note.

Special thanks to Shadows55, ArizGlzHdz, Rainbow Sparkles, LadyH.J.P.-P, RisuBento, koolkidSwaggy, Kosmas, RalitsaR and AlyGosMeow - whose recents reviews made me feel all warm and fluffy inside. They are basically my fuel to write~

track 37.

Finally feeling refreshed with a set of clean clothes on, she set out to met the boys at the lobby with a clear mind, having agreed to go around the town center together in their free time. The strong air conditioning of the hotel cooling her skin after a hot shower. It sent gooseflesh along her skin in the most pleasant way possible.

"Sakura-chan! You look alive again!" Naruto tackled the unsuspecting girl in a bear hug. Shooting him a mock glare, she hugged back, knowing that he had been worried too.

Noticing a missing member in their trio, she released him from her hold. "Where's Sasuke-kun?"

"He's still in the shower, we just have to wait a little longer. You know how he is. He doesn't leave until his hair is perfect."

Sakura laughed. While the latter was true, she did feel slightly bad that Sasuke had to waste a perfectly clean set of clothes. After all, it was her fault in covering him in salt water to start with. And he didn't even get to go into the water!

"Did he seem annoyed at me?" After the rain. It's the sea. Sasuke always seemed to have bad luck around water when he was with her.

Naruto frowned. Of all questions, this was not what he had envisioned Sakura to ask him about Sasuke. "No. Why would he be annoyed at you?" Recalling the darkened expression on his best friend's face, he wouldn't have exactly pinned it on Sakura - but listening to her concern - it did seem to make sense. "Just now, he seemed more annoyed at himself and worried about you."

"Sasuke-kun. Annoyed at himself. But worried about me." She repeated. Unbelievable. What was Naruto going on about? Sasuke hadn't done a single thing today that didn't have her best interests in mind.

"He thinks that he should have stopped you from going into the water. He kinda blames himself for it. You didn't see how distraught he was when you fell. The bastard doesn't show it, but he really cares for you, Sakura-chan." He patted her hair, smoothing out the tangle strands caused by static. "Really, really cares. You're the smart one, Sakura-chan. You should know what I mean."

Arriving at the lobby, Sasuke pressed the elevator button to go back up to the room he shared with Naruto when he heard Sakura's voice upon the door sliding open. Just in time to hear her finish what she was saying. His mind haywire at her words.

"Why is everyone trying to convince me that Sasuke-kun feels something more than friendship for me today?" She smiled sadly at Naruto, recalling how he already knew of her one-sided feelings toward Sasuke. "You of all people should know. Sasuke-kun only sees me as a friend."

Her friends were making no sense. Sasuke had acted the way he had because she was in danger. They were reading too deeply into it.

She knew Sasuke felt nothing more than platonic feelings for her. But it didn't stop her from praying that it may be true.