I don't own Naruto – if I did, it would have been called 'Kakashi!'


White Fang, Lightning's Howl: The Secret of the Hatake

Fellowship and Goodbye

All afternoon, Sakura had the company of her friends. Neji. Tenten. Rock Lee. Shikamaru. Ino. Chouji. Hinata. Kiba. Shino. Temari. Kankurou.

But as night fell, and they left her to go to their various homes, Sakura never felt more alone. She was sitting in the Ichiraku Ramen shop, fiddling with her drink, wondering whether she would be kicked out for loitering anytime soon, when two people sat down beside her.


Sasuke and Naruto.

"Hey, Sakura-chhhhhaaan!" Naruto called.

Sasuke sniffed and turned his head away.

"Let's try to get Kakashi's mask off!"

"Oh, Naruto," she said. "I don't think that's such a good idea!"

"Ohhhhh….. come on! Saaaasuuukkkkeeee! Tell her it's a great idea!"

"Dobe! Nobody can get it off!"

"Don't call me that!"

"Call you what, dobe?"

"Sakuuurraaa-cccchhhhaaan!"

"Sakura… Hey, Sakura…"


She sat up straighter and blinked looking around her. It was Kakashi.

Kakashi.

"Sakura… Hey, Sakura…"

"Kakashi-sensei!"

"Come on! I've got something to show you!" Kakashi said, slightly twitchy.


Is he nervous? What's going on?


He walked down to the famous restaurant, the Palace of Serenity. Before she could object, he whisked her in, past the welcoming staff and into a private booth.

A waiter came with a bouquet and a wrapped gift. Kakashi stood and, sticking his arms straight out, as if the objects would infect him, said, "Heretheseareforyou."

His voice was gruff and his one eye was focused somewhere over her shoulder as if her cotton seat was holding the answer to the mystery of the universe.

She looked down at the yellow flowers.


The valiant flower that endured the winter to bloom in the spring. The flower that held so many wishes that still remained unanswered.


The yellow and green blurred together.

Kakashi watched with dismay as his student turned into a watering pot.


It's one thing to promise to be there for your students – but everything I do is wrong! What's wrong with me?


"Sakura-chan! I'm so sorry!" Kakashi said, grabbing the flowers and was about to pitch them out the window, when a small hand stopped his arm.

"No, Kakashi-sensei!" she said. "These flowers bring a lot of memories to me, good and bad. Truly, I love them! I thank you so much for your thoughtfulness…"

"Ahaha!" Kakashi said, chuckling, not about to let her know that it was Iruka that had reminded him rather forcefully.


From then on, the night of celebration flowed smoothly. She oohed and aahed appreciatively over his gift (he was proud to say he chose it himself) and was disappointed once again, since Kakashi ate his meal in one gulp (behind the menu) while she was being congratulated by Iruka, Shizune and Genma.

Fate seemed to be against her when it came to unmasking Kakashi. After a moment's thought, she shrugged.

She ate the rest of the meal in a glow of happiness. Not really tasting the food at all. Just happy to talk about things like politics, jutsu, falling kunoichi enrollment and the Sharingan's properities.

Later on that night, she knew she would remember the loss of her teammates. But what Kakashi had done for her – no doubt prompted by Iruka, who was sitting across the way with Shizune trying not to look like he was spying on them – had been lifesaving.


He escorted her home, talking softly with her about her new responsibilities and his future work.

"I don't think we'll be seeing each other again for awhile," Sakura said.

"I guess not."

"Don't get yourself killed. Or hurt."

"Don't worry. I know a really good medic. A good student of mine."

Sakura smiled.

"Well, it's good bye for now," Kakashi said. "When Naruto comes, we'll be able to really surprise each other."

Sakura nodded.

"Thanks a lot, Kakashi-sensei. You don't know how much it means to me!"

Running forward, she gave him a big hug around the chest.

At first, he didn't know how to respond but then, his stiffness relaxed and he remembered what his father – his sensei – Iruka – did.

He circled his arms around the pink-haired kunoichi's shoulders, resting his head on top of hers.

They separated in silence. And in silence parted. For there was no words needed now between them. For another year, give or take a few months, they would walk separate paths, growing in knowledge and strength. Bonded by a single purpose – a silent purpose too deep for words.


We will grow stronger!


That had been their toast.


For Konoha! For Sasuke! For Naruto!


Muse: What. The. Heck.

Nanny-chan: What? What?

Muse: Palace of Serenity?

Nanny-chan: (blushes) hehehe

Muse: What's up with that?

Nanny-chan: I couldn't for the life of me, think up a good restaurant name... so...

Muse: (sighs) And what's with all this Sakura/Kakashi stuff?

Nanny-chan: Ummm... I'm kind of like Tolkien and like to explore character and ... ermmm... well... it was a thought...

Muse: ...hopeless!...

Nanny-chan: (grabbing heels) I will change! I will change! I promise! Don't leave!