Sunlight streaming in through the window fell on his face, illuminating it. Sasuke squinted his eyes, looking at the clear sky; there was not a single cloud on it. A beautiful blue color surrounded the entire village.

The hospital bed was not as uncomfortable as it might seem. After so many years of sleeping on hard mattresses, in places where one might not wake up the next day, Sasuke considered the hospital a salvation. He was feeling good in his own room, which Sakura had arranged for him.

He twisted onto his back the moment Sakura walked in. He momentarily straightened up, as if he wanted to show his better side in front of her. Because, all in all, he wanted to. Since he had returned to the village, his thoughts had changed, and instead of trying to distance him from Sakura they wanted him to be closer and closer to her. And to be able to do that, he had to do everything he could to make her feel comfortable in his company.

"How are you feeling today?"

She set the tray of medicine and water on the cabinet next to his bed, and sat down in a chair. She took a thermometer and measured his temperature, as she always did for more than two weeks.

"Fine." he replied, waiting for further instructions.

Sasuke would be lying if he said he didn't like Sakura's visits. In fact, he only looked forward to them during the day, and when they were over he was quite /upset/. He! What had it come to in his life.

"Mhm, open your mouth." he complied with her request, although he felt himself starting to turn red on his chest; he wasn't too fond of this examination. Sakura looked at his throat, "Everything is all right."

Then she gave him medicine, checked his heartbeat and his left arm, making sure no infection had set in. Sasuke followed all her movements closely, admiring her work. How Sakura had matured and how much she had accomplished amazed him. He was so proud of her, and he hoped she knew it, and if not, he intended to tell her someday, at the best time, when they were both confident in each other and their feelings.

When she finished, she stood up and put the tray in order.

"Sakura..." she looked at him with those big eyes of hers that he cherished so much "Thank you."

"You don't have to thank me every day, Sasuke-kun." she laughed happily.

"You deserve it." he said softly, watching her changing reaction - from shock to gratitude and happiness.

Small steps, he repeated to himself, and everything will work out.