A Ninja's Path (Kakashi X Reader)

Chapter Twenty Five

The girl nodded slowly, tightening her grip on the ropes holding the swing up. "I know, I really am sorry for the way I treated him but, I can't control myself. I love him. I need him. I'm just so confused and-" Another sob escaped her throat and she covered her face in her hands.

Your gaze hardened. "Sakura Haruno, don't ever say you can't control yourself again. You are a kunoichi of the Leaf village, you are the master of your own mind. You love him? Good. Let that love make you stronger. But don't let your love drive you into madness. You get to decide what you do. You choose how you act and what you say. You decide whether you let your emotions control you, or whether they guide you."

The girl raised her head, watching you carefully. Her green eyes were puffy and red.

You took a few steps closer to her. "I have been training you for a while now. You've grown. You're stronger now. But you still breakdown at every practice. You are now physically capable of being great, I say it's time we make you mentally capable." You reached your hand out to the sniffling pinkette. "Come on, Sakura. Let's go join the others. They think you're emotionally unstable. Let's prove them wrong."

The girl examined your hand for a moment. Then she wiped her tears away and grasped your hand tightly. You helped her stand up.

"Sakura Haruno, you are a warrior. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise." You clapped her on the shoulder.

The girl blinked before her expression suddenly changed. Her entire demeanor changed. "I got this, sensei. I promise I won't let you down." She gave you a big grin, her green eyes full of a newfound intensity. She held her hand in a fist, pounding it into the palm of her other hand. "I'll show them. I'll show Sasuke what he's missing out on."

You beamed at her, nodding in agreement. "That's my girl."

Sakura smiled up at you, happy to receive your praise.

You both head back down the road, toward the training site. You looked over at the girl, ruffling her hair gently. "Alright kiddo, let's go train."

*~*

"There they are!" Naruto called to Sasuke and Kakashi as you and Sakura entered the clearing.

Blondie ran toward you both, the silver haired man and dark haired boy ceasing their sparring session.

"Sakura, are you okay?" Naruto asked gently as he approached her.

The girl smiled gently, nodding reassuringly. "I'm good now. Thanks for asking."

Blondie's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "D-did you just... thank me???" He scrambled away from the girl. "Help! I think Sakura's been brainwashed! She said something nice to me!!!"

Sasuke and Kakashi ran over, looking between Sakura and Naruto in confusion.

The pinkette seemed unfazed, shrugging. "What's wrong with being nice to my friend? I'm just thankful that you care about me."

Once again, Naruto looked terrified. "You think I'm your friend???"

The smile fell off Sakura's face, replaced by a frown. "We're friends, right?"

Blondie shook his head in dismay. "Well, yeah! I think so? (Y/N)-sensei, what did you do to Sakura???"

You shrugged indifferently. "Not much. Just told her that she was stronger than she realized. It seems I was right." Everyone looked at Sakura, at her bright smile and energetic demeanor. It almost seemed like the incident earlier never even happened.