“We can wait here until the storm dies down a bit.” Being trained shinobis they are, there’s not a weather they can’t withstand. But with limited chakra left, they need to conserve what bit of energy they have left.

Sasuke quickly makes a small fire with his katon. Dusting off the snow from their coats, they sit by the fire, letting the flames warm them slowly.

“I hope it’ll die down soon.” Sakura comments. It’s fortunate for them to find this cave, but being away from home for two weeks, she can’t wait to get back home to her own bed.

The fire seems to not be helping at all since she’s still shivering from the cold. She tucks in her legs closer to her chest. Sasuke seems to have noticed when he takes off his own coat to cover her.

“Uh Sasuke-kun it’s okay! You’ll be cold!” He doesn’t say anything and decides to lean to the wall behind him. They’ve been on the go for a whole day and he can’t say he’s not exhausted. He tries to close his eyes but he’s starting to feel the cold on his skin.

“This is not gonna work. Sasuke-kun you’ll freeze to death.” There’s no way she will let him freeze. There’s only one thing left for them to do. Sakura scoots closer to him until their shoulders are practically touching. Sasuke seems surprised but doesn’t reject the idea. He seems to know what she’s up to.

Body heat.

She puts his coat back around him and wraps her arm around his. Scooting even closer until no space is left, they let their body heat do the work.

“I forgot how warm you feel.” Sakura remembers the first time they were stuck in a snowstorm, back when they were still genin. They had been separated from Naruto and Kakashi-sensei and just like now, they had no choice but to seek shelter if they were to come out of the situation alive. Wrapping her arm around a brooding Sasuke, they let their bodies warm themselves.

Sasuke seems to remember the time Sakura is referring to. The only difference is that now Sasuke enjoys it more.

“Just rest, Sakura.” Sakura chuckles. It’s been a while since she’s spent some time alone with Sasuke, and although the situation might not be the best, they decide to take advantage of it. There’s nothing else they could do anyway.

Warmth.

She can feel his warm chakra engulfing her. Relishing the moment, she lets sleep slowly consume her. Instinctively, she leans her head on his shoulder. It seems to have caught Sasuke by surprise because his body stiffens in response. This is the first time they’ve been this close, proximity wise, in a long time. He eyes his teammate. He admires how time has done its job maturing her, how the woman right next to him is not the same girl from his memories, but at the same time he can still see the same kindness he remembers from back then. After all this time, she’s still the same Sakura, but stronger, braver, and more beautiful. Unknowingly, he treads his fingers around hers, warming her cold hand.

.

.

Sunlight starts to fill the cave as Sakura slowly opens her eyes. It feels like fifteen minutes had passed when actually hours did. She feels Sasuke’s head on top of hers. She tries to move as slow as possible but of course the shinobi nature within him kicks in, waking him up.

“Did you sleep well, Sasuke-kun?” Sakura gives him a warm smile. He doesn’t realize they had been huddled together the entire night. “At least the storm has stopped.”

“Aa.” They both stand up and notice their fingers are still linked. She can’t fight the blush creeping from her neck. 

“Ah sorry.” She pulls her hand from his, but he tightens his grip, preventing her from breaking away.

“Don’t be.” A night alone with Sakura was enough to drive him off the edge. The last thing he remembers before dozing off was how captivating Sakura’s lips are. As they stand together, he inches closer to her, closing the gap between them until they are only a breath apart. He stares at her lips. He imagines how it would feel to put his lips on hers, how soft they would be. How tempting it is to swoop her in his arms and make use of this time they have alone. He tightens his hand and leans closer and-

“There you guys are!” Naruto’s voice echoes, making them jump. They quickly break away, setting a good distance between them. They turn their faces away from each other, faces as red as the firepit he made last night. Sakura clears her throat and stomps to Naruto.

“Hey Naruto, what are you doing here?” She sarcastically smiles at him, clearly hiding the murderous intent that’s oozing from her.

“Well we just got worried and wanted to make sure you arrive on time.” He peeks from Sakura to look at Sasuke who’s facing the end of the cave.

“Oi Sasuke!” Naruto’s face grows paler when he senses a malicious aura from the raven-haired man. Sasuke turns his body slightly to eye him, eyes glowing with rage.

“Err is everything okay?” As if oblivious of the mood that he shattered, he starts to show some concerns that his two teammates are not getting along well.

“They won’t be for long.” Sasuke starts approaching Naruto, chakra spiking, ready to pounce him.

“Woah Sasuke hold on!” 

Sakura doesn’t bother to stop him.