#if sasuke Was around at the wedding would naruto have been able to go through with it i wonder

[faerociousbeast]

naruto marriage ending IS pretty funny like oh sasukes just his best pal bro dude then. so whats the problem with him coming to his best pal bro dudes wedding to some random girl?? shouldnt best pal bro dudes support each other at their weddings 🥺 Unless.............

[azurelyy]

Hiii! I hope you're doing well ♡ congrats on 100 followers!!

For the event , can I please get #7 of the smut prompt with shikamaru and a female reader?

Ally, you deserve so much better than me! 🥺 I am so sorry this took me forever. Obviously I didn’t plan this event very well lol. I am hoping the length of this one will make up for how long this took me. 

Hopefully you like it! 🖤 I had a lot of fun writing it, and it’s actually my first NSFW for Shikamaru! I know, crazy. Oh, and as we discussed in our DMs, this has Prompt 10 since Prompt 7 was taken! 

Words: 3.5k

🍋 Prompt: “Oh, how we’re going to hurt each other.”

Warnings: NSFW, enemies to lovers, semi-public sex, closet sex, oral (f!receiving), wall sex, unprotected sex. Mentions: Sasuke, Ino, Naruto, and Sakura (NaruSaku)

Tolerate him for one night. That was all you had to do. It was a simple task, one that should have gone off without a hitch. Not even five hours and you’d be free of him, hopefully ending the night in Sasuke’s bed once the envy flooded his brain and he pulled you away from Shikamaru with an ungodly force.

That was the plan, anyway: “Date” Shikamaru for the night, get Sasuke jealous (and then never talk to Shikamaru again, if you were lucky). It was fool-proof. And yet, you had always been one for foolishness.

“Goddammit,” you grunted, wrapping your leg around Shikamaru’s slender waist as he pushed you eagerly against the closet wall, his ravenous hands hiking your dress further up your thigh. “Thought I was too troublesome for you?”

“You are troublesome,” he agreed, sighing against the crook of your neck, hot breath skating along your jaw. “And smart. And sexy. And annoying.”

A traitorous giggle escaped from your throat as Shikamaru’s tongue trailed up your neck to your earlobe, sinking his teeth into your sensitive skin with a moan. “If I’m so annoying, then get off me.”

“No,” he growled, capturing your mouth in a kiss that could ruin the gods. Sparks flew from your bodies, popping the room with warm illumination as heat rushed its way into your mouth and down your throat. 

Your hands tugged at his ponytail, releasing his soft dark hair from its confines as it fell forward and danced along the skin of your shoulder. His body was smoldering against yours, the heat uncomfortable and daunting. Your tongues worked together in an impossible battle for dominance as his nails dug into the flesh of your thigh, branding you in bruises.

“Sh-Shikamaru,” you moaned, running your fingers through his hair. It was softer than expected, silky. “This is a terrible idea.”

“Is it?” He asked with a half-smirk against your lips, his free hand gripping your ass harshly. “My mistake, I thought the two of us fucking during our friend’s wedding reception was a fantastic idea. So, should we stop?”

“No,” you murmured, pulling at his bottom lip with your teeth. Harsh hands held onto your thigh and danced around your back, drawing an indecipherable pattern. His arousal was poking against your thigh aggressively, and he was big. Really big. You gasped when hesitation hammered into you: would you be able to fit all of him inside you? Your eyes trailed down to the bulge in his pants - a terrible idea - and the feel matched the look. It was massive, extremely impressive. You were going to die.

Shikamaru rolled his hand down the front of your body, a welcome distraction, before he slowly started untucking his shirt. You quickly used your remaining strength to unbutton the top three buttons of his shirt, fighting against the warning sirens screaming in your mind, before tugging at his back collar and pulling his shirt off. Ah, yes. Your eyes widened as you took in the entirety of him and the situation. He was lean, yet the play of muscles was truly a beautiful sight. His chest and those abs and that goddamn half-smirk that could crush you with the weight of the world. He was perfect. What a dick.

“Enjoying the view?” He asked coyly, kissing down to your breasts. He licked the outline of the v-neck of your formal gown and you swore the world stopped spinning the moment he slid his body down yours, allowing your thigh to rest on his shoulder while he let your dress drape over him like a cloak. 

Normally, Shikamaru would protest against eating a new partner out without being able to see their fucked out face, but considering the circumstances - mouth fucking the woman whom he was supposed to despise while two of his closest friends had their wedding reception in the very next room - he decided to cut himself some much needed slack.

Did he despise you? No. Did he assume he was meant to? Yes. After all, you were the one who had constantly ignored him. From the moment you were assigned that stupid college final project together, you had completely shut him out. He sort of understood - he was never the “team project” kind of guy, often waiting until the last minute to complete his portion. The reminders had gotten out of hand, and after one particularly long, bad, awful day at work, he’d finally snapped.

“I’m going to do the damn project, woman,” he groaned, trying to put in his earbuds. “Would you stop nagging me? I know what I’m doing.”

“Woman?” You countered, crossing your arms over your chest. He could practically feel the anger radiating off of you like hell’s furnace. “I have a name, you know, Shikamaru.”

He winced at the venom laced within your tone. “And anyway, it’s due tomorrow and I had to do your portion for you.”

“What?” He took an earbud out and stared at you incredulously. “What the fuck do you mean? I told you a thousand times I would get to it!”

“Yeah, and it’s been finished for a whole week and yet you’ve said nothing.” You grabbed your book from the table with a huff and hissed over your shoulder, “I’ll be telling the Professor about this, too.”

And sure enough, he had received an F. AN F! Shikamaru didn’t get F’s. People called him lazy, and self-important, and arrogant, but one thing he had never been called was a failure. And you had literally made him one.

But even after that, he never felt the way he figured he was supposed to about you. Where he should have felt rage he only felt flutters every time you glanced his way. His cheeks grew hot with anticipation when you would sit near him in class, not annoyance. His hands got sweaty when he would run into you at parties, not because he was upset, but because he enjoyed the way your dress hugged each delicious curve. But you never looked at him the same after that project. Well, until tonight.

“Dammit,” your moan brought his head back to Earth and he peeked from underneath your dress, winking up at you. “What are you doing?”

He laughed huskily, his warm eyes shining like ambers. “What does it look like… woman?”

The smirk was especially filthy. There was a brief moment of stillness as you stared at each other. His face was flushed light pink, his lips swollen and puffy. Beads of sweat dripped between his furrowed eyebrows and just as you were about to pull away, Shikamaru kissed your knee, murmuring something about wanting to do this for a long time, and then nothing else mattered.

“Oh,” you groaned, throwing the hem of your dress back over his head as though, if you couldn’t see him, then maybe this wasn’t really happening, “How we’re going to hurt each other.”

“Maybe,” he agreed from somewhere beneath you. A slender finger pulled the wet cotton of your panties to the side, hot breath fanning against your slick walls. Every nerve within you ignited individually and you closed your eyes shut. “But the hurt is half the fun.”

You got no warning as he slid a finger inside of you, overwhelming your senses with extreme relief. A strong moan rippled from your chest and you had to bite your own hand to silence yourself.

“Shh,” Shikamaru whispered, kissing your moist lips. “Don’t want the whole party to hear us, do you?”

Your clit throbbed, seeking the spiral that would pull you apart. You needed it. You needed more. You needed him. His finger, teasing and prodding inside of you wasn’t enough. Greedily, you pushed his head through the fabric of your dress closer to your core, yearning for him in a desperate and needy way.

“More,” you pleaded, and was that your voice? Another finger pushed inside you, torturously prolonging the inevitable. The thickness of him sucked the life from you and you used all your strength to bring him close, closer, like if you stopped you would actually die. There was only the chase, the desperate need to make the warmth spread, to feel full and complete. And, right now, in this small and practically public closet, Shikamaru was the sole person who could give that to you.

“Alright,” he murmured, his lips brushing against the hood of your clit, “Since you asked so nicely, and that’s very unlike you, I’ll help you out.”

He licked inside your pussy, his tongue curling where you were the most wet before sliding up and flicking over your over-sensitized clit. You cried out a muffled moan, sinking your teeth deeper into the skin of your hand as your fingers clawed at the top of his scalp. He dragged the flat of his tongue against you again and again, a sweet torture. Your back arched against the wall and he felt so fucking good that all you could do was helplessly whine like a whore, rocking your hips into his generous mouth.

You babbled his name, endlessly his name, over and over, your voice as smooth as a calming cello. His need to be sucked inside of you was overwhelming, prodding into the too tight fabric of his pants as he ate you out like a man starved. You tasted so fucking good, sounded so fucking good, and he was sure you looked so fucking good too. He imagined the way you knit your brows together, forming that little line in the middle of your forehead that he often saw when you were particularly annoyed with him over something. For awhile, he had been purposefully teasing you, just so he could see that godforsaken line one more time - and now, he was intentionally missing it. What a moron.

Shikamaru’s mouth found your clit once again and sucked, transforming you into nothing but a writhing mess. The knife’s edge of pleasure that curved up your spine punctured through and suddenly you were gushing on him, keening as he slid up your slit endlessly between slurps and breathless groans. 

You couldn’t get enough air in your lungs.

Your attempt at sucking in oxygen turned into a strangled giggle, harsh and giddy. Shikamaru hummed sinisterly and maneuvered his head out from under your dress to behold one of the most glorious things he had ever seen. You, sex-hazed, hair messy and face flushed. And that damn line on your forehead was still there. Perfect.

When you came back to yourself, still out of breath but slightly more coherent, Shikamaru was already pulling your dress up and off over your head. His hands worked your bra, releasing the hook effortlessly, pinching and kneading your tits with intent. Hooded almond eyes focused onto yours as Shikamaru took one of your nipples into his mouth and sucked, hard, forcing a gasp from you once again.

“Fuck me.” It was unrestrained and unbidden, an invitation. A plea. You tugged at his belt. The leather was stubborn but Shikamaru only watched, amused and turned on, pulling off your nipple with a lewd pop.

“Need some help?” His voice was no longer playful; it was carnal. Gruff. Commanding.

It was only then, distracted as you were, that the belt somehow managed to come free.  You popped the buttons of his pants and unzipped his fly, paying no regard to how desperate for his cock you were, as you tugged his pants and boxers down and they fell to the floor.

“Ah fuck,” he sighed, “Wait, my condom is-“

“Can’t have evidence,” you replied swiftly. “I’m on birth control, so it doesn’t matter. Besides, I… I want you to.”

Shikamaru kicked his pants away with a growl - an actual growl - lifting you against the wall. And oh, the strength of him. Your legs clung around his waist and the need for him to be inside you nearly had you in tears. You were certain you had never been hornier in your entire life and, still sopping between your thighs, your clit pulsed for him.

Your lips collided with his again, and unlike the first, there was nothing tentative or careful about this kiss. This was leading, all-consuming; stealing the little breath you had within your lungs with an unrelenting fervor. His thick tip pushed between your folds and his tongue pushed past your lips when the sharp gasp fell from you like a beautiful song. He was the best of the best and the worst of the worst, the man whom you had loathed up close and admired from afar, and tonight, he held you in his arms.

“Shikamaru, please,” you begged, breathlessly. “Please just fuck me. Need you so bad.”

His heart grew wings and fluttered in his chest as he met your gaze, blown out and hazy. He wanted to shower you in affection, raining on you constantly. He didn’t want to let you go. But as he watched you; the way your body moved toward him, the way your hands pulled him closer, he had a feeling this wouldn’t be the last time the two of you would be this close. This was a beginning, not an end. With a new found confidence, he trailed his lips to your ear as he used his free hand to line himself up, the heat of your core seething against his sensitive skin.

“This might hurt a bit at first, but I’ll go slow, alright?”

You wanted to reply with something snide and witty, but the first press of his cockhead against your entrance was tease enough, turning your brain into a scrambled puzzle that only he could put back together. The way he slowly pressed into you, made room for himself inside, even now, he was torturing you in the best way. He stretched you with each inch, but the pleasure and the panic collided into a beautiful supernova of ecstasy and as he dove deeper, the little closet opened up to the entire solar system. You gasped, clenching yourself around him as he grunted and held his big hand tightly to the small of your back.

“Fuck, you’re really tight. Don’t clench like that.” He husked, nipping the top of your ear.

“It’s okay,” you assured, resting your forehead onto his shoulder. “I like it rough.”

Shikamaru’s willpower audibly snapped. The only sounds were his labored grunts, muffled bass from the party in the adjacent room, and the slaps of skin meeting skin. Your eyes closed and you twisted your hips, tiny rocking motions that sent sparks dancing along your veins, boiling your blood. You wanted to play, to feel every inch of him sink into your soul and fill you up. Hands braced onto his shoulders, you rocked up and down, dangerously close to the edge. His hazel eyes watched you intently, sweeping across every inch of your body as if trying to burn the image of you forever into his mind, making you shiver at the attention.

You wanted it on you always. It made you feel strong - powerful - in a way you’d never felt before. Sex in the past had always been good, always been fun. But this was something else entirely. There was a desperation deep within the pit of you that you’d never experienced before; the clench of his hands on your thighs; the way he panted against your lips. This was bliss.

He whispered your name through strings of curses, and you couldn’t help but yield to the subtle command of his tone when he asked you to look at him. You did so hesitantly as he helped you bring a leg down from around him, connecting your foot to the floor so you could spread for him more. He brought his thumb down to rub your clit as his other hand sank into the flesh of your thigh, drawing you closer to his chest. He dived into you from a new angle and you had to grip his hair for purchase as you were pushed back to the brink, your legs quivering around him.

But you were looking at him now. At the tightness of his jaw, the sweaty dark hair sticking to his forehead. At his eyes, watching you in a way they have for all these years that you just hadn’t noticed until now. And for some reason it was here - in the coital cloud - that you were finally able to understand what, exactly, you’d been feeling towards him all these years. And it wasn’t frustration, or annoyance, or anger. 

It was lust. Deep, painful, unfathomable lust.

And Shikamaru could feel it radiating off you, could feel the emotions sinking into the air around your bodies like a vortex. It was overwhelming in the best way, the only thing he wanted to feel for the rest of his life.

You came gradually, like warm water trickling over you, rather than the explosion like earlier. You cried his name in the dark as it dragged its way through your limbs and into your muscles. You chanted his name and he, in turn, repeated yours, toppling over the edge with you, his breathing as stuttered as his shallow thrusts, liquid warmth spreading deep inside of you. And when all is still, when he pulled out of you and pressed a lingering kiss to your shoulder and you settled your back against the wall for support, the two of you found solace.

A terrible knock flung you from your sex stupid fog and you both frantically scrambled to find the clothes that were strewn about the floor in the dark.

“Why is this locked?” It was Ino’s voice, and you almost had a heart attack.

“Finally!” Shikamaru shouted, clasping his belt and readjusting his shirt. “We’ve been yelling in here forever. I think the door locked on us automatically.”

You tied his hair back up sloppily and gave him a quick peck to the cheek as you whispered thank you, grateful his brain was still on and functioning, unlike your own. He gave you a warm smile and squeezed your hand as he unlocked the door, and you felt relief wash over you when you realized Ino was too drunk to comprehend the door does not, in fact, lock from the side she was on. The door swung open and the two of you were on opposite sides of the closet, Shikamaru moving away from you with a godlike speed.

Unphased, Ino glanced to you and slurred, “Finally! Sasuke is looking for you.”

With a shot to the heart, the air in your lungs evaporated. The room was suddenly way too hot. Shikamaru slipped past you briskly and walked from the room, leaving you in the dim light.

“Oh, is he?” You asked, fixing your hair. “Why?”

Ino’s ice blue eyes watched you intently, widening ever so slightly. You could see the realization wash over her like a cold waterfall as she cackled madly.

“Don’t tell me you two were seriously fucking in here?” She was flabbergasted, her slurred speech momentarily cured from the complete scandal she had walked in on.

You rolled your eyes and shoved her aside playfully, only responding with a smirk. “I’ll tell you about it later. I have to get back before the bride and groom notice I’ve been missing for the past thirty minutes.”

You walked back to the reception area with your head held high and glanced to the head table. Luckily, Sakura and Naruto seemed too distracted by giving each other googly eyes and they didn’t even seem to notice your rendezvous with Shikamaru, who had returned to his seat at the end of the table.

You allowed your eyes to wander around the room and noticed Sasuke standing at the bar, watching you with a soft expression. He smiled at you, something you hadn’t seen in awhile, and gave you a quick nod before he looked back towards the dance floor. Instinctively, you took a step towards him, but something tugged at your heart and made you stop.

Your eyes followed the direction of the pull and landed on Shikamaru, who had moved over and was now whispering something into Naruto’s ear. He patted him on the back and glanced over at you briefly, a flicker of sadness in his eyes, before he winked and bobbed his head in Sasuke’s direction. When he turned away, a strong current pulled your legs forward and you followed him back to his chair. He glanced up at you, confusion written all over his face.

“Uh,” he drawled, circling his finger over the rim of his drink. “You went the wrong way.”

“No, I didn’t.” You winked at him and extended out your hand. “Wanna dance?”

Shikamaru’s cheeks flushed pink and he clicked his teeth in response as he took your hand, groaning about what a drag dancing was. You laughed and guided him towards the dance floor, resting your head onto his chest as the song transitioned into something more mellow. He wrapped you in his arms and the two of you swayed together as the crowd dissipated. 

“I’d like to take you on a real date sometime,” Shikamaru murmured into your ear. “If that’s alright with you?”

You lifted your head back to look at him, and when your eyes met, the world sang. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I would like nothing more.”

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[kikyan]

How would yanderes Naruto and Madara(Separate) react to reader getting married to someone else?

Oh boy, see I feel like dating someone while having a yandere after you is a huge OH FUCK- moment but marriage?? Start praying babes

Naruto

Okay so you said getting married not already married so imagine the betrayal they’ll feel. Funny enough, despite him chasing Sasuke I don’t think he’d be one for stalking. His S/O could be someone who he met recently, someone who was able to speak to him without fearing and was able to see Naruto for himself and not the monster within him. Someone who has supported him and knows that he supports them as well. He’s seen them as a friend the entire time but started to realize that they may have feelings for them. Choosing not to say anything because have you seen the way Sakura treats him when he says something like that? Besides, he’s just silly Naruto who isn’t all that cool to others.

Well it just hurts even more when he comes to find out you’re already taken. Sakura probably notices his feelings and urges him to confess. It’s now or never, if you don’t say it now then you’ll never have a chance to say it. She knows all too well of putting off feelings, so Naruto agrees and decides one day to confess. Palms sweaty, eyes closed, screaming “I LOVE YOU [READER]!” Only to hear a soft, “oh…” thats when he realized he’s fucked up. You tell him the situation, that’s nice but you’re already set to marry someone. He laughs it off and says that’s just a joke and he didn’t mean it!

He’d probably stick to sulking for a bit. Much to your dismay he doesn’t show up when you invite him to hang out or to attend wedding related events. He’s depressed and it’s a sad sight, everyone can only pity him. His world is grey, refusing to do anything. He was late to your heart, but was he? That’s when he got an idea. The day of your wedding came up and you looked around anxiously waiting for Naruto to arrive, that’s when he shows up. He hugs you and wishes you the best, looking forward to the ceremony. Things turn out for the best, until his hug draws out a bit longer. A little harsher. You can’t breathe and you’re getting woozy, you’re struggling to keep your eyesight but fall short when he’s shushing and lulling you to sleep. He takes you away from the venue as your fiancé is struggling to locate you. 

By then, you’re woken up but somehow have no memories of what happened. A stinging sensation coursing through your head, you go to touch what hurts only to be met with bandages. Can’t piece two and two together? Naruto rocked your shit and you don’t remember anything. Aside from basic functions, you have no recollection of your life. Naruto comes in, a little upset with the turn of events but no matter. He can’t be late to your heart if you don’t remember anyone being first haha- 

Naruto would hide you away and claiming that the world was out to get you. He wouldn’t be too aggressive, he’d be kind and caring while trying his best to keep you hidden. He’d return normally to the village because being Hokage is still his dream, but don’t worry. You’re safe and sound with him, he’d lie and say you’ve always been his S/O and you’d believe him. He’s so kind and caring, no ulterior motives when he smiles so warmly at you. This is more tame than anything, especially in comparison with Madara. 

Madara

Run. I’m not joking, run. This man is so mf scary and for what. Okay so, I honestly think you, Hashirama, and Madara would have been friends. You know how they were friends, then enemies, then friends, and then sworn enemies again? Well, you’d probably been there since the beginning. A childhood friend that could never understand why they fought. They got along so well so why were they risking it all? This is the kicker please I’m giggling while writing this, you’re a friend for them both. Often asking you who’s side are you on and you simply replying, you’re on your side. You’re the one in the middle, one that they both can talk to and depend on. After that pointless fighting occurs and y’all are all friends, they start to focus on something else. You. 

You’ve supported them through thick and thin, both of them. So it’s no surprise that they both fall in love with you, often trying to court you in different ways. At some point, Madara distances himself to attend to business with the Uchiha but by then, a couple months go by and when he returns, he sees that you and Hashirama have gotten closer. It must be fate toying with him, he’s just not meant to be with you. It all comes clashing down when you approach him. Smile beaming as he feels his heart melt. Even after all this time you still brighten his life a little bit, but the news that follows darkens it. 

“Madara, I have something to tell you! Hashirama and I, we’re getting married!” 

“Is that so. . .congratulations.” 

It’s fine. He’s fine. It’s fine. He’s fine. It’s not fine. He’s not fine. Why? He could never beat Hashirama, even with all his losses, the mangekyo sharingan,  his brother, etc. He could never win, so why? Why can’t he, at the very least win your heart? The wedding was planned and he agreed to be a part of it despite his anger. He was there through all the planning stages, every shopping, food tasting, etc. When he found out about the stone tablet and realized it’s contents, he had an idea. There was so much to learn and so much power to obtain, could he finally have you in his possession and be able to keep you? The week before the wedding, Madara asked to speak to you in private. Having no need to fear your friend, you didn’t tell anyone of meeting him. Let’s just say you never returned. Everyone was in a panic, especially Hashirama who cried and searched endlessly for you. 

You got cold feet, couldn’t go through with the wedding or the stress of being with the Hokage was too much for you to handle so you fled. Everyone was starting to believe that but Hashirama could never. He would beg Madara to assist him in finding you but he’d never suspect that Madara had you chained up beneath his home promising you of all the changes that would occur. The village was a mistake, he’d make it right. Just wait and see, maybe one day you’d marry him. If not, well, he’s not against putting you under genjutsu and making you relieve painful memories. 

[rainycitysworld]

Sakura and Sasuke’s Wedding

Hello! I was waiting for someone to want to see this so thank you @sakuraharuno156​ :’) Sometimes I’m worried I’ll post something no one cares about (I’m working on not feeling that way but it’s hard!) But if one person is interested that’s more than enough for me! Also @astralcloudscientist because she loves wedding post lol

Here is how I think their wedding would have gone as someone who hasn't read any of the novels (I don't even know if their wedding is in those):

The Proposal:

That night Ino was out with Sai. If she made it home was fifty-fifty, but Sakura didn’t mind. She liked having the apartment to herself. The bath was warm, she had lit her favorite candle, and for once, she would take a night off of her usual medical textbooks. She had some cheesy, less smutty, romance novel she saw Kakashi read once. The man had good taste in bad romance. Lately, she had found herself drawn to them, probably because she wished her prince would come bursting through the door to take her away.

There was a knock at the door not too long into her soak. At this hour, that was odd, but it was probably just Naruto or Kiba coming to say hi after the bars. They did that sometimes. Naruto very earnestly, usually asking her to make him ramen, but Kiba always seemed to be hinting at a kiss, much to her chagrin. But tonight, she wasn’t going to do it. She was taking care of herself, that is, until she heard the door open.

If it were Ino, she would have just come in. And no way she would send Sai with a key when Sakura was home alone. Quietly as she could, Sakura set her book down and blew out the candle, reaching for both a towel and one of the many kunai around the house. But when she opened the door, she came face-to-face with the very last person she expected, “Sasuke?” She hadn’t even noticed the kunai hit the floor.

“Sakura,” he said softly, the two embracing each other for the first time in what felt like forever. “I missed you,” he buried his head in her neck.

“I missed you too,” this whole thing felt like a dream-like maybe she had fallen asleep in the tub. The tub. “Oh shoot!” She pushed him back behind the door.

When he saw her, he really was too excited to see her face to notice anything else, but then it hit him he had just hugged Sakura, who was only wearing a towel. Quickly he covered his eyes, “I’m so sorry,” the red in his face was peaking out through his hands, “I didn’t see anything, I swear.”

But Sakura just sighed. It would seem he was as socially inept as ever, “Really Sasuke,” she walked past him to her room where she changed into pajamas, “who just sneaks into a girl’s house like that.”

“Sorry,” he shouted from the hall, “the doorway unlocked, so I got worried.”

Ino. She never locked the fucking door. Something about they don’t need to when the two strongest kunoichis lived under the same roof. When she walked back out, his hands were still pressed hard to his face. It was almost cute how childlike he looked. “You can look now,” she picked the kunai up from the floor, taking a seat at her couch, “I’m happy to see you, but what are you doing back in the village?”

Sasuke cautiously lowered his hands, but her pajamas almost equally caught him off guard. They were light, a pair of shorts and a tank top. If he looked too hard, he thought he might be able to see through them. Then there was the fact her strap was starting to fall off her shoulder. Was she doing this on purpose? “Uh here,” he took off his cloak, draping it over her, “it’s cold out.”

“Thanks,” she pulled it closer to her. It was warm, smelled like him too, she really did miss him, “but you didn’t answer my question.”

This next part he had been dreading. He stepped in front of her and dropped to his knees, “I’m here for you, Sakura. I wanted to know if you wanted to come travel with me.” Sitting like this was humiliating, especially in front of her, but he remembered what Kakashi had told him months ago:

They had an agreed meeting spot to exchange information at sometimes the pervy old man felt like his only connection to the village, the only connection to her. Sad as it sounded. Once the drop of information was done, Sasuke worked up to nerve to ask something that had been on his mind, “Kakashi-sensei, is uh-“

“Yes, she’s good. Actually, before I left, she had a date. I’ll have to ask her how it went when I get back,” he smirked through his mask. He was very curious how his still young student would act.

Not well. “What? A date? With who? Why?” The string of questions shot out before he even had time to register the news.

“Some boy at the hospital and because I told her to go. I thought she’d have fun.” While the fuming look on his face was amusing, he was being serious, “You know every time she sees Ino and Sai or Naruto and Hinata together, she forces her smile. She’s cooped within the village waiting on you to prove god knows what to god knows who, wasting away her youth.” Sure he was being a bit dramatic with his description, but he always found Sasuke responded well to dramatics, “She deserves to have a nice night out on the town, have a drink, go dancing, be happy. Wouldn’t you agree?”

It seemed like even miles away from her. He caused her trouble, “Yeah,” he mumbled, avoiding eye contact, “I guess.”

“Look,” he put his hand on his shoulder, “she still loves you, but I don’t want it getting in her head that her life has to revolve around you. Got it?” But Sasuke just looked back at him, confused. “Okay,” he sighed, “When you left, you told her next time she could come. Do you intend to make good on that promise?”

“Of course!” He blurted, somewhat defensively, “But not yet, I still have-“

“Blah blah blah,” Kakashi’s opened and closed his hand, “yeah yeah, I know, I’ve heard the speech. Normally I’d agree, you shouldn’t bring someone you love into this, but I think we’re past that. The girl fought a terrorist group, zombies, and an alien to be by your side. I think showing her the countryside is the least offensive thing you’ve done.”

This is why he hated Kakashi sometimes. He was impossible to argue with. “Fine, next time I come to the village, I’ll take her with me.”

“Well, don’t make it sound like a chore,” Kakashi just could not see the appeal, “do you love this woman?”

“Oh my god, yes!” It had been a while since he had felt this frustrated, “Oh course I fucking love her, have you met her? She’s beautiful, smart, kind, strong, smart-“

“You said smart twice,” now they were getting somewhere, Kakashi was glad Sasuke couldn’t see his smile.

“That’s how smart she is!” It felt like his head was going to explode, “do you-“ he looked back to Kakashi, who had a smug look in his eyes but right now, he couldn’t be picky. He needed advice, “do you think she still wants to come with me?”

Of course, she did. She talked his ear off about it whenever they got lunch, “I don’t know. But you shouldn’t just assume it’s been a while after all.” Maybe he went too far. Sasuke looked like a kicked puppy, “But I bet if you put all your cards on the table, show her what she means to you, you’ll get an authentic answer.”

“Sakura, I love you, and being without you all this time, it hurts a lot,” he said, looking away. He wished he was strong enough to look her in the eye, but it felt too much like he was flailing that at any second, she would kick him out and never want to see him again. “You’re my best friend, so please, come with me.”

Slowly Sakura had brought the cloak up to the bridge of the nose. Of course, she didn’t expect to see Sasuke tonight, but she really didn’t expect this. But she and Ino had talked about this a thousand times. Things weren’t the same as when he left, not exactly, at least. “Sasuke…” she lowered the cloak, “I- I love you too, but I can’t just be your friend. I need more commitment than that. I’m sorry.” For a moment, he was quiet, staring blankly at her. She bit her tongue, resisting the urge to take it back and just agree, but she knew she had to stay strong. What she wanted mattered. She needed to be his girlfriend before anything else happened.

“Okay,” he nodded, “Then do you want to get married?”

Aftermath

Sakura FAINTS and when she wakes up thinks Sasuke is joking

He is not

Ino does come home to them in the living room making out, Sakura in tears

They tell her what’s going on and she’s of course super excited and asks them when the wedding is going to be 

Sasuke says he wants to get back out on the road as soon as possible but he wants Sakura to have the best wedding ever so he says “However long it takes for her to have her dream wedding”

Sakura has been ready for years at this point “Okay let’s just go to Kakashi’s office tomorrow and have him do it, we can leave the following morning.” Sakura explains that she loves everyone in the village but after everything she just wants to be his wife and see the world.

Sasuke has never heard anything sexier

Ino kind of wants to spend maybe her last night in the village with her friend she can't bring herself to kick Sasuke out, the two look way too in love. Plus she has planning to do. No way her friend is getting married in an office.

After Ino goes back to Sai’s the two properly celebrate their engagement 😈

The next morning they have to meet with Kakashi, Sasuke wants to see Naruto and Sakura wants to say good bye to her parents and Tsunade

But the second they step out the door Ino grabs her. They go to buy Sakura something cute to wear and Ino picks up a bouquet because “it’s your wedding, we should put in some effort”

But little do either of them know Ino woke up early and put in WORK

Naruto went with Sasuke to pick up some nice clothes while Kakashi bailed on work to decorate the top of Hokage tower. Meanwhile Tsunade got Sakura’s parents.

That evening Sakura and Sasuke who thought they'd have Kakashi marry them and be done with it were surprised to find the rooftop and each other looking absolutely stunning.

Wedding

I imagine this is what Kakashi was able to do:

Cute lights and flowers! (ignore the non Sakura and Sasuke couple lol)

Naruto wedding post this might be what they wear:

Something hot obviously but also very informal, they just want to look nice for each other.

Of course Ino made a bouquet specially for her bestie :

Tsunade ends up being the one to marry them because there was no way she was letting Kakashi have that honor

Naruto and Ino we're best man and maid of honor, respectively

Kakashi walks her down the isle

Her parents are the only audience. I feel like they don't mind Kakashi having that role, they get it because they don't get it if that makes sense. They're not ninjas, they didn't fight in wars or go through ton of trauma and even if they can be a bit combative I think they get that they've formed their own Team 7 family

They all share a drink after but end the night early because Sakura has to pack- they want to leave for their honey moon bright and early 😉

[narutogwriting]

Turning Page

⋇✦ Pairing: Naruto Uzumaki x Reader

⋇✦ Genre: fluff; one shot

⋇✦ Synopsis: Naruto never would have dreamed that he would get this sort of happiness, but there you are

⋇✦ CW: none

⋇✦ Length: 1.4k+

⋇✦ Inspiration: Turning Page by Sleeping at Last + @naooseimaiss request

I’ve waited a hundred years

I’d wait a million more for you

Had Naruto ever expected it? Had he ever even dared to dream about a day like this?

No. No he hadn’t.

Not in Naruto’s wildest dreams would he have let himself believe that someone would love him the way that you did. Someone who would support him, stand by his side through thick and thin. Through every win and especially every failure, every step of Naruto’s journey since he met you, you had been by his side, unwavering.

If I had only felt the warmth within your touch

If I had only seen how you smile when you blush

Or how you curl your lip when you concentrate enough

I would have known what I was living for all along

And Naruto loved you. He loved you so much more than he knew was possible. Naruto didn’t know just how boundless his love really was until he gave you his heart. Holding you for the first time was the greatest pleasure he had ever experienced. Having your smile aimed in his direction lit a fire in him that even the harshest rainstorms couldn’t put out.

He wished he could go back and tell himself, just whisper the words into his own ear those nights as a child he’d spent alone and lonely.

She’s coming. Don’t worry. I know it hurts now, but once she’s here, you’ll see. Every hurt, every pain, every harsh look. Your strangeness, your curse, your always feeling like an outsider. It all existed so you could belong here, with her. It’s all worth it.

The pain you’re feeling can’t compare to the joy that is coming.

What I’ve been living for

Naruto heard once that true love isn’t being willing to die for a person; it’s about who you would live for.

Every day for the rest of his life, Naruto would live for you.

Your love is my turning page

Where only the sweetest words remain

“It won’t go down!” Naruto complained, running a comb through his hair again and again. “I put so much gel on it! Why won’t it stay in place.” He threw the comb with a frustrated shout, observing himself in the mirror.

He’d done his best to comb his hair down into something presentable, but those unruly spikes wouldn’t stay all the way down. “I look like a mess! This is the best day of my life and I look like a mess!”

A light chuckle made him turn. Iruka was smiling at him from the couch, shaking his head. “‘Snot funny, Iruka-Sensei!” Naruto whined, crossing his arms.

Iruka got up, walking over to Naruto, still laughing softly as he stood in front of the blond, hands placed on his shoulders. “What!?” Naruto demanded as he glowered at his old sensei, bottom lip protruding out in a pout.

“It’s just…” Iruka stopped, shaking his head as he felt his throat tightening. “It’s just… I’m so proud of you, Naruto.”

Naruto stopped, taken off guard by the comment. He stared at Iruka, wide eyed before he laughed, giving that close-eyed, big grin he was known for.

“I never thought I’d be one of the people standing by you at your wedding, Naruto. It’s an honor. Truly.” He pulled the boy who was no longer a boy, but a man, into his arms. How long ago had it been that Naruto was just a kid, starved of love and attention, so small he’d barely come up to Iruka’s chest?

You hadn’t just been an answer to Naruto’s prayers, but Iruka’s as well.

Every touch is a cursive line

Every touch is a redefining page

“Quit bouncing, usuratonkachi” Sasuke whispered at Naruto’s side, but there was a lightness to his tone. He’d seen a lot of emotion in the blond over the years. He always thought that the day Naruto had become Hokage was the happiest day of Naruto’s life, but even that day didn’t compare to the utter joy that was on Naruto’s face now.

Naruto only grinned at Sasuke. It was time. Any moment now, you would appear, walking down that aisle wearing your uchikake, and Naruto knew you would look like an angel. He’d asked you not to wear the headdress brides usually did. He didn’t want to ‘hide your horns.’ He didn’t want submission from you.

You were Naruto’s partner; his better half. He loved every single part of your large and wild heart.

His heart was already leaping out of his chest; he didn’t think he would be able to contain himself once he saw you.

I surrender who I've been for who you are

For nothing makes me stronger than your fragile heart

And there you were. You appeared like a vision, ethereal and effervescent as you glided towards him. Naruto’s breath caught in his lungs. He wasn’t sure he’d ever really breathed before this moment, had never really lived until now.

Naruto was in awe of your beauty. His eyes were locked on yours, glistening with happiness and adoration.

He still couldn’t believe it. That you would look at him that way.

Naruto wanted to stare at you forever, wanted to exist always here, in this moment, but he had to close his eyes. He wasn’t sure when he started crying, but the tears were there, overflowing and blinding them. He smiled as he wiped them from his eyes.

He heard a familiar giggle and when he opened them, you were there, reflecting that same love and adoration.

He couldn’t help it, couldn’t wait.

Naruto kissed you fiercely, holding you close to him like he was afraid you would disappear at any moment. You returned the kiss with the same intensity, arms locking around his neck as you drank him in.

A cleared throat finally broke you too away as you both giggled, eyes never leaving each others.

“If you’d like to begin…” Kakashi laughed.

If I had only felt how it feels to be yours

Well, I would have known what I've been living for all along

What I've been living for

It was perfect. Every moment. You and Naruto had decided to forgo a lot of the wedding traditions, but you kept the nuptial cups. Naruto had suggested it because he wanted to surprise Iruka; have him be his parent that drinks from the cup like your parents would and seals the family together.

There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

“I love every piece of you, Naruto. Every scratch, every scar. From the demon inside of you to the fire that burns around you. I always always meant to be here, to love you. And I will. Always and forever. Thank you for choosing me. I will never stop choosing you.”

“My whole life, I felt lost. Confused, and empty. And then I found people who were important to me, people that I had to care for and fight for. And I was happy; but sometimes, I still felt so lost and so lonely, and I never understood, because I was happier than ever. And then you appeared. It was like suddenly, the world made sense. Everything just suddenly fell into place. I was lost, and you found me. You taught me that I couldn’t just love others, but that I could also love myself; something I never realized. Thank you for changing my life. Thank you for teaching me things I never knew, and for being my best friend. Thank you for always finding me.”

“I’ll always find you, Naruto. In every world, in every lifetime. If I have to search a million life times, I will find you again.”

Though we're tethered to the story we must tell

When I saw you, well I knew we'd tell it well

With a whisper, we will tame the vicious seas

Like a feather, bringing kingdoms to their knees

It was the first day of the rest of your life. You had read something once: “To love someone was not what she had expected. It was like falling from somewhere high up and breaking in half, and only one person having the secret to the puzzle of putting her back together.”

You’d read that to Naruto, and he had smiled, because it was true. It did feel like that, and yet, it had never hurt. Because as soon as he had fallen, you’d been there, catching him and putting together all his pieces, just like he’d done for you.

There was something else.

“I wouldn't be surprised if that is the way things go after all - that all things end happy.”

You smiled as you kissed Naruto once more. For the first time in your life, thanks to the number one, hyperactive, knuckleheaded ninja, it was something you could believe.

[ghostwriteyes]

Years Past

Sasusaku (Naruto) Fic. I don’t own the characters. They’re owned by Kishimoto

Modern AU, Childhood Friends AU, Neighbors AU, Non-Massacre AU

3,321 words

6 years old

They had a new neighbor coming. It’s been a while since the house across from them has been empty and now there are big moving trucks around the house. He peeked through the window and was disappointed because he didn’t see a boy his age, but a girl. He’s heard of cooties and he didn’t want them.

On the weekend, his mother invited the new neighbor to have dinner. He went with his mother to greet them at the door. He saw the pink haired girl hiding behind her mother, only peeking to see his mother. Her mother said something about she's shy and she was bullied in their last neighborhood.

“Hey Sakura. Your name is Sakura right? You have such wonderful hair” said his mother.

Then, the girl stepped a bit closer and the widest, greenest eyes he’s ever seen looked up to his mother and gave a firm nod and said “You’re very pretty”. His mother laughed and guided them in.

They had dinner that night, the 7 of them, and he didn’t know why he kept looking at those green eyes. He thought he wouldn’t really mind getting cooties.

12 years old

She was working on her homework in the living room, this damn physics homework that Kakashi-sensei gave last minute for Monday. She thought Sasuke might have finished already and thought of going to his house when her mother called,

“Sakura, come to the kitchen for a bit please”

“What is it, mom?”

“I baked too many cookies for my exhibition tonight. Can you give this bowl to Mikoto’s house?”

“Oh sure, was gonna go there anyway to ask Sasuke about my homework. We keep some too, right?”

“Of course honey”

She went across and brought her notebook with her and knocked on the door. When it opened, it was Sasuke.

“What are you doing?” He asked.

“My mom baked too many cookies and wanted to give it to Aunt Mikoto.”

He grabbed the plate and muttered thanks and almost closed the door-

“Wait!” she brought her best puppy eyes, looking hopeful “I also wanted to ask about the physics homework” she lifted her notebooks in front of her face to emphasize.

After a sigh and a fine, he opened the door wider and she went in. “Where’s everyone else?” She looked around for people and saw no one. “Out.” She chuckled “Always the sociable one” he rolled his eyes to that.

They went to his room and worked on the physics homework on the small coffee table in his room. He taught her the questions she couldn’t answer.

When they were finished, she couldn’t help but say what she’s been thinking,

“Do you think we’re being too casual?”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know- you’re a boy, i’m a girl, we’re in your room” she chuckled.

He rolled his eyes and smirked “would you rather be in my brother’s room” he knew about how she admired his brother.

“Ugh, you know I only admire him. It’s never anything like that” her elbows on the table and she rested her head on her hand and thought out loud “I think I’ve grown out of it though” their eyes met. There’s this look in his eyes and they stayed like that for a while just looking at each other.

She broke it with “especially since shisui’s been here more often” she rolled her eyes “they’re insufferable”. He chuckled. Then, his door suddenly opened,

“Sasuke, where did these cookies co- oh, Sakura! I heard your mom and dad are out for her exhibition tonight. Have dinner with us?”

“Sure, aunt Mikoto”

“Great! I’ll cook your favorites” she stayed for a while looking at the two just grown kids and frowned “Should I be worried?”

Sasuke raised his eyebrows and asked “what do you mean mom?”

“You’re a guy and a girl in a room.. should I-”

He groaned, “Stop mom, it’s nothing like that”

Sakura just chuckled and couldn’t help but notice the disappointment she felt. She tried not to think too much of it.

She didn’t notice Sasuke’s eyes who kept glancing her way during dinner.

15 years old

He heard whispers in the kitchen. Not unusual as his mother and father are the calm and quiet type, but this time there’s some wariness in their voice.

He was going to go to Sakura’s house to check why she wasn’t in school, but went to the kitchen first anyway. His parents immediately noticed and his father said,

“Sasuke, get ready. We’re going to go to the hospital.” Their faces showed that this wasn’t good news.

“What’s wrong?” His minds are racing

His mother was the one who answered, “Uncle Kizashi.. he was in an accident this morning and.. it’s not looking good”

Always the one-tracked mind, he didn’t say a word and ran to his bike to go to the hospital. He went ahead and as he arrived, his eyes immediately found Sakura alone near one of the rooms, eyes red and puffy.

He went closer, in a hurry, and fuck she’s been crying and she noticed him and she immediately went to him and reached him and she just let it all out, hands around his waist and head on his chest. His arms circled her, his cheek on her hair and they just stayed there.

After she was a bit calmer she realized that they were hugging. She felt awkward and let go, eyes averting his. She could blame the red face from crying hours on end.

“How is he?” his hands on her shoulders and he wanted her to look at him and he leaned closer.

She sniffled and said “His condition’s already stable, but… he’s not waking up” she teared up again and her hands went up to dry it off “I don’t know what to do, Sasuke”, for the first time that night she looked at him when his mother and father arrived,

“Oh, Sakura” his mother went to hug Sakura and his father knocked on the hospital door.

He noticed that Aunt Mebuki had been crying too and for the first time he also didn’t know what to do. No loud laughs and corny jokes, it was terrible.

He stayed with Sakura while the adults were talking and when they were about to leave, Aunt Mebuki said that Sakura should also go home and rest. After a few minutes of i’m staying, mom and i’m not leaving his side mom, no way, they were finally able to convince her to go home.

He went home alone on his bike while Sakura was with his parents. Later, he waited on her sidewalk. After they arrived, he shared a look with his mom and his mom nodded as if saying do what you need to do.

That night, Sasuke took care of Sakura. He made sure she ate (sakura, don’t be annoying, you have to eat) and left after she was already asleep (i’m here sakura, just rest, okay.)

——-

The next morning, he and his parents were having breakfast when suddenly, his mom said, “Sakura is really pretty, right Sasuke?”

Sasuke looked at his mother and why does it sound like she’s teasing me and he scrunched his eyebrows and looked at her weirdly.

“She’s intelligent, top of her class, very pretty, I heard she’s popular with the boys in school too-,” he frowned “-and she seems like a great daughter, right Fugaku?”

“Yes, she is. What are you doing Mikoto?”

Mikoto chuckled and said, “No, no, it’s nothing. I’m just thinking that Sasuke and Sakura’s wedding should be in winter so that Sakura can stand out”

He choked on his cereal and said, “Mother.” he looked at her teasing smile and narrowed his eyebrows, “Her father has just been in an accident, Mother”

She frowned and said, “I know.. I hope Kizashi can wake up soon so he can give her away on the wedding”

He looked to his father for some sanity only to see his father agreeing to what his mother’s saying. He stood up and left to go to school. Just when he was at the door he heard his mother shout “Say hi to Sakura for me” and he groaned.

——-

At school during lunch, he can’t help but glare at every boy who went to Sakura’s side. Naruto teased him, “you’re such a coward, Sasuke. All those glares, but no confession”, shook his head, “y’know, maybe I should have a go with Sakura instead”, teasing with his big grin and his wiggled eyebrows.

Naruto went home with a bruise on his arm that day.

18 years old

“God, I can’t believe graduation’s coming and you’re still single, Forehead”

“Shut up, pig.”

They were in Sakura’s room fiddling around with makeup and their dresses to wear to prom that weekend. She was just trying out her shoes when she saw Ino’s teasing smile and saw what was coming,

“Well, it’s not like there’s no one, right Sakura?” Ino sighed, “why is he not doing anything, you guys are clearly acting like you’re going out, but, just without the label” she rolled her eyes.

Sakura shook her head and said, “It’s nothing like that Ino, we’re just really close.”

“Nuh-uh, remember last week at lunch. That lanky boy was definitely gonna ask you out to prom but Sasuke glared at him from behind you and the boy ran away”, she chuckled, “Sasuke’s gonna be one scary boyfriend”

Sakura laughed, “Mmm I think that’s just him being protective, you know how he is with me, we’re childhood friends”

Ino sighed again, “Fine, whatever. But everyone can feel this tension between you guys, with the staring and all, it’s ridiculous, and it’s clearly not you two being” she finger quoted “just really close, or” she finger quoted again “just childhood friends”.

Sakura laid on her bed and sighed, “You know how I feel, Ino. but, with him you can’t really tell, you know. and our friendship is too valuable anyway.”

Ino shook her head dramatically “Oh, the most cliched reason for a coward”. Sakura threw her pillow at Ino while she was wearing lipstick and oh no, you didn’t and she lunged towards Sakura with lipstick on her hand.

——-

“Sasuke, you going to prom this weekend?”

His brother, Shisui, and some of his brother’s friends are hanging out at their study room turned game room. He just nodded at shisui’s question, barely looking at him, staring at the TV with Sasori beating Itachi in their game.

“You taking Sakura?” Sasuke muttered no and it’s none of your business. He was going to leave the room. But then he heard Sasori say “oooh, Sakura’s that hot chick across your house, right Itachi? Is she single?”

Sasuke glared and said “Itachi, let me play.”

After beating Sasori three times, he said nothing and left the room. Itachi and Shisui laughed and shook their heads and you just woke up the devil, Sasori. Sasori learnt that Sakura was definitely not single.

——-

That weekend, they were having breakfast together. Ever since Kizashi’s accident, Mikoto would sometimes invite Mebuki and Sakura for breakfast or dinner. He was still in a coma in the hospital and Mikoto just couldn’t help but reach out to them.

“Sakura, you’re going to go to prom tonight right? Are you going to go with Sasuke?”

Sakura casually said “Yeah, of course,” 

and Sasuke choked and tried to remember, did I ask her and forget, dammit dammit dammit. 

“-We’re going together with our friends. Since there’s two of us here, our friends are gonna come to our houses to get ready” 

he sighed internally and thought of how stupid he was and why did I panic and felt a pang in his chest wishing that they were going together together.

“Are you okay Sasuke?” his mother asked and he just nodded, barely looking at everyone else. He was always one to keep his straight face.

——-

That night he went to her house, along with Naruto, Sai, and Neji and his eyes widen as he saw her walk down the stairs and she’s so fucking pretty and he wished they were going together together and maybe I can just ask her now and maybe they can-

“My pretty daughter” Aunt Mebuki clasped her hands with some teary eyes “-I just wish your father can see you tonight,” Sakura smiled but he knew that smile and he just wanted to hug her and maybe I can and-

“Let’s take pictures!” fuck.

After some pictures were taken they went on their limo to prom and he just couldn’t, he really tried, but he couldn’t take his eyes off her. He didn’t really care anymore if anyone noticed. He didn’t care if she noticed cause she’s just so beautiful. He caught her eye and her eyebrows raised, questioning, and he just smiled. She blushed and averted her eyes and she’s so pretty.

——-

Later that night, they were the last to be dropped off. He noticed that she was quiet all the way home and he was quiet too and it felt like there’s this thing between them ever since their dance and any wrong word can just break it and he didn’t want that. He noticed her glancing his way and he wanted to ask but he didn’t know how and the limousine stopped.

He walked her to her door and he just stared at her and she stared back and he wanted to say something, anything-

“thanks, sasuke”, she averted her eyes and turned around and almost walked to the door, but then his body moved on its own, and his hand caught her wrist and she turned back and their eyes met and-

“Sakura, I-” he pulled her closer and muttered fuck, i’m not good with words and he leaned closer and he stared more at those eyes, those beautiful, beautiful eyes, his hand travelled to her neck and finally, finally, their lips met.

It started softly, hesitantly, chastely, and in seconds, she kissed him back, her arms around his neck, and he grew more confident and his hand curled around her neck, he pulled her in and he kissed her deeper.

They parted for air with their foreheads touching, his thumb stroking his cheek, “You’re so beautiful,” she blushed and she didn’t know what to say and just bit her lip, his eyes flickered to her lips and he groaned and then his body moved on its own again and their lips met for the second time that night.

They didn’t notice three pairs of eyes across the house peeking through the window, “Well, Mebuki, we should start planning that winter wedding”

20 years old

It was summer and they were back at home from college and their mothers have been more strict about them being in the bedroom together ever since they started dating, so they were in the living room of his house, watching a movie.

Their relationship felt like a breeze and Sakura was just so happy and Sasuke was, I can’t believe I didn’t confess sooner and when their friends found out they were all saying finally, free of the tension and the eyesmex.

They had fights like all relationships do but Sasuke just couldn’t stay away for too long and Sakura would always be forgiving.

They were going to have dinner at Sasuke’s house, but when Mebuki came, she was teary eyed and she didn’t speak for a while, and

“Mom, what’s wrong?” Sakura went to her mom and she panicked.

“Your dad.. He woke up.”

Sasuke said I’ll go with Sakura and they all went to the hospital.

They arrived first and went straight to his room and Sasuke didn’t want to intrude so he stayed outside.

“Sakura, is that you?” and she ran to him and hugged him so tightly and she didn’t want to let go. Five years, finally.

“Sakura, you’re all grown up.”

She recounted, the best she can do, of everything that’s happened. Mebuki arrived and they hugged, three of them, reunited. After a while, “Why did Sakura arrive first? Are you driving yet? Damn, I can’t believe I missed teaching you how to drive” Mebuki laughed and said “No, she went with her boyfriend”. Sakura groaned, embarrassed.

“Wait, is she and Sasuke finally going out? I have to hear this story, they were so oblivious” Loud laughs fill the room and Sakura didn’t care about any of the teasing and she just felt grateful that her dad’s back and that’s all she can think of.

——-

Later in the month, Kizashi was released from the hospital and they all planned a trip to the Uchiha Family cabin near the mountains to have a good rest with the hot springs and all. There were two separate cabins and Kizashi said one for the grownups, one for the kids- what Mebuki, let them have fun, we were young once. So Sasuke and Sakura were with Itachi and Izumi, his wife, and Shisui came just because he couldn’t miss out.

Everyone wanted to go to the hot springs, but Sasuke and Sakura said no, we’ll just play or hike or something and so they stayed in the “kids” cabin and they do have separate bedrooms but-

“Sakura, come” he took her hands,

“What is it, Sasuke”

“Just come here”

She followed him to his bedroom, and when they were in, he closed and locked the door and he pushed her against it and they just stared at each other and smiled. She broke the silence,

“Mm, don’t you think we’re being too casual, Sasuke?”

“What?”

She bit her lip, she knows what it does to him, and smiled teasingly, “I don’t know- you’re a boy, I’m a girl, we’re in your room-”

He groaned, “Shut up Sakura” and he kissed her.

25 years old

It was winter.

Aunt Mikoto, her mom, and Ino have been preparing everything. Those three have been inseparable since the day she said yes and Sakura could only agree to everything cause she didn’t care about parties.

She remembered how Sasuke would just laugh whenever she ranted to him on how big and complicated this party will be.

She looked in the mirror with her white dress on, and she couldn’t believe how far they’ve come.

——-

He looked in the mirror, fixed his neck tie, and looked again in the mirror, and fixed his wrist button, and this is nerve wracking and i’m gonna mess up and-

“Sasuke, sit doown, relaaax” and he just glared at Shisui and Naruto laughed and said, “you believe me now, huh, when it was my wedding you said I was overreacting”

Sasuke rolled his eyes and he said, “Naruto, you almost climbed down the window”

Naruto laughed and middle finger-ed him and, “whatever, at least you know how I felt now”

Itachi was the only calm one in the room as he said “don’t worry too much Sasuke, you’ll feel better when you see her, look forward to that”

Sasuke closed his eyes and took deep breaths and just imagined her and her white dress and how pretty she will be.

——-

He waited in the altar and looked to the door and saw the most beautiful girl and i’m so lucky and he couldn’t believe it sometimes and as she went closer their eyes met and she arrived at the altar and they just stared at each other and they forgot what they were supposed to be doing and Ino cleared her throat and Kizashi just laughed and Fugaku shook his head with a smile and Mebuki and Mikoto were all teary eyed and then they got married.

–

[torivikachu]

thaaaaat looks a lot like wedding rings Naruto and Sasuke could have ......... 🥲

I always thought there would be no real proposal with those two. honestly I don't even think they would get married at all, especially in canonverse... although that would be nice. if new Konoha would be forgiving and recognized Sasuke's effort to redeem himself they could be the most popular couple in all lands.

and it would be their wedding who EVERYBODY would want to attend. and I would love Sasuke to interact with people in normal circumstances, not under attack or making up a plan. I mean if he would be able to work through his traumas and open enough to allow himself to not be on guard 24/7....

and I would love that for Sasuke. if anybody can make him be like that it is Naruto. he is natural with people. and he is capable to both match Sasuke and protect him from the world and the world from him. so Sasuke could relax. sometimes.

and oh that would be a lovely wedding...

Sakura (in my ideal perception) would be the one to organize the whole thing! and Hinata would gladly help, but Sakura would make most arrangements and communication, while Hinata would be the one to spend the night sewing their symbols in yukatas and little but thoughtful stuff like that.

Ino would totally participate, probably as actively as Sakura, and girls would make sure EVERYBODY takes part in the preparations.

like Ino would drag Sai along, he would ask things like why are we doing this and what does a marriage change and drive them crazy with those questions, she would also force Choji and Shikamaru to always tag along, and while Choji would find great pleasure in deciding the menu (and tasting samples ofc) Shikamaru would try to hide somewhere silently, and everytime Sai would say something like 'why would people want to get married' Shika would mutter really silently 'why indeed' which would earn him glares from girls of course.

Lee would be over enthusiastic and would help decorating everything (although girls would have to redecorate everything after him, because he would arrange it hideously under Gai's command), and Tenten would be happy to help as well. especially with stuff that requires strength and energy... she can deny it all she wants but the power of youth rules the world and she knows it.

then there are Kiba and Shino. Shino would be a silent observer and would help with tiny things nobody notices, like if something fragile falls off the table his bugs would catch it, and most of it would happen because of Kiba's and Lee's presence tbh

and Kiba would run around not really doing anything but chatting around repeating all the time 'man I mean... those two? who would have guessed?' and everyone would shake their heads and be like 'everybody knew Kiba' 🤣

and Sai be like 'knew what?'

*simultanious groaning*

anyway, Kakashi being Kakashi would always find time to butt in and absentmindedly say stuff like 'I am not sure that poster hangs symmetrically' to Lee and just forget about it the other minute but which would result in Lee rearranging the whole thing for the next couple of hours, or something like 'roses? isn't it a bit clichee?' to Sakura and Ino and they would spend the night rethinking their choice of flowers.

Iruka would be more like Hinata, doing small stuff. he'd be attending as Naruto's father. I am pretty sure Sasuke would choose Kakashi as his father figure. because Kakashi has been the closest thing to a father Sasuke had since the massacre.

Konohamaru and his team would dutifully run small errands and making that movie for the wedding they made for NaruHina in canon.

Tsunade would do nothing for preparation but she would make sure Sakura orders enough alcohol.

it feels like I am forgetting smbd...

I mean everybody would attend, Gaara and his siblings, Killer Bee, Kages, Inari and his grandpa, everybody! hell, even Orochimaru.

and they will all get drunk and have fun and Sasuke is going to be clingy because he would totally go overboard with sake being a nervous wreck (not that he would ever admit that). and they will dance - only after Sasuke gets drunk enough ofc - and everybody is going to cry because they are so adorable together and they are meant for each other.

🥲

[depressedhatakekakashi]

Just One Scene, That’s All I ask

AU: Actors Au

Words: 1899

Rating: General

Pairings: Hatake Kakashi/Umino Iruka

Warnings: None

Summary: It’s a routine at this point. To check their scripts, hoping for a hint of a scene with the other man. Even the smallest one. Yet, no matter how many times they look they can never seem to find one. So they decide to take matters into their own hands.

Flipping through the pages of his script was a normal occurrence for Kakashi. He wanted to know the scenes that he had, who he had them with, and if he could memorize the lines easily or if it would take a bit more work.

Getting ready for the more emotional scenes was important too. If need be he could make himself cry, of course, but the more warning he got before acting out those types of scenes the better.

Today, though, he was looking for a particular type of scene.

Something that he would be sharing with a cute brunette. Maybe a scene at Ichiraku Ramen with the two of them laughing over something stupid Naruto said.

Or a more touching scene where they reminisce about how Naruto used to be.

He didn’t dare get his hopes up for anything significant. The build-up in their characters’ relationship still had to happen, and oh how desperate he was for it to actually happen.

Him sweeping Iruka off of his feet. Saving him from the big bad of the day and then taking him out for dinner after everything was said and done.

Perhaps even making Iruka dinner.

Something.

Anything.

Slamming his script shut, he sighed.

No matter how many times he looked it over, or how hard he wished for something to change. For a hidden scene to just pop out at him and surprise him, it didn’t.

There was nothing. As usual.

“Is it so much to ask?” He spoke to the empty changing room, leaning back in his chair to stare up at the white ceiling. “Just one scene. Even a crumb would be better than this.”

Why were the writers so determined to keep Iruka and him apart? Did they know the chemistry would be too much?

We’re they afraid that the two of them would be a more popular pairing than Naruto and Hinata? It wasn’t their fault that Naruto couldn’t make up his mind about who he wanted to have the most chemistry on screen with. They needed to talk to him about that problem, not punish Iruka and Kakashi.

“Maybe I just need to show them,” he grumbled to himself, his brain already working on a plan. “They just need to see that Iruka and I would make a good on-screen couple. That we need more scenes together. Naruto’s dad and weird uncle. They can’t say no to that.”

With that decided, Kakashi sat up in his seat and sprang to his feet, determined to get to the writer’s room before they left for the day.

They’d see reason, they had to.

If they didn’t, Kakashi would have to resort to drastic measures

A fight scene between Naruto and Sasuke, a scene with Sakura and Ino mending their friendship, and a scene at Ichiraku Ramen with Team seven.

That was it.

There was absolutely nothing of interest.

Throwing his script down on the table, Iruka slapped his hands over his eyes and groaned.

“Every time,” he grumbled under his breath, wondering if the writers would ever take pity on him and give him the scenes that he wanted. “Why are they like this?”

“No scenes with Kakashi again?” Spreading his fingers open, he glared at Anko between the small spaces. “I don’t see why you’re complaining. We’re secondary characters if that. We’re lucky if we get screen time at all.”

That was true, and it wasn’t like he didn’t have other work to focus on. It was just that he had been looking forward to having a scene with Kakashi ever since the pre-chunin exam arc scene where his character scolded Kakashi for putting his students into the exams.

They could get a heated emotional scene that pitted them against each other, but not something more relaxed? With less on the line?

He wasn’t asking for that much, was he? Just a chance to show them the chemistry that Kakashi and he had. Prove to everyone that the two of them deserved more scenes together. That Naruto’s ‘Dads’ should become an official couple in the show.

“Jeez,” Leaning back in her seat, Anko sighed. “If you’re so pressed about it why don’t you go talk to the writers?”

Talk to the writers.

That was a genius plan!

“Oh, no. Iruka, I was joking.” Anko protested, but it was too late. Before she could even hope to stop him, Iruka was on his feet and headed towards the door.

The writers were going to get a talking to, and they were going to give him and Kakashi a scene together.

No matter how long he had to keep them back to get it, he wouldn’t leave until he had secured one scene.

It didn’t have to be the biggest scene, just something.

Anything.

Storming towards the writer’s room, Iruka reached out to grab the metal knob and swing the door open. A grand entrance before he laid his argument out for them. They wouldn’t be able to ignore that.

They’d have to give him what he wanted.

Except, before he could open the door he heard a familiar voice.

A voice that sent shivers down his spine.

Hatake Kakashi.

“One scene, that’s really not asking for so much,” Iruka couldn’t move. Refused to interrupt whatever it was Kakashi was trying to do, hoping against all odds that maybe Kakashi was there for the same thing he had come for. That he wasn’t alone in wanting more scenes with the other man. “It doesn’t even have to be a big scene. I’m not asking to take over the show. I just want one scene with him where we get to just be relaxed.”

“We’ve already planned out the next few episodes,” one of the writers spoke, her voice calm and friendly. “We don’t really have an opportunity to slap the two of you together randomly for a scene. It doesn’t work with the story progression.”

“But the story changes,” Kakashi continued. “There will be a chance where there’s an opening. A scene where maybe you could just...slip the two of us into the same room together. Let our characters talk.”

“That’s a long-winded way of saying ‘I want to date him but I’m too chicken shit to ask him out myself’” Mizuki’s voice was unmistakable. The playful taunting dripping in his words, begging to be punched in the face even if Iruka would regret it later when his friend bugged him about ‘over reacting’. “You want us to write you a scene with Iruka so you can flirt. Why don’t you just ask him out to coffee instead?”

“I-shut it!” Iruka could almost imagine the look on the other man’s face. A bright red blush creeping up his face and narrow dangerous eyes glaring daggers into Mizuki. “I’m just asking for one scene. Certainly, it can’t be that hard for you to write.”

Mizuki’s laughter filled the air.

“We’ll see what we can do, Kakashi-san,” Rin offered, a soft smile no doubt on her face as she tried to de-escalate the situation before Kakashi leaped over the table to attack Mizuki. “It might not be for a while though.”

“I’ll contain my disappointment,” the doorknob started to turn suddenly, but no matter how much Iruka wanted to make a run for it, he couldn’t. His feet were cemented in place, refusing to move an inch as the door opened in front of him. “Just try not to ruin it with another argument, please. We have enough of...oh!”

Standing there in front of him, with a surprised look on his face, was Hatake Kakashi.

Man of his dreams. The person he hadn’t been able to get his mind off of since their first scene together, and apparently the one who shared all of those feelings. Who wanted to have a scene with Iruka, just as badly as Iruka wanted a scene with him.

“Uh, hi,” Mizuki’s laughter echoed from the room behind Kakashi. “I was just…”

He had no excuse for being there. Nothing to say that would explain his presence and not embarrass him in the same breath.

“Coffee?” Kakashi blurted out, his face turning a deep red when he realized what he had said. “I mean…if you want. I could use some coffee, we could practice scenes together.”

The sound of a chair toppling over, followed by the hard thud of a body hitting the floor, told Iruka that Mizuki found this whole situation all too entertaining.

He wasn’t going to hear the end of it for weeks from his friend, and somehow he was alright with that.

“Coffee sounds great,” he smiled, leaning a little to the left and smiling towards all of the writers now staring at him and Kakashi. “Don’t think this gets you off of the hook though. He made a good point, and if you can write a cute scene with Asuma and Kurenai you can do the same for us.”

It’s what they deserved.

“So,” turning his attention back to Kakashi, his smile grew when he see the silver-haired hottie staring back at him with bright eyes. “Let’s get some coffee. My treat.”

It was the least he could do after Kakashi had argued so valiantly for them to have a cute scene together.

Coffee had gone well. So we’ll that Kakashi had mustered up the courage to ask Iruka out on a proper date. This time to dinner.

Then another date, to the movie theater where Iruka cuddled up against Kakashi’s shoulder halfway through the cheesiest romantic comedy Kakashi could have possibly chosen.

Then there was the water park, where Kakashi spent half the time goofing around and splashing Iruka.

More dinner dates, and a few relaxing nights at home.

Really, the last few months had been amazing. Kakashi had gotten a fantastic, handsome boyfriend and he had been enjoying himself so much that he had forgotten about that cute scene he so desperately wanted with Iruka before.

Until…

“A wedding!?” Iruka jumped up in his seat suddenly, the new script open in his hands and an excited look on his face. “Kakashi! Kakashi look!”

Having the script shoved into his face, Kakashi set his cup of coffee down and carefully took it from Iruka. Whatever the writers had come up with they certainly had done a number on Iruka.

Kakashi’s pretty sure he has never seen him this excited.

“Alright, let’s see.” reading the page that Iruka had open, Kakashi felt a smile pulling at his lips slowly as the words sank in. “Oh?”

A wedding. Naruto and Hinata’s wedding to be exact, but that’s not the scene that had gotten Iruka so excited.

It was the father’s speech. When Iruka’s character was set to stand up and talk about Naruto and all the ways he had grown over the years.

With Kakashi’s character there by his side, an arm wrapped around his waist.

“About damn time,” he whispered, lowering the script to smile back at Iruka. “It only took them two years.”

Rushing around the table, Iruka wrapped his arms around Kakashi’s neck and kissed him. Hard and passionate, and absolutely perfect.

Not even the sound of his dogs barking in the background, begging him to let them outside, could interrupt this moment for Kakashi.

He was in paradise, with Iruka here in his arms kissing him, and he was going to enjoy it.

[airashisakura]

Written for @harunosakuraweek Day 3 - Healing

Rating : General audience

Characters : Haruno Sakura

Summary : What she could do was to wait and heal, like always she has done.

A/N : This is an part from next chapter (which is still not posted because of lack of motivation) of one of my fic - You, Me and US

Her heart had felt heavier since the moment she brushed past Sasuke and moved towards the hospital. Sasuke was leaving again, and she wouldn't be seeing off him tomorrow, unlike the previous time.

It was past-midnight and before the first ray of sunlight hit the ground, Sasuke would leave again — leave her again, and this time, she was perplexed.

When she had met Sasuke on her way to a mission to The Land of Waves, her heart had fluttered, and their return to Konoha together had given her hope that he was finally going to stay. Her hopes had crumbled ‌when he asked Kakashi to assign him official missions from now on. Kakashi nodded, and there Sasuke went — another reason to run out of the village.

She had endured the past two years with a memory of the forehead poke. Every time she had been losing her belief in love for Sasuke, her fingers involuntarily moved and grazed above her byakagou seal. She always smiled, believing Sasuke would come back to her and keep the promise he’d made.

Sakura held her pillow tightly, scrunching her legs closer to her body. Like every night, she felt the sensation of Sasuke's finger on her forehead. Her fingers didn't move now. She just stared blankly, trying to find a hidden meaning behind his promise.

She found none, because she had felt the intensity of Sasuke's feelings back then.

Sasuke wasn't lying, was he?

She sighed heavily. She shifted her position and lied on her back, staring at the dark ceiling. Her left arm rested beside her head, the right clutching the sheets. One of her legs stuck out from under her bedsheet. The falling temperature of the night pricked her bare skin, but it didn't matter. Her heart had grown heavier since Sasuke announced he would leave again.

She had worked herself to exhaustion in the hospital that day, just so she could sleep after coming back home. Sakura was growing irritated because this certainly was not happening. Her green eyes had sunk deeper into their orbits — thanks to the mission she took, and thanks to meeting Sasuke accidently during that mission, and thanks to Sasuke returning to the village with her and then deciding to leave again.

Naruto's wedding was near, and she didn't want to hang around with dark circles.

I need to sleep; she told herself, shutting her eyelids tight.

She wasn't sure if it was the cold or her heavy heart that woke her up. It wasn't dawn, and she realized she had only slept for a short period of time.

Great, she sighed in frustration as she retraced her sprawled limbs inside the sheet.

She could hear two sounds that broke the stillness of the night — the ticking of her clock and her heartbeat. Her heartbeat was a lot faster and louder than it ought to have been. She wasn't sick, and he knew exactly what was happening.

She placed her palm over her racing heart. She could feel the heart muscle beating with so much tension — as if they didn't want to, but someone had commanded them to. She gripped the fabric of cloth tighter till her fingers went numb.

What's happening to me?

She wanted to cry. Cry like she had the time Sasuke had tried to kill her. She remembered being greeted by her dad's jokes when she came back home only to laugh before dragging herself to her bedroom.

She remembered punching the mirror in her room till blood gushed out of her knuckles. She had gritted her teeth when her mom scolded her for impulsively throwing things and breaking her mirror, not knowing what had really happened. She had broken down, while more and more blood had gushed out when she heard her mom leaving. Later that night she had fallen on the floor as dizziness took over and had been reduced to a mess of her own tears, sweat, blood and hatred.

She had moved from her parents' house after that and lived alone now. She didn't have to hold back her screams anymore or clean up messes while she cried her eyes out.

Cry now, she challenged herself.

A single drop rolled out of her eye. Nothing more. That felt ridiculous to her.

Really, what's wrong with me!

She had felt like she was suffocating from the moment Sasuke said he would leave. All the feelings and hopes she had harboured stabbed her heart, mocking her patience.

This feeling — it wasn't the first time she had felt this way. The moment she had come back from The Land of Iron, she had felt totally defeated. She had gone to ease Naruto’s burden and to resolve it on her own. She had stared blankly at her reflection when she got home — she’d been a complete failure. Anger had bubbled up inside her as she saw the dark marks of Sasuke’s fingers engraved on her pale throat. A surge of pain and dejection had crashed inside her as she realized that Sasuke had nearly choked her to death.

But the person who had choked her back then had been a person engulfed by darkness.

He's not that Sasuke anymore. Why do I feel this way again?

Maybe he choked off her love this time. What he couldn't do consciously back then.

She was overthinking, she knew for sure, but she didn't know what she should do. She had never been in this situation before. The idea of running to Naruto or Ino crossed her mind.

But Naruto's getting married, and Ino has Sai now. I can't just ruin their happiness for my sake.

She knew her friends were always there for her, but running to them every time Sasuke left didn’t feel right. She wasn't that girl anymore!

She stared blankly, not sure what to do. The numbness of her fingers had faded, and she could feel the fabric of her top. She slid her hand inside the top and rested her palm over her bare skin. Her heart was still beating loud and fast.

She had been through this before as well. It hadn’t been an easy process — the sleepless nights and doubts of her love for Sasuke. Eventually she had come to terms with her emotions. She had fixed herself little by little, focusing on herself and focusing on getting stronger.

She closed her eyes, focused on her breathing, and listened to her heartbeat. She knew what commanded her heart to go on when she wanted to give up — her heart was telling to love herself.

Sasuke leaving always left her in shreds because she was too afraid to live alone. It was hard imagining her world without Sasuke, and she always begged him to stay. She couldn't stop Sasuke from doing that, but she could prioritize herself and stop chasing him.

Over the years she had healed little by little — changed herself, although her love for Sasuke had stayed the same. All the emotional scars she had were healed the same way she had healed other people. She was glad to be the person she’d become.

She inhaled deeply as her disheveled thoughts started making sense again. She closed her eyes, knowing she would be able to heal again.

Finally, she was at peace with her decision to not see Sasuke off this time. She knew if she had gone, she would have ended up begging him to stay again. She had always loved him, so this time, she wanted to see if Sasuke Uchiha really had harboured some feelings for her.

Love wasn’t easy — it was always a two-way effort. For the first time in all these years, she believed she had been doing her part diligently. Now she would again wait for Sasuke to return. For she knew, if you set your love free, it would always return if it was true.

[sendryl]

Sandpaper Love!

Okay so super late but you know how it is.

Sandpaper Love AU is a massive modern soap opera au wherein Naruto and Sasuke have been friends since high school (both students at Iruka's dojo) and have been through a lot of shit together. Sakura has always been there too, but as in canon, she's never quite as close to them as they are to each other. So college comes around and they stick together and that where Hinata appears. She thinks Naruto is amazing and bright and everything and she gathers the courage to ask him out while they're all four at Ichiraku's. Naruto, who has no idea what love actually is (bad foster homes growing up) is just like "yeah sure sounds great" and Sasuke is quietly trying to hide the fact that his world is collapsing. Sakura sees her Hinata being courageous and asks Sasuke out too, and Naruto is thrilled because now it can be a double date.

Things spiral from there, involving Sasuke dating Sakura, Naruto talking to him about finally having sex with Hinata, and Sasuke freaking out and ending up having sex with Sakura in a very fucked up grasp for normality. Eventually, through stupidity and bad sex education on the Uchiha family's part, Sakura gets pregnant, and Sasuke gets pressured into marrying her. Naruto thinks marriage is a great idea and asks Hinata, and Naruto steamrolls them all into a double wedding and honeymoon. So. Yeah. Soap opera to the extreme. XD

A few months later, Naruto gets in a bad car accident, and Sasuke goes to the hospital while he's in surgery. Meanwhile Sakura goes into early labor, and can't get ahold of Sasuke (no phones in hospital) and calls Hinata. So Hinata is there for Sarada's birth, and Sasuke is at Naruto's bedside waiting for him to wake up.

Much later, Naruto and Hinata have their two kids in an attempt on Hinata's to make Naruto really love her, and stop focusing on Sasuke. Naruto loves his kids, but it doesn't pull him closer to Hinata or farther from Sasuke. Sasuke and Sakura are fighting and not sleeping in the same bed, but they both love Sarada and do their best to take care of her.

When Sarada is about three, Sakura finally files for divorce. This prompts Naruto to finally realize that he might not actually understand love at all, and he ends up talking to Hinata and eventually Sasuke about it. Sakura won't talk to him, because she says it's too painful atm.

Eventually Hinata decides to divorce Naruto as well, to let him go, because she's realized that she's never going to be able to make him love her. Not the way she wants him to, at least.

The divorces are as amicable as they can be. The kids are well taken care of. They all end up seeing therapists, one of whom is Ino, and both Sakura and Sasuke end up clicking with her.

End goal would be:

Sakura becoming an mma fighter as she works her way through medical school, training with Lee, and having a longstanding "fuck me yourself, coward" thing with fellow medical student Neji that works for them both.

Hinata going back to school to join the orchestra as a cellist, ignoring her family's urging for her to take over their medical practice and fully supporting Neji in his push to become a doctor on his own, outside the family practice. She meets Ino after a performance, and Ino is obviously into her, but Hinata decides she wants to spend some time on her own figuring out what makes her happy, before getting into any relationships.

Sasuke finally telling Naruto that he's been in love with him since high school, and then being willing to let Naruto go to figure out what he wants in life.

And Naruto finally going to a therapist and figuring out what the different types of love are, and realizing that Sasuke is the person he actually wants to be married to. So, after a year or so, he proposes.

Naruto ends up taking over his sensei's dojo, and Sasuke joins him as a co-owner.

Naruto and Sasuke's house is the main home for the kids, but everyone has equal visitation, and the kids end up alright.

So there you have it! Bad choices all around, lots of angst and confusion and pain, and a journey through doomed love to find happiness on the other side.

I don't think I could write it realistically enough to do the au justice, so it'll probably always just be an idea, but yeah. That is Sandpaper Love.

[nanawritesstuff]

of war and peace | December 27th, MadaSakuWeekend

it’s here, y’all. MadaSakuWeekend, Day 1. Thank you, Captain @madasakuweek​, for organising and motivating the madasaku stans!!!! 

Prompt: soulmate au

Fandom: Naruto

Pairing: Haruno Sakura/ Uchiha Madara

Rating: Teen and up audiences

Word Count: 4051

Summary: For Sakura, soulmates have officially lost their charm and she’s never felt more disillusioned. But when the only chance to look deeper comes to her, she still takes it. | sequel to of love and war 

Warnings/Tags: angst, ooc sasuke cuz I like soft friend Sasuke, ooc madara cuz I need some fluff

a/n: I really wasn’t sure if I should write this, but this is the only way I wanted to write it lol

Sakura has always known what dead soulmarks mean. 

She thought she had accepted it-the bittersweet feeling of being surrounded by people meant for each other, knowing there was no such person for her, not anymore. She's been ready for the weddings, the children, and the anniversaries since she was twelve. She's crafted herself an armour of acceptance and resolution. 

She hadn't been ready for this. 

The first glimpse of the infamous Uchiha had shaken her to the core. Despite the distance between them, she knows that he had sensed her presence. Sasuke's hand had been firm in hers as she trembled, as her mind and body refused to cooperate. And then that wild hair vanished from sight, leaving behind an odd longing in her, which she has been trying to fight down ever since. They've retreated back to camp to for a brief respite, and she takes this time to come to terms with the current situation.

She hadn’t been ready for the part of her she’d thought long buried to awaken and unfurl in the deepest parts of her, for it to sense its other half and prod at her very being as if to say: hey, look, there they are!

Despite knowing there was no happy ending written for her, she had indulged in the occasional daydream of somehow meeting her soulmate. They usually involved tears and soft kisses, apologies and tight hugs. When she heard people were being resurrected, her mind had spun out of control for a moment. The hope had been nearly overwhelming, and the subsequent disappointment had crushed it. 

What she feels now is pure despair. There are no teary first meetings in the works for her, because the man fate has deemed fit for her is the worst enemy they have ever faced. And judging by the reports coming in from the fourth division, he is also an overpowered killer. The desperation and desolation merge as they rush through her, forming a leash around her heart. What does it say about her, if that is who is marked for her? Not every marked pair ends up together, but that’s still rare.

How is it that someone she has never even met has managed to break her heart? Or is it the absolute disillusionment that has her struggling to breathe?

Sasuke's arms are steady and warm around her as they stand in the empty tent. His brother stands guard outside, talking to his partner in low tones. The two make an odd pair, but there is a certain confidence in the way they move around each other that speaks of faith, and trust. Her eyes squeeze shut as the tears spill over and her fingers dig into Sasuke's skin as she buries her head in his shoulder. 

"I've got you. Okay? We don't have much time, but...I'm here with you. You're not alone," he murmurs, hugging her closer when she starts shaking. "I'm here." Sakura sobs harder at the warm words, cursing herself for crying over this, over him. She should be out there, shrugging it off, keeping her head held high. Instead, she's hiding away, crying like a child. 

"W-why him?" she blubbers, taking in shaky breaths as Sasuke wipes her cheeks dry. “What the hell did I ever do to deserve that?

"Well, it's definitely unfortunate. But...you could've done worse. You could've gotten Danzo." 

The complete disgust on her face makes him grin. 

"He's not much better." 

"Hey, come on now. I know he's our enemy, but your soulmate is one of the most feared shinobi in all the nations," Sasuke tells her, handing her a cup of water. "Right up there with the Shodaime." 

"Sasuke."

"I'm just saying...it could've been Danzo."

She can't help but laugh at that, pulling him into another hug. "Yes. And now I have to watch my soulmate die without ever getting a chance to speak to him." 

He shrugs, watching her as she nearly dunks her head in a bucket of water. "I mean, you'll get a chance to meet him. Even a monster wouldn't kill his own soulmate." 

Sakura isn't so sure of that, but she knows it doesn't matter either way. She won't get a chance to find out.

She gets her chance. 

Naruto turns to her when Madara leaves, declaring his intent to wait for the Shodaime. She knows she doesn't imagine the way his eyes flick in her direction before he turns away. She tells herself it was Naruto he was assessing, but her heart doesn't stop pounding. He's terrifying. He kills as naturally as he breathes, as if he was born to fight, to defeat. And yet, she had heard him call out to Hashirama. She had seen him nearly crash into the ground in his haste to get to the man, his eyes lit up with excitement at the mere prospect of getting to fight his old friend. 

She had nearly smiled at the way his face fell when Hashirama rebuffed him. 

It doesn't matter–she can berate herself all she wants, but she couldn't stop her eyes from finding him, from greedily taking in every move he makes. It's dangerous to be this distracted, and it takes her every ounce of the self-control she possesses to stay focused on healing Naruto, who is still trying to check on her.

The sound of heavy footsteps grows closer, and she looks up to see Hashirama smiling at her. There is chatter all around her as they all watch the four Hokage in action, getting ready to jump into the fray themselves, and one of the Shodaime's clones has come to her instead.

"I'm going to him. I know it's important to conserve chakra but...I'd say this is important too, in a way," he says softly, the way he looks pointedly at her neck leaving little doubt as to what he means. Of all the people in the world, he's probably the one person who is as familiar with the symbol as she is. She turns to look at Naruto and Sasuke, who look back at her with no trace of judgment in their eyes. She squares her shoulders and walks to them, her hands coming up to form a symbol she's rarely ever had to use, unlike her blond teammate. 

As Team 7 steps up to join the battle, her clone leaves with Hashirama's.

She's afraid–of being rejected, even though she tells herself she's not looking for acceptance. Of him being worse than she believes him to be, even though it can't, in all honestly, get much worse than mass-murdering psychopath aiming for world domination. She feels no small amount of guilt for going to meet the man who has taken so much from this world, from her friends. 

They slow to a stop just before they reach the spot, and Sakura looks at him questioningly when he just smiles sheepishly. His eyes indicate his unnatural state, but they’re still gentle in the way they settle on her.

"It's Sakura, right?" 

"Um, yes."

"Hm. You know, ever since I first saw it, I've been curious–just what kind of a person would give that brute such a pretty mark?" he muses, and she flushes under the weight of his gaze. "But it's subtle in its beauty. The one he's given you...well, it certainly doesn't leave any doubt, does it?" 

Sakura looks up at the rock where her supposed fated one waits. "Not anymore. This mark, it's given me a lot of grief. But it's never felt like a burden...until now." She turns back to him, her smile wobbly. "No matter who it belonged to, it was my soulmark. There was someone for me, even if they were out of reach."

"To find out that you're Madara's soulmate...he's definitely a handful," Hashirama guffaws as he pats her shoulder sympathetically. A part of her can't believe she's just standing around, chatting with the Shodaime Hokage as the war rages on around them, even if they're clones. But, despite her initial fears, he isn't disgusted. There's no sign of pity in his eyes. He seems to sense her uncertainty as she tries to find the right words. 

'Handful' seems to be the understatement of the world. The man is trying to cast a genjutsu over the entire world. 

"He's...not someone I expected. Ever." 

Hashirama nods, seeming to understand what she doesn't say. "I'll get to the point, then. It may be hard to believe, and I'm certain everyone else would disagree if they heard this...but then no one ever really knew Madara like I did, like I do." A finger under her chin tilts her head up when she can't meet his eyes. "He's an idiot. A severely misguided one. He has a terrible temper and his way of resolving things is to beat them." 

'Is he trying to tell me that I dodged a bullet?' Sakura thinks, wondering if the Shodaime thinks she's an idiot. 

"But Sakura...despite his utter idiocy and thick-head...he has good in his heart. I know this, and I believe this even now. He is not an evil man." She blinks at the unexpected words.

"Then why is he doing this? Trying to create some perfect world? What happened?" she asks quietly. Hashirama sighs, running a hand through his hair as he tries to put it in words. The sky has settled into a shadowy disposition, a precursor of the darker things to come and–she can’t tell if it’s afternoon or evening.

"The Uchiha, they...they love deeply, to a fault. To the point where it can destroy them. This trait was always especially apparent in Madara. He loved his family so much, that losing them broke him apart piece by piece until there was nothing left but anguish,” Hashirama’s eyes lose focus as his mind travels to a time when Konoha was just a dream. “Losing his brother was the final straw, although I didn't know it at the time. Izuna took a big piece of Madara with him, when he was killed by my own brother."

"But...you still founded the village after that?" 

"I was able to convince him. And I've always believed that even then, Madara had hope." 

"For Konoha?"

"Yes. And for finding you," Hashirama says, his soft smile edging with sorrow. His words take root in her heart, robbing her of breath and words. "He never admitted it, but I knew he wanted to meet you. Sakura-san, when we were kids, he used to go on and on about you. He was so sure you would be a kunoichi–beautiful, powerful yet kind were his exact words if I remember correctly.” His laugh is soft as he shares this piece of his past, of cherished memories. “A woman who could send shinobi flying with one punch. I'm sure he's very pleased to know he was right." 

She knows he's teasing, but she can't help the warmth that extends to her ears. “Oh...”

“Uchiha Madara’s soulmate, apprenticed to a Senju, my own granddaughter. I suppose the fates do have a peculiar sense of humour,” he mutters, appearing a bit smug.

Sakura, however, is stuck on his previous words.

"He really said all that?" The almighty Uchiha, fantasizing about his soulmate?

"He did. In his defence, we were children. His vocabulary was rather limited at the time. But, as I was saying...well, he never did find you. The situation became more hopeless, and...then it ended. Or so I believed." 

“And he betrayed you.”

“And he believed he was meant to walk a different path, yes.”

"Why are you telling me this?" she asks as they begin to walk towards their goal.  

"Because I know he won't. And as his best friend, I believe it to be my duty to tell you your soulmate isn't the monster everyone believes him to be." Hashirama's sincerity shines through in every word. "And, because the gods are cruel. If Madara had met you back then...I truly believe things would have been different." 

'But we never had a chance.' Her eyes well up once again, but Hashirama's look suspiciously shiny as well. It's in this moment that it really sinks in–the man people believe was Uchiha Madara's greatest enemy still calls himself his best friend. Perhaps he's too optimistic, to actually believe there's still some good left in the other man, but he would know better than most, wouldn't he? Better than everyone else.

It may be naive of her but Sakura chooses to believe him–because she wants to believe it. She wants to believe there's more to Madara than the homicidal demon he's known to be, even if she might not get the chance to see it for herself.

And now, as he waits for Hashirama, she finds him.

She doesn't see her mark on what little skin she can see, but that only makes sense. Most Shinobi don’t leave their mark visible for everyone to see, and this one has more reason than most to hide his. Her own mark seems to pulse in sync with the quickening beat of her heart. Her breath catches in her throat as he moves, as he slowly turns to face them, her muscles locking up when he tilts his head, the spiral pattern of his eyes dizzying in his otherworldly beauty.

She doesn't move as he refuses to fight Hashirama's clone, and then proceeds to destroy it. She waits for him to do the same to her, but he only goes back to his seat with casual indifference. Ino and Shikamaru's faces spring up in her head–the apprehension is cast aside in favour of anger.

And then, she pounces. 

He blocks every attack, never countering, only parrying and twisting gracefully. His expression doesn't shift in the slightest, but she can see the amused glint in his eyes and it sends anger burning like fire through her veins. As he turns slightly to step back, her fingers slide into his coarse hair, clenching tightly and yanking him to her. The surprised look on his face is almost comical, and she only gets a glimpse before she drives her fist into his cheek. The way he crashes through the rocks has vindictive satisfaction thrumming in her, even though she knows it was a lucky shot.

"That was dirty," he grumbles. His voice is deeper than she expected, and there is none of the rage she was expecting. Instead, as he sets his gunbai down,  he looks like he’s trying to fight a smirk. 

"That was for my friends," she replies firmly. 'Nothing in the world will ever make up for what you've done.'

"Friends, hmm?" He tilts his head curiously, brushing dirt off his armour. "The nine-tails is one of them, is he not?" 

The look she gives him is dangerous, and her only response. The little smirk that curls along his mouth is knowing. He has the striking features common in the Uchiha, but where Sasuke and Itachi are lean, lithe and delicate–Madara is broader, sturdy, and rugged, but still limber which is apparent in the way he moves.

"So you haven't come to join me, little soulmate?"

"And betray my people? Of course not," she says dismissively. 

“Your people? Shouldn’t your soulmate be included in that list?”

“Not if he’s trying to ruin the lives of every other person on it,” she snaps, her irritation rising when he only looks amused. Where is the temper the Shodaime mentioned? 

"Then why have you come?" 

His question gives her pause, makes her nervous. "Because of the Shodaime..."

"Did the meddling fool force you?" 

"No! I just...I was curious,” she admits, shrugging lightly despite the nervous feeling fluttering in her stomach. 

"Hm."

She watches him for another moment. He sits with his legs crossed, his chin resting in the palm of his hand. He looks as if he doesn't have a care in the world, but his eyes are intense in their focus, in the way they linger on her mark. His mark. She wonders what he thinks of her, with her soft hair and bright eyes. With the thick lines sweeping down her face to her body. 

In all her daydreams, she had never thought she’d look this roughed up when meeting her soulmate. There are no sundresses and bright nail polish; her skin is cleaner than her real body’s by virtue of being a clone and her flak jacket is snug around her torso. The image of a faceless man with a gentle smile has been torn to shreds, replaced by this man who she thinks is–in the deepest parts of her mind–of a wilder sort of beauty than she could’ve ever imagined. 

She thinks he’s beautiful, and she hates herself for it. 

"I came because even though you're clearly insane, this is the only chance I had to meet you," she says honestly. "So I took it."

"Insane?" he repeats, his eye twitching. "Bold, aren't you?" 

"I'd have to be, with this blasted mark on my neck!" 

"Listen here, girl, that's the Sharingan you're insulting! My Sharingan," he says, and she tries to ignore the possessiveness colouring his tone. 

"Well, your Sharingan has been an endless source of annoyance my entire life!"  

"And your mark..." he begins heatedly, only to trail off. Suddenly, she feels awkward. What is she doing, arguing with this man? 

"And my mark?" She watches him cautiously, watching for a hint, a sign that would indicate the location of her mark. She’s been curious about it all her life and Hashirama hadn’t given her any clues beyond ‘pretty.’

He doesn't respond, his head turning towards the direction of the battle. Her heart restarts it's panicked thumping as he moves to stand, his gaze focused on some distant point. He glances at her once before turning away to leave. 

"W-wait!" 

Madara stills, looking over his shoulder at her, and she ignores the voice in her head that calls her a sentimental fool. 

"M-my name...it’s Sakura," she stammers, her mouth dry, feeling like a complete idiot. At the same time, something in her is finally quenched. She doesn’t regret it. And then–the all too familiar scent of forests and smoke fills her senses, and her heart attempts to leap out of her mouth when those hypnotic eyes meet her own and he's too close too close. He leans over her, his expression unreadable, and she feels something warm on her neck before she discovers that it's his fingers. His skin is warm, and she's startled further when she realizes his glove is off. 

Madara strokes the bright mark on her skin, his touch gentler than she would’ve expected from a man like him, his gaze unwavering. "Sakura, huh?" She doesn't understand why her knees shake at the way he says her name, as if he's savouring sweet wine. They shake harder when his mouth curves up, even though it's tiny. It softens his harsh features and stills the pounding of her heart. "Of course it is. I'm...Madara." 

He’s close enough for her to feel the heat radiating off of his body; she could reach out and touch him, and she might be losing her mind because she thinks he would let her. She wants to explore, dig deep and see what parts of him he’s hiding, and how they would fit with hers.

“...It’s nice to finally meet you, I guess,” she whispers. She’s embarrassed to find that her eyes have grown wet again but before she can swipe at them his hand is there, brushing a tear off her lashline. 

“I should be the one saying that.” But he doesn’t sound annoyed. The air is warm and still between them as they both search the other's face. They both know where the other stands. There’s nothing more to say. She feels something tug at her as he steps back, slipping his glove back on. There's something on his wrist, but it's covered by the cloth before she can get a clearer look.

"Well, Sakura. I'll see you on the battlefield." 

She still doesn't quite know how, but things got worse.  

The battlefield is quiet around them, as everyone slumbers in their cocoons. In this moment though, her mind strays from her worry for her people. Her eyes, instead, remain glued to the form on the ground, the form Hashirama is now walking towards. Her mind flashes through the events that lead to this. Gai-sensei. Obito. Naruto and Sasuke, who have now disappeared along with Kakashi-sensei and the creature, the woman who had put an end to Uchiha Madara. The thought doesn't bring the triumph it should. Instead, they now have something much worse on their hands.

She feels numb, because of the unknown evil they now have to face. Because she had to watch her soulmate nearly explode and be turned inside out in a most horrific manner, and she knows it's going to give her nightmares for the rest of her life.

And, because...this is it. This is it for him, for the little bit of them.

Naruto realized it before she did, and pushed her to safety before they vanished. He made the decision for her because he knew she would have followed them. And he wanted her to have this. 

As she walks towards him, his form grows blurrier. The confusion lasts for but a moment before she realizes her body has reacted before her mind could, in the form of the tears that flow freely down her cheeks. He’s empty, drained of life and chakra, the bleached look gone and his hair back to its inky ferocity.

His words, spoken in low tones, reach her ears. "War buddies...huh? Well, I guess that's fine...by me..." he trails off as Hashirama turns to look up at her. "Ah, that's...right. One of my dreams...did come true." 

She sinks to her knees beside him, reaching for his hand. It's still warm, and she squeezes it tightly. He looks frail, all the rage in him finally hushed. He doesn't look at her, but she realizes quickly that he can't.

"I always told you, didn't I?" Hashirama teases, although his smile is more wistful than amused. "In this, at least–you were right."

"I...know..." His fingers twitch around hers as his mouth perks up slightly. "Sakura."

"Hmm?" She's unsure if she can manage to speak through quiver in her throat, through the emotions bubbling up and choking her. "I-I'm here." 

"My...wrist..."

She catches on quickly, reaching for the hand still shielded by a glove with trembling fingers. As she slips it off, her eyes stay trained on his wrist. On her mark. And her heart aches at the sight of it, at the unfairness of it all.

"Oh."

"Beautiful...isn't it?" he asks, almost serenely. She laughs quietly, running her fingers over the cherry blossoms inked on to his skin by fate itself. "Forgive me. I'll...be going...ahead first." 

"Again," she murmurs, sighing at the position they've found themselves in after all this time.

He seems to find it amusing, his mouth curling up further still despite his unfocused gaze. "Ah. I guess...this just wasn't...our time...huh?"

"Not this life," she agrees, leaning in to press her mouth to his forehead. He’s nearly gone, so she knows he probably doesn’t feel the tears that drip down her chin and onto his ashen skin. "Maybe in another, if we're lucky." 

"I'll...look...for you, then..." he agrees, his smile fading slightly as his hand goes in limp in her grip. She takes a moment to close her eyes, to let herself feel. The loss. The bitterness. The unravelling of that tense, bitter knot in her chest that had wound itself tight throughout the years. In the end, she got to be by his side, in a small way.

Hashirama's hand is steady on her back as she takes in deep breaths. There will be time to grieve–later. For now, she has teammates to find and people to save. Despite everything the world has thrown at them, they've survived. And she's going to keep it that way.

[raendown]

Last couple days were posted one a sideblog but we’re back to main for day 5 of @narutorarepairweek​. Today’s prompt is arranged marriage.

Pairing: ShinoKarin Word count 3359 Rated: G Summary: The war left them all tired and she was far from the only one who had no other place to go. When offered a second chance Karin takes it. It's not the life she asked for, not the life she wanted, but time marches on and the places we stay have a way of becoming home when we least expect it.

Follow the link or read it under the cut!

KO-FI and commission info in the header!

The After Wife

Karin had never given much thought to her wedding day. Even in the sad year she had spent following Sasuke around and mooning over his every word there had been a voice in the back of her mind that knew it would never happen, never let her fantasies go beyond the now. If she had ever given the occasion any thought she liked to think that this was not what she would have imagined. 

The little girl deep in her heart cried out that she deserved better than a perfunctory informal ceremony alone in the Hokage’s office, no uchikake but the white dust of travel staining her clothing and no attendants but the two council members standing witness. She deserved more than marrying a man she barely knew the name of to secure herself a home in a place that didn’t want her. And yet here she stood while the Godaime Hokage spoke the bare minimum phrases needed to bind her future to another. 

What else was new?

As shitty as the situation was, however, there were several different points which stayed her tongue and stiffened her muscles against the urge to flee. Naruto was the first and biggest reason. The only person who had ever looked at her and truly wanted to know her. He was family, distant and far removed, but a blood relation. She hadn’t known any family since the last of her own gave their life to save another in the depths of Kusagakure. From that day on she had been nothing but an asset, an advantage. Yet Naruto looked at her and saw only the bond he hoped might someday grow between them. The siren call of affection given so freely was embarrassingly difficult to resist after the life she had led.

The second reason that held back the barbs at the edge of her tongue was the idea of rest. Simple and plain, Karin was tired of running. Tired of living her life uncertain of where her steps would take her next and tired of fighting for her right to stay in one place long enough to put down even the weakest of roots. Working for that snake Orochimaru hadn’t been pleasant but it had been the closest thing she could remember to having a place to go back to. Konohagakure had offered her a home and Karin, reluctant and full of pride, wanted so badly to open her hand and accept that offer. Wanted it to be possible more than she was willing to let any of these people know. 

Her third reason was much less optimistic than the other two. Her actions during the fourth shinobi war and in the years leading up to it had branded her a criminal. By all rights she should have been left to rot in the jail of whichever village won the right to punish her first. Instead Naruto had campaigned for her release along with several others on the condition they be rehabilitated. This was far and away the best possible option, the road which led to the least misery in her future. So while she was of the private opinion that whoever decided her rehabilitation should include being married off to a clan head was losing their marbles Karin had decided, after much thought, that resistance could only hurt her now. 

She didn’t really have many expectations for what married life would be like, not having known her husband until they were corralled in to a room together and legally bound, yet Aburame Shino somehow managed to subvert them anyway. Right from the start she was handed surprises as she learned that not only was Shino unperturbed to be married away to a stranger, he had actually volunteered. 

“I find this to be a good solution,” he’d told her. Then he must have seen her naked confusion as he quickly added, “Why? Because my elders had been asking me to find a wife for years now and you need a home. This is a good thing for both of us.”

Karin honestly hadn’t known what to say to that but she was grateful not to deal with someone angry at the very sight of her. His honesty had set the tone for a surprisingly harmonious coexistence. Although they did sleep in the same room Shino easily agreed to separate futons and never once asked more from her than she was willing to give, not even so much as a kiss. They ate their meals together and he complimented her cooking when it was her turn to do so but for the most part they spent their days entirely separate as he went about his business and left Karin to hers.

That wasn’t to say they never spent any time together, although it took the better part of a year for her to even realize that he was doing so. Shino was an unassuming man. Enough so that it was all too easy to underestimate just how subtle and sneaky he could be. It never occurred to her to question the nights he chose to stay in at home, choosing a book and settling in the library where she also spent most of her evenings. She thought little of the absent questions that more often than not drew her in to long conversations before one or both of them yawned their way to bed. Nothing about their situation seemed out of the ordinary until she ran in to Sakura while working at the hospital as part of the mandatory community service that was a condition of being allowed to stay in the village, greeting her one time rival for an undeserving man’s love with a cautious hello. Sakura’s smile for her was surprisingly warm. 

“How’s married life been?” the other woman asked. “I don’t see Shino around much these days. Or anyone, really. I’m so busy here!”

“Life’s fine.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth Karin realized that she meant them and that was enough of a shock that Sakura was able to chatter over her for several minutes, going on about a bunch of people she honestly didn’t care about. Just because they were Shino’s friends didn’t mean they were hers. He was smart enough not to force her to socialize when she didn’t want to – and since she knew the general opinion most people had of her here she really didn’t want to socialize with most of them. 

When Sakura started bemoaning how their busy lives kept her and Naruto apart most days and how they didn’t get to spend much time together Karin rolled her eyes. 

“Seriously? The two of you married for love and I see more of my husband than you do yours?”

The other woman looked at her strangely. “Really? The last I heard of him Shino was screaming busy helping Iruka-sensei overhaul the academy curriculum. Oh but that’s so sweet that he still makes time for you! I’m ashamed to say I never expected he would make such a good husband.” 

“A-ah…”

“Sakura-sensei! Come quick! It’s Yuzuki-san!”

“Oh! I have to run!” Sakura turned on her heel and dashed off towards wherever that voice had called from. “Let’s talk again soon!” 

Karin didn’t even bother to wave. Her head was spinning, hands lifting on muscle memory as she went back to her own work scrubbing floors in a daze. It wasn’t like she ignored Shino when he spoke to her. She listened very carefully. But she’d never realized that he was quite so busy, enough so that he needed to consciously make the time to come and sit with her in the quiet library where sometimes she didn’t even bother to engage his attempts at conversation. 

Community service brought her all over the village doing all sorts of different jobs so there was really no telling what time she would be heading home on any given day. By some kindness of fate it just so happened that she finished today a little before the academy would be letting their students go from final classes. With shame and embarrassment roiling together until she was able to translate them in to indignation, Karin set her feet marching along a path she had only ever walked the one time she was asked to clean out some old classrooms. The closer she got the easier it became to ignore the thousands of chakra signatures around her and focus in on the one she had come to associate with calm and safety without even knowing she was doing so. 

She didn’t really have a plan. Karin had always been a woman of emotion and right now her emotions were telling her to go confront her husband. She would figure out what exactly she was confronting him about when she got there. Or that was her line of thinking until she paused halfway across the grassy yard, catching sight of him through an open window and drifting over like a magnet to a lodestone. 

Despite the utter chaos of children up and moving about the room seemingly without order Shino stood by the front with a contented smile underneath the visor he wore to protect his eyes from bright lights. With both arms in the air he directed his students like a conductor, voice ringing out his instructions with confidence. 

It was a side of him that she had never seen before – or rather that she had never taken the time to see. Shino had taken her in and given her a home, played the part of accommodating husband more perfectly than she could have ever hoped for, and Karin could only think that all she’d given him in return was a few measly conversations whenever she felt like making the effort. Not once had she ever considered whether he might just want to talk after a stressful day. Sure there were other people he could have gone to and she’d assumed all along that’s what he would do but if he chose to seek comfort in her, the wife who was meant to share his life and home? He deserved better than she gave him. He'd certainly given her better in turn.

Whatever energy had brought her marching across the village drained away as she watched her husband at work for the first time. She was almost disappointed when the bell rang and he began to herd the children towards their cubby holes at the back of the room for boots and coats, calling instructions for the night’s homework over the noise. His gaze hadn’t even once strayed towards the window and for a few moments she wondered which exit she would have to meet him at as he left for home. Following his chakra wouldn’t exactly be hard. Then his head turned sideways to look directly at her without warning and Karin was ashamed of the squeak that slipped out between her lips. 

Beetles. She’d forgotten about the beetles, thousands of eyes watching the world on his behalf. 

He tilted his head but without being able to see the eyes behind his visor Karin was left with nothing but the flavor of curiosity in his warm signature, rooted to the spot while he picked his way across the room to stand on the other side of the open window with hands folded behind his back.

“What brings you here?” he asked in his quiet, unassuming voice. 

“I…oh. Should I not have? Do you have work left?” Not having been granted the honor of actually attending the academy in her own home village, she realized suddenly that she had very little idea of what a typical day’s schedule might include for either the students or the teachers. Thankfully Shino looked anything but irritated. It took quite a bit to irritate him, actually, something she had appreciated from the very beginning. 

“Yes I have much left to do. Why? Because the children handed in two different assignments today that require marking.” His head tilted ever so slightly again before going on. “If you would prefer, I can finish such work at home.” 

Karin shifted her weight and looked away, uncomfortable. What right did she have to ask anything of him? Yet still she heard her own voice answering as quietly as she hadn’t heard herself in years. “Yes. I would prefer you to come home. Please.” 

Obviously both of them knew that she had tacked on that last bit as no more than an afterthought. Manners were hardly second nature to her. The last thing she had worried about growing up was learning how to be proper and polite, not when she’d been taught that the way to get something out of life was to be tough and strong, to demand whatever attention and respect she felt she deserved. Life in Konoha hadn’t exactly gained her much respect and the last thing she usually wanted these days was anyone’s attention.

With Shino that was different. Feeling his eyes on her was not a weight she needed to bear up under but a blanket of warmth against the often cold realities that had been her life so far. He was a break against the wind, a mercy, a place to rest. Until that moment staring at him through an open window Karin hadn’t truly understood how much she’d come to think of him as home. Not just that he had given her one but that he, the man, the husband, had become the home she wanted to come back to. It was not a revelation she was prepared to confront. Thankfully he didn’t seem as though he required any explanations at the moment. Even as her thoughts spun and the earth seemed to tilt beneath her feet Shino was nodding and turning to gather the piles of messy assignment papers from his desk, sealing them all in to a single scroll before heading back towards the window.

“May I walk with you?” he asked.

“I…yes?” It seemed a silly question. They were going to the same place, after all. Refusing him would mean walking along the same path anyway but keeping a few paces between them and the very idea of it was ridiculous. 

Still, her answer seemed to please him. The smile that curled his lips this time was the sort of soft contentment he usually wore in the evenings as they whiled away the evening shadows in light conversation. Karin was ashamed to admit that it took until they were halfway home, turning from one deserted pathway down another, that she understood his question. 

“Were you flirting with me!?” she demanded, almost proud that he didn’t so much as flinch at her sudden outburst. Of course she was also immediately infuriated that he didn’t have the decency to blush along with his simple nod.

“I was.”

“Have you done that before!?”

“I have.”

“When!?”

Shino hummed like he was counting the moments she had inexplicably missed. “Often.”

It was almost offensive how calm he remained while she spluttered and choked on her own surprise. The rest of the walk home was stiflingly quiet. A truly staggering amount of thoughts chased each other through her mind but none of them were able to stick for very long before getting chased away by several more. Karin’s emotions were in a right mess when they made it home, confused and muddled and twisted in a way unlike anything she’d ever felt before. Shino led them in to the library and paused next to his usual seat with a serene air. It wasn’t until he reached up to remove the visor shielding his eyes from the outside world that finally words began to tumble over each other past her lips. 

“You flirt with me?” Her tone was a question but she had barely let him nod before she was going on. “I don’t get it. Why? You didn’t want to marry me, you just wanted someone to make your clan elders shut up and leave you alone and I just wanted a–” A home. The word stuck in her throat but he seemed to understand. 

“Does it bother you?” 

“N-no, don’t be stupid. Why would it bother me? It’s just…flirting.” Never in her life had she heard her own voice sound quite so unsteady. 

Shino’s dark, multi-faceted eyes blinked slowly. “Why? Because we are married and I have come to enjoy your company. Because you are my wife and you deserve to be cherished as a wife should be. Because your laughter is hard to earn and all the more precious for it. That is why.” 

“Oh,” Karin breathed. “Oh.”

In the time since she had come to this place she had felt like many things. A pretender, unwanted, unneeded, bored, caged, yet despite all those content was much more frequent as of late. Shino’s quiet words rocked her as for the first time she felt something she hadn’t before, not in all the years she spent clawing and scratching out a place for herself in the cruel uncaring world. She felt like a woman. Desired. Wanted for no reason other than her own merits as a human being. 

“Do it again,” she demanded softly and it made Shino smile. 

“You wish for me to flirt with you?” When she nodded stiffly he echoed the gesture with a serious air. “Very well. Shall I tell you how beautiful I find you? How the scent of you fills our home and eases away all worries of the world outside? Should I tell you that this life we have together is a happy one that I am grateful to have been gifted with?”

“By the kami, I didn’t expect you to lay it on so thick!” Karin covered her face with both hands, mortified to realize her cheeks were warm. 

“Ah, my apologies. I sought only to fulfil my wife’s request.”

It took a minute or two before she had collected herself enough to peek out between her fingers but when she did her gaze was as contemplative as his was amused. The shock that had flavored every emotion since her conversation with Sakura faded enough at last that she was able to think past it to possibilities that she could have never imagined before. 

“Fulfill my request huh?” Slowly letting her arms fall to her sides, Karin took a deep breath and steeled her nerves. “Well then I have an actual request for you. Um…dinner. If- if you’re going to do this backwards and court me after we’re already married then you should at least do it right. Taking me out to dinner would be a good start.” Though her cheeks felt like they had caught fire Karin stubbornly kept her chin up to watch the curl of Shino’s lips, something deeply content settling in the eyes he showed to so few people. How long had he been falling in love without her noticing? 

“Dinner would be my pleasure,” he replied simply. 

It would also be hers, she was startled to realize. This wasn’t the fairy tale most girls dreamed of but Karin wasn’t quite as surprised as she should be finally coming to terms with the fact that perhaps this life wasn’t really so bad. Perhaps her husband wasn’t the only one that she hadn’t noticed getting attached. 

When she pulled her chair over to sit a little closer that night Shino said nothing about it. And when they went to bed and he held out a hand she laid down to sleep on the same futon as her husband for the very first time without saying a word herself. Their marriage might have been arranged but it was odd to think that the relationship between themselves was only theirs to define. Karin couldn’t remember the last time she’d been handed such control over her own future. 

She’d never given much thought to her wedding day but maybe it was time she started thinking about how she wanted to love the rest of her life. If she was allowed her say then it was going to be happy. 

[queentargary3n]

unfaithful

Summary: Sakura is surprised to see Sasuke is the senior associate of the firm she is supposed to start working for. All of her feelings start to come back 10 years after he abandoned her. Sasuke finds out somethings are truly never behind you, and when he starts falling back in love with her, his past comes to hunt him. Her biggest issue? He is already married.

Sasusaku Fanfic AU Lawyers. M

FF.net

"So, why should we hire you, Haruno-san?"

"As you can see on my resume, I just graduated summa cum laude of my class from Konoha University, I did extensive work at the university's legal clinic, including the notorious case Yamato v. Root, for which I was acting attorney, and here you can see the legal column I was writing for the Fire Nation Times, in summary, I think I'd be a great addition to this law firm" The pink headed girl smiled as she explained to the Human Resources manager interviewing her, she still had to have another interview with the other Senior associate of the firm, but considering she already had someone on the inside, she was as good as in, this was just a formality.

Or so she thought as a tall man in a dark suit entered the office she was in, interrupting her flow.

She stared in disbelief. Utterly in shock as Sasuke Uchiha walked into her job interview, and never even glanced at her. "I'll take it from here Kabuto" he said, motioning to dismiss the man, who instead took a seat on a chair in the back of the office. HR was his job after all. Sasuke scoffed at his action.

She hadn't seen this man since their high school graduation. She analyzed his face, he was always handsome as a teenager, but he looked like a model now. Strong chiseled jaw, roman nose, deep midnight eyes, with the longest eyelashes, millions of girls would kill to have. His dark hair covered part of his face, and fell in on the back, reaching his strong neck, as opposed to the spiky hair he bore back in the day. He looked like he worked out a lot despite the obvious lack of a left arm. I wonder what happened to him. She thought.

His black jacket was well fitted and expensive, his gray shirt and thin black tie emphasized how well toned his chest was underneath, she then saw placed on his right hand, what she assumed was a wedding ring. Wrong hand of course, but it's not like he'd have a choice.

He didn't seemed to recognize her. So she moved to say "I know y..." but was interrupted.

"Not now." He said sternly. "What would you say is your biggest weakness, Haruno"

She had practiced for this question many times before. It was a textbook job interview question for gods sake! So then why couldn't she think of an appropriate answer? "My weakness?" She asked nervously. "My biggest weakness is that I... I..."

By this point he had already dismissed her as ordinary. And his law firm definitely did not hire ordinary attorneys. 28 and just recently graduated? And a nervous wreck too, that wouldn't do in court. He grabbed his pen and made a note on her resume.

"I just..." she started, but was interrupted once more, by a loud blond barging in the office.

"Sakura-Chan!"

"Naruto!" She was glad to have been distracted. She stood up to greet the man. The only guy in the history of court, that could pull off wearing an orange blazer, she decided. She moved to shake his hand, but was pulled instead for back cracking bear-hug.

"I've missed you!" Naruto said, without releasing her.

How inappropriate. And old flame perhaps? Sasuke thought. Looking at Kabuto who simply shrugged.

"When I saw that you'd graduated from law school I just thought we gotta have you in the firm, ya know?!"

"Well you just interrupted my interview" She said embarrassed, as she gave Sasuke an apologetic look.

"Nonsense! Let's do this over coffee! You come too Teme". Naruto said as he wrapped his around around the petit woman's shoulders.

Things like this shouldn't really happen in law firms. But Kabuto wouldn't say anything. Naruto and Sasuke might both be the Senior associates of the place, but it was Naruto who made all this possible.

As the three of them walked down to the building's coffee shop, Sakura couldn't help but to marvel at the impressiveness of their practice. With impeccable white marble floors, glass separating each of the small office spaces, metallic silver decorating all the small surfaces. Only one office had black curtains covering it from view. She guessed even without looking at the name plate just who it belonged to.

x

Sasuke sat down at a table for three and tried to concentrate on his phone, looking at his unread emails, while the two others ordered their drinks. He knew coffee wasn't excellent for the body, he did indulged in it every now and then, but then, even if he wanted, his stomach wouldn't let him have any caffeine right now, his stomach had been doing somersaults all morning.

Of course he recognized her name. As soon as Naruto handed him her file. Who else had that annoyingly obvious but well suited name? He walked in on her interview on a whim. But his heart felt like it fell to the bottom of his stomach when he saw her strawberry blonde-pink locks. Her face hadn't changed at all since the last time he saw it, even thought it was ten years ago.

He was annoyed at himself for the still harbored feelings of guilt he felt by looking at her. It reminded him of the Last day. The day he left the city of Konoha to join a motorcycle gang. Left his family home, friends, and, a crying begging girlfriend behind. It all seemed so stupid of him now. It was all before his accident and Naruto brought him back to his senses.

Naruto of course didn't know the history when he demanded they hire her at their firm. He was so surprised to see her become an attorney, she was always going on and on about how she was going to be a doctor. Then again he did used to say he would become a cop him self.

He couldn't take his eyes of her. Standing in line waiting to order. Her white skirt clung to the curves of her hips and backside deliciously, her matching blazer was tight around her middle, emphasizing how ridiculously small her waist was. Her red undershirt provided enough coverage for her breasts, displaying her cleavage just enough to still be considered formal.

He watched as Naruto placed a hand gently on her shoulder. "I was so excited to see you! I couldn't sleep at all last night thinking about it" they were so loud he was able to hear them all the way from where he was seated.

She laughed, and weakly punched his arm in return.

Not an old flame, but perhaps a mistress then? Sasuke thought. And he hired her to have her around the office, cheap. He blamed his irritation to the inappropriateness of it all. They couple, got their drinks and retreated back to the table.

"I told everyone at the family dinner you're a lawyer now, they were all so surprised!" Naruto said as he sat down unceremoniously.

"Oh that reminds me!" Sakura said, taking a seat next to Sasuke, and looking through the contents of her large handbag. "Here, for Hinata and the baby!" She produced a small gift box and handed it to blond.

Not a mistress then, if she knows his family and wife. Sasuke thought. Or a real shameless one. Sasuke had to ask him later just how they knew each other.

"You'll start tomorrow Sakura-chan, I have to be in court all day but Sasuke'll be there, right Teme?" Naruto said, as he elbowed Sasuke hard.

"Oh Uchiha-San I almost forgot to thank you for your time at the interview today" Sakura addressed him, bowing her head politely at him

"Sasuke" he answered with a tone as uninterested as he could muster.

"Oh no!" She waved her hands in front of her face embarrassed. "I could never call my boss by his name!"

"I'm not your boss" Sasuke replied. Suppressing his urge to mock at her widened eyes. "I'm technically your boss's boss" he smirked at her relief and blushed cheeks. He couldn't resist the urge to tease as he did all those years ago. "And if you're going to be so casual with the idiot here, you might as well call me by my name"

He is so beautiful. Sakura thought. His teasing brought her back memories. Which in turn made Sakura start to rethink accepting this job, and all of this awkward situation.

Naruto was dumbfounded and it showed on his face. He'd never heard Sasuke speak so many words to a would-be stranger.

"I have to get back to work" Sasuke said, getting up from his seat and walking away without saying anything. Leaving the two in silence to watch him walk away.

Really, working with an ex-girlfriend. Sasuke thought. What would my wife say...

__________________

Thank you so much if you are reading this. It really means a lot. Please don't forget to leave your thoughts in a review.

[onomatophia]

My Heart’s Been Borrowed and Yours Has Been Blue

Characters: Haruno Sakura, Uchiha Sasuke Pairing: SasuSaku

Summary: “Hey, do you want to get married?” Sasuke asks casually as if they’re out walking leisurely in a park instead of being in the middle of a fight with rogue ninjas. (Blank period SS, fluff)

—

“Hey, do you want to get married?” Sasuke asks casually as if they’re out walking leisurely in a park and not in the middle of a fight with rogue ninjas.

And okay, that’s not exactly how he wanted to propose to the love of his life. Sasuke may suck at this romance thing but he knows well enough that proposing in the middle of a battle while sounding nonchalant about it isn’t exactly one for the books. 

In his defense, he did spend a lot of time thinking and planning how to propose months before this. It’s just that today, fighting with Sakura, her having his back and always making sure he’s not severely injured and simultaneously taking down their enemies with just a single punch to the ground just left him in absolute awe. Suddenly, he was hit by this sudden urge of wanting to marry her and keep fighting enemies with her until they grow old that his throat just closed in on him and the words stumbled out of his mouth. How he kept calm through it all, was a mystery to him as well. 

Sakura throws a punch effortlessly at an enemy running toward her before replying, “I don’t think now is exactly the best time for that, Sasuke-kun.”

It’s been a year since they left Konoha and started to travel around Fire Country. The past year was spent in bliss, learning each other and falling in love all over again. Getting acquainted with each other didn’t really take that much time because of the history they shared and before they knew it, they’ve already familiarized themselves with the other like the back of their hand. It certainly wasn’t long before they stopped the pretence of having to sleep in separate rooms or tents and decided that sleeping together was inevitable and long overdue.

They complement each other so well that they only have to share one look and they’d immediately understand what the other one is thinking. Sasuke thinks that if he had taken Sakura with him in his quest for revenge against Itachi years ago, maybe he would’ve accomplished things sooner. 

If Sasuke were a better man, he would wax poetic right there and then of how he couldn’t live without her, how she’s the sunshine of his life, how he’s never loved anyone as he much as he loves her, and how he probably wouldn’t bear it if he ever loses her. Even after having moved on from his past and having rid of his lust for vengeance, he is still not well equipped to handle these things called ‘emotions’. 

And because he’s Sasuke and he’s an idiot, he just points to a nearby establishment with an ad that says “50% OFF PROMO FOR NEWLYWEDS!” written in pink ink and inside a heart shaped wreath. “We should take advantage of that promo,” he says as he throws a couple of shuriken to their enemies jumping out from the trees where they were hiding. 

Sakura aims another kick at the ninja running toward her before she turns to him, mouth pressed in thin line. “You’re saying you want to get married just so you could enjoy a luxurious night in an inn?” 

He just shrugs, “That and the tax benefits, I guess.” His mouth twitches as fights off the urge to smile.

Sakura just rolls her eyes at him and blows the bangs off her face. For someone who’s fighting a dozen or so ninjas in the past hour, she looks absolutely pristine as if she just started her day and Sasuke might just pass out because she’s so pretty it should be illegal. 

“Okay,” she shouts as she jumps away, dodging the series of kunai thrown at her by their opponents.

“Okay?” Sasuke blinks. 

“Eh, I suppose you’re not bad in the eyes. And I could do with your fortune inheritance, I guess.” Sakura retorts to which Sasuke snorts. “We better finish off these thugs as soon as possible so we can still make it to the government office in this town then.”

—

By the time they reached the town hall, it is almost sun down. They both look disheveled with their clothes all wrinkled and smudged with dust, not exactly the perfect attire for a wedding. The offices are about to close and night establishments are starting to open.

The civil servants are just about to leave and so Sakura had to resort to deception just so the town official would officiate their ceremony.

“Please, I beg you. I only have a few weeks left to live and I don’t want to waste any more time that I have left not being married to this man,” Sakura chokes out, letting the tears flow down her face. And to add to the dramatics, she then buries her face in her palms and wails her lungs off. 

Sasuke had to suppress the urge to laugh as he sees panic-stricken face of the town official. 

The man, Zenitsu-san, raises his hands in defeat. “Fine, fine. Just stop crying. I will marry you both right here, right now.” He then walks back to his office while grumbling not-so-discreetly, “Goddamnit, I hate this job.”

Sakura’s face immediately breaks out with a grin when she glances at Sasuke and starts pulling him by the hand to follow the town official, her excitement evident with every skip in her steps. Sasuke had to hide his smile because he just knows how dopey he looks right now and he can’t have Sakura seeing that because he’s got a reputation to maintain.

However, he stops her right before they enter the office when he is suddenly reminded of Naruto’s wedding. He puts his hands on top of her shoulders while Sakura stares at him, confusion written all over her face. “Sasuke-kun?”

Sasuke takes a deep breath, “Are you sure you want to do this? We could go back to Konoha, you know. Have our wedding as grand as Naruto’s if you want. I want you to be with your family and everyone important to you on our wedding day and-”

Sakura cuts him off with a kiss before he could finish what he was saying. “Sasuke-kun. You’re my family and the most important person in my life.” She then smiles at him, a smile reserved only for him, and places her hands above his. “Whether it be in sewer or in a dump site, I don’t care. I just want to be with you.”

Sasuke really, really, really loves this woman. He must’ve done something great in his past life to deserve her, to have someone like her love him unconditionally after all the stupid shit he pulled.

He was about to lean in and kiss her when he was interrupted by a loud groan coming from inside the office.

“Really? Really? You haven’t even signed any marriage application forms and you’re already kissing the bride? God, get your asses in here and fill up this forms so I could go home already. Ugh.” Zenitsu-san whines. 

— — — — — — — — — — —— — — — — — — — — — —

                            Certificate of Marriage

This certifies that Haruno Sakura and Uchiha Sasuke                             were united in marriage

             on the 30th day of July in the year 1980

— — — — — — — — — — —— — — — — — — — — — —

Sakura held up their marriage certificate in one hand as her other hand is currently occupied holding Sasuke’s hand while they walk to the direction of the inn they saw earlier.

“That was surprisingly quick,” Sasuke comments.

Sakura nods then proceeds to roll up their marriage certificate. “Well, it is way past his work time so he was rushing us. And apparently eloping is the trend nowadays, according to the grandmas I gossiped with around town. So the government had to be efficient as more and more couples are doing this.”

After filling up some marriage application forms and presenting their identification cards and birth certificates, the town official proceeded to marry them in his office with his secretary and a janitor as their witnesses. In just a half hour or so, Sasuke finally attained the greatest achievement of his life; marrying Sakura Haruno.

He is now a husband. He can now refer to Sakura as his wife. Holy shit.

“Ah finally, we’re here!” Sakura exclaims and enters the inn with Sasuke in tow. Sakura then brandishes their wedding certificate to the woman in the reception area. “We want to avail that 50% promo now.”

The woman smiles at them and hands out a pamphlet to Sakura. “Good thing you were able to avail our promo as we only have it until today.”

It was then that Sasuke saw the banner from their earlier fight, “50% OFF PROMO FOR NEWLY WEDS! UNTIL JULY 30 ONLY! (Includes a romantic dinner, spa, mud baths and other activities!)”

Sasuke narrows his eyes at Sakura, “Is this why you are adamant that we get married today?”

His wife just smiles cheekily at him, “What? You’re the one who suggested this in the first place, old man.”

“Can we get the key to our room now?” Sasuke asks the receptionist and practically hauls Sakura in his shoulder. He’ll show her who she’s calling an old man. 

— 

Sakura practically melts into the pillows and the blanket after Sasuke gently laid her down the bed who promptly joined her.

“I thought I’d be getting some action after all that,” Sakura says.

Sasuke gathers her into his arms and buries his face in the crook of her neck, “Mmmm so tired.”

Sakura pats his head and laughs, “Ah the ripe old age of 22, where our bones creak and our backs ache.”

They stay like that for a while, reveling in each other’s presence and feeling content with everything when Sasuke suddenly raises his head as if he remembered something.

“I forgot,” he says as he fumbles in the pocket of his pants.

Sakura just frowns at him and then gasps when Sasuke pulled out a small black velvet box from his pants. It doesn’t take a genius to know what’s inside that box.

Sasuke opens the box to reveal a simple ring with a gold band and a small emerald diamond in the middle. Simple and subtle, like their love for each other. He takes it out of the box and gathers Sakura’s hand. “Can I?” 

Sakura nods, tears welling from the corners of her eyes.

“Sakura Haruno, is it okay if you spend the rest of your life with me?” he asks quietly while slipping the ring on her finger.

Sakura just laughs as the tears fall from her eyes, this time they were real. She caresses Sasuke’s face and looks at him fondly, “I can’t believe you would propose just after we got married.”

Sasuke wipes the tears from her face and hugs her once again, “Just covering my bases, is all.” He then turns off the lamp next to their bed and settles them both in a more comfortable position. He yawns, “Good night, wife.”

Sakura sighs contentedly and burrows her face in Sasuke’s chest. “Good night, husband.”

—

Notes: Anyway, I have no idea how civil weddings work. I’m just basing things from the tv shows i’ve watched lol. And I don’t know Sasuke and Sakura’s exact wedding date so I just put on the first date I could think of which was Harry Potter’s birthday haha.

[ssa25]

Day 5: Red string of Fate (Sasuhina Month 2019) - Part 2

@sasuhinamonth

Continuation from Part 1-

Eight months later

Ino and Sai request the pleasure of your company at their wedding on the……. 

Hinata fidgeted in her seat, as the maid of honour, was glowering her way. She recognised the pink haired woman from three years ago. She remembered her name, an appropriate one considering the colour of her tresses, Sakura.

"Why the fuck is that woman giving us the stink eye?", Tenten noticed it too. At that moment, Hinata regretted agreeing to accompany Tenten as her plus one, when Neji my cousin and her recent boyfriend couldn't cancel a last minute work related travel. 

This wedding reception was one of the crazier ones she has attended. Booze was flowing, the music was loud, and most guests were already drunk and on the dance floor. 

Tenten and her had entered the premises only a few minutes back, and Hinata was already feeling awkward. 

Sai was a famous tattoo artist and Tenten's family business supplied special handcrafted tools to him.

But now seeing some of the familiar faces of Sakura, Chouji, Shikamaru and Temari (who gave her the cold shoulder), and the bride Ino, Hinata knew that it won't be long before she crossed paths with Sasuke. The very idea made her nervous. Their last encounter had ended on a strange note.

Her inner musings came to a halt when she saw Sakura sit next to her at the table. Tenten was away chatting up with a potential client. 

"Who invited you here?", was her first question. 

Hinata wondered if she should even respond to a passively rude question. 

"Well?", she pushed her to answer. 

"I'm here with someone who was invited.", Hinata answered in a clipped tone. 

"It's so convenient, isn't it? Showing up at a celebration you have no business being a part of.", her venom laced words only mildly offended her. Shino, her close friend always says- people who take digs at others are unhappy and bitter within, so feel sorry for them instead of yourself. 

Grabbing her purse, she decided to go to the bar.

"A Daiquiri, please.", she requested the bartender. 

"Martini."

She instantly recognized his voice beside her. She should have been more surprised, but she was already expecting to see him. She kept her eyes on the stained glass bartop, but if she were to be honest, she really wanted to turn towards him. 

"I hoped to see you here.", Sasuke spoke to her. 

Finally, she looked up at him and took in the minute changes. He grew his hair out a little, it made him look even more appealing if that was even possible.

"Aren't you a little late to the wedding?", she commented, as she had to drag her eyes away from his direction.

"I am. Apologetically so. Work commitments are to blame.", he rubbed his hand across his face tiredly. "I heard about you and Gaara from Shikamaru few months back."

"You seem to know a lot about me."

Their drinks were served promptly, and they both took to it quietly. 

"Not as much as I would like.", he replied looking at her from the corner of his eyes. 

Hinata could feel herself turning pink from the alcohol and Sasuke's unveiled interest. As stoic as he looks, he has always openly verbalised his interest in her, making her heart thrum. It was an odd sort of effect. One that she couldn't say she felt with Gaara.

"Kyoto is beautiful. I have only been here once when I was a kid.", he continued. 

She nodded her head, then turned to see him. "Do you still live in Tokyo?" 

"I do.", he started rotating his glass, an air of anxiousness around him as he grew silent for a few seconds. "With my girlfriend."

Her eyes widened at the revelation. She felt her heart drop steeply after a momentary soar. 

He looked into her eyes with a pained apologetic expression. "I want to be honest with you."

Quickly, she looked away fearing a display of her vulnerability. "That's…. That's good." 

"…. I'm not sure if I should say this, but I wish I wasn't in a relatio-" 

"You shouldn't…. You shouldn't say it. ", she did not want to hear anymore. "It's not fair to your girlfriend."

"Nor is having thoughts about another woman. But somehow I cannot stop myself from thinking both of those things.", he gulped down the rest of his drink.

"Is it Sakura?", the questioned slipped past her lips before she could even judge if it was appropriate.

"No. Uzumaki Karin. She's Naruto's cousin."

She wondered if the said woman was at the party with him.

"I...I should get going.", she said as she got down her seat. "Goodbye."

"Can I atleast have your number? Believe me, I have the resources to get it myself, but I didn't think you would appreciate it."

He was right. She wouldn't. But she still had no good reason to share her number with him. 

"Why do you need it?" 

He frowned at her, upset at having to respond to a question he knew she wouldn't like the honest answer of. 

"To keep in touch.", he half lied. 

And she could see right through it. She would hate to be the reason for someone else's despair. 

"Maybe next time."

---

Six months later.

We are engaged!! Karui and Chouji invite you to share their joy and celebrate the special occasion with them on…. 

"We've got to stop meeting like this… "

Hinata turned around to find Sasuke behind her, in a long black coat over a blue shirt and black trousers. He seemed unaffected by the freezing weather, as his eyes grazed over her. She was bundled up with every winter accessory she could fit into, but still felt like she was freezing her ass off. Now, seeing him look devastatingly handsome in the cold nights, and staring at her with those deep dark eyes, she felt a warm tingle run up her spine.

"You think so?", her voice sounded more steady and confident than she actually was. 

"Am I finally allowed to have your number?", he asked her taking a step closer to her.

She had heard about his break up with Naruto's cousin, from their common friends. And she felt ashamed to realise that a burst of happiness had bloomed in her heart to be aware of the news. She wanted to keep her hopes low, but she did want to see him again. And here he was, right in front of her, wanting to know more about her. 

"Don't you want to go inside and congratulate the newly engaged couple first?", she reminded him timidly. 

"I have my priorities straight.", he replied and stayed put. Looking behind her, he asked her with an arched eyebrow. "Are you waiting for someone?"

"I was.", she smiled and stepped up to him. "Not anymore."

They both keep their eyes affixed on each other for a few seconds, before Sasuke instinctively wrapped his arms around her and buried his nose in her thick luscious hair, breathing in the scent he had been wanting to get another whiff of, for almost two years.

He sighed in satisfaction when he felt her arms hug him back. He realised that she was opening up to him too, so he took his chances. 

"I like you.", he said blatantly. 

She laughed shyly into his chest, before replying. "I do too. But I can't for long, if I freeze in this weather." 

Chuckling, he rubbed his hands on her back, and turned her towards the door of the champagne bar. Once in the confines of the warm ambience, they both stuck together savouring each other's presence. 

Most of their friends kept looking their way to scrutinize the budding relationship, but it did not affect the bubble they were in.

Chatting and drinking, they made up for lost time. When it was all done, they had shared their phone numbers, addresses, some anecdotes and a few promises.

---

Three months later. 

We still Do and Always will. Come and join us as Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mikoto renew their wedding vows on the eve of their 35th wedding anniversary on the…. 

Hinata read the thick gold embossed invitation card for Mr. and Mrs. Uchiha. She found it in her letterbox, returning back home from work.

Turning around the invite, she found a pale blue sticky note on it. 

I know you told me that you might not be able to make it. But I just had to send it to you. It's only been a few weeks since we last saw each other, but I can't wait to see you again, under any pretext. If you can't make it to the vow renewal, I will drive to Kyoto the weekend after.

-Sasuke

Hinata bit her lower lip as she tried to contain her smile. Sasuke and her had agreed to try a long distance relationship, after they both realised that their work commitments could not be altered on a short notice. But they were both willing to try. Sasuke was usually the one to travel to Kyoto during weekends, Hinata had been to Tokyo only twice. 

But what Hinata knew, and Sasuke didn't, was the job interview she had, at a reputed hospital in Tokyo the week after. It felt like they were both getting very serious very quickly. If he had invited her to a family event, it would mean that he had planned to introduce her to his family. It made her nervous to just think about it, but in a good way. 

So, when she finally turned up at the party, in a stunning black backless dress, with news about her new job offer, Sasuke was completely blown over. That night, for the first time she gave herself to him, body and soul. 

'People don't meet accidentally, they cross paths for a reason.'

xxx

Note:Apologies for the major delay.

[joygaroz]

There You Are

[4/7] [Day Eleven: Chills] [6/7]

SPANISH VER: FFNET

“So… Sakura-chan, was it?” Naruto asked as he extended the wine glass to her, the girl nodded as she took the drink, as a reply, the blonde fox smiled at her. With his other hand, however, he tossed the glass to the other immortal and blurted a short: “Here, bastard”.

Peeking a glance to see the reaction of her partner-to-be, she smiled lightly before the childish grunt he emitted at the manners of the effusive immortal.

She started to understand what her mentor meant. This seemed more like a fraternal friendship bond rather than one of rivalry between enemy species because of the way their replies came and went with dexterity but neither of them seemed to be truly offended by them.

She wondered if she would have the chance to know more about that bond after this.

There was not much complexity in the ceremony really, or maybe Sakura was overlooking it because of her alarming nerves since this was her first wedding —hers, as if that was not enough, but it was as simple as they had mentioned in the beginning: Once the glasses were served, they should drink the liquor and in some minutes, the essence of the wine would make their souls intertwin while it invaded their organisms.

To make sure the link happened without any mishaps it was that Naruto’s presence was required, since as he knew the nature of both kind of souls, he was able to protect them as the link happened.

In matter of seconds, Sakura gave a lengthy sip to her glass. Pretty eager to get the ritual done, she put on practice the unusual abilities that her mentor had taught her on occasions where work gave way to a thirsty and intoxicant night of relaxation.

A few steps of her, Tsunade smiled proudly despite the surprised gesture of the blonde and the entertained one of her immortal partner.

Her heartbeats had not stopped beating with speed and of that Sasuke was pretty conscious, he simply didn’t know what he should say to make her relax —or if he should even try.  She had courage, of that he had no doubt, but she was a human after all. Even if half immortal, this was a side of her she didn’t know about until a couple of hours ago. Of course this was going to test her bravery and determination.

While their thoughts were clouded with the possibilities, their souls started to dance at their surrounding and this they could sense because suddenly they felt lighter, as if they were floating in the air and because of how suddenly a feeling of slumber entered them.

Closing their eyes as the seconds passed, the couple was assaulted by a feeling of cold running through their bodies. Chills hitting them as they felt the soul of the other combine with the one of their partner, they felt the contrast and difference that was between them when warmness and coldness united in both their bodies.

Gasping as they opened their eyes with surprise, they returned to that room before the satisfied expressions of Tsunade and Naruto.

“Did it work?” Sakura wondered still short of breath, feeling her eyes slightly dampened, but without really knowing the motive.

Meeting with the stare of her mentor, she realized she was smiling at her tenderly and approached her to hug her, taking the girl by surprise before the unexpected affectionate display.

“It did” she said to her ear as she tightened lightly the embrace on her body “You’ll be fine now”.

“Tsunade-sama?” the girl of pink hair asked again, still lost after that maternal display that made her heart beat with peculiarity.

Parting a little from the girl, she held with her hands her apprentice’s arms and gave her another smile, this time with pride and confidence.

“I knew you were meant for great things” was all she said and that left the apprentice with her eyes dampening at her words.

A few steps from them, the immortals shared words in which the blonde gave a few smacks at the vampire’s back and he seemed lost in his thoughts so once the blonde followed his line of view, he found he was staring at the girl linked to him.

“She’s a pretty girl, isn’t she?” he smiled without trying to mock him, acknowledging the attributes of the new partner of his eternal rival, who soon reacted at his words and gave him a warning look before getting away from him. As a response, the blonde took his hands to the back of his nape and sighed amused. He could fool many with his cold demeanor, but never the fox who knew him since he was a human.

On his part, Sasuke found rather annoying the blonde fox’s comment. He might be the guardian of mortal lives, but he was not linked to that woman. Sasuke could feel it inside him, she was not just pretty. She was warm and soothing, fresh and free. Made of everything he had never felt before and, that in that moment an unknown feeling had caused him chills.

She must have noticed his presence approaching her, or maybe she felt the same thing he felt when the distance between them shortened. Was this speeding in their chests product of their link? He doubted it since he had noticed it on her previous to the link, but now that his own chest was the one that speeded up without apparent reason, he faltered on his step.

Noticing he was approaching her; Sakura stepped aside from the high priestess and shortened the distance between them. After feeling the cold and empty, firm and clenched, she felt herself sympathize more with that immortal that just hours ago was an unknown threat to her. She felt she knew him a little better now, that she understood him better and the insecurity she felt just minutes ago by his presence dissipated after feeling his heart beat like hers rather than stay impassive and hidden.

Now that he was just a few steps of distance, a new feeling that was not there before the link made them look for the gaze of the other by instinct.

“Ready to bite me?” was all the girl of emerald eyes occurred to ask, hesitating once he appreciated a different sparkle in those eyes usually dark and opaque, letting go unnoticed the suppressed chuckle of the blonde fox and the hit her mentor gave him at his imprudence.

Sasuke couldn’t help to smirk, suddenly after hearing she was still affected by his presence reminded him that this was the same girl from just moments ago. Small and curious, brave but insecure.

“Relax little witch, I’m not going to suck the life out of you” he chuckled, his smile for a moment taking away her breath before responding to his comment:

“Healer!” she reprimanded outraged since she had yet to be familiarized to the ‘witch’ term that she for inertia related to a nature much different to hers.

“Alright, healer, listen up” he humored her. “I need you alive and by my side, do you hear me?”

Sakura remained lost in the depth of his words, unable of speak before the meaning implicit in his words, assuring her without realizing that he would protect her and take care of her. He, an immortal being she only believed capable of destroying and taking away her happiness, her home.

She suddenly smiled without being able to help it, because somehow, he now knew the words she desired to listen.

Now that the trust between the had strengthened, they reunited with the priestess and the fox to discuss more of the information both Tsunade and Sasuke had suspected from the beginning: Since the vampires’ clans had dispersed, many of them roamed the villages Naruto was not able to protect with the amount of clones he could keep to protect said villages.

Fortunately, Naruto had the data of those locations in order for them to part straight to them and execute Sasuke’s plan to impose justice on the souls that profaned his ancestors’ ideologies. With the help of Sakura’s powers, his abilities would increase and he would be able to battle a mayor number of his kind.

But before he could carry out said plan, Sasuke turned to Sakura.

“You might want to change your clothes before the bite” her partner offered, running a quick look at her attire and noticing the dress she wore was a high collar and clear colored dress.

Well, that was thoughtful of him, she thought as she took her hands at the flaps level and blushed. Nodding, she retired herself before the accomplice looks of her mentor and the fox behind Sasuke’s back.

Once in the room Tsunade had given her, Sakura got rid of her clothes, setting them aside and folded beside her bed as she rummaged through her belongings in search for something adequate to wear since apparently high collars and clear colors were out of the question. Not that she expected to lose much blood, but without a doubt it would be inevitable to bleed if what they were looking for was to get rid of the poison in her blood.

She took one of her hands to the mark on her skin, the temperature of her body rising since contrary to a vampire feeding from her with hunger, this would be a vampire —her partner, trying to save her.

Would it feel good? On that occasion because of the shock and fear of seeing that vampire fall at her feet soon after biting her, she had yet to prove if those stories about vampires and their captivating bites.

Taking the garment between her hands to her face in order to hide the strong blush on her face, Sakura widened her eyes when she realized what she was imagining.

This was definitely that rice wine’s fault!

And their linked souls’, or maybe his mysterious personality, or maybe his rather attractive physique, or maybe—

“Are you done?” Sasuke’s voice called for her, and it took Sakura a second to realize he was opening the door of her room.

Turning around in alarm, she clung with strength to the garment between her hands to hide her half-naked figure.

“That’ll do” he pointed out as he entered the room without waiting for the scandalized human-healer’s reply. Taking a seat at the edge of the bed, he raised his stare towards her and met her bright red face. “What are you waiting for? Come here” she heard him command her and suddenly a slight stitch of deception dawned on her.

Had she been too pretentious to think she might provoke a reaction on him, who most certainly must have had plenty of partners before her?

She could not be any further from the truth, though.

When she took a seat beside him, looking straight ahead at the time she reprimanded herself because of her childish thought, she decided to avoid the topic and ask instead:

“Do you plan on biting me here?”

“I thought you might appreciate some modesty” her partner reasoned, shrugging as he glanced at the girl by his side.

“You’re hardly giving me any modesty after entering without permission to my room” he appreciated the pout forming on her features with amusement.

“You’re fine like this” he tried to loosen her a bit, but seeing how she remained tense and with that childish pout adorning her face, he decided to tease her. “This way, I can see better the flow of your blood” he confessed as he moved away with one of his hands the pink locks off her neck’s mark and he was once more assaulted by the peculiar feeling that provoked him exposing that part of her skin.

Suddenly he was the one being affected by the situation. There, inside that small room impregnated with her essence, with her completely vulnerable and at his disposition to take her and explore at his will, surrounded by the reinforced tender and captivating feeling their linked souls provoked.

He swallowed and unwittingly started to lean to her, who soon started to beat faster and Sasuke could only grunt on a whole different tone to the way she had heard him before.

The switch was pushed and unexpectedly his wide hand took her face and turned her towards him. Her emerald eyes opening wide when she noticed the dark look on him turn dull and her lips parted lightly when instead of leaning to her side, Sasuke brought his face close to hers.

Expectant, her breathing stopped, but her heartbeat sprinted inside her chest once she noted their distances fading.

She had closed her eyes with anticipation when she heard him talk:

“You might want to hold on to me for support”

Sakura let go of the air she had been holding in when she heard the raw tone in which he called her and opening her eyes once more, she met with the characteristic scarlet eyes that distinguished his kind, but instead of frightening her, she felt captivated by them.

“Yes” was her faint response.

With her breath striking his elaborated one, she then turned fully to his direction, forgetting at the moment of the garment she had been holding between her hands to cover the light gown of delicate and loose suspenders, one of them falling at mid arm length and the other holding the cloth’s weight, exposing a little of the subtle volume of her chest.

She raised her delicate arms to circle his neck, and this time Sasuke couldn’t help to pant against her neck once he was wrapped in her fragrance and the wave of sensations, she provoked on him.

Sakura felt his face graze her neck and in an unexpected movement, she felt a warmness sink into her skin.

A small whimper escaped her lips and she tightened the grip she had on his neck and back, only to sigh in relief when the warmness of his mouth started to extract from her what she assumed must have been the poison that inhibited of all her faculties, since she had felt that increasing heaviness she had noted the last days to start dissolving.

In its place, due to the sensation of comfort that invaded her, she leaned closer to him and exposed more of her neck. Sighs and elaborated breaths escaping from them with each passing second. A warm sensation descending through her neck and back, but Sakura paid no attention to it as she felt Sasuke reclinate her on the bed, his arms supporting at her sides and it was then that Sakura felt a slight change.

Frowning when she felt a pricking on her temple, Sakura emitted a whimper and opened her eyes feeling dizzy.

“Wait, Sasuke…” her voice was barely a whisper now that she felt her head start to lighten, but after a peculiar suck from him, Sakura shivered and raised her voice “I said stop, you damn leech!”

What happened after that was quickly enough to figure out the details, but suddenly Sasuke was leaning against the wall beside the door as it opened with shock only to give entrance to an alarmed Tsunade.

Looking with amazement at the panting woman, she returned the glance with confusion, one of her hands cupping on the area Sasuke had been so engrossed. Now, both expectants looked at her face with surprise.

And that was because not only had she pushed a vampire of superhuman strength away like he was a feather, but also now, on her forehead, that mark that not only indicated her as a descendant of an immortal but also as a Senju, adorned her.

The revelation of the peculiar origin of the unusual human causing chills to the two spectators.