It took every ounce of self control for Kakashi not to gasp or stare at the girl next to him in shock. The moment her henge dropped his stomach dropped with it. Slowly she turned her head again to look at him. Something very wrong had happened to her. While her hair was the same color and length as it was before, that was about the only thing that stayed the same. The side of her head that looked like she had shaved it was covered in burn scars. They went from the side of her skull down her cheek onto her jaw, and down her neck disappearing beneath her ANBU tank top. There were two long deep scars that ran from her cheek over the bridge of her nose onto her other cheek. There was a large piece missing out of the shell of her ear. The exposed skin of her arms were riddled with thick scars and burns. Though the most disturbing feature where her eyes. Her left eye was the normal vibrant green it had always been, but the right, there was nothing familiar about it. The iris was large black and in it white specs floated around about. It was like staring into the milky way. It was beautiful in the most disturbing way. She was beautifully disturbing.
"Happy Ibiki?" Sakura turned and glared at the man in front of them. He just let out a heavy sigh.
"Thrilled." Ibiki deadpanned. "Haruno, you know that henges are not to be used in ANBU head quarters as it is. I am sorry but we can't really make an exception on your account." Ibiki ran his massive hand over his head. He looked tired. Which really was no surprise. The man was closing in on sixty, he deserved a break. Sakura just snorted then averted her gaze to the ground muttering something about never unmasking before. Kakashi tried to look away, but couldn't tear his eyes away from her. He was almost overwhelmed with the relief that he felt, but he also knew that he was deep in shock. He knew that a lot had changed since he left, but this is... This is something he, never in a million years, expected. He would have thought that she would be dead before of the chance of seeing her so mutilated.
"You know in every known culture it is considered rude to stare." Her voice was soft but her face was pulled into a hard grimace. She didn't even bother at looking at him, keeping her gaze attached to the floor. Kakashi inwardly sighed and looked back to Ibiki, who was currently letting his gaze flicker back and forward between the two. Kakashi shifted on his feet uncomfortably.
"Ok.. Well, hopefully this will be an easy transition for the two of you since you have worked together before. I would really hate to have to dig for another team mate." Ibiki's eyes narrowed at Sakura. She scoffed and shook her head.
"You wouldn't have to worry about teams or team mates if you just let me go solo. I don't understand what the big issue is." Her tone was bitter as she glared at the man.
"Well, that is not going to happen. Either you take a partner, Haruno, or you retire. It is up to you." Kakashi could not help his brow from furrowing. He had never heard of an ANBU operative that was denied solo missions even if they were a bit unstable... Anko was the perfect example.. They were actually rare to come upon someone that wanted to take that path. "Anyways, since you both got back from long and hard missions, you are required to take a four week break before taking up a new one. I want you to use this time to train and get to know each other again. While this may be a temporary thing, you will be working with each other for a while. Do not even think about taking any Jounin missions either. Do you understand?" Ibiki's eyes briefly went to Kakashi, but mostly stayed on Sakura as he talked. They both nodded and gave out grunts confirming that they were indeed listening. "Ok, if there is nothing else that either of you wish to discuss, you are dismissed." He waved them off as he picked up a file and began to read it.
Kakashi exited the room first then waited on Sakura to come out. The moment that he was in the hallway he took a deep breath and let his body lean on the wall. Rolling his shoulders he took another shaky breath in attempting to gain control of his emotions. Relief, anger, uncertainty, disgust, and joy that he felt from seeing her- being next to her- warred inside of him. He stood there and attempted not to fidget while waiting for her. He swallowed and realized that he was also nervous. He would have laughed if he didn't feel like vomiting. So many questions were running through his head. He wanted to know what happened but knew that he couldn't be out right about it. He rolled his shoulders again attempting to alleviate the stress in his body. While it was only a few moment it felt like hours as he waited for her. Eventually though his attention was drawn to the door as it opened slowly and she limped her way out.
"Sakura," Kakashi tried his best to smile at her, and not stare at anyone place too long. Sakura looked up at him and sighed then cloaked herself in her henge once more.
"Kakashi, it's good to see you. It's been a long time sensei." She smirked at him. Kakashi watched her and couldn't help his eyes from going to her right eye, which was now the familiar green he was use to. Her henge was practically flawless, it was impressive.
"No need for sensei." He smirked at her from under his mask.
"No.. I suppose not, perhaps babysitter, keeper, or handler is a better term." She huffed out. Kakashi just looked at her with his brows drawn in confusion. She snarled a bit before her eyes softened as she looked up at him. "I am sorry, it's not your fault. It really is good to see you. I am happy that you are my temp. It may be like old times." She grinned at him, but it reminded him of Sai's smike. A bit too big to be real.
"I am happy that it was you I am teamed up with also. It will be nice working with some one after such a long solo mission" He smiled back. Her smile faltered for a moment but she quickly recouped and grinned at him again. They stood there and looked at each other. A brief period of awkwardness passed between the two. Sakura rocked for a on the balls of her feet and looked down the hall. She took a deep breath and then puffed out her cheeks. Both were waiting for the other to talk.
"Well I am starving and need to grab something to eat. I was probably just going to hit a food cart, do you want to come?" She asked as she began to walk away. Kakashi quickly flanked next to her.
"I would love to." They walked through the ANBU building not speaking. Sakura looked completely comfortable, but Kakashi... He may have looked at ease, but there was so much inner term oil that was happening in him he found it a miracle that he wasn't running into walls.. He didn't know what to say to her. He just came to the same questions, but where to go? "Hey I haven't seen you in three years, but I noticed that you name was on the cenotaph, and your last name is the same, and you are pretty banged up. Wanna tell me about it." Yeah. That did not seem like a wise idea at all. So he just walked quietly next to her.
Once they were outside Sakura stopped at a grilled squid cart and ordered six. Then she looked over at him and asked if he wanted any. His brow raised at the amount that she asked for, but motioned to the cart owner that he would take two. Once they had their squid Sakura found a bench and took a seat. He followed her lead and sat next to her. She sat happily munching on her squid watching people go by. Kakashi ate slowly, his eyes never leaving her.
"Ok, Hatake here is the deal. I train in the morning. I know that is not your ideal time, but that is when I need it to be done. I use training ground four at seven o'clock till one thirty. Then I train in the dojo with Gia until about four thirty. I am not willing to change or be flexible on these times. So if you don't show on time I will just start with out you. I do not wait." She looked over at him. Her eyes had turned hard, and any warmth that she displayed earlier was no longer there. He watched as be began to eat her last skewer. Then he processed the information she said. She practiced with Gai? He inwardly groaned.
"I understand. I will not make you wait. I promise Sakura-chan." He smiled at her, but her brow went up as he used chan. Three years and he thinks he can be cheeky with her. She shook her head at him.
"I'll believe it when I see it." She stood up from the bench and stretched, small pops from her joints filled the air. Kakashi couldn't help himself from letting his eyes take in her form. With out or with scars she was the most beautiful women that he had ever saw. Once she was done stretching she walked over and disposed of her skewers in the trash. "Well I got to get going. You know places to be people to see..." She began to walk away, then paused and looked over her shoulder at him. "I am happy you are home. I missed you." She walked away throwing her hand in the air with two fingers up. He smirked as she watched her go. Once Sakura was out of sight. He stood and began to run to the Hokage's office like a bat out of hell.
He arrived at the tower quickly and entered through the window, not bothering to walk through the building or use the doors. He jumped into the blonds office with a soft thump. He was not trying to be stealthy. Tsunade lifted her eyes from the scroll she was reading and scowled at him.
"What the fuck happened?" He growled out before she could even say a word. She opened and closed her mouth before narrowing her eyes even further at him.
"Well there are many fucks that could happen in three years. You will have to be more specific Hatake." She arched one brow at him as he scowled at her.
"I just got out of my meeting with Ibiki." He took a step closet to her desk.
"Oh, I see. Met Hyena have you." Tsunade drawled and took out a bottle of sake. "Did Ibiki have you unmask?" She asked as she pulled out two sake bowls.
"Yes." She filled both bowls and slid one towards him on her desk. She drank the contents of her bowl in one swig.
"I take it he also had her drop the henge." She looked up at him and he just nodded. Though he took the sake he was starting to get irritated with beating around the bush. Tsunade just sighed and filled up her glass again.
"I also went to the memorial stone." He said after he drank his sake and pushed the bowl back towards the Hokage.
"I see." She filled up both bowls, she immediately drank hers then leaned back into her chair as she took in a deep breath. "Three years ago Sakura, Sasuke, Kiba, and Shino, where sent out on a mission. It was suppose to be easy, just a escort mission." She cleared her throat and reached forward and grabbed the bottle forgoing the courtesy of using the bowls. She took a long drawl and closed her eyes. "We didn't know, there was no way we knew. We did all security measures possible, some how we didn't look into it enough."
"What didn't you know?" Kakashi attempted not to snarl, but he was getting tired of listening to her prelude.
"It was all a set up. They wanted everyone in that squad. Though Sakura was a high priority. Kiba, and Shino were killed.. She tried to heal them, but before she could finish, she was taken. We don't know how, but I think it was a senbon laced with something... Sasuke completed the mission but wasn't aware that the ones he guarded were the ones that lead to the demise of his team. We assumed that she was dead. We received no ransom demands, no indication that lead us to believe that she was alive. Sasuke reported a large explosion from the site that she was taken from and there was so much blood, her blood...Then again, they were not interesting in trading, they wanted nothing from Kohona besides her."
"Why? Did they want secrets? Why her?" His brows furrowed as he looked at her. He tried to follow what she was saying, but the blood that was pumping hard through his ears.
"No, did you not hear me? Are you not paying attention? They were not interested in Kohona secrets. They were interested in HER." She lifted the bottle again to her lips. "Though at one point they did try and see if they could get anything out of her. I guess for shits and giggles." A small smirk lifted the corner of her mouth. "You know what Hatake, she never broke. I don't know of anyone who had never broke even a little after all that and all that time. She's a tough cookie."
"How much time?"
"A year, six months and seventeen days." Kakashi couldn't help the sharp intake of breath. It was not the longest that he had heard of, but it was the longest he heard of recently. There was also the fact that usually when some one was in captivity for so long, they almost (well not even almost) came back beyond damaged. Often you would not even be able to recognize the person that came back, which would lead to retirement, or a long vacation to a mental ward. How is it possible that she came back "normal?"
"What did they do?" He asked as he felt his hands clench next to his sides.
"I am not going to say exactly. That is up to her if she wants you to know... " Tsunade worried her lip at Kakashi. She didn't feel that it was her place to explain the details. Though the mission was never classified, she didn't want to tell the outcome, but there was one area that the Copy Nin may be of use. "They also used her as a test subject for genjutsu." The blonde grimaced and drank some more sake.
"Genjutsu?"
"Yes.." Kakashi again narrowed his eyes as he watched the Hokaga squirm in her chair. She let out a long sigh "That may be the worst part. Yes, the physical torture was beyond horrendous.."
"Just spit it out already." He said through clenched teeth. Tsunade hesitated for a moment, her gaze clouding as she bit her bottom lip.
"Very few people know about this, but it's something that you may understand more then anyone else in the village..." She let her hand run over her face. "It seems that who ever held her captive... They figured out one that is like the mangekyo. Where time is warped in your mind." She pursed he lip for a moment. "She couldn't break it. she was under for a full day." Kakashi felt his knees becoming weak. He slumped into the chair in front of her desk. One day. He got caught in Itachi's for a few minutes and that equated for seventy two hours. How long was it to her?
"From what Ibiki and Ino figure, in her mind sixty years passed that day." Tsunade said as she carefully watched his response. "So mentally she is nearly eighty." A dry laugh left her mouth "And she can act like a crotchety old lady."
"Why was I not informed?" He asked, staring at the Hokage with a cold look, his jaw ticking as he clenched it.
"You were on a mission, which was of great importance. There was no need to call you back. There was nothing that you could have done." He was about to argue but she cut him off "We had everyone looking, the Inuzukas, the Aburame, Naruto. Every one looked for six months. They found nothing, even in Sage mode Naruto couldn't find her chakra. All calling you back would have made your mission a failure. Also it's a good thing that I didn't call you back." Kakashi snorted at her.
"Why was it a good thing? I could have used my pack. You coul..."
"Are you really questioning the competency of your Hokage Hatake?" The woman slammed her hand down on her desk causing a long crack to form through the middle of it. "Fuck me, Shizune is going to flip about getting another desk." Kakashi just sat there scowling. "You want to know why it's a good thing? Because I believe that you are the one that raided and destroyed the base she was found in." Shock ran through him at her words. He tried to think back to where he was over a year and a half ago. There was one base, and it did seem to be like a prison of some sort. Rumors came that the highest priced "product" was located with in. It was only barely linked to his mission, but once he heard of what was suspected of happening there, he couldn't walk by. Here he had been worried that he would catch flack over going off mission. Which is something that he rarely did.
"No there was no one there. I swept it. I never saw her." His brow furrowed.
"She wasn't in the greatest condition, and she would have looked completely different to you. Her chakra would have been barely there, and it was warped at that time anyways. There would have been nothing familiar to you." She took another drink, she dragged the back of her hand across her taunt mouth. "She's pretty sure it was you." He raked his brain going over all the faced of that building. The prisoners were all were dead. He gasped as he remember a woman, barely dressed, caught under rubble. She had red hair, but that must have been just soaked in blood, and a dead black eye. It wasn't possible. She was dead. He could not feel anything there. Oh god had he really just left her there? Guilt and agony began to wash over him.
"She doesn't blame you, she was grateful. You gave her a chance to escape. Don't you dare blame yourself for anything." She sighed seeing the emotions swirling in his eyes. " Any ways I think I have told you enough. If you want anymore information, please just talk to her. I am sure it would be good for her. Maybe it will be easier for her. Gods knows she doesn't talk to anyone else." Tsunsde began to dismiss him.
"One last thing." He began to stand. "Why did she not take Uchiha as her last name?" Tsunade just raised her brow, then narrowed her eyes. She looked at him for a moment before answering.
"Sakura will never be Uchiha Sakura. That is all I have to say on the matter." Her tone let him know that the conversation was now over. Kakashi walked over to the window and took to the roofs. As he ran home his head felt empty and full at the same time. There was too much information to take in and yet not enough. His chest felt heavy and heart ached for what happened to her. Gods, maybe if he just stayed, would that have happened? Then he thought of why he left, but that never happened. Sakura was not married to Sasuke. What the fuck happened there? They were to be married only a few weeks after he left, and it seems that her abduction happened a month after, why did he leave her? Kakashi felt a mixture of elation and guilt as he thought of her as single. There were far more important things to think of then her marital status. With that he shook his head and ran home to sleep.
Sleep once again was elusive to Kakashi, so he was not to keen on this early training. Though he forced himself up right at sun rise and dragged himself down to the training field, only stopping to get cup of coffee. It was too early for food, even thought it was probably not the smartest idea. Oh well. As Kakashi began to walk into the training ground he looked up at the position of sun and smiled to himself. He was not only on time but early. He strolled down mid field to find Sakura sitting cross legged with her eyes shut. She was so still that he would have thought that she was a statue. He kept advancing waiting for some type of acknowledgment, but she did not give him any. So he climbed up tree and sprawled on a branch and took out his book. He didn't read, his eye kept roaming back to the still figure of Sakura. After a while She took a long deep breath in and slowly cracked open her left eye. Lazily she shifted her vision up the tree until her gaze met Kakashi's. A smile spread across her face as her eye soften as she looked at him. Her body relaxed even further, it looked as if the relief of seeing washed over her as she looked at him... Kakashi smiled back at her, containing the puzzled feeling that he felt at the way she was looking at him. After a few moments Sakura broke eye contact bending over she pulled out an eye patch. It had an one eyed smiley face was painted. She smirked up at him as she stood.
"Holy shit, not only here on time but early." She yelled up at him. Kakashi only looked down and smiled.
"Well I did make a promise.. I don't have much but I do have my word." He pulled himself off of the branch and fell gracefully to the ground with a muffled thump.
"I am impressed, I don't think that you have ever been on time for training." Her smile turned into a small frown as she drew her brows together. "Though don't quote me on that... Maybe there was. I am pretty sure though I am right."
"Oh I am pretty sure that you are also, but you can teach old dogs new tricks." She nodded and gave him a small sad smile. "Nice patch you got there." He nodded at her.
"Thanks, Sai painted it for me. I thought it was funny, but not too many people think that my sense of humor is fitting." She shrugged.
"Why not use a henge like yesterday?"
"Takes too much chakra. The details of the eye and the constant movement, it is just exhausting. I use the patch like eighty percent of the time. " Her hand mindlessly touched the patch. He knew there was probably more to it, but didn't think that he should dig... At least not yet. "Thought I was thinking about using my forehead protector, but that style was kinda already taken." She smirked. "Well shall we start training? I say we start with basics so we can get reacquainted with each others styles. Then we can move on to Ninjutsu, and so on." She stretched as she began to walk to the middle of the field. "Weapons or no?" She looked over her shoulder at him.
"Weapons are ok with me."
Perhaps he should have said no to weapons. The moment he said ok Sakura pulled out two scrolls and sent kunais, senbons, and stars flying at him. Her style has indeed been overhauled. Kakashi darted and blocked as many as he could, a few getting through to non vital places. She charged right after the flying projectile and landed a blow on his side. She had gotten much faster over the years. The training with Gia seemed to be paying off.
After the shock of her initial attack, they fell into a normal spar,volleying blocks and blows back and forth. The longer that they fought though, the more it seemed that there was something off. Kakashi attempted to shake off the idea. He had not seen or fought with or against her in three years. He had to stop thinking that things would fall into place like he never left. That look though. That completely blank look on her face was... unnerving. Even Sasuke would have some type of emotion on his face when he fought. Her eye never left him, but she wasn't looking at him. She was looking past him, or off into space. He grunted as she landed a punch on his shoulder. If she was here, all the way here, and not holding back... Well, he didn't know who would be the victor.
The spar was a quite affair. A long time ago Kakashi was use to the constant banter of team Kakashi. Even the few months that he stayed after Sasuke returned the banter never left. Sakura though, never said a word. The air was filled with the dull thuds of their bodies colliding, the huff of breathe being expelled and the sound of their feet against earth. While it ws comforting, it was also unnerving. These conflicting emotions had been fighting with each other since he came home, and he was sure what to do about them.
Once the sun rose to it's peak high in the after noon sky Kakashi found himself holding Sakura's arm behind her back with a kunai touching the base of her skull. She just lifted her other hand to let him know that she coincide. He let her go as he did she shifted her shoulder rolling them working out the kinks. She turned and flipped her eye patch rubbing the heel of her hand roughly on the socket.
"I brought some lunch if you are hungry. I really should have stopped before and ate something earlier." She mumbled the last part to herself as she began to walk to the tree line and pulled up a bag with boxes of food.
"You cooked?" He tried to repress the smile, but found that he was having a difficult time.
"Ohh, no.. I don't cook. Though if you want to put together a fire, I can burn the shit out of it. For old times sake ya know." She smiled broadly. Through out her tenure in team Kakashi she was only allowed to cook if the rest of the team was too injured. Sometimes even if they were too injured they would often skip a meal. She winked, or perhaps blinked, as she handed him over the box to him. She took a seat by a tree and began to search through a small bag. Kakashi slowly made his way over and sat next to her watching her intently as he opened the box and broke apart his chopsticks.
Sighing as she finally found the case she was looking for, she pulled out the pill container and opened one of the sections and dumped the nine pills in her hand. She kept her eyes averted from Kakashi as she threw them into her mouth and then downed half her water bottle. Quickly she began to open her own lunch and began to eat. Once more silence enveloped them. What surprised him the most was that she was purposely looking away while he ate. Not once had she tried to look at him. Here or when they got the squid skewers. It was kinda of a let down.
"So a lot has changed in three years, ne?" Sakura asked as she scooped some rice into her mouth.
"Yes. I knew it would, but it's far more different then I thought it was going to be." He looked over at her and another vacant look washed over her face
"I know how that goes." She sat for a moment then gently shook her head. She finished the rest of her meal then began to clean up her area. Her head looked up to the sky and she let out a long sigh. "I have to get going, gotta meet Gai." She stood up and began to brush off her pants. Kakashi reached out for her wrist, Her body tensed as she looked down at him. Slowly he released his grip.
"Sorry about that I should not have grabbed you." He said softly, she let out a breath then smiled at him. "Come have dinner with me tonight. I would like to catch up. I also have not been grocery shopping yet, and I hate to eat out alone." He lied as he slowly began to stand up. "Plus I owe you for lunch." He smiled. Her eyes narrowed at bit and her brows drew in as she bit her bottom lip. She stood there contemplating for a moment.
"So you can leave me with the bill. You don't pay do you?" Her question came out soft and uncertain as she looked at him. He just arched his brow and began to scratch the back of his neck.
"Ahh, that is a habit that I have broken. I promise I will pay for myself and you." Relief flooded in her eyes which in turn made Kakashi's eyes narrow. Was she tight on money? He had skipped out of many bills in the past, and yeah his team bitched and moaned but they never had an issue covering his expenses. It was a dick move, but it was awesome to watch their faces from a far off vantage point. She pursed her lips a bit and drew them to the side.
"Ummm, well... What day is it today actually?"
"The twenty..."
"No, no, no. Not the date, but the weekday. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday?" She asked as she shook her head.
"Ummm Tuuuesday?" He slowly drawled.
"Oh, well then we can't do dinner tonight. Though, I will be getting together with some people if you want to join. We go and hand out at the Lazy Kunai on Tuesday. Free billiards and darts." She smiled at him.
"Sure, sounds nice." Kakashi attempted to keep his tone light. Honestly he didn't want to go to the bar with her. He wanted to have time with her alone, and not with the rookie 9, whom he assumed she was meeting with. He reminded himself that: he was home now, they would have time. He was also her partner, so at least that guaranteed some more time together. She looked at him and her smile widened.
"Ok, we usually meet around eight thirty or so. So I will see you there." She reached out hesitantly and patted his shoulder before she turned and began to walk away. "I have to get on my youthful way. See ya later Hatake!" She raised her hand and saluted him with two fingers before she jogged off. He stood and watched as she disappeared from sight. He couldn't help the broad smile that came over him. She was so different, but still so much the same. He knew he missed her, but he didn't realize how much he did.
Kakashi went home and cleaned up after his spar. He had a while before he was going to meet Sakura at the bar so he decided to try and attempt to find his other ex student. He searched for a few hours before he found that Naruto was currently in Suna and not due to be back till late that night. A wave of relief washed over him. He did not want to hear Naruto moan bout the fact that he did not seek him out yesterday or earlier this morning. Don't get him wrong, he respected and loved his sensei's son, but he could be a little much to handle, especially after a mission were he was isolated from humans a good part of it. So since there was no one to track down Kakashi found himself nestled in the ear of his sensei at the Hokage monument, reading his beloved Icha Icha book.
Kakashi found Sakura sitting alone at the Lazy Kunia . He entered the building and was surprised at how old the business looked. While none of the buildings in Kohona were no more then five years old, this place looked like it had been around for decades. It was the quintessential hole in the wall. Where the booze was stiff, the air was smokey, and the patrons were rough. Not a place that Kakashi thought that Sakura would hang out in.
He stood for a moment and just looked at her. She was wearing black ninja pants and a tight black shirt that clung to every curve. Her shoulders were curved in as she leaned into the bar sipping her bowl of sake. He tore his gaze away from her and looked around the bar, no one that he knew seemed to be here. Wait was he actually the first person here? He looked up at the clock, eight forty, only ten minutes late. Where was whoever Sakura was meeting?
His eyes moved back to her just as she turned her head and looked at him with a soft smile. He gave a nod and smirked back at her walking to the bar. "I have to say that I am impressed. Being pretty much on time twice in one day. Get yourself a sake and we'll cheers to being punctual." Her smile became lopsided as she waved for the bar tender.
"Is it really that shocking? I was always on time with missions, you know." He took the bowl of sake that was just places in front of him and took a sip through his mask as he sat on the stool next to her. She snorted at him.
"Every other time you were late! So how do you expect me to think you would be on time now? Hey, you didn't cheers with me!" She moved her knee so it lightly hit his thigh, and lifted her bowl. He repeated her action and brought the bowls together in a sharp clink. They each sipped their drink eyeing each other.
"So this is a interesting bar." Kakashi said as he looked around again. Sakura grinned at him.
"It's my favorite. You know it was completely reconstructed using debris from when Pein attacked." She stroked the wooden bar that was constructed with mismatching planks of wood. "It's old Kohona in one place." She grinned as she watched him once again look around the bar.
"Huh, I wonder if it follows code."
"Oh I am sure it does. Hell, I have been drinking here since I ca... For a while, and nothing has fallen apart. It also survived Rock Lee's drunken fists. I think we are good." She said with a broad smile. Her gaze then shifted to the door, her smile lessened. Kakashi turned and saw a few of Sakura's genin class walking in. He then looked at Sakura with a quizzical look. She sat next to him with a small sad smile as she watched her comrades walk in. A soft sigh left her lips as she took another sip of sake.
"Aren't they who you are meeting here?" Kakashi asked as he watched them take a few tables near the back of the bar. She turned and looked at them again, her eye soft as she observed them. Slowly she shook her head then looked at him. Before she could respond Lee saw them at the bar and walked over.
"Sakura, Kakashi-san, it is wonderful to see you on this beautiful day." He said stiffly. His large brown eyes only falling on Sakura for a moment before he looked forward to the bar tender.
"It it nice to see you Lee-san. I didn't know you came here." Sakura said as she stared at his profile.
"Ah, it was the beautiful Ino's idea. She will be here soon. I am sure that she will be happy to see you." Sakura gave him a nod.
"Anyone else coming?" She asked softly. Lee looked over at her, his eyes softening as he looked at her.
"Yes I believe all of the rookie nine are coming, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sai too. I'll have five bottles of sake." Lee said as the bartender stopped in front of him. Sakura's jaw tightened a bit but she forced a smile on her face. The bartender came back with the bottles which Lee took quickly. He murmured a farewell and hurried back to his table. Her gaze fell once more on Kakashi.
"They... They don't know how to be around me." She frowned and chewed her cheek before quickly draining the rest of her sake. Kakashi furrowed his brow as he watched her try to reign in the emotions that flicked through her. He looked back at the table where Lee was sitting with Ten Ten, Choji, Shikamaru, and Hinata. All of them watching Sakura as they talked quietly. "It's fine." She said quietly. Kakashi wondered if she said it for her benefit or his.
"Why wouldn't they know how to be around you? I find that hard to believe." He asked as he shook his head. Why would they have an issue with her?
"They..."
"Hey cyclops!" Sakura jumped as Anko slapped a hand onto her back. She looked over and gave Kakashi a wide grin. "Oh! You making an one eye club are you? Well it will go well with the freak club." She cackled as she flopped in a seat next to Sakura.
"Hey Anko," Sakura smirked and shook her head. "No one eye club, as you can clearly see Kakashi now has two eyes at all time. I seem to have taken up the position of town cyclops." Sakura tapped her eye patch a small scowl appearing on her face. Anko just rolled her eyes. Kakashi couldn't help his eyes narrow as he watched them converse. Anko was not some one that people tended to enjoy the company of. When did they start hanging out?
"Meh, once a cyclops always a cyclops." Anko shrugged, she then leaned over Sakuta and pushed Kakashi on his shoulder ."Hey Hatake, haven't seen you around in a while."
"Mission." Kakashi shrugged.
"Long fucking mission, eh? So why are you here waiting for the mutant club?" She asked as she leaned over the bar. Mutant club? Before he could reply Salura let out a loud sigh and turned towards the loud woman.
"Anko, really?" Sakura leaned in front of her to get her attention.
"What?"
"Senpai?" Kakashi turned to see Tenzo slowly walking up to him. Kakashi smirked and nodded his head.
"Tenzo, how are you?" Kakashi felt relief as his Tenzo took a seat next to him. Hopefully if one thing did not change it would be him, because he was once again feeling that he was in a twilight zone.
"I am good," Tenzo said with a smile picking up a bowl of sake that was place in front of him with out even being order. He looked up to the bar keep smiling with a nod of gratitude. Suddenly he stiffened as he looked at Kakashi weary. "Are you good Kakashi? Everything is okay with you?" He asked hesitantly. And the weirdness took over Tenzo, Kakashi sighed.
"I am okay and good. Why wouldn't I be?" Kakashi asked as he studied Tenzo's taunt expression.
"Just makin sure, so what are you doing at such a fine establishment?" The wood user asked as he began to relax.
"Sakura invited me. She said she was meeting up with some people ." He said as he finished his sake. His body stiffened when he felt something warm leaning on his back. He looked over to see Sakura had disappeared behind him and was reaching for Tenzo.
"Remember Yamato-Senpai, one drink before. After you can have as many as you want. I am serious too!" Sakura yelled behind him. Tenzo face fell as he looked into his almost empty sake bowl.
"Sure thing Sakura-chan. Are we getting started soon?" He asked as he leaned back to look at Sakura.
"As soon as everyone is here, I'll get started."
"Oh so you are waiting for us, that is really sweet cupcake." Suigetsu laughed as he ruffled Sakura's hair. She huffed at him and pushed his hand away.
"Can you not fuck with my hair when ever you see me?" Sakura growled at him. Suigetsu just let his mouth pull in a predatory smile that showed his sharp teeth fully.
"Can't help it, pink hair just screams to be touched. And yours is just so soft." He went to reach for her head again, but his wrist was caught in a massive hand before he could make contact.
"She doesn't like to be touched." Jugo said softly as he appeared behind Suigetsu.
"Relax Jugo, she knows I'm just messin with her." Suigetsu said as he peeled Jugo's hand off of his wrist.
"Ok, since everyone is here, lets get this started so you all can damage your livers." Sakura smiled as she began to open her hip pouch. She pulled out five viles and a hand full of sealed hypodermic needs. "Suigetsu, your first." She smiled broadly at the shark toothed man.
"Sakura-chan, I know you love to get under my skin." He winked at her. He then looked over at Anko and raised his brow.
"What?" Anko asked as she sipped her sake.
"Move it Anko. Unless you want to go first." Anko huffed and moved to the stool next to her. Suigetsu flopped down on the stool facing Sakura and put his arm on the bar. He grabbed the rubber tourniquet and wrapped it on his arm. His movements sure, as if he had done this on a daily basis. Which may be fully possible seeing as long as he was with Orochimaru. Sakura gave him a small smile as she hooked the needle, tubes and vile together. "No Karin today?" Suigetsu asked softly as he averted his gaze as she searched for a vein.
"No, she has hospital duties, and her last sample is still active." She murmured as she cleaned the area then stuck the needle into his arm. Suigetsu looked to the vile as blood pumped into it then looked away.
"Sakura do you really need to use my bar as a medical facility? " The bartender grunted as he walked by.
"Sorry Moshi. I'll get done as quickly as possible." She said sheepishly. She placed a finger on the skin were the needle penetrated and pulled it out. Her finger glowed green for a moment then she pulled it back. "Done. Thank you."
"No problem cupcake. If ya need anything else just let me know." Suigetsu smiled and hopped off the stool. "Yo Moshi! Sake!"
Kakashi watched Sakura draw blood from Anko, Jugo and Tenzo. He really had no clue what was going on. Why would she need samples from all of them, and why wasn't this done in the hospital. That had to be much more sterile and proper. She also seemed so at ease with the group, which he would have never put together. Well maybe that shark kid and Anko, but throw in Tenzo, Sakura, and the giant who was shifting uncomfortably behind Kakashi, and this made no sense.
"Haven't worked it out yet Senpai?" Tenzo asked as he sat on the stool next to him. His hand rubbing the area that Sakura drew his blood from. Kakashi gave a grunt and continued to watch as Sakura talked quietly to Jugo as she took his blood. No, he had not figured it out yet, and it was beginning to bother him. He looked over at Tenzo who had a small grimace on his face. What did they all have in common? What could Sakura be looking for from this group? This unlikely group? He felt like he had all the puzzle pieces but couldn't figure out how to put them all together.
"You missed training, Sakura." A soft voice said from behind Kakashi. What was with everyone standing behind him? That was starting to irate him, no ninja would have felt comfortable with that.
"Sorry Sasuke, I just got busy." Sakura grimaced, but never took her eyes off of the vile that was filling with blood. Kakashi turned to see Sasuke standing behind him looking at Sakura. His eyes almost widened at the look on the boy...no man's face. His features and eyes were soft as he looked at her profile, a look of longing in his eyes? Kakashi raised a brow as Sasuke took a step closer and she subtly shifted away from him.
"You know it is important. Did you train while I was away on my mission?" Sakura sighed as she pulled the needle from Jugo's arm. She sealed the vial and placed in in the small cooler she had pulled out earlier.
"Hinata came by for a bit a few times." She breathed as she put away all of her supplied. "Moshi, can I get a bottle of sake and six bowls here for my friends." She yelled down the bar then finally turned to look at Sasuke. He grimaced as he looked at her eye patch.
"You know that is really distasteful." He said as he pointed to her patch.
"Well take it up with Sai, he is the one that paints on them. I kinda think that it is funny." She shrugged as she started to pour the sake. She took a deep breath. "Sasuke I am sorry I missed today. It's just been hectic since I got back from my last mission."
"What happened at you last mission." At this point Kakashi was dumbfounded. He watched their interaction as one might animals at the zoo. He tried to think of a time when Sasuke had ever talked this much and besides his crazy ranting he couldn't think of one time.
"Nothing big, I was forced into the hospital, when I didn't need to go. Then I had a team change..."
"Genma's no longer your partner?" He furrowed his brow as Sakura shook her head then gulped down her bowl. "Who did they replace him with?" Sakura looked up at the Uchiha and glared.
"Do you have a role to play in the fact that they won't let me go solo?" She asked through gritted teeth.
"No, but I fully support the decision to have you on a team." Sakura snarled at him then turned back to the bar to fill her bowl. She quickly drank it's contents and filled it again. Sasuke sighed and took a step forward.
"Sakura, I..."
"Forget about it. I'll see you at training." She seethed avoiding eye contact.
"Sakura."
"Hey Uchiha., I think she wants you here any more. I would just mosie over to your table if I were you." Anko pushed herself from her stool and stood next to Sakura.
"Good thing I wasn't asking you eighty-six." Sasuke growled out. Sakura stood up quicky knocking her stool over, she turned to Sasuke, her fearures hard and cold.
"That is enough! You don't have the right to talk to her like that! She CHOSE to leave Orochimaru! Did you know that! It's not like she chose him in the first place. She was placed on his team. She had to deal with all this shit by herself! He was gone because she didn't crawl back to him for power. That's real strength there." She hissed at him. Her jaw was clenched and her hands began to clench and un-clench. The bar became silent as everyone watched the two stand off. Sakura suddenly grimaced and started to rub her chest. All the anger and tension that was around them dissipated as concern washed over Sasuke's face. Kakashi stood up quickly from his seat and grabbed onto her arm. She closed her eye and took a deep breath. "I am fine." She opened her eye and looked at Sasuke. "I will see you at training tomorrow? Go see your friends." She glanced over at the table that now held all of the rookie nine. The moment she looked at them all eyes quickly looked else where. Sasuke watched Sakura for a moment, then nodded and grunted as he walked away. She took another deep breath, picked up her chair, and then gulped down her drink.
Kakashi kinda felt the need to slam his head on the bar. This was not his idea of a good night out. He had felt lost in his life before, but these past few days had taken being lost to a whole new level. This was not something that he enjoyed. He always knew what was happening around him, but right now he had no clue. He wasn't sure if he could ask either. This took underneath the underneath to a whole new level. He sighed as he looked over at Sakura, who was now drinking and talking softly to Anko.
"Let's dance." She smiled at the snake charmer.
"They don't have a dance floor Pinky." Anko replied as she pouted.
"We'll make one. Come on I know you feel better when you dance." Sakura began to take her hand and pull her. "The night is young, and we are young. Hell I am..."Sakura's brow furrowed and she looked to the ground. Kakashi heard a quite sigh to his side and saw Jugo starting at Sakura with soft eyes.
"Twenty." Jugo said softly. "You are twenty." Sakura looked at Jugo and gave him a a small smile.
"Thank you Jugo. You see the night is young, I am young, and well... Anko are you having a hard time keepin up?" Sakura gave her a sweet smile. The snake summoner scoffed and quickly downed her drink.
"Ohh I can keep up. Let's see who the old lady is.." Anko barked as she pulled Sakura to the middle of the bar. They pushed the empty tables to the middle then began to dance. Each of the men turned to watch as they danced together. Kakashi couldn't help the smile that forced it's way onto his face. She smiled as she danced. It was like she didn't have a care in the world as she shimmied and shook.
"So what, none of you are going to go out there and dance with the two hot women?" Suigetsu asked, but his eyes never leaving Anko and Sakura. He waited for a moment but when no one answered he just smirked and walked to the "dance floor." Kakashi shook his head and let his eyes fall to the rookie nine. They all sat there watching the women also whispering back and forward to each other. Kakashi couldn't help crinkle his nose in distaste. How could they do easily turn on a comrade? Especially one that was taken and... He tried to shake the feeling as he turned back to the bar. He began to drink when the light bulb went off. He almost slammed his bowl on the counter as he turned to look at Tenzo.
"Orochimaru." He hissed.
"What?" Tenzo jumped at the sudden force of Kakashi's voice.
"That is what you all have in common. Orochimaru." Kakashi raised a brow when Tenzo smirked at him.
"Well most of us do have him in common, thought you are missing a piece." Tenzo was almost preening. He never had the advantage over Kakashi.
"Can we stop with the games? My life has been a game since I walked into the village a few days ago and I am really getting fucking tired of it." Kakashi growled out as his hands began to ball into fists. Leaving the skin on his knuckles taunt and white. His eyes traveled over the group that Sakura had gathered once more, that's when it hit him. It was as if all the air was pushed out of his lungs. How could he had not figured this out sooner? Yes they all had links to Orochimaru, but there were other people that also had that tie. What brought these individuals together was not the Sanin, but rather...
"Experiments." Kakashi said softly as he looked at Sakura's dancing form. He slowly turned his head to Tenzo. Any look of amusement that Tenzo had, fell from his face. The wood user swallowed his drink and grimaced as he looked over at Sakura and gave a small nod.
LONG chapter lol. I am going for a disjointed feeling in this. I am really hoping it is coming off as ok. I want the reader to be just as confused as Kakashi feels. Any ways thanks so much for the follows, comments and faves! Means a ton.