The Calling

By ShinobiSpirit

[ ] - Inner Sakura

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Naruto yawned broadly and stretched his arms out above his head as he sat up. Smacking his jaws, he looked around the room to get his bearings before his sleepy gaze rested on his partner.

Sasuke was leaning his back up against the window frame, his eyes focused intently on the environment outside with his arms crossed over his chest. To Naruto, he looked more rigid than usual.

"Hey Sasuke! What's up with y--"

"It stopped."

Naruto blinked and scratched the back of his head. "What stopped?"

"The storm."

Tilting his head, Naruto looked at his partner quizzically. "So?"

Sasuke pushed himself from the window and onto his feet, dark eyes focused on the blonde boy's as he began to walk past him towards the door. "I'm going."

"Wah?" Naruto tilted his head. "Heeey! Why don't we ask the old lady for some more food before we go!"

Sasuke stopped in the doorway, his head bowed with dark eyes examining the floor. He was about to say something, but he thought better of it and simply walked out, closing the door behind him.

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Sakura stood frozen in place as she listened to Sasuke laugh. Had she ever heard him laugh before? Trying to recall a memory of such, she noticed that the rain had stopped and the sky was no longer pitch black.

"Sakura."

"Huh?" Sakura turned around to face Sasuke as he released her from his arms. Silently, she wished he hadn't let go, though. [DAMNIT!]

He smirked at her. "Close your eyes."

Sakura blinked. 'Close my eyes?' Looking a bit nervous, she closed her eyes, wringing her hands together behind her. 'What was he going to do?' As she thought that, she felt a warm breath against her cheek, causing her to tense up. 'Sasuke-kun..'

"Okay. Open them."

Slowly, she opened her eyes..

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

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"HEY!" Naruto yelled as he came stumbling out of the shop, slowing down to catch his balance. "Why don't you stop trying to be so cool and face me!"

Sasuke pretended not to hear him, sauntering down the street without looking back. Too much time had been wasted already, Sasuke knew. He should have been training, not chasing after a pink-headed loud mouth and keeping an equally annoying blonde runt company.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!"

"What was that?!" Naruto shrieked, his feet sliding into a stance with his fists raised in defense. Sasuke's head shot up as he slowed to a stop, eyes narrowed in the direction he assumed the sound came from.

'A scream..' He thought, clenching his fists at his sides. 'Sakura!'

Naruto watched his teammate in confusion. "Sasuke!" He yelled, his anger rising. "What are we waiting for?!"

A smirk slipped past Sasuke's lips as he turned to look at Naruto over his shoulder. "You." He tilted his head mockingly to the side. "Scaredy cat."

"WAH!!! I'll show you!" Naruto grinned triumphantly at his rival. "You just watch! I'll save Sakura-chan all by myself!"

Sasuke nodded, and together the two boys took off towards the forest, flying through the tree's as if they were all aflame.

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Sakura screamed and fell back into a sitting position, her face turning completely red. She had never been so humiliated in her entire life! "Kakashi-sensei!!!!!" [DIRTY OLD MAN!]

Kakashi chuckled and held a hand out to help her up. "Hehe."

She glared at his hand and crossed her arms over her chest, turning her head to the side cockily. He was actually LAUGHING at her! How dare he! "HMPH!"

Smiling, Kakashi crouched down in front of her and patted her on the head. "Well done, Sakura." He said, bringing up the other hand with his index finger extended. "You didn't allow your emotions to get in the way. You're improving a lot faster than I anticipated."

Sakura blinked, looking at her sensei blankly. "So, this was a test?"

"Mn." He nodded. "And you passed."

Sakura's eyes brightened as she smiled, laughing a little herself. She was so happy she felt like crying. Although, she made a promise right then and there that no matter what, she wouldn't cry anymore. 'Not even for Sasuke-kun.' [HELL YEAH!]

"SAKURA-CHAN!!!!"

Kakashi suddenly disappeared in a tuft of smoke right in front of Sakura's eyes, causing her to blink. "Huh? Naruto?"

"Sakura-chan!" Naruto called, dropping from a tree nearby and running up to her. Close up he could see a few minor scrapes, and her clothing was ragged, but she looked okay. "Are you alright? What happened?"

Sakura smiled at Naruto. "I'm fine."

Naruto looked at her oddly. 'She's.. smiling at me? WOOHOO!' He got so caught up in the moment, he lunged at Sakura and brought his arms around her in a hug.

"Hey! Naruto!"

"Hehehehe!"

From afar, a lone figure stood leant up against a tree with their arms crossed and one knee bent. Sasuke bowed his head as a smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth. Perhaps today wasn't such a waste after all.

"AGH! NARUTO!!!!!!!"

"Ow! Sakura-chan! But!"

.. Or, he could be wrong. 'Geeze..'

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Warm stuff. Hah.

SS