note.

asfsdxzfmj - OMG.

I typed this chapter up so quickly. I dunno. I then read back and cringed. How did we suddenly get so fluffy? I'm embarrassed of myself, and I sincerely sincerely apologize for these two shameless kids.

On another note, my fanfiction instagram (bubblegumshavedice) has finally been updated! Sakura's outfit from Chapter 18 (One Night) is now on it, and I'm working on completing the bunkasai-arc outfits as well as the Suna-arc ones right now.

track 53.

Sakura took her normal window seat at the library. Her notes abandoned as she stared at Sasuke. Deep in thought.

They never referred to each other as boyfriend or girlfriend, and both of them were fine with that. In Sakura's opinion they were happily officially kind-of unofficially together. It was more comfortable this way around their classmates too. Dating in secret was easier when she had to think of all the fangirls and her parents. Really, it was a funny thing - to not have a term defining and limiting their relationship. Before they were lovers, they were friends - and she knew Sasuke acknowledged that as well.

Underground karaoke trips. Habitual walks back home. After school studying sessions in the library… They weren't doing anything differently to when they were just friends… In fact, there's no extra bento portion for her, no 'talking about their emotions more' or even simply spending more time together.

And it should bother her. Because according to Ino and Temari, that was what their significant others had done for them. But it doesn't.

She's noticed the little changes between them, it was already enough. The subtle way his fingers lingered a little longer whenever he tucked loose strands behind her ear, and the way his hold tightened around her in their ritual hugs she would give him before she went home, how he would casually fit her head under his chin. Sakura didn't have to try and to hold her affections back any longer. To be able to touch Sasuke and say things she wouldn't have dared to say before... It was exhilarating. Freeing. It was already enough.

Letting her hands drift off the textbook, she placed her fingers along his artery, passing across the skin of his wrist. Sakura focused on the peaceful rhythm. Sasuke's pulse never raced around her, unlike her own, instead it thrummed reassuringly. A constant, steady beat.

"What are you doing?" He let go of his own notes. Neat and monochrome calligraphy unlike her rainbow scribbles.

"Taking your pulse." She closed her eyes, focusing on the small pressure that thrummed at her fingers.

So stable. So strong. So soothing. Everything Sasuke was.

Grabbing her hand in his, he forced green eyes to open again. Long fingers easily circling her small hand. And she felt the familiar hummingbird heartbeat return, heat rising from her fingertips up to her hairline.

"Wha-" She tried to snatch it back, only to feel his grip tighten. "What are you doing?"

"Holding your hand." He whispered against her ear, their hands hidden as his body leaned towards her from across the table. His breath is warm against her ears, sending gooseflesh across her skin and shivers down her spine and she felt herself flush. Starting from her hand and gathering at the top of her chest, just peaking through the collar of the white uniform shirt.

Sasuke didn't know anything about wooing a girl outright. Being like this was the only way he knew. And her reactions only made him more confident, it made him want to experiment more.

His gaze turned to look at her longingly, lovingly; and he flashed her a smug smirk before bending down to catch her lips in a kiss.

Sasuke didn't kiss her with fiery passion, nor was he hungry and devouring - but it wasn't quite like their clumsy first kiss either. Thinking back to her first kiss, Sakura felt embarrassment flood her. What had she been thinking to press herself onto him like that?

But the boy opposite her seemed to think the sudden flush was due to his current actions and he became even bolder - letting go for air before capturing the corners of her lips again. His tongue leaving sparks of warmth across the skin. Trailing along. Lightly. Gently. As if coaxing her to be the dominant one. Teasing her to kiss him more deeply. He moved like a dreamer and she decided that she'd quite like to join whatever dream he was dreaming.

And so she did. Titling her head ever so slightly to keep their noses from bumping together, Sakura squeezed her eyes shut, opening her mouth as it landed on his top lip as he responded in ardent fervour - hand slipping below her ponytail to cradle her head closer - and she held back what would have been a whimper in the quiet libraria.

Looking up, he saw that her eyes were dilated. Wide in a trance. The green all but thin circles around big black pupils. A thrill shot through him knowing that he had this effect on her. To be able to bring her to this point with a simple kiss. It was their first kiss after the one that happened when he confessed, but if this is what Sakura looked like before - he may just understand why she ran away so quickly.

Lop sided satisfaction graced his lips as Sasuke sat back on his seat as if nothing had happened. His hand cupped her face to memorise the dazed look of her eyes and the slightly gaping lips - still red and swollen. How tempting she was.

"We should talk quietly. It's your sacred library after all."

Oh, there have definitely been changes, Sakura thinks. And she fears that she may have awakened the sleeping lion.

Feeling her face heat up once again, Sakura picked up her loose jaw in a hurry; scrambling about the desk to collect her scattered stationery along with her scattered thoughts. Running out of the study area in a hurry after muttering to him that she would fetch the two of them something to drink. Lifting a hand to her face, she prescribed that cool canned coffee may be a possible cure for her reddening cheeks.

From Naruto's obvious affection of busty babes, to her own adoration of well defined muscles - both of them were quite happy acknowledge such preferences. But it was always the quiet ones to look out for. The way his hands lingered along her neck before he slipped away! How his lips scalded hers and his tongue invaded her mouth for just a split second before pulling away! And so boldly in the library where anyone could have seen them!

Sakura covered her face in embarrassment. Uchiha Sasuke is definitely the pervert of the group!