A New Beginning
All was well in Konoha. Having been nearly a year since the day the moon threatened to annihilate the planet, it almost felt like a lifetime ago to the peaceful yet bustling Hidden Village. Nearly doubling in populace since opening the doors to other wandering Clans and outlying city folk from all over the Land of Fire. Becoming a hub of life and culture, there was even talk about additional landscape being remodeled behind the Hokage Summit in order to make room for the intake of people.
This meant that over the past year, the Hokage was pushed to his limit. The Sixth one in existence to be exact. His title and rank granted to him three years ago when Tsunade, the Fifth, had stepped down in favor of letting the formerly Sharingan endowed Shinobi take over. Known more for his white hair than his past-habitually hidden eye, the new Hokage knew that if his father ever saw him now, he'd be immensely proud of his new station...
"Lord Hokage?" A young womanly voice inquired.
...and disappointed that he was currently reading a Erotica book that he's read a hundred times over, Make Out Paradise, instead of busying himself with the mountain of paperwork surrounding his desk. Flipping a page nonchalantly, he acted as if nothing happened, hoping the familiar aide would give up.
With a groan, the feminine voice called out again, in a much more exasperated tone, "Kakashi, what are you doing?"
Kakashi tilted his gaze a touch over his book, seeing a pair of dark eyes glaring with a creased pair of slender brows. The young woman who had served and assisted Kakashi's predecessor had hardly changed in the three years that has transpired. Now only adorning a single sleeve to her left shoulder, her dark colored kosode wound over her to wrap all the way to her upper thighs, with dark silken slacks to reach her sandal covered feet. With a clipboard held in her right hand, it was apparent she had a list of things to speak with the son of Sakumo, but was more put-off by his current disposition.
Without skipping a beat, Kakashi waved a free hand at his secretary, "Oh. Hello, Shizune. Nice day for a read, don't you think?"
"It would be if it wasn't explicit and more responsible text!" Shizune shouted with an exaggerated wave of her hand in his direction.
Waving his hand dismissively at Shizune, Kakashi realigned his eyes back to reading his favorite read, "I'll get to it, don't worry about it. This kind of work I can get done in a few hours. It looks worse than it really is."
Sighing, Shizune closed her eyes as she rubbed the bridge of her nose with her free hand, "I highly doubt that. I swear I thought you were better than Lady Tsunade, but this is a different kind of lazy all together..."
"Believe it or not, I do get a lot of work done. You just keep giving me more than I can accomplish in a single day," Kakashi insisted with a tired sigh, leaning back in his chair with aforementioned emphasis.
Clearing her throat the aide to the Hokage tapped her clipboard, "In any case, I think I'll just go over things that should be done today. I hope you can get through most of it, if not all of it in the allotted time necessary."
"Right-Right," Kakashi said with a dismissive wave, eyes already closing, nostrils exhaling his apparent disinterest in his daily routine. Already his mind was awash with the recollection of events that led him to this position. It was a job many desired but few, who knew its inner workings, really wanted to keep. He was surprised that Hiruzen wanted to be Hokage twice, given how demanding and stressful such a position could be.
He drowned out most of Shizune's rhetoric, knowing that he'd eventually reread the 'To-Do List' when she tapes it over his favorite books. As much as he relied on her she has become more of a hinderance to his recreational activities that he swore that Tsunade must be bored without her protege nannying her. Wasn't he old enough to take care of things more responsibly than his predecessor?
It was during his musings that he remembered about a certain someone who he thought was more fit for the job. It wasn't the revered hero of the world and their own Village but someone with an incredible mind. She was a student underneath the Sannin that became Hokage, and was instrumental in bringing down the evil goddess prior to the two rivals' showdown.
Irony sang out in the form of Shizune's sharp tone waking Kakashi from his personal musing. Opening his eyes suddenly, he bent his head slightly forward, seeing the crossed expression on his aide's face. After a handful of eyebrow twitches, the 6th Hokage raised his left brow and asked in a curious, if not too-nonchalant tone, "You were saying?"
The sound of a rattling clipboard could be heard as the dark haired woman prayed to whatever deities there were watching to restrain herself from throwing something at the Hatake's head. Counting to ten and taking slow breaths helped, allowing her to return to a calmer demeanor. Stern, yet definitely less emotional.
"I was going to point out that you had purposefully erased part of the assigned projects I wrote up earlier today. I remember giving it to you this morning before you handed it back to me only an hour later. Reading it now, I can clearly see you cleared everything on your plate in four hours," Shizune spoke plainly, raising the clipboard towards a faint outline where pencil graphite was removed. In its place, a small sentence saying, 'off time,' was placed at its center. Thrumming her fingers over the epicenter of emptiness that was the list of things she wanted him to complete, the eye-twitching assistant inquired sharply, "care to explain why you thought this was vital?"
"I'm meeting someone," Kakashi said all-too quickly, causing the woman across to blink with confusion.
"Meeting? As in...go out to lunch and converse?" She asked with bewilderment.
"What, is that so odd?" The Shinobi of Legend asked with a smile spread behind his dark blue mask. To enforce the act, he waved his hands in either direction, spinning them slightly before shrugging at the end. His smile wavered upon seeing a scrutinizing glare by Tsunade's former secretary.
"No, you don't simply just socialize. The Kakashi I know and have seen rarely goes out of his way to grab a simple bit out with friends. I'd know, Guy still pesters me with messages from to go grab dumplings with him and the other Jounin," She explained with clear doubt in her tone, placing the back of her free hand on her hip while cocking it in the opposing angle. Her furrowed brows continued to stare hard at the man, trying to trace any hidden agenda. If the ulterior motive was simply him to sneak away and read more dirty book then he'd find himself in a rude awakening; she'd guarantee that.
Leaning forward with a belated breath, Kakashi entwined his gloved hands onto the desk in front of him. Looking up at her with as much seriousness as he could muster, he steeled himself for her reaction. "Well, I guess you could say I'm going on a date with a dear colleague of mine."
The sound of a clipboard clattering to the floor solidified the shock that Shizune felt. After a handful of rapid blinks, the Kunoichi sputtered with embarrassment and bewilderment. Reaching down to pick up the clipboard, she accidentally bumped into the desk, sending more of the messy stacks of papers awry. With great amusement to the Hokage, she was pressing the clipboard to her chest as she heaved with effort from the scene she created.
"A date?! You?!" Shizune practically shrieked, eyes widened to the diameter of saucers, complementing her pink colored blush dominating her face. Shaking her head, she tried to pry more information by slamming the list-holder onto the desk. Leaning forward she asked in a hoarse whisper, "who?!"
"Why are you getting so worked up? It's not like this is a grandiose romantic outing," Kakashi responded with plain curiosity, leaning back with arms crossed. "I doubt this is more than a simple outing, yet you blow this out of proportion."
"You," Shizune began to say, her demeanor deflating as a dawning realization came into the forefront of her mind. A snicker formed followed by a suppressed series of giggles that finished with her speaking with amusement, "you really have no concept of what an actual date entails, do you?"
"Please," Kakashi said with a huff, looking quite indignant even as a hint of a blush lit up over his exposed facial features. Smiling behind his mask, he presented evidence of his ability to perform amicably in the situation he planned for. Said proof was nothing else other than a Makeout Paradise book, its front cover on display, with Kakashi's hand tapping its fingers across its title for emphasis, "I've read Jiraiya's books. Trust me, I know exactly what I need to do in case things ever go down that route."
A series of giggles, snorts, and laughter broke out within the office shortly after. Kakashi's expression was one of a blank stare, still holding the book up as if he became a standie seated down. He could only wonder why this woman thought it was so hilarious that he was so confident given the source material he's using if something did happen.
"But nothing would, right?" Kakashi thought with a wrinkled frown.
It was a nice time of day in the market. Konoha was bustling with activity, people once in fear of their lives or working on providing services to resident Ninja were now accepting tourists and prospective new citizens. With the expansion plans placed in the project called "New Era," vast amounts of land opening up behind the Village's Hokage Mountain. Large croppings of structures already in the works wre already being built to house and give way to new jobs not stemming to warfare but the betterment of advancing culture.
This could be seen in the streets of the crowded market district of the Village. Particularly by a pink haired young woman, donning a beige pair of cargo shorts with a sleeveless maroon dyed shirt. With sleeves covering her elbows running over her wrists in the same color, her left arm looped a basket of mahogany coloration. Her black sandaled feet clapped across the earth as she smiled, humming softly to herself as she set off to finish her shopping.
Today, after all, was a special day for her.
After muttering a handful of apologies, she passed through the sea of bodies moving to and fro across the street. Entering a store, previously used as a restaurant, now into a grocery store containing a wide variety of delicacies to convenience items of interest. Exchanging a smile and wave to the store's clerk, she quickly busied herself searching through the mart's plethora of items, eager to acquire what she needed.
It was only on happenstance that another familiar face caught her eye as she did hers.
"Sakura!" Ino cried out with a smiling laugh, eagerly rushing into her best friend's embrace.
"I didn't expect to run into you today, Ino," Sakura gingerly squeezed her in their hug, releasing her back gently to get a quick look at her appearance. Atypical golden-blonde hair was casting her bangs over the right side of her face while the rest was cropped into a high-risen ponytail that draped all the way down to her calves. A dark purple sports bra was hidden by a unzipped sleeveless black jacket with crimson etched into its borders was worn loosely over her shoulders. Violet hued shorts were donned, partially covered by a black kama skirt wrapped around her waist with a similar color palette to her jacket, complemented by the pair of dark heeled sandals she sported.
"My mission was more diplomatic than it was difficult. I was so bored I just decided to just chill out till Sai was free," Ino responded with a smile, sighing dreamily as she remembered the pale faced yet always smiling man she had a fondness for. She only hoped his passive state of pleasantness wasn't forced or a charade, as often her friends told her.
"Glad you get some time off. We've all been hard at work, even with the world at peace. Guess things never change, huh?" Sakura mused with a wry grin, earning a laugh from her blonde companion.
When she noticed the basket looked around Sakura's arm, Ino pointedly asked with an inquisitive stare at her luggage, "What do ya got there? Going on a picnic?"
"Yes," The rose tressed Kunoichi beamed, holding the nearly full case close to her as she smiled with affirmation, "I'm a little excited. It's been too long since I get to treat myself out like this."
"Anyone coming with?" Ino arched a brow, following with a telling grin of her own. "anyone with dark hair and crazy eyes?"
"Uhhh," Sakura turned her head, her eyes casting a far-off gaze at being asked this. The light briefly dimmed out of her eyes as she remembered back to her parting with the lone remnant of the Uchiha. She was given a tender farewell but hasn't even seen his face once in four years. Just the mere mentioning of it made her sad...and lonely.
"I'm sorry," Ino spoke softly, a look of concern crossing her left eye at seeing Sakura's forlorn expression. "I didn't mean to-"
"It's alright, really," Sakura quickly replied with a wave, forcing a smile as she returned her gaze bravely back at her. Feeling her outstretched hand grasped and placed into a tender grip by her longstanding friend did evoke a genuine smile. When her hand was released, she couldn't help but feel that nagging question coming before even hearing it.
"So, who's the lucky guy?" Ino whispered, leaning her face forward to be only a handful inches away from Sakura's.
"I can't say," Tsunade's pupil shook her head calmly, winking back at her teasingly, "not yet."
"Awwwww," Ino pouted, bending back to place her knuckles on her hips. Sashaying her hip back and forth, she mock glared at her while furrowing her brows at them. Puffing her cheek, she saw Sakura stick out her tongue with rejection, earning her with a harumphing sigh, "well, I guess I'll have to tail you there to find out for myself. What do you think of tha-?"
Caught in mid-speech, Ino's quick turn of the head left her alone in the store. Sakura had escaped, leaving the faintest traces of smoke from where she had sped off. Rushing out of the store's front, she turned her head left and then right, noticing a large cloud of smoke as a comedically racing Haruno left her and dozens of pedestrians in her wake.
"SSSSSSAAAAAAKUUUUURAAAAAAA!" Ino shouted with indignant rage, swinging her arms with unabated fury at being left behind.
Time passed by as duties, chores, and events went on as planned. The Sun rose high in the sky, declaring noon to many still hard at work or eager to fill their stomachs of food. Hours into the afternoon and the gleam of golden light began to fall into the west, catching the rising structures' metallic parts and the Village's windows. The business began to dwindle to manageable levels, leaving a small reprieve for the center of Fire Nation's culture and military power to rest before the next shift began.
Until then, Sakura had made her way to the picnic destination that had been planned out. After skillfully evading detection and leaving no tracks for her persistent pursuer, she worked her way through familiar dirt paths to a small meadow clearing. Surrounded by trees, a small granite monument was embedded across a creek that connected to Konoha's several rivers flowing through and around its lands.
Even though she knew the time for the date was hours away, she took her time of setting up. Inwardly she was glad she didn't rely on heated food for this occasion, especially with the man's particular bad habit of being tardiness. Smiling wistfully at her thoughtfulness at planning for this event, she took some time relieve her boredom by practicing a few katas.
"HA! Hm! Ho! Hnh!" Sakura chanted with every gesture, her body rippling and swaying like a reed tethered at the bottom of a river. Changing direction sporadically, she'd form shapes through bowing forward to leaning to the left and even crouching down. Ending with a swift roundhouse kick, the diamond tattooed Kunoichi relaxed with slow breathing as she returned to an upright posture.
The sound of clapping announced her expected arrival, bringing a smile to her face. Turning around, she performed a half-hearted bow to her unexpected audience, glad to have been recognized for her diligence in keeping in shape even in between missions. Walking towards the man, clad in only his dark blue mask tucked seamlessly in a muscle T, simple leggings were adorned as well as a pair of slip-on sandals.
Reaching into her pocket, she withdrew a pink colored cell phone, tapping its power only to spot the display. Whistling out with surprise mingled praise, Sakura grinned wryly at Kakashi as she pocketed her cellular device, "Only a half hour late? I'm impressed. Keep this up and you may actually show up on time."
"Perish the thought," The masked Shinobi replied suavely, cupping his chin as he told in an honest tone, "though, to be frank, I did try to be here. Today's been crazy just trying to fit in a time I'd like to just relax. With Shizune working me like a dog and with the New Era project piling atop our normal incoming and outgoings of news, I'm a bridge in between a lot of deals running smoothly in the Land of Fire."
Sighing, Sakura could only smile sympathetically as she crossed her arms over her chest, "I remember Tsunade having to deal with the most trying of times when she just got her rank of Hokage. Between training me and her duties, she did everything in her power to procrastinate. I'm surprised you didn't send a Shadow Clone here to tell me you couldn't make it."
"A glamorous way to save time, but I'm afraid my neck would be wrung by the time my Clone slacks off," Kakashi joked with a chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.
Clearing her throat, Sakura gestured to the red blanket with a basket settled to the side of it. Acquiescing to her urge to get their date underway, the former Copy Ninja sat with his legs crossed, placing his hands on his spread knees with eagerness. He wouldn't admit it, but he actually ate very little today due to how strained he was working.
Unpacking the stored items within the basket, Kakashi's eyes widened at what he saw. Chocolate dipped dumplings on a stick, accompanied by a number of sweet rolls and a few foreign icing treats. Complementing the set of rich flavored snacks was even a bottle of what the masked ninja could only guess was a bottle of sake. With small cups set aside the emerald tinted bottle, they soon dived into eating the assortment of treats.
Amidst the devouring of rich delicacies -skillfully performed without Sakura ever seeing his mask come off- Kakashi couldn't help but begin to reminisce the significance of the location she selected. It was here, that their journey began as both a team and individuals. Fate led them here and by choice they always returned for one reason or another. Each time there was one less teammate, until there was only him and Sakura remained.
The astute young woman no doubt saw him staring wistfully at the beautiful scenery surrounding them. Reason being, she quickly returned his attention with a statement of her own, "Nostalgic, isn't it?"
"It's been awhile since we've been here," Kakashi nodded with affirmation, finishing the last of the dumplings with a swift remasking gesture. Watching the pink-haired girl uncork the bottle, he grasped a small cup to accept the liquid offering bestowed to him. With a swift knockback of burning liquid down his throat, he joined Sakura in the first shot of many as she smiled back at her, "I remember both exercises fondly. You've come quite a long ways since your time as a scared girl fawning over a genius with an attitude."
"Says the man who used to be just an instructor," Sakura returned the compliment without skipping a beat. Winking with a smile, she gestured with her cup holding hand, using the other to idly stroke the bottle. Retaining only a smidge of rosy complexion -an affect from alcohol intake- she did well to remind him as her dazzling green eyes batted at the masked warrior, "you went from being a guy who was just known as a Copycat to being one of the most influential Shinobi in the world. You helped us stop Kaguya, fight in a war, and bring down the Akatsuki. Compared to you, I'm just walking in my teacher's footsteps."
Taking a few moments to remember how much the young daughter of the Haruno's had transformed from the smart and cooperable subordinate of his into a completely different person. Harnessing the attitude, skill and prowess of her master, it quickly became clear to the son of Sakumo that she was no longer his student but an inheritor of the Medic Sannin's legacy. Any small remnant of familiarity to her old Team 7 spirit was only recognized through her interaction with himself and Naruto.
With this in mind, he watched Sakura take another sip from her cup while Kakashi stared at her with the utmost sincerity, "Sakura, never sell yourself short. Your compassion, mind and strength has long become your own. It may have been inspired and laid in the foundation of your teachers, but history will remember it was you that stood there when the world needed someone to protect those who needed defense. You are the tether that holds our Team to the Earth, so none of these titles or weird powers go to our head."
Smiling at this, Sakura couldn't help but snicker at hearing this, "That's so like you. Saying such nice things to me."
"Hm?" Kakashi cocked his head to the side, watching Sakura swallow the whole cup with a loud exhale.
"Don't play dumb. I remember everything," Sakura whispered, her eyes raising up to seriously gaze at her mentor and teammate. "you...you've always been there for me. Even when things looked bad, you made sure you'd catch me when I fell or stopped me from doing something stupid. Even till the end, you were always saving me."
"You would have done the same," Kakashi said with a disarming smile, waving dismissively to the young woman. Seeing her shake her head caused the expression to dim into one of impassion. There was more to this declaration than simply a compliment. Keeping this in mind, he stayed silent and let her continue say what's on her mind.
Scooting forward, Sakura licked her lips nervously and kept eye contact with the silver-grey haired man, "For so long I was chasing a shadow of a man I vied for his affection, hoping one day he'd return it. All these years of...isolation and growth have taught me so much. Watching Naruto and Hinata grow closer, I couldn't help but want them succeed where I was unable. I heard he came and left so quickly I never even got a chance to see him. But I guess that's the path he's chosen...and it clearly doesn't have me in it."
"Sakura," Kakashi began to breathe out, his eyes widening to show how stunned he was. He had been there, defending that love needed no reason and her feelings were sincere towards Sasuke. Suspicion gave way to confirmation of what she spoke now, having not heard anything solidifying their bond growing from that day forward. Yet he couldn't imagine why she was confessing this...to him of all people..."why are you telling me this?"
"Because I...I think I've started...falling for you," Sakura breathed out quietly, almost too faint to be heard. But between Kakashi's flushed expression and the look of incredulity crossing his exposed upper visage, she knew his sharp ears heard her. Not wanting to leave it at that, she reached out to tentatively brush at his left cheek, her fingertips sliding against the smooth cloth that hugged his jaws. "I think for awhile I've known. I've known there's something deeper that connects us than simply are affiliation with Team 7. We've always were beside each other, you always being there for me but not enough of me returning the favor. I...I want to be there for you now, more than ever!"
"Sakura...this is...I...I can't imagine," Kakashi stuttered, feeling himself planted to the ground, unable to move. Even as she approached he could already smell the musk of her perfume, like strawberries and flowers. Her warmth was emanating her like Chakra, almost making her glow in the light of the afternoon gleam the meadow created. Gulping audibly as beads of sweat crawled down his scalp, he looked at the admittedly beautiful woman who now looked favorably at him with affection mingled with adoration. "me of all people...you could have chosen so many better people than me. I don't deserve this kind of...companionship."
Feeling him flinch and speak coldly, Sakura knew it had to have stemmed from guilt. A guilt she knew drew back to his days as a young boy teamed with people he cherished and loved. That man came back from the dead, was saved, and sacrificed him for his sake so he could live out his dream. The difficulty of coping such feelings was never something he had to endure. Not alone, in her eyes.
"I've always wanted to do something for you, Kakashi, for all the times you've been there for me. This is my chance I can truly be of help to you. So when I say this, please understand I love you," Sakura began to speak firmly, even as tears welled up within her eyes. A second hand reached out, cupping Kakashi's face as he pulled his gaze back to hers. Leaning head forward to tap against his, she whispered softly, "don't let guilt and loneliness be the footnotes of your life. Let me in. Let me hold you and be there for you as you've always done for me. I want to love you, if you let me."
So many things tugged at Kakashi's soul at this moment. His heartbeats were gongs in his ears, slowed down to transpire in fractions of the actual thrums. He had killed so many, often with a detached lifeless attitude. He couldn't save the people who mattered to him the most. His own words were thrown back at him by the very man who he had mourned and revered for years, spiteful at him for wanting to live in a world where only inky darkness existed. Then, he decided if only for a short time, return to the light just long enough to leave Kakashi feel that empty bitterness within.
Here he was, in the embrace of a student he had seen since childhood grow up into a spectacular woman. She had yearned for attention, acknowledgement and attraction by a man who gave none of those. Yet, whether it was truly as a mentor or someone more than that, he had provided all of the above. Was it so wrong that he could give her happiness if she desperately wanted to give him in return?
Age, the past, and regrets. They didn't matter. Not according to what he had said. Love didn't need to make sense after all, right? If it is truly genuine, then there is nothing to suade the heart from its course. With her heart set on him and, in turn, his heart open to her affection, nothing forbade them from cementing this potentially long lasting relationship.
"You have my permission," Kakashi croaked out after a minute of intense breathing. His own tears began to spill out, staining his mask while red lines had formed over an emotion-ridden face of her own. Sakura bit her lower lip to keep it from trembling, as well as suppress the glowing smile she felt like displaying.
In a few seconds, fingers pulled down the protective fabric covering his face, hidden by the sudden shine of the Sun beginning to set across the canopy of trees. The meadow hummed with declining activity as their lips joined together, with soon their arms embracing each other fully. A beautiful beginning was paved, allowing a second chance for a new life for them both to live.
And for the first time, he was truly happy.
Years Later, Konoha changed for the better. What used to be empty forestry and plains behind the upper cropping of the Hokage Faces was now shimmering skyscrapers reaching high into the heavens. Advanced structures of metal and concrete were formed, advancing for kilometers into the distant horizon that stretched along the cliffside facing the traditional structures the Village held true to. Such was a constant commotion of the former Hidden Village that it could no longer be called such but instead, Konoha City.
During the passage of time, people settled down and began forming families or making their own mark in the world. Children were born, on the cusp of being raised to inherit their parents' wishes or dreams. Companions of old became fast friends. And most importantly, true alliances were forged far and wide across the Five Great Shinobi Nations to beyond.
But beyond this marvelous sight of technological advancement and population booming lied a quaint location overseeing it in the distance. A single story house, fashioned out of from standard oak and maple to bamboo was crafted. Connected by the road's power lines treading towards Konoha City, this place was home to a particular two people happily living their lives out.
One was carrying a melon over his spiked head, his forehead protector still dutifully slung around his forehead as he trudged through some rich, well-kept shrubbery. His dark face mask was contrary to the sleeveless dark green muscle shirt he had slapped over his well toned body, dark cargo shorts wading through tall grass and leaven foliage all the same. Heading towards a familiar, welcome figure with the fruit held overhead, he called out in a casual manner, "Yo! You think this one is ready?"
Turning around, Sakura's smile beamed at the sight of Kakashi. With her pink head covered by a cream colored sun hat, a teal hued shoulder strap dress draped over her slender feminine form. A turquoise water hose in hand continued to pump water over a crop of premature melons before her loose sandaled feet, watering them with much desired care and control.
"Yeah, I think that one's great! We should use that for dinner tonight," Sakura remarked with an encouraging wave.
Smiling behind his perpetually masked face, the former Copy Cat Ninja trotted over the mowed lawn to step up to the well lacquered patio flooring. Passing through sliding doors to the neatly kempt kitchen, he placed it on a granite counter. Seeing the host of other vegetables and fruits ready for tonight's feast, he couldn't help but place his hands on his hips to marvel at the bounty they had ready. They needed, considering Naruto's family was to be invited over.
"With two kids, I'm sure between them and him, there's going to be a great need for a lot of helpings to spare. Hopefully he won't be too sore about the lack of ramen," Kakashi thought with a laugh.
Turning around, he whistled during his approach back to Miss Hatake. He could remember the event as if it was yesterday, and all the looks of shock to sheer joy for the two of them. Strangely there was a good number who weren't surprised, and might have suspected something going on between them for awhile. Whatever the case, their marriage was one of pure bliss and great happiness. Their honeymoon to the Land of Snow was something they'd never forget either.
"Who would have thought that I'd retire from being Hokage to live on a farm away from the city?" Kakashi mused as he deftly appeared behind Sakura, virtually silent. Brushing his hands over the top of her back to slide over shoulders down to her upper arms, he leaned into her purposeful backward lean with a sigh. "not to mention get married to my own student, all grown up and wanting to spend life with little ol' me? Seems almost too good to be true."
"What are you thinking about?" Sakura asked with an upward turn of her head, the tip of her sun hat brushing his face as her smile dazzled before his gaze.
"How lucky I am to have someone like you with me," Kakashi responded smoothly, brushing his hands through her hair as he stared lovingly back.
"Luck? No. Just love," Sakura responded sappily, laughing at her own words as she leaned up to plant a kiss across his cheek.
In each other's arms, as the hose fed the melons' a bounty of water, they gazed at the glistening towers of steel and glass that dwarfed the many structures making up Konoha city. Even through the cropping of trees and fields of tall grass they could make out its brilliance. It was a true sign that the world was changing for the better. As they melted into each other's embrace, the mutual feeling that they were a part of it made their blissful peace even more enchanting.
A/N: Wow, I can't believe I wrote this. An entire story that had literally NO VIOLENCE in it. My God my writing must be incredibly sappy for I am no expert on writing a strictly romantic story. Someone shoot me now before I do another!
First off, in case people were wondering, Sakura is 21 at the beginning of this story. Since it's been 4 years since the Chapter before the last one (with a brief 2 year timeskip to The Last before another two year timeskip). So by the point of this date happening, she's a full grown woman. This way it feels a bit less awkward, unless people already knew this XD
In all honesty, I did have fun writing this one. I was hesitant, at first, because this is a pairing on the outside I found cute but not one I favor over others. I can understand why some people might be freaked out by this or not like it, but I just thought to share it with you guys anyways. Hope you all enjoyed this harmless one-shot of mine and comment to see if I wrote it alright.
To my friend I wrote this for, I hope it met and possibly exceeded your expectations. I tried not making it too long or short. Crossing my fingers that this was the kind of story you were looking for.
With that said, I'll see you all later in my other stories. Cya! ^^
PS. I'm writing a continuation of this story in the form of Naruto: The Evening Saga. Based on Kakashi and Sakura's child starting her life as a Genin, with adventures centering around her and her peers. If you're interested in anyway, please check this out!