It was an odd, and a hot summer day when Sakura was strolling through the streets of Konoha in nothing but her new summer outfit. It felt like ages before she could finally put something fancy, something "non-ninja style" on. Besides the eye-catching pink colored nature gift, for what it felt like first time, she wore a plaid white and blue short top with loose-free skirt which was supereminent and non-occurent for Sakura. It was rather heart warming for herself - to pretend and imply she is a regular Konoha villager who is enjoying a completely regular summer afternoon in the center of the town.
Pink haired kunoichi was enjoying herself right until three village girls have crossed to Sakura's street and moved towards her.
"Can't believe Tatsumo said that!", one of the girls, brunette, giggled, "I heard he confessed in love to another girl just the night before he came to you. What a silly boy". And all of them laughed aloud.
And as they passed by Sakura, she could only turn around in attempt to catch the smell of careless, fun, happy, united youth that didn't belong to her.
Despite the fact that three girlfriends were divas: tall, beautiful, of noble figures as they spread their feminine pheromones on the walk-by path on everyone, what Sakura felt was not adoration but rather jealousy, 'Girls my age compete with each other on wearing shorter skirts and gossip about boys', Sakura thought to herself, 'And I... I am shinobi, people like me are obliged to follow those stupid rules...", Sakura froze right on the middle of the street, looking up into the skies. Everytime she tried to find a single cloud up there, she failed. 'Still, what a nice weather', she smiled to herself.
She picked up on her tote bag full of groceries and started moving on towards her home again, 'After all, he is following the rules too, right?'.
In the end, contemplating took her nowhere, and the very last thing to do was only to wonder where was he at this exact moment and what was he doing?
Sakura kept strolling through the streets as she was almost done with grocery shopping. It was Friday and she knew that tonight the cooking was on her. Oh well, she wish she could do some fun stuff instead with her friends or maybe even him...
'Aargh, Sakura! Cut the shit! We both are different grown up people with different needs!', Inner Sakura was trying to back off all the thoughts splashing in the back of her head.
It took Sakura a lot to admit that she had a crush on her sensei, Kakashi Hatake. Although not sure of when and how she had developed a crush on him, it took a while for her to get the attention off from Sasuke. She never really thought it would be possible; but when you are in a constant contact with such a powerful, handsome and caring man, it started to strike Sakura, which man she would want in her life. In the end Sakura came to a conclusion that Sasuke was chasing his own goals, and romantic relations were never his top priority.
She subliminally made a decision after the last mission she had with her team.
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Mission given by Tsunade-sama was as simple as it could get: Team 7 was told to be a guard for a rich merchant, which helped Konoha a lot after the great shinobi war: he supplied the entire village with medicaments, arranged food and water for a reasonable prices and coordinated the builders workforce to help reconstruct the town. Their way led through Konoha and to the village of a Hidden sand, with a few stops they would make it in around 4 days.
Back in the time Sasuke and Sakura had a fling going on between them: they've had their first date and started seeing each other, sometimes even being noticed on streets of Konoha. It's been on for almost two years, but in Sakura's head, their relationship was going to face a dead-end at one point. It seemed as Sasuke was not in a hurry, and took his time slower: he took Sakura on dates, spent time together but he never proposed Sakura to officially date. It bugged her to death.
He never intended to talk about them as the couple, he seemed to act out of his own will, rarely asking whether Sakura would want to comply and do something with him. Sakura felt as she was manipulated in a way, by which Sasuke was just doing whatever he wanted. And though, when she managed to raise her voice and start discussing what are they: a couple or just two teammates hanging out or whether he wants to have a sex buddy, he never gave a straightforward answer, "We don't have to hurry about our decisions, shall we? I want to fulfill and enjoy those years I have missed from Konoha first", he always repeated, "Maybe I will discover something new". Although Sakura knew that to some extend it was necessary for him, however her own youth wasnt going to last forever.
She was a young woman in the prime of her life, and she as well, wanted to enjoy her time. Enjoy her time with someone who appreciated her and would stay till the very death. She simply wanted a happy life with a person dear to her. It was the time when Sakura stopped romanticizing Sasuke and heaviness of reality kicked her in.
Sakura knew that she was important for Sasuke and he probably loved her, but taking a path in his life and following his goals wasn't a part of what she strived. She didn't want to cut off her dreams and instead babysit the new generation of Uchiha. After all, she had wishes and goals to achieve too. Time by time she noticed that Sasuke doesn't take her wishes into consideration, which meant disappointment for her. 'I want to develop as a person, as a unique identity too...', her inner mind repeated each time.
Anyway, it was the middle of Team 7 mission, when they reached the Hidden sand village and merchant has come home - easy mission completed and now a way back home awaited for them.
"Let's spend here a night, I might have to see Gaara to check on how he's doing", Naruto started, eyes inspecting Kakashi as if waiting for his approval.
Having hesitated for a bit, he complied, "Okay Naruto, but just one night. We cannot be out of Konoha for a while, I'm sure Tsunade expects us back soon", he sighed and looked behind. "I will get us rooms by the springs then".
"We can't waste our time here by doing nothing", Sasuke interrupted with a calm voice, "We have other important missions waiting for us in Konoha, I disagree with this decision", he finished with a note of annoyance in his speech.
Sakura rolled her eyes. 'Important missions huh? Name at least three', she thought.
"But Sasuke, it's just one night", Sakura picked up on the topic. Although she wouldn't want to stay herself, it was another chance for her to stand against him. "Plus we have to refill water and food supplies, I'm not eating those gross berries from forest again", she stated with a grumpy face, arms crossed at her chest.
"Ah kids, kids, come on. Sakura is right, it wouldn't do any harm staying for a night here and having a proper rest. Do we all agree?", Kakashi raised an eyebrow, looking up at both Sasuke and Sakura.
"Yeah Sasuke, whats the problem? Just get stuff and get to sleep, tomorrow we will head back, dattebayo...", Naruto scratched his head.
"Fine", was all the Uchiha managed to utter, "I'm off then, see you all tomorrow morning at the gates". And then he turned around and made his way to the streets of village.
Sakura looked at the back of Uchiha, 'And me?! What if I wanted to go with Sasuke? He didn't even ask me!', inner Sakura was raging up, 'Idiot, where is he going!'.
"Seriously, why is he so complicated?", Naruto mumbled, "Sensei, I will get to see Gaara, all right?".
"Okay Naruto, but be there tomorrow at the gate on time, you know where will we stay for the night", Kakashi answered pointing at the only hot springs infront of them.
With a wide smile on his face, Naruto waved his hand, "See you guys!", and hurried to the direction of the Kazekage office.
Well, now it was just Sakura and Kakashi. They looked at each other with a smile. "Do you want to check the hot springs together, Sakura?", he asked.
Well, being left practically alone, she had no choice. Sakura didn't have friends in the Hidden Sand village, and she neither felt like going out alone. "Sounds good Kakashi-sensei", she nodded her head, and her tummy made a growl-ish sound, "A-and, maybe we could have a look at what they serve for dinner too!", she giggled as they made their walk towards the entrance.
Cool wind swayed outside as sun was going down the dune hills of Hidden Sand. After discovering the hot springs and sharing a nice meal, they decided to get the rooms and go for a short walk before sleep. "Should we get two rooms to spare some money?", Kakashi asked as they were heading towards receptionist. Sakura shook her head, "Yea sure, but how do you want to settle?", she looked back at her sensei with a questionable face.
"Well I would share a room with Naruto, and since you're dating with Sasuke, I think it's would be no problem for you both to spend a night together?", he simply answered.
"I better get myself a separate room", Sakura sharply answered, "And why should we care about where sleeps tonight, he left us without saying anything".
"Woah, easy Sakura-chan", Kakashi had a glance at her, "I'm sorry to bring that up, but I thought you were seeing him for a while, isn't it?".
"If we're seen together in public and share meals together it doesn't mean we are actually together, Kakashi-sensei", Sakura replied in an annoyed tone. "If I would see you with a girl outside, should I consider you are dating her?".
"Well if it's not a teammate of mine and if I'm not on a mission, then yes, Sakura, it would mean I'm seeing someone", Kakashi stopped in a hallway, "I didn't know things are complicated between you two, sorry". He sighed, looking up at Sakura again. "But its my responsibility as a team leader to assure that we all are staying a night at a safe place, that's why I brought it up", he continued.
'So that brunette lady with sensei a month ago at cafe... Then he might be seeing someone?', Sakura thought, and turned her eyes to Kakashi as he continued, "Well, I would rather share a room with you sensei, rather than with Sasuke or even Naruto - he snores so loud!", Sakura said in a high pitched voice, gesturing to Kakashi to move on to the reception.
"Sakura-Chan, are you trying to get an old man like me into your bed?", Kakashi joker and laughed slightly.
"W-what?! N-no Kakashi-sensei, you know what I meant", Sakura'a check grew red, "Sensei, you are a pervert as usual!", she shouted.
"Sheesh, Sakura, be quiet or the receptionist lady will indeed think so", he quietly replied with troubled face and another sigh as they approached the lady.
The rest of the evening seemed to be intense. Sakura was not sure whether it's because of the conversation they had before, or it's just the heavy silence that cut their voices. Sakura noticed that Kakashi gave her odd looks, as if he was trying to read her mind all along. Was he curious about her and Sasuke? Why would he even care, the great pacifist Hatake Kakashi, the chill guy who never gives a fuck about a shit.
Sakura was starting to think she got paranoid because of the ways Kakashi looked at her. When they went for a short walk before sleep, she could bet he was gazing at her from peripheral vision. As if he knew he's laid his eyes on her but refused to admit it.
Sakura shook her head. He probably was just shocked that Sakura reacted to Sasuke that sharp. She always seemed to cry over Sasuke and still care about him when he left Konoha. What changed? Yet he didn't ask any more questions about them two, however Sakura knew he was curious.
They walked in a pure silence, sometimes bumping at each other with their eyes. Although it was embarrassing, Sakura took the courage in her and looked at sensei once again. His eyes were watching the buildings they passed, sometimes holding a gaze on strangers at the window shops. Street life in Hidden Sand was peaceful thanks to Gaara, and again Sakura caught feeling of being a careless citizen who just enjoys the evening.
"Look at all these people", she said calmly, "They are so...casual and peaceful, they are just enjoying another evening after another workday", she suddenly stopped. It probably made no sense to talk about stuff like this to another shinobi, she thought.
Her sentence was followed by a short while of silence from Kakashi, but suddenly he picked it up, "I know", was all he said.
Suddenly, all the street lights turned on. Little light bulbs around the signboards of cafes, ramen places and shops glowed with their artificial beam lights, dancing with the dark colors of the street. People were gathering up at the tables down the street having fun drinking booze and just laughing at silly things.
For a second Sakura has gotten mesmerized by the dawn in the purple-ish skies and held her breath. 'Why isn't he with me right now? Why can't I be like them?', she thought and smiled at the strangers passing by.
"Earth to Sakura", Kakashi's voice from far ahead has pulled her back to the ground, "You coming?". Kakashi stood there with his mismatched eyes as usual, this time holding the favorite Icha-Icha tactics in one hand and another in pocket.
Kakashi waved his hand at her as he came closer. "Do you want to head back already?", he asked, slowly taking his sight off from the book to meet her eyes once again.
"I-I am fine, sensei", she mastered her answer, "I think we should head back, yeah", and the second her eyes met his she broke the eye contact by stating into the floor.
"Okay then, let's go", he gave a simple answer. As they turned around he spoke up again, "You know that you don't have to call me your sensei anymore, right?".
"Why not, sensei?", she asked back.
"You are no longer my student, right?", he said.
"Then what are we?", Sakura asked and instantly regretted the question. 'We are teammates, dumb ass!', inner Sakura shouted.
Kakashi laughed. "We are teammates, Sakura, relationship of student and teacher is now in past, you are now a grown up", he casually replied.
"Yes you're right", Sakura admitted, "But calling you sensei is kind of a habit actually", Sakura laughed.
"Sakura, can I ask you a question?"
"Yeah, shoot it"
"Aren't you dating Sasuke?", he asked.
There it goes.
"Well, we have been seeing each other for two years but it has never been official", she answered with a sigh, "He never asked me to be his girlfriend".
"Hm, interesting"
"Why are you asking, sensei?"
"I thought you two were a thing. Naruto and Hinata got married already, Shikamaru has proposed Temari... Even Choji is getting married", he said, "I thought Sasuke is more responsible when it comes to...", he cut off, "I thought Sasuke would be one of the first to get married and to rebuild his clan".
Yeah, right, rebuild his clan. But Sakura didn't want that. She didn't want to waste her youth being a mother of multiple small Uchihas running around and screaming.
"What if...I don't want that", Sakura looked at Kakashi with her emerald eyes full with sadness, "What if we didnt make it to being a couple because we both are consumed by our own goals and wishes?", she finally spilled the tea.
"What are your wishes, Sakura?", Kakashi sent her another hard question.
"That's a good question indeed", she said, as they both arrived back to the hot springs hotel. "I will have to think about it".
It was the first time for Sakura to share a room with Kakashi. It was visible he pretended to act normal but something have him away. He was looking at Sakura while she was packing or unpacking her things, and once she returned a look to him, he quickly looked away. Just like a child!
The rest of the journey back home most of the team remained silent and Sakura couldn't ignore that everytime they rushed through the forest, Kakashi looked back at the team to check everyone's following. Or better to say, he checked on Sakura, each time. Yeah right, he was the one leading the way, but it started to creep Sakura out - so much attention from her sensei.
She couldn't say the same about Sasuke though, he remained silent since they all met at the gate and greeted each other. His look was cold and it felt as if he was annoyed to death.
Once they have arrived home to Konoha, Kakashi led Sakura to her home without dropping a single word. When they reached her home, he finally let it out, "Sakura, Sasuke might not be as other boys, maybe he needs more time", he said.
"Why would you care, sensei? I don't like brining this topic back to the table", she answered annoyingly, "And sorry to be rude but it's none of your business what is going on between us".
"No, it is my business, you both are my teammates", he simply answered, giving her that look again, "And besides, I just care about you, Sakura-chan".
Sakura couldn't believe her ears! Sasuke has never said anything like that!
"And why is that, Kakashi?", this time she dropped the 'sensei' part.
"Hmm", he thought for a second, "That's a good question, Sakura". He smiled through the mask and added, "I always cared about you".
Interesting. What does that mean?
"What are you trying to say, sensei?", she didn't snap it.
"I'm saying that", he took a step closer, "If you ever need someone to talk, I'm always here". He remained silent for a bit examining her emerald eyes. "But now I gotta go, Sakura-chan", he waved her and made his way home, without saying anything else.
And maybe Sakura has gotten his message the wrong way, which he didn't mean, but the poor girls heart started beating faster. It was a heart of a girl who was so desperate from her unhappy relationship that anything could sound romantic to her. Maybe Sakura misunderstood her sensei but ever since she started noticing that maybe she does not need a boy but a man, who is just taking care of people who are dear to him.
Maybe it was just a signal for Sakura to try and see what happens if she pauses her relationship with Sasuke and tries something else, for the sake of her youth.
And she did it - in a week she told Sasuke she's taking a break from him.
Sakura sighed as she made it to her home. Her subconscious voice told her to focus on career instead of floating in the clouds and dreaming about 'what could have been if she would be a regular person in Konoha, if she would be... if they would be toge-'
'ENOUGH!' Sakura shook her head. 'Enough of this romantic ass bullshit for today!'
She has put her house key in the lock and turned it left. Once she stepped inside and put the grocery bags on the ground, she yelled "I'm home!".
As she undid her shoes, Sakura noticed another shinobi boots, definitely greater of her own size.
'Who could it be? Naruto?', she hold still questioning who might be an unexpected guest so late at her house. 'What is he doing here?'
"Sa-ku-raaaa! Is that you?", Ino was yelling from the back of the house. Sakura hurried making her way into the kitchen.
"Yeah, it's me, sorry I'm a bit late for dinner", Sakura replied and stepped into the room.
What she didn't expect was Kakashi sitting together with Ino and having a cup of tea. "Hello Sakura", Kakashi said with a warm voice and probably a smile underneath his mask.
"Hey forehead", Ino smiled and gestured, inviting Sakura to join them, "Where have you been all this time? I was starting to get worried!"
"Hey Ino", she started confidently, and curiously looked up at her sensei, "And Kakashi-sensei... what brings you here?"
"Ah, I'm sorry to bother you on your day off, Sakura-Chan", Kakashi looked at her warmly, "But Tsunade has asked me to tell you that she is letting Team 7 to get a two-week holiday. I couldn't find you in hospital that's why I'm here".
"Holiday? For us? But why?", Sakura didn't believe her ears. All they did was work hard, and knowning Tsunade for so long it didn't seem as if she just let the Team REALLY have a holiday.
"Well", Kakashi put his cup on the coffee table and stood up from the couch, "I had no further clarification on this, moreover, I did not mind the given holiday", he laughed afterwards. "And since I am leaving for a short trip, I wanted to keep you updated. Just enjoy the free time, Sakura", Kakashi said and started preparing to leave.
"It's just strange because usually Tsunade-sama is rarely in a good mood I think? But it's nice indeed, thank you for telling me this!", Sakura replied quickly.
"Yeah, Forehead, you better be happy and enjoy the holiday", Ino added, "I wish I had one too right now".
"It's not like you, Sakura, can play a fool for two entire weeks though", Kakashi continued, making his way to the entrance hall, "Frankly speaking, in my opinion Hokage-sama wants all of the three teammates to work on themselves during this period". He looked up at Sakura, holding a big blue bag and positioning it over his shoulder. "To my thinking, Tsunade has noticed that you and Sasuke are not working well together recently. And whatever it is, you have to figure it out for the sake of the teamwork, and finally the Team 7", Kakashi sighed.
"Me and Sasuke?! But we are completely fine! I mean, we're not having any complications at the moment...We are not even... We're just comrades and nothing more!", Sakura's inner mind was raging.
"I'm just taking a wild guess. In any case, I shall leave now, thank you for the tea, Ino. And see you around, Sakura!", Kakashi has waved at the girls and disappeared in puff of smoke behind the entrance door, with a hand gesturing 'goodbye'.
"Bye-bye Kakashi-sensei!", Ino said together with Sakura.
Sakura stood infront of the door not able to move. What did Kakashi mean? What meant to figure out stuff with Sasuke? And why Tsunade keeps an eye on this?
Sakura felt as something was just not right. 'Tsunade counts each working day of each shinobi in Konoha. Plus currently we experience shortage of available shinobi who are able to get high ranked missions, which now means, four of us are off the list', she thought. 'What has Tsunade-sama planned?'.
Sakura walked to her room, ignoring Ino's invitation to join her for the dinner. Laying on top of her bed she pondered what really brought Kakashi to her place and why are they given such a long holiday. Tomorrow was a new day and she was planning to figure out what the hell it meant.