Chapter 6: Backfired!

Kakashi looked at his student with a warm expression as the boy ran out of the room. He couldn't help but let a small beam appear on his covered features as he looked at the now empty spot where his student had sat just a few seconds before. He was completely adorable, like the child he'd never had, but sometimes wished for. Sasuke reminded him too much of himself, and although found that cute, it was also somewhat upsetting for him. He didn't' want Sasuke to make the same mistakes that he had; the jounin felt that it was his job to protect the young Uchiha, not only as his sensei, but more like a fatherly figure. Sasuke was truly alone, but he was determined to change that. Kakashi lifted his gaze to a nearby clock and realized that he was terribly late (even more so that usual) and called for his student who came back reluctantly after a minute or two.

"This may be a little troublesome, but even though you're half cat, the others are still waiting for me at the training grounds, and I can't leave you alone, since you haven't gotten used to your paws. We don't want another accident, ne? So what do you say? Will you try and train with us, or should I ask Iruka to take care of you?" Iruka was a good friend of the silver-haired man; they usually hung out together on the weekends, when the brown-haired man wasn't busy with his job as a teacher in the Academy. The man was very nice and a total mother hen, nothing and no one could hurt his students if Iruka could avoid it. He could be very frightening too. Kakashi figured the man would be more than pleased to take care of the raven; he knew that Iruka had a secret soft spot for the Uchiha as he pitied him for the tragedy of his clan and admired his great talent. It wasn't nearly as strong as his bond with Naruto but...

"I don't need to be babysat, y'know? I won't do anything like that again." The young boy grunted indignantly as he crossed his arms in a disapproving matter. He didn't need to be taken care of; he could manage perfectly well by himself! As if living with the jounin wasn't embarrassing enough... "But they'll have to know sooner or later, right? I'll guess I'll go with you." The raven finally decided wondering if it was the right choice.

"Ok, you won't obviously need your weapons and can't make any hand seals, so you'll have to train in your speed, your strength, or whatever other thing you can think of. I bet your flexibility and your agility have improved a lot, ne? "The white-haired teacher advised his student while languidly looking at the ceiling.

"Silly door, nya."

"Huh?" Kakashi turned around to see that Sasuke wasn't paying any attention to him, but was trying to open the door with his paws, clung to the knob and pushing the door with his feet. He wasn't listening at all...

"Open already, nya!" Yelled Sasuke while he still attempted to open it. He then sat down pouting aggravated, but childishly at the door. He was about to scratch it in frustration when Kakashi interrupted him.

"Here, let me help you. There's no need to kill my Kakashi-sensei's door, na? Offered the jounin as he walked towards the door and opened it gently.

"Hmp, nya." Sasuke walked out as he rolled his eyes in embarrassment with a small groan and a scarlet tone to his cheeks. Kakashi chuckled, Sasuke frowned and off they went to the training grounds

"Hahahahaha! I can't wait to see Sasuke! Well, that if he does come! I would have really liked to see his face when he woke up this morning." Cackled mischievously Uzumaki Naruto as he thought of his revenge against Sasuke, walking towards the training grounds. He shivered slightly as a chilly breeze ruffled his messy hair and looked happily to the bluish sky. The sun had yet to rise and only a few golden ribbons decorated the cloudy heavens. The forest trail was quiet and calm except for the occasional birds or cicadas that sung early in the morning.

He'd been waiting eagerly since he carried Sasuke home yesterday to see his plan in action, and now the time had finally arrived. He continued walking to the training grounds with his hands behind his head as he let out a yawn. He spotted Sakura's pink hair not too far away and ran cheerfully to her waving hello.

"Oh, hi Sakura-chan." He greeted joyously, hoping that the girl would finally acknowledge him and greet him back. He didn't like being ignored at all.

"Hi, Naruto…"The emerald-eyed teen murmured deep in thought, lifting his gaze to meet his for a second, and then turning it back down to the ground. Could it be...? No...Something must be wrong.

"What's wrong?" The blonde spoke his thoughts aloud in an innocent but concerned voice as he leaned forward worriedly to try to meet the girl's gaze again.

"It's Sasuke, he never comes this late. He's usually the first to arrive." Of course, it had to be about Sasuke...

"Aa, you're right. Now that I think about it, I overslept and got here an hour late. Hmmm…" Naruto feigned obliviousness to the reason of the raven's delay and closed his eyes curiously like he always does, crossing his arms in deep thought and trying to hide the devious smirk that adorned his face. "Oh look!" He lifted his wide cerulean eyes and pointed towards the forest. "Here comes Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto yelled enthusiastically as smiled merrily.

Kakashi and Sasuke arrived together at the training grounds. Sasuke was a little nervous though; his tail was moving from one side to the other restlessly, and his ears were flat on his head. He was seriously thinking if he should really meet his team or run back –which sounded really tempting. He feared his teammates' reaction. Naruto would surely laugh at him right away and start making fun of him and calling dumb him names. Then Sakura would smack him in the head and yell at the blonde for annoying Sasuke and then greet him with a weird flirting smile and try to hug him saying how cute he looked or stroking his ears and pulling his tail. It reminded him of a bothersome baby -which he wasn't fond of either. Sigh, this may have been a bad idea after all, nya. Perhaps it's not too late to go back?

"Huh? Sa-Sasuke-kun?" Here it comes…

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Just look at yourself! You look like a baby kitten! Who's the scaredy cat now, Mr. Whiskers? Or should I call you…Sasukitten? Or, or maybe…" Naruto snickered as he thought of more names to call his rival.

"…Usuratonkachi, nya…" Sighed Sasuke trying to look bored and unaffected by the blond's constant pestering. Yes, just like I thought…

"Nya?" O.O Uh-oh

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! What's with your baby voice and your height mini Uchiha? The blond fell to the floor and rolled on the grass as he cackled in pure bliss upon his rival's condition. He laughed so hard his tummy started aching. He sat up again and regained his breath before laughing again. Wow this is even better than what I thought. Why didn't I think of this before? Naruto kept on teasing Sasuke until Sakura smacked him on the head.

"Owww Sakura-chan." Moaned the blond as he rubbed his head.

"Shut up, Naruto! Stop making fun of Sasuke-kun!" The pink-haired kunoichi yelled. "Don't listen to him, Sasuke-kun; it's not so bad." She comforted him with a sweet beam as she kneeled at his eye level.

"Hmp, nya." Sasuke looked away hoping she would leave him alone. "Awww how cute!" Sakura screeched as she glomped the poor cat-boy.

"AAAGH! NYAAAGH!" Screamed poor Sasuke in surprise as the hair on his tail bristled and his ears perked up. So. Very. Predictable… -_-'

Kakashi didn't mind at all. He was just happy that neither Naruto nor Sakura yelled at him for being late, so he laid back supporting himself on a tree as he watched amused.

"Oh I'm sorry, Sasuke-kun." Sakura let go off the raven and apologized repeatedly, though the nekomimi didn't even bother to look at her as he put up as much distance as possible between them. "Whatever, nya." Sasuke huffed as he regained his cool attitude. The girl then ran up to him again. "Please forgive me, Sasuke-kun; it's just that, you look so cute, with your kitty ears, and the tail, and those cute little paws." Wailed Sakura as she copied the movement of a cat 's paw when playing with a yarn ball and then stroked his ears and his tail.

At first Sasuke's ears twitched at the contact, but as she stroked more gently he started purring and closed his eyes in content relaxing a little. He snuggled closer to her until she started stroking his chin and then his tail. He blinked and jumped back snapping out of his trance. He backed of again, but Sakura started chasing after him. At last he just sat (It wasn't worth the effort if she was going to chase him non-stop, was it?) wagging his tail to avoid it from being touched by Sakura. His back was facing her, so he had to look back to keep an eye on her.

Naruto couldn't believe this; he had thought Sasuke would be a crow or a scary wolf, or maybe a lizard, not a kitten. He couldn't control his spell; (it depended on each person's personality, looks and abilities) and he certainly did not expect this. His revenge had only backfired. Instead of hating him, Sakura loved him more. Now he loathed Sasuke more than ever.

"Stop it Sakura-chan, nya!" Pouted Sasuke as Sakura continued petting and stroking him. For some weird reason he felt that scratching at a girl wasn't right, maybe the same reason why he now used honorifics all the time, there wasn't another explanation for him calling her 'Sakura-chan'.

"Sakura, I think that's enough, now." Finally Kakashi intervened as Sasuke quickly hid behind him and hissed at Sakura while he made a scratching gesture with his paw, tail straight in the air and ears flat in his head. "Aww." Whined Sakura as fake tears made their way to her pleading eyes.

"Well, let's get to training, just practice chakra control and jutsu, then we'll do some missions, ne?"

"Hai, Kakashi- sensei." Obediently complied Sakura and Naruto as they turned and started exercising.

"Ok, Sasuke why don't you stretch a little and practice your agility? Oh! Maybe you could walk like a feline as you approach some birds!" Kakashi exclaimed excitedly with sparkles in his eyes waving his gloved hands in a childish fashion, and then fisting them determinedly in front of him.

"I'm not gonna do that, sensei, nya!" Sasuke huffily refused, glaring up at him as he fisted his paws. He had yet to lose what dignity he had left and he wasn't about to ruin his Uchiha pride just now. "Aw, but since you're a cat you should practice some feline abilities! You're no fun!"

"Yes, but not that, nya!" The genin felt the heat go up to his ears, but didn't look away.

"Well then just train ok? I need to make sure Sakura doesn't kill Naruto during the training; being the sensei of those two ain't easy y'know?"

"Stay still! Come back here, nya!" The cat-boy demanded. "Huh?" Kakashi blinked not understanding what his beloved student meant, and getting the sudden feeling of déjà vu.

"Nya! Stop! Stop I said!" Sasuke clawed at the sky chasing after a yellow butterfly that fluttered vigorously in an attempt to escape the curious kid's new interest. Sasuke frowned, landing gracefully and leapt as high as he could, Sharingan activated and pupils as thin slits as he scratched the air once again.

"Huh?" The jounin repeated while being ignored by his cutest student. Now he listens to me less than ever! T^T

"Nya?" Sasuke turned in mid-air towards his sensei losing concentration on his attack. "Ow!" He whined as he tripped. "Ow, I hate these paws! I can't run properly with them!" Sasuke complained angrily as he childishly flailed his arms, and then licked his wounded arm.

"Maybe you should practice then. It must be really different from running with human feet, but soon you'll get the hold of it."

"Hmph, nya." The nekomimi turned his head, pouting.

Later That Day

After some training Team 7 took on some missions, they took care of a lady's muddy garden, made some heavy deliveries, took care of a certain annoying baby who wouldn't let go of Sasuke's tail, helped paint a dumb fence, and picked up some of the litter in the river, which Sasuke unquestionably refused to do, so he just climbed up a tree as Kakashi took his place –he swore under his breath and reluctantly did the job, glaring childishly at his student every now and then. But now they had to walk four dogs, this day couldn't get worse for Sasuke. He was tired, his tail's fur was ruffled, he had mud and paint stains everywhere and felt sticky and dirty.

"No way! I won't go for a walk with that monster, nya!" It was totally out of the question. He wouldn't get near that thing ever! It was enormous and scary and ugly, and drooled! Ewww! The kid climbed up the tallest tree he could find and hissed clawing at the air.

"Aww, little Sasuke-kun's scared." Teased Naruto enjoying the little joy his plan could bring him.

"I'm not scared! I just don't wanna do it, nya!" Hissed Sasuke as he backed up on the branch with his ears flat on his head.

"Because you're afraid of dogs like the scaredy cat you are! Hey that's my pun! Ò.Ó

"No I'm not, nya!" Sasuke's face heated up and he could tell he was blushing yet again.

"Aww now you're all red." Naruto's grin became even wider even if his prank didn't go as planned, that didn't mean he wasn't going to enjoy it to the limit.

"I'm not! Leave me alone, nya!" He didn't like this, he felt cornered and weak. Usually he was the one teasing Naruto, but now he couldn't even think of good remarks. He just wanted to be left alone! When he was completely human he'd never been afraid of dogs. He'd been wary and careful, after being bitten as a kid, but nothing like this; he couldn't control it. Being half-cat sucked.

"Yes you are!" Laughed the blonde amused. Maybe his plan wasn't so bad; he liked teasing Sasuke. "'Am not!" Sasuke's voice cracked a bit, but Naruto noticed. "Yes you are, crybaby!"

"Don't call me that!" Frustrated and infantile as he was, tears were already forming in his fuming eyes, and he gnashed his teeth in an effort not to cry. The blonde also realized this and just when Kakashi was about to intervene he stopped, his eyes darkening and his expression turning serious.

"You know, since you became a nekomimi, you haven't retorted anything I've said. You haven't insulted me more than once, and you've just been on the defensive and denied what I've said and that's all. What's wrong with you?"

"Nyan(1)?" The tears vanished as Sasuke blinked and raised his ears. "Yeah, I mean you're not the same. You don't shove Sakura away, yell at me or hit me, and you use honorifics all the time! … Hmmm … " the blond crossed his arms and thought before yelling: "Who are you and what did you do to the real Sasuke?" Every one anime sweat-dropped and fell.(2)

"Just when I thought you were improving..." His teacher couldn't stop those words from slipping past his lips. "What was that supposed to mean, sensei? I'm serious! He's not the same!"

Wait, nyan did he call me? Neko? Like cat? "Hey! Don't call me a cat please, nya! Nyaaaaargh! Why do I keep saying please?" They all turned to look at Sasuke randomly yelling.

"You know maybe Naruto's right, sensei." Sakura couldn't help it. She was worried too. Her emerald eyes glowed with a hint of sadness that was emphasized by her pink brows and her cherry lips pouted nervously. Sasuke caught sight of it. His ears flat on his head and a sympathetic look on his face, Sasuke hopped down the tree, accidentally landing on Sakura. He clung to her in what she thought to be a sweet hug, his blushing face hidden in a cuddle. Sakura gasped as she fell and then beamed illuminating her visage with a happy glow and a crimson tint. Her left hand ran through Sasuke's silky hair and the ears that sheepishly rested flat on his head. Sasuke met her gaze with a sad, feline smile and let go off her. His ears perked up and he blinked getting off of her and crouching to get whatever caught his attention. Sakura looked closely as the boy got up and reached his furry paws to her handing her a pink Japanese Azalea that had been lying on the grass as if asking for forgiveness.

"Ah! Arigatou Sasuke-kun." Her smile widened as she gently squeezed the small flower and patted his head.

"Whatever, nya." Sasuke turned his crimson face away and backed away a little looking down at the grassy floor again.

"Mah, I guess Sasuke's calmed down, but we've got to walk these dogs... "The moment was ruined by their sensei. He was hungry and wanted to get this done with.

I'm so gonna kill him Shannaro! -(Ò.Ó)

"But Sasuke-kitty's scared."

"Cut it already, Naruto-niichan, nya!" Yes Naruto wouldn't ever get tired of mocking Sasuke.

Hope you liked it, I really hope I can make up all the time I was off T-T

(1)Nan is a way of saying "what?" in Japanese; I just combined that with "nya".

(2)You know? Like when someone does something stupid and everyone falls and their feet are in an odd upwards position? And obviously the sweat drop is typical from anime, like -_-;.