Chapter Text
It had been exactly one year since Sasuke and Sakura had finally, finally gotten together. And even though Sakura didn't expect nor want anything grand or spectacular from Sasuke, there was still a little part that hoped he would do something
But, nothing had been hinted at when he picked her up from the hospital after her shift. And her boyfriend hadn’t said much as they traversed the familiar path through Konoha towards her apartment. This alone wasn’t out, since she had learned long ago how his actions spoke louder than any word ever could. But what was odd was him walking at a faster pace than usual, eyes constantly flittered back to her as if to be sure she was keeping pace. The final straw was when he made a turn different from the usual way to her apartment
"Sasuke-kun, um my place is this way" She pointed out, chuckling out a hesitant laugh. Maybe he had had a long day and was tired? Sasuke slowed down, but didn’t stop
"It's a shortcut"
Sakura kept up a smile "What's the rush? My apartment is only a few blocks away"
Sasuke stared, eyebrows twitching the way he does when he’s thinking, or annoyed. Ever the worrier, Sakura readied to ask him about his troubles when her heart sank
"I have a mission tomorrow, I need to prepare" He faced forward and continued on. Sakura remained where she stood, not caring for the light rain that had begun to fall. Her boyfriend faced her again, realizing she hadn't followed
"Sakura?" He stepped back towards her, seeing her dull expression "Sakura, what's wrong?"
"Oh uh" Nothing was wrong, of course Sasuke wouldn't remember something as silly as their anniversary. He remembered her birthday, and the first time they said I love you. And that particular day when he finally returned
He had just forgotten, or not bothered to remember this date in particular
"Sakura" She looked up, Sasuke’s concern for her silence obvious
"Nothing! Just tired from work, sorry for slowing you down" The rain poured harder, and she smiled " I can walk home myself. Thanks for trying to squeeze me in there Sasuke-kun" At the very least she saw him today
His mouth pressed, as if he wanted to say something more, "Sakura, I still have time-"
"No really, I'll be fine" She countered and before he could oppose, Sakura spun on her heel and blurted "Goodnight Sasuke"
~~~~~~~~~
Curled up and comforted by the fuzziness of her pjs, Sakura had taken to the couch in her warm apartment after leaving Sasuke in the rain. A shower had done her mind well, body free of the tension her and Sasuke's anniversary had brought forth.
Sakura always knew what she was getting into the moment she fell for Sasuke. No, scratch that, the moment she had returned from her first mission with Team 7. Nothing was meant to be a perfect fairy tail. In fact, she had learned such things weren’t actually what she wanted at all. But the least her boyfriend could have done is . . . well she didn’t quite know what to expect. It was Sasuke after all
Maybe picking her up early from work, visiting the old Team 7 training ground, taking her back to the bench where they had their first date. Hell she'd be happy if he was right next to her watching this corny movie. Perhaps this was another thing that simply made Sasuke, Sasuke
No need to celebrate something as passerbye as a date. She knew he loved her, and he always managed to tell her even in the smallest of ways-
The old buzz of her house phone split her thoughts. Curious at who would call her at such an hour, Sakura escaped from her blanket burrito, picking up
“Hello?” Sakura half-expected Ino, the blond having a strange knack for knowing everyone’s business in the village. She might have heard what happened, calling to tell her she was about to put an end to the Uchiha clan herself. But instead a woman's voice croaked
“Hello, is this Sakura Haruno?”
“Yes, may I ask who's this?"
“Oh, this is Haruki from Mitsuri Cafe, we're just calling to inform you that your table was given away, but if you decide to stop by the bar will be open all night"
Sakura sat up mind buzzed at the mention of the name of her favorite cafe, “But I, um, haven't made a reservation?”
“Oh well, you were the only other name listed under the tab, I'm sorry the original client didn't seem to leave a phone number" The owner of the cafe laughed. Meanwhile Sakura’s mind buzzed, the puzzle nearly coming together. Glancing at the clock, the pink haired kunoichi clutched her blanket, almost scared her hunch would be wrong
“May, may I please know what time the reservation was?”
“Of course, lets see” The sound of rustling pages tickled her heightened senses “8 o'clock sharp, under Sasuke Uchiha"
8 clock, exactly 5 minutes after she got off from work, “I'll let Sasuke know, thank you" The sweet lady bid her farewell and hung up. She couldn't believe it, her stupid, terrible-at-surprises boyfriend didn’t forget their anniversary. Sasuke wasn't rushing to get rid of her and continue with his duties. He was hurrying so they could make it to dinner reservations at her favorite restaurant.
The same Sasuke who she knew didn't like anything off the sugar filled menu. And always grumbled when having to finish off the desert she couldn't finish, that Sasuke had done all that just for her
Sakura felt her cheeks redden with heat, a shy smile forming with a rush of affection coming over her until a thought broke her girlish musing
“Did I just . . . leave him out there in the pouring rain?!” She panicked. And just when she thought her fragile heart couldn't pound any faster, there was a knock at her door
"Coming!" Fanning her face of the fierce blush that had taken over. Sakura rushed to the door, prepared to tell whoever was outside to go away so she could search for her boyfriend
But all worry was lost when she opened the door to the man himself standing soaked under her apartment’s balcony
“Sasuke” She breathed, holding her clasped hands to her chest. Sasuke didn’t meet her gaze, looking more guilty than anything else
"I didn't actually have a . . ."
"A mission?" Sakura fought the urge to laugh at how serious he was as he cleared his throat. Caught up in his presence she barely noticed the bag of take out and single pink rose sticking out of the white bag
"I know our first date, didn't go as planned" He mumbled, and Sakura let out a giggle reminiscing their 1 first minute date being interrupted by an ambush of rogue ninja "I wanted to make up for it today but, I don't usually do- these type of . . .”
“It’s okay, I understand,” Sakura smiled, stepping close and taking his hand. She was proud of what he was able to say. Her love had gotten far better at speaking his feelings, even if he would still have a ways to go, "I got the call from the cafe owner, and I know how much you don't like that place so, but it made me so happy. Knowing you did all that just for me"
Her cheeks warmed as she squeezed his hand, turning up with shining eyes
“Thank you, Sasuke-kun”
Sasuke's shoulders visibly relaxed, eyes softening in the way they only did for her. But something still seemed to be troubling him. Sakura was about to question him before her breath hitched. Being pulled closer, so their foreheads nearly touched
“Sakura” His hand gently tugged her own, coaxing her closer, "I'm sorry, I upset you. I would never . . . " He trailed off, but Sakura smiled, reaching up to cup his cheek. She knew meant just by the look in his eye
I would never forget. This is just still new to me. Thank you for putting up with me. Thank you for understanding
“I know you didn't mean it, but who knew Sasuke Uchiha is terrible with surprises" She giggled at his glare, pulling away to tug him inside, "I'll forgive we can get a-”
“-Brownie ice cream sandwich, with caramel drizzle?" She stared confused, Sasuke pulling away to dig through the bag of take out, pulling out her favorite dessert. "I also brought dinner, if you haven't ate yet-"
Sakura, too overjoyed to follow their routine of slow build, all but throwing her arms around her boyfriends tall form and pressing her lips to his
The kiss was sweet and eager. And Sakura couldn't help the rush of pure love she had for this man. Sasuke, giving back the kiss with equal fever, returned those feelings 10 fold. A moment later, a dull thud was heard, Sakura pulling away to see the bag of take out on the ground
"Oh sorry Sasuke-" A strong arm wrapped around her waist, making her head snap back up to his. Slate and violet eye burning into her in a way that made her blush red
“Sakura . . .”
His hand gently squeezed her waist coaxing her closer, so close the storm outside felt like a world away. She smiled pecking his lips "Happy anniversary, Sasuke-kun"