The sun was just beginning to rise, and Sakura had the perfect view from her bedroom window. Today seems like it will be gorgeous, powder blue skys and everything...I wonder if he is watching the sun rise as well....Her thoughts were interrupted by a shout from below. "Sakura-Chan!" Oh no...it's Naruto again. He's so loud....
"What is it Naruto?"
"Kakashi said he wants us to meet him at the training grounds around 8. Do you want to go get something to eat before then?"
Never."No thank you Naruto. I'm not hungry right now." Will he ever give it up? With one last glance at the brightening sky, she slipped back into her room from the window ledge and stretched. I wonder what Kakashi wants us to do at the training grounds.... She went into her bathroom, brushed her teeth, and left her house. On the way to the training grounds, she saw a silhouette with spiky hair. Is it.....
"Hey Sakura! Long time no see!" Naruto smiled largely at her.
Wrong... "Hey Naruto. Are you heading for the training grounds?"
"You know it. Wanna walk together?"
Well considering the only option is to go completely out of my way.... "Sure." If there were any other route, then I'd definately take that way.
"We're almost there!"
Thank you Captain Obvious..."Yup. Do you have any idea of why Kakashi-sensei wants us to go there?"
"No idea, but Sasuke won't be there. He's still in the hospital recovering from our last mission."
Duh. "I figured as much. He was pretty injured in the fight. I could only do so much on the way back here...."
"Hey there Sakura. Naruto" Kakashi was leaning against a tree trunk reading one of the romance novels he seems to love.
"How did you know it was us? You didn't even look up!"
"Well, you were talking to Sakura on the way here, and I'm not deaf so..."
"What did you want us to come here for Kakashi-sensei?"
"Sakura, you should go over to that tree over there while me and Naruto talk. I'll be over in a minute."
"Okay." This is odd. He never splits us up when he asks for us both to go to the same place....I wonder..... It didn't take long for Kakashi to finish with Naruto. As he was walking towards Sakura, she saw Naruto leave the training grounds. "Where is Naruto going?" We're alone here.....
"I sent him to see the Hokage. She has a personal mission for him. As for you, I've got a special training day planned for us."
Us.... "What is your idea sensei?"
"Well, first I want to see how well your healing jutsu has come along. I haven't fully seen what you can do since you returned from training. I've arranged to have some animals with various injuries set around the grounds. You have three hours to attempt to heal them all. There are 30 animals total."
"Thirty!" Are you insane?! "With all due respect, sensei, I don't think I can heal them all."
"Your test will start when I say go......Go."
"Wha- okay..." I'll just have to prioritize. First things first though. I have to locate all 30 injured animals. Sakura took a rubber band from her pocket and tied up her hair while Kakashi picked a branch on a nearby tree to easily watch and evaluate Sakura's abilities. As he watched her begin to search the trees for injured animals, he opened his book and tried to read.
I've never seen her with her hair up....Her face is...beautiful. What am I thinking?! She's my student! ....but she is gorgeous. She was strong enough to grow out of her weaknesses....and she's smart. She already located all thirty animals, and look at the way her hair glistens in the sun...pink and short so it won't be a hindrance.....
Okay so there are ten that are fatally wounded. I can't save them. Those ten just have a few broken bones and scratches so I'll save them for last. These ten are poisoned....I need to make antidotes for them first. She glanced up at Kakashi. He doesn't even seem to be paying attention to me....He's only reading that silly book....Wasn't this whole thing his idea...maybe he's watching..... That thought made Sakura smile as she ran off to gather the supplies for her antidotes.
She's not wasting any time, is she? She left the dying ones and proceeded right to the poisoned ones...what an amazing woman....if only I could tell her......Sakura re-entered the training grounds armed with ten fresh antidotes. She made them all so quickly...
--
"Kakashi-sensei! I've done all I can for these animals. Would you like to evaluate their conditions?" Sakura kept her fingers crossed as he jumped down from his spot in the trees and looked around at the animals.
"There are ten dead."
"Well...yes. They were fatally wounded. It would have been a waste for me to try to save them."
"I see. You managed to save the rest of them, correct?"
"Yes."
"Impressive." Amazingly impressive...
"Really?"
"Mhm. Good job Sakura." Kakashi set his hand on her shoulder and immediately knew he shouldn't have. The temptation....but no. She's my student.... "Uhm...Sakura..."
"Yes sensei?"
"I...uh....have to tell you somemthing...." I'd rather take on Orochimaru myself than have to say this....but I have to tell her....I have to look into those gorgeous green eyes, filled with compassion and.....
I wonder what he has to tell me....could it be? Maybe.... No no no...who am I kidding...he would never tell me that....that he feels the same way for me.....that he loves me secretly...like I love him....but maybe......hopefully.....
Be a man...just tell her...."Sakura...I.....I..."
"Yes?"
"I....think you did a great job....You're a great healer..." Kakashi turned quickly and ran off towards his home, feeling defeated. I can take on a million ninja...I just can't tell the woman I love that I care for her.....When he finally made it home, he walked in and collapsed, overcome with his failure. He began to cry and pound his fists on the floor. "What is wrong with me?"
"I don't think there's anything wrong with you....." She...followed me home?"I wanted to know what you really wished to tell me....I figured...what you said earlier wasn't all of it....I'm sorry if I startled you..." Please tell me you love me....please don't let me be wrong...
"I.....you're right. That wasn't all of what I wanted to say. I wanted to tell you...." You can say it...you can say it.....Just say "I love you"
OH MY GOD!!!! HE SAID IT! Sakura's jaw dropped. "I love you too Kakashi."
"You have no idea what a relief that is. I've wanted to tell you for so long." While Kakashi was talking, Sakura gained the courage to cut him off with a long passionate kiss. That night sealed any thoughts away that would doubt their love. In the morning, they woke before dawn and watched the sun rise together. Sakura left soon after to go get cleaned up before their appointment with the hokage.
--
"You're assignment will be a very dangerous reconaissance mission. You will have to go into the country of the wave and take the body they hold there. It's under heavy supervision so you will have to be very careful. Kakashi, you will lead Shino, Neji, Shikamaru, Sai, and Naruto down to the main gate. They are your main fighting team. Sasuke will be joining that team at the gate. I have already briefed him." In the short pause, Sakura looked at kakashi apprehensively. He can't leave without me. How will I know he's okay? Thank god she's staying in Konoha...safe and sound... "Sakura, I will meet you at the hospital to get some antidotes and other medical supplies for your trip. She will be accompanying your fighting group as your medical ninja. You will need her greatly on this mission." What a relief. I can make sure Kakashi and my friends stay alive and safe. NOOOOOOO! She can't come. She has to stay here. We should take Ino, not Sakura .....no....
"Yes ma'am." With that, Kakashi and Sakura went out into the hall.
"You can't come with us....it's too dangerous..."
"Well you'll just have to deal with it because Tsunade-sensei gave the job to me, and it would look pretty suspicious if you say anything. Not to mention....I want to go....that way I can know that you're okay."
"I'll be fine. You know how strong I am. No one can touch me."
"It's not impossible for you to get hurt Kakashi. I have to go now. I'll meet you at the gate." She kissed him and left for the hospital. She doesn't seem scared at all....Maybe I'm being overprotective....she can take care of herself pretty well.....
I don't know why he worries so much....I won't even be in danger half the time...I have to stay back and heal....which sucks...
--
"Are you sure you're up to this Sasuke?"
"I wouldn't be here if I wasn't. Even Tsunade agreed that I'm okay to fight. Why do you worry so much Kakashi?"
"It's my job kiddo." Sakura joined the group with a rather bulky backpack on, causing some long stares. "Is it necessary to bring so much in that bag? It may slow you down."
"I'll be just as fast as the rest of you thank you. It just looks heavier than it is."
"YES! Lets go guys!" Naruto.... you're so.....eager... Just then, Sakura noticed all the animals prancing around the edges of the forest. Are we gonna make it through this one?....