Pairing (s): Sasuke x Sakura (SasuSaku); slight KibaSaku, slight SasuKarin
Genre: Romance/Drama
Rating: T
Prompt: 415. manga. Because I hate it, and I just had to purge.

Note: This is a continuation of the oneshot (well, supposedly a oneshot), Drunken Words of Salvation. Don't kill me. I just had to vent my frustration out, and what better way to do that than writing something? Heh. Happy reading (or sad reading, depends on you).

Never Easy
(Drunken Words of Salvation, Part 2)
by cutecrazyice

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

It should have been easy.

It should have been easy to be his friend, his comrade, his acquaintance, when he was now more open, more caring than he had ever been. After that night that she had gotten drunk, and had shamelessly told him everything, things had certainly changed—some for her, some for others...but mostly, for him. She could see it, with the way he treated people, the way he treated his so-called precious ones. Naruto. Kakashi. His ex-Hawk team.

Her.

She could see it, and it should have been easy.

But sometimes, openness had a tendency of hurting in ways you could never imagine.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

"Sasuke-kun?"

"...hn?"

A pause.

"Maybe I should try dating people."

She didn't look at him, but she knew he was looking back—his gaze still emotionless, but not so cold anymore. That, too, had changed. What didn't change was how something inside her responded, with just that look. Just one look.

She ignored it, and ignored the look, and waited for him to say something, some kind of protest that would give her the hope that maybe, just maybe, there was still a chance for them both.

He never protested.

And so, she began dating, and stopped hoping.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

It should have been easy.

It should have been easy to be very happy with the way her life was going, because after all, everything was very smooth—her career, her friendships...her romance. Inuzuka Kiba was a very wonderful man—he was attentive, and funny, and kind, and romantic...and he loved her with all his heart.

She could feel it, and it should have been easy.

But sometimes, easy was never an option.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

"Sasuke-kun?"

"...hn?"

A pause.

"You should try dating, too. It might do you good."

He didn't respond.

But in her mind, she could hear him agree.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

He followed her advice.

Not because she was his friend, but because it was the only way he could think of to forget about her, and keep on pretending that he didn't love her, and never, ever would.

They were just friends, and they would always be.

He began dating Karin.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

In the beginning, it had all been very simple. The red-haired girl had been nothing but a fangirl, with her annoying ways and very loud squeals and screeches of devotion and delight.

Slowly, the squeals and the screeches stopped. He began to be relieved.

Slowly, her loyalty and stronger character came out. He began to remember why he had always tried to save her in the past, and why, despite the sometimes-irritating qualities, he still stuck by her.

Slowly, her softer side was shown—a side that she had never revealed before. He got to know her better, just as much as she did him.

Slowly, he began to care.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

"Sakura."

"Hm?"

A pause.

"I'm starting to feel something. For her."

He waited for her to say something, some kind of protest that would tell him he still had hope, that they still had a chance, that even if she had a man in her life now, there was still some part of her heart that would always, always hold on to him. Belong to him.

She never protested.

All she did was smile, and tell this was good, and that she was happy for him.

And so, he stopped hoping, and continued turning to the other ex-teammate, the one who he knew loved him now, and would never be annoying anymore.

He let himself fall.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

It should have been easy.

It should have been easy to move on, and to be happy for him. He had continued opening up, and, as always, she could see it, see how it was going. He had a love life now, and she could see that he truly cared for Karin now, with his simple gestures, and his simple actions, and his simple words. She could see it, even in his eyes. He was content now, and on his way to becoming happy, and having a family of his own.

It should have been easy.

But sometimes, what was supposed to be easy never was.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Sometimes, looking at him was like looking at a bright light—so blinding, that if you didn't watch your step, and weren't careful, you would find yourself helplessly entranced, until it was too late...and before you knew it, you are already burned, and hurt, with no way of healing yourself, or finding a way out.

When Uchiha Sasuke kissed Karin for the first time in public, Sakura tried to ignore the way her heart ached, and hurt, and broke with too much intensity, too much emptiness.

That same night, she broke up with Kiba, who she loved but was never really in love with, and who she could no longer pretend to. Because it was useless, and she was already burned, and she didn't know how to heal herself anymore. To pick up the pieces. She cried herself to sleep, and pretended everything was going to be okay, and her heart was going to be fine soon.

It was never easy from then on.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

a/n: Yes. There's going to be a part 3. So...until then. Tell me what you think, k? :)