What Should Have Been

Strawberries!

Sakura's POV:

It's a bright and breezy day. You would never know it had stormed the night before. Kakashi-Sensei and I start by looking around the outdoor market and shops in town. The smell of fresh fruits and vegetables, herbs and spices fill my senses. There is produce I've never seen before.

"What is that?" I stare at a quite large, round, prickly thing.

Kakashi follows my eyes and chuckles. "I believe that's called a durian. It's a fruit."

"It kind of looks like Kisame's sword."

To my surprise, Kakashi responds with uncontrollable laughter, clutching his stomach.

I can't help but smile at his amusement. It's rare that I get to hear him laugh like this, and he has such an attractive laugh. He wipes the tears from the corners of his eyes, trying to catch his breath.

"Effortlessly hilarious, as always," he squints his eyes towards me.

I just look back at him, surprised by his sudden words.

"What? Don't know how to take a compliment, Sakura?" I can tell by his voice he's smirking under his mask.

"Sure, I just... don't get many...." I trail off, snickering awkwardly.

"Hopefully, you'll get used to it with time." His eyes are unreadable. He seems more serious than before, but there's a warmth in his tone. "After all... repetition is the key to learning."

I frown slightly. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"If someone were to tell you 'you're beautiful' every day... would you get used to it, maybe even tired of it? Would you start to believe it?"

"I don't know about that...." I respond sheepishly, avoiding eye contact.

I turn away slightly, pretending to be particularly interested in another strange fruit. Get a grip. It's not as if he's actually calling you beautiful. He's just using that as an example.

Suddenly, I feel fingertips at my chin as he gently tilts my head to look up at him. He's standing closer than before. His eyes burn into mine. "You're beautiful, Sakura." 

My breath catches in my throat.

"And brilliant," he continues. "You can always count on me to remind you."

I'm speechless. I don't even know how to begin to respond.

I guess I don't have to, because then I feel his cool fingertips brush against one of my cheeks. "Sakura, you're burning up. You must have a fever." He feigns concern, but I know that teasing tone in his voice all too well. I can also tell when he's smirking underneath his mask.

"N-no... you caught me off-guard. You can't just say things like that...."

"And why not?" He steps even closer, and suddenly, I can feel the heat from his body.

I think I might faint. 

I feel our faces are dangerously close, despite his mask still being on. His fingertips feel like a whisper against my chin, still tilting my head upwards - so light I think I might be imagining it. Is he pulling me closer, or am I moving by my own volition? I can't tell anymore.

"Strawberries."

There's a slight pause.

"What did you call me?" He smirks.

"I-I just remembered I need... strawberries!" I stutter stupidly, my voice sounding too high-pitched to my own ears. 

Kakashi doesn't flinch. Instead, his eyes squint in a smile. "Allow me."

Suddenly, he's digging around in his pockets.

The tense moment has passed. I miss the contact immediately, although I'm also relieved. Relieved you don't have to face your feelings. 

Kakashi turns to the vendor. "One basket of strawberries, please," he asks politely, handing some coins over.

I can't help but feel bad. I panicked, and now he's bought me strawberries. "You didn't have to do that...."

"I wanted to." Kakashi responds without pause.

Once again, we're strolling through the farmer's market. This time, I feel his hand slip into mine, and I don't let go.