Commander Kitsune

Sixteen

Sakura's POV

My hands are shaking. And they can't seem to stop. 

Before today, I guess it's never really registered. I guess it clicked in my head when he was talking to me about medical ninjutsu.

Naruto is Kitsune. The first time I actually let myself think those words. Naruto- the ramen-loving, smart, strong, and kind boy in our team- is the cold, merciless Anbu Commander, Kitsune. The way he handled Neji and Hinata today.... the way he helped Hinata was terrifying. The way he sounded was enough to send a shiver up my spine. He was so... emotionless.

I've heard stories, rumors, about Kitsune. He's been in Anbu since he was a child- managing to get to Commander level at age 8. He's rumored to be even stronger than the hokage. He kills whoever he's told to kill- and the amount of S-rank missions he's gone on are immeasurable. 

Sasuke knew. He knew who Naruto was- he didn't have any reaction when Naruto revealed himself to me. How can he just- how can he just brush away the fact that Naruto is a killer? He kills people. How is Sasuke not scared?

I suddenly recall our mission from the Land of Waves. How when I saw Naruto take care of Kakashi when he was ill, I had commented on it. He joked that if I were to tell anyone of it, it would be the last words I would utter. ...I wonder how much of those words were true. And how he killed all those bandits on the bridge.... all that blood.... I'm scared. So very scared.

Naruto's POV- the next day

Just to spite him, I arrive at the training grounds at 7:00 am, instead of 5:00. Just like I predicted, Sasuke's fuming. Poor Uchiha pride can't take it. 

"You're late." He bites out. I refrain from smirking.

"And what time did you get here?" I mused.

"At the time you told me to come here. Bastard." He growls, balling his fists. 

I laughed. A mostly genuine one. "Well- let's get started, hm?" I say, and once he seems to have recovered his pride, he nods.

"Right. Straight to the point, then. For warm-ups, 500 push-ups, 400 sit-ups, 9 laps around the village. I'll do it with you too, to get me warmed up, but don't sweat it if I do it much faster than you."

Sasuke sweatdrops, and nods slowly. Well. He was the one who wanted to do this anyway.

Once he starts his push-ups, I start on mine too. It's only after his first 100 or so that he starts to slow down and show signs of tiredness. Still pretty good- most people can't make it to 50.

I finish my push-ups when he's about halfway through his, so I start on sit-ups. Nothing like a warm-up early in the morning. I haven't done this in a while.

"Ha. How much would you like to bet that if you didn't have to train with him today, you wouldn't have done any exercise or training anyway."

....Ha. Ha. Laugh it up, old man. I still train when I can, mind you.

"...Did you just call me old man?"

Fine. Old fox. Better?

"...No."

Hah. Finishing the sit-ups, I get up, and stretch a little, before sprinting off to start my laps. He'll probably still be here by the time I get back anyway.

...................................................................................................................

When I return, Sasuke's about halfway into his sit-ups. He's breathing harder now, and his clothes are already drenched with sweat. Each sit-up seems to be a struggle. My face turns hot as I look at him, though I'm not sure if it's from running, or something else.