Sorry about the long wait, though I did warn you it would be a while. :) Next one shouldn't (hopefully) take quite so long. Hope you enjoy!
A massive thank you once again to my two fabulous betas, ScaryRei and Shy Tan'ith. I can't even begin to describe how helpful you guys have been and how grateful I am for your input.
Disclaimer: See chapter 1.
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You Gotta Go There To Come Back
Chapter 10: Maybe Tomorrow
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So maybe tomorrow
I'll find my way home
- Maybe Tomorrow by Stereophonics
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Sakura pouted as she looked around her new home. She'd only been there a measly two weeks and she already had to leave on tour. She trailed her fingers along the massive iron fireplace in one of her living areas and sighed. "I won't be seeing you for a while, big boy." The singer shook her head at her own silliness with a little laugh. "I'm talking to my fireplace. I have lost my mind." She grabbed her travel pack, made one last sweep of the manor to make sure everything was locked up and headed outside to join the caravan.
Koji stopped chatting with Hiro to smile brightly at the young woman as she emerged. "Are you ready?"
Hesitantly, Sakura nodded. "I'm a little nervous because of the large scale of the show, but I trust everyone involved in this hoopla and I know we'll be fine."
"'Hoopla'?" The manager shook his head with a fond smile. "Hiro and I will meet up with you guys in two weeks. We've got a ton of meetings to attend. But once you hit Earth Country, we'll be there with you!"
The two engaged in a friendly hug and Sakura smiled brightly at him before giving Hiro the same treatment. "See you then!" She grabbed the massive hand offered by Makoto as he helped her into her wagon.
Koji frowned as the multiple wagons headed out of sight. He would much rather be with Sakura on her tour. It was sure to be more interesting than board meetings and appointments with other clients, but duty called and he had to answer.
Hiro chuckled as he looked over at his friend. "You still have it bad for her."
"Shut up, Hiro. Maybe the relationship wasn't a great one, but Sakura and I are both to blame for that. I knew she was in love with someone else and still pursued her. She tried to let me in further than she was truly willing to go. And the end result wasn't pretty. But you've got to admit, she's still an amazing person and if ever given the chance, I'd love to try again with her."
Hiro shook his curly mop of hair. "You need to take a page from my book and just get laid."
The glare Koji shot him caused the handsome producer to burst out in uncontrollable guffaws.
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Kakashi stopped to pull on his cloak as the air around him dropped in temperature. The knowledge that he was getting close to Sakura caused a silly grin to cross his face and his speed increased slightly as he resumed his journey. 'It's been four years since I saw her last, almost five. I wonder if she still feels the same way as she did when she left. I wonder how she'll react to seeing me.' His mind continued to spew random thoughts concerning the pink-headed kunoichi as he got closer and closer to Snow.
The boat between the small country along Fire's northeast border and Snow would be quicker than traveling on foot along the water's edge. His eye creased as he smiled beneath his mask. He was only a few hours at most from the boat docks and if he hurried, he would be able to catch the day's final boat. With another grin and more motivation, his speed picked up again as he raced through the treetops.
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Sakura gave a loud yawn as they packed up to head out of Snow and into Lightning. She was thankful they were only doing one show in her 'adoptive' home country before heading out. There would be numerous shows to close out the tour in Snow, but Sakura was looking forward to some warmer weather.
"That was one hell of a show, Sakura!" Hajime ran up and embraced the exhausted celebrity. "I've never seen you so on fire." He waved his hands dramatically, unable to talk without using them, literally. Sakura had told him to sit on his hands one time while he spoke and the man couldn't get the words out unless he stuttered, much to Sakura's amusement. "The love songs were downplayed and emotional, the pop songs had the best dance moves and energy I've seen and the rock songs, which I worried about, were amazing! You growling and belting it out and just giving the crowd pure music instead of all the spectacle that came with the pop portion was refreshing."
Sakura eyed the wound up man with a questioning look. "What are you after, sweetie? You're normally not this nice."
"Why, Sakura! How could you?" Hajime managed to look wounded, but Sakura wasn't buying.
"Yes, yes, I'm an evil bitch. Now, what did you want?"
Hajime smiled sweetly at her with a little giggle. He loved Sakura's 'I'm exhausted' cursing. "Well, there was this yummy little piece of man flesh that I met tonight and I was wondering when exactly we were leaving."
"I knew it, you little whore!" Sakura laughed brightly and the man next to her joined in, agreeing with her.
"I am a whore, aren't I?" He gave a shrug. "Oh well. If the shoe fits, right?" Hajime smiled brightly again, white teeth sparkling at her while his dimples appeared on his cheeks. "So?"
Green eyes closed as she sighed. "You little shit. You smiled like that on purpose."
"What good is my killer smile if it doesn't allow me to get my way sometimes?"
"Pompous ass." Sakura sighed again. "We're not leaving until tomorrow morning, but early morning. So we need you here before sunrise, Hajime."
"Understood." He got up to leave after hugging his friend again. "I'm off to have some fun!"
"Hajime?" He turned and Sakura smiled at him again. "Be careful, sweetie."
He rushed back over to kiss her on the forehead. "Love you!"
"Love you, too!"
All Sakura's thoughts of heading home after the tour were becoming increasingly difficult. She did love her new friends and the thought of leaving them, especially after they invested so much of themselves into her career seemed cruel. But she loved Konoha, too. That had always been home, her friends there more family than friends, and the man she still loved and pined for was there. Maybe her image of him had warped slightly as Temari suggested it would, but she wouldn't know until she returned and found out for herself.
Sakura's emotions and thoughts had become more tangled and complicated during the past few months and as she watched Hajime leave, she began to wonder what it would be like if he was walking away for good. How would she handle it when that day came? Could she handle it? She got up to find Shingo to escort her to the hotel, leaving the road crew to finish breaking down and packing up the sets on their own. As she curled under the covers and gave into her exhaustion and confusion, she fell into an uneasy and restless sleep.
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Kakashi was practically skipping he was so excited. There was a bounce in his step that was absent for years and a twinkle in his eye that rarely showed through. He hurried through the streets of Snow, expertly maneuvering to Koyuki's palace. Luckily for Sakura, the man was moving with tunnel vision, so excited to see her that he missed the posters and billboards advertising the tour and the movies she had recently starred in.
The guards at the gate remembered him from the mission years ago when Team Seven had returned the Feudal Lord to her rightful place in Snow Country, which was fortunate for the Copy Ninja. After hearty greetings, Kakashi was allowed through without any trouble.
Feeling giddier as he got closer and closer to the palace doors, Kakashi rapped on the massive structures happily, eye creasing in anticipation. His heart raced and his palms began to sweat for that breathless moment as he waited for the doors to open.
One large door swung open and he watched Koyuki grow pale and a stricken look overtake her features as she recognized him. He noticed the man next to her was the same one from Sakura's pictures and unconsciously sized up his competition. The man he remembered to be Koji took in Koyuki's expression and just looked at Kakashi confused. Before any words could be exchanged, Koyuki slowly closed the door in Kakashi's face, a few locks clicking securely into place on the other side.
Kakashi stared at the door, feeling just as baffled as Koji had looked a moment before. He scratched the back of his head in confusion before his excellent hearing picked up the voices on the other side. He pressed his ear against the thick door, but still had no luck deciphering the actual words they were saying.
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Koji eyed Koyuki strangely as she hurried him a little ways from the door.
"That's Sakura's mystery man!"
Koji's eyes widened impossibly. "WHAT?!"
Koyuki made a shushing noise and waved her hands for him to keep it down. "That's the man that Sakura is in love with!"
"Why does Sakura know so many freakin' ninja?! Doesn't she have any normal friends?!" Koji was feeling a little put out after seeing the fit and trim shinobi that had stolen the heart of the woman he still loved.
Koyuki looked around panicked, seemingly trying to find an escape route. "That's for Sakura to explain."
Koji's eyes narrowed. "You're not telling me something." The feudal lord wasn't one to lose her cool and the fact that she was definitely losing it now caused tons of questions to form in the intelligent man's mind.
"I've known Sakura a long time, Koji. Much longer than you've known her, so obviously there are things I know that you don't. But those things are for her to tell you, not me."
Koji continued to glare at Koyuki, but she merely turned to head back to the door. "Wait here. And do not tell him what Sakura is doing now. She has her reasons for keeping her new job a secret."
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The door opened again and Kakashi lifted one elegant eyebrow as Koyuki stepped out onto her front deck and spoke quietly to him. "I'm sorry about earlier, Kakashi-san. I was just shocked to see you is all. What brings you here?"
"I was hoping to visit Sakura." His eye crinkled in the normal disarming fashion and Koyuki wrung her hands.
"What makes you think she's here?" The smile she gave was strained at best.
"She sent me a birthday present and the return address was on the box." Kakashi smiled brightly once again. "So, can I see Sakura?"
"It's probably best if you come inside for a while. But be forewarned, no one here except for me knows about Sakura's ninja status. Since she isn't traveling as a ninja, she decided to keep it secret for everyone's safety."
Kakashi nodded. "I see. Makes sense."
Koyuki opened the door again and motioned for Kakashi to follow her inside. "Kakashi-san, may I introduce Tanaka Koji. Koji, this is Hatake Kakashi, an old friend of Sakura's."
The two shook hands and Kakashi squeezed just a little bit. An alpha-male sort of thing to do, yes, but he was jealous as hell that this man had touched his little Cherry Blossom intimately and he intended to show him who was more man.
Koji smiled tightly, but much to his credit didn't emit a single sound of pain. Impressive for a slightly out-of-shape civilian. "Nice to meet you, Hatake-san. So you know Sakura?"
"Yes, I've known Sakura since she was twelve." His eye crinkled slightly, the smile under his mask smug.
"How did you meet her, Hatake-san?"
"We lived in the same village and seemed to have mutual acquaintances. Our friendship developed naturally from that. How about you, Tanaka-san?" Kakashi kept from his normal slouch, standing straight and tall, which made him quite a bit taller than the other man.
"I initially spotted her in Sand. She was at a nightclub with the Kazekage's sister and I thought she was beautiful. Later on, I ran into her again in Earth Country and we started talking. She ended up settling here for a while." Koji smiled smugly back at Kakashi and the shinobi felt his hand twitch in a desire to punch the man in front of him.
Koyuki stayed silent, feeling the testosterone and the tension in the air rising. Seriously, were they having a battle over Sakura without really saying anything directly? The two were undeniably attractive and the princess wanted to pout at the injustice of it all. She wanted two hot guys to verbally spar over her!
Kakashi glared at Koji for a moment and the smaller man glared back, not backing down from the ninja in front of him. Finally, Kakashi turned to address Koyuki. "Koyuki-hime, is Sakura available? May I speak to her?"
"Well, Sakura isn't here." She spoke slowly, measuring her words. "She's gone off to travel some more and I don't know where she is."
Kakashi sighed. "Damn it! I was really looking forward to seeing her again." There was something the Feudal Lord wasn't telling him, but he played it off. The princess was too wound up and on guard to let anything slip at the moment. He would find out later.
Koyuki smiled warmly. "I'm sure she would have loved to see you, too. If I see her again, I'll tell her you stopped by. She'll be disappointed that she missed you." She sighed slightly as if a weight had been lifted. "Would you like to stay for a few days before heading back to Konoha?"
"That would be wonderful, Koyuki-hime. Thank you."
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Sakura stepped off the stage in a western village in Lightning after her encore to thunderous applause. She giggled and laughed with her dancers and back-up singers, all of them high on adrenaline after the show. As they all made their way back to the dressing rooms, Sakura parted ways with them. "I'll see you guys later. We need to pack up and get going so we aren't late to our next venue!"
The rest of the girls turned the corner in the hallway and Sakura's smile fell. The chakra on the other side of the door was unmistakable. Darker and more sinister than when she had felt it last, but that was definitely someone she knew in there. She took a deep breath before opening the door calmly and entering, shucking the shoes and gloves she was wearing as she smiled slightly at her visitor.
"Sasuke. It's good to see you again."
Sasuke smirked at her from his position against the wall, obsidian eyes watching her every move. As long as his eyes remained black, she was safe. "Sakura." He waited a moment and then cocked his head slightly. "No tears or claims of love?"
Sakura shrugged her shoulders. "I've grown up, Sasuke. A few years after you left, I realized I had been in love with the boy I made you out to be, not who you really were. I didn't know you enough to love the real you."
The condescending smirk slipped from his features as he regarded her thoughtfully. "Aren't you going to beg me to return to Konoha?"
Sakura stared at him blankly. "Why would I beg you to return when they would execute you for treason? Frankly, I would rather know that you're out there somewhere alive, than in Konoha awaiting your death. Traitor or not, we were once teammates and friends, Sasuke. You can say you've broken those bonds all you want, but you can't change the way Naruto and I see you nor can you change how much we miss and love you."
Sasuke tilted his head again as he looked at her curiously. "You have changed, Sakura. If it weren't for the pink hair, I would swear I was talking to someone else."
Sakura smiled a tiny smile at him before sitting in one of the chairs in the dressing room. She gestured for Sasuke to do the same and waited until he was seated before speaking again. "Water?"
The young man waved his hand in a negative gesture while Sakura took a sip from her own bottle. "Why are you here, Sasuke?"
"I saw the billboards promoting your tour. I was curious. What made you change your lifestyle? Did you finally figure out you weren't fit to be a kunoichi?" His smile was condescending and Sakura's temper was ignited.
"I'll have you know I'm a very skilled medic and a jounin." Her jaw ticked as she ground her teeth in an effort to stay her rising anger. "It would be wise not to make me angry, Uchiha. One finger could knock you through this wall. Imagine if I used my whole fist."
Sasuke let out a small snort. "So you're still a ninja then. What are you doing with all of this?" He opened his arms to indicate the dressing room and concert hall and Sakura sighed, her anger deflating.
"I had to get out of the village for a while. I had thrown myself whole-heartedly into training and my medic studies, so I had no life outside of my duties. I had no interests or hobbies to speak of, so I wanted to get out and find myself. And then there was the Kakashi issue..." she trailed off, but her former obsession's interest was peaked.
"What about Kakashi?"
"I fell in love with him. And it isn't like it was with you. I truly know him. I know his quirks and bad habits, I know his favorite food, his favorite color, all sorts of little trivial tidbits. I know why he's habitually late and the reason he has a sharingan. I know a few things about his old team and I've heard some old stories about his days in ANBU. I know him and I love him. I was only 16 when I figured it out and it hurt to be around him and not be able to say anything about my feelings. So leaving then was a good idea." She paused to take a deep breath. "I feel much better about myself now and I'm an adult. So when I return, I can finally say what I want to say."
Sasuke was truly looking at her for the first time. He was finally seeing Sakura as she was, not just a manifestation of the annoying twelve-year-old he remembered. "You really are different now."
Sakura nodded with a small smile. "It was nice talking to you, Sasuke. But you should leave before someone finds you here and causes a fuss. They don't know I'm a ninja and I'd rather keep it that way. It keeps them safer."
Sasuke stood and lifted a hand to wave good-bye but was stopped by Sakura's tight hug. He awkwardly patted her head and she giggled. "You're a terrible hugger, Sasuke." With a lopsided smile, she pecked him on the cheek. "Be safe."
He vanished from her dressing room and Sakura sighed. His appearance didn't provoke any trepidation or uneasiness from her. He hadn't made any moves to harm her and he gave no indication that he had sinister intentions. The knowledge that he had no desire to hurt her was a huge relief. It would have been all too easy for him to attack her and win since she was tired after performing and out of practice as a kunoichi. She also realized that there was no ache in her chest or clench in her stomach as he left. She was truly over the avenger and that was a great weight lifted from her conscious. She felt better after seeing him. It gave her just a bit more closure. She had said her piece and had told him that a return to Konoha would result in his death. It was odd to see him out of the blue, but nice all the same. With a spring in her step and a relieved smile on her face, she bounced off to shower.
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Kakashi had planned to follow Koji, after hearing the man say he was going to meet Sakura, but Koyuki had stalled him at the palace. After giving the seemingly inept dog trainers a few tips, over and over, he knew something was up. The men were experts in their field. They wouldn't be in the service of a feudal lord if they weren't.
Once he was able to leave the palace, he tried to track where Koji had gone. His search led him to the train station, but he was unable to decipher from there which direction the man had taken. He cursed and hoped he could track the smell of the burning coal. However, the train station was a busy one and there had been a few trains to leave within the past couple of hours.
Feeling frustrated and defeated, Kakashi knew he had no way to find out where Sakura was now. He headed back to Konoha, pissed as hell.
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The gears in Koji's head kept turning as he and Hiro traveled to meet up with Sakura. There was something she was hiding from him. She knew way too many ninjas for any normal civilian. Plus, Koyuki pretty much told him there was something that only Sakura could tell him.
He had every intention of finding out what was going on. The trick would be finding the perfect time to ask her.
As the train screeched to a halt, Koji looked out the window and noticed Makoto and Shingo with a pretty brunette between them. When he stepped off the train and the young woman smiled, he shook his head in amusement. He gave her a friendly hug as she jumped at him. "Sakura, people are starting to recognize Makoto and Shingo. You need to travel with some different bodyguards or people are going to know it's you. The wig won't make a difference." He playfully tugged at a lock of the brown hair.
Sakura waved him off after giving Hiro a bone-crushing hug. "Oh, shush. I walked here with Daisuke. The three of us just stood here together."
"There's no reasoning with you, is there?"
When Sakura just beamed at him, he chuckled. "Whatever. Let's get you to the venue. You have a concert in four hours."
Koji eyed Sakura from the corner of his eye as they made their way down Earth Country's monochromatic streets. "Something on your mind, Koji?"
With a sigh, Koji figured if she opened the door, he may as well walk through it. "I met someone while at Koyuki's palace."
"Oh?"
"Hatake Kakashi." Koji watched as Sakura froze in mid-step. The color drained from her face, her whole body began to tremble and her eyes widened. Hiro watched the exchange with interest. He didn't know what they were talking about, but after seeing Sakura's reaction he knew it would be juicy.
She brought one trembling hand to her mouth as she whispered, "Kakashi-sensei?"
"SENSEI?!"
Seeming to snap out of a trance, Sakura cursed as she looked at Koji's disbelieving face. "Why the hell are you calling a ninja 'sensei', Sakura?"
The young woman shot a panicked look between her producer and manager, both with wide-eyed looks on their faces. This would either end the friendships she had built or remove the layer of deceit, allowing her to feel better. "It's a long story. Please believe me when I tell you it was in everyone's best interest that I kept my previous profession secret. Can I explain when we get to the venue? Earth and Fire aren't exactly allies and I don't want to cause trouble for any of you or myself."
Koji looked at Sakura as if she was a stranger to him and it caused her heart to flip. "Please don't judge me until I explain, Koji."
"I'll keep an open mind. But this is huge, Sakura."
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Sakura wished this conversation could have waited until they were in Wind Country. If they were there, at least she could have some friends present who knew the real her. Temari, Kankuro and Gaara would be a great wall of support. If the people traveling with her reacted badly, she would end up alone with no one to comfort her after losing such great friends.
The entire group that was traveling with the ninja-turned-celebrity scrunched themselves into her dressing room so she could tell them all at once about her true identity.
"This is hard for me to say and let me assure you all before I begin that what I did was for your safety. Knowing who I was could put you all and myself at risk." She took a deep breath. "Before becoming a singer, I was a kunoichi of Konoha. I am a medical ninja of jounin rank, apprenticed to the Godaime Hokage herself.
"Almost five years ago, I was a lonely chuunin with nothing better to do on my Friday nights than study some medical ninjutsu. I had buried myself in training and work so much that I had no social life and no hobbies. I had friends, but working at the hospital in addition to my mission work kept me from seeing them. I started to think I needed to leave the village for a while. I wanted to see who I was beneath the ninja exterior, to find some hobbies and interests that didn't have to do with strategies and jutsu."
The next part would be difficult and personal, but they deserved to hear all of it. "I also fell in love with my former sensei. I thought maybe it was a crush and it would fade, but it only deepened and the knowledge that I loved someone 14 years my senior who couldn't see me as a woman at the time, was heartbreaking. I was 16 and he was 30, not exactly an acceptable match. That was the catalyst that led me to ask Tsunade-shishou for permission to leave.
"I was going to travel the world for a while, figure myself out and head home. I didn't expect to meet wonderful, new friends and be invited into this lifestyle that I adore. I met Koji while traveling between Wind and Earth and everything clicked into place from there. I love this life, I love all of you. But my true home and my true calling in life, are Konoha and being a ninja. The day will come when I need to walk away from this and return there. It doesn't mean our friendships will end, but we won't see each other as often as we do now. It's going to break my heart, but I needed to be truthful with all of you."
Sakura bowed at the waist towards the people listening intently. "I'm so very sorry for my deception. I understand if you all feel the need to leave and hate me for what I've done. But please know before you go, that I do love you and I adore each and every one of you. That is the truth and nothing can change how much you all mean to me."
As she finished her story, she straightened and closed her eyes to await their rejections. She expected to hear accusations and curses, people telling her they couldn't be around someone who lied like she did. She thought she'd hear shuffling and then open her eyes to an empty dressing room. But when she felt multiple sets of warm arms surrounding her, her eyes snapped open to see what was going on. She certainly didn't expect the group hug or the sniffles coming from some of the women she worked with.
"Sakura sweetie, it doesn't matter if you come from outer space. We all cherish you and your friendship. And as long as that amazing person we've come to know is really you, then we don't care. We love who you are on the inside, not what you do." One of the dancers tapped her on the sternum and Sakura's throat closed.
"You can't imagine what a relief that is. I thought I'd open my eyes and be alone after the whopper I told."
"Oh, posh. Who would call me a 'whore' if you left? I need you to keep me in line." Hajime winked at her and Sakura laughed.
Hiro came closer and smiled at her, hoping to lighten her mood a little more. "Well now that we know you're a medical ninja, I've got this killer scratch on my arm that I need you to heal."
Sakura smacked him on the arm playfully before rolling up the indicated sleeve. "Seriously? This?"
Hiro pouted at her before glancing down at the 'scratch'. The skin wasn't even completely broken, just scraped. "What? It hurts, okay?"
"You big baby." Her glowing hand hovered over the tiny pink line and after a few seconds she pulled away, revealing perfect skin.
Koji shook his head, still a little stunned over the whole thing. "I didn't truly believe you until I saw it with my own eyes. That was amazing."
Sakura blushed as she made another confession. "Didn't you ever wonder why my voice never gave out?"
Hiro whipped his head around to look at her. "Now that you mention it..."
Sakura sighed. "I was channeling medical chakra to my throat every night to soothe and heal it."
Makoto grinned at her slyly. "Well, I'll be damned. Tell me something. Are you only good with medical things or are you perfectly capable of defending yourself?"
"Well, I can't demonstrate anything here. But as I said, I was trained by the Godaime of Konoha herself. Medical jutsu and super-strength, I got it all from her."
Koji cocked his head at her. "I thought you said Kakashi was your sensei."
"He was for the first six months of my ninja career. But he didn't have the same set of skills that I have. He and I just weren't a good match as teacher and student. His strengths are taijutsu and ninjutsu. My strengths are genjutsu and medical jutsu."
There were excited murmurs as everyone agreed they wanted to see Sakura in action. The young woman giggled as she listened to their outlandish predictions of what she could do. She turned to Koji with a small smile. "Hey, Koji?"
"Hm?"
"We have a one month vacation planned after we close out Wind Country, right?"
"Why do you ask?"
"I think it's about time I went home."
Koji frowned and Sakura giggled. "Not for good. But there are some people I miss dearly and I think you all would like to meet."
Koji's worried face melted into a smile. "As you wish, Sakura."
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Kakashi frowned as he stormed back into Konoha, well ahead of his one-month deadline. All his hopes of seeing and speaking to Sakura had been dashed. And worst of all, it was civilians that outsmarted him. Well, not exactly 'outsmarted', he knew what they were up to all along. He just couldn't stop them.
He stomped up the steps in the Hokage Tower and knocked a tad harshly on Tsunade's door.
The woman on the other side frowned at the forceful knock before giving the call to enter. She eyed Kakashi as he stepped in and then frowned at him. "Knock on my door like that again and I'll do the same to your head, kid. What do you want?"
"Just wanted to let you know I was back."
Tsunade took in the stiff posture and unhappy look in his dark eye and made a motion for him to sit. Once he sank into the chair, he relaxed and instead of looking angry, he looked like a lost puppy. "Okay, so what happened and why are you back early?"
Kakashi knew he was going to get in trouble for this one, but couldn't lie to his superior. He could, it just wasn't a good idea with something like this. Excuses for tardiness, fine. This, not so fine. "I saw Sakura's return address on the birthday present she sent me. You forgot to remove it. So, I went to Snow to visit her."
Tsunade began to smirk behind her clasped hands. She knew damn well Sakura was on tour and that the reason for the young man's sour mood was that he didn't get to see her apprentice. "You went to find Sakura after I specifically told you to leave her alone five years ago?"
"Yes."
"Well, I know you failed in your attempt. She isn't there anymore. However, I'm still upset that you deliberately did something I told you not to do. After your vacation, I'm keeping you off the roster for one week. No missions, no pay."
"I understand." Frankly, it was better than the punishment he thought he would receive. Tsunade was either in a good mood or didn't really care. Either way, he wasn't about to complain.
"Very well. Go home and get some rest. And cheer up. You look like someone kicked your puppy."
Kakashi chuckled slightly as he opened the door to the office.
"Oh and Hatake?"
Kakashi turned to regard the woman curiously.
"She's fine. I received her latest letter yesterday. She misses you and the brat."
Kakashi's smile widened before he left the office.
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Sakura's smile glittered brightly as she joyfully embraced the Sand siblings. After a lot of squealing and chattering and general noisiness, Sakura looked at them happily. Her eyes sparkled as she clapped in excitement. "Once we close out this leg of the tour, I'm going home!"
Temari's eyes widened, a little shocked that the time had finally come. "Sakura, that's great! Are you staying or just to visit?"
"I'm only going to visit, but damn can you believe how amazing that will be? I can see Yamato and Sai and Ino and Naruto and Ka-" a sob broke out "Kakashi! Not to mention everyone else!" She swiped at a happy tear that had welled up in her eye. "I still have an obligation to finish the tour. I don't want to abandon all the people who have given so much to make my career a success. But they do know that most likely, my career is ending after this tour."
Kankuro frowned. "Couldn't you do both? You're such a talented singer it seems a waste to not use that gift."
Sakura laughed. "Thanks for the compliment. But do you know how busy being a medical ninja is? Not only do I have my hospital rounds but mission work as well. I just don't know when I would fit singing into that. Unless I took a few years in between releases."
Gaara smiled a small smile at the beautiful woman. "Whatever you decide, we're with you all the way, Sakura."
Temari's grin turned sly. "So, are you going to tell Kakashi what a hot piece of ass you think he is?"
Sakura's face flamed as she sputtered. "T-Temari!"
The older woman laughed before imitating Sakura. "Oh, Kakashi! You're so hot! Do any of your 1,000 jutsu involve taking off your pants?"
"TEMARI!" Sakura's blush was so fierce that she could feel herself sweating. "You wicked woman! Shut up!" As her blush faded, she smirked. "Think that last line would work?"
To the pink-headed woman's surprise, even Gaara snickered at that one.
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The tour was such a huge affair that time in between venues was a long period. It would be Sakura's 21st birthday before they were in Konoha, but she was happy about that. She could spend her last landmark birthday with the people she had known since childhood.
She penned a letter to Tsunade, telling the older woman about her plans. The reply note from the Hokage merely contained three words written in huge, bold letters. 'IT'S ABOUT TIME!'
Sakura laughed merrily as she read the note and then a bout of panic struck as she raced to find Hajime and her other stylists. She burst into the backstage area her team was lounging around in before it was time to get her ready. "I need help!"
The startled stylists looked up at her in surprise. Her clothing stylist got up to soothe the obviously rattled singer. "What's wrong, honey?" The older woman placed a calming hand on Sakura's tense shoulder.
"Well, you all know that we're heading to Konoha to do a couple shows during the vacation. You know that's my hometown and you know that the man I'm in love with will be there. I mean, you guys make me look great anyway, but a little extra couldn't hurt, right?" Sakura looked at the confused faces. "Maybe we could pick out my best clothes and do something different with my hair, things like that."
Hajime gave a whoop of excitement. "MAKEOVER!!"
And that was how Sakura found herself being dragged to a spa during an off day one week before their scheduled arrival in Konoha. "What exactly are they going to do here, Hajime?"
"Oh, honey you are going to love it! There are these amazing massages they give, plus the facials and waxing. Maybe a mud or seaweed wrap. Then we can get you a manicure and pedicure. Oh, you'll just love it!" He squealed happily, excited to be going with her and Sakura giggled at him.
"I think you're going to love it just as much, if not more."
"Oh I know I will."
The duo spent the entire day being pampered and Sakura left feeling much better. The tension had been rubbed from her muscles, her nails were shaped and painted a beautiful deep gray, almost black. Her hair and skin felt soft and silky. Her legs had been waxed and would remain smooth for the next month. It was a wonder Ino had never bullied her into going to a spa before.
"That was well worth the money I spent, Hajime."
"I knew you'd feel that way, sweetie. Come on. Aya says she has some new outfits for you to look at and I'm ready to play with that hair of yours."
With a giggle, the two raced toward their hotel.
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The group was used to traveling at night since it was safer for Sakura. With most people asleep, she didn't have to worry so much about fans. But tonight was different. The people down in the wagons watched in awe as the celebrity they worked for went jumping from tree to tree above them.
The wind raced through her hair and over her skin and she let out a few giggles. She felt free and happy and whole as her chakra filled her limbs and her muscles contracted and relaxed during her trek up high. The tall gates of her home village came into view and she hopped down to stop the caravan.
"Koji, take everyone to Takamura's Stables. Takamura-san has been informed of our late arrival, so he'll still be awake. The horses and wagons will have plenty of room there and there is a nice hotel next to it. It isn't as fancy as the ones we're used to, but it's one of the nicer ones in Konoha. We're not exactly a tourist destination." She smiled apologetically at the people who had become accustomed to the high life.
Koji nodded. "How do we get there?"
"Turn left as soon as you get checked in at the gate. The stables are at the very end of that road. You can't miss them. The hotel is the only building next to it. I'll have to check in with Tsunade-shishou and probably end up staying with her."
Hiro frowned. "You're abandoning us?"
"Oh, don't think about it like that! This woman is like a second mother to me and I haven't seen her in five years! She and I have a lot of catching up to do." She smiled brightly and the rest of the group had to smile right back. Sakura was excited and radiating happiness. It was easy for her excitement to rub off on the rest of them.
"I'll send for you guys tomorrow so you can meet Tsunade-shishou. I just don't want people seeing me until I'm ready. Good night, everyone!" Sakura took off at breakneck speed and the people she had come to love could only watch in rapt fascination at the dust cloud she left behind.
Koji blinked a few times in surprise before turning to the driver of the first wagon. "You heard the lady. Off to the stables!"
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Sakura bypassed the check-in gate, slipping by easily as she flew over the wall. She raced along the rooftops as fast as she could, heading directly for Hokage Tower. She smiled softly, her eyes watering a little as she passed Ichiraku, picturing her blond friend slurping up noodles. She passed the hospital and felt homesick as she looked into the lit up windows. She saw the window to Tsunade's personal quarters come into view and smiled teasingly.
She landed on the balcony outside and knocked softly on the window.
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Tsunade paced her room as she waited for Sakura to arrive. She knew the young woman was due to arrive that night and was certain she would seek her out. When she heard a soft tap on her window, her heart jumped into her throat and she smiled in excitement. She pushed the curtain back slightly and was a little worried when she saw a figure covered in a black cloak perched on her balcony.
The figure lifted its head and forest green eyes twinkled happily at her, strands of pink hair framing the face. Tsunade yanked the curtain back the rest of the way and suffocated the young woman in a crushing hug as she pulled her into the room. "SAKURA!!"
"Shishou, I'm so glad to see you! How have you been?"
The Hokage rolled her eyes. "The brat and Hatake have been pains in my ass since you left. They've been in here every other week to hear what's going on with you. I haven't told them anything of course, but they've been here. They even tried to steal the letters once since they knew I wasn't telling them everything!" She smiled fondly before muttering 'idiots' under her breath.
Sakura grew silent and worried her lip between her teeth before asking. "H-how are they?"
"They're just fine, Sakura. Hatake drove us all crazy until he was released from the hospital, but you know what a terrible patient he can be. And Naruto hasn't had anything overly interesting happen. Well, except for dating the Hyuuga girl."
"He and Hinata are dating?! Finally?!"
Tsunade giggled at her apprentice's awestruck expression. "The girl finally worked up the courage to tell him a few months ago. They've been taking it slow, but they're incredibly cute together. I'm pretty sure they'll be married within a year or two."
Sakura giggled and then yawned right after. "Damn. Sorry about that."
Tsunade waved it off. "No worries. Everyone is in town, just like you requested. It wasn't hard since missions are scarce lately. The Sand siblings are due in town tomorrow. And the pub has been closed for 'renovations'." Sakura giggled at the air quotes and the way Tsunade said it.
"Thank you, Shishou. It means a lot to me."
"Now, do you mind telling me what all this is about? I know why you wanted everyone here in town, but why close the pub and then hold a mandatory meeting for those closest to you in three days?"
Sakura smirked slyly. "I plan on announcing my arrival with style. Here's what I want to do."
Tsunade's honey-colored eyes widened and twinkled as she listened to Sakura. "Consider it done."
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A/N: So, yeah. Transitional, but I had to set the stage for the next chapter, which should be a pretty good one (fingers crossed) if I can successfully write it the way I see it in my head. Reviews appreciated. Smooches!