"Come over here and make me," Minato says, all swagger and cockiness.
Sakura frowns, wondering if Naruto ever knew how much of a cocky little shit Minato is. She was always told that Minato was a responsible, serious individual, even as a child. It tells her how different this alternate universe is. She moves forward, coming to a stop right before him. She smirks at the way he swallows, a bit unsure of her actions.
"What did you say?" Sakura asks, all girlishness and sweet shyness.
Minato isn't fooled in the least, backing away from her warily. Shikaku is watching them with lazy interest and Sakura curses the fact that she has drawn attention to herself.
"Oi, are you messing with Sakura-chan?" Kushina demands, planting herself at Sakura's side and glaring daggers at Minato.
Another thing different about this universe: Kushina.
Or, specifically, her lack of interest in Minato.
Sakura isn't sure what exactly Sasuke did to fuck with her head, but she knows she's not in her native universe because the first Hokage? It wasn't just Hashirama.
Madara was his co-Hokage.
Konoha is a diarchy.
So, Sakura isn't particularly concerned about screwing up her future. If she kills this blond asshole, the world will never be the wiser.
"No!" Minato replies to Kushina, arms crossed as his eyes keep darting to Sakura. "She just needs to back up her bark with some bite."
Sakura steps forward, baring her teeth with a snap.
Minato flinches.
Sakura bowls over, laughing heartily. "How's that for bite?" she asks, smile edged like a blade. She takes in his wide blue eyes and flushed cheeks before snorting. "Think before you challenge someone next time."
So saying, she and Kushina step away from the sparring grounds, heading back inside to work on their fūinjutsu.
Minato watches them go, heart pounding. It isn't just adrenaline that makes his hands shake and breath quick. He is broken from his musings by Shikaku's dry laughter.
"You've met your match," Shikaku says, clapping slowly. "Watch out for her. That girl is nothing but trouble and hellfire."
Minato nods dazedly, still tracking the pink hair as she makes her way into the Academy building.
Hellfire, huh?