"Trust me, you'd know if I was going for the ouch option." She didn't wonder at him not stepping immediately back, if she probably should have. He was as careful with his personal space as he was anything else -- and careful was a nice way to say paranoid.

She could have wondered if today had been an effort in this, if she knew otherwise, when he asked. She was mildly surprised, eyes widening a fraction, and she swallowed reflexively. That sounded embarrassing for some reason she couldn't quite define. "Are you asking?" For all it was obvious, Sakura wanted to make sure.

And be damned if she didn't acknowledge entirely why she didn't step back and away right then. Too much exploration of reasons and motivations and insecurities on her part that she wasn't willing to delve into.

She found herself unwittingly holding her breath, and made herself exhale softly waiting for a reply.