"Just give up, billboard-brow, Sasuke will never love you back! Accept Rock Lee, he's right in your league!"

"Well then you can settle for Choiji, he's in your league too, Ino-pig! I'll never stop loving Sasuke-kun!" Not only that, but Sakura knows that her love for Sasuke-kun is not one-sided as Ino thinks.

Sasuke doesn't show his affection the way most people do, but it doesn't mean that he is as heartless as people believe.

When Sakura buys him tea, he always thanks her politely for it. Watching him drink the tea is a reward in itself for her. She can admire his profile and the way that his onyx eyes close in satisfaction as he swallows his tea. Sakura knows that he is never more at peace when they drink tea and gaze at the little koi pond together.

When Sasuke gets injured and is hospitalized, Sakura visits him every day at least once, bringing him flowers and other treats. She fluffs his pillows and wipes his brow with such love, such care. Sakura opens his window and sits by his side for hours on end, and her reward is being the first thing Sasuke sees when he wakes up. She knows that he is grateful, even if he doesn't speak it to her.

Some days Sakura feels so inadequate, so unworthy of Sasuke's love. She's so imperfect, so weak compared to both him and Naruto. On some of those days Sasuke gives her the best gift of all, a smile. A smile so cautious and sweet and completely out of place on his serious face that Sakura could treasure it forever and always feels the temptation to kiss it away. But the kisses will have to wait. Sasuke isn't ready to be loved that way.