Bam, the door was slammed shut with authoritative force after the exiting Fire Daimyo and his extensive entourage, dangerously shaking the pictures of the previous Hokages on the wall of Konoha's most illustrious meeting room.

"Congratulations, Rokudaime Hokage," Tsunade chuckled. "Confirmed with a bam!"

"Please spare me," Kakashi murmured, rubbing his face with both hands in a futile attempt to lessen his tension headache. "Until I'm officially inaugurated. Please."

"I'll try to restrain myself," Tsunade grinned, "but you know how I feel. I'm going to get so incredibly drunk tonight in celebration of my freedom, you cannot even imagine. I'd invite you but… you look like death warmed over, you should rest," she added, a bit more considerate.

"Hokage-sama, we take our leave," Shikamaru saluted.

He was the newly elected Jōnin Commander and hadn't made up his mind yet whether he should be extremely annoyed by the additional responsibility the position entailed or rather honored by the title his late father had held before him.

"He's talking to you," Tsunade said into the ensuing silence and elbowed Kakashi into the ribs.

Kakashi looked up with a tortured frown. Okay, it was official: Hearing that title gave him acid reflux. He was not ready. Not. Ready.

"I wasn't!" Shikamaru protested, pulling a face and shaking his head at Kakashi in sympathy.

"Until all the formalities for the succession are done, you remain the acting Hokage, Slug Princess," the Head of Konoha's Council said coldly and pushed back her chair. "Behave like one."

Mrs. Nohara was dressed in a simple, ankle length grey dress that should probably signal her humility, but everybody who had just attended the meeting now knew first hand who the true authority in the Land of Fire was.

The Fire Daimyo was eating out of her hands, it had been outright embarrassing to witness.

Shizune with her great talent for unravelling secrets had been able to find out the reason earlier today. Their political leader had no official heirs. But apparently, he had an illegitimate son whom he hoped to position as his successor, much against his nephew's will, who was the next in line by law. The current Fire Daimyo hoped to succeed anyway - with the Nohara family's backing. It was mind-boggling to Kakashi just how influential and rich the Nohara family truly was, it seemed they owned half the continent. It was equally mind-boggling how ignorant he had been about that until now.

Why exactly the eldest sibling of that family chose to live her life here in Konoha as head of the orphanage instead of dwelling in the capital like her brothers was unclear. It might have something to do with Rin's father whose identity was unknown, but that was just guesswork. And what all of this had to do with him, Kakashi could not even begin to understand. That Mrs Nohara had been so eager to have him become Hokage gave him cold shivers. It was like he had become her puppet the moment he had agreed to the office but wasn't able to hear the tune she had him dance to.

Kakashi shuddered. What a nightmare.

"Thank you for bringing back my daughter," Mrs. Nohara made a point to say, looking him straight in the eye and managing to look sincere too, "it is much more than I hoped for."

As if anybody under the sun would not have done the same.

"I need to talk to her," Kakashi told Mrs. Nohara bluntly.

She had appeared in Tsunade's office with five bodyguards not ten minutes after Kakashi had reported back yesterday. Rin had looked at her mother with a mixture of hatred and defeat but had followed her with no resistance and without speaking a single word. She had still been very weak and because he had not seen her oder heard from her since, Kakashi was worried.

And there were so many questions.

He was sure now that the actual use of the Mangekyo Sharingan was the thing triggering the amnesia - because it had happened again, right after he had left the catacombs with Rin in his arms. He had noticed because his suspicion had have him pay deliberate attention. The erasure of memories had been very swift and frighteningly thorough but he had managed to hold on to some of them simply because he was stubborn when he wanted to be.

And thus, he remembered… a white, ghost-like tree in a cave full of eyes. It was like an insane nightmare tinged with fear that tasted metallic and dead in his mouth. Rin had been gravely hurt in there, he didn't recall how or why, but he knew he had needed to save her at all cost. Karin had been in another cave, strapped to a chair like a pitiful test-subject but he knew that she had an Uzumaki's excess of life-force and that by biting her, Rin could be saved.

It was possible that he had fought people there. How long it had taken them to leave that place, was unclear. He did know that they had walked out of there and all the way to Konoha, which was a feat in itself because he did not have a lot of chakra left.

He would remember the way back there. Because if anything was clear to him, it was that he needed to return as soon as possible. That place held secrets. And it held answers. Maybe even to questions he didn't know he had.

And that was the reason he would not tell anyone. Tsunade seemed to have forgotten about his memory issues. Or maybe she simply didn't want to remember.

"I will arrange a meeting between you and her," Mrs. Nohara nodded. "You must understand that I cannot let her walk around alone."

Did she think her daughter would run away? Kakashi nodded in turn though he didn't like the thought of bodyguards overhearing their conversation. He had to be very frank with Rin. If he could. He didn't trust her one bit. No… he didn't want to trust her one bit but it was hard not to.

It was Rin after all. Rin who… Rin who had made his heart lighter back then, just by being there. Just by looking at him with her encouraging smiles, Rin who had always been so proud of all his achievements, which had spurred him on to do even better just so that she had a reason to smile some more. Rin who had always triggered a massive protective instinct in him, from the very first time he had seen her at the academy. Now she was back and … what the heck did that mean?

Mrs. Nohara looked at all of them one after the other once more, as if she wanted to memorize the faces of those that were likely to cross her in the near future and then left the meeting room without a further word, her straight posture and the overall air of authority making her look taller than she was.

"Ayyyyyyy," Tsunade said, letting out a gust of air after the door had closed. "Good luck with that one. Maybe she'll stay thankful long enough not to give you a hard time."

"Okay, leaving too," Shikamaru said with a sorry glance at Kakashi, "Sensei, I'll see you around."

He lifted his hand and sauntered out of the room, followed by the four shinobi who had taken part in the meeting as representatives.

Kakashi looked at the empty table before him and wondered whether he would have the strength to walk out of here. He turned his head a little further to the right, meeting Tenzo's worried expression. That wasn't a big help.

"Right," Tsunade said and stretched, "I think as far as last meetings with political authorities go, this one went really well."

"You are kidding me, right?" Kakashi asked horrified.

"Not at all," Tsunade beamed, "hardly any shouting, not a single threatening statement, and everybody stayed until the end. I really think you becoming Hokage is the best thing that has happened to me in a very long time. You don't have an explosive temper like me and appear overall… non-threatening. They clearly like you."

Kakashi let his head fall forward onto the table, unsure whether to laugh or to cry. He had been trained to withstand even extreme bodily torture but this… this…

"Senpai," Tenzo said cautiously, "can I leave?"

"No, you cannot," Kakashi murmured against the wooden surface. Tenzo was his only connection to the world he felt comfortable with and if that connection left from this room right now, he was convinced he'd be completely and utterly lost.

"I want you to come to the hospital with me," Kakashi said and lifted his head.

"Oh no," Tenzo lamented, "Senpai, when will you learn to take better care of yourself!"

"You don't look that bad," Tsunade added after briefly looking him up and down. "You just need some rest. Have you slept at all?"

He had not. In a long time.

"Not because I'm sick," Kakashi informed them, though he certainly felt like his fever was back, "but because we need to talk to Kaeru."

"Ah, yes," Tsunade nodded, "you have a problem."

A problem, as in one? He could think of at least ten huge ones off the top of his head.

"You're understaffed. With you moving out of the Anbu and that boy giving up…"

"He won't," Kakashi said darkly, "I'll talk to him."

"We might have to recruit Sai after all," Tenzo suggested quietly.

Damn. They might really have to. But I promised not to. She'll be unhappy.

"I have no idea how you're going to solve Konoha's serious recruitment problem," Tsunade said, "but it's your job to worry about it now. Ah, I'm so excited for this upcoming research trip, I haven't had time for any useful medical innovation in years."

She had talked about leaving as soon as three days from now… and he hadn't even seen Sakura yet. They had not let him alone even for a second.

"I also don't know how you're going to resolve the Uchiha offspring situation," Tsunade continued. Did she take pleasure in detailing all the hard nuts she left him with?

"Sakura, Sasuke and the little girl have settled in nicely at their old apartment," she mused. "But now that Karin is here…"

Settled in nicely? What was that supposed to mean?

"Ultimately, it's up to the parents, of course," Tsunade said, "but I cannot imagine that Sakura will tolerate Karin too close to Sasuke."

"Right," Kakashi murmured.

That was reasonable but … extremely vexing to think about. Had he actually assumed that Karin would move in with Sasuke after they released her from the Anbu hospital?

"Okay," he said, hitting the conference table with his hands as he pushed his chair back, "off to the hospital we go."

He might run into Sakura there. He hoped he would. He had assured himself she was well after the rather unfortunate events in Kirigakure, but he needed to see it with his own eyes. And he needed to tell her… that…

"Sasuke is trying hard," Tsunade interrupted his thoughts, "he made a huge effort to get out of that wheelchair. The amount of willpower he has… quite amazing. But you know that, don't you. As his teacher."

"I do," Kakashi agreed.

"Make sure he stays in Konoha," Tsunade said, "you'll need him with the trouble you guys stirred in Kirigakure…"

"Mhm," Kakashi agreed.

If he knew one thing about Keiki then it was that she was extremely resentful. Obsessed with repaying debts any way they went. The troubled they had stirred was big trouble. Kirigakure might have recruitment problems too, but the Anbu he had traveled with… they were top notch and he didn't know of many in Konoha's Anbu that would be a match.

"I'd expect the Mizukage to make a move during the Chunin exams, it's when we're the most vulnerable," Tsunade mused… but then she shook her head. "Not my problem anymore! I'm so glad, you won't even belie…"

"Yes, Tsunade, you said so already," Kakashi interrupted her sourly.

"Ah, right. Anyway, you need to come see me at the office tomorrow morning. Not too early because I plan to get completely wasted ton…"

"You told me that too," Kakashi sighed.

"There's a lot of things I need to show you. A LOT! Actually, I will make sure Shizune is there too, she knows how things work. Oh… I almost forgot! She's offered to be your assistant! I know it's not up to me to appoint her, but I believe she might be too shy to tell you herself."

"That's the best thing I've heard all day!" Kakashi perked up. Shizune as his assistant? Perfect. He had dealt with her many times during Tsunade's years as Hokage and she had always struck him as extremely competent.

Maybe… maybe things would not be as bad as he had thought they would be.

"Good," Tsunade nodded but then frowned at him. "I'm really fond of her, so be nice to her. But not too nice!" she quickly added. "She might get the wrong idea. Or… hm, maybe that's a good thing?"

What now? Kakashi looked over at Tenzo for help but he just shrugged, looking as confused as Kakashi felt.

"Ah," Tsunade sighed dramatically after catching their exchange of glances, "men... She has a crush on you, you idiot."

"Shizune?!" Kakashi did a double take. But… she hardly knew him?

"Men," Tsunade repeated dramatically, shaking her head. "Well, now you know. She will be angry with me for telling you, but actually, now that I think about it… she's an excellent catch, smart, talented, your age, unattached and very sweet. As far as biological clocks go, hers is ticking loudly."

Kakashi stared at her at a loss for words.

"Ohhhh," Tenzo said and smiled happily.

"I don't believe this," Kakashi murmured and turned around to leave. "Traitor," he hissed at Tenzo who made an innocent face at him. "I'm going to the hospital alone, go back to the Anbu," he ordered Tenzo, "and while you're at it, I promote you to Chief Commander."

"What?" Tenzo cried, "but I'm…"

"Taking over from me," Kakashi barked, "yes, today. Do you think I can do everything myself? Report to me every morning at… 10am sharp."

"Yes, sir!" Tenzo saluted, his solemn face showing traces of subservient eagerness that gave Kakashi the rest.

He had once heard someone say that the loneliest person in the whole village was the Hokage. As the protector of the entire village, you had no friends, only people who depended on you.

He had never wanted to believe it, but this close to taking office, he was beginning to fear it was true.

###

"I don't believe you're leaving," Ino said, looking close to tears.

"And I can't believe you haven't told him yet!" Sakura said with a quick glance at Ino's tummy.

"I know… I just fear…. it will change everything," Ino whispered.

"What should it change? You love each other."

"Yes, but… ack, you can't understand, you…"

Sakura lifted her eyebrows at her friend. Indeed, she didn't - but why did Ino think she wouldn't be able to? Ino had no doubts she wanted to be with Sai. Why would a child change any of that? Sai fathering a child with another woman, that would change everything though, she knew from experience.

"Have you worked things out with Sasuke?" Ino suddenly changed the subject, her eyes shifting to Sasuke's figure. He was standing at the bar with Naruto and Sai trying to get the bartender's attention, solemn and dressed in black, the Uchiha crest at the back of his Haori glowing in the dark. It was super crowded tonight and they could only talk because they had secured a table in a corner that afforded them a little privacy and a slightly less noisy environment.

"I'm leaving, Ino, in two days," Sakura said. "I won't be back for a few months at least."

"I know," Ino said, Naruto was jumping up and down to be noticed now, higher and higher, "but you guys look so… you look good together."

"What?" Sakura laughed in disbelief.

Okay, Ino was clearly hormonal or otherwise confused. Only a few days ago she had supported Sakura's ranting against Sasuke and his abject behavior towards her. A child! With Karin! What if he didn't remember, it actually made it worse.

"He looks at you all the time," Ino said, "he's clearly suffering."

"What?" Sakura asked again.

As if Sasuke knew how to. He only glared and… yeah… well, maybe he was a little sad. But not predominantly. He was just unusually clingy these days. And trying… trying very hard… "Too little too late," she said viciously to stop herself from caring about his defeated looks or from remembering those few times he had shown her his truly and utterly vulnerable side.

Uchihas never cry, then why can't I stop?

"You slept with your Sensei," Ino said bluntly, "it's not like Sasuke is the only one who was unfaithful."

"But that's…" Sakura was at a loss for words at the betrayal. Why was Ino attacking her?

"Different?" Ino shook her head. "Well, not really. And maybe it's worse. You didn't even know about the child when you did it. He wasn't married back then. I'm not judging you. I'm just saying…"

"Yes, you're judging me," Sakura said angrily. "I thought you were on my side."

"Oh, come on," Ino said, her voice having a sudden edge to it, "do I have to choose sides? You can do whatever you want, but at least be honest. You owe him that."

"I owe him? What do I owe him? He has treated me like dirt for years! And now that I'm no longer interested in him, he suddenly realizes he should have been nice to me? I am not a doormat, Ino! I have been stepped on enough times by him, not a single time more!"

"Okay," Ino said mildly, "I was just saying that you're making him go through hell and don't even notice."

Sakura quickly swallowed down her tears of anger when Naruto came sprinting in their direction, shouldering aside other people roughly. "You won't belieeeeeeve it!" he shouted. "Shikamaru became Jonin Commander today! Argh, why is he always several steps ahead of us?!"

"Yeah, took you forever to become a Jonin, slacker," Ino laughed, winking at Sakura.

But Sakura wasn't going to be best friends with her again just like that. What a traitor. Suddenly, she should give Sasuke another chance just because he was pouting? She pointedly turned her back on Ino and looked towards the other men coming their way. Ah, Hinata had arrived too, likely being the source of the news. Her father was in the village council as was befitting such an influential clan and apparently, they had had a meeting today.

"Hi," Hinata smiled and took a seat, Naruto milling around her like an eager puppy.

"Here," Sasuke said and pressed a glass into Sakura's hand as he sat down next to her, "I thought you might like this one."

Sakura looked down at the bright red drink with the cherry, the straw and the cocktail umbrella.

"Okay," she said, certain she wouldn't.

Much too sweet for her taste, she confirmed after the first sip.

"Shikamaru being promoted isn't even the most exciting news, though I'm so happy for him," Hinata beamed at them, "you know what else happened today? Your Sensei was confirmed as the next Hokage!"

"Our Sen… KAKASHI?!" Naruto screamed. "What?! Him?! Isn't he much too..."

"Shhhhhh," Hinata tried to calm him down, "it's not been officially communicated, please don't shout like that and show a little respect!"

Naruto looked like he was hyperventilating and Sakura could very much relate.

Kakashi was back?!

Kakashi was back… and hadn't come to see her. Why? She started to gulp down the artificial tasting, sugar sweet liquor in her glass. He was back. So he was well? What a relief. He was back. Why had he not sent word? Busy. He must be very busy, having to go to such meetings right after his return… or had he been back longer? What if…

"You can't be done already," Sasuke sounded shocked when he looked at her glass. Empty.

"Here," he said and pressed another glass into her hand. His drink.

"Kakashi Senpai deserves this," Sai said with shining eyes, "The Anbu deserves this! Their work is underappreciated, but with him at the helm…"

"Underappreciated?" Ino snarked, "it's a secret assassins' unit, we shouldn't even know who's in it."

"But we all know Kakashi was the Anbu Commander for the last seven years, Ino. I'm happy for him," Sai said and smiled.

Happy? Sakura thought she should feel happy for him too, but gosh, she wasn't in the least. Sasuke's drink was very bitter in contrast to hers and she felt how her stomach contracted angrily, but if she didn't drink, she feared she would burst into frustrated tears. Or maybe she would have to shout at people.

Karin, it means she's here too, she suddenly thought right as she got liquid down her windpipe and started coughing like a maniac.

She'll take Sarada away from me, was her second thought after she had cleared her throat. Which made no sense at all because she was leaving anyway.

I can't leave before I've seen Kakashi, Sakura thought further. Maybe I should stay until his ceremony. Not that it would matter… he'd hate everything about it anyway, but she would like to see him being celebrated by the entire village… wouldn't she?

Sasuke looked at the second empty glass with an expression of disbelief. "It took us more than fifteen minutes to get those," he said.

"Do you have anything better to do?" she snapped at him, earning herself a trademark scowl.

"I don't even know which drinks you like," he said with a frown, "but I guess it doesn't matter."

"Yes it does," she snapped, "for people who care."

"Woah," Naruto said and pulled a face at her, "nasty."

"Shut up," Sakura barked at him.

Everybody stared at her like she had lost her mind and maybe she had because there, at the door, drawing her eyes like a magnet...

"Oh my god," Hinata breathed, turning several shades paler, "oh my god."

Everybody's head turned to look towards the door. Sakura grabbed whatever drink she could reach and downed it in one go.

"I'm going to tell him I'll definitely going to be Hokage after him, he better not mess everything up" Naruto smiled and took a deep breath, "Senseiiiiii!"

Hinata clamped her hand across his mouth with so much force he almost fell off his stool.

"You know who that is?" she whispered in awe.

"Who?" Ino asked and squinted. "Oh, it's Kakashi Sensei! The future Hokage goes to bars? Cool."

"I mean the woman he's with," Hinata said.

Rin. It was Rin.

Not only were they both laughing merrily, they were also holding hands, looking back over their shoulders like they were sharing a funny joke.

"It's the heiress of the Nohara clan!" Hinata informed them, waiting for a reaction that didn't come. "She arrived in Konoha only yesterday, my father told me."

Sakura watched in disbelief as the two figures skillfully avoided impact with others by weaving a careful path through the other guests, keeping their heads low while coming their way.

"The Nohara clan? You don't know?" Hinata explained breathless, "her mother is the head of the orphanage and the head of Konoha's council. But the Noharas… they are big. I once heard a rumor they're the descendants of an unrecorded celestial ancestor, far more powerful than Hamura or Hagoromo, but that's probably just an attempt to explain their influence."

Said the heiress of the Hyugas. So Rin wasn't only holding Kakashi's hand like pulling him along was the most natural thing in the world to her, she was also the heiress of a clan more powerful than the Hyugas? Sakura grabbed a fourth drink from the table. Ino's? She shouldn't drink alcohol anyway.

"Woah," Naruto said impressed, "she's super pretty. Sensei's got skill."

Yup, pretty. Tall, slim, graceful, the kind of face that didn't need makeup to look perfect, the kind of woman who needn't dress up to look stylish and capable.

"Wait a second," Sai said, now sounding as impressed as Hinata before, "I read about her, isn't she supposed to be dead?"

"Nope," Sakura said, realizing her speech was slightly slurred, "she somehow didn't die, it's the funniest story."

She had read that stupid romance book to Kakashi in the forest. He had cried. They had made love four times. How worried she had been about him... For nothing. Rin was alive. The Rin he had grieved for all his life. And now, Rin was here. In Konoha. He had gotten her back. Which could only mean one thing...

Damn. She wasn't drunk enough for this.

Abruptly, she stood up, staggered, found her balance and shouted "who needs another drink?"

Not even waiting for anybody's answer, she started plowing through the throng of people to get to the bar, stubbornly focusing her eyes at her feet in the uncomfortable shoes. Maybe she could just pretend they weren't here? Maybe they would leave again? Maybe she should. Leave. Right away. And not come back for a year. Two. More.

Somewhere in the middle of the room, somebody bumped into her quite forcefully, and she staggered and almost fell. Sakura cursed fouly and swiveled around to tell the offender off.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Rin said. "I didn't watch where I stepped."

She had walked right into their path, like the stupid, unlucky cow that she was.

"Sakura," Kakashi said. He sounded surprised.

You didn't come to see me because Rin came back with you, Sakura thought, feeling her knees go weak and her stomach knotting up nervously as she gazed into his dark, questioning eyes, I get it. Just look at her. She's a goddess.

"Oh, hiiii," she smiled, trying to make a surprised face, thinking she was going to throw up any second.

"I wanted…," Kakashi began, making a step in her direction.

"Ah," Rin exclaimed, a smile transforming her face into the most beautiful thing Sakura had ever seen, "you're the one he ran around with."

The one he ran around with…?

"This is Sakura," Kakashi told Rin. They were still holding hands. "My… student."

Student?

"She's a medical-nin like me, I can see such things," Rin laughed at him, "what could you have taught her?"

"Uhm…," Kakashi's ears turned red.

"You'd be surprised," Sakura said viciously. "Or maybe not. Who knows, he might be teaching you too."

And the Oni-masks? You can forget what they did just like that? Is she that important to you?

"Kakashi," Sasuke said and stepped halfway in front of her possessively.

"Sasuke," Kakashi greeted him not unfriendly, and only now he let go of Rin's hand, "you're here too? Tsunade informed me your legs are as good as new? I'm glad you're better."

"I'm not really better," Sasuke said and narrowed his eyes at him.

"But quite well for an Uchiha," Rin chuckled, "considering your clan's track-record of ending up dead."

She had not just said that, had she? Sakura stared at her sweet and innocent face, feeling a rage build inside of her that was going to reach gigantic proportions in record time.

"You don't talk to my husband like that," she hissed at the Nohara who turned to her, still smiling. Apparently, the daughter was as rude as the mother and then some.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Rin said, "you two are married? Konoha can rejoice! Its most valuable bloodline is secured… oh wait…he didn't need you for that I think?"

"Rin," Kakashi said sharply, but something caught his attention by the door and he tensed. He grabbed her hand again. "We must leave."

She looked over her shoulder. Armed guards had appeared, turning their heads to all sides.

"Shit!" she exclaimed, "how good are they? They've already found us!"

"Let's take the back entrance," Kakashi suggested and briefly lifted his hand to wave goodbye to them before they disappeared.

"Huh?" Naruto, who had just joined them, frowned, "where did they go?"

"What did she say?" Hinata wanted to know nervously from the fuming Sakura, "is she going to live here in Konoha? I need to tell father I want to pay my respects to her."

"The Uchihas and the Noharas were enemies, am I right?" Sasuke asked slowly.

"Enemies?" Naruto laughed. "Nobody is enemies anymore these days. We left all of that garbage history behind us, Sasuke. Will of Fire, Curse of Hatred, you and me, united and all that…"

"The Harunos and the Noharas are enemies too," Sakura said viciously, hoping that the guards would catch her and make her life very hard.

"Drinks?" Naruto asked, but then an upbeat song came on very loudly and the crowd cheered enthusiastically. Wasn't it one of those songs everybody always sang under their breath at the hospital?

"I just don't care what you've done in your life, darling, I'll always be here by your side," the crowd chanted.

"You want to dance, Hinata?" Naruto beamed, grabbing her hand without waiting for an answer and pulling her forward into the thick of it despite her surprised squeal.

"You don't want to dance too?" Sasuke said like it was the most ridiculous thought he had ever expressed in words.

"Yes," Sakura said, "actually, I'd like to."

"O-okay," he said, suddenly looking flustered, "I am not sure I'm good at it."

"Who cares," Sakura replied, "if you want to get better, spend time practicing. It's like that with every thing in life. If you care about something, spend time with it until you got it."

"There is no choice, I belong to your life - Because I will live to love you someday," the singer sang.

They had never danced before. Of course, Sasuke wasn't bad at it, there were very few things he was bad at, but Sakura felt so miserable, she started crying halfway through the song. How could he…? Hadn't he told her she was important to him? Or had she misinterpreted… Sasuke pressed his lips together and held her a little more firmly.

"Can I spend more time with you?" he said quietly at her ear after she had calmed down. "I'd like to… practice. Being with you."

"I'm leaving, Sasuke," she answered firmly.

"Afterwards," he said. "When you come back. Please?"

"Maybe," she said, feeling new tears beginning to choke her, "okay, maybe."

"I am very sorry for hurting you in the past. I'm very, very sorry."

His lips were softer than she remembered them, cautious and insecure. She was surprised that he kissed her in front of everyone like this, it was not like him at all. Her impulse was to push him away, but she lacked resolve all of a sudden, finding the soft warmth of his mouth comforting and welcoming.

What was she even fighting?

"Sakura," somebody said.

She jerked back like boiling hot water had been poured on her and almost tripped over someone's leg.

Kakashi.

Standing a bit to the side, looking… annoyed. Quickly, she dried her lips with the back of her hand. Why was he back?

"Y…. yes?" she stammered, feeling Sasuke's whole body tense at the sight of their teacher.

"I need to talk to you before you leave," Kakashi said coldly.

"O… okay," she stammered, "sure."

"With both of you, I mean," he said stiffly.

Did she really feel a certain satisfaction at what she thought she saw in his eyes? If it was, it was short-lived. The misery that followed as he turned around without another word and stomped out drowned it out completely.

But what did it matter. She was leaving. She was leaving as quickly as possible.