Sakura groaned slightly when she awoke to a throbbing headache. She squinted her eyes from the bright sunlight pouring into her room and rolled over in protest. She spotted a glass of water and two aspirin sitting on her nightstand and sat up slowly puzzled by their presence. Sakura groaned louder when memories of the night before flooded into her mind. She quickly swallowed the pills sinking back into her covers throwing the blanket over her head. "How do you expect anyone to take you seriously if you pass out on a sidewalk?" Sakura muttered angrily to herself. "I'm going to kill Naruto." The phone rang and Sakura winced from the pain it caused to her head. The machine clicked on and she could her Ino's voice echoing through her small apartment.
"Hey forehead girl what are you doing tonight? I just bought some new clothes and I need to test them out. Call me later." Ino's voice giggled and Sakura let out another groan. She hated going out to the pub with Ino because she was always left alone while Ino went to leave with some strange boy. Plus after yesterday Sakura was sure she wasn't going to go the pub for awhile. She slowly rolled out of bed forcing herself to get up and take a long hot shower. Sakura relished in the warmth of the water and it eased some of her headache away.
She sluggishly pulled on a pair of tight black shorts and a red tank top when she finished towelling herself off. She studied the black circles under her eyes and shook her hair slightly letting the excess water fall off the short pink strands sighing as she made her way to the kitchen. Sakura impatiently waited for her toast as she thought of some of the ways to kill Naruto for last night. Her head was still pounding but she was able to eat some food and was thankful it was the weekend and didn't have to work.
Sakura slipped on a pair of sturdy shoes and closed the door with a sharp tap. The sun's lazy rays entwined their way around her and a slight breeze blew through her hair. She let out a small smile but it quickly vanished as she began to sprint down the street away from the busy village. Sakura found her usual path, which led out of the village and into the forest, winding its way through the wild woods. She ran hard and fast pushing past all pain and discomfort that was caused telling herself she would be strong. Satisfied with the distance she turned to head back towards the village. Fatigue had started to set in and Sakura scowled pushing herself to go faster. The walls of the village were in sight when something from the corner of Sakura's eye caught her attention. She slowed to see Kakashi training in a small field and he stopped when he saw her. Sakura timidly made her way over to where he was standing and studied the ground at his feet.
"Umm sorry about last night." Sakura meekly mumbled continuing to stare at the ground wiping the sweat from her brow. Her breathing was still heavy, but she continued. "Thanks for what you did and yeah I didn't mean to be such an ass." She heard him chuckle softly.
"When aren't you an ass?" Sakura's eyes snapped from the ground to give him a glare. Kakashi tucked his hands into his pocket slouching his shoulders slightly and continued to talk. "You're serious about joining ANBU?" He muttered quietly to her.
"Yes. They are holding tests in about a month from now." Sakura replied with slight apprehension. "I've asked Tsunade for permission to do this and she has agreed." Kakashi stayed silent. "You all ready agreed to do this last night. Don't think I was to drunk to not remember that Kakashi-sensei." Sakura said while pointing an accusing finger at him. She could see his one droopy eye crease which she assumed was from a smile. "I need you to tell me if I'm...weak and don't have a chance of joining ANBU. I know you won't lie to me." Sakura's voice was full of anxiety as she mumbled her last statement.
"Alright. First off stop calling me sensei. I haven't been your sensei in a long time and we are equals now. We'll meet here everyday at three for you to practice your taijutsu." Kakashi finished slowly.
"Thank you Kakashi-sen... um" Sakura stuttered.
"Kakashi."
"Thanks Kakashi." She repeated feeling odd at dropping the formality. "That will work perfectly considering I'm off at two from the hospital."
"Good. Shall we begin?" Kakashi asked, his voice being flat and monotone.
"What now?" Sakura gasped. Kakashi's expression did not change. "But I've just been" She stopped herself abruptly realizing how much she sounded like a child making excuses. Sakura put herself into a defensive form and waited. "Don't go easy on me. I don't want you to hold back." She said a little louder than necessary. Kakashi nodded.
"No chakra. You need to be able to fight just as well with out." Sakura groaned slightly at this but nodded.
Kakashi became a blur and Sakura only blocked the fist coming towards her stumbling backwards. She hissed in pain as her legs protested from the sudden movement but quickly rolled forward feeling the air rush past her ear from a missed attack. Before she had time to collect herself Kakashi was behind her all ready attacking. Sakura turned to slow and was caught in the ribs by one of his kicks and she dropped to the ground gasping for air.
"Sakura are you"
"Don't" She yelled cutting him off while clutching her ribs.
"I'm sorry you're usually faster than that." Kakashi muttered with a hint of concern. Sakura clenched her jaw in anger.
"I am but I've been out running today all ready." She said through clenched teeth anger quickly rising in her. "And I'm hung over." A vision from last night flashed in her mind and she cursed quietly to herself.
"I think we should continue tomorrow."
"No. We will finish this." Sakura yelled to him not able to contain her anger any longer. She pushed herself from the ground and sprinted towards him ignoring the screams from her muscles. Kakashi stopped her fist with little effort and her next attack. God he's to fast Sakura thought desperately to herself as she was being pushed from the middle of the field to it's edges by his attacks. All she saw was a blur then the feel of cool bark against her cheek. Her left arm was pinned against her back while her right was pushed against the tree. Sakura let out a frustrated groan and struggled slightly.
"Never let anger take over when you are fighting." He whispered dangerously in her ear. "That is a sure way to get yourself killed." Sakura stopped struggling feeling ashamed at allowing her emotions to take over and how easily she was defeated. Kakashi released her and began walking back to the middle of the field and Sakura followed keeping her eyes trained on the ground.
"Do you think I will actually be able to make it?" She asked apprehension evident in her voice when her breathing returned to normal.
"In your current state. No." Kakashi's voice was casual as he sat himself down pulling out one of his pervy novels. "But you will get better. I at least you owe you that." Sakura's heart felt heavy in her chest but she blinked in confusion at his last statement.
"Wait what?"
"You are the capable ninja you are today because of Tsunade. I neglected your training while you were my student not seeing your full potential and for that I'm sorry." His voice was still calm but it had a hint of remorse to it. Sakura stood there stunned staring at him then a laugh escaped from her lips.
"Well I don't blame you. Who would have taken me seriously back then, but thank you for your help now. I'll see you tomorrow." She muttered quietly giving him a small wave before sprinting from the clearing. Her thoughts returned to Sasuke and tears began to gather at her eyes. No you aren't going to cry. Only a weak Sakura would cry. She told herself harshly rubbing her eyes bitterly.
Sakura tried to soothe her aching muscles from the warm water of her shower and groaned when she heard someone pounding at her door.
"Sakura?" Ino's voice called to her.
"I'm in the shower Ino. What do you want?" Sakura yelled back slightly bitter. She could hear her bathroom door creak open slowly.
"You never called me back so I brought over some clothes for you to try for going out tonight." She replied casually oblivious to Sakura's mood.
"I'm not going tonight." Sakura muttered while rinsing the shampoo out of her hair. Ino gasped slightly.
"But you have to come." Ino whined desperately. Sakura poked her head from out of the curtain narrowing her eyes into a glare.
"No Ino I don't. I all ready went out last night with Naruto and I won't be going out for awhile." Sakura said a little louder than necessary.
"Whoa what's got you in such a bad mood?"
"Nothing." Ino raised her eyebrows at Sakura
"Right. Well give me a call later when you aren't so bitchy." Ino said giving a slight huff as she closed the door.
"I'm not being bitchy." Sakura yelled out to her clenching her fists and stomping her foot.
This turned out to be longer than what I expected. Review and tell me what you think.
Cance