Disclaimer: We don't own, Kishimoto does.
Warning: A little angsty with hints of teacher/student relations.
Author's Babble: Konnichiwa mina! Been a while hasn't it? Sorry for disappearing off the face of but some things cannot be avoided. Either way we're back with installment number twelve of the Shinobi Chronicles. This one is different from the other chapters mainly because it is a three character concoction rather than our standard single or double character stories. Sin randomly generated it by using the semi-foolproof twenty-sided die rolling technique that we used to create the earlier NaruIno and HinaLee ficlets.
Sin: So, be happy and enjoy!
Scorn: Don't forget to drop us a comment and/or challenge when you finish!
Into
The Arms of Another
Kakashi
& Sakura & Kiba
He watched her go, silent and composed as a statue. He remained indifferent as he watched Sakura's green eyes brighten and her bottom lip quiver helplessly when he told her there was no "us" anymore; it was over. The Great Copycat Ninja, Hatake Kakashi was a genius in many fields; manoeuvres, strategies, techniques, if it had to with anything shinobi he was an expert almost instantly. However, when emotions were involved, as they usually found some way to interfere with business, he didn't know how best to act. Love was never a part of the job description.
Sakura fled shortly after, wounded and broken, retreating to some niche of the world where she could heal. At least that was what Kakashi thought, hoped, as his student –his angel- escaped down the darkened village street.
Days past in mock serenity and still no sign of the pink kunoichi… not since that night. Kakashi wasn't in the least surprised. A painful plan was executed that night. It was the only solution, the Jounin had decided, the only way to save her from a fruitless engagement, but even now, Kakashi could still hear the shattering of Sakura's heart like that of delicate china dropping on the floor.
The image this sound conjured, the image of her beautiful face, flushed and stained with painful tears, completely devastated Kakashi's insides.
Kakashi never wanted to hurt her, but their unexpected relationship, their love, had to be stopped. He had to let her go before he couldn't bear the pain of life without her smiling face. Too late. His soul had attached itself to her the instant their lips first touched in a kiss… The first time his head swam as she whispered, "I love you".
Although there was little hope for him, Kakashi took solace in the thought that at least Sakura still had a chance. She was young and still a subject of the whims of change. She still had many brighter years lain out at her feet; Kakashi felt it deep in his bones. Yes, Sakura could, no, will find love and be happy in the arms of another who could give her the affection angels deserve.
And she did…
Kakashi didn't know when Sakura had first emerged from the protection of her hole in the wall, but he felt relieved to see her in the daylight once again, even if it was from the respectable distance that only a rooftop could provide. Her fingers were interlocked in the hand of another, he noticed, one of Kurenai's charges if he wasn't mistaken, the wolf child, Inuzuka Kiba.
He smiled, though sadly.
Kakashi wished he was the lucky soul holding her hand down there in the busling maket street below. He wished he had had the courage to face the scrutinizing stares of the village and taken their love out of the dark and into the light. Hatake Kakashi wished he had done many things, but, in the end, wishing only proved his own weakness. He had reverted to a snivelling boy thinking all his problems would simply go away if he wished hard enough.
Sakura deserved a man, someone strong enough to love her, protect her, and make her the happiest woman in the world. Kakashi was not that man, but he could do her one final –if not the only- act of dignity. He opened up and released her from his arms.
Kakashi watched her leave his embrace with a leaden heart, watched her wander through the world and finally into the arms of another. And in the arms of another she would remain.
Owari
Additional Author's Babble: So, how was it? It only took me, Sin, twenty minutes to compose so it might be a little on the crappy side. Anyway, thank you guys for the reviews in our absence and you should see a new chapter within the next week or so, Perhaps sooner since we're half way through writing it.
Scorn: All that means if you review we'll be encouraged to get it up sooner.
