Quote of the chapter: "You tend to regret when the action is finished."

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          cнαpтer 21

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The sun had already set by the time Hinata and Naruto came. Once they did, they immediately ate their supper and Naruto invited.

"I heard that there's fireworks later because of the festival, want to watch?"

Sakura started, "I don't think-"

She was interrupted by the loud blasts and shouts coming from the streets right outside of the inn.

In an instant, they all sprinted to check out what was the catastrophe about.

Pushing the doors, they were welcomed by dazzling sparks of fireworks. People were houling and cheering in awe as the entertainment ignited the sky.

There was a festival, celebrating the town's birth which is why villagers are allowed to party on the road and sidewalks.

"Guess the party already started." Naruto commented, staring at the lights sparkling above.

Including the three other ninja, all of them were watching in astonishment. Naruto took this opportunity to sling his arm around Hinata's neck affectionately and Hinata allowed by leaning on his shoulder while they watch the show together as a couple.

When Sakura unconsciously walked forward to take a better look, she almost slipped by the rock she stepped. However Sasuke caught her just in time when she almost fell.

"Thanks." She said, feeling tired. The illness is most probably kicking in her system.

Once she glanced up, onyx orbs met jade ones as they were both glued in a trance. Exploding firecrackers and jolly citizens did not bother them at the moment. Sakura suddenly stared at his thin lips while they slowly close their distance.

How much she wondered on how those lips tasted and how it felt. She fantasized that it would sent her heart thumping away.

How much she dreamed of the perfect backdrop, including the magical aura.

How much time she waited.

Though, she still wonder.

If this is truly a dream.

Because this wasn't the right time.

Hitting back to reality, Sakura inhaled and averted her sight downwards to the ground, avoiding his lips in the process which also made her stop from moving closer.

"I'm sorry, I thought...just, this isn't right." She spoked before running to the room, leaving Sasuke in the puzzled maze.

She guessed-that colliding his lips with hers-would forever stay as a fantasy.

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Once Sasuke composed himself, he prepared to open the door and expect for the latter.

Well what does he expect more? Hell, they were both getting married-but with different people.

He unlocked the door as it revealed Sakura laying at her own bed with the covers piled up against her body. Her eyes were half-lidded as her skin was back to the pale tone as if she was the pink-haired Snow White.

Sasuke walked inside and extended his hand, his palm reaching for her forehead. The back of his palm felt a burning sensation once his hand made contact with her flaming skin-as if nothing happened.

"You're burning up."

Sakura nodded weakly. Maybe it was a good thing that they did not kiss, because Sakura might have gotten more sick due to the cold weather outside.

He got up and snatched a bottle of water from the bag of extra food that Naruto and Hinata bought. Then he placed it at the night stand next to Sakura's bed. "Here."

"What's this for?"

"Saitu mentioned that if you drink more water, then the illness will wore off in a couple of hours." He replied, taking a seat at his mattress.

"Thanks."

After taking a drink of the water and laying back down, Sasuke called. "Sakura."

"Hm?"

"...do you still love me?"

Sakura's eyes bulged out by the sudden question. She observed his features carefully, searching for signs that he was joking or lying.

Even if it may seem impossible that Sasuke was making a joke, dear Kami-sama, she really hoped he was.

"Why?"

"Because you wouldn't get that poison if you still despised me." He answered as Sakura still pursued to find clues. However, it was obvious by his expression that Sasuke was serious-like he needed to ask, which is why he urged himself to.

By concluding this, Sakura had come to ultimate silence. She was loss for words.

She bit her lower lip. "It doesn't matter anymore if I do or not. We're both gettung married to someone else."

"It matters to me."

Four words and that made Sakura speechless, once again.

She was quiet for a while and she knew Sasuke was waiting for an answer. So she sent back what he said before to which also meant something more to Sakura, because she never got to say it back then.

"Sasuke-kun."

He did not respond, he just waited.

"Thank you."

With that, Sakura fell into dreamland. Her eyes were shut tightly, she cannot even open them if she wanted to and the soft cushions just made her transfer to her own world.

With that, she never knew if Sasuke replied or not.

END OF CHAPTER 21

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//PUBLISHED.5.23.15//

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~TheSketcher