Red String of Fate

Requested by - Watch-Anime123

Sasuke and Naruto will be back today. I thought as I splashed the cold running water on my face and looked at myself in the mirror. I traced my fingers on my rosy lips and closed my eyes. My cheeks were flushed red and my apple green eyes had black marks underneath.

I couldn't get a wink of sleep last night. I sighed and closed the tap. Extending my hand, I reached out for the brush and tried to untangle my hair without letting them break. It was a mess. My hair nearly reached my thighs and the side bangs framed my face perfectly now. Yes, I grew it out again. There was no point in grieving those memories and staying with them.

After I was done combing, I did a high pony and started to dress for the occassion.

Sasuke and Naruto were going to be back that day after a very long spy mission. First they were trained for two years and then they set out for the mission taking another year. After the war, it was their first mission together. I couldn't go because I had goals to reach.

I dressed myself in a red sweatshirt and black pants, then I went for the rear wall, near the mirror. I stretched out my hand, out of habit, and took off my daily wear which hung on the wall.

When I was halfway up to putting it on, I realised what I was doing. It's my day off. I smiled to myslef and kept the ANBU mask back at its place.

I once again glanced at the mirror and decided to let my hair fall naturally on my back. Then I put my boots on and left my room.

"Mom," I called, "I am leaving!"

"Iterashai!" she called back.

I wonder what will I do after I meet them. I have nothing to say, specially to Sasuke... What if I mess it up again? I had decided that I will try and ask Sasuke out again. This time I will bravely ask him out and when he denies I will tell him its okay. Ofcourse, I want myself to be clear about it that is why even after knowing what his answer will be, I want him to say it straight and clear out.

I reached the restaurant where we had to meet, and took a seat.

I was early.

After a few minutes I saw Naruto coming towards me. I smiled at him, but something was wrong.

"Ne, Sakura chan," he said as soon as he closed in, joining his hands and grinning broadly, "will you mind if I excuse myself today?"

"Eh?" What was he saying.

"Actually, I - " he was fumbling, "I - I was asked out by Hinata chan... so..."

My eyes became wider and I started laughing at his shyness. Finally.

"What?" he demanded.

"Nothing. Go on ahead, you can't let your date waiting!" I winked.

"Geez..." he said, "Say hi to Sasuke from me." and then he left.

"Sure." I called after him.

Sasuke will be here anytime now. Geez Naruto, why do you have to pick up the wrong time to leave.

I was thinking what I will talk about when something striked me, Sasuke and I will be alo -

I couldn't complete my sentence as I saw Sasuke enter, and with him was a girl with red hair and glasses. Clinging to his body as if she owned him.

My smile disappeared. The excitement I was feeling, was replaced by some weird one.

He came and sat down in front of me.

"Where is Naruto?" he asked.

"N-not coming." I stumbled with my words, not looking at him, trying to control my tears from falling. Why am I crying? I knew I was going to be rejected, then why?

"I see."

"So, we meet again Sakura." the girl said with a broad smile.

I tried to keep my composure. "Hi Karin, how come you are here?"

"Just wanted to make sure about something." she said and took a sip from Sasuke's cup.

He glared at her. I had no words to say.

We sat there in silence for a few minutes. Karin kept playing with Sasuke and he didn't even flinch. Its wrong. I am at the wrong place.

I stood up and bowed. "I think I should leave."

"Where are you going?" Sasuke finally said, his voice made me waver and my tears started to fall.

I didn't reply. I didn't even know why this was happening. I started to leave.

"My work is done." I heard Karin saying and leaving. I stopped midway. Work? I turned around and saw Sasuke nodding.

He - he brought her here just to make sure that I leave him alone! My eyes widened with pain reflecting in them as I felt my heart being pierced.

He was talking to her, as if making some negotiations. I couldn't stand it anymore. I left directly for my home.

It was a trigger to all the bad memories I didn't wanna recall. I lay on my bed all day crying and sleeping. My eyes were red and swollen by the time it was dark.

"Sakura!" My mom shouted from downstairs, "Naruto is here to take you out for dinner."

I clenched my fists in the pillow and buried myself inside the sheets.

"Sakura?" my mom called out again.

"Tell him to go." I shouted back and was answered with silence.

Then I heard footsteps closing in. I quickly got up and went for my mask and put it on. There is no way I can let him see me like this.

The door to my room creaked, as Naruto entered. Once inside he closed the door behind him and kept standing there.

"Go away." I sounded miserable and my voice croaked. I got seated on my bed and covered myself with the sheets.

The lights in my room weren't on. The only source of light was coming from the window. It was a full moon with clear sky.

He didn't make a sound and stepped forward in the light. His yellow hair reflected the light brightly. His face had an expression I couldn't understand.

He kept nearing me.

"Wh-whats wrong Naruto?" I said, backing up a little.

He bent down and slolwly started removing my mask. His touch was cold and unrecognisable. He removed the mask half way up so that only the lower part of my face was visible.

What?

He took my chin in his hand and closed the distance between us. I parted my lips a little.

No.

"No." I said, "No!" I pushed him forcefully and let him fall.

"I love Sasuke!" I shouted at him, "I love Sasuke, you got that!" I snapped and removed the ANBU mask wholely. My tear gland had been severly affected and wouldn't even slow down.

"Thats great!" I heard a voice from the opposite side, "That went pretty well." She said, standing outside the window.

"What the hell are you doing here, Karin!" Fear and outraged, a mixed feeling developed within me.

She totally ignored me and jumped off. Before going, she added, "Best of luck Sasuke."

Sasuke?

I quickly glanced back at where Naruto had fallen and instead found Sasuke, getting up.

"Wh-what?" I covered my mouth to stop myself from crying out loud. "What the hell are you doing? Playing with me!?" I managed to say.

"I just," he said as he brushed off his clothes, "wanted to make sure that you really do love me and aren't just obsessed." His voice echoed in my head.

"What do you mean?" I backed up a little more.

"You weren't in love with me Sakura," he said, "you were just obsessed and I did't want to ruin your life because of that." He was now on my bed, leaning close to me. "I was just checking, and making sure if you could move on or not."

"And if I had kissed you back then?" I whispered, as I trembled while feeling his breath on me.

"I would have been correct that you were just obsessed." His eyes bore straight into mine.

"And...?"

"And," he whispered back, "I would have left, quietly."

"I wouldn't want that."

"I know." he said and I could feel his hot lips on mine. I leaned back until I was laying down on my bed.

"Happy Birthday Sakura."

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A/N

So, yea. I hope you enjoyed the one shot. It was really hard thinking it out.

Do Vote and Comment if you liked it. It motivates the authors to write more!

~Sassy