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All credit belongs to Masashi Kishimoto. This written collection belongs to yours truly.
003: Lethargy
無気力
"Sakura-chan," he whined, tugging at her arm. "Sakura-chan, c'mon! You're never this unmotivated!"
There he stood, hunched over her as she lay with an arm over her eyes, the other extended over the field. She smiled up at him, snapping her arm back and letting it flop down. The breeze waltzed past them, and Naruto deadpanned.
"Sakura-chan!"
She bit her tongue, continuing to ignore him. Instead, she listened to the greenery around them; the sounds of the world around them in the Wheat Country.
The sunrays beamed over her, causing her eyes to squeeze together tightly. She felt these rays lose their strength, thus causing her to crack open an orb of jade, which then processed Naruto glaring childishly at her.
He remained squatted beside her, over her, both arms resting on his knees. His brows furrowed and he pouted.
"You gonna get up?" he seethed, reminding her of their days as genin. He sounded so stubborn.
She turned her head, away from his gaze, and frowned.
"Nope."
With that, Naruto sprung from his position, throwing his hands in the air, and throwing his head back with a groan.
Suddenly, Sakura felt a grip on her sides and she lifted up from the ground. Her eyes shot open, her jaw dropped, and her arms flailed forward for support. All in one go; she was hoisted over Naruto's shoulder with his arm wound over her knees as he stormed down the field of wheat.
Her fist pounded thickly onto his back as Sakura looked past her own shoulder to shout at him properly.
"Naruto—what the hell do you think you're doing! Put me down!"
"I will—once we get back to the training area!"
She grit her teeth, partially acknowledging his bravery; however, that was no excuse for disturbing her rest.
"I already told you that we can finish up later!"
"Hah!" Naruto smirked at her as they both approached a section of white sand with a set of logs and metal bars. "Sakura-chan, with that attitude you'll never learn how to create your own technique!"
Sakura silenced before suddenly bursting out with a sharper tone.
"Oh—you wanna' see a technique, do you—?"
She felt him grip onto her again, this time leveling her back onto the ground. He placed his hands onto her shoulders, staring at her with a grin. Her mouth closed, and her brows rose curiously.
"Yes, Sakura-chan, I want to see a technique." He stepped behind her, taking hold of her hand. "Baa-chan ordered me to help you train—so I will! But only 'cause it's you! Now use the tips I told you—gather your chakra and—!"
His words cut off when her elbow jabbed him with a commendable accuracy at his gut.
"Get your hands off me."
As he blinked and tried to regain his breath, Sakura marched back towards her spot under the sun.
Yes, Shishou ordered both of them to train as they stopped by the Wheat Country; however, sparring nonstop with a dumbass that didn't seem to ever run out of stamina was tiring.
It was amusing to see him so committed though—especially when it came to Tsunade's orders ( which he generally ignored ).
When a hand grabbed onto her wrist, she clamped her own into a fist. Her body turned to face Naruto, who now looked completely serious.
"Sakura-chan."
"You're not going to give up—are you?"
"I never give up, don't you know that?" His expression softened. "To answer your question, no, I'm not."
By the time it was sunset, Naruto had practically dragged Sakura—who was now completely exhausted and sweaty—to an urban cranny about a mile from their inn. He left her beside a bus post in front of the small shop, and eventually came out satisfied.
Sakura looked up from the ground, turning her attention to the Popsicle in his hand. He held one end out to her, smiling brightly. She took a few seconds to straighten her posture and grab onto the offered side. She gave him a crooked smile, and both teammates pulled and snapped it in two.
"Ero-sennin always used to do this with me after a good day's work." He bit off the top, savoring the tanginess. "You're a quick learner Sakura-chan—better than I was when he tried showing me how to control the Rasengan."
She smiled, also giving her Popsicle a nibble.
"I just have better control than you; it was damn hard to get my spin going."
Naruto shook his head.
"Nah—you're just a really great shinobi once you get into it."
She tried to hold back her flattered blush—but she gave up on it. Instead, she gave him a punch on the shoulder as she bit off a fuller piece of her Popsicle.
"Oh, shut up."
無気力
Author's Note:
This theme burst my inspiration into a full flame. From it came this little drabble, which I really, really like. Takes place somewhere after the Time Skip. Jiraiya and Naruto split a Popsicle once or twice in the manga—so that helped add onto the ending. These drabbles make me smile when I make them.
Let me know what you think in a review : )