A Flower In Full Bloom
I rushed through the village as quickly as my feet could carry me. I passed some people I knew on my way to Team 7's training area. I heard " Hey Sakura... where ya' headed?" and "Sakura... are you late again," from the local villagers.
" I am so late...," I replied to myself, slightly out of breath. I stayed up all night because I couldn't sleep. That was a big mistake because I didn't get any sleep at all. " Kakashi-sensei is so going to kill me...," I wasn't sure how much longer it would take me to reach the training area. I wasn't a superhero with super speed, I can only wish. No, I was Haruno Sakura of the Leaf village, just your average shinobi, I am only 12. " ugh...come on." My breathing became rapid and my legs ached, but I still managed to go faster, if that was possible. I closed my eyes to slow the pain in my legs. Another bad decision. During those few seconds that my eyes were closed I reached the training area...and my teammates.
" Sakura...," I heard a familiar voice call my name...Kakashi-sensei...he made it before me...surprisingly. My eyes burst open to respond to him...but I forgot to stop running. "...TREE!!!" Kakashi yelled with a worried tone.
I tried to stop myself...I could not. I stared at the tree that would soon meet my face, leading to another serious injury, only a few more seconds before, SPLAT!!! That's when it happened..., something very unexpected. Sasuke ran in front of me and caught me as I slid into him and brought my feet to a halt. Dust flew into the air as I stopped in his arms. It was a very weird moment because he is usually telling me that I'm annoying and pushing me away, but this...this was...different.
He released me from his grasp. That didn't last long, I was beginning to enjoy that. "Sakura!!! Are you alright???" Naruto ran up to me, sounding concerned. I turned my gaze from Sasuke, because I knew there was no more use talking to him about his actions just now, to the number one hyper-active knucklehead ninja we all know and love.
"I'm fine Naruto," I smiled at him as a relieved look spread across his face. Naruto wasn't different, I just can't say the same for Sasuke, he seemed...weird. " Don't worry. Oh and Sasuke... I turned my gaze back onto him. He, however, turned away. The usual Sasuke is back. Yay... " Thanks...I guess" I seemed slightly dissapointed at how he reacted because he closed his eyes and walked away.
" That was a close call, Sakura. If Sasuke hadn't stepped in, you could've been seriously injured," I rolled my eyes 'thanks for pointing out the obvious,kakashi' "oh,...and you're late." 'once again...obvious' "What time did you get up this morning?" Kakashi stared at me waiting for a reply.
It wasn't long before my other teammates' gaze rested on me, all of them waiting for an answer. I smiled shyly and said, " Get up?...I never went to sleep...sorry. No hard feelings... right?" They were still staring at me.
Naruto's voice broke the silence, "You know what this means,...you have to buy us lunch!!! YAY!!!!!!!"
I dropped my head in dissapointment and replied with a " I thought so." It was one of Naruto's rules that he put in the guidelines for the team, the last one to training has to buy the rest of the team lunch, oh, how I hated that rule. I bet Kakashi did to, since he is usally the last to arrive, but now he is just enjoying the moment of him not having to pay for Naruto.
"Sakura...since you didn't get any sleep last night you won't be able to perform your skills to the best of your ability, training is canceled for today. You three have the rest of the day off. Enjoy it...," Kakashi replied as he dissapeared in a 'poof' of smoke.
"So now what?" I asked questioningly.
You can guess at what Naruto's reply was. "Let's go get our lunch...and remember it's on Sakura. Aren't you happy, Sakura?" He stared at me with a wide grin on his face.
"Ohhhh, I'm overjoyed,...can't you tell," I replied sarcastingly.
" Do what you want I'm going home," and with that Sasuke parted from the group. He could still hear Naruto's annoying voice reply 'More ramen for us.' He walked slowly, taking his time to his home. He wanted to use as much time as he could before arriving at that empty house because there was no one there waiting for him. He had lived his life like this in solitude lonliness for 5 years now. His family died when he was seven, by the hands of his own brother. He missed comfort and companionship,...he longed for it. It was out of the question. He had to accomplish his goal first. He had to kill Uchiha Itachi.