Where are you two?
Sakura silently repeated her question in her mind as her eyes slowly scoped out the tangle of trees before her, careful not to skip over a single leaf or petal with her trained eyes. Each time that a branch shook, her eyes darted to it, making sure that it had only been a bird or some other animal.
She'd lost count on how long it had been since Kakashi had told them to begin the exercise, if she could even call it an exercise. All three of them had the glint of competition in their eyes before taking off, even Sasuke had glanced in her direction with something close to desire in his dark eyes. As for Naruto, he always appeared to be searching for a challenge, so nothing new there.
Her chakra masked, she had found a cluster of trees to conceal herself in while she made a plan, and she had to admit that her hiding spot was extremely well suited for her thanks to the petals of the sakura tree blending in with her hair. The tangled branches had created gaps that were big enough to allow her body to squeeze through unscathed, but not enough for her teammates to. She smiled as she imagined Naruto getting stuck while attempting to insert himself through the branches, Sasuke watching with an annoyed look on his face. Another perk that the spot had was that if it were necessary, she could break out of the cluster of branches easily with her strength.
So, she sat in her hiding place, drumming up a plan as she ran her thumb and pointer fingers over the smooth metal of the bell, careful to not allow its tell-tale jingle to chime out.
Sakura's eyes narrowed as she saw the position and the color of the sun, dark orange and low in the sky. Kakashi had told them they had until the sun went down.
If she was going to make a move, it would have to be soon.
And that move would come sooner than she expected.
The leaves rustled suddenly, Sakura's head snapping upwards to peek through the petals of the tree, watching and waiting for the inevitable. Slowly, she curled her fingers around the kunai she'd kept in the pouch strapped onto her right thigh, and brought it close to her chest, ready to defend herself if need be.
As she curled her fingers around her bell tightly, she blinked when she saw a blur of orange enter her vision, followed by a familiar head of blonde hair. Sakura narrowed her eyes as Naruto landed stealthily on a thick branch meters away from her, his blue eyes scanning the forest. Her eyes landed on a glint of silver she saw dangling from his hip, his bell still in his possession. That meant that Sasuke hadn't gotten to him yet, or her. At least, not yet.
Sakura held her breath, then released it in sync with Naruto's sigh.
"Damn, where is everyone?"
He hadn't seen her, she was still safe.
But she knew that it wouldn't be for long.
Think Sakura, think!
"Teme!"
Oh, shit.
Sakura held in a startled yelp as black suddenly blinded her vision, the branches around her shaking upon the sudden impact that she wasn't prepared for. Suddenly, Sakura's heart stopped completely, increasing her grip on her kunai and her bell. She watched with widened eyes as the bell connected to his hip swung melodically side-to-side, unscathed and untouched.
"So, you've finally decided to show your face?" Naruto asked him, his arrogance overwhelming.
Sakura refused to move, tightening every muscle in her body.
"I could say the same for you." Sasuke said. "Hand it over."
"Ladies first." Naruto replied, grinning cockily.
Sakura rolled her eyes. Typical.
They stared each other down for the longest time, and though their eyes gleamed with competition, neither of them moved. The wind blew tauntingly, releasing some of the leaves and sakura petals from their grasps to their respective trees, spinning and dancing around the two revealed shinobi. Petals stuck to Naruto's jacket and pants, and Sakura spotted a few pink spots in Sasuke's hair. She blinked when some of the petals of her tree flew into her eyes, catching one and holding it out in front of her. Jeez, who knew that there were so many petals.
So many petals..
That's it!
Sakura's eyes widened, and a sly smile spread onto her lips. She had a plan.
With so many petals flying out at the boys, they wouldn't notice a few extra showing up, right?
She couldn't explain how she'd discovered the jutsu, but for some reason she just..knew. The flowers in the fields had always seemed to bend to her will, and after picking a small petal off of a sakura tree did she realize that the flower could be used as a weapon, her own personal weapon, just as Sasuke had his eyes and Inoichi had manipulation of the mind. It had only taken her a few days to pick up again, but she'd managed to perfect it. It had been like walking on water, once you learn you could never really forget how to do it. Yes..it could work! Just like last time-
Sakura caught herself as her voice spoke to her inside of her head, pausing at her last syllable. She didn't know where it came from, but somehow..it felt..right..yes..just like last time..
Stilled breaths lurking around the corner, an angry face, a strange design carved onto metal..
A loud clang of metal and fists rang into Sakura's ears, breaking her out of the depths of her mind and into the present as Sasuke and Naruto launched themselves at each other. Sakura watched in stilled awe as Naruto's fist was blocked by Sasuke's hand, and Sasuke's kick blocked by Naruto's arm. They spun in the air and launched themselves off of the trees, almost as if they were performing some strange dance.
And as Sakura immediately noticed the leaves and petals beginning to fly around the forest, she knew it was time.
Slowly, she slipped her kunai back into its pouch and brought her middle and index fingers on her right hand together.
Then, she stopped herself.
As the thought hit her, she wanted to slap herself for being so stupid. Did she really think that she could catch Sasuke in a genjutsu? Him of all people? Flat chance.
No, she'd have to get his bell some other way, and by the looks of it, she would most likely have to fight him fist to fist for his bell. Naruto, on the other hand, gave her a small ray of hope. Perhaps she could catch him, and then fight Sasuke? Then again, Sasuke would most likely get to Naruto before she could, then she'd have to fight for two bells from one person..and with that person being Sasuke, she may as well haven been asking for more than a challenge, not that she didn't think that she could defend her own bell..
After that thought, her heart stopped.
Sasuke leaped back from his impact with Naruto, flipping in midair and making contact with a large oak tree that was only within meters of the cluster of sakura trees. She watched as he wiped the corner of his mouth with his fist, probably wiping away a small drop of blood.
His eyes darted to his left unexpectedly.
An accidental slip of the eyes, an indifferent glance.
And their eyes met in full force.
Sakura's throat went dry as he looked at her with those black pools of eyes, examining her shocked green ones as her hands were frozen in their place.
This was it, he finally noticed her..it was all over. Now it was a matter of defending her bell, and she'd be damned if she let him take hers, seeing that smug look on his face that she despised.
Glaring right at him, Sakura allowed her chakra to build up, preparing for his attack.
But it never came.
It was as if he had only seen a bird or some other insignificant animal, and not his teammate who carried a bell that he needed to pass the exercise. And as quickly as his eyes landed on hers, he looked away, launching himself off of the tree and towards his current battle.
A thousand emotions ran through Sakura.
Shock, confusion, relief, disbelief, anger..
Was she the one who was insane? Had she imagined him seeing her? Had he seen her at all? Or had it been his eyes just passing over hers briefly. But, she couldn't believe that she had imagined those eyes staring into hers, there was no way she could imagine up that intensity..
No, it was not time to question his actions, but only hers.
Time to move.
But what was her move? What would she do?
She assumed the same position she had before, index and middle finger pointed up to the sky, and she felt the familiar rush of her chakra flow through her body, giving her the power she needed and craved, hoping some some spark of inspiration, putting herself under pressure.
Pressure..
Her eyes widened. Could it be that simple?
She watched as Naruto dove for Sasuke's bell, and while Sasuke dodged him and lunged for Naruto's, he followed suit. It was like watching a never ending cycle of attempts and failures, but it was just what Sakura needed.
She waited for the right moment to strike, and after all, it was the only plan that made sense to her, the only one that she needed to work. And the fact that the boys were distracted made it even better.
No holding back now, just go for it. After all, what do I have to lose? Oh right..a bell and my dignity..this'll be great.
"Hand it over, Sasuke!"
"You first!"
They launched themselves at each other, and Sakura knew that she was given a chance.
And she took it.
Praying to whomever was watching over her, she broke free from the cluster of branches and petals, pink blinding her vision for only one brief moment. She felt her chakra flowing through her hands and fingers, giving her the power she needed.
And as she saw their astonished eyes realize their fate, she let herself melt into the form of her past.
Into the form of her present.
"Shanaroo!"
She jabbed both of them at the same time, her chakra charged fingers digging into the sides of their necks, hitting the targeted pressure points. When she heard a surprised yelp from Naruto and a small grunt from Sasuke, she knew that her plan had worked.
Quickly, she grabbed the backs of their shirts and tugged them through the air, landing on a thick branch. Sighing to herself, she released their collars.
"Damn it!" Naruto exclaimed, puffing out his cheeks. "I didn't even notice you, Sakura-chan!"
"Well, duh!" Sakura said. "That's how I wanted it to be."
"Sasuke, you should've seen that coming!" Naruto almost chastised, glaring at the distance ahead of them since he was unable to move his head.
"Speak for yourself." Sasuke grunted, his eyes closed in annoyance.
"Oh yeah?" Naruto challenged, his eyes drifting slowly to his left. "Then how come you've managed to get your bell stolen?"
"Once again, speak for yourself." Sasuke said. "Yours was stolen too."
Sakura frowned. "Guys, I didn't even take your bells yet."
Nobody spoke.
"Really, I didn't- oh crap!" Sakura exclaimed, her eyes shooting down to Sasuke and Naruto's right hips, only to find that their silver bells were missing.
As if it couldn't get any worse, Sakura looked down at her own hip, and
Where the hell were they?! Had they fallen to the forest floor? Had they gotten loose and untied from all the previous fighting that Naruto and Sasuke went through? Had she knocked them off of their hips when she made her move?
Sakura's eyes darted all around her, but she saw no glimpse of silver or any indication of bell chiming.
"I'm impressed."
That is, until the three of them heard a voice speak out.
Sakura's head shot upwards as the jingling of three silver bells flowed through the air.
There stood Kakashi, leaning casually against a higher branch on an oak tree, swinging the bells lazily in his hand.
How did he manage to get al the bells from us..and without us even realizing? Sakura thought to herself, her eyes narrowing.
"However, the three of you were so focused on achieving success for yourself that you neglected to be aware of your surroundings. You're lucky that your mission doesn't require that you deliver three silver bells to a client, otherwise you'd most certainly fail." he said.
"But-" Sakura began.
"You said this exercise was to test our individual skills!" Naruto exclaimed.
"Do you have to be so loud?" Sasuke sighed, grimacing at the fact that he was unable to move his hands over his ears, or better yet, punch the loudmouth.
"Well, quite frankly," Kakashi sighed. "I got tired of waiting."
"Wow." Sakura said, rolling her eyes and drenching her voice with sarcasm. "Wouldn't know how that feels."
"Well anyway, here." Kakashi said, suddenly tossing the bells towards Sakura, who caught them just as they were about to make contact with her startled face. "It's been a long day, and I really need some rest, gotta finish that book-"
"You mean the book you've been reading since we were genin?" Sasuke asked dryly.
Kakashi blinked. "I'm not inclined to answer."
Typical.
"Sakura, you can handle the two of them on your own, right? Get them healed, and I want all of you to get some rest. You'll need plenty of it since you're all skipping breakfast tomorrow."
All three shinobi froze, well, one of them joined the already frozen ones.
Sakura's heart raced. "What are you-"
"Tomorrow," Kakashi said, bringing his fingers up in front of his face into a hand sign. "You're all up against me."
With a quick poof, their sensei vanished.
All three of them said nothing, their words lost on their tongues, becoming an ignorant group of genin once again. And just like back then, Naruto would be the first to break the silence.
"Are you fucking kidding me?!"
The sun finally set, casting a dark blanket over Konoha and its residents, all already desiring to tuck themselves into their beds and dive into their world of dreams.
The same couldn't be said for squad seven.
They weren't ignorant, far from it.
As soon as Sakura had allowed their muscles to function normally once again, they submerged themselves deeper into the forest where they wouldn't be heard. Upon making sure that they were in fact alone, they began to drum up a plan to beat their sensei at his old game.
"We have to get him when he least expects it."
"Set traps around the forest tonight."
"Make him think our teamwork is awful."
"That won't work, he knows us too well by now."
"And we don't know him?"
"That's not the point.'
"Poison his breakfast!"
"No!"
But eventually, they had worked it out, agreeing not speak of their plan or even think of it until tomorrow morning. Not even a mere whisper.
"Gotta go!" Naruto exclaimed, running off towards town.
"You're going home already?" Sakura asked him. "Are you actually going to listen to Kakashi-sensei's advice? It's only eight."
"I'd promised Hinata that I'd see her after training!" Naruto yelled back, winking. "See you two tomorrow!"
He disappeared quickly, leaving Sasuke and Sakura alone. Together.
Sakura glanced in his direction, and almost blushed when he had glanced her way as well, their eyes locking for the second time that day. Possibly..
"Good night." he said to her, turning his back to leave her standing dumbfounded in the dark, confused as to how she should proceed. She continued to watch him as he intended to retire to his home without so much as a word from those lips of his, without another glance from those onyx eyes that devoured everything that they had ever laid on.
No, she knew what she had seen, there was no doubt about it.
"Why didn't you do it?"
He immediately stopped his gait, turning around to face her, something that seemed so..unlike him. By now, Sakura was used to speaking with Sasuke's back, and only seeing his face when she had either pissed him off or what she had to say was of great interest to Sasuke. This was new.
When he narrowed his eyes, she followed suit with her own.
"I know you saw me, back in the forest. You could've attacked me and taken my bell, but you didn't. Why?"
He looked deeply into her eyes for the longest time, and Sakura knew that she had been correct. He had seen her after all, there was no denying it anymore.
"Answer me." she said, putting venom in her voice without meaning to, narrowing her eyes further to express her desire for his answer.
Then, his lips curled up into a smirk, the kind that sent shivers down Sakura's spine. The arrogance that she hated and yet found utterly fascinating suffocated her senses, making her heart pound in her chest, making her realize something that she hadn't before, that she should've known. He'd given her this look plenty of times before.
"I wanted to give you a fair chance at the exercise."
His words danced around in her head, and within the frenzied mess of their meaning, she broke free.
"You wanted to give me..a fair chance?" she said back to him incredulously. "You're saying that you allowed your pressure point to be hit?"
When she heard Sasuke give an amused huff, Sakura's blood went to a boil.
Stupid, arrogant jerk. Who did he think he was?
Sakura crossed her arms. "I don't believe you."
All amusement dropped from Sasuke's face as she glared directly into his eyes, her defiance radiating off of her entire being.
"You think you're stronger than me, don't you." she questioned, her angered expression stamped harshly onto her face.
"You said it, not me." he replied smugly.
Sakura could feel the steam rising from her body.
"You would've lost immediately had I taken action." he said, taking a few steps to shorten the distance between them.
"Are you so sure about that?" she challenged, also taking steps towards him.
"Positive."
They'd stopped when they were within inches of each other, their chests almost touching. They could feel each other's breaths upon their skin, and it sent excited chills down Sakura's spine.
"Prove it." she whispered.
Then, he disappeared.
Sakura inhaled with surprise as her world had suddenly blurred into black technicolor, the trees and sparkling stars blending into a messed up mass of silver and evergreen. She shut her eyes as the wind blew into her face violently for just a few seconds, and then it was all over.
When she opened her eyes, she stared up into Sasuke's, dark and swimming with victory.
She felt his arms supporting her neck and lower torso, realizing that he had placed her in a dipped position, almost as if they had been ballroom dancing.
Her heart was beating fast, her breath was caught in her chest, pupils undoubtedly dilated.
A soft, yet pressing sound of bells swam through the air as his hand slipped away from her torso, and with it, the three infamous silver bells secured tightly between his thumb and index finger.
Sakura watched her startled reflection through the shining metal, and felt a tremendous amount of heat course through her body when Sasuke lowered his lips to her ear.
"Believe me now?"
A/N: Hello Lovelies!
AP EXAMS ARE ALMOST OVER!
I had fun writing the end of this chapter..sorry no romance..yet.. ;)
Also, to answer some of you who've been asking; Yes, I do have a tumblr! Just search up bijuewled on tumblr, and you should find me, or go in my bio and click the link there!
Also..
LET THE NARUTO FANDOM COME ALIVE ONCE MORE!
Only two chapters of Naruto Gaiden are out, and I'm already freaking out about it. Sarada is precious and should be protected at all costs..until she activates her sharingan. And, I don't believe for one second that Karin is Sarada's mother, she is 100000% Sakura's daughter. But seriously Sasuke, 12 years?!
Then there's that mysterious "Uchiha" that looks like the human version of Celebi from pokemon..
Anyway, that's enough from me! I'll see all of you in the next chapter! Be prepared for some showing off and a heartwarming moment..at least I think so.
Love you to Konoha and back! xx