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 things in this story that are mine are the OCs and the plot itself.

Past Peripheral Vision
Chapter Twenty-Two – Katon: Okibi Arashi no Jutsu

Humming softly, Sakura tucked a stray strand of her rosette colored hair behind her ear.

It had been ten months since she had decided to dedicate herself for training. A lot of things had happened since then.

Her heart had broken for the last time and was slowly beginning to heal.

Her medical jutsu were slowly being polished as the days passed. Her usual training with the Godaime was still in progress after all.

Her Nin, Gen, and especially her Tai Jutsu were being practiced and refined, her repertoire of techniques growing with each training session with Aya.

Yet today, the Jounin was a little late, unlike her. She was either just on time or a little earlier, usually the former. Sakura didn't mind the wait, for so long as it wasn't insane during the days she had to wait for Kakashi. She was almost ready to rip him apart every time.

"Sakura!" called out Aya as she suddenly appeared, waving her arms wildly in order to catch the attention of the female Chuunin. Sakura's heart would have lurched forward had she not been a shinobi.

With a curt nod, Sakura pushed herself off from the railings and began walking towards the Jounin.

Today was the day that Aya was going to impart her favorite Katon jutsu, the Okibi Arashi no Jutsu. Sakura had seen it in action a couple of times but she had been engrossed in either her own training or her own strategy of attack to be able to clearly observe how it was done.

Typically, Katon jutsu were practiced over a large body of water, deep and wide enough for it to be able to counteract with the flames that would burst forth, otherwise, everything would be on fire. Today, they would be practicing in front of a long, moderately wide river, the flow of the water strong and steady.

This jutsu, unlike most Katon jutsu, was wider than it was longer. In the beginning, it looked like it was Katon: Goukakyuu no Jutsu but it would split into hundreds of smaller, but not in the slightest weaker, tongues of fire to cover even more ground.

"You've watched me perform this jutsu before. Did you observe anything during those slight moments that you actually could take your mind off the battle?" asked Aya as soon as Sakura stepped in front of her.

"It's pretty much like the Katon: Goukakyuu no Jutsu but you let out your chakra in spurts rather than continuously. When the fire you let out is enough, you send out concentrated chakra at the end in order to break the huge ball before you and for it to separate into smaller flames," explained Sakura, her natural observation skills handy.

"I'm impressed. Despite you seeing them only twice or thrice, you were able to describe it perfectly. You'd make the perfect spy, ANBU, or even a Jounin instructor, as you'll be able to tell the talents and specialties of each of your students," complimented Aya. "Who trained you to be like that?"

"Kakashi-sensei did, back when I was still twelve," replied Sakura. "Since I never seemed to be the type to just charge in and fight, he taught me to be primary support and secondary attacker at least."

Usagi, Ryuu, Hebi, Inu, Tora. Hare. Dragon. Serpent. Dog. Tiger. The seals flashed by quickly, Aya's hands lingering on each seal for the quickest of moments. As Aya's hands drifted to her side, a long, wide ribbon of fire burst forth from her mouth, only to tear into smaller tongues of fire. Patches of Sakura's skin glowed orange and the flames burned brightly as the landed everywhere. "Katon: Okibi Arashi no Jutsu."

When Aya had finished, Sakura took it as a silent signal to try it by herself.

Usagi, Ryuu, Hebi, Inu, Tora. As Sakura opened her mouth, fire started to burst forth, the heat searing the air it passed through. Though significantly smaller and weaker than what Aya had done, the principle of the jutsu was at least shown. The strip of fire parted into smaller tongues, landing on top of the cold, running river water and turning part of it into steam.

"That was good for your first try," said Aya as she threw a small container towards Sakura. Deftly, the Chuunin caught it. "Your lips and the skin surrounding it tend to get dry after doing any Katon jutsu repeatedly. Use that to moisten the area to at least lessen the charring."

Near the Uchiha Compound

A few heads popped up every now and then from beneath the foliage, watching a certain shinobi as he began to move some wooden logs to a bin, probably for fire. A few girlish giggles erupted and soon after, a few violent "ssh!"'s came.

Hearing the noise, the shinobi looked behind him, his dark eyes growing sharp, shining with annoyance, as he continued to pick up some more logs.

"He saw us!" whispered one of the girls excitedly, her cheeks reddening.

Without a word, he stood up straight and drew back his hand, armed with a kunai, as metal clashed against metal.

"Dobe, it's useless," he growled as he put back his weapon in its holster, tossing the last of the logs into the bin. "Especially if you were so obvious like that."

"Guess the distraction didn't work eh?" said Naruto sheepishly, a few loud pops heard from the foliage. Obviously, he had used a very small Harem no Jutsu and Sasuke had just hoped that they wore clothes. Naruto was infamous for his perverted jutsu though not quite as infamous as Jiraiya.

"What do you want?"

"I saw Sakura-chan practicing a Katon jutsu by the river! You want to go watch for a while?" suggested Naruto, a sly grin on his face.

Naruto wasn't as oblivious as most people thought he was to the relationship of Sakura and Sasuke. Although they were all friends, Sasuke's and Sakura's relationship was always bordering on remaining friends to the fork in the road of it being ruined and for it to develop into something more.

Sasuke stood rigid as he turned around, a slightly annoyed look in his face. Sometimes, he would watch but that was when he was done with everything that he had to do and when he was sure that Sakura and the Jounin with her wouldn't notice his presence. But, recently, that plan had failed.

"No thanks, I have guard duty in the West Gate in an hour," lied Sasuke, his expression and his voice normal.

It was true that he had guard duty at the West Gate but that wasn't until eleven. It was still early in the morning.

"Okay then," said Naruto, his hope not deflated in the least. "I'll just say you said hi then…?"

"Whatever you want," replied Sasuke nonchalantly as he shoved his hands into his pockets. "Just don't drag me along into any of your mischief or I'll personally be the one to kill you."

"Hah! You've said that so many times but you were never able to kill me!"

"Just… go…" grunted Sasuke irately.

"Fine, fine!"

As Naruto turned around, skin from his cheek tore open, a long but shallow wound appearing, as a needle landed with a sharp thud, embedding itself into a tree's trunk.

"…NO NEED TO BE PISSED OFF DAMMIT!" shouted Naruto as he turned back, expecting to see Sasuke standing there and smirking. However, the Uchiha was long gone. "ARGH!"

At the Forest

Creeping down slowly, Naruto watched as the air above the water burned a bright orange, a sign that Sakura was still indeed practicing. In his hand he clutched a bento, hoping to bring a good surprise to Sakura and the Jounin who had helped her out all this time.

"Nishishishi, I hope she'll be happy to see what I brought for lunch!" said Naruto quietly to himself, walking closer and closer to where Sakura and Aya were.

It wasn't that he was trying to not be spotted but if that was the case, then, he'd be able to surprise them! He just didn't want to disturb Sakura who seemed really into her practice, taking just short moments to regain her breath and start all over again.

"One more time, Sakura, before we have lunch!" shouted Aya, looking in Naruto's general direction. With a slight nod, Sakura bent over, resting slightly before casting the technique one more time. "You're welcome to come out you know."

"Caught red-handed I suppose," said Naruto with slight embarrassment, lifting up the bento and a small bag carrying a container of tea and three glasses. "Oh well, I was hoping to surprise you but anyway."

"The thought's always appreciated. Thank you, Naruto-san. Sakura should be done shortly," said Aya with a smile, motioning for the boy to stand beside her.

Katon: Okibi Arashi no Jutsu Another strip of fire escaped her lips, this time, much more powerful than the last one she had conjured up. The fireball in front of her burned brightly, big but not as big as Aya's had been, nor as powerful.

"Wow," said Naruto in amazement, watching as the ball of fire broke into smaller flames, landing on top of the water and rising as steam. He wasn't really one to use fire techniques; then again, he didn't know any. "Is this what Sakura-chan has been practicing all day, Aya-nee-san?"

"Yup," said the Jounin cheerfully as she looked at Naruto, a slight grin on her face. Looking back at Sakura, she waved her arm in the air, calling the female Chuunin. "Sakura, Naruto-kun is here to visit!"

Hearing the name of her former teammate, Sakura perked up and looked at Aya. True enough, beside her, Naruto stood wearing his normal bright orange clothes. However, what attracted her attention more was the fact that Naruto was carrying something that looked to be lunch. At the thought of food, her stomach rumbled.

"Naruto! What are you doing here?" asked Sakura, jogging up to the Jounin and the other Chuunin.

"Just wanted to watch you practice and have lunch together!" he said with a grin, lifting up the things he was carrying as added emphasis. At that, Sakura smiled, her expression, warm and sincere.

Up in the trees, onyx eyes were watching, sometimes flickering into a shade of red as the scene unfurled below.

"Sasuke, you should really just go down there you know. You're always watching from up above," spoke a voice, a slightly teasing tone to it.

"But why? I'll leave after a few moments anyway," muttered Sasuke, watching as the three began to set up a place to eat.

"Because you're always watching her even though you said you wouldn't," the other replied with a matter-of-factly tone to it.

"No I don't," retorted Sasuke, turning around to face his companion. "Let's just get the hell out of here and train already, alright Kakashi?"

With that, the stubborn Uchiha jumped to another limb, moving nimbly from tree to tree. A slight smile appeared from beneath Kakashi's mask, a slightly almost fatherly look appearing in his lone, visible eye.

"Whatever you say, Sasuke, you still like her," he thought to himself, following after the Uchiha.

One Week Later

Usagi, Ryuu, Hebi, Inu, Tora. Katon: Okibi Arashi no Jutsu! Fire escaped her lips as she watched the technique unfurl itself in front of her. Moments later, the flaming ball burst into smaller tongues of fire, each equally as powerful.

Sakura sighed in relief as she slumped down onto the forest floor, her hands supporting her as she rested. It took a great deal of chakra and patience to practice any sort of katon jutsu. The skin around her lips had already begun to dry out, though at closer inspection, she knew it would go away when she had finally mastered the technique.

"It's a wonder you're alone today," spoke a voice, causing Sakura to stiffen. Looking back, she turned to face a familiar face, a visit somewhat unexpected though deeply appreciated. "Here, it's for the dry skin."

"Thank you, Sasuke-kun," said Sakura gratefully, catching the small container. "What are you doing here? Aren't you usually practicing with Kakashi-sensei at around this time?"

"He has a mission," he replied curtly, looking at the pristine waters flowing in the river. He remembered when he was this earnest about being able to perform the Katon: Goukakyuu no Jutsu up to his father's standards.

He was up as early has he could be and he went home as late as his parents allowed him to. It was an especially important moment when his father had told him that his achievement was expected of him, being his son, for once not being compared to his older brother.

Opening the container, Sakura looked at the simple salve with a small smile. It looked to be an old salve, around nine years old already. Looking back up at Sasuke, she opened her mouth to speak.

"You didn't have to give this you know. A simple salve from the pharmacy would have been efficient," said Sakura, a grateful tone evident in her voice.

"I know how it is, practicing a katon jutsu that involves fire escaping your mouth. I had to go through it when I was young, under the somewhat watchful eye of my father," explained Sasuke, pocketing his hands in his pockets. "Really, it's no big deal."

"But didn't your mom or someone make this? I'd suspect that you'd treasure it or something, being one of the few remaining memories you have of your family," she replied quietly, looking away from Sasuke.

"Apply it now. They should feel much better in ten minutes or so. An Uchiha secret," he said, looking down at Sakura. Had he been warmer and more at ease with everything, Sakura would have imagined him to smile. But being who he was, he just held a straight gaze towards her, silently willing her to spread the salve on her skin.

"Okay," said Sakura with a slight laugh, picking up some of the cream with her finger, gently rubbing it on the skin near her mouth.

It was only then Sasuke had noticed her fingers were long, almost like candles, but the calluses from handling a variety of weapons somewhat marring the delicate skin she had.

"Thanks," said Sakura, standing up as she handed him the container. "It's an appreciated gesture."

Sasuke opened his hand, reaching out to get back the salve he had given her. Automatically, Sakura placed her hand on top of his, the container sandwiched in between.

It was only then Sasuke had noticed that despite the calluses, her skin was still smooth, much smoother than his, and that her hand seemed to perfectly fit his own. A warm sensation tingled throughout his hand, hers, seeming to linger there for eternity. He only snapped back into reality when the warmth of her hand left his.

"Why don't you try to gather most of the chakra at your chest, holding as much as you can before releasing it?" suggested Sasuke, pocketing the small black container.

"But, it's different from the Katon: Goukakyuu no Jutsu!" protested Sakura, turning away. She wanted to prove herself to him. She began this training wanting to distance herself from him and simply become a friend, supporting him every step of the way. Yet, she found herself falling deeper and deeper into the endless depths of his eyes, wanting to know beyond what his face revealed.

"Just try it, okay?" he said, looking at the pristine blue waters. He remembered how his father had told him that during the first day. He refused to believe him and wanted to prove himself to him on his own but in the end, he depended on his father's words.

Walking to the edge of the river, she watched as fish danced around gaily in the fresh water, the sun glistening on their silver scales. Taking a deep breath, she began to concentrate on the jutsu she had been practicing for the entire week.

Usagi, Ryuu, Hebi, Inu, Tora. Katon: Okibi Arashi no Jutsu!

Releasing the chakra that she held inside her, a giant fireball appeared, spanning the width of the entire river. As the fire from her lips started to die down, a burst of chakra escaped, smashing the blazing ball into smaller tongues, the water it touched rising as steam almost instantaneously. It took almost a few minutes for the steam to clear and it revealed to Sasuke a sight he never wanted to see again.

Sakura was crying, her shoulders shaking and her head bent down.

"I… I… I wanted to… I wanted to prove my… myself," she whispered, her tears subsiding as she walked towards Sasuke. Uncaring suddenly of what she had promised herself and how Sasuke was, she leaned on his chest for support. "But it seems like I still need you after all."

"You… what?"

Sakura didn't reply as she kissed him, her eyes shut tight and her arms wrapped tightly around his neck. The Uchiha heir seemed almost shocked as they remained that way.

"I'm sorry," she said as she pulled away, her lower lip quivering. "I'm really sorry!"

Turning around, Sakura began to run away, her tears trailing behind her. Sasuke remained where he was, his fingers touching his lips.

Did she really just kiss him there? Though they had kissed a number of times, it was always he who started it, mad at her for making him feel and act that way yet, somewhere deep within him, he felt satisfied because of her.

"Really. But, that's why I lo--"

Before Sasuke could finish his sentence, his eyes widened in disbelief and his arms swung by his sides, his hands curled up into a tight fist.

"Damn it! I'm not supposed to feel this way!" he shouted, punching the ground so hard it cracked beneath the pressure, small wounds opening up near his knuckles.

It finally dawned on him what seemed obvious to everyone else.

He, Uchiha Sasuke, was slowly beginning to accept Haruno Sakura for who she was, letting her become the only person in years to be able to see this much of the Uchiha who had closed his heart and soul to everyone else that tragic day nine years ago.

Tsuzuku…

I would've had this edited but I really wanted to make an update for you guys.

It's been four months, after all, since I've actually finished a chapter for this and I'm really sorry! I guess all the work at school just caught up on me and all the things I do during the summer!

I'm sure I'll spend a lot of time trying to write the final chapter of Past Peripheral Vision and hopefully, when I come back home from my US Trip (April 24 to May 10), I'll be able to start writing Appraisal of the Diamond and post within a few days!

I'm actually considering to not have the Vision Trilogy wholly edited since I'm probably just the type to finish up something and post whatever I've finished, reading through it in the Live Preview, edit what I think needs to be edited then update again.

So, here's to a wonderful experience writing PPV and the final chapter of this part of the trilogy!

And if anyone wants to make a doujinshi or a web comic or something using the storyline and words from any of my fanfics, please drop me a line at rurikoshinatyahooCOM! Use the subject Possible Collaboration so I know what it's about! No subject, it'll automatically be ignored and deleted!

In the email, just tell me the story you want to use, what you'll be doing with it and a sample of your drawing skills or whatever-is-required-of-you skills for that particular project!

Oh and by the way, Katon: Okibi Arashi no Jutsu means Fire Element: Blazing Fire Tempest Technique for those who are curious.

And now, I leave you with the last chapter preview for PPV! The chapter preview in the next one will feature something from AotD! It'll be a bit longer than the usual, since I made you guys wait for so long. :)

Next Chapter: Chapter Twenty-Three – The Jounin Exams

Chapter Preview: "Sakura, could you hand me the folder over there please?" asked Aya, pointing to the brown folder lying on top of the drawer. Handing it to her, Sakura offered Aya a reassuring smile for Sakura. "It's just two more weeks until the Jounin Exams! While you've been preparing for it for a year, I've been stuck finalizing the paperwork for the Sunagakure Chuunin who are coming!"

Sakura laughed as she watched Aya mourn over the paperwork. She was just like the Godaime, hating every piece of paper that was on her desk that needed to be read and signed. The flow of it never seemed to stop.

"Yeah but I'm nervous about it," confessed Sakura as she sat down in the chair nearby. Aya looked up, this time, giving the reassuring smile.

"Don't worry. I'm sure you'll pass with flying colors!" At her words, Sakura couldn't help but nod in agreement.