genre: angst/hurt/comfort/friendship/romance/drama (those are the one I can think of)
Summary: He'd left her when she needed him the most. Now seeing his mistake, can he undo his mistake? Eventually KakaSaku
Rebirth
Sakura should have known this would happen. Her eyes red and puffy from the tears she´d spent. Her breath hitched and ragged as her form shook. Her fists clenched and unclenched, but her eyes never stopped looking at the one spot. The spot where he was supposed to appear. But no matter how long she waited he did not come. Finally her knees buckled and all her strength left her as she fell on the ground. Her team mates left her. Why should she expect any difference from the man she looked up to?
It started this morning, getting up for her daily routine she did before she went to her training. Her hair was pulled in a small ponytail as she grabbed her tube toothpaste and her brush. When no white substance came out, she turned the opening towards her face to see if it was really empty. The first bad thing what happened that day. With a rather hard squeeze, the paste flew straight into her emerald eyes. With a yelp she let both the tube and brush go. Blindly reaching for the tap to wash the paste away with water. After the pricking sensation left her and could once again see, she threw the tube away with a scowl.
When she was done in the bathroom, her teeth neatly brushed and her hair without tangles she opened her closet. Bad thing number two that day. Noticing a tear in her usual black shorts she sighed annoyed. It was her only clean one left. She really didn't want to wear that one, but she felt disgusted to even wear one she'd already made dirty. Having no other choice she pulled it on carefully, not wanting to make the tear bigger than it already was. Seeing another roll bandage lying on her desk, she wrapped it around the tear. Now that was taken care of, she quickly pulled on her red dress and tied her headband before hastily descending the stairs.
Her father was reading the paper, chewing on a piece of toast when she came in. With a soft hello from her side she grabbed a piece of toast for her own. The paper lowered a bit, and the dark gaze of her father fell upon her form. His mouth was twisted into a firm line when he saw the headband. His eyes narrowing and opened his mouth to speak. Sakura already saw the reaction immediately and sighed inwardly. Her parents never approved of her decision of becoming a shinobi. In their opinion all of their kind should leave. It was them who made the world rotten with war and conflicts that was unnecessarily.
"I don't want you wearing that thing in my home you hear me?" he grumbled. He folded the paper back up, placing it next to his plate.
"Sorry father," Sakura replied, releasing the knot and placing it in her lap. Her father would surely get mad if she would have placed it upon the table he was eating at. It happened once before, making it sure that Sakura would never forget to do it again. A small scar on her lower back was the very proof of that.
Her mother walked in then, kissing her husband on the cheek as she passed by and a hand going through Sakura's hair as she passed her.
"Good morning mother," Sakura said politely.
"Sakura," her mother acknowledged. She sat on the opposite side of her husband, stirring the black liquid as she added sugar to her coffee.
"What are you going to do today?" Although she knew that the answer would not please her at all. She at least tried to. And Sakura appreciated that.
"I'm going to train with Kakashi-sensei today."
"When are you going to stop with this nonsense?" her father growled. He slammed his hand down upon the table, glaring at his only child.
"Dad I like doing this, it makes me feel useful." She hit herself inwardly then. That was the last word she wanted to use.
"Useful?" her father scoffed. "Those barbarians are the reason we have war with other countries! Making it unsafe and difficult for merchants like me to do business elsewhere."
"Hikaru," her mother sighed. "If she wants to throw her life away in this rubbish then let her."
Sakura lowered her head, a pang of sadness going through her. It had always been this way whenever this subject came up. Her father always came up when he had the time. He still held hope that she would take over his business one day. Like he had taken it from his own father. It was a tradition in the Haruno family.
"You already failed the chuunin exams," her father continued on. "It's time to wake up and do a real profession like you're supposed to do."
Sakura bit the inner side of her cheek, the short bangs shielding her face from her parents. It really hurt her to have the two persons she loved most not support her. She was used to hours of her father lecturing her. But this was the first time he mentioned her failure in the chuunin exams. It was a real low blow. Sliding the chair backwards, she grabbed her unfinished toast with her free hand.
"I'm going." Without a backwards glance to either of her parents she quickly removed herself from the scene. With a deep sigh she closed the door behind her, trying to keep herself strong as she willed the tears away that threatened to spill.
Lowering her head she glanced at the headband resting in her hand, her thump sliding over the smooth metal with the insignia of leaf carved upon. Placing the toast in her mouth, she bound it back in its place. As she walked towards the training grounds she began to wonder would she was going to do today.
Now that Sasuke abandoned the village, and Naruto leaving the city with Jiraiya-sama, it was only her and Kakashi-sensei left. She shouldn't be happy about this, but she couldn't help it. She finally had the attention of the great Copy ninja to herself. Back when she first met him, he seemed to concentrate only on her two male teammates. Even when she walked up the tree first attempt, she was ordered to sit around and wait until the other two had it figured out themselves.
By the chuunin exams, he devoted his time to train Sasuke, Sakura understood that. After all, he made it to the finals. But never had she heard a compliment leaving him into her direction. Even Naruto had it from time to time. And now that those two were gone, he was forced to look at her.
She had failed to make Sasuke stay, and his departure hurt her immensely. But with Kakashi-sensei's help, she would grow stronger. No longer would she depend on others to safe her. And together with Naruto they would force him home where he belonged. There with them, team 7.
When Sakura tilted her head up, she noticed she was at the bridge where they always meet before a training session. It seemed so oddly quiet. Normally Naruto's loud voice would ring into her ears as he challenged Sasuke into another battle. The soft grunts of annoyance of her beloved Sasuke-kun or even his stoic appearance wasn't here to cheer her up.
Now she waited alone for Kakashi-sensei to show up. Sitting down upon the bench, she placed her heel on the edge, wrapping her arms around the bend leg whilst resting her chin upon the knee. Maybe he would teach her a new jutsu today. Or practice on her stamina. God knows she needed it. After sitting there for 15 minutes she became restless.
There wasn't a Naruto to distract her from the time she'd been waiting. No Sasuke-kun to look at while thinking about their future together. Nothing. Sighing she released her leg, kicking absently a small rock over the bridge into the water. Maybe he was already awaiting her on the training grounds? But that would be weird. He always waited for them before walking towards the spot where they trained. It required to walk through a piece of forest that was unprotected. Leaving it open for ambushes. It rarely happened, but there had been some cases a newly genin team was attacked. Very stupid since there always would be a jounin with them who could easily fence them off.
The sun was already high in the sky. She guessed it was almost midday. But still no sensei. She already was lying upon the bench. One hand folded behind her head as a cushion while the other rested upon her stomach. Her eyebrows knitted together, a look of annoyance adoring her face. He had made them wait for several hours. He always showed up three hours late at most. But never did he let them wait this long. With a huff she sat upright. She could do the warming up already. But if Kakashi-sensei would come and find the meeting place empty he might think she didn't show up at all. So she was bound to stay there.
"Why are you taking so long," she grumbled under her breath. With her arms and ankles crossed she glanced at the spot where he usually appeared from. Her fingers drummed upon her bare arm, her patience wearing thin. After another full hour, she was getting pissed beyond belief.
She already abandoned the bench she'd been sitting on all day, and was now staring to the water beneath her, sitting upon the rail. Her legs bungling in the air as her hand gripped the railing. She watched the fallen pentals of her namesake drifting on the water stream. It somewhat calmed her down. A sudden thought reached her then. She needed to wait here. But she could also train here. Kakashi-sensei let her walk upon trees before with chakra. So it should work with water too, right? At least when he decided to show up, she could show him something.
With her mind made up, she jumped back upon the bridge and made her way to the bank. The water wasn't still as the bark of the tree was. It shifted like a living being. So she needed to adjust her chakra flow into her feet steadily. Otherwise she would sink into the water instead of standing upon the surface like she intended. With a few calculations in her head, she channeled some chakra into her feet. Taking in a deep breath she carefully placed her feet upon the surface. With a squeal of excitement she noticed her feet didn't sink through. After a few experiments she finally gotten the concept, now able to stand on water. She smiled brightly, glad she figured something out on her own. She couldn't wait to show it to Kakashi-sensei.
Speaking of which, why wasn't he still here? With a glance to the sky it already was late in the afternoon. The time flying by as she was working on her technique. Surely he wouldn't have forgotten her would he?
Sakura bit her lip, emotions dwelling up within her. He wouldn't do that to her, she told herself. He would never forget his own student. Finally she heard some footsteps coming her way then. A bright smile formed upon her lips, deciding to keep standing upon the water to surprise Kakashi-sensei. He might be late, but surely even him would be proud of her that she figured it out on her own.
The person came closer, but when he came into sight, it wasn't the man she thought it was. It was Asuma-sensei. His head was tilted down and eyes closed, as if he was listening to an melody no one else could hear. She almost felt guilty to break him out of his peaceful trance.
"Uhm, Asuma-sensei?" Sakura called out.
The man looked up. Glancing around when he saw no one standing on the bridge with him when her voice called out again. His head turned to the pink haired girl, surprised to see her standing upon the surface as if she'd done it a million times before. It was Ino's friend, or was. He honestly didn't know. There were times where they acted like best friends, the next they were tearing each other apart. Women, he wouldn't never understand them.
Why was she there anyway? Shouldn't she supposed to be training or something? She was one of Kakashi's kids. The last one seeing that other two took off.
"Well good afternoon, Sakura. What are you doing there alone?"
"I'm waiting for Kakashi-sensei, Asuma-sensei. But he hasn't shown up all day. Do you know where he is?" Her voice sounded insecure. As if she was afraid of his answer.
"I haven't seen him," Asuma answered truthfully. "I'm sure he will come in a matter of moments."
Sakura's head lowered with sadness. "Oke. Thank you Asuma-sensei." With a friendly wave, she was left alone again.
Having enough of standing all the time upon the water surface, the thrill of the ability she discovered on her own vanished into nothing. She paced down the bridge, slowly becoming desperate. Maybe something had happened? But if that was the case he would send Pakkun to give the message. He wouldn't leave her standing, waiting all day long. Slowly the dusk came. The sun sinking back into the ground and ending another day.
Her eyes were burning with the unshed tears. Her eyes trained upon the spot where he was supposed to come. With one shaky breath, the tears slowly began to slide down her cheeks. Her breath coming in short hitches as she sobbed. One hand pressed against her mouth as she tried to smother the sounds of her pain. The other wrapped around her stomach for a small sign of comfort.
She should have know. Never in her life did all those bad things happen to her in the morning. But now it seemed like an omen, preparing her for what was to come today.
Kakashi-sensei didn't show up. He had left her there all alone without a message he wasn't coming. Just like Naruto and Sasuke-kun, he had left her alone, abandoned. Didn't she mean anything to him at all? Wasn't she worth his teachings? Was she a disappointment and not even worth his time? Sure she wasn't as strong as Naruto or as fast as Sasuke-kun. But that didn't mean she was useless. Because she lacked in those areas wasn't he supposed to teach her so she could become stronger in those aspects? Wasn't he assigned to do that when he became her sensei?
Her eyes were red and puffy from all the tears she'd spent. Her breath hitched as her form shook. Her fists clenched and unclenched, but her eyes never stopped looking at the one spot. The spot where he was supposed to appear. But no matter how long she waited he did not come. Finally her knees buckled, her strength leaving her as she fell on the ground. Her eyes squeezed shut as another tear rolled down.
Her insecure feelings boiled up to the surface. The voices of her parents, friends and her beloved Sasuke-kun filling her ears as she cried out her agony. She was weak and useless in their eyes. Didn't have the abilities nor potential to come a heroin like she dreamed when she was a young girl. Was that all Kakashi thought she was? A stupid young girl with a dream she could never achieve? Was that why he left her alone or spend time on her training? Never did he give her extra assignments she could practice on? In missions, all he did was protect her from harm. Not even letting her come near the fight, just pushing her away. Was all that was she was? A burden?
Her heart was broken just has her spirit. Her determined fire that burned in her eyes slowly dulled to nothing as a part of her died. She didn't know how long she lay there. Her empty eyes staring at the spot, a small sparkle of hope that he might come still flickering somewhere deep within the dark inside of her. But he never came.
After the sun long gone, and the first stars appeared in the darkened sky she finally began to move. Her form was stiff but didn't even wince as her muscles protested to her erupt movement. With a slow pace she began to make her way home. She passed by the academy and saw her old sensei locking up the place.
He seemed to notice her as he waved enthusiastically. Sakura wanted to returned the happiness, but she just couldn't push herself to do so. She came as far to lift her hand in a greeting, the corners of her mouth twitching slightly upwards before it fell again.
"Hey Sakura-chan," Iruka said cheerily when he was in reach.
"Iruka-sensei," Sakura nodded politely. "Have you seen Kakashi-sensei?"
"Oh no, he's gone back on solo duties. He was send away yesterday on a mission. I thought you knew by being his last student here in the village." He sounded genuinely worried.
Sakura smiled sadly. "Ah yes, I forgotten. Thank you Iruka-sensei."
"No problem Sakura. I see you around." With a friendly smile send her way he was gone.
Sakura watched him go before continuing her way. Her heavy with the knowledge that confirmed her suspicion. The man she looked up to, to guide her way had given up on her. Not even thinking she was worth it to send the message he was back on mission duty. He just picked up and left.
Opening the front door, the smell of her favorite food reached her nose. But unlike other times it didn't cheer her up this time. She pushed the door closed, kicking off her sandals before placing them in the rack.
"Finally home from that godforsaken place," her father called from the kitchen. He came to stand in the opening, her mother joining shortly afterwards.
Then Sakura finally snapped. She couldn't take it anymore. Her parents didn't support her and certainly Kakashi-sensei didn't either. So what was the point going through this torture when nobody cared? With tears streaming down her cheeks she pulled the headband from her hair, throwing it across the room. With a hard thud it slammed against the wall before it fell upon the ground.
"Fine! You won dad, I quit!" she yelled through her tears. She could see the shocked faces of her parents. But now she couldn't care less. "I do what you want, I can't take it anymore."
"Sakura…" her mother said shocked. Seeing her daughter so in distress and pain, so fragile wasn't what she ever wanted to see. The lovely green eyes that she loved so much looked up at her, having heard her call. Instead of the fire look she'd gotten from her father she now saw emptiness and just plain hollow. It scared her.
Without another word Sakura ran upstairs to her room, not having any appetite left. Her mother stared after her shocked. Her father sighed, moving away from the opening and grabbing the headband lying upon the ground.
"Finally knocked some sense into the girl," he muttered. Opening the trash can, he let the headband fall into it. He didn't like seeing his baby girl so upset. But what else should he expect from a girl just giving up her dream. But it was good she finally saw it through his point of view. Because in the end she would be better off than with that scum. Without a final glance he closed the lit of the trashcan.
To be continued…