Innocent Ignorance

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE - Wavey waves

Naruto is Kishimoto's instant ramen, I'm just adding some of my own ingredients <3 

(Thanks Weeeb1 for the intro idea!!!) 

'...' Inner

'...' Outer

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SAKURA'S POV 

Everything was going along as per plot. Which was surprising, as Inner had been grumbling the whole while that I'd "created one too many fuck-ups for the week". 

Tsunami, Tazuna's daughter, was such a sweetheart! She makes the best dumplings, let me tell you that. Oh, and Inari—

'That little brat,' Inner whispered venomously,

—and Naruto had the same old same old conversation about being heroes. Sasuke and I just sat back in our chairs, munching and enjoying the show. 

The only thing that was weird was with my teammates. I kept catching Kakashi staring at me, and Sasuke and Naruto seemed especially protective of me when we went out to town to get groceries. 

'Seems like their impression of dead-you hasn't worn off quite as quickly as we wanted,' Inner sighed.

'Well, yeah,' I replied sadly. 'I can't imagine what it would have felt like for them at that moment. I really should've thought things through better.'

'Well on the bright side, we achieved one of our side goals,' Inner quipped. 'Sausage awakened his sharingan earlier than he originally did!'

I grinned. 'Yeah, that's awesome!'

Our inner conversation was interrupted when I accidentally bumped into Kakashi's back. Ohmygoshit'ssobroad. Kakashi gave me a closed-eye smile. "Sakura, be more careful."

"Got it!" I said cheerfully. Looking around, I realized that we were in the woods where the original Team 7 and Kakashi had trained before their round 2 battle against Peach-san and Haku. Naruto was practically leaping up and down in glee, probably because Kakashi had told him he'd teach us some neat new ninja moves. Sasuke was giving Naruto the most judgemental side-eye I'd ever seen.

"Alright, today I'm going to teach you guys tree walking," Kakashi said, turning around to face us.

"Already know," we said in unison.

"...Figured. Okay then," Kakashi cleared his throat, "today I'm going to teach you guys water walking!"

"Already know that too," I said, beaming. I'd taught myself rudimentary water walking before going on the Land of Waves mission, because, you know, waves. 

Sasuke and Naruto whipped their heads around to look at me. "SAKURA!!!" Naruto screeched. Sasuke gave me an incredulous look. "You said we'd learn that together," he grumbled.

"Sorry, sorry," I laughed. "I still need to practice, though, so don't worry!"

Kakashi sighed. "Well, kids, the water isn't going to walk itself."

~*~

The sun had already set. I decided to leave for town because I'd long gotten the hang of water walking. The other boys were sopping wet, complaining about the exercise and how unfair it was that I got a pass to leave while they didn't.

"Kakashi-sensei, I'll be back!"

"Got it."

"SEE IF THEY HAVE SOME INSTANT RAMEN, DATTEBAYO!"

~*~

They didn't.

'Poor Naru~' Inner mused. 'Oh whatever, that boy has to eat some vegetables too,' I grumbled, walking to Tazuna's house.

As I made it to the front door, I paused and looked up, feeling a presence. Jumping up to the roof of the house, I made out Kakashi's darkened silhouette.

"Ah, Sakura, are you back?" he asked. 

"Yep. How was training, Sensei?"

"It was annoying. I got splashed so many times. I swear, I'm going to lose all my hair training you kids."

"Gee, thanks."

Smiling, I sat down next to him. Kakashi raised his head upwards, heaving a sigh towards the sky. 

"Sometimes, Sakura, you don't act your age." 

Slightly surprised, I turned to look at him. "Why'd you point that out so suddenly? I thought you knew by now that I'm," I wiggled my eyebrows, "mature beyond my years."

He scoffed. "You're making me retract my statement." 

Standing up, Kakashi offered me a hand. "I'm just saying, I want you to act more like a kid sometimes. I know this might be contradictory to everything I taught you kids so far, but I just want to protect your innocence a bit longer. Even just for another day."

I took his extended hand and stood up. Grinning at him, I responded, "Thanks, Kakashi. Don't worry, I'm having all the fun I want right now. But more importantly, I feel the same way you feel for Naruto and Sasuke. I just want them to be safe." 

He nodded, seemingly satisfied with my answer. "I see."

A peaceful silence surrounded us, accentuated with the occasional chirping of crickets. 

"Does this mood allow for a hug, Sensei?"

"...fine."

I squealed.

~*~

Before we knew it, it was time for battle 2.0. I stared into Zabuza's menacing glare and Haku's masked face. Naruto and Sasuke tensed up beside me, while Kakashi stood protectively in front of us.

'Remember, we're not trying to kill them. We're going to try and save them.'

'Way ahead of you.'

Zabuza slowly raised his finger and pointed towards Kakashi. "First one I'll take down is you, Copy Ninja," he growled. "Then,"

His finger slowly traveled to point at me.

"It's gonna be you, Pinky."

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HAPPY NEW YEARS!! <333

May all of you receive blessings and happiness <3

Author...OUT!