~Waiting for You~
~Chapter 7~
Akira Mai was seen as the Daiki village's most beautiful princess and many available and worthy bachelors would make a proposal every chance that was given to them. But there was nothing beautiful about the princess that wept before them. Everyone in the room stood still, frozen from the shocking confession the princess had just admitted. While many others tried to awaken the emperor, Kakashi and the others knew that they just had to continue digging in deeper if they wanted to save their cherry blossom Sakura. Sai, who has just arrived to give the team some information, was also very determined to find his friend Sakura, but with the current information he had, things just didn't seem to make sense.
"Explain to us the real reason behind your actions"- Sai
"This is crazy, I don't believe that a girl like that could be an arsonist and a murderer at the same time" – Ino murmured while Hinata silently agreed
"Yamanaka-san, I'm sorry but it's true" – Mai said quietly
"You mentioned someone named Hana", Sasuke said abruptly
"Her full name is Kimura Hana and she was a priestess from the small town Emi", said Mai
"So that small abandoned village used to be known as Emi?"- Kakashi knew that place sounded familiar but he had trouble trying to remember.
"This all started when I carelessly allowed my heart to fall in love with a young man, his name was Miyamoto Tadashi." – Mai
"Miyamoto Tadashi? What importance does he have in this?"- Kakashi
"EVERYTHING! I was always there for him no matter what...I could have given him everything he ever wanted...wealth, honour, and especially love" – Mai cried
"I'm guessing Miyamoto-san didn't see things the way you did" – Naruto said as he shook his head
"I AM THE EMPEROR'S DAUGHTER FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE, and yet Tadashi still didn't want me! – Mai shrieked maniacally.
"She's crazy" – Sasuke whispered towards Ino
"As we got older I noticed his heart and dreams were no longer mine and instead they belonged to that priestess Kimura Hana" – Mai said as she started to sob again
"But how did you know that they were even together? It could have been a misunderstanding" – Sai
"What's to misunderstand? The fact that he always talks about her? And how could I forget about the way he leaves the village to spend time with her." – Mai said in a dark tone
"Akira-san, did he ever tell you anything to even confirm their relationship?" - Hinata
"He invited me to her village to witness their matrimonial ceremony (wedding) and the thought of giving Tadashi away to someone was like ending my own life" – Mai wailed
There was a chilling silence that spread across the room even some of the elders of the court couldn't believe what they were hearing. By this time the small emperor had already regained consciousness and gazed guiltily at his weeping daughter.
"I loved him so much that I was willing to throw everything away, and I told him everything, I POURED MY HEART OUT TO HIM! But he still didn't listen" - Mai
FlashBack
"Tadashi-kun, I love you and I"- Mai was quickly interrupted
"Mai, you already know I can't return those feelings for you in that way" – Tadashi Miyamoto
"WHY?! We've known each other since forever and I can't imagine anyone else having my heart but you!" – Mai
"I'm sorry Mai, but I already gave my feelings of love to someone else and as a friend I'm inviting you to join our celebration in matrimony" – Tadashi said as he looked away to avoid Mai's tears
" To that priestess right?! But she doesn't even know you as well as I do"- Mai
"Actually, we've known each other since we were kids"- Tadashi
"So that's it? My feelings mean nothing to you?"-Mai
"I'm sorry Mai, hopefully one day you'll forgive me...but for now I have to go" – Tadashi said as he carried his bags
"IF YOU LEAVE ME...I'll...I'll...I'll burn the village down" – Mai cried and panicked
"I know you Mai, and you wouldn't do that" – Tadashi said his final words and left
"If you really knew me, then you'd know that I love you that much to actually do it" – Mai whispered and sobbed
END OF FLASHBACK
"So you burned the village and took innocent lives with you?!" – Naruto screamed as Hinata held him back
Kakashi felt sorry for the girl, he sort of understood where she was coming from, but that didn't change the fact that what she did was wrong. He couldn't bear the thought of Sakura marrying someone else. Surprisingly enough he's already been through such a dilemma not that long ago. Lee had proposed to Sakura. Kakashi knew Lee was a good man but his heart would never settle for it. Luckily Kakashi managed to conjure up the courage to stop Sakura from saying yes and that was the beginning of many private "sparring" sessions and urgent "meetings". (*Author's Note* I'm going to add a chapter called "FlashBack" which is basically about Lee's proposal )
Kakashi treasured all those moments and prayed to kami that they would find Sakura and share more precious memories like those ones in the future. But in Mai's situation, no one could believe to what she was confessing.
"Why blame the innocent village for something you and someone else did!" – Ino yelled as she tried to slap Mai
"Ino stop! No matter what she did there will always be consequences waiting for her" – Sasuke said as he held tightly onto Ino
"He is right." – The emperor said got up from his seat followed by his attendants and the elders of his court.
Mai fell to her knees and looked directly at her tiny father in shame. "Gomenasai, Otou-san...gomenasai...Tadashi failed...no it was love that failed me..."- Mai said as soon as she was interrupted
"And thus the creation of the Kanashii Hana tale was born" – Sai
"There is no exception when it comes to consequence, but I'm willing to die for the mistakes my daughter has committed" – the emperor said boldly
"Father No!" – Mai gestured as her father reached for her hand
"My lovely Mai, you are my beloved daughter and I treasure you so much that I cannot allow you to believe that love has failed you. Your late mother and I conceived you out of love. And my choice to take your place is to show you how much love I have for you" - Emperor
"Then we shall make a date for the execution" exclaimed one of the elders of the court.
"WAIT! It's true that the village was burned down, but it was not because of me... I did originally plan to do it but by the time I got there it was already burning and I had already found Hana and Tadashi lying lifeless near a shrine, but I was too scared to do or say anything. So in the end I convinced myself that I was the one who did it" – Mai
"Do you really expect us to believe that?"- Ino
"It's true and after awhile I just headed towards the area where the escorts I originally hired were waiting for me and that's where I met Haruno Sakura who looked a lot like Hana." – Mai
"I can't believe Sakura was somehow caught in the middle of all of this" - Naruto
"Akira-sama, do you remember where the shrine was?" – Hinata
"Yes, it was the only structure that was left standing." – Mai
"Then if it wasn't you who eliminated the Emi village, then who did?" – Naruto
"I'm sorry I don't know" - Mai
"I'm pretty sure the culprits were also in charge of Sakura's ambush"- Kakashi said as he was still trying to remember the importance of Emi village. Sai noticed Kakashi's puzzled eyes and decided to ask if he realized something important.
"Something wrong Kakashi-san?" – Sai
"The Emi village, do we have any ties with them? – Kakashi
"Yes, If I remember correctly we had some of our ninjas investigate an experimentation crime there, but that was a few years ago"- Sai
"Experimentation?"- Kakashi
"Yes, it had something to do with Orochimaru, during that time I was still with Danzo but my senpai's told me the events that took place.
In the meantime, while everyone tried to put a strange puzzle together, Sakura was no longer struggling but was now trying to figure more about Kaori and Tadashi's story. But as Sakura tried to figure out her situation all she could hear was the song that Kaori was humming. (Song: Circle you Circle you) As Kaori decided to check up on her hostage she noticed Sakura had stopped struggling to get herself untangled.
"Those ropes sure look tight, here let me untie them for you"- Kaori smiled
"Thank you Kaori, its funny...I don't even remember why I was tied up in the first place" – Sakura smiled
"You don't remember?" – Kaori asked excitedly
"No... Which is strange because I usually remember things pretty well"- Sakura
"Remember things like what?" – Kaori asked slyly
"Well for one thing my name is..."- Sakura felt a chill run through her entire body as she realized that she had forgotten her own name.
"Your name is?" – Kaori chuckled evilly
"I...can't...remember..."- Sakura whispered
"You're so silly, *I can't remember* is not your name, it's Hana, remember?" – Kaori giggled
"Hana? Ok, but hey I know your name is Kaori and your friend's name is Kakashi" – Sakura said slowly knowing something was a bit off with the name Hana.
" Kakashi? No it's Tadashi and he's my father remember?" – Kaori snickered
"Oh sorry, I think my head is getting a little fuzzy because of how weak I feel right now as if something was drained from me". Sakura smiled confusingly as the only things that were clear in her head were the names Kaori, Hana, Tadashi, and somehow the name Kakashi made her heart skip a beat.
"Well in the meantime you should drink some tea"- Kaori offered some of her "special tea".
"Thank you", as Sakura reached out for the tea she felt a pulse of pain throbbing in her arm. Sakura noticed a gash which looked fairly new. Little did she remember but that very same cut was made from Tadashi and Kaori's master plan. Kaori noticed Sakura studying her wound.
"That looks pretty bad, here let me take care of it for you"- Kaori said as she made her way towards Sakura's arm and gently started to drink the blood from her scar.
"Are you sure that's going to help?" – Sakura
"Trust me it helps plenty" – Kaori smiled as she finished drinking the perfect amount and left Sakura alone so she could talk with Tadashi.
"She's finally forgotten everything" – Kaori
"So shall we head over to the shrine now?" – Tadashi murmured
"Patience is what mommy taught me, but pretty soon you two will be reunited" – Kaori smiled
"Hana just you wait, we will be together again I promise" - Tadashi
While Sakura sat there she couldn't help but repeat the name Kakashi over and over again. When Kaori left the room Sakura decided to say that name out loud. "Kakashi, Kakashi, Ka..ka..shi", tears began to fall from her eyes as she suddenly felt a wave of exhaustion take over her body. Sakura then called Kaori back into the room.
"What is it mommy?" – Kaori
"I'm feeling so tired I was wondering if I could lay down somewhere?" - Sakura yawned
"Yes there's a nice comfy futon/tatami (Japanese style bed) in the other room, but I'm pretty sure you want to change into something more comfortable" – Kaori pointed to a small box near the corner of the room
"Thank you Kaori-chan" – Sakura said as she made her way towards the box she pulled out a beautiful red hakama and a white haori (Shrine maiden attire). The hakama was embroidered with beautiful pink and golden cherry blossoms. As Sakura put it on she was focused on the cherry blossoms. When Sakura was done she made her way towards the other room and lay down on the futon. As she closed her eyes the image of a man with silver hair and cherry blossoms appeared in her head. Tears rolled down her face softly as she once again whispered the same name again. "Kakashi...I'll ...be...waiting for you...", and with that Sakura fell into a deep sleep.
"Sleep well Hana, for tomorrow is a very important day" – Kaori whispered
While Sakura slept, Kakashi and the others were invited to stay the night at the palace to gain the strength back, the plan was to revisit the shrine the next day to hopefully find something that will reveal the whereabouts of their dearest friend. As everyone dozed off Kakashi forced himself to close his eyes and endure the pain of having to see Sakura's smiling face even though she was not with him at that moment. Only one thing was on Kakashi's mind.
"Sakura".