Admire- To regard with wonder, pleasure, or approval.
xoxoxo
It sat there on his nightstand, directly below the picture of the old Team Seven and the new Team Seven. It was the last thing Jiraiya ever gave him, and the last thing he'd ever wanted. An Icha Icha paradise book wasn't exactly something he'd ever craved, but Jiraiya had assumed he'd want it later on in life.
He'd been right, but Naruto didn't want it for the obvious reasons. No, he wanted it now because of the sentimental feelings, it being his last reminder of the master who was taken from him. He cherished that book now more than ever.
Kakashi had attempted many times to get him to release the book over to him, mainly because it was the last in the series and signed, but giving up that book wasn't an option. It was just too important of a possession.
He wouldn't trade it for anything.
Xoxoxo
"I don't know why we continue to show up on time when we know that Kakashi-sensei is going to be late. We could have two extra hours to do whatever we want if we'd just skip out on showing up "on time"." Naruto grumbled, packing back and forth.
Sakura rubbed her eyes, for once agreeing with the blonde. It was good principle to show up at a given time, but obviously if their teacher didn't believe in it then they didn't really have to either. After all why show common courteously to someone who didn't give a care about it?
But, contrary to desire, they both showed up every time at the appointed time only to be disappointed once again. Perhaps they were just fooling themselves into thinking that someday he would show up on time and they would miss it.
"We have morals Naruto. Going against them would just make us as bad as him." She yawned, leaning her head against the tree she was leaning on.
Naruto plopped down beside her, running a hand through his hair. "I guess you're right. It wouldn't be so bad if he didn't tell us to show up before the sun even rises, just to wait a couple hours for him. if we're going to wait I'd rather it be after I've had a full night's sleep and am ready to do something productive."
He turned toward the kunoichi beside him, watching her seem to doze in and out. It was obvious she hadn't gotten much sleep the night before, but here she was trying to fight it.
Screw morals.
"How late did you stay up last night?" He asked, leaning toward her a little. Sakura frowned, rubbing at her eyes again.
"It's flu season and we were a little short staffed at the hospital this week. Yesterday we had an influx of patients and I had to stay later than planned." She blinked, shaking her head in an attempt to wake up. "Not to mention Tsunade's made me her personal lackey since Shizune got the flu. Today was the first free day I've had all week."
Naruto turned his gaze upward, watching the smallest of light creep into the sky. He'd been the one to request the training session today, on a whim really. He'd wanted to test his skills with the two who knew him best, and get some quality time in at the same time. Two birds with one stone right?
He hadn't even thought about how busy Sakura might be, and how it would affect her. She hadn't even bothered trying to say no either, she'd just smiled and agreed.
How did he not notice how tired she looked? How could he have overlooked his friend's exhaustion like that?
Stupid.
A sudden pressure against his shoulder pulled his gaze sideways, to the pink head resting on him. Sakura's eyes were closed, and her breathing light, but Naruto knew from years of camping with her on missions that she wasn't quite asleep yet.
"Wake me up when Kakashi shows up…ok…" She mumbled. Naruto nodded, smiling.
It wasn't long after that that she finally succumbed to the call of sleep. Naruto was half tempted to try and catch some sleep as well, but he didn't want to miss a second of the girl resting on his shoulder. She was perfect, in every way, and the only one who could ever make his heart beat so fast. Without her, he wouldn't be the person he is today.
She'd once said she admired him, but it was doubly true that he admired her. Her skill, her cunning, the way her temper flared at the slightest thing, the way she cried for others, and the way she would smile when something good happened. He admired every part, just as he always would.
It wasn't any surprise when Kakashi showed up thirty minutes later, looking like he was ready to spew some overused excuse for his tardiness. The man stopped short when Naruto raised a finger to his lips, slowly shaking his head. Despite understanding the universal sign displayed to him, Kakashi spoke anyways, though quieter than normal.
"Wake her up."
Once again Naruto shook his head. "She's tired. Reschedule."
Kakashi rolled his eyes. "I had to promise the Hokage I'd clean her office so I could have this day to train with you two."
Naruto winced. He must have had to cancel out on a mission to get that treatment. All so that he would be able to practice when them today.
Still, Naruto couldn't bring himself to wake Sakura up. The fact that she hadn't woken up at the noise meant she was extremely tired. He just didn't have the heart to ruin this for her. He cherished her above everything else.
Naruto sighed, lightly running his hand through Sakura's hair. Yes, he did cherish her above everything else.
He reached into his pants pocket with his free hand and tossed an object at Kakashi, who caught it, midair. When the older man opened his hand he saw a key.
"Nightstand." Naruto whispered, looking at him seriously.
Kakashi looked at the key, understanding just what Naruto was giving him in return for only a couple hours more with Sakura. The book he'd asked for, so many times. Naruto had told him time and time again it was too important to him to ever give away.
Something else was far more important to him though.
Kakashi smiled under his mask, laying the key in the grass as he shook his head. "Reschedule." He whispered, before disappearing in a puff of smoke.
Naruto smiled as well, leaning his head against Sakura's.
He would take her home in a few minutes. For now, he just wanted to sit with her a little longer.
Xoxoxo
First Drabble (so bear with me as I write these)! For those of you looking for the second it will be called…Broken! Yes, this is going to be an ABC's thing.
I pair Sakura with a lot of characters, and normally I wouldn't agree with the SakuNaru pairing (I'm more of ItaSaku, SasuSaku, and GaaSaku) but I just felt like writing for this pairing. For those of you who might be like me and not enjoy the pairing so much, I hope you change your mind just a tad. For those of you who do like it, enjoy!
P.S. Some drabbles will be short, some longer. So be prepared for anything.