OMG so long, I am so sorry. Well here is a little filler chapter. I have been struggling in terms of how to get Sakura to Suna, but we working fam! Hope you enjoy and I hope somethings are resolved for some of you. Thank you again for reading...until next time, XOXO!
Chapter Nine
"I have a visual, Master."
"Keep your distance, you are only there to watch." They replied.
"Yes, Master." The creature perched on a branch, watching the cave at a distance.
"They are already suspicious, sending out that sand kinochi… It would be wise of you to do better, Junichiro."
"I could kill the Fan bitch if it would please you, Master?"
"NO! They need to feel safe before we make our move."
"Yes Master."
Sakura had been asleep for about 2 hours before she felt it. It was that weird energy that she and some of the others felt before. Shifting in her bed roll, she turned to see Hinata sitting up, her Byakugan activated. Sakura sat up and shuffled over to Hinata. Clearly the others in the group noticed the energy, as she peered over to find the others rustling in their beds, rubbing their eyes as they sat up. Gently, as to not startle the Hyuga, Sakura placed her hand on Hinata's shoulder, merging their chakra's together.
"Sakura?" Whispered Shikamaru, who was crouched at the opening of the cave.
"The rain is heavy and she has been doing this all day…" The pink haired nin replied softly. "Can you see anything Hinata?"
Shaking her head the Hyuga kept searching the perimeter of the forest, although she smiled gently at Sakura's thoughtfulness.
"Tem went out there to scout to see if she could find anything." Shikamaru said reluctantly. "I can feel it, but I can't see it…"
Rolling up his bed, Sai made his way over to the entrance, "If it weren't for this down pour, I could've done a areal view…"
"The waterproof ink isn't ready yet?" Questioned Sakura. Sai and one of the science teachers at the civilian school were doing some research on creating water proof ink and paper to help him cast stronger ink jutsus.
"Mhm, we are having issues with the new ink holding mass amounts of chakra…so sadly, no, it is not ready" He sighed.
"Well, Temari should be back soon…" Sakura breathed. The uneasiness of the situation was making her uncomfortable. This is an easy trip. Ever since Gaara and Naruto became friends, Suna and Konoha formed a friendly alliance. This meant that ninja often travelled this route. Hell, even first year academy students took this route to practice…
"Well…I saw nothing…" Temari suddenly appeared, drenched in water. "But I did find a wayfaring stranger…"she laughed.
Sakura's breathed hitched as she saw a silver haired ninja step from behind Temari.
"Hey." Kakashi smiled waving a hand at the young nin. Guilt flooded his body as he noticed the way Sakura's body stiffened. "I was on a short day trip and didn't get to say goodbye to my favourite student, so I decided to catch up to you all."
"…and Hokage-sama didn't mind?" questioned Shikamaru.
"Nope…welp, didn't exactly tell her, but…."
Shikamaru sighed, "Your funeral…"
"We will leave in 20, " Shikamaru stated "so start packing up."
Sakura turned to her bed and started to roll it up, packing it tight before casting it into a scroll.
"You look tired…" A whisper came from behind her.
She rolled her eyes, "How flattering…"
Before she could turn to face him, she felt a strong hand grab hold of her own. "I am sorry." He paused, no one but her could hear the shakiness in his voice. "I am so sorry I did what I did."
She turned to face him, only to find his head bowed to her. She wanted to cry, the dissonance of the situation almost too much to handle, but she wanted to be strong. She wanted to show him that she was no longer a child and certainly no longer a love sick teenager. "You are one of my favourite people…please do not jeopardize that again." She murmured.
He looked up into her green eyes, "You, Naurto, and Sasuke are my favourite people…you are all I have left in this world."
She gave him a small smile, "You really hurt me…"
"I – I know I did and…"
She lifted her hand to cover his mouth, "…but I too am sorry. I mixed things up in my head and I projected it onto you. I am sorry if I confused you Kakashi." Tears were now trickling down her face.
He smiled and wiped them from her cheek, "What, no pet name today?" He half-heartedly joked.
"Baka." Was all she could muster before she embraced her former sensei, her current best friend.
"It wont be long…and I will try and get missions out there…"
Sighing, Sakura pulled away from his chest, "You know she wont allow you to do that…and I doubt he would let you either."
"He?" Kakashi questioned.
"The Kazakage." She bluntly stated. "Plus, you will be taking up the role of the Hokage soon. It wouldn't be right for you to not be around the village."
He lingered on the thought of having to be around the village constantly and he came to a realization, "Maybe I shouldn't be the Hokage, I am far too selfish."
His manner of fact demeanour was a dead give away, "You're just saying that because you know I'm right and you have a hard time accepting that I'm waaaayyy smarter than you."
He cupped her cheek, Gods has she grown into a beautiful woman…I wish…no, I can't wish for that. He let this thought fade, as he often had done in the past. "Waaayyyy smarter may be an over statement, Sakura."
She giggled, pushing off of him and standing up. After dusting herself off she turned and offered her hand to him. "I think it's time." She said sadly.
"Ah, I'm afraid you're right." He said as he grabbed her hand and pulled himself up.
"Sakura?" Shino called for her from the opening of the cave.
"I know, we will be right there." She replied. Grabbing Kakashi's hand she lead them out of the cave. "It wont feel long once you start your duties, you know?"
"It may feel longer." Kakashi breathed.
"I doubt that." She smiled up at him. "It's time for me to leave you…for now at least."
He turned to bring her in for a final hug, "Not for too long though, right?"
He felt her sniffle and mumble something incoherent.
Squeezing her tighter he whispered, "Not many understand that as much as Naruto needs you…I need you too."
"Promise to write to me." She stated, pulling just far away from him to see his face.
"I promise." He smiled as she brought him for one final squeeze.
"And don't you dare change the curriculum to Icha Icha…the academy kids are too young for that."
"I know…" He laughed.
"Promise me."
"Ugh, I promise."
She pulled away from him, releasing him from her hold. He suddenly felt cold.
"We both need to get going, but I will write as soon as I get settled in, I promise!"
He smiled and waved as she stepped away from him, "Be careful Sakura, the desert can be unforgiving."
"If I survived the three idiots of Team 7, than I am sure I can handle a little desert." She smirked. "Bye Kaka, I love you!"
He watched as she launched her self from the cave and towards the group. "I love you too…always." He whispered, slowly turning to head back to his home…a home that now seemed to be missing one of its most prized family members.
"They're late." The red headed leader stated. Gaara was staring out his office window, scanning the area for potential storms or enemies that could have gotten in their way.
"And you haven't eaten since yesterday afternoon Gaara…" Kankuro was sitting on one of the guest chairs looking over some council documents. "…and you know how mad Tem will be if I tell her you aren't taking care of yourself."
Gaara turned to his brother and crossed his arms, "I am stressed."
"You are being a brat." Kankuro retorted.
Sand came bursting out of Gaara's gourd, but before it could reach the puppet master a frantic knocked drew the attention of the sand brothers.
"Kazakage-sama, we've spotted them. They should be no less than an hour out from the gates."
"Thank you." Gaara called out to the guard.
"Damn, perfect timing" Kankuro laughed as he kicked his feet up on to Gaara's desk.
Sand was quick to knock them off. "Not on my desk…" he smirked.