"Training's over isn't it?" He retorted back, stopping for a moment to glance back towards us; seemingly to deliver the final blow. "And Sakura, I wasn't using my sharingan." He stated as simply as taking a breath before turning to resume walking again. In response, I dropped my head, depressed, hoping he didn't mean that in the way I was so obviously taking it. Well there's that harsh comeback I saw coming. What was I thinking, that he would just say 'Good job', or that I was even a worthy opponent? This is Sasuke-kun, we're talking about here I was slowly sinking into the worse recesses of my mind when Naruto must of felt the despair that was spewing off of me, for he came over and placed a hand on my shoulder in comfort.
" Sakura-chan, it's okay. He's just being. . . Well, Sasuke-teme. You did win fair and square. He's just mad because he got his ass kicked by a girl." Naruto said in an attempt to make me feel better. (Ha! you would have a better chance catching snow in August.)
"No Naruto, he's right. He didn't use his sharingan, if he had he would have known my every move before I even did. He probably didn't use it to make me feel like I might have actually stood a chance against him." I sighed in defeat, my eyes once more watching my feet as I started walking away. I got about five feet before something shocked me out of my stupor. Realizing this, I immediately stopped my trek off the bridge to turn to Naruto and warn," Oh, and Naruto, if you ever refer to Sasuke as weak I will beat you into your own grave faster than you can say 'opps'. Do you understand?" My voice was so monotone and deadly it threw me for a loop for a quick second, but nonetheless held nothing but truth. Naruto's face paled with matching wide eyes while his feet swiftly hid him behind Kakashi after that. Not getting any satisfaction out of his reaction, I returned on my journey home in a rut. Walking through the door I was welcomed warmly by my parents, but chose to ignore them; letting them know my mood. Sighing for the hundredth time once behind my bedroom door, I didn't even bother to turn on my light while pouting my way to fall onto my bed with a groan. Burying my face into my pillow securely, I screamed lowly in my frustration in an attempt to release my anguish; it didn't work. I supposed there were worst ways for the day to end, but I wasn't willing to look on the bright side at the moment, instead choosing to just wallow in my self-loathing until bed-time. I don't know when I fell asleep, but it was heavy and dreamless that night.
Early the next morning I got out of bed with the sense of death and dread. As if what Sasuke would do today wasn't enough, I had a horrible stomach ache from skipping not just lunch, but dinner yesterday. After a hot shower, I slipped on my usual outfit before heading downstairs for breakfast. Immediately being ambushed and embraced by my mother who wore the brightest smile.
"Ohayōgozaimasu! And how is my beautiful young woman this morning?!" The only thought in my mind was 'What are they going to do today?' Steeling myself so to not upset my mother, I returned her loving and bright smile.
"I'm doing fine mother. I'm not sure how long I can stay home this morning, Kakashi-sensei was very excited to hear today is my birthday. Naruto-baka basically threatened me with a party, so I should get ready after breakfast." I informed her while her smile only seemed to get bigger and wider.
"Oh, a party eh? Is it just gonna be you four, or will there be other teams there?" She asked, somewhat mischievous which had me lifting an eyebrow before answering.
"I'm not sure; they're men, so chances that they can get anything together with more than themselves in less than 24 hours is near impossible." Unable to stop the giggle that left my lips from those words had my mother shaking her head and laughing along with me.
"You truly don't understand how accurate that statement actually is." She added while we made our way into the dining area where breakfast was already led out. Feeling tons better as we talked through breakfast, I actually got the feeling that today was going to be a good day. With breakfast now finished, I made my way upstairs, and started to change. Hmm, we're not training today, so should I wear something comfortable, or something nice? Would I look like I'm trying to hard if I wear a dress? But I don't have much summer looking clothes. UGH! I was nearly pulling my hair out from my thoughts before I just pulled out the first outfit I saw in the back of my closet. I tossed it on my bed before getting my first good look at it. A small smile broke upon my lips as I smiled and got dressed.
. . . (An Hour Later) . . .
It took me no time to get to the bridge where we always meet. Though it was extremely weird was no one was there, not even Naruto. With this I figured that I was early and everyone else was not here yet. Deciding to take the time, I smoothed out my side bun and bangs before overlooking my outfit. It was a dark pink, mid-length sleeve off the shoulder silk shirt with lace around the shoulder edges. There were white and black intricate lines that made swirls and vines from the side of my right hip to the top of my left breasts. As bottoms, I wore a simple black jean short skirt with stitched pink cherry blossoms along the edge of the ripped off bottoms. Once I deemed everything casual enough, I blew out some hair in my eyes and looked around again. Still, there was no one. Another few minutes passed, I stayed there and waited, and waited, and waited. After what felt like hours, I groaned outwardly and started kicking my feet. Maybe they didn't get anything together? Or because of what happened yesterday, they couldn't get Sasuke to do anything to help. Half debating whether I should just turn and head home, I stopped when I caught my reflection in the river. Kneeling down to the lean against the railing of the bridge, I looked at myself. I giggled while kicking off a pebble into the stream to disrupt the flow. The ripples reflected how I felt about my current predicament. Welp, I do look good today, so if anything I can go get Ino and go shopping. I knew Kakashi would be late, but Naruto too. I already knew the chances of Sasuke coming were slim to none. With a decision made and using the heels of my foot to rock back into a standing position I turned; having no hard feelings. Not even a second later, I picked up someone's presence, resulting in my staying put. I really couldn't tell who it was by the chakra; it almost seemed too ominous for it to be anyone in the village. But, I know I recognized the way the ninja was moving. It also surprised and confused me how fast the ninja was moving. Keeping my cool I waited like nothing was wrong as the chakra got closing and closer. Than right when it seemed it was going to pass through me, I sensed it on the other side of the forest moving away from me. Following it from the direction it came and went from had mw looking like some idiot, but that was the least of my concerns. I was about to look back around before a strong, and muffled 'crack' or 'pop' sounded in the back of my ear drum. Groaning in annoyance and embarrassment, I went to roll and rub my neck before someone covered my eyes.
"Guess who?" I heard an all too cheerful voice from behind me. I couldn't help, but just give him up then and there. "What are you doing, Naruto-baka?" The clapping sound that violated my eardrums indicted he dropped his hands to his side. I turned around ready to slap him when I immediately had to cover my mouth to stop from laughing. The position Naruto was in did not look right at all. First he had this pouting face on that just looked so weird, but so cute at the same time. Than he was squatting, legs apart from each other and me in between them. I backed away a little bit trying to get my distance from his 'area'. "Aw, man Sakura how'd you know it was me?"
"It's easy to figure out that baka. I sensed your chakra long before you even got here. Kaka-sensei wouldn't do that because it would make him look like a pedophile. And, I know can recognize your voice anywhere because I hear it every day. Also, Sasuke-kun would never ever do something like that. Got it?" Apparently he didn't enjoy my explanation; his face unappeased as he jumped down in front of me. Which he quickly recovered the same too happy smile he had before; only now it was happier with a hint of slyness to it. I found myself backing up a little bit more; scared. Not even able to get two feet, Naruto pounced on me and had me on my back on the floor. "Baka! The hell are you doing?!" I shirked, trying to push him off or clench my fist to hit him off of me. Even after I did so, I couldn't move before he slipped something over my eyes. Before I could say anything I felt someone else's presence come behind me, easily recognizing the chakra to be Kakashi-sensei's. "Kakashi-sensei what the hell are you all doing?" To my heightening hear, there was no answer before I was pulled me up and turned me around. I had no clue what was happening while I started walking. I could hear our feet hit cobblestone, then go quiet as we must have made our way into the grass. With a pounding heart and shaking legs, I truly didn't know what to think or what to do. It seemed like an eternity until finally Kakashi-sensei spoke, breaking the painful silence.
"We'll taking you to your party; we want it to be a surprise. Now stop all the fussing will ya?" The crossing of my arms and the stubborn look I gave him didn't sit well with him it seemed. "Oh don't be such a baby, you're be fine. I'll guide you through the place and make sure you don't fall." Appearing to have no other option I huffed and started walking when he did. He put his hands on my shoulders as if to really keep me stable. The uneven and rough feel of twigs breaking from underneath me and the sound of leaves crunching informed me we were in one of the many forests of the village. Apparently the most unkempt forest in the village with how many roots and thick branches there were on the ground. Already clumsy and even more now with the blindfold I felt I was tripping every five seconds. Kakashi, 'trying' to get me stable was failing miserably as he tried to keep a normal walking speed. With many trips and fumbles I Finally stomped to a stop and crossed my arms with a huff after about five minutes and my fiftieth trip. Kakashi seemed annoyed by this at his replying sigh just before tossing me over his shoulder.
'Aff' was the only thing I could response with when I hit that pile of muscles. It hurt to, even with his padded forest green jonin vest on. I swear I'm going to have a bruise on my stomach now, or it's at least going to be sore for a bit. Once I got the breath that was knocked out of me back I began protesting; kicking and hitting him. I knew I wasn't really in a position to hit and kick him as hard as I wanted, but damnit! I was gonna try! This anger extinguished after a few minutes sadly with no results and becoming tired.
After an annoying amount of time that was too long in my mind I noticed he was slowing down and I couldn't help hoping and thinking we were finally there and I could get down.
"Are we there yet, can I get down now please?" I begged, beginning to tug at my blindfold to get a reaction and answer to my question quickly. I didn't even get another second to do anything before he popped his shoulder and sent me falling to the ground. Not like we were ten feet off the ground, but still, my backside didn't appreciate the rough landing. I just sat there and had my mouth open as if to portray my thoughts of, 'I know he did not just do that.' Standing up in anger, I ripped off the blindfold and had my fist ready for the punch of a lifetime. Just before I decided to run in for the kill, I saw what they had brought me to see. My fist dropped to my side and my eyes were in utter shock at what they saw. It was a sight I never thought I would ever see coming from a group of idiots, and one I would remember for the rest of my life.