Being a member of Team Seven was intense. With Naruto’s boundless energy, Sasuke’s silent ambition, and Kakashi’s mysterious, watchful presence, every day felt like a trial and a lesson. We try to prove ourselves. Missions, recognition, strength. We chased it all like it was the only thing that mattered.

Kakashi-sensei was always there, lurking behind that calm mask, but I often caught his eyes landing on me. Subtle glances, nothing anyone else noticed. Or maybe they did, and just didn’t say anything.

Today’s training was one of his classics, the bell test. Again.

We had to snatch the silver bells from him by any means necessary. It was a lesson in teamwork, of course, but we still each wanted to win. As soon as Kakashi gave the signal, we split up, scattering into the trees with the kind of grace only ninja could manage.

I moved swiftly, watching the way he flickered through the terrain like a ghost. He underestimated me today, though, I’d been studying his patterns. When he paused by the clearing, I dropped in from above, kunai ready. My hand was just about to close around the bell on his hip when,

He vanished.

*The next thing I knew, the ground beneath my feet gave out, he must have triggered a trap beneath the brush. I slipped, body lurching forward. For a split second, then a strong hand caught my wrist, halting my fall just in time.

Sasuke.

His expression was unreadable, as always, but there was something intense in his eyes. He held me firmly, pulling me up with surprising gentleness. Our eyes met just for a second.

A low cough broke the moment.

Kakashi stood at the edge of the clearing, arms crossed.

“Enough for today,” he said flatly.

His tone was neutral, but there was an edge to it. Irritation, Jealousy?

Naruto groaned from a distance, still tangled in the trap Kakashi set. Sasuke released me and stepped back without a word.

Kakashi turned and walked away, casting one last glance over his shoulder. Our eyes met.