The clock on the hospital wall seemed to taunt her.

Just a few more minutes, she thought grimly.

Two minutes to four. It ticked again.

Just a few more, then I won't have to talk to hi–

"Sakura!"

She froze mid–pace, turning towards the Uchiha Sasuke. Damn, she thought, I nearly made it out.

It was two weeks later, Monday again, and Sasuke had volunteered with pediatrics today. Suigetsu had been happy for the company, and they both finished early.

During the day, someone had bumped into her, spilling ice water down her front. She'd taken her shirt to the laundry room, not expecting anyone to come in during the ten minute cycle. She was comfortable in her solitude as she waited for it to dry; but she'd forgotten to lock the door.

And of course, whenever Sakura had a good moment, the universe felt obligated to go and ruin it. Today the universe had used Sasuke as its tool, causing him to walk in just before the dryer shut off.

And just before Sakura could shut the door with a humiliated look, he'd gotten a good look at the lingerie she had on.

HE DIDN'T LOOK AT ALL DISAPPOINTED. ADMIT THAT HE LOVES YOU!

There was no way she wanted to talk to him right now.

"What?" She said, exasperated.

He grinned at her. "Sakura, I'm really sorry for what happened earlier. But if you don't want people to see you in black lace, you shouldn't sit topless on dryers."

She glared daggers at him and he ignored it.

"But I really do feel bad about it, so why don't I take you out to dinner? To make up for it?"

Sakura rolled her eyes; she couldn't help it.

"Men," she said, "You think the answer to everything is to take us out to dinner."

He blushed slightly, and Sakura sighed; Sasuke hadn't turned into a bad person just because he'd seen her bra.

Jesus Christ! She thought, I slept with his fucking brother!

The ticked to four o'clock, effectively making her choice for her.

Oh well, she thought, this might be a good time for something to happen between us.

BE CAREFUL, Inner Sakura said in her primmest voice, AND DON'T DO ANYTHING I WOULDN'T DO.

She looked up into Sasuke's hopeful eyes and sighed again.

"Oh, all right."

He pumped his fist into the air in victory.

"But just as friends," she warned. "And I have to tell Itachi that I won't be cooking."

He ignored her with a grin, and put an arm around her shoulders, leading her out.


Dinner was incredible.

Sakura had to admit, the Uchiha really knew how to treat a woman.

They were in a swanky little Italian restaurant in North Quarter, a couple blocks from her house. She couldn't pronounce the name of the restaurant, or half the items on the menu.

But Sasuke could, and he told her what they meant.

He didn't even try to trick her into trying something gross as Naruto might have. It was nice to sit and have an intelligent conversation with someone who hadn't fooled you into eating mud as a toddler.

The food was terrific. A high class meal, complete with mint garnish, graced their plates. Whatever she ordered, it was really good food. The sauce was almost sweet, with a hint of zest.

Lemon?

They shared plates, trading off to try different combinations. Sakura was glad to have found someone who shared her love of good food and good conversation.

They talked in low voices throughout the meal, right down to the last lick of their dessert spoons. Mud Cake à la mode went perfectly with the espresso Sasuke ordered.

The quiet setting was perfect. The small 'U' shaped booth they sat in faced out onto the street, giving them an excellent view of the city lights. It had started raining outside, just adding to the comfort of the warm room.

Throughout the entire meal, Sasuke had noticed a strange aroma in the air. He liked it; it was like incense, herbal but smoky and addictive.

He didn't understand what it was, but he had a feeling it might be illegal, as intoxicating as it was. Only Sakura was more tempting. The scent seemed to almost be a part of the atmosphere, a physical representation of the mood.

Sakura didn't even notice that Sasuke was looking at her until she finished her coffee and dabbed her mouth with a napkin. He reached over and put his palm to her face.

"You missed some."

He brushed a drop of espresso over her lip with his thumb.

She quivered under his touch. Their eyes met, and Sakura set down her napkin. Sasuke put his arm around her shoulders and she leaned up slowly to press her lips against his.

He responded immediately, twisting fingers into her pink curls, the other holding her hand. She pressed her palm up to his face, feeling the smooth shape of his jaw and the curve of his ear.

God, she loved kissing him.

WELL, WHAT ELSE IS NEW?


Sakura woke the next morning alone, thankful she'd been given the day off. It was nearly eleven, and she felt like she needed another hour's rest.

So she rolled over and went back to sleep.

By the time noon rolled around, she'd woken, taken a shower, and dressed in a khaki skirt and a jade colored shirt. Sandals were the order of the day as she greeted Itachi and made them both lunch.

Due to the daily cooking lessons, and the general pleasantness of his teacher, Itachi was learning to cook at an incredible rate. He could already make all of her favorite dishes and was learning Baked Alaska.

For the first day around Itachi, Sakura had been rather wary. After all, they'd unofficially gone out in high school, but never really spent time with each other...

Then the tension had melted, as Sakura figured out that he wasn't going to bring up the past.

The two weeks they'd spent together had been comfortable, learning each other's flaws and perks, not to mention how they liked their spaghetti. It wasn't long before they considered each friends, instead of just old acquaintances.

When she found a new recipe, he either watched her make it or helped her. They each left for work at around the same time, so he was up to help with breakfast.

She discovered his grim sense of humor; her favorite movie, Sixteen Candles, was light in comparison to his, The Godfather.

Their friendship got to the point where he would smile at her jokes and even venture a few of his own. Sakura saw this as an improvement, and began trying to make him laugh.

She'd succeeded only once, when she told him the rudest joke she knew. Ironically enough, she'd learned it from Naruto, who had a whole stock of raunchy jokes ready at a moment's notice.

But Itachi's laugh, which he quickly tried to turn into a cough, made her giggle in return. He made do with a smile, unable to force a serious expression in the face of her joy.

Now Itachi wondered why she was still single.

She was young, but not so young that a boyfriend would be out of the question. For a moment, his thoughts turned to his younger brother, and he remembered that Sasuke had expressed an interest in high school. For some reason, this irritated him, though he wouldn't admit to himself why.

After all, he thought, I was the one who was sleeping with her.


Another date.

This time we're going to a club.

THIS ALMOST COUNTS AS GOING OUT, Inner Sakura commented as her outer self applied mascara and lipstick.

Oh, shut it.

Sakura was in too good of a mood to be worried by the inane voice in her head.

She pressed her lips together, and then puckered them twice, making sure the crimson color was spread evenly. Her hair was tied with a black headband, marked with the Haruno symbol.

She smoothed down her black tank–top and green miniskirt. Sakura turned in front of the mirror, tweaking her fishnet stockings and straightening her belt.

She sighed. It felt good to put on clothes that weren't for work; clothes she could party in.

Sakura brushed her hair one last time and opened her door.

The hallway was empty, and she breathed out, realizing she'd been holding it. Why am I worried? I don't really care if Itachi sees me like this...

THEN WHY ARE YOU TIPTOEING?


"Sakura?"

She spun, trying not to let her skirt flare up. "Yes?"

Itachi was leaning against the counter in the kitchen, his eyebrow raised at her attire. She used to dress up like that for our dates.

Haruno Sakura blushed.

"I'm going out. Will you be okay for dinner?"

He nodded, eyebrows still raised. "I'll be fine."

Flushed, she gave him a quick smile and went to pick up her silvery bag.

Just as she had slung it over her shoulder, the doorbell rang.

Itachi just watched as she pulled it open and greeted her date.

Uchiha Sasuke stood just outside, hands tucked into his jean pockets and a smile on his face.

"Ready to go?"

The shadows in his older brother's eyes deepened as Sasuke led Sakura out to his car.

Itachi turned from the doorway.


The whole world was skewed sideways.

She vaguely remembered Sasuke paying for their last drinks and leading her out to his car.

After that, she only knew that his mouth had been on hers.

Sakura could feel Sasuke's body against her own, and suddenly they were at her front door. She opened it with one hand, keeping the other around his waist.

She led him into her bedroom, trying not to giggle too loudly when Sasuke closed the door and locked it behind them.

The pink haired woman had no more qualms as he slid his palms under her thighs and lifted her easily onto her jade bed. His obsidian eyes met her green ones and she pulled his shirt off. He unbuttoned her blouse and she wriggled out of her skirt, revealing the black lace he had glimpsed earlier. She leaned back into the pillows, gasping for breath, goosebumps running over her skin where she touched him.

As Sasuke unbuckled his belt, never stopping his affections, he suddenly realized what that aroma had been at the restaurant. It was here now, and it clung to the lithe form in front of him, breathing out of her very pores.

It was her scent.

She smelled edgy and spicy.

She smelled like cherry blossoms.


The next few hours were flashes of heat and ecstasy, touches and responses more passionate than she remembered.

The last thing she knew before sleep claimed her was the feeling of running her fingers over his silky black hair and his arms wrapped around her torso.