Confidence Acquired

Sakura growled stomping back to the Inn. Her hair a mess and the baggy T-shirt doing little to provide support. She crossed her arms against her chest and continued her angry walk back to the Inn. Just what did Sasuke think he was doing? Her face flamed red at the thought of those dark eyes roving over her sleeping form. Truthfully it had taken everything she had learned to remain lying there even as the raven haired man crept toward her bed. She expected a stunt like that from Naruto but definitely not Sasuke.

Playing dead to the world was a talent Sakura had honed to a fine art. She knew just when to exploit it for its full shock value and just when to ever so slowly ‘wake up’. She’d avoided many unwanted conversations by playing the drop dead tired med-nin. Inner Sakura rebelled pointing ahead to the silvery haired man leaning in her door way. Then again there were still some people who she just could not fool.

Kakashi’s eye twisted in a happy line “you fooled him” It was a statement that stopped Sakura mid step.

“I did didn’t I?” She grinned but not too widely. Inner Sakura on the other hand was dancing about ridiculously ‘ha serves Uchiha right!’ She could cross Sasuke Uchiha from her list of shinobi she couldn’t fool. Her eyes narrowed deviously as she shut the door to her room. Next on that list…Kakashi.

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Sasuke dressed quickly and quietly. The last thing he wanted was to wake up an annoying blond and have said blond laugh at very noticeable and distinct cuts and bruises. He took off towards the field just out of town where he knew Hinata would be training.

Hinata focused hard charging her hands with chakra then moulding it into tendrils that moved outwards like whips, slashing the field grass. Her breathe was heavy and panting as she began yet another set of moves. She was determined to get it right this time. A little more chakra, just a little more she pleaded straining to take control of her reserves. Her head went fuzzy and she swayed, the whips going out of her control. She squeaked dissipating the technique before she injured herself. She hit the ground hard skidding over the cut field grass. Her chest heaved and she closed her eyes to rest for a moment before trying again. Footsteps caught her attention and she turned quickly a kunai drawn. Sasuke blocked her attack easily enough.

“Sasuke-san?” Hinata blinked, stepping back and looking towards the ground. “w-was there something you needed?” Her embarrassment at attacking a team-mate was quite clear.

Sasuke was silent for a long time. He realized that the girl wasn’t about to figure out what he wanted if she continued to look at the ground. He sighed mentally “can you…” he lost his train of thought or rather his nerve. He shouldn’t be asking, he would live. He walked away.

Hinata shifted and looked up. She watched him limp slightly and move just a bit slower than usual. “Sasuke-kun?”

He stopped and turned. Dark black orbs stared into shocking white eyes. Hinata read the man easily enough.

Hinata sighed charging her hands and forming a simple set of seals. She pressed her hands to the man’s chest without a second thought. Her healing energy invaded Sasuke’s body. He couldn’t help but tip his head back at the warm feel, even if it wasn‘t as relaxing as Sakura‘s. He felt weight press against his chest and blinked open his eyes watching the Hyuuga girl pale and step back. She stiffened and blushed obviously fatigued.

Sasuke turned “thank you” he said quickly and took off towards the farmers’ field where he was currently employed.

Hinata fell to her knees when the coast was clear. She hissed feeling the burn of over exerted chakra pathways. She stood shakily and began a slow trek back to the Inn.