There is the clinking sound of metal clashing all through the woods . Kakashi rapidly dodged a dozen expertly thrown shruiken and threw plenty of his own at an eager Naruto. A short distance away, almost- silent panting sounded from a disappointed Sakura. Sasuke landed on the grass on the forest floor with barely a sound, he hadn't even broken a sweat. Sakura closed her eyes and sighed. This wasn't working. How is she supposed to improve when Sasuke is going easy on her? She breathes slowly and Sasuke awaits her attack stoically. Her eyes snap open.
Sasuke poises himself, his midnight tresses dancing in the wind. Sakura travels towards him, dodging a couple of kunai aimed at her slender body. She threw a punch at the raven- haired boy. She misses twice, then a third time. A gentle push from the older boy and she falls to the ground, exhausted. Landing heavily, she sighs. A glare forms in her stare and her usual affection for him suppressed.
Sasuke stares down at her. She has changed. At first, he didn't notice until Naruto pointed out the small differences. She is now silent, anti-social even, she had cut her hair, wore darker clothes and soon Sasuke would notice something without Naruto's help. He noticed everything. The dark make up around her eyes, the scowl that developed on her pale pink lips, nothing got passed him. It worried him greatly-not that he'd admit that though.
Her pink chin-length hair is swaying lightly as she delivers a serious strike to Sasuke's abdomen ,a triumphant smirk is flashed. Sasuke clasps his wounded stomach with one hand and pushes himself into a battle stance. She is about the same level he was as a genin. She somehow always manages to get under his skin, she's just that …maddening. First she's too frail and weak, next she had acquired a hefty amount of ability in a mere week under Kakashi's tutoring. A measly week? It had taken him four years.
Sasuke controls his desire to pummel her, knowing if he harmed her, Naruto would have his hide. He dodges numerous blows, catching her foot as she tries to roundhouse him. He evades another two punches, shielding his face as she attempts to kick him. She manages to catch him on the chin with the jagged heel of her boot. He grunts, jumping back.
She runs along the trunks of trees and throws herself at him. He scarcely manages to jump away, escaping six more punches directed at him. Her skill is increasing incalculably ,Sasuke notices, and her attacks are immeasurably precise… Sakura grumbles as Sasuke avoids more of her attacks. "Fight me Uchiha!" She grits through her teeth. Sasuke gazes at her impassively, masking his puzzlement. Her outburst dazed him for a moment. Her knees collapse and she descends to the ground, trying to catch her breathe. "Why are you going easy on me? You didn't even use Sharingan!"
Sasuke looks away from her, his gaze falls on the forest floor and he digs his hands into his pockets. With a few strides he offers a hand to help her up. Sakura glowers at him, standing without his aid. "You're still too weak." Sasuke says returning his hand back in his pocket. She sniggers and Sasuke's eyebrow raises as her chuckle turns to a wild laugh.
"That's where you're mistaken, Sasuke." Says her female voice from behind him. He feels the cold metal of a kunai against his cheek. Her hand winds around his abdomen and she presses the kunai firmer against his skin. Sasuke inwardly curses. He was unable to see without Sharingan that she had used a clone to distract him while she sneaked upon him.
Sasuke quickly brushes away her hand and takes a combat pose. Sakura hits him in his wounded stomach and punches his side. She pounces on him and they tussle, rolling into a nearby bush, attacking one another. Sakura tries to land a punch but Sasuke grabs her wrists. She won't admit to enjoying him beneath her. Sakura smirks. "You're still pathetic." Sasuke states and Sakura's smirk widens. She lowers her kunai to his neck and presses herself against him.
"Your insults are pathetic." She whispers back and releases her grip on the almost-piercing kunai. Kakashi and Naruto materialize and Kakashi raises an eyebrow at their evocative position. Sasuke beneath Sakura, her knees on either side of his waist, his hands grasping her wrists and their faces in such close proximity. Sasuke ignores the chill in his spine, calmly stepping towards his teammates. Sakura picks up her kunai from various spots and Naruto assists her, babbling about how he almost defeated Kakashi.
Kakashi takes in Sasuke's untidy appearance and smiles behind his mask. "You look…chaotic." Sasuke grunts in reply. His hair is a mess, his clothing is in absolute disarray and his arms, legs, cheek and torso are laced with scratches. He has leaves in his hair, this doesn't concern him. He is instead contemplating how Sakura had managed to get him in battle.
"Sakura-chan!" Naruto calls out to her as she begins to walk home. Sasuke observes her reaction. "Let's go out for ramen! My treat!" Sakura smiles, shrugs and nods. Usually, Naruto would haul Sasuke along but the blonde moron seems to have abandoned his bond with the Uchiha, keenly interested in their female teammate instead. Not that Sasuke cared, he has more pressing things to dwell on. Like how Sakura had managed to beat him.
***