Unfurling Bud

Chapter Six

'...' - Eliza talking to Inner Sakura.

... - Inner Sakura speaking.

Omake:

In which...

Naruto and Sasuke finally has a bonding moment.

Kakashi learns that dango is not to be messed with.

And Sakura finds herself something new to worship.

Basically, you know not to take this seriously.

Warning: a pissed-off Sakura, and multiple POV shifts.

Sakura woke up a little later than she usually did, belly growling and craving something sweet. She brushed that thought aside as she pulled her long tresses into a high pony tail, twisting it into a bun. There was simply no time for ridiculous splurges. She was a ninja now, and that meant total concentration on her goal. Sakura gave a confident smile to herself in the mirror and bounded down the stairs.

0o0o0

Naruto scratched his head, walking out the door and closing it. Whistling merrily, he ran forwards and knocked into a pole. Oops. He hoped that no one saw him. Then they'd bad mouth him even more. He hated that.

Naruto quickly scrambled upwards, nearly tripping over his feet. No time to waste, he thought determinedly. Sakura-chan is probably waiting for him already! And teme too... He wondered what prank he should do to get back at him. Naruto gave a whooping laugh as he sprinted to the meeting spot, ideas whirling around his head.

0o0o0

Achoo. Sasuke covered his sudden sneeze. He blew his nose and sent a glower at a forgotten can near the trash. Did someone just mention him?

0o0o0

Sakura arrived after Sasuke, belly hardly full. The stale, dingy food bar had done nothing to help her feel any better. Which resulted in her feeling quite crabby, despite how refreshing the morning air was. She sat down, clutching her rumbling belly and slid her forehead protector down like a sleep mask.

It was early.

It was warm.

And she was tired. Sakura felt like she deserved some sleep, so sleep she did.

0o0o0

Naruto arrived soon afterwards, finding Sakura fast asleep and Sasuke coolly leaning on a tree. Naruto secretly felt indignant inside. Who does he think he is? Leaning on a tree... thinking he looks so cool... Immediately afterwards, he scolds himself for even letting those thoughts cross his head.

The teme was definitely not cool. At all. Nope, nope, nope. Naruto walked over and plopped down beside Sakura, who was snoring softly. She giggled disturbingly, a line of drool slipping past her mouth. Naruto felt his body start to instinctively move away, but he forced himself to say where he was. Sakura was his friend. So he shouldn't be acting this way.

That's right. No matter how... creepy. Or terrifying. Or unsett-

"Naruto?" He turned and saw Sakura rubbing her eyes sluggishly, pushing herself up from her awkward positioning.

"Y-yeah?" he stuttered, cringing at his mishap.

"You look pale. Did something happen?" Her green eyes looked at him expectantly while she adjusted her forehead protector, concern shining through. He automatically felt guilty.

"Nothing, Sakura-chan! I'm fine!" He beamed at her reassuringly. She nodded and slumped back down, accepting his answer. He felt relieved. Soon afterwards, his lazy ass teacher arrived, hand waving lazily. Irritation colored his features.