Chapter Text
Sasuke savored the feel of home, finally returning after all these years of travel and training. Despite his father’s look of disapproval, he had still accepted Orochimaru’s offer to train him while the Sannin was on his sabbatical throughout the elemental countries. He knew better than to trust that snake, but no one could argue the fact that Orochimaru was a prodigy of his own kind and had much to offer when it came to Sasuke’s own growth as a shinobi.
But that hellish time period was finally over and he was back home.
To her.
Sasuke inwardly smiled at the thought of his fiance, the warmth of her gaze as she looked at him with her vibrant emerald colored eyes along with the flutter of her pink tresses framing her face. Despite all his travels, he had never met another like his Sakura, both in appearance and in personality. But still, she would need to wait just a bit longer. Duty came first and since he’d already greeted the Hokage about his return, he needed to report to his parents next that he was back for good.
“Three years is a long time, Sasuke,” Fugaku remarked with his arms crossed, sitting imposingly on his knees on the tatami grounds of their family living room. Beside the Uchiha patriarch was his wife, who merely gave Sasuke her usual enigmatic warm smile. “In the end, do you feel that it was worth all this time and effort?”
There was no hesitation as he replied. “Yes, Otousama. I have no regrets. I’ve learned a great deal and believe that this was the best path I could have taken for myself in the end.”
Sasuke felt some of the tension leave his shoulders when he saw the small gleam of approval in his father’s eyes, only to falter internally when he saw the smile on his mother’s face fade ever so slightly. There was no time to ponder on that further though as his father grunted his agreement.
“Good. Go rest up. I look forward to seeing what you have to offer to the Clan with your return.” Fugaku said with a nod of dismissal.
Sasuke gave a deep bow in his seated position, the dip of his head hiding his frown as he was unable to shake off the nagging feeling at seeing his mother’s look of disapproval. It was small, but not quite hidden, meaning his mother intended for him to see it. As he lifted his head, he stole a glance at her once more, but she wasn’t looking at him anymore, focused instead on pouring more hot tea into Fugaku’s empty cup.
Knowing there wasn’t anything else he could do right now, Sasuke stood up to take his leave. The door slid silently shut behind him before he made his way to his old room, leaving behind the familiar comforting sounds he had missed of his parents quietly talking to one another as he often heard as a child. But there wasn't a moment to even enjoy that familiarity, especially while he may have obtained his father’s approval, his mother was now displeased with him.
It made no sense. What exactly had happened in that short time period for him to have upset her? It was rare to make his mother disappointed in him. If anything, he had zero recollections of ever really displeasing her. It had always been his father that he'd struggle to please, his father that he'd always needed to strive to earn even just a tiny bit of praise from.
Sasuke shook the thoughts away as he entered his room. He'd figure it out later. He'd just returned home. There was too much to do today to dwell on it for now.
—
Sasuke intentionally avoided Ichiraku, not wanting to meet the usual boisterous blonde right now. Throughout the entire time he’d washed off the grime and filth from several days worth of camping out, he couldn’t figure out where it had gone wrong. Normally, Naruto would serve as a good distraction and Sasuke knew he’d demand a rematch after he’d gotten his ass handed two times over during their last spar, but he also knew that until he could figure out what’d upset his mother, he wouldn’t be able to focus on beating that idiot to the ground.
He took the path of the village that he knew Naruto would rarely go because it was filled with more sweet shops and small little knickknacks that Naruto would deem too “girly” or too “boring” to pay attention to. Besides, there was another reason why he came this way.
His footsteps came to a standstill as he saw the usual tea shop sign a few meters away. It was the one he knew his brother favored because of the dango sold there, which is why he’d intentionally sought it out. After all, after their parents, wouldn't it be expected of him to greet his older brother next to inform him of his official return? Also, maybe Itachi would know why their mother suddenly looked upset with him.
Sasuke’s footsteps came to a halt, his eyes widening in startled bewilderment.
This was his brother’s favorite tea shop, one that not many knew about, not even their parents.
So why was she here? Her, with her usual flowing pink tresses and doe-like green eyes. The warm smile on her face that was normally reserved just for him with that soft yet striking laughter that he knew belonged to her only. How long ago had it been since he’d last seen her?
One year and three months ago to the dot.
He hadn’t forgotten that day, though he’d been busy with the stupid errand Orochimaru had assigned him, one that Orochimaru had claimed was an urgent matter so he's better hurry it up. He’d been sent to an obscure apothecary that Orochimaru had demanded he pick up some exotic herbs from when he'd bumped into her. Quite literally, in fact.
—
The sweet scent of jasmine and honey filled his senses as Sasuke found himself with an armful of someone so soft and warm, fitting perfectly within his arms. It was as though his instincts had come alive as he automatically wrapped his arms around her, immediately aware of just who it was he was holding. It took him a moment to regain his bearings before he pulled away, keeping her at arm's length as he looked down at her with a frown.
“Sakura?”
—
The frown he was now unconsciously bearing deepened as he saw the larger masculine hand reaching up to wipe the bit of dango sauce from the corner of her lips… evolving to that of a scowl when he saw the demure blush blooming over her cheeks as she looked away self-consciously… only for him to gently grab her by the chin to pull her gaze back.
“Aniki?” Sasuke managed to breathe out in disbelief at what he was seeing, blinking as his Sharingan had unwittingly flickered on.
Before he could even contemplate his next move, a heavy arm landed around his neck and jerked him backwards. Looking up in outrage, his crimson red eyes met the familiar cheeky smile of his cousin.
“Yo, Sasuke, fancy seeing you here,” Shisui said with a grin.
“Shisui,” Sasuke shook off the offending arm and turned to look back at the tea shop only for his brows to furrow in confusion when he saw that Itachi and Sakura weren’t there anymore. He looked around, trying to see if he could catch them, but was pulled back again by Shisui grabbing him by the nape. “Hey-.”
”Aww, c’mon, little cousin,” Shisui squeezed ever so slightly, the warning clear enough that Sasuke stopped in mid-swing from hitting him. “It’s been so long since we’ve seen each other. Let’s catch up.”
Sasuke shook him off again, catching on to what Shisui wasn’t saying. Obviously something had happened while he had been away and that something was involving his fiance and his own damn brother.
Sharingan red eyes continued to meet Shisui’s relaxed smile as he spoke icily. ”Yeah, let’s.”
—
“Tea for two, please,” Shisui said with a charming smile at the server girl, who blushed and giggled as she practically floated away to get their drinks. “You’ve grown, Sasu-chan. No longer the gangly little squirt, though I see you still throw the same type of tantrum.”
“Shut up,” Sasuke scowled, lowering the arms he had just been about to cross. The last thing he needed was to give off a petulant appearance. That would just give Shisui more ammo to tease him with. “You said you wanted to catch up, so let's catch up.”
“Ah, ah, not so fast,” Shisui said while giving the server girl another warm smile of thanks as she served them their tea, watching as she wandered off back to the counter before turning to Sasuke. The younger Uchiha stiffened when he saw the warmth in Shisui's eyes fade ever so slightly and immediately recalled that same look of disapproval from his mother earlier.
“What?” He bit out, sick of being out of the loop.
“Remind me again about our family history, little cousin.” Shisui rested his face against the palm of his hand, looking completely at ease against the wall as they sat in the corner of the tea house. They'd intentionally gone to one in the Uchiha district, away from prying eyes and ears from those who'd love to understand the inner workings of the Uchiha Clan better.
“Which part?” Sasuke asked bitterly. Was it about their sordid history on how an Uchiha patriarch, one who was originally lauded as a core founder of Konoha, had betrayed the budding village for his own selfish self-righteousness? Stripping away the meager pride the Uchiha had as being “part of the village”? Or was it about how generations later, the shameful repeated attempt by the descending Uchiha’s who were going to stage a coup?
It was only due to the combined efforts of Shisui and Itachi convincing the Sandaime that they were able to investigate and bring down Danzo and the council of elders, preventing the coup from being realized while also saving so many kidnapped and brainwashed children that had been enslaved due to Danzo's machinations. If Itachi and Shisui had failed and the Sandaime foolishly continued to overlook Danzo's transgressions, it would have meant the death of thousands of Konoha’s people.
Sasuke would sometimes shudder when imagining what sort of present he'd have right now if not for Itachi and Shisui. What type of horror show would he be living instead of tea with his cousin today?
“Way back when our Clan was led by Uchiha Moroha.” Shisui casually waved away the grim air that was dredged up, looking unbothered despite how knee deep in blood he'd been due to their unsavory history.
Sasuke blinked, taken aback by the unexpected turn in conversation. “Uchiha... Moroha?”
Shisui sniggered. “Mikoto-baa is going to be drilling family history in your little skull all over again once she learns you forgot the family lore.”
“Of course not,” Sasuke snipped, cheeks turning flush as he squirmed at the discomfort of still not knowing how he'd upset his mother, unwilling to even fathom what it would mean if he disappointed her even further. “Uchiha Moroha was the turning point in our Clan's history when we switched from a patriarchal system to matriarchal. It's only a few generations back when we resumed being a patriarchal clan.”
“Mhm, the argument was that there are more benefits with a woman leading, especially since the men were usually off on missions that could lead to death. Kunoichi were often left to defend home, meaning they're more present to make sound decisions for the betterment of the Clan. Not to mention, no arguments on the legitimacy of the next Clan head.” Shisui said cheerfully. “But that's neither here nor there since, like you said, that's ancient history now.”
“Exactly, so what's that got to do with...” Sasuke trailed off, unable to even say outloud what he'd witnessed earlier. Sakura’s smile... his smile, which had been aimed at his brother, of all people. How Sakura had blushed at the feel of Itachi's touch on her skin.
Sasuke's glower deepened, eyes flickering red every now and then, causing Shisui to want to sigh. Even after all that training with Orochimaru, he was still his same baby cousin. Though, to be fair, Sasuke had managed to earn a pretty respectable reputation as a shinobi during his travels, sometimes due to missions involving Orochimaru and sometimes because he couldn't leave alone some cruel injustices he happened to witness. If it was anything else, Shisui knew Sasuke would remain composed and in control, a good shinobi that the Uchiha Clan could be proud of. But it was a known thing that Sakura and Itachi were one of the few subjects that could trigger a more severe reaction.
After all, Itachi was his revered older brother while Sakura was his.... expected... fiance.
“Sakura-chan was never really yours, Sasuke,” Shisui said slowly, making sure every word was heard and understood. “Years back, when the arrangement was being made between the Senju and Uchiha, it was with the understanding that she would marry into the Clan through the main family. No one had declared which brother specifically that she would end up marrying with.”
“But it was clear before I left that there was an understanding,” Sasuke grounded out the word vehemently, “that Sakura would marry me. She's closer to me in age and that relationship is also probably the reason why we even ended up in the same genin squad. Aniki never got in the way, always treating her the same as me, as though she was his younger sister!”
“First off, Sakura-chan was never a part of Team Seven because of you.” Shisui said sharply. “She's the last living shinobi who's the direct descendant of Senju Tobirama and she's earned her mettle several life times over with the things she accomplished on her own after receiving Tsunade-sama's tutelage. Sakura-chan balanced out Team Seven between you and Naruto. It had nothing to do with an assumed relationship between you two.”
“Assumed?” Sasuke's tone was sharp and icy. The smell of ozone tinged the air, but began to fade when Sasuke saw Shisui’s own sharingan flash in warning. He breathed in deeply through his nose, chest rising high with how much air he inhaled to calm himself down. “Fine. It may have never been said out loud, but you have to admit that expectations were there.”
Shisui tilted his head slightly in agreement. “You're right on that part. But, in the end, Sakura-chan was never truly yours, meaning you need to get your head out of your ass right now before you meet Itachi or Saku-chan or both. There is no way I'm letting you anywhere near them if you can't control yourself and believe me when I say Mikoto-baa will also stop you.”
“Is that why she looked at me like that earlier?” Sasuke demanded in disbelief and Shisui gave him a crooked shrug
“No idea what look she gave you, but she definitely did send me out to make sure you didn't cause any trouble.” Shisui took a sip of his tea, looking down at the clear green liquid. “The last thing we need is to spook more people because we couldn't control our tempers.”
Sasuke immediately stifled any retort he'd planned, knowing Shisui was right. Things were slowly getting better between the Uchiha and Konoha, especially after Sakura’s engagement to the Clan was announced. The people of Konoha had seen how happy she was to be with them, how kindly they cared for her. It helped that she was of the Senju bloodline, especially that of Senju Tobirama who was notorious with his friction with the Uchiha, but the Uchiha showed no prejudice towards her for that. He would be a fool to ruin that tentative hope budding between them all because of his childishness, and temperamental as he may be, he was no fool.
Sasuke stared down at his own cup of tea, the steam having gone away completely, leaving him with just a lukewarm cup. His chest ached and it was hard to breathe. His next words came out quieter, more solemn as he prepared himself for the inevitable. “...am I too late?”
There was no immediate reply before he was eventually answered by a soft chuckle, causing Sasuke’s face to shoot right up.
Shisui held his cup close to his lips as he gave Sasuke a playful wink. “Well, that's up to you now, isn't it?”
---
Sasuke scowled as he wove in between the buildings, not wanting to bump into anyone at this time. Word had gotten out that he'd returned so every close to distant relative had been warmly greeting him and welcoming his return. The last thing he wanted to do was be rude to someone just because of his own personal issues.
But how could he not be irritated? Especially since Shisui’s annoying voice wouldn't get out of his head?
“It was hard on Sakura-chan, you know.” Shisui spoke as carefreely as he normally did, but Sasuke could sense the disapproval anyways. “She's a tough one, but anyone would crack a bit when the supposed love of her life doesn't even send one measly letter to see how she's doing or even letting her know that all is well on your end of the world. You, especially, know how she cares for people deeply. Not to mention, during the rare occasions you were passing through the village, you hardly ever spoke to her. I even remember you saying you were “too busy” to talk to her. Her! Your own fiance!.”
Sasuke's scowl darkened because while all sorts of excuses were at the tip of his tongue, he knew that that's what they all were in the end. Excuses.
He cringed as he tried not to remember the moments Shisui had been referencing. Sakura had even gone out of her way to track him down, to see even a glimpse of him before he'd made his way out of the village.
-
“Sasuke-kun,” he paused at the sound of her voice, turning around to see familiar locks of pink hair and emerald eyes that glowed with warmth whenever they saw him. Her smile was shy, almost bordering tentative. “I didn’t realize you were back in the village. I heard from Naruto because he said you'd sparred earlier today.”
Sasuke resisted the urge to scowl. He had been way too busy to for a proper spar and had actually just used genjutsu to tie the idiot on a tree before completing his errand. “Hn.”
“Um, if you still have time, then-.”
“I'm actually running a little late.” he said impatiently, knowing Orochimaru would gleefully give some demented punishment if he was even later than he already was.
Sakura paused, surprised by the curt interruption before she bobbed her head quickly, smoothly masking everything with a smile. It relieved him to know she understood. Sakura always understood. “Of course. I'm sorry to keep you.”
“Ah.”
“Be careful out there, Sasuke-kun...”
-
He could still hear how faint her voice sounded because he'd already turned to leave, giving her a careless wave without looking back. So many excuses had run through his mind, because he really had been in a rush, but Naruto was always a tactless idiot that demanded attention. Sakura was usually the one with better manners and sense, so he knew she'd understand.
...but even that had limits... especially when there were no moments of reassurance, a moment to convey that she mattered.
He had been so blinded by his own priorities and ambitions that he'd assumed, always assumed, that Sakura would understand. That her patience was endless... and they might as well have been with how he had treated her. No other person would have waited this long as she had for him, especially not with his lack of reassuring affection. Letting her know that he wanted and adored her as much as she loved him. But he had turned a blind eye to every frail smile, the glimmer of hesitation that would sometimes shadow her vibrant eyes...
The letters she'd frequently sent him at the start of his journey...
...had he ever sent a reply of his own? Had he ever taken the chance to ask why she'd stopped writing to him eventually?
No, he’d been too preoccupied to notice… and during that one passing moment it had crossed his mind, he had brushed it off because he had more “important” things to attend to
The moments she'd search for him whenever he'd stop by the village in the midst of his training sabbatical with Orochimaru, her searching for him when he was the one returning to the village where he knew she was at, because he'd never once bothered to even check in on the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with...
Her searching for him when it would have been so much easier if he had been the one to look for her. She wasn’t the one constantly on the move, leaving from one village to the next within the span of a few hours!
...and how eventually, her voice had begun to lose that brightness and warmth whenever she saw him. Instead, looking at him in hesitance, wondering where she stood in his personal hierarchy of importance.
...and then that incident at the apothecary...
-
“Sakura?”
He felt her hands against his chest, pushing slightly in order to pull away to look up at him. It was raining outside and she was soaking wet, her hair clinging to her face and neck, her eyes slightly red while the drops of rain trailed down her cheeks...
“Sasuke-kun,” her voice was trembling. Was it from the cold?
“What are you doing here?” His brows furrowed in irritation. He was already in a bad mood because Kabuto was being his usual nuisance self, insisting on tagging along because weren’t they both Orochimaru’s precious protégés? Which Sasuke scoffed at, as if they were the same at all. And if Kabuto knew Sakura was nearby, Sasuke had no doubt that the silver haired rat bastard would immediately sidle up towards Sakura due to their one sided rivalry that Sakura was oblivious about. No way was he about to allow Kabuto anywhere near Sakura. “You shouldn't be here.”
“But I-.”
Sasuke sat up, holding her by the shoulders. “Are you here because of a mission?”
”No, but even if I was-,” her brows were furrowed together, looking confused, but he interrupted her with an impatient sigh.
”We talked about this already, Sakura,” he tried to be patient with her, but couldn’t help it since the last time they saw each other, he’d felt like she’d been so clingy, asking that he tell her next time he was in the village so that they could spend time together. Why couldn’t she understand that he was on this training journey for her as well? Because once he was satisfied with his strength and received acknowledgement from the Clan, he could give her all the attention he knew she deserved. “Don't get in my way.”
-
He’d been so stuck up his own ass that he hadn’t even realized that she hadn’t been looking at him anymore, how her shoulders had hunched over as she stared down at his collar instead. As though looking at him was now proving to be too much, too painful. He hadn’t even noticed how she’d withdrawn from him even as he wrapped his arms around her, telling her to wait for him at the village, how she’d kept her arms beside her rather than returning his embrace as she normally did so warmly.
It... ached… how much he’d give anything to feel her hold him again, to know that she still wanted him.
A part of him still didn’t believe that she may have moved on, but after remembering the past few years together… for the first time in his life, his heart hammered with the reality that Sakura may not be in his future as his wife where she belonged.
That instead, she may be marrying his brother.
Sasuke came to a halt as he realized he’d reached Sakura’s childhood home. Unlike others, who’d moved on to living on their own, Sakura still lived with her mother, wanting to be supportive and there for her only living parent. Her mother was often at work during the day, but due to Sakura’s occasional odd work hours due to emergencies late at night, he knew she was sometimes at home resting in the middle of the day after being relieved of duty.
Earlier, he had seen how tired she’d looked, how she’d obviously pulled a late night shift. He recognized that look. It was the one where she was utterly exhausted after having poured every last bit of herself into her work in order to save a life, the one he’d seen frequently as he had sometimes picked her up during those late shift, carrying her home and putting her to bed.
And he knew he’d been right because there it was… the light flicker of her chakra, the warmth and comfort that only she was able to produce.
His expression pinched. For months, he had missed it. Had missed that gentle rhythm of her chakra brushing against the edge of his senses, her sweet warmth as he held her in his arms, the way she leaned back against him so full of trust and adoration… only for those memories to now be marred by the reminder of his brother’s softened gaze, how his fingers had brushed her cheek so intimately.
Instincts made him move as Sasuke found himself knocking on her door before he could second guess himself. He couldn’t think, only absorb the flicker of her chakra and the soft, almost inaudible sounds of footsteps belonging to a skilled kunoichi who was intentionally allowing herself to be heard. His breath was caught in his throat as the door opened, revealing a disheveled Sakura who had obviously been asleep.
The ache from before grew to unbearable levels.
”…Sasuke-kun?” She sounded confused, her brows furrowed together in that way that reminded him of that time at the apothecary, how he’d foolishly chastised her and pushed her away. “When did you get back?”
Perhaps it was due to the sinking reality that he may truly lose her at this rate, might have lost her already. Sakura had always had a tendency of making him act before he could think, whether it’s due to his own feelings for her or because of his now sense of desperation that he needed to do something now before it was truly too late.
Sasuke only realized he’d pulled her firmly into his arms when the sweet scent of jasmine and honey filled him. He took a moment to inhale before burying his face into her hair, his hold against her tight and unrelenting as he cherished the warmth of her smaller frame against him. How stupid he’d been to have taken her for granted like this, taking action only after the threat of losing her to someone he knew would take care of her so well.
”Sasuke-kun, what’s wrong?” As always, Sakura didn’t question his behavior. Even after he’d hurt her, the only thing she cared about was him. Even after he’d pushed her away, he could feel her arms reaching to hold him as though to reassure him that all was well. But deep inside, he knew things had changed. Was she doing this because she still loved him? Or had she moved on to only see him as a close friend, a good teammate?
”I’m sorry,” he murmured softly, his voice heavy with sincerity.
He should have always gone to her first, to see if she was doing well. It would have taken less than 5 minutes. Should have taken the time to at least see her, even if it was from afar. She would have been so happy with just that alone, to be acknowledged and to be shown that she was in his thoughts. He’d thought that she’d simply be there, as she always was. That he needed to make zero effort when it came to her because Sakura was his, they were always fated to be together.
His hold around her tightened, his gaze darkening.
No, this wasn't over.
Sasuke pulled away to cup her cheek, drinking in the sight of the green in her eyes, remembering how every tree and every flower he'd passed by during his journey had reminded him of her. Leaning towards her because, for once, he'd be the one to give chase.
Because Sakura was worth everything.
He pressed his lips hard against hers, feeling her sharp gasp of surprise while her hands immediately reached up to clutch his arms, fingers clenching around his biceps as he deepened the kiss.
And he wasn’t ready to simply surrender without a fight.