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Every night for the past 3 months the dream nightmare had been the same. One that had rarely haunted her childhood, became more familiar throughout her teenage years, and now, never stopped.
Every fiber of her being ached as she pushed her legs to move. Puppets and poison be damned, neither she, nor Lady Chiyo would die here in this cave, so far from home.
Protecting someone who she cared for had become instinct. Maybe it wasn’t the smartest move, but it would effectively stop the blade from reaching its intended target.
The almost human look of disbelief in his eyes was first thing her mind registered as cold steel tore through the soft flesh of her stomach.
Sakura stared at her reflection in the full-length mirror, one hand covering the birthmark on the left of her stomach. ‘Right where he stabs me in every dream.’ She couldn’t explain the feelings that coursed through her veins after she awoke; Not the sadness that buried her soul nor the acknowledgment that set her heart aflame.
“It’s just a dream.” She speaks aloud to no one, mostly trying to reassure herself.
But she is not reassured. Nothing about the weight in her bones or the hollowness of her heart was reassuring.
Slender fingers run through pink locks and softly she messages her scalp, sighing, “It’s just a dumb, reoccurring dream. Probably brought on by something I watched as a kid.”
No amount of reasoning makes the feelings go away.
‘How is it that a dream makes me feel more than anything real ever has?’
She quashes the question before her mind can dwell on the sad fact that her life is so dull and unfulfilled that she’s almost longing to be in that cave with the old lady and the murderous puppet-man. Another sigh and a soft pull on her hair, Sakura leaves her reflection and steps into the warm shower to start her day.
Being a first year Resident is the absolute worst, Sakura decided as she deposited her vomit cover scrubs into the waste bin. The hours were grueling, the doctors were sarcastic and demeaning; It was basically high school all over again, minus her ever supportive and protective friends. The only redeeming quality is that she’s usually too busy to focus on anything other than the patients she’s trying not to kill. Decent sleep was rare when she was on a 24-hour shift, and that meant dreams nightmares did not have the time to whisper their cruelties to her exhausted mind.
But once she walked through the glass doors and into the chilly night, she would have no such reprieve. She would be alone, greeted by an empty apartment, and eventually she would drift off to meet the red-haired stranger who tried to kill her every night.
Sakura took out her phone and stared at the multitude of messages on her screen from Ino.
7:45 am
Hey Forehead! Let’s get some drinks tonight. I know you’re off tomorrow, so there’s no excuse why you can’t.
10:21 am
Helloooooo?
2:18 pm
Are you ever gonna answer me?
2:20 pm
It’s been like a month since I’ve even seen your face.
2:21 pm
Just say yes.
5:32 pm
SAKURAAAA! I will drag you out of your apartment if I have to!
A soft smile found it’s way onto her lips and she quickly typed a message back, deciding the nightmares could wait a couple hours more.
9:32 pm
I’m walking home now. Come get me whenever.
Feeling a little better now that she knew she would be in the company of her obnoxious best friend, Sakura stepped out of the comfort of hospital and into the dimly lit night to start her short trek home.
Ino is leaning against the counter in the lobby, wearing a tight little sequin dress and some very strappy black heels, when Sakura walks in.
“You’re gonna change before we go right?” Her disapproving eyes scanning the pinkettes casual clothing.
Sakura has to restrain herself from rolling her eyes, “Hello to you too, Pig.”
The blonde lets out a rough laugh and throws an arm around Sakura’s shoulders, pulling her towards the elevator, “I’ve missed you, Saku. You gotta stop hiding out at the hospital so much.”
Sakura cannot stop the eye roll that time.
“You make it seem like I’m trying to get away from you.”
Ino narrows her azure eyes at the pinkette, “Well sometimes I think you are!”
A light laugh escapes, “Well I-no, maybe if you stopped trying to set me up every time we’re out..”
“It’s not my fault you’re hopeless.. I’m just tryna help a girl out.”
Opening the door to her apartment, Sakura watches in amusement as Ino makes a beeline for the bedroom. She chuckles and makes her way to the kitchen, in search of something to fill her stomach. The half an egg sandwich she managed to scarf down for lunch would be no match for the shots she’d undoubtedly be taking later on.
Ino joined her in the kitchen, arms full, as Sakura was shoving a fork full of reheated spaghetti into her mouth.
“Mm nom tryimg all thmt om”
Ino’s disgust at her friend’s brutish behavior was evident on her face.
“Shut up before you choke. I just wanna see which one I like best.”
The blonde pulled a shiny red dress free and held it a few feet in front of Sakura.
“Nah.”
The dress dropped to the ground, and deep green sweater dress was in its place.
“Nope.”
It too fell to the ground.
Sakura, who was still shoveling pasta into her mouth, warily watched as her clothing formed a pile on her kitchen floor. A pink dress. Another red dress. A white and blue dress.
“You’re gonna pick –”
“This is it!” Ino cut her off, throwing a black dress over her shoulders and letting the rest of the articles of clothes fall freely to the ground.
“Ino!”
The blonde paid her no attention as she grabbed the nearly empty container of food from her hands and dropped it onto the counter. She then grabbed Sakura’s wrist and dragged her into the bedroom.
“Hurry up and get dressed. I’m gonna find a pair of heels to match.”
Sakura was left in her room with a skimpy mesh cut-out dress in one hand and her fork still in the other.
“So this place is supposed to be the hottest little hole in the wall around.” Ino commented as they stepped out of the car. “Shikamaru told me about it. Apparently, his new girlfriends’ friends moved here a few months back and bought the place. They’re supposed to have live music three nights a week too.”
Sakura wrapped her arms around her practically bare shoulders as light breeze swept through. Ino obviously did not care that it was 63 degrees out and they were virtually naked. As she would say ‘Looking good is important, regardless of the weather.’
“Hurry up Forehead!” Ino was a few feet ahead of her.
Walking in heels had always been a chore for Sakura. She didn’t wear them often, considering how impractical they were in every situation, so she had to take small, unconfident steps as she walked. Looking down every now and then to make sure she wouldn’t step on a rock or something that would send her tumbling to the ground.
“Did you have to grab the tallest heels I own?” She complained to the blond who had stopped to watch her pathetically strut stumble towards the bar.
Ino rolled her eyes, “They were your only actual heels. 2 inches does not count as a heel, Sa-ku-ra.”
Sakura frowned at her best friends teasing and grumbled, “Maybe not to someone who thinks only stilettos are a real form of footwear.”
Ino laughed and looped her arm through Sakura’s, supporting her as they made it to the door.
Inside, the room was dimly lit by decorative lights strung across the ceiling and brick walls. Crimson cloth booths lined the walls and were accompanied by rich mahogany tables. The wall at the far end opened and gave way to a stage, where Sakura could see the back end of a black grand piano. A soft melody was being played and someone was singing, though it was drowned out by the sea of voices crowded near the entrance.
“Sakura! Ino!”
Sakura’s inspection was cut short as Ino pulled her towards a booth, on the other side of the bar, where a few of their friends were huddled.
“Hey guys! Look who finally decided to grace us with her presence!” Ino greeted cheerfully.
Sakura smacked the blonds arm before turning her attention to her childhood group of friends. Naruto beamed at Sakura from his spot between a red cheeked Hinata and a the ever-aloof Sasuke. Shikamaru sat next to Hinata and on his other side was his girlfriend, Temari, who Sakura had only ever met once or twice. The red head beside Temari startled Sakura, as a flash of amber appeared in her mind. But a questioning gaze from cool aqua eyes calmed her erratic heart and she flashed a soft smile and greeting to the group.
Garra, her mind supplied, and Kankuro next to him. Temari’s siblings.
“Sit down guys, a server will be coming shortly for drink orders.” Temari spoke, waving to the blond server a couple tables down.
Ino happily took the open seat beside Sasuke and pulled Sakura down into the seat next to her.
“So Sasuke, what’s new?”
Ino wasted no time in looping her arm through his, unabashedly running her fingers down his forearm.
Sasuke eyed the contact warily but made no move to remove himself, “Seriously Ino, I thought you were over this?”
Sakura laughed and opened her mouth to respond but the blonde scoffed and cut her off, “Eh, what’s wrong with a little flirting? It doesn’t mean I like you.”
Naruto slapped his hand onto the table, laughing, “Ha, Sasuke, not even Ino likes you.”
A light blush spread over Sasukes face and he muttered something under his breath.
“Hey cousins! What can I get you and your friends?”
The blonde server was standing at the end of their booth. He wore a black button down shirt, top 3 buttons open exposing his chest, with a red cloud emblem on the left of his chest and black slacks.
“We’re not your cousins, Deidara.” Temari rolled her eyes.
“Aw, Tem-Tem, don’t be like that!” He laughed as he tried to pull the three siblings into a hug.
“Ah come on Deidara, quit it!” Kankuro yelled as he tried to free himself from the larger man’s embrace.
Temari was shoving herself as far into Shikamaru’s side as possible, swatting at the older blondes hands, “Get awayyy! Where is my cousin with his leash!”
“Deidara..”
The blonde looked up at the youngest sibling, cerulean locking on seafoam. A soft squealing noise escaped his throat and he immediately let go, crossing his arms in a huff.
“I’m gonna tell Danna how mean you guys are!”
Temari relaxed a bit, allowing Shikamaru to take a proper breath.
“OH please, he’s the meanest of us all.”
Deidaras pout was easily replaced by a sheepish look as he rubbed the back of his head, “Eh, I guess that pretty true. Anyway, what can I get you guys?”
“Shots!” Ino yelled out.
“Damn Ino, we can’t even have a proper drink first?”
Ino glared over at Sakura, “A round of Irish Car Bombs for the table, please. And a Malibu Bay Breeze for the pink haired princess over here.”
Sakura groaned as no one argued with Inos drink choices and Deidara disappeared into the crowd.
“So how’s the residency going, Sakura?”
The pinkette turned her attention to Shikamaru.
“It’s going,” she huffed, “it’s definitely harder than I thought it’d be. Hands on training is definitely kicking my ass, and it’s so hard keeping people alive.”
Slim fingers found their way into pink locks once again, rubbing a soothing pattern on her scalp.
“Ah, Sakura, I’m sure you’ll get it soon. You’ve always been a quick learner.” Hinata spoke up, joining the conversation.
“Thanks Hina, I’m sure it’ll get better, it’s just the first year."
“Have they let you do a surgery yet?!” Naruto asked excitedly.
Sakura laughed lightly, “I wish.”
Ino threw an arm around her, “Of course not! They don’t want their first year out shinning their actual doctors!”
Everyone laughed and Sakuras face flushed with embarrassment, “Yeah right. I still have such a long way to go before I’m on their level.”
Deidara reappeared with a blue haired woman in tow, trays of drinks in their hands.
“Here we go, Irish Car Bombs all around,” Deidara announced as he placed a mug of Guinness and shot of Bailey’s in front of each person, “and a Malibu for princess pinky.”
He winked as he deposited her drinks in front of her and Sakuras embarrassment increased with every elbow jabbed into her by the blonde bombshell beside her.
“Thanks.” She managed to mutter, emerald eyes looking anywhere other than his face.
He laughed and followed the blue haired woman back to the bar.
“So… cousin, huh?” Ino eyes followed the blonde until he disappeared then rolled casually over to Temari.
She scoffed and frowned, “He’s not our cousin, just our cousins best friend.”
Kankuro snickered, “More like boyfriend.”
Ino raised an elegant brow in question, “Oh, so he bats for the other team?”
Kankuro and Temaris laughter rang out, and Sakura was certain all eyes in the bar were momentarily on them.
“You better be careful he doesn’t hear you, brother.”
Gaaras soft voice put an abrupt end to their laugher and Kankuro did a full 360 in his seat, making sure that his cousin was not miraculously behind him.
“Nah, it’s just a running joke for us since Deidara follows him around like a lost puppy.” Temari spoke, eyes searching the crowd. She too was wary of their cousin and his reaction to the joke at hand.
“Are we gonna take these shots or what?” Naruto said, elbowing Sasuke who was staring at the drinks in front of him like they were some abstract concept.
“Yeah, let’s do it!” Ino cheered.
“You just drop the shot in the beer, right?” Shikamaru asked, picking up his shot glass.
“And CHUG!” Naruto shouted.
“Yeah! That goes for you too Forehead. No glasses down until their empty!”
Sakura glanced at the shot glass in her hand warily, both Sasuke and Hinata looking as uncertain as she felt.
“3..” A gleeful look in Inos eyes.
“2..” Naurto was practically bouncing with excitement.
“1.”
A resounding clink echoed through their table as shot glasses reached the bottom of the mugs.
“Cheers!”
Simultaneously, they picked up their mugs and drank. Sakura tried to focus on the sweet coffee taste of the shot, while forcing the bitter liquid down her throat.
Naruto slammed his mug down first, followed closely by Sasuke, who refused be outdone in any activity. Cup by cup came back down as Sakura struggled to breathe while still drinking. A quick glance at Hinata revealed that she too was still battling the car bomb.
“Come on Saku! Finish it!” Ino cheered as she waved down another server.
One more gulp and she slammed her mug down with a little too much force. The sound of glass shattering silenced the room. The only sound left was a wistful melody and voice that ripped the breath from her lungs.
And please don’t go, drifter, oooh
Her heart jumped into her throat, trying desperately to escape. Her eyes frozen on the bar, as if she might be able to see through it and to the stage.
What do I say, all that time just thrown away
Crimson hair and amber eyes. Poison. A sword through her side. A nightmare put on hold, drowning her fully conscious mind.
I don’t know how to keep lives apart, bleeding
She needed to..
A roar of laughter cut through the music and slowly the chattering around the room resumed.
“Damn Sakura!” Ino laughed, a few others joining in with her.
“S-sorry.” Her head was still spinning, flashes of crimson and amber slowly receding.
“Damn Princess! Is this always how you ask for another?” Deidara was at their table again, broom in hand.
“I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to- I just.. Sorry.”
“It’s okay,” he smiled at her, as he brushed the glass into the scooper, “Really. You’re not even the first one tonight.”
Feeling flushed and embarrassed, Sakura stood, holding the edge of the table as if it could stabilize her mind. She needed space. She needed to be alone so she could collect her thoughts and calm her heart.
“I’m going to the bathroom.”
Ino made a move to follow her but Sakura swatted her arm, “I’ll be right back, Pig. Get another round.”
Aruze eyes shone with a twinge of concern but it was quickly replaced by a playful look as she mock saluted, “Yes ma’am.”
A soft smile at her best friends antics and she turned to make her way through the hoard of people between her and the restroom. As she walked towards the back of the room, the crowd began to thin and voices spoke in whispered tones, allowing the music to filter through more clearly.
The sun cannot see our home
Emerald eyes fixated on the neon bathroom sign, she was only a few feet away. She would not look over at the stage.
Til death or peace, I see you
Her heel dug into the carpet floor and her eyes drifted without her consent.
Her gaze landed on a mop of crimson hair, down to black covered shoulders, and following the length of his covered arms to long lithe fingers floating above keys. His fingers twitched but never made contact.
The music had stopped.
Amber eyes burned through her.
Sakuras breath caught, realizing the full force of his attention was on her. Her mind panicked as his intense gaze froze the blood in her veins and turned her bones to stone.
His fingers twitched again.
And then she ran. Heels be damned. 10 steps. Past the bathroom. Shoving past someone. Ignoring the shout to her right. Pushing someone else out of her way. Trembling hands straining against a heavy metal door.
The cold air engulfed her as she ran out of the bar and into the alley, finally letting out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding.
“What the fuck..” she whispered, stopping just past the dumpster and leaning her back against the wall, trying to even out her ragged breathing.
She closed her eyes and fisted her fingers into her hair.
‘Breathe Sakura… Breathe’
“He just looks like someone I dream of..” she muttered through shallow breaths.
“It’s just a dream.. It’s not real.”
How many times did she have to tell herself.
“It’s just a coincidence.” She breathed.
“Is it?”
Sakura felt like a deer caught in headlights. Her whole body frozen from the sheer anticipation brought on by the deep timbre of his voice. Fear and excitement coursed through her as she stared at the man before her, mind struggling to form an exit strategy.
“Sorry, I think you have me confused with someone else. I’m just gonna go back inside.” She said quickly, trying and failing to sound casual.
His eyes narrowed, but Sakura was too busy avoiding his amber hued gaze to notice.
As she moved to step away from the wall, he reacted on impulse, lifting his arms and placing his hands against the cool wall, effectively blocking her escape.
“I don’t think I do.” His breath brushed across her face.
Time seemed to stop in that moment. They were neither here nor there anymore. A plane of existence just for them, composed of feelings transcending time and space. Feelings that suffocated and breathed life into her all at once. Feelings that he could never snuff out, regardless of the substances he chose to abuse when it was all too overwhelming.
“I have this dream sometimes..” She was so close he could feel the heat radiating from her face as her words caressed him.
“And I know it’s me.. and you.. But we’re somewhere else.. Something else.”
Sakura didn’t know why these words were just tumbling out of her mouth. She wanted to clamp it shut and swallow what was to follow, but she couldn’t. Her mouth kept moving and her lips formed words she never wanted to say, especially not to the man who had her pinned against a wall. This man she’d never seen before but couldn’t stop dreaming of.
“And you’re my enemy.. So we’re fighting..”
Cold steel is plunged through her midsection. The pain is unbearable and the metallic taste in her mouth is horrendous. But there is flood of emotions in herself that she doesn’t understand; the excitement, the sheer determination, the ferocity, and…
“But I’m happy. Happier than I’ve ever felt before.”
His eyes are clouded by confusion. Staring down at the pink haired girl before him, she won’t look directly at him, instead fixing her eyes on his chin as she spoke.
He stares into emerald eyes as the cold steel plunges into his imperfect human heart. He had allowed it, of course. But why, he was uncertain. The way her eyes widened as his blood sprayed her face, the tears she cried for him, would be burned into his mind for eternity.
“You killed me.”
Her head snapped up and once again he was looking into those wild green eyes that plagued his thoughts. He didn’t know her, but everything in his body said otherwise. The moment he spotted her in the crowd, his mind was wiped of everything but the images of a ravaged cavern, wisps of pink, and fiery emerald eyes. When she ran, his body moved of its own accord, pulling him to her.
“H-how did you know that?” She breathed out.
“I’ve dreamt it my whole life.” He whispered.
“Who are you?”
“I think you already know.”
She furrowed her brow at the response, “No, I know how you make me feel, even if I can’t explain it, but I don’t know you.”
She pushed an accusatory finger into his exposed chest. Like Deidara, he was wearing a black button down with the first few buttons undone.
“And it doesn’t make any sense, by the way. Whatever this dream is, you stab me and I punch holes through you, it can’t be good.”
Her rational mind was finally catching up and bringing to light the insanity that was their shared dream.
One hand came down from beside her head and she felt like she could breathe a little easier. But the moment was short lived as his fingers wrapped around the appendage still pushed against his chest.
“You cried when I died.”
His amber eyes burned into hers and all the emotions that were usually reserved for her dreams bubbled up to the surface. Sakura felt her breaths shortening, as tears formed in the corners of her eyes. Her knees buckled and her free hand grabbed his shoulder, trying to steady herself. Scene after scene flashed through her mind. Puppets soaring towards her, black sand, poisoned needles, broken puppets littering the ground, blood… her blood, and crimson hair in center of it all.
She choked back a sob as she gripped his shoulder tighter. “Why?”
Sasori was frozen. He didn’t understand anything any better than the girl before him, and he sure as hell did not understand why she cried for him, was currently crying for him. He wasn’t sure what he even wanted to say to her in the first place, but now here he was, holding a girl who was crying for a version of him that didn’t actually exist.
“I don’t understand this, ” Sakura whispered, softly shaking her head.
She was starting to feel hysterical, “I thought I made you up in my head, but… you’re here, I can feel you. You’re not a dream..”
“I am as real as you are.” He spoke softly, almost afraid that anything louder would further frighten the small woman before him.
Sakura lifted her head to look at him suddenly, his words echoing through her mind.
“Are you going to try to kill me?”
The absurdity of the question almost made Sasori want to laugh but the seriousness in her eyes caused him to frown, “No.”
Relief flooded the pinkette and she took a deep, steadying breath. He may be real, but at least the dream itself was not.
Feeling suddenly exhausted, Sakura learned forward, trapping their arms as she laid her forehead against his free shoulder.
Sasori watched as Sakura tried to compose herself, body pressed against his, one hand still on his shoulder, her head on the other, and one finger still wrapped in his. He couldn’t remember the last time someone was so intimate with him, and definitely could not remember ever wanting for it. But once again, his body was acting on its own, welcoming her intrusion.
He wanted to ask her so many questions, but it seemed she didn’t have any answers. She was just as in the dark as he was.
“Don’t worry, I won’t kill you either.” A dry laugh escaped her throat.
The red head was unsure how to respond to that, uncomfortable with the entire situation, but unable to remove himself.
“I’m Sakura, by the way.” She whispered.
“Sasori.” He offered.
“Sasori..” She repeated, testing his name on her lips.
Her breath warmed the spot above his collarbone, sending a small shiver through him.
“Why does this dream make me feel so much?”
He wasn’t sure if she was actually asking him or herself, but the words came out before he could stop them.
“I’ve always thought of it as a past life.”
Sakura pulled back to examine his face. His eyes were immediately on hers, searching for something.
‘Another life.. ?’
He looked so much like the man in her dreams, but so different at the same time. Eyes as deep and dangerous as the ocean, but the cruel smirk that taunted her replaced by a solemn frown.
“So is this another chance?”
A glimmer of hope she never knew was there spread through her like a wildfire.
Sasoris eyes widened at the implication.
Another chance. To be on her side this time. By her side. This woman who slayed him in another life. This woman who made his chest explode with just a gaze.
“Would you like that?”
Sakura gasped in surprise. She’d never entertained the idea that the dream could be of a past life. She certainly didn’t think she’d ever run into the very man she dreamt of. And now, he was before her and the idea was presented to her and she wasn’t sure what to do with it. What to do with him.
But her being knew, even if her mind didn’t.
“Yes.”
The word echoed between them.
A small pink haired girl stood at the mouth of the cave. He thought nothing of her, just an insignificant pest. But she weaved her way through his attacks, barrages of needles and swords. Leaving a trail of splintered wood and useless tools. And he realized just how wrong he was about her. There, in that fight to the death, he felt move alive than he ever had before. Fueled by the fire in her emerald eyes.
Sasori lift the hand still against the wall, bringing it towards her face, almost asking permission with the deliberately slow action. Sakura closed her eyes instinctively, leaning into his touch.
The anachronistic weight he carried in his soul seemed to lessen at the sight of her welcoming his touch.
How many centuries had he waited to do that?
A soft sigh escaped her, “So now wh-”
“Sasooori!” A voice called in the distance.
Sasori turned to look down the alley, then back to her, tightening his grip on her finger. Anxiety coursed through him, he didn’t want let her go. What if she disappeared just as suddenly as she had appeared? He didn’t want to see her only in his dreams.
“Danna! Where are you?!” The voice called again.
Sakura watched the turmoil roll through his eyes, wondering what was going through his head.
As his grip loosened around her finger and he took a step back, Sakura found herself reaching out to him, already missing his warmth.
“Dammit Sasori! You can’t just walk out on your set, I swear I’m gonna kick your ass!”
The empty threat reverberated though the alley.
Sakura dropped her hand back to her side, “You should probably get back, huh?”
Sasori ran a hand through his messy locks and shook his head, “Yeah.”
He opened his mouth to say something else but was promptly cut off by the heavy back door opening.
“Hey man, what the hell? I’ve been looking everywhere for you! Are you okay? You look constipated.” Deidara yelled from where he stood, keeping the door propped open with his foot.
Sasori made a sound of annoyance before turning away from her and walking toward the blonde.
Sakura felt silly staying hidden behind the dumpster, but she wasn’t really sure what just happened or how it might look to someone on the outside. So she waited, grounded to the spot until the loud sound of metal scraping the ground reached her ears and the door shut.
Slowly relaxing her posture, Sakura replayed her intimate conversation with the redheaded stranger.
There was no denying that they were having the same dream. She knew him, even only having met him, and he sure seemed to know her. But the implications of the dream actually being a memory shook her to the core. The idea that she watched him die once before, helped to kill him, even, did not sit well with her. Her enemy, who her soul longed for. What did this mean for her, for them?
Sakura shook her head and pushed herself away from the wall. Sighing as she walked toward the front entrance, “I need a drink.”
When Sakura rejoined her group of friends she was bombarded with strange looks from the females at the table.
“Where’d you go Sakura? We went to the bathroom but you weren’t in there.” Ino began.
Sakura narrowed her eyes at her friend and grabbed the drink out of her hand, “I went to get some air.”
“Hey! Get your ownnnn!” Ino complained as Sakura gulped down the remaining liquid.
“You took her shots while she was gone!” Temari accused from across the table.
Sakura raised a delicate pink brow at the sheepish look on her best friends face.
Ino casually waved her hand, “Mm, you took too long. Besides, more are on the way as we speak.”
Aruze eyes were looking past Sakura, at the approaching servers, the blonde she’d been flirting with all night and a red head she hadn’t seen until now.
“Is being hot a requirement for employment here?” She mused, shooting Temari a sideward glance.
Temari followed her gaze to the approaching servers and let out a snort, “Deidara, ew. My cousin, double ew.”
Inos brows rose incredulously, peaking Sakuras curiosity. She turned to look just as they reach the table and found herself staring up into amber eyes once more.
Slowly her mind pieced it together. Sasori was Temaris cousin. Sasori worked at the bar. Sasori was standing in front of her and her friends with an amused expression on his face, looking directly at her.
Ino noticed first. Her eyes slid over, catching Temaris teal gaze, and she motioned towards them. A smirk played on both their lips.
“Ne, Sasori, you never mentioned you knew Sakura.”
Temaris spoke loudly as she stood and swiped a glass off Deidaras tray.
“I didn’t know you knew her either.” He replied cooly, depositing glasses onto the table.
“What?! You know princess pinky?!” Deidara shouted in disbelief, looking between the blushing pinkette and his stoic best friend.
Sasori eyes slid away from Sakura and narrowed in Deidaras direction, “I don’t see how that is of any of your concern.”
“Wait, wait, wait,” Naruto started, turning toward Sasuke, “he’s gotta be at least Itachis age,” then he turned to Sasori, “so how do you know Sakura?”
Sakura wanted to crawl under a rock and die.
“We’ve know each for centuries.” He answered softly, intense gaze back on her.
“Huh?” Naruto looked between the pair.
Hinata put her hand on his arm, forcibly drawing his attention back to her. She shook her head slightly and smiled at him. The confusion on Narutos face melted away and was replaced by a shy smile.
Ino was not dropping it so easily.
“Sa-ku-ra,” she sang, “is he your boyfriend?”
Sakura tore her eyes away from Sasori to glare at the blonde, “He-“
“And if I am?”
Inos surprised expression registered in her mind first. Her brain was still trying to process the words that left the red heads mouth.
“And if I am?”
Her head exploded. Her eyes snapped back to the enigma before her.
“I- you- I mean..” Sakura stumbled over her words.
“Ah, the eloquence I adore.” He smirked.
Ino laughed, dramatically throwing her head back onto Sasukes shoulder and patting the pinkettes back, “I like him Sakura, you picked a good one.”
“Danna! How could you not tell me about your cute little girlfriend!” Deidara cried, pulling on his sleeve.
Sakura buried her face in her hands, trying with all her might to just disappear. How did they go from whatever just happened in the alley to joking about dating to her friends?
‘Is it a joke?’
She peered up at Sasori through her fingers. He was arguing with Deidara, but there was a amused smirk on his lips. The dim lighting cast a soft glow over his features, making him look almost ethereal. His eyes shone with a warmth she’d never seen in her dreams.
‘Would it really be so bad?’
Desolate amber eyes stared up at her. She was certain that if his puppet face could show his emotions he’d be wearing the most heartbreaking expression. Wrapped in the wooden arms of his first creations. Her body longed to wrap him in her arms, take his pain, but there was nothing she could do for this shell of a man. He was too far gone. Maybe in a another life.
Sakuras eyes widened as the memory played in her mind. Tears burned in the corners of her eyes. Here she was, right where she wanted to be, where she could reach out and touch him.
‘Maybe in another life.’
Sakura unconsciously reached out and wrapped her hand around his forearm.
Sasori turned at the contact, taking in the mournful look in her eyes and the tears threatening to spill over.
“Sakura..?”
The dulcet tone of his voice and the concern in his amber eyes broke her out of her thoughts.
Standing suddenly, she threw her arms around his neck and buried her face in the crook of his neck. Warm tears ran down his chest as he wrapped his arms around her trembling form.
“I’m sorry, I just..” she took a shaky breath, “Just don’t go away again.”
Sasori took a deep breath, relishing the fresh floral scent of her shampoo. How many times had he seen her face in his mind? How many times had he imagined a different ending to the fight that intertwined their souls eons ago? How long had he waited to hold her?
“I’ve waited an eternity,” he whispered softly, “I’m not going anywhere."