(Hobo Sasuke getting a makeover from Sakura.)
A sasusaku au snippet.
Thank you so much for the inspiration for this one @AClarkpaint! Check her out you guys, she's amazing!
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Dark storm clouds were rolling in quickly across the valley as a lone figure made his way to a small town. His clothes were a tattered and torn mess and his inky-black hair was lengthy, shielding his left eye from view entirely while just brushing the very top of his right. He kept his head low as he made his way through the crowd of scurrying villagers, who ignored him completely as they tried to make their way quickly to their respective homes in an attempt to beat the impending weather.
The man wasn't as lucky as they were.
For he had no home.
And when it rained in Konoha, it poured.
Rain pelted his clothes and skin, slicking down his locks as he finally found a small awning to stand under... though he continued to shiver as a crisp breeze brushed across his damp flesh. A sound to his right startled him and he turned his head quickly... only to meet a pair of wide green eyes.
"Hey, do you need help?"
The man stood rigid and remained silent... too stunned to even formulate a response. The woman leaned out of the doorway further, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear before giving him a kind, gentle smile.
"Do you wanna come in?" Silence.
"The storm has just started, it's going to get worse before it gets better you know," she persisted. Still... silence.
"It's warm here. You can wait out the storm if you like," she tried. More silence until—
"I have some food and drinks... if you're hungry."
Sakura placed a tray of treats in front of the man and then handed him a steaming mug of freshly brewed coffee... which he silently accepted. She continued to gaze at him, curious as to what had happened to him and why he was in such a state. "Do you need me to call someone for you," she asked, but he shook his head. "I don't mind, really. I..."
"Nobody is looking for me. I'm alone."
A frown formed on her lips and her brows crinkled together as she took the seat across from him. Sakura gazed at the young man closer and noticed even more things about his appearance that she hadn't before. Apart from his tattered clothing, Sakura also noticed some minor cuts and bruises marking his bare skin, and the dark circles under his eyes that were indicative of lack of sleep.
The stench coming from him was a telling sign as well that the stranger had probably been on the road for quite some time and was in need of a proper shower. She tried not to wrinkle her nose at the smell and chose instead to ask him a few more questions. "So how long have you been on the road for?"
The man grunted and refused to meet her eyes. "A while."
"What brings you to Konoha," she tried again.
"I'm just passing through."
She blew out a breath. "Where are you headed?"
"Nowhere."
Silence ensued for a few minutes as Sakura tried to gather her conflicting thoughts. When she finally plucked up the courage to speak again however... she heard a soft sigh come from him. Her eyes shifted to his tired features and she felt her heartstrings constrict slightly at the lost look in his dark eyes. "I... I won't be able to... pay you back... for the coffee and—"
"Don't worry about it...," she said with a small wave of her hand and a reassuring smile. "It's on the house."
The man scoffed before finally looking up to meet her eyes for the first time since he had entered her shop; though his irises seemed to hold anger at her response... and Sakura wasn't quite sure why. Not until he spoke, that is. "I... don't need your pity." She frowned.
"It's not... pity. It's called hospitality." More silence, more awkward staring, until finally he looked away; his dark orbs shifting to his lap. The pinkette tilted her head, wishing for once that she could read minds. "I'm curious. What's your name, stranger?" He took a long sip of his coffee and let out a harsh breath before responding to her inquiry.
"It's... Sasuke."
"Got a last name, Sasuke?"
"No."
She stretched her hand out towards him in a kind gesture, a soft smile playing on her lips as he lifted his gaze to hers once more. "I'm Sakura." He silently (cautiously) accepted her hand before quickly pulling away. "Well... I've decided on something," she said suddenly; startling him.
"What is it," he questioned; his demeanor full of distrust.
"I'm going to help you out!"
Silence. Then he blinked. "Haven't you been helping me out already, Sakura?"
"Well, yes I have... but I mean—"
"I told you, I don't want your pity," he practically growled as his hands tightened around his drink. Sakura grew angry.
"And I told you...," she said while leaning against the table. "It isn't called pity. It's hospitality. I was raised to help those who are in need... and not to be rude or anything... but I'm pretty sure that you are in need. Am I wrong, Sasuke?" He remained silent because he couldn't think of an argument; he knew that she was right.
But at the same time, he wasn't one for charity. He opened his mouth and was about to try and protest again, when he met the intense fire in her green irises. His mouth quickly closed and he swallowed slowly. Maybe he could allow her to help him, but just this once. "Hn," was his only response and he felt his heart begin to pound a little bit harder at the sight of her bright smile that seemed to lighten the whole room... even on this miserable, dreary day.
"Wait here, I'll be right back...," she squealed before rising swiftly to her feet. He watched, in stunned silence, as she skipped to a small room adjacent to the checkout counter, before returning mere seconds later with a large stack of... supplies in her arms. He raised a brow when she sat them down on the table and she rolled her eyes before giving off a soft chuckle. "What is it now?"
"What's all of this for?"
"You of course." Silence. Confusion. Curiosity. Concern—
"You happen to carry all of this with you to work?" Sakura rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.
"First of all, I own this establishment. So, that means that I can carry whatever I want in here. Secondly... it's not what you think. I have a really good friend... well, he's more like a brother than a friend actually... who comes here to stay on occasion when things get... rough... for him at home."
Sasuke looked down and his frown deepened. "Orange?"
Sakura shrugged. "It's his favorite color."
"Shampoo, toothbrush, comb... scissors?"
"I have a shower down the hall," she hesitated to say more but even Sasuke knew that he needed one, badly. "... and a bathroom that you can use to freshen up. Then... when you get done with that... I can help you with your hair."
"I don't need all of this."
"Stop arguing with me okay... and let me help you out, just this once, Sasuke. Please." He wanted to argue with her... he really and truly did. But as he looked at her, he realized that it would have been completely pointless. She could be very... persuasive... he surmised with a soft and defeated sigh.
"Fine."
30 minutes later...
"So, what do you think...," she asked, a light blush staining her plump cheeks as she turned Sasuke around to face the full-length mirror that rested against the wall beside her office desk; his dark strands of hair surrounding the rolling chair that he sat in. His eyes met hers after a quick glance and his lips lifted at the corners.
'Pink looks really good on her...'
"It's... good."
"Are you sure," she asked, while biting her bottom lip and looking at him through thick lashes. His smirk only grew.
"Yes, I like it. Thank you, Sakura. For everything."
He watched as her throat bobbed slowly; her gaze locking onto his in the mirror. "You're welcome, Sasuke."
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Author's Notes:
If any of these sound like your own writing or another you have read, I apologize but I didn't copy anyone's work. This is entirely my own writing.