Ill see you soon.

Two and a half years later is not soon, but Uchiha Sasuke steps through the gates ignoring the power
of time.
Duty orders him to visit Kakashi first, but his gut tells him that he can pause to observe a cherry
blossom tree. It is newly bloomed, and Sasuke wonders if he is allowed to pluck from it. Nature
doesnt allow him to think further, and the wind thrusts a few petals into his face. He brushes them
off, carefully grasping them in his hand.
He turns around, heading the opposite direction of the Hokage Tower. Kakashi can wait. There is
someone else that requires his presence foremost.
Her hair is longer. Not obnoxiously long, but those pink strands no longer graze her shoulders and
dips just below her collarbone.
His fingers tremble. Never has this happened upon the sight of this girl. It was just Sakura, so why
was he so nervous? He consciously steadies his hand, a control he used to have.
But he sees another man, a different man that was not Sasuke, blurt some joke that Sakura finds
funny enough to laugh at.
Has her smile always been that enchanting?
And more annoying.
He grits his teeth, glares at the mysterious man one last time, then turns around.
The crushed blossom lays forgotten on the road.
He walks her home after a Team 7 reunion dinner at (of course) Ichirakus.
Tsunade-sama can set your new arm tomorrow, announces Sakura.
--------------------------------

Youre always blowing your hair from your face, Sakura notes, pulling out scissors from her drawer.
I just want to cut an inch.

Her face is so close, her lips daring him to touch.

All done! Sakura exclaims.
They dont leave their position for a good minute. His and her eyes are locked.

Youre avoiding me.

He says nothing, further infuriating Sakura.
Were my feelings too obvious?
I dont expect anything from you, Sasuke-kun. Ill promise Naruto and Kakashi-sensei not to bother
you about it anymore. You dont have to feel guilty. We can just be friends-
No.
Eh?
I refuse.
What have I done to deserve this?
I dont want to be friends.
Their lips meet, and Sasuke feels like hes returned to a safe haven.
He notes the lines under her eyes and wonders how many nights are spent at the hospital.
Will you ever call Konoha home again?
He answered by gathering his clothes and leaving her alone in the bed. Sasuke doesnt step into
Konohagakure until five months pass.
Youre home. Its right when she says it.
But she looks broken, not by seeing his return. No, something has happened. She lost a patient. He
is overcome by a need to hold and protect from whatever stranger will lash at her for failing to save
their loved one.

They do not have sex the night he returned. But Sasuke stays awake, watching the rise and fall of
Sakuras breath. He only sees her this relaxed in her sleep, and even then, he can see her eyes
furrow and fingers twiddling. He wonders what she thinks before going to bed, and whether haunts
her in nightmares.
Stay here.
I have to go to work, and youre leaving soon, correct?

Youre frustrated.
Im fine, he gritted.
There are places I need to go, villages to rebuild, people to help-
Sasuke, stop.
Im not finished.
You are just as, if not more, lost than you were five years ago, Kakashi stated. Perhaps you
should-
Dont tell me what to do, Sasuke snapped.
The last answer you seek cannot be found out there.
Kakashi leans back, sliding his chair toward the large windows.
Sometimes, we refuse to see what has always been in front of us.
Sakura sits in the garden, a small bento box on her lap. There is nothing special about observing a
person sit down for a simple lunch. But watching Sakura, hundreds of thoughts run through his head.
I know how you look at her, Sasuke. Sasuke no longer has the strength to deny his old senseis
claim. Iie, I can always tell when youre thinking about her.
Im no good, its barely above a whisper, but Sasuke knows Kakashi heard.
Kakashis next words threaten to break Sasukes cool composure.
You do not deserve Haruno Sakura.

Sasuke clenched his fists. Something about confirming the truth out loud pissed him beyond more.
Lucky for you, she couldnt care less.
Im retiring soon, Sasuke. Not just as Hokage, but as a shinobi. In less than a year, I will never
assign nor work on a mission with you again. Its fitting that I assign your last mission, one that ends
only with your death.
Looking in Kakashis black eyes, Sasuke knew his status as his teachers most precious student has
died before his return to Konoha.
Become the man Sakura deserves.
Sasuke hesitates to accept any mission where he cannot guarantee success.
Daffodils.
No.
Sasuke glared.
I dont want to sell apology flowers to the man who fucks my best friend only to leave her crying.
Sasuke clenched his fist. That is a personal matter.
Flowers arent enough for Sakura to forgive you.
Either stop being a jackass to Sakura or leave her alone, Ino threatened.
This doesnt concern you.
Ino slaps him.
Ino! Sai gasps. Whats gotten into-
You have no right to decide who gets to be concerned over my best friend! Ino screams.
While you were being a dumbass avenger, guess who was looking after every aspect of Sakuras
health? I was the one who made sure she got out of bed every morning. I was the one who made
sure she ate three meals a day. I was the one who trained with her to get strongerand you think
this doesnt concern me? Ino seethed, gripping his collar. Sasuke didnt have the pride to push her
off, let alone look away. Even Naruto left her to train.

Dont every think for one secondwhatever you do to Sakurahic is not my business
Ive looked after her heart for over 15 years. That job isnt for anybody.
Ino collapses to the floor, dragging Sasuke to his knees.
Its the first time Sasuke has truly been afraid of Yamanaka Ino. And the first time hes allow a
woman other than his mother or Sakura to cry in his shoulder.
Stop, please. I cant do this anymore.
Sakura
You come back, we spend forever rebuilding whatever we are, everything becomes good, you leave
for months, and were strangers again. Its too much.
He looks more like Itachi as the years pass by. Let his hair grow five inches more, and Sasuke would
be a mirror image of his controversial brother.
I thought I was patient, but Sakura chuckled. Im sorry.
Dont apologize. I should be the one saying that.
I know I promised to wait forever, b-but II cant do it anymoreI cant wait for you to accept
Konoha as your home againand I dont even know what you want.
This will be our last time together.

With each step, his heart grows heavier. Its harder to breathe with each minute. And his shoulders
slump like hes dragging a sack of sand. Tonight, hell sleep on the cold, dirt ground. He has spent
more nights sleeping on dirt more than a bed. For the first time, just one more day of doing that
sickens him.
He pivots around and runs.
He has never run so fast in his life. Not during the Massacre, the war, nothing. But Sasuke is afraid.
A minute too late and Sakura would have already made up her mind, closed his presence from her
life for good.
She looks like she just rolled out of bed, eyes red and hair undone.

Haruno Sakura is not flawless. She has dark circles and large bags around her eyes from numerous
night shifts. Her acne spots congregate on the left side of her large forehead. Stretch marks and
cellulite are hard to miss across her thighs.
But that and everything about her is what he wants to wake up to every morning.
She gives him hope and that is more than Sasuke could ask for in life.
Its you.
He doesnt know if shell trust him again. She has handed him too many chances.
As long as you are here
Youre my home.
And then they bang.