Sakura woke with a throbbing head and an empty bed.

For last 2 months since she and the last Uchiha had an understanding of who they were to each other's lives, she's gotten accustomed to seeing his perfect face first thing in the morning. 

But that wasn't the case today.

Instead, she found herself wearing only her panties and his dress shirt, making her remember the small details of what happened last night. She remembers kissing him, and she knows they might have done a lot more than kissing, because she knew very well that her lack of clothing was Sasuke's doing. Nonetheless, whether the ravenette went all the way or not, she isn't sure.

I feel no pain, Sakura thought. It's a sign we haven't.

She then didn't know what to feel about that. She was happy, primarily because she wanted her first time to be memorable. Doing it while drunk wouldn't make it something like that because apparently, she cant remember clearly. However, she also felt insecure. To think that she and Sasuke has had the thickest unresolved sexual tension she has ever encountered- Ino even claims she can smell it without needing Kiba's senses- and the ravenette still managed to stop...

She can't help but wonder if he saw something he doesn't like. Was her chest really too small? Was she dirty? Did he finally realize he needed something more from a woman?

Discovering that Sasuke actually slept back into the sofa bed didn't help Sakura's overthinking. She thought he was just up early, but when she went to the kitchen to get some water for her hangover, the ravenette was still peacefully slumbering alone.

"Why did you sleep at the sofa bed again, Sasuke-kun?" She managed to ask when he woke to eat breakfast with her.

"I thought you needed space," he replied nonchalantly. Of course this was normal for Sasuke, but Sakura would've been more reassured if he just... smiled. Or smirked. Or maybe teased even a bit. She understands they were comfortable with each other's silence now but he seemed too formal, too distant for her liking, and the pinkette was not having that again.

"Did I do anything funny, last night?" She questions, and Sasuke avoided her eyes.

So I did.

"You did not." He said.

Liar.

"I see. So what are your plans today, Sasuke-kun?"

"I'll be overseeing what's happening in the compound. And then train."

"Are you picking me up?"

"Aa."

"Would you drop me off?"

"Aa."

"Okay," Sakura shrugged, now getting really annoyed because the whole thing ticked her off. Something was definitely wrong.

True to his words and not once breaking a promise he made for her, though, Sasuke dropped Sakura off her work. He was, however, so uncomfortable that he didn't notice how she was sulking the entire walk. The pinkette was now used to him holding her hand whenever he gets the chance, but now he was treating her like she's some kind of virus who can kill him in one touch.

"I'll be out by 5," Sakura said, keeping her pout as she try to open a conversation before he leaves.

"Hn," Sasuke said without even looking at her, and Sakura almost sighed aloud. He's been avoiding her eyes since breakfast, but she didn't know that it was mostly because he's afraid to see himself in those jade orbs and remember how he almost lost control last night. He also didn't want to focus on her pout because that would only make things even harder for him- but of course she doesn't realize that either.

The pinkette firmly believes she did something wrong that's why he was acting like this.

"Sasuke-"

"I need to go. You go ahead so you won't be late." The last Uchiha forced a small smile and Sakura can only sigh.

****

"For someone who should've enjoyed the party last night, you look tired and down." Kakashi mused when he saw his ravenette ex-student enter his office. Frankly, Sasuke had become even more handsome during his 2-month stay in the village. He looked fresh and healthy since he's finally been sleeping well, eating homecooked meals, and accessing showers anytime.

However, today was an exception as the last Uchiha managed to look as restless and as stressed as he was during his first night back home.

"Let me be." He huffed.

"You didn't get laid last night, didn't you?"

"I didn't- that is none of your business." The ravenette hissed and Kakashi can only raise a brow.

"So you didn't."

"That's not the problem."

"Really? Then what is the problem?"

"Again, none of your business."

"Then why are you here?"

Sasuke sighed. Truthfully, he just wanted to excuse himself before Sakura questions him. He might not be able to detect the suspicions forming in her head, but he was sure the pinkette knows something was up. She's too good at reading him- she has been doing that ever since they were 13, and he'd prefer to avoid questions he didn't have answers for, for now. He needed space and time to think, and he couldn't afford having her realize what he was carefully pondering.

"I just didn't know where to go." He truthfully answers his former sensei.

"Ah, sure, but don't you think the Hokage's office isn't some kind of hanging out place?"

"No, I just want updates about the compound." Lies. The demolition doesnt really need any supervision. He had long ago took and kept everything he wanted from there. Everything that's going to be demolished are things that are either unpleasant, or simply unnecessary.

"Well, the team I sent is almost done removing everything. The council had decided to just leave the compound as part of the forest, or a training ground to anyone who'd want to linger there. Is this fine with you?"

"Aa." Sasuke absentmindedly agreed.

"So? Anything else?"

"None. Bye."

Kakashi had to chuckle as the man left without looking back. It was obvious that the last Uchiha was troubled by something, and the Rokudaime bets his mask it involves a former team 7 member with pink hair. If he'll try to be specific, he'll dare say that the whole not getting laid thing was indeed part of the problem.

Sure, the whole village knows they're romantically involved by now, and Kakashi is proud that the stoic Uchiha was finally able to admit his feelings to her and to himself. However, it was clear that not all issues about the Sasuke and Sakura has been resolved, particularly the unresolved sexual tension that is becoming too much to handle for everyone who's in the same room as the two.

That issue was something Kakashi wouldn't dare give free lessons about, and that's why he didn't push Sasuke to spill unlike how he would've done if it was another case. For the record, the hokage had already been so kind enough to insist on giving his Ichaicha Paradise copy to Sasuke. Apparently, there was still no progress, and that was the limit of his attempts to help.

I doubt Sakura's the problem, Kakashi thought. The girl would be willing to give even her life for that stubborn Uchiha. And it isn't like Sasuke didn't want her either. He might be pure in regards to girls, but his biological structure is still of a man's.

Kakashi then smirks to himself and puts his arms at the back of his head as he starts to relax. To him, there could only be one explanation why the tension surrounding his former students isn't resolved yet. And boy was he damn excited to see how Sasuke would act to finally resolve it.

After all, if Naruto can, Sasuke can.

****

"Was I too easy?" Sakura exasperated.

"No you're not, Forehead." Ino rolled her eyes. "If anything, you two are too slow! I mean, duh, there has been an undeniable connection since we were genins. He made it obvious he has something for you after the war, and you've been sharing a room for 2 months now! Just how the fuck did you not do it at all?"

"Sasuke's... I dont know. He doesn't like being touched. I dont even know if he considers doing that."

"I've already told you a thousand times, he does! And what do you mean he doesn't like being touched? I've seen him hold your hand secretly, not to mention you have always been the only girl allowed to hug him." The blonde scoffed. "Say, maybe he just didn't want to do it while you're drunk?"

Sakura ponders on that and shook her head. It might but a point but... "Then why was he avoiding me the whole morning?"

"Maybe he was just embarrassed? I mean, he's finally seen a woman in nothing but her pantie- hmf!" Ino was not able to finish her sentence as strong hands stopped her from talking further.

"Quiet, Ino-pig!" Sakura reminded, and her bestfriend can only nod.

"Okay, okay." The Yamanaka heiress got her composure back before thinking of a way to make her statements... less scandalous. "Well, as I was saying, maybe Mr. Uchiha was just flustered. Again, he might be an ex-terrorist or something, but he's the purest among the boys of our class. He's probably never thought about boobs or something."

"Ino!"

"What?! All I'm saying is, your man is very different from the usual boys we interact with. He's from one of the most ancient clans, anyway. He probably thinks you can only have sex after marriage- oh shit."

"What?" Sakura raises a brow.

"What if Sasuke intends to marry you first? That's why he doesn't initiate anything?"

"Me- what? Marry?!" The pinkette was the one to raise her voice now, earning attention from the people in the mental clinic's cafeteria. She then muttered a small 'sorry,' before turnung back to her bestfriend. "What do you mean marry?!"

"Think about it! The sexual tension between you two is so intense only the ever stupid Naruto cannot detect it. Sasuke has all means, and I bet he knows you'll be down for it anytime. But why doesn't he act on it? It's only two things: he doesn't have any idea how to put the dick on-"

"Hey!"

"-you, or he's just very traditional." Ino finishes her arguments anyway.

"Or maybe Sasuke-kun just doesnt like my body or something. He's seen tons and tons of women all around the world. What if what he saw made him stop? What if-"

"Sakura." Ino stops the pinkette before her overthinking gets the best out of her. "You, out of all of us, knows Sasuke best. Do you honestly think he wants someone else?" She raised a brow.

"...well...no."

"Has Sasuke ever paid any attention to any woman, or any female body parts he sees?"

"Hmm...no."

"Yes, he does." The blonde dismissed which made Sakura nervous. Did Sasuke really look at those?

"H-he does? I- I have never noticed..." the pinkette looked down and tried to remember when and what exactly was the last Uchiha's type. Did she fall short of it? Was her chest really a turn off? How come she never saw him admiring anyone? To think that has been her comfort during those times she wasn't sure if Sasuke would fulfill his promise of coming back.

"Idiot. Yes, he does. He pays attention to your hair. A lot of times to your eyes." Ino smiles bitterly. "Frankly, when we were so little, I envied how he asked for your name. He might've come off as rude when he asked who were you, but that Uchiha boy never cared for anyone's name. It was just you."

Sakura gasped. That, she remembers. She remembers how red she'd be whenever she caught him staring. She remembers how he'd always play with her hair before he drifts into sleep. She was, however, torn between feeling good about that and feeling sad for her bestfriend's tone. Ino also used to have a crush on the ravenette boy, and rejoicing about small compliments like that might be a little offensive to her. "Ino..."

"Oh no, no. Don't you dare be sad for me. I never loved Sasuke the way you did, and I am the happiest with Sai." The blonde smirked. "What I am just saying is, it was only you who could grab his attention from the start. Stop thinking that the problem is you."

"Then..."

"You know what, just ask him. Assuming anything about Sasuke doesn't work at all anyway. Go and ask him. You're dating now and you can hold him accountable to say the truth. You can also read him better once you're at it."

"...I guess so."

"Keep me posted, kay?"

"Duh?" Sakura grinned. Of course her bestfriend would be the first to know once all these has been sorted.

*****

Sasuke trained the whole day- channeling his frustrations and fears into his shurikens as if they're going to solve his problems for him.

Of course, his desire to prove his feelings and sincerity towards Sakura wasn't a problem. When he took his last glance at her last night, he already held a conviction in his heart on what he needs to do. He realized he wanted to offer himself to her- to share everything with her, in the proper way he has been told by his mother. From his Clan name, to the Uchiha crest, to all the stories about his past, to every feelings and thoughts and desires. He wanted to share all of that with her.

The only problem is how.

He knows what he wants, sure, he always did. But this is the first time he didnt know how he could achieve it.

See, to kill Itachi, he needed to become stronger and that was doable. To avenge Itachi, he needed to destroy Konoha and frankly, it would've been easy if it wasn't for his stupid bestfriend. To atone for his sins, he needed to go out and help people which was not even close to the punishment he deserves.

But to prove his love? To ask her if she'll be willing to share even the burden of the Uchiha crest after everything she's already endured for him? It would require Sasuke a lot more than a just poke in her forehead. It was a very special gesture, no doubt, but Sakura would need- would deserve- something more.

He would need to speak.

He would need to say the words he spoke last night with her awake, and he would need to pop a question.

Because how the hell could he ask and marry her with only a few "hn's," and "aa's"?

Sasuke had to go without finding an answer. He was still frustrated when he set out to pick Sakura up, but he still managed to flash her a small smile. After small "hey's" and "hi's," though, the couple walked back to the pinkette's apartment as awkward as they were in the morning.

"Sasuke-kun," Sakura called softly, too soft that no one would've heard it unless you're as alert as Uchiha Sasuke yourself.

"Hn?" He asks, still thinking about his damned proposal he cant get out of his chest.

"About last night..."

"Just forget it." Sasuke was quick to dismiss when he heard the slightest embarrassment in her voice. He doesnt want her to remember how they almost did it without at least even being sober, but Sakura mistook his dismissal as something negative.

"Why? Did you not... like it?"

"L- what?" The ravenette snapped his head to look at her in surprise. It dawned on him that his actions were making Sakura feel insecure, and he mentally curses himself as he not only failed to come up with a way to make her marry him, but also failed to assure her that she's the most beautiful human being on the planet.

"Me... you saw me... almost bare and-- did you not like it? Did you feel disgusted, that's why you're avoiding me..?"

"I- I..."

"You can be completely honest with me, Sasuke-kun."

No. I loved every bit of you. I'd worship your body and do my best to make you feel just how much I love and want you.

Of course, he wasn't able to say that. Instead, what came out was "Hn."

Sakura then looked at him with watery eyes and a bitter smile. He wanted to clear what his "hn," meant this time, but the pinkette beat him into it.

"I see." She sighed, and faked a wide grin. "Could you please go on ahead? I forgot to ask Ino something. We might end up getting dinner too, so dont wait for me. Bye!"

And she was gone.

Sasuke had to think of a way to not lose her. He needs to find courage to do his plans now. He cannot, and will not, let her slip away from his fingers when she's this close. When he's this open, when he's fallen too deep into the emotions he not once thought he'd acknowledge.

He wont lose the spring of his life when he finally accepted and got used to it. No, not now.

He was going to act about it, whatever it takes.

_____________________________________________

Unedited.