Anonymous Prompt: Team Kakashi in their genin days. Acknowledgment of Sakura's strengths.
“Come on, Kakashi-sensei!” His yell was loud and enthusiastic as he ran far ahead of the group, his orange and blue attire flashing under the sun and causing heads to turn with interest, “The sooner we get this mission completed, the sooner we can go to Ichiraku’s Ramen Shop!”
“Slow down, Naruto!” Sakura shouted, cupping her hands over her mouth to allow her voice to carry, “You’re still healing from the Chuunin Exams! Take it easy!”
The blonde-shinobi only laughed as he excitedly waved his hands in the air, “Nothing is going to keep me down, Sakura-chan! Believe it!”
“Hn.”
Sakura smiled shyly as she turned her head, landing emerald irises on the quiet boy beside her – his hands were shoved into his pockets, dark eyes disinterestedly trailing Naruto’s hyperactive form. His dark gaze was typically empty, and Sakura couldn’t help but feel as if she could fall into their depths for all of eternity. A frown appeared on his lips and his gaze slowly slid towards her with clear annoyance. Another blush painted her cheeks and she turned her head away, her shoulder length hair brushing against the skin of her shoulders and unconsciously reminding her of the sacrifices she had made in the Forest of Death.
“Ne, Sasuke-kun?” Her voice was quiet - hesitant, “What will you be doing after the mission?”
They stared at one another, uncomfortable on her part and indifferent on his, before he carelessly shrugged his shoulders, “Train.”
“Oh…” Her reply was soft with disappointment, “You won’t come with us to Ichi–”
However, the kunoichi was interrupted as Naruto landed unceremoniously in front of them, his bright, blue gaze calculating, “Hey! So, if Sasuke-teme isn’t coming…” He turned to look at Sakura with a grin, “Then that means we’re going to be on a date, Sakura-chan!”
Embarrassed by the sudden interruption, and with Naruto’s notion of a date, Sakura harshly whacked him over the head, “We’re not going to be on a date, Naruto! Besides, Kakashi-sensei will be there too!”
The boy pouted as he rubbed his abused head, “Aw, Sakura-chan!! Then…instead of a date, will you help me train?”
The innocent question completely caught her off guard and even Uchiha Sasuke looked at Naruto with bewilderment. From behind them, Hatake Kakashi watched his genin students with a mixture of curiosity and pride from behind his orange novel.
“You want me to help you train, Naruto…?” Sakura asked hesitantly, pointing at herself, “…Why?”
Naruto bounced up and down as he grinned, “Yeah, why not? You’re great, Sakura-chan! You have perfect chakra control and you’re really good at Genjutsu…Two things that I’m horrible at! Won’t you help me!? Please, Sakura-chan!”
Haruno Sakura was speechless, her green eyes wide as she kept her index finger pointed at herself, Sasuke also staring at her, but with a rare softness in his onyx eyes.
“Sasuke-teme said so himself too,” Naruto cut in, hoping that if he mentioned her crush, it would sway her decision, “Before the Chuunin Exams. Remember?”
“…I did.”
Sakura snapped her surprised gaze towards Sasuke, who, she also recalled, had also uttered those words. He watched the path ahead of them while they continued to walk, and deliberately inclined his head in acknowledgment, confirming that what he said was true.
“But…But shouldn’t you ask Kakashi-sensei for help?” The kunoichi inquired meekly as she looked back at Naruto, “He’s way better than I am.”
“Actually,” Kakashi cut in, causing three pairs of eyes to slide towards him while he peered his lone eye over his book, “Your chakra control rivals my own, Sakura…Perhaps even more so.”
Praise from Kakashi as well? Haruno Sakura returned her attention to her comrades, still a little stunned speechless, but her stomach filling with happiness as her heart warmed with affection and pride.
“So, what do you say, Sakura-chan?” Naruto asked buoyantly, “You can help both me and Sasuke-teme out!”
She turned her head to glance at the Uchiha, who only responded with an agreeing nod of his head. Sakura couldn’t help but grin as she regarded Naruto with new-found determination.
