Shizukesa: [21] - Progress

Deep gashes laced the tree bark in front of him. After three hours, he felt at least comfortable with the sword in his hand, but he still felt unrefined, like he was only using a fraction of its potential.

The sound of blades cutting through wind alerted him to the shuriken flying at his chest. Activating his Sharingan, he swung the sword in his left hand in an arc that intersected the path of all three of the spinning metal stars. They stuck into the ground, harmless.

“Kakashi.” He was used to this form of greeting, although his teacher normally took enough care to make sure he wasn't zoned out before tossing blades in his direction.

The copy ninja landed mere feet from Sasuke, and looked him dead in the eye.

“So?” The silver ninja inquired nonchalantly.

“So... what?” Sasuke responded, unsure of the question. He disengaged his Sharingan, his eyes fading back to their normal black.

“How is it?” Kakashi's eyes flicked to the Uchiha's shoulder, concerned.

“Fine.” He lied, knowing that anything else would net him a follower other than Kakashi wherever he went. ANBU, most likely.

“It seems that the seal is practically useless... You're going to need to learn to resist it without help.”

The words were ominous, and Sasuke hesitated a moment before asking. “What does that mean?”

“You're coming with me.” Kakashi was serious.

Pausing for a moment, the Uchiha gathered his thoughts. “Give me a moment. I have something to give to Sakura.” Well, not exactly, but he still needed to talk to her.

~ ~ ~

She wasn't in a good mood, that much was obvious. He could almost see the irritation boiling off of her forehead, and her expression was mutinous. As he walked towards her, he noticed that her fists were clenched. Oh boy. She was pissed.

“Hey.” he said coolly, maintaining his normal demeanor. Completely in her own world, she started at the sound of his voice, and she turned quickly to look him in the eyes. She looked almost afraid for a second, until she recognized who it was.

“Hi... Sasuke.” She mumbled, struggling to find words for the simple greeting.

“What's wrong?” He genuinely wanted to know, and his eyes said as much.

Sakura was horrified. If she told him the truth, he might go into sulk-mode, and if she lied, he would definitely notice. He was too piercingly intelligent, and besides, he had an odd way of sensing her emotions recently.

“Uh... My parents are giving me a tough time, that's all.” she spoke, inwardly bracing herself for his reaction.

“Ah... How's Tsunade's training?” he changed the subject, sensing her unease.

Gratefully, she replied “It's difficult, but I'm learning a lot.”

“Hn.” Not that he didn't care, but he had nothing more to say.

After a pause, her memory kicked in. “What did you want to talk about this morning?”

“I just wanted to ask... what is your goal?”

The question took her by surprise, and she retaliated with a weak “What do you mean?”

“You know how Naruto wants to become hokage... What do you want?” he asked, meeting her eyes and holding her gaze gently. His face was passively interested, and most of all, devoid of cold anger. It looked like he cared.

Her face assumed a serious expression, and she met his eyes, speaking carefully. “I want to be as strong as you and Naruto. I don't want to have to be saved all the time. I'm tired of being so far behind. I want to be equal to you two...”

She took a deep breath...

“... And I want you to acknowledge it.” She surprised herself with that admittance. True, she wouldn't feel as if she had accomplished the goal if Sasuke refused to see her as an equal, but she hadn't expected to say it to his face.

His eyes widened a hair as he processed that, and the corners of his mouth turned up a bit at her determination. She had changed, and the change was a positive one.

“Well, I don't think you'll have any trouble with that. You are the hokage's apprentice, after all.” His grin was subtle, but he was sure that she noticed it, because she began to smile back at him. “Um... I might not see you for a few weeks, Kakashi wants me to train with him.” he said awkwardly, suddenly uncomfortable with the idea of being apart from her. Why was that?

Her face fell a bit, but she still seemed happier than when he'd greeted her. That was enough, he supposed.

“I'm going to miss you, Sasuke.” she said a little sadly, her brilliant green eyes betraying her concern.

I'm going to miss you, too.

Woah. Where had that thought come from? Come to think of it, he'd spent a lot of time around her lately, as training was almost out of the question. He'd developed a... fondness for her, but he hadn't acknowledged it until now. Huh.

She was staring at him, her jaw slack. Why... Wait. Had he said that out loud?

Apparently he had. She blushed and grinned at him, and he couldn't help but return her smile in his own imperceptible way.

“See you later.” He said, his voice light for the first time in a long time. As he drew nearer to her on his way to the village gates, she stepped in front of him and gave him a hug. He smiled outright, even though she couldn't see his face, and he returned her embrace.

“Goodbye, Sasuke. See you soon.” She grinned, and he spent a moment just looking at her with the subtle makings of a smile on his face before going 'hn' and turning around. He raised his left hand in farewell, and walked away.