After the Storm.

10.

"Chaaaaaa!"

Naruto jerked back and blocked Sakura's punch. He quickly moved away and grabbed his wrist.

"Gah damnit!" He winced. "Sakura this is sparring! Not an actual fight!"

Sakura tightens her gloves as she stared at the blonde. "I didn't even hit you that hard."

"Jesus!" Naruto flexed his wrist and fingers before slamming his fist into his hand. "Alright, come at me with everything you've got then!"

"Are you sure?" Sakura smirked as she clenched her fists.

Naruto ran his thumb across his nose. "Yeah, come at me Sakura." He shifted his feet and planted them firmly on the ground. "I wasn't ready."

"Hm, okay." Sakura shifted her feet as well. "Here I come!"

Without hesitation, the two young adults charged at each other and met up in the middle of the training field. The impact of their clash causing a loud bang throughout the forest. Blocking each other's hits, they continued to try and find an opening for one or the other to strike.

Naruto threw a kick that was nicely blocked by Sakura's forearm before she grabbed his ankle and slung him away from her creating some distance. She clenched her fist and charged towards Naruto as he tried to get back on his feet. He dodged her swing, hitting her in her side and making her cough from the wind being knocked out of her. She quickly regained herself and brought her elbow up to hit Naruto in the back of the head. They continued to go at eachother for about an hour and a half before the both of them were breathing heavily and looking at one another as if they were waiting to see who would move first. Naruto took in a deep breath before allowing his knees to fully give out as he fell on his butt on the ground. Sakura followed shortly after giving an exhausting sigh. Her back crashed against the large shaded tree before she rested her head against the trunk and closed her eyes slowly.

"Ah, that was fun." She says slowly. Her eyes flutter open seeing Naruto stretched out on the ground. His breathing steady as he laid still just so he could feel the breeze that blew by. He took in a deep breath before his eyes fluttered open as well. Finally, he sat up. The blonde used his backhand to wipe the sweat off of his chin before crossing his legs and placing his hands on his legs.

"Yeah, that was kind of fun actually." Naruto replies with a smile. "I wonder what Sasuke's doing."

"Probably sleeping or training as always." Sakura says as she moves strands of hair from her sweaty face. She removed her leaf headband, forcing her bangs to cover her forehead completely.

"Were you going to visit him today?" Naruto asked as he looked over at her.

"No, I was gonna let him rest from company today." Sakura then stands, stretching once her body was upright.

"I'm proud of the two of you." Naruto smiles as he stands as well. "Getting all close and whatnot."

"I could say the same thing about you and Hinata, Naruto." Sakura smirks watching as the blonde blushed as they began walking off the training field.

"Hinata is my girlfriend now, we have no choice but to get closer to one another."

"Have you guys done-"

"SAKURA!" Naruto yelled the girl's name as she laughed loudly as his embarrassed state.

"I'm teasing Naruto." The girl laughs. "Hinata would've told me anyway."

Naruto jerked his head her way as she continued to walk casually along side him. "Sh-She would?"

"She and I are really good friends, so yes she would."