Sasuke concluded that he should leave.

But when jade eyes continuously flickered in his direction, he decided to extend his stay.

The dobe could wait an extra ten minutes. He's made Sasuke wait for longer. The steam rising from his coffee cup melted on his face, and with the additional glances from behind the counter, Sasuke was warm in his seat.

He didn't know why he decided on this café. To be honest, there was a better one a couple blocks down that just opened. Perhaps it's because this one wouldn't be as crowded. Or maybe it's because this one was closer to his apartment.

Either way, he was here. He didn't mind it too much.

When the clock hit two thirty, however, he had grown annoyed by his friend's texts.

'SASUKEEEEEEEEEE'

'HURRY UP, I'M STARVING OVER HERE'

'I ASKED YOU TO GRAB SOME FOOD, NOT RUN ACROSS THE DAMN COUNTRY TEME'

Sasuke jammed the phone deep into his coat pocket. With one last look at his mug, and one last side glance at the register, and one final gaze out the window, he stood. Stupid dobe, rushing him.

. . . . .

When he stood, a twinge of sadness echoed through her. She's felt it all before, but it seems, in another life. Perhaps under a moonlit sky; when the leaves rustled past in a wind much opposite of the wind offered today.

Something urged her to make him stay. She abruptly pushed it down. It was this type of selfishness that pushed her into intolerable waters. Waters she did not dare to enter once more. Her gaze soared down and she bit her lip.

"Geez, he's getting away," Ino whined from behind, "and here I was hoping I could seduce him from afar." Tenten laughed.

Their giggles grew silent, though, when a shadow loomed over Sakura's slumped form.

"May I take your order?" she looked up with a practiced smile that immediately fell.

It was him. He dropped five dollars in the tip jar, and with a curt nod, he left.

She stared after him in awe. Her heart did not flutter like it did before. Instead, she was fascinated.

Completely, utterly, undeniably intrigued by this boy.

She couldn't help but think about it all day. Her mind carried one more burden into the street lights of a night struck Konoha. She wondered, though, what did it matter? She would not see this boy again.

So why did his eyes plague her so?

His eyes. His eyes. His eyes.

His eyes brimmed with a sorrow she knew well. Only because she sees that same sorrow in the mirror each day.

She fell asleep to black.