Summary: drabbles set in the "Gifted" universe spanning the years between childhood and adulthood. AU. MultiSaku. Sakura centric. SakuraHarem.

Warnings: some cursing and general OOC-ness

Notes: So, newest drabble is up, in preparation for the next chapter of "the gifted and i"

Pairing: SakuraxKarin

Prompt: "Tree"

Age: 9

Date: September 23


"march of the gift hunters"
-7-
In Which Sakura Hugs a Tree


Sakura glanced around, barely stifling a giggle. She'd been hiding in this tree for nearly twenty minutes now, but none of her friends had found her yet. It was a balmy Friday and Asuma had been merciful and let out classes early. In celebration, all of the B-ranked students in the class had started to play hide-n-seek: Gifted style.

The rules were simple: one seeker, one base. When found, the individual used their Gifts to get away and get to the base. The seeker, on the other hand, had only to touch any of the hiders and they would then be it. It was pretty much a free for all. They'd been playing for an hour or so before the other classes got out and decided to join in.

Currently, Naruto was the seeker. Sakura smiled to herself, watching as everyone stumbled around far below. She'd chosen a huge tree that was very difficult to climb. She doubted anyone would look up here.

"Hello," a voice suddenly sounded beside her ear.

Sakura yelped, turning to look at the perpetrator of her hiding place. The individual beside her looked to be the same age as her with brilliantly red hair. She wore black rimmed glasses that covered red eyes. In other words, a complete stranger.

"Hello," Sakura returned. "Who are you?"

"I'm Karin," she replied, cocking her head to the side. "Are you Sakura?"

Sakura nodded; surprised the girl knew her name. Karin giggled, smiling widely.

"My little cousin told me about you!" she exclaimed. "It's nice to finally meet you!"

"Who's your cousin?"

"Naruto," Karin said, indicating the boy as he chased Konohamaru around.

"Oh," Sakura murmured, before remembering. "Hey! How'd you know I was up here anyway?"

Karin shrugged, looking slightly embarrassed. "Well, I can sense Gifts."

"Really?" Sakura asked, looking properly dazzled. She didn't even know that people could do that.

Karin nodded enthusiastically, sensing Sakura's interest. "Yeah. Every Gifted person has a unique aura to their Gift. I could tell that you have two." She squinted suddenly. "One is a sort of bright red, vibrant color and the other is a soft, calming blue. What are they?"

"Gifts of Power and Healing," Sakura replied. "Wow, I can't believe you can just…just sense that! You're amazing"

Karin flushed from the admiration. "Thanks," she said sweetly. "I used to be really jealous of you when Naruto told me you have Gifts," she suddenly confided. "I really wanted Gifts too."

Sakura nodded solemnly. "I'm sorry. I really can't do anything about it. I think that your ability to sense things is so incredible though! I've never met anyone else who can do what you can do."

Karin smiled at her. "I said I used to be jealous. I've learned how awesome my Ability is since then. I'm sorry that I was jealous of you without ever meeting you."

Sakura shrugged. "No worries! What are you doing here at the Academy?"

"Oh!" she snapped her fingers. "I forgot. I'm supposed to be picking up Naruto!" She blushed. "I got a little sidetracked…your aura is very distracting."

"Huh," Sakura said. "Naruto invited me to a sleepover this weekend."

"Really?" Karin asked with excitement. "That'd be great! You can explore the Uzumaki compound with me and we can watch movies and have a sleepover and…" she covered her mouth, flushing as bright as her hair in mortification.

Sakura, not picking up on the girl's embarrassment, nodded eagerly. "I'd love to do that! I've never been to the Uzumaki compound before! Could you show me around?"

Karin nodded, hands still over her mouth as she didn't trust herself to speak.

"Found you Sakura!" a voice sang from behind them.

They whirled, just as Naruto pounced on Sakura and nearly knocked her from the tree.

"Ugh, Naruto!" both girls exclaimed.

All three looked at each other before bursting into laughter.


And now Sakura and Karin have met! Yay! I love me some friendships between girls!

Hope you guys enjoy! Send me prompts if you'd like!

-jay