Lotus Of The Leaf ~Book One~

Chapter 9! Battle On The Bridge! Zabuza Returns!

~*****~

I looked up as Sakura yawned loudly the next morning. "Good morning, everyone...." She hummed.

"Here." Tsunami said quietly, handing her some breakfast. Sasuke and I sat together, both beat from training last night after everyone went to sleep.

"Naruto's not here? Looks like he was out all night, again..." Tazuna hummed gently.

"He's gone completely insane. He's out climbing tree's until it's dark." She started. "He could be dead by now, y'know from using too much of his Chakra."

"Boy, that's comforting if that's your first thought," I snap, glaring at her. "You should show more concern for your other team mates, rather than yourself and dear Sasuke over here."

She just glared at me as Tsunami agreed. "A child spending the night in the woods alone."

"There's nothing to worry about," Kakashi started. "Naruto's a goofy kid, but he's also a full-fledged ninja. He can handle himself."

"Sakura's right," Sasuke drawled. "Naruto's such a loser, he's probably lying out there dead somewhere."

I slammed my hands on the table top and stood abruptly. I bit into my cheek again before speaking. "I think I need some fresh air." I bite, leaving the room quickly. The morning air bites into my skin and I'm suddenly feeling a bit better. I needed some fresh air.

"Hey." I flinch as someone calls out. I look over my shoulder and glare.

"What?" I snap.

"I'm coming with you." Sasuke states coolly, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

"Why? I'm looking for Naruto, I thought you didn't care about him."

"Hn..."

I sucked in a bit of air, wanting to knock his lights out. I started stomping ahead of him, huffing and puffing angrily. I hear his chuckle behind me. A woman walks ahead of us, going the opposite direction. She passes by and I feel a sudden chill. I stop and gaze back at her in curiosity.

"Woah! I've seen a lot of weird things in my life, but this one takes the cake!" Naruto calls out, screaming in pain as Sasuke bashes his fist atop his cranium. I leaned against a tree and smiled at the two. "OW! What'd you do that for!?" Naruto yelped.

"Did you just forget about breakfast? You're such a loser." Sasuke said, trying to act all cool.

Naruto started giggling, making Sasuke a bit more agitated. I had to admit, watching those two together was adorable.

~*****~

Naruto, Sasuke, and I went back to training vigorously. Though, I sat at the tippy top of my tree, I gazed down below, watching the boys steadily climb higher and higher. I gaze out, staring at the small dots of pink and gray approaching our training area.

"What'dya think?! High enough for you guys? I mean, it's a long way down, huh?" Naruto screamed down at the pair. I start walking down the tree calmly, knowing his chakra has been used to to the almost maximum. Water slinks up my arm as I get in distance to use my water whip. Naruto acted as if he lost his balance and began to fall. Then, at the last second, he stuck fast to the branch he was one. "Haha! Just kidding!" He yells out. "You guys really fell for it!" Naruto jeers.

I bring my arm back. "Water style: Water Whip!" I murmur, throwing out my arm as his feet pop off. My water whip wraps around his ankle and leaves him dangling. I leap onto the branch he hung under and smiled as Sasuke appeared.

"You really are a total loser, aren't you Naruto." Sasuke comments.

I giggle and start swinging Naruto back and forth. "He may be a loser, but hey, I get some practice saving his butt!" I add, earning a chuckle.