At exactly 3:17...I folded my 400th paper crane! I'm so happy!
Very special Thanks: To all readers. Smile!
Note:
Ayane Selznick-Awesome? NO IT WAS INCREDIBLE! Yay! Really? Please do and give me a copy! Please! Wow. That was awesome! I'm so happy. Um, yeah, I think so. She's supposed to be gothic, macabre and bloody. A surreal drawing is appropriate.
Hibernating is good! Hehe! I got busy with my paper cranes (600 to go!), water and dolphins! And oh…also with the drafts up to the 35th chapter. Thank you vey much! More power and...HIBERNATE!
Yay...I tremble with excitement whenever I think of hibernating!
YAY!
Destiny can't replace my life
Scary shadows of my past
are alive
Destiny who cares
as it turns around
and I know that it descends
with a smile
It's just another day
the shame is gone
it's hard to believe
that I've let it go away
ME? HA! I am the Angel of Death Azrael! LAUNCHING!
She panicked.
"Iruka-sensei, the ACADEMY IS BURNING!" She yelled and began to run back to the heart of the village but the newcomer stranger grabbed her shoulder.
"Hey, hey, where are you going?" The man asked, looking down at her. Sakura gasped. Oh my…! The man…was gorgeous! He has thick messy black hair with red highlighted bangs, super black eyes, pale skin, large shoulders, narrow waist and tall…VERY tall.
A very large and tall man clad in all black leather and black trench coat which billows in the air. The man blinked. "Oh, if only you can stop staring. It's embarrassing, you know." He said, irritated, looking pass her to Uriel.
"GET OUT OF MY WAY!" Sakura screamed but another ear-splitting explosion tore in the air. And debris began to fall… "KYAAAAAAAAA…!" she screamed, falling to her knees painfully. She anticipated pain as she hears thundering sounds of falling debris and crumbling buildings but…
SWOOSH. Something soft touched her back, shielding her.
"I…IRUKA-SENSEI!" she screamed and tried to rise but the stranger flattened her to the ground, his arms covering her head.
The assault stopped and she felt "that something soft" getting off her. The arms covering her head was lifted off her and she raised her chin to look up.
"W…wings…?" she whispered faintly, her eyes widening. The man has wings! And not only wings…they are black and bony…so unhealthy-looking…and leathery. Mesmerized, she lifted one hand to touch it…it looks so…smooth yet intricate designs are embedded onto it. As he fingers touch the smooth material….eyes fluttered open which turned out were the intricate designs that were embedded on the wings.
She YELPED!
"What the—"she stumbled back, horrified. The eyes blinked and were focused to her.
"Uriel-bastard?" He's gone. "Oh well—"his wings flutter and then folded behind him, eyes closed.
That jolted Sakura out of her trance. "LET GO!" She pushed him away and rushes to Iruka who was protected under a net of electricity. "Oh…Iruka-sensei…"
"See? He's ok!" The net vanishes as he waved his hand. "Check him!" Sakura fell down to her knees, grasping Iruka's hand. She looked back at him. "Who ARE you?"
The man crouched in front of her, the way Kakashi used to crouch in front of them when they were Genin. "ME? How could you forget me? CRAP! I forgot!" he smacked his forehead with his palm. "Your memories are gone! He, he, he! ANYWAY! I am Azrael the Angel of Death at your service, madam!" He gave her a gorgeous smile and a V-sign.
She frowned. "You are—?"
"Az-ra-el. The Angel of Death! The mightiest, the cutest, the greatest, the most beautiful Archangel!" he announced, grinning proudly and a braggart look in his eyes.
"Aww…" For a moment, Azrael thought he impressed her. But a vicious look replaced her sweet demeanor. "YOU'RE A WEIRDO TOO! Get away from me!" she yelled.
Azrael gaped at her. "WHAT? How dare you, mistress! I am your Hakai sha no Shinchuu!"
O….O
"You are—?"
"When your anger exploded your powers, my mortal body which is the sword the Hakai sha no Shinchuu broke thus my soul got free! The Hakai sha no Shinchuu is me. I am called as such ever since I became a sword to contain your powers and protect you! But my real form and name is Azrael the Angel of Death! Also, I was transformed into a sword because they say I am a destructive angel!" he smirked.
"They are scared of me. Scared of my powers. So they locked me in and put a curse on me. I became the Desperate Angel's Accompanying Soul! I am Azrael your Accompanying Soul!"
"…Accompanying Soul…"
"I will give…b-birth…to…your Accompanying Soul…now."
"A…Accompanying Soul…?"
"YEP!" Azrael grinned. "I go wherever you go! Meaning, I'm your lap dog." He drawled sexily. The girl bends her head.
"…" He could not see her eyes. "Hey…Heh, speechless?" He poked himself in the chest, looking so high. "I know! You're so IMPRESSED and that made you so—"
"WEIRDO!" She yelled in his face. "Whatever! We need to bring Iruka-sensei to the infirmary! He might die of blood loss! HURRY!"
Azrael pouted; he sat down on the ground. "BOOK!"
POOF! A giant gold and silver book appeared. He opened it with ease and began turning pages. "Hmmm…What's his name?"
Sakura blinked. What the heck—! "Um, Iruka. Umino Iruka-sensei."
He looked up to her. "Huh? Sensei? Sensei is his last name?" He shrugged. "Strange…"
"IDIOT!" She smacked him on the back of his head. "Umino is his last name! Umino Iruka!"
"Ow…" Azrael nursed his swollen head. "Hey, hey, you don't have to be so excited, you know." He said and turned pages after pages, trailing his long finger along writings.
"Ah there! Hmm, Umino Iruka, Japanese, parents dead and—blah, blah, blah…oh well…worry no more, he's not gonna die this year." He announced.
"What? How did you know? AND what is that book?" Sakura demanded.
"Excuse me? Aren't you listening? I am Azrael the Angel of Death! I collect souls and accompany those souls to Heaven. This BOOK is called the Book of Wings of Azrael—"
"ENOUGH! I'VE HEARD ENOUGH! If you're an Angel, then why are you here!" Sakura asked pointedly.
"I was destined to be the Desperate Angel's Accompanying Soul." He answered casually. "BOOK!" POOF! The Book disappeared.
"SHUT UP! KEEP Quiet! DON'T say a word!" she yelled and turned to Iruka who is silent all this time. Azrael thought, I didn't say anything, did I? "Sensei, sensei, please keep awake! You—"she turned to Azrael.
"Azrael." He said promptly.
Sakura clenched her fists and yelled very loudly. "WHATEVER! We have to bring him to the hospital! He's losing a lot of blood!"
"Excuse me? WE?"
"HAI! Carry him! Let's go!"
"Madam, your village is under attack." He informed as he sat on the ground leisurely.
She paled visibly. "Oh…god…I thought—oh forget it! We—"
"Your Med Center was bombed right?" He said flatly as if everything is alright. Explosions lighted the village and rocked it hard. She gasped. Yeah…yeah, she remembered. The Med Center collapsed!
"Oh no! Sensei…" she bent over Iruka who breathes softly. "Oh sensei…please, hold on—"WAIT! She turned to him slowly. Azrael felt her gaze.
"What?" at the look of her face…he knew she was up to something.
"YOU! You said you're an angel! Then go and heal him! COME ON! If you really an angel, HEAL HIM!"
Azrael looked revolted. "EXCUSE ME? ARE YOU MOCKING ME? Haven't you heard enough of "I am Azrael the Angel of Death"? I AM AZRAEL THE ANGEL OF DEATH! Death. Death. Death. I DON'T heal. Only Raphael can heal, not me! Not an Angel of Death!"
"Gah! Of Death or whatever—angels can heal! COME ON!" Sakura insisted.
"I CAN'T! Hear me, Umino Iruka will not die! HE WILL NOT! He'll reach 75 years of age and will die of old age."
"…?"
"As a matter of fact, Umino Iruka's death is not tragic. He'll die a natural death." Azrael continued.
Sakura was silent, staring at him. Then Azrael noticed a vein twitching on her temple. "WHO ARE YOU? How did you know THAT?"
"FOR THE FIFTH TIME, I AM AZRAEL THE ANGEL OF DEATH!" He said loudly, veins twitching all over his head.
"WHATEVER!" She yelled back. She gasped as another explosion boomed. "OH MY!" She kneels closer to Iruka who opened his eyes. "Saku—"
"Sensei, sensei, don't worry, ok? I think this strange man can stay with you for a while." She said softly, touching his cheek.
"I am not strange!"
Sakura turned to him. "So you'll watch over him."
"WHAT! Do I look like a babysitter to you?"
"Duh, Iruka-sensei is not a BABY! See ya later, ok!" She tapped Iruka's cheeks once and run off to the burning center of Konoha.
"WAIT!" The light surrounding her is getting strong. When will she wake up? According to Gabriel, the day the Desperate Angel wakes up is the day Hell and Heaven to break in an all-out war.
"She really…is…an angel…isn't she…?"
"Huh?" Azrael looked down to man clutching his wound. A soft smile is on Iruka's face.
"I saw wings…her bleeding wings…her blood tears…and the third wing that bleeds…but why are her wings shredded?"
Azrael's eyes widened. Shredded wings! "Fuck." It can't be! If her wings are shredded…and the third wing hasn't grown yet…then—
He looked down to Iruka. "Listen, man. You're not gonna die. Rest and my power will protect you." Iruka closes his eyes. Azrael created a barrier of electricity and runs after Sakura.
-
-
Sakura is running around the village until she reached the Ninja Academy which is indeed devoured by flames. She knew from afar that the school is burning but…looking at it up-close, it was sickening.
She lifted a pair of shaking hands to her mouth. "The…the…Ninja Aademy…!" She gasped.
On the background, screams are being screamed; orders and warnings are being yelled.
"— The Academy was hit! HURRY! The ANBU, those fucking ANBUs! Where the fuck is the ANBU when you need them!"
"The ACADEMY—"
"—was bombed!"
"What? The HOKAGE! The HOKAGE!"
"Kuso! FIRE! FIRE!"
"ANBU! ARGHHHH—"
Sakura spins towards the voice. Her eyes widen when she recognize him. "ASUMA-SENSEI!" she rushed to him and tried to catch his falling body. "Sensei…"
"Sa…Sakura!" He choked and coughed blood. "R-RUN!"
"But—"He pushed her away roughly.
"RUN!" Asuma collapsed, arrows protruding in his back. Tears rimmed her eyes. "Asuma…sensei…"
"TEN-TEN— where the hell are you?" A shout towered over the screams. Startled, Sakura twisted around.
"Ne…NEJI-SAN? NEJI!" she screamed loudly to catch his attention. Neji whose Byakugan is activated was surprised to see her. He jogged towards her, grasping her shoulders.
"Sakura! What are you doing here? That's…" he looked behind her to the slumped body of Asuma. "Asuma-sensei…shit. Did you know? Orochimaru arrived with his elite soldiers. They aimed for the Ninja Academy…"
"Neji…Neji…it's burning….the Ninja Academy is burning." She whimpered, clutching at his clothing.
"And the Hokage is inside that building." He responded roughly.
Her panic increased. She pulled back and stared up at him. "Oh Neji, we have to rescue the Hokage!"
Neji's breathing accelerated harshly as he bent his head to her shoulder. "Neji…" he's tired and wounded. She saw a large patch of red in his side. His head was heavy against her shoulder.
"Ten-Ten…she's missing. I can't find her." He mumbled.
"OH MY GOD!" She gasped; her shaking hands grasped his hand.
"—ANBU! ANBU!"
"—THE HOKAGE! THE HOKAGE! YOU FUCKHEADS!"
A hand grabbed Neji roughly. "No! Don't!" Sakura pulled Neji upright and shoved the hand holding Neji away. Cupping his face, she called onto him. "Neji—you're wounded."
"I'm fine." He grunted and took her hand.
"—THE HOKAGE—"
"SHUT UP! Sakura, get away from here! Uchiha will kill me if anything happens to you." He said while towing her away from the burning building.
"—ANBU! RESCUE TSUNADE-SAMA! RESCUE THE HOKAGE!"
"SHUT THE HELL UP!" Neji snapped roughly. "I'm gonna find Ten-Ten, you understand? Get away from here as far as possible!"
"Y-yes…"
"—SHITHEADS! DUCK! DUCK! ARROWS!"
"Sakura!" He roughly flattened her to the ground, pushing her head downward. When the assault stopped, she raised her head and looked at Neji straight in the eyes. "Neji, go find Ten-Ten! I'll be alright!"
"Are you sure? I will bring you to the safest place first—"
"NO! Find Ten-Ten! I'm a Jounin, too!" She pats his cheek, stood up and runs towards the burning building. Neji gaped. "FUCKSHIT!" he punched the ground.
"SAKURA—WHAT THE HELL—"Sakura looks back at him. "I'm gonna rescue my mentor! She's my friend!"
"SAKURA—DAMN IT ALL—"
But a hand roughly pulled her back accompanied by a familiar voice. "Hey, hey, where do you think you're going?"
"Huh?" Looking back, Sakura's mouth opens in a startled gasp. "YOU AGAIN?"
Neji caught up with her. "SAKURA, you idiot! DON'T go there!"
"Neji—"she began but a scream resounded.
"—HOKAGE-SAMAAAAAAAAAA"
"—Shizune, CALM DOWN!"
"—TSUNADE-HIMEEEEEEEEE"
"—quit shrieking there!"
"—ANBU!"
Azrael's ears caught some sound. He glances behind him and heard a ninja screamed. "DUCK, BASTARDS!"
Arrows plummet and Azrael in panic spread his wings to protect Sakura who's being berated by Neji from the arrows. The arrows, once touched Azrael's wings were melted.
"Neji—Neji—"Sakura repeated over and over again.
"I'm here! Damn it!"
Azrael folded his wings. He saw the white-eyed boy turned to look at him. "You—you looked strange for that matter but look for Sakura. Make sure she's not gonna do anything stupid like running amok." After that, he patted Sakura's head and left.
"NEJIIIIIIIIII—"tears started to fall from her eyes because of frustration. Where the hell is everyone? Sasuke-kun…Naruto…and Kakashi-sempai? Are they alright?
Frustrated, she faced Azrael. "You—"
"Azrael. My name is Azrael."
"WHATEVER!" She yelled. "Oh god…Tsunade-sama…" she began to cry. I'm a Jounin! I AM A JOUNIN! I MUST SAVE MY LEADER!
"BOOK!" POOF! Sakura glances at him. "Why you—that's your book! Look for Tsunade-sama's name!"
"—HOKAGE-SAMAAAAA—"
"—SHIZUNE, SHUT UP!"
"—HEY, IS IT—"
Sakura looked at where the ninja is pointing. "Huh?" A shadow is walking towards them. A shadow carrying something on its back…
"It's…it's…"
"—UCHIHA SASUKE-SAMA! CARRYING THE HOKAGE!"
A very surprised look dawned on Azrael's face. Sasuke-sama!
"Sasuke…kun…" Sakura whimpered, tears brimming her eyelashes, her body shaking.
A very teary Shizune screamed. "—HOKAGE-SAMAAAAA—"she cried as she hugged Tsunade who looks okay. "Oi, you're so loud." The woman Hokage scolded.
Sakura pushed herself out of her trance and rushed to Sasuke's side. "Sasuke…kun… SASUKE-KUN?"
The boy was a little shocked from hearing her voice and seeing her face. Pink…hair… "Sakura?"
"You're here…Are you okay, Sasuke-kun? What happened?"
"I'm fine. "He grunted and eventually scowled. "What the hell—I told Hyuuga to keep you away."
"Uchiha Sasuke-sama…" Shit this is déjà vu. I met Sasuke-sama for the seventh time. He looks the same…the same Uchiha Sasuke I met…
"He's gone looking for Ten-Ten." Sakura answered. "What happened, Sasuke-kun?"
"Orochimaru." Was his single word answer and that was enough. Sakura's eyes widen and she held Sasuke's hand tighter.
"H-he's here…? Yes? Oh…god…" She said faintly.
Sasuke shifted and squeezed her hand unconsciously. "He and his mean of elite ninjas."
"He's here to retrieve you?" she whispered. Sasuke nodded gravely. "Yeah. That sick bastard."
EXPLOSION
"Shit, they won't just stop." Sasuke wiped his brows. "Sakura, get away from here. Go somewhere safe."
"But—"
"Don't be stupid." Taking hold of her hand, he pulled her up to her feet.
"NO! I am a JOUNIN! I can fight!"
He glared at her. "Shut up, Sakura. YOU WILL go somewhere safe and far from here, understand?" He squeezed her hand painfully tight.
Sakura looked straight in his eyes determinedly. "No! I'm a Jounin, Sasuke-kun. I can FIGHT! I CAN PROTECT MYSELF! I CAN PROTECT YOU!"
"Zip up! You're weak!" He grasped her shoulders and lowered his face to hers. "You're a burden. I don't care if you're Jounin. You'll just get in my way."
"Sasuke-kun—"
He pushed her towards the group of Ninjas crowding around the Hokage. "You'll go with the Hokage and the rest of the ninjas. Tsunade-sama is their target, too. GO."
Sakura stood firm in her ground. "I will not leave you."
Sasuke had drew his katana from its sheath, looked over his shoulder to her. "I'm not asking you. I'm ORDERING you."
"But—"
"Ahem. Excuse me?"
"What?" snapped Sasuke. Azrael lifted his brows. This boy is very rude. Sasuke in exchange glared at the strange man in odd clothing. This man looks familiar especially the hair and clothing.
"O…Oro…chimaru!" Tsunade gasped between clenched teeth. Startled, Sasuke and Sakura whirl around. A shadow is walking towards them. Silhouetted by the dust and shadows of flames, the figure slowly strode towards them. Sasuke dropped into his fighting stance, pulling down his wolf-mask.
Shizune supported Tsunade who was struggling to stand upright, her face twisted in anger and spite. "I…I'll kill…you, Orochimaru!"
"Tsunade-hime!"
Sasuke tensed up. Sakura stood next to him, her kunai positioned protectively in front of her. "Orochimaru." She heard Sasuke hissed. The figure finally came out from the shadow.
A smile…"Beautiful Uchiha boy…"
Sasuke shivered as their eyes met. Damn this man! DAMN YOU! He willed himself to stop shivering…but at the presence of this man…this horrifying…man, his knees kept shaking. The village shook due to explosions…Sakura screamed as the half portion of the Ninja Academy crumbled into pieces. ((KYAAAAAAAAAAAAA…))
Orochimaru smiled.
"Sasuke-kun, Leaf is breaking apart because of this war. The war I started just for you." Orochimaru said, grinning maliciously. Sasuke gritted his teeth, his breathing accelerated harshly. The war…started because of this man's obsession over him?
"I'LL KILL YOU, BASTARD!" Sasuke was startled at Tsunade-sama's scream.
Orochimaru smirked. "Hush, Tsunade-sama, I'm here for my Sasuke-kun."
Shaking with fury, Sasuke retorted. "I'm NOT yours."
"Let's go home, Sasuke-kun. And I'll give you power." Orochimaru extended his hand. "Come on."
"He's NOT coming with you!" Sakura yelled, shaking with hatred. "You…bastard…!"
"Aw, cute Sakura-chan…I remember you well. You grew prettier, little one." He smirked at her, staring at her intently from head to foot.
"Shut up, Orochimaru!" Sasuke barked. "Sasuke-kun, Leaf is breaking apart because of this war. The war I started just for you." "You started this war…to retrieve me."
"Many ninjas are dying because of this war. So if you want this war to end, come with me NOW."
"Sasuke-kun, don't listen to him!" Sakura chided. "He's NOT coming with you." She repeated. Tsunade is now next to Sasuke.
"Sasuke, don't listen to him. He and his twisted tongue. This war is not because of you. This is for Leaf. For our peace. For his demise."
Sasuke remained quiet. Leaf is breaking apart… "Go to Hell, bastard. You fucking betrayed me. You fucking tried to control me. You fucking train me not to defeat my fucking brother but to contain your fucking twisted soul. A quest for immortality. Damn you. Damn you. I was your second option after my brother. You came for me because you're scared of Itachi."
"Sasuke-kun, let me explain."
"I DON'T NEED EXPLANATIONS! GO TO HELL. I will kill you in thousand ways and drag your soul to hell for all the demons to devour. After this, I—"will leave Leaf. I will leave everything behind. I will find my own way to kill Itachi. Not in this way. Not IN YOUR WAY.
"Sasuke-kun…" Sakura's voice didn't soothe him. It just hurt him more. The voice that haunts him during his two years as a missing-nin…it just hurts to hear her mutter his name. "Damn it, Sakura. How many times do I have to repeat myself? Go away. What are you waiting for?" he said coldly, his voice icier than before.
"I will not leave your side!" Sakura argued fiercely. Sasuke's wolf-masked face turned to face her. "Sakura, for once, stop being annoying and drop that mushy act!"
"You think she'll go untouched?" Orochimaru asked. A figure appeared in his right. Sasuke tensed up. Azrael narrowed his eyes.
"Tayuya."
"Hai, boss!" Tayuya transformed into her monster form and attacked them. Sasuke and Tsunade leapt apart to avoid her. Sasuke looked back, saw Sakura and the man behind her.
"SAKU—"
Sakura gasped. The Sound-nin is fast but Azrael is faster. "YEOW!" Tayuya was knocked sideward with savage ferocity. Azrael had swung his arm across her face and is standing in front of Sakura, facing her. Sakura stood, eyes wide and body rigid. His eyes…his eyes are empty…the look in his face is very scary. His eyes turned white and there was hunger and raw malice in his face. Sakura shook. The intense look of death in his face is paralyzing her. Maybe, this time, she'll believe he is INDEED the Angel of Death. Why, this man literally spells DEATH.
Orochimaru was shocked and he stepped back. Who is this guy! He knocked Tayuya off with such ease and the aura surrounding the man was…cold. And BLACK. His chakra…or whatever it was…it was black.
Sakura was having difficulty in breathing as she kept on staring up at him. She choked. "Y-you…" Azrael looked down at her and seeing the look of terror in her eyes, he turned around to faced the surprised ninjas.
"Sowee, guys but you forgot all about me." From the corner of his eyes he saw the Tayuya woman getting to her feet.
Sakura regain her bearings. "Y-YOU—"
"Azrael."
"Don't get involve in this!" She scolded.
Azrael faced her, looking down at her. "But—"
"DON'T GET INVOVLE!" But Sakura gasped in fear as Azrael extended his arm to her but only to grasp Tayuya's neck, who sneaked behind Sakura, ready to behead the pink-haired girl. Shocked, Sakura looked behind her.
"Hell. They are waiting." Azrael said coldly and break Tayuya's neck. Sakura shivered at the splinter of bones. "Oh…no…"
"You're safe now!" Sakura looked at his smiling face slowly. How could he smile like that…? He just killed one of the best ninjas of Orochimaru! How powerful is he? "You…" Sasuke was frowning. He felt he knew the man…
"Azrael. Is that so hard to say?" Sakura bit her lip. He smiled and glanced at Orochimaru. "Oro—what is it? Damn, you humans are all hot-tempered! You all surpassed Michael-sama when it comes to temper! Oro—er, what is it, again? Ah, so hard to pronounce—"
Sakura shoved him lightly. "I told you to look after Iruka-sensei!"
"HE'S NO LONGER a baby!"
"Why you…!"
Sasuke lowered his weapon. "Who are you?"
"Me? I am Azrael the Angel of Death." Azrael replied. Sakura groaned.
"HA, HA, HA…! The Angel of Death! That's amusing!" Orochimaru mocked. Azrael smiled erringly and a scythe appeared in his hand; Orochimaru stopped laughing, Sasuke was…OO
This is it! "KUCHIYOSE NO JUTSU!" Tsunade screamed. POOF!
"YOU'RE GOING DOWN OROCHIMARU!" Everyone gasped at a giant slug appeared. What the hell—she still got enough chakra to perform Summoning! Orochimaru thought.
POOF! "BASTARD, I'LL KICK YOUR ASS TO HELL!" Naruto is atop of GamaBunta, Jiraiya next to him.
"Na-Naruto!" gasped Sakura. Azrael was amazed. A giant frog…that was so COOL! His scythe disappeared.
"AND FOR TRYING TO HIT ON SAKURA-CHAN!"
"NARUTO!" Sakura screeched, blushing. Orochimaru smirked. "I see, my old teammates are all intent on killing me but Sasuke-kun, this isn't goodbye.
"Orochimaru!" Sasuke made an attempt to come after him but Orochimaru waved his hand and POOF, he vanished in a puff of smoke.
"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura's hand brushed against his flesh and to his horror, his skin grew hot and his Cursed Seal began to rampage. Marks spread in his body, covering the half of his face.
"DON'T TOUCH ME!" he snapped and his knees gave away, his wounds bled. Sakura bit her lower lip. Sasuke-kun…She watched the marks spread like wildfire in his pale skin.
"Sasuke-kun, your Seal—"
"Shut up. Don't come near me."
"You bastard never learn how to be polite to Sakura-chan." Naruto is limping towards them.
"Naruto…"
"Dobe."
"Are you…okay?" Sakura asked softly, taking a step forward to Naruto. The blonde Jounin smirked. Like Sasuke, I was Sakura-chan's second option…
"Wow. You actually ask me." Naruto didn't mean to sound malicious. Sakura stopped, looking stunned.
"Naruto…"The way he talked to me…
Naruto wanted to kick himself at the sight of the stunned and hurt look in Sakura's face. The girl dropped her head, bangs covering her eyes. "I'm okay, Sakura-chan. Fine enough to live longer, you know." She didn't raise her face to look at him. "Sakura-chan…"
"This is one hell of soap opera." A teasing voice says. The trio looked at the source of the voice.
"Kakashi-sensei," Naruto acknowledge. His presence, the twinkle in his eye that indicates he is smiling beneath that mask and the casual wave seemed to poke Sakura's heart. Sasuke-kun hates me…Naruto finally disliking me…it seemed only that Kakashi-sensei remains the same…and he will not…change. Kakashi…sensei…
"Kakashi…you're okay!" Both Sasuke and Naruto were surprised when Sakura hugged their former sensei.
Bit it was Kakashi who was even more surprised "Hai. I'm okay. This is…odd. You're hugging me." Immediately, Sakura stepped back, blushing.
"Oh…well, er—"
Kakashi chuckled softly. "Blushing? That's nice." Sakura flushed even more. "I'm glad you're okay now, Sakura. It's been a long time. You slept like dead."
"Kakashi-sensei…" The older man frowned slightly at her eyes. She looked depressingly sad. The way she held him a while ago, he swore he felt her loneliness. In turn, he grasped her hand. Hard. She's real. Alive. Full of chakra. It was Sakura-chan's hand he's holding right now.
She's awake.
After three years.
"You're awake."
"Sensei…"
I want to see your smile. Smile for me Sakura-chan.
Suddenly feeling disgusted, Sasuke stood and limped away. Sakura could only stare after him, her hand on Kakashi's hand.
Damn sensei. Naruto thought, watching their linked hands.
