The fading flame of the candle illuminated their cozy room, where they had been sitting for a few hours. The warmth of Sasuke's arms heated her body. Sakura tried to keep her attention on the film, but the scents of bergamot and vanilla distracted her. The young man didn't even have a clue how he was affecting her. Or he had.

"Are you watching?" came a hushed voice to her ears.

Sakura blinked, unable to tear her gaze away from his gorgeous eyes.

Yes, she wanted to say, your face, but she refrained, finding that she would only make a fool of herself and her face would turn the same color as a tomato.

"No." she decided that the truth would be the best solution.

"So what are you thinking so fiercely about, 'Kura?"

She didn't focus on the question immediately, absorbing his tone of voice - it was so gentle and curious. Completely different from before. He made her feel more... loved. If she could call it that. After all, Sasuke had yet to state what they were; where their relationship stood. However, no one could forbid her from dreaming a little.

But dreams quickly fade away. Suddenly the words from a week ago came back to her with redoubled force. She remembered them; loud and clear - "I'm leaving again in a fortnight. I enjoyed exploring the world."

She replied to him then - "I'm glad you found something that makes you happy, Sasuke-kun." That was it. She added nothing more as she was unable to get a single sentence out.

But now she could gather her courage. To speak out what she had feared so much. To refer to the promise that Sasuke himself had made to her. Did he remember it? Or did he want to forget it and hoped Sakura wouldn't mention it? But in that case, why would he lie under one quilt in bed with her? This closeness was something new and unfamiliar; something the young Uchiha wouldn't do if he didn't want to.

"Sasuke-kun, do you remember our parting two years ago?"

"As if I could forget that."

At his answer, she took his hand in hers and held it, bending three fingers.

"Then you also remembered that you did this to me," she tapped his hand on her forehead, "and you said I could go with you next time." She rose to sit down, looking boldly into his eyes "So, please, take me with you."

For a second she thought he was going to refuse, explaining the silence and peace he loved so much, but Sasuke smiled gently, bringing her back into his arms and mumbling quietly:

"I thought you would never ask."