Struggle
During their walk to the training grounds, Naruto had kept his distance and Sasuke had been trying to provoke the blonde more than enough times to drive Kakashi crazy if he had caught notice of him doing so. He had promised himself to ignore Naruto at all costs, but this had gone down the boat, as soon as he noticed how careless Naruto was trying to play out when they were close. It seemed as if Naruto wasn't being affected by his indifference not a bit, which in turn made him want to upset the blonde in revenge.
So, in return, he was glaring with all the intensity of his hatred at Naruto from time to time and throwing random insulting remarks about the blonde whenever Kakashi talked about him. But whatever he did, Naruto ignored it all, even if he had to use all his mental strength to do so.
In reality, Naruto wasn't really trying to ignore Sasuke purposedly, but he felt akward and hesitant to do any move to him, especially after he had punched him a while ago and he was now trying to brush the distance created off by acting normal.
But being who he was, he messed his plans up, since he hadn't realized that his normal self should be the opposite of what he was acting like now. But he was too dizzy from the latest things happening between him and Sasuke and his trying to recover from the flu to have a clear mind for such things. In his mind, it was just all too complicated.
So, he didn't want to make things any worse, at least not till they were normal again. Then he could start acting like a jerk back to Sasuke, again.
And the more Naruto acted unaffected, the more secretly worked up Sasuke got about it.
Sasuke watched emotionless, as usual, while Kakashi showed them some new techniques.
Naruto was sitting on a small rock, absent minded, as usual, observing something random far away and occasionally nodding to his sensei.
Sakura was listening to Kakashi, trying to absorb what he taught them, as usual, while inside her she was really thinking something else.
And this was what Sasuke had told her some minutes ago. She still couldn't get his mean words out of her confused mind. More over, she couldn't understand why he hated her so much all of the sudden. She was only trying to be nice.
Even if she kept a cheerful façade, inside her she felt like going somewhere and staying alone, to think of what had happened. Maybe it would help her calm down if she settled things inside her. But who was she kidding? It was Sasuke. She couldn't control her emotions whenever it came to him.
She caught Sasuke eyeing her randomly from time to time, when she wasn't looking. But when she was down, she usually was good at observing her surroundings even if she didn't look straight at them. Instead, when she was genuinely cheerful, she didn't have a mind to look around carefully. Sometimes, she was too happy go lucky for her own good. Good thing she planned to be a medic nin because during a battle her attitude could cost her her life.
She shifted on her place uncomfortably. She wondered if the gazes Sasuke shot towards her side were glares or just neutrally colored. But she was too shy to look straightly back at him, so instead she kept pretending she was listening to Kakashi, saying ''Hai, sensei!'' and nodding her head positively from time to time.
''Ok, then. Now let me see what you got from my demonstration. Naruto, Sasuke, come where I stand. I want you to spar using the moves I showed you. I will tell you when to stop.''
This brought everyone out of their deep thoughts, as all eyes focused on the silver haired man, Kakashi.
Sakura felt relieved her name wasn't mentioned because in reality she had only caught notice of the 30% of what Kakashi had showed them.
Luckily for the raven, Sasuke had paid attention to his sensei closely for the most of the teaching, except from the times when his eyes suddenly wandered to the pink haired teammate as if a plan was secretly being worked out in his mind.
But the same couldn't be said for Naruto who had bothered the less from all three. His laughing eyes shot up to his sensei, standing up in a flash.
''I'll be glad to kick that teme's ass.'' He growled, as he grinned while he made his way towards Kakashi. He took his spot, eyeing his sensei with confidence.
''Hn. You wish.'' Sasuke muttered with hostility, earning a warning glare from Kakashi.
Screw that. Why should I be the only one who acts mature? I won't let that dobe push me around anymore as if I am his play thing.
He made some determined steps towards the two men, and he took his place, staring into Naruto's light blue eyes with confidence.
Like I'd wuss out on you.
Naruto glared back at Sasuke, fire burning in his eyes. There was a heavy tension in the air between the two boys. Even Kakashi and Sakura could tell and the first didn't know if it was a good idea to let them fight anymore but he stayed silent nonetheless, too uncertain himself of what was going on. Sure, the two boys were usually antagonizing each other, but this time felt like that one at the hospital, when they had ended up almost killing each other.
''Ok, then. Now show me what you got from all that.'' Kakashi said stepping back and standing some meters away from Sakura, who was watching the two boys in worry.
''Sensei, stop talking as if that dobe has the ability to actually learn a thing. Even Sakura would do better than him.'' Sasuke said suddenly, surprising himself with his boldness. It wasn't as if he was being purposedly mean to Sakura, but he was acting on instinct.
He knew Naruto would ignore him, as he had done so far while on the training, no matter how hard he had tried to provoke him, but Sakura was his weak point and he couldn't ignore his insults about her no matter what. The worst of all was that he didn't feel in the slightest bit bad for using Sakura like that. But his ego was secretly raging and he wanted to make Naruto break down at all costs, till he was satisfied.
Sakura's eyes shot to the raven, with visible hurt in them. No matter how hard the girl tried to hide her emotions, she failed. She smiled nonetheless, uneasily as she sat back on her rock, wishing she could just be invisible to everyone for the rest of the day.
''Sasuke…just do what I told you to, without unnecessary childish insults.'' Kakashi remarked, starting to be annoyed now.
''Don't worry, Sensei. I may not mind what that teme thinks of me but I will make him pay for talking like that about Sakura-chan!'' Naruto yelled, anger coloring his voice. And a small thought in the deepest of his mind kept bugging him how from the kiss it all turned out to them fighting about Sakura.
Foolish dobe. He took the bait, …as expected. Sasuke thought satisfied as he took his fighting stance.
''Enough of talk. Fight.'' Sasuke said coldly, in demanding tone, angering Naruto even more.
''Stop acting as if you are all that, you teme!'' the blonde shot, as he ran towards Sasuke in full speed, preparing a Rasengan in his hand.
At this, Kakashi sighed, realizing that Naruto had really paid no attention at his previous demonstration. This wasn't the way he had told them to start this fight.
Nontheless, he thought it was too late to interrupt the fight now, plus he wanted to check Sasuke's progress. He stood with his back against a pine tree, watching with interest as the two boys sparred with raw intensity.
''Tch. You are nothing but words, dobe.'' Sasuke said, as his body disappeared once Naruto's punch connected to it.
''A clone! You wuss!'' Naruto said angered as he turned around to dodge the attack but it was too late. Sasuke jumped down from the branch he had landed on previously, punching Naruto on the jaw, forcing him to collide with the solid ground.
''I'd call it ''battle tactic''. Something you clearly lack. Dobe.'' Sasuke said as he got on top of Naruto, landing more punches to his teammate.
''You teme! Get off me!'' Naruto yelled angrily as he used all his strength to push the raven off but to no avail. Sasuke held him still with one hand, as he prepared Chidori with his other.
''If you can't even push me off, how can you call yourself a ninja?'' Sasuke said coldly, giving more strength to his Chidori.
Sakura looked at the fight with wide eyes from fear. She was standing up in shock, fearing for the worst, as she eyed the two boys and Kakashi back and forth as if trying to understand what was going on.
''Sensei! Do something!'' she yelled, tears threatening her eyes.
Kakashi gave her a reassuring look, trying to fool her that he had everything under control, even though he wasn't sure of that himself.
He just wanted to see how Naruto would counter. Maybe Naruto was acting goofy more than often to drive someone nuts but Kakashi knew his students and he knew thatNaruto could definitely do better.
So, instead, he stayed his place, watching calmly at the two boys struggling.
Before Sasuke's lighting punch could connect to Naruto's chest, the orange ninja used his cloning technique faster than the speed of light and had his clones drag Sasuke off of him, united.
In a flash, Naruto stood up, readening his rasengan in fury.
Sasuke cursed inwardly, making the Naruto clones vanish by unleashing his chidori on them.
Soon, they were nothing but air.
Both stood eyeing each other, dwelling in rage. Sadly for Sasuke, he had used his aces too early into the fight and now he was out of chakra. He couldn't perform another chidori to counter Naruto's rasengan.
Instead, he stood on his spot silently, waiting for Naruto to strike, hoping he would make it in time to dodge the hit by tricking the blonde once he was close enough.
He might be able to hide his thoughts well but what Sasuke couldn't hide was his exhaustion. He kept trying to catch his breath as Naruto gathered more and more strength on his rasengan.
But suddenly, Naruto seemed to realize the reason Sasuke wasn't creating chidori in response. He was visibly exhausted and too weak to perform another jutsu requiring lots of chakra.
He sighed quietly, as he let his rasengan fade away slowly on his hand.
''I see you're too tired, teme, to fight back in the same level. Since I am not a wuss like you, I will not use chakra to end this fight. Believe it!'' Naruto said out of his teeth, his chest going in and out in exhaustion as well.
He could easily win this fight and teach Sasuke a lesson by using his rasengan but he didn't want to hurt the raven, plus it would feel like a cheap way to win, and he didn't want this.
''End this fight? The only thing I believe is that you will be the one to end.'' Sasuke said in hatred, as his eyes narrowed determinded on Naruto.
''Shut up!'' Naruto yelled in fury.
His face had an angry expression, as he ran towards Sasuke with all his speed, knocking him down on the ground, bodies in unison, sweat and clothes the only thing separating them.
Sasuke threw his shurikens at him, effectively scratching and wounding both of them, as his position didn't leave him a lot of room to be precise on his target. Gladly, he threw them in a way that they would create no deep wounds. Nontheless, Naruto still winced in pain, but instead of fighting back, he let his head fall on Sasuke's chest, too tired to struggle anymore. Not if Sasuke was willing to hurt himself for the shake of victory. Because, deep down, Naruto cared and loved the raven more than he did for his ego, unlike Sasuke.
''You bastard, …you're crazy.'' Naruto whispered out of breath, as the blood on his lips stained Sasuke's shirt.
''Get off of me.'' Sasuke whispered, as his lips accidentally touched Naruto's locks just below his jaw.
Even if Sasuke's cold tone could take back even the boldest one, Naruto didn't mind it so much because…His head connected to Sasuke's chest, where he could hear Sasuke's crazy heart beat which was faster than sound itself. Even though Naruto couldn't make out if this was because of the intense fight or because Sasuke felt ''something'', he still wished he could stay like this forever, because for some reason, he was glad being able to hear Sasuke's heartbeat and being so close to him. The raven's façade might never go off place, but his heart didn't lie. And Naruto felt special for being the one to hear it, no matter how stupid he'd feel later on while reflecting upon that small moment.
The two bodies breathed in unison, as if they were one, both too tired to protest or fight anymore. After a few seconds though, Sasuke's pride took over again and he started struggling weakly, trying to push Naruto off, muttering things Naruto couldn't make out.
However, the blonde ninja grasped the gesture and finally rolled over, lying down by Sasuke's side, his eyes pinning on the cloudless sky.
He felt shocked by the fact that he had felt so many things in the matter of mere seconds, from the time he fell on Sasuke till this very moment he got off.
It hadn't lasted for more than 6 seconds, yet he had felt as if it had been hours. He noticed how his own heart was beating insanely now. This always happened, whenever he came in close contact with Sasuke. But now he hoped that Sasuke, unlike him, hadn't been able to tell.
''You're lucky I am weakened from the flu, or you'd been doing your training at the hospital for the next few weeks, teme.'' Naruto finally muttered, once his breath had calmed down somewhat.
''Shut up, dobe. This fight was boring. Don't waste my time like that.'' Sasuke said getting on his knees and then standing up. Naruto slowly immidated him, eventually locking eyes with the raven for two seconds.
Even if they kept it at that, both could see in their eyes each a hint of guilt about the kiss back then, and that ,despite their returning back to their fighting routine, things weren't normal again. And they wouldn't be anytime, soon.
As Naruto turned around to follow after an arrogant fast paced Sasuke, he couldn't help but freeze at a realization. There had been a hint of something else, too, in Sasuke's eyes, something different than guild, something warmer…Something like lust.
No, there's no way on earth this could ever be true. Naruto thought, pushing fast the thought away from hurting mind.
The moment their eyes had locked was too small either way to be able to recognize what he saw clearly. And lust was just something that couldn't exist in Sasuke's onyx orbs. Even less if it was for Naruto. Or maybe not…
In the meantime, Sasuke was standing by Kakashi, fixing his messy clothes, while Sakura was eyeing both the boys worried and with a hint of curiosity.
Naruto approached slowly, glaring back at a scowling Sasuke who sent death glares his way.
But apparently, he wasn't the only one. Kakashi seemed to be mad at him, as well.
''Naruto, next time, if you don't pay attention during class, do bother to let us know. I am not interested in your personal matters with your teammates, so you, and you Sasuke, keep them out of here. Do otherwise and lady Tsunade will be notified of your attitude. Class is dismissed.'' Kakashi said, as he sighed annoyed. He fast retook his indifferent stance and he noted them to walk some distance away from their current position in the clear.
'' I bet you'd do the same if you had just recovered from the flu!'' Naruto yelled, secretly embarrassed that Kakashi had pointed out his lack of attention.
''Stop being a brat and come here. You'll stay back so I can show you again that fighting tactic. I won't have you messing up again next lesson for such pathetic excuses.'' Kakashi said, not really meaning to come out that harsh. But his inner concern for Naruto's situation with Sasuke had began tiring him. A lot.
Naruto muttered some come backs but followed nonetheless, his ego urging him to prove Kakashi he could master anything if he set his mind on it.
''Oh and Sakura…by the way, this is the ideal chance for you to practice your medical skills. Try healing Sasuke's wounds. When you're both done, you're free to go. See ya.'' Kakashi said as he kept walking with a worried Naruto following after him. He wasn't sure what his sensei was thinking, making a hurt Sakura stay with a mean Sasuke further along. It wasn't like his wounds were something big, either way. He could always go to the hospital some day in the week to get them fixed or even not go at all. Did Sakura really need to train on such minor ones?
Nevertheless, he knew Sakura wouldn't like him interventing again ,so he kept walking silently, wishing Kakashi would finish early with his training.
Sakura shifted uncomfortably at her spot, watching the retreating backs of Kakashi and Naruto. She felt like a wreck inside her, she didn't know why Kakashi chose to have her do this now, especially after he had seen how Sasuke had treated her. Was it another one of his plots to force his students get along? Nevertheless, her eyes shifted to Sasuke, who was sitting on a rock, elbows on his knees, and eyes closed in tiredom.
She swallowed deeply, forcing herself to be over with this. However, if Sasuke didn't want this, she wouldn't press him. She didn't have enough emotional power left for that.
In silence, she approached her beloved one, towering him uneasily.
She broke the silence with her soft voice, barely able to mask the broken tone in it.
''Ano,…Sasuke-kun.'' She said trying to gather his attention.
Sasuke opened his eyes and looked at her emotionlessly as if waiting for her to go on.
''Yes?'' he prompted her, after she wouldn't talk.
''Can I…may I heal you?'' Sakura asked, her tone barely audible, as her cheeks got even paler in fear of being rejected.
Sasuke looked at her silently for some seconds, then nodded softly, his eyes falling on the ground.
Sakura smiled in return, even tho Sasuke could tell it was a fake one. Sadly for her, he could read her too well.
Sakura went closer to him, kneeling down in front of his sitting figure, her pink locks purposedly covering her timid eyes.
Sasuke shifted slightly backwards but made no other move besides his breathing which got more impatient if possible.
Now it's the hard part. Sakura thought blushing, as her nails dug into the grass in agony.
Sasuke-kun, please take off your shirt.
No, no. Sasuke-kun, can you take off your shirt?
That makes me sound like a desperate fangirl, damn it!
Sasuke-kun, can you remain bare chested? For medical purposes only!
Okay. This sounds retarded.
Sakura could'nt voice any of the thoughts above that poppedup in her head. Thing was though that she didn't know how to make Sasuke take off his shirt. But asking him to do so was really embarrassing for her. She felt like she was being very unprofessional about what was supposed to be her job in the future, but this was about the love of her life. It wasn't something she could go along as if it was a breeze of air.
''Tchk.'' Sasuke's tongue clinged impatiently in response to her pregnant silence.
Swallowing back to find some courage, she stayed silent as she realized she couldn't voice her request for her life, so instead she decided it'd be easier to show what she wanted.
Her fingers tagged softly on his shirt, entwining with the harsh texture, as in asking him to pull it off.
Sasuke sighed but didn't move. It was as if he was making it harder for her on purpose.
''Ano, Sasuke-kun…'' her voice got drawned in the suffix.
''Sakura, let's get over with this.'' Sasuke said annoyed, paying no attention to her hints.
''Fine.'' Sakura said, feeling a bit bitter of his reluctancy.
It's not like you didn't expect this.
Her fingers clutched tighter on his shirt, as she pulled it down with more strength now, her heart beating like crazy, as she expected to be pushed off any moment now or be told a rude remark by Sasuke. But to her surprise, nothing of this happened and she fast retook tagging the clothe.
Sasuke's eyes widened slightly at Sakura's pulling but he made no protest, understanding this wasn't personal. Besides, he did have some chest scratches that annoyed him persistently.
Once the shirt was off, Sakura looked anywhere but Sasuke's chest, trying to lean her head down as much as possibly to hide her mad blush.
Once she left the shirt on the side of the rock and made no move to progress with the procedure, Sasuke thought it necessary to press her.
''Sakura, how can you heal me if you don't even look at me?'' he asked, sighing in annoyance as his remark made her blush more.
Sakura's eyes-behind her pink locks- locked with his curious but strict onyx orbs in response, trying to appear calm but to no much avail.
''Gomenasai. I will be done fast, Sasuke-kun.'' She said as her shaking fingers made contact with his bare chest, moving unfocused over the soft skin.
Her blush was growing deeper each second and Sasuke was staring in her eyes, as if to add on top of it all.
Nevertheless, Sakura tried to stay calm and focus her gaze on the chest scratches, passing chakra to each one and didn't move her fingers till they were completely healed.
But even to Sasuke it was clear that it was as if she was afraid to move any further.
''Annoying.'' Sasuke whispered coldly, making Sakura's fingers freeze at the spot. At that, they dropped down lifelessly, after having healed the last chest wound.
''I…'' Sakura whispered out of breath as she leaned her head down, gaze pinned on earth, trying to hide her tearful eyes that couldn't hide their sorrow anymore.
She was struggling very hard to not cry in front of Sasuke, who had started eyeing her now more intensely, as if studying her.
She felt more embarrassed at that and tried to move her pink locks in front of her eyes for further coverage. But as soon as her hand had touched her hair, she felt a soft hand taking hold of it.
Her eyes locked with Sasuke's, as she watched in stun while he took her hand and placed it on his forehead, pressing it with his on a small but aching wound at the center of it, just above his delicate nose.
She felt her heart stopping at the feeling of his soft hand pressing hers against his smooth skin.
Sasuke sighed and closed his eyes in tiredom and then muttered.
''This one.''
Sakura released softly the breath she had been holding, feeling relief washing over her once realization had stricken her.
Yup, Sasuke had accepted her.
(In case someone didn't get it, Sasuke called the scratch-wound annoying, not Sakura, but Sakura thought he called her annoying at start. And yes, even scratches can be annoying, I should know cause my cat has scratched me countless times!)
R&R?