Sasuke's POV

We were on a D level mission. It was so boring doing other people's chores. Sensei Kakashi had passed us but now it seems like we were downgraded.

All we were doing was making sure a path was clear for this person who had to travel all the way to their work. It was a longer journey to town but nothing to sweat over.

I walked mostly by myself. Sakura talked about the flowers around us and how to arrange them. I wish she'd just be quiet for once.

"I hear water near I'm going to get a drink," I announced and followed the sounds.

Turns out it was a hot spring. So much for a cool drink.

I heard splashing and went closer quietly. It was a.. naked girl? She seemed to be taking a bath. Or was she.

This was probably one of Naruto's pranks with his sexy jutsu.

Hmmm I'll just prank him back. A smirk crossed on my lips.

I took out my shirikans and threw them.

He must have sensed them and he caught them, then ducked into the water. He swam up to the edge of where I was kneeling.

"You pervert!" He yelled and splashed me.

Sensei Kakashi, Sakura, and... Naruto? All came around me to see what the noise was.

I stepped back quickly realizing that was not Naruto. It was an actual girl... bathing. I'm such an idiot.

"What is happening?" She yelled and sank into the water. Naruto was staring at her and Sakura was looking to see if I was staring at her.

"I am so sorry I don't know what just happened," Sensei Kakashi told her. She looked about my age and by the way she caught my knives she seemed skilled.

"It's fine but turn around for a second," she said and we all turned around. We heard her getting out of the water and grabbing a towel. While we waited Sensei asked what happened.

I explained that I though it was Naruto messing with me and so I attacked. I thought that would knock some sense into his dense skull.

"Okay you guys Can turn around now," she said. We all turned slowly and hesitantly. She was wrapped in a towel and sipping some drink.

"I'm guessing you guys are the ones taking care of the path?"she asked. We nodded.

"Again, I apologize for my squad there was a misunderstanding," Kakashi explained.

She waved it off. "It's fine, just next time don't throw stuff at me. But if you do, make it a challenge," she scoffed.

A growl came out of my throat. Her acting like a big shot made me mad. "Listen here," I started but Kakashi put a hand on my shoulder as a warning.

"We'll be off and back to clearing the path," Kakashi said and we went off. Since we were by her house the mission was about over. The path was cleared and we made sure Naruto didn't pull any important plants out of the ground.

"Sensei Kakashi where does she work anyways?" I asked him.

"The tea shop next to the ramen restaurant. She goes through the path every morning getting fresh herbs and flowers to sell in her shop. It is important she can get to work considering Hokage buys his tea there," Kakashi explained.

After the mission we were dismissed for the day. I couldn't stop thinking about her. It was weird.

The next morning I woke up early and went to the field near town. It had plenty of flowers. I had read there was a flower near that could be used for tea even after it had died.

I decided to find some and give it to her. It's the least I could do. But why was I even making an effort.

I saw her walking up to her shop. I had gotten there early. She stopped infront of me. "If you move I can unlock the door and make you some tea. Or you could just throw knives at me again," she said calmly. Something in me liked her attitude but then again it made me mad.

"Do you own this store?" I asked her and moved aside.

She nodded. "It was my parent's but they had to go and stay with my grandmother. So now it's mine," she said and held the door open for me.

I walked through and took a chair that was stacked on top of a table down and sat on it.

"Would you mind helping me with the rest of the chairs?" She asked and laughed lightly. I got up and helped her.

She had turned on the lights, opened the windows and started boiling water.

We sat down together and it was quiet. I remembered the flowers and put them on the table infront of us.

"This is an apology," I said bluntly. Who even was I? Is this what Sakura felt like?

She grabbed the flower heads in the bag off the table and looked at them. "Where did you find these?" She asked.

"About three miles from the edge of town on the west side," I answered her and avoided eye contact.

"Please look at me," she said and I obeyed. "What's your name?"

"Sasuke," I answered shortly.

"Well Sasuke, thank you so much. I live in the other side of town and I already walk here everyday," she told me. "This means a lot," she said.

"You're welcome. Now don't get too sappy," I said to her. She just laughed which caused me to unintentionally smile.

"I- uh- I thought it was impressive how you caught my throwing stars," I said into the silence.

"Oh that? Those were good throws and I almost didn't catch the last one. It was a challenge to be honest. My guard was lowered and you caught me by surprise," she explained.

"I want to know more about you, Sasuke," she said and smiled. I smiled slightly and she got up to get the tea.

She served it and put the flowers into a wooden bowl with a cover. The tea was hot and mildly sweet. "Do you like it?" She asked about the tea.

"Yes it's nice," I responded and blushed. I tried to hide it by taking another drink.

"I don't know why you're acting awkward, you've already seen me naked it's not like I have anything else to hide," she said sitting back.

"That was an accident," I said defensively.

"I'm just teasing," she said and raised her hands in surrender.

I smiled at her and she blushed. "I have to get to training.." I said truthfully. I stood up and thanked her for the tea.

"Hey come back again this was fun," she said and smiled. I smirked at her and left.