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Sakura's mind was reeling, trying to catch up with what was happening. She stared at the boy in front of her, who was smirking slightly. Sasuke had kissed her. HE had initiated it. Weren't they just trying to be friends again? He'd always thought she was annoying, hadn't he? As she looked back over the past few weeks, there were definitely signs, but she had written them off. Her whole life she had loved him. It had grown and changed over the years, but she had loved him all that time. He had tolerated her, right? She thought he was open to being friends, but nothing more. She felt rather silly now.

When she took a little too long processing things, Sasuke's face changed. He looked worried, stood, and turned away, saying, "Forget it. Sorry, I just thought…"

"No, no it's fine! I was surprised, but that's all. I wasn't expecting that."

"Hm." Sasuke still didn't look at her. She had unintentionally stepped on his pride and made him question his behavior, and he didn't seem to know what to do next.

Smiling, Sakura stood next to him and started, "I'm sorry. I just didn't think that you'd ever return those feelings. It's been so long that I'm used things."

When Sasuke glanced at her out of the side of his eye, she smiled and stepped in front of him.

"Why don't we take a break? I need to run some errands, so I'll see you later tonight?"

"Sure."

Sakura's smile widened and before she turned to leave, she allowed herself to do something she had always wanted to try. She leaned up on her toes and kissed his cheek, but she didn't have the confidence to wait for him to respond somehow. So, she turned and jogged back toward the village.

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Sasuke stared at where the young woman had been, mind absorbing what had happened. With a deep breath, he went and sat under a tall tree. That wasn't what he expected to happen.

Actually, what did I expect? Of course she'd be surprised. I've always kept her at arm's length. But then, why did she just stare for so long after? I thought I'd completely screwed up again, but then she says it's fine? She said she… loves me. Still. What do I do now?

It was odd for Sasuke to act on impulse without thinking things through, and this was exactly why he avoided doing that. Now he had no plan. Romance wasn't really his thing. Sure, he could love someone, but flowers and grand gestures seemed annoying and useless. The more he thought about it, he hadn't considered what being in a relationship with him would be like for Sakura. People would talk about them. Although, they already did, so maybe that was fine. Wait, we aren't even in a relationship yet. We didn't talk about anything. She practically ran away after I kissed her, so maybe she doesn't even want to be in a relationship with me. She's kind, so she'd want to find a kind way to tell me to back off.

The Uchiha was too absorbed in his thoughts to notice a blonde boy coming toward him, and he didn't react until said boy plopped himself down beside him and started talking.

"Hellooooo? What are you thinking so hard about? I was calling you!"

"Nothing… what are you doing here?"

"Yeah right. Well, fine. Don't tell me then. I was just getting some fresh air and saw you. Have you been out here training a while?"

"I sparred with Sakura for a while, but she left to run errands."

Naruto let the conversation hang, seeming to sense that he didn't want to talk. The two looked out over the field and saw a few little groups of people start to gather. Suddenly, Naruto perked up beside him before deflating slightly with a sigh. Raising an eyebrow, Sasuke followed his gaze until he saw a girl with long, dark hair talking with her friends. He looked back at his friend, giving him a questioning look.

"What? Why are you staring at me?"

"What was that about?"

"Nothing, well not nothing. It's just… I kind of like someone, but I don't know what to do with that. How do I know if she likes me too?"

"You're not serious."

Throwing his hands up, Naruto turned to him and glared, saying, "Of course I am! What's so wrong with that? Sorry I'm not as great as you when it comes to girls. They've always drooled over you, but I don't think any of them have ever noticed me in that way."

Sasuke couldn't believe it. Naruto was dense, but was he really that dense? There was no one in the village that didn't know about at least one girl's feelings for him, and since he became a hero, even Sasuke had noticed that he had a fan club just waiting for him to notice them. He couldn't help it and started openly laughing at his friend. It was ridiculous.

"Hey! What's the big idea, you jerk?"

"You are actually wondering if anyone has ever had feelings for you. You really are an idiot!"

"What's that supposed to mean? You know what, fine. If you're going to be like this, I'll just…"

"Alright, alright! I'm sorry. Calm down."

"I don't know why I tell you anything sometimes. But I mean, isn't it normal to wonder if she likes you back? You're lucky. Girls have been telling you they like you all along. It's not the same for me."

Looking at his sad friend beside him, Sasuke sighed. Maybe talking to Naruto could help him too? Normally he didn't want to share details on things like this, but he was also stuck with his feelings.

"You know, being fawned over by a bunch of girls isn't that great. I never asked them to do that. Mostly, they just get in the way and annoy you."

"Maybe, but it sure sounds better than being ignored. Plus, things have calmed down for you. Even Sakura doesn't do that now. Hey, how's it going staying at her place? Are you getting along?"

Sasuke looked away from his friend, but not before Naruto spotted the slight blush on his face.

"Wait, what aren't you telling me? Did something happen? Spill it!"

"I… kissed her. Earlier today."

Naruto stared with his mouth open wide. Sasuke refused to look at him and just waited for him to process that information so they could move on.

"WHAT? So, when I asked you what was bothering you… Why's it bothering you? How did she react?"

"She left to run errands."

"Huh? That doesn't make any sense. She should be through the roof about it. Did you do something else?"

"No. She sort of just stared at me after, so I thought I'd overstepped. Then she suggested we take a break from sparring, and she left."

"Well, she was probably surprised. I mean, who would've thought you would actually make a move? How long have you been planning that anyway?"

"I didn't plan it. I didn't even think it through. I just did it. I don't know if she would even want to be with me like that. It's not like I have the most comfortable life. People are still afraid of me or hate me. It wouldn't be a good mark on her reputation."

"Wow, and you think I'm an idiot!"

Sasuke glared at Naruto, who just smiled back at him. He was way too easy going about everything. There would be side effects to Sakura being with him, and they'd need to face that. Sighing, he stood up.

"We're done talking about this."

Getting up, Naruto followed his friend and replied, "If you say so, but I'm really happy for you both. That's great!"

Not giving any reply, Sasuke continued on his journey toward the center of the village. He didn't know where he was headed, but it felt good to keep walking. Naruto fell into step beside him and thankfully allowed the subject to drop.

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Pleased with her purchases, Sakura wandered through the streets of the village. She didn't know what to do with herself. Any plans she had had for the day were erased from her mind when Sasuke kissed her. I still can't believe it. He kissed me! I didn't think that would ever happen. But then, he did try to take it back. No, that was just because I stared too long. I'm such an idiot! Why couldn't I have just reacted normally? Why'd I make up some excuse about needing to run errands? He could think all kinds of things now.

Sighing, the pink haired medic turned the corner and heard someone calling out to her. Turning, she found herself face to face with her old sensei. He smiled under his mask and fell into step beside her.

"Don't tell me you're shirking your Hokage duties again."

In a tone of mock hurt, the man answered, "I'll have you know, I'm perfectly on top of things. I just decided to take a break and walk on the path of life for a while."

Giggling, Sakura knew that he probably had a ton of work waiting for him. Somehow it never seemed to slow down for the village leader.

"Actually, I was looking for Sasuke. Have you seen him recently?"

Tensing slightly, Sakura looked up at Kakashi, who noticed her reaction. She couldn't hide things from him, and he could possibly help her. He understood Sasuke in ways she couldn't relate to.

Seeing the gears turn in his pupil's eyes, Kakashi said, "Something happened then. Good or bad?"

"Good, I think. I thought we were getting along and growing closer as friends, but then this morning we were sparing and… he kissed me. But I kind of freaked out and ran away, so I have no idea what he's thinking. I don't know what to say or do when I see him again."

Kakashi's eyebrows rose at the news. "You kids are going to send me into early retirement with your drama. Look, I'm sure it'll be fine. The two of you… well you have a way with each other. You connect in ways you don't with anyone else. Just go with it naturally."

"You think?" Sakura looked hopefully at him, making him chuckle.

"Yes, but as much as I know you've been hurt by him, remember he has scars too. You'll both need to meet halfway."

"Yeah, I know. He's opened up to me a little about things, but you know him. He's not exactly chatty," Sakura smiled slightly. That was an understatement. "He's more comfortable one on one, so being in my apartment has helped. I really just can't believe he would return my feelings after all this time."

"He's always had a soft spot for you, but he wouldn't allow himself to admit it. He was too focused on his goal. He's coming around though. You might be surprised with how much he wants companionship now."

"Maybe you're right. Ok then, I'll make dinner tonight, and we can talk things out then! I'll see you later, Kakashi-sensei!"

Excited with her new plan, Sakura started down the road to get groceries. Kakashi just smiled and waved, watching her go. He hoped they would work things out quickly. All the back and forth was fun to watch for a while, but he wanted them to be happy. It was time for them to figure things out.