A/N (Update 4/9/10): Upon reposting my deleted fics with revisions, I decided to revise the rest of my fics without necessarily rewriting them. This fic is dear to me due to the following: 1) it was my first Naruto fanfic and 2) it was my transcendence in writing more mature fics. I was still a newbie to Naruto at the time this was written, and I was at the tender age of 13 when I decided to be bold and delve into writing mature content. I have revised this fic for any grammar mistakes or incoherent diction without rewriting it as to keep the authenticity of my writing from when I was 13. So without further ado, please read and enjoy =)

Warning(s): Probable OOCness. Contains lime.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Masashi Kishimoto does.

What the Rain Can Bring

"For the last time, Naruto, I'm FINE!" Sakura yelled at the soaking blonde shinobi standing outside her front door with a steaming bowl of chicken ramen in his hands. "I DON'T NEED A BOWL OF RAMEN!"

Naruto's wide grin didn't falter. "But you DO, Sakura-chan! You'll feel better with some niiiiice hot ramen!" he insisted heartily.

SLAM.

Honestly, Sakura thought as she pulled her shawl tighter around her body, I'm fine. Just because I have a fever…

She ran into a wall.

Okay, maybe a bowl of hot ramen is what I really need… she groaned inwardly as she trudged to the kitchen to prepare some tea for herself. Poor Naruto. He was just worried about me and in return I slammed the door in his face.

The pink-haired kunoichi started pouring the water into a mug with an exasperated sigh. Her short cotton candy locks hung around her face like a rose-colored curtain. Her usually bright emerald eyes were now a dull, lightless green. Her face was somewhat pale with a feverish crimson staining her cheeks.

She had gotten sick earlier during the day. It had been a torrential downpour all day—and still was—but she had wanted to search for her one true love again.

Uchiha Sasuke.

The ebony-haired shinobi had left Konoha, and she had been waiting for him ever since, knowing that it would be to no avail. What would he come back for? Her? Ha! What a laugh! He didn't care squat about her nor anyone else in the village. She was just his teammate and another one of his many fangirls, or maybe even a friend. But even so, to him she was just another obstacle in his way.

But she went on loving him. What may have started as a silly schoolgirl crush later developed into true love as she got to know him, understand him. Was that a joke? Maybe it was to him. All he said was thank you and walked off. Just like that. It was as if he had brushed off her love for him.

Rejection. That's what it was. She didn't want to admit it, but deep down in her heart she knew it was. It cut her inside like a cold steel knife. But it was the heartrending truth.

"Ow!" Sakura took the steaming mug away from her lips and waved rapidly at her burnt tongue to cool it. Thinking while making and drinking tea didn't mix.

With the exception of her burnt appendage, she still felt cold even though her beverage was so hot. She hated the feeling. Even if she wrapped herself in layers and layers of blankets, she would still be freezing inside—her own personal frozen interior. Sure, she was only dressed in her undergarments and her thin red kimono with a white shawl draped over her shoulders, but it really had nothing to do with her chosen attire.

It was the coldness of her heart.

And it reminded her of Sasuke. She didn't want to be reminded of him; he was the last thing she wanted to think about. But she knew she could never forget him.

Never.

Knocking on her door snapped her out of her thoughts. She set her tea down and headed towards the door. It's probably Naruto again. The poor guy…I'll have to apologize for slamming the door in his face after all the trouble he went through to come over in the rain to give me hot ramen.

Upon opening the door, she began to ramble off her apology. "Naruto, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to–" She stopped as she took in the all-black attire, the dark, spiked back hair, and most of all, those dark eyes she had always loved to gaze upon. Her dull green eyes brightened to their usual emerald in hope as she managed to choke out slowly, "S-Sasuke-kun…? Is it…really you?"

"It is, Sakura," the dark-haired shinobi replied coolly, "it is."

Tears rimmed her green eyes as she began to sob. He was back! He was really back! She couldn't hold herself back as her arms flew around his neck. She held on tight, afraid that he would leave again, that his back would be the last thing she saw of him. She buried her face in his toned chest, her tears flowing onto his already soaked clothing. She felt him stiffen beneath her embrace but neither of them dared pull away. It was an awkward moment for the both of them yet it was also a pleasant feeling, as if it felt right.

Sakura's eyes widened when she felt Sasuke hesitantly return her embrace, his own arms wrapping around her delicate body. Was this for real? Was this a dream? Whichever it was—dream or reality—she wanted to make it last as long as possible. She had always longed for this moment. Sure, she had tried hundreds of thousands of times to make it happen back when she was twelve, but she was still an immature schoolgirl back then. Yes, she had embraced him before to prevent him from going on a killing spree before, but that was for only a brief moment. She had wanted to embrace him like now—when he, Uchiha Sasuke, would finally accept her somewhat. Now that it was happening, what more could she want?

"Sakura…it's cold out here…" Sasuke's cool voice penetrated her reminiscing.

Her pink head snapped up at him, her face color matching her hair. "Oh…right." She reluctantly pulled her arms away from him, for he had already pulled away his own while she was in the midst of her thinking. She stepped inside the doorway and then moved to the side to allow Sasuke to enter. Her delicate lips curved upwards. "C'mon in. You can warm up here."

He nodded and stepped inside, careful not to drip all over Sakura's clean floor. He shut the door behind him.

"Hold on, I'll go get you a towel," she said, removing her shawl and handing it to him. She hurriedly walked to the bathroom and swiped a towel from the closet and went back to Sasuke, offering the towel to him.

He muttered a word of thanks as he acquired the towel from her. He began to pat himself dry, the shawl draped on his own shoulders to catch the water that dripped from his damp, drooping ebony spikes.

Sakura, not wanting to be rude, tried to keep herself from watching him. Using her peripheral vision as she prepared tea for him, her own long forgotten and becoming cold, she scrutinized him for any changes—physical-wise, anyhow.

His appearance was pretty much the same as the Sasuke she had known all those years ago. He was taller, but that was only natural. His face had matured; his dark hair was still spiky, his bangs falling over those dark eyes she still loved.

A wave of nausea swept through her as she inhaled the aroma of the tea. She had forgotten about her fever with the arrival of Sasuke. Ugh, I guess I better head to bed soon, she thought as she brought the steaming mug to a now-dry Sasuke, who had made himself comfortable on her cream sofa with the shawl still draped over his shoulders, the damp towel lying in his lap.

"Here you go." She gingerly offered the searing liquid to him. "It'll warm you up."

"Thank you…" he murmured as he accepted it and blew on the top of the mug before taking a slow sip. Indeed, the hot beverage warmed his cold body. His dark eyes glanced up at Sakura in mild curiosity due to her somewhat sloppy movement. As far as he could tell, a ninja would never be so reckless, especially one such as Sakura who possessed great control over her chakra. She was never so disoriented according to his knowledge of her.

"Sakura…are you ill?" he queried in a soft voice.

"Eh?" The pink-haired kunoichi spun back quickly. A bad move for another wave of nausea pounded in her head, causing her to drop her tea, the mug shattering. "Oh, crap…"

Just as she kneeled to pick the shards of the ceramic mug from the cold liquid, a set of hands gently but firmly grasped her shoulders. A blush stained her already fever-induced cherry cheeks, her heart pounding so hard in her chest as if it were about to burst out at any moment. She allowed herself to be turned around, her green orbs meeting Sasuke's dark ones. She tried not to avert her gaze as to not reveal her discomfort. His hand reached out to feel her forehead, the other still grasping her shoulder to balance her. Her blush deepened at the touch.

A frown settled on the dark-haired shinobi's lips. "You have a fever. You should be resting."

She flushed. "I was planning to after some tea, and when you came—what are you doing?" she asked in alarm as Sasuke picked her up—bridal-style. So many dreams were finally becoming reality at once. She instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck to avoid being dropped.

"Where's your room?" he inquired instead.

"Uh, down the hall, last room on the right," she answered tentatively.

He followed her directions immediately. It was a wonder to Sakura why Sasuke was being kind to her as well as making so much contact. After all, she was only a friend—maybe. But that was it.

She felt herself being placed on a cushiony surface, her arms unlatching themselves from Sasuke's neck. She looked up to him in question.

"I didn't even get to arrange a room for you! And you're the guest and–" She was shushed by two fingers that were pressed against her lips.

"If I hadn't come by, you would have been resting and recuperating," he said bluntly.

"But you–"

"Don't worry…" he said in the same cool tone.

As he was about to leave, a grip on his arm stopped him. He glanced back to see a blushing Sakura, who was still sitting on the bed like an innocent child who didn't want to be by herself.

"Please stay a while longer," she pleaded in a whisper. "Please don't leave…"

His emotionless expression softened somewhat. He had left her a long time ago. She had been broken by that, but he had shrugged off any feeling of guilt that he had felt by it. She hadn't deserved that—she had done nothing to deserve it. He didn't want her to get hurt because of him. Couldn't she see that was why he had rejected her love for him? That it was for her own good? So that she wouldn't suffer? But because he had rejected her, she had suffered.

"I will," he said finally, shutting the door. In a softer voice, he said again, "I will."

A smile of gratitude tugged on Sakura's lips. She relieved herself on her bed, noticing that Sasuke just stood at the side of her bed with his arms crossed. "You can take a seat, y'know. I'm sure you won't catch my fever."

Was it just her imagination due to her fever or did Sasuke really flinch in embarrassment? Whichever it was, the moment was past as Sasuke leisurely sat on the bed, watching Sakura close her eyes and release a sigh through her pink lips.

Lips…

He had the overwhelming desire to feel those lips against his own. His eyes roamed over her delicate form, following every curve and slope. Her face displayed tranquility, yet it was pale with a blush due to her fever. The thin red kimono had slipped down her left shoulder, for she was lying on her left side. The red garment slithered off her long legs. This feeling he felt…

He leaned over her sleeping form, brushing a pink strand from her face. He wanted to feel every part of her body…the softness of her skin was tempting…

What was this feeling?

He traced the outline of her lips lightly. So soft…

Why did such a lustful desire rage inside of him?

Temptation reigned victorious as he leaned in and pressed his lips against hers. He could taste the flavor of the tea that lingered within. He leaned back and brought a hand to his lips, feeling tingly all over. Why had he done that?

"Sasuke-kun…?"

He directed his gaze to her, his heart pounding yet keeping his outward demeanor composed. She was still awake? Then…

A warm hand reached out and touched his cold cheek. The contact sent a shock throughout his body—warmth spreading within. He covered her hand with his own, savoring the contact. He felt her arm loop around his neck and pull him down to meet her lips. Her forwardness came as a shock to him, but he quickly dismissed it to enjoy the pleasure of the kiss, his eyes closing.

Did he want this?

He was on top of her now, his legs on either side of her.

Did he enjoy this?

His tongue prodded at her bottom lip, begging for entrance.

Had he always wanted this?

He caressed her cheek, his other hand moving towards the sash that concealed her body from him.

"Sasuke-kun…" she moaned softly as his lips traveled to her neck. She combed her fingers through his damp ebony spikes, whispering his name over and over again; she stroked his cheek lovingly, pouring all of her pent-up love into him this night at this moment.

The sash was tugged loose, the kimono flapping open for nothing held it back any longer. His hands took hold of the kimono, sliding it off her shoulders inch by inch. They went around her back, pulling her to him. She was against his chest, listening to his heart beating. Her arms were draped over his shoulders, holding on, causing the shawl to slide to a heap on the bed.

A girl in white under garments in the arms of a boy clad in black; an innocent angel locked in the embrace of a vengeful demon. Her green eyes were closed, but they fluttered open to lock eyes with the dark ones above them. The boy's eyes were half-lidded, content with the position, his chin settled on her pink head.

What was he thinking about?

His hands shifted to the clasp behind her back.

Was he really going through with this?

Snap.

A soft gasp escaped Sakura's lips.

"Do you want this?" he whispered in her ear, afraid that he would do something that Sakura would regret.

He didn't want to lose her, lose the person he loved the most, the only person he felt this way about.

Gazing into his eyes, she answered him without words. Only her green orbs showed her true feelings, her answer in their emerald shine.

A shadow of a smile crossed his face as he removed the bra from her breasts, leaning into her chest, determined to become one with her that night.

----------

Limbs entwined.

His arms were encircled around her protectively; her head was nestled into the hollow of his neck, her bare body pressed against his.

Mingled breaths.

Sweat ran down the side of his face; he breathed ragged breaths as did she as they relaxed from the climax that had claimed them both a few moments before.

Unity.

He stroked her pink hair, caressed her cheek; his hand slid along the slope of her shoulder, along the curve of her body. She was curled like a slumbering cat against him, gradually beginning to breathe steady breaths.

She was his and his alone.

"Sakura…" he murmured her name with such passion that she awoke from her light slumber, staring up to him with a somewhat glazed look in her eyes. She tilted her head slightly, for she still resided against his neck.

He felt her slight movement and glanced down at her. "Nn…?"

A tired smile graced her lips. "You know, I thought I'd never see you again."

"Really…?"

"Yeah," she replied hoarsely, sitting up a bit to look directly into his attractive face. "It's funny how the thing you least expect to come to you comes to you anyway at the time you least expect to see them."

He raised his eyebrows in confusion at her statement.

She chuckled. "It's okay…I just didn't expect you to stop by…it's been a long time." A solemn expression graced her features. "Are you leaving?"

He thought about it. Was he going to leave? The reason he had stopped by her home in the first place was to find shelter from the rain. But…

"No…" he answered tenderly, cupping her face. "No…"

He pressed his lips against hers in a passionate lip-lock. The last thing he wanted to do was leave her. No, the very last thing he wanted to do was break her heart. He never wanted to break it ever again.

And he never did.

–End–

A/N: Even at age 17, I still get embarrassed reading over this, lol. I think even now I could never bring myself to write a full-fledged lemon. I'm glad I didn't go lemon for this fic, as I think it would have ruined what I portrayed to be the chemistry between Sasuke and Sakura. Anyway, reviews would be greatly appreciated =)

Original post: October 2005

Revised: April 2010