Hello, folks! I'm sorry for the slow update but I think the volume of the chapter would be enough to make up for the lateness. I hope you like the chapter and I'm awaiting your reviews and opinions.
PS I do not own "Naruto" it belongs to Masashi Kishimoto ©
So I'll be leaving in the morning,
but how can I tell you why,
I never gave you any warning,
And now I don't know how to say goodbye…
"Leaving In The Morning" by Barry Manilow
The afternoon rays of the setting sun were softly caressing Sakura's cheek. The kunoichi stirred in her peaceful slumber and mumbled something incomprehensible, pouting in her sleep. Her hair, now washed from all of the blood and dirt, was spread all over the white pillow. Nobody had made the effort to tie it up and now her pink silky lock were glistening under the golden light coming from the window. Her features were calm and relaxed. Only by the bandages that were covering her abdomen and knees under the blanket and the multiple sticking plasters on her face and hands it could be guessed that she had one of her most terrifying fights in her life.
Suddenly the air next to the hospital bed twirled and moved. An orange-masked man emerged from the nothingness and stepped quietly to the sleeping kunoichi. His hand reached slowly and covered Sakura's mouth. The pink-haired girl's eyes snapped open in fear and she tried to scream but she couldn't. Her pupils were widened and jerked chaotically as she recognized the pattern of the cloak the man was wearing – black with red clouds – Akatsuki. Sakura tried to push him away but in her condition, unable to move her legs and with a fresh wound in her stomach the only thing she could do was to wheeze and grunt. The enemy quietly made a hush sign and she saw the eye, from the hole in the mask, narrowing.
"Quiet. We don't want you to wake up the other patients in the next room, do we?", he was whispering and Sakura froze still, stopping her attempts to fight him. It was no use, "Probably you're wondering why I'm here…", he continued and as he made sure she wasn't going to scream he removed his hand.
"What do you want?", her voice was husky. Sakura glared at him and tried to sit up in her bed, forgetting her knees' injury but when the sharp pain pierced through them the kunoichi gave up in trying to stand up.
"I'm here to make a proposal…"
"I don't negotiate with people trying to kill my best friend.", she interrupted his speech and sent him a bloody gaze.
"Straight to the point… You have two options…The first is to come with me and help me heal a friend of mine and the other is to continue laying here…while I am killing everybody in this village, starting with the elderly and the kids…", Sakura's eye snapped open even wider and the girl clenched her fists.
"This is a kidnapping not a proposal!", the girl exclaimed and quickly lowered her voice, afraid that someone might hear her.
"It is a proposal, you do have a choice you know.", she could hear the irony in his voice.
"Who is you friend?"
"Oh, I can say that he's a mutual one.", the man now openly laughed silently.
Sakura gasped for air, "Sasuke?"
"Wow, you're quite smart. Just as he described you.", obviously Madara was enjoying the situation.
"You wouldn't dare attack Konoha. You're just a single rogue shinobi.", her voice was overflowing with detest.
"Do you dare to test me?", the masked guy drew closer and the girl heard him chuckling.
". . ."
"Just as I thought.", he backed out turning his back at her, "I'll give you one day to consider your options. Tomorrow at midnight, I'll come for an answer."
"What if I can't heal Sasuke's injury?", her eyes were focused on his figure.
"Then you won't be needed anymore.", he chuckled again and raised his hand in fakery wave, "See you tomorrow.", the air started twirling again when the man continued with a light tone, "Oh, I almost forgot. If you tell anyone, the deal is off. Clear?"
When he disappeared completely Sakura let out the breath she was holding up. Cold drops of sweat rolled from her forehead. She had read about that guy in Tsunade's archives. The only people who had survived a battle with him were Naruto and Kakashi. And according to them none of their attacks worked, they were just passing right through him without affecting him in any way. Sakura bit her trembling lip; she had to pull herself together. The logical course of action for her to take was to tell the Hokage but if he really was strong enough to threaten Konoha on a whim, maybe she should reconsider her decision more carefully. The kunoichi closed her eyes and knitted her brows. Was it true about Sasuke? Did he really need her medical assistance? What if he was dying?
Sakura cursed and clenched her fists. Why would she even think about healing him? He ignored her during her whole life, he broke her heart, and he tried to kill her and Naruto more than twice…he didn't deserve her pity and compassion, even less her worry. The pink-haired kunoichi sniffed, trying to hold back her tears. She heard the door handle squeaking and wiped her cheeks quickly. The door cracked open and she saw somebody's legs and butt emerging from behind it. Slowly the whole body appeared but the man's head was still casting furtive glances outside of the room. Sakura noticed few silver locks sticking out and she rolled her eyes as she recognized her ex-sensei.
"Kakashi!", her voice startled the man; he jumped and turned around, closing the door quickly.
"Yo!", his eye gave her a patented eye crinkle and his hand raised in a wave.
"What are you doing?", the girl raised her eye brow questioningly, observing his strange clothing – hospital PJs and his ninja trousers under it.
"I came to see how you were doing – "
"You should be in your hospital bed, just like me.", she scolded him.
"I know, that's why I was sneaking around instead of walking freely.", he scratched behind his neck.
Sakura sighed and smiled, "How are you?"
Kakashi drew closer and sat on the edge of the bed and his eyes focused on the tiles on the floor, "I'm sorry."
"For God's sake, Kakashi! Don't go blaming yourself!", Sakura growled through her teeth, she had known he would feel that way.
"You could have died, Sakura. And I wasn't there to protect you.", his eyes averted from the floor and he stared through the window.
"Come closer – ", Sakura whispered and shot him an adamant glare as he looked at her. The Copy nin obeyed and as soon as he was in her range, the kunoichi smacked him with her hand and growled angrily, "You IDIOT! You were the one dying! Not me!"
The silver-haired jonin groaned and rubbed his cheek, a slight curve on his mask gave out that he was smiling and Sakura sighed. He was such a handful sometimes. Even if he was indeed the famous vastly known Copy ninja Kakashi, some days he was just as immature, childish and stupid as Naruto. But all of that didn't matter because Sakura liked him just the way he was. She was used to take care of her weird, troublesome boys and it was making her feel needed, happy. The three of them, Sai, Naruto and Kakashi, were her comrades, teammates, even more. They were her friends, her precious dummies. Nothing they did could be unforgiven.
On the other hand, once she thought the same about Sasuke as well but she ended up being hurt, hating him and regretting every minute spent thinking about him. Yes, they had their moments, the original Team 7, but nothing last forever, further more happiness and love. As the elder people were saying, "Love is a song but every song has its end.". But why Sakura had the feeling that she still could hear the dull fading tones of that song in her heart?
What she was supposed to do? She had to concentrate on her healing, on the tournament and now on what that man had said. She felt a pumping in her head and the girl frowned, "Kakashi, tell me more about that guy from Akatsuki. The one with the orange mask."
The Copy nin looked at her puzzled, "Why?"
"I had that weird dream… I don't remember it well.", she made a whatever-face and smiled reassuringly.
"Well, as far as I know his name is Tobi, as least that's how he calls himself.", Kakashi looked again through the window obviously trying to remember something.
"You don't think that's his real name?"
"Well, who the hell would want to call himself Tobi?!", the jonin chuckled and Sakura rolled her eyes, "Anyway. He has the strange ability to dematerialize himself. I mean it kind of remind me of my Mangekyo."
"I thought your Mangekyo was a space-time doujutsu.", Sakura bit her lower lip.
"Exactly. I think he sends part of his body to another dimension and that's how he avoids our attacks.", the Copy nin sent her curious glance, "But, why are you so interested in him?"
"I'm not. Never mind, forget it.", the girl smiled and placed her hand on Kakashi's, "Go to your room before Tsunade-sama catches you."
The jonin sighed and stood up, facing the lying kunoichi, "Thank you. Once again you saved my life."
"That's my job!", she grinned and waved with her hand in front of her face.
"Promise me one thing…", he paused, collecting his thoughts, "Never use that jutsu on me ever again. No matter if I'm dying or I'm already dead. I'm not worth it."
"I'm sorry.", her gaze crossed with his, "I can't do that."
Kakashi growled, "Why?"
"Because I won't be able to forgive myself for losing you if there was a way to save your life.", the girl smiled sadly, "I don't know if you fully understand what I'm saying, Kakashi. I mean that your life is way more precious to me than mine.", her green eyes glistened under the rays of the setting sun and the silver-haired jonin held his breath at her words.
The Copy nin knitted his brows and bent down to embrace her, burying his face in the pillow next to her head, "You have no idea…what this means to me, Sakura."
The kunoichi felt his shivering body against hers, she heard the silent sniffs and sobs which probably nobody had ever witnessed before. Sakura smiled gently, stroking his silver hair. He was the kind of man who didn't show any weaknesses and right now the girl saw in him not the strong, smart, skilful shinobi but the small eleven-year old boy who needed consolation and support. He needed to feel wanted and forgiven. He needed to feel loved. Sakura whispered comforting words in his ear and gently caressed his cheek, above the mask, with her lips.
She didn't care about the tournament, about the vital decision she had to make in less than thirty hours; all that was occupying her mind was the man in her arms. Sakura felt her eyes welling up with tears and she didn't make an effort to hide them, the salty drops rolled on her cheeks. The fear of the recent events finally sank in her mind and she shivered. The terror of the thought about losing Kakashi made her heart jerk and she yelped quietly, gripping tightly the silver lock between her fingers, "Don't you dare to scare me like that ever again…"
The man lifted slowly his head and stared at the kunoichi's face. It was wet and glistening from the tears, flowing under her closed eyelids. He saw her opening her eyes and gazing upon him. Their eyes met – emerald green with coal black. Sakura's expression made his chest clench. It was so miserable, frightened and desperate.
"Sshh.", he caressed her cheek with finger, wiping out her tears, "I'm here.", he sniffed and she saw him giving her an eye crinkle.
"Yeah, and we're both whimpering…", she laughed still sniffing.
"No, we're just exchanging snots and tears. It's completely normal for two people who are friends.", he chuckled and pinched her playfully on her cheek.
"Do you want me to call Naruto as well?", she giggled.
"Um, no thank you. His snivels are a little bit stickier and gross for my taste. I'll settle only with yours.", they both laughed and Kakashi stood up uncovering his face to wipe out his nose in the hospital PJs' hem, "I should be going. See ya tomorrow in the morning"
"Rest well. And could you please tell the nurse to call Tsunade-shishou. I think I'm going to ask her for her assistance in healing my injuries. I don't want to deplete my chakra right before the tournament.", Sakura smiled as she saw him walking towards the door.
"Of course. See ya.", he waved and sent her an eye crease before disappearing behind the door.
The girl sighed and looked around the empty room. What the hell should she do? Do as Tobi told her or just risk and tell the Hokage everything? If he warned her that she shouldn't open her mouth about it in front of anyone that meant he had someone here in Konoha who could give him the Intel he needed. Was it a traitor or one of his own men? Sakura bit her lip. If she really healed Sasuke that would be considered treason and she'd be as good as dead; if she didn't obeyed and told Tsunade, this conflict might end up expanding into a full scale war between the left members of Akatsuki and Konoha. The kunoichi still remembered the terror she witnessed when Pein attacked Konoha. That was a single man against a ninja village, what would happen if Tobi, who was Akatsuki's real leader, went on rampage? It was true that now they were stronger compared to before. Their generation was considered one of the strongest ones in decades. Ever since the birth of the Fourth Hokage and Hatake Kakashi Konoha never had any distinguishable shinobi in its lines. Today it was different; they had Ino-Shika-Cho formation, two proficient jonin Byakugan users, a young Green Beast who could fight on par with the Fourth Kazekage and of course Team 7, including the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki who was also a Sage and one former Root agent.
Would that be enough to protect their home? Sakura remembered the man she fought in the last challenge. He was way faster and stronger than she even imagined. There were so many strong and frightening shinobi out there who were probably way better than her and her comrades. And that man, Tobi, they didn't even know what his ability really was. Akatsuki wasn't an organization who would accept weak and low ranked shinobi. They were meant to fight the Jinchuuriki, the legendary Tailed beasts. One of them actually managed to attack Suna, capture the Kazekage and the Ichibi as if he was just another regular ninja. That was the organization which sheltered Orochimaru and Uchiha Itachi. Sakura didn't know how many of its original members were still alive but the one thing that she knew for sure was that this plant guy possessed a poison which didn't have an antidote yet, meaning many, if not all, of the shinobi who were in the front lines fighting him, would be killed by it and she wouldn't be able to do anything.
The girl closed her eyes. She didn't want to see her comrades getting hurt and dying. But there wasn't any real assurance that if she decided to go with Tobi he won't start killing them. Then her eyes snapped open. No, he wouldn't. He needed her to go willingly with him. She probably had to work on Sasuke's eyes so the orange-masked man was securing himself that Sakura won't try and destroy what was left from the Uchiha's vision. After all, his sharingan was his ultimate weapon. Eye healing was a very sluggish and risky operation. Only one wrong nerve and he would be irreversibly blind. She had examined Kakashi's sharingan before so she had some experience but Sakura never dared to try and work on it. She knew that there was, theoretically speaking, a way to reduce the amount of chakra it was consuming and completely merge it with Kakashi's nerves and chakra channels so that he could deactivate it anytime he wanted but the procedure was long and the success chance was only about twenty percent. Suggesting that Sasuke's sight was indeed the problem that would mean she had to spend months working on his eyes with no real possibility to completely restore his vision.
Would they release her if she managed to heal Sasuke or she would just be disposed of as Tobi implied before? Sakura sadly smiled. She lived in a shinobi world; there was no place for mercy or reprieve. They would just kill her and throw her away like a used first aid kit. The kunoichi licked her dried lips and swallowed the lump in her throat. "What am I supposed to do?", she felt the despair crawling under her skin. It wasn't only about whether she was ready to sacrifice herself for the sake of Konoha's population. She had to think about the people that she would leave behind. What would they think about her when they find out that she healed Sasuke, a missing rogue ninja? How would they feel when she betrayed them? Was she ready willingly to commit a dreadful treason against Konoha? Against Naruto? Oh, God. Naruto. Poor Naruto, he would be crushed. How her leaving would affect Konoha's reputation as well as Tsunade's? So many questions, so much little time, no answers.
Sakura groaned from the pain she felt inside – physical and mental, she lifted her hand to run her fingers through her hair but the abocat stuck deeper in her vein and she clenched her teeth, cursing. What was she supposed to do?
"Can you move your legs?", Tsunade reached to grab the pink-haired girl for the arm as she tilted threateningly to one side, "Last night when I finished the healing, you told me that you can't feel anything below the knees."
"I can now, but I kind of feel as if this is my first time walking.", Sakura frowned and tried to make a step toward the window. She felt dull pulling behind her knee but the leg moved tremulously and the kunoichi smiled slightly, "I need to go for a stroll and I think it will be just fine."
"Good. You still have time until the last challenge.", the Hokage smirked, "Don't forget to bring that slacking dog along too. I don't want him to be late. 9pm sharp.", the blonde woman turned around and headed to the door when Sakura's voice stopped her.
"Tsunade-shishou.", the kunoichi sent a tender glance at her mentor and bowed politely, "Thank you. For everything."
"What's with the twaddle?", the Hokage waved with her hand and walked out of the room with a slight smile on her red lips.
She had barely made half a kilometre away from the hospital and she was already feeling exhausted. Her tendons were wrenching every time Sakura tried to increase her pace. It was no good. Usually that kind of injury took months to heal and another year of rehabilitation so the person could walk and run normally again, and that was if they were lucky enough not to be paralysed. Sakura knew that Tsunade was well aware of that and still her shishou didn't say anything as she asked her to heal them. The Hokage understood the importance of Sakura's participation in the event. The girl had to take part in it, she needed to, in order to become stronger and finally recognize her own abilities. This tournament wasn't only a hidden war between Mist and the other ninja villages it was a challenge that the participants faced so that they could develop their strengths and overcome their weaknesses, fears and flaws.
Sakura trimmed over a small wooden stick on the ground as she was dragging her foot for another step. Her eyes widened as she stumbled and her face directed to the ground. But just before she collided with the hard stony soil someone grabbed her for the arm and pulled her up. The kunoichi sighed relieved and turned around to thank her saviour.
"Tenzo!", she exclaimed as the young man smiled tiredly at her.
"Are you OK?", he asked and readjusted some of her ruffled pink locks.
"Thank you.", she rewarded the boy with bright smile and placed her arm under his, making him to fall into her step, "When did you come back from your mission?"
"I finished it quickly, actually. It didn't take even a whole day.", the boy oriented to the nearest bench, noticing that the girl was starting to pant and sweat even though she was hiding it pretty well.
"That's great! But to be honest, you look terrible."
"That's because I was asked to prepare the arena for the challenge. It was quite tiresome and chakra-depleting.", he frowned at something in front of him.
"I see. But now I know that I'm definitely going to win!", Sakura giggled and poked him in the ribs.
"How so? You think I have hidden something inside which would give you an advantage?", the brown-haired jonin smirked.
"No, I think that you're my lucky charm and the fact that you made the construction of the arena is already an leverage.", the pinkie smiled widely and sat on the bench, slightly turning her body so she could easily look him in the face.
"I honestly hope so…"
"Is there something troubling you?", Sakura narrowed her eyes and placed her hand on his knee as he sat next to her.
"I don't think that you're in condition to participate…you can barely walk…", he glared at her with worried eyes.
"I don't have a choice, Tenzo. Moreover, Kakashi will be next to me, so don't worry over this. He'll take good care of me.", the kunoichi averted her gaze and stared at the rustling trees in the park. The summer breeze ruffled her hair and she fixed some of the fallen locks. She loved Konoha's summer, the heat, the warm nights, and the full bright moon in the sky. "Tenzo…tell me…What would you do if you had to choose between the highest possible treason against your village and the lives of everyone you love and cherish?", her voice was merely a whisper.
The young ANBU looked at the trees as well and took a deep breath, "I know that the Shinobi Codex implies that the village and your duty to it stand before everything but personally speaking…if treason is the only way I could save everyone, I'd commit it. Even if it took my life and the possibility of returning home again.", he turned his head to face the girl beside him, "Why do you ask me that?"
"No reason.", Sakura smiled fakery at him and tilted to one side, bumping her shoulder into his, "How is it going with that girl, you told me about?"
Tenzo blushed and scratched behind his neck, "Actually tomorrow I have a date with her."
"Really?", Sakura's eyes widened and she grinned, "I take that my advices worked?"
"Oh, absolutely…", he blushed even more and stared at the ground.
"Won't you tell me at least who is she? Do I know her?", the curiosity flame ignited in her green emeralds and the girl drew closer to the ANBU member.
"Don't torture me, Sakura…Please.", he smiled shyly, "I'll tell you after the date. If it goes well."
"OK, OK.", Sakura laughed and patted him on the back.
"I have to go now. I haven't handed my report yet.", Yamato stood up and waved at the girl, "Good luck tonight, Sakura.", he made a hand seal and disappeared in a poof, leaving only a dispersing white smoke around him.
The kunoichi sighed and looked up at the sky. The sun was shining brightly, bathing everything in its illuminating light. Treason, huh? Sakura never thought that she had to solve a dilemma like this in her life. Would it be better if she just tell everything to Tsunade? She had to have a little more faith in her comrades and friends. Naruto was strong, Kakashi too. She would be there to save their lives but what about others who would meet their deaths on the battlefield? She couldn't save everybody, Sakura understood it pretty well, and that was exactly what was tormenting her. Would it be really that bad to sacrifice herself in order to protect everybody?
Naruto. He would be heart-broken if he learnt what she was about to do. Tsunade would be disappointed and maybe even disgusted by her actions, by her lack of trust in her village and shishou. Kakashi. What would he think about her? She wouldn't be able to stand the accusing look in his black eye if she ever had the chance to meet him again. But if all that meant that they would live, she could accept it. She would bury deep her pain and endure it for the rest of her life. And then when the time came she would kill Sasuke and everyone else she could. She might not be able to do much, they might kill her but Sakura would be true to her feelings. Death was usually the easy way out but in that case it was the salvation of Sakura's conscience. The forgiveness would come along with the end of her life.
That was a chance to infiltrate the organization, a chance to help her village and protect Naruto, from the bastards wanting to steal the Kyuubi. She couldn't let this opportunity slip away through her fingers. She would accept Tobi's proposal.
Today was her last day in Konoha.
Sakura's heart was beating irregularly; it was jumping and bumping, trying to escape the limitations of her chest. She could feel the presence of Kakashi next to her, she could feel his body heat but it didn't calm her down. A strong dull pain was growling deep inside her soul. A fear so primeval that was sending goose bumps all over her body. She was scared of her own decision. The afternoon she spent in her apartment, cleaning, putting things away, emptying her fridge and collecting some clothes in a rucksack. It wasn't easy to part with the memories left in her home. The photographs hanging on the wall she left intact. There was no need to take them with her, it would only make her feel lonesome and plant the seeds of regret in her. The only photo she took was the one of Team seven but not the new one but the first photo of her, Naruto, Kakashi and Sasuke. She had made an oath to herself, and that memento's only purpose was to remind her of that vow.
Sakura didn't have the courage to say farewell to Naruto, she wouldn't be able to look him in the eye and say all the things she wanted to. She wanted to explain to him what to expect, to believe in her like she believed in him, not to feel left out, and always to remember how much she loved him. Her best friend would me smashed and utterly miserable when she disappeared. But Sakura just couldn't force herself to go to him. Even one whispered word of goodbye and her resolve would be destroyed.
The girl sighed and looked around herself; Kakashi and she were kept in a room, waiting for the announcement of the last challenge. The Copy nin hadn't said a word since she went to get him from his apartment. Probably he was nervous too. Her eyes rose to explore his face. His features were calm but the kunoichi could feel the tension radiating from his body. She instinctively lifted her hand and placed it on his arm. The jonin turned his gaze at her and their eyes met. Nobody said a word, but still she felt his muscles relax under her touch and Sakura drew closer to the man without averting her stare. A sudden pain pierced her chest and she frowned, feeling the tears welling up in her eyes. She was going to lose him forever. Why did it hurt so badly?
Sakura slipped her arms around his waist and embraced him tightly. The Copy nin closed his eyes and buried his hands in her hair. They didn't need words to express their feelings. It's been always that way with him. The ache wasn't fading away it was only getting stronger and sharper. The kunoichi pulled back a little and tilted her head back to see his face clearly.
"There's something you're not telling me…", he whispered under his mask, stroking her hair gently.
"I wish I could tell you…", Sakura closed her eyes and felt a single tear escaping from her eye.
Kakashi wiped it off with his thumb and caressed her cheek, "Is there anything I can do?"
The kunoichi shook her head negatively and swallowed the lump in her throat.
Then suddenly the door opened and a man waved them a sign to follow him. Kakashi and Sakura let out deep breaths and exited the room. It was time for the challenge.
Firstly when she saw the arena she couldn't believe her eyes. There was a huge wooden castle-like house in the middle of the coliseum, surrounded by a wide water-filled moat. There was only a single chain connecting the ground with the castle. Sakura's pupils widened as she realized that on the bottom of the moat there were a strangely arrange colourful tiles. What the hell was that? Averting her gaze to see Kakashi's reaction she noticed that the Copy nin was frowning.
Positively there was something to do with swimming or there wouldn't be water in the ditch. She bit her lower lip. Her knees weren't fully healed and she doubted that she could swim in her condition. Yet alone fight. Sakura looked around and searched for the other participants; they were sitting with their partners on benches near the arena. She felt Kakashi pushing her gently to go to them. Her eyes couldn't stop staring at the imposing construction. It was intimidating, horrifying and striking terror in the petite kunoichi. Tenzo had done an amazing job as always.
Kakashi and Sakura sat in their respective places and waited for the announcement of the last challenge. When the Kages appeared everybody – participants and observers – silenced. As usual the Mizukage turned on the microphone and cleared his throat.
"Hello ladies and gentlemen! Before the official start of the last test, I'd like to congratulate the representatives for getting that far in the tournament without losing their spirit, hope and sense.", the old Mist leader silenced and bowed in direction to the participants, "You've done a splendid job. Your villages are really proud of you."
The audience exploded in cheerful exclamations and the man waited for them to fade away before continuing, "The last part of the last challenge…It's called The Siege. Your objective is to conquer the castle as fast as you can. By conquering I mean opening the closed doors. Behind every door there is an obstacle that you have to overcome in order to receive the key for the next door. The team that finishes the given task fastest will win the challenge and they will receive twenty points as a reward for conquering successfully the castle. The other two teams will have to pay punishment in the form of ten points each.", the leader slowly averted his eyes from one representative to other, "To receive the first key you need to dive into the moat. As you may see, the bottom is covered in tiles. Notice that one of the tiles is missing which is allowing the other tiles to be slid up, down, left or right. Under one of the tiles is hidden the key for the gates of the castle. When you find it, climb the chain to reach the door. Mark that once you dive into the water the time starts ticking. There is only one rule. The use of jutsu, genjutsu and chakra-enchased taijutsu is forbidden.", silence was spreading in the coliseum, "It was decided that Chojiro's team is first to go, second are team Konoha and last is Darui and his partner. Good luck!"
The public exclaimed in screams, shouts and whistles. Sakura looked at Kakashi and saw him looking in direction to Tsunade with his sharingan uncovered. The Hokage was saying something but Sakura couldn't understand what it was. She glanced at her partner again waiting for him to explain what her shishou was saying. The Copy nin turned around to the short pink-haired girl beside him and placed his headband over his left eye again, bowing closer to her to whisper in her ear, "She told me that you'd better try and set your knees in motion now that you won't need your chakra. Also that you need to take ointments, salves and antidotes with you inside."
Sakura nodded in understanding. If she couldn't use her medical jutsu she at least could take some precautions in case something happens inside. Who knows what could be in there?
"Let's go inside. I want you to teach me the use of each liniment.", the Copy nin stood up and offered his hand to her.
She took it and dragged her feet after the jonin, "Why?"
"If something happens to you and you're unable to tell me how to help you, I wouldn't know what to do and you might end up dead.", his silver hair was winding slightly under the breeze while he was walking towards their room.
"Ah, I see.", Sakura smiled at his back and tilted her head to one side smirking, "Should we change into swimsuits as well?"
Kakashi froze into his steps and slowly turned around, "You're joking right?"
"Actually, I was really wondering that.", the pinkie giggled at the thought that emerged in her mind – the Copy nin wearing short light blue trousers with reddish starfishes on it.
"I think that you won't be having problems with your clothing as it is now. It's light enough not to drag you down when you dive.", his black eye travelled over her body, exploring every inch of naked skin. Sakura blushed and pulled down her short red sleeveless top with deep v-line, trying to cover her bellybutton, "Mmm, if you pull it even more I think I can see the ribbon of your bra.", his words were nonchalant but the girl heard the playful note in his tone, she blushed even more and released the hem of her blouse from her grip.
"Shut up, Kakashi.", the kunoichi passed him by with red face and hurried to the room.
When the chuunin called them outside for their turn, the night had already fallen over Konoha and only few lamps were lightening the arena, giving the house even scarier and more intimidating look. Team Konoha stood behind the starting line, with hearts beating irregularly. Sakura reached and checked her pouch now mostly filled with salves, bandages and plastic stickers instead of kunai and shuriken. Her only weapon was the short sword attached to her lower back. Kakashi had given it to her right before the start of the test. It looked a lot like the ninjato that was part of the equipment of the ANBU but it was slightly different around the area of the handle. There were strange symbols carved in it which Sakura guessed were the crest of Hatake house.
They shared a look and both nodded to each other. Kakashi unbuttoned his jonin vest and took off his black tank top, standing only in his ninja trousers and sandals, bare-chested. Sakura followed his example and took off her red blouse. The Copy nin glared at her with widened eye.
"What are you doing?", he whispered to her through his clenched teeth.
"I put on my upper part of my swimsuit.", she grinned at his shocked expression.
"You're distracting me."
"Then I'm glad I didn't took off my shorts as well.", Sakura laughed and cracked her neck.
Kakashi shook his head in disbelief and looked in front of him, "Just shut up."
The kunoichi smirked and poked him in the ribs. The Copy nin tried to say something but the ten-second countdown began and they only shared a serious look. The time for jokes was over. When the familiar signal echoed in the air the Leaf shinobi rushed to the moat. They dropped their pouches on the ground and both dived in.
The cold water sent piercing pain in Sakura's knees and she froze under the surface, unable to move forward. Her legs were benumbed and no matter how hard she tried to move them, they just didn't respond. The Copy nin was already at the bottom, sliding the tiles when he realized that his comrade wasn't near him. He looked around worriedly, holding his breath. He spotted the girl curled into a ball, slowly going down with painful expression on her face. She was stroking her knees. Kakashi attempted to go to her but when she noticed him her eyes widened. Sakura waved her hand in direction to the tiles; the girl wanted him to continue. She was going to be fine; she could still swim with her arms after all. The Copy nin frowned and dived again to the bottom, trying to find the key as fast as possible. But soon he realized that his breath won't hold on much longer. He had to go to the surface.
Just as he was preparing to push out, Sakura came to him and pulled his mask down, pressing her lips to his. He felt the vital flux of air, invading his lungs. She smiled, pulling up his mask, and swam slowly to the surface. Kakashi smiled to himself. She didn't have the strength to push and pull the tiles under the water but she could spare time and give him the oxygen he needed. His hands moved quickly sliding the tiles, looking for the key.
The Copy nin pushed the next tile to the right as he saw Sakura coming closer again with inflated cheeks. Suddenly something glistened in the water and his black eye widened. The key. Kakashi grabbed it and tore the rope that was holding it. The man pushed out from the bottom and reached Sakura. He grabbed her for the waist and swam quickly to the surface. He didn't know how much time it passed since they were underwater but the audience burst out in excited exclamations at their appearance. Both of them filled their lungs with the air and headed to the shore.
Attaching the pouches to their belts, they ran to the gate. As Kakashi was unlocking the door he turned around to Sakura, "Are you OK?"
The kunoichi smiled tiredly but nodded, "The cold water just froze the nerves in my knees."
"Are you ready?", Kakashi held the door handle tightly.
"Whenever you are."
The Copy nin pressed the handle and the door cracked open. They both entered and closed the door behind them. The darkness was surrounding them and Sakura rummage in her pouch pulling out a flashlight. When the girl turned it on, the light bathed the small room. Kakashi looked around and found a small cord hanging from the ceiling, he pulled it down and immediately light illuminated the hall. There was only a single table in the middle of it with five black boxes on it. The Leaf shinobi shared a look and drew closer.
"Are we supposed to look for the key inside them?", Sakura sounded confused.
"I think so.", the Copy nin examined the boxes in detail and reached his hand to the opening.
"Wait, I'll do it first.", the kunoichi stood in front of the first box and let out her breath. She thrust her small hand and her face frowned in disgusted grimace. The colour on her cheeks changed from pinkish to blue-green. She continued rummaging in it and with her other hand covered her mouth, suppressing the desire to throw up. There was something crawling inside, something with many tickling legs, judging by the smooth feeling of her fingers and the intensity of the movements of the things inside, Sakura assumed that inside the box was full with cockroaches.
"What's inside?", Kakashi thrust his left hand in the second box and then groaned in pain but didn't pulled it out. He continued searching for the key.
Sakura turned immediately to her partner worriedly, "What happened?"
"Something bit me.", Kakashi cursed.
"Pull it out.", Sakura took her hand out and drew closer to the third box, checking its contents. It was something squashy, slippery and round. Another gross thing she guessed. At least it wasn't alive.
The Copy nin shook his head and she saw him biting his lip under the mask. He was so stubborn. She growled at him, "Pull it out! What if it's poisonous?"
Kakashi finally drew out his hand and showed it to Sakura, the girl frowned but continued rummaging in her box, "Bees. When we finish here I'll apply a salve. Don't worry. You'll be fine in no time.", her eyes examined the hall. She needed to distract her thoughts away from the things she was groping. Suddenly her eyes widened and she smiled, pulling out her hand, wiping it off at her shorts.
The Copy nin continued to the fourth box but then Sakura stopped him, grabbing him for the arm. The kunoichi pointed at the ceiling. A small key was hanging on a small thread, "Look beneath the underneath. Right?", she smiled and grabbed a shuriken from Kakashi's pouch, she threw it and cut the cord.
The silver-haired jonin sighed relieved and grabbed it before it could fall into one of the boxes, "Good job. I don't know if I could stand another stinging or biting thing on my hand."
"Well, I guess that means you prefer touching cockroaches and something that felt like eyeballs.", Sakura grabbed an ointment from her first aid kit and reached for Kakashi's hand, "Let's take care of this for now. It will stop the pain and the swallowing." There were multiple stinging traces left on his white skin. Some of them had begun to swallow already, turning the area around them into reddish-blue. The medical nin caressed gently the injured skin with greasy liniment on her hands. The Copy nin could feel the burning heat slowly fading away and he smiled under the mask.
"What would I do without you?", he whispered.
"Probably die.", she smiled and put the salve away in her pouch again, "Let's go."
They stood before the second door and took a deep breath before opening it. They expected another dark room but what they saw made them frown in suspicion. A brightly illuminated hall with luxurious furniture, and a well laden table with delicious smelling food with two armchairs next to it. Sakura shot Kakashi confused look and the man just shrugged his shoulders. Both of them went to the opposite directions and examined the hall.
"Kakashi!", the voice of Sakura immediately made the man to turn around and run to the girl, "Look what I've found.", she pointed in the huge crystal bowl filled with keys, "There was note in it.", the girl handed the small piece of paper to the jonin and frowned.
"The rainbow will lead you to me
but fooled you mustn't be.
Similarity may be confusing
if your brain you're using.
Let your fancy freely roam
and don't trouble your silly dome."
"What the fuck is this?", Kakashi cursed and his right eye twitched in anger.
"A riddle. In the first challenge there was a similar one as well.", Sakura took back the paper and hummed, thinking.
Kakashi rummaged in the bowl with keys and then murmured, "They all look the same."
"What do you think means not to use your brain but your imagination?", the kunoichi sat into one of the armchairs with eyes nailed on the piece of paper.
"I don't know. Think creatively, or out of the ordinary. Illogically, if you want. I don't know.", the Copy nin sat in the other and his eye travelled over the dishes on the table. He remembered that he hadn't eaten a breakfast nor lunch, "Do you think that the food here may be poisonous?"
"Why? You think it has something to do with it?", Sakura murmured without looking at him.
"No, I was just hungry."
The girl lifted her eyes from the paper and stared unbelievingly at the man next to her, "Seriously, Kakashi?"
The Copy nin gave her an eye crinkle and his eye lingered on the food before him. Suddenly his gaze stopped on a small handful-sized white cake with colourful cream on it, "Rainbow…"
"What did you say?", Sakura averted her eyes again and glared at her companion.
"Rainbow will lead you to me…", he quoted the paper and then grabbed the cake glaring at it as if it was about to transform into a key. The silver-haired jonin pulled down his mask and bit the half of it, chewing loudly.
"Hey!", Sakura jumped from her chair and widened her eyes, staring at her friend.
Kakashi gulped the last bit of it and then looked around blankly. Suddenly the Copy nin giggled and continued staring at his surroundings. Sakura was watching him terrified. Did he just giggle? The jonin stood up and swung around himself crazily, laughing. He was jumping and snickering. The kunoichi hurriedly check the food in the plate from which he took the cake. It smelled normally and looked tasty, nothing suspicious. The girl pulled out a dropper and a small tube with dark purple substance. She place two drops of it on the similar cake and waited for the results.
Kakashi grabbed her for the arm and pulled her to him, spinning her as well, "Look, Sakura-chan! It's raining moonflowers! Can you imagine it?"
"No…", the kunoichi rolled her eyes and tried to tear away but his grip was tight.
"Me too! It's daytime after all!", he giggled again.
"Kakashi. It's ten PM.", she managed to escape his catch. The Copy nin frowned but soon his expression showed that once again he was in Wonderland. The kunoichi went to check the cake; the dessert was turned into greyish powder, "As I thought. It's been drugged." Sakura pulled few ingredients from her pouch and prepared the antidote.
The silver-haired jonin was now lying on the floor and counting something with his finger in the air. When the kunoichi drew closer to give him the antidote he looked at her and laughed, "The moonflowers were whispering to me. They told me that they could help me. But I answered that I didn't like them."
"Why?", Sakura tried to make him sit on the floor, he obeyed without questioning but continue to stare at the empty space before him.
"I don't know. I just hate them. But then they told me that they would tell me about some key if I started liking them again…", he frowned obviously displeased by the bold behaviour of those moonflowers.
"Key?", Sakura's eye widened.
"Yes. And when I told them that I didn't want their help, one of them started crying and told me that if I didn't start liking them again, they would die and that would make you unhappy.", Kakashi closed his black eye and snuggled into Sakura's chest, burying his face into her breasts. The kunoichi's eye trembled and twitched and she raised her eye brow when the man continued with his carefree tone, "I can't allow my Sakura to be unhappy!, I told them that and then they started laughing and dancing wound me."
The girl waited for the end of the story but when she realized that that was it, she patted his head, "And where's the key now?"
"In the cherry jelly of course!", he looked at her accusingly as if she wasn't paying attention to his story up until now.
"Of course...", Sakura laughed and handed him the antidote, "Drink this."
"Why?", he frowned.
"Um,…the moonflowers sent it to you as a thank-you-gift.", Sakura smiled and stood up rolling her eyes. Some people just weren't suited for drugs. The kunoichi looked for the jelly and spotted it, placed between two huge salvers with cookies and chocolates. The pinkie grabbed a knife from the table and dig out the key. When she turned around to see how Kakashi was doing she saw him curled into a ball on the floor with head between his knees. she immediately went to see him, checking his pulse. It was normal.
"Are you OK?", she suppressed the laugh. The antidote she gave him was supposed to push the drug out of his body which was equally to getting sober. Right now probably the Copy nin was having one of his worst hangovers.
"My head is spinning and I think I'm going to puke.", he murmured.
"I got the key. Let's go.", she helped him to get up and they dragged their feet to the next door.
"What happened to me? And why are you grinning?", he murmured while waiting for Sakura to unlock the next door.
"I'll tell you when we finish here. Ready?", she pressed the handle.
Kakashi nodded and when the door cracked open all of his thoughts flew out of his head. The door closed behind them and the Leaf shinobi pressed their backs against it. Sakura slowly drew out her ninjato and Kakashi reached for a kunai. A deep growling echoed in the room. A pack of twelve wolves was slowly drawing closer to the shinobi. Their teeth were bare and slobbers were dripping from the corners of their opened mouths. The greyish-black fur on their backs was bristled up and the tails were angrily swinging from one side with other.
Sakura and Kakashi couldn't avert their eyes from the pack. They feared that the slightest movement would make them attack. Without chakra the two of them were only a normal people with a little bit of taijutsu knowledge. Nothing a bunch of wolves couldn't handle. The kunoichi gulped, trying to swallow the lump in her throat and whispered, "What do we do now?"
"Stand still.", his voice was tense. Kakashi looked around there was a ladder across the room. His eyes immediately travelled up and examined the ceiling. There were cross-beams near it. They needed to get there firstly. Later they will think about finding the key, "How much weight would the swathe hold?", he whispered turning his head against the wolf-pack again.
"I…I don't know…", Sakura stammered looking scared in front of her.
"Do you think it would hold you up if you climb on it?"
"Are you crazy?", she hissed, "Even if it sustain my weight, there is no way to endure yours."
"Don't worry about me. I have a cord.", Kakashi slowly rummaged in his pouch, without breaking the eye contact with the wolves, "We need to do it at the same time. See the beams above?".Sakura nodded. "I want you to throw the roller bandage over it and then climb. I'll do the same with the cord."
"You'll cut your palms!", she argued but the adamant stare that Kakashi sent her, stopped her from opposing further, "As you say.", the girl put away the ninjato and took out the swathe.
"On three…", Kakashi exhaled, "One…", Sakura slightly kneeled, "Two…", he gave her a worried glance, "Three…", both of them threw the items over the beams above their heads.
The wolves charged at them as the shinobi grabbed the second loose end of their "ropes", starting to climb up. The beasts jumped up, trying to catch them with their jaws. The cord cut into Kakashi's palm skin and the jonin slowed his climbing. One of the wolves jumped again, clenching his jaw around his calf. The shinobi cried in pain and kicked the head of the wolf with his other foot. The animal yelped and fell down, releasing the blood-covered leg of the jonin.
Sakura was almost at the top when she heard Kakashi's scream. The kunoichi turned her head in his direction and her eyes widened in shock as she saw the wolf hanging from the leg of the jonin, "Kakashi!", she screamed but a terrifying noise coming from the bandage made her freeze. The swathe was tearing. The kunoichi quickly climbed up and grabbed for the beam as she felt the cloth rending. Sakura pulled herself up and crawled on the joist to help Kakashi. She grabbed the cord and started pulling it up. Small trickles of blood poured from her clenched fists. The Copy nin was groaning and when he saw Sakura reaching her hand at him, he shook his head.
"Your knees won't hold up and you're going to fall.", his voice was trembling from the tension.
"I know my limits better than you. Come on. I need to stop the bleeding in your foot.", she frowned and reached her hand further. The Copy nin sighed, took it and the girl groaned in pain as she pulled him up.
They both sat on the beam, sweating and panting. Sakura immediately tore the trouser leg below the knee and examined the wound. It was bleeding heavily, "It had torn an artery." She pulled out a small bottle with disinfectant, lint and new swathe. The kunoichi poured some of the liquid over the gash and blew at it gently, knowing how bad it was probably stinging. Kakashi only took a sharp breath and clenched his teeth. Sakura stroke the skin around the wound and smiled at the jonin reassuringly, "Bare with me a little bit more." The medical nin pulled out another ointment and spread it over the lint, "It won't twinge anymore. You'll feel it cooler now." The Copy nin nodded and saw the kunoichi placing the lint over his injury. He clenched fists and bit his lip expecting the pain but it never came, "I told you it wouldn't sting."
Sakura bandaged his calf and reached for his hands. The skin on the palms was torn and the kunoichi traced the healthy spots with her thumb before repeating the same procedure as the one with his leg. When his hands were dressed she placed them gently in his lap, lifting her gaze to him, "Are you OK?"
Kakashi averted his gaze from her and looked around the room, "Thank you. We need to find the key."
"Yeah…", Sakura secretly glanced at her palms to see if the bleeding had stopped. The places, where the cord had incised in her white skin, were reddish and swollen. There was an infection and it would prevent her body from stopping the bleeding. The kunoichi knew that she didn't have any more lint or bandages left, only salves and antidotes. If she was to clean her wound and apply an ointment, Kakashi would immediately start worrying about her and mumbling about getting off his swathes so she could dress her injuries. The kunoichi clenched her fists and brushed off the blood on them in her shorts.
Her eyes travelled in the room and widened as she realized something. There was no exit door, only one leading to the previous room. She murmured, "Kakashi…Don't look for the key."
"Why?", the Copy nin shot her a confused glance.
"Search for the door first.", Sakura looked around, standing on her feet.
Kakashi stood as well and cursed as he realized that there was no exit. The ladder. There was something connected to it, his coal eye travelled around the wooden walls, carefully examining every cleft. Suddenly his eyes stopped on the wall across the door that they came in through. She poked Sakura and pointed in that direction. The girl narrowed her eyes and then they widened as she realized that there was a square hidden door in the middle height of the wall.
"Tenzo had made it the same pattern as the wall.", she chuckled and traced with eyes the beams to see if they could lead them there.
Kakashi rolled up the cord and walked on the joist in direction to the door, "Since when are you such good buddies with him?"
"Well, we're sharing a balcony after all.", Sakura laughed at the man before her, who now sent her a puzzled glance over his shoulder. The girl sighed and explained, "He's living in the flat next to mine. Our terraces are connected."
"Ah.", Kakashi murmured under his breath, "He seemed quite excited to see you the other day."
"That was probably because he wanted some advice about a girl that caught his attention.", Sakura smiled genuinely, "That boy is completely lost in the world of romance…"
"You noticed it too, ha…", the jonin smirked.
"Well, not as much as some other people that I know…", the kunoichi's face formed a smug expression as she was walking toward the door.
Kakashi sent her another confused glance but continued walking down the beam, "Like whom?"
"Like you, for example.", Sakura chuckled.
The Copy nin stopped and turned around with challenging expression on his face, "I'm not lost in romance…! What made you think that?"
"Kakashi…how long has it been since your last girlfriend?", the pink-haired kunoichi pushed him to continue walk.
The Copy nin thought for a second and then grinned, "Forty three days."
"I'm not talking about when you last had sex. I'm talking about love…", Sakura frowned and shook her head, "Why would he even count the days…?"
The jonin turned around again and smirked, "How long has it been since you last had a boyfriend, Sakura-chan?"
The kunoichi blushed heavily and forced him to continue walking, "We should think about the tournament right now."
Kakashi chuckled.
When they reached the end of the joist, Sakura bent down to see more closely the door. The square was small. Big enough for a slim man to squeeze through it. It was a little lower than the beam so she couldn't reach it with her arm. She looked at the man beside her and saw him tying a kunai for the end of the cord.
"What are you going to do with that?"
Her question was left unanswered but soon everything became clear to the kunoichi. The Copy nin threw the cord at the lying ladder and the kunai span around one of the steps, tying itself. The silver-haired jonin pulled the ladder up and placed it below the square. The wolves immediately surrounded it, starting to howl and growl. Kakashi sat on the beam and turned around, supporting himself only on his arms. The man slid slowly down and reached his foot to step on the ladder. Just a little more and he'd reach it. The jonin slid a little lower but his bandaged hands sagged and he started falling down.
Suddenly a smaller thinner hand grabbed his forearm and stopped him from becoming the wolf pack's dinner. He sighed, "Thank you."
"Next time you could just explain it to me. It's going to be a lot easier.", she panted. Her hands were hurting and the weight her shoulder was bearing was slightly too much for her but she didn't say anything.
The jonin stepped on the ladder and the kunoichi let go of his arm. Kakashi traced with fingers the square and pulled out a kunai. He stuck it in the crack and tried to widen it. Suddenly a dull breaking sound was heard and the square fell off the wall, revealing the small metal door behind it, "I guess this thing was only a disguise.", Kakashi looked at Sakura, "Give me the key."
"Kakashi…", the girl growled annoyed, "We haven't found the key yet…"
"Oh...", the Copy nin cursed silently and punched the wall with fist, looking around. How could he be so stupid?
"I'll look for it. You stay there.", the kunoichi hurried to the middle of the room, carefully crawling over the beams. There was nothing on the floor, only wolves and planks. Suddenly her head bumped into something. She stepped back startled and rubbed her forehead, looking at the object. Her eyes widened as she noticed a plastic bag with meat inside.
The kunoichi grabbed it and crawled back to Kakashi. The girl grinned as she rummaged in the bag. It smelled weird. She could bet that the meat was poisonous. Sakura grabbed a morsel of meat and threw it on the floor. The wolves immediately rushed to it, stabbing their fangs in it, tearing it to pieces. The kunoichi threw another one and then another. She sat on the beam and looked at Kakashi who was observing her with curiosity.
"What?", she asked and averted her gaze to the pack below.
"Nothing. I'm just enjoying myself."
Sakura rolled her eyes. One of the wolves separated from the pack and crawled yelping near the ladder. One after another the rest of them followed him. Soon all of them were unconscious. Kakashi went down to the ladder and looked around them. He shook his head as he found the key tied on a string around one of the wolves' neck. The jonin raised it happily above his head, so that his partner could see it.
"Pour few drops of this in their mouths, please.", Sakura yelled from the beam and threw a small bottle into Kakashi's hands.
The Copy nin rolled his black eye but obeyed and hurried to climb the ladder before the wolves came to their senses, "Let's get out of here. We lost enough time."
Sakura nodded smiling. When they opened the square metal door, a bright light blinded them. Sakura crawled through it and then Kakashi followed her. A spotlight was illuminating their vision, making it blurry. They stood straight and placed hands above their foreheads trying to see their surroundings. Suddenly loud exclamations burst in the air and echoed around the Leaf shinobi. Kakashi narrowed his eye and bowed slightly to Sakura.
"That was all?"
"I think so….", her voice was unbelieving. Was it over?
A sudden whistle and a loud crackled announced the turning on of the microphone. A deep voice outcried the audience, "Team Leaf finishes their part!" the observers screamed even louder and few fireworks could be seen among the crowd in the Coliseum.
Sakura turned to Kakashi with wide open eyes. She still couldn't believe it. She survived the tournament. The Copy nin's expression was almost as shocked as hers.
"It's over…", Sakura cried out quietly, "It's over…"
Kakashi pulled her in his embrace and hugged her tightly, laughing, "It's over." He felt her body trembling. Her small hands were burying her fingers in his skin, as if this closeness wasn't enough for her. He pulled back a little to look her in the eyes. They were teary but those tears were happy ones and she wasn't ashamed to show them. They turned to the public and bowed slightly. Then Kakashi jumped down on the ground and reached his hands at Sakura in sign to jump as well.
The kunoichi smiled gently and jumped without doubts. He would catch her. He always did.
Sakura tied the satin belt of her wrapper in a bow and combed her hair, staring at her reflection in the mirror. After they finished the test, the Kages sent them home. The results wouldn't be announced until tomorrow afternoon. There was no point in them standing there, watching Darui's performance. Kakashi had walked her home and she immediately went to the bathroom for a shower. The hot water was calming despite the warm weather outside.
Firstly when Sakura got home and glanced at the clock she couldn't believe her eyes. It was barely thirty minutes after ten. The time had flown so fast in the house that it felt as if they had spent hours inside. The kunoichi sat on her sofa, glaring at the rucksack on the floor. Another hour and a half and she was going to leave Konoha for good. Her palms were stinging and the pink-haired medic sighed tiredly. Her hands glowed in green and soon the cuts were gone, leaving only small tiny scars on her marble skin.
She felt lonely in this house; it was awfully quiet and depressing. It had never occurred to her before such thoughts. Maybe because she knew that the day after that she was going to be with her friends again. Her gaze lingered on her bed, through the open door of her bedroom. The same bed that Kakashi had spent days lying. The same bed that they spent the night together, realizing and accepting their newly found friendship. Sakura looked quickly around. No, she didn't want to be alone right now. She didn't want to waste her precious last moments in Konoha in a dusty corner of her apartment.
The girl jumped on her feet and flew out of the flat not bothering to dress up. She didn't want to waste any more time.
The Copy nin ruffled his hair with the towel, wiping the water drops from his silver locks. The shower made him sleepy. He glared lazily at the kitchen and his stomach rumbled. Kakashi only sighed but didn't stand up from his couch to go and prepare something for dinner. Tomorrow he'd go and eat at the "Barbe-Q". The jonin stared at his palms. The bleeding had stopped but the moment he washed out the ointment that Sakura put on it, it started stinging again. The same went for his calf.
Suddenly a knocking on the door startled the silver-haired man. He instinctively reached to put his mask and shirt on but when he sensed the familiar chakra signature a smile appeared on his lips. He stood up and pressed the handle, opening the door.
"Sakura?", his expression was shocked. The girl was with wet hair, slippers, wearing only her satin white wrapper, "What's wrong?", he worriedly moved aside so she could enter his home.
The kunoichi's expression was blank but slowly shifted into a relieved one. She didn't say a word, just grabbed Kakashi's hand, gently pulling him inside. The Copy nin widened his eyes and followed her, closing the door with his leg. Sakura stood before the sofa and forced Kakashi to sit in it. The man obeyed, watching her kneeling before him.
"Does it hurt?", her voice was soft and quiet.
"A little.", he whispered, observing her movements. Her fingers stroke the skin around his injury, sending electric chills down Kakashi's spine. The kunoichi's hand glowed green and the Copy nin felt the familiar tickling cool feeling, spread through the calf and soon his whole body. He always loved her healing. Soon the bite marks were gone and Sakura raised on her feet.
"Better?", she tilted her head to one side, letting few wet pink lock falling from behind her ear. The girl placed her hands on the sofa's back, to the sides of Kakashi's head. She slowly straddled his legs, settling herself on his knees.
The man took a sharp breath as his eye unwillingly lingered on her cleavage. The belt of the wrapper had loosened and now he could freely see the outlines of her breasts. He gulped and grabbed her for her arms, "Sakura, what are you doing?"
The kunoichi reached and pulled his hands in hers, examining the cuts. Her eyes raised and met his. She could see a spark burning inside the coals. Her hands once more glowed in green and healed his wounds, leaving only smooth skin, without any scars. When the green light faded away, she continued holding his hands in hers but this time with a smile on her face. Her emerald eyes were glistening under the light coming from the lamp on the ceiling.
"Be with me, Kakashi.", her voice was merely a whisper but the Copy nin shivered. He felt her fingers tracing the muscles on his chest, leaving burning trails after them. Sakura drew her face closer to his and parted slightly her lips, "Just tonight."
Her voice, her smell, everything was tempting the man to say "yes" but he knew her better than that. He knew that something happened or else she wouldn't behave that way, he attempted to say something but her forefinger gently pressed against his lips, "You asked me if there was something you could do..." Sakura caressed the outline of his mouth with her finger, "That is the answer.", the girl bowed down a little bit more and pressed her lips against his.
At first Kakashi froze, shocked by her boldness but then, he melted under the soft silky kisses she was leaving on his mouth. His lips parted and he cupped the back of her neck with hand. The girl's body curved and she moaned. The Copy nin felt her breasts against his bare chest. The thin satin robe couldn't hide her hardened nipples and he pressed her even closer to his body. Sakura buried her fingers in his hair, gripping few of his silver wet locks. There was a fire burning in her stomach and she knew that only that man was capable of putting it out.
The Copy nin covered her face with kisses, moving leisurely down to her neck. She smelled like roses but the jonin couldn't define whether the aroma came from her skin or her hair. Kakashi licked the skin behind her ear and felt the girl in his arms shivering. Her skin covered with goose bumps and the silver-haired man smirked. His lips were drawing figures on the skin of her neck. With every movement of his mouth, Sakura's body was twisting and she was burying her fingers in his back.
The girl relaxed her weight completely on his lap and Kakashi groaned in pleasure as she moved unknowingly her hips, stroking his aroused member through his loose pants. Sakura pulled back a little, curiously examining his face. The moan that escaped his lips intrigued her and she, this time purposely, slid her body over his groins. He gasped for air and bit his lower lip. The kunoichi smirked and her fingers leisurely travelled over his bare chest, exploring every inch of his bare skin, she didn't avert her green eyes from his face. The view was too pleasurable to be missed. Her hand reached his trousers and she caressed the swelling. The man under her jerked and his head tilted backwards. Sakura's face formed a smug expression and she licked his neck, still stroking his member through the pants. Another moan escaped Kakashi's lips and the kunoichi felt his hands tightening the grip on her bottom.
Suddenly he grabbed her for the waist, lifting her small body. The Copy nin stood up from the sofa and headed toward the bedroom with her in his arms. Sakura chuckled and snuggled in him, biting playfully his ear cushion with her teeth. When the jonin placed her gently on the bed, the kunoichi's face changed. Excitement mixed with hidden fear, passed through her eyes and when Kakashi reached to untie completely her satin belt, she covered his hand with hers, stopping him.
"Do you remember the question you asked me in the house?", her voice was croaked.
"How long has it been since you had a boyfriend?", Kakashi lied on top of her, supporting his weight on his elbows, placed to the sides of her head.
She nodded, blushing, "I haven't had."
The Copy nin's black eye widened for a moment and then he softly smiled, stroking gently her cheek with finger, "Are you sure about this? We can stop if you want."
The girl shook her head and placed her palm on his cheek, "I don't know in what way I love you, Kakashi – romantic or friendly. But I really do."
The Copy nin closed his eyes and sighed, "I hope you won't regret this."
"The only thing I will regret is that I won't be able to do it second time...", her eyes welled up with tears but she smiled at the man above her.
"What do you mean...", his voice was interrupted by her kiss.
"Think only about this moment, Kakashi. Only about me.", Sakura pulled the shorter end of her belt and the wrapper slid over her skin, exposing her naked body.
The Copy nin bowed down and pressed his lips at hers with even more tenderness than before. He wanted to show her everything, to give her everything. His hand cupped her breast and the man bent his head down to take the nipple in his mouth. His tongue was playing with the hardened bud; his teeth were slightly biting it. The girl jerked under his hands. She wanted to open her eyes but she was afraid that the sensation that she was feeling wouldn't be the same, so she kept them tightly closed. Kakashi covered her whole body with small wet kisses.
His hand caressed her tight, putting a little pressure to it, so she could open her legs. The girl obeyed and buried her fingers in his hair as his mouth licked the soft skin of her inner tight, sending chills to her spine. Sakura shivered and a moan escaped her lips. She felt his fingers moving up and the girl screamed quietly as his finger rubbed the small ball of tissue above her opening.
Her back twisted in S-shape and her heart skipped a beat. The feeling was extraordinary. She had never felt it before. The kunoichi couldn't stop the groans escaping her mouth. Suddenly her eyes snapped open and her lips parted as she felt Kakashi's tongue at the same place where his fingers were just a second ago. Something deep down in her stomach exploded and she loudly groaned, tightening the grip of her fingers in his hair.
The Copy nin lifted his head from between her legs and she saw him licking his lips. A strong, reddish blush spread over her face, neck and ears. "Did you like it?", his voice was teasing and the only answer he got was the averting of her eyes.
Kakashi stroke her opening with his finger. She was moist and he felt her pulsating. Gently he slid his forefinger inside her, not moving it, letting her adjust with the new feeling. The girl bit her lower lip and curved her back. The silver-haired jonin kissed her gently on the lips and moved his finger a little further inside, feeling the hymen, spreading slightly around it. His eyes were examining her face for signs of pain but as he didn't see any, he started moving his finger more confidently.
Sakura was shivering with every thrust of his hand. Her breathing was irregular and she was panting. The jonin licked his dried lips. She was beautiful when she was angry but she was simply gorgeous right now. The moonlight coming from the window next to the bed was making her skin look paler than usual and her hair had a silver shine in it. The girl grabbed Kakashi's wrist with her hands, not stopping it but encouraging it. Her moans were getting even more soundless, only sharp breaths escaping her mouth. The Copy nin kissed her lips, playfully biting them and then licking the sore spot. The jonin felt her tongue teasing his. He parted her lips even more and slid his tongue inside her mouth. Kakashi felt her body jerking convulsively, her arms wrapped around his shoulders.
"I want you.", her voice was hoarse from the arousal, "I want you inside me."
The Copy nin's body stoned at her words. The jonin quickly took off his pants. The need he sensed in her made his member twitch and he lied on top of her, settling between her open legs. His hand adjusted his member, stroking the opening with its tip. The girl moaned annoyed and lifted her hips, invitingly. Kakashi smirked and supported his weight on his hands. His pelvis thrust forward and he felt his member entering her. Sakura bit her lower lip expecting the pain but it never came, only a slight stinging from the tearing of her hymen. The Copy nin didn't move, watching her face, afraid that it might hurt her.
"I'm OK.", she whispered and move her hips at his.
Kakashi slowly pulled back his member and then gently thrust it again. There was no trace of pain on her face, only pure pleasure. The Copy nin escalate the pace and soon their irregular moans and sighs filled the small room. Sakura had wrapped her legs around his waist and her fingers were gripping his hair. Small drops of sweat were sparkling on both of their foreheads and bodies. The shinobi felt her tightening around his length and a slight grin appeared on his face as she reached her second orgasm. He loved her face, her brows knitted and lips parted. Her eyes were tightly closed as if she was trying to amplify the pleasure she was feeling. Her moans and purrs were driving him to the edge; he was pushing all of his limits just so he can enjoy the gorgeous view of Sakura's aroused body under his a little bit longer.
His thrusts became harder and faster. He couldn't hold up much longer. With every push the girl was burying her nails even deeper in the skin of his back. Probably there were blood trails all over his body but Kakashi didn't care. His mind was occupied with her kitty-like groans and movements. The man bit his tongue in attempt to hold his orgasm but when he saw Sakura's arm cupping her own breast playing with the nipple, reaching her third peak, the Copy nin felt his member pulsating and pulled it out just in time before he came. The sperm splashed over the girl's abdomen and Kakashi's cheeks flushed a little. He never lost control over his ejaculation before.
Sakura panted irregularly but opened her eyes to see the man who was standing on top of her. Kakashi bent down and kissed her gently on the lips, stroking her hair, "How are you feeling?"
"Lazy, tired...happy...", the kunoichi laughed and fixed some of his silver locks which had fallen over his eye.
"I was thinking something like clammy or sticky.", Kakashi laughed and looked at the thick almost transparent liquid on her stomach, reflecting the moonlight, "I'm sorry about that."
"It's not like I haven't seen a male ejaculation before...", Sakura chuckled, "At hospital we often need to help our patients relax. If you know what I mean."
Kakashi widened his eyes, "You're joking right?"
"Well, partly.", the girl grinned, "It's not that often. I believe you have also taken advantage of that service, ne?"
"No! The nurses have always suggested it by themselves. I had never taken advantage of it.", the Copy nin kissed her quickly on the mouth and reached to open the middle drawer of his night table, pulling a clean towel. The man gently wiped out the cum from her abdomen and threw the cloth in the corner of the room.
Sakura stretched her body and purred lazily, "I think my knees don't need any more rehabilitation."
Kakashi smiled and lied next to her, letting her snuggle in him, "I'm glad I could be of use."
The kunoichi giggled and placed her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. She needed to leave soon. Probably it was around midnight already. A sudden pain pierced through her chest. She didn't want to. Being here with Kakashi, lying in his arms, it felt right. But she couldn't allow herself to be swayed by her emotions right now. Not when she made her resolve. The man next to her was breathing evenly. She pulled back a little and saw his peaceful face. Unsuspecting, calm, relaxed. How would he feel tomorrow when he woke up and find noone by his side? Would he go to her apartment and look for her? Or probably he'd think that she regretted what happened?
Sakura wanted to tell him everything, wanted him to understand her. Wanted to support her decision and let her go. But she knew that he would never do it. He was way too much overprotective. He would choose the war instead of sacrificing herself. And she loved him just the way he was. That's why she couldn't tell him. She couldn't even say farewell. Her fingers caressed his cheeks, traced the outline of his lips and stroke his hair. It was for the best that way. The girl stood up carefully not to stir him and look around to find her wrapper. She couldn't go out like that. Sakura walked into the living room and noticed the black T-shirt, stretched on a chair next to the wall. The kunoichi put it on. It had his smell. She took a deep breath and dropped the robe on the chair. She won't need it anymore, not where she was heading. The pink-haired girl rummaged around the living room, looking for a piece of paper and a pen. Everything was such a mess in this apartment. Finally she found one under the sofa.
The kunoichi sat on it and stared at the blank page. Words were lost in her mind. The pencil she found was trembling in her hand. Her vision blurred and she raised her fingers to wipe out the welled up tears. She pressed the pencil on the paper and heard the lead cracking under the pressure, leaving a small dot on the blank sheet. Another tears escaped the corners of her eyes and dropped on the paper, daubing over the black dot. Why was it so hard to write the three words? It wasn't something she hadn't said or written before. But this time she knew that simply saying sorry wasn't enough.
She had made a selfish request from that man. And now she was regretting it. And not because it happened but because she wouldn't be next to him in the morning. Because she would leave him once again alone. Just when he was opening himself to her, she would hurt him just like the others did.
The tears were dripping from her eyes, falling on the paper.
Sakura crumpled the sheet and buried her face in her hands.
When Kakashi opened his eyes in the morning, a smile was trembling on his lips; he stretched his arms and looked around himself. The bed was cold and empty. He sat up and tilted to one side, peeking through the open door of the bedroom.
"Sakura?", he shouted with eyes studying the floor. His pants were neatly folded at the edge of the bed and the towel that was thrown in the corner last night was stretched on the back of the chair in his room, clean, smelling like the soap in his bathroom.
The man reached and grabbed his trousers. He stood up and headed to the kitchen, tying the strings of his loose pants. It was empty just as he left it the other day with the single difference that the dishes were washed and there was a box on the table. Kakashi curiously opened it and a delicious smell spread in the room. Breakfast. The Copy nin smiled and licked his lips. That girl was just a mind-reader.
Kakashi grabbed the box with a pair of chopsticks and went to sit on the sofa in the living room. As he sat on the soft couch, a folded in half piece of paper with a pencil over it, caught his attention. The jonin put the box and the chopsticks on the table and reached to read the note. His relaxed expression, tensed and his eyes darkened. The page, ripped from a notebook was shabby. In some places the lead was blurred by fallen drops. Kakashi swallowed the lump in his throat. He wasn't sure that he wanted to read it. But despite his reluctance, his eyes travelled through the lines.
"I hope you like the breakfast. I heard your stomach rumbling last night while you were sleeping and I decided to make you one, knowing that you're probably too lazy to cook for yourself. As far as I know you, you will just go and eat at Ichiraku's or the Barbe-Q, jamming your friends with paying the bill..."
Kakashi smirked at her words and shook his head, continuing to read.
"...I know you'll probably be late for the closing ceremony of the tournament that's why I set your alarm clock two hours earlier. Don't get lost on the track of life, or help old women with their luggage, or save kittens, stack in a tree. I'm damn sure that they can take good care of themselves. Unlike you, who would be killed by Tsunade-shishou if you show up late again..."
A sudden ringing echoed in the apartment, coming from the bedroom and Kakashi rolled his eyes, "Just in time." His eyes noticed the distorting handwriting that followed. As if her hand had been trembling and she couldn't hold the pencil steadily.
"...I'm sorry that I wasn't there when you woke up. I'm sorry that I had to leave you such pathetic excuse for a letter instead of talking to you face to face. I'm sorry that I betrayed you..."
The lead was soiled and Kakashi could barely distinguish the words she had written. Something in his heart clenched. Why did she write such things? Why did it sound like a farewell? Why was she apologizing when she did nothing wrong?
"...I couldn't confide in you despite your genuine honesty with me. I just want you to know that I don't regret any of what happened. Last night was the best birthday present I've ever had and I'll keep it locked in my heart away from all of the jealous and evil eyes from the people around me... "
Kakashi looked quickly at the calendar hanging on the wall and cursed. How could he forget her birthday? His eyes started burning and he felt unusual tingling in his nose as he continued to read.
"..Don't think ill of me, no matter what you hear and please, please don't forget me..."
"Sakura, what have you done?", his voice came out shaking from his mouth. There had to be a pretty good reason for that kind of words.
"...Don't tell about this letter to anyone. Not even Tsunade. I've made my choice; I want you to respect it... Love, Sakura..."
Kakashi cursed through his teeth. She couldn't get away just with a teary letter. Sakura owed him an explanation. A big one.
The Copy nin was running on the crowded street, headed to Sakura's apartment. His mind was playing multiple scenarios and creating countless reasons for her letter. She seemed troubled the day before but he thought that it was about the tournament and he didn't ask further for explanations. Kakashi cursed silently and bumped into someone in the street. The other person fell on the ground and the jonin immediately reached to pull them up.
"Ino!", he sounded surprised, "I'm sorry."
The blonde brushed off the dirt from her clothes and waved her hand before her face, "Kakashi-senpai. It's OK. What's with the hurry?"
"Ah, I was going to meet Sakura. Do you happen to know if she's in her apartment?", the Copy nin gave her an eye crinkle.
"Yeah, I just left from there. I wanted to tell her Happy birthday before everyone else", the kunoichi grinned, "You're going to give her birthday present, aren't you?"
"Yeah, something like that...", he answered and waved at the girl, hurriedly, "Thank you. See ya around."
The silver-haired jonin ran faster to the apartment building with clenched heart. He had bad feeling about this. Kakashi turned around the corner and continued running. He could see the flat already. He checked the surroundings for her chakra signature. It was steady and normal. He calmed down a bit and when he finally stopped before the stairs of the building, the Copy nin took a deep breath, slowing his heart beat. He couldn't confront her in his current condition.
Suddenly a deafening explosion pierced the air. The building burst in flames. Huge stone blocks exploded, throwing pieces at the street. The blast sent Kakashi flying few meters back, covering him with broken glass and dust. People were screaming and running mindlessly around. The Copy nin rose on his feet tremblingly, his head was spinning and he couldn't hear a single thing. The mask was torn, showing almost his whole face. Few bigger glass pieces were jutting out from his vest. The heavy piece of cloth had prevented the pieces from stabbing him in the chest. The shinobi widened his eyes, realizing that the explosion came from Sakura's apartment. He screamed her name but his voice didn't reach his ears.
Kakashi reached his arm forward, trying to make a step toward the ruined gate. He had to go there. She might still be alive. His legs were shaking and soon they sagged. The man fell on the ground on his knees, still staring at the destroyed building unblinkingly with widened eyes. He screamed again but all he heard was buzzing and noise in his ears. Kakashi tried to stand up but his body tilted to one side, falling. Just in time another hand supported him, pulling him up to stand on his feet. He turned his head to the other man and recognized Naruto. His ex-student was looking terrified at his sensei. He was talking something but Kakashi couldn't hear what. The only thing the Copy nin managed to do was point at the building and whisper.
"She was inside."
His eyes closed and his body fell completely in Naruto's arms. The young Jinchuuriki placed gently his sensei on the ground where Hinata was kneeling and preparing to give him first aid. The blond boy's eyes reddened, amplifying the whiskers on his face, and he rushed to the burning building in rage.
Just in time wooden belts pinned him in one place, preventing him from doing something reckless and unreasonable...
TBC