Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

"So?" Naruto asked casually, dodging Sasuke's punch. "You tell her?"

Sasuke leaped up from Naruto's kick. "What do you think?"

Naruto frowned. "Maybe you should try and imitate what Hinata and I do. You've got that sharingan, just copy."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. This idiot was acting like showing emotion was easy. It always came natural to the blonde fool. Sasuke, on the other hand, had always closed off his emotions and came off as a sarcastic icicle of a person. He never really had a chance growing up. After his entire clan had been slaughtered, he kept his feelings to himself. People didn't care. They just looked at him in pity.

But not Naruto. No, he looked at him as his equal. His rival.

"That seems a little gay, doesn't it?" Sai asked, standing next to Konohamaru who was just itching for his chance to fight the Hokage. "Why would Sasuke watch you perform intercourse?"

Naruto looked to Sai in disbelief and Sasuke found his opening. His fist collided with the dobe. As soon as his knuckles brushed against his skin, the clone disappeared in an instant.

"The hell Sai?" Naruto asked from the branch above him. "I'm not even talking about sex." Naruto rubbed his chin and swung his legs side to side as they dangled. "I just think it'd be good for the teme to watch how married life is supposed to go."

Sasuke threw shuriken at Naruto who caught them with ease and tossed them back his way. Yeah, right. Sasuke dodged them. Like he was going to put himself through that torture again. He already witnessed Shikamaru and Temari's married life and it just made him envy them. He wanted to come home and look at Sakura's stomach, knowing full well his child was in there.

"No thanks," Sasuke retorted, "Kakashi tried that yesterday."

"Switch with me!" Konohamaru encouraged Sasuke. "I wanna have a go!"

Sasuke did as the younger ninja asked and walked to Sai's side. He sat down in the shade, leaning against an old oak tree. Watching someone else live his dream was torture. He was ready for Sakura to rebuild the clan with him. He wanted it more than anything.

Sai folded his arms. "Tried?"

"It was a complete fail," Sasuke replied, recalling how jealous he got.

"Then perhaps you'd like to see how a true ninja proposes to a woman tonight?" Sai prompted him.

Naruto curiously looked at the former ROOT ninja as Konohamaru got ready. "You're doing it tonight?"

"Mhmm," Sai said cheerfully. "Sexually too." He sighed and smiled. "Sakura-san encouraged me to have coitus with her last night, but I held out."

Sasuke winced. How was it that such a socially slow person could snag the Yamanaka while he couldn't even make a dent with the medic Sannin? Granted, they were sleeping together every night now, which was a step in the right direction, but that was only because of Sakura's nightmares. Or so the Uchiha liked to convince himself.

"Today is the day, comrades," Sai continued. "If you would like to watch, it will be done at team eight's training grounds under the moonlight."

Sasuke clenched his fists. No way was he going. He wasn't going to sit by and watch another successful relationship set sail while his attempt at one was sinking further into the depths of the ocean.

"Ah," Sai said suddenly, "And I need to ask Sakura for help. So she'll be there as well."

Sasuke decided that maybe he'd go after all.

"Need any help setting up?" Konohamaru offered.

"No, no," Sai said, "All I need to woo her is the moon and stars."

Sasuke raised his eyebrows at Sai. Who knew he could be such a romantic?

"How does Sakura play in this?" Sasuke asked casually.

Sai smiled cheerfully. "You'll see."

Kurenai eyed Sakura with amusement. The woman had no idea that she already had all of the tools she needed in her arsenal. When Sakura had showed up at her home early in the morning, Kurenai had found it quite odd. But when Sakura bowed before her, begging for her help, Kurenai found herself welcoming the medic nin into her humble abode.

"You've come to me for seduction lessons," Kurenai said coyly, her legs crossed daintily. Her foot rotated in slow circles.

"Hai," Sakura replied. "I'm sure you've heard about my dilemma."

Kurenai slowly ran her fingers through her hair and exposed some of her neck. Who hadn't? Uchiha Sasuke turned out to be straight. It was the talk of the village. Even more than that, she knew how much of an advantage it would be to have the Uchiha clan up and running once again in Konoha. A blood line like that shouldn't die out without a final, ditch effort to reconstruct what once was.

"I see. And what exactly do you think I can do to help you?" Her red finger nails laid on top of her exposed knees. "You're dealing with Uchiha Sasuke."

Sakura swallowed nervously. Why was she suddenly sweating?

"I need you to teach me your tricks," Sakura said.

"It has been a while," Kurenai sighed, raising her arms to stretch them and exposing her strong and beautiful arms. "But since I'm amused," she smirked at them, "I'll help."

Sakura looked at her in excitement. Finally, she'd have a professional to help them out.

"But my question for you, is why seduce the Uchiha?" Kurenai asked. "He already wants to have sex with you."

Sakura gripped the edge of her skirt tightly. "I need him to love me."

Kurenai raised her eyebrows. That was intriguing.

"He doesn't?"

Sakura shook her head. "I'm not going to rebuild the Uchiha clan unless he falls for me." She silently added, or until my three months are up.

"That is quite a problem," Kurenai agreed.

She thought of her daughter who was currently at school at the moment. She couldn't have made such a beautiful girl without the love of Asuma. For Sakura, who was dealing with Sasuke's loveless idea of a family, this was unthinkable. Kurenai nodded slowly.

"You're approaching this the right way," she replied. "He wants sex while you want love."

Sakura smiled sadly. Her green eyes holding pain. "I know it's impossible..."

Kurenai took a sip of the water on her coffee table and licked her lips slowly. "Do you know why we have seduction missions, Sakura?"

Sakura looked at the dark haired woman. "To get information, assassinate or obtain a clan trait the village desires."

Kurenai shook her head. "But why seduction?"

Sakura did not have an answer.

"Love is universal," Kurenai said. "Everyone wants it. So when an alluring man or woman comes into one's life, do you honestly think someone is going to resist that glimpse of romance?"

Sakura crossed her legs and nodded. "So da ne?"

"Hai," Kurenai confirmed. "Sasuke is no different. In fact, I'm curious as to why he asked you alone to rebuild his clan."

Sakura folded her arms and closed her eyes. "I'm one of the three legendary Sannin. My chakra control is outstanding. I'm the top medical nin in Konoha and the student of the fifth Hokage." She smirked and opened her eyes. "To put it lightly, I'm bad ass."

Kurenai laughed. She had to agree. Sakura was an excellent choice for the Uchiha clan. But she wanted to dig deeper.

"Sasuke could have asked someone else," Kurenai said. "They may be a little hesitant, but you flat out rejected him. Yet you're living under his roof and sharing moments together." She looked at Sakura. "I'm assuming from your posture you're sleeping with him."

"N-Not sexually..."

"Of course," Kurenai said, waving the very thought away. "No, you're much too smart to give it up to him now."

Sakura grinned. She was starting to think maybe she should have come to Kurenai in the first place. The woman was clearly a genius.

"Think further," Kurenai pushed. "Your past. Your history. You two were once teammates. Even after he betrayed the village, you kept going after him with Naruto. And despite his attempts to kill you," Sakura winced, "You still love him."

Sakura swallowed. Yes. She still loved him. If she didn't, she'd be out of this village as quick as possible to escape Naruto having to give her the order to rebuild the clan with him. Maybe she'd go to sand. Gaara seemed reasonable enough and he and Naruto were friends. He'd take care of her.

"Sasuke knows that you are the only one he can rebuild his clan with," Kurenai stated. "No one else will be able to do what he needs." She smirked. "This is your leverage. Your advantage." She nodded. "Go into this knowing that no matter what happens, he will not walk away from you."

Sakura's brow furrow. That seemed like a far stretch. Sasuke disposed of useless people as fast as he could create chidori. She had experienced it. Karin sure as hell experienced it. If she didn't eventually give in, he'd get sick of her and leave her alone.

"He needs you, Sakura," Kurenai said, slicing through her thoughts. "If he didn't, would you two be sleeping together?"

Sakura bit her lower lip. "But what if this doesn't work?"

Kurenai raised her head high. "You are the fifth's pupil and you are under my teaching." She confidently grinned. "There is no way this won't work."

Sakura took a deep breath. Right. Positive thinking. She had to go into this like she was going to battle with an enemy. Analyze her opponent and then create a strategy for the best possible outcome.

"Now, I want you to tell me what I've been doing since you came in," Kurenai said coolly. "Because I've already been seducing you two since then."

Sakura's eyes widened. So that's why she was feeling nervous.

"Your foot," Sakura replied. "You've been rotating it." She looked at Kurenai's exposed neck. "When you tousled your hair, you exposed your neck." She eyed Kurenai's smirk and let one of her own slide to her face. "Your expression is one of desire."

Kurenai nodded. "What else?"

"Your arms," Sakura said, "You've been exposing them to us in small ways."

"The foot movement is so your eyes immediately go to my legs," Kurenai explained. "Neck exposure is a sign of willingness to let someone ravage you." She nodded. "Women have a universal way of showing they are interested. Eye contact," she demonstrated, "tilted head downward," Kurenai pressed her chin close to her chest, "and then to the side with a small, coy grin," she did so, "and immediate breakage of eye contact." Kurenai looked away. "As for the arms, that is where our pheromones are strongest."

Sakura leaned back in her chair. "I see."

"These are the basics," Kurenai said, pointedly. "I'm going to teach you as much as I can." She grinned. She hadn't had this much fun since showing Hinata how to seduce Naruto. "These techniques are what made Hinata the Hokage's wife."

Sakura grinned. Now that was encouraging. In a heartbeat she was on the floor, forehead pressed to the ground.

"Onegaishimasu, sensei!" She lifted her gaze up to Kurenai and let her see the flame inside. "Watashi o oshieru!"

"Sasuke's seriously making me worry," Naruto said, rubbing his blonde hair as he pressed his head to his desk.

Hinata, who had brought him his lunch once again, gently massaged his shoulders. She smiled. Her dear husband was worrying once again over the state of affairs between a certain Uchiha and pink haired kunoichi. He had explained to her the previous night exactly why he had to leave her alone with the festival to-do list. She forgave him, of course, after multiple apologies in and outside of bed.

"Doushite?" Hinata whispered in his ear.

Naruto shivered, his cheeks tinted pink. "M-Mou...Hinata..."

"Hai?" she murmured, her lips against his lobe.

He gulped. "W-Well, he doesn't really know how to express his feelings...a-and S-Sakura-chan..."

"What about Sakura-chan?" Hinata asked, licking the rim tenderly.

Naruto swallowed. He had parted ways with his friends that morning to get to the Hokage's office so he could do some work. He always did love having Hinata bring him his lunch, but since he carelessly forgot his duty to the festival, she had been torturing him.

"I'm just worried," Naruto hoarsely said as she hummed against his neck. "At least he's acknowledged his feelings...but how is gonna show her...?"

Hinata let her hands slide away from his shoulders and down his chest until her fingers grasped the arm rests of the chair. She slowly spun him around and knelt in front of him. He felt the throbbing in his loins that Sai always talked about. If there was any question from anyone of whether or not the Hokage had a penis, in that moment, there was no doubt.

"Naruto," Hinata said with a hushed voice, her palms rubbing against his thighs. "As your wife, you do realize that it is my duty," she tugged at the zipper of his orange jacket, "and my pleasure," she yanked it down and pulled it away from his shoulders, "to serve you in every possible way, don't you?"

Naruto let out a sigh, trying to squelch the groan erupting from deep within. Hinata was definitely a little vixen in bed. While she had a shy exterior, when she put her mind to it, she could do anything. He absolutely loved that about her.

"H-Hinata," he gasped as her fingers trailed up his shirt, nails grazing against his abs.

"And as your wife," Hinata continued, her cheeks pink from being so close to her love, "It is my duty to ease your mind." She kissed both of his knees. "So I retrieved something very valuable to the Uchiha clan the other day."

"V-Valuable?" Naruto asked, his voice hiking up as her forefinger and thumb lightly squeezed his nipple.

"Hai," Hinata replied, encouraging him to take off his shirt.

Getting her hint, he did as she wished and tossed it to the floor. Her eyes, turning greedy with lust, flicked over his chest and torso. She smiled an innocent smile, but Naruto knew what was in store.

"I gave Sasuke-kun something that will show Sakura-chan that he does love her," Hinata explained.

"And how, exactly," Naruto grit out as she pressed her mouth to his chest and flicked her tongue along the crevices of his muscles, "Did you do that?"

She pulled away and lifted her head to meet his blue eyes. She cupped his cheek delicately, making sure he could feel the warmth of her fingertips.

"As the wife of Uzumaki Naruto," a mischievous look struck her face like lightning, "I have my ways."

"And what is this..." He stopped mid-sentence as she pressed her soft breasts against his chest. "...valuable thing?"

Hinata pressed a finger to her lips and winked. "It's a secret."

Naruto growled and drew her into his lap. His hands made their way to her waist band. "I thought that husband and wife had no secrets, Hinata."

She pressed her mouth to his, letting his tongue slide against hers in a battle of dominance. He won, of course, but only because she let him. He was her kyuubi, after all. He was her husband. She couldn't help but succumb to him.

"N-Naruto-kun," she moaned as he let his fingers slide down to her core and pressed against the lips of her entrance way.

"Hinata," Naruto said with a smirk, "What's this secret you're keeping from me?"

Hinata bit her lower lip. "I-I won't tell you."

He pressed his hand further inside of her and stifled her groan with his mouth. Engulfing her cries, he wrapped his arm around her so she wouldn't break free. She was his, and he was hers. There was no where in the world he would rather be than inside of her.

Hinata tilted her head back as she felt him grow hard against her. There it was, the very thing that could drive her wild to the point of doing whatever he wanted. Still, she wasn't one to give in so easily. She was an Uzumaki, after all.

In a moment she was up against the wall, her legs wrapped around his torso and his cock firmly pressed up to her wet passageway. His fingers were still inside of her as he kept her gaze. She knew that they wouldn't be there for long. They would soon be replaced by something much more satisfying for the both of them.

"No matter what?" He tugged at her aching core.

"N-No matter what," Hinata panted, feeling her saliva trail down her chin.

Naruto grinned. "I was hoping you'd say that." He drew his fingers away from her soaking wet self and licked the juices off of them. "I always love doing things the hard way with you."

Uchiha Sasuke felt awkward. He normally didn't in his own house. Often times he'd just relax on the couch, reading through the police reports he had brought home. He'd usually be alone. That came with being the only master of the house. So imagine his surprise to find Haruno Sakura reading through her hospital reports on the couch with him.

So while their feet were both propped up, he couldn't help but notice her delicate toes were oh so close to his own. He eyed her. Something was different. Granted, her skirt was hiked up a little too high. And for some odd reason her breasts seemed to be just out there for him to admire. But was it really that noticeable of a difference?

Sasuke flicked his eyes up from the writing he had been reading and over to the medical ninja. Yes. It was that noticeable of a difference. Her breasts were popping. He tilted his head. Maybe it was the way she was sitting. She did have her back leaned against the armrest of the couch.

He coughed. She glanced up from her reading. His eyes widened at her smoldering gaze. She looked at him for a brief moment, blushed, looked down and away. Something was definitely different.

Haruno Sakura, on the other hand, had spent all morning getting Kurenai to train her. Surprisingly enough, the advice and tips she had given her weren't so straightforward as she expected them to be. Instead of telling her to straight out walk around the house naked, she advised her to show him a peek here and a peek there.

"It leaves more up to the imagination," Kurenai had said with a wink. "You never give yourself wholly to a man until you know he's absolutely yours."

So Sakura would hold out. She would wait to make her very last move.

This was like a game of shōgi. She had to be aware of all of the pieces on and off the board. Every move she would make would have to be with the utmost tactic. This was war.

So as she shifted her body to get into a more comfortable position and show off her chest a little more, she made sure to press her toes against her opponents. She felt him jump. She pretended to read further into her reports to hide the growing grin on her face.

Sasuke felt the heat spread through his feet like wild fire. Did Sakura even realize they were touching? Judging from the lack of response on her part, she had know clue. He felt anger bubble in his chest. She was touching him and she didn't even appreciate it?

He let his shoulders relax. He just needed to remember what the men of team seven had said. He had to make sure she knew she wasn't just someone to rebuild his clan with. He had to show her that he lo...

He clenched his jaw. He had to show her that he cared.

It was then that the report had slipped from her hands. She watched the papers fall to the floor in front of Sasuke. She blinked in surprise.

"Ah," she said, leaning forward to grab them.

But as soon as she had sat up, Sasuke was already down on his knees collecting them for her. He made sure to stack them neatly before rising and sitting down on the couch. He held them out for her to take.

Kurenai had said little things like this would happen. Whenever Sasuke did something for her, she needed to make sure she rewarded him. It was kind of like a dog with treats. When the dog would sit on command, Sakura would give him his treat. Sakura took a slow breath. Well, here was his treat.

She moved closer to him to the point where their knees were now touching. She looked him straight in the eyes as she wrapped her fingers around the pieces of paper, making sure her nails brushed against his knuckles. She smiled gently.

"Arigatou, Sasuke," she whispered, as if to not disturb the quiet they had between them.

Sasuke stared at her. He let go of the papers and Sakura backed off. She laid back down to continue reading, making sure her toes were touching his once again. He kept looking at her.

Was his heart supposed to be pounding like that? Why was he sweating? What was this? He swallowed. Was this the bond Naruto had been talking about? The unbreakable bond between a man and a woman?

Sasuke grit his teeth. How was he supposed to show his feelings when he wasn't even sure what the hell was going on with them? It was like one moment he was ice cold and the next he was plunged head first into a damn volcano.

"Ah, you two lovebirds!" a voice said, interrupting Sasuke's thoughts.

Sakura and Sasuke looked behind them to find Sai just standing there in the living room with a fake smile on his face. Sasuke suddenly had a headache.

"Don't you ever knock?" Sasuke growled, placing his police reports on the coffee table.

"What is it, Sai?" Sakura asked politely.

"I need your help," he said gently. "I need you to bring Ino to her old training grounds by nine o'clock tonight."

Sakura tilted her head. "Is this about your proposal?" She nodded slowly. "I'll invite her to go to the bathhouse with Hinata and me. We'll bring her to you."

Sai grinned cheerfully at her. "I knew I could count on you, Ugly."

Sakura's smile twitched as she pressed the phone to her ear. "Call me that one more time, baka." She stood and stretched from her position. "Let me go call them and set everything up."

With the padding of her feet, Sakura was out of the living room in moments. Sai looked down at Sasuke and smiled.

"You seem rather perplexed, traitor."

Sasuke looked over his shoulder. "She's acting different."

Sai nodded. "Well, things are bound to get awkward after a failed proposal."

Sasuke blanched. That wasn't what he was talking about. Her demeanor around him...Did she even realize what she had done with just those small touches?

"She's..." Sasuke was having difficulty getting the words out.

"She's making you feel," Sai said quietly.

Sasuke looked into Sai's dark eyes, a mutual understanding between two men who had the utmost difficulty with emotions. For the first time in a while, Sai really did get Sasuke. Their approach with the women they loved was definitely different, but their feelings were very much so similar.

"Let me give you a piece of advice," Sai slowly said. "Whatever she's making you go through, whatever it is she's making you feel..." He clenched his fists. "Don't fight it." He let out a laugh. "This is one war you are going to lose."

Sasuke shifted. He saw the painful look in Sai's eyes.

"For the longest time, I had fought Ino's advances," Sai explained, holding out his arms to emphasize his words. "I thought that love...love from a woman was something to fear because it made you weak." Sasuke's ears perked up at the familiarity of the situation. "But I was wrong. Love isn't something to fear." He leaned on the couch to get a closer look at Sasuke. "It's something to embrace. It is the strongest emotion you can feel." He smirked. "Stronger than hatred."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed. Hatred. He had had enough of that in his lifetime. Sai had a point. It was love that drove Naruto to continuously come after him. It was love that kept Sakura by his side. And it was love that kept him in this damn village even after all of the ridiculous orange jumpsuits and gay tendencies it had brought to him.

"But what do I know?" Sai asked, his smile returning to his features. "In about six hours we'll find out if I'm in the same situation as you or if I'm screwing the brains out of my betrothed."

Sasuke's eyebrow twitched. He really was surrounded by a bunch of idiots.

"Why are we going this way?" Ino asked suspiciously, "What're you two up to?"

Hinata and Sakura sweat dropped. Sakura and Hinata had discussed what was going on so the Uzumaki bride knew exactly what was in store. They had left the bathhouse and insisted that they look at the stars together at Ino's old training grounds. Everything was going according to plan. Everything, that is, except for Ino.

"You two have been acting strange since I met up with you," Ino growled as they made their way through the forest. "Would you guys just spit it out already?"

Hinata and Sakura exchanged looks. They had to lie. They had to do something. So as Ino's blue eyes sparkled menacingly in the dim light, Hinata started sweating bullets. Lying wasn't something she was good at. It had been a big enough problem trying to keep Naruto at bay during lunch. Even after his 'punishment,' she still somehow managed to keep her trap shut about the 'valuable thing' she gave to Sasuke. Naruto was persistent. She knew he'd be asking her again when she got home.

Sakura sighed. "Hinata, we might as well tell her."

Hinata's lavender eyes bulged. "W-What are you s-saying Sakura? It'll ruin the surprise!"

Sakura gave her a stern look and shook her head. Hinata felt the sinking of her heart. Had they failed? Had they really failed at such a simple mission? With that thought in her mind, she looked to the ground, ashamed. She just hoped Sakura would do it quick, like ripping off a band-aid.

"What surprise?" Ino pried excitedly. "Are you sleeping with Sasuke yet?" She got giddy. "Or Hinata, are you pregnant?"

"P-Pregnant!?" Hinata stammered, turning beat red. "N-Naruto-kun and I have discussed it and we're going to wait a little before and..." The world was spinning in circles. "N-No! I'm not p-pregnant!"

Ino pouted. "Then what is it?"

Sakura sighed and clenched her jaw. She just hoped Sasuke wouldn't ever have to hear about this. "Your first assumption was right." She stared Ino right in the eye and let a blush overtake her face. "I'm sleeping with Uchiha Sasuke."

If Hinata's eyes could pop out of her head, they would have.

Ino narrowed her eyes. "Lie."

Sakura ground her jaw. They only had a little bit further until they'd reach Sai. Couldn't Ino just wait until then to rip her a new one?

"Yeah," Sakura said, "You're right."

Ino sighed in relief. For a split second, she thought her closest friend had jumped off the deep end.

"Then what is it?"

Sakura and Hinata looked to each other. They cleared a pathway between two bushes and motioned for her to make her way down it. Glancing at the pair, she shook her head. Whatever. She started walking onto her old training grounds.

"I mean really, forehead girl," Ino scoffed, "Did you really think I'd just believe that you were..." She trailed off when she realized she was alone. She frowned. "Sakura? Hinata?"

"Gomen," Sai said, coming out from behind a tree and entering the moonlight. "I didn't mean to bring you here under false pretenses, I just..."

Ino stared at her partner. "What are you doing here?"

Sai smiled gently at her and quickly approached her. "We've been dating for the past three years, haven't we?"

Ino glanced around. This was strange. Where were Hinata and Sakura?

"They're here," Sai said, seeing her look of concern. "They're just waiting for me to do something."

Ino looked back to him, surprised to see him so close to her face. She blushed. She sharply turned her head away. He hadn't been so close to her in a week. And here he was thinking he could just invade her personal space like nothing even happened—

He pressed his lips to her wrist and looked at her tenderly. "Gomenasai." He lowered her hand away from his mouth, but still held on tightly to it. "I have been neglecting your needs. For that, I apologize."

Ino's blush deepened. "Why haven't you been touching me?" She felt tears stream down her cheeks. "Are you...Are you sick of me?"

Sai was shocked. "Never." He frowned. Maybe the pink haired kunoichi had been right. Maybe he should have talked to Ino about his feelings. "I didn't want you to feel like just someone I had coitus with."

Ino choked out a laugh. "Sakura told me."

Sai nodded. "But she didn't tell you this part." He released her fingers and whipped out his notepad. He flipped it back to show her a single circle.

Ino raised her eyebrows. "Nani?"

"Place your hand on it," Sai said softly.

Ino hesitantly did as he said, finding that her fingers went through the pad of paper like it was water. Drawing her hand back, she noticed the circle was gone. She tilted her head in confusion.

Sai dropped the pad to the ground and drew her fingers once more to his lips. It was then that she noticed the ring on her left finger.

"Yamanaka Ino," Sai said sweetly. "You have made me feel emotions to the point where the books I read don't even do it justice." He kissed her cheek. "I know that it is custom for men to ask women to marry them so I..."

"Marry me," Ino said quickly.

Sai frowned. "B-But I'm the one proposing to you."

"Marry me," Ino laughed.

And for the first time in a long time, Sai cried tears of joy.

"I'm so happy for them," Sakura sighed, sliding into bed with Sasuke. "He must have worked so hard on the proposal." She placed her finger to her cheek contemplatively. "It almost sounded normal."

Sasuke had been silent. He too had watched alongside Ino's teammates and his own team seven comrades. They had all been happy for the pair. But he hadn't.

Like with Shikamaru and Temari, he felt undeniable jealousy. That's how it should have gone with Sakura just the week before. She should have accepted. She should have leaped at the chance to be with him for eternity. He was angry.

"Mou, Sasuke?" Sakura asked slowly, waving her hand in front of his dazed face. "Daijoubu?"

Sasuke caught her hand harshly and yanked her close to him so he could see her eyes properly. The surprise did not escape him. She blinked before blushing.

"S-Sasuke," she said, "W-What are you doing?"

"Sakura," Sasuke said coldly. "Rebuild the Uchiha clan with me."

Her eyes widened. Here he was, asking her again. Had Sai's proposal stirred up some kind of reaction in him? She felt his grip tighten and she winced. She could easily escape his grip. He might have been strong, but she was trained to evade and avoid. Escaping was easy.

But she didn't want to have to escape him. She wanted to be trapped by him forever. Caged, like her heart, with Sasuke as the key.

"Then say it," Sakura demanded.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. The tomoe was spinning wildly and the red was overpowering. Still, Sakura did not back down.

"You think that by telling me to rebuild the Uchiha clan with you, that you're going to convince me to do it?" Sakura asked him, the fire in her eyes fading and showing him the pain behind them. "Sasuke, nothing has changed in a week. We share a bed because of my nightmares. I live with you because my apartment was burned down. I still..."

Sakura shook her head. What was it going to take to get through to him?

"Sasuke," Sakura murmured, leaning forward to place a kiss on his lips, "Aishiteru."

He felt her warm mouth gently touch his own. It was like being kissed by a flower petal. Almost nonexistent to the point where you had to watch to make sure it was happening. But as suddenly as her lips pressed against his, they left just as quickly.

Eyes still open from shock, Sasuke watched as she pulled away. The smile on her lips wasn't disturbed by the tears streaming down her face.

"Aishiteru," she repeated shakily, "Demo..."

She shook her head. She couldn't tell him. She couldn't tell him what she needed. He had to discover it himself. He probably already knew. He probably already realized that she needed him to love her.

She turned away from him and flicked off the light. She shifted to the farthest part of the bed away from him and made sure her back was facing him.

"Oyasuminasai, Sasuke-kun," Sakura whispered.

But it would be a long time before either of them fell asleep.