title: a glow in the dark
author: reviee
rating: T
prompt: #10: finally
summary: SasuSaku. Canon. He needs saving. She's the only one who would save him.
a/n: THE END IS HERE! This has been a great experience with you guys! I like writing canon stories! Thank you for the constructive criticism and support! Thank you soo much!

"What?"

Sakura looks at Sasuke. He seems normal and he doesn't look hopped up on anything. She is completely confused because this is the same man who moved out of her house because of the kiss. The sudden change in character raises alarms in her. She stands stunned and silent for the next few moments while he calms down his breathing.

"You heard me," he growls, "Kiss me like you did last time."

"But..." She remembers the hurt she felt when she read his goodbye letter, "Sasuke-kun, why?"

Sasuke takes a step closer. Unconsciously, she backs up. She feels caged in by his presence. Her heart is pounding at high speed and she can feel the blood rushing to her head. From the corner of her eye, she can see his right hand twitch, as if he's keeping himself from grabbing her.

"Look, Sasuke," she breathes heavily, "that kiss was a mistake. I shouldn't have done it."

"The hell it was!" He growls, stepping closer so that her back hit the edge of her desk.

"You ignored me for months!" She screams suddenly, and then turns away. "I have work to do. I'll see you around."

Before she could leave, he grabs her wrist and spins her around before planting his lips firmly on hers. His grip is tight on her wrist though she is not fighting back. Her scent overwhelms him and a feeling of familiarity washes over him.

For Sakura, it is a wave of confusion that envelops her. She made up her mind when he left that being his friend was what she was meant to be. Nonetheless, she does not push him away. She doesn't kiss back either, but her hand rests on his bicep.

"Tell me that was a mistake," he challenges after he pulls away.

She can feel the tears building, "I made up my mind," she says quietly, "so please leave."

Sasuke is left stupefied. He leaves the hospital without another word. Sakura continues to be confused over the matter because this was not how it was supposed to go.

Sakura avoids him. She knows she can't handle another stunt like that. She knows that if he kisses her again, she wouldn't be able to resist kissing him back and more. He is the one she's always wanted and he's finally here. It's the wrong time, she thinks, he's too late. He's screwed up.

People deserve second chances. This is Sasuke's third. He's left her before after she professed her love for him. He left her again after she showed him her love. If she succumbs to his demands, who can say he won't leave her again? Being abandoned, she thinks, is her greatest fear.

"Sakura-chan!"

She turns around to see her blonde haired friend waving to her. She grins back and goes to him. They are at the supermarket and Hinata is standing next to him.

"Naruto!" She exclaims. "What are you doing here?"

"Doing some grocery shopping for Sasuke," he informs casually, "Hinata's helping me!"

"Sasuke?" Sakura raises an eyebrow. "Why are you grocery shopping for Sasuke?"

"He won't come out of his house," Naruto blinks. "All he does is train in his backyard."

"Why not?"

He shrugs. "Bastard won't tell me but I worry, ya know! That's why I'm doing this,"

Sakura looks down at the basket of tomatoes. When she looks back up, there is a sparkle in her eyes, "I'll bring it to him."

"Aw, Sakura-chan! I'm sure the bastard will be really happy to see you!"

"Go spend the day with Hinata," she smiles while taking the basket from him.

After adding ingredients to make a dinner for two into her basket, she goes to the cash to pay for her groceries and Sasuke's tomatoes. She has made her choice.

"Sakura,"

"Hi, Sasuke!" She chirps happily. "How are you today? I brought your groceries!" She holds up the bags she has brought.

Hesitantly, he steps aside for her to enter the house and he goes to take the bags from her hands. Their fingers brush but Sakura decides to ignore it and continue chirping. Sasuke, on the other hand, can feel his heart pounding. He trails after her as she enters the kitchen.

"So, I brought ingredients to make you dinner and Naruto said you refused to leave the house so that'skind of unreasonable and oh! I brought you tomatoes obviously! Um..." She puts her hands on her hips as he stares at her blankly.

"Sakura,"

She looks up. "Yeah?"

"Why are you here?" He sighs.

She fidgets with her fingers. "Why won't you leave your house?"

He shrugs.

"I..." She stops and clasps her hands behind her back sheepishly. "Why won't you leave your house?"

He shrugs again.

"Is it..." She turns away from him, seemingly to unpack the groceries, "...because of me?"

"No," he answers swiftly.

"Sasuke," she sighs and places the bag of tomatoes on the counter. "I think we should talk."

"About?"

"Us," she leans against the counter with her arms crossed over her chest, "we need to talk about us."

"I thought you made up your mind," he folds his arms across his chest and mimics her movement.

"I..." She looks down and wiggles her toes. "I thought about it."

"And?"

"Why are you suddenly like this?" She asks. "You've never reciprocated my feelings."

There is a moment of silence. Sasuke doesn't know what to say. There is no reason he is suddenly craving her kisses or missing her presence. It just happened.

"What do you want me to tell you, Sakura?" He makes eye contact. "What are you looking for?"

She sighs. "I don't know... It's just... After so long... I've loved you for so long, Sasuke."

"I know. Isn't it about time I return your feelings?"

"That doesn't just happen though!" She exclaims. "Love takes time. I don't want you to love me because its convenient. I want you to... completely fall in love with me,"

"And you don't believe that I did?"

"It doesn't seem possible,"

"It doesn't seem possible you continued to love me throughout all these years either."

She is taken back by his point. "Do you really love me?"

"Why would I lie?" Sasuke sighs and goes to her, hesitantly placing his hands on either side of her. "Believe me..."

Sakura feels him getting closet. She feels his hot breath getting closer and she feels his grip on her arms tighten. Slowly, she closes her eyes and lets him place his lips atop hers. She feels her heart flutter.

Finally, she thinks, she lets him love her like she has loved him all these years. It feels heavenly to have her feelings returned. Her arms wrap around his waist to pull him closer.

a/n: This story started out as a side project from all my AU anthologies... Thank you for being here with me! I can't believe it's over; I never finish anything hahaha...