The Calling
By ShinobiSpirit
Italics - Quote's/Flashbacks
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The wind blew harshly as the clouds above shifted with the approaching afternoon storm. Sensing the lightning in the sky and the scent of the rain not too far off, Sasuke hurried along the desolate street with Naruto in tow.
'It's getting dark..' Sasuke thought as he slowed to a stop, his eyes narrowed with the utmost concentration so as not to miss anything important to the whereabouts of their missing teammate.
Naruto crossed his arms behind his head and let out a loud yawn as he came up behind Sasuke. "I'm tired.. maybe she went home already." He said as his eyes darted around the area, then up at the gray clouds moving in above. "She's smart enough not to stay out in a storm like this."
Although Naruto was probably right, Sasuke still felt strangely uneasy about the whole thing. He had no idea why, either. Usually he wouldn't have cared. He wasn't sure he did care. It was like his feet were moving on their own accord, and that's something that was surely going to get him killed one day if he wasn't careful.
As Sasuke began to turn in the other direction, light sprinkles of rain began to pitter-patter on the surface of the ground. He knew they couldn't stay outside much longer, as he could see the shock of raw electricity lighting up the sky in a horrific display of the power of nature. They needed to get out of the storm, and fast.
"Naruto." Sasuke muttered as he cut his sharp dark eyes at the blonde boy. "We need to go." He ordered, more than said, shifting his feet as quickly as possible back the way they came.
"Nani?" Naruto looked on at Sasuke in confusion before realizing he was about to be left behind a second time. "Hey! Wait for me!" He shrieked, hearing the sound of thunder and lightning crack against the Earth as he ran after Sasuke with his arms wailing about.
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Sakura sauntered down a narrow path in the woods, kicking her feet along the ground as if she didn't care that possible nearby enemies may hear her. Her need to become stronger was effecting her better judgment, she discovered. It wasn't like she was mad with the thirst for power. She just... well, she had no idea.
Her first plan was to ask Kakashi-sensei for extra training before or after their usual daily missions. But that back-fired, as she was either too ashamed or too stubborn to ask the older man for help.
The second plan was to train on her own. She was the brightest in the village, after all. Certainly she could train herself like Naruto gloated he had done. But.. she ended up causing herself more harm than good.
And saving the best for last, her third plan was to ask Sasuke-kun to help her train. Somehow, though, she knew he would just tell her to go train by herself. So, that left her with no more options (Other than to swallow what pride she has and ask Kakashi-sensei for his help).
Being so frustrated, Sakura didn't even realize the approaching storm until she felt tiny droplets against her pale cheeks and the slight tapping of water splashing against her forehead protector. It was then that she looked up at the sky, seeing through the tree's the dazzling display of energy dancing across the gray clouds, followed by a down-pour of rain.
'I need to get home..' She thought as she brought her arms around herself in a protective gesture. It was dangerous to be out during a storm, especially surrounded by tree's. 'This is just great.. I got so caught up in my thoughts that I'm about to get myself killed! If not that, I'll definitely catch a cold out here..' Shaking her head and tightening her arms around herself, she began to run back the way she came, hoping she hadn't strayed too far from the village.
'Mom's gonna kill me..'
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Panting and heavily soaked from head to toe, Naruto and Sasuke stood inside a shop that just happened to have a very generous owner, whom provided them with shelter and warm blankets.
"You poor dears.." The old woman said as she came back from a room in the back of the store. "Sit down, sit down.. I'll make you both some hot soup."
"T-thanks, lady." Naruto said through chattering teeth as he took a seat. He was freezing!
Sasuke didn't seem so effected by the weather, rather, his thoughts were elsewhere as he sat on a small stool in the far corner. His black, silky bangs were matted to his forehead protector from the rain, causing droplets of water to run down his face even after drying off.
'This storm..' He thought, his hands clasped together in front of his face. '.. it came out of no where.. like it was timed.' His dark eyes shifted to his comrade laid back in a comfy office chair by the heater. 'But if it were purposely timed, why would they be going after Sakura?'
'.. Especially you, Sakura...'
'Kakashi.' The older man's last words rang through Sasuke's head as he recalled that day. 'He knows something we don't.. but what?'
"Young man?"
"..." Sasuke looked up to find a bowl of steaming hot soup held right up to his face. Parting his hands, he grasped the bowl carefully by the upper edges and stared into it's contents, after nodding a silent thank you.
"Hey Sasuke!" Naruto hollered from across the room. He had already finished off his first bowl and was awaiting seconds. "Why don't you relax? I'm sure Sakura-chan's fine!"
Sasuke grunted, his eyes still locked onto the reflection in his soup. "What makes you think I'm worried about her."
At this, Naruto was thoroughly confused. Sometimes he just didn't understand Sasuke, and other times, he didn't care to. He made this one of those times, as his second helping was being delivered to him. "Thanks!" He said with a satisfying grin as he took the bowl and wolfed down it's contents like he hadn't eaten in years. Sasuke was completely disgusted.
'..Idiot.'
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Tired, hungry, cold, and soaking wet, Sakura trudged down the path way as fast as her legs would allow. In all truth, she didn't know if she was going the right way or not. Her body was so numb she could barely feel anything. It was like she was trapped under a frozen lake, only she wasn't in any danger of suffocating. But she had a feeling she would be if the rain didn't stop soon.
'I can barely see where I'm going..' She thought as her vision began to blur. 'What's that?'
Beyond the path, there was a clearing with a hill off to the right side. She could just make out a figure standing there as if waiting for her. Slowing to a stop and squinting her eyes, the figure's outline became more clear. 'I recognize that hair style.. and the wrist protectors..'
'.. Sasuke-kun?!'
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Dramatic Irony. Gott'a love it.
SS
