On the way to the gala [Sachiko, Sakurai]
Sachiko: *seemingly out of the blue as she walks alongside Sakurai* Question for you.
Sakurai: *blinks* Huh? *looks over at her* What is it?
Sachiko: Why do you hit on Naruko so much?
Sakurai: WHAT. *blushing* I do not!!
Sachiko: Yeah, you do. You do it all the time.
Sakurai: *still red in the cheeks* No I don't! I just..... She needs taking care of, is all!
Sachiko: *eyes him* Uh-huh. So's that why you beat her to a pulp so frequently? So you can take care of her?
Sachiko: If it weren't for the fact that she heals so damn well, well.... I'd hate to wonder how she'd look after so many of your beatings.
Sakurai: *looks confused* ...b-beat...?
Sachiko: *nods* You introduce your fist to her skull rather often, or did, whenever she'd do something stupid.
Sachiko: So I'm wondering, why do you do it so much?
Sakurai: ...o-oh. Oh! Hit....on...her. Beat. Y-yes! I knew that. *pauses and restarts the way he's approaching this conversation* Like I said, she needs taking care of. >> Sometimes she just needs someone to let her know when she's gone to far. ....Or when she's about to go too far.
Sachiko: Mn.
Sachiko: Might want to start stopping doing that. From what I've seen, I think she's started getting leery of you.
Sachiko: She still loves you, but... *shrugs*
Sakurai: *looks upset and yet pinks just a little at being reminded of the "love" thing* ....She's leery? Like...afraid? Why? ......I'm not that mean, am I? >_>
Sachiko: I think if you were being mean, it'd be more tolerable. But your poundings are more habitual, I think. That's what makes them so bad.
Sachiko: She's a very physical person. It's how she shows her affection. *thinks, Like Kiba.*
Sakurai: Well.......I-I suppose. *stern look* But that doesn't mean she doesn't need to know some discipline sometimes!
Sachiko: *looks at Sakurai* Sometimes.
Sakurai: ........d...do you thinks she hates me?
Sakurai: I mean, like......for....hitting her and stuff. When I know she likes me.
Sachiko: No, she doesn't hate you.
Sachiko: I don't think she even could.
Sakurai: ......yeah. *eyes soften a little, thinking of Naruko's forgiving side, her strong side, the side he very much admires* ...I guess you're right.
Sakurai: *comes out of his thoughts after a while* ...Why'd you bring it up? Did Naruko say something?
Sachiko: No. I just... watch. *adjusts shoulder bag to give her something to do* And I'm... I don't like seeing people hurt her. Gods know I've done enough.
Sachiko: And we're supposed to be her teammates. Former or whatever.
Sakurai: ..... *looks down, feeling rather ashamed because...Sachiko's right. And getting lectured by Sachiko about hurting Naruko....yeah* Y-you're right. .... *looks back up, mouth set* I'll try to do better. Refrain. Hear her out more.
Sachiko: Sounds like a plan.
Sakurai: *nods. then...gives Sachiko a sideways look* ...Um, Sachiko-chan....?
Sachiko: Hm?
Sakurai: Not that it's....any of my business, but.... Mind if I ask what happened between you and Naruko?
Sachiko: *is quiet in the thoughtful way*
Sakurai: You don't have to answer.
Sachiko: *flicker of faintly bitter amusement* Ask me again when we're back in Konoha. *isn't brushing him off; just trying to tell him right now isn't the time*
Sakurai: ......Okay.