Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Airbender656: This is a Sai x Sakura story.

Patience

I knew, she knew it, but nobody else did. She would come to the training grounds with a fake smile that only I saw through. I had the same one, only hers was much better. It's pitiful really; she wakes up, does her normal morning routine and comes to the training grounds with a smile that only people who look hard enough will notice.

We were all deceived. Ever single one of us. The Uchiha came back, claiming he betrayed Orochimaru and had information that would help Konoha kill Sound. We were all suspicious, how can you not? He was a traitor, a traitor that left for his own selfish purposes.

She believed him though. She believed him without a second thought. She believed every single lie that the Uchiha weaved.

After three days he came back, Sound attacked. More importantly, Uchiha joined them as well. It was all a plan to get rid of us. We knew it from the start. Who would trust a traitor? A betrayer?

This was a painful blow to Sakura. Not once, but twice she was betrayed by the man she loved. She made everyone think she was fine after the battle. Uchiha went back with Orochimaru and was found dead two weeks later. Apparently, the process of Orochimaru claiming Uchiha's body failed. We don't know why, but it failed anyway.

Sakura was devastated after this. She stayed in her apartment for weeks, Ino went there everyday to check on her. Shikamaru told me that Sakura was a wreck, she wouldn't talk to anyone except Naruto. They relied on each other for comfort. Uchiha was special to both of them; he was Naruto's brother-like figure and Sakura's love.

This all happened a year ago. Sakura was never the same. Naruto was still almost the same, but you could see that he wasn't as happy as he used to be.

That's why I'm outside her door, waiting for her to come out. She asked me to help her move on. That's what I intend to do. She's still a strong person though; she's learning to live without him. He still has that space in her heart. He claimed it after all.

I can't help but wonder though. Am I the replacement? Is she using me? I hate it when people compare me to him. I am nothing like him. We just look alike…unfortunately.

"Hey Sai, ready?" she asked.

"Hai." I say.

We went to Hatichimi, a restaurant just behind the park. We ate and talked for about two hours before I paid. She insisted she pay her share but I wouldn't let her. After all, I was the one who asked for the date.

The walk to the park was silent but comfortable. I wondered if she was thinking of him.

Never mind that. I'll let her move on at her own pace. Wait. Patience is a virtue after all.

We walked around the park for awhile. She sat on the swing set and asked me to join her. I reluctantly did.

"Sai?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For everything."

I knew what she meant after awhile.

I walked her home. I couldn't help but look at her.

She hugged me and silently cried in my arms.

"Will he forgive me if I move on?"

"I don't know." I said.

"Will you forgive me if I move on?" she asked.

"Yes."

She kissed me after that.