9: After Thought
A month later, Sakura was at the hospital trying to get her leg back to normal. The cast was off, thank God, and she no longer needed crutches, though she walked with a limp. The soreness in her ribs was almost completely gone. All thanks to Sasuke.
Yes, she had thought of Sasuke in a positive way for a change, as she had been for the past month. It actually brought a smile to her face to think about him.
“You’re looking a bit red, Sakura. Are you feeling okay? Don’t overexert yourself,” Shizune warned coming over to see how things were coming.
Embarrassed, Sakura nodded her head. Everyone told her she glowed nowadays, and maybe that was true. She was getting closer to Sasuke, and that was fine with her. The nightmare still made her a bit confused at times, but Sasuke quickly vanquished all of those thoughts every time he touched her. He was so gentle and caring.
Sakura thought back to that morning…
Sakura awoke in Sasuke’s arms. Confused, she looked around and found herself in his bed, naked. He had carried her into the room afterwards. Looking up, she found him staring down at her.
“Good morning,” he said kissing her forehead.
“Ya,” Sakura replied as everything from the night’s events tumbled back to her. She remembered how gentle he had been with her ribs and leg. He had been careful not to hurt her, and he had kissed her all over until her whole body had gone numb with pleasure.
Did this mean she accepted him now? Did she really want him back in her life? Was she ready to move on? She wasn’t sure. What she did know was that he cared for her, genuinely cared. He loved her, there was no doubt about that. He was truly sorry for what he did, but he had been barely thirteen- just a kid. Could she hold a grudge against a kid? Shouldn’t that be good enough. What was left?
Then it hit her. She was no longer falling in love with him, she had landed. She was in love with him; it had happened without her realizing it. Now, she was in too deep and didn’t know how to dig herself out or if she even could. Though, at the moment, she didn’t want to try. She just wanted to be with him, in that moment.
“I love you Sakura,” Sasuke told her, hugging her tighter.
“I love you too, Sasuke,” Sakura admitted, surprised that it was much easier to say out loud than she had thought possible. It was easy to tell the truth.
“Does this mean you don’t hate me now, and we can tell the whole world about us?” Sasuke smiled.
“Yes and no. I don’t hate you, but I’d rather keep this between us. I want to see how well this pans out for the next week and then we can decide what to do,” Sakura answered. She was afraid if others knew, he would leave her again.
“Fair enough.” he said as he rolled on top of her and kissed her passionately.
It had been a month, and they were connecting in a way Sakura hadn’t thought possible. They were bonded together so fully it scared her. She would die if Sasuke decided to leave now. He just couldn’t leave her.
Sasuke strolled down the streets of Konoha while Sakura was in therapy. He decided to make a pit stop at the ramen shop for a quick snack before going back to pick her up. He had hopped to take her out for supper that night at the village’s fanciest restaurant. He wanted to propose. Even though they had been techniquely dating for a month, they had known each other their whole lives; and Sasuke didn’t want to wait another moment. He wanted to start a family of his own, a new legacy.
Deciding he wanted to wait to eat until later, he turned around and headed back. He hated being separated from Sakura for very long, and he couldn’t wait to take her out.
Sakura was done early, and since Sasuke wasn’t back yet, she decided to check in with Tsunade. She hadn’t seen much of her lately. Knocking, Sakura strolled in taking a seat opposite the desk.
Tsunade glanced up, her expression worrisome. “Just the person I wanted to see. I’m glad you came here, took care of me having to summon you,” she said, forcing a smile.
Sakura frowned. “What is it?” Sakura couldn’t think of what could be the problem. Was it her mother? Sakura hadn’t seen much of her lately, as Shizune took care of her for Sakura since Sakura couldn’t get around very easily.
“Remember that physical you took last week?” Tsunade asked cautiously, wondering if Sakura already knew or not. She bet on the latter.
Sakura nodded. “What about it? I’m okay, aren’t I? Is there something wrong with me?”
“Well,” Tsunade cringed. “Depends on how you look at it.”
“What do you mean? Just tell me. Enough with these riddles,” Sakura spat annoyed with Tsunade. She didn’t usually beat around the bush; she was usually more direct.
“Well, according to the physical, you’re pregnant. I’m assuming it’s Sasuke’s,” Tsunade told her and went on with a few more details, but Sakura was no longer listening.
She was pregnant? Sakura didn’t know whether or not she wanted to leap with joy or cry in exasperation. What if he didn’t want kids? What if he beat her for it like he had in her nightmare? What ifs- she hated them.
“Wait, why do you think it’s Sasuke’s?” Sakura asked, unsure of how to proceed.
“Please, I might be old, but I’m not blind. I can see that you two have become quite close over the past month. Heck, the whole village is talking about you two,” Tsunade answered with a shake of her head.
Sakura couldn’t say anything, she was too preoccupied with how anyone could have found out about them. They had kept it quiet and had kept to themselves.
“Do you want to tell Sasuke, or shall I? What would be easier for you?” Tsunade asked concerned with Sakura’s quietness.
“I’ll do it.” Sakura got up and hobbled to the door. She didn’t know how or when she would tell him, but she would have to. He deserved to know.
Sasuke found Sakura sitting on the bench outside staring off into the distance waiting for him. “Sorry I’m late, I guess I walked a little farther than I had intended. Did you get out early? I thought I would have time to spare,” Sasuke said as he helped her to her feet.
“Ya, Shizune let me go early, saying that I’m progressing really well,” she smiled. “I didn’t mind the wait. I love being outside.”
“Come on, I have a special night planned, and I need you to go home and change into something beautiful,” Sasuke told her as he walked beside her, matching her stride for stride.
She cocked her head to the side, “Really? What’s the occasion?” For a moment, he thought he saw a glimmer of fear zip through her eyes, as though he had found out something he shouldn’t. But, it was gone as fast as it had appeared.
“Oh, I figured I’d celebrate our anniversary,” Sasuke said, smiling his heart melting smile at her.
“But, our one month anniversary is in four days, not today,” Sakura frowned, obviously confused.
“I’m not talking about that,” When her frown deepened, he shook his head, “I’ll tell you over dinner. Now, dinner will be in an hour, so you might have to hurry up. I’ll give you the house to yourself. I’ll get ready at Naruto’s and I’ll pick you up in forty-five minutes.”
“Okay,” she nodded, obviously pleased by his thoughtfulness, though confused as to what the occasion was.
“Great. I’ll see you in a few.” They had made it to the house, and Sasuke jogged back down the walk and disappeared from view leaving Sakura dazed on the front porch.
Opening the door, Sakura wondered if she should tell him about her news. She needed to. She had to.
Forty minutes later, Sakura emerged from her and Sasuke’s room in a slender black and hot pink kimono that showed off her curves in all the right places. She had curled her hair and left it dangling on top of her shoulders the way she knew Sasuke liked it. She had to put flats on since she couldn’t hobble on heels with crutches.
Five minutes later on the dot, a knock could be heard on the door. Opening it, she found Sasuke standing at the threshold in black pants and a white shirt. A slight smile splashed over his mouth. She was mouth watering.
He helped her down the steps, and walked her through the village, stopping in front of the most expensive place in the whole village. This must be some occasion, Sakura thought.
He ushered her inside, but just as they sat down, a messenger ninja approached them. “You two are needed by the third hokage. Quickly now.”
Frowning, they rose and followed the Shinobi to the hokage’s office. Sasuke wanted to curse his bad luck. He was about to make a giant leap in faith. Was this a sign? He certainly hoped not.
Sakura wanted to kill Tsunade. She wanted to know what the occasion was, and she figured she’d have to wait a while to ask him. Hoping this wasn’t a sign, she followed as fast as she could.
Upon entering Tsunade’s office, they noticed that the old gang was there. Shikamaru, Choji, Shino, Neji, Tenten, Lee, Naruto, Hinata, and Kiba. Ino wasn’t there because she was pregnant, so she was probably watching everyone’s kids. The two of them stood beside Naruto and waited for Tsunade’s orders.
“We have been declared in war, and we need you all at the front line to defend the village. You are our strongest offense, and we need you. Sakura, you won’t be fighting, just healing. You aren’t… well enough to fight yet,” Tsunade almost said you aren’t fighting when you’re pregnant, but Sakura gave her a look.
“Who’s declared war on us?” Shikamaru asked.
“Some village that worshiped Orochimaru. They want their revenge and will stop at nothing until they get what they want, which is you Sasuke. So, be careful. Everyone, you are to keep an eye on each other and do not let them get Sasuke no matter what. Understood?” Tsunade replied.
Everyone nodded and took off, ready to face our enemies. They lined up at the entrance to the village with Sakura back in the confines of a building where the injured were to be treated.
She was ready to fight them off. No one was taking Sasuke away from her, not again. Not with her being able to do something.
