Preventing The Inevitable

Chapter 15

Surprisingly, Shisui wasn't late. Even though they had not agreed upon a specific time other than 'Friday'.

But, as Sakura gradually came closer to her training spot in the forest clearing, she spotted him already awaiting her, as if it wasn't eight in the morning.

Maybe she had been too used to Kakashi and the torment—though he would call it a lesson—of waiting hours upon hours in the burning heat of Konoha's summer for a teacher that expected them to be punctual. That was probably why Sakuea was so surprised to see her new teacher arriving earlier than her.

"Huh. How are you on time?"

And shit, she shouldn't have said that out loud. That just made her sound stupid.

It was obvious he had used some kind of trick with chakra that he expected her not to know. And she had just confirmed that.

The Uchiha, wearing a very irritating expression, pushed himself away from the tree he had been leaning against. It was the very tree she had run up countless times a few days ago. And gotten caught doing so.

Shisui smirked. "That, Sakura-chan, is what you are here to learn, right? I know that you are eager to be educated all about chakra and broaden your limited knowledge—"

"I don't—"

"—but you should first learn to show your teacher some respect, don't you think? Of course, I understand that you basically view me as an older brother by now," Shisui smugly smirked, and what the fuck. "and, don't get me wrong, I deeply resonate that sentiment, but in this situation, the both of us should learn to temporarily let go of—"

"I don't view you as my older brother—"

"Stop right there, Sakura-chan. I know it's hard to set aside one's affection for a friend, but please listen to me once, alright?" He crossed his arms and sighed, as if deeply disappointed. "Firstly, don't you think you should greet your new Sensei first? Is this really how you are going to treat your mentor, Sakura-chan?"

Sakura wanted to snap a sly counterback at him, tell him to cut the bullshit and not act like this wasn't decided on a whim, and either of them had been taking this that seriously last time—

"Well, Sakura-chan?"

—but she wasn't actually four, and, unlike her, he had the advantage of 'being a generous person offering to teach her' in this hypothetical argument anyway.

And there was always a better way to get back at someone than outright words. Sometimes, it was best to give people exactly what they asked for.

"Sure."

Sakura bowed to him deeply. It wasn't as deep of a bow as he was probably used to receiving from the nobles of the Land of Fire. He was only one generation removed from the main family, after all, and there were plenty of people who wanted to leech off a rich clan's wealth. But it was a deep bow nonetheless.

Show some respect he had said, so she was going to do just that.

From the corner of her eye, she saw Shisui look a bit stumped at her immediate acceptance, maybe because it was coming from a young child that would not too long ago try kicking him and shoot snarky comments at him at every given chance.

With a voice as calm and level as she could manage, Sakura started. "Good morning, Sensei. I hope I am not troubling you by asking you to sacrifice your precious time to train the likes of me. Please excuse my impolite behavior from last week. I had not been aware of your standing within Konoha and your reverend clan. For that, I have reflected on," A deep breath. "and am asking for forgiveness."