{"id":3668,"date":"2020-10-17T00:35:18","date_gmt":"2020-10-17T04:35:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swirlingpetals.com\/?p=3668"},"modified":"2021-04-12T12:20:55","modified_gmt":"2021-04-12T16:20:55","slug":"ch-48-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swirlingpetals.com\/?p=3668","title":{"rendered":"Preview – Chapter 48"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Team 7 flashback continued:<\/em><\/p>\n

They worked through the year, but they still were not a team. The chunin exams were approaching, and Kakashi warned them if they didn\u2019t figure it out they wouldn\u2019t make it through the exam. They would most certainly be killed.<\/p>\n

But even his most stern warning didn\u2019t get through.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And after a small mission went awry and they\u2019d nearly gotten killed \u2014 Kakashi had to save them all from their attackers and from each other \u2014 he had finally had enough.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The walk back to Konoha was silent. Team 7 finally seemed obedient. It was almost like they could sense that they had crossed a line with Kakashi.<\/p>\n

But once back inside Konoha\u2019s gates, Sakura, Sai and Sasuke thought they might get off easy. They were exhausted, dirty and bruised, and it was clear they hoped their leader\u2019s prolonged silence meant that they would just be dismissed. They were wrong.<\/p>\n

Kakashi\u2019s voice rumbled to life. \u201cMeet at the bridge. At dawn.\u201d He met their surprised eyes and answered their unasked question. \u201cNo rest,\u201d he said emphatically.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He usually gave them a day off after missions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you all can\u2019t get it right, then I\u2019m sending you back to academy.\u201d Sasuke scowled and Kakashi doubled down. \u201cAll of you. And not just for a visit. You will each have to start over again.\u201d<\/p>\n

The angry timbre in his voice, the finality of his words shook them all. It was the only thing keeping Sasuke quiet. Kakashi looked hard at him for a moment, and Sasuke understood the perilous position he was in. Kakashi held his entire fate in his hands. They both knew what Sakura and Sai and the rest of their classmates did not: Sasuke was under observation by the council to be acknowledged as the head of his clan. It was a hollow victory, but it allowed him to have more say over his life and where he lived. Sasuke was intensely private about his clan.<\/p>\n

But Kakashi was no longer in the mood to keep his secrets.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re going to do more teamwork training tomorrow,\u201d he looked at Sasuke as he spoke, \u201cand I\u2019ve invited the council to come see how much you\u2019ve progressed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sasuke\u2019s mouth parted in shock. Sakura and Sai looked between them, not fully comprehending the exchange but understanding that it couldn\u2019t be good.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Kakashi waited for Sasuke to lose his temper, but it took every shred of restraint Sasuke had not to take the bait. Sasuke knew he couldn\u2019t go against Kakashi.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRight. Tomorrow morning then.\u201d Without another word Kakashi flash-stepped away.<\/p>\n

The next day they showed up at dawn, expecting him to be late. But he was there, waiting for them. That was not a good sign.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He did not say greet them. Instead he pulled a large roll of red ribbon from his pocket and began to unwind it.<\/p>\n

Sakura recognized it as the ribbon from their school days. It was part of her favorite game.<\/p>\n

Wanting to break the tense silence, Sakura opened her mouth to comment, but Kakashi raised a hand, stopping her.<\/p>\n

He never looked up. \u201cI know what you are going to say, and you are, of course, correct, Haruno. This is from the academy.\u201d<\/p>\n

She curled her hair behind her ear. Sasuke shot her a mean look for speaking to him.<\/p>\n

Kakashi slowly unrolled the rest of the ribbon. \u201cAlthough it\u2019s true Team 7 has passed its D and C missions, I have a feeling that the little old ladies of Konoha are happy to have their cats back, no matter how it gets done.\u201d He looked at Sasuke, \u201cWith visual tracking,\u201d then to Sai, \u201cor ferocious drawings,\u201d then to Sakura, \u201cor process of elimination.\u201d The last of the ribbon wound out. \u201cAnd of course a fair amount of luck.<\/p>\n

Kakashi looked at the three before him. It wasn\u2019t lost on him that at any time they stood together, Sakura and Sasuke always put Sai in between them. But he\u2019d deal with that problem later.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut if I hadn\u2019t been your sensei, you would be dead right now.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sasuke couldn\u2019t keep in his surly behavior\u2014 \u201cOr we\u2019d have a better teacher and a better team\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

Sakura gasped. Even Sai angled away as if Sasuke had just lit a fuse. But Kakashi didn\u2019t even blink.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am the best teacher you three will ever have,\u201d he said, steel in his voice. \u201cAny other teacher would have not known what to do with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

The observers from the council were approaching. Sasuke silently bowed his head.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut a better team\u2026. Now you\u2019re figuring it out Sasuke.\u201d He spoke louder, so that the observers could hear him too. \u201cI have let you all go on for too long without understanding the real value of teamwork. It could save your life. That bond is more important than your skill, more important than any weapon\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

Safe from view of the observers, Sasuke rolled his eyes. Kakashi had delivered this speech many times. It never worked.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Irritated, Kakashi stopped.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you three can\u2019t work together as a team here, then you\u2019ll never make it to the chunin exams.\u201d He smiled suddenly. \u201cBut I think I\u2019ve figured out a way to see if you\u2019re ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

He took the ribbon and tied it around first Sakura\u2019s wrist, let a length fall between them, then Sai\u2019s wrist, then let the length fall, then stood in front of Sasuke. Sasuke didn\u2019t move.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Kakashi had a glimmer in his eyes. \u201cNow remember,\u201d he said quietly, \u201cyou have guests\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sasuke shoved his arm forward.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow\u2026. The more you work together. The more freedom you have. The less you work together,\u00a0 <\/span>the less freedom you have. Understand?\u201d<\/p>\n

They looked at him in shocked silence.<\/p>\n

Sakura rallied first. \u201cT-This is not at all the game we used to play\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cGood!\u201d Kakashi said in a way that didn\u2019t sound good at all. \u201cI was hoping you\u2019d remember this game Sakura! Please, explain it to us!\u201d She didn\u2019t want to answer. \u201cGo ahead!\u201d<\/p>\n

Sakura mumbled her way through the explanation that they already knew. \u201cWe have to follow each other, no matter what, and not let go of the rope.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, yes. Such fun! And you say you loved that game, Haruno?\u201d<\/p>\n

She nodded miserably.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, good. Chin up! Hopefully you\u2019ll come to love this one just as much!\u201d<\/p>\n

She frowned. She was sure she wouldn\u2019t. Sasuke scoffed. Only Sai stood in the middle, looking out, face emotionless.<\/p>\n

Kakashi leveled a hard gaze at him, then at the other two. He wondered just how long it would be till they cracked. Sai would probably be the last one. But he\u2019d break. They all did.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright. New rules for the ribbon game. You have to pass each mission I set out for you successfully. If you do, you get more freedom. If you don\u2019t, you will only get closer together\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

Sai\u2019s emotionless facade didn\u2019t waiver. Kakashi couldn\u2019t help himself. He reach out and grabbed Sai\u2019s face, \u201cUntil the two of you are\u2014\u201c he squeezed Sai\u2019s cheeks together as he spoke each word\u2014 \u201csmushed right up next to Sai!\u201d<\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Kakashi let go, and Sai blinked, his face falling back into its impassive mask. But he was pleased to see that an irritated crinkle beginning to twitch at the corner of Sai\u2019s eye. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sakura and Sasuke leaned away from the display, looked horrified. Sakura did not want to be next if Kakashi was giving out smushy-faces, and Sasuke looked like he was about to blow his top, but Kakashi stopped him\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cAh-ah-ah, I\u2019m not finished. Last rule. You may not speak to each other. Or to me. At all.\u201d<\/p>\n

They gasped. Even Sai\u2019s veneer looked like it was cracking.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, okay,\u201d Kakashi said, smiling, \u201cmaybe that\u2019s a little too rough. Sometimes I get carried away and go too far. How about this\u2026. You can speak. But, you can only say \u2018We move as one.\u2019\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat,\u201d Sasuke raged.<\/p>\n

Kakashi put a finger to his ear. \u201cI couldn\u2019t hear that? What did you say? Already disobeying orders then?\u201d<\/p>\n

He stepped forward to grab the red rope as if he was going to make good on his threat and tie them a little closer.<\/p>\n

Sakura shook her head fiercely, even Sai looked nervous. They both pulled their arms back. Sasuke defiantly left his arms out, daring Kakashi to tie them closer.<\/p>\n

But this time, he did not. He turned away, speaking as he did. \u201cYour mission today is the bell test\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cWha?!\u201d<\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Kakashi whipped his head back, but they were immediately silent. He looked at them all for a long moment before he continued. \u201cI\u2019ll go easy on you, though. You just have to put one finger on it. Not take it.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He pulled out a timer. \u201cAlright,\u201d he said, gaze moving to each of them. The timer clicked loudly in his hand. \u201cOff you go\u2026.\u201c<\/p>\n

They looked at him, stunned. Thinking quick, Sasuke stepped forward to touch the bell, his face turning smug when the first jingle filled the air\u2014 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Kakashi exploded under his fingertip.<\/p>\n

They were shocked. Kakashi appeared at the tree line, waving. The observers laughed at the deception.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sasuke\u2019s face burned red and it was clearly taking everything in his power not to shout at Kakashi or the observers. But he didn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

They moved together, jogging in a spread-out line, to the woods after Kakashi, but he evaded them. Finally, out of sight of the council and their clipboards, Sasuke whispered \u201cHow are we supposed to do this if we\u2019re shackled together?\u201d<\/p>\n

Kakashi appeared and clicked his timer. \u201cNot even two minutes.\u201d He shook his head. \u201cThat\u2019s a record. You all are officially the worst team.\u201d<\/p>\n

He pulled the ropes closer between them, making them move a step closer together.<\/p>\n

Sasuke was about to mouth off, and Kakashi paused his hands to look up at him, daring him, when Sakura interjected. \u201cWe move as one!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It was more of a panicked shout than statement, but it made Kakashi chuckle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow you\u2019re getting it.\u201d He pulled out the timer and pressed it. \u201cAlright, start again.\u201d<\/p>\n

They started again, this time making it seven minutes before Sasuke jerked hard on the ribbon, pulling Sakura into Sai with a loud, \u201cOw!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sasuke defended himself as their self-appointed leader. \u201cWell if you would listen to what I say and follow me, then\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

Sakura fired back, \u201cIf you would just tell us first, then we could\u2014<\/p>\n

Sai pushed Sakura off him, and looked up soundlessly as Kakashi clicked his timer.<\/p>\n

Sasuke and Sakura froze when they realized their error.<\/p>\n

Kakashi bit down his smile as he pulled them a step closer. Then he stepped back. Sai looked put upon. Kakashi said, \u201cYou know what\u2019s next don\u2019t you Sai?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But Sai, who had been trained in Root, was too smart to fall for that trick.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe move as one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kakashi laughed. \u201cThat\u2019s right. It probably won\u2019t be Sai that gets you all cheek-to-cheek.\u201d He glanced at Sai. \u201cAlthough every shinobi has his breaking point.\u201d Sai shifted uncomfortably.<\/p>\n

Pleased that he got a response, Kakashi smiled as if he was really enjoying this. He clicked the timer and disappeared.<\/p>\n

They started again. Coming to a fork in the trail, Sasuke gave a hard jerk on the ribbon to make a turn and was about to speak when they didn\u2019t immediately follow him, but he caught himself. Teeth gritted, Sasuke said, \u201cWe move as one,\u201d then pitched his head toward one side of the trail.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sakura disagreed. On the opposite side of the path, Sakura tipped her head toward the other fork. \u201cWe move as one,\u201d she said, not as sternly, but no less certain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There was an impasse. Sasuke wouldn\u2019t repeat himself, and Sakura wouldn\u2019t budge. She said it again. \u201cWe move as one,\u201d then jerked her head to her side.<\/p>\n

It dawned on them at the same time that they had a tiebreaker standing between them. Sai.<\/p>\n

He looked at both of them, then, without a word, nodded in the direction on Sakura\u2019s side. Sasuke was put out, but he went along.<\/p>\n

From the shadowy canopy, Kakashi nodded. Sasuke yielding to the group was their first stroke of true teamwork. Without a sound, he leapt from limb to limb, followed their backs.<\/p>\n

Sakura picked up on Sai\u2019s communications immediately. Kakashi supposed it was cheating to put a trained shinobi in their mix. He was, in fact, looking forward to wrapping their hands together and making them really hate each other. Sai might ruin that. But Kakashi hadn\u2019t yet given up hope. There might still be time\u2026.<\/p>\n

They wound down several more trails, more or less successfully. Some of them, however, were certainly not on the map as Kakashi knew it. He considered this as the three crept underneath him, looking everywhere. The training forest was leading them in circles. Kakashi smiled deeply. It must have sensed their frustration. Now the forest was toying with them too.<\/p>\n

When they finally came to another split in the trail that Kakashi recognized, he settled down to watch. This one should be interesting\u2026.<\/p>\n

Sakura, Sai and Sasuke stood at either ends of the ribbon, all three looking for a sign of something familiar. A hint that one path was the \u2018right\u2019 path.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sasuke stepped forward to peer down one sunlit path. Behind him, Sakura nodded significantly to Sai. She beckoned him, waited for him to acknowledge, and when he didn\u2019t, she tapped his arm. Sai looked up. She pointed from Sasuke\u2019s path to a shadier, winding path beside them, then up toward the sky. He immediately understood. Using little hand signals, they began working out the angle of the sun to chose the best direction to go.<\/p>\n

Kakashi was pleased. They were moving faster than he expected, at least. Silent communication was imperative for them to stay alive, as long as they worked together\u2014\u00a0 <\/span>But maybe he\u2019d spoken too soon\u2014\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sasuke decided their course and stepped forward onto the broad, sunny path, pulling them all behind him. He wasn\u2019t speaking, but he also wasn\u2019t yielding.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sai resisted. Kakashi knew why. In the middle of the seemingly empty path was a glistening razor wire. Really, just a rounded trip wire, but the scare would be the same.<\/p>\n

From where he stood, Sai caught sight of its glinting flash. But Sasuke was too close. It would have been impossible for him to see it until he was upon it. It wasn\u2019t deadly, but if he was going to avoid it, then he would need his teammates\u2019 help.<\/p>\n

Sakura might have seen it too, might have been the one to alert him, but she was too busy tugging them in the opposite direction. What she could not know was that the log that fell across the first corner of the path concealed a paper bomb. Just like the razor wire, it was only a trick, a simple\u00a0 <\/span>flash bomb. It wouldn\u2019t hurt them, just scare them. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sai looked at it, frowning. There were no fallen leaves on top or at the sides. It was recently placed there. No doubt it was a trap too. Trained shinobi that he was, only Sai would have been taught how to notice out-of-place items in the forest. Not Sasuke or Sakura. But if Sai didn\u2019t help out his teammates then they were in just as much danger as if he weren\u2019t there at all.<\/p>\n

Sakura tugged them towards it, while Sasuke pulled the other way. The ribbon between them was straightening. Their silent skirmish was pulling them off the path, and Sai, stuck in the middle, was getting closer and closer to the edge.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Behind his mask, Kakashi\u2019s mouth curved up into a wicked grin. This was just what he was hoping for\u2026.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sai was just realizing why the leaves in front of him looked so strange.<\/p>\n

Sasuke broke first, opening his mouth to yell back at them but stopping himself at the last minute to growl instead, \u201cWe move as one,\u201d while he yanked hard on the rope. They tumbled forward into him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Catching sight of the shimmer wire, Sakura immediately started dragging them back from danger, pleading, \u201cWe move as one!\u201d but Sasuke couldn\u2019t understand.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sai stumbled backwards with her, catching sight of the log over she shoulder. He shook his head. It wasn\u2019t a viable option either\u2014\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But Sakura was still pulling, then Sasuke jerked harder back, forgetting where they were and intent only on winning the tug-of-war. Sai lurched forward suddenly, and then he saw it\u2014<\/p>\n

Kakashi\u2019s last trap, a pit covered with leaves just off the path, just out of the angle of sight. If he fell in, he\u2019d drag them both in on top of him\u2014 Sai tried to stand and warn them, another hard tug sent him stumbling right for it\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cStop it! Both of you!\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

It echoed off the trees, but it worked. Both stopped, eyes blinking, shocked at his outburst.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Slow realization broke over Sai\u2019s face. He was the one to disobey orders this time\u2014<\/p>\n

Kakashi landed on the path. All three were caught.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe move as one,\u201d they said in breathy unison.<\/p>\n

Kakashi laughed mirthlessly. \u201cA little late for that, I think.\u201d<\/p>\n

But instead of pulling them even more tightly together, Kakashi slid the rope from their wrists and pocketed it.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s enough for today. I\u2019m starving and I don\u2019t want to have to babysit you all night. Be at the bridge at dawn.\u201d<\/p>\n

None of them were relieved. They knew enough of Kakashi now to be concerned.<\/p>\n

\u201cSasuke, I dismissed your observers long ago. But they\u2019ll be back.\u201d He wasn\u2019t joking, and Sasuke didn\u2019t laugh.<\/p>\n

With a single salute, Kakashi left in a flicker. The rest broke off, going their separate ways without a sound. Sasuke went first as if he couldn\u2019t get away fast enough. Sai turned back to forest to retrace his steps, identify his moment of error and remedy it for future assignments. And then Sakura, who was left with nothing to do but watch their backs as they left.<\/p>\n

She knew if they were really a team, then they would have talked about tomorrow, about what Kakashi might have planned, and about how they could succeed. Or succeed at thwarting him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But they didn\u2019t. She went home too.<\/p>\n

At dawn they were there, and not long after was Kakashi. That wasn\u2019t a good sign.<\/p>\n

He made them all stand on the bridge. Sakura always put Sai in between her and Sasuke. She thought for a moment that Kakashi might have forgotten about their last infraction the day before because there was so much length on the rope between them. But he wrapped their wrists together, hands back to back, taking in all the space from yesterday. He didn\u2019t forget.<\/p>\n

Kakashi walked them to a nearby garden plot. \u201cD-ranked mission. All week. No talking, except for what I\u2019ve told you you can say.\u201d<\/p>\n

They nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd that is\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe move as one,\u201d they said obediently.<\/p>\n

He nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cEach time you speak, each time you break my rule, you have another week of D missions, just like this.\u201d They were aghast. He didn\u2019t care. \u201cPlant all the crops. We\u2019ll break for lunch.\u201d Then he waved a hand and flash stepped away.<\/p>\n

They stood there a moment, looking at the wheelbarrow full of seedlings. There were three small shovels and three straw hats. Sai was starting to angle over, and Sakura would have been right behind him, but Sasuke didn\u2019t move. The muscle at his jaw jumped as if he were holding back saying something. Something mean\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd just because you can\u2019t see me,\u201d Kakashi\u2019s deep, disembodied voice suddenly filled the air around them, \u201cdoesn\u2019t mean I can\u2019t see you!\u201d<\/p>\n

They jumped, and immediately started to work without a sound.<\/p>\n

\n\n\t<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Team 7 flashback continued: They worked through the year, but they still were not a team. The chunin exams were approaching, and Kakashi warned them if they didn\u2019t figure it out they wouldn\u2019t make it through the exam. They would most certainly be killed. But even his most stern warning didn\u2019t get through.\u00a0 And after […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3668","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-preview","has-post-title","has-post-date","has-post-category","has-post-tag","has-post-comment","has-post-author"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5hctF-Xa","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swirlingpetals.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3668","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swirlingpetals.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swirlingpetals.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swirlingpetals.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swirlingpetals.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3668"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/swirlingpetals.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3668\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3742,"href":"https:\/\/swirlingpetals.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3668\/revisions\/3742"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swirlingpetals.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3668"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swirlingpetals.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3668"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swirlingpetals.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3668"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}