Watch My Back

Have you ever been to a party where it felt as if no one would notice if you left?

We were at a dusty a training ground on the outskirts of Konoha, Naruto and Sasuke sparring while I perfected my chakra control a safe distance away. A small crowd had gathered to watch the boys spar—most of the audience consisting of older ninja, who watched with appraising eyes. Kakashi sat on a tree branch and he watched with a surprising amount of interest as his students exchanged blows, occasionally calling out tips and pointers.

I bit my lip, trying to ignore the shouts coming from the audience enjoying the spar.

“Get ‘im Sasuke!”

“Knock him out, Naruto!”

I focused intently on sending all my chakra to my feet as I balanced precariously on the surface of the small pond. I took a step forward, gasping sharply as my foot sank down into the water two inches. I closed my eyes, my muscles trembling with exertion, as I made a hand sign and I felt the chakra flood through my body and down into my feet. Slowly, the water beneath me rippled as my foot began to float again.

The day was excruciatingly hot and I could feel the sweat trickling down my back. I was hit with the sudden urge to just let myself fall into the cooling water below, but one glance down to see the thick coat of algae that skimmed the surface and the murky bottom and I straightened up with new determination.

More yells were drifting to my ears on the wind, and I turned my head to watch the fight. Naruto had a very irate looking Sasuke pinned to the ground. The crowd watching had grown considerably, and the cheers were growing steadily in intensity. I felt my balance slip and shook my head and returned to staring at the brown water below me. Kakashi hadn’t looked at me since the training had begun…

I took another small step. I didn’t slip or sink. A small grin spread across my face. I took another step. Success. A gust of wind swept past me, and I could feel dust coating my sweat soaked body. I squirmed when a little got in my eyes and they began to water. I shook my head and took two more steps. I allowed myself a full smile--I was getting good.

I heard more screams coming from the spar, but I didn’t look. I pushed off my left foot and I glided about a foot on my right foot. I let out an excited squeal and tried it again, pushing off with more force. I glided ever farther, a layer of algae beginning to gather on the front of my sandals. After several more tries, I was gliding around the pond, as well as if it was frozen and I had a pair of skates on, leaving little paths in the green blanket that covered the surface.

I could feel something welling up in my chest that could only be described as pride so strongly that I felt as if I needed to scream just to let it out. Feeling extremely pleased with myself, I allowed myself to turn and watch the fight. I saw Kakashi’s eyes glance over in my direction and I waved—which was abruptly cut off by an explosion of chakra so strong that it shoved me backwards, my body tipping back, and only my chakra laden hands shooting out to catch me kept me from crashing into the pond below.

I jerkily righted myself and trained my eyes on the source of the chakra blast—Sasuke and Naruto. Even though I was several hundred feet away, I could tell if only by the way the chakra felt that Sasuke had activated his Sharingan and that Naruto had begun to consciously or not, dip into the Kyuubi’s power. Chakra was flowing off of them in hot waves as they attacked each other relentlessly.

The crowd whooped and hollered at this, some throwing fists in the air, while some watched with silent smirks. These two were the future of Konoha, and they didn’t disappoint. Their chakra had formed visible outlines on their bodies as they clashed again, sending out shockwaves each time they clashed.

And then it was over. Sasuke had managed to land a blow to Naruto’s head with such force that Naruto had dropped to the ground like a sack of potatoes. I could feel a small gasp bubble up my throat and I leapt off of the pond and jogged over to where Kakashi was bent over, examining Naruto. When I reached his side, Naruto sat up slowly, rubbing his head. He looked cross for losing, but his face held a big grin nonetheless. Kakashi helped him to his feet and the crowd cheered vivaciously.

Naruto turned to them and gave a gallant bow, and although Sasuke was much more subtle, he gave a slight wave to them, his face holding a victorious smirk. Kakashi looked between them, his bared eye crinkling shut in a smile. After a few more cheers and congratulations, the crowd dispersed, leaving us alone again. Kakashi praised the boys on their battle, patting them both on their shoulders. I stepped back silently and waited until he was done.

“Anyone want to go out for dinner?” Kakashi asked, his hands landing on his hips.

“Yeah!” Naruto shouted with a fist pump. “Wait…you’re buying right?”

Kakashi sighed and shrugged his shoulders. “Why not?”

“Then YEAH!” Naruto said again, his terrible defeat seemingly forgotten.

“Sasuke?”

He shrugged. “Sure.” He didn’t sound too enthused, but he seemed resigned to tag along.

Naruto let out a whoop and ran forward towards town, his apparent fatigue evaporating at the mention of food. Sasuke followed him, with his hands in his pockets.

“Sakura?” Kakashi looked down at me and asked with an apologetic smile.

I laughed quietly and nodded. “Of course.”

He patted my shoulder awkwardly and we continued after the boys, who were nearly out of sight.

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“Hmm, I think I’m going to get ramen…”

“Surprise,” Sasuke muttered under his breath, his eyes flicking across his menu.

“HEY!” Naruto shouted, pointing an accusing finger at Sasuke. “Take that back, bastard!”

“It wasn’t even an insult,” Sasuke returned in a bored tone.

“You…You suck!” Naruto shouted again, slumping in his chair in a pout.

I usually would have quipped back with some “How dare you say that to Sasuke” line, but I just didn’t have the energy tonight. I settled for kicking Naruto’s leg under the table.

Our waitress appeared at our table, and asked for our order.

“Ramen. “A glare in Sasuke’s direction.

“Sashimi,” Sasuke said after a thought.

“Friend rice,” I said almost mechanically.

Kakashi ordered some Udon and a glass of sake for himself and the waitress disappeared. This gave Naruto time to make fun of Sasuke’s sweaty smell, to which Sasuke countered that Naruto smelled the exact same way. Kakashi and I sighed in unison and watched the heated exchange.

After a few minutes, I began to tune out the words being hurled back and forth (well, Naruto was hurling his words, Sasuke was really just muttering), and my mind began to drift off.

The two were such polar opposites that they had made our Team 7 famous for their intense and slightly ridiculous rivalry. Sasuke wore blue, Naruto wore orange—one was water, the other was fire. One was chaos, one was silence, the list of comparisons went on and on.

When people would talk, they would say, “Ahh, Team 7. That’s Sasuke Uchiha’s team, isn’t it? Strong boy, that Sasuke. He’ll grow up to be as great a ninja as his brother was. And Naruto…biggest troublemaker this town has seen in a decade, but he’s sure as hell strong. Isn’t that team lead by Kakashi? I think it is--yeah, THE Kakashi. It’s a great team, to be sure.”

And then, the conversation would end. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t hold it against anyone that I’m always forgotten. It’s not their fault. After all, I’m not a remarkable ninja, not a remarkable person. I don’t have Sasuke’s natural talent or Naruto’s grating charisma. And so I’m forgotten.

In the midst of the fight, a chopstick flies through the air and hits me in the forehead, sharply awakening me from my reverie. “Naruto!” I snap, rubbing my forehead and whipping the stick back at him. He apologizes meekly, and I slump in my chair, my previous thoughts drifting back.

I’ve heard people say that I’m annoying—that I make irritating quips about trivial things at inappropriate times. In fact, that’s probably the only thing I’m really known for. I realize that I do it, honest I do…and I know that my teammates and everyone else probably hold it against me, but I can’t help it. I hate to do this, but I liken myself to Naruto somehow…He always acted up to get attention—to get someone to notice him.

And in this team full of frightening power and dramatic personalities, I often see myself fading into the background. And as much as I would like to say that I’m alright with that, it’s tough…tough to be utterly forgettable, and even, a let down.

Our food arrived, and Kakashi handed me my plate with a smile. He tries hard; I have to give him that. He tries hard to treat us all as equals, to train each of us equally and to give each of us equal attention. But, sometimes, he just can’t help himself. Like today, when his star pupils were performing to the highest caliber, and for a crowd, he can’t help but give them all of his attention and praise.

Even on the days when I am remarkable, like today, when I actually accomplish something…he’s just too often looking away, looking at his boys. Again, I can’t blame him. And again, I fade into the backround.

Sasuke calls Naruto’s hair color “obnoxious” and a whole new argument starts. I find myself smiling mildly at their antics, despite myself. They’re idiots, the both of them, but they’re my family. I see Naruto grinning at me and I smile back. They love me, and they believe in me.

I can become someone.

A self-satisfied sigh escapes my lips as I lean back against the wall behind me and I close my eyes.

I am Haruno Sakura of Team 7. And I will not allow myself to disappear.

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My attempt to get into Sakura's head. Reviews are lovely. :D