"Nunc scio quit sit amor."-Virgil

Emiko watched silently, her eyes softening upon the navy clad back as he disappeared up the stairs. Seconds later the door snapped shut and she blinked, transferring her gaze to the girl faintly silhouetted in her vision.

"Do we have a flashlight?" Hands ran through the items, reacquainting with the forms before she felt a slender metal body in her fingers. Searching all over she felt a small switch and grinned as she flicked on the light.

They sat quietly, organizing the supplies. Half way through they turned off the light, not wanting to waste batteries and spent the rest of the time memorizing the textures and shapes of each supply. It was difficult as first being basically blind as they would spend time trying to identify something they'd already organized away. Gradually they became used to the situation, adjusting to their other senses as they made progress through the clutter.

"Emiko," Sakura's soft voice began and Emiko's eyes glanced in the direction of the girl.

"Yeah?" Emiko continued to graze fingertips over a form, trying to discern from memories and logic what could be in her hands. 'Food?' she thought over possibilities.

"Do you like Sasuke-kun?" The object slipped from her grip, landing on the floor with a hollow thump. 'Wha…' Emiko's mind buzzed with surprise and anxiety. 'Should I tell her what happened?'

"Ino, do you like Sasuke-kun?

"Yes."

"Then from now on we're rivals."

Her stomach churned as she remembered what had happened. Letting out a silent sigh and closed her eyes, her head bowing forward as she tried to think of what to do. 'I can't lose Sakura…I've already practically lost Ino, Shika and Kiba. And if Sakura leaves…Naruto will too.'

"Emi-nee-chan-"

"Nee-chan?"

"You're the closest thing I have to a sister."

Harsh light flashed into her face and she blinked, hand instinctively up to shield her eyes from the flashlight.

"Emiko?" Her heart thudded heavily as she heard Sakura's voice. It was painted calm but her voice shook beneath the cover.

"No, I don't like him." Emiko lied, smiling seconds before the light flicked off. Under the darkness her smile dropped and she reached out for the item from earlier.

"Why did you pause?" Sakura questioned, a smile evident in her tone as noises told she was continuing with her work. Emiko's mind raced, trying to think an efficient lie.

"I was just surprised." She forced a laugh, the feeling never reaching her eyes as her gaze softened sadly, her fingers skimming over the item. 'I know what it is now,' she thought as her fingertips glided over the surface gently. "Surprised you would think I would like him. He's not right for me." As the words choked easily from her mouth she closed her eyes, bringing the item to her face, her eyes closing as she took in the intoxicatingly painful, comforting scent passing through the air before her.

"Oh, okay." Hearing the happy note in the word Emiko's heart thudded to the acid of her stomach and she opened her eyes, grateful for the darkness that shielded the disheartened glaze heavily shielding her eyes.

'I'm sorry,' she apologized silently, gently storing the candle in a small cardboard box. Wafts of cinnamon passed over her as she covered the box, hiding the content before she pushed it away.

"Simple. Friends before love. Always"

"Always?"

"Always."

'I love you Sasuke…I'm sorry.'

"Now I know what love is." -Virgil