A/N: I barely proofread this but its late and I have classes tomorrow. Chapter four coming up! :)

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Chapter 4

Sakura smiled politely at the waitress while directing a glance at Sarada who are a few feet away. Kakashi asked well more like threatened the waitress to let Sarada try all of the treats they had in a separate table. Kakashi had explained to her daughter when Sarada asked why she can't eat with them, he said that he and Sakura are going to talk about some adult stuff. Although curious, Sarada – to Kakashi's surprise didn't say anything and was being happily led to another table by some other waitress a few feet away from Kakashi and Sakura's position.

They shared an awkward silence for a moment or two.

.

.

.

Until Kakashi can't take it anymore and starts reaching for his back pocket containing his precious—

"If you dare read that nasty book in front of me I will not hesitate to end you." A venomous, very familiar voice said.

"Ah Sakura-chan, you wound me. I would never do that in front of you and darling Sarada-chan." He said with his masked grin, glad for the interruption— even though it's a threat to his life and possibly his Icha Icha. He's still thankful.

"What do you want?" She straightforwardly asked him when their order arrived. She could feel the awkward yet comfortable silence diminishing.

"I need answers." He said, eyes narrowing and voice getting serious. Sakura knew what he wants but she'll still try her best to stall.

"What answers?" she shot back her delicate pink eyebrows shooting up her hairline. She gave him a mocking look, something that made his insides twist—not with irritation but with a raw dread.

He did not know if the one he's worried about is her reaction or—her answer itself.

The prospect that it may not be something he doesn't want to hear is in the forefront of his mind.

But he's tired of being ignorant, of not knowing the feud that happened right under his nose among his former students. He couldn't bear the look of sadness and dare he say it? Pity, in Naruto's eyes whenever he tried to casually ask what the fuck was going on yet all the obnoxious blond can give him is a shake of the head and a small smile while saying: "Maybe someday sensei, maybe someday." He would have pushed for answers if not for the lone tear that dripped his student's cheery blue eyes. It was then that he realized his mistake and promptly refrain himself from asking anymore questions.

He asked at the wrong time and unfortunately at the wrong person.

Now he looked closely at his only female student that he noticed, her eyes were different, masked yet hollow, cold with calculated, unnerving intelligence. He could also see the way her eyes shift to Sarada every now and then with the constant spreading of her chakra around them. The precision in how she's doing it disturbed him; it is as if she were on a mission; alert and distrustful...

In her home grounds.

The thought made him cringe. What could have happen to her to act as such? In her own village nonetheless, the place where she was born and the place that she grew up.

It made him sick, the fact that whatever happened to her must've been so horrible it kept her on edge. He decided not to broach the taboo topic yet he'll get his answers later but for now he needed to welcome his former student back, here in Konoha, her home, and where she belong.

"I just wanted to know what made you decide to go back. The last I heard you never wanted to ever step foot in this village again." It was an invitation and by the look on her face she wasn't expecting that. He inwardly smiled when her shoulders relaxed but still on guard as if in a calm before the storm.

He has other plans though; he won't force her to answer. He'd have to make sure she's comfortable around him again. He has plenty of time and if the rumors even have the resemblance of truth then he would have enough time to find out more about this—complicated...drama.

"Unfortunately I have to stay here again but don't worry it won't be for long and I could be out of your lives again." The retort stung but he knew it wasn't meant for him. To break the beginning of another awkward atmosphere and cleared his throat with his hands in front of him in a universal I-mean-no-harm gesture. He cleared his throat before answering.

"I don't think you have any reason to rush Sakura-chan, no one wants you to not be here why don't you calm down a little and not pour your wrath on your poor sensei no?" Then he grabbed the plate of strawberry cheesecake beside him and shoves it into her hands.

"Why don't you have my share hmm? I know it's your favourite." He prayed that it still is, he doesn't what he's going to do if what she likes changes in the past years. His prayers were granted when he saw the pleasant smile on her face while she ate the sweet goodness.

"You chose a good cafe Kakashi but I do hope you're not going to leave me with the bill hmm? Because I could recall that you're the one who dragged us here." She narrowed her eyes at him.

He gave a firm nod. If he wanted to be on her good graces then he wouldn't start his 'amusing' habits.

"And Sarada's" She added.

He replied with a resolved:

"Yes, of course."

Then she laughed at him, her laughter a welcome change to her previous demeanour. It made him relax his tense shoulders. She reached out and clapped him on the shoulder.

"I think we're going to get along Kakashi-sensei."

The added title to his name made him smile and it must've been visible through his mask because she smiled at him too. It was warm and familiar.

Until he saw a familiar mop of black hair on the street.

And the way a frown replaced her smile he guessed she felt him too.

Kakashi cursed his luck when the said man entered the cafe.

Sarada turned around.

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A/N: I wonder... anyways thank you for the follows, favorites and reviews. I appreciate it very much.

I'm sure you could guess who entered the cafe right?

Anyways I hope you enjoyed this. Things are going to get interesting in the next chapter. :)

~Rin - chan ^_-V