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Sakura was staying in an inn somewhere in Kirigakure when she receives the scroll. It was from the office of the Hokage, delegating her as a lead medic for a mission in Kumogakure . Apparently, there was virus outbreak affecting new borns. They have yet to find a cure and her expertise is immensely needed. She is expected to be at the Port of Kiri by 3 am, where a special envoy will be waiting for her. Realizing there is no time to lose, Sakura began packing her belongings.
Before leaving the inn, she hands the innkeeper a folded note. "Please make sure you give this to my comrade. He is set to return tomorrow" With a brief thanks, she leaves for her destination.
It was past two when Sakura reaches the harbor. She immediately searches for the boat that will take her to Kumokagure as scheduled. Finding none, she decides to wait by the lone bench overlooking the coast. Lulled by the gentle cascading waves, Sakura finds herself thinking about the last 6 months away from home.
Naturally, her thoughts led to her sole companion. While it was certainly an adventure being in different villages with Sasuke, Sakura cannot help but want for more time. It's greedy she knows.They left Konoha as nothing more than comrades fulfilling an order yet she'd be lying if she didn't hope that this mission would earn them a few moments to themselves, to finally get to talk and see how far each other has healed from the past. But then they would either be too occupied with pacifying small village squabbles or finding a missing child or undertaking rogue shinobis, or providing medical attention, even as basic as giving lectures on the importance of sanitation. The next thing she knows their mission has reached its completion and she is being ordered to go to another.
Be that as it may, she saw a side to him not everyone gets to see. Admittedly, Sakura finds herself at odds with who he is now and who he was before. Back then she missed the chance to fully understand both. She knew that Sasuke, stand-offish but reluctantly good, who pushed and pushed his precious people away for ghosts and filial duty. A war and a duel later, he comes back different, still in so many ways a stranger to her. Sakura would like nothing more than to bargain for more time to get to know this Sasuke too.
As children, they were trained under the science of survival. To survive means duty must always takes precedence. Sakura is not blind to the logic behind but in the deepest parts of herself not even reason is allowed to touch, lie her 12 year old heart . " If you were to stay with me.. We'd be happy I swear..."
There are still moments when he seems a thousand memories away, but perhaps adulthood brings a painful wisdom too much for her to understand back then. No matter how noble the intentions, one cannot simply will another to forgive. Forgiveness is hard work in as much as it is entirely personal . And sometimes, forgiveness is even more painful than the sin itself.
Sakura had to learn the hard way that the world is no place for girlish dreams. To be strong means to guard her heart with a diamond spine and and a strong pair of arms. Sakura, scarred and seventeen, knows romance is not redemption. Ironically, Sasuke understood this before her. Still, on nights like this, when the moon and it's Cheshire grin is her only companion, she cannot help but wish for him.
There is a subtle movement that catches her senses. She turns her gaze and sees Sasuke walking towards her. He stands in front of her shortly before casually sitting down.
"What is it about us and benches" , she silently muses. She turns to to face him, slightly amused by the way Sasuke tried to control his trademark scowl.
Ah. He is annoyed.
" I read your letter," he finally speaks, with nary a glance to her. She gives him a smile nonetheless. "I am sorry There wasn't much time to say a proper goodbye, not that it matters. We've reached the end of our mission anyway. Figured, you won't be back until tomorrow" , Sakura rambles.
"Why?", Sasuke asks.
Sakura crumples her brows before saying, "There's an epidemic in Kumo, and the Hokage deems my assistance is urgent-."
"I meant, why did you think it didn't matter?" Sasuke cuts her short.
Sakura turns away from him, afraid her face will betray the calm she thought she has. "Because.. ".
There were lots of things Sakura wanted to say, cut to the chase, hold nothing back for once. She looks at her hands, contemplating the right words as if her fingers could pin each reason there is.
"Because I think you've shared enough of your journey with me, Sasuke-kun and I'm grateful". If Sasuke only knew the the depth of her gratitude for every morning she wakes up to him heating their water, chosing the mundane over his tragedy, for every kind act he offers the world, for every shared quiet moment with him. If only he knew...
WIll that change things for us, Sasuke-kun?
There's a lump in her throat that is getting harder and harder to ignore. "Anyway", she clears her throat but says nothing further.
Sasuke takes a moment before handing her a scroll with a familiar insignia. She looks at him questioningly. "Read it." He urges patiently. Anticipating a classified information, she begins reading.
(Kakashi)Hokage-sama,
I wish to take an indefinite leave of duty, with the company of Haruno Sakura, effectively immediately, but only if she is willing. My reason is personal. Be assured that I'll keep her safe.
Signed, Uchiha Sasuke
And there besides his name, a space for her own. Her permission. Her choice.
"So will you?" he asks, a waver in his voice. Sakura is in disbelief. She knows what he's asking. She knows what her answer will be, and yet, she could only touch his face,8 traces of that beautiful boy from her childhood, warm beneath her fingertips. How she loved him then. How she loves him now.
"Yes." There is nothing more left to be said. Words almost always fail the both of them anyway. She'll ask him later about his reasons. He gave them time.
Right now, there is Sasuke and there is Sakura, a mere inch apart, the bravest they've ever been.
As he closes the distance between them, she dare not close her eyes,dare not miss any single detail of him this close; the high bridge of his nose, the darkness of his eyes, his lips softly landing on hers like snow on an open palm. Tenderly their kiss began until familiarity sets in and all hesitancy fades. And Sakura finally understands why people close their eyes for this. If only to stretch that single moment in infinite seconds before breath comes in between. They part as all lovers must after that sacred moment, but to see Sasuke smiling and breathless, Sakura thinks, the end is as just precious . Still reeling from the giddiness of a first, she was the first to take notice. "Sasuke-kun, look!" And when he does, Sasuke is left in silent awe.
They watch as colors blend into the horizon, slivers of indigo and orange and yellow against the dark blue of the waters.
Under the same sky, together for once.
The sun finally peeked when they hear the siren of a boat making its docking known. She knows duty beckons on the other side but somehow the weight of it is insignificant compared to his beside her. They aboard the boat together. A start of all sorts.
After tying Sasuke's scroll in one of his messenger hawks, they watch the animal soar its way home. She leans into him once more and whispers, "Welcome home, Sasuke-kun."