note.

Accidentally deleted this chapter.

Epic failure and lots of sadness - this re-written version isn't something I'm 100 percent happy with, but some parts I do like more... (wish I could magically merge the new and old version...) =[

track 21.

Laying across Sasuke's thigh as a makeshift pillow and exclaiming of how full her stomach is, Sakura snuggled into his torso, hands digging faintly into his bundled shirt, while her legs tangled themselves atop his navy sheets in a semi-fetal position. The rain outside is waning and the tree has finally stopped tapping against his window. He doesn't feel coldness where she lays and the magenta locks have faded to pink once again.

Sakura smells like his mother's cooking and the family's lavender-jasmine detergent; and sitting with his back against the wall with the girl he's become too close to, it's the most comforting moment he's had after the long day at school followed by torrential downpour.

She is unashamedly staring at him, and in attempt to make her drop her gaze, he stares back.

Taking in her wind kissed cheeks, water faded eyeliner and blotchy lip tint. All evidence of the time they spent together earlier.

Only to notice it wasn't exactly his face that her gaze was upon.

"You missed a spot." She tapped the underside of his chin. "Right here." Fingers brushing against the hair growth.

As someone who spoke through his actions, he should be unfazed by Sakura's actions, but her boldness continues to surprise him each time. It was as if she never hesitated to initiate any physical connection between them. Sakura was someone that liked to communicate through words, but around Sasuke it was as if she converged to him. Adopted a more active role.

He appreciated this trait of Sakura, how she didn't feel the need to act shy or weak. This straightforwardness of her's. But it hadn't occurred to the Uchiha how often they would touch until the rooftop conversation with Naruto. Now every action screamed for attention.

They touched so casually. He couldn't begin to fathom how it looked to outsiders of their relationship. To his parents. To Naruto. It was also unsettling to know that she may be like this with everybody.

"You know, for a girl that supposedly likes me, you sure don't act like it." He grabbed the hand to place it back by her side. "How would you feel if I suddenly told you that you missed a spot on your legs?"

Scandalous. Sakura's jaw dropped. How was it even a comparison? He was lucky she noticed that his ears burnt red with what she assumed to be embarrassment at having been caught in his failure to perform a clean shave.

"You did reject my confession." Sakura reminded him. Turning as to face the closed door when she felt her arm go numb. She was about to sit up for a more comfortable position when she felt Sasuke's hand steady the back of her neck, fingers weaving through her hair to support her stance. Enjoying the lulling rhythm as she felt the pulse of his thumb tremble down her spine, Sakura steadied her breathing to sink in deeper whilst she peered out the window to appreciate the speckles of light reflected by the dwindling rain. "Sasuke-kun..."

"Hmm."

"There's a saying. You don't know that you get wet from drizzle. I'm actually casting a spell on you right now." She mumbled into his thigh, voice soft, hands curled against her chest. "Using the near exposure effect on you."

And it was working.

When he rejected her, he had meant it. He genuinely was not interested until Sakura decided to storm into his life with sunset pastels.

This girl was wasted on him. She really was. Here he was. Interested. When his best friend literally confessed that he liked the girl just days ago.

"Sakura." At the call of her name, Sakura turned to look back up at him, still in a dazed state. "If someone confessed to you now, would you accept them?"

Taking in the way his Adam's apple bobbed with each syllable, gaze lingering at the razor edge of his dark hair. How it would lightly fall at the dip of his chin. She traced her way up his jawline before shaking her head. "No."

"Why?" He rasped.

Sakura glanced briefly at the lush, dark lower lashes she was so jealous of before settling her gaze on Sasuke's eyes. Dark almost-black, with a blue hued rim. "Obviously because I already have my eyes on somebody."

And she saw herself reflected back.