Disclaimers: I do not own Naruto.

Summary: Sakura had become tired of chasing Sasuke and getting nothing in return. But after reading some of Sasuke's entries in his most treasured notebook, she found no reason at all to love him… Because one must love for love's sake only.


Nisshi

By: Snotty Chim-Chim


"In a world that has grown cold –

You are there with your warmth."


The sun is already showering Konohagakure and the rest of the world with its hot rays and yet, the prodigy of Team 7 is nowhere to be found. Kakashi, who is also known for his tardiness, arrived even before Sasuke.

"ARGH! I swear, once I see that teme, I'm going to rip his overly inflated head off!" Naruto heatedly shouted.

"Maybe he just overslept. Let's wait for him, ne?" Sakura said, also starting to get seriously annoyed by Sasuke's tardiness.

Yes, annoyed that Sasuke's late. In case you haven't noticed, she'd overcome her infatuation on Sasuke.

Another hour passed and still no Sasuke. Even the Copy Ninja, who often remains calm and emotionless, was starting to show some of his impatience.

And when another thirty minutes passed, he seriously asked Sakura and Naruto to check on Sasuke.

"I suggest you go to Sasuke's house to check on him. He might have a serious reason for this tardiness." Kakashi said.

"Hmph. As if he has a good enough reason to make the future Hokage wait!" Naruto said.

BONK.

"Naruto, you talk too much of yourself! Stop being conceited!" Sakura said, brandishing her hand for another whack on Naruto's head – if the occasion calls for it.

"WHAT? Me, conceited! Ha! You must be talking about Sasuke! He's too arrog- OUCH! What did you do that for, eh, Sakura-chan?" Naruto whined while nursing a newly formed bump on his head.

"Stop badmouthing Sasuke. Even if I don't have a crush on him anymore, I'm still his teammate and I won't let anyone badmouth him!" Sakura said.

"Hey little children, you better be off." Kakashi cut their bickering off.

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING LITTLE!" Sakura and Naruto said in unison.

"No one."

"LIAR!"

"Off you go!" Kakashi whipped out an orange book and was out of site in a couple of seconds.

"Stupid Kakashi-sensei." Naruto said as they trudge to Sasuke's apartment.


"Hey, Naruto!" Sakura suddenly said.

"Yeah?" came Naruto's answer.

"Aren't you hungry?"

"I am. Why?" Naruto answered, consciously rubbing a hand on his rumbling stomach.

"I can go to Sasuke's house alone, if you want to head to your beloved ramen stand."

"WHAT? Arigatou, Sakura-chan! You're so kind!" And with that, he practically rushed to his favorite ramen stand.

Sakura smiled at his retreating back.


Knock. Knock.

No answer.

Knock. Knock.

Still, no one answered.

"Sasuke-kun, are you home?"

She turned the door knob and, miraculously, the door swung open. Sakura peeked inside and was greeted by an empty apartment. She decided then and there to wait for Sasuke inside his apartment, clearly thinking that no harm would befall her from doing so.

How utterly wrong she is.


As she moved towards the sofa, she noticed a blue notebook innocently lying on the coffee table. The cover has an Uchiha emblem on it and on the lower right side corner of the notebook was the name "Uchiha Sasuke" written in bold, golden letters.

She took it and began flipping through the pages, wondering what was written inside. Her eyes skimmed over the words until a phrase caught her eye.

"In a world that has grown cold –

You are there with your warmth."

I solely dedicate this phrase to my teammate, Haruno Sakura, who is always there to cheer me on – the real me.

She's always there; ready to give me her love and warmth even if I keep pushing her aside. I must admit that at some point, it became my source of comfort. I wish I could say this directly to her but I just don't know how.

And so, in tribute to her kindness, I dedicate this phrase to her, hoping that in one way or another, I can finally open up to her and tell her my feelings.

Hoping it's not too late.

-Uchiha Sasuke

September 7

Heart thumping madly against her chest, she closed the notebook and tried to smother her newly forming feelings for a certain raven-haired boy.


Author's Note:

I know this must be pretty lame but who can blame me? I need to get it out of my system.

Anyway, just tell me what you think and I'll decide from there whether to continue this or not.

Ja ne!