"S-Sakura-san."

"You heard me. Take. It. Off," she demanded, eyes questing over the skin already exposed.

Haku clutched at his shirt, blushing. "I-it wouldn't be appropriate, Sakura-san!"

Sakura rolled her eyes, adjusting the sleeves of her lab coat. "There is nothing inappropriate about a medical examination. It's standard routine and Zabuza-san mentioned that you have had heart problems in the past. If you want to be a ninja of Konoha, you need to finish this check-up. So, strip."

Haku's flush deepened and he silently cursed his mentor for speaking with Sakura about his childhood condition. She was a tenacious woman and she wouldn't stop until he finished the exam. Sighing to himself, Haku took off his shirt, regretting the day he told his mentor about his slight, very slight, crush.

"Alright," Sakura said, patting the table. "Hop up and I'll listen to your heartbeat."

Haku felt slightly downtrodden at her clinical, professional approach but he obeyed. He tried not to startle as her warm hands brushed against his left pectoral. He glanced down at her, heart hurting at how beautiful she looked, confident in her element.

So…maybe it wasn't just a slight crush.

"Haku-san, I'll be giving you an examination by chakra. You will feel my chakra enter my system; do your best not to fight it. It might feel invasive but it is only running cursory diagnostics on your organs and your chakra coils. Any questions?"

"No," Haku said.

"Okay," Sakura said with a smile. "I'm starting right now."

Haku gasped at the sensation of her chakra. It wasn't invasive in the least. It was warm and all-encompassing. Haku felt her care and her kindness even through her chakra. He was adrift in a sea of Sakura and he never wanted to leave. He didn't even realize he was crying until a finger brushed his cheek and the foreign chakra within him disappeared.

"Are you alright?" Sakura demanded, panic clear in her eyes if not her tone. "Are you having an adverse reaction to my chakra?"

"N-no, Sakura-san," he replied, rubbing at his eyes. "I apologize for the inconvenience. It's just…your chakra is wonderful."

Sakura's face bloomed into a brilliant blush. "I…thank you, Haku-san. That is a kind compliment." She pulled away from him, fidgeting with her hands. "Well, everything seems to be in order. Your check-up is done." She smiled but it felt a bit off. She was just so…flustered. "You are cleared to be a shinobi here in Konoha."

Haku smiled, getting off the table and pulling on his shirt. "Thank you Sakura-san. I am sure I will be seeing you again soon."

Sakura nodded, watching him leave through new eyes.

Who knew Haku could be such a charmer?