Courage Needs You – Chapter #16
"This isn't so bad," she muttered to herself, leaping from tree branch to tree branch, using the moon's glow as her lantern. So why did she continue to peer over her shoulder every few seconds as if death was snipping at her heels?
She readjusted her pack. It wasn't heavy, nor was it light, but burdensome enough to make her shoulders feel stiff after a few hours of wearing.
A sheen of sweat glazed her forehead and dampened her hairline, making it only tolerable 'cause of the breeze her movements created. Her heart was beating three times its regular rhythm, thundering away in a compound of fear, anxiety, and excitement.
How much farther was the border? Maybe a day's worth? She wasn't quite sure, nor was she sure what she was going to do once she got there. She felt so unprepared, so nervous and maybe even a trifle stupid because of where this idea had brought her.
And also, she hated to admit it, but there was an eeriness in the woods at night which she noticed would only surface when she was conveniently by herself, and then disappear if she had been fortunate enough with company. So much for shinobi courage, she thought bitterly.
Stopping on a branch, she graced herself the allowance to catch her breath. She couldn't rest long she knew, and felt like this was a good a time as any to practice her chakra detection.
"Two birds one stone…" she murmured closing her eyes, all her focus and attention centered on the surrounding area; blocking out her sense of smell, touch, and sound – waiting for the electrifying tingle of chakra. After a minute she sighed relieved. No one was around, and if she was lucky (which she never was) it would be smooth sailing from here on to the border. But once there, she wasn't fool-heartedly enough to expect to saunter on by through Grass without any deterrent whatsoever. She was young, not stupid, although her current situation couldn't provide any backup support on the claim.
Leaning back on the smooth bark of the tree, she let her mind stray and wander to a particular elite jounin; envisioning him coming home to an empty apartment, furious as hell from finding her note, and bounding out the door when he was finished.
That seemed to fit the reality bill perfectly, although she preferred her version of him coming home, calm and collected, reading her note and composing himself enough not to get angry and wait for her instead.
She wondered how much of a lead she had on him, incase he did decide to search for her. Not only did she have to worry about him, but also the other hunting ANBU who were exploring every inch of Leaf in search of her parents and the other mystery ninja she knew nothing about. Not to mention any nomad ninja's that would more often than not lurk around, doing God knows what. And what about thieves and bandits? It seemed as if the whole world was her enemy at the moment, which wasn't a very comforting thought.
I should get going.
Yet she sat for another minute.
Now I should really get going.
But her body was doing a terrific job in teenage rebellion.
Alright, one more minute and that's it!
Unfortunately for her, that one minute was one minute too late as cool steel wire circled around her like a tornado, pinning her to the tree effectively as she could only watch in stupefied horror.
A little two-shaded brown dog was suddenly in front of her, and although she tried to delude herself in thinking that it was indeed just any dog, it was hard to misplace the origin of the blue jacket and forehead protector that decorated the little fleabag.
"Well, well, well," Pakkun drawled, disapproving tone firmly in place. "You gave me quite a chase."
"I'm sure," she snipped back, not entirely pleased with her predicament.
Where there was a Pakkun, there was Kakashi, and sure enough, the jounin materialized out of nowhere to stand in front of her – looming with impending doom above her.
She was suddenly glad it was so dark 'cause she wasn't sure she wanted to see the true extent of his anger at the moment. She had a feeling that all the thieves, bandits, ANBU, and nomad ninja's put together wouldn't be as terrifying as the man who stood in front of her right now.
Trying not to focus on his fury, she pondered the pace he had set for himself in order to catch up with her instead; no doubt it had been a preternatural speed that would boggle the mind.
"When you said you'd be back soon, how soon are we talking here?"
She shrugged a little, putting up a good charade of nonchalance. "A couple months?"
He said nothing in return, undoubtedly trying to control his inner rage. She saw him flick his wrist out of the corner of her eye, and the wire suddenly loosened and uncoiled around her body. The thought of fleeing was as ephemeral as it was idiotic, so unsure of what to do or what to say, she settled for peeking at the enraged jounin above her.
She wished the moon hadn't been so full or so bright that night, then maybe she wouldn't have had to bear witness to the angry slit of his eye, the hard clench in his jaw, the complete and utter animosity that swirled around him in controlled and measured waves.
She could feel it caressing her naked arms and legs; licking up her body in smooth fluid motions; seeping under her skin and making her gasp from the magnitude of it all.
She had never seen him display such anger, such frustration, such ferocity – at least not to the point where she had ever physically felt it before; rubbing against her flesh like some sick lover's embrace.
"We're going back, now." A command that booked no argument and he turned to leave.
She stood, emotions jumbled and disarrayed. She wasn't sure if it was because his anger had spiked her own; if it was because he was ordering her around like some sort of lackey; or if it was because he had managed to track her down and preempt her from leaving; but whatever the reason, she was furious as hell, and he must have sensed it too because he pivoted around to regard her threateningly.
She squared her shoulders; a false show of confidence. "I'm not leaving."
He stepped towards her, teeth grit underneath his mask, voice strained to keep from yelling. "You weren't given a choice."
The statement pushed an invisible button inside of her, otherwise known as the 'do not touch' button; making her face change three different shades of red which she was unsure if he could see or not considering the lack of light.
"Go ahead and kick up a fuss, throw a tantrum and stomp your feet. Scream, cry, beg, do whatever the hell you want because it's not going to change a goddamn thing. I'm taking you back, and nothing you do will make me change my mind."
She was shaking so hard now; rage and hatred boiling in her veins, feeding her ludicrous thoughts of how much she despised him right now – of how much she did want to scream and cry and thrash out at him, and probably would have if dignity hadn't held her back.
Her vision was bleeding red, trying to come to terms with the unfairness of it all; unfair because she was fighting a losing battle; unfair because she was so utterly powerless against him; unfair because why the hell did her parents have to disappear to begin with? Why couldn't they have come back with the other injured jounin, or better yet, why couldn't they have stayed in Konoha with her from the start?
Whatever happened next she wasn't sure, and before her mind could even sidestep her anger to try and comprehend the situation, there was a bright flash of white…and then nothing.
.
Waking was never an event she enjoyed, especially when she could feel the pressure of an all-consuming headache loitering at the base of her skull; just waiting and grinning till she was completely conscious before unleashing its full enormity. She decided to kill it later with pills.
It was morning, that much she knew without having to open her eyes; the skin of her eyelids too thin to block out the light. Another thing she knew was that she wasn't alone, and if she hadn't recognized the familiar aroma of pine and cinnamon, then she may have very well started panicking, not that an angry Kakashi was the safest of things to be around.
Squinting one jade eye open, she managed to catch a glimpse of him sitting in his corner chair. No longer was she gearing for a fight, of having her blood boil in an uncontrollable rage; now she simple felt tired and groggy, the after effects of being knocked out and adrenaline gone dry.
She slipped her eye back closed, hoping maybe he wouldn't notice and walk away from loss of interest.
"I know you're awake," he said calmly, but she could tell he had nursed his fury all night long.
Playing dead wasn't an option anymore, so she rolled onto her side, tangled in his sheets, and stared at him tiredly. She had never dealt with an angry Kakashi of this magnitude before, so she was kind of at a loss as to how to smooth things over.
She was almost tempted enough to gouge out her own eyes in order to distract him from the current flow in which this confrontation was heading.
"I'm going out for the day," he said standing up. "I'll be back later tonight," and then he looked at her for a beat, a momentary pause that seemed to speak volumes, before padding out of his apartment.
And once again she was dumbstruck, wondering if a lightning bolt filled with stupidity had struck her without her knowledge. Her stupor lasted for a few more moments until she bolted upright in bed; instantly regretted her actions. It felt like somebody had just taken a sledge hammer and whacked her upside the head.
What the hell did he do to me?
Whatever he did hadn't hurt at the time…but then again she hadn't been conscious for it. Slinking back down slowly, and smothering her face with a pillow to block out the sun, she picked her brain trying to understand his actions.
She had anticipated yelling, lectures, and maybe even threats – or at least a heated discussion. What she hadn't expected was him leaving her deliberately alone with her conscience as company. Where the hell did he get off on the assurance that she wasn't going to run away again anyway? His confidence in the matter vexed her to a disturbing degree – almost making her flee the apartment in order to spite him and his overbearing machismo attitude.
But she couldn't leave; she knew that – not unless she was feeling unusually suicidal.
Glancing at his clock she spotted it was only 9:23am, and already she was feeling antsy for his return. And his reference of 'tonight' was pretty vague in her mind. Tonight could range from 6:00pm to midnight for all she knew.
Maybe this was some sort of punishment…or maybe a test – she couldn't decide. Either or she considered them to be interrelated anyway.
Sighing she watched his clock tick from 9:24am to 9:25am. She groaned; it was going to be a long day.
.
She heard the door open promptly at 11:11pm, and she couldn't explain why, but the whole entire waiting process had made her irritable and inexplicably angry. She wondered if that had been his intention to begin with…maybe as some sort of vengeance.
Waiting for a whole minute for him to greet her, she sat on his bed; fistfuls of his sheets clenched in her hands, with eyes a murky green storm. When he still failed to appear, she waited another minute only to find it lapsing into another. She wasn't sure how much more waiting she could do; it seemed with every passing second her patience would stretch and thin like an elastic band till she was positive it was going to snap.
Trying to be the better person about all of this, she forced herself to count to ten, which turned into a hundred, which turned into two hundred, and then she clenched and unclenched her hands fifty times as a last attempt to curb her temper. The result was only more anger with her fingers feeling strangely funny and stiff.
She decided she had given her best at this whole 'being the better person' thing, so she felt no remorse when she ripped open his door and treaded into the hallway in search of him.
Her anger had almost reached its apex before she saw him leisurely lying on the sofa, Icha Icha Violence draped over his face in what she could only guess as a sleeping pose. She stomped towards him, still a little uncertain as to why she was so furious, and jutted her hip out with her hands placed on either side.
Still no reaction – no acknowledgement of her presence whatsoever. Her rage meter suddenly topped off before it breeched and overflowed in a tidal wave of anger.
"What the hell do you think you're doing!"
He didn't flinch, or even move. "Thinking," was his bland reply.
She bridled at his current lackadaisical persona. It didn't seem fair that he was so calm while she was so livid.
She tried a different approach. "What were you doing?"
"Thinking."
"For fourteen hours?"
"Yeah…"
Anger was a funny thing where it would make people do outrageous things which they normally would never do if they were in their right state of mind, so when she smacked the book off his face, slapping him a tad in the process – she didn't have room in her brain, what with all that anger in the way, to feel shocked by her actions.
She was about to go into a whole new tirade – mouth open, finger pointing – when she suddenly stopped and sniffed the air, tentatively at first, then more boldly when she realized it was emanating from him.
"What the hell…were you drinking!"
She realized how much she was starting to sound like some nagging girlfriend; the kind who hound their boyfriend's footsteps, asking them where they've been, who they were with, why were they out so late, and so on and so on.
Kakashi remained unfazed, resting the back of his hand over his eyes in substitution for his book, and resumed his previous sleeper pose.
"Yeah."
She didn't even know the man liked to drink – at least he wasn't drunk…or at least she couldn't tell if he was.
"Why the hell were you drinking?"
"It helps me think," he said, sounding tired and a minor exasperated.
She huffed, unable to stop herself. People usually drank to stop thinking, not the other way around.
"Well do you mind telling me what on earth you were thinking about this entire time?"
"Sakura?"
She paused uncertain. "Yes..?"
"Shut up for a few minutes, will you."
Fury turned to astonishment, before turning back to fury and making her glare waves of loathing in his direction before tramping back to his room and slamming the door.
Funny how at times like these she still stayed in his apartment. She blamed it on his bed; the damn thing was just too comfy for her own good. So flopping down on it with a puff of frustration, she waited.
There just wasn't much else for her to do. It was too late to go back and yell at him for his crude comment and weirdly enough, she still didn't want to leave, although she had a perfectly viable reason to. When had she become so attached to his apartment? Or more precisely, his bed?
She smacked his comforter, and it felt so good she did it again, and then again and again and again till she saw a couple feathers poof out, almost pleading for her to stop.
She sighed, watching an invisible draft gradually blow the feathers around till they rested somewhere on the ground where she couldn't see.
Her fingers starting tapping; an annoying habitual trait caused by frustration.
What the hell is he thinking about that would make him ponder for fourteen goddamn hours?
Really, the amount of time he was spending on this was…disturbing, as much as it was worrisome.
She started wondering what would have happened if it hadn't been Kakashi who found her. What if it had been one of the ANBU? What would have happened? She didn't have a mission scroll signed by the Hokage, and she knew she wasn't apt enough to come up with a reasonable lie (albeit she felt her lying capabilities had improved greatly). Would they have tried to…assassinate her?
Her eyes grew wide momentarily till she realized how ridiculous that notion was. They had no order for her head, and they couldn't very well go around executing all those who might have been a potential threat. Weren't there discussions about these sorts of things?
And what if she had been ambushed by a group of nomad ninja thugs? What would she have done then?
She sighed, realizing her anger towards Kakashi last night might have been unjust, but it was still too early to quench the bitterness in her heart caused from him detaining her.
Sitting up she heard him stalking down the hall; a silent proclamation that he had come to a conclusion about whatever he had been dwelling over.
Uneasiness quickly overshadowed her anger – her senses finally catching wind of the seriousness of the situation.
When he opened the door she was surprised to see how tired he looked – drained and exhausted which she could have fooled herself into thinking was caused by the alcohol, but knew deep down that wasn't it, and found no reason strong enough to try and delude herself into thinking it was.
He regarded her wearily, as if her very presence was taxing on his entire soul. He leaned against the doorframe heavily.
"I'm going to ask you a couple questions, and you're going to answer either yes or no. Do you understand?"
He watched her nod hesitantly, the first waves of her apprehension lapping against the sole's of his feet. He paid it no mind.
"Do you still plan on searching for your parents?"
"Yes."
"Are you going to try and sneak away again if I disallow it?"
"Yes."
"Are you aware of the dangers that you're placing yourself into? That hunter-nins, skilled in the art of assassination, will be sent after you, tracking and stalking your every step?" His voice wasn't as leveled now, but still impressively calm.
He stared at her for beat, seeing a glimmer of doubt streak across her eyes. "Yes."
"Are you aware that you are absolutely no match for them if they find you?"
"…yes."
"Knowing all this, that you will never be able to set foot in Konoha again, that far more skilled ninja's will be hounding you the entire way, and that the chances of finding your parents are slim to none – you are still set in leaving?"
This wasn't a scare tactic, just the harshness of reality, trying to make her see the jeopardy she was putting herself into.
"Yes."
He sighed then, fingers pinching the bridge of his nose as if warring off a migraine. He seemed more worn out now than when he had approached her. There was a growing ball of frustration and helplessness in the core of his being – growing bigger and bigger as it rolled downhill, picking up all of his doubt, fear and anger.
"You'll kill me if you make me stay," she said, just adding to his growing ball of misery.
"You're killing yourself if you leave!" he bit back tersely.
He surveyed her slipping into a heated silence – seething because his remark held too much truth. Eyes bright with repressed anger, soft pink lips pressed hard together, chest heaving up and down in deep infuriated breaths. There was a flush in her cheeks that made him step forward, that made his heart slow down and his fingers itch anxiously. She was so tempting, so beautiful, so furious, and he felt himself yielding.
Taking an unconscious step forward he watched her head cock slightly to the side, the vaguest hint of curiosity etched in her features, and then suddenly a jolt zapped through his system, and his self control returned enabling him to step safely back.
"Why are you with me?"
She had asked him that before, but this time he found himself tipping his head back and laughing – low and incredulous, not due to the question, but due to everything – her, him, their situation…life!
"Lord help me Sakura, I just don't know. Maybe you should just consider me a masochist from here on out."
His laughter died down and he could tell she didn't appreciate his comment, but he lacked the energy to care. There was still too much on his mind – still too much which needed to be said. He just couldn't afford any other worries or thoughts to invade his mind.
Sluggishly and sloth-like he ambled over to his corner chair, slumping down in a position which would have given a chiropractor a hernia. His head tilted to rest on the flat of his fist, then turned to stare out the window.
"I've come to a decision," he said somberly, firm, and grave – seeing her holding her breath and practically feeling the questioning in her gaze. "I'm going to leave Konoha with you."
There was a silence filled with shock on her end, he waiting for whatever reaction.
"What! What do you mean you're going to leave with me? Are you insane? You can't do that!"
He closed his eyes, sighing through his nose. "You've given me no choice. You're set in leaving and I can't watch you every second of every day. I could tell Tsunade-sama to assign a guard on you till your parents are discovered and are brought back to Konoha – but then you would hate and resent me for it. Besides, even if I do let you go I'd bedriven insane with worry, and if you got hurt…or worse," and he paused there, face tightening with his thoughts. "I would never forgive myself."
She shook her head slowly, stunned and confused and angry because it was all too true. "No…I won't let you do this. I won't let you ruin your life because of me."
His eyes cut across to meet her resolved ones. "And I can't sit by and watch you ruin yours," he said a matter of fact.
"I won't leave then!" she screamed, the bottom of her eyes pooling with water.
He smiled forlornly beneath his mask. "You don't mean that, and you know it."
She squeezed her eyes shut, her tears leaking through when she did so. Her head was shaking back and forth rapidly now, as if she were trying to deny the reality of the conversation. He was right, and she hated herself for it. She would still leave, the fact horribly etched into her soul. Crying into the heels of her hands, she loathed her fate; the decision he had made; and herself most of all.
"Please," she whispered between her choked out gasps for breath, "just please don't do this, don't sacrifice everything you've worked for just because of me. Konoha is your life," she sounded so miserable, so defeated, so at a loss in what to do. "Please, just think about what you're saying."
His eyes turned from her, the lull in their conversation filled with her hushed sobs.
"I've already spent enough time thinking about this and honestly, I'm tired. I'm done thinking for the day. There's just nothing you can do or say to me anymore Sakura. I've decided."
She was crying harder now; guilt, remorse, abhorrence, love – all of her emotions jam packing into her chest and pressing for release.
She crawled off his bed; the sheets falling on the floor caused by her actions, worming her way onto his lap and curling herself into a little ball where she cried into the heat of his neck.
"I'm sorry," she strangled out, and kept repeating it over and over and over again – gripping his shirt and moistening his neck – feeling the warmth of his arms embrace her shortly after.
Please, just…oh God…
She was ruining his life, and she felt like there was nothing she could do to stop it.
.
AN: And it's over…the first arc that is. Some will probably not like how I made Kakashi, saying he would never betray Konoha, but tough noogies! And I mean that in the nicest way XD
Err, and a little announcement. I'm taking a break from writing (dodges rocks and boulders) Inspiration for writing has been dwindling, and responsibilities are looming over me, but I'm NOT giving up on the story…just taking a break. How long? I'm not sure, but I thought this may not be such a bad place to leave it for now since it's the end of this arc and I'll be slapping up the beginning of arc 2 next time.
I'll try to keep these responses short and quick…but it's just so much fun replying to you guys!
Kyuubi-Sharingan – heh don't worry, just because it's the 2nd arc doesn't mean it'll end soon. I'm only basically halfway done the story. Lots of more goodness to come in the future :D
Gin Yume – XD I'm so glad that you see where I'm coming from! If you understand, that means you can tolerate Sakura for the meantime, like me, but some people just hate her right now lol. Sorry this took so long to post.
xLindsayx – bah, sorry I confused you. I see where you're coming from. I'll try not to be so evasive in the future. Thanks for commenting. And lime indeed :D
Karaq – (hugs) I always look forward to reading your reviews 'cause you're always truthful and you notice and comment on things which other's don't XD I don't imagine her parents would be too thrilled with her either…but we won't find that out till like chapter 35 lol Jeez….
Celes – ya, there's probably a lot of spelling mistakes in my earlier chapters when I was beta-less. Feel free to point em out to me! Ehehehe a fellow perv (high fives) there will be a lemon…just a lot later on. Patience is a virtue…right:D
Ruka-kun – (nervous laugh) sorry, this one took long…again (hides) and it was shorter than the usual chapters too (dodges tomatoes) and forgive me that I'm taking a break (runs away) XD
Shy-Lil-Dreamer – yup, she sure did leave to go find her parents. And poor Kakashi…all this worrying is going to give him gray hair…err…you get the picture…heh
Roark28 – sorry sorry sorry! I'll post it in the KakaSaku community this time for you :D haha and I like that line too. Sasuke needs to be put into his place. And I'm happy someone noticed how much planning there is involved in my story, although you won't see too much of that planning till the 2nd arc. Thanks for reviewing. You the awesomest
Jewel9992 – heh, lots of headbutting in this chapter (bonk bonk bonk) And you can expect lots more too. I see their relationship having a lot of conflicts and verbal debates in the future…cause well, what couple doesn't have disagreements? "I'm packing your angry eyes" hehe good ol' Mr. Potato Head XD
TheFlyAway00 – I'm glad you like the characters and my story! There has been some OOC, but I guess it hasn't been too blaring where it takes away from the story a whole bunch. Thanks for reviewing )
Demeter1 – you don't think so? (ponders) Maybe so, but I don't want to think the whole male population is one giant lecher lol. But ah, we could view it this way. If Kakashi had a lot of self control concerning Sakura, then he shouldn't have gotten into the bathtub to begin with lol He's a smart guy, I'm sure he realized what he was doing and what the possible consequences may be caused by his actions. So I see it as he was prepared…in a way…to stop. Heh, friendly debates rule (although I'm going to lose I know T.T)
OH ya, lots of problems face Sakura in the future, and Kakashi. It's fun presenting conflicts for them to work through XD I can't WAIT till Sakura gets stronger…emotionally and physically. Gar, stupid buildup :P
Neo91 – Mmm, lots of squashing. Ya, be prepared for a lot more of it. And I'm right to assume that when you say squashing, you mean them not having sex…right? So ya, lots more squashing ahead lol But wouldn't you find it odd if they just jumped into bed together? Couple's stay together months before having sex…but that's not to mean they can't enjoy themselves in other ways (naughty grin) XD
Saskia2 – lol I seem to have made a Sasuke-hating club for my story O.o I think he adds a nice element to the story…whatever that element may be. Heh, yay for fun in the tub! Thanks for commenting
Stitchfrequency – heh you're awesome. I'm glad Sakura came out the way I wanted her to. I'm trying to have her be a character maybe people can relate with…and it's harder than I originally thought it would be. And I'm really surprised that so many people are taking a liking to Naruto in my story. I didn't put too much thought into his role, but he's fun to write. And I agree. Kakashi being perfect all the time is boring. Who would want to be with someone like that? I guess that's where he deviates from the anime/manga, but I'm glad you like him like that XD (whispers) So do I.
Seppuku doll – ya, I admit I'm taking quite a few liberties with Kakashi. Maybe I should put an OOC warning on the first chap. But I'm glad Sakura appeals to you. She's getting easier to write than before where she was so emotional and weak all the time. I find that kinda thing tough to write. Thanks for pointing out the hallow and hollow thing. I'll get right on it XD And I love your new KakaSaku story. That last part in your first chap still has me laughing.
Maris – Yay Maris! Heh, you knew what to expect. Damn right Kakashi is going to follow her. And I think you're the first one to think Sasuke is being cute hehe And yes, he is worried about Sakura, he's just expressing it in unconventional ways O.o
Psychicbunny – lmao, I love your little skit. And I'm glad you like me taking things slow with them. I know some people want me to hurry up with it…but rushing things between them isn't even an option in my mind..although it would make my story quicker and end sooner…hmm…
Short 1 fourty – I'll keep on writing…just more slowly heh. And I can't believe I've reached over a 100,000 words already, but I have to take into account of my lengthy author notes each time too. But ya, expect it to be a lot longer still. The mission arc isn't a small arc, will probably be equal or bigger than the first (sweatdrops) Will I ever finish this monster?
Littlelies – Honestly, I don't really like Sakura in the manga/anime, or at least the way they portray her. But I do like the potential she has. I guess I have this vision of her, or maybe it's hope…who knows. Lol yes, me and my words. I love my words. I'm a nerd you see, where if I come across I word I don't know, I'll write it down in my little book and look up the definition. I like learning new things like that XD
It makes me happy you like their reactions and think them believable :D Thanks for leaving such a nice review.
Lihang asul – Ya, lots of frustration Kakashi has to work out with her. Do you think he'll reach a limit where he's like, "I can't deal with this anymore?" heh, who knows what I'll do :P
Violet Gerald – haha for someone as smart as Sakura, she's pretty dumb eh? How's your story coming along? (goes and checks) huh? Why didn't I get that little story alert? OH well, new chapter to read and review XD
Nasis – ya, some people have commented on that before, and I never even realized what I was doing; how I talk about their emotions and feelings all the time. It just sorta happened. I'm actually trying to work a little past that, especially for the coming chapters because I can't just focus on their feelings anymore. I don't think it would work too well with the plot for the 2nd arc.
Tami – haha ya, I glare at doors too, or phones, waiting for that person to call just so you can yell at them when they do lol. Maybe Sakura making people wait for her is revenge to a mild degree heh. Smelt…such a funny word. I'll take your advice and change it to smelled in the previous chapter, although I'm not sure how people could think I was talking about fish or metal with that scene lol
Banana-yosh – you're most very welcome! And thank you for commenting XD haha dysfunctional…that's probably the most accurate way to describe my characters and their relationship. I'm glad you like my dysfunctional little story :D
Tonkeli – yay, one of my favourite people! (hugs) You know I didn't even have that little scene of Naruto and Shikamaru before, and I added it at the last minute cause I remembered you wanted some more Shika XD lol it's true, you can ask my beta. And Sakura is being a little bitch…but it's kinda justifiable…right? (hopes) Thanks for being awesome.
TrueLoveHurts – that's the best knowing I can draw a reader in and make them forget their surroundings. I love it when I find stories like that, so to know I can kinda almost do that, makes me really happy! Thanks so much for the lyrics. I hadn't heard those songs so I d/l it and their perfect! Thanks again for telling me about them XD oh ya, one last thing, I love your name because it's too true! Love can hurt like a byatch!
Shinkastar – yay to believability! I always feel that's key to a story, so I'm glad mine comes across like that to you XD Sorry this chapter took so long..eheh
Krylancelo – That would be the smart thing to do eh? People need space, but unfortunately, it's a little too dangerous for him to let her do what she wants at the moment lol (sigh) silly irrational Sakura. :D
Celira – when you say his emotions, are you talking about the story in general, or just the last chapter? But ya, my Kakashi isn't completely canon. I've realized this from all the comments lol Thanks for commenting!
Maidenoftheelements – sorry, I procrastinated this chap too long. And the next one will be even longer O.o Forgive me? I'm glad you like my version of Kakashi. I hope you do in upcoming chaps as well. XD
Esther – yay Esther! You always leave the best and funniest comments XD And I can sympathize with not having much access to the computer. I just got mine fixed, stupid motherboard crashed. I'm just glad I didn't lose my story, if I did, I see seppuku in my future. I feel bad for writing Naruto so angsty, but I don't feel like I have much of a choice. I wonder how I'll weave him in the future? (ponders) heh, the bathroom scene, I'm glad you liked it cuz I feel you're a good judge when it comes to limes and lemons. And Sakura is indeed silly (shakes head) I guess she isn't thinking too rationally. And ya, Kakashi is hopelessly nuts about her…god knows why lol
Najat – ya, there won't be too much depressing stuff anymore. Most of its outta the way now. Now it's going to be about development, mystery, and adventure XD Yay no more crying! I'll try to elaborate more on Sasuke, although he won't be written about till a few chapters in the future. But I am trying to keep him a little mysterious in this. He says he doesn't want Sakura like that…but it doesn't seem like that right? And he is protective of her and worries about her, but is there more to it than that? Haha you'll just have to wait :D sorry…heh
And thanks Christinarr for betaing XD (glomp glomp glomp)
Hmm, I would apologize for babbling so much, but you guys are probably used to that by now, heh. Thanks for reading and reviewing, and I hope you guys aren't mad/disappointed bout me putting the story on a tiny hiatus.
–Eris