Several members of the Konoha elite seem to be acting rather strange indeed. What happens when a very powerful jutsu takes hold that jumps back and forth from host to host through direct touch. Wwait- Why is Sasuke suddenly acting like we're friends? S-Sasuke d-did you just-kiss me? AUish. Non-Massacre.

A play on Love potion plots.

[~]

Chapter 1:

Inspiration: Love like woe- The Ready Set

"I kinda feel like it don't make sense; Feel like it don't make sense. I'm thinking baby you and I are undeniable, but I'm finding out loves unreliable"

Pairing: There are just so many. But I do have an end game pairing in the works. One of the main pairs will recognize that it takes more than a love potion to rid the feelings. For now, we'll go with the specific pairings in the specific chapter; This chapter might be considered NaruSaku or SasuSaku. depending upon whether you're a hard proof fangirl or a I SHIP EVERYTHING fangirl~ : ]

Notes: This fic is just. Ah geez. All I can say for now is review and let me know your thoughts. Love you guys. Also, first person chapters that will alter back and forth between the shinobi. So some chapters will focus on Sakura's view, others Sasuke, Naruto, Itachi, and so on. I will try to stick to those few however. Don't think I'll be randomly writing a Shikamaru pov, though that would be interesting. Doubt it'll happen.

Theme: Romance/Craziness/Drama

Rating: T for now.

Warning: Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or world that Naruto takes place in. Anything you might think belongs to be, doesn't. I mean, really, do I seem like Kishi?

[It's like a hurricane; Speed train; She's a moving car;]

[pov:Sakura]

First of all, under no circumstances, will I ever consider that thing to be appealing in absolutely any way.

"You," I pause for dramatic effect, "are a moron."

A heat crosses my face at just the thought of what he had suggested.

I mean really, is he that big of a complete and utter freaking moron? I reach an arm out to whack against his head. I take pride in the fact that I pull my hand away and it's throbbing rather annoyingly.

The blond before me hunkers down and groans, his arms coming up to cover his head in a futile effort. "Sakkkkk~ura-chan." Crouching Naruto cradles the new bump on his skull with a whine.

Like a scalded little puppy.

Nu-uh, not gonna work on me today.

I shake my head at him unsympathetically. "Naruto, you're a freaking idiot if you think I'm going to wear that thing." I point a stern finger at his side.

Now lying in a small bundle, long forgotten on the ground, the outrageously offending material sparkles against the sunlight. Rhinestones, sequins, very tiny, stretchy -and skin tight no doubt- and most unforgivably, bright magenta pink. The little number that Naruto had asked oh-so casually if I would wear for him on a date- that I hadn't even agreed to, mind you- with him tonight.

As if I would wear that anywhere. In general. The date topic set aside.

After a moment of pouting, he stands and his hands slip away from his head. He looks completely normal again, as if I hadn't just popped him on the head for his stupidity. He gives me a very Naruto-esque grin. "Does that mean you'll go on a date with me?" He beams. His next words seem like an after thought, "You can wear whatever you want, Sakura-chan. I'm sure you'll be pretty."

This guy...

I close my eyes and attempt to regulate my breathing. Opening them slowly I give him a look that could quite possibly wilt a flower.

He wisely takes a weary step away from me.

"Naruto, really. Do you have any idea-" My voice is rapidly growing louder with each word, "How freaking crazy I would have to be to go on a date with you!?" I attempt to punch him again, but he flashes out of my reach in a blur, disappearing entirely.

I scramble in an attempt to spot him again. Somewhere I hear his sheepish laugh and quickly crane my neck to see that he is sitting a fence post just behind me and off to my right.

I release a throaty growl. "You're insane!" I bark at him and he starts rubbing his head in that terribly cute way. His eyes were creased closed to complete the look. Perfect, foolish innocence.

Really, this guy is absolutely crazy. My stupid teammate. Why can't he be normal for once?

Of all the people I could have been stuck with.

I screech his name, preparing to launch forward and bash him good, but he is suddenly gone again, with a lingering, "Sorry, Sakura-chan", left on the wind in his absence. His precious date outfit that he had 'handpicked' for me, left discarded on the ground.

After a look in all directions, it's very clear that he will not be around here anymore, at least not now. He's nowhere to be found.

Naruto has another thing coming if he thinks I am going to let this go so easily. What does he take me for, a cheap hooker?

I attempt to push on with my day and stack all thoughts of Naruto mercilessly into the darkness at the back of my mind. Where I keep all of my low priority, mildly worrisome topics.

What the hell was I doing before that crazy boy interrupted me?

Ah. Tsunade.

I sigh and roll my shoulders in their joints stiffly. It seems that I am not going to be able to relax today.

I remember how I was woken up so abruptly this morning by a carrier with a message from Tsunade. My office as soon as possible, was all she wrote.

No rest for me it seems. I straighten the hem of my shirt and march forward again. It is way too early in the morning for me to have my temper misbehaving.

Even though I vow not to think about it, I can't forget that crazy Naruto wants a date with me.

Again.

Really, that boy's dedication to his goal is certainly something exceptional. I'm torn between being exasperated by him and envious of his determination.

At this moment, I am more than a little put off by the thought that he won't give up. Of course, I understand that Naruto loves me- always has loved me- and sometimes I'm very grateful for his devotion, but days like this one, it seems to be more of a nuisance than anything.

He corners me, asking me for dates.

He buys me flowers.

He tells me all the time that I'm beautiful and invites me for ramen.

All of these are things that I accept about Naruto's feelings.

Honestly, I have told him more than a few times that I don't return his feelings. Usually he just diverts the topic.

I know he can tell that I don't feel that way for him.

Though he may have everyone else convinced, I know that Naruto isn't as stupid as he seems. There is a real maturity and simple, natural comprehension underneath his silly personality. He seems to innately be able to read others, but he doesn't allow what he sees in them to alter the way he feels.

It's extremely admirable and very, very stupid.

But then again, that's my Naruto. Stupid, crazy Naruto.

I try to push all the thoughts away once again and make my way towards the Hokage tower. It's gleaming in the distance in the mid-afternoon light. From somewhere behind me, I hear a familiar voice.

Pausing I turn around, somehow weary of Naruto appearing again after I had just threatened him- really that boy just didn't give up- but I'm pleasantly surprised.

It's not Naruto I gaze at, but my other teammate.

I drink in the absolutely dead-panned, general indifference of Uchiha Sasuke as he makes his way towards me. I would almost say he wasn't happy to see me, but he had chosen to call out for me when he could have simply walked quietly along behind.

It was a small, but important clue.

Though, I didn't really need any clues to read into Sasuke. He's not exactly an open book; he's far too complex and dreary to be an open book, but he has become far less murky in all the years we've been teammates.

Where others might see him frowning, I just see him stewing, or overthinking things.

Ino might think Sasuke is mean or shrewd, but I know he's just picky and has a hard time explaining himself.

He's actually almost as helplessly misunderstood as Naruto, but Sasuke is…well, Sasuke. And Naruto is Naruto.

As easy as they are to compare it's also like comparing a squeaking rubber ducky toy, to a full on plastic sword. Childlike comfort verses cool.

Depends on what you like, I guess.

Personally I don't like either of them that way.

I admire them for their strength, their daring and their charms- which each of them has their own very distinct charm- but I can't bring myself to say I love either of them in a more than friendly way.

I wait for Sasuke to catch up with me and grin. "Hello, Sasuke-kun."

He looks me straight in my eyes but doesn't speak a word. The eye contact is supposed to be his lazy, anti-social form of conversation. Honestly though, it gets so old.

I shook my head at him haplessly. "Shishou sent for me."

He met up beside me and we began walking along side each other. He didn't turn his head to look at me but his voice was smooth and low, "Yeah, me too."

I sigh, "That must mean she called Naruto too. It's probably about the mission report."

At my side, Sasuke seemed to shudder at the prospect of being confronted about such a thing. "Don't remind me."

I sigh a second time. "That baka." I reach a hand to pass through my hair.

Naruto really did have some nerve. "He asked me on a date this morning."

Sasuke's expression didn't alter in any way, but his voice seemed faintly amused when he glanced at me. "Again?"

I shrug. "He'll never give up—But seriously, after what happened on our last mission, he has balls to even look at me and consider asking me on a date."

"That loser really is helpless."

[pov:Sasuke]

At first I figure, it can't really hurt at this point.

Of course around these total morons that statement really should be banned.

It's not just going to hurt; it's apparently going to fucking ruin everything. Naruto's motor mouth is running at one hundred words a minute and Sakura keeps mouthing his name every five seconds in an attempt- a futile one- to get him to shut up.

I lower my head so that my hair flops down in front of much of my face. It may not be very dignified, but damn does it feel better than exposing my absolute humility to the world.

Well, not the world exactly, but at least to all of the fucking Jonin in the room. Why are there so fucking many people in this room right now anyways?

There is a minor tremor that shakes over my shoulders as I struggle to control my rising temper.

I can practically feel my brothers amused gaze prodding me in the back and the rest of the eyes in the room were positively filled with mirth. Some of them even had the nerve to laugh out right.

Speaking of morons, I can vaguely hear Lee as he makes a very pointed jab about me to someone nearby, and immediately he follows it up with a flattery of some kind about Sakura. The whole string of words, from front til end, makes my skin crawl. I fight not to turn around and scowl at him.

It proves to be a very difficult battle indeed.

Naruto's loud explanation from my side is nearly the last straw of my patience. I don't know how I came to stand in the middle of these two absolutely thick skulled partners of mine.

Being in the middle meant that most of the responsibilities came to fall on me. I naturally assume the leader role, I guess.

"Are you telling me right now," Tsunade gives us all a very stern glare. Out of all the people in the room- really, why did there have to be so many people in here today?- her expression is the only serious one other than my own. Her golden eyes flicker darkly across the three of us, "that it was an accident?" A high level of skepticism makes her tone of voice a stage higher.

I wish I could just say, 'Naruto, shut the hell up. You're making this worse, dobe.'

Would he actually have the grace to shut up if I did say that?

Rather than speaking my mind, I just stand quietly. My head is still angled a large degree towards the ground.

Without shifting my head at all, I angle my eyes towards Sakura as she stands on my left.

Her pink hair is mostly masking her expression from my view, all except the peak of her nose and I could make out her lips as well. I see her teeth reveal themselves as she chews the skin there.

She is unnaturally stiff and her chest is moving a little too harshly. Apparently breathing is difficult for her at the moment.

Naruto speaks up again and several people laugh out loud. "Of course it was an accident, baa-chan." The blond doesn't say anything for a moment before he openly blanches, his eyes growing wide. His hands spring into the air in an animated motion. "You seriously think we did this on purpose?" He seems downright offended that she would suspect him at all. I'm just annoyed that he said 'we' and not 'I'.

I want to roll my eyes at him. There is a minor gasp from Sakura and my side and I glance at her to see her hand is pressed to her chest. She's worrying about something. Either that or she's embarrassed.

Tsunade is positively relentless. "How else would you explain how all the underwear disappeared, you brat?" She snaps. Her hand lifts and instantly smacks back down on her desk. A few papers scatter, she nearly knocks over her bottle of sake and there is a suspicious creaking sound that comes from the old legs of her table.

Beside me, Sakura also jumps at the sound.

Naruto somehow has the gall to look astounded. "Underwear!?" He holds both of his hands out in front of him and waves them around crouching and shaking his head. There is a picturesque innocence contorting his face into surprise. "Underwe- Baa-chan, are you suggesting you really think that I stole them?" He laughs a little too outrageously.

Several other people laugh with him, or at him, I am not certain.

I am only irritated and in a slight state of disbelief.

"I mean, yeah maybe I was in the room-" Naruto's words come out a little quietly, and Tsunade's frown grows like a weed across her brow. She interrupts him with a very stout reprimand.

"You were more than just in the room, Naruto. You were caught, red handed sneaking into her room." She shook her head, "This was an important mission and you were caught stealing peeks at our client's wife. Naruto that in itself is unforgivable, but you actually had the nerve to steal some of her underwear. You will never be able to work off the community service you get for this."

The whole time these accusations- all of them I suspect are true- are being thrown at him, Naruto is still merely laughing nervously. I notice that he is suddenly taking very miniscule steps backwards, as if he could sneak away centimeter by centimeter. "Baa-chan. What do you take me for? Some kind of pervert?"

"Like teacher like student. In your case, both of your sensei', Naruto." She chimes in response, her eyes still ablaze with ire.

Naruto is an utterly lost cause. He continues making suspiciously skittish sounds.

When the Hokage then turns that withering gaze on me and I stiffen noticeably. I lift my chin at once and prepare myself. Her glare is unforgiving and her temper is very well known. It's rather like staring into the eyes of a murderous beast. "And you, Uchiha-brat. You were the mission captain. It was your responsibility to keep up with all of your team members. You should have been watching your stupid teammate." She spits the words and jerks up her bottle of sake.

I watch, grateful for the distraction on her part and think of what to say.

She's entirely correct on the one hand.

On the other hand, how can I be so unlucky to be put on the same team as this blockhead on my right? I mean really, how was I supposed to know he would have the nerve to not only peep at our client, but also to steal her fucking panties?

Tsunade bangs the bottle back down onto the table and sneers at me. Her eyes aren't glazed over so I am not certain that she has drank much today. But it will only get worse if she does indeed become drunk before we leave.

I risk a peek at Naruto who still looks uneasy. I will absolutely murder him when we get out of this office. If Sakura doesn't get to him first.

A quick glance back to my front and I lower my head respectfully. "Yes, Hokage-sama. I apologize." I would not consider it groveling but I'm sure my brother would tell the tale that way later as a drinking story. One that would forever haunt me. Itachi would tell the story of the time, 'Naruto stole some ladies panties and Sasuke was begging Tsunade not to punish him."

I frown and shoot Naruto a 'You're going to die' glare.

He shivers very visibly.

At my other side, I hear Sakura speak up for the second time since we first arrived. The first time she had defended Naruto.

This time, it seems she is aiming to defend me. "Sasuke was busy with his role as captain, I have no excuse. I'm sorry, Shishou, I should have stopped Naruto as well." It is somehow very typical of Sakura to deflect any negativity away from me or Naruto during these types of events. I'm not surprised in the least. My eyes fasten on her figure as I consider how undying her loyalties towards her teammates are for the moments she has drawn away my scrutiny. Before I look away I decide that I will find some way to thank her for those her unswerving fortification of our team.

For a moment Tsunade pauses before her voice returns again. It is only slightly less stern. The Sanin has a clear favoritism towards our blossom teammate. "Damn right you should have, you brat. I thought you would know better. That kid is always up to no good. You'd think you kids were used to looking after that baka. This will not happen again."

Sakura frowns and drops her head as if she's disappointed in herself. "Yes, Shishou."

I note that for all her protection of him earlier, she still shoots a very frightening death glare at Naruto from beneath her flower blossom pink bangs. Naruto whimpers at my side, but it isn't enough to lighten my mood unfortunately.

"Team 7, you're all absolutely hopeless." Tsunade decidedly pronounces over another swig of her sake.

At this point, I pretty much agree with the old hag.

We are hopeless.

The dobe is fucking hopeless.

Sakura is fucking hopeless.

Being at their side makes me absolutely hopeless too.

"Get out of my sight." She gurgles the words out.

We turn to leave and I am extra careful not to look at any of the many jonin around the room. I expect they are all there for similar reasons. Or maybe because Tsunade is just feeling merciless at the moment. I am uncertain.

"And Naruto," The cold voice of our Hokage is clipped and we all turn around again even though she only addressed one of us. "Don't be late tomorrow- For your community service that is." She gives him a mean grin.

The blond idiot gives her a really, truly frightened and reluctant face before the three of us turn to leave again. I make no effort to meet the gaze of my brother who is standing suspiciously close to me when I turn around.

I would no doubt have to hear all about his opinion on this matter sooner rather than later.

For now my hopeless team and I exit quietly with great shame.

Once through the door, there is a smoldering silence as we head through the halls. It's hot and heavy, like it's going to melt away my skin.

An annoyance clouds my eyes as we walk, Naruto in the front and Sakura just behind him. As usual I naturally drift along after them.

Even from my distance I can see that Sakura's shoulders are very tense. The straight backed, soldier like march she has taken up is strange. There is a very irritatingly specific way that Sakura walks. Hands generally clasped behind her, leaned to one side, a very casual, effortless way to walk and not to mention she is always beside Naruto. Never behind him. It is a very normal process, which I have observed enough times in our years as partners and have entirely memorized.

This is very not normal.

My eyes lock onto them suspiciously. I know this team like the back of my hand.

As we leave the building the moment our feet hit the dirt it's like watching a scene that I'd already watched many times before. A genuine deja vu moment.

Sakura turns on Naruto in an instant. Her bright green eyes are lit up like they're on fire, her arms both come up above her and she releases a great battle cry.

I merely side step as the blond idiot screeches and attempts to grab onto my arm to hide behind me. I have no mercy. "You're lucky I'm not the one pummeling you, you moron." I snap, my eyes growing icy cold.

Today this dobe is not like a brother to me.

Today he is like my worst nightmare.

I remain standoffish- though I secretly enjoy the sight far too much- as Sakura begins to whap him over the head repeatedly. He is groaning and calling her name in a frightful manner. "Sa-Sak-Sakura-chan. S-stop it!" He is ducking down now, in a ball with his hands over his head as she punches him again and again.

In all reality, she's going very easy on him.

He and I, and everyone in the village for that matter, know what she's like when she unleashes her full strength. Considering she's a girl who is known to demolish mountains, with enough strength to uproot trees and pulverize rocks, she is really just poking him in comparison to that.

Some might find it odd that I stay nearby with my hands in my pockets and a bored expression on my face as if I'm impatient to leave, yet I make no move to do so. Though I do believe that most of the other ninja teams have given up trying to understand Team 7 and our antics.

Even I do not understand why we are the way we are.

I produce a sigh as the sun begins to fall down low into the sky, the color dipping down into to an angry shade of orange. "Sakura," I call her name in a customary bland tone and she pauses in knocking him senseless to gaze up at me a question mark on her face. In one fist she still has a ball of Naruto's vest, and the other hand is still poised in the air, ready to resume striking. "It's late."

I am not certain why I tell them this rather than just leaving. Had I chosen to leave, they would have ceased as well and simply followed me. Speaking was not entirely necessary.

Sometimes my actions and my thoughts do not mesh well at all.

She seems to weigh her options and my words carefully before she lowers her fist.

Naruto produces a very relieved sigh but it's a bit preemptive and the offensive sound makes Sakura rear a very nasty glare at him.

It's not really all that strange that I wait for them to finish this time as well.

"Naruto, you absolute baka!" Some of her pink hair falls into her eyes, though she does not attempt to hit him again. "I can't believe you stole that woman's underwear!" She spits out the words with such a loud, angry voice that I am almost sure she's about to start punching him again.

"I'm sorry, okay!" He moans the words and switches his hands from defensive position, to downright surrender. She glares at his offending appendages like she wants to break all of his fingers.

"Sorry doesn't cut it Naruto! You endangered our mission because you're a pervert! And not only that, you made me and Sasuke look bad." Sakura really does have a legendary temper.

Once it might have annoyed me. Now it's just a sturdy personality trait that I can count on. I like having things that I can count on. Considering my body and my thoughts are so unpredictable these days.

Naruto gives her a very regretful frown. "I didn't mean it!"

I watch the exchange for a moment more disinterestedly. Just as I decide I will leave regardless of whether they come with me or not, Sakura's hand relaxes on his green vest. The material slips out from her fingers and she gives him one last evil glare before she straightens.

And then Sakura is standing and walking towards me in an instant. The blockhead remains on the ground, obviously surprised she didn't pound his face in. I can't really blame him this time, but I still think she let him off easy.

Community service is going to be horrible for him, but I am sure it will never be horrible enough for the situation he put us in.

I see her slender frame merge beside me and I do not look over at her, but I can sense that she is looking at me.

Sakura these days is more mysterious than usual. It's worrisome, but only slightly. I try very hard not to let things of that nature bother me.

Naruto is still gazing unseeingly into the distance with a rather frightened expression on his face.

I shake my head at how ridiculous this kid is. "Dobe." I call him an idiot and he generally answers to it, as if it's just his actual name. His blue eyes spark to life again and he turns his newly acquired focus on me.

At my side Sakura has resumed her very casual, very welcomed pose. A very girly, relaxed stance and I avoid looking at her as I turn around and start walking.

I can practically feel her twitch to follow me. "Sasuke-kun!" She calls my name more out of habit than a plea for me to wait for her and she's near my side in an instant. Her arm would have bumped against mine if I didn't pull my elbow out of the way.

For a second I consider berating her for not paying attention, but I realize it's because she's turned almost entirely around, walking backwards. All of her attention appears to be directed at Naruto.

The blond is looking guilty and has just begun to stand up. He groans and stretches his back. Almost as if Sakura had popped it out of alignment with one of her punches.

"Naruto," She calls his name in a normal, sweet Sakura way, and suddenly it's as if Naruto was never harmed at her hands in any way.

Though I'm only gazing over my shoulder with a bland expression, I can see the smile light his face, and he shoves his fists in his pockets before running up to meet us.

He naturally falls into place at Sakura's side and I shake my head at how predictable he is.

After all these years, Naruto is still in love with our female comrade and it is painfully obvious.

I listen to them exchange goofy banter as we walk. I never have much to say, no matter the topic.

I just like to listen to them. They're morons, both of them, but somehow it's more tolerable when they're stupid than when mostly anyone else is.

"-iously, I was so embarrassed I thought my face would melt off." Sakura's voice is a drone of sound and she is clutching her cheeks between her palms in a dramatic way.

Naruto is laughing and scrubbing the back of his head. "I'm really not a pervert Sakura-chan. You're the only one I'm after, don't you know that?"

He receives a blow on his head from her fist and a much practiced glare. "You're a baka and a pervert." She snaps, but I know her heart isn't behind it.

"Sakuuuu~ra-chan." He whines.

I choose to look away from them and instead gaze at the oncoming scenery.

Morons, the both of them.

"You're both annoying." I chime in and they follow up with usual, almost rehearsed acts.

Sakura looks like I've just told her I never wanted to see her again; complete with open mouth gasp and clutching a hand to the heart. A soft coo of my name.

Naruto attempts to climb over her so that he can pummel me, but it's just bravado and rivalry at its best. The way that idiot shouts at me and calls me names is generally something I accept as part of the glue that holds this team together. Even Sakura's soothing hand on Naruto's shoulder and her hurt, sidelong glance. I expect it all, and toss an unseen smirk at the ground.

Somehow this morning is terribly average.

The fact that I look up and see Sakura running up to meet me doesn't surprise me. A generally pleasant expression covers her face and I meet her green eyes. "Yo." I greet her first.

She is immune to the often bored, annoyed, bland and hostile tones that my words seem to come out in. As a result she acts as if I've just told her a full sentence of greeting in that one word. "Oh, good morning Sasuke-kun. How did you sleep?"

I walk forward and she pauses until we are side by side before joining me. I don't know whether I care or not that her normal Haruno red is being covered up by a green jonin vest today. Normally she would only wear it on missions and while in town she wears something she's more accustomed to.

I suppose it's fine either way. I can't say she doesn't look good in green.

She is completely undeterred by the fact that I answer her question with, "Hn."

A smile and a nod are my only response from her. "Naruto is already doing community service, I guess." Thoughtful words, as if she isn't telling me directly just simply mulling the prospect aloud. "Shishou will never let him off."

She's right, though.

That old hag is really pissed this time. "Serves him right." I mumble.

A very soft sigh escapes my pink haired companion's lips. "Maybe." Somehow, she sounds uncertain.

Yesterday she was going to pound his face in for his indiscretions and today she wants to let him off the hook. This girl is an odd one.

But I've known her since we were children, she's been my teammate since we were 12 and I can't say that her manic personality is any different than it's ever been.

As a teenager, I can admit to feeling inadequate thanks to the looming reputation of my perfect brother; the fucking hero of Konoha. I don't mind the title because he's even a hero to me, but it's really is hard to live up to his pristine image. I've always been slightly less perfect than him.

While I was just taking my chunin exams at age 13, he was already an ANBU captain by that age. My father smothers me with reminders every night at dinner.

Itachi means well. I believe in order to alleviate some of the pressure off of me; there are other ways he tries to fuck up his image in front of my father.

Not taking a wife yet for instance.

Itachi is nearly 22 now. He should have a wife by now according to Uchiha laws. Yet Itachi has declared that he will marry simply, 'when he feels like it'.

My father was furious at the insubordination, but really there is nothing that old bastard can do. Itachi is the most powerful Uchiha there ever was and everyone knows it. Every argument ends in disappointment with my brother giving everyone a cold shoulder.

I admire him for that I guess. For not giving a fuck what anyone has to say to him, or about him.

"Sasuke-kun, on the next mission-" Sakura's voice is hesitant, but unfortunately her sentence is interrupted, and I see the disappointment on her face.

"Sa-ku-ra-chan."

I turn my head in the direction of the very bright smile on that perverts face and a singsong voice.

Not Naruto.

Jiraiya, that weirdo. He is waving a hand through the air, his eyes are creased as a smile lights his expression. I can feel the frown make way to my face. It's an automatic response to Naruto's toad-like sensei.

At my side, Sakura gives a very discreet sigh. "Oh, hey there." She is polite, but I can tell the difference between genuine politeness on her part and forced manners. This is definitely the latter.

I would smirk, but he's coming right for us and I don't want him to think I agree with this fact. Rather I try to look a little angry, which is a mundane task.

It's pointless really because he's ignoring me anyways.

Typical old toad pervert, his eyes are too busy sticking to Sakura and a pink shade is coloring his cheeks. "Hey Sakura-chan." He stops in front of us and I watch him distractingly. "Have you talked to the hag today?" No one would have to ask to know he was referring to our Hokage.

Sakura shakes her head. "Not today, no. She's probably busy giving Naruto his community service." She grumbles, a bit of the niceness leaving her voice. Thinking about Naruto in any sort of negative situations often does that to her. She cares about him more than she might let on at times.

Jiraiya produces a sheepish laugh that sounds very suspiciously similar to our idiotic teammates'. The white haired old pervert even reaches his hand up and scratches his head the same way. Hn, typical idiots. "Yeah, I heard about that. That stupid kid shouldn't be peeping into windows like that anyways."

"You mean he shouldn't get caught peeping." I counter and he shifts his gaze to me for the first time. His awkwardly bright smile doesn't leave his face. "Or stealing women's underwear." I add for measure.

I hear Sakura's very tight, uncomfortable laugh. I glance over at her and she's glaring at me as if I should be more respectful. I am not off-put in the slightest.

"Well, Sakura, I have to say, you look lovely today." Jiraiya says a little too boldly, in an attempt to change the subject.

It's almost worse I must say.

Sakura goes absolutely rigid. "Thanks." She mumbles. She never has been very good at accepting compliments.

I would smirk at how stupid she looks but rather I feel a little uncomfortable myself. I instead look over at Jiraiya to see that he's holding his eyes on Sakura very intently. The smile just won't leave his lips and I feel like it's far too happy to be normal.

Then he does something that makes my hands want to leave my pockets of their own accord and smack it away. That old pervert picks up his hand and sits it on Sakura's shoulder. Breaking the touch barrier? That's bold, even for this experienced freak. I stiffen, unsure of what to do. It's surprisingly enough, not very often that Sakura is approached by other males so openly. Sure they gave her predatory gazes from time to time and it usually proved annoying to watch, but to actually touch her? It was strangely forward.

I look at Sakura and she has an absolutely unreadable expression. Her lips are parted and her chest is rising and falling steadily. Her back is straight and she doesn't actually appear upset, but it's very weird.

I can't even manage three seconds of neutrality before I raise my hand and shove him away to break the contact between them. "Oi, you old pervert, isn't that a bit much?" I scowl and he glances at me as if he's not sure what I'm talking about.

And then I glance over at Sakura, who it seems is suddenly looking at me. In fact, her whole body is turned in my direction. The sun is framing her, giving her a warm glow and for some reason I am retaining her entire attention.

Her lips are still parted and her bright eyes look a million times brighter.

Way, way, way too bright. Those lips tilt upwards very quickly and it's suddenly as if I had kissed her or something.

A dreamy, unconditionally delighted expression covers her face and she bits her lip in an almost flirty way.

Sakura hasn't looked at me like that in years.

I take a step back.

"Sa..kura?" I give her a look as if she's sprouted a second head.

"Sasuke-kun. Wow, that was really amazing. You just defended me!" She takes another step towards me and I am officially creeped out.

And then Jiraiya's voice in my ear makes me look away from creepy, deja vu Sakura. "Welp, I'm gonna get outta here. Later kids!" And then he poofs away before I can even get a good look at his face.

I frown.

A frown that is still on my face as I look back at Sakura.

"Sasuke-kun. You're so cool!" She murmurs, and her arms reach out to grab my arm.

What the hell, Sakura? What has gotten into her all of a sudden?