Anyone ready for a little personal TLC?

I can't sleep. I can't stop thinking about what Naruto said while Sakura was gone. I'd told him more than I intended, but he's fucking persistent, both of them are.

"Does Sakura know?"

I shook my head.

"Sasuke, you have to tell her," he sounded angry in a way that I'd never heard him.

"I can't. She cares too much, it would hurt her," I shook my head again, "Badly."

"You think I don't care?"

"It's different, you get it." He looked at me skeptically then.

"I don't. I know you think we're the same, but we're not. I've never been in that position," he spoke carefully, gently, but his words still stung. They made me feel like a freak. They made me feel like an outcast, like when I was a kid. Naruto has always been the one person I can relate to. "You and I, we're similar, but we're not the same. And just because I don't get it, it doesn't mean I don't care. It's the same with Sakura. It's painful to know that somebody you care about has been through hell and back, but what's important is that you're there to pick them up when they need you. You might have had to go through that alone, but we're here for you now."

"I can't tell her."

"Then why did you tell me?"

I couldn't answer that. I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to will myself to sleep. It fucking sucks having a guard watch me sleep and having to pretend I'm sedated.

As usual, I'm up at the crack of dawn. I exit my room and peer over at Sakura's. Her door is open slightly, though it's normally closed. Through the small slit I can see her sprawled over the whole mattress and partially covered by the sheets. She looks much more peaceful than she did yesterday. Though, the room is still a mess. I chuckle, but the longer I look at her, the heavier the guilt weighs on me. I can't tell her.

I tear myself away and head downstairs to start cooking. I'm starting to look forward to this every day. It is the only thing I'm allowed to do. While I let everything stew, my eyes stray to the fruit bowl where a dozen plump, ripe tomatoes lay. I grab one and bite into it. I close my eyes and remember being in this exact kitchen when I was little, attacking a tomato with the same fervor I unwrapped presents with.

"Look what Mommy got you," she pulled her hand out from behind her back to reveal a bunch of tomatoes.

"Good morning," Sakura yawns as she stretches her arms above her head. I catch a glimpse of the scar near her hip. She notices me looking and stretches her top down, "What's cooking?"

"We're having fish stew and eggs."

I see her eyes light up as she smiles.

"Sounds delicious," she reaches behind me to one of the cupboards and pulls out a bar of chocolate.

"What did I just tell you we were eating?"

"What?" she questions defensively, trying to break off a piece. I snatch the bar out of her hand.

"You're not having chocolate for breakfast."

"Who are you, my parent? Give me the chocolate."

"No," I raise it above my head as she starts reaching for it.

"I'm just going to have one piece."

"No, you're going to ruin your breakfast."

"Give me the chocolate!" She reaches for it with both hands so that I have to put down my tomato to hold off one of them. She stands on the tips of her toes and I lean away, backing into the sink to keep it away from her. But Sakura keeps coming after me, pressing her body into mine as she pines for the chocolate. I become conscious of her chest pressing against me, her fingers against my arm, her legs on either side of mine. I slip away from her. I can't help but notice the realization that dawns on her face.

"After breakfast," I put it back in the cabinet and she doesn't say a word.

It's not an awkward silence, but it's uncomfortable nonetheless as we eat at the table together. The clink of forks on plates and the muted chatter of the soldiers around us are the only salvation.

"This is incredible, Sasuke," she closes her eyes as she takes a bite. I smile, a genuine smile, "I promise I won't step foot in the kitchen again."

"Good," I smirk, but don't meet her gaze, "How do you feel this morning?"

She stops eating for a moment, long enough to make me regret bringing it up.

"I'm sad," she admits, her voice quiet, "It still hasn't sunk in yet, but it took a while for it to with my father. Sometimes, I still expect him to walk through the door, or call me after my shift. Do you ever feel like that with your family?"

Her question shocks me, mostly because she's dared to ask it, but I don't let it show.

"No," I say, impassive. She looks at me like she expects elaboration. Maybe I would too, given the recent revelations between us, but in that moment I don't feel like elaborating. I hate talking about my family, mostly because there's nothing good to talk about. The same place I used to eat tomatoes and play games is the same place I found my parents in a pool of their own blood. I take my plate to the sink and glance at the doorframe at the end of the kitchen. I can make out the notches in the wood where my mother measured Itachi and I.

An empty ache settles in my chest.

"I'll take care of the dishes," Sakura says, placing a hand on my arm. I flinch and pull away, walking towards the stairs.

"Thanks."

Did I offend him? Or is he just embarrassed? He shouldn't be embarrassed I mean it happens to all guys. I am a doctor, it's not like I'm a naive schoolgirl who doesn't even know the word erection. Still, I think as I finish drying the dishes, Sasuke being attracted to any woman is a feat in itself.

Calm down, Sakura. Just because he got an erection, doesn't mean he's attracted to you, at least not in that way.

Ugh, what way? No, not in any way. Not attracted to me in any way. And vice versa, I chant as I ascend the stairs. I catch Sasuke coming out of his room, towel in hand.

"Did you want to shower?" I ask.

"I can manage," he says, barely glancing at me.

"You couldn't a day ago," I say skeptically.

"I've got it," he states firmly.

"Okay," I concede, shrugging and retreating to my room. I could probably do with a shower, too. I turn the temperature up quite a bit, feeling the need to scald my skin clean after a few days of not showering. I strip down and step into the stream. I can't believe I'm thinking this, but I'm bothered that Sasuke clearly didn't want me to help him shower.

So maybe I do enjoy getting to see him naked. What girl wouldn't? I stand under the stream and press my head against the tiled wall. Why can't I turn this off? I'm fine with where we are. I'm fine with being friends.

I could feel how hard he was against my hip.

Very platonic friends.

I've felt the hard planes of his chest, though I haven't gotten to explore like I have in my dreams.

Dreams that I had when I was young and a fangirl.

Desire flares in my abdomen and I shut my eyes to it, trying to push it out. My body aches, pining for something that's been lacking in recent months, maybe even a year. Oh Kami when was the last time I had sex? Or gave myself any release? Sasuke interrupted me last time, though not intentionally.

I shouldn't be this horny, I'm not usually.

Fuck, Sasuke. I brace my hands against the wall, letting out a deep breath.

Brushing off Sakura only adds to the guilt I feel and somehow that hasn't hindered my ability to get hard just from feeling her body against mine. I close my eyes, breathing deeply, but it only makes the image of her against me more vivid. I've had this cold water running for five minutes already and nothing's happened.

Fuck it.

I grip myself and start pumping, quickly at first, to rid myself of the issue, but as I start thinking about her, I feel myself slowing down. Behind my lids Sakura is playing out every fantasy I've ever had of a woman.

"Sasuke-kun," her voice is breathy as she lays beneath me, rippling with pleasure.

I slip a finger inside myself, starting a slow rhythm, desperate to savor this.

I slide up and down Sasuke's member, watching as his groan rumbles through his chest. I squeeze my muscles, feeling every throb of his dick inside me.

I have one hand at her clit, applying the slightest pressure, the other at her breast, squeezing, tugging her pert nipple.

"Sakura," his voice is laden with lust as he grips my hips, encouraging my pace.

I grip my dick tighter, sliding my fist faster as I envision Sakura coming apart because of me.

I circle my clit, desperately chasing my orgasm, as I imagine Sasuke losing himself because of me.

"Fuck," I hiss as my release rushes through me.