Disclaimer: Naruto doesn't belong to me
This small scene takes place several months after Sakura, Sasuke, and Naruto became one team. Sakura and Sasuke are a bit OOC in this story, but not by much. hope you enjoy
The sun would set soon and Sakura was sitting on a swing after she left the training ground, Kakashi seeming to be more interested in the boys rather than her. As Sakura let her thoughts drift her away from reality for a while, she had a small flashback that made her stop in her tracks. She remembered the day when she talked badly of Naruto and Sasuke got angry at her, calling her for the first time 'annoying' before leaving her to think about what she said.
He doesn't have any parents…
How stupid…
….he's so lucky to be all alone
What the hell was she thinking?
Sakura placed a hand on her mouth as the other held on to the swing with a tight grip. Reminiscing back to when she first became part of team 7, Sakura felt disgusted with herself. Her bangs covered her eyes as she stared at the ground, not believing she was that naïve only five months ago. How could she say that Naruto was so lucky to not have parents…and in front of Sasuke no less?
I was an idiot. An IDIOT!
She kept repeating that sentence in her head as her free hand clenched the chain of the swing with an iron grip. She really did change from that silly and immature child; now she saw Naruto with a new light. He became her hope, what drives her to succeed in the missions she does with team 7. Ever since he protected her with his life, she changed the way she thought about him and began acknowledging him. She would never admit it out loud, but she held high respect for Naruto. She also had a glimpse of Sasuke's hidden personality when he almost died protecting her and Naruto… it made her change the way she looked at him. She loved him more than ever now, after seeing the real person hiding behind a strong mask.
How dare I think Naruto was just an imbecile who annoyed me and intervened with my love for Sasuke-kun? Who was I to judge him that way? And who was I to think that I am in love with Sasuke-kun when I knew nothing about him?
She felt so out of place in her own team and it felt like entering the academy all over again…that nightmare. She sighed heavily, like a huge weight has found its way to rest on her shoulders, making them droop from all the mental exhaustion. Both Sasuke and Naruto don't have parents and it seems like she just didn't belong with them. She lived her life perfectly…well, unless you don't include all the years of teasing because of her forehead and pink hair. It's true that she had the brain of a genius, but the world she was living in was completely and utterly different from her teammates'…and even her sensei. They underwent many hardships in their childhood while at that same time; she was busy playing with dolls.
A tear fell…and yet she still cries
She didn't bother wiping that lone tear away as she kept her gaze to the ground, busy getting furious with herself.
How dare she? She doesn't even have what it takes to look at them in the eye, she has no right.
I am weak, nothing but a pathetic hindrance who has no right to be with them
Her emerald eyes turned into a hollow empty glass as more tears decided that it was a waste to stay, rolling smoothly down her porcelain face. Suddenly, she tensed as she sensed some chakra signals heading her way. Not in the mood to fight some weaklings, she decided to just ignore them and hope that they would just leave after giving her an insult or two.
"Look everyone, its forehead girl! Not so tough are you without your precious teammates to protect you, huh?" one of the boys said, smirking with satisfaction at the comment he just gave, but got aggravated once the one being insulted didn't move to defend herself like she usually does.
"Hey! Are you also deaf? Is your ugly hair blocking your ears?" the same boy said, but still didn't get a response. Pissed, he readied himself to kick the girl and make her fall off the swing, but a sudden shadow looming over him stopped him from proceeding.
"Her 'precious' teammates will kick your butt when they hear you say that again, do you understand?"
Sakura gave a small gasp when she heard Naruto's voice, saving her from a painful fall, but she dared not to look raise her head, not wanting him to see her tears, especially not the person beside him
"You better know your place and leave with your little group" she heard Sasuke say after Naruto cracked his knuckles. She could just picture Sasuke's infamous glare and Naruto's smirk.
It seems like their warning had an effect, as her teasers stumbled to run away like the cowards they always were. No wonder they failed to become genins, unlike her.
An awkward silence filled the air as she kept holding on to the swing like her life depended on it. Blinking away the tears that threatened to escalate down her face, she forced a smile as Naruto kneeled down and looked up at her with innocent, worried eyes.
"Are you okay Sakura-chan? You had us worried when you left the training ground so suddenly. I missed you!" trust Naruto to bring a real smile upon her face
"I'm fine, just…thinking" she said, raising her head a little. She caught a glimpse of Sasuke's eyes trailing her body to see if the boy and his group landed any finger on her. When he knew she was untouched, he relaxed.
"Don't disappear like that again; you missed the mission details Kakashi gave us"
…and trust Sasuke to ruin the moment…
"Sorry, it will never happen again" she said as she gazed at the ground, guilt swarming her heart. Sasuke was a bit taken back by her quiet reply, but it went unnoticed as he sighed.
"Never mind, the dobe is hungry. Let's go to Ichiraku Ramen before he starts nagging again. We'll explain the mission briefing for you."
Naruto perked up at the mention of Ramen and pulled Sakura from the swing, dragging her with him.
"Come on Sakura-chan! Ramen! We haven't had that in a while" Sakura couldn't help but chuckle at his enthusiasm.
"hn. Dobe, we had Ramen at lunch yesterday."
Naruto's eyes seem to fire up at Sasuke's remark and as he retorted "Teme! Don't interfere! And stop calling me that!!"
"hn. It's hard not to with your stupidity" Sasuke replied coolly, although one couldn't not notice the small trace of a smirk appearing on his face, making Naruto angrier.
Sakura felt her depression quickly diminish as she walked in the middle of her teammates. As she laughed softly, she missed the grin that appeared on Naruto's face and the way Sasuke's tense form slightly relaxed. As Naruto babbled on about the tomorrow's mission (with Sasuke filling in the important parts Naruto missed), Sakura's eyes slowly started to regain back its color.
Next time, I will not be the one standing behind you. Sasuke-kun…Naruto. I will grow up to be a ninja proud of having the title of 'Kunoichi'. I will be better, I promise, and I will do everything I can to understand what you feel, at least let me share some things with you guys.
well, i hope i didn't waste your time with this story. there will be a sequel that will bring team 7 closer. I hope my spelling and grammar are good enough :D
I will accept any comment on this story, so please review