Kakashi quickly ushered Sakura up the slippery wooden staircase to the apartment inwhich she lived.Placing a comforting hand on her back insureing that a fall wouldn't happen, even though he knew that she was a very skilled Jounin and could very easily take care of herself.But he still longed for the feeling of being her hero and protecting her somehow, even if it was just something so small as to not slip of the wet stairs.
Sakura sighed heavily when the two finally reached the hanger over thier heads which blocked the pouring rain from coming come on them.Even though it would much matter due to the fact that they were already competely drenched from head to toe.Sakura could see the breathe of Kakashi through the cold night, as he exhaled deeply attempting to catch his breathe.She couldn't help but smile at the sight before her.Kakashi, looking like a drowned rat, his mask clinging to his face allowing the shape of his lovely lips to come through the faberic.His silver hair, once strangly able to defy gravity , now sunken to his face, clinging as he stubbornly brushed the strands from his mismatched eyes.Water droplets rolled down his collars bones as he ran a hand through the mess of tangled hair.But Sakura didn't complain when she say hoe his shirt, wet,stuck to his stomache allowing the view of his well defined abdomn area to become visable to her staring eyes.
But then again she wasn't any better.She felt that he hair had fallin from her bun and now stuck to his neck and forehead.She too was drenched, her skirt had a tencey of ridding up on her, so she stubbornly yanked it it down.Damn Ino for making wear such clothes, she cursed.The leather jacket she wore gratefully provided some shelter from the rain,but the shoes were a completely different story.After a few times of tripping over the heels, she decided to walk the rest of the way home bare foot.
"Oh, it figures the rain begins to let up now, huh?"Sakura laughed as her hand reached out and felt mere driplets on her cold skin.
"Perhaps it's a sign."Kakashi whispered.Sakura looked over at him, waiting for him elaberate."Well, maybe someones trying to tell us that we might get wet, but we'll make it throught he rain in the end."He whispered as he looked out at the almost pitch black darkness besides a few street lights.Sakura thought for a minute.
"Or someones just wants me to see you wet."She giggled and ran a hand down his chest, loving the feeling on his abs underneath her fingers."Either way, I can't complain." Kakashi hand fell onto hers, wrapping it with warmth even though it was wet.He gave gentle squeeze.
Suddenly the front door swung open, Kakashi swiftly realised her hand as if it was on fire.Turning sharply to look straight into the face of an middle aged man.He wore a grey Kimono, with black slippers.His hair short and grey with frequant wrinkles on his face.He must be almost 50 years old.
"Father."Sakura smiled.The man narrowed his eyes over at her as she stood nervously before him.Kakashi studied in silence the way she shifted from one foot to the other.
"Sakura what the hell are you doing out her at this time of night!"He snapped, never once raiseing his voice but his tone gave off clues that he was upset. Sakura opened her mouth to respond but..
"I'm afraid that's my fault, Mr.Haruno."Kakashi spoke up.The old man's face sharply turned to where Kakashi stood, his face lit up as if seeing the jounin standing there for the first time.
"Ah, Hatake Kakashi! How are you?"He laughed, his eyes turning into slits as he smiled big.Holding out his hand, which Kakashi quickly reached out to accept.
"Very, well Sir. And yourself ?"Kakahi's eyes curved up in a smile.Mr.Haruno nodded and withdrew his hand.
"Good, good."He replyed.
"I treated Sakura to a bowl of Ramen after training today, but we lost track of time I suppose."He smiled and rubed the back of his head.
"Both of you are soakin wet, come in Sakura will get you a new Kimono how about that?"Sakura's father quickly stepped aside, jestering for the man to come in.With a quick glance over at Sakura, he followed the old man inside the apartment.Sakura let out a heavy exhale of the breathe that she held in when her father suddenly showed at the door.But her nervousness remained at the thought of having her father talking with Kakashi.What if he finds something out? What will he do? Her father had never been a very understanding man. He held high traditions for the family, as his family did.She doubted that Kakashi had ever worn a Kimono before, in fact untill tonight, he had never worn anything but his uniform while out in public.Taking a breathe she walked into the house.
Sakura slipped off her shoes immediatly as she entered, as was tradition, and slipping on her slippers afterwards.She watched as Kakashi studied her actions, and copyed them, after her father had gave him a pair of his slippers.
"Come Kakashi, lets sit."Her father directed the Jounin into the sitting room, while Sakura rushed upstairs to get the Kimono's that he had told her to.
Kakashi looked around the room.In the centre there was a beautiful oak tea table, with four seperate pillows.The walls were white, as his were, but drapped with orange silk strips that fell al around the walls from the ceiling.Above them there was a lamp looking light that gave light to the room.The floors weren't carpet but made of wood.
"This is a very nice home you have."Kakashi replyed.
"Yes, I am proud to call this home.But surely you, Kakashi have a quite pleasent home as well, am I wrong?"
"Well, you know.Jounin, Anbu, they don't really allow such traditons to be kept."Kakashi replyed.The old man nodded in understanding before jestering to the seat.Kakashi kneeled down to the pillow, neatly folding his hands on his wet lap.
"Are you sure that the wetness if such a good idea to the pillows.?"He asked as he felt the pillow become wet as his legs were.They old amn laughed and waved it off.
"Yes, yes.Not anymore but I once was well aware of how time consuming it is to be shinobi."The old man laughed." Now I'm lucky to be able to watch Sakura train on one or more occasions."He sighed.
"I think I'd go insane if I had too much free time on my hands, this way of life is all I 've ever know."Kakashi replyed.
"But it is a very respectable way of life indeed! I pray that Sakura will believe that as well.I fear that younge Sakura-chan has not yet realized what it means to be ninja."Kakashi notice the disappiontment held within this man's tone at the mention of Sakura.Like somehow she had fail to make him proud.
"Excuss me sir, but I believe that Sakura-chan is a very capable shinobi, and I have the greatest confidence that she will go to gret places."Kakashi spoke softly, carefull not to be sound so familer to the 20 year old women.But indeed this man was very traditional, perhaps he wouldn't accept thier relationship s he feared.
"She is weak,one must be strong to be able to travel to the palce you and I have been."The old man grinned.Kakashi swollowed, and kept his eyes from narrowing.
"Perhaps you should have more faith in your daughter?"Kakashi said boldly.The man was silent for a moment as he stared into the one black eye that looked back into his.
"When she gives me reason to, I will gladly take pride in her achievements.But untill that day comes, I hope that you, her teacher, will show her the path to arrive at the
day ."He replyed."Sakura, bring the Tea!"Kakashi heard the man across from his yell.And heard the shuffling on the floor above his head.Then the foot steps moved to the stairs and started to decend.He shifted his gaze and watched as Sakura stepped on the bottam step.His heart skipped a beat.There stood and angel, dress in a beautiful long pink kimono that fellat her feet.Her long pink hair tied neatly back into a clip.He feared that he was staring but somehow he couldn't mange to remove his eyes of the sight of her dressed so beautifully.
He watched in silent awe as she shufled her way across the hallway untill she stood before him.At which time he was able to finally blink, looking up into the green eyes that looked down into his.She carefully knelt before him on her knees and delicately offered the grey kimono which she held in her hands.Kakashi slowly accepted the fresh clothes as the realization the he was still soaken wet hit him.
"Thank you."He whispered.She merely nodded and shifted away from their closeness when her father cleared his throat.She looked over at him.
"Sakura prepare the tea as Kakashi-sensei dresses."He ordered without the mention of please of a thank you.Kakashi didn't like this tradition he realized.Sakura nodded and gracefully bent forward into a bow before riseing to her feet.
'She bows to her father?'Kakashi thought."Uh, do you need any help?"He suddenly asked just before Sakura had reached the slideing door to the kitchen.She looked over her shoulder at him, when a deep laugh escaped the old man's wrickled lips.
"You are in need of a wife Kakashi! You have forgotten the ways of tradition! Go now Sakura and make the Tea."He waved her as if to dismiss her from his sight.Kakashi frowned silently as he watched Sakura give one more glance before she shut the door behind her.
"Where is the bathroom?"Kakashi asked, conviently losing the 'sir's part off his name.He had desided that he didn't much care to they way her treated his only daughter, Sakura wasn't a slave to fetch his clothes and make his tea.It was a werid action for her to do so without objection, he thought.
"First door on your left."The old man replyed.Kakashi nodded and rose to his feet.
Sakura arrived back in the ditting room, and with the absence of Kakashi, it left her alone with her father.He sat in silence as she knelt down beside the table with the hand crafted tray with a teapot and three small teacups.Setting the tray down carefully on the small table she folded her hands neatly in her lap.
"Should we wait untill Kakashi-sensei comes back?"Sakura whispered.
"Hai." He replyed."I was having a nice conversation with your teacher just now."Sakura swallowed and waited for him to continue."I would appear that he has alot of faith in you, due to fact that he shouldn't."Sakura's mouth slightly curled into a grin, ignoring the comment her father made to focus on what Kakashi had said.'He has faith in me' Inner Sakura screamed in happiness.
"Perhaps I should go see what's keeping Sensei."Sakura suggested and rose to her feet,she began to shuffle towards the bathroom.Once out of sight a huge smile graced Sakura's lips. Her father never believed in her, never incouraged her, and by 20 years of trying to prove to him that she's a skilled jounin she has never even got a hug from him.Not once.But it felt kind of werid to have a man finally say they have faith, such an odd feeling to have incouragment.
She rounded the corner and spotted Kakashi standing in the hall.He wasn't dressed in his wet clothes that he wore before but a grey Kimono that looked so...
'Gorgious!' Inner Sakura screamed.He was looking at a pisture which hung on the wall outside the bathroom.Sakura wasn't sure that he saw her or not, but if he did he didn't remove his gaze from the picture.So she walked up to stand beside him, seeing that it was a photo of her, younger around and a red haired women.She had long hair but had stray hairs hanging down from pulling it back too often.She wore a kimono similer to the one Sakura wore presently.
"My mother."Sakura whispered.Kakashi was quiet."She died when I was 10,actually this would have to be the last picture of me and her together before.."Her voice trailed off.Kakashi glanced over at the women beside him after hearing her reply.There were no tears falling from her green eyes, but indeed the mention of her mother's.. accident, was hurting her, so he didn't press.
"You are a spitting image of her, Sakura.So beautiful the both of you."Sakura smiled slightly and gently touching her hand against his, knowing that here they can't quite hold hands, but she took comfort in just being able to touch him.
"She would have liked you."Sakura whispered."Father will be expecting us back, he doesn't like to wait."Sakura whispered and withdrew her hand so walk back but stopped when she felt his hand swiftly grab her wrist.Turning to look questionally into his eye, he quickly pressed his lips against hers.She melted instantly, and the rush of being caught ran through her body, almost a sense of adrenialine.When her pulled back, her heart was beating rapidely.She looked up into the two mismatched eyes that looked back at her.
"I love you."He whispered, having the suddenly urge to tell her that she was loved. Even if it wasn't by her father.
"I love you too."She whispered and smiled up at him."Now come on, I made some tea."She replyed and pulled him down the hall.
When they entered the sitting where her father sat, Kakashi released her hand with reluntance.He loved to hold her soft hand, as it truly belonged in his.Kakashi once again retook his kneeling position on the pillow across from the old man, as Sakura knelt down as the side. She carefully rolled up her kimono sleeves and began to pour the hot liquid into each of the three cups.
"When do you train with Hokage tommorow, Sakura?"Her father asked as she set the tea infront of his first, as tradition.
"9:00 am. But Tsunde-sama says that I am nearing the limit inwhich she can teach me.Say tells me that I have made her poud to have a pupil who managed to pick up her teaching so easily." Sakura replyed in a soft voice.
"Good job Sakura."Kakashi said, witha smile.Sakura glanced over at him and smiled.
"Thank you-sensei." Her father snorted.
"That is highly doubted, she was just pitying you my child."The old man took a sip of his tea, as Kakashi smile faded and his eyes narowed at the man.Sakura's head turned down as she focused on the floor.
"You can talk to Tsunde-sama if you do not believe me."She whispered, jumping when a smack was heard on the table.He gaze jerked towards her father.
"Do not talk to me that way!"He yelled.Kakashi used all his will power not to punch this man, who doubt his daughters abilities so much.He instead watched as Sakura nodded."Now hand Kakashi his Tea, before it gets cold."Sakura in a rushed haste accidently knocked the cup with her hand and the warm liquid spilt on the floor.She gasped.
"I apologize Father, Kakashi."She stuttered.
"Damn it Sakura, I was a foul to think that you were even capable of such a simple task as pouring tea.! "Sakura felt tears burning at the edges of her eyes as she grabbed a clothe.
"Here, let me help."Kakashi whispered.Sakura watched his grab another clothe and began to dab the wet carpet along with her.She inwardly was gratefull for the help but feared that her father would yell at her for letting a man help with a women's job.
"Thank you."She whispered.Kakashi lifted his gaze to look into her eyes, she saw a sparkle.Strange, as if he was thinking.Then she felt his hand shift so that if fit nicely over hers.Sakura looked down to see that what she felt was true and not just a dream, but there it was.So effortlessly Kakashi had let something they've kept a secret for so long come out in the simplest of jesters.Shifting her gaze to look up into his eyes, as hers began to cloud over in tears.She smiled.
"Release my daughters hand."She heard the order from behind her, but still Kakashi didn't remove his hand from hers.
"No."He whispered."No longer will I remove this hand from mine."He replyed.Sakura's gaze shifted to the ground when she heard her father immediatly rise to his feet.
"Are you meaning to tell me that-"
"That I love Sakura with all of my heart and I will not let anyone tell me not to.Especially not by you."Kakashi's head jerked so that his eyes glarred at his.Sakura could practially hear how fast her fathers heart began to beat, as his breathes deepened.He was angry.But this failed to surprise her in the least.She knew that he wouldn't accept what she had with Kakashi.
"Get out of my house."His repsonse was controled more then she thought it would be.When Kakashi still didn't move that was when he lost his temper."GET OUT OF MY DAMN HOUSE YOU SCUMBAG!"He cried.Sakura felt tears gently fall from her eyes.Kakashi sighed .
"Fine, but this isn't over Mr.Haruno.The fact that you don't approve doesn't change my feelings for her."He replyed.
"I WILL NOT ALLOW THIS, YOU HEAR ME!"Kakashi ignored him and turned back to Sakura.
"I love you, I'll see you soon."He whispered before rising to his feet.
"YOU WILL NEVER SEE MY DAUGHTER AGAIN, NOT AS LONG AS I HAVE A BREATH IN MY BODY!"Once again Kakashi chose to ignore it, and calmly walked to the door.
"Have a nice night Mr.Haruno."He replyed before leaving.
Once Sakura heard the door shut she felt scared.Not wanting Kakashi to leave, but knowing that if he stayed it would only make things worse.She still couldn't look into her fathers sees, even when she felt that they had now switched to her as she sat on the floor.
"How long has this been going on?"Sakura hated how calm his voice was,thisa wasn't like him.
"I was planning on telling you, father-"She began.
"HOW...long."He replyed.Sakura suddenly thought of something.If Kakashi had had evoungh courage to express his feeling to him than she would have to as well.
"Two years."She replyed.Then there was silence.
"Tomorow I will report this to Hokage, I will demand a restaining order."Sakura gasped.
"NO, father please don't! I need Kakashi I love him!You can't!"She jumped to feet just in time to catch a back hand to her cheek.The impact caused her to fall to her knees on the wood floor.She lay there in shock, what just happened? Why did her cheek shing, why did she taste blood.Then the realizeation struck her.Her father had just hit her.He had really hit her.She felt his presence leave the room, as which time tears burst from her eyes.
As a jounin, she could have easily bloked such an attack, if she'd expected it.But she didn't, he had never hit her before.Lightly touching the already brusing cheek and lower eye as sobs shock her body.
Well hello, hello! Another chapter, sorry it took so long to get the story moving., but here we are now, the third installment of CONCRETE ANGEL!
Please review i love to read the comments.