An Uchiha At Heart || SasuSaku

2. Sakura, kuh?

The leaves of Konoha danced in rhythm with the soft breeze that blew across its sky. They'd reached the balcony of one Haruno Sakura, who had gotten distracted by the cool air and looked outside to admire the starry night. She smiled at the tranquility she felt at that moment, but soon that feeling was replaced by nostalgia, though she was unsure why. She turned around and put the book she'd been reading, Medicine of the Modern Ninja, back on her shelf, and decided to pay a visit to her dear friend, Naruto.

Oh how times have changed, she thought to herself with an ambivalent smile. It feels like just yesterday we graduated the Ninja Academy. But so much more has happened. I mean, Naruto's already married for Kami's sake!

Speaking of which, I probably shouldn't visit empty handed, Sakura reminded herself. Maybe I should stop by Ino's to get some flowers.

Lost in thought, the cherry blossom girl walked under the twinkling sky, and suddenly found herself in a place she hadn't come by in a long, long time.

The Uchiha house.

Why did I come here? She asked herself. Have I been subconsciously thinking about him?

She stood outside the legendary household, and didn't do much other than stare. Should I go inside? No, Sakura, that's trespassing! She scolded herself. Besides, it's not like anyone's here...right?

But that's just it. Standing there, the pink haired medic-nin sensed a whiff of that peculiar energy she was so familiar with once upon a time. But it's not possible.

He can't be back.

The pink-haired woman softly chuckled to herself, mocking her own silliness. No more detours, she thought, and so she made her way to Ino's flower shop, and headed to Naruto and Hinata's new home.

"Sakura-chan!" Naruto screamed as soon as he opened the door. "Perfect timing!"

"Ore? What's going on Naruto?" she was completely dumbfounded.

"Hinata has been sick for three days, but she refuses to see a doctor. Would you take a look at her?"

"H-hai.." Naruto enthusiastically pulled her towards Hinata's room, and she couldn't help but laugh in her mind at how childish he can still be.

"Hinata! Sakura-chan is here to see you," said Naruto.

"Konbanwa, Hinata," said Sakura politely and slightly amused. "How are you feeling? Dai jubu?" she asked her as she put the flowers on the night stand next to Hinata's bed.

"Hai...I'm fine really, I've just been a little queasy lately. Everything seems to make me nauseous and I end up puking."

"She couldn't even stand the smell of my special edition ramen that I made for her to feel better. She usually really loves that one," Naruto added.

"Naruhodo. You sure you're not just talking about yourself, Naruto?" Sakura teased.

"Oi! I'm serious dattebayou!" he protested.

"Alright, I'll take a look."

The Team 7 medic-nin closed her eyes, and focused her green chakra into her palms. She then opened them, and with outmost concentration, started examining her best friend's wife.

After a few minutes, a shocked expression took over her face.

"What is it, Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked with extreme worry. Hinata was slightly terrified as well.

"Give me a moment," was her only reply.

A few moments later, with a serious and stern expression on her face, Sakura took a deep breath. "Naruto, Hinata...what I'm about to tell you is going to change your life."

They married couple both stared at Sakura, wide-eyed and anxious.

Suddenly, Sakura quickly changed her face expression and gave a closed-eye smile. "You're going to be parents!"

Silence filled the room. No one was really sure what to say.

Hinata blushed and looked away, and Naruto just stood there, stunned.

"I'm going to be...a father?" he finally whispered to himself.

His eyes were gleaming and a few tears threatened to fall. He walked over to his wife's bed, grabbed her hand with his and placed the other palm on her belly. "Arigato, Hinata."

"Naruto-kun..." tears swelled her eyes as well, and she pushed herself up to hug her beloved husband.

Sakura took that as her que, and swiftly walked out of the room, leaving the happy couple alone.

Before she could leave, Naruto called after her from behind. "Sakura-chan...I'm glad you came by."

"Me too," she assured him genuinely.

After a short moment, Naruto looked at Sakura intently. "Ne, Sakura-chan...you felt it too, right?"

"Eh? Felt what...?" she answered, confused.

"Sasuke. He's back...I can feel it. You can too, right?"

So I wasn't wrong after all, she thought to herself. "Mm."

***********************************************************

Sasuke-kun's back.

Should I pass by his house again? Even if I do, what would I say? He left while things between us were...interesting. What should I do?

Shannaro! Get a grip, Sakura! Her inner conscious screamed.

Sasuke-kun is an old comrade. It would be inappropriate not to go see him.

"Sakura, kuh?"

She froze.

That familiar deep voice. That intense vibe. That overwhelming presence.

It was definitely him.

She slowly turned on her heels, and the raven-haired man came into full view.

"Sasuke-kun."

They didn't say anything for a while. They both just stood there, taking in the other's presence. Sasuke looks so different, Sakura silently pondered. She immediately noticed how much taller he'd gotten, and how much longer his hair seemed. A shawl draped over his shoulders, probably to conceal his amputated arm. He had a piece of cloth wrapped around his head as well, most likely to keep several strands of his hair in place to hide his terrifying Rennigan eye from the common people.

He contemplated his old blossom comrade as well. The look of kindness she always bore was still there, but her eyes were eyes of steel. She was no longer the silly twelve-year old he knew at her core; she was a strong kinoichi who could crush her opponent with the tip of her fingers, just as she'd proven during the war.

He started walking towards her, and Sakura wasn't quite sure what to expect. He stopped a few inches away from where she stood, and started directing his hand at her.

Sakura didn't move, and then she felt two of Sasuke's fingers on her forehead...her heart nearly stopped.

"Good to see you, Sakura."