Entry no. 10: Opportunities

A/N: SasuSaku. AU.

Thanks to my regular reviewers, Rosebunse and sundes2013, as well as akirasatsuna, who reviewed as well. (sorry if I wrote something wrong...)

P.S. I'm trying to get my hands on the 8th episode of shhippuuden - and I'm failing! I hate my flashdisk!

Watching Sakura battle was like watching a sakura blossom dancing in the wind - she was whirling, striking out, hitting the ground with that crushing force of hers, making it crack under her fist.

And watching Sakura battle against Sasuke, with his ability of predicting her attacks, dodging them with grace of a snake, raining his own attacks down on her… it was almost breath taking, for someone with eyes good enough to perceive it whole.

Hatake Kakashi's eyes were good enough for that. His sharingan eye was, at least.

His eyes were good enough to percept one more thing.

They both weren't striking to kill.

Sakura seemed to concentrate more on dodging his attacks and attacking just when she needed to lay off for a while.

And Sasuke's sword seemed to sweep slightly slower, as if to leave Sakura the chance to dodge.

Kakashi lay where he was.

He had no choice, really. His chakra was drained and his body battered.

So he watched the battle in front of him.

They were both going to tire very quickly at this rate - and then they will be forced to flee and fight another day. Was that what they wanted?

A perfect opportunity opened for Sasuke - he had a clear way to Sakura's neck. One quick sweep and fight would be over.

But instead, he whirled away as Sakura finished her spin, four shuriken flying out of her hand at awesome speed.

Sasuke dodged three of them and parried the last with his sword.

They were both panting, watching each other attentively.

Kakashi wondered what was going on in their heads.

Did Sasuke notice the mourning band on Sakura's sleeve?

Did Sakura see yet another scar that showed itself on Sasuke's chest as he raised his arm?

Or were they both reminiscing, remembering those sweet times as Team Seven?

Never mind that, because Sakura lunged forward again.

At first, Sasuke didn't move.

He seemed lost in thought, his scarlet eyes still fixed at the spot Sakura stood in seconds ago.

Another opportunity.

Sakura whipped out a kunai and went at Sasuke full speed…

And chose his less vulnerable place - head - as her first target.

Sasuke ducked the lunge, sweeping his sword in a circle around him, aiming for Sakura's legs.

She jumped up and attacked from above with her kunai.

Sasuke caught the blow with his blade.

Why?

Why didn't they want to kill each other?

Kakashi preached himself mentally.

Despite the obvious.

Sakura loved Sasuke, as much as she wanted to deny it now.

And Sasuke…

He still had feelings.

As much as he wanted to deny it now.

Sakura held Sasuke's hands above him, kunai crossed with sword.

And there they stood, face to face.

And Kakashi saw another opportunity.

Not to kill.

But to end something as well.

And Sakura used this one.

"Sasuke-kun," she breathed out. "Do you hate us?"

Sasuke blinked.

His voice was very quiet when he spoke up. "No, Sakura. I can't hate you. You're… you were all I had."

Sakura's eyes were filled with tears as Sasuke looked away.

For once, there was an opportunity Kakashi missed.

But Sakura saw it.

And she was going to make use of it.

She plunged forward, her body slamming into Sasuke's.

"Sasuke-kun…"

She closed her eyes as she leant in, their breaths mingling.

He closed his eyes, too, and the tension in his upraised arms slackened as he sealed the gap between their lips.

Kakashi looked away.

This was Sakura's moment.

Sakura's opportunity.

Opportunity to deal with her past.

Opportunity to deal with her love for Sasuke.

A/N: SO hard to find a proper idea for this word! Messed up my planned 10-onsehots-in-2-days challenge! And it ended in… I-so-don't-wanna-kill-you fluff. BORING! And OOC as the most fucking Akatsuki hell. Sorry for the rant.