What is Love without Lust?

Sakura sighed, carefully easing her way through the thick crowd around the vegetable stands. Didn't seem to matter how early or late she came. It was always ridiculously packed.

Standing on her toes to hover over the blockade of people at the bok choy section, her frustrated expression deadpanned as someone clipped her shoulder to hastily pass by.

"Rude," she muttered, hating this experience all the more. If it wasn't for the pure need of food to survive, she would never want to subject herself to this nearly every two weeks.

Catching a glimpse of tall, swept silver hair a short distance away, the sour mood she was in instantly switched into panic instead. Darting into a different food stand to hide from his line of sight, she picked up a melon and pretended to be extremely interested at its ripe texture.

She felt so stupid trying to hide from her former sensei, but as her cheeks heated from knowing his presence was near, there just wasn't any way to deny how she felt about him. It was hard enough keeping her fluttering feelings in her stomach at bay when they were on missions together.

When he wasn't looking, she would study his silent expressions as he would read, or how his sleeves would hug against the strong biceps of his arms. Even the way he slouched against a tree was mesmerizing, which was hilarious since she constantly told him how it was bad posture.

For now, it was just painfully difficult to even talk to him outside of training or work. On a mission, she only had to follow orders or ask specific things concerning the mission itself. Most of the time, she was paired with a teammate. So that limited a lot of one on one talking as well. Any other subject outside of that made her feelings more vulnerable without having anything to focus on. Trying to hide the flare of her beating heart when he was close was a challenge all in itself. Pretending she felt nothing at all. Despite how much confidence she normally carried, it would drain away in an instant at the sound of his voice.

"Nice melons," a smooth voice said behind her.

Startled, the melon in her grip was suddenly crushed like a grape between her abnormally strong fingers. Afraid to move, she stared at her fruit dripping from her wet hand as her face flushed in horror.

Kakashi stepped beside her, hands in pockets as he clicked his tongue. "I see you're rather thorough in checking melons," he teased.

With an awkward laugh, she forced herself to lift her green eyes to his single one. "Uh, yeah… ah-ha…"

She felt scared lingering her eyes any longer than a few seconds to his. As if he'd be able to read her mind on how he managed to make her body heat in more ways than one.

"Sorry if I, uh…" He glanced down at the fallen remains of the melon on the ground. "Scared you."

"Oh, n-no, I just… wasn't paying attention," she lamely excused, trying to hide her embarrassment.

"I saw you and just wanted to say hello," he added, eye crinkling slightly from his hidden smile. "Doing some shopping?"

"Ah…" she replied, wiping her sticky hand against her skirt. "Uh, yeah."

Her eyes went wide as he lifted the basket of food that was hitched around her elbow.

"I'll tag along," he proclaimed.

She stared at him like a deer in headlights. "Uh, but, well, you don't, I mean... uh…"

God.

She wanted to die a thousand deaths as he raised a brow at her fumbling words.

"You don't… it's," she continued, feeling her cheeks burn ten fold at the clear amusement in his eye. She turned away.

With a light laugh, he said, "Is that okay with you?"

A nod was her reply, not trusting her voice at the moment. Flashing him a quick smile, she turned into the crowd and began to wander the street market, completely blank at remembering what she even needed to shop for.

Kakashi walked coolly beside her, bumping into her arm sometimes as people passed around them. He seemed unaware of the extra stress his close proximity was causing her. She inwardly cried each time he brushed into her shoulder. She wasn't sure how much longer she could fight the urge to look at him or to wanting to lean into his brief touches. Why did her body have to act this way?

Staring intently at the ground at first, she finally moved her eyes to his. He was staring at her, but didn't seem to care that he had been caught. He simply smiled once more beneath his mask.

Returning the gesture, Sakura focused forward as she searched for a random food stand to stop at. She was still too flustered to think clearly of what groceries she needed to bring back home.

His demeanor changed as she sorted through a few canned items. Restlessly swinging the basket his grip, he cleared his throat and said, "So, uh, Sakura. I kind of wanted to ask you something."

Her heart skipped. "Oh?"

"Well, I don't know if might seem weird to you," he shrugged, looking a little tense.

Setting down a jar, she built up her courage to smile at him. "You can ask me anything."

"Alright," he sighed. "Okay, so… I'm kind of new to the whole dating thing. Especially at my age, so it's kind of embarrassing asking you, but um…"

"W-What is it?" Not only did her heart skip at his words, but was about to completely burst from her chest in anticipation.

"I can't say I know much about etiquette and all that for a first date. In the past, I'm pretty sure I come off a little withdrawn and cold… I don't know what's appropriate to talk about to break the ice. From a feminine perspective, do you have any advice? "

Feeling numb, she reluctantly asked, "…Are you going on a date?"

"Yeah, tonight," he replied, scratching the back of his hair nervously. "I want to try and make a good impression. You've probably dated more than I have in my entire lifetime," he jested.

"…"

It was like a knife had just plunged into her chest.

Noting her silence, he sighed and said, "I'm sorry, I guess it's kind of weird asking you for dating advice…"

"No… it's not," she murmured, failing to hide the disappointment in her voice.

He searched her eyes, rather confused at her reaction. "Are you sure?"

With a heavy heart, she looked away and replied, "Just… talk about simple things to get to know each other. You can't be afraid to open up a little about yourself and see if you have any same interests. Find out if she… if she…" her voice faded.

Biting her lip, she knew she couldn't do this. It hurt too much.

"I-I'm sorry," she stuttered, backing away into the crowded street. "I need to go."

Kakashi just stood there, stunned at her abrupt departure. She had disappeared so fast, he didn't even get a chance to tell her that he still had her groceries.

Did he say something wrong?

[ Author Note: It's been a while since I've done some drabblin'. This random prompt idea is kind of inspired from a few different songs from La Roux.

I probably could turn this into a two part drabble, but I'm unsure. I guess let me know if you want to see a continuation or not. Ty for reading. ^_^ ]