Autompne

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Disclaimer: NARUTO 1999 by Masashi Kishimoto & Shueisha Inc. | Fractured Tales Project 2010 | 477

these days,women can prove themselves to men, too. She gave him a playful wink. The

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working woman has long been accepted. But what about the working woman who leaves

her husband to take care of the kids and do the laundry?

Hn, he replied, and it was a sound of disagreement. Sasuke didnt like things

that strayed from the usual. That, and he hated laundry. He gave Sakura a glance; one of

his eyebrows raised.

Sakura sighed; she knew what that look meant. Oh Sasuke-kun, you dont need

to worry, I wont do that to you!

He gave an uncharacteristic snort almost immediately. He attempted to cover it

up, though, so it came out like a shallow cough. Really, the ideas that went into this girls

head were unthinkable. Plainly, he stated, I dont recall asking you to marry me.

Oh you dont need to ruin it. Sakuras tone was irate, but she was grinning.

She twirled around and skipped towards her houses open porch.

Thanks for bringing me home today, Sasuke-kun, she said, like the past few

days, months, years. I wonder why youre still doing this; were in middle school now. I

can go home on my own.

Sasuke shrugged. Do you want to?

It took less than a second for her to reply. Of course not! She smiled a pretty

smile; it was the smile Sasuke knew she only reserved for him, for this moment, for thetimes he brought her home.

Sasuke adjusted his grip on his bag and nodded. He liked this. This was routine.

No words about marrying him, leaving him, or doing the laundry. See you tomorrow,

Sakura.

She smiled gratefully.

See you.

And he left then, knowing Sakura was still on the porch, watching his black

gakuen uniform disappear to the autumn night.

He never looked back.

***

Years passed and they continued walking side by side, still never too close but

never too far away. Sasuke was fine with the arrangement. Sakura was frustrated.

Were nineteen now, Sasuke-kun, she said one day, when it was autumn

again. Her short plaid bounced against her thighs. She looked at her reflection in one of

the store windows they passed by; here she was: short skirt, high socks, and brown

loafers, looking completely adorable, but Sasuke still treated her the same. She didnt

even know why she tried. Youve been walking me home for eleven years. Dont you

think you should at least agree to go out on a movie with me?

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He gave a noncommittal grunt.

She sighed. Its not a date, she clarified. Then, knowingly, You wouldnt like

a date.

Sasuke raised an eyebrow at her, his aristocratic features ever unchanging, his

chiseled jaw shut. Cars zoomed by behind him. Who said I wouldnt like a date, he

finally replied, his tone monotonous, not even a question. I dont recall saying that.

Sakura rolled her eyes. I know you, Sasuke-kun, and she sighed, becausesometimes he was really so impossible. If I asked you to go on a date with me youd

ignore me for the rest of my life.

He seemed upset

And no, dont make that face, you know its true.

He shrugged then. Dates are fine.

Sakura shook her head. No, no, you dont say that, Sasuke-kun. Dates are not

fine. They totally go against your personality. She glanced up at him (he had gotten so

tall) and observed how the streetlights played in his eyes. Youre Sasuke-kun. You dont

do dates.

You made that up, he said plainly, giving her a knowing stare. He

remembered the time when she made up something about a woman leaving a man to dothe laundry. I already said dates are fine.

You say that now, but when someday I muster up the courage to ask you

And it was a good enough confession, both of them knew, but it had happened several

times before and neither of them cared. Well, maybe Sakura did. A little. youll reject

me.

Sasuke didnt say anything.

Then Sakura skipped in front of him, turning around so she was facing him

completely. Sasuke had to stop inches away from her to keep from colliding into her. The

early night wind blew her now-waist-length hair, and it fluttered with the breeze, elegant

strands of pink framing her face, gently moving in and out. The last remaining rays of the

sun were reflected on her eyes. She looked sad, dejected, and content all on the same

time. Someday, Sasuke-kun

She began with a wistful tone, and Sasuke had half a mind to cut her off before

she said something he couldnt handle. Sakura was usually unpredictable, but today he

had a bad feeling about what she was going to say.

Sakura he began, but the scene before him made him stop.

The streetlamps were on, and around them, headlights flickered around. The sun

was setting somewhere in the west, giving her a soft waning glowall the lights

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combined made her shimmer in the middle of the dark street, her hair were hues of pink,

red mahogany, then pink again. Her cheeks flushed, her skin white smooth and creamy.

She looked beautiful.

She smiled at him, sadly, and her eyes were shining wet.

Youll break my heart.

Sasuke didnt speak then, for he couldn't; he just stared at her for a while,

wondering what to say

Until he realized that they were already in front of her house, and she had

skipped to the porch just like always. Without further ado, she smiled and said, Thanks

for bringing me home today, Sasuke-kun.

As if nothing had happened.

Sasuke gave a blank stare, and nodded.

See you, Sakura.

When he walked away today, Sakura didnt watch his back. But since he never

looked back, he wouldnt know that.

From behind her houses door, Sakura wept.

See you.

***

Its nice you still do this for me even when were in different colleges, she

mused. Her skirt was still short, her socks still long, but her brown loafers were black

heels. Isnt it tiring, going out of the way to fetch me?

He shook his head. Its routine. He glanced at her then, and didnt expect to

see a small frown on her face. He sighed; he didnt mean her. Its part of my day, he

corrected.

Sakura grinned. No need to change what you said, Sasuke-kun, she started,

proud. Im fully aware of how large my role is in your life. She gave a large smile,

sincere, and looked to him for approval.

Sasuke didnt speak again, like he always did when Sakura made strange flirty

comments like that. It wasnt because he rejected her, surely not; most of the time, he just

didnt know what to say. He glanced back at her and gave a curt nod, his face not really

agreeing but not really disagreeing, either.

Had it been anyone else, it would have been an awkward moment. Luckily,

Sakura knew well enough.

She changed the subject.

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So anyway, Sasuke-kun, she said, pulling her jacket tighter around herself,

because it was autumn again and the wind was strong. You have to fetch me earlier one

day. I want to introduce you to one of my classmates. His name is Hyuuga Neji and you

will love him!

Sasuke gave her a disbelieving look. I most certainly will not love any him

he began before Sakuras strange expression cut him off.

Oh really? she asked, her head tilted and her eyes faced the deep orange sky.

She wasnt in her white lab coat today, Sasuke noticed, and it felt nostalgic. I alwaysthought after you kissed Naruto you were

Sakura, he stopped her with a stern call. His face was blank and his stare

annoyed. Sakura thought he had also gone pale. That was

An accident, she finished for him, laughing. I know, I know. You dont have

to be so uptight about it. She winked at him, and it was familiar, just like her plaid skirt

long socks and leather shoes. I only said youll love Neji-kun because you two are so

much alike!

Neji-kun. Sasuke noticed how the name slipped out of her tongue easily. He

glanced at her. Neji-kun. Somehow, he didnt like it. It was out of routine, her calling

other boys by their first name with that suffix.

Hes all silent too, she began, looking amused. She walked forward and henoticed she was gaining speed. Usually he was ahead, a few steps in front of her; but

today it was her in front of him, almost skipping. And he comes from a rich family. He

also makes that strange hn sound.

Sasuke glanced at Sakuras animated face and tried not to clench his bag too

tight. Those points hardly make us similar, he said, colder than he had intended. He

closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

I suppose. He heard Sakura say. For a few moments, only their footsteps filled

the empty street. Well, he does agree with me on post-modernism. I mean, he says he

won't mind doing the laundry.

Sasuke opened one eye and glanced at her, only to find that she was smirking.

Unlike some people I know, she added with a giggle.

When they arrived at Sakuras house, Sasuke had relaxed a bit. She was only

teasing, he told himself. He had absolutely nothing to be worried about.

This Hyuuga Neji person wouldnt be ruining the routine.

Well, thanks for bringing me home today, Sasuke-kun, Sakura said, but she

didnt move onto the porch like she usually did. She stayed next to him, breathing softly,

puffing out white smokes of cold air.

Youre not going in yet, Sasuke said plainly. He looked at her and knew why.

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Well, she began unsurely, I just thought it would be nice to stand out here for

a while, enjoy the sunset, look at the sky. Her hand moved casually to her hair, stroking

it. It is a beautiful autumn, and

Sasuke sighed. It looks good on you.

Sakura smiled widely, but had the cheek to pretend to look startled. Huh,

what?

Im not mad about it, he said instead, hand reaching out to touch the end ofher shoulder length locks. He pulled on a few strands casually, and said again, It looks

good on you.

I wasnt worried if you were mad about it, she answered defiantly, but a rosy

blush had spread around her cheeks. She walked slowly to the porch then, and one of her

hands tugged on the same place he did. I just thought it was time for a change.

Hn, was the only thing he replied to it. Then, slowly, Its a good change.

She smiled radiantly. Thank you, Sasuke-kun.

He nodded. See you tomorrow, Sakura.

He walked away, carefully, and didnt look back.

See you.***

I think, Sakura started, very slowly, that you should stop walking me home,

Sasuke-kun.

They were already by her house. She hadnt entered the porch. It was autumn

and their garden was filled with mahogany-brown leaves, crisp and dead.

Sasuke stared at her. Hyuuga, he spoke the name with unhidden contempt,

monotonous though his voice was. It was an easy guess. She had been talking about him

for days.

Yes, Sakura admitted, her short hair limp, her eyes afraid and dull. Neji-

kun he asked me out yesterday, and I, well She bit her lip. I said yes.

Sasuke didnt speak; Sakura thought he didnt even breathe. She was scared, so

very scared; her relationship with Sasuke was something she treasured deeply, and telling

him this was the last thing she wanted to do. But there were boundaries friends could

haveshould haveand she was quite sure that walking home with him everyday was

constantly blurring the line she had set.

Im sorry, Sasuke-kun, she said sincerely. I I meant to tell you yesterday,

but I was

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Its alright. And he shook his head, as if he had understood something. His

sharp jaw glistened under the lamplights, and Sakura thought she saw his eyes flicker

with anger.

Well And for once it was awkward, so awkward, and Sakura hated it. I

She looked down at her black heels, long socks, and plaid skirt. Every day, she tried to

keep up with his routine. Every day, she let him fetch her at school. Every day, they

talked, she laughed, he almost-smiled, and then they reached her home. Every day, she

said thank you and he said see you.Every day, she watched him walk away. Every day, he never looked back.

Every day, she gave her heart. Every day, it broke.

She never kept track.

Until now.

A decade of routine. Sasuke was fine with the arrangement. Sakura was

frustrated.

Sakura composed herself. She tried to smile, her thank-you-for-bringing-me-

home-today smile, but all that came out was a small curve of her lip. Thanks for

bringing me home today, Sasuke-kun.

She tried to read his eyes. He wouldnt let her.

Sasuke only nodded and gripped his school bag tighter. See you, Sakura.

He walked away, like he always did, his proud back disappearing around the

next corner, leaves fluttering behind him as if he were taken by the autumn wind.

Sakura didnt even bother to go inside when she cried.

See you.

***

Sasuke-kun! She was beyond angry. Her skirt ruffled against her ankles and

her white heels stomped on the parks concrete tiles. I cant believe you!

He ignored her apparent distress and stood in front of her, like he always did

when he brought her home. The sun was setting but the lamplights werent on yet. The

maple leaves by his feet fluttered a little, but ultimately stayed.

You stopped calling me three years ago. You stopped visiting me way before

that. And then today, you do this? Her emerald eyes glowed brightly against the soft

light, full of anger and passion. I have half a mind to leave you here and

The laundry, he continued for her. Then, in his most serious tone, Ill do it.

Sakura was taken aback. What what are you talking about?

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You can leave me, he said, without a single doubt or break in his voice, You

can leave me for work to take care of the children and do the laundry. His eyes were so

sincere that Sakura immediately ruled out the thought that he had gone crazy. Ill do it.

Sasuke-kun, Sakura sighed, knowing where this was going. She smiled sadly.

That cant happen. She sat down on one of the available benches, smiling wistfully.

You never asked me to marry you.

Sasuke almost-smiled then, except it wasnt an almost-smile. His eyes laughed

as he knelt down beside her, putting both her hands in his. He pulled out the ring on herfinger and threw it to the maple leaves, leaving it to be wisped away with the autumn

breeze.

Sakura looked appalled. Sasuke-kun, what did you do that for? That wasthat

was my

Sasuke, from his kneeling position, only stared at her. With a real smile, he told

her,

Well get a new one.

***

She will forever remember that brilliant autumn day, gold sunlight against velvet

leaves, her hands warm in his. They were twenty-eight now. It was five oclock in theafternoon and just moments ago he whisked her from somewhere far away. His mother

thought it was chivalrous. The rest of the world thought it was insane.

Thanks for walking me home today, Sasuke-kun, she said, smiling.

Somewhere far away, church bells rang, stopped, then rang again.

Sasuke stared at the sky, thinking of years before and years later. He glanced at

her; she was the same, yet not so the same; her white dress was ruffled, and her hair was

tousled, and one of her heels had broken from running. But she was always with her light

pink hair, and puffed red cheeks, and shining eyes.

Sasuke smiled. Routine. Everyday. Forever.

See you tomorrow, Sakura.

Sakura kissed him on the cheek, and waved.

See you.

That day, Sasuke didnt walk away.

(And there was no need for him to look back.)

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