Ocean Of Blood And Fire [Sasusaku]

Chapter Five: Sakura's P.O.V.

I stared, open-mouthed, at the masked man who was supposedly my new teacher.

"Sakura-chan, you know him?"

I blushed in embarrassment once I realized everyone was staring at me. Naruto looked concerned, Sasuke seemed somewhere between confused and annoyed, and the masked man raised an eyebrow questioningly.

"I, uh... I guess I was thinking of someone else." I muttered, knowing full well that he was the same man. But I didn't really want to go into that.

The masked man, Kakashi, strolled over casually and took a seat in front of us.

"Let's introduce ourselves, shall we?"

It was the same voice.

"Let's start by saying your names, likes and dislikes, and your dreams or ambitions. You," he pointed to Naruto, "go first."

Naruto started talking about...

Ramen. I face palmed.

Really, dude?

"And as for my dream..." He straightened up proudly, adjusting his headband. "I'm gonna become Hokage, so that all the people in the village will have to respect me, dattebayo!"

Kakashi just nodded absently, looking deep in thought. Although it was hard to tell with his mask on. Then he turned to Sasuke.

"You next."

Sasuke remained silent for a moment. "Hn. Uchiha, Sasuke. There's not many things I like, and too many things I dislike. I don't have any dreams, that's just a word." A dark look passed over his face, much darker and more serious than I'd ever seen. "But I guess you could say I have an ambition. I want to kill... A certain someone... and restore my clan."

I looked at him, not sure what to think of that. I was so busy watching him that I didn't realize he was staring right back at me. I looked away to find Kakashi looking at me. "Your turn," he said.

"Oh, um... Sakura Haruno..."

I hesitated. I didn't really know much about the world. I felt almost under qualified to answer this question. Then I thought of something.

"I like... That white stuff that falls when it gets really cold?"

Naruto snorted. "You mean snow?!"

I blushed. "Is that what it's called?"

I hated how ignorant and stupid I looked. I really didn't want anyone to know about my life.

Someone overheard while they were walking by and stopped in his tracks.

"You mean you didn't know the name of snow?" He said, a mocking smile tugging at his mouth.

I scowled. "Who are you?"

He shrugged. "Someone who knows what snow is called." His grin broke out onto his face. "Are you handicapped?"

He leaned closer to me and grabbed my face. I jerked back, but his grip tightened and I winced.

Naruto stood up, while Kakashi and Sasuke leaned forward menacingly. He ignored all three of them, staring at me... almost hungrily.

"I have to ask. Since you've only got looks going for you, why don't you put them to good use?"

He put his free hand on my waist and started sliding it down.

Naruto started forward. "Get your hands off her," he said quietly. Somehow, it was scarier than when he was yelling.

The kid smirked coldly.

"Oh? And what are you gonna do, you failure?"

Naruto's eyes burned with anger.

"Naruto," I said, throwing him an 'I got this' look.

The kid laughed. "Yeah, Naruto. Listen to your owner."

I glared at him. "You have no respect, do you?"

His laugh suddenly turned manical as he grabbed my neck with one hand and pulled me violently towards him.

I cried out and grabbed his hand, ready to break his arm, when suddenly he wasn't there anymore.

I gasped for air as I saw Sasuke standing in front of me, one hand in his pocket and the other was gripping the kid's wrist as the kid fell to his knees, face white with fear.

He moved so fast, yet seemed so nonchalant about it. His hair blew slightly in the breeze as he looked down at the guy, utter contempt evident on his face.

"Didn't your mother ever tell you not to lay your hands on a girl?" He asked in a cold, uncaring voice.

The kid silently tried to wrench his arm out of Sasuke's grip, wide-eyed in fear and shock.

"You show your face around us again and I'll break this arm."

He nodded vigorously and let out a cry of relief when Sasuke released his arm. He looked around at all of us and shouted, "You people are crazy!" Then he scrambled off desperately.

We all stared after him silently for a moment.

Sasuke turned away and walked casually back to his seat. Naruto gaped, and Kakashi was watching me again. It was hard to tell what he was thinking or feeling. A lot of that had to do with his mask, but it was also the fact that he didn't give anything away, even the slightest body movement or twitch of the eye. Nothing.

"Sakura, would you like to continue?"

I shifted in my seat, uncomfortable. "Um, sure."

"Okay, then. You said you liked snow, right? Would you like to explain why snow was the first thing you thought of?"

I thought for a minute. "Well, because... It makes everything pretty. I like pretty things."

"Oh, great," Naruto mumbled. "That means you'll probably fall in love with Sasuke, too."

I laughed as I looked over at him. "No, Naruto, not that kind of pretty." I gestured to Sasuke.

He just watched me, seemingly curious.

"It's almost like giving the world a fresh start. It wipes away everything, leaving a blank slate. Like second chances for everything. I just find that beautiful." I shrugged.

I think Kakashi smiled. And Naruto smiled. "Wow, Sakura-chan. That's really great."

I smiled. "Now, for dislikes... I dislike rude and arrogant perverts," I said, pointedly glancing the way that kid ran off.

Kakashi and Naruto chuckled, and I thought I saw a hint of a smile on Mr. Hn Uchiha's face.

I smiled. "And as for dreams... I want to be the best medical ninja in the world. Maybe that's too ambitious, but... I want to help people. I want to make it to where no matter how hurt they are, I can always heal them."

Everyone nodded.

"That's a good goal, Sakura." Kakashi nodded approvingly.

I smiled.

He slapped his hands together. "Okay, then! Who's ready for training?"