Language ahead, Ino just has to have a potty mouth, and Sakura it seems too…
Disclaimer: If it was it would never be released on time.
Rumor, Chapter 3
"Oooww." Sakura stared up at the sky with pain squinted eyes. She continued to lie on the ground and rest her aching limbs until a shadow fell over her face.
"What's wrong with you?" Kakashi peered down at her, still holding a kunai in one hand from their confrontation.
"I'm tired, every part of my body hurts, I hardly have any chakra and you threw me onto a pointy rock." She groaned in self pity.
"Awww, poor baby. Next time I'll toss you into a pile of pillows if I see one, okay?" Kakashi patted her cheek as she stared at his masked upside down face.
That was Kakashi, all sympathy. Jerk, she thought and jumped up trying to throw a punch right in his smiling face. It only succeeded in getting her thrown to ground once more as his fist caught hers and pulled her into a half somersault.
"Ah God, f-…" Sakura mumbled and groaned as she twisted on the ground.
"What was that? Didn't catch the last part Sakura." Cupping a hand around his ear and leaning over her once again.
"You'd think you would get sick of winning all the time. But it just makes you more of a cocky bastard Kakashi-sensei." This only received surprised laughter and a hand up from the ground.
"I think that's enough for today then. It's not as much fun winning when your partner can barely hold a kunai." He was intentionally trying to piss her off. It would have worked wonderfully a couple of years earlier but Sakura was used to it by now.
"Good thinking, then when I've rested we can come back and I can wipe that smirk off your face." But she still couldn't help herself, so with that parting remark she shifted herself into the village. This little trick only drained more chakra and Kakashi came into existence next to her not a moment later. Her attempt at trying to get away from him failed miserably as she realized she wouldn't be able to perform that skill again anytime soon.
"Ooooooh, big words for such a little kunoichi." Not able to refute the 'little' remark, seeing as she had to look up at him, she decided to refrain from comment. "I wonder, how do you know I'm smirking, and how do you plan on wiping it off my face?"
Now he was just plain teasing her and it was starting to work. Sakura bravely walked on with the man following closely at her side.
"I can see it in your eye. And if I told you how I plan to wipe it off it wouldn't be a fun surprise. But it does involve taking the mask off and then probably smacking you."
"Hm. Then it's never going to work." She looked at him sharply. "Let's face it, your skill has been waning. You need to train more...and maybe grow a few more inches."
"Shannaro!" She hissed but Kakashi grabbed both her hands in preparation of retaliation.
"Sakura-san, Kakashi…" Hayate descended from a roof next to them and landed close.
"Hi Hayate-san!" Sakura ripped one hand free to give him a wave. He gave a half smile in return.
Hayate looked at the restraining hand around Sakura's wrist and then back up to see a glaring look from her in Kakashi's direction.
"Just a little training." Kakashi said and let go to give her a sharp slap to the shoulder. Sakura winced and shot him another glare.
"Ah," Hayate said and then turned a little more towards Sakura to get her attention. "Would you like to get something to eat?"
Surprise written on her face Sakura turned back to stare at him. He looked completely serious from what she could tell and he directed it only at her.
"Um…" Sakura glanced at Kakashi to see his reaction. His eye looked a little wider but when he turned and raised his eyebrow at her she realized how long her response was taking. Hayate didn't seem to notice. "Sure!" Taking a step closer to him to let him know she meant it.
"Alright. I'll be at Jounin Headquarters when you're ready." He started to walk around them and was about to speed away.
"What? Not right now?" Sakura asked incredulous. He stopped and turned.
"No. It's still early." Sakura thought her mouth might be hanging open. "Besides, you look a little…worn." He smiled kindly when he said it.
"Oh, okay then…" When he was gone Sakura turned to Kakashi with a pleading look.
"Don't give me that. At least someone's taking you out to eat." An evil grin replaced her look of pleading confusion.
"Kawaii, are you jealous Kakashi-senpai?" He snorted and walked off.
Sakura was glad Hayate hadn't wanted to eat right that very second. As soon as she got home she realized what a mess she was in. Grass and leaves were stuck in her hair and her shirt looked like it wanted to be put out of its misery.
Wearing the tough vest of a jounin seemed to have its perks as she regretfully threw away her kunai cut shirt. She'd have to remember to wear it the next time she trained with Kakashi.
It was a little after seven when she finally decided she'd rested enough and spent the last hour sitting under a scalding pour of water. Giving up on trying to find something 'pretty' Sakura settled with a black t-shirt, black shorts and her two flaps of red fabric with a white ring on the front that posed as a skirt.
"Whatever, he'll be dressed in uniform anyways." She mumbled and went out to find him.
It didn't take her long to find him seeing as he had waited exactly where he said he would. As she walked into the mostly quiet main room of Jounin Headquarters she saw a group of men taking up and standing around the couch. A knot of women were standing across the room laughing so hard they were crying.
Sakura shot the women a curious look but continued toward the men since she was more interested in Hayate than gossip at the moment.
"Yo." She said in greeting to everyone in general. One 'Yo' in return from Kakashi and a general 'Hey' from the rest was heard as she found Hayate sitting between Kakashi and Raidou on the couch.
"So what are they talking about that's so God damn funny?" Genma sidled up next to her to whisper conspiratorially.
"What? How should I know?" Sakura said turning but pulling her head away from his lowered one.
"Oh c'mon Sakura-chan." Sakura shook her head sadly at him. "Well go find out for us then!" He took her by the upper arm and started to push her towards the other women who were completely ignoring Sakura and her group.
"No! Don't be so juvenile. Besides, I'm busy." Taking back her arm and trying to step away.
"Bull." Genma grinned but was cut short when Hayate stood up and close to them both.
"Ready?" Hayate asked her.
"Yes."
"Then let's go." They started to walk away but Genma was easily in front of them, a huge grin plastered across his face.
"Oi, where do you two think you're going?" Taller than Hayate but towering over Sakura as he blocked their way.
Sakura looked over her shoulder at Kakashi, usually he kept Genma occupied around her but he started a conversation with Raidou instead, completely ignoring her.
"Out to eat." Hayate answered before walking around Genma, Sakura followed suit.
"Just the two of you?" He said to their backs. His little display was drawing attention from the other group.
"Yes." Hayate said turning back. "Why?" Sakura was trying not to smile or blush too much as Hayate calmly faced the other jounin.
"No reason." Genma said and rushed back to the couch practically sitting on Kakashi's and Raidou's laps as he sat down.
As Sakura made her way out with Hayate, Shizune broke away from the back of the knot to practically run over to the men.
"Sorry about that…" Sakura started as they both settled down into a booth at a cozy restaurant.
"For what? Genma?" Sakura shrugged and nodded a little. "You know their gossiping about us right now. Does it bother you?"
"Not at the moment but I saw almost every female friend I have in that group before. I'm going to get hell…" Sakura sighed but smiled a little as she went through the faces that had turned towards them.
Hayate watched her carefully. She didn't really seem at all upset to him so he figured she would just have fun with the constant questions they would probably hound her with later.
"Why, does it bother you?" Leaning forward across the table with a wicked grin on her face.
"I wouldn't have asked you if it did." He was rewarded with a big smile. "I just wanted to say thank you as well. I realize how exhausting it must be…taking care of me."
Sakura felt herself deflate a little. Maybe that's all this was to him, just a thank you friendly dinner. Not that she thought they were going to attack each other physically afterwards but she felt stupid thinking he might have been interested.
Hayate saw something flick across her eyes as she leaned back a little and noticed his mistake.
"That was actually only partially true."
"What?" Sakura said with a little laugh.
"I didn't think you'd be interested so that was my back up explanation. I also wanted to see that look on Genma's face." This brought a real laugh from her and Sakura felt extremely better.
"Um…let's eat." Hayate agreed and they ordered their food. She wasn't sure she should have been that happy about being used as some sort of prize between men.
Coughing into his hand as they walked Hayate looked around. Sakura was surprised he could hold a conversation so easily for almost two hours while having to cough. But she supposed he was used to it and never having heard him speak so much in general she didn't know what was normal for him.
"Where are you going?" He asked finally.
"I'm going home, why, where are you going?" It was nice not having to crane her neck as much looking up at him as she usually did when talking to the other male jounin.
"I was going to go get a drink."
"Well, have fun then." He stopped but she kept walking.
"I thought you would come with." It pleased him to see how easily she came back to him. "I would call it an early night but if neither of us was seen Genma would get the wrong idea and hound me tomorrow."
"You could just lie and make up something spectacular." She was completely serious.
Hayate started to laugh and Sakura shivered pleasantly at how soft and low it sounded. She was sure the night shadows quivered in sympathy, but Hayate didn't seem to notice.
"I would never do that." Sakura knew he was serious, he really didn't seem to care that much. "Don't you have a reputation to maintain?"
"What reputation would you be talking about Hayate?" She wanted to know what he really thought about her. He noticed she'd stopped using an honorific at the end of his name within the past half hour.
"Hmmm…"
"Forget it. I think I need a drink."
"It's true!" Tenten hissed as she jabbed her elbow into Neji's side.
"What?" He said annoyed. He was trying to have a conversation with Kiba and Shino about tracking when she decided to interrupt.
"Sakura's with Gekkou Hayate…They just kissed!" Kiba and Shino had leaned close to hear what was so important but immediately whipped around towards the door of the bar. "Oh no sorry, he was just whispering something to her…I'll be back."
Tenten went off in search of Hinata since she had only seen her a moment before and Neji trailed after her. All the while keeping an eye on the bobbing pink hair of Haruno Sakura.
"Hinata they just walked into the bar!" Neji watched his cousin also whip around and immediately locate the objects of discussion. Tenten watched with her for a moment before they both sat down at the table Hinata was standing at.
"They look nice next to each other. Do you think it was really a date?" Tenten nodded furiously at Hinata.
"I'm sure it was. You know what I heard about Gekkou?" Wide eyed, Hinata shook her head and leaned closer to the older kunoichi. "I heard he can-"
"Why is she going out with Gekkou? Isn't he a little old for her?" Neji cut in quickly and calmly. He had no wish to hear what Gekkou Hayate could do and couldn't believe his little cousin wasn't blushing.
"Only eleven years and its one date. Little jealous Neji?" Tenten prodded as he sat down at the table as well.
"No, why would I be?" He looked cool but Hinata watched his eyes following Sakura's progress.
"Oh no reason, only that she just went out on a date with you a week ago and refuses to go out on another one."
"That wasn't a date. She asked to train." Tenten rolled her eyes. Even Neji who could plan how to take over an entire village single handedly and probably do it was a complete idiot sometimes.
"Yeah and then you told me and Lee to come train as well. Then proceeded to kick Sakura's ass and critique her every move."
"I was helping her with her technique." He said a little defensively.
"Oh Neji-niisan…" Hinata shook her head at him sadly, like he'd made some huge faux pas.
Unable to take another moment of their disappointed eyes he went of in search of male company that probably wouldn't accuse him of being an idiot.
At that moment Shizune was dragged over to their table by Ino who immediately went back to the most important topic.
"Holy shit you will not believe what Shizune just told me. Did you know that Gekkou Hayate can..." Ino made some hand gestures near certain parts of her anatomy as she whispered furiously to Hinata.
"Is, is that really possible? Without chakra?" Hinata was blushing now but she also looked extremely impressed.
"Wait, I didn't hear the no chakra part. I thought it was impressive with chakra use, I hear that's really hard to learn." Tenten said looking to Shizune.
"Of course it's possible, what about men who can't use their chakra?" Shizune said looking at the young women around her wishing she had kept her mouth shut.
"Do you think Sakura knows?" Hinata said as she activated her byakugan and looked through the crowd. Ino snorted and waved her hand knowingly.
"Oh, she knows. Why do you think she's hangin' on to him and refuses to come over and talk to us?"
"I'm pretty sure that's how you would think and not what Sakura's actually thinking Ino." Tenten said sighing at the overly open blonde.
"You've got a point." Nevertheless Ino went off in search of someone else to share her newfound knowledge with.
"It's already started." Sakura commented as she watched Tenten. Hayate followed her gaze and stopped walking.
"Do you want to leave?"
"That would make for interesting talk…" Sakura said experimentally, watching for his reaction.
"Then I think we should stay." Hayate said. "Or you could just go over and talk to them if you'd like." He was giving her leave to spend the rest of her night without him.
Sakura squeezed his upper arm, his flesh was firm under her grip and she decided to hang on.
"No I'd rather stay here." He nodded and walked them to a table where Genma was waving them over.
Good lord it's been over 2 weeks since I updated. You're definitely allowed to hate me now.
Shannaro – Doesn't exactly translate to anything. Usually subbed/scanlated as 'damn it'. Mostly Sakura says it when she's pissed off/frustrated, e.g. Inner Sakura says it a lot I believe.
Senpai/sensei – I don't use honorifics randomly if I can help it. Sakura refers to Kakashi as both sensei and senpai since he's technically not her teacher anymore. Senpai – Literally, someone who entered before oneself; in a work place, school or any professional setting. You see it subbed often as 'upper-classman' in high school based anime and sometimes shows up as sempai.
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