Chapter 3
As I was walking, it was getting dark so I decided to head home through the park. It was always prettiest at night.
When I got to the park, I went straight to the Cherry Blossom tree by the swings. It was my favorite place to go to think. It was where my head was cleared of todays stress and relive childhood..
Sasuke and I used to come here to talk about missions..
Suddenly, I heard a twig break in the forest behind me.
I turned my head, almost cracking my neck, to see if I could see anyone or an animal or something. I squinted my eyes to try and adjust to the darkness and shadow that the trees provided. No such luck.
Immediately I used my chakra sensing skills to detect anyone.
It was an enormous amount of chakra coming from behind the Cherry Blossom tree, although it seemed kind of familiar.
"Naruto?" I asked only in a whispered tone.
No response.
I was starting to get nervous. It was large enough to be Naruto, but he would of came out by now saying it was a joke. Strangely enough, it wasn't even active. It didn't feel ready to attack. As if the person was just sitting there..watching me.
Then it hit me.
That's when I saw the eyes. Staring straight at me. They were shining a bright red with black patterns through them. It was an Uchiha.
They weren't threatening in anyway shape or form. Just sitting there, observing me. Like I was a flower, observing its beauty.
"Sakura." he spoke.
I didn't move my eyes from his once. Too scared to see what he would do. It had been 3 years since I've last seen him. He tried to kill Naruto and I. If I have become this strong in that amount of time, I don't want to have to find out how strong he has become.
Panicking, I took a step back, about to make a run for it.
"Please, don't leave." he spoke again.
What?! Wasn't he the one that wanted nothing to do with me years ago? Why would he want me to stay now? While I was alone and vulnerable. Naruto wasn't with me, so if I had to fight then I would.
"Why should I stay?" I began. "Last time we met, you tried to kill me. The time before that, you knocked me out so I wouldn't be a nuisance and left me on a park bench!"
All the emotions of that night came flooding back and I felt my eyes burn. I was not going to cry. I've cried for the Uchiha enough times, and I'm not going to waste anymore on him.
It was silent for a few seconds. It wasn't awkward, just suspenseful. Was he going to speak? Attack? Leave?
He stepped out into the moonlight, making me step back again. He began to open his mouth like he was going to say something, but closed it again, unsure of what he was going to say.
"..you guys were right.. About revenge."
My mouth gaped open. Was the Sasuke Uchiha admitting he was wrong? And damaging his ego and pride? Is this even real life? I'm standing face to face with my ex teammate and childhood love at our old hang out that I haven't came to since he left.
"I...I...I mean...Sasuke of course we were right, damnit!" I was furious. "How many times have we had to tell you! Revenge doesn't get anywhere in life! We warned you about how lonely you would feel once you killed your own brother! He was all you had left, so you thought you had a purpose in life! Obviously, you thought you would be fine because your family was gone growing up so you were already alone, but you still had Kakashi Sensei! And Naruto! And... Me! I told you how I felt, hoping you would stay and realize you still had family, but I thought wrong apparently!" by now my face had to be red and smoke coming out my ears and nose. We warned him! But he was too damn stubborn to admit it and effect his ego!
"Sakura, listen-"
"No, you listen here Buddy! We told you so! If you think you're just going to waltz back in here like you're innocent and are expecting me to just accept you back into my life, you've got another thing coming!"
Then he disappeared in a puff of smoke. Did I get too in depth of how I was feeling?
I guess not because I realized he was standing right behind me with a hand over my mouth. His other hand holding my waist. I could feel his bare, warm chest on my back breathing in and out in a steady pattern, like I hadn't just said anything to affect him.
"Just hear me out Sakura-chan."
Sakura-chan? When did he ever call me that?
"I know I've made a huge mistake to leave you here, and then attack you. But I thought my life was supposed to be about killing Itachi and avenging my clan. I thought I could only achieve this by leaving and getting strong with Oruchimaru and the curse mark. I didn't want to risk you.. And Naruto.. To get hurt by getting dragged into it. I may have attacked you guys, but I wasn't going to kill. I just needed to get you to stop following me. So please forgive me Sakura. I'm sincerely sorry."
He stood there for minute to let me think about it, not risking letting ago and me screaming for help.
I tried to turn and face him. He willingly let go of my mouth, but not my waist.
"Sasuke, I'm willing to forgive, but I won't forget. So I accept your apology, but you'll have to gain my trust back." I'm too much of a sucker. There's no way I can just let Sasuke wander around Konoha aimlessly. They closed off the Uchiha district so I wondered where he was gonna stay. Probably a hotel or something. We would go see Naruto tomorrow morning.
"Thank you." he answered. I have never seen Sasuke express emotion, but something flashed in his eyes. It looked like relief. So he's been thinking about this meeting for awhile?
Then he did the weirdest thing and...hugged me? Sasuke Uchiha is hugging me? Sakura Haruno? The annoying girl from his childhood? I must be dreaming.
He stood there holding me in a tight hug. It caught me off guard, but eventually when I realized what was happening, I returned the gesture, wrapping my arms around his neck, standing on my tip toes. I felt a blush coming on, so I hid my face in his shoulder, which was a good 6 inches above my own.
Moments passed and although I wanted to stay like this, had to let go. Someone could walk passed and see us.
"So do you come to our tree often?" he asked.
I couldn't help but notice how he referred to it as 'our' tree.
"Uhmm no actually. This is the first time in years."
"Oh."
"Uhh yeah.."
We just kind of walked over to the tree and on the branch we used to sit on. The little stump we used to use as a step was removed a long time ago and I could no longer reach the branch. Feeling embarrassed, I just stood there with my head slightly down. Suddenly, Sasuke wrapped his arms around my waist and lifted me to the branch. He's gotten incredibly strong..
"Thanks." I said.
"Hn." he replied. That was how the old Sasuke used to talk. I missed him so much..
"So where are you gonna stay? They closed off the Uchiha district shortly after you left."
"I was kinda hoping that.. I could stay...with you..?"
