Chapter 13

The Third Hokage who was watching the fight through the Telescope Technique nodded in appreciation of Sasuke's growth.

"With this talent he will definitely surpass his brother Itachi," smoothing out his long white beard in thought.

…

When school was over Sasuke headed to the mountain area. Since a couple days ago he started to practice how to control his Chakra to different areas in his body.

Little by little he was able to show significant progress. Last week he already completed in teaching himself to walk up a tree.

This week he was trying to master walking on water. But wasn't able to quite get that feel for it that he did for walking up the tree.

His clothes were soaked with water as he sat himself on the grass. As he looked at the calm reflecting pond he mulled over how to get pass this bottleneck.

As he was reflecting a noise came from behind that distracted his state of concentration.

When Sasuke looked behind him he couldn't discover anyone. So he figured the person is obviously hiding behind the tree.

"You can come out now," he said to the person hiding behind the tree.

A figure in red qipao stepped out greeting him with a playful smile. With that flowing short pink hair and emerald eyes he was able to recognize the person immediately.

"Hello Sasuke-kun! I'm sorry I distracted your practice," Sakura apologized while gazing at him dolefully.

"It's fine," Sasuke didn't think much of it, "how long had you been there."

"Well I was watching for a long time. Until a spider appeared out of nowhere," Sakura explained in an embarrassed manner.

"I see." Sasuke went back to his reflection.

"Sasuke-kun, you should try thinking of your feel like sponges it might help," Sakura pointed out in a quiet manner.

It was like a lightbulb went off in his head and he was able to finally grasp the end. Stepping again into the water he was able to walk freely with signs of trouble.

Pretty soon he was dashing about on the water like a child discovering a new toy.

Getting back to the land Sasuke bowed to Sakura to thank her for the advice.

Sasuke was very cheerful after discovering another way to see the original problem.

"Sakura-chan I would not have advanced without your help," Sasuke said while smilingly.

Hearing that she was able to help Sasuke in such manner made Sakura blush. "It was nothing. It wouldn't had made a difference since you would had discovered it eventually," Sakura said in a humble manner.

But inside she was cheering herself on for finally able to move closer in getting to know her crush Sasuke-kun.

Sasuke seemed to be in thought for a moment before saying, "Sakura-chan are you free tomorrow?"

'Is Sasuke-kun going to ask me out on a date!!!' The inner girl inside her was already screaming in joy.

Of course she didn't show those intense happiness on the outside. In a mild manner Sakura asked, "Yes, I'm free tomorrow."

"That's great," Sasuke said cooly, "tomorrow I'm planning on having dinner at Naruto's. I would love to repay you somehow for the help today."

'Dinner at Naruto's?' Sakura thought it would be interesting. This would be the first time she actually went to a guy's house so she's still a little nervous.

These days Naruto seemed to be together with Hinata most of the time. Since the two started dating she noticed Naruto stop stealing glances at her in school.

Honestly she feels happy that Naruto and Hinata could be together. She had never seen Naruto so happy before. In the past he always seemed to be hiding a bottle of sadness inside.

"Looks like it is getting late," Sasuke said interrupting her thoughts. Staring into the distance Sasuke noticed the sun already setting halfway. With the sky getting quite dark. "Let me walk you home."

Without saying anything Sakura nodded to this agreement. Heading away from the forest area side by side.

As Sasuke walked her home they both didn't say anything. So there hangs in the air this awkward silence.

Despite sitting close to Sasuke in class they don't usually speak much to each other. Of course Sakura founds herself too nervous and fidgety to muster the courage to speak to her crush.

"This is my home," Sakura mentioned as they arrived in front of a building. Her voice sounds a little disappointed. For some reason each moment together seemed to flash by like the speed of light.

"Okay," said Sasuke looking up at the building as to familiarize himself, "tomorrow I'll come and pick you up. Goodnight."

Sakura watches Sasuke's back moving further and further away onto the horizon. Her heart feels a cool chill as Sasuke passes away.

"Not bad Sakura," a voice spoke from behind complimenting her.

"D-Dad!! When were you here," Sakura was surprised by the sudden person behind her back.

"That boy looks really familiar," Sakura's dad put his fingers on his chin as he reflected. Then he hit is open palm with his fist as though he realized something.

"Dad you know Sasuke-kun?" Sakura asked with curiosity.

"He's that boy who helped me out the other day," Kizashi mentioned with a kind chuckle.

"You sure it is Sasuke-kun?"

"Um sure of it. I was on a mission and he helped out carrying the logs together," Kizashi said with contemplation.

That time Sasuke was doing a daily mission which was to assist the town folks in some odd jobs. So it was a bit of an accident when he bumped into Sakura's dad.

"Better be fast Sakura or else the catch is going to run away," said Kizashi with a happy chuckle as he head back inside.

"Sasuke-kun," Sakura muttered his name while looking back at the direction where Sasuke left off.

…

Ding-Dong

Sasuke who was standing outside clicked on Sakura's house door bell. Without a second passing by the wooden door swinged open.

It seems like Sakura was eagerly waiting for him. Obviously quite happy to see him.

Sakura who was slightly bashful smiled happily as she greeted, "Hello Sasuke-kun!"

"You ready to go?" Sasuke asked cooly. Sakura nodded as she approach next to Sasuke's side.

Before they could head off Sakura's dad Kizashi appeared with his arms crossed in a stern expression. "Make sure to take care of my daughter and bring her home safely."

"Dad!! Sasuke-kun is only taking me to a classmate's house for dinner," Sakura was like a teen girl annoyed by her parents butting heads into her life.