I never tell her I love her.

In the morning, I wake up earlier than I have to instead of sleeping in like I want to. I make myself look more than merely decent, actually put effort into my appearance, and leave my little apartment in pursuit of her house. On days I'm feeling particularly lucky, I whistle along the way, greet pedestrians at random, or pick up a white lily or a dozen - her favorite flower. I never rush, only walk, to make sure I don't sweat or trip. I want to look my best, the best, even if I could care less about looking like a slob. She deserves that, at least.

I never tell her I love her.

I knock politely at her door and great her a good morning as sweet as I can. Usually, she just rolls her eyes and tells me to wait just a couple more moments, and I always do. But other times she blushes and smiles, even if she tries to hide it, and I beam in response. Those days she might invite me in, place a brisk kiss on my cheek, gather up the flowers I give her to put them in water.

I never tell her I love her.

We head out into the village together, whether we have another mundane mission or we have the day off. During the latter, we often go training anyway, to our usual spot, where we first came together. We pick at random what we want to practice, and then we get straight into it. I never go easy on her. Partly because I know she can handle it and partly because she deserves more than the disrespect. Plus, she'd kill me if she found out.

I never tell her I love her.

When training is all done, we take a break and sometimes go swimming in the lake. It's peaceful and calm after such strenuous workouts. She always heals the most of the bruises she's left on me, but never takes care of them all. If I don't want them, she says, I won't let her hit me. Maybe she does think I'm going easy on her. I dunk her underwater for that.

I never tell her I love her.

After it gets well past noon, we part for a few hours so we can take care of business. Well, so she can. She has hospital work and meetings and Grandma to deal with. Aside from restocking my ramen cupboard, I don't have much to do but wander the village. I always offer to help her with her errands, but she never fails to shoo me away conveniently and strut away with all the confidence and dignified honor one kunoichi can possibly possess.

I never tell her I love her.

Yet, she always meets me at Ichiraku, right at eight, like she always promises. There's no telling what I'll get, but I can order for her so it's already prepared by the time she arrives - hot, but not quite steaming. She always gets the same thing. We talk and eat, and on good days, I have her blushing and laughing. I always pay.

I never tell her I love her.

I walk her home so the darkness won't make her lonely, invade her senses and yank her back into nightmarish memories. If she lets me, I'll put my arm around her or hold her hand. I'll murmur insignificant things that comfort her, even if she doesn't listen, even if she can't hear them. Even when they mean nothing at all.

I never tell her I love her.

When I take her up to her front door, I smile and say something funny that drives the rest of her fears into the night. Every time, she lets me cup her face in my hands and kiss her goodnight like a gentleman, whisper a blessing of sweet dreams and a promise to be here tomorrow. For her. Always.

But I never tell her.

She already knows.

Short. Sweet. A small gift to the NarutoXSakura world out there. :) I thought this was a sweet idea and decided to write a cute little drabbly thing. You know. x) It isn't much, of course. But I like it.

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