Summary: She had given up on the idea of being anything more than a friend to him, concentrating more on her training than him. During the course of her training, he had begun to realize that what he felt about her was past peripheral vision. Sasuke/Sakura.
Pairings: Sasuke/Sakura
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, at all. All the characters belong to Kishimoto Masashi-sensei. The only thing in this story that is mine will be the OCs and the plot itself.
Past Peripheral Vision
Chapter Fourteen – A Month Away
Her unseeing eyes focused on the path below, her ears focused intently on the crunching sound beneath her feet. She felt like an angel whose wings were ripped off because she was sent away from her home on a mission, different from any mission before. With a sigh, she looked back up, not that it made a difference in her line of vision, and continued walking. Small beads of sweat rolled down her face. The weight on her back grew heavier with each step as she recalled what the Godaime had told her just a couple of hours before. "Sakura, Aya and I were discussing things about your training lately," spoke the Godaime as she drummed her fingers idly on the wooden desk, "And it's been a collective decision, on our part, that you both go on a month-long training session outside of Konoha. First of all, it's beneficial because you have a wider range of possible training grounds and secondly, you are freer to do things you normally take consideration in doing because we live in a place surrounded with people. This matter has already been mentioned to your parents so you needn't worry." Another sigh escaped her lips as she thought of her parents. She never really went out of Konoha to train. It was always just a mission and she was never out for very long either.
"Cheer up, Sakura! The month will fly by before you know it and you'll be looking forward to your next training session!" said Aya with a grin, falling in step with the pink haired Chuunin. A small smile found its way to Sakura's face, her cheeks reddening slightly before reverting back to its original color. A comforting squeeze on the shoulders caused Sakura to jerk back slightly, her hand lingering slightly above on her kunai holster. Her cousins had always done that to her and she always expected something bad to happen. Ever since she graduated from the Academy, and a couple of weeks prior to that event, she had the habit of letting her hand drift over to the area right above her kunai holster. Of course she always threatened them back with a dull blade but they never knew that. "You've got a sharp reaction. Bullying from older relatives, I suppose," said Aya with another grin, her hands stuffed in her pockets. Sakura nodded sheepishly, a low apology escaping her lips. "No need to apologize," said Aya as she focused her amethyst eyes on the road in front, "It's not like I don't do that with my older brother."
"Aya-sensei, what sorts of training will I undergo throughout this month?" asked Sakura as she straightened her posture, her spirits getting considerably better. Aya let out a soft, reflective hum as she continued to walk, leaves and a few small twigs crunching beneath the soles of her sandals. "And where are we going to stay for the duration of the training session?" she added as she let her nails dance above the itchy skin on the bottom of her chin. Aya managed to answer the second question before the first one. They were going to stay in an area about half a day away from Konoha, camping out for twenty-nine days straight. On the thirtieth day, they were going back to Konoha and take the rest of the day off. The Jounin would then report Sakura's progress to the Godaime. "Ah, I see," said Sakura understandingly as they continued to walk, "And the training? Can you tell me what we're going to do?"
"Mostly Gen Jutsu training on your part," replied Aya as her amethyst eyes darkened a shade. A spark of excitement rushed through the Chuunin's veins. Gen Jutsu was what she was born to do! Of course she was getting better and better at Nin Jutsu and Tai Jutsu but if counting raw, congenital talent alone, she was tuned to become typically a Gen Jutsu user. In her team, including Kakashi, she was the odd one out. The three of them were all tuned to become a standard ninja, heavy on Tai Jutsu, reliant on Nin Jutsu and weaponry to back up their brute force. She was more the tactician and would be able to offer medicinal support as well as help delay the opponents. "Today, it's reintroduction to the basics of Gen Jutsu," continued Aya. A groan escaped Sakura's lips. She never did like the basics of Gen Jutsu. All she was doing was picturing what Gen Jutsu she wanted to do, gather chakra and apply a weak version of it, just to get the hang of it. A sly grin found its way to Aya's face when she heard Sakura's disappointment. "But, if you can prove to me you're still as proficient in Gen Jutsu as you and Godaime-sama claim, then we'll move on to more difficult Jutsu," promised Aya.
Back in Konoha
"Kakashi-sensei, where's Sakura-chan!" asked Naruto, again, for possibly the umpteenth time in the past hour. The Jounin was resisting all urges to grab Naruto by his collar and shake him until the blonde boy got it into his system that Sakura was out on a training mission for an entire month by order of the Godaime as her master. But, he had enough sense to not do that to the poor boy. Sasuke, assuming he cared enough about the pink haired girl, was coping well. The Uchiha was currently venting it all out on an innocent log which happened to be at the right place at the right time or the wrong place at the right time. Kakashi still remained to be the person who took care of Sasuke's training, occasionally training Naruto as well. Training both Naruto and Sasuke had been happening a lot fairly recently lately. A faint blush found its way to the Jounin's face whenever it happened. Jiraiya was usually off scouting for more information for his books. "Kakashi-sensei, answer me!"
"Kakashi said Sakura's off with Aya for some training mission, dobe!" growled Sasuke as he kicked at the log, the sole of his sandal connecting with the handle of the kunai. The extreme pressure added onto the knife was strong enough to drive through the log and split it, sandy colored splinters sticking out painfully from the split wood. Naruto was starting to wear out Sasuke's already thin patience for the umpteenth time that day, mostly because of his incessant queries, but also because his questions were always about Sakura. Their relationship, be it as acquaintances, fellow shinobi of Konoha or, dare anyone think it, friends had been rocky, extremely, as of late. One couldn't blame Sakura for it because she was being her usual self. Sasuke was acting broodier than normal. "So just stop talking and train," he added with another growl, "I'm sure I've gotten far better than you, again." With that, Naruto flew off his handle and began accusing Sasuke for telling lies.
"These two will never change," said Kakashi with a soft smirk on his face as his shoulders began to sag, flipping a page in the famed orange book methodically. The content of the books entered his mind but didn't really register, as images of when Sakura, Sasuke and Naruto were still Genin flashed through his mind. Sasuke and Naruto would bicker about every single little thing. Sasuke had his extreme cases of superiority complex, and the talent enough to back up every single one of his claims, and Naruto always took Sasuke's insults to heart. Sakura would always side with Sasuke but that was because she was biased between the two to begin with. Though her feelings mellowed out for the both of them, the sole female still tended to see things in the light that Sasuke was right and Naruto was wrong. A frown found its way to the Jounin's face when he thought about how Sakura and Sasuke had been acting towards each other lately.
Hours Later, during Training
"Tora, Uma, Ryu, Saru," murmured Sakura to herself as she performed the hand seals. For now, she was allowed to remove her hitai-ate, as some Gen Jutsu were in the form of Dou Jutsu. In a flash, a blast of chakra was released from Sakura, heading straight towards Aya who was ready to cancel it. For Aya, basic Gen Jutsu training was to perform the Gen Jutsu, allow a willing "victim" to be caught, lingering in the effects of the Gen Jutsu for a few moments and then canceling it afterwards. It wasn't enough for Aya to know that her student knew the hand seals and amount of chakra required to perform the Gen Jutsu. She wanted to make sure her student could perform the jutsu properly. Moments after she had been caught in the Gen Jutsu, Aya cancelled its effects, motioning for Sakura to go onto the next of the basic Gen Jutsu that she knew. "Nezumi, O-ushi, Hebi, Ousu-buta," Sakura murmured once more, shifting to a Gen Jutsu that affected Aya's sight, causing the images to merge together into indistinct, fuzzy patches of color.
"Good, you still remember most of your basic Gen Jutsu," said Aya with a slight nod, canceling the effects of the illusory technique with ease. Sakura nodded. She was proud that she still remembered every single motion to the Gen Jutsu that she knew. "Okay, back on with your hitai-ate," said Aya as she drew a kunai and fell into a fighting stance, "And it's time for us to have our daily sparring. Afterwards, remove your hitai-ate and let's fish for our dinner." The pink haired Chuunin nodded, hastily tying a tight knot at the back of her head and falling into stance, opting not to draw out her weapons. Her Tai Jutsu style was identical to the Godaime's, allowing for optimum destruction in various ways. "On three," murmured Aya confidently, narrowing her amethyst eyes to her sparring partner. Sakura made no sound. "Three, two, one!" said Aya, shouting out the last number. The two kunoichi launched at each other almost simultaneously.
Aya made a maddening swipe, a clear cutting sound slashing across the air as the knife made its way towards Sakura. Bending down low, the Chuunin slid across from her position, sliding behind Aya and punching the ground, breaking it into various large boulder-sized chunks. Smaller chunks flew up to the air and began falling towards the ground making contact with skin and causing stinging, though slight, pain. The sun had begun to set, offering less light to the Jounin making it more advantageous to Sakura. Beads of sweat rolled down the Jounin's chin, dripping onto her hand. Dropping the kunai on the floor, Aya began to make a series of hand seals. Sakura was hidden nearby, able to hear the murmurs of the Jounin. The seals were in a series unfamiliar to her. With that, the Chuunin assumed that it was a technique she didn't know and opted to move away.
"Katon: Okibi Arashi no Jutsu!" shouted Aya, a blaze of fire erupting from her mouth towards the sky, spiraling down like a rain shower of fiery strips. Sakura's heart began to pound as she dove towards the river, feeling the intense heat from the jutsu. Though most of her body managed to get drenched by the water, some fire had burned through the skin of her left calf, eliciting a shout of pain on her part. "Got you!" shouted Aya as her sharp amethyst eyes caught sight of the girl with glowing hands. Moving her hands quickly, Aya began to use another jutsu, still of the Katon family. "Katon: Housenka no Jutsu!" shouted Aya, fireballs erupting from her mouth and flying towards Sakura.
In a swift movement, the Chuunin drew out her Crescent Blade and managed to swipe at the fireballs, dissipating most of them and weakening the rest that she couldn't reach. The fiery balls burned at her skin, making Sakura bite down her lower lip to stop from screaming. She bit her lower lip so hard that it almost bled. Aya was offering no handicap, even if Sakura had been drained of a significant amount of chakra just before this sparring match. Hearing footsteps, Sakura knew that the Jounin was coming in, fast. Summoning all her strength, Sakura forced herself to stand up, using the Crescent Blade as leverage. Leaving her largest weapon behind, Sakura jumped across the rocks on the riverbed, going to the opposite side. She needed to get as much of a head start over the Jounin as possible. Her heart pounded, feeling her head getting heavy from all the pain she was feeling at the moment. Each step she took almost caused her to falter as she was relying heavily on the right side of her body so as to not aggravate her wounded left half. Suddenly, she felt a strong blow from behind, swiping at the base of her neck.
"That's enough, Sakura," said Aya softly, catching the teetering Chuunin, in between conscious and unconscious, "You've done your best. Very few manage to last that long when I use that Katon technique." A faint sound of acknowledgement escaped Sakura's lips before she closed her eyes, succumbing to the call of being unconscious. Lifting the Chuunin, Aya began walking towards the river, making her way back to the camp they set up nearby. "It's a good thing Godaime-sama made me bring that medical kit," murmured Aya to herself, shifting Sakura's weight evenly onto her shoulders, "Otherwise, I wouldn't know what would happen to these burn marks." Aya looked at the somewhat charred, reddened flesh that was peeling on both Sakura's leg and arms. "And I didn't mean for it to be that strong. Sorry about that, Sakura," said the Jounin apologetically. Sakura's head bobbed against Aya's steady gait, an unwitting nod.
Sunset, near the Camp
Hazy jade eyes slowly opened. Various hues of violet, orange, red and pink greeted her eyes, as well as the darkened green leaves of the trees. She could hear the rushing of water from a nearby river. As her hand moved, it brushed against cold metal, followed by soft cloth. Turning her head sideways, her half-lidded eyes were met by the sight of her hand atop her hitai-ate. Looking back up at the sky, she felt a painful throb pound persistently at her temple. "Where… where am I…?" she murmured softly, willing her body to move. In what seemed like hours for her, she finally sat up straight, her gaze met by the sight of Aya, watching over a fire where fish speared with wooden barbecue sticks were roasting. "Aya-sensei…?" asked Sakura, unsure of whom she was actually talking to, "Is that you?" A soft laugh escaped Aya's lips as the blonde nodded.
"Yup. Guess I was a bit too harsh on you," said Aya, apologizing once more, as she scratched the back of her head. Sakura's cheeks reddened as fragments of their earlier sparring session bounced back into her mind. Garbled words erupted from her lips, what Aya assumed to be an apology. She distinctly heard 'sorry' and 'forgive me'. "It's alright, Sakura," said Aya as she brushed aside the apology, "I didn't expect you to really be up to your par and I didn't mean for you to get that hurt. You should have seen your leg. Most of the skin was charred and burned. It's a good thing Godaime-sama made me bring a medical kit or who knows what would have happened to your leg!" Sakura remembered how her left leg looked like. It was red and bleeding, large patches of skin peeling off. Some of the patches were even burned to a crisp.
"I should have been more careful, Aya-sensei. Tsunade-shishou would have really gotten mad at me if she saw my condition today," spoke Sakura softly as she sat down by the fire, "A Medical Specialist's main duty, after all, is not healing but, rather, to avoid attacks coming his or her way. If a Medical Specialist is wounded or out of action, who would heal the rest of the team, right?" Aya nodded slowly, understanding the logic. "And thank you for the trouble of healing my wounds for me. I would have done so myself if I weren't unconscious and for that, I'm sorry," murmured Sakura as she bent down her head. Aya brushed off her apology once more and said it was nothing. "I'll look after the fish, Aya-sensei. You can drink water or something," offered Sakura. A skeptical look found its way to the Jounin's face but meeting Sakura's determined expression caused her to give way. Standing up, Aya walked over to the river. Removing her sandals, Aya dipped her legs into the river and leaned back. Opening her mouth, the Jounin spoke.
"That was a pretty fulfilling day, don't you think, Sakura?" asked Aya as she swung her legs lazily in the river. The pink haired Chuunin nodded as her jade green eyes watched the crackling fire, pale orange reflecting on her optics from the blaze. Taking a deep breath, Aya got a whiff of the roasting fish they were going to eat. There were about four or five medium-sized fish cooking by the fire. "I've never really been out on a training mission before," commented Aya as she looked up at the darkening sky. Sakura made a sound of understanding as she fanned the fire gently, strengthening the blaze. "At least not one-on-one with a Jounin," added Aya as she withdrew her legs from the river and patted them dry with a towel they had packed. Wearing her sandals, she made her way beside the Chuunin and sat down with a soft plop. "Let's eat! We've got a long month ahead of us, Sakura. Let's do the best we can with the time we have!" said Aya enthusiastically, picking up two cooked fish and handing one to the Chuunin. A smile of appreciation found its way to Sakura's face as she took the fish gratefully.
Tsuzuku…
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! It's been a three (or four) week delay and I'm really really really sorry! I've been caught up with playing games, fiddling around with Photoshop and schoolwork!
I can't guarantee you that I'll be updating every week but at the very least, I will be updating once a month. Don't worry, I haven't lost interest in writing this but I just haven't found the time to work on it.
On a different topic… I've recently gotten this email about the fanfictionNET admin banning, or something like that, the authors who answered their reviewers' questions and comments in every chapter. Personally, I think it's unfair because this is the only way most authors know on how to interact with their readers. So, until this rumor has been cleared up, I will not be answering any reviews. Hope you understand that.
And twenty-two (22) reviews left until Past Peripheral Vision has reached the three hundred mark! I hope you guys review to help PPV reach a goal of three hundred reviews!
The next chapter is extremely interesting so hopefully, it'll be up within a week's time, to keep you guys from waiting.
Hope that you all still continue sticking by me until the entire story (and all its spin-offs and possible sequels) is complete!
Until the next installment!
Next Chapter: Chapter Fifteen – Kaleidoscope
Chapter Preview: Jumping from tree to tree, a lone figure moved silently against the green foliage. His dark colored cloak was a stark comparison against the bright green of the leaves but it didn't matter to him. He was strong enough to defeat an entire platoon of ANBU, possibly even three or four, all on his own. He was notorious for his most famous murder, more like an almost genocide of an entire prestigious line than a carefully planned murder really. His piercing gaze looked down every once in a while, as if looking for something. Stopping on a sturdy limb, he began looking around. He had heard rumors that there were two Konohagakure no Sato kunoichi training nearby, one a Jounin and the other a Chuunin. If that was the Chuunin he was thinking about, then he was most definitely interested in seeing her. Finally, he spotted a lone kunoichi, sitting down near the root of a large oak tree, healing wounds she had incurred in a spar. A light smirk graced his features as he moved towards the girl. "Found you," he whispered to himself, the blowing wind masking his voice.