"Sakuraaaaaa." Naruto whined. "Are you sure this is a good idea? I don't want to hurt you."

Sakura fitted her mask into her face. She knew she didn't need to wear it while sparring with her old teammates, but she still enjoyed the feeling of the cold material resting on her nose, cheeks, and lips.

"Naruto, if you don't take this fight seriously, I'll see it as a sign that you regard me as weak." Sakura dropped her hand to her side, after successful putting on the mask.

Naruto stared at the ground. He really didn't want to do this. Fight his lovely little cherry blossom? No way! But if this is what Sakura wanted, he would spar with her.

Kakashi had just finished the third chapter of the new book Naruto had gotten him and it already had so much drama and romance! It was amazing! But Kakashi knew that Sakura was stronger than him, and even teamed up with Naruto, he would have to stay on guard. So Kakashi put his book in his pouch and slid into a fighting stance.

Sakura placed on foot in front of the other, but other than that, did nothing.

Kakashi attacked first, coming at his former student with killing intent.

Naruto's eyes widened slightly when he saw Sakura immediately disappear from the spot, only to reappear a few feet away.

Naruto, trying to humour Sakura, ran towards her in a halfhearted attempt at an attack.

Sakura dropped down and swing her feet at Naruto's legs, knocking him off his feet.

"Naruto, I swear, if you don't take this fight seriously I'll never talk to you again." Sakura was quite offended that Naruto refused to fight her with all his strength, as if he thought her weak. Sakura Haruno, student of the famed Queen of Masks, weak? Ha!

Something about Sakura's tone of voice told Naruto that she was completely serious about not ever talking to him, and he couldn't bare the thought of it. 'I'll attack her seriously, but also cautiously, so I don't hurt her.' Naruto decided.

Casting his eyes down for a second Naruto suddenly looked back up at the masked figure towering over him, a determined light in his eyes.

The battle had begun.