A trickle of sweat traced its way down Sakura's spine tickling her skin as it slipped further down her back. It's to damn hot today. Sakura thought lazily to herself as she leaned against a particularly knotty tree taking solace in its shade. It was all ready 2:30 and she wasn't expecting Kakashi to show up for another hour or so. Her eyes slipped shut on their own accord as she drew in a heavy breath of exasperation. Honestly why must he always be late. We would never...no you can't think like that anymore. Her thoughts were disturbed when alarm started ringing in her ears and she opened her eyes to see four kunai heading menacingly towards her. Her body shifted automatically and the kunai sailed past her embedding themselves deeply into the tree, but one had managed to graze her shoulder. That was to close. Get it together Sakura. She chastised as her finger wiped the thin line of blood from her shoulder.
"You're late." She yelled angrily across the clearing to the copy nin and beginning their customary greeting.
"Well you see there was this old lady who needed help carrying her groceries." Kakashi conceded and scratched his head innocently waiting for Sakura's retort. She simply nodded her head in response and Kakashi could see the sadness etched on her face. "Shall we begin?" He asked while sliding his forehead protector to reveal the sharingan. Sakura disappeared and he waited studying the surroundings and listening to the stale silence. She burst from the trees sending a handful of kunai in Kakashi's direction and as expected he jumped to avoid them. Sakura appeared behind him ready to land an attack.
Gotcha. She thought curtly to herself as she gathered chakra into her fist knowing he wouldn't have time to deflect it.
"You're not hiding your emotions well today Sakura." Kakashi rumbled into her ear while grasping her arms and locking them to her body. When did he? Sakura gasped to herself as she stared at Kakashi standing in front of her as well. "You'll have to do better than this." He whispered to her and Sakura clenched her jaw in anger. She brought her heel down releasing her chakra and causing the earth to split around them. Taking advantage of the loosened grip on her wrists, she wrenched one arm free instantly grabbing a kunai from her pouch. Sakura stabbed it deeply into his side and heard the familiar pop when the clone disappeared. She didn't hesitate and threw the kunai at Kakashi following closely behind it. He deflected it easily and dodged each attack she threw at him seeing her movements becoming more desperate with each miss. Kakashi dropped to a knee bringing his fist harshly into Sakura's stomach and pivoted on the tip of his foot swiftly applying a brutal kick to her side. She flew from her spot letting out a cry of pain and landed on the ground sliding a few feet before coming to a stop. It was over. "You're full of openings Sakura." Kakashi spoke harshly and began to close the distance between them. Sakura coughed clutching her ribs as she struggled to stand. "Your skills are slipping. Nar."
"DON'T." Sakura yelled severely and her eyes narrowed in anger. "I don't want to hear what you have to say." She was no longer yelling, but her voice seethed with bitterness. She stood staring at Kakashi as a dull ache gripped her heart and memories that should have been long forgotten flashed through her mind. Sakura's throat tightened painfully as she studied the unknown expression on Kakashi's face and had the urge to go to him. To wrap her arms tightly around him as he would whisper everything would be ok and she would believe him. Neither of them spoke and Sakura turned walking away from Kakashi without another word.