Day Eleven

"So only one day left," Ino commented lightly while a shrewd smile crept onto her face.

The two sat together in Ino's apartment discussing recent events, or more importantly, Sakura's secret gifter.

Looking up from her mug of cocoa Sakura nodded. "Mm, but every day brings new hope that I'll figure out who it is."

And I think today is my last chance, she thought with an inner sigh. She could hardly believe it was almost all over.

Across from her, Ino gave her friend a skeptical look. "They've made it this far without you finding out. I think it's safe to say they are planning on going all the way with the secrecy, Forehead."

Frowning down into her drink Sakura mumbled, "Still, I won't give up."

Taking a sip, Sakura heard Ino sigh dramatically.

"Sakura, you're way too tense about this. You should try and have a little fun."

Pink locks swayed as the girl shook her head. Too tense, that was what Ino always said about her. She loved Ino, but Sakura was well aware they had a fair share of differences. To Ino, love was supposed to be fun all the time, but Sakura, who had experienced heartbreak, knew in reality it could never be that way.

Everything had its ups and downs; friendships, love, life, it was constantly changing. She couldn't just live under the delusion that everything was ok as long as you were having fun. She didn't want to play with her heart or anyone's for that matter so she had to be cautious; she couldn't afford not to be.

"Ino, you do realize this person seems to be in love with me, right?"

"Obviously there must be something wrong with them," the blonde scoffed receiving a glare in return. Tease subsiding, Ino held her hands out in defeat. "Take it easy Forehead, I was kidding. Really, I don't see what the big problem is."

Sakura stared at her friend, dumbfounded. "How can you not see the problem?"

Rolling her eyes, the blonde replied, "The way I see it, you are getting some very nice gifts and a much needed boyfriend all at the same time!"

"What if I don't want a boyfriend?!" Sakura cried in impatience, pink brows furrowing in annoyance.

"Don't give me that Sakura. I know you, and you do want a relationship. You've just been too afraid to take that leap with anyone."

Sakura knew Ino spoke the truth, but that didn't make it any easier to admit to it. She did want a relationship with someone, but she certainly didn't want to be forced into one.

"If anything," Ino went on, "This gifting thing was a good idea. You must be the hardest female to pursue out of anyone I know, Forehead."

"I'm not that difficult to figure out," Sakura argued, trying valiantly to stand up for herself. "I don't ask for much. They could have saved themselves some money and just tried the direct approach."

At that, Ino let out a sarcastic laugh. "If they had done that you would have turned them down."

Sakura was silent for a moment as she thought about it.

Am I really like that? she wondered, as realization fell upon her. If someone had just approached her, she probably would have just said a polite no and left it at that.

She really was unapproachable…

"You're…right…" Sakura said finally, shock lining her voice as Ino offered her a comforting smile.

"I'm sure you don't mean to be that way, it's just that you get so used to how things are you forget change it good too."

Laying her head in her hands, Sakura gave a brief nod. "I always thought it was because of Naruto I was single…but it turns out it's my own fault…"

"It could be partly his fault," Ino pointed out with a smile while Sakura gave her a helpless look.

Looking back to their drinks, the two shared a moment of silence, each entertaining their own thoughts.

But when Sakura spoke again, it was with a certain realization.

"I…miss him," she said softly while knowing it was the truth. "I was mad at him at first for being gone, but now…" she trailed off, not knowing exactly what to say.

Sakura's realization was met with a lighthearted chuckle from her friend.

"I think you're finally beginning to open your eyes, Forehead." Ino said with a proud smile, and Sakura could only blink back in surprise.

Was she? Could it be that what she had been looking for had been right in front of her this whole time?

She had been so busy looking for her Christmas gifter that she hadn't even noticed the evidence pointing to something even more important. And now, things were all coming together at the worst possible time.

"I don't deserve this," she whispered, her eyes darkening with a sadness she kept deep within herself.

I don't deserve anything.

Ino looked at her friend questioningly, but Sakura shook her head.

"It's nothing," she started, and then offered a fake smile. "I should get going and see if another gift has arrived. It's my last chance after all."

Frowning, Ino watched as Sakura drained her cup in one gulp and then slid out of her chair. Following suit, Ino hugged her friend tightly.

"Don't worry Sakura, it'll work out."

Pulling back, Sakura nodded, the fake smile still in place. "I hope you're right."

As Sakura made her way to the door she heard Ino call, "I'm always right you know!"

Thank you, Ino.

----

Taking a deep, shaky breath, Sakura looked down at her package. She had found the small box on her step after returning from Ino's, but she had yet to muster enough courage to open it.

Her heart, which had been stretching for quite some time now, felt weary.

Come on, the strong side of her whispered. You've only go two more gifts left and it's over.

Slowly, she moved to open the package before her and after peeling back the tissue paper, pulled out a new pair of gloves.

Releasing a soft gasp, Sakura felt along the strong material of the black gloves. "These are perfect."

Pulling off her worn and tattered pair, she slipped on one and found it was exactly the right size. Lightweight and durable, with a metal plate along the back to block kunai, it was much better than her old gloves.

Moving to put on the other glove, Sakura felt something inside and pulled it out.

Passion

On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me…

2 sexy gloves

Sakura felt her eye twitch.

"Sexy gloves?" she muttered out loud, her voice straining towards a dangerous tone.

Of course she had to admit they were nice looking gloves, and she (no doubt) looked pretty good with them on, but that didn't mean she would allow others to get away with saying it. To her, a statement like that bordered on perversion, which she couldn't allow. Especially because she didn't know who was sending the gift and calling her new gloves sexy.

Slipping the other glove on, Sakura threw a few punches into the air, enjoying how the material felt against her skin.

"Heh, Naruto will have even more reason to call me monstrously strong with these."

With a triumphant laugh Sakura let another punch fly as she pictured what his reaction might be.

Abruptly, the smile slipped from her face, her hands slowly lowering to her sides.

Eye's softening into an emotion she didn't fully understand she whispered into the room, "Naruto, I wish you were here."

A/N: Finally found the time to get another chapter out! Sorry for taking so long! Now only one more chapter to go, and I have to say I'm as excited about it as you are. I will get the final chapter out as soon as possible. Thank you everyone for your continued support and reviews!

--Miss Soupy