A/N: Hey, guys! Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoy this chapter!
-Chapter 4-
The next day had come, and Sakura was awakened by the nurse gently petting her hair.
"Wake up, Sakura-chan," she smiled gently at the girl. "It's time for breakfast. Do you feel like you can get out of bed?"
Sakura blinked sleepily and nodded. "Yeah, I guess I can."
With the pretty noirette holding her hand, she slipped out of the sheets and stood up. She hissed at the pain still in her foot from where she'd tripped, but regardless she stood there, hands clasped together over her stomach.
The nurse, Shizune, nodded and gave her a plastic bag. "Kakashi-sensei asked your friend Ino to get some clothes for you."
"Thank you, Nurse Shizune-san." Sakura smiled up at her as she left the room.
She worked quickly, taking off the white gown they'd dressed her in and folding it, leaving it on the nightstand while she made the bed. She put on her undergarments, dressed in a white tank top with a red jersey with 07 on its back, black biker shorts, white socks, and the red tennis shoes she'd worn the day before.
She left the folded gown on the bed, grabbed her journal, and left the nurse's station. She shivered in the early morning air before realizing that she'd never gotten her shower. She glanced back at the dining hall before going back to her cabin, opening the door quietly.
She slipped into their cabin and went straight to her room, locking her journal away in a chest she'd brought in her suitcase. She put the key around her neck under her tank top and jersey, and grabbed a towel.
She sighed, drying her long pink hair with her towel. "What a relief."
As soon as she stepped foot in her cabin, she saw her teammates sitting at the table. They looked up once the door opened, and Naruto beamed, jumping out of his chair. "Sakura-chan!"
"Hey, Naruto," she greeted quietly. She kept her eyes off of Sasuke, not trusting herself to treat him kindly.
"We've missed you, Sakura-san," Kakashi chimed in. "You're just in time to come to our next teambuilding exercise."
"Great," she cheered half-heartedly. "Just give me a moment to brush out my hair and I'll be set."
Kakashi nodded, although she noted that Sasuke's expression darkened a bit when she left the room. "Man, what's his problem?"
She grabbed her brush and a bottle of detangler and went to work, brushing her hair out until it lay in straightened tendrils down her back. She fluffed it once more with the towel before putting a hair tie around her wrist and going back out to meet her team.
"I only took five minutes, in case you were planning on complaining." She deadpanned with a frown towards the boys.
"Not at all." Kakashi stood from his chair and led them out the door.
Somehow, Sakura found herself in line in front of Sasuke, and she held her head high, not wanting to let him know that she was affected by his presence.
"Okay, genins, now for our first exercise," Kakashi grabbed a ball and showed the team. "I want you to demonstrate your ability to make baskets."
"Is that all?" Sakura was genuinely surprised. She hadn't done much basketball, but she had been on the team at one point and vaguely remembered the rules.
"Is that it?" Naruto asked incredulously, echoing her thoughts. "That's nothing! Bring it on, sensei!"
"Hmph. Don't get so cocky." Sasuke turned up his nose at the blond's enthusiasm.
"Yeah, that's it." Sakura narrowed her eyes at the noiret boy. "I'm gonna beat him."
"Whoa, Sa-Sakura-chan," Naruto gasped for breath, staring up at her with admiration. "You're so... good! Teach me your skills!"
"It's all a matter of practice, Naruto." She good-naturedly ruffled his hair. Even though she'd vowed to beat Sasuke, she glanced at the scoreboard and noted that it was a tie.
She glanced at him and gave him a half-smile. "Good game, Sasuke-san."
He grunted and gave her a nod.
"Well, that's the most I'm gonna get out of him," she mentally sighed. "At least he's not glaring at me like before."
Kakashi walked over to them, nodding in approval. "Good work. Of course, Naruto, you still have room to improve."
"Yeah, I know..." He grumbled.
"I'm down to teaching you everything I know," the pinkette offered with a full smile.
"Sure!" The blond's demeanor instantly changed, and he grinned at her. "I'd love to get lessons from you, Sakura-chan!"
She saw Sasuke scoff out of the corner of her vision, and she rolled her eyes.
"Well, after we clean up, we're free to go to lunch." Kakashi walked off towards the shed to get the ball bags.
Naruto raced towards the basketball court, leaving Sasuke and Sakura to walk.
"Hey, Sasuke," she called softly.
When he turned around, she patted his shoulder.
"You're a pretty good player," she complimented. "Are you on a team?"
"No." He shook his head. The forehead protector he wore glinted in the sun. "My older brother taught me to play."
"That's cool." She clasped her hands together behind her back.
Silence wafted between them for a few moments.
"I-"
Sakura turned toward him, head tilted. "Eh?"
"Never mind." He shook his head again and picked up a basketball, completely ignoring her.
She sighed, bending over to begin cleaning up.
"At least this camp allows you to bring electronics," Sakura mused to herself as she sat on a log bench overlooking the lake.
She had one earbud in, listening to calming music as she stared at the large expanse of water.
She had closed her eyes, allowing the breeze to drift across her face, when she heard a voice behind her.
"M-Mind if I sit here?" It was timid, feminine.
She opened her eyes and turned to see behind her.
Ah, it was that Hinata girl.
A worried expression, downcast pearly-white eyes, and straight-cut bangs. She was poking her fingers together.
Sakura smiled. "Sure. I don't mind."
Hinata gave her a timid smile and slowly sat on the bench beside her.
"My name is Haruno Sakura," she said, holding out her hand.
"Hyuuga Hinata," the girl gently shook it. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"It's good to meet you too." She didn't seem anything like her cousin.
"Say... do you like Josh Groban?" The pinkette asked.
The noirette's eyes sparkled. "I love Josh Groban!"
Sakura held out the other earbud. "Wanna listen with me?"
The girl nodded, and took the earbud. Together they sat there, serene, with Groban's voice echoing in their ears while they watched the calm, blue lake.
When Sakura walked back to the campsite, she saw Naruto and Sasuke approaching.
"Sakura-chan!" Naruto cheered. "Hi, Hinata-chan!"
"H-H-Hello, Naruto-kun," the poor girl was suddenly redder than a fire hydrant and she seemed to hide behind Sakura, staring at the ground.
Sasuke gave the pinkette a nod, and she waved at him.
"Ah, kids, you're back." Kakashi was right behind the boys. "Good evening, Hinata-san."
"Good evening, Kakashi-sensei." She gave the adult a smile.
"Now that you're back, I have one final project for you." The silver-haired man held out a basket.
"What's it for?" Sakura asked, taking it.
"I need you kids to go pick some berries before dinner." He smiled at her. "You can raid the berry patch near the nurse's station."
"Sounds good to me." She shrugged, grinning.
"Off you go." Kakashi turned to Hinata. "Should I let Kurenai-sensei know you'll be with us, or are you heading back?"
"I-I'll be heading back... I can't keep them waiting." Hinata hesitated, but then hugged Sakura. "Thank you for letting me hang out with you."
"'S no problem, Hina-chan!" She hugged back. "I'll see you later?"
"If you wish." The girl smiled, then turned to Naruto. "Goodbye, Naruto-kun."
"See you later, Hinata-chan!" He grinned, patting her head.
She promptly turned redder, choking out a hasty goodbye to Sasuke before running away.
The three kids began walking to the nurse's station, Naruto skipping all the way.
Sakura was humming quietly, taking in the beauty of the nature around them, when Sasuke leaned in.
"May I help you?" She asked, turning so that they were accidentally nose-to-nose. Her eyes widened, realizing her mistake.
He didn't even flinch, only leaning back a little. "I, um..."
"Yes?" She choked, still trying to get over the proximity.
He looked away with a frown. "Never mind."
-End Chapter 4-
A/N: We finally meet Hinata! So what's Sasuke trying to say? And will Naruto ever notice Hinata? Please tell me what you thought, and I'll see you next time!