Chapter 43 Unspoken past
Without Naruto and Sakura there, Kakashi decided to return interest to his long left closed Icha Icha tactics book, determined to finish it. He felt ashamed that he had not finished this book within a single day, to him it was almost like an insult to his 'honour' to not have. He could distinguish easily that he was approaching the end at long last which too felt a regret to him, but no matter...
...He would just have to read it again.
The miniature Gai also was feeling like he had disgraced his own honour but in a completely different matter.
"Yosh! this time I will make it to two thousand one handed push ups!" Kakashi never was so grateful to have built up over the years the ability to ignore such crazy talk from his 'eternal rival'. His senses kicked in though and he lifted himself up from his makeshift couch, being one of the benches and turned towards the source. On identification on who it was Kakashi knew he was going to have to wait longer till he could finish his book.
The cause for this was the pair he had sent off now returning a glorious three hours later than he expected. His lone eye didn't even need to concentrate...he KNEW something had happened. The Kunoichi's face plastered with a blissful smile was the first clue. The other just practically sang it out loud to the world. Naruto's fox like smile had never being seen so wide before, along with his hands resting behind his beaming head as he almost was at the point of childishly skipping in his footsteps.
'O-h...I wonder what I missed.'
Kakashi discarded his book on the bench and shot up and was in their faces within a second with his U-shaped eye smile. It appeared both of the teens were not aware of where they were as if they were in deep thought, since both practically jumped back in surprise at his gesture.
"Picking up my habits are we? Naruto-'kun', Sakura-'chan'." Both teammates shot a sheepish look at each other then attempted to recover.
"D-Did you just ADMIT you have a habit to being late sensei?" Sakura tried to steer the topic although the older shinobi could easily see the genuine surprise in her question as well.
Kakashi decided to cut to the chase, "So...why were you two so long? if I had known you were going to have so much difficulty with the simple instructions to walk into town and pick up some supplies then come back, I would have sent Lee-kun instead."
The pair once again shot a glance at each other, as if they were asking themselves something, then returned their gaze, "We stopped to have lunch at some place." Naruto explained, although Kakashi was not buying his half hearted answer.
"Oh really? Must have been a grand lunch." The blond was about to say something, but Sakura nudged him playfully in the gut and rolled her eyes.
"Look who you're talking about sensei. I swear he freaks me out how much the baka can eat." Kakashi's lone eye held a satisfied smirk like gaze at the very 'passable' excuse...only he knew straight away she was lying.
"Very well then. Did you get the supplies in the end?" Kakashi chirped, as Sakura nodded her head and handed over her pack.
"Hai, everything you asked for is here." The supplies was nothing fancy, just mainly food and water along with a few tools. Kakashi didn't even bother to check as he slung it around on his back.
"Good, I will drop this off at our outpost then." The older shinobi said dismissively, as he walked past them but stopped a few meters away and didn't turn back to face them as he decided to voice something.
"By the way...you are both extremely bad liars." His simple statement made both jump and gasp in shock, as he whistled while walking away non caringly to the two wide eyed teens staring at his back.
'H-He worked it out?!'
-
Flashback - outside abandoned town, thirty minutes ago
-
"If you do not get it by now...my first kiss has been wasted on a completely clueless baka."
Naruto twitched at her teasing but almost whispered words making her chuckle again into his neck.
"I-I-Saku-chan-" The blond couldn't form any words at all in his attempted answer back as he tightened his embrace while she just continued to smile.
'Any second now...' She mused expectantly, while she could feel him trembling in her arms like something was about to erupt any second.
"You-really?!-Li-Me-?!" Sakura shook her head at her fate and answered his stuttered question.
"Yes Naruto...I...."
'Just say it how it is.'
"...I don't know how or when but...I'm in love with you baka." She had to admit, the tight knot of nerves seemed to get looser with saying it.
The blonds eyes snapped shut through a gritted teeth smile, as Sakura just sat back and prepared for the worse.
'I am not going to be able to hear again am I?'
"YATTA!!!!!!!!!" The blond practically screamed at an ear deafening volume through a lung emptying length while cradling her affectionately. The kunoichi could do nothing but laugh at the familiar antics that reminded her of when he was thirteen all over again.
'Hehe, very mature Naruto.' When the ringing finally subdued in her ear drums, she was able to make sense of some of his mutters.
"She loves me! she really loves me dattebayo!"
The kunoichi sighed while saying under her breath 'what am I going to do with you?'.
She didn't expect him to answer smugly, "How about a second date!?"
She shook her head while giggling, "You persistent little baka! Obviously kisses mean absolutely nothing to you then."
"...Does that mean I can kiss you agai-GAH!" He was interrupted by a playful fist to his gut.
"Don't you dare twist my words like your sensei does Uzumaki Naruto!" She growled, although her grin was making her threat very faux.
"...So is that a yes the-"
"NO!" She barked, but soon joined him in soft laughter.
Eventually they pulled out of their long embrace and the blond was scratching the back of his head like he had lice while giving a blinding smile. Both had so many things they wanted say, but only one thought flashed over both their minds.
'Now what?'
Naruto's smile softened to hold more confusion, "Neh, what happens now Sakura-chan?"
"I...don't know."
"Meh who cares anyway, let's just wing it." She grinned at his expected answer, but then shook her head, making him raise an eyebrow.
"I wish we could just do that, but we aren't normal people exactly Naruto. We are ninja." Deciding it was all she had to go with, Sakura voiced what she was thinking to the puzzled blond.
"The shinobi rules Naruto...you don't remember them do you?" She teased lightly, but soon her happiness was robbed from her as she thought them over.
Sakura bit her lower lip now in frustration and spoke in a way that to both their regrets killed the peaceful atmosphere, "Shinobi rule number thirty one, a Shinobi must never expose their vulnerabilities to anybody, even their own allies. If you do, the one being put in danger may not only be yourself."
The blond frowned at the riddle, but soon froze now in alarm, "You don't mean...Sakura-chan." Sakura nodded her head slowly and decided to use an indirect example, although she was fearing something else.
"What if somebody out there hates me? They could kill me, but most people in this world are not satisfied with that...they may be more satisfied to see me suffer, so they will strike me where it will hurt the most..." Naruto winced at her words but filled in the gaps.
"They could try and go after me instead to hurt you..." Sakura frowned when she saw him suddenly bulge his eyes now in realisation.
"T-The Akatsuki and even the ANBU are after me...I-Instead of trying to capture me they could..."
"I know..." She whispered while placing a supportive hand on his shoulder.
'I will not allow them to use me to capture Naruto.'
She should have known better than to fantasize things would just happily end with her and Naruto being together when she finally grew the guts to do something. Life as she disappointedly discovered, was not a fairy tale she once believed it was.
Naruto groaned in deep frustration, it always seemed to come back to him being the one at fault for something...and it usually always was to do with his tenant. This situation just simply made him angry, the girl he always loved had just kissed him and admitted she loves him, but because of him, her life may now be in more danger than ever before.
"W-What do we do then?"
Sakura squeezed his shoulder, "I don't know...and before you say it-" She then donged his head hard, making him wince and rub his forming bump.
"W-What was that fo-"
"For thinking of suggesting we stay as just friends to protect me." The blond went wide eyed and partially agape, but softened.
"It may have crossed my mind." Naruto decided to accept the punishment and stopped rubbing his sore head for thinking it. In his minor headache, Naruto had an idea.
"Maybe...we can keep it a secret?"
Sakura thought it over then nodded, "That would be for the best I guess. Whatever happens between us Naruto has to remain a secret...for both our sakes." She added, feeling to remind him this wasn't just about her protection but his as well.
"We can't tell anyone?"
"Maybe we can tell people we trust like Kakashi-sensei, our friends, and also Tsunade-sama and Ero-sen-....No, forget Ero-sennin." She quickly added, feeling it was for 'the greater good' said sannin did not know...the last thing she would ever want to see is a book being written about them by the perverted sage.
Naruto couldn't help but agree with that little minus, but then another realisation came to him.
"Wait a minute...how can we do anything together if we have to keep it a secret from everyone with a couple of exceptions?"
Sakura went agape in surprise but quickly formed a frown now at the problem, "Wow...so basically we would have to act as if nothing has changed between us...I think I understand why I still see quite a few people not caring about this rule. I do recall Iruka-sensei saying it was up to the couple..."
Sakura paused for a moment in realisation to something she just said. She just referred to them as a couple.
"Sorry- it is up to the couple to decide to abide by the rules, however it is strongly recommended like all the shinobi rules are."
Naruto now remembered why he never bothered memorizing the rules and regulations to be the 'efficient' shinobi...because he downright hated them to the letter. The blond so was tempted to say 'screw the damn rules' but he knew if he did he would be putting Sakura in danger, and that was something for the life of him he would do anything to stop.
"...This really bites." He was not the only one that was thinking the same.
Sakura didn't know anything about being in a relationship before, but even she knew acting as if they were still friends wasn't something that would help in the slightest.
"We will work out something, other ninja couples have, and still are in relationships while abiding by the shinobi rules. We just have to be cautious and I am sure we will be ok."
"I don't quite get it though, how is it some people like Shikamaru's parents don't follow this rule?"
"Because people like the Nara's and Hyuuga's are established clans I guess. While surely that doesn't mean you are safe from everything, a clan brings protection to its members Naruto." The blond could make some understanding, but he still questioned it. Deciding to just accept it and move on, Naruto gave a warming grin.
"This does sound sort of cool though I guess, it's like an S ranked mission!" Sakura felt that familiar palm of hers hit her forehead although she did give a small giggle in disbelief.
"Referring to US as a mission...you really give me the creeps you know that baka?"
Brushing it off she decided to conclude, "Ok its decided, we will just keep it quiet and discrete. If need be we can tell people we trust...and no shouting it out to the world ok?"
"Sakura-chan!" She suppressed her chuckles as he whined but returned with a nod.
"Alright then Sakura-chan." With their agreement settled, they decided to continue walking side by side.
'What have we gotten ourselves into?' Sakura mused in recollection. She couldn't help but feel that she had jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire, but she made her choice the moment she made this occasion a date. Feeling a hand on her shoulder brought her out of her thoughts as she looked to see the blond giving a pink hued and nervous grin.
"Err-umm, s-s-since we are about to go back to Kakashi-sensei and errmm- Fuzzy brows- err-" She grew a smirk knowing what he was struggling to say, his shifty gaze between her eyes and smirk made it pointless to guess.
"Yes?"
"W-well-umm..."
Sakura lost her will to not chuckle at his sheepish antics, "Well what?" She feigned ignorance, finding her starting habit becoming almost as addictive as Anmitsu, which was not a good sign.
"Err-umm..."
In that instant the blond quickly pecked her cheek and began to almost speed walk away as if he was a criminal leaving a crime scene, but she easily caught up to him and formed a playful smile.
"What the hell was that?"
"W-well we needed to go back and act as if nothing's changed so..."
"Then at least kiss me properly you wimp!" Naruto looked at her to see she was serious, but then formed a blush and picked up walking speed muttering incoherent excuses. She just laughed at his shy like nature that seemed impossible given his usual hyperactive and gutsy self.
Who would have thought Uzumaki Naruto of all people was scared to kiss a girl?
'Who cares about what we have gotten ourselves into, we can solve this together now.'
-
End flashback
-
"How does sensei?..."
Sakura sheepishly grinned at his trailed question and decided to just fill him in with the truth, "I might have spoken to him about this a while back, I guess he just filled in the blanks."
The blond mouthed an 'oh', while wondering just how long Sakura had grown these feelings for him. While he couldn't dare point his finger as to when, he couldn't help but wonder if Jiraiya's constant teasing these past few days was somehow related to this.
"YOSH! NARUTO-KUN, I CHALLENGE YOU TO A SPAR!" Naruto shook himself out of his musing and smirked at the spandex wearer.
"Yosha! You are going down hardcore fuzzy brow-"
"AHEM!" Sakura's sharp butt in made both turn in slight fear as Naruto corrected himself.
"Err-Yeah sure fuzzy brows, let's not go all out though."
"That sounds like a very bright suggestion, Naruto-kun." Both boys agreed while fleeing from the glaring woman who sat on the bench and casually picked up a leaf.
She wasn't concentrating much on her task though, as instead she smiled in remembrance to what happened earlier.
'I really kissed him.' She shook her head clear remembering that amazing sensation when he kissed her back and smiled wider.
'I have no idea how I am going to get used to this.' When she saw orange at the corner of her eye, she looked to her side and noticed a small book that screamed familiarity and picked it up and looked at the cover.
'Huh? why did sensei leave his book here?'
"That is our plan, Pein-san." Itachi concluded to his audience in the chamber of holograms which included Pein, Zetsu, Kakuzu, Hidan, Kisame and Sasori. The Rinnegan user's eyes showed no traces of disappointment in his silvery like irises.
"Very well then, proceed with your plan but be sure you execute it without error." Kakuzu inwardly growled at Pein's acceptance of the Uchiha's plan. The older nin had been hoping that the leader would somehow disagree.
Diverting his attention to the other group, Pein looked to Sasori expectantly, "What of your new proposed partner Sasori?"
"Perhaps you should ask Hidan instead." The puppet master growled in his usual angered tone while all eyes were on a blank Hidan who shrugged.
"Not my fault he couldn't accept Jashin's might!"
"Nobody embraces your stupid religion's 'might' Hidan you idiot!"
"WHAT DID YOU SAY KAKUZU YOU-"
"Enough!" Pein commanded over the top of the exchange bringing silence amongst the group.
"So be it, your new partner Sasori has been decided. Do not fret though we know this one can be competent and dependable, otherwise Uchiha Ronan would never have requested his aid for his attempted assassination."
Snapping back to Itachi and Kakuzu, Pein instructed, "You are both aware of the shinobi I speak of?"
"The ex Iwa nin with the blond hair, Deidara was his name?"
"That's correct Kakuzu, I trust you both wont fail me in ensuring no life threatening harm is brought to him."
"Ah..."
"Sasori, you and your group will head to the northern outpost and wait there. Itachi and Kakuzu, your mission seems under control. I will leave the rest to you then. If assistance is required, contact me immediately. Your extra task will be to convince Deidara to join our organisation, which I am sure you can be very persuasive if need be Itachi." At that dismissive tone from Pein, Itachi's vision shimmered in holographic fuzz which blurred into darkness, as he opened his eyes to reveal he was deep within the swamp countries forest.
Kakuzu stood up from behind the Uchiha, "We should have requested Zetsu for assistance, his surveillance skills would have come in handy to ensuring we don't miss our chance." While Kakuzu was talking, a kage bunshin of Itachi walked to their position. Since the hawk was no longer in their possession Itachi was now using kage bunshin's to operate as their surveillance instead.
The older shinobi still did not like the idea that once again he was forced to rely on the Uchiha for information. While the same unease applied to Zetsu, Kakuzu couldn't quite put his finger on as to why he preferred the alternative than the current setup.
Itachi's clone then dispersed once it stood next to the non acknowledging Itachi. Other than the Uchiha's hair flickering from the sudden breeze the only reaction was his sharingan eyes flickering with something Kakuzu missed.
"Anything interesting to report?" Kakuzu asked now curious by the Uchiha's non reacting posture. Within several moments the Uchiha's bored sharingan eyes fell on him.
"...No, nothing worth of interest Kakuzu-san."
Lee had long returned to the outpost after their spar, leaving behind the teens to continue their training. Deciding for the best they resumed their suiton element exercise although once again it felt like it was getting nowhere. Both were sitting crossed legged on the concrete next to each other in a meditative like stance with their eyes closed in concentration. The only audible noise was the humming like sound of chakra being focused in Sakura's enclosed hands. Within minutes she was the first to break the otherwise motionless posture with a groan of annoyance.
She peeked an amused eye open to the chuckling blond next to her, "Still not having any luck?" Sakura sheepishly broke apart her palms to present a crisped leaf that was starting to join a collection of similarly burnt leaves next to her in a pile.
"Nope, you?"
Naruto opened his to reveal a slightly squashed leaf, "Zilch as usual...you guys?" Naruto turned behind them to address his dozens of doppelgangers who all muttered their own lack of success.
The blond frowned at the consistent news of failures and turned back, "I don't get it how we are meant to use this nature chakra, it doesn't make sense." The kunoichi focused her gaze on the new twirling green leaf in her hand.
"Well my brute force way doesn't seem to work...what are you trying?"
"I'm trying just different stuff at random." Sakura sighed while reaching for her drink and eyeing the transparent cool water inside that was their objective. To say the least, she was beginning to hate the almost tasteless liquid and took a mouth full to spite her irritation. Swishing it around her mouth made her ponder more about it. How could she manipulate water in her medical jutsu but not this exercise? The obstacle of course was the thin barrier between her chakra and the traces of water, so what did she need to do to get through?
Swallowing the lump of water she turned to her teammate and prompted, "Hands enclosed please."
Naruto did as instructed as she poured some of her canteen into his hands and lifted the water in a bubble like shape with her chakra.
'What is it about you that is so special?' Sakura childishly mused staring at the water swishing around her hand. The silent blond spoke after a minute of observing.
"How do you do that anyway Sakura-chan?"
"I flow my chakra through the small amount of water, once that is done, I can pretty much do whatever I want with it."
To demonstrate she held her hands apart in front of her as the water almost like a type of life form slithered across the small gap between her hands, and solidified around her right hand. Ignoring a few 'woah's!' from the clones behind them, the real Naruto scratched his head.
"What do you mean by flow your chakra into the water? Is it like how with the second rasengan test, you pour enough chakra to make a solid mass in its shape?"
"No, it requires spreading out your chakra to cover as much of the water's area as possible. If you pour too much-" She held her hand away from her as the water began to bubble and spit almost like a sort of sizzling spa bath.
"-The water heats up and eventually evaporates." She concluded as the water returned to its calm self while she brought it back in front of her.
"Can I try?" Sakura blinked a few times in surprise but acknowledged his request.
"Just remember, as little chakra as possible...or you will burn me." She as if passing an object, held out her hand in front of him and waited as he touched the water on the surface.
Sakura chuckled when the water instantly started bubbling.
"Less." She stated, as he cringed and reduced it lower and lower until it stopped bubbling.
"Ready?"
"U-Uh, yeah, go." Sakura cut the flow of her chakra as the jelly like water now held around his hand which he dared not move.
"You aren't spreading your chakra out enough." When the blond tried to correct himself it started to bubble and spit again and she waved her hands as if to say 'wrong'.
"No No, spread your chakra apart don't use more."
"Huh?"
"Exactly what I just said. You are trying to make a solid mass of chakra like you do with rasengan, but instead you need to use shape transformation to spread your chakra thin...like stretching it."
Naruto widened his eyes in understanding and corrected himself. Sakura never expected though to see in an instant the jelly like water suddenly turn like a solid bubble as her own did.
"W-what?!"
'It took me WEEKS to do that! W-What?!'
"Naruto! How Di-..." Sakura shook her head in surprise while the blond scratched his head sheepishly with his free hand.
"I just did what you told me to do?"
Sakura's awestruck features never left her, "B-But how?!" Realising she was yelling she corrected herself.
"T-That is amazing Naruto, but really...you have no idea how long it took me to do that...and you just did it in an instant...How?!"
The blond was about to voice something but the familiar sound from behind them made them jump in surprise.
"It's because Naruto can perform rasengan." The sound of a splash was heard as the blond lost concentration, releasing the solid formed water on himself like somebody dropping a bucket, causing his trousers to now be completely drenched.
"DAMN IT!"
"STOP DOING THAT SENSEI!"
The Kakashi innocently put his hands up in his defence at their yells. "Sorry." He stated simply while walking towards the bench as if looking for something.
Naruto muttered curses under his breath, while getting back to the point, "What has rasengan got to do with this?"
"Rasengan requires an amazing degree of skill in shape transformation. Arguably there is no jutsu that has such a need for it to be near perfect. That is why Naruto is able to do what took you a while to learn Sakura 'just like that'...it's because compared to rasengan, what you are doing there is more of an exercise Naruto would do when he is bored."
Sakura looked at her teammate in shock but more so as if in confirmation, "I-Is that really true?!"
The blond sheepishly grinned, losing interest in his dilemma, "E-err I guess so."
'Wow!' Sakura mused bluntly, not knowing whether to be in shock for just how much talent Naruto really had or just how plain oblivious he was to it. Kakashi dropped to his knees while looking under the bench.
'Where is it?'
"Neh, but Sakura-chan has been helping me with toruko rasengan. Doesn't mean she has superb levels of shape transfor-err shape thingy too."
"Of course she does. Medic-nin's have to be prepared to treat injuries of all shapes and sizes, it's practically a requirement." Kakashi stated dryly, beginning to lose interest in the conversation while now looking left and right frantically.
Sakura shrugged at her teammate, "What were you thinking anyway Naruto?"
"I just was trying to work out how to control water, thinking it might lead to somewhere with this suiton training."
"But Naruto, manipulating water is one thing using chakra. Actually using our natured chakra to control it is different...sensei?"
"You are both right."
Both teens looked at each other in bafflement then at their sensei, who seemed to be hesitating to use the sharingan as he walked circles around the bench.
"The basic principles still apply to manipulating water via the use of chakra, the method however is different." He explained.
Sakura scratched her head in an amazing similarity to Naruto, "But what does that mean?"
"It means that Naruto is correct in thinking that controlling water is similar to how it is usually done. You need to remember your chakra nature is part of your signature, so there is no 'special' chakra you need to call upon to use it...however it is different because you need to use your chakra in a way that benefits its strong nature affinity."
"Bu-"
"YATTA!"
The real Naruto was cut off by a clones shout of triumph when said clone stood and revealed a soggy hand while twiddling a still green leaf in the other.
"O-h, looks like Naruto is starting to get there." Kakashi stated in exaggerated praise while snapping his head back and whipping up his sharingan in desperate hopes it would have some use.
'WHERE IS IT?!' Oblivious to Kakashi's stressed musing, said clone dispersed while the remainder of the clones and the real one's head snapped up in understanding. The stunned Sakura turned to her real teammate.
"OH!"
"W-What is it Naruto?"
"I think I sort of get it Sakura-chan."
He enclosed his hands while explaining, "It's the same as your trick sort of Sakura-chan. Even if the water is within the leaf, the same way we use our chakra applies. While trying the trick I noticed that my chakra was flowing freely like sparks within the water. So I am now trying to mould my chakra in my hands as if they are water themselves."
Sakura blinked blankly while shaking her head clear of question. "You're not making sense."
The blond thought it over will still concentrating. He then opened his hands to reveal they were moist, with a more lime like green now than a forest green. Thinking of a better way to explain it he reached for her bottle of water.
"Hold out your hands Sakura-chan." She presented her enclosed hands but he shook his head.
"Hold them out flat and open." She did as instructed despite her puzzlement, while the blond poured its contents in a small stream over them.
"Use your chakra to stop it escaping your hands Sakura-chan." Once again following his instructions, Sakura used her chakra to stop the stream from sliding out of flat hands. Naruto knew she had succeeded the moment the stream wasn't sliding off her hands and dripping onto the ground. Looking back and forth between her two hands there were surrounded by a thin layer of water and then at Naruto, she waited for his next instructions. Taking her hands by their wrists, he then enclosed them.
"Do you feel that Sakura-chan?"
"What exactly am I meant to be feeling?"
"Your chakra is constantly moving within the water. I can't tell the direction, but it feels random I guess. What I am doing is the same thing, but without the water there."
Sakura held surprise now while releasing her chakra flow away from herself to not have a repeat of what happened with Naruto, freeing her hands of the water. "I understand, thanks Naruto."
Snatching a leaf from the another pile in front of them, she clapped her hands shut.
'I have been trying to break through the leaf with my chakra to access the water. I still wonder how would manipulating my chakra to be like water have any results?' Her inner questions were cut when she felt a long wet trail drip down her arm and she gasped when she opened her palms to reveal they were moist.
Her leaf had spots of near yellow in it which felt quite rough from touch, but was mostly lime shaded and soft textured.
"Woah! Nice work Sakura-chan, but this whole 'doing things better than me' thing is starting to get annoying!"
The kunoichi sheepishly shrugged while giggling. "You're the one that discovered how to do it baka! And it's not as if I completely made the leaf turn brown or anything." The sound of several kage bunshin's being formed to their side made them look to see doppelgangers of Kakashi dashing around looking for something akin to vultures, as the real one came and sat in front of them both.
"If we can move on now, there some more important things to discuss." Both teens shot a quick glance at each other wondering why Kakashi sounded so serious all of a sudden. They soon had the same thought at looked at each other again.
"U-Umm, what is there to say sensei? You told me I shouldn't be afraid to express my feelings to Naruto so...I did." Both herself and Naruto's eyebrow's rose in question when Kakashi sounded more surprised as if he was thinking of something else.
"Oh?...well come on. Details please?"
"Err-umm-" Kakashi looked between the blushing and mumbling teens and gave a small but creepy giggle that made Sakura's head snap back screaming 'danger'.
"Well that's an interesting approach to confessing if I say so myself, Sakura-'chan'." Due to her recent reading's, Sakura became loudly aware of this 'hidden and twisted' like phrases which to her regret allowed her to understand what her sensei was cheerfully suggesting.
"W-We just kissed!"
'I AM ONLY FIFTEEN YEARS OLD FOR GOD'S SAKE'S SENSEI!' Naruto blinked in question at her deeply flushed features which she waved a dismissive hand in his direction as she calmed.
'Holy crap, Kakashi-sensei is just as bad as Ero-sennin!'
"I see." Kakashi stated in a chirp like fashion, but he pulled a one eighty and lost his jest to the matter.
"So where do you both stand for each other now then?"
Sakura blinked at his sudden change but inwardly was thankful at least Kakashi wasn't a twenty four seven pervert. She almost yelped when a comforting hand rested on her far shoulder and pulled her in to come in contact with Naruto's head who smiled with pride.
"We are together of course Kakashi-sensei!" His bliss filled announcement made her smile on impulse and almost snuggle in, but she restrained herself to do so. Kakashi's laugh this time held more sincerity behind it at Naruto's action.
"Is that so...Then I am happy for both of you. I take it from what you tried to slip past me before, you both are trying to keep it quiet?"
Reluctantly pulling apart and straightening up in her spot, Sakura answered, "We talked about it before coming back, we are going to keep it quiet for both our safeties."
Kakashi nodded his head in approval at Sakura's explanation, "As much of a drag it is, we decided to just stick to the shinobi rules about this although we don't exactly agree on them."
"That would be wise, however remember that there are sometimes more things to it than just the shinobi rules. Of course you both should be careful and discrete about your relationship, especially considering the current situation. But if you stick to those rules and regulations as if they are laws of life...It will fall apart."
Kakashi's lone eye flickered as he continued more void of emotion, "A long time ago I would scold anybody for saying to not do that. But an old comrade proved me wrong and opened my eyes to how wrong I was in thinking that way. It took another though to understand that the shinobi rules are still important to follow for both yourself, and the people you care about...It is very good to see both of you are aware of this."
Sakura raised an eyebrow in concern at the way Kakashi said that is if he was speaking from memory, "Thank you sensei." Sakura whispered softly, both concerned and confused by the scare crow shinobi's almost depressing demeanour.
"You're welcome...but your new relationship is not what I am concerned about."
"Huh?" Both teammates said in union as Kakashi's eye in an instant changed to a gaze of deep mistrust.
"My Icha Icha tactics book...it is missing. Have either of you seen it by chance?"
Karin went agape at the Uchiha's efforts, he really did stick to his word that he would handle the rest. Sasuke threw another kunai with a line of electricity connected between the two is it struck a dummy, sending constant violent sparks all around the area of impact. Through trial and error he discovered this jutsu had a limited range of about twenty meters, if the kunai travelled any further the chain simply broke with a violent burst of electricity at where the connection was lost.
Despite his dissatisfaction, Karin seemed far from sharing the same disappointment. 'That jutsu is so cool. It practically is reeking with Sasuke's overwhelming chakra!' Sasuke payed no attention to the kunoichi who was watching him not far and pulled out some ninja wire, attaching it to the hilt's of several fresh kunai.
Once he had prepared a hand full he threw his kunai at different targets, each being trailed by a glowing solid line of electricity. Sasuke grew a amused smirk at his handiwork, 'Using the wire, I can increase its range to easily cover any required distance.'
Thinking it over, the Uchiha deduced he could have many uses for this technique. While it allowed him to deal constant damage to a target pierced by the kunai or touching the line he still desired more strength behind it, and a kunai could only go so far. Unsheathing his sword made Karin gasp but she continued to watch in silence. Sasuke at first did what he had learnt with Ronan, then tried his new trick. Within moments the sword glowed a blinding blue and white glow of solid electricity while sprinkling hot sparks dancing around Sasuke, bouncing off the ground.
'A-amazing!' Karin inwardly proclaimed as she watched Sasuke walked up to a dummy. She rose an eyebrow in question though when he walked past it and stopped in front of a tree with a base that was at least a meter in diameter.
'Oh my god...he is not going to-' Karin's thought were sliced in a similar fashion to when Sasuke's sword just then cut straight through the aged tree base as if it was butter.
Karin almost tripped up in shock when the huge tremor erupted underneath her feet from the crashing giant tree, taking branches of other trees down with it to hit the forest floor. 'OH MY GOD!' The amused 'Hn' brought her out of her shock as Sasuke eyed the glowing sword in front of him as if it was a prized possession. That was until he span around and threw it out of his hand as if it was a kunai. The result was a solid line of roaring electricity as thick as Sasuke's hand trailing behind the sword which pierced straight through any unfortunate dummy or tree in line with it. When the blade was ten meters away the line broke, leaving the still glowing sword to dig straight into another base of a tree with only its hilt not going all the way through.
Retrieving his sword, Sasuke sheathed it behind him, still holding his very satisfied smirk. Karin was about to comment until her nose picked up a familiar sickening scent that on impulse made her scowl. "Sasuke, Kabuto is coming from our ten o'clock. He will be here in roughly an hour."
Sasuke's signs of emotion washed away as he nodded, "Very well then." The Uchiha then started walking away, passing by Karin and headed back towards the hideout.
"Karin."
"What is it?"
"Do not tell anybody what you saw today." Karin looked back as if in question to confirm what she heard but the Uchiha had continued walking away.
Karin herself didn't know why she was ordered by Orochimaru to station herself at this hideout, she didn't bother to ask questions when she discovered Sasuke was here. Now though she was beginning to wonder what her purpose really was, and she had a feeling the Uchiha knew. Thinking further on the matter even she knew something was not right that it was only Sasuke and herself here. Knowing Orochimaru since she was taught by the very person, she didn't need to speculate how protective he was of Sasuke.
Sensing the Uchiha's irresistible chakra was still close by, she turned back and half shouted, "Why are you asking me that? Orochimaru-sama would be proud to know?"
Quickly catching up since he waited but didn't acknowledge her presence, she persisted, "Also...care to explain to me what is going on?"
"Orochimaru wishes for me to kill someone and he knows I will need your assistance to do it." Karin went agape, mouthing a 'huh?' but quickly shook her head while adjusting her glasses.
"So? That's not exactly a hard task now for somebody like you? Just do what Orochimaru-sama says then." The red head almost jumped by his sharp glare, but it returned to neutral, as he continued walking not acknowledging her presence.
'What did I say?' Karin asked herself, cursing the sudden choking air she was breathing in.
"The person...was once part of my team back in Konoha." Karin once again jumped at his neutral and simple stated words, but she recovered with a emotionless face.
"I see, so an old comrade...why does Orochimaru-sama want you to do this then?"
"He wishes for me to gain some grand power which I do not wish to obtain for my own reasons." The Uchiha told a half truth, although a part of him suspected Orochimaru's ploy was for him to try and kill Naruto again.
Karin brows furrowed, "Wouldn't you want to be as strong as you can for your ambi- "
"I will achieve my ambition via my own means, not what Orochimaru believes I should do...I will not kill her or Naruto simply because he desires me to."
"Fine then....wait, who's 'her'?!" Karin added with a protective hiss, which the Uchiha didn't seem to even hear or at least chose to not react to.
"There is only one person I wish to kill, and I will not have any more compromises to that." He spoke while entering the dark chambers, still focused on his path in front and not the puzzled kunoichi next to him.
"Orochimaru thinks he can control me, manipulate me so that I become the perfect vessel for him-" Eyeing the prisoners as they walked past the cells made Sasuke glare in front again, "...I will ensure to make it loud and clear to him what his purpose is to me...and soon."
Karin just listened to what almost sounded like a venting of anger from the otherwise neutral Sasuke. She didn't need to think to understand Sasuke was threatening her superior. If this was any other subordinate, she would have attempted to have killed him where he stood for speaking about Orochimaru in vein, even if she knew she wouldn't win against Sasuke. Despite the 'Orochimaru subordinate' in her instructing her to do so, at the same time her mind was squealing, 'You tell him Sasuke!'
"Whatever then...If that is your wish then I will simply wipe my hands of it. As far as I tell, I am just here to supervise you...and I don't care about what training it is you are doing." Sasuke this time meet her ruby orbs with his neutral onyx ones and let out a 'Hn'.
"...Thanks Karin." Karin practically froze in mid-step at his response. Did her ears just hear Sasuke give her gratitude?
The blush already was forming while she spoke in a more high pitched voice as if attempting to sound sweeter, "W-why you're welcome, Sasuke...perhaps later we can ca-" A loud door slamming interrupted her mid sentence as she realised she was now standing alone in the corridor.
'...Why does this always happen?'
Dissatisfied that he lost his book before even finishing it, Kakashi went to go sulk back at the outpost leaving behind the two baffled teammates...well at least one was. Sakura had to admit she had a great poker face when the situation came to it.
'I should have just handed it back to him!'
"So what are you going to do with it."
"W-WHA-HUH-?!" Sakura stuttered out while almost bolting from her spot next to her teammate who was baring a knowing smile.
"Come on Sakura-chan, I so know you have it."
"I-I do not- OI! THAT'S MINE!" Sakura barked in fear when the blond snatched her weapon pouch that was at her side before she could get her hands on it.
The blond chuckled while clipping it open, "Relax Sakura-chan, not like I am going to care you stole that lame book from Kakashi-sensei."
'Oh good god this is bad!'
"Naruto wait!- give tha-EEK!" The blond pulled out said orange book in sight making her yelp.
"Hehe, I never thought you would have hated the book so much you would steal it from Kakashi-sensei...So what were you going to do with it?"
"N-Nothing!"
'Read it.' She inwardly confessed, while her racing mind had to think of a way to get back her weapon pouch.
Time itself froze though when she saw his surprised expression while reaching inside the pouch again.
'OH NO!'
True to her horror, Naruto now presented her copy of Icha Icha Paradise, "U-U-Umm I-"
"You stole his other one as well?!" Sakura at first was stunned, but then took her escape route the dense blond gave her with pleasure, nodding her head a little too fast to be genuine.
"That's a little too mean don't you think Sakura-chan?" Naruto scolded lightly, putting away the taunting books and handing her back the weapon pouch which she snatched, and placed it on the opposite side of herself so he wouldn't grab it again.
"W-Well I just can't stand the sight of those books in his hands all the ti-...time..." She trailed off while her eyes were growing wider by the second when she saw something she feared to see in his blue eyes.
Realisation.
"Wait just a minute...Wasn't that the same book you said you got from the market place in Wa-....SAKURA-CHAN?!"
The perfect way to describe Sakura's expression was a deer caught in headlights.
"W-W-Wait one second! I can explain th-"
"WHAT THE HELL SAKURA-CHAN-" The blond tried to shake off his shock but it was stuck to him like glue.
"Sakura-chan....you're a-....You're a closet pervert?!"
"NO!" As if she was trying to make a point, she was shaking her head frantically in a blur.
"Naruto I can explain!" The blond blinked for several moments and crossed his arms in a manner similar to a parent catching their child doing something wrong...very wrong.
"Spill it."
Once Sakura had calmed she explained, "I purchased the first one because of what Kakashi sensei said that time about them. It interested me...I mean it, that was the only reason. I originally only decided to read the prologue, but then I really got dug into it...excluding some parts which were a bit too err...excessive, for my liking...they really are good books Naruto."
Naruto just blinked at her in shock, but shook his head still in disbelief. This was possibly the last thing he ever would have expected to hear coming from Sakura of all people.
"You really like Ero-sennin's books?"
"Yes, I do... "
Naruto grew a grin while chuckling out his disbelief, "You have an extremely strange taste then Sakura-chan."
"You're not going to..."
"Of course I won't tell anybody you're a closet pervert."
"Thanks...wait-WHAT?!" She shouted at her laughing teammate which was becoming contagious to herself.
'Why am I finding this funny? HE IS CALLING ME A PERVERT?!'
"I am not a pervert Naruto!"
"Ok, ok, whatever you say....Herono-chan."
Sakura froze at the newly formed nickname from the blonds amused grin, "Did you...just randomly insert 'Ero' into my family name?!" She said void of emotions to her now smiling wide teammate.
"Maybe."
'Oh it will be a cold day in hell you are going to call me THAT like you call Ero-sennin...well Ero-sennin.'
"Naruto!" She growled in her demonic voice to the blond, although her suppressed chuckles ruined its threatening low note.
"Don't call me that!"
'Stop laughing damn it!'
"My mistake then...Herono-OW!" He was cut by a dong on the head from his laughing teammate.
"STOP IT!" She cackled.
"I am only teasing you know? Although this is so, what's the word? ironic...You tell me off about being a pervert, but you read Hentai in secre-"
"I didn't read them for that! If you really must know I skipped over the bits that were just too...intimate."
The blond narrowed his eyes in suspicion at her shifty gaze and then smirked, "Neh...Liar."
She was caught once again off guard at his two word response then glared, "N-No-I might ha-OK! I read a few of them! S-So what?" She stuttered out with a blush looking at the concrete in an angered huff.
Naruto tilted his smirking head so he could make eye contact., "Only a few?"
"W-Well-BAH! Quit messing with me damn it Naruto!"
'God help me, I am A LITTLE curious...WHO THE HELL ISN'T?!' Naruto's laughter made her glare harden with a groan that sounded more of a growl.
"Now what?! Maybe my fist will knock the laughter out o-"
"You're so funny when you're angry Sakura-chan." His amused yet sincere statement made her anger extinguish to a half hearted frown.
"You-...Baka." Sakura shook off her embarrassment with a sigh, but his chuckles made her twitch to a smile.
"Shut up." Her whispered instruction seemed to have worked, bringing peace and quiet amongst them.
While she didn't want to ruin the moment, she spoke her mind from earlier, "Hey Naruto, do you remember when I asked you about if Kakashi-sensei has someone important to him?" Naruto blinked in question but nodded as she continued with traces of sadness.
"Naruto...I think whoever she is or was...I think she is gone, Naruto."