Hey guys! Sorry for the late update! But I tried to compensate with a little longer chapter than usual. I'll be waiting your reviews ^^
PS. The song, mentioned in the chapter - W-inds - Be As One
PPS. I couldn't paste the direct link to the song I'm sorry :(
Don't speak…
I know what you're thinking…
I don't need your reasons…
Don't tell me cause it hurts…
"Don't speak" by No Doubt
Kakashi was walking mindlessly around the town. People were bumping into him but his brain didn't even give an account of it. His thoughts were still in that hospital room.
When he went to check up on Sakura he had radically different intentions. But when the Copy nin saw her so pale, with black circles around her eyes, trying to cut her messed up hair, something in him cracked. He has never even once expected to hear those words coming from her mouth, at least not in the way she said them. "I should be happy she feels that way about me. After all I was trying to distant her from me…", Kakashi tried to convince himself. The silver-haired shinobi stumbled on a stone on the street; wrinkling his forehead he immediately regained his straight posture.
The man looked up and put his hands in his pockets. Narrowing his eye, he saw few birds flying in the sky on the background of the burning autumn sun... The sky was clear for now but Kakashi could see the dark clouds on the horizon that were approaching Konoha. A storm was coming. The sun would give away before the terrifying obscure clouds and the dusk would conquer the shiny bright peaceful life they all have been living for the past few months. Konoha was still recovering from the Pein's attack but the village was digging little by little its foundations. If the information that Sai brought was correct, a civil war was on the verge of breaking out. Kakashi honestly hoped that Tsunade would take immediate action against Danzo or else the Hokage was putting her life and the lives of everyone in the village in grave danger.
The silver-haired shinobi raised his hand and ran his fingers through his hair. Kakashi sighed. Leisurely he walked to the Second Training Ground. The three training wooden blocks were fixed into the ground. Memories of Team 7 invaded his mind and the man laughed quietly. The forest that was surrounding the training ground was dyed in yellow, orange and brown. The leaves were falling undisturbed. Kakashi took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Suddenly a strong breath of wind swept away the light golden leaves and they carried off to Kakashi, gently bumping into his body. The man slowly opened his eyes. He was disturbing their smooth flight, preventing them to land on the soft, still green grass, where they wanted to go, where they belonged. The trees were crying with amber tears. These aureate drops of love were running away from the trees, so that they could be reunited with the green grass on the ground. Kakashi was only in their way. He felt that it was just like he was standing in Sakura's way. Now when he's out of her life she could easily go to the person she wants to. Nothing was stopping her.
Suddenly Kakashi felt the hair on the back of his head, bristling up. A huge sinister mass of chakra was closing in behind his back. Just in time he turned around to see Sasuke's Chidori Eisō aimed at him. The Uchiha successor "tsk"-ed as the older shinobi barely avoided his attack.
Kakashi jumped away and held a defensive stance against his student.
"What's the meaning..", Kakashi's voice hitched as the other shinobi attacked again.
The dark-haired boy had almost lost his conscious. He was filled with rage and the only thing that was on his mind was the condition in which he found Sakura lying on the tiled floor… He threw a wave of kunai at his former sensei. Kakashi easily dodged them. His fury was making Sasuke's attacks too easy to predict. The boy narrowed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!", he shouted as a gigantic fire ball formed from his breath in front of him and stormed after Kakashi.
"No hand seals?", the Copy nin popped his eyes out surprised. He moved his hands in instant and murmured under his breath a water ninjutsu to put out Sasuke's technique. The area was covered with a thick layer of smoke from the clash of the two jutsus.
Kakashi removed his headband and uncovered his sharingan. But he was a second late because Sasuke has already fully activated his second stage of the cursed seal. Spreading his wings, he flew directly at Kakashi. The Uchiha boy drew out his katana and Kakashi saw how Sasuke showered its blade with the lightnings that were coming of his whole body.
There was no enough time for the Copy nin to avoid the attack entirely and he felt how the blade stabbed him at his forearm while he was protecting himself with it. Kakashi felt numbness spreading through his body. "It must be the electricity…", he thought, clenching his teeth.
"Sasuke…", Kakashi whispered. But the man didn't have enough time to continue his sentence because the dark-haired boy was aiming at him again. Kakashi knew that Sasuke wasn't just playing around like before, the older man could feel the killing intent emanating from every cell in his student's body. When Kakashi avoided this attack as well, the Uchiha shouted at him with voice filled with fury.
"You don't deserve to call yourself an elite shinobi, you don't deserve the prestigious title of the man who copied one thousand techniques, you don't deserve to call yourself our sensei! She believed your false empty words and promises! What happened with "I won't let anyone on my team to get hurt"-line? What happened with "I want to protect her"? You trampled on everything you once said or done. You violated our trust in you… And above all, you spat on Sakura's love for you…", the boy's chakra burst out all at once. It formed as a skeleton body around Sasuke. Slowly the bones were covered with muscles and the muscles with skin. In few seconds The Uchiha's body was wrapped in a giant chakra body. In one hand the monster was holding a bow and in the other appeared a chakra arrow. Sasuke grinned viciously.
Kakashi stepped back, "Susano'o!".
Sakura was running at full speed on the rooftops on the houses in Konoha. She was still wearing her covered in blood and hair clothes. But there was no time for that now. Few moments ago she felt the strong chakra that suddenly burst out, it made her snap out of her trance. She was a hundred percent sure it was Sasuke's. Sakura shouldn't have told him anything… If he was to hurt Kakashi she wouldn't forgive herself.
Of course Tsunade tried to stop her but her shishou agreed with her that the only one capable of stopping the two men was she or Naruto who happened to be out of the village, running some errands, as never… so the kunoichi was running straight ahead to the training grounds where the chakra was coming from.
She saw an explosion, followed by a huge wave that splashed against it. The area filled with dispersing smoke. "That was Sasuke's Katon jutsu… I need to hurry…", the girl tried to double her speed, but her body was still weak from the intoxication. She was almost there when a huge amount of chakra gushed out in the sky. The pinkie stumbled upon her foot and fell from the roof. Thank God, the house was one-storeyed. Sakura stood up and rushed ahead again. She had to stop them.
"Few more meters, only a few more meters…Lord, let me be in time…". The pink-haired girl was out of breath. Her body was aching from the strain she put on it. Sakura reached the training grounds. She stormed through the forest and when the girl was out on the open field he body froze. Kakashi was panting heavily and his arm was hanging at his side, heavily bleeding. Before him Sasuke was grinning. Her eyes popped as she saw the black-haired boy activating Susano'o.
"Don't…", she whispered under her breath, her thoughts ran wild. Everything began moving in slow motion. She saw how the chakra monster formed an arrow and put it in his bow, preparing to shoot at Kakashi. She was running, but she was running too slowly, she wouldn't make it in time.
"No…", her words were lost in the air from the wind that was brushing her face, "No!... NO!", Sakura shouted louder. She was almost at them when Sasuke shoot the arrow. Her face frowned and she made few hand seals.
The Copy nin saw how the chakra monster launched the arrow. He prepared to dodge it when he saw something pink flashing before his eyes in curls of smoke...
Sasuke shouted in fury as he increased the chakra amount in this attack. Clearly he was betting everything on this one last attack. A jerk puf made his eyes popped out. Sakura appeared between them. She was standing there in the middle of the battlefield.
The Susano'o shot the arrow.
"NO!", Sasuke screamed, suddenly realizing the situation. He was too late to stop the attack. The bolt was flying at Sakura.
The girl was smiling at him gently. Her emerald eyes glittered as Sasuke's chakra reflected on them. Her lips moved and the Uchiha boy could read her words, "I don't regret anything…", they were saying. He rushed toward her. The black-haired boy noticed Kakashi running as well. But they would be both late.
The two men felt as if the time has stopped for them.
Kakashi reached his hand to push away Sakura but he wasn't getting any closer to her. She was slipping away. The girl he tried so hard to protect was going to die because of him; she was going to die protecting him. Again she was the one that saves him. It wasn't fair. She didn't even feel for him, why was she doing it?
Sasuke's eyes were popped out as he was storming toward Sakura. The arrow almost hit her. No he won't lose her forever, cuz forever sounded awfully long. And that smile she had on her lips, it was irritating him. What was she thinking, smiling with that cute face at him, just before his technique kills her? Was she getting revenge for what he did to her before? Was she trying to make him have nightmares about her for the rest of his miserable life? His mind went blank.
The bolt crashed into Sakura. The explosion sent the two men flying backwards. They fell on the ground next to each other. Both were alive but both wished they weren't. None of them had the courage to stand up and go to her body. They knew she was dead. Her chakra signature was missing. She was gone and this time nothing could bring her back.
The air smelled of roasted meat. The two of them had injuries. Kakashi was bleeding heavily and his arm that was caught in the explosion was all burnt. But he just lied down in the dirt with barely opened eyes, watching how the ash was dispersing in the sky. He noticed the dark storm clouds that were huddling above him quickly.
Sasuke's skin on his front was bleeding heavily, burnt from the flames. He's been closer to Sakura than Kakashi. He should have been able to save her but…no. He was weak and he failed everyone - Naruto, Sai, even Tsunade-sama. The places where he wore synthetic clothes the fabric has fused with his dark brown burnt skin. It hurt like hell but the pain in his chest was even greater. Who would have thought that Sakura would use a teleportation jutsu in a moment like this? She shouldn't have been able to do it properly. Her body wasn't healed. She could have torn herself to pieces, just by making the tiniest mistake. Sasuke shut his eyes and wrinkled his forehead. Her determination some times bordered with stupidity or worse – idiocy.
The sun wasn't shining anymore. The clouds above the two men were getting heavier with every passed second. They thought that the sky would collapse over them.
A cold lonely drop fell on Kakashi's face. Then another on Sasuke's eyes. They were followed by the third, then fourth and so on and so on. The sky was hopelessly crying. Soon the raindrops joined with the tears coming out of the men's eyes.
Then a sudden gleam of familiar chakra ran through Kakashi and Sasuke's body. Then another one. The chakra signature was getting stronger. The two shinobi opened their eyes wide, unbelieving.
When Sakura teleported in the middle of the battlefield she had already made her resolve. The girl had accepted the fact that she was going to die here, protecting Kakashi. But few moments before the arrow hit her she saw a grey-brown pillars appearing from left and right. They joined together in a dome-shape with her in the centre. She heard the deafening violent detonation from the clash of the Susano'o's bolt and the shell that was protecting her but the strange thing was that being inside in it, she was completely shut out from the world outside. Sakura couldn't even sense her own chakra, as if she was absolutely empty.
Just when the thought passed her mind she noticed that the shell began to dissolve. It was melting down.
Ashes were flying in the air, making it to look like as if the sky was crying black tears. They were falling on her hair, her shoulders and soon she was covered in ashes. The atmosphere after the explosion was tense, quiet and somehow terrifying. The blast was huge. No wonder if Kakashi and Sasuke suffered fatal injuries.
When the jutsu was completely released she sensed the both men's chakra. They were wounded but alive. Soon she could lay her eyes on her teammate and ex-teacher who were lying on the ground under the rain.
"How long do you plan on lying in the mud?...", she blurted out. The smirk was clearly distinguished in her voice, "I know it's good for the skin but I don't think the ash in it will make you prettier..", she continued babbling.
Kakashi and Sasuke slowly stood up, afraid to look at her directly in her emerald eyes. Shame and guilt sneaked in the men's hearts. When they lifted their heads, they saw a petite pink-haired girl with hands on her hips, stamping her feet in the mud. She was unscratched as far as they could tell from all the dark grey ashes on her.
"Sakura…", they both whispered at the same time. The two shinobi noticed the tall black-haired boy that was standing behind their precious cherry blossom. So he was the one who protected her…they slowly and unsurely rose to their feet.
Sakura realized that alongside with their chakra signatures she sensed another familiar one and the kunoichi could easily tell that he was standing just behind her. The pink-haired girl turned around to face the shinobi. She thought that the one who saved her was Tenzo because she mistook his Mokujōheki jutsu with the technique of this man. When she recognized her kidnapper her eyes popped out. She expected everyone else but him.
What are you doing here?", her voice was full of surprise and fear, "I'm not coming back…", Sakura made few steps back and looked at Kakashi and Sasuke but both of them were barely standing. She was alone at this. The kunoichi took a defensive stance.
"I expected a simple "thanks" but I guess this is ok as well. At least you didn't hit me…", he smiled sadly.
"Wait a second…You don't want to bring me back..", she murmured unsurely and her body slowly relaxed.
"Oh, I do want you back… but not in the way you think…" he grinned, scratching behind his neck.
Kakashi and Sasuke looked at each other, "What the hell was she doing while she was held captive…", the Copy nin murmured under his breath. The Uchiha boy just shrugged his shoulders.
"So... Why are you here..? You'd better go before somebody finds you…", Sakura had almost recovered from the shock that her kidnapper has just saved her life for the second time…
"I've come to talk to the Hokage,", he blurted out.
Sakura's eyes snapped wide open as well as her mouth. Sasuke and Kakashi toppled and almost fell on the ground again.
"Are you nuts? She'll kill you on the spot… I bet she already has prepared a punch with your name on it…", Sakura's voice rose to a higher tonality. Her brain couldn't register the things he was telling her.
"I don't mind him going to the Hokage.", Kakashi shook his head and Sasuke could easily feel the man grinning under his mask.
"Tsundere…", the Uchiha boy murmured.
"Whaaaat?", the Copy nin shot him a unsatisfied look.
"You'd better end this fucking game that you're playing with Sakura. You're hurting her.", Sasuke's eye was nailed on the girl who was chit-chatting with her savior.
"I'm not. We cleared our relationship earlier. We are just teammates now, no student and teacher, not ex-lover, nothing. Just friends. I may not like it that way but it's the best for her. And above all I don't think she's ever felt something for me. Everything that happened between us stays outside of the village. Sakura saw me as a bridge between her present and her past and her actions were dictated by this. I'm not the kind of a guy to chase after a girl.", Sasuke could see the smile that curved his mask. But that smile was just a cover for his real emotions that were storming in him.
"You know that I'm not gonna be a matchmaker for you." Sasuke smiled with his eyes still nailed on the girl before him, "In my professional life you may be my teammate but right on this field you are still my enemy."
The Uchiha boy tried to walk towards Sakura but he stumbled and fell on the ground. The kunoichi immediately turned around and when she saw her friend lying in the mud, she rushed towards him.
"That was low… and you know it.", Kakashi shook his head but didn't even move an inch.
"Everything is allowed in the war or love…", Sasuke grinned at him secretly and then put a painful expression on his face when Sakura drew closer to them.
"Sasuke!", she sounded worried. "That's good.", the boy thought.
"Ohhh…", Sasuke groaned in pain.
"Are you ok?", she quickly checked up his wounds.
"Ohhh", he groaned in pain again.
"We should get you to the hospital.", Sakura looked around and her eyes met Kakashi's. She looked at him importunately.
Silence.
"Kakashi!"
"Oh, I'm so not carrying him.", he sounded as a spoiled child, "There's no way I'll carry that posing idiot…", he said in his mind.
"Kakashi! Please!", Sakura looked at him with begging emerald eyes. The Copy nin stirred a little but said nothing, "Ok. Fine. I'll carry him myself."
The girl tried to lift Sasuke from the ground but the pain in her shoulder made her drop him on the ground. The Uchiha moaned in pain. This time for real.
Kakashi giggled. Sakura tried once more but her strength was gone. When she forced herself to lift him, her face frowned. Kakashi's sniggering hitched and he rushed to her.
"I'll do it.", the silver-haired shinobi placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Get off me.", she angrily slapped his hand away and tried to lift Sasuke.
"You're still recovering. Don't strain yourself.", he tried to push her away from the boy.
"Don't mess with me!", she shouted at him and aimed a powerful blow which hit him on his right cheek. The punch sent him flying few meters back, making him unconscious.
Sasuke blurted a giggle unknowingly. She quickly turned her head to him. The bloody look she shot him was enough to choke him.
"You are pretending...", she whispered though her clenched jaw, "How old are you? Twelve?"
"Well, it does hurt…", Sasuke said uncertainly.
"You… idiot!", she struck her fist in his belly. The boy coughed and lost consciousness as well.
Sakura rose to her feet. Ataeru was nowhere to be found. Damn, that boy was going to kill himself. She laid her eyes on Kakashi's body that was lying in the mud. A piercing pain stabbed her through her chest. Her eyes filled with tears. The kunoichi swayed and fell on the ground. Sitting in the dirt with her head bowed down and tears falling from her closed eyes, mixing with the pouring rain, the things that Kakashi said to her were echoing in her head. She had to be strong for her own sake. Now wasn't the time to behave like a crybaby. But the tears just continued falling.
The ashes that were on her hair were starting to melt down from the rain. Black streams were flowing on her cheeks. She tried to brush them off but all that she managed to do was to spread them all over her face. The pink-haired girl shook her head.
She felt somebody embracing her around the shoulders. She looked at the intruder and the tears just started falling even more when she recognized Sai. The raven boy kneeled in the mud, hugging her and gently patting her head.
Sakura didn't even notice the commotion around her when the medical team came to get Kakashi and Sasuke in the hospital. They tried to bring her back as well but Sai told them that he was going to send her in the hospital by himself in few minutes.
They stood there. A crying girl and a raven chevalier that came to her rescue when she most needed it. Sai couldn't fully understand what was going on in her mind or heart; he didn't want to understand it. The only thing he needed right now was to see her smile again. This girl wasn't made for crying. Her dazzling eyes weren't made to hold tears in them; her sensual lips weren't made to be bitten by her teeth; her pretty face wasn't made to be curved in a desperate frown. This girl deserved happiness and love just like she was giving away her compassion and smile to the other people.
Sai swayed the kunoichi besides him, tightening his embrace.
"We should go and get you in the hospital.", he was whispering, afraid that even the slightest sound will make her lose control over herself.
He didn't get a respond.
"Sakura…", this time his voice came out a bit louder and worried.
"How did you find me… you were on a mission…", the words were barely distinguished. Her voice was husky from the tension in her chest.
"I came back and I saw the explosion… I figured it out that something bad was happening so I send a message to Shizune-san and ask for a medical back-up. By the time I got here, the fight was already over.", the boy tried to lift her chin and look her into her eyes. But her head refused to move even an inch.
"Don't..", she cried out.
"Why?", Sai sounded surprised.
"I don't want you to see me like that. I probably look like a zombie…", her voice hitched and she sobbed, "My face is dirty, my eyes are red from the crying and my hair is all messed up because I cut it…"
The ex-root agent gently grabbed her chin and lifted her head to face him, "You are still beautiful to me so don't worry."
Sakura sobbed loudly and threw herself around his neck, hugging him tightly.
"And when I think about… what classic jerk you were… I can't believe that you could change so much…", Sakura smiled when she felt the chill that ran through his body, "Thank you…"
Sai just buried his face in her hair for a second and then stood up with her in his arms.
"Let's get you to the hospital and I promise I'll help you with washing your hair. Too bad I can't give you a proper hair cut, tho. May be I should start a course…", Sai was babbling, while he was walking on the road towards the hospital, holding the petite kunoichi in his hands.
Sakura giggled and a smile spread on her face. Suddenly Sai couldn't feel the rain anymore. His personal sun just shined at him. She lit up his world and the raven chevalier was saved. He was protected by her illuminating smile.
The pinkie snuggled in him and rubbed her nose in the nape of his neck.
"For the love of God! You're freezing…", Sakura giggled once again when he jump surprised by the sudden cold touch.
"Then warm me…", she whispered.
Sai felt weird. His stomach was behaving funny as if there was something inside. Slowly images invaded his mind and a strong flush spread on his face. He said nothing.
Sakura looked at him puzzled.
"What's wrong?", she replayed their conversation few seconds ago and a grin appeared on her lips, "You couldn't possibly misunderstood me and thought of something twisted, could you?"
Sai hastily shook his head, "N-no, of course not…"
Sakura burst out laughing, "Pervert…"
Sai blushed even more.
The week passed smoothly. Things between Kakashi and Sasuke seemed to have solved somehow. Her two male teammates spent everyday with her in the hospital but the person she wanted to see the most didn't even showed his face as if he had disappeared. Sai was also out on a mission already for over a week and Sakura felt a little bit lonely despite the attempts of Naruto and Sasuke to cheer her up. Unfortunately, her teammate wasn't coming home till the end of the next month. To be honest to herself, Sakura missed Sai more than she showed on the surface. When she asked when was Sai coming back twice in one day, Sasuke growled and left the room, Naruto just smiled.
"He's doing this often these days.", Sakura murmured under her breath.
"What? Growling?", Naruto giggled.
"If I didn't know him I'd say he's jealous of Sai.", Sakura shot a puzzled look at the blond boy.
Naruto frowned which made his whiskers to shrink. The more he grew, the more he looked like a blond tricky fox. Sasuke didn't tell him anything regarding Sakura but still the Jinchuuriki wasn't stupid, he noticed the way in which his friend looked at the petite kunoichi. However, Naruto decided that this was none of his business.
"Anyway I heard that you're leaving the hospital tomorrow…So, we have organized a welcoming party for you. Be sure to come. Everybody's gonna be there… and we have special present for you that will be waiting there. But I'm not sure if Sasuke likes it, tho.", Naruto grinned and stuck his tongue out at her.
Sakura giggled and slap him gently on the arm. "Thank God, he's the same old Naruto… As I can see he's the only one who hasn't changed.", she thought.
"Thank you.", her smile was soft and tender, "But I'm not sure what to wear. What is the dress code?"
"You're the main attraction so you decide it.", he grinned, "But I suggest something sexy."
Sakura shot him a bloody look.
"Whaaaat? I've never seen you in something sexy, Sakura-chan…", he sounded disappointed, "You always wear those shorts and that stupid apron skirt on top ."
The kunoichi just laughed and shifted her position in the bed. Tomorrow for the first time in seven months she'll go to her home. The idea was a little exciting. But when she thought about the dust and the dirt that has been gathering there, somehow the whole glittering image in her mind disappeared. Tomorrow she'll have to spend the day cleaning. She frowned.
Naruto stood up from the chair next to her bed and bent down to put a light gentle kiss on her forehead.
"I have to go now. I still have few things to organize for tomorrow. See ya at the party.", the boy waved at her from the doorstep.
"But where is it?", she yelled after him.
"You'll find out soon enough…", Sakura heard him laughing.
The girl stirred under her blanket and pulled it higher up. She hoped to fall asleep quickly so that the tomorrow would come faster. A smile spread on her face and she closed her eyes.
Sakura panted as she climbed the last few stairs and stood before the door of her apartment. A nostalgic smile appeared on her face. She dag in her bag and pulled out her keys. The metal left a cool feeling on her fingers. She poked it in the door lock but didn't turn the key. A fear sneaked in her. Yes, she remembered everything now but if she made even one step in this apartment old feelings will overwhelm her. How many times she spent in her bed crying over Kakashi, cuddling her pillow. How many lonely nights she spent drunk with Naruto, lamenting over Sasuke. How many days she spent here with Ino, gossiping about boys. Sakura missed her friend. Ever since the day she died and they carved her name in the memorial stone for KIAs , Sakura felt like part of her died as well. They were always fighting and competing but still, she was her best friend.
The kunoichi took a deep breath. She had to do it. She couldn't just hide from her memories anymore. She wanted to forget them once and now she already knew what was not to remember. This time the pink-haired girl had to face her fears and beat them down. She needed to do this or else she wouldn't be able to continue with her life.
Sakura didn't want to forget about her painful unrequited love for Sasuke, nor the desperation and devastation she felt from Kakashi's words that day. She didn't want to forget the tears when Ino died in her hands, she didn't want to forget the piercing ache in her soul when she witnessed the death of her other friends when Pein attacked Konoha. Lee, Kiba, Choji, Ten Ten… they all deserved to be remembered. And she will. That was the least thing she could do for them.
Sakura remembered now why she desperately rushed to Kakashi to protect him that day. He was the last one of her teammates around her who was still alive. As medical ninja and as his friend she couldn't let him die too. The kunoichi wasn't thinking about love then. It was insignificant, compared to the bonds she had formed with him as friends and teammates. Yes, she loved him but her heart was hurting too much to recognize this bright feeling. Her love for Kakashi was drowned in the tears that her soul cried out.
The pink-haired girl sobbed a little and brushed the lonely tear that escaped her eye. She took a deep breath once again and turned the key. The door cracked open and Sakura stepped in. As soon as she walked into her living room, the bag she was holding fell on the floor.
Everything was gleaming with cleanliness. Not a single mot was left. Huge posters, saying "Welcome back, Sakura-chan!" were hanging on the walls. Her coffee table was laden with flowers, and whole baskets of sweets. But something unusual caught her eye. One of the bouquets was made of ink flowers. The petals were swaying a little as if there was a light breeze in the room. She reached for them and when her hand touched one of the flower buds, it jerked and the ink bouquet transformed into a dove which flew to her ceiling. Sakura took a sharp breath in excitement. The ink dove shivered once more and then converted to letters.
"We'll be waiting for you in the "Barbe-Q" tonight at eight o'clock."
A wide smile spread on Sakura's face. So they haven't forgotten her. Her friends. The kunoichi sat on her couch and leaned her head back. It was so good to be at home. She looked at the clock – one pm.
"Damn, I don't have enough time.", she stood up quickly and rushed to her bedroom.
It was 8.30 and everybody was in the bar already. Sasuke, Naruto, Kakashi, Shizune, the Hokage, Shikamaru, Hinata, friends from the hospital, Sakura had been working, and so many other people who obviously just came because they were looking for a new gossip to spread around. Kakashi had arrived two minutes ago, late as usual. He was wearing his ordinary ninja uniform. When Naruto looked at him critically he just shrugged.
Sasuke drew closer to the blonde boy and whispered in his ear, "Probably something bad happened. I should go and check up on her…".
"Don't even think about it. She'll be here any minute now.", his friend answered without even looking at him. Naruto waved at Hinata who has been staring at them for a few seconds now and ran towards her.
The black-haired shinobi "tsk"-ed and turned around just in time to see how one small cute brunette approached Kakashi and grabbed his arm, talking to him excited. The Uchiha boy noticed how his former teacher politely pulled away from her. Sasuke shook his head.
Suddenly somebody placed their hand on his shoulder and the boy looked back.
"Do you have a second? ", the voice of Shikamaru was secretive.
Sasuke shot him a surprised look but nodded.
"Do you have any idea why Sakura is hiding at the back door of the "Barbe-Q"?"
"O, really? She's there…", the Uchiha successor tilted his head, "Tell Naruto. I'm going to get her.", he frowned and run toward the back of the bar.
When Sasuke reached the door he noticed that it was open. His eyes detected the glimpse of something pink. He slowed down his speed and took a deep breath. Easing his back on the door frame he whispered.
"I think you're mature enough not to play hide and seek, Sakura…"
He heard a dull scream in surprise and immediately a small head appeared around the corner.
"Shh. They'll hear you…", the girl made a hush sound with her finger on her mouth.
"Who will hear me?", Sasuke thought she lost her mind this time, not the memory.
"They…", the kunoichi pointed somewhere on the ground next to bushes.
Sasuke focused his eyes and then he distinguished three small balls of fur. Kittens.
"Cute… Now you should go to the party…your party…"
"But…"
"No buts. You can't find lame excused as kittens not to enter that fucking door! Pull yourself together! I didn't know you were such a chicken…", Sasuke hissed at her. She pouted, "Go! Don't look at me like that or else I'll …", the Uchiha boy interrupted his words and just looked at the ground in front of him. He almost lost it… When he lifted his eyes to meet her again they popped out.
She was standing before him, wearing a short black dress with v-shaped very low neck. The moon behind her was tracing out her body. Despite the black color of the dress, exposed to the light it was almost transparent. Sasuke slid his eyes from her toe to her head. He could easily see the curves of her body. Her firm and long thighs, her slim waist and her small round tight breasts, raised by the bra. The purpose of this dress and her whole outlook was definitely showing, not covering, nor blending with the crowd. Sasuke gulped.
"I knew I shouldn't have worn those clothes I'm going to change… It's all Naruto's fault…", she murmured under her breath and turned her back to Sasuke.
"Don't even dare to do so! You look amazing… I love what you've done with the hair.", her teammate smiled and reached his hand to touch one of the silk pink curls on her head. They felt as gentle as they looked. Obviously Sakura fixed her damaged hair and now when she curled it, her hair reached her shoulders. Sasuke offered his arm to her, "C'mon! Let me escort you."
Sakura looked at him unbelievingly.
"Whaaaat? I want them to envy me because the most beautiful girl tonight is sitting right next to me.", Sasuke smirked.
"Right. Because you don't know what is it like for them to envy you..", Sakura laughed and caught him by the arm, "And what did you mean by "the most beautiful girl tonight"? I thought I was always beautiful for you…", she stuck her tongue at him, smiling.
"That's right, except for the times, where you've been out on a mission for too long and you're covered in dirt, blood and sometimes ashes…or when you're pulling all-nights at the hospital and your eyes are red. Then you look like a zombie and to be honest you freak me out a little. Or the times when… Ouch!"
Sasuke gasped for air when Sakura's elbow hit him in the ribs.
"I was joking. Tomorrow that place will be blue. Again.", Sasuke panted.
"I knew you were joking… That's why you can still stand on your feet.", the petit kunoichi grinned at him.
The dark-haired boy unbuttoned his shirt and took a quick look at the place where she hit him. It was already bruised and little swollen.
Sakura felt guilty and drew closer to him, placing her hand over the hurt skin, sending a little chakra inside to check for internal damage."Two cracked ribs. That was little too much I guess…", she thought and started healing. The kunoichi looked up to see his face but a sudden blush spread on her cheeks when she found out that he was staring at her. His dark eyes were glittering from the green light coming from her hands. She couldn't look away. They were captivating her.
Despite wearing high heels she was still shorter than him. And now when they were standing so close to each other she had to lean her head back to look him into the eyes. Their faces were only few centimeters away and Sakura could feel the heat that was radiating from his body. Then in her memory popped out that night she spent with Kakashi at the lake. This feeling was almost the same with only one difference. The love she felt for Sasuke was old and rusty. She's been loving him since the academy. He was her first love and she'll never ever forget it. Her teammate was taking a special part in her heart, a part which even Kakashi won't be able to replace.
The love she felt for Kakashi was different, more passionate, mature and real. Not like the fairytale she chased when she was younger. But this love had no future. Kakashi proved it with his words. They both had no future with each other. That's why Sakura had to move on, just like he did.
"Done.", her voice was husky from all the emotions in her. She expected him to pull away but Sasuke didn't move an inch, he was still staring at her with those hungry eyes. Her lips got dry and she felt how he bowed his head closer to hers. Sakura was in dilemma – to pull back or to draw closer. But the time for decisions was over. Her lips parted slightly and she gasped for air when his lightly touched hers.
"There you were, guys. I looked for you everywhere!", Naruto's breath hitched as he saw the couple, "I won't ask… I don't even want to know… This is too much for my simple mind…", he was shaking his head with closed eyes and turned away.
Sakura reacted first. She pulled away and blushing smiled at Sasuke.
"We'd better go….", she followed Naruto who was already walking back to the bar.
The Uchiha boy was standing there, alone in the dark. He slowly buttoned his shirt and ran his fingers through his hair. A small grin appeared on his face as he walked to the party.
When Naruto and Sakura entered the "Barbe-Q" everyone abandoned their conversations and looked at the way where Sakura was standing. She hated being a center of attention but now it was inevitable. She smiled and waved to the crowd, secretly searching Kakashi with her eyes.
"Hello, everyone. Thank you for coming, that means a lot to me!", her words were sincere despite the fact that she didn't know half of the people that were gathered here tonight.
"We're glad to have you back, Sakura-chan.", Naruto softly smiled at her and placed his arm around her shoulder in friendly hug, "Let's continue, guys. But please don't mob her too soon. I still have few things I want to tell her in private.", he winked at her and grinned at the people in front of him. Some of them obviously misunderstood the meaning behind his words and looked at each other grinning.
The blond boy pulled Sakura after him to their table.
"Sit here! I'll be right back."
Sakura looked confused around when he disappeared in a dim smoke. As soon as she was alone few boys came to her. She had seen them before but didn't remember anything in particular. One of them sat besides her and placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Hey, Sakura. ", his voice was lisping from the alcohol he had drunk, "Wanna join us later tonight…"
But the man couldn't finish his sentence because Kakashi appeared behind him and grabbed his collar, lifting him from the seat next to Sakura.
"Don't you think you should go now?", his voice was quiet but the man shivered and struggled away when the Copy nin let him down. The silver-haired man looked at Sakura. His eyes were indifferent, "Be careful from now on. There won't be always someone who will take care of you."
"What made you think I wanted help right now? I was perfectly fine, until you came and scare the boys away as if you had a right to do it!", Sakura's face was red from the embarrassment she felt.
"Fine. My bad. Sorry.", Kakashi murmured as he turned his back to her and walked away.
Sakura frowned and her eyes got teary. "Damn him! I won't cry!", she yelled in her mind. The kunoichi blinked few times to chase the telltale tears away. However, the effect was exactly the opposite. The tears poured down on her cheeks. The pinkie turned her head to hide them. How could he make her lose control so easily? It was so unfair.
Suddenly a hand holding a handkerchief appeared in front of her nose. She lifted her head and her eyes popped out as she recognized Sai. Immediately she jumped from her seat and threw herself around his neck. Few meters away Naruto and Sasuke shared an understandable look. They were right to bring Sai back earlier. Of course they both went to help him finish his mission earlier.
"You're here! But what happened with the mission? You were supposed to come back in two months at least.", her tears parched and a warm smile appeared on her lips.
"You want me to go away?", Sai smirked as he pulled back a little to take a good look at his teammate.
"No! Of course not!", Sakura noticed the assessing look he gave her and she turned around so he could see her whole outlook, "So, what do you think?"
"Good, very good. Definitely better than the apron you're wearing usually.", the raven shinobi grinned at her and scratched his neck.
"Do you want to dance?", Sakura asked him smiling.
"Um, I don't dance… Sorry…", Sai blushed and looked down.
Sakura pouted but didn't insist.
"I can dance if you want me to?", Sasuke smiled gently at Sakura and offered his hand, waiting.
The kunoichi hesitated for little but then reached her hand and Sasuke led her to the dance floor. Just when they reached it, the song changed. "Be as one", Sakura remembered the title of this song, it was old but great song. When she was still in the academy together with Ino, they were listening to it. Imagining that Sasuke was the person they were singing to. And now Sakura was holding Sasuke's hand, dancing under the notes of the song, dancing under the sound of her memories. Her teammate pulled her closer to him and then pushed her away twisting her. Sakura gasped in surprised. She didn't know Sasuke could dance that good. A smile spread on her face and she laughed. This night was her night. She was supposed to have fun.
Relaxing her muscles her steps became gentle, light and graceful. She closed her eyes and let the music along with Sasuke to guide her. They were swaying, spinning and laughing. Sasuke never thought he'd see Sakura this radiant ever again. Her face was bright and sunny, the colorful light coming from the spotlights on the ceiling, made her look magical. When the song ended Sasuke pulled her to himself and she pieced on to him, stumbling on her high heels. They both laughed and the Uchiha successor offered his arm to support her.
"Thank you.", she sighed as she grabbed him by the arm, "I can't remember the last time I've danced like this!"
"Well, maybe you didn't have a proper partner.", Sasuke smirked and gently bumped into her. Sakura laughed and stumbled slightly.
Looking around the "Barbe-Q", something caught her attention; Kakashi was sitting in one of the lounges in the corner of the room. Sakura saw a petit brunette to draw closer to him and sit on the armrest, placing her hand on Kakashi's shoulder. She was talking something in his ear and then he laughed and placed his hand on her back. Sakura felt sick as if she wanted to puke. The girl looked quickly at Sasuke and smiled feigningly.
"Can you get me something to drink?"
"Alcohol-free?", Sasuke grinned.
"Don't be silly…"
Sasuke just laughed and went to the bar. Sakura looked around but Kakashi was gone, obviously with the small brunette. She knew this girl. She was working at the hospital reception. This dirty slut was always smiling, always looking good and she was always perfect no matter if it was related to her outfit or her job. Sakura felt the jealousy eating her guts. The feeling was awful. She has always hated it. Just in time Sasuke returned to her with big smile, holding something in his right hand which was hidden behind his back.
"Let's take a walk. It's too crowded here."
Sakura noticed Naruto and Hinata cuddled in one of the corners, Sai was surrounded by a bunch of girls as usual, Tsunade-sama was already wasted and Shizune was trying to bring her home, but the Hokage was screaming and struggling in resistance.
"Why not.", Sakura caught him by the left arm and the two of them walked out of the bar.
###
"AAAA! I remember now!", Sakura shouted as she stumbled upon a rock on the street, "Last time when we were drunk was with tequila too, wasn't it?"
"Easy, sweetie!", Sasuke giggled as he caught her before she fell on the ground, "You're drunk…"
"As if you're not!", Sakura giggled as well, trying to regain her posture, "Fucking heels…", she stopped and took the boots off, holding them in one hand; with bare feet she run around Sasuke laughing.
"I'm not drunk!", the Uchiha boy grinned.
"Prove it!", she giggled, "Jump on one foot five times, touching your nose with your little finger!"
Sasuke laughed and tried to perform the set task but on the second leap he fell on the ground. Sakura burst in hysterical laugh. The dark-haired boy growled out at her and rushed to catch her. She screamed and raw away. Both of them stumbling around, they reached the park. Sasuke caught up to her and toppled her down on the grass. She laughed panting and lied on her back, trying to catch her breath. Sasuke was panting as well but judging by the smirk on his face, the run was worth it.
"Now, what should I do to you ?", the boy stroke her hair.
"I have an idea..", Sakura giggled, overturned him on the ground and started running again.
"Damn, I don't like this diabolic spark in her eyes.", Sasuke took a deep breath. Stood up and rushed after her.
They stopped at the small ornamental lake in the center of the park. The night was cold but the alcohol they've drunk was enough to keep them warm. Sasuke laughed and unbuttoned his shirt.
"I guess you like the idea..", Sakura grinned and slowly took of her dress. Only in her underwear she shivered a little from the cold autumn breeze and went to the water to drip her toe into the lake.
"Damn, it's freezing…!"
Sasuke drew closer behind her and whispered in her ear, "Leave it to me…", the boy made a few hand seals and took a little breath. He shot a small fire ball into the water surface. Soon a steam was rising from the water. The Uchiha passed Sakura and dripped in the lake, sitting on the bottom.
The kunoichi noticed that his underwear was on the grass next to his clothes.
"You've gotta be kidding me!", she grinned, "You don't expect me to enter completely naked in here right ?"
In response Sasuke only smirked.
Sakura tilted her head but unlocked her bra and took off her panties. She saw her teammate looking her hungrily. The pink-haired girl entered the lake. The water now was warm indeed. It was caressing her skin, just like the time when she was at the lake with Kakashi. The things were repeating. When she drew closer to Sasuke and sat next to him, the shinobi embraced her and grabbed her chin gently, making her to look at him.
"Sakura, listen. I'm completely aware of your feelings for Kakashi, but all I'm asking for is a chance. Give me a chance to help you forget him. Nothing more. If you can't then I'll make everything possible to remain friends. I promise.", that was not the alcohol speaking and Sakura knew it very well.
Now was the time to decide. Her heart jerked.
"I'm sorry Sasuke. You deserve something better than a girl who is in love with other guy. I love you. Don't get me wrong but as the time passed that love transformed into other kind of love. Now you're more like my brother than anything else. You, Naruto, Sai… all of you are my brothers and I can't see you as more than this.", Sakura's eyes got teary, "You'll always have a special place in my heart that will be only yours. But the rest of it belongs to Kakashi. He doesn't feel for me the way I do. But no one can stop me from loving him. I'll be alright in some time. Or at least the pain in my heart will be bearable.", the tears poured on her face and she sobbed.
Sasuke was prepared for this. He knew he should tell her about Kakashi's feelings towards her but something in him just didn't want to. He wanted her to be happy, but he wanted her to be happy with him by her side, not other man. The Uchiha successor hugged her tightly and the girl buried her face in his bare chest, still sobbing.
Kakashi fell on the ground behind the bushes, as he saw Sasuke hugging Sakura, naked, in the lake. His heart started to beat faster than normal. His vision blurred and the he felt his instincts telling him to go out there and kill him. No they were not telling him, they were yelling, screaming, shouting. For too many years Kakashi though that his heart was unreachable. But now he understood the phrase, "broken heart". His chest was hurting too much. The Copy nin tried to stood up but his legs were refusing to move. He just couldn't take his eye from the couple in the pond.
He felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Let's get you home, Kakashi-sensei…", Naruto's voice was quiet and compassionate.
TBC
