Queen of Disaster
They stood several feet apart out of caution from both sides.
Sakura was worried that her emotions could not handle another train wreck and Sasuke was not keen on getting sucker punched again. Despite what he told Naruto, her ability to land a blow to his face was not out of luck but ability. He had consistently underestimated her ever since they were children. During the time of his departure and the war, Sakura had vastly improved and it was unsettling. He thought he had her figured out as another mediocre ninja with few talents. But he was wrong.
The glare she fixated on the floor was intense. She internally berated herself for agreeing to speak with him outside. Alone. This would have been the perfect opportunity to murder the last Uchiha, however she would instantly be considered as suspect number one. Quickly dismissing the thought, she began to prepare herself with whatever he could say to her. Would he aggressively insult her immaturity? Or maybe verbalize how he never loved her –although that was perfectly obvious, it did not mean she wanted to hear it aloud. Steadying her breath, she finally gathered the courage to look into his eyes and found them remarkably approachable.
"What do you want?" she asked not unkindly.
There was a brief pause and Sakura was put off by the fact Sasuke appeared to be struggling with words.
"I know things have been difficult," he started.
"No shit," she interrupted.
Throwing her a look, she gave him a nod to continue.
"There is a reason why I did what I did. I need you to understand this before you leave."
Sakura immediately tensed. This was not how she expected this conversation to steer.
"I know you've been in love with me ever since we were children. But you had to have known I could never love you back."
There was those words had to have known. Sakura began to bristle.
"Are you fucking kidding me," she began lowly, "I am so, so sorry for actually giving a shit about you and you can go to hell for leading me on. Why did you even agree to be with me in the first place? Did you decide to play a sick joke on me because I was the only one still hopeful of whatever humanity you had left?"
For the first time, Sakura saw how tired and weathered her ex-teammate was.
Sasuke gave a low sigh and looked up. It was dusk and the sky bled an assortment of warm, vibrant colors as darkness began to seep in.
Looking back to her, "I did it for you."
Oh hell no. Suspension be damned she was going to kill him.
Instantly detecting her killing intent, Sasuke reacted by closing the considerable space between them and locking her wrists in front of them. Sakura gave him an incredulous look and opened her mouth to voice her disgruntlement.
"Sakura, I wasn't finished."
She paused.
"You needed to experience why we would never work. But for months you ignored how poorly I treated you despite my best efforts to treat you well. I don't deserve you and you deserve better."
"Are you intoxicated right now? Because I am and I must have passed out at the bar because you are not Sasuke."
He gave her another look and she shut her mouth as he continued.
"I am not going to apologize for what I did because it was what you needed. You've always had this misconception about me that I am someone to be redeemed and saved. But I'm not. You can't keep holding on to me."
Their breaths were heavy, warm, and painfully close. Sakura realized that for the first time in her life she was in such close proximity to the man she loved for years. She expected her body and heart to yearn for this but she felt surprisingly empty. This was also the first time they've ever exchanged such lengthy and honest words. She attempted to blink away the tears that were forming but they gradually ran down her rosy cheeks.
Noticing Sasuke eyeing them, "Don't be flattered. Alcohol is a depressant."
He let go of her wrists and she quickly began wiping the nonsense off her face.
"You couldn't have told me this before we got together? Or done something other than fuck a woman in my kitchen."
For the first time in a while she saw a genuine smirk form, "No, you are more stubborn than dobe sometimes… And I was desperate to get my point across."
Giving a dry laugh, Sakura punched his bicep, "You are such a fucking asshole."
"I'm glad you realize this Sakura," he said dryly, but with sincerity.
They stood together in a comfortable silence. They were still incredibly close together and an unknowing observant may have suspected they were long time lovers enjoying the night. But this was not their love story and for the first time in years they were on the same page. Sakura was still incredibly hurt and angry with Sasuke, but she could not fault him on his reasoning –just methods. She did not know what would be their relationship now and she realized they never had a relationship to begin with. He had always dominated every aspect of her life. A relationship had two equal parts.
"Yo fucking peach, don't think you can skip da bill cuz you skipping town. I'll carve your skin off!" a very loud and gruff voice yelled from afar.
Startled out of the silence, both Sakura and Sasuke turned to face one another.
"We should get Ichiraku together, all of us, before I leave."
It was a peace offering and a tentative promise of friendship.
All Sasuke did was give a gentle nod.
"You should go. I need to pay my tab and get home."
He gave another nod before turning and walking away.
"Hey Sasuke!"
He stopped and turned.
"You owe me a remodeling of my goddamn kitchen! And I want granite and stainless steel appliances!"
Sasuke gave her what may have been a small smile.
"See you later," he said before flickering away.
As Sakura scoured her pockets for the cash to pay off her bill, Kenpachi kept giving her weird looks. Aggravated by his unwanted inspection, she gave him a growl. He kept staring at her keenly while rubbing a glass that appeared to get dirtier by the second. His eyes were piercing into her and his brows were furrowed. The deep scars and wrinkles that were etched into his face seemed more prominent. His teeth that reminded her of the deceased-Kisame were being clucked together. She continued to place a steady stream of ones while berating herself for having such a large tab.
"What's with the inspection?"
"Who was that?"
"No one," she said too quickly.
There was a contemplative look on his face.
"Naw, I know a pussy footing dipshit when I see one."
Giving a huff, "Ex-boyfriend, ex-teammate, long story."
"You dated an Uchiha."
As she kept fumbling around and counting the bills, "How do you know if he is an Uchiha or not?"
"Peach, I can smell their smug thinkin' they hot shit asses miles away."
"How do you know of them?"
"Fought plenty of them -real pain in the ass. I hate shinobi with bloodline limits."
Sakura stopped her calculations and looked at him intently, "Want to explain?"
Setting the glass on the counter, he leaned over and supported his face with his right hand. She instantly was drawn to the variety of scars that peppered his forearm and hand.
"That can be the story for when you leave."
"Oh come on you selfish bastard, you're cleaning out my wallet here!"
"That be your own damn doing brat."
She gave him an unhappy look.
"Goddamn it. Fine. It was years ago. I was in Lightening doing some… vacationing and ran into a Konoha squad with a fast as fuck Uchiha. We had a misunderstanding. Prick was annoying and got real annoying after his team got all… decommissioned. But I know how ya Konoha bitches work with leaving no member behind so he had to retreat. Son of a bitch gave me good enough trouble."
"Holy shit Kenpachi!"
"Now, now, no need to get your panties in a twist."
Smacking his arm, "Idiot! How the hell did you survive?"
"Peach, Uchiha were ain't nothin' but some overly confident dipshits that relied too much on their eyes. Kinda funny when an Uchiha gets their eyes gauged out."
"Well shit."
"Now ya know a fraction of shit that can get me executed. I like ya bunches but I'll kill you if you bring that brat Tsunade into this. Different time, different sides."
Sakura could only nod.
"You could teach me some things," she stated, not asked.
Giving her an amused look, "I could but I got a bad back and the last time I took on a brat he tried to kill me."
Laughing, "Then you'll love having me as a student."
Pausing a brief moment, "What the hell. I can teach you a few tricks. Just don't fucking cry like a bitch when you get your ass handed to you."
Sakura could only grin. She had the best of friends.
It was too early in the morning for someone to be tapping on her balcony window.
Sakura tossed over and clung to her down comforter as if her life depended on it. She was slightly hung over and was determined to sleep it off. Her hair was splayed all over her bed and she knew there would be giant balls of tangles. There was no need for anyone to be visiting her this morning because she was still suspended and therefore was not on call for the hospital. As she attempted to will herself back to slumber, the tapping increased and became progressively louder. She swore aloud.
As she hoisted herself up from her delightfully cozy and warm bed, she stumbled down her dark hallway into her tiny living room. She was vaguely aware she was only wearing a slightly oversized shirt and nothing else. However, decency be damned. Whoever was bothering her would not have the time to register her attire after she was done punching them in the face –without chakra of course. She could not afford another renovation cost. She abruptly tore open her curtains and flung the glass double doors open as bright light flooded in.
"What in the FUCK do you want?"
Sakura was briefly blinded by the sunlight and her hands immediately flung to cover her eyes.
"Shit it's bright."
"Good morning Sakura-chan!" a cheery voice greeted her.
Oh no, it could not be.
"I have a task for you as part of your repayment."
She abruptly closed the balcony doors shut and preceded back to bed. She was in no mood to babysit. Her balcony doors flew open behind her and her uninvited guest entered her living room. Not bothering to humor him, she quickly entered her bedroom and flopped on her bed. Flinging the covers over her head, she hoped if she played possum enough he would take the hint and leave. Luck was not on her side as she felt his presence hover over her.
"You are obviously awake Sakura."
She would not dignify that statement with a response.
"I'm being polite enough by giving you a chance. If you don't get out of bed I'll make you."
Sakura inwardly scoffed. As she heard his footsteps walk away from her she grew suspicious. There was no way it was that easy to be rid of him. Just as she was about to peek out from under her covers she felt his presence again. Then an onslaught of wet, frigid, water.
She flew up gasping for breath as the liquid saturated her hair, shirt, and covers.
"WHAT THE FUCK KAKASHI," she screamed in shock while flailing her arms.
Kakashi gave her an amused look and tried to avoid the very appealing sight of how her garment clung to her chest. The bright yellow mop bucket was empty in his hands and he congratulated himself for locating it. It proved very useful.
"Told you."
"I'm going to murder you!"
He narrowly missed a kunai being flung at his head and he heard it become imbedded into the wall behind him.
"Calm down. Get dressed, I need your help," Kakashi said casually as he left the room.
Perplexed, yet still irritated, she flung her damp covers off of her body and slammed her bedroom door shut. She emerged minutes later in her standard all black. Raking her fingers in her long tresses, she hoisted her hair into a high ponytail. Glaring at the man leisurely reading his beloved book on her favorite armchair, she cleared her throat to draw his attention. He pointedly ignored her as he turned to another page.
"Tell me what do you want otherwise I'm going back to bed."
"I didn't think you enjoyed having water poured on you."
"Yeah, thanks for that ass."
Snapping his book shut, he looked up at her, "Let's go. We have people waiting."
He got up and jumped out of her balcony window
"Wait, what? What people?" she called after him as she followed suit.
Melodic, joyful laughter rang loudly throughout the training field. A young woman rolled around the floor clutching her abdomen in a hopeless attempt to calm herself down. The sheer hilarity of the situation further fueled her mirth. Kakashi gave the woman below him a half-hearted glare. He saw the irony of this situation but that didn't mean she should obtain such enjoyment out of his misery. The man could not help but concentrate on the pure happiness that adorned her features as she continued to roll around. He mentally berated himself. Sakura was pretty with a pretty laugh. That was it.
"Are you quite done?"
Her answer was continued laughter.
"'Scuse me Kaka-sensei…" a timid voice started.
Sighing aloud, "Yes Usagi-chan?"
"Is she your… your girlfriend?"
"She pretty!" a strong voice chimed in.
"Yeah! Ya think she'll teach me awesome jutsu?" a third rambunctious voice joined the conversation.
"No baka!"
"Tatsuki-chan! Stop being mean to Hiro-kun!"
"He's an idiot!"
"Am not!"
"Are too you snot nose!"
The conversation was interjected by Sakura's continued laughter as she slowly hoisted herself up from the ground. Dusting herself off she turned to Kakashi with a dazzling smile.
"Oh my they are so cute!"
"Sure," Kakashi responded deadpanned.
"I can't believe she actually assigned you another team. A very young one as well!"
"We're not young Kaka-sensei's girlfriend! We're seven!"
"Oh, he's not my boyfriend."
"See? Told you! She's too pretty for him."
Kakashi fucking hated his life.
"I'm… I'm sure Kaka-sensei is pretty too."
He really hated his life.
"Oh yes Usagi-chan, he's really pretty," Sakura said with a sly smile and gentle nudge to his side, "That's why he always wears his mask. People often mistake him for a girl!"
"Ooooh," the three youngsters said in unison.
Throwing her a threatening look, "Play time is over. And no, they're not my new team, thankfully."
"Hey!" Tatsuki said in protest.
"They're not? Why the babysitting gig?"
"These three are particularly gifted, yet appear to be too much to handle for the academy instructor. I have to look after them as Tsunade-sama searches for a proper genin-instructor."
Sakura let out a low whistle, "All three are geniuses?"
"They have the potential."
"So why am I here?"
This was his turn to gain amusement at her expense, "You're going to help me."
The hell she was.
"What?" she squawked, "Why me?"
"You're female. There must be some semblance of maternal instinct in you," he said with a shrug.
"Yay! The pretty sensei stays!"
"Absolutely not! I have too much to prepare for. You know how much goes into a year-long mission," she protested.
"Oh really? Hear that brats? She doesn't like you," he said all too smoothly.
She looked down to find three adorable, yet hurt looks. Shit.
"Do you not like us pretty-sensei?"
Usagi looked on the verge of tears.
"N-no! I love you three! Of course I'll stay!"
Sakura punched Kakashi's arm with as much force possible while avoiding the use of chakra. He grimaced out of pain but it was absolutely worth it. A loud chorus of cheers erupted as she found herself being dragged away by three cute children. Each were vying for her attention and fighting amongst themselves for the last word. Sakura turned around to mouth 'I hate you' to Kakashi.
He merely gave her an eye crinkle as he slowly followed behind them.