Not Only Words
Drabble 4 of 5
Rating: K+/PG
Summary: Kakashi has to face Sakura eventually.
Avoiding Sakura was all about retaining both Kakashi's dignity and his livelihood. From his lack of tolerance, to whatever he said while drunk, and her birthday... it was reason enough to go on any mission until the storm calmed. Unfortunately, there were no missions to be had.
Kakashi had his pride too though; he considered moving away and figured that would be as if she had won. Not that it was some sort of competition.
Still, it bothered him that he had no idea what he told her.
Kurenai had a simple suggestion.
"Why don't you ask?" she said when he took to hiding at her apartment one day. "Hiding from her isn't going to fix anything."
"She'll forget eventually. Or give up."
Kurenai laughed, either at Kakashi or her child's sweet smile while she played with her. "Sakura came by the other day looking for you."
Okay, she was laughing at Kakashi.
"What did you say?"
Kurenai smirked.
"Kakashi!"
The jonin balked at the sound of his student's voice and glared accusingly at his friend. Sakura rushed into the yard before he could move, and he wondered just how she caught him by surprise. He did not even want to think about it.
"We need to talk." Sakura said.
That was never, ever a good thing to hear from a woman. Beaten, he left the yard and walked by her in the street. Plotting. The alleyway looked promising. He was sure he could outrun her on the roofs. Hell, he could just knock her out, but that would just make it worse.
Kakashi realized that they had said nothing for a few minutes. Eventually, Sakura began to speak.
"Do you hate me?" she asked.
He knew what to say! "No."
But that was really all Kakashi had.
"Are you angry?"
Yes? It really depended what she meant. Scared was more likely; what he did not know about that night frightened him.
"Were you lying?" Sakura began to trip over her words, looking every bit as worried as Kakashi felt. They stopped, and stared at each other desperately curious and fearful of what the other would say.
Kakashi felt like an overemotional woman. This had to stop.
"Lying about what I said that night?" he asked. Kakashi had an opportunity here; Sakura was not the most observant in social situations. He could do this. He could get what he said out of her.
"About... that."
Women. Kakashi was angry at the vagueness of their language. He wondered how much damage would be done if he slipped through that alleyway and towards freedom.
Instead he shrugged his shoulders. "What do you think I meant?"
Sakura bit her lip nervously. "I don't know. Kakashi, what you said was cruel!"
Oh, so it was about her forehead. Kakashi had been sure that was not what it was. Wait a minute. She was smiling after he said whatever it was he said. How could what he possibly said been cruel?
"I don't understand."
"You said... you said..."
Something in her eyes clued him in. She looked at him pleadingly, almost flirting.
Oh this was far first than broadcasting her forehead to the world in a drunken stupor. Far worst than giving her a ribbon for her birthday. Far worse than giving Sasuke an Icha, Icha book.
It did not matter what he said, because whatever it was had changed their relationship. Sakura no longer looked at him like a teacher.
And he did not want to change that.
But he had to.
