In 9 Days

chapter 7

Day Three

Like a Thief

Because she was busy at the hospital for the entire duration of the morning and afternoon, Sakura didn't get to think much about what the Uchiha had proposed to her just the night before, while they were dancing. She had many patients to attend to, particularly because of two consecutive missions that had gone wrong—a situation that left her with no other time and thoughts in mind, other than that of making sure the survivors remained alive.

It was part of the job, and nobody could say that she never took her job seriously.

Nevertheless, her job hadn't been a 24-hour thing, unlike most days. After stabilizing the survivors, the Hokage herself had ordered Sakura to rest, telling her in no certain terms that depleting her already-depleted chakra would only make her useless. So, Sakura, being the good apprentice that she was, simply did the best course there was at the moment: and that was not to argue, and just walk her tired self home.

She didn't expect that on the walk home, her thoughts would immediately center on one particular person—and one particular proposal.

The truth was, Sakura was already having some doubts.

It wasn't doubts about her abilities. Sakura knew for a fact that when challenges came her way, she took them head-on—however stupid or irrational that could be sometimes. That was just her nature. She knew that wasn't the case when she was a child, because during her childhood, she had pretty much feared just about everything there was to fear—a fact that half-shamed her, yet half-relieved her. After all, her childhood made her who she was now—it was where she'd been molded, into someone stronger.

Someone who wouldn't be so dependent on others anymore.

This bet was, in reality, just a piece of cake, considering how she had faced so much already. She knew Ino hadn't specifically told her how to make Sasuke fall in love with her—the relationship, if she could make it last for until the ninth day, would already be proof enough, when one really thought about it. Heck, even the moving in was proof enough, and she didn't even have to sleep with him anymore. Ino knew nothing of the truth, that this was all pretend. Sakura was pretty sure that if she only played her cards right, and make Sasuke keep up with the pretense, then she was home-free—and it would not be her who would be running around naked in Konoha in a few days' time.

But she was now doubting, and not the bet. Nor her ability.

No.

She was doubting something else entirely.

It was true that she didn't have feelings for Sasuke anymore. Maybe love for the memories, and care for a teammate (because however much he had Team Hebi with him now, and however much they didn't train together anymore...he was still her teammate, whatever happened)...but beyond that, there wasn't any more. Nothing more.

For the life of her, she couldn't understand why those words, the one she had thought of and uttered for just about the duration of two years, were suddenly starting to betray her.

Two years ago—heck, even one month ago—she could have easily said that being near him would have no effect whatsoever to her system. No rapid heartbeats, no vying for attention...no desire to be kissed. To be touched.

Last night, her heartbeat had sped up.

Last night, she had wanted to be kissed. Again.

It wasn't love.

But it was something.

"Oi, Forehead! Heads up!"

Annoyed with herself, and at where her thoughts were heading, Sakura looked up, and tiredly walked towards where a certain sexy blond was waving at her, obviously trying to catch her attention. Beside Ino was Sai, smiling serenely and looking like a man who had no complicated thoughts whatsoever.