Forever Mine

Chapter 45

It couldn't be later than early afternoon, yet the cloudy sky above her head made it seem as though it was much later in the day. The rain still lingered and by the way lightning flashed from miles away, she was sure it would come again for another round.

Sakura took her last few yards in slow steps, already seeing the cabin she was looking for up ahead. Her hands gripped the straps of her backpack as if it would help her settle her nerves while her heart continuously thumped harder than it should be in her chest.

She'd made it. Merely a few steps away was the raven that had taken off after she'd pushed him away.

Part of her wanted to run to the cabin and finally see him again after weeks, however, the other part was hoping he was still out doing his shift so she could have some time to prepare herself.

"Okay," she breathed out. "You got this."

Making it up the three steps, she stood before his front door and then knocked softly—barely audible, she'd be surprised if he even heard it.

Then she waited without knocking again.

She felt nervous. She wasn't sure if he was aware she was coming, and if he was, she was scared of him not wanting her to. She couldn't make up a scenario on how their talk would go.

Would she leave right after? Would he tell her to rest and leave tomorrow? Would he be mad to see her?

Negative thoughts filled her head, and when the sound of the lock being turned made it to her ears, she subconsciously held her breath.

Of course he would hear such a wussy knock. He was practically out in the open, his guard completely up, he probably even heard her footsteps coming up the porch steps.

The time that passed as he unlocked his door, twisted the door knob, then pulled the door open, happened in slow motion in her head. Though her heart continued to race at normal speed.

And when he was finally visible for her to see, their eyes locked and a warm feeling spread throughout her entire body.

She'd missed him.

It'd only been a month, he'd been away much longer, yet she missed him as if he'd been gone for years.

"Sakura?" Sasuke frowned in confusion.

It was clear by his reaction that Kakashi hadn't informed him she was coming.

"Hey," Sakura smiled up at him. "I was sent to deliver some files."

A flash of disappointment passed through his gaze before he stepped aside to let her in. It seemed her reason for being there wasn't what he was hoping it'd be... and it made her wonder what it was he was hoping for.

"Were you sleeping?" Sakura asked as she took in his black sweatpants, white t-shirt, and disheveled hair.

"I woke up a few minutes ago," Sasuke yawned. "It got cold."

Sakura smiled, knowing how easily cold he always got. "It's been raining."

"Yeah, it didn't stop pouring during my shift last night."

"You're working night shifts?"

When he nodded, she instantly felt like a nuisance. He should be sleeping right now and he probably was close to knocking out again until she knocked on his door.

"I couldn't go back to sleep," he waved her off as if reading her thoughts and then walked to his fridge.

Sakura watched him pull out two water bottles before handing her one. Then he leaned back on the counter and looked her way expectingly.