Author's Note: So happy to see so much support from everyone even though it's been a while since I last updated this fanfic! Your kind words on your reviews are truly encouraging and are motivating me to do better. Hope you enjoy chapter 6 too!

Chapter 6: A Meaningful Whisper


Sakura's POV

"Why is this happening to me?"

I wanted to run away when I saw that there was only one bed in the room. My heart began pounding like mad and my hands were slightly trembling.

On the other hand, Sasuke seemed unfazed and indifferent towards the situation we were in.

I couldn't believe I was envious of Sasuke Uchiha's lack of emotions for once.

"Don't be so uptight. It's not like I have an intention of doing anything to you so just relax."

Even though Sasuke's words were meant to make me feel better, I ended up feeling insulted. I grab a nearby cushion and threw it towards Sasuke, hitting him straight on the face.

"What's that for?" Sasuke's glare and obvious annoyance made me relax for some unknown reason. I finally was able to accept the fate bestowed upon me and laughed it off.

"I'll take a bath first if you don't mind." It had been a long day and I was in a dire need of a warm bath.

"Hn." Sasuke made himself at home on the sofa by the window which almost covered the entire far end wall of the room. Seeing how exhausted he was, I made a mental note to not take too long in the bathroom so a certain expressionless Uchiha could rest earlier.


Sasuke's POV

The sound of the running shower engulfing the room did not help me get my mind out of the gutter.

I looked out of the window of the hotel room, frantically trying to find anything that could get my mind off things I shouldn't be thinking of. But being on the top floor of the hotel room, there wasn't much to see besides the dark skies which were lacking of stars.

The situation we were in wasn't supposed to be difficult to handle. It was only troublesome on my end because I was aware that I was starting to have feelings for her.

Not only was I beginning to sound like a whiny Shikamaru but I was close to breaking one of the rules I stated on the contract I drafted.

"I'm pathetic." I sighed and closed my eyes, hoping to get some rest as I waited for Sakura to be done.

Little did I knew, I ended up drifting to sleep.


Sakura's POV

"Did I take that long in the bath?"

Sasuke was asleep on the sofa when I got out of the bathroom. He looked so peaceful that I almost felt like I shouldn't wake him up.

With a towel draped on my shoulders to prevent my wet hair from touching my pyjamas, I walked towards the gorgeous man who was sound asleep.

I knelt in front of him and found myself taking my own sweet time to stare at Sasuke. Even though I felt like a creep for doing so, I was truly mesmerized by his good looks. But when I was reminded that I shouldn't allow my feelings to go any deeper, I looked away in pain and tried to stop myself from thinking of things I shouldn't.

When I turned back to Sasuke, I saw that he was already awake and was staring at me with his beautiful eyes which I grew to love.

"You're not trying to take advantage of me while I was asleep, aren't you?"

My earlier fascination of the man in front of me was replaced by slight anger and much annoyance. I grabbed another cushion and threw it to his face with more strength than earlier.

"Don't think so highly of yourself! Get moving and take a shower before it gets later."

I turned away from Sasuke, not wanting to let him see how flushed my face was. Of course, I wasn't planning on doing anything indecent to him while he was asleep. But I must admit my mind was swaying to a less appropriate side of my imagination.

And that thought alone was enough to embarrass the hell out of me.


Sasuke's POV

I knew I was in trouble when a cold shower wasn't helping me calm down much.

And the fact that I noticed a hint of blush on Sakura's face when I got out of the shower with only a bathrobe on did not make anything easier.

Seeing how uncomfortable she was as she distracted herself with her phone on the bed, I had to try to make the night better for her.

"I'll sleep on the sofa tonight."

Even though it wasn't an idea solution, I comforted myself by thinking that it was indeed quite comfortable when I fell asleep on the sofa earlier on.

Sakura's reaction to my seemingly best solution to the situation was out of my expectation.

"You don't have to!" I could see that Sakura was surprised by her own words, putting her hand over her mouth for being louder than she wanted to.

And with how flustered she seemed, I couldn't help but tease her a little.

"You should just tell me if you're actually looking forward to sleep with me."

I smirked at Sakura, whose face turned bright red out of embarrassment. I braced myself for yet another cushion attack but wasn't expecting to have two pillows thrown onto my face at the same time.

"You're an moron, Sasuke!"

It was going to be an interesting night, that was for sure.


Sakura's POV

"It's not fair that he's sound asleep and I'm wide awake like an idiot."

I had been almost an hour since we decided to turn in and I simply could not fall asleep. My mind was either preoccupied with thoughts of being in the same bed with a drop-dead gorgeous man or thoughts of how I have feelings I shouldn't have for him.

Thinking that I might be able to fall asleep if I change positions, I turned towards the side where Sasuke was. I immediately knew it was a wrong choice when I was just inches away from Sasuke's face.

I could feel his soft breathing on my skin and it sent a shiver down my spine. His soft-looking lips were dangerously inviting, and I found myself gulping out of nervousness.

When I slowly grew used to the idea of having Sasuke in very close proximity to me, I sighed softly as I stared at him adoringly.

"I guess this is what it feels like to have someone so close to you and yet so far."

My thoughts came to an abrupt halt when Sasuke suddenly shifted in his sleep. I was thrown into a panic attack when I saw him closing in on me and had unconsciously placed his arm around my shoulder. My heart was racing crazily when Sasuke's head was placed against my forehead, causing our lips to be barely apart.

Not wanting to wake Sasuke up, I stayed as still as I could. I would be lying if I said I wasn't tempted to reach out for a kiss. But I wasn't a despicable person who would take advantage of a sleeping man.

It wasn't difficult to eventually become comfortable under Sasuke's embrace. And soon, I was drifting to sleep when I had used up much of my energy thinking of complicated things.

But before I fell into a deep slumber, I remembered hearing a whisper escaping Sasuke's mouth. It was soft but clear enough for me to know that he was calling my name in his sleep.

"Sakura."

And I remembered thinking to myself how great it would be if my feelings could one day be answered.


Sasuke's POV

Waking up to see that I had my arm wrapped around Sakura was indeed a surprise. But it was a pleasant one.

It almost seemed as if we were in an actual relationship and I must say it had a nice ring to it.

But not wanting to get too carried away with my own fantasy, I gently let go of the beautiful woman beside me and head to the bathroom for another much-needed cold shower.


"Do you have any plans for today?" Shikamaru asked while we were at the lobby, having decided to meet up for a cup of coffee while Sakura and Ino were in the middle of their usual morning ritual.

"Nothing much." I tried to come up with a good itinerary for my last full day with Sakura in Kyoto, but it proved to be more difficult than I thought.

"You really need to work harder if you want to chase a girl. It's by far one of the most troublesome things ever." I had officially given up making Shikamaru stop teasing me, so I ignored his words.

It wasn't that I hate developing feelings for Sakura, but it was the fact that I was the one who told her not to fall in love. And there I was, being the one stupidly falling for her. I blamed my high ego for making things even more complicated.

"Unlike you, I took up the trouble making plans for the day. Drop the high and mighty act so you won't end up regretting when she goes away."

I allowed Shikamaru's words to sink in for a bit. Even though it was highly unusual for Shikamaru Nara to speak so much, he did make good points.

Because I knew how much I would hate myself if I were to let her go.


Sakura's POV

"So, how was your night?"

Ino grabbed my arm when we were in the lift, all the while smirking creepily at me.

"It's was fine." I spared Ino any details, knowing perfectly well what my best friend was expecting to hear.

"Just 'fine'? Come on, Sakura! Don't leave out all the juicy stuffs." Ino was pinching my cheek a little too hard and I had to shake her away.

"There's nothing for me to say!" What I said wasn't a lie but to say nothing at all happened would be a bit far from truth.

I was still wondering if it was just a dream when I heard Sasuke calling my name in his sleep. I was rather sure of it but then again, what could it mean then?

Ino literally jumped into Shikamaru's embrace when they we reached the lobby. The amount of public display of attraction was starting to get into my nerves. Maybe I was slightly envious of how openly close Ino and Shikamaru could be.

While the two love birds were talking about the things they had planned for the day, I realized that I had yet to think of what to do. It wasn't every day that I got to visit Kyoto and I would not let it go to waste.

"Do you have anywhere in particular you want to go to?" I turned around when I heard Sasuke's voice and was glad I didn't blush too badly when my mind returned to last night's events.

"I haven't given it much thoughts actually." And neither did I expect Sasuke to have anything in mind for the two of us.

But I guessed there were times when the most bizarre things could happen.

"Follow me then. I have a special place I wish to show you."

The emotions I felt behind his words made my heart skip a beat and a strong anticipation enveloped my whole being. I nodded with a smile, while wondering what good had I done to deserve a chance to meet someone like Sasuke.

Because behind the seemingly lack of emotion lies a man with a wonderful personality I knew I love.


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