Had Kakashi given her some applause, Sakura may have inferred it as sarcastic but at the same time, Kakashi didn't seem like the sarcastic type, nor the kind to chide his students during such trying situations. As Sakura took deep breaths and started to calm down, she wondered what the other clone would be used for. Kakashi's cheeky reply made her snort softly. [color=f6989d][b]"Oh right, no clone could compare to the original's distractingly good looks I'm afraid."[/b][/color] She rebutted. The clone went and got the weapon she had lost and gave it back to Kakashi Sensei. Sakura watched the scene, her green eyes keen to not miss anything else, such as a sudden attack which right now, she wouldn't put past the silver haired trickster. Once Kakashi received the her kunai, he tossed it back with formidable deliberation towards the curious girl. [b][color=f6989d]"Thanks."[/color][/b] She said, her breathing finally even.

Her hand was quick to reach out like a magnet, able to spot the way he had thrown it would allow her to catch it without intent to injury, quite the contrary actually. He then began to speak, she had expected words of constructive criticism of how she had struggled but kept her calm. Instead though he first mentioned how well he thought she had done. He then also compared her to himself which made her grin even brighter. She took that as a very considerable compliment. Yes, Lady Tsunade was someone Sakura wanted to emulate and learn from, but she also saw plenty of merit and admiration in a ninja such as Kakashi Hatake. He could do amazing things and she wanted to take advantage of being his only student right now. 

Aside from her cut, she felt fine and knew that preventing any bruising would be a waste of time and chakra so she didn't do anything else in terms of quick minor medical techniques. So now she could focus on what the man had to say in terms of the Water Clone Jutsu. He explained what it could do compared to the other jutsu they had been introduced to during the academy days. Sakura gave a small nod and her brow furrowed at the mention of the minuscule amount of energy that was needed for the creation of the water clones and how it could be very useful in the proper hands of a good shinobi. To consider a future where her skills could be preformed effortlessly on instinct was as much daunting as it was exhilarating. Sakura wanted to be the kind of ninja who could think of new ways to attack and defend, as well as counter and heal. 

Kakashi had brought up the notion of deception and its uses.

A well sharpened mind could do wonders with deception and may also find ways of preventing it as well.

The other clone began to preform hand seals which hadn't gone unnoticed by the girl. Its pace wasn't as quick as the original but she suspected it was for a reason, which Kakashi quickly told her he'd be teaming up with her to help go up against it as it prepared to launch a Water Dragon jutsu. The hand seals changed and then it stopped and moved toward them, resuming a more familiar pattern. Glancing to Kakashi, she saw him nod as the clone's speed increased which prompted her teacher to leap to the left. Sakura's head jerked back to the clone in time to see the jutsu had just formed. Only able to step back once, the dragon then fell apart and she looked around. The jutsu itself had appeared a success and yet it hadn't lunged for her. Looking around, she found nothing threatening.

Before she could even call out to Kakashi, a sound reached her ear and she looked to see a burst of tiny light coming for her. Unable to react in time, it connected and caused her to stumble back and hold her shoulder in pain. It had hurt but the pain didn't last longer than a couple of seconds. When she removed her hand, she saw a light bruise already being formed and she looked to see Kakashi Sensei emerge without anymore pesky clones in tow. The message had been made perfectly clear. Anyone could deceive anyone, and to try new tactics and ways to gain the upper hand. With the lesson completed, they decided to get back on the road. Once they were packed up, they continued to move through the trees though their pace this time, wasn't as speedy as before.

By the time five hours had elapsed, their overnight town had come into view and they jumped back down to the dirt road and made their way into the heart of the town. A selection of shops and cafes were available to them but their first stop was the Inn where they could finally unload their gear and relax. After the room key was given to them, they headed up and down a long hallway to Room 24 and let themselves in. There was a double bed, a dresser, two chairs and an attached bathroom. Sakura vaguely wondered if they had assumed she and Kakashi were a couple. But then again she also knew getting two rooms would be a waste of money and that if something went wrong, they needed to be together. Setting her pack on the bed, she found relief and then excused herself to wash her hands and face since it was about time for dinner and they'd need to go out.

Wringing out the cool cloth and setting it on the counter, she exited the bathroom to find Kakashi looking out their window. Curious to see what their view was like, she walked around the bed and peered outside. There were three kids playing in the alley, kicking a ball around. They were around seven and all boys. At first they reminded her of home but instead, she also remembered their mission, the task at hand. [color=f6989d][b]"At least they're still safe, able to go home tonight."[/b][/color] She said solemnly. Still, she was sure they'd be able to do some considerable good when they reached Tanzaku. [color=f6989d][b]"Soon the others will too."[/b][/color] It was a glaringly bright outlook but Sakura saw no point in voicing the other grim possibilities. 

[color=f6989d][b]"Anyway, I saw a place we could eat, it didn't look crowded but it sure smelled great."[/b][/color] Sakura said and placed a hand on his back as she stepped around him to head out. Opening the door, she looked back at Kakashi, his face swimming in the sunlight. Colors of orange and red bounced off his face. When the light colors hit the navy blue of his mask, the light almost glowed. For a few moments, she didn't see him as a teacher, but as a person. He was known as a student, a son and a friend to many others before being a teacher. Sakura wondered what sort of hardships he must have endured, considering his daring history as a ninja, but also as a someone who lived in Konoha and made a life for himself. Sakura's hand twisted the door open and she wondered what sort of person Kakashi was, when all the labels had been stripped.

For now though, those thoughts fluttered on by and she walked out into the hall, soon to be joined by the man himself. The walk there only took five minutes and upon arriving, were seated inside at a booth across from one another. Another surge awkward surge charged through her as she wondered if she and Kakashi looked like a couple to the hostess as well. Would that assumption be so bad? Again, Sakura hardly knew who Kakashi really was so she couldn't be sure whether or not if and why it might conjure up such odd feelings. As she looked at the menu, she decided the curry steak and jasmine rice would do just fine and hoped their evening would be a smooth one, as they'd need to get up in the morning bright and early to get back on the road. [color=f6989d][b]"At least being together means I won't be stuck waiting for you to show up late with a silly excuse."[/b][/color] She mentioned. [color=f6989d][b]"But then again, that hasn't really happened since we started, but with Naruto and Sasuke...I remember them making up some funny excuses on your behalf when we caught on."[/b][/color]

[color=f6989d][b]"I think Naruto once assumed you had taken all morning to sort and organize your sock drawer-three times."[/b][/color] She chuckled.