"We're not giving up," Sasuke said. Kakashi sighed.
"You need three people to participate in the Chunin exams," he said.
"We don't need her!" Naruto yelled. "We'll do just fine without her!" The three of them were standing at the usual training grounds. Kakashi closed his book.
"You'll just be kicked out," he said.
"We'll fight our way in, then!" Naruto shouted. Kakashi glanced between the two boys. The sun was starting to go down.
"Why don't you two get something to eat." Kakashi left. He wandered the village for a while. He saw Gai's team training together. Kurenai's team was walking in the street.
He found Sakura sitting outside of her house, alone. Kakashi considered leaving. He ultimately decided to approach her.
"What do you want, Kakashi sensei?" Sakura asked.
"Let's talk," Kakashi said. He sat down with Sakura. The two of them watched passerby for a few minutes. The village was starting to quiet down. People were going to their homes.
"I can't do this," Sakura said.
"I heard."
"Oh hello there." Sakura's front door opened. Her mother was standing in the doorway. She was a brown-haired woman. Her hair hung to her shoulders, a single bang reached between her eyes. She was wearing an apron over her white dress. "If it isn't Kakashi, that's an old face."
"Good evening," Kakashi said. "Mebuki, isn't it?" Mebuki smiled.
"You know my mom?" Sakura asked. Kakashi and Mebuki shared a chuckle.
"It's a small world, Sakura," Mebuki said. "Kakashi, why don't you join us for dinner? I assume you haven't eaten today."
"Um, well…" Kakashi scratched his face. "I guess I haven't."
"Come on then," Mebuki said, stepping inside. Sakura stared at Kakashi, she'd never seen him acting this way.
Kakashi got up and stepped inside. Sakura lingered on the front steps.
"Sakura, come inside before you catch a cold!" Mebuki shouted from inside the house.
"Alright, mom."
X
Kakashi and Sakura were seated at the dinner table. It was a small round table.
"I made your favorite," Mebuki said. She placed three bowls on the table.
"Oh," Kakashi said. "Anmitsu."
"You're not still a picky eater, are you?" Mebuki asked as she retrieved a pot of syrup from the kitchen.
"No," Kakashi tugged tiredly at his mask. "It's usually a dessert," Mebuki poured some syrup on Sakura and Kakashi's bowls. She saved her own for last, nearly flooding the bowl.
"That's my mom for you," Sakura said. "She makes whatever she feels like."
"It's your favorite," Mebuki defended herself. She set the empty pot in the kitchen before sitting at the table.
"But it's a dessert, mom!" Sakura complained. "And you always put so much syrup, it's not as good as when dad makes it."
"Where is Kizashi?" Kakashi asked. "Is he out?"
"Yes," Mebuki said. "He'll be back later tonight." Sakura and Mebuki started eating. They watched Kakashi closely.
"Are you going to eat?" Sakura asked.
"I'll get there," Kakashi said.
"How has Sakura been performing?" Mebuki asked. "I hope she hasn't caused you any trouble."
"Oh, of course not," Kakashi said. "She's probably my best student." He poked a peach slice in his bowl with his chopsticks.
"Oh, is that so?" Mebuki asked. "Living up to the Haruno name, are you?" She lightly kicked Sakura under the table.
Sakura jumped, swallowing some of her food. She noticed Kakashi's eye on her and looked down.
"One of my other students has been struggling," Kakashi said. He slipped the peach slice under his mask. Mebuki gave him a strange look and rolled her eyes. "He's not sure whether or not he wants to continue as a ninja."
"What an idiot," Mebuki said.
Sakura shrunk in her seat.
"I disagree," Kakashi said. "I think some people aren't able to question themselves, whether or not they make mistakes don't matter as long as they keep moving." He poked at his jelly. "While that is a valuable mindset, the ability to judge yourself is also important."
Mebuki was watching Kakashi closely now. He was talking directly to Sakura.
"Anyway," Kakashi rose from his seat. He picked up his bowl. "Can I return this later?"
"Sure." Mebuki waved her hand at him.
"Good night, ladies." Kakashi vanished into a puff of smoke. All that remained was his chopsticks left on the table.
Sakura and Mebuki ate in silence for a few minutes.
"Anything you want to tell me?" Mebuki asked. Sakura shook her head. She finished her food in a hurry and rose from the table.
Mebuki stared at the table as Sakura rushed into the kitchen to wash her bowl. Mebuki set down her chopsticks.
"I never told you about your grandmother, did I?" Mebuki asked.
Sakura glanced at Mebuki over her shoulder.
"Grandma?"
"There's something you should know about your family."
X
The next few months passed like days.
Sasuke and Naruto were waiting outside of a large building. It was where the Chunin exams would begin.
"Where is she?" Sasuke asked.
"She'll come," Naruto said. "She has to."
Soon enough, they spotted her running down the street.
"Sakura!" Naruto yelled. He waved wildly at her. Sasuke smirked.
Sakura slowed to a stop in front of the two boys.
"I could hug you!" Naruto yelled. "I'm so happy!"
"Please don't," Sakura shoved Naruto with a laugh.
Kakashi appeared a few feet away from a puff of smoke.
"Glad to see you all made it," He said. "Everyone is inside. Are you guys ready?"
Naruto and Sakura nodded. Sasuke was distracted. A trio of people were walking down the same street. The others followed his line of sight.
Three ninja were approaching.
One of them was wearing a black bodysuit and a matching hood. Sasuke recognized the symbol of the sand village on his head. He carried a large box on his back.
Another was a blonde woman. Her hair was tied into four pigtails. She wore a light purple garment. She was carrying a large black case on her back.
The final one was a redheaded boy. He wore a brown bodysuit, a white sash hung from his shoulder. On his back was a large gourd.
Kakashi turned to the group.
"Ah, our friends from the sand village," He said.
"You know those guys?" Naruto asked.
"Nope. You three better get going."
Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke headed into the building.
Inside was a long hallway. A sign told them to take the stairs.
"Sakura," Sasuke spoke up, pausing on the first step. Naruto kept going, pausing a few steps up. Sakura turned to Sasuke.
"What is it?" Sakura asked.
"Thank you for doing this," Sasuke said after a moment of hesitation. Sakura smiled.
'I wouldn't miss it for the world."
