This is only a short introductory chapter, before the real action starts, heh!
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Part I – Prelude
He just knew she'd be trouble.
A roundhouse kick nearly slammed against his cheek but he parried it with his forearm. To his dismay, he found that the force of the hit still hurt like a bitch, and he cursed the grunt that wormed its way out of his mouth.
She wasted no time as she turned on her heel and hurled a gloved fist at him. He caught it, of course, along with the second punch she threw not a second later. He fought the urge to roll his eyes. You haven't grown as much as you thought, have you? Still so predictable.
...And then she surprised him. His only warning was a guttural snarl. Boom.
He released her fists, unable to hold on as he doubled over in blazing agony, and oh my Kami the unadulterated pain blurred the landscape and his eyes rolled to the back of his head. He slumped forward and let his forehead rest on the cold, apathetic dirt, lying prostrate and unmoving. A groan left his lips, betraying his torment.
In the meantime, Sakura threw her shoulders back and stalked away. A trembling blond scrambled after her.
"Uh, Sakura-chan?"
She didn't stop walking.
"Don't you think you went a little, um, too far back there?"
She kept walking. Naruto swallowed his trepidation. He did not want to incur Sakura's wrath after what he'd just witnessed. He'd have to choose his next words carefully.
"I mean, I know you're still mad, and it's all awkward between you guys, so it was great you two sparred so you could work off your anger and stuff, but… did you really have to kick him there? A man's balls are pretty sensiti-"
Sakura whirled around, green eyes flashing. "I don't want to hear one more word out of you, Naruto," she hissed.
Naruto threw his hands up in a placating gesture. "Okay, okay! I'll shut up. I was just saying-"
Sakura slapped him upside the head (and none too lightly, he would add). "He deserves it, okay, Naruto? He really does."
"Ow…" Naruto muttered, rubbing the side of his poor, aching head. "Yeah, I guess you're right, Sakura-chan."
With that, Sakura continued marching away from Training Field Three and away from the ex-traitor who was only just recovering from the assault on his manhood. As he lifted his head to watch Naruto clamber after Sakura, he couldn't hold back the upward turn of the corner of his mouth. Sasuke Uchiha had smelled a challenge.
He just hoped she'd be worth the trouble.
Teehee. Sakura's really changed, eh?
Just to clear things up, Sasuke has returned to Konoha (and yes, I realise how unlikely that is) and has become a Konoha nin once again. More will be revealed later on, and things will intensify - later chapters will contain mature content and won't be as lighthearted as this mini-chapter. Just an early heads-up.
The next bit will be posted as soon as I get a little repose from school. Please don't be shy, I'd love to know your thoughts! Constructive criticism is always welcome.