not be able to show his gratefulness towards her. She had been here, no matter what he did, never minding his past, never minding his dark road towards revenge, always minding his safety. She always cared, no matter whether it got her in danger or not. She always looked out for him, always made sure he was happy, that he had what he needed. She didn't care if what he did was wrong, if what he's planning on is unforgivingly wrong, she only cares that he's alive, that he's safe, healthy and happy. His Sakura cares about all of that.
"You deserve everything." Sasuke made sure to say it as clear as he possibly could, to make sure she doesn't interpret it as a friend-to-friend compliment. He wanted her to know that he meant it, he would kill the entire world for her, he would do anything if she just asked for it. He wanted her to know that he was damn in love with her. It wasn't just admiration anymore- it wasn't even a little crush he thought was annoying in his genin era, this was pure love. He could watch her for an eternity and not get bored. He could hear her- her shrieks, her laughter, her cries, and never listen to anything else. Just her voice would be the most beautiful music his ears have ever heard, her face and body the most beautiful art he's ever laid his eyes on.
Sakura's breathed hitched, her form stilling. She could hear her breath, quiet and controlled, her chest practically vibrating from her heightened pulse, her head pounding and ears feeling hot. Sasuke hadn't said that in his usual voice, he sounded dazed, she noted. He sounded like he wanted her to know what he felt, and his movements and voice sort of mimics hers, when she tried to say her love for him. He was confessing. He was telling her he loved her.
This wasn't like all the 'I love you's they've exchanged before. No- they were all just words, things that they would say to each other, things that they already know. They were somewhat shallow, something people tell everyone; regardless of whether their relationship is romance, friendship, family, comrades. But no comrades tell each other that they deserve the world. Not if they have more to the relationship than just platonicity.
Sakura slowly looked up, willing the little tears in her eyes to stay back, to not show up. She didn't want to ruin the moment with her tears- but she's so happy. She feels all of the doubt, all of the pressure weigh off her shoulders, as if Sasuke was taking them away from her, killing them so that she wouldn't have to bear them all. She took a shuddering breath, and turned to catch Sasuke's eyes. Her breathing stopped.
His eyes- he activated his sharingan, the tomoes spinning lazily. His eyes were a little watery, but he looked so happy, so free. He had one of those looks in his face- he was nervous, but happy. Wait- why was he nervous? Sakura thought. Ohhh- I forgot to respond.
Sakura looked down, and took his hand, drawing little circles on his thumb. That wasn't enough. Sakura didn't want to just hold his hand, she felt cold. She thought it was a little cruel, having him pour his heart out, and her just respond by holding his hand. She wanted to hug him, to kiss him, to hold him. To spill her heart out too.
So, she did.
She looked up, slightly laughing before choking him with a hug. Sasuke almost fell behind, grunting softly as his back hit the tree trunk. However, he was not hesitant to quickly hug her back. Sakura could not help it, she had to see his face.
She slightly turned her head to look at Sasuke, but he stopped her. Confused, Sakura whispered to him, "Sasuke, I want to see your face. Let me see."
But Sasuke replied by shaking his head, and held her tighter. Sakura nervously laughed, thinking something was wrong, as she slowly patted his head, trying to will him to speak.
After a couple moments, Sakura felt Sasuke inhale through her shoulder, his breath shaky and wavering on her skin.
"You can't." Sakura almost forgot about what she said earlier, and realized that he was answering to her wanting to see his face.
"Why not?" She retaliated, trying to undo his grip, twisting her torso to try and look at him.
"I look so stupid right now." She had never heard him call himself that, making her frown from confusion.
At the very moment he took another breath, loosening his grip on her, Sakura took advatage of that and leaned out, backing out of his reach to grab his face. She cupped his face and turned it to her, finally able to get a good look at his face.
Sasuke was crying- what? Sakura that. He's crying? She had only ever once saw him cry, and it didn't even count- he never full on cried, usually just a couple of tears. But this?
Sasuke's face was flushed, his nose slighly red, and his eyes held such big tears that Sakura had never seen before, something that looked like water orbs. Sakura quickly reached out to wipe the tears away, the wetness soaking her fingers, trailing down to her sleeve.
She was panicking, wondering what she did wrong. Was it her lack of response? Was it something she said? Did? Sakura looked at Sasuke worryingly, trying to search for the answers behind his eyes.
Sasuke almost laughed, one that came out as a strangled noise instead. He had never felt like this before- so free, as if he could do anything in the world, with no regrets in mind. Like nothing could stop him, compress him into a body named Sasuke, like he was now a new free spirit, being able to speak his mind. He looked at Sakura, looked at her worried face, worry for him, the question in her face of whether something bad happened to him or not.
It was quite the contrary though. He felt so overjoyed, able to say something he had always wanted. Though- he did feel like he was overreacting, he couldn't remember when the last time he acted like this was, and he couldn't care less.
"I'm fine." He pulled Sakura in for a hug again, squeezing her so hard that he could feel her heartbeat, her breath, even her swallows. He wanted to stay like the forever, to never leave her ever again, to stay on this tree for eternity, enveloped by her warmth and love.
Sakura decided that it was not in her place to keep pestering about the sudden mood shift, and decided to let go, and to hug him back. He was probably happy, considering he didn't grow distant. She could feel his hair tickling her neck, and wondered if that was what he felt whenever she hugged him. It felt so good, like he was trying to make her laugh.
Sakura leaned in, trying to re-adjust herself on his leg as she tightened her hold, inhaling his scent in.
"I've missed you so much." Sakura breathed with a sigh. She really did miss this. She missed holding him, smelling his scent everytime she breathed in, and feeling him on her.
Sasuke grunted in response, suddenly backing up. He stared intently in her eyes, looking as if he was drunk and she was the only clear thing he could see.
Sakura laughed nervously, knowing what was gonna happen. Sasuke always had that look before doing something mischievious. He always had that drunk look on his face, as if he drank ten liters of sake. She turned her head to the side, burning up from the intense stare.
Sasuke smirked. She was really easy bait- and she had given him the perfect opportunity. Without wasting another moment, Sasuke leaned forward, to kiss Sakura's neck. He could feel her jump from being startled, and her quickly growing hot under his lips.
Sakura thought her soul jumped out of her being, and came back as a new life when she felt Sasuke's lips on her neck. He had never done anything like this- always resorting to cheek kisses and forhead taps, the only time they've been this intimate was three months ago, when they had kissed eachother on the lips. She never would have guessed that Sasuke had this side of him at all. As if he was a whole different person.
Sasuke, meanwhile, was having the time of his life. He was sucking on the flesh under her earlobe, biting it and running his lip over the area to ease the pain. He could hear sakura suck in breaths, trying not to make a sound. That frusterated him. It was not enough. So, he moved his hand to grab her waist, leaning her in more, and moving on to kiss her jaw.
Sakura gasped from surprise, as Sasuke grabbed her waist. Who was he? Had she ever met him before?
"Sa-s..-kun!" Before Sakura could even question him, she yelped as he bit on the bottom of her jaw, leaving a wet trail as he moved on to her lips. Sasuke nibbled on her bottom lip, and did not hesitate to slip his tongue in her mouth, to explore all parts of her mouth.
Sakura could not keep up- she was overwhelmed. It was so fast, and Sakura could not stop whimpering, as Sasuke bit more and more on her lips, feeling the stinging sensation cool under his tongue. It felt so good, better than any dream she could conjure up, she felt like she was dazed, and never wanted to forget this.
Sakura leaned back, whispering, "My turn", as she leaned towards his neck, sucking on the meat between his neck and shoulder blade.
His skin was sweet, something no amount of sugar could compare to. She sucked his skin, leaving little wet trails across his shoulder, to the base of his neck as she kissed him. When she heard him groan like that for the first time, she momentarily stopped, surprised. It was like harmony in her ears, one that would never leave her mind. She wanted to hear it forever, to never stop hearing it, even if she were dying. She bit him the way that had made him groan like that, to recieve more of those praises. Although, Sasuke decided to surprise her again, when he softly whimpered under her.
Who knew he could be such a softie?
Sakura grabbed his forearm, feeling her legs going weak. She didn't know how long she would survive like this, didn't know how much longer she could take without combusting from his voice. All she knew was that no matter what, she had the urge to keep kissing him, lick him, to hold him, and grasp him like he was her lifeline.
Sasuke was screaming in his head, from all the sensations around him. The little moans from Sakura leaving goosebumps down his back like a strong gust of wind had blown over him. Her tongue, licking and prodding at his skin, his lips, dazing him as if he was stoned. Her hands, bunched up in his hair, the pain feeling like the best reward he had ever received. And her legs, wrapped around his torso, completely unaware of the wreck he was thinking about doing with them. She was tangled to him, as if she was one being with him, and he believed they were. She was everything- absolutely everything, and nothing could change his mind. She was his lifeline.
_____________
Sakura reached home well past the city's bedtime, welcomed by the dark in her room, as she sat on her bed. Today was amazing, she thought. She had never seen this side of Sasuke- never seen him so handsy, so wanting, and absolutely not that bold. She could never imagine Sasuke ever having the courage of initiating a make- out session like that, but then again, how could she not believe it? He looked so relieved and happy when kissing her.
Sakura blushed while she thought of their afternoon. She took out the keychain that Sasuke had giften her shortly before they parted- the gem in the middle sparkling under the moonlight. It was beautiful. Sakura carefully put it on her nightstand, placing it somewhere safe to always be able to reach out and remember Sasuke on the nights she felt lonely.
She hopes that he would be like that in their future meet-ups. But for now- she'd just have to wait for the next time, as she healed all of the marks on her neck and body.
Sasuke reached the cave late at night, thanking whatever was out there that the team was fast asleep in the other rooms. He walked into his room, the wind bone-achingly cold against his skin, warm from Sakura's touch. He blushed as he remembered how her hand were all over his body- her lips that traced his whole upper half, leaving big and dark bruises all over his skin. He wouldn't bother trying to get rid of them, they were the best gift he's recieved from her, one that he'll keep asking for again and again. He laid down, his cot squeeking quietly, as he thought of what their next meet-up would be like. There's no way I'm not going to be able to supress it next time. He thought, while he closed his eyes, Sakura's whimpers never leaving his mind - the ghost of her body keeping him warm all night.