Her eyelids slit open as the sun's rays came streaming into her room from the window. She rubbed her face with the back of her right palm, blocking the light from blinding her eyes. It's time I got out of bed, she told herself; stretching out her arms she yawned. Determined now, she pulled back the covers and exposed her bare legs to the gripping cold morning air. Shuddering she pulled the covers back over her legs. Okay, time to be brave, Sakura. This time she actually propelled herself out of her bed with her arms and searched her bedroom floor until she found a shirt to throw over her skintight black shorts. She washed her face, put up her hair, and then proceeded outside.
Haruno Sakura was a ninja from the hidden leaf village, Konohagakure. Around 18 years of age, Sakura had short pink hair and bright green eyes. While as a child she was teased for her rather large forehead; now as a young woman she was exceptionally beautiful. In fact she was one of the most coveted young women in the entire village.
On her stroll towards the open fields outside Konoha she let the sun's rays warm her body. Suddenly a person popped out from the bushes startling her. He was rather tall and towered over her, blocking the sun. His canary yellow hair was spiky adding further height. His fiery blue eyes, like two blue flames, warmed her cold face and lightened the day.
"Oh, Naruto-kun you spooked me!" She gathered her breath and then continued walking. He staggered beside her. He stretched out his arms in a yawn and clasped them behind his head.
"Sorry about that Sakura-chan. Honestly, I didn't mean to scare you," he tried to give off a wide grin as an apology. What a doofus? When she first met Naruto, everything he did practically annoyed her. She had grown accustomed to Naruto's habits now.
She smirked at his goofiness. "It's okay Naruto-kun; I just didn't expect it is all." They walked together in silence towards the meeting spot where they would continue their lessons. Sometimes they would chatter nonchalantly but mostly they walked in silence with awkward glances at each other. Finally they arrived on the outskirts of a forest and patiently waited for the others to show. It was a typical day, at their typical training area, waiting for their typical instructions.
"Man, I sure wish they would hurry up and come already. I'm hungry. After this I'm planning on getting some ramen. You can join me if you'd like?"
"Thanks for the offer Naruto-" But before she could give her reply Sai glided into the clearing as if he appeared from nowhere and stood in between the two. Sai's dark hair hung in front of his face as his black eyes gazed listlessly up at the blue sky. Sai seemed almost robotic in appearance with his pale skin and expressionless eyes. He's shirt was cut across the chest exposing his abdomen, with one long sleeve and one short. "Sai-kun," Sakura was startled to see him enter so sneakily.
Sai put on his emotionless fake smile, "Good morning Sakura! Hello Naruto-kun."
Naruto still harbored animosity towards Sai, because of his insults from yesterday. "Well Sakura what are we waiting for?"
"Kakashi-sensei should be here any minute now…" Kakashi was typically late for everything. It was an annoying habit he picked up from his late friend Obito.
"Well until he comes, I'm going to draw something," Sai took out his sketchbook and began doodling. Art came naturally to him, unlike social skills. He was hopeless when it came to light conversation or any form of communicating for that matter. A fault programmed into him during his upbringing in Root. Emotions were new to him and he envied the relationships people took for granted.
"Kakashi-sensei!" Kakashi finally showed up, smiling at the pupils' enthusiasm (minus Sai). "Now down to business," Kakashi took up a more serious tone. "Since Sai has never been formally inducted into this team, I was thinking about the bell test-"
"No!" Cut off Sakura and Naruto. "Really, sensei it's okay. Sai has been a member of our team for awhile so he's already a part of us. The bell test doesn't need to prove that," reasoned Sakura.
"You're right Sakura," Kakashi smiled and gave her a pat on the head. "Okay then, we'll just jump right into it. There have been reports that Uchiha Sasuke might be returning to the Leaf Village, in which case our hunt would finally come to an end…"
Sakura's heart leapt at the mention of Sasuke. Could it be true? Could Sasuke really be returning after months and months of agonizing searching for him?
"Sakura, are you alright?" there was a sign of concern across Kakashi's face. His eyebrows were furrowed and he was leaning over her trying to read her mind through her green sparkling eyes. Only one of his eyes was visible, the other one tucked safely behind his headband. Please don't use Sharingan on me. But then a part of Sakura wanted to know what it felt like. To be on the other end of Sharingan's watchful eye…
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"Hey Sai-kun, wait up!" Naruto chased after Sai, anxious to feebly attempt to make some comebacks of his own.
"Sakura," Kakashi placed his hand over Sakura's shoulder, still looking very worried. After he had mentioned a possible Sasuke sighting, she had lost all light in her face.
Hatake Kakashi spent most of his time lately watching over his old subordinates. He felt a certain responsibility to watch over Sakura and Naruto. Kakashi once believed that everyone important in his life was dead and spent most of his day's mourning the past. However as time progressed he began to care deeply about his team, and threw all his efforts into their well-being. Naruto's accomplishments and improvements were astonishing. Sakura had developed as well. She changed from an insecure yet intelligent young girl into a more confident independent and beautiful young woman. Sai, whom Kakashi had only recently got to know over the last few years, proved a vital asset to the team. His reserve and stoic determination for the mission kept the group on task. And of course Kakashi had already known Tenzo from the past, thus they immediately clicked once reunited.
But now he was standing face to face with Sakura. She seemed so enveloped in her own thoughts, her mind wandering. She always was my little thinker, Kakashi thought merrily to himself.
"What Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura tried to smile and shrug off her wandering thoughts.
"Sakura, how old are you now?" Sakura was confused at the purpose behind this question but replied with an almost 18. "And in all the time we've known each other, you don't have to call me sensei anymore."
"Really?" Kakashi wants me to treat him as his equal? I guess I can do that. We really aren't just the teacher-student relationship anymore. I guess he's right. I shouldn't have to call him teacher sense he isn't my teacher anymore.
"Yes. Now please tell me, as your friend," he placed his other hand on her opposite shoulder, "what's bugging you, Sakura?"
"Nothing Kakashi-" she almost said sensei but stopped herself; it felt good to talk to Kakashi on equal terms. "It's just that I…"
Kakashi let out a long sigh, "You're worried about Sasuke-kun coming back to Konoha, aren't you?" He could read it all in her gaze.
"Well, yes…" She was worried about Sasuke, but that wasn't all that troubled her.
"It's okay Sakura. I'm sure he hasn't forgotten about you. Everything will return to the way it used to be-"
"No it's not that. I'm…I'm worried about what he'll do…Now that he's returned. I'm scared…for the village… for me, and Naruto and Sai and…you." Kakashi was taken aback by this last statement.
"For me, why would you-" But before Kakashi could finish his sentence Sakura had thrown her arms around him and started crying quietly into his chest. Kakashi gently put his arms around her and whispered into her ear, "It's alright now Sakura. Do you think I can't handle myself?"
"No, that's not it!" She pulled her face out of his chest and stared up at him, tears streaming down her face. Her eyes pleaded with him not to let go. "I…I can't lose you Kakashi. You're too important to me. I won't let anything happen to you." Why is she upset over me? She should know I'll be alright. I guess with so many people dying…she knows life is getting darker and tougher.
Kakashi pulled her hands off of him and cupped her chin. He stared deeply into her eyes. "I'll always be here for you." I wish she wouldn't cry. She's so pretty when she smiles…
Not knowing what she was doing and in the heat of the moment, Sakura pulled her face towards him lightly kissing his mouth where his mask was. Even with an obtrusive piece of fabric she could still taste his light touch. It was a pure simple kiss, not even actual contact, yet Kakashi still felt guilty about it. He looked at her face, his piercing eye read deeply into hers. She's just afraid. This emotion she is feeling is fear and nothing more. He would always be here for her He meant that. He just didn't understand the part he played in her world. Was he her father figure? Her teacher? Her friend? He didn't quite know the answer but he had a pretty good feeling that Sakura didn't quite know either. I don't care what part she casts me as, as long as I'm in her life.
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On her way back to the village, the news of Sasuke mixed with Kakashi's kiss made her start to feel dizzy so she grabbed hold of a tree stump to balance herself.
"Sakura-chan, are you okay?"
Bushy-brows strolled up to her with a squirrel on his shoulder. He had been undressing before she showed up; no doubt about to take a bath in the pond right next to them. Sakura had to admit that without his ridiculous green jump suit she could see his gleaming muscles. He didn't look too bad.
"Lee, I didn't know you were here. I'll leave if you'd like-"
"No, you don't have to go," Lee leaned his back against the tree post Sakura had been propped up against. His face was dangerously close to hers, she thought. "I was just about to do 5,000 laps around this pond. Hey, you want to take a swim with me? It'll help you relieve your thoughts."
Sakura at first thought against the idea, but then decided that taking a dip might relieve her stress and calm her mind. She took off her dress top, but left her skin tight shorts and her bandages across her chest. Lee, at a respectable distance, finished taking off his legwarmers and his pants, wearing only a pair of black under shorts. In his typical dramatic entrances, Lee gracefully dived, head first, into the pond. "YOSH," he bellowed as he resurfaced further down the bank to where Sakura was; swishing his hair around getting all the excess water out of eyes. His appearance looked immensely better with his dripping wet hair, not in his typically perfect bowl cut.
"You coming in Sakura? Don't fear my lady, my power of youth will prevent you from drowning," he sounded playful. Sakura gave a smirk off the side of her mouth and then jumped in cannonball style. Lee almost forgot how powerful she had gotten over the years. She swam over to where Lee was. He gave a muffled laugh at her awkwardness in the water. He submerged under water, swimming underneath her kicking legs and popped up behind her. She hadn't seen where he'd gone and so turned fast around surprised. Sakura started breathing hard; Lee's muscles were glistening with the water. Sakura had never been this close to Lee before. He swam with perfect ease while she tried desperately just to stay afloat.
"Sakura," he breathed, his face now almost touching hers. He caressed her cheek. She tried to keep her face out of water. He noticed her struggle and grabbed her waist with his other hand, hoisting her torso above the water. This quick moment got Sakura off guard and as her face floated above Lee's, her body slipped because of the water. He kissed her, ever so slightly. A mere brush at first and then after she didn't pull back he proceeded further. Instead of using her arms to flail around in the water she used them to steady herself against Lee. In the confusion when he had kissed her; her immediate response was to pull back, but feeling sorry for Lee she had let him kiss her longer. Still it was awkward for her so she pulled her face off of him. Lee, with a devilish grin, grabbed her hand and dragged her under water. He swirled around her with a series of water acrobats much like an otter. Once back on the bank, Sakura sprawled out across the land, spuring water. Lee redressed while she gathered her breath then gave her one last kiss on the cheek and then left only saying, "Goodbye Sakura-chan, I'll see you sometime soon!"
What just happened! Sakura thought to herself. That was very unlike her and very unlike Lee. Lee seemed very odd. He's changed somehow as he matured. And yet, he's still the same Lee I know.
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No I don't love Lee! That's nonsense. It was only a simple kiss, nothing out of the ordinary. I just lost control over myself again… Sakura pleaded with her thoughts over and over. Back at her apartment she fiddled with everything in her room. She frantically tidied up her room and kept patting her hair. She gazed into her mirror, her finger rolling over her lips. What is wrong with me today?
She heard a knock. "Come in," her voice sounded uncomfortably weak. I have to be strong now. Straightening up she walked over and opened the door with a firm determination.
"Sakura," an orange and black clad ninja walked in. His face was comfortably happy. He held a bowl of ramen in his hand, "You didn't answer me before so I thought I'd bring some by just in case. Want some?" he mumbled as he slurped up a noodle.
"No thank you, Naruto." She had been so tense for no reason. It's just Naruto and his ramen. I'm so silly, getting all worked up like that.
"You're unusually nice today. It's a nice change for you Sakura."
"What...oh, I'm sorry about that."
"What are you sorry for? Is something wrong?" his smile slowly transformed into a frown. Something's wrong with Sakura.
"It's just…never mind…" What am I babbling on about? Naruto doesn't care about all my stupid little things.
"No, tell me," There was forcefulness to his voice but not harsh; it was a command not a request. Noticing his tone Naruto switched to a softer approach. "I mean, aren't we umm…friends Sakura?" He didn't like the word. Secretly he felt they were more than just friends. Friends were like kids who share their cookies at school. No, they had a relationship that transcended the friends' category.
At the word friends she perked up. "Yes…yes we are. Naruto? Can I ask you something?"
"Anything Sakura," his face lit up.
"Well, it's about Lee. See he kissed me, but I didn't feel anything. I know that sounds horrible but there was no feeling or anything. Is that so wrong?"
Naruto was downtrodden at this. But hearing about how she didn't enjoy the kiss made him feel better. "Sakura, if you didn't feel anything for him, it's not something to be ashamed of. I mean you didn't kiss him, he kissed you. Just tell him you don't like him back."
"But do you think I could ever grow to like him or even love him? I mean plenty of couples grow to love later, right? He really does care deeply about me, maybe even love me, and he would never mistreat me. Maybe being with him is a wise decision."
"DO YOU HEAR YOURSELF SAKURA?" Naruto was aggravated. "Sakura, do you think that Lee is the only one who cares deeply about you? You don't even like Lee. You're always carrying on about Sasuke. Sasuke this and Sasuke that…"
Sakura was hurt at what he said, and then became defensive. "What are you trying to say Naruto?!" Her voice was harsh and bitter. If you have something to say you should say it already! Your so frustrating, Naruto.
"Sakura don't you see? I love you." She lost her anger. His face was sincere and pleading. She couldn't believe he said it. He-he- he loves me? Naruto continued his voice not faltering as he confessed his pent up emotions. Finally, I can say it. This freedom of just openly spilling my feelings... Yes, she needs to hear me.
"I would treat you like the princess you are. I would be a devout and loyal husband to you. I would love and fight for you. But no, you follow after Sasuke like a beaten pup. Don't you realize it? He doesn't love you, and he doesn't treat you like you deserve to be treated. You're so oblivious to the truth!"
"Look who's speaking!" she angrily tried to defend herself, "Hinata had the longest crush on you and you never even noticed or did anything about it. Talk about being oblivious!"
"Geesh, Sakura you don't get it. Yeah I'll admit I as oblivious at first, but I never acted on Hinata, because… well because I didn't love her back," his voice switched to a more offensive tone, "And instead of lying to myself and her and 'growing to love her' I let her move on and continued to wait patiently for the one I did love. But she's just a silly girl that still hasn't grown up yet. She's still waiting for prince charming to come home, not realizing what a jerk he's been to her-"
"Don't talk bad about Sasuke, Naruto!" He didn't mean to drag Sasuke into this. Naruto didn't like talking bad about Sasuke, it just slipped out in his venting.
"I didn't mean to but honestly. Think of how much you cared or Sasuke. How you relentlessly waited for him; never stop loving him. How would you like it if he came to you and talked about being with Ino or someone just because they crushed on him? How would you feel if he threw you to the side like that? Sakura, we have a lot in common."
Fed up, Naruto stormed out slamming the door behind him. Damn, is she infuriating! In the years since Sasuke had been gone, he thought he had made several improvements. He had gotten really close to Sakura; they spent every day together. In battle, the two of them played off of each others weaknesses and strengths to defeat their enemies. And in all this time, while they had developed the strongest bond of friendship, even greater than his had been with Sasuke, she still saw them as nothing more than friends. Will I never be her boyfriend?
Sakura stood stunned where Naruto had left her. She couldn't believe he spoke to her like that. Is Naruto telling the truth? Does Sasuke really not like me? Does Naruto really love me? I was cruel in not thinking about his feelings. I know I would feel bad. I should apologize to him. But why did he have to tell it to me like that? I didn't tell him I kissed Kakashi. Should I have? No he would've been angrier. Her brain was so rattled from the day's events, that Sakura lied on her bed without supper. Her thoughts consumed her mind and she fell asleep from a severe headache.
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Okay, now this is my first time doing this- so please forgive me. I know it probably sucks, so I apologize ahead of time. Any suggestion or critque is welcomed, just please don't chew me out and call me names, please. Anyways comment what you think, or if you just want to say hi!
