❧ Pulling and pinching, petting and pushing by turns, well-cared-for hands that had cared for her in turn - and grown alongside her own. Twined fingers that offered support, between the moments when they curled to lash out as the sharp voice did.
Sakura knew Ino's hands as well as her own, as well as she knew that no matter how much they grew, she would always be there when Sakura reached.
❧ Soft - courtesy of the endless well of chakra raging in the trap at his core - just a little stubby, hands that were ever careful, offered openly . . . but not expecting to be taken. Hands that reached out no matter how many times they were slapped away or bruised.
Sakura watched Naruto's hands and took one in her own to keep him close, feeling a pang for the hurt she had caused, even if it was long forgiven.
❧ Warm and dry, marked with shiny little speckles - burns, because no matter how precocious, everyone makes mistakes . . . particularly with no guidance. She had been caught by those hands, had clasped them to save him in turn . . . but every touch was fleeting, and somehow distant even when he was right beside her.
Sakura had learned from Sasuke's hands that he was too far away to ever be reached long before he struck her with them and left her behind.
❧ Swift, steady hands, marked with a thousand scars and more - hands that had caught and supported Sakura since she was taking her own shaking first steps as a ninja. Hands that never faltered, through blood and darkness and past the ends of the earth.
Sakura beamed under the light touch of Kakashi's hand to her crown, knowing his distance belied the strength of his care.
❧ Strong hands, endlessly, achingly gentle - tough with calluses beneath tight cotton binds, but light as silk on her skin. Hands that matched hers in the field and swept through broad gestures that showed his heart and truth.
Sakura smoothed her own hands over Lee's, drawing them forwards around herself and closing her eyes as she twined their fingers, trusting the love and care they promised.
Lessons of Hands (Sakura & Ino, Naruto, Sasuke, Kakashi, Sakura/Lee) x5
Pulling and pinching, petting and pushing by turns, well-cared-for hands that had cared for her in turn - and grown alongside her own. Twined fingers that offered support, between the moments when they curled to lash out as the sharp voice did.
Sakura knew Ino's hands as well as her own, as well as she knew that no matter how much they grew, she would always be there when Sakura reached.
❧
Soft - courtesy of the endless well of chakra raging in the trap at his core - just a little stubby, hands that were ever careful, offered openly . . . but not expecting to be taken. Hands that reached out no matter how many times they were slapped away or bruised.
Sakura watched Naruto's hands and took one in her own to keep him close, feeling a pang for the hurt she had caused, even if it was long forgiven.
❧
Warm and dry, marked with shiny little speckles - burns, because no matter how precocious, everyone makes mistakes . . . particularly with no guidance. She had been caught by those hands, had clasped them to save him in turn . . . but every touch was fleeting, and somehow distant even when he was right beside her.
Sakura had learned from Sasuke's hands that he was too far away to ever be reached long before he struck her with them and left her behind.
❧
Swift, steady hands, marked with a thousand scars and more - hands that had caught and supported Sakura since she was taking her own shaking first steps as a ninja. Hands that never faltered, through blood and darkness and past the ends of the earth.
Sakura beamed under the light touch of Kakashi's hand to her crown, knowing his distance belied the strength of his care.
❧
Strong hands, endlessly, achingly gentle - tough with calluses beneath tight cotton binds, but light as silk on her skin. Hands that matched hers in the field and swept through broad gestures that showed his heart and truth.
Sakura smoothed her own hands over Lee's, drawing them forwards around herself and closing her eyes as she twined their fingers, trusting the love and care they promised.