Pink Champagne

Chapter 4: Be Alright

Two Months Later

She watched him slowly emerge from the ER. He had the look he always gets after losing someone. The bags under his eyes were deeper than normal, his scowling was ever more presence. Sakura had watched him in the operating room and knew the exact moment it went south. She could see it on his face. Sasuke tore off the operating coat, throwing the bloody garment in the waste bin. Tearing at his gloves, taking in a deep sigh, he braced himself against the wall. Sakura came to stand next to him, gripping his hand.

"After you tell the family, I want take you somewhere." He blinked back tears. It was always hard on him when he lost someone with so much more life to live.

"Alright, just let me change before we go." She nodded. Sakura gave his hand a gentle squeeze before she left him to finish his job.

XXX

Sasuke sat outside of the ice cream parlor, his eyes gazing around at all the smiling families. Sakura came back with two bowls, placing a smaller one in front of him.

"You know I don't like sweets."

"Well that's why I got you a bitter one. Coffee ice cream." She puts a spoon into his, before digging into her own. The mint chocolate chip was what she needed after a long day. "It's just a small one. Try it." Sasuke takes a spoonful, not hatting it.

"You still owe me dinner." He grumbled, taking another bite. Sakura licked her spoon, staring at the green ice cream.

"You know, my first was a young teen. 16 year-old that thought she was madly in love and he wasn't. It was only my third solo operation. We had realized too late, her body wasn't taking the labor. I performed a C-section, but then she hemorrhaged." Sakura wiped away a tear, before digging into her ice cream again. "The Grandmother still sends me birthday cards and photos of the little girl. She will be two next year. Anyways, after it happened, Tsunade brought me here. She told me that at the end of the day you need something to cheer you up. Or ever time you lose someone will stay with you to the next patient. The weight will make you want to quit, and you won't safe the ones you were meant to safe in the future." Sasuke took another bite, looking at Sakura smile into her own treat.

"Is that why you're hair is pink? To Cheer you up?" Sakura shakes her head.

"It's a rare genetic mutation in red hair. I was born with it. My mom refused to let me dye it to be like everyone else." Sasuke reached across the table, taking a few strands in his hand.

"I like it." Sakura felt a blush rise. She smacked his hand away laughing a little.

"Alright, arlight, sad time over!" She stretched her arms, a yawn coming out. "You ready?" She nodded to his cup. Sasuke looked down, wondering when did he finish his ice cream.

XXX

Sakura pulled out her phone opening he uber app. Sasuke quickly noticed taking it from her before she could hit find a ride.

"Come on, my car is just over in the hospital parking lot." He nodded to the parking garage two blocks down.

"But you live the opposite way."

"Can't defy me when I have your phone." He teased, holding it up and waving it at her. Sakura jumped for it, but he kept it away from her. After a few more jumps, he finally handed it back to her, a small smile on his lips. "Come on, it's been a long night." It was only another 15 minutes before they were on road. Sakura leaned back into the seat, turning the warmer on. They were 5 minutes away, when Naruto's name flashed on the dash board. Before Sasuke could deny the call, Sakura presses accept.

"Hey Sasuke!" Naruto's loud voice echoed through the stereos. "You driving? I hear an echo."

"If you weren't so loud you wouldn't hear it." He turns down the volume sighing at his friend.

"Anway, how was your daily date with Sakura?" Sakura raised her eyebrows looking over at the driver

"They are not dates moron." He kept his eyes on the road, not trust himself to look at her.

"Oh come on. Do you know how hard it is setting you up with a girl? God, I mean you even took her home the first night-"

"Goodbye Naruto." Sakura spoke loudly.

"Wait-Sakura!" His voice got three octaves higher, before Sakura ended the call. Turning her gaze forward, she felt that sinking feeling come into her stomach again. Disappointment of a man not liking you back, was something she knew all too well.

"I'm sorry about him. He knows nothing happened that night too. Hes' just-"

"Being Naruto. Don't worry, Naruto has been trying to set me up with his friends since high school. Once he met Hinata, he wanted to 'make it up to' or something."

"Idiot has weird ideas." Sasuke pulled up to her apartment complex. Before he could say anything, Sakura was out of the car, saying goodbye quickly. He watched her go inside before slamming his hand on the steering wheel. The feeling of rejection creeping into his mind. Sakura made it to the elevator before she felt the same feeling, wash over her. She knew perfectly well that Sasuke would never want a girl like her. Not in that way, not in the way she wants him.