-Canon, Blank Period-

Warnings: N/A

Rating: T


For as long as she could remember, she knew that Sasuke was the one.

Perhaps it was some silly daydream, or perhaps it was because the majority of her friends thought so too. Either way, Sakura was determined to win Sasuke's heart.

At first she only viewed it as a goal; he was the cutest boy in the whole village, and adding to it he had a mysterious vibe to him that was irresistible, even to younger girls. All of the girls wanted him, all of the boys wanted to be him, and Sakura was smitten.

As time wore on, however, she began to realize that her dreams were just that: dreams. As soon as they were placed on a team together she thought he would fall head over heels for her... but he just hated her. That she was certain of.

Still, she kept on - her childish crush soon developed into a deepening, intimate love for him that pervaded even her own self-preservation. The longer they spent together, the more she truly saw him - and the further she fell in love.

No matter how far into the darkness he went, she chased after him. No matter how much he cast her aside, she remained.

That didn't mean doubt couldn't creep in. Was it all worth it? Was she fighting a worthless battle? Did Sasuke even feel love?

Even after they saved him from his hatred, she still wasn't sure. Did he, or didn't he? Were those glances and longer-than-usual lingering touches just a figment of her imagination, or was he trying to say something?

Sasuke had never been verbal about his feelings. From childhood she knew he preferred to keep things inside, and affection was no different. Any gestures were hidden, only for him and the recipient to know the true meaning of. Both she and Naruto had witnessed him doing nice things for them in the name of friendship... but was she hopelessly pining for the Sasuke she remembered?

She spared him another shy glimpse, and noticed that he was looking right at her, unreadable, from the corner of his eye. His gaze betrayed some of his deep inner emotion, though she couldn't quite decipher it as she could in the past. "What is this feeling that you're feeling...? Sasuke..."

After a moment, he looked down at his untouched drink. If she looked closely enough, she could see a hint of pink just barely dusting his face.

"Is he embarrassed?" She continued to wonder, before turning back into Ino's story. "I wish you could tell me. I need to know I'm not chasing a daydream."

She let out a quiet sigh, tuning out her own frustration as she listened to Ino. Her best friend always could distract her, and right now she was grateful for that much.

Just as soon as she'd forgotten about the boy of her dreams sitting next to her, she felt something warm carefully, hesitantly, worming its way in between her loose fingers. Startled, she looked down... only to find a bigger pale hand trying to find hers.

She looked up at him, only to see that he was still looking away, though the blush that burned on his face was more noticeable now.

He glanced at her, and she smiled, curling her fingers around his. His eyes softened and the barest hint of a genuine, if not shy, smile curled his lips.

With that one look, her doubts were shooed away for the time being. She turned back to listen to Ino with a happy glow about her, hand-in-hand with Uchiha Sasuke.

"Is it worth it?... Yes, I'd say so."