"What... are you doing?"

Thin arms were wrapped around Sasuke in a rather tight embrace. His limbs were trapped, the hug happening so suddenly he couldn't react in time. Surprised more by her boldness than anything else, he stiffened up, but soon jerked away as he realized he had subconsciously accepted the gesture.

Never would he admit that he needed that. And neither would Sakura be able to know this, because it was unlike him to show sensitivity, something he deemed as a type of vulnerability that Sasuke couldn't afford to express.

He observed as she flinched away from him and her face steamed.

"Sorry," she stuttered weakly, but she was quick to explain in a panic. "Sorry! I just thought that you looked sad and my body moved on its own and yeah! I didn't mean to be clingy, it's not because I like you! I mean, I do, but I thought..."

Sakura didn't finish her sentence, which, annoyingly, made Sasuke a little curious.

"Uh." She lowered her head, smiling awkwardly.

Her quiet and flustered state did not last long. But at the cost of forcing herself to feign exuberance, she appeared stiff and her voice was strained.

"Would you look at that! The sky is so dark! It must be really late." She laughed, speed-walking away from Sasuke. "Yeah, it totally is, so we should all get home and rest! See you tomorrow Sasuke!"

She waved, her laugh sounding faker each time she took a step away.

By then, Sasuke got a hold of himself, and sighed.

There was something wrong with that girl. More than anything, it was scary how well she knew him.

➵

Sakura groaned. She wanted to bang her head against a wall and she did spot a nearby wall. Fortunately, she stopped herself from embarrassing herself further.

Groaning again, she ran a hand through her hair. The pink strands ⁠— that had previously been dangerously close to her eyes ⁠— were pushed away and in the process, her headband now hung on her neck.

"What was I thinking!?" Then, she rolled her eyes at her own words. "Right, you weren't! You never think!"

"Is that so?" she heard a voice say.

The lack of distance in that nonchalant voice startled her, so she flinched away just as she did before.

"Kakashi Sensei!" she exclaimed.

He waved at her with a smile, eyes closing and cheeks lifting.

"How long have you been here? And why are you here? Weren't you going home after talking to Lord Third?" Sakura asked.

"I just happened to spot you just now," Kakashi answered, crossing his arms.

His fake smile disappeared and he hummed shortly. "And it's a good thing I did, because I wanted to speak to you. Did you forget the favor you asked me?"

Sakura's eyes widened.

"What?" A hopeful smile, reaching her eyes, crept onto her lips.

➵

"Sensei, can I ask you a favor after we get back to the village?" Sakura asked. She used all her courage to muster up this question.

Kakashi raised an eyebrow, but prompted her to continue.

"When Sensei and Naruto protected us, I realized that I am very far behind. I'm not sure if Sasuke felt the same, but the both of us were helpless in the face of danger," she explained, frowning.

She was ashamed to admit this, but Sakura had to face the truth.

"But even so, Sasuke was dead serious when he intended to become a ninja. He was ready for this life, unlike me who only did so without knowing what I was getting myself into. Sasuke will be able to catch up, but I'm doubting whether or not I could."

"You're saying you feel like you don't fit in with the team?" Kakashi asked.

Sakura looked away. "I guess, I'm saying that... my mind wasn't in the right place. I wasn't taking this seriously; I had no goal; I'm the odd one out."

"Sakura, that's not--"

"So, I'm asking if you could train me."

"What?" Kakashi's brain seemed to have malfunctioned.

He had trouble processing his student's words even as they echoed in his head.

Clasping her hands together, Sakura bowed.

"Please!" She begged.

She was desperate. Of course, she thought it was selfish of her to ask for special training from their Sensei. He taught them a lot ⁠— even though he was a tad too laid-back ⁠— and had to supervise them on daily missions.

Sakura hadn't let the fact slip her mind that she would be taking time from his break. But he was the only one with enough skill that she could reach out to on such short notice.

"Please, can you train me!?" She asked again, voice laced with a loud passion and determination.

Her eyes were on the grass, but she was tempted to take a quick glance. His silence made her break a sweat. Only when she heard him sigh, did she peer up at him.

"Look." His eyes were closed and his free hand massaged his templates. "And I mean it. Look at me."

"Oh." Sakura hesitantly stood up straight.

"Hypothetically, if I agreed to train you, what do you expect me to teach you?"

Sakura was glad to hear he was considering it. The fact that the word 'no' hadn't escaped his lips gave her a ray of hope.

"I won't ask too much, like teaching me some advanced jutsu."

"Then what exactly is it you want to improve?" Kakashi asked, almost suggestively.

She was afraid he would be disappointed when she herself didn't know the answer to that. There were so many things she wished to improve. Her view returned back to the grass and her feet.

She heard Kakashi sigh once again, but this time, one indicating defeat.

"Okay, I'll think about it. I'll give you an answer when we are back."

➵

The familiar environment was comforting. Her mother and father welcomed her home, but not without a short, harmless quarrel with her mother.

Sakura collapsed on her bed. She inhaled deeply and exhaled. This was pure bliss ⁠— her back pain burning away as she sunk into the softness of the mattress. Everything about her home eased her mind; albeit, her mind was still dwelling on her earlier conversation with her Sensei.

"Then, will you do it?" She asked, sounding out way more enthusiasm than she originally planned to use.

But when Kakashi nodded, she was over the moon and she couldn't restrain herself any longer. She grinned, mentally celebrating and shouting several 'yes's in her head.

"However, I have conditions."

"Huh?" She crashed back to reality. "Oh, what are they?"

"The first is easy. I need you to tell me why you were avoiding Sasuke. In fact, it's not a condition, because I was expecting an answer from either of you anyway. The team can't function with two uncoordinated teammates."

Sakura swallowed. She wasn't keen on letting someone else know about her crush, but she had a feeling he knew too. Though it was compulsory, her nod faltered.

"What's the second condition?" she asked.

"I need you to think clearly about what it is that you want. What exactly is holding you back, and how you'll make an effort in changing things. Think back, what was your greatest shackle? Once you find out, tell me and then I'll train you."

Sakura hugged her pillow, deep in thought. She lifted one of her hands to push away the strands in her face absentmindedly.

Her only focus was what Kakashi told her to do.

"What's holding me back?" She murmured.

What was it that she needed to do?

Sakura decided to start with recollecting everything ⁠— every detail possible. The memories kept replaying until she could find something. She took note of her every action, every sensation and her reaction times. Her novice skills ⁠— compared to her teammates ⁠— weren't enough for her to notice every mistake, but she could think of simple things that bothered her.

Again, subconsciously, her fingers reached for her hair and she twirled it around.

In a daze, she forced her heavy body up from her bed. She opened her cardboard doors and quickly scanned through them.

"There," she murmured, seeming to find what she was looking for.

It was a red shirt, the same design as the usual combat clothes she wore every day. She took it out, but only felt the fabric before she put it back.

That's not it. She frowned. But I guess, it'll do for now.

➵

The Hidden Leaf was a bright place, even late at night. The lights were sufficient and a decent amount of shops were open even now. Adults roamed around most of the night, mostly drunk or out for air. Albeit, there were exceptions for some older children. For example, late as it was, Danny speed-walked through the streets of Konoha.

When he neared his destination, his steps were more meticulous. He was being mindful, because Sam had never, ever, expressed his concerns so clearly before.

Danny looked around; he didn't see anyone.

He then proceeded to knock on the door, but there was no reply. He knocked again.

Nothing.

That's weird, he's not usually asleep at this hour. He should've answered by now.

He tried again, but there was no answer.

Maybe he's not here?

It was possible, but the question was, why would he be out so late?

I'm late out too, but what would Naruto-sama possibly be doing this late at night?

Danny glanced at the plastic bag in his hands. His expression gave the impression that he was conflicted. He didn't know if Naruto would accept his gift even if he was here.

Danny huffed as he placed a hand on his hip.

"This sucks. I even asked the Hokage if Naruto-sama was back," he complained.

He stood there for a minute while contemplating what to do next. All his flawed ideas only frustrated him more, so eventually, he had enough of loitering.

"Ah, whatever, I'm leaving!" He said.

But he couldn't do it. He looked over his shoulder and then back at the bag.

He closed his eyes in thought. Either way, if he's out or asleep, he'll eventually get it if I leave it here. This is a pretty secure place Lord Third set up for him too.

Danny opened his ocean-blue eyes. He would give it to him one way or another. Spending his money was for naught if he didn't.

So before he left, he convinced himself to hang the bag on the door handle.

Albeit, Danny was unaware that the moment he was completely gone, the door opened. Glassy blue, tired eyes peered out the crack. They spotted the bag on the handle and stuck out an arm to take it.

Naruto's face showed nothing but exhaustion. There was no poker face nor a blank expression anymore, unable to keep up the facade. His lips were curled down in a frown and his eyes were slowly becoming bloodshot.

He looked pained.

Although he did not want to do anything, he opened the bag to find out what was in it. There were many things within, which explained why the bag was so big.

There were instant ramen cups, packed dumplings and strangely enough, an outfit or two in a separate small bag. Danny didn't quite understand the importance of organising, but he did manage to do something right.

And on top of all this, Naruto found a small note. It was the first and only thing Naruto took out that night. He read it with squinted eyes.

'I heard you and your team finally came back. You must be too tired. I heard it was rough, so I got a few things for you.

Also, I met Shikamaru and Hinata the other day, they wouldn't say it but they definitely missed you! Everyone is super busy these days, but we agreed on a date to meet up at the place we used to train together. I wrote the date down on the back.

Anyway, this might sound weird and all, but if you need to talk, we're here for you. Or something, I don't know! Just, I hope you'll come, okay!

Bye, see you later!'

Naruto stared at the note for a long time. His eyebrows knitted and his eyes narrowed as if it would stop whatever it was that wanted to run down.

"I should just die."

His head slowly turned to the counter, where a sharp tool glinted in the moonlight. His hands itched to reach for it, but he paused to stare at the letter again.

"Don't you dare say that! Don't you dare! Do you hear me!?"

Naruto stepped away from the counter, almost stumbling. He blinked continuously, but his tears had already fallen.

Naruto's legs gave in. He was on his knees, but his one solace was that note he held delicately to his heart.