The Calling

By ShinobiSpirit

[ ] - Inner Sakura

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Pink hair tossed in the wind as Haruno Sakura ran down the fenced street leading to the bridge. Waking up this morning, she decided she wasn't going to get any stronger sitting around sulking about it. A triumphant grin took place of her usual frown as she balled her fist up in front of her. 'This time, I'm going to do something!' [HELL YEAH!]

Her feet padded onto the surface of the bridge as she came to a halt in the center. A quick glance around told her they were long gone. This caused a sigh to escape from her lips as she leant up against the railing of the bridge, conveniently in the same spot Sasuke normally occupied.

'I suppose it'd be useless to follow them..' She thought, mentally smacking herself for her behavior in the first place. 'When they get back, I'm sure Kakashi-sensei is going to punish me..' Wincing at that thought, she turned her head to the side.

'Strange.. no people on the street.'

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"Ahhhhahahaha! Sasuke fell for it!" Naruto howled, laughing hysterically and pointing at his teammate. Kakashi promptly punched him in the back of the head, causing him to flop forward and fall face first into the ground. "Ow! Kakashi-sensei!"

"You're supposed to be quiet, idiot." The older man scolded, planting his foot on Naruto's back. He squirmed under his weight.

'Serves you right, you fool.' Sasuke thought with a satisfying smirk. "Sensei, I'll handle this." He said calmly, eyeing the older man with intense dark eyes.

"Ehrrrrrr!! Sasukeeee!!!!!!!!!"

Kakashi nodded, applying more pressure on Naruto's back to keep him in place. "I'll leave it to you, then." He looked down at the fuming blonde under his foot. 'He'd just make matters worse anyway.' At that thought, Kakashi brought a hand up to his head and sighed, his other reaching into the pouch on his side, pulling out Come Come Paradise. 'Always causing trouble.. geeze.'

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Poking her head around the corner, Sakura peered down the empty street cautiously. Though it seemed like a humorous moment, she was thoroughly frightened by the absence of people on the normally busy street. So busy that Sakura often had a hard time getting through the bustling crowds gathered at various shops and such.

'This better not be another prank of Naruto's.' Sakura thought, her eyebrow twitching angrily as she recalled his past stunts. Shaking her head, she slowly stepped out from behind the corner and sauntered down the deserted street, glancing every which way. Something was very, very wrong about this whole situation. She could feel it in the pit of her stomach.

"Sakura."

"Ahhh!" Sakura jumped and spun around, her hands in formation with a kunai drawn and pointed forward. She winced, expecting to be hit. [DAMNIT!]

With the shuffling of feet, Sakura felt a hand wrap around her wrist and force it downward, to the side. Slowly, she opened her eyes, revealing her assailant. "Sasuke-kun?"

The raven-haired boy nodded casually, releasing her wrist and stuffing his hands in his pockets. She blinked, both shocked and surprised that he was even still around. "Didn't you leave with Naruto and Kakashi-sensei?"

"No." He said in his usual monotone, turning his head to the side to gaze at nothing in particular. "He expected you not to show up."

Sakura immediately felt a sinking sensation in her gut as she hung her head. '.. I'm toast.' She laughed to hide her embarrassment. "Did he?"

Sasuke gave her a look out of the corner of his eye. 'What's wrong with her..'

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'Why is he stalling..' Kakashi thought from his perch in a hidden location, watching the two lazily. 'The ladies certainly don't want him for his charm.' He chuckled inwardly, focusing his attention on Come Come Paradise once more.

In the background, Naruto was tied up with his mouth taped shut, squirming and rolling around as if he were on fire. 'Damnit! Why does this always happen to me?!"

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"Shut up." Sasuke muttered, his back now to the pink-headed girl. Sakura stepped back slightly at the harshness of his tone, not expecting him to be so upset with her.

"Sasuke-kun.."

"Did you really think.." He turned his head, looking at Sakura over his shoulder with narrowed eyes. "..That running away would help you get stronger?" He asked, his voice stern and agitated.

Sakura lowered her arms by her side, jade eyes focused on the ground. "I'm sorry.. I jus--"

"Be quiet." Turning his head forward again, he tilted his chin down and closed his eyes. "You're apart of this team, regardless of those thoughts that run through your head. So why don't you start acting like it?"

"What?" Sakura blinked, her eyes locked onto his back. A river of crimson made it's way along the contour's of her cheeks, and for once she was glad he was turned the other way. "I see.."

Sasuke remained silent, as he was a bit irritated by this whole situation. 'How ridiculous..' He thought, his characteristic poker face having it's debut. He felt completely alienated whenever he had these moments with his female comrade. Like the world goes silent every time they end up alone somewhere.

Watching him quietly, Sakura felt a small smile tugging at her lips, and she took a few steps forward to close the distance between them. Carefully, she slipped her arms around his chest and rested her forehead against his shoulder, giving him a slight hug.

Sasuke's eyes shot open and he tensed, not really sure what he was supposed to do as he felt his cheeks go red with a burning sensation. "Sakura.."

"Thank you, Sasuke-kun."

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"Well, everyone.. are we all ready to go now?" Kakashi asked while stuffing his book back into it's usual pouch. They were all gathered around just outside of the Village gates.

"Yeah! Yeah! Let's go!" Naruto yelled and jumped up and down excitedly. 'I won't lose to Sasuke!'

"Why are you so noisy all the time?" Sakura asked, glaring at the small blonde boy. If looks could kill, Naruto would be dead three times over.

"Hahaaa!" Naruto grinned and grabbed Sakura by her arm. "C'mon! Let's go to the Gatsua!"

"Ow! Naruto! Let go of me! HEY!"

"Heheheheeee! Faster!"

"NARUTOOOO!!!!!!" [I'LL KILL YOU, IDIOT!]

"Ouch!"

Sasuke and Kakashi sighed, following the two sluggishly. 'This is going to be a long trip..'

'How annoying..'

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Not much to say.

SS