There is already a certain level of respect between her and I, Naruto. There must be for Sakura to at all be willing to learn from me, and for me to trust her, in turn, with my life.
She did detail that part of the arrangement, did she not?
I consider what she and I agreed upon to have forged something of a bond between us. Enough of one, at least.
[A pause. A small sigh following that. And then he continues...]
My mind, unlike yours, is not one that wanders frequently in that direction, Naruto. If anyone deserves punishment for inappropriate thoughts...
[There is a tinge of amusement in his voice, but he doesn't finish the statement. It speaks for itself, really.]
But- but this is Sakura-chan! An' her teachers don't have to tell her to call 'em sensei! 'Cause it's Sakura-chan! [This makes. Perfect sense to Naruto. Sakura is well, more polite than he is anyway.] She told me that, but if the respect was really there then you wouldn't have needed to ask.
It jus' seems like she doesn't like callin' you that. So it's not right.
[Small splutter.] That's not what I meant by funny! My mind didn't- I wasn't wandering in any direction like that one! [Not until Itachi said something and now-] That's just- no! If you ever tried anything like that I'D punch you in the crotch!
[His tone is that of an adult lecturing a child, now.]
If she is to learn from me, to be my student, I will treat her as one, and it is only fair she treat me like her teacher. I've not requested she refer to me as her sensei at all times, only while lessons are being conducted and we are training with one another.
Like it or not, Naruto, that is the way things work. We were never able to choose our teachers in the Academy, but we were expected, regardless of personal feelings, to respect them and treat them appropriately.
I asked her merely to underline where we stood, not that I see how any of it is your business. If Sakura is uncomfortable with it, she can speak to me about it herself. She is, after all, not someone that needs her friends to voice her complaints for her, wouldn't you agree?
...And let me underline for you, so that you might put your worries to rest, she is but a student to me and nothing more. [A friend, perhaps, at the most... but he doesn't think they've quite crossed that bridge yet, and a step in that
( ... )
You wouldn't understand no matter how I worded it. You're too blind. And that's not your fault. Not entirely. But some of it, yeah, some of it is your fault, some of it you could just-
[Pause.]
No. You're not him. Some days I forget that, but you say things, things like what you just said and then I remember. Makes things easier.
So there.
Reply
She did detail that part of the arrangement, did she not?
I consider what she and I agreed upon to have forged something of a bond between us. Enough of one, at least.
[A pause. A small sigh following that. And then he continues...]
My mind, unlike yours, is not one that wanders frequently in that direction, Naruto. If anyone deserves punishment for inappropriate thoughts...
[There is a tinge of amusement in his voice, but he doesn't finish the statement. It speaks for itself, really.]
Reply
It jus' seems like she doesn't like callin' you that. So it's not right.
[Small splutter.] That's not what I meant by funny! My mind didn't- I wasn't wandering in any direction like that one! [Not until Itachi said something and now-] That's just- no! If you ever tried anything like that I'D punch you in the crotch!
Right after Sakura-chan. ... and probably Sasuke.
Reply
If she is to learn from me, to be my student, I will treat her as one, and it is only fair she treat me like her teacher. I've not requested she refer to me as her sensei at all times, only while lessons are being conducted and we are training with one another.
Like it or not, Naruto, that is the way things work. We were never able to choose our teachers in the Academy, but we were expected, regardless of personal feelings, to respect them and treat them appropriately.
I asked her merely to underline where we stood, not that I see how any of it is your business. If Sakura is uncomfortable with it, she can speak to me about it herself. She is, after all, not someone that needs her friends to voice her complaints for her, wouldn't you agree?
...And let me underline for you, so that you might put your worries to rest, she is but a student to me and nothing more. [A friend, perhaps, at the most... but he doesn't think they've quite crossed that bridge yet, and a step in that ( ... )
Reply
Should've known you wouldn't get it.
You never did. That stays true, no matter where I find you.
Forget I said anything.
[A minute pause.]
But the crotch punching... that stands.
Reply
[Indifference.]
Reply
[Pause.]
No. You're not him. Some days I forget that, but you say things, things like what you just said and then I remember. Makes things easier.
Like I said. Forget it.
Reply
Things might be easier if you would make up your mind. Being so very quick to ignore my attempt at understanding... it is getting us nowhere.
Reply
What I'm doing now is dropping this.
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment