Half of what is exciting about something is looking at it from a different angle... So for those rabid Kakashi lovers - enjoy this passage and forgive it!
I sadly, do not own Naruto, or else I would have renamed it Kakashi!
White Fang, Lightning's Howl: The Secret of the Hatake Clan
Blossoming
The next day, after making a list of groceries and necessary things, Kakashi went out on a large shopping spree. For a month, he was going to be alone – and although Pakkun would be helpful in getting some stuff, Pakkun wasn't entirely able to do massive grocery shopping.
Packing all of his things together, Kakashi looked at his bedroom as if to say farewell. He paused as his eyes fell upon two pictures. Suddenly he grabbed them.
What better to meditate on than what he had lost and what he hoped to find again?
Walking down the main street, heading for the older section of the city, he caught sight of Sakura. She was laughing and joking around with her comrades. They were all headed for the Chuunin exams once again.
This time around, it would be more peaceful – there would be, perhaps, a higher chance of all of them passing. Their skills were undeniable – but the meddling of the Sound had cast a shadow over everything last time.
He could hear them talking.
"Chouji, can't you stop eating for just one minute – the exam isn't here for another three weeks!" (Ino)
"Stop trying to change him, Ino, it's too troublesome." (Shikamaru)
"Food! Barbeque!" (Chouji)
"Hah! Now that Shikamaru's gone, you guys are going to be dead meat! Right, Akamaru?" (Kiba)
"Argghhh! You try it!" (Ino)
"Ino-san. I'm sure that Kiba-kun was only joking." (Hinata)
"You want to fight, Inuzuka?" (Neji)
"Alright! Let's practice! I can hardly wait to shine for Gai-sensei!" (Rock Lee)
"I don't recollect asking you." (Neji, annoyed.)
"We'll all pass," Sakura was saying to Ino. "We're the Rookie Nine of theLeaf."
She stopped as she caught sight of her old teacher. Kakashi and Sakura stared at each other appreciatively.
It had been now a year since they'd last said hello. Although they had glimpsed each other in crowds of mutual acquaintances, they had never really talked much.
Once again, Kakashi found it hard to stave off the feeling of acute guilt.
She's got her own life now, he reminded himself. She does NOT need an old teacher who really neglected her to hang around. , he reminded himself.
But he still looked. She had changed. Her hair had stayed short. A testimony to an inner change. No longer did she wear her red dress but a short skirt with practical knee-high boots, black gloves, elbow protectors and anapron thing.
(?) What was that thing?
Over all, hard times and memories had changed her into an older girl now.
Sakura stared at her teacher. Around her, the group of genins fell silent. Any mention of Sasuke, Naruto or Kakashi tended to send her into a spiral of depression or introspection.
She looked him over.
Although to the uninformed eye, he looked the same, she could tell there was a shadow of a difference.
Was it the eyes? The fact he was obviously wearing the tight pants and sleeveless top of an ANBU squad member? Was it the overall air of bounciness?
He's gotten more in shape, obviously he's been busy as Tsunade said he has been. I guess I couldn't believe her. Who would have thought?
She walked over to the jounin who was carefully balancing several bags in his arms. He looked like he was stocking up for a storm or something. The amount of food on his dog's back and in his arms…..
"Kakashi-sensei!" She said.
"Sakura…." Kakashi said, hesitatingly.
What the hell do I say?
"How's it going?" she asked.
"I've been busy…" Kakashi said, gruffly. "I'm sorry I couldn't drop by to see you – I've been that busy – believe it or not…."
"No, I believe you," Sakura said with a smile. "I've been run off my feet by Tsunade as well."
"Ahhh…. So your training is coming along…" Kakashi said, with a smile.
"Yeah… I heard you're training extra nowadays too."
"Yes, well…. I decided that I should become stronger as well…. So that I'll be able to help you and Naruto bring back Sasuke."
Sakura's eyes widened. Then, she smiled in understanding.
"So. Even Naruto's attitude has affected you," she laughed.
"Shhhh. It's a secret."
Sakura laughed even more.
"Anyway," Kakashi said, shifting his burden in his arms. "I'm glad that you're doing well. Have you heard about Naruto recently?"
"Ummmm…. Jiraiya just sends notes to say that they're surviving and alive. That's about it." Sakura shrugged. "But now that the Chuunin exam is coming up…. Well, I can't help but be caught up in the moment."
"Ah ya." Kakashi agreed, remembering the excitement of his first Chuunin Exam.
"I better let you go," Sakura said, turning to look at her waiting comrades.
"Yes. I hope you do well. I know you will do well. I know I sometimes don't sound like it but I have faith in you. Did I not always say that you use your chakra more efficiently than most genins?"
Sakura's eyes filled with tears.
"Thanks a lot, Kakashi-sensei."
She turned.
"Sakura."
"Yes?"
"I'm – sorry."
There was a pause.
"I'm - sorry that – I couldn't –"
Sakura turned around, a genuine smile on her face.
"No, that's fine. What better teacher could I have than Tsunade? If Naruto's being taught by Jiraiya and Sasuke by Orochimaru I better be on the top of my form too! I like you, sensei, but your face is always one that is lacking enthusiasm…."
She giggled and then stopped.
"Who's teaching you?"
Kakashi stared. Then smiled.
"My father, I guess."
Then, nodding farewell, he walked down the street.
"Good luck, Kakashi-sensei!"
She called.
He waved back nonchalantly and then turned the corner.
His father?
"What was that all about, Sakura?" asked Shikamaru.
"My goodness, your teacher is really attractive, Sakura," Ino said with a smile. "Ever thought….?"
She trailed off meaningfully.
Neji snorted.
Ten Ten nodded. "I know what you mean, Ino. If only I was older…."
"You'd have to be Iruka to get that man's attention," Rock Lee said, practicing one of his hero poses.
Chouji choked on his chips.
Shikamaru thumped him on the back.
"Don't stuff your mouth so much, pig!"
"Rock Lee!" Hinata gasped. "Is – is that true?"
"Gai told me it is so!" Rock Lee said nodding.
Neji smacked himself on the forehead, giving up on his teammate.
Akamaru barked.
Kiba stared at his pet. "Now, Akamaru, don't be silly. It's only Kakashi-sensei – you know, the teacher who can't do anything else other than read romances!"
"WHAAAATTT! IDIOT!" Sakura said, glaring at him and clenching her fist meaningfully.
"S-S-Sakura!" Shikamaru stuttered. "Don't listen to such a troublesome idiot! We all know Kakashi is really a – uh – great – uh – shinobi…."
"You guys know nothing about him. He's loyal. He's smart. He's one of the hardest shinobi to beat in this town!"
"She's right," Neji spoke up. "Other than the two Uchiha he is the only other Sharingan user."
"Sharingan? Are you sure, Neji?" asked Ten Ten.
"Only the Uchiha have the ability to create a doujutsu like that…." Shikamaru said, slowly.
"It's true." Sakura said, sitting back.
Everybody heaved a sigh of relief.
"I've seen it for myself. Why else do you think he's got his hitai-ate on sideways?"
"Uh…. Bad fashion sense?" asked Ino.
"NO!" Sakura glared.
"Well, okay, fine, whatever…."
Later on in the evening, Sakura found Tsunade standing in her favorite spot, below the carved faces, overlooking Konoha's roofs.
Tsunade turned to her with a smile.
"Tsunade-sama…" Sakura asked hesitantly.
"Yes?" she asked.
"Kakashi-sensei…." Sakura paused.
There was a silence.
"His father…."
Tsunade raised her eyebrows.
"His father is dead."
"I see."
"Why do you ask?"
"Nothing," Sakura said, puzzled.
"Nothing."
