A/N: Kakashi POV is here! I hope you enjoy the change of perspective. ^_^ I should be completing Chapter Five soon. Your reviews are far too kind and supportive. It makes the writing so much easier.
1/2 page format always recommended.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Chapter Four: I Saw Her Standing There
"Yeah," Kotetsu said in his typically casual manner, despite the possible gravity of the situation, "just fell from the trees, like a dead bird."
Kakashi frowned beneath his mask at the comparison and stifled a concerned grimace as he tried to keep up a laid back demeanor, "Really? Hmm, take her to the hospital?"
"Well yeah, she looked horrid," the bandage-clad chuunin said in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Actually, I took her," Izumo said from a few feet away at his usual post, "he just stood there."
"Whatever. She got to the hospital, that's what matters," Kotetsu rolled his eyes.
Kakashi dismissed himself from the conversation with as much nonchalance as even he could muster, before taking off at top speed for the hospital. It had been almost two weeks since the two former teammates had spoken, despite their last intimate meeting. If there was anyone that knew about the workings of these casual arrangements, it was Kakashi. But the pink-haired medic nin that he currently hopped across rooftops for was not just any woman.
In truth, these notions he had of the rosette had started quite a bit before his most recent birthday party. It was at the last assignment of genin teams, actually. Kakashi had persuaded Tsunade to relieve him of his duties as a teacher, luckily. Team Seven would be his first and last, and it was more than enough for a lifetime. Anyone could agree to that. More joy and pain had come from the experience than the man could have possibly imagined. He was content with leaving it at that.
It was necessary for him to attend the meeting as a jounin of Konoha. Name by name, each elite received their set of underlings. Some for the first time, including Sakura. A smile crept up on his masked lips as he watched the sheer excited glimmer in her eyes. It was quite similar to watching a child as you told them they'd be going to the toy store. Eyes full of undeniable joy and unlimited opportunity. But even more so after the meeting, as she obsessively scanned over her students' academy forms.
"You're doing this to make me feel old," he had said to her while approaching from apparently nowhere, as only he could.
Her smile held a hint of embarrassment that made him want to pinch her cheeks. "Oh, I wouldn't say that, sensei."
He waved his hands to her in insistence, "Please, just Kakashi. I'm sure you know I haven't been a teacher to you in quite awhile." In truth, it had only officially been about a year since the then nineteen-year-old Sakura had been promoted to jounin. But in many ways, Kakashi felt he had abandoned his role as her teacher long ago.
"Still sulking over that?" she chuckled, not entirely aware of what he meant.
"A bit." Sakura wouldn't hear the truth of his words at that very moment, though it was something Kakashi thought of often. Many might have dismissed it as being dealt a hand too great for one man, still Kakashi knew better. It was an indisputable truth that Sasuke and Naruto's futures held far too much potential to contain, much less at the same time and by the same person. But even if this were true, it was unforgivable how negligent he had been in Sakura's most important years of growth. She had been more than fortunate to have Tsunade to pick her back up. He knew now as he stared at the strong, capable, and confident kunoichi before him that none of aforementioned strength, capability, and confidence were his to take credit for. Sakura did it all on her own. He had failed her, yet she grew from it.
"You're a million miles away," she said to him, looking up from the papers she had been studying so intently. The corners of her mouth lifted in warm contentment to match the brightness of her viridian eyes.
"Oh," he quickly played it off the silence with a chuckle, "Just wondering if I needed to buy plant food." Characteristically, he scratched the back of his head.
"Of course you are," she muttered with a quick roll of her eyes, reminiscent of the fiery girl he had always known her to be; the girl he had almost completely lost sight of.
Silence quickly resumed between them, and according to his keen evasion skills, he should have been making his leave. Even so, something tugged vehemently at hid insides as he sat in close proximity with this he once knew so well. The air coming off of this girl, no- woman, was different then that from most. She was good.
Her eyes closely watched the horizon, no longer annoyed by his lack of insightful dialogue.
"Actually," Kakashi began, casting his gaze in her direction, "I was thinking about what a great teacher you're going to be." Better than I ever was.
Sakura turned with a reciprocating gaze of gratitude, speckled with hints of aspiration. A humble smile settled on her lovely lips, stirring a warmth within him. Before he could stand, a hand graced his shoulder. Their eyes met with a sort of confidence, and she said, "Thank you, Kakashi," not as the student he had failed, but as his equal. As a friend.
The image of those warm emerald eyes bathed in setting sun, staring back at him with such kindness, would never leave his mind. He could see them as clear as daylight as he rushed off to the hospital.
For the most part, Kakashi chose to stay out of sight as he waited for Sakura to regain consciousness; he sat perched beside her window with a certain orange book in hand. The pinkette must have been quite a heavy sleeper if she had somehow missed Naruto's colossal entrance. The blond boy must've spent what seemed like ten minutes thrashing up and down the hospital corridor, looking for a capable nurse. Kakashi had lost count of how many times he heard a nurse sat, "Uzumaki-san, she just has a stomach bug." Still, it was understandable for the boy to be so inquisitive. Sakura was one of the best, if not the second best, medic nin of the five great villages. It was extremely peculiar that someone of her calibre couldn't dispel a measly little stomach bug. At certain points, the silver haired jounin was compelled to inquire about Sakura for himself, but he assured himself that it was nothing and kept his position on the ledge beside her window. He would have to remind Sakura to drill her students on their sensory skills, it was a wonder as to how they had yet to discover him in such close proximity. Albeit, to their credit, it must have been quite worrisome to see their sensei in such a state. Kakashi thought back to the few occasions in which he had been the injured sensei, his students (with the exception of one dark haired boy) had also been extremely concerned.
"No matter," Kakashi would've said to them had he wanted his presence to be known, "Sakura is one of the strongest people I know. She's had to endure much worse."
Just as the sun began to set on the not so typical day, Kakashi caught the sound of a familiar yawn. "Feeling better?" he heard a young female voice say.
"Much," a much more familiar female voice responded.
Kakashi smiled inwardly, she sounded rested. Perhaps she was feeling better now. He hoped so as he sat and waited out the remainder of their conversation. He would only have to wait long enough for the three genin to leave. A feeling of relief came over him as he was now able to breathe more easily. For the time being, he would take out his favorite book and mull over what he would say to her. Would she be angry with him? It had been quite awhile since they last spoke. He could only hope that Sakura didn't entirely resent him for his abrupt absence after such a confusing date. Confusing for her at least, things were all too clear to the copy nin. Unknowingly, she had made his birthday much better than he would've asked for. He could still feel her soft, milky skin; clearly, he could hear her lazy mewls of pleasure; he could still taste her. Albeit, the pinkette couldn't remember a thing, judging from their last "date." Perhaps that's what he deserved for getting her drunk.
Kakashi quickly regained his composure, shutting out memories of a certain naked woman, as the three genin began to make their leave. For the first time in quite a while, Hatake Kakashi felt like a complete idiot. What would he say? Ask her how she was? Ask to see her more often? Whatever it was, he would have to think of it soon. Sakura was lucid, and he had been waiting out there for far too long to go undetected by an elite kunoichi. It was only a matter of time before he was discovered and his pervy persona was upgraded to stalker status. "Now or never, Hatake," he said under his breath. Prudently, he scooted over to the window, she was resting. He hated to disturb a pretty girl when she was resting, but he hadn't waited out here all afternoon just to chicken out.
"Still overexerting ourselves, are we?" he was pleased by the ease in his tone. Even more so, he was pleased by the sweet smile that spread across her sealed lips. He hadn't even looked up from his book, but he saw her face clearly in his peripherals. The words in front of him were a mere distraction from what he was really interested in.
"Still being overly studious of pornographic reading material, are we?" her head quirked to one side as she smiled pleasantly. Clamping his book shut, he caved. This was far too much to even pretend to be disinterested in. She'd always had a delightful sense of humor.
An amused smile was hidden beneath his mask as he replied, "How crude of you, Sakura-chan."
A silence came over the teasing woman as her jade eyes seemed to sweep over his features with a sort of tenderness; something he saw so infrequently in those fiery emeralds. Other then when she looked at him, of course. Kakashi could sense the contemplation behind those big, doe eyes. He wished he could tap into whatever thoughts she was having now, too bad he hadn't been born a Yamanaka. Although, that is a bit creepy, isn't it?
His reverie was short-lived as Sakura finally spoke.
"Hey," her tone was soft and hesitant, his intent gaze probably wasn't helping any, "I'm sorry about-"
Kakashi was quick to stop her, with the raise of his hand. He had sensed that she would bring this up, and there was no reason to make things more strained than they already were. "Nothing to apologize for," he offered congenially, "everyone makes mistakes. I think we can put it behind us." As the words slipped from his mouth, he felt the urge to punch himself in the face. The silver haired jounin had made plenty of mistakes in his lifetime. Sakura was not one of them. That was much was clear as he gazed at her now with a forced smile, realizing he wished for nothing more than to smell her hair again. Her eyes fell over his intensely, there was clear despondence in them as she reluctantly nodded."Yes," she agreed, a sad smile on her lips, "but-"
Both emerald and brown flickered over to the open door that had so abruptly halted Sakura's words. Kakashi restrained himself from flying across the room, slamming the door shut, and turning back to his pinkette with a smile, "Please continue." Shizune poked her head into the room, a medical chart pressed to her chest. Kakashi had known the woman for over twenty years, during which he leaned never to take her concerned gaze lightly. The brunette's face was clearly masked with the burden of important news.
"I'm sorry," she quickly pardoned herself, "I can come back?"
"Oh, no," Kakashi replied. Whatever Shizune had to tell Sakura was certainly a significant, private matter. Anything the man had to sat to the rose haired woman could wait until a more appropriate time. "We can continue this later," he said, a kind visible eye on the cherry blossom before him; he hoped that she understood he hadn't meant this as a general statement.
"Ja ne," he waved kindly to the two women and slipped out of the window. The clear concern in Shizune's face stuck with him all afternoon. "She'll be alright," he reassured himself.
It had been roughly a week since Kakashi had seen the real Sakura. Although she made quite a few appearances in his nightly escapades, sans clothing and in ways he was far too ashamed to think about in public. Truly, it wouldn't have been completely farfetched to say he was avoiding her. He had decided it simply wasn't healthy to think of someone so much; especially not when after so many mixed signals the other person probably isn't even remotely interested anymore. Perhaps it was a lot to assume, but he figured it was for the best.
Kakashi had a pretty good idea of places to avoid with Sakura in mind. Ichiraku ramen was out of the question, he often saw the woman there with their foxy friend; yes, Ichiraku had curtains, but he wasn't going to take the chance. Next would be the cafe she frequented with Ino, which was too bad because the masked man quite enjoyed their tempura. Lastly, he would have to steer clear of the hospital, which was quite easy for him being that he was terrified of hospitals and avoided any reason for visiting one. However, if he were to be called into the Hokage's office for a mission briefing, Sakura would most likely be there. In this scenario, seeing her was unavoidable. Perhaps he should just move- or man up.
It was on Friday night that Kakashi lost the cool he had worked for so many years to perfect. He tossed and turned at night. His appetite was close to nonexistent. Not to mention the gut wrenching feelings he had at the mere thought of anything pink. There's a distinct possibility that this could have been attributed to the hunger, but he doubted it. Really, the simple explanation for everything was that he missed her. Sakura hadn't been a constant presence in his life for years, and yet the past few weeks of his life had been so bright and full. Sure, he only saw her several times, but it felt different. Kakashi was happy when he was around her, and that wasn't nothing.
It was now or never. If he was lucky, she would feel the same; they would run off and live happily ever after in a house on the outskirts of town, next to his favorite bookstore and cafe where they served those little muffins. (Not to get carried away or anything.) If she didn't feel the same way, that would be fine too. He would live his life, suppressing a love that was never meant to be, watching her with another man knowing he could never love her as much. (Again, not to get carried away.) Either way, he would not allow her to slip way. Their friendship was far more important than any petty feelings of doubt he might have. And so he set forth with his sights sent intently on the girl that had been frolicking so cruelly through his mind all day.
Knowing the Sakura that he watched from afar, it was likely that she be home about this time of day. While other young adults frequented bars, or went out for a night on the town, the kunoichi he knew was unusually aged. Naruto often expressed his worry for the girl whenever they met for lunch, typically by finding comparisons between the rosette and Tsunade. "They sound the same," Naruto had once began, "they fight the same, they like the same things. They both like to scold me like I'm five. Hell, they even look the same sometimes. She's turning into Granny Tsunade, I'm telling you!" Kakashi was typically silent during any meetings with friends he partook in, but this earned a small chuckle. Naruto was right, after all. Sakura was slowly but surely turning into her Shishou like most girls did their mothers. Sakura was a little ahead of her own age, which meant she had little time for fun; or, she thought she did. With this in mind, Kakashi estimated the girl would be home after a long day of work.
He hoped she was. Truly, she could use the rest. He hoped she was at home, with her feet up on the coffee table, and a good movie on TV. Perhaps she would be reading the Icha Icha he had caught her purchasing not long ago, which she had blushed and assured him was for a friend. Or maybe she was just laying in bed. Or maybe she was taking a bath; a long, luxurious, hot bath with suds filled up to her-
He shook the thought from his filthy mind with gusto. Once a perv, always a perv.
As Kakashi made his way down the path of a familiar street, he caught a glimpse of a color that made his expression perk up into a smile. Even in the darkness, Sakura's hair was as vibrant as ever. She was dressed as she always did. An everyday red top paired with a short black skirt, and those thigh high pumps that made his heart race. Casual and lovely. She looked happy to see him as he entered her line of vision. That was fortunate, but he wouldn't get his hopes up.
"Kakashi," a gentle smile hit her lips as she said his name, and how sweetly she did say it. It was as if she had a string attached to his weak heart that she pulled as she pleased.
"Hey," he responded with a wave, trying to mask his excitement as his palms grew clammy. What was he, thirteen? Certainly, this was not the behavior that a thirty-four-year-old man. These nerves were not acceptable for an A-rank ninja.
"I have to admit," she said, catching him off guard as he mulled over his next statement, "I'm a bit surprised to see you here. Something I can help you with?"
Yes, he wanted to say, I have this incredible yearning for you that confuses me to no end, help me clear things up? But he kept his filthy mouth shut. An honest approach was the best route to go, but he decided it was safer to be less forward.
"Well," he said, calmly enough for containing the thoughts that currently frenzied in his head, "I suppose there's no point in pretending to be uninterested in the conversation we were unable to finish the other day." Kakashi tried to sway the seriousness of his suggestion with a nervous laugh. Still, this had little effect and she was undoubtedly nervous. Now was not the time for regrets, however; no matter how stupid he felt.
"I suppose you're right," she finally responded with a heaviness to her tone, as if he had dropped some sort of terrible news on her. Her eyes fell to the ground anxiously and then back up to him as she came up with something to say, "Though I do have things to tend to now." She was looking for an out.
"Ah," Kakashi frowned beneath his mask at her words. Still, he had to try and save the conversation while he still could, "Company?" He quickly regretted this.
A hint of a frown touched her bitter smile and Sakura replied with a dull, "Uh yeah," while rubbing nervously at her arm. Sakura was a terrible liar, he remembered that much about her. And her answer was strangely reminiscent of when he would ask if she'd done her stamina drills back in her genin days. "Uh, yeah," she would lie, before returning to her nails.
But Kakashi would not call her on it now as he had back then. Somehow, the thought of her lying was far more comforting than if she were to actually have company waiting for her. It could have easily been Naruto or Ino, but the thought of maybe another guy tugged at Kakashi's gut in a way that he would never grow accustomed to. Still, this thought wasn't entirely outlandish. After all, Sakura really was special.
"Well then," Kakashi tried to hide the disappointment in his voice and began to step away from her reluctantly, "I'll leave you be." Kakashi took a few steps away, feeling lower than he had to begin with. The meeting hadn't gone as he had dreamed but a few things were clear. Even so, he had a feeling that this couldn't be it. It just couldn't be.
"Sakura," he called out to her, turning on his heel. She hadn't moved an inch, and her eyes remained glued to his form. He ignored the prying questions within him and simply continued, "I'm glad to see you're doing better," he began, a significance to his tone that was only emphasized as he followed, "I really would like to hear from you more often." Short and simple.
He felt a glimmer of hope as a modest smile returned to her face as she responded, "Okay."
Short and simple.