Daydrinks In Paris
An xxKaaat Original
Chapter Twenty-Five
It took a total of four months for Sakura to leave her mother's house at her own leisure. No matter how many people Tsunade tried to surround Sakura with, she remained miserable. She spent her nights crying audibly from her room, and her days were spent by herself, locked away in her room. The only time she ever left, was to meet Temari somewhere. Whether that be for drinks or food, it was never just to spend time together.
It wasn't until Temari and Shikamaru's baby boy made his way into the world that Sakura finally began to change. From the moment Shikadai was born, Sakura spent every waking moment beside Temari, helping both her and Shikamaru with anything necessary. When the family could finally go home, Sakura found herself finally spending time alongside her mother and daughter. That was before she dropped sudden news upon them.
"I bought a house."
Tsunade's eyes widened. "What?" Her shock was more than visible.
The pinkette smiled, a genuine smile for the first time since her homecoming. "I want to make a family for myself, and that begins with being on my own." She sat back and crossed her arms. "I bought a penthouse, over in the center of the city and it's being flipped to exactly how I'd like it. Once that's done, I'll move all my things over there and…"
"Are you sure you're ready to do this?" Tsunade leaned across the bar and placed her hands atop her daughter's.
She nodded, her smile never faulting. "I've tortured myself enough these past few months, and I need to take care of myself mom. I want to do this, to give myself something to look forward to." Her voice cracked slightly. "I've been in a dark place, and I don't want to feel this way anymore. I'm ready to be myself again." A tear pooled in her eye, and she blinked it away quickly. "I'm more than ready to start dancing again."
The blonde woman sniffled, kissing Sakura's knuckles. "I have something to tell you." Sakura gripped her tightly, waiting for her to go on. "I'm giving the senior travel team to you."
The pinkette gaped. "What?" The Tap Shop's senior team was Tsunade's pride and joy. It was a team filled with dancers over the age of eighteen. It was a team who's spots were reauditioned for every season, and only the most prestigious dancers were accepted. The auditions every year brought thousands of senior dancers from across the country every year, and those who did dance paid a pretty penny. These dancers were the best of the best, with the flashiest costumes and most advanced routines. The thought of taking head of Tsunade's prized team sent her head whirling.
"I'm getting older, and I can't keep up the way I used to Sakura. Besides that, you're not just a hometown girl anymore. You're known world wide and you know what's modern and current." Tsunade's gaze fell. "You're more than qualified, and I know that you can do this. I know you'll take them farther than I ever could."
Before the blonde could go on, Sakura practically leapt across the bar to embrace her mother. "Mom, thank you so much." Tearfully she went on, "I promise to make you proud."
"Oh baby you already do make me so proud." The blonde held her tightly. "I've been so worried, but you need your space and I know that you needed to get through this on your own. I'm sorry I couldn't do more."
Pulling away, Sakura looked up to meet Tsuande's golden gaze. "You did everything, and I appreciate you so much.
This gift was more than enough to jumpstart Sakura back into the right direction. She went back to working out and running daily to keep in shape. When she wasn't choreographing, she was working with the company whom she'd hired to work on her house. As it came along, so did everything else.
Tsunade's golden rules for auditions were that the class instructor should never be there. She chose four senior dance captains and had them judge the auditioned based on her strict criteria. When auditions started, the dancers were more than shocked to see Tsunade among the four seniors who were judging. When she announced that Sakura would be teaching the senior team from here on out, the gymnasium thundered with applause. In total, two thousand six hundred and forty eight individuals came to compete for one of twenty five spots. By the end of day one, more than seven hundred had been cut.
Day two was rigorous. There were more tears than day one, but the number of dancers dwindled much quicker than day one. At lunch break, Tsunade asked Shizune for her favorite of the day so far. She couldn't lay a finger on one, claiming that every face seemed to mesh together. The other two captains agreed, not one of the dancers had left them breathless with their initial dance. Tsunade had always been known for her cutthroat approach. Each dancer comes in and gets thirty seconds to show of their talents, and if they didn't leave her wanting more, they were cut right then and there. She only wanted the best, and every single dancer yearned to be her best. The rest of the auditions after lunch passed rather quickly. The initial number was down to only one hundred, and those hundred would spend the next day competing for a spot.
They came hungry on day three. They were given two minute intervals now, and if their routine didn't catch Tsunade's eye within the first minute, they were cut. With a large portion of the dancers being female, the stakes were much lower for the men who were competing. Thirty men were competing for ten spots while the final thirty women were competing for the remaining fifteen. Yet, with more feminine dancers making their way before the blonde woman, she found herself eyeing a particular male dancer who left everything he had on the floor.
At the end of Kakashi Hatake's routine, Tsunade stood. She clapped, and smiled. Surprised by her reaction, the other captains followed suit. The grey haired man smiled, standing with perfect posture, his hands behind his back.
"Young man." Tsunade's voice was low, she aimed to intimidate him. "You are the single best dancer I have seen here in the last three days. You are guaranteed the first spot on our team." His eyes grew wide, and the woman eyed the remaining dancers. "Watch the way he performs, and learn from him. Not one of you compare." They hung their heads, and she turned back toward Kakashi. "You need to work on your technique, but your emotion and drive and hunger are what set you apart from the rest. Congratulations." With that, she sat back down.
After Kakashi, the rest of the spots filled according to those whose technicalities were better than others. Some of Sakura's own students made the cut, and some of them didn't. Eventually the calls were so close that Tsunade found herself choosing women who's heights coincided best with those whom had already been chosen. In all, the team came together much faster than she figured. When they all came together at the end of tryouts, they sat together and talked with Tsunade and the captains. They all meshed really well. With that, Tsunade egan scheduling private lessons for each member with corresponding captains who would best suit their areas of improvement. The catch was, the students wouldn't know who their coaches were until that coming Monday.
Bright and early at eight o'clock, Kakashi found himself anxiously waiting for his coach. Promptly at eight fifteen, Sakura Haruno came stumbling into the room. She smiled brightly, apologizing over and over. In a pile, she threw her jacket, purse and water bottle in a pile on the floor. Atop them, she placed a binder and her phone. She turned, taking a deep breath. Her pink hair was pulled into a bun on the top of her head, curly pink tendrils lined the sides of her head. Her emerald eyes were lined with thin black streak that stood out against her pale features. She wore a tight black sports bra, tight black shorts that fell just below her butt, and black jazz shoes.
"There were some issues with the wiring in my new house and I needed to go talk to the designers, but the traffic was awful coming back." She smiled, holding a hand out. Kakashi took it, smiling. "My mom's told me so much about you. It's nice to meet you, I'm Sakura." She didn't notice that his hand lingered just a little too long.
Kakashi smiled. His chiseled jaw crinkling slightly. "I'm Kakashi," He smirked. "But I already know who you are. And trust me, the pleasure is all mine." His remark caused the pinkette to smirk.
"Do you speak like this to all your instructors? Or are you just that cocky?" She turned, facing the mirror. When he didn't reply, she made her way toward her phone watching him intently. His cheeks flushed ever so slightly before he turned away. Grabbing the device, she plugged it into the speaker before them in the center of the mirrored wall. "Just because my mom sees potential doesn't mean I will." She pressed play, waiting for the music. "I make my students work for it." Once it started, she turned the music down, watching the man's face in the mirror as he was watching her again. "Just because I'm your personal coach doesn't mean I'll go easy on you when we start full team training."
His jaw clenched, his face showing slight annoyance. A cheery tune started, "Head underwater and you tell me to breathe easy for awhile."
Sakura took her spot next to him. "We'll start with a twenty minute stretch and slight cardio routine. After that, we'll take a look at the things your good at, the things you think you need to improve, and the things the captains made note of during tryouts." Her tone was firm, but her cheery expression did nothing to match it.
The pair didn't talk, instead taking in each other's movements while they stretched. The pinkette made not of Kakashi's frame. He wore a tight black tank top that left his muscular arms visible. His biceps tight and rather large. He wore a pair of shorts that held firm to his torso and thighs, and fanned out just slightly where they fell above his knees. His shoes matches Sakura's, only his were much more worn. As they stretched, he moved so fluidly, treating these warm ups as a routine. This slightly impressed the pinkette.
As he followed suit, leaning down to grip his left ankle, he couldn't help but smirk at the shorts which Sakura wore. They rose slightly, revealing the bottom of her right cheek. She really left nothing to the imagination, and he tried his best to push his hormonal thoughts away. Yet, the farther he followed her leg with his eyes, the more he noticed the bruises that lined the back of her inner knee. This caused him to frown slightly, wondering what could have damaged that perfect porcelain skin.
Slowly the pinkette stood back up. She raised her arms above her head before leaning backwards, falling into a perfectly formed bridge. Kakashi followed suit. Briskly, Sakura kicked up, holding herself in a headstand that the silver fox matched perfectly. After fifteen counts, she fell in the opposite direction, wrapping her arms around her calves, away from the mirror. Once again, her partner followed suit perfectly.
She smirked, and spoke just above the music. "So what brought you here?"
Unable to read her expression, the man scowled slightly. "Not to be cliche or anything, but you."
Ever so slowly, Sakura spread her legs to fall into a sideways split. Kakashi mirrored her. She looked toward him, trying desperately to read his expression. His obsidian gaze met hers. "You know, so many people have said that to me, even before Hinata's video." She sighed and face forward again. Her eyes fell slightly. "I never know how to take it."
Her reply wasn't what he'd been expecting. Her initial witty comebacks suddenly felt so far away. He watched her, feeling guilty. "I never knew my mom, and growing up I always liked to dance. My dad didn't like how feminine it was." Sakura changed from a sideways split to a straightforward stance, and he followed her movements. "He always wanted me to do sports, but dance just came to me so easily. I saw one of your first videos one day, your step by step tutorials you used to do." The pinkette giggled, and the tense air faded slowly. "I watched every single one, and kind of watched you grow up and get better. I'd watch every single one on repeat until I nailed the dance." He smirked, causing Sakura to eye him once again. "I learned every single thing I know from you."
Sakura smiled, her expression easing. She leaned back on her left thigh, stretching her right leg out and reaching toward her foot. Kakashi eyed her, and tried to mimic her movement. When he couldn't manage, she went back through the motion slowly, this time allowing him to match her. "What does your dad think now?"
His gaze fell. "My dad died last year." The pinkette gaped, unsure of what to say. "With his inheritance, I invited a few friends to move here with me, and I bought a house and waited for annual auditions to start again."
"Kakashi."
He smiled, looking back toward her again. "I came in a few times over the last few months, but I never saw you working. I thought you quit." He paused. "That sounds really creepy, but I mean you're kind of an inspiration to me."
"I uh, spent some time alone after…" She trailed off, looking away.
Slowly the pinkette changed to the opposite stance, now facing away from him. His words came crisp and quickly, "For the record I think he's an asshole." He didn't see the smile she kept. He changed the subject. "You don't have to talk about the things that led you back here. Just know that not only me, but so many people are so glad you're back. And you'll be just fine."
Sakura made her way back to her feet, and turned toward Kakashi. She smiled, moving forward to wrap him in a hug. He tensed at first, but after a few seconds he wrapped his arms around her. "I'm really glad you were chosen for this team. I think your family would be proud of you."
The pair spent the rest of the warmup session engaging in light conversation. They came to learn about each other rather quickly, and there was a warmness to Kakashi that Sakura found refreshing. She hoped he'd become a close companion, maybe if she decided to compete in duet's she'd choose Kakashi for the job. It was a fun thought that she pushed away rather quickly.
At the end of warmups, the pair got a drink. Sakura sat leaning back against the mirror, and Kakashi sat across from her. He watched her every move as she flipped through his file that she pulled from her binder. He took in the brightness in her eyes, the way her lips parted every so slightly.
"I was really impressed when I read this and saw that you auditioned with a lyrical piece." He was torn from his thoughts as her voice broke through the now silent room. "Normally a lot of men go for contemporary or hip hop, even tap. But that fact that you performed your entire routine like that made me super happy." She smiled, gazing up at him. "Lyrical is my favorite, and I think I wanna start by watching you perform."
"What?" His jaw dropped and his cheeks flushed so quickly, he turned away and placed a hand over his cheek.
"I have the song you chose right here," She pointed to the page, trying not to look him in the eye. His flushed state was comedic, and quite attractive. "I want you to dance it for me."
Quickly the pinkette stood up, making her way to her phone that was plugged into the speaker. Once queued, she walked toward Kakashi and offered a hand. He took it and self consciously made his way toward the middle of the floor. Sakura stood before him, eyeing his form. He stood with his arms wrapped around himself. Sakura sighed, walking behind him. She placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Hey what are you-" Her touch startled him.
"Just take a deep breath." Her voice was soft, warm. It calmed him instantly. "I want you to close your eyes." She paused, "Now picture the thing in life that make you happiest." She watched as his shoulders relaxed. His hands now fell against his sides. "Picture that thing, and hold it close to your heart. I'm not even here." With that, she pulled her hand away softly, leaving him within his thoughts. The room suddenly filled with the familiar guitar which he knew oh so well. Sakura sat against the mirror, and made herself as small as possible as she watched him finally come alive.
With his eyes closed, Kakashi extended his right arm, throwing it in a perfect fluid motion. His elbow was perfectly arched. Although slow, once the motion was complete, he turned, lifting himself onto his toes. His left leg lifted as he turned one hundred and eighty degrees, allowing himself to extend his leg and spin perfectly. That boy, take me away into the night. Out of the hum of the street lights and into a forest. He executed a perfect somersault which he landed and left his arm in the air. I'll do whatever you say to me in the dark. Scared I'll be torn apart by a wolf in mask. He wrapped his arms around himself, finally opening his eyes. A familiar name on a birthday card. With a fluid motion on his toes, he began to spin around the floor.
Oh, blow out all the candles, blow out all the candles, "You're too old to be so shy" he says to me, so I stay the night. He extended his arm, reaching to some distant place that he couldn't touch. Pulling it way, he backed away, his feet not as pointed as they should be. Just a young heart confusing my mind, but we're both in silence. He covered his mouth, frozen in place, his expression pure perfection. Wide eyed, both in silence. Wide eyed, like we're in a crime scene.
He fell to his knees, pushing himself back. He looked so distraught. 'Cause we both know, I'll never be your lover. I only bring the heat. Pushing himself up, he spun slightly, losing his footing. Company under cover, filling space between your sheets. He spun again, forcing himself to spin in place over and over. His form was impeccable. Well, I'll never be a lover. I only bring the heat. His arms held himself tightly once again. He touched himself to softly, so gently. Company under cover, filling space in your sheets.
He looked so emotional, so lost. So please just blow out all the candles, blow out all the candles. He leaned forward, a hearty fist against his chest. "You're too old to be so shy" he says to me so I stay the night. Once again he raised an arm, extending it in an arch so beautifully. His arm work was perfection. Just a young heart, confusing my mind, but we're both in silence. Wide, eyed. He lowered his arm, this time throwing it before him. Both in silence, wide eyed. His expression changed once again to pure anguish as he eyed the floor before him. Like we're in a crime scene.
Sakura sat cross legged with her elbows upon her knees, with her fingers crossed, holding her chin. She mirrored her mother's iconic look as she tried to comprehend what emotion this man had just left before her. It took her so much time to perfect her own movements as a child, that she never really developed facial work until after her first encounter with Sasori. She learned to draw emotion from that. If it was one thing Sakura knew, it was expression from trauma. She didn't know what Kakashi had been through, but those experiences motivated him.
His dance was so emotionally charged that it moved Sakura, forced her to want to learn more. Forced her to want to know Kakashi. In that one moment, she felt a flutter in her heart that she hadn't felt in months. She wanted to run. She knew where this feeling would take her.
"So how did I do?" His voice broke her from her thoughts, and forced her to stay. This was dangerous territory, and she knew she had to tread lightly.
Choking on her words with tears in her eyes, all she could mutter was a simple, "Incredible."
Authors Note - Hi guys, it's been a long time. Yes, these uploads are coming quick and YES, I know there are quite a few grammatical errors. I'm sorry. Please don't kill me. Also, don't kill me for killing the ItaSaku ship. I know many of you wanted ItaIno, so you're welcome. ;) However, welcome to the new ship KakaSaku. Which will end book one. YES I SAID BOOK ONE. Next chapter will be the last one, and then we'll begin book two. Don't worry, book two will continue on this story, it's too much to make a whole different story. Besides, I want to keep you guys in the loop and keep it easy for you to find.
With that being said, I'd like for you guys to leave some questions for me to answer. Between next chapter and the beginning of the next book, I'd like to post a Q&A chapter. These can be questions about me, my personal life, the story, my other stories or just randomness. I want to get personal with you guys, and that's how I'll make that happen.
See you next chapter cutie. I appreciate you all. 3