A/N: Thanks for all the reviews/alerts/favs, I'm glad you guys like it so much. I hope i answered everyone back. There is a chance that there won't be another update for the upcoming three weeks. Maybe there is but i can't promise anything. Thank you for your patience with me. I don't like this chapter so much.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto
Chapter 7:
Sakura held back a wince when Tsunade pulled out another piece of glass out of her skin with a little more force than was needed. She couldn't blame her though and kept silent as she kept pulling out pieces of glasses out of her skin. She noticed that a scowl adored her Shishou's face since she told her what happened the night before. She expected a lecture from the blond but instead she got the silent treatment. And that was much worse. She would have rather listened to how her Shishou would scowl at her, yelling and screaming how stupid she'd been. But instead she only got an angry look without much of a word. She honestly didn't know why she left the apartment abruptly. At the time she thought it was the right decision. She didn't really care much about her stuff. It didn't hold so much meaning to her. Only two things were important to her and that was the pictures of her family and friends and her katana sword locked up in her closet, it was passed on to every generation of her clan, the symbol imprinted on the hilt. Even though her parents were well-known merchants, her grandparents and many before them had been shinobi. Her grandfather was than also delighted ot hear that his only grandchild decided to become a ninja. It wasn't that he wasn't proud of his own son, he was. But he had been disappointed that he didn't follow his footsteps. Sakura remembered the big smile on her grandfather's face when she announced that she wanted to become a shinobi. He'd already showed her some tricks and passed away as a happy man.
Sakura snapped back in reality when a yell of her name caught her attention. She looked up into the furious eyes of her mentor and gulped nervously. "I'm sorry Shishou, I was lost in thoughts. Could you repeat that please?" She tilted her head down a little, letting her know that she really regretted not having heard her question.
The hardened look softened a little as Tsunade sat down on the edge of her desk. "I said if you want me to arrange new apartment for you?" She crossed her arms as she stared down at the silent pink haired woman before her.
"That won't be necessarily Shishou," Sakura said softly as she stood up, stretching her hand carefully; her skin still a bit soar. "I doubt it if he comes near by me again. If the boys ever hear this happened he has to run for his life."
Tsunade snorted. "If that's what you want. But remember that the offer still stands. I don't even understand why you life in that cot of yours when I know you can afford something much better than that."
"My parents gave that one to me when I moved out," Sakura replied quietly. The honey colored eyes widened with shock and remorse of the comment she made seconds ago. "I'm sorry..."
"Don't be, it's time to move on about it. It's going to be hard but I'll manage. At least I hope so," She added silently. She moved towards the door and already turned the knob to open the door slightly. "Thanks for everything Shishou, for coming to look for me and all."
"You're quite welcome Sakura," Tsunade replied as she looked upon the girl she saw as her own daughter. "Just know I'll be here for you if you need someone."
Sakura smiled before opening the door further and moved out of the room, the door softly clicking closed behind her. She stared down at the silver furr ball sitting next to her feet. The mismatched eyes blinking once as they stared up at her. She smiled as she started to walk forward. "Lets go check our home, I'm sure he left some of it in pieces." She chuckled softly. Tsunade was right about one thing. She had enough money if she needed new furniture and stuff. Now that she was jounin and member of Team Kakashi that got requested frequently she already had a large back account. And it was only added with the job she had by the hospital, one of the best paid medics and not to mention her heritage when her parents died. So if anything was broken it wasn't really a big of a deal. She only hoped that her pictures and the katana would be alright.
She waved at some of the students she came across on the street, who eagerly were weaving at her. She smiled softly as some ran up to her for a little chit chat. Some looking at her cat with curiosity and some ever dared to pet him. Sakura didn't mind it once and actually made her feel a lot better than she'd felt when the day began. When she finally reached the flat where she lived. As far she could see of her apartment the window was still open from where she'd escaped the night before. Not having her keys with her, she grabbed Kashi and quickly leaped onto her balcony. She pushed the window a bit more open as she balanced Kashi with one arm before quickly pushed him inside. She entered quickly after him and began to check her surroundings.
Her chairs were thrown over the floor just like some reports she'd been working on. The couch was shred in pieces, clearly by the dagger Taichi had with him when he stabbed her. She walked towards the kitchen and saw that her some draws were pulled open, knives and forks littered over the floor. She sighed softly and turned towards the bedroom. She pushed the door open and saw that her sheets were thrown of her bed. Her pillows were thrown somewhere in a corner and the mattress was pushed aside, half resting on the floor. The draws were also pushed open. She quickly turned her gaze to the night stand next to her bed and saw to her relief that her pictures were unharmed. Walking to the other side of the room she grabbed the key that was already in the slot and turned it. Opening the door she saw to her relief that also the family sword was still on its place. She carefully pulled it out of the closet and let her fingers glide of the saya. The springs on her bed groaned as Kashi jumped upon it. She turned around and smiled as she saw the stare Kashi gave the weapon in her hands. "He's beautiful, isn't he?"
She sat down on the edge and carefully pulled out the blade. "It's being passed on from generation to generation. It belonged to my great, great, great grandfather, who made the katana himself. He wanted something as symbol for the strength of his family. He was known as the Shadow Blade of Konoha. It probably won't say anything to you but he was one of the best ninja's of the village. When he died he passed it on to his son and it became an tradition in our family." She smiled and pushed the blade back into his sheath and placed it back in the holder she build into her closet. "My father was the first one in our family to decide to become an civilian instead of a ninja. So when I graduated from the academy he gave me the katana as graduation present. I always wanted to learn to master sword fighting but I didn't dare to ask Kakashi-sensei for training. He probably would wave it off and concentrate further on the boys." She sighed as she closed the door and turned around, her eyes a bit saddened. She didn't know why she talked to her cat, but it simply felt right to talk with him. As if she already had done that for ages.
She didn't notice the painful look in Kashi's eyes as she mentioned Kakashi and strode back into the living room. She quickly made some seals and a clone soon appeared. She started to clean up her apartment; all the while checking if she didn't miss anything. When everything was done she decided to eat something quick before shopping for a new couch and front door. Luckily for her nothing was missing from her apartment. He probably went into drunken rage and trenched her apartment with all his might before he left the building. She made a mental note to make new copies of the keys for the boys as they frequently visited her apartment when she was on her shift or simply to hang out.
Quickly making something to eat she gave Kashi the half of her sandwich before she grabbed her purse with her wallet and keys in it. She checked if the windows were closed before she and Kashi went out for some shopping.
xXx
When Sakura came home she already had sensed the chakra signature of her friend. She didn't really want to talk with her after she'd coupled her with such a bastard, but she knew that Ino would already know what had happened so sooner or later she would have been confronted by her about this ordeal. She sighed inwardly and started to walk a bit slower up the stairs than she used too; trying to delay the upcoming conversation. When she reached the front door she took her time to pull out her keys, but when she finally got them and found the right key for the front door Ino already had grown impatient and pulled the door open. Sakura blinked unfazed by her action and grabbed the bag of groceries from the ground before sliding past her best friend into the kitchen. Not greeting her best friend in any way.
Ino already has suspected Sakura would act that way and made sure the cat was in the apartment before she closed the door. She didn't want another reason for Sakura to be mad at her. She sighed as she looked at Sakura who was setting away the things she'd bought. She moved towards the kitchen and helped her out, no words spoken between them yet.
When they were finally done Sakura went to make tea, still not looking at the blond leaning against the dining table. Ino sighed and fetched with her sweater between her fingers. She really couldn't stand the silence between them. When Sakura was done she finally turned around to regard her friend, but the look of disappointment was very clear on her face, making Ino want to scream and beg for forgiveness.
"I'm sorry Sakura! I honestly didn't know he would do such a thing. Shin said he was a good guy but…"
Sakura held up her hand to stop her friend from babbling. "It's okay Ino. I know you never wanted this to happen."
Ino let go off her sweater and sighed. "I'm still sorry. Shin too by the way. I already went to his apartment and beated him to pulp when I heard what happened."
Sakura snickered. "He dissevered so much. But if the 'boys' will hear it, he's gonna' die. And that he doesn't deserve that. He's an asshole and I never want to see him again but I don't wish anyone the wrath of those three upon them. That's just too cruel."
Ino snorted. "He has it coming for treating you that way. Besides me and Shin are buying you new furniture. See it as an apology gift."
"But I-,"
"No buts on this Forehead, we already found a perfect set for you. You so going to love it!"
Sakura sighed but smiled all the while. "Thanks Pig, but I wanted to say I already bought something. But it's going to be delivered tomorrow but I can still cancel it if you want," she quickly added as she saw the dissapointed look on Ino's face.
Ino nodded and grabbed the water heater as the light went off as signal that the water was at the right temperature. "I'd like that. So does this mean we're cool?"
Sakura nodded and grabbed her cup of tea when Ino was done and clinked their cups against each other before taking a small sip. "We're cool."
And as promised the set Ino and Shin had bought for her came in later that evening, Shin personally helping with getting ride off the old one. Ino had made dinner and pushed Sakura out of the kitchen so she didn't do anything. They stayed for awhile before they went back home. Sakura smiled and hugged her friend as Shin apologized once again.
She sighed when she closed the door finally and turned to sit on her new couch. She had to admit she was a bit worried, but Ino was right. It was a corner couch and damn it was so soft you could simply see it as a bed and fall asleep on it. She was sure that Kashi would like it, now that she placed the loose chairs, aka his favourite laying place, in her basement for more room for the couch. She just hoped he would forgive her for that.
xXx
Kakashi narrowed his eyes as he saw the damage done to her apartment. His claws itching to sink into the prey he had in mind whom had done this. He saw Sakura vanish into the bedroom and decided to follow her. She was standing in front of a closet, holding a long katana in her hands. She turned around when she heard him jumping on the bed and smiled softly. But the words coming out of her mouth especially the last line hurt him deeply. He really had failed her didn't he? It even came to a point she didn't dare to ask him anything anymore, afraid for rejection.
The rest of the week went perfectly and even though his favourite chair had been removed, the couch really felt good. The corner was it favourite place to lie down, why he did not know. Maybe because he then had a good view of the apartment and Sakura working in either the bedroom or kitchen without moving from his place.
The day arrived soon when Naruto and Sasuke returned. Sakura greeted them both at the gates with a hug, a smile adoring her features as she looked at them. Naruto and Sakura immediately started to chat while Sasuke watched the other two silently and joined in sometimes with a soft grunt or hn.
They went to Sakura's place and as Sakura were in the kitchen, Naruto finally turned towards the silvery cat sitting in front of him. And spoke in hushed, soft tones.
"So do you think you have had enough time with Sakura to be changed back?"
Kashi nodded. "But first I want to know what happened to my Icha Icha book I carried when I was turned."
"Heesh Sensei, is that really what you all can think about?" Naruto sighed. He bit back a laugh as the mismatched eyes narrowed at his reply. "Don't worry; I placed it back in your apartment while you were unconscious. I couldn't keep it in my place, Hinata or Sakura would kill me if they ever found it in my place."
"It better be," Kakashi muttered. "Because if any harm has came to them, you'll be the first one I'd chase down."
"Yee, thanks Sensei. I feel so much better." Naruto replied with sarcasm. "Do you think you can sneak out of the apartment?"
"Ye, if you open that damn slot on the window. With the paws I have I can't open the damned thing."
"Sure thing."
Naruto sat back down on the couch just in time when Sakura walked back into the living room. "Dinner is served," She grinned happily as she handed both of them a plate.
"Thanks," Naruto and Sasuke muttered in unison before they started to eat.
They talked about Sakura's new furniture, she told them everything except who the bastard was and slowly their topic was on their mission. Naruto almost stepped upon Kashi as he acted some things out. Sakura smiled and chuckled as Kashi dove onto the couch behind her for safety.
"Watch out Dobe."
"Jealous Teme that I took out more enemies than you?"
"As if Dobe."
"Teme!"
"Dobe."
Sakura sighed as the two continued to bicker. She placed her half eaten plate before Kashi before she flicked up her sleeves before slapping both of the guys against the back of their heads. "Guys would you just stop it!"
"Sorry Sakura-chan," Naruto mumbled apologetically before he sat down again and quietly finished his dinner.
She cleaned up the plates with the help of Sasuke and didn't notice that Naruto opened the lock on the window. He leaned towards Kakashi quickly afterwards and whispered in his ear where they should meet at what time. After the dishes were done she was bear hugged by Naruto as he thanked her for the dinner.
Sakura smiled as she let the two out before turning back towards her bedroom for well deserved sleep. She awoke at some scratching at the window before it went silent once again. She narrowed her eyes slightly and looked to the side where Kashi used to lie. When she noticed his place was empty she swung the sheets off of her and quickly flicked the light on.
There wasn't any trace of her cat in her apartment and then she saw the open window in her living room. She sighed annoyed and went into her bedroom to pull on some pants before pushing the window in the living room further open to follow her cat. She opened her senses on full alert and saw the little paw prints in the dirt going in the direction of the training grounds.
She sighed deeply before she started to make her way towards the training grounds. But as she neared the area, she noticed to familiar chakra signals in the training ground were they trained frequently. Wanting to know what they were doing, she blocked her chakra signal and sneaked into the bushes. She could see the outlining of her team mates and saw the silvery bushy tail of her cat. She raised an eyebrow confused, wondering what they were doing when she heard Naruto speak.
"Well I have to scroll somewhere." An annoying hiss came from the cat at his feet while Sasuke rolled his eyes annoyed. "Dobe."
"Teme!"
"Dobe."
A loud meow stopped the two bickering and a triumph yell off Naruto followed soon after. "Ah got it. So Sensei ready to be human again?"
Sakura's eyes widened and gasped as the cat she'd saw as her own pet transformed back into the man she knew as her sensei. All the weird things she found strange of her cat now finally made sense. She stepped back and accidently stepped onto a twig that broke under her weight.
The sound caught their attention and Kakashi's eyes widened when he saw a flas of pink.
"Sakura…"
To be continued…
