Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Chapter 10- The Competition
"So where do you want to go next? We just came back after 2 years so there is bound to be something that changed around here," Kakashi said cheerfully. He noticed that Sakura became awfully quiet after they left the Hokage's office so being cheerful might change her mood.
"Kakashi, let's go to the monument where the names of shinobis that sacrificed their lives are engraved in. I want to visit two very important people there. It would be nice for you to visit Obito too, right?" she said quietly while tears formed in her eyes.
"Sakura, it's nice of you to remind me about my bestfriend but who are those people you are going to visit?" Kakashi asked while frowning in confusion.
"My parents. Tsunade-sama told me they died while doing a mission," Sakura answered while her tears flowed out of her eyes. She feels like she's been broken into thousands of pieces when Tsunade informed hr about it. She wished it wasn't true but it was. All those years of being gone, she didn't even know.
"I'm sorry I didn't know," Kakashi said as he gave her a fatherly hug. He knows how it feels like to lose a special person. It isn't a good feeling at all. It's as if it's your fault but it isn't. No matter how hard you try the pain will still be there but you'll learn how to move on sooner or later.
"Let's get some flowers for them, okay?" Kakashi stated. He's hoping that she'll accept the fact that they're gone. It's not as if he doesn't care, it's just that he doesn't want her to forget the reason why she left in the first place.
At the monument….
Kakashi and Sakura stayed there for awhile. They placed some flowers in front of it and prayed. Both of them stayed silent for sometime. They have great respect for these ninjas who sacrificed their lives for the sake of their village.
'I am really sorry for not being here for a long time that I didn't even know that you guys are…dead. I promise I won't be a disgrace to both of you. I'll do my best in everything I do. I know both of you will be watching from up there,' thought Sakura. She remembered all the times she spent with her parents. Those memories saddened her greatly which caused her to cry a lot.
"Just let it all out," Kakashi told her in a caring way. 'It must be really hard for her. This is the first time she cried this much in two years," he thought while looking at her solemnly.
"Hey, Sasuke-teme! We can't visit Sakura-chan right now," a certain blond ninja told his companion.
"Why not?"
"Because there are other people there. I don't think it's a good idea to disturb them, you know," stated Naruto as he pointed at the direction of the monument. "It seems like that black-haired girl has some close ties to some people or person there. She's crying a lot!" Naruto added while stating the things he observed from the people visiting the monument.
Sasuke looked at them. He stared at both of them for awhile. 'There is something familiar about those two. It's as if I've seen them before. Is it me or are their hair colors fake. It may be the trick of the sun though. The girl is about our age. Hmm…she's wearing a Konoha hitai-ate so is the man she's with. How come I've never seen them before?' Sasuke's train of thoughts was cut off by Naruto continuous shaking.
"What?" Sasuke snapped at him.
"Bah…you are a bastard, you bastard! I kept on asking you if you want to come with me to get some ramen at Ichiraku since we have nothing to do. We just finished training and all so you must be hungry too. Mou…I want to eat a lot of my precious ramen now!" exclaimed Naruto while thinking of lots and lots of ramen.
"Whatever," Sasuke answered. It is true that he is hungry but he won't admit it Naruto. 'Hmph! If I tell him that I do get hungry whenever we finish training he'll have a new reason on borrowing money from me. What a dumbass! He'll probably spend it all on fucking ramen. Sakura and Kakashi would probably lecture him about eating the right kind of food.' The thought of Sakura and Kakashi made him feel sad and lonely. 'Fuck it! Why did I have to say all those shit to her? I know that it's the reason she left.' "Why…Sakura," he muttered.
'So Sasuke-teme is still blaming himself then. I thought he already accepted the fact that she's gone. Kakashi is still missing and hell we don't even know if he too is dead! Why did those shits happened?' thought Naruto. They arrived at Ichiraku since it's just a short walk from the monument.
Back at the monument…
"Hey,Kakashi, I've been thinking about this since I found out," Sakura said.
"What is it?"
"I've been thinking that I shouldn't cry so much for them. I mean the reason why I left is to become stronger, not just physically but also emotionally. I should be able to handle this in a reasonable matter, right?" she stated.
"I'm glad you understand this maturely, Sakura, but it's just normal to feel remorse for them, you know?"
"I know."
Jut then their stomachs growled. They realized that they haven't eaten lunch yet. Both of them felt slightly stupid for not reminding the other to get some lunch. Anyway paying a visit to their dead loved ones is more important than satisfying themselves with earthly pleasures.
"Hey! What do you say we get some food?" said Kakashi.
"That'll be great!" said Sakura. She smiled at him saying that she's okay now.
"Where do you want to eat?"
"Um…how about…Ichiraku. I haven't tasted their tasty ramen in two years," she suggested.
They walked going to Ichiraku. It seemed like forever to walk that distance considering their current state. Their stomach growled again and they just looked down in embarrassment. They decided to walk faster to reach their destination. Finally they did reach Ichiraku where they could smell the yummy scent of newly cooked ramen.
When they entered they were a bit taken aback but both of them regained their composures in seconds. Why? You may ask. There a few seats away from them are their friends, Sasuke and Naruto. They are deep in conversation to notice the two enter Ichiraku or so they thought.
At Naruto and Sasuke's table…
"Hey, bastard, look at that. Those two are the ones we saw at the monument earlier, right?" said Naruto.
"So what? They can eat wherever they want," answered Sasuke in a bored uninterested way, although he wanted to know some things about those two. In short those two mysterious people they saw earlier intrigued him.
Sasuke and Naruto finished their meal and left. They walked outside until Naruto spotted something that made him stop.
"Sasuke, look at this!" exclaimed Naruto while holding a blue paper in his hand. Sasuke read what it contained and he the first thing that came in his mind is 'HELL NO!'
"So what do you say, huh?" Naruto asked excitedly.
"No way in hell I'm going to join that competition."
"Aww… but I want to join. It seems fun and it says that it'll be done in pairs. I need a partner to join this competition. Please, please, please!" Naruto whined.
"No"
Then an idea came in Naruto's head. "Okay, fine. I won't join but I'll tell everyone that I didn't join because the person I asked to be my partner who is you Sasuke is too chicken to lose in the competition," Naruto said while thinking of a back up in case it didn't work.
"Who are you calling chicken, dobe?" Sasuke said in gritted teeth. "I'll join this competition and I'll make sure you'll take back what you just said," he added while walking to the direction of his apartment.
"Hehe! It works everytime." Naruto said to himself.
At Ichiraku Ramen Shop…
"That was so good!" exclaimed Sakura after finishing her meal. "Hehehe! Naruto and Sasuke are still the same although they matured in some ways."
"Yeah, I agree but isn't it weird seeing those two eat together. I mean someone might even think they're on a date or something," Kakashi stated.
"Ewww…Kakashi that's so gross! I'm sure that those two are straight! I mean come on. Where did you even get that idea?"
"Ahehehe! I was just thinking about the possibilities…"
"Ewww….ewww! I don't want to hear it!" she said while covering her ears as if it were a choice between life and death.
"Eh… don't overreact, Sakura," said Kakashi while adjusting his mask to make sure it's safely secured in place.
"Kakashi, why do you always wear a mask? I mean your face is G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S. I bet a lot of people will admire you for that. A fan club will surely form to adore you which is totally creepy. Anyway…why do you always wear it?" she asked curiously.
"Um…. I guess… it's for me to know and you to…never find out! Ahahaha!"
"That is so unfair!" she whined.
Just then a very strong wind came blowing some papers in the ramen shop. As if fate had brought it a blue-colored paper settled on their table. Out of curiosity both of them took a look at it.
"Ooh! Let's join, Kakashi! It looks fun. I bet a lot of strong ninjas will be joining. I want to know if my training paid off too," Sakura enthusiastically said.
"I don't know…" he looked at her pouting like a child which made her look so cute "okay then," he said admitting defeat.
"YAY!"
"So when will it be held again?" Kakashi asked her.
"Uhmm… it'll be held two weeks from now," she answered while taking a look on the paper.
"Okay, then! Let's do more training to make sure both of us are ready. Training will resume first thing tomorrow 7:00 a.m."
"I'll make sure you won't be late since we live in one apartment now! Hehehehe!" she said while laughing.
Kakashi sighed remembering what the Hokage told them about sharing an apartment. Anyway he treats her as his little sister so no harm done. After living in one inn in two years though separate rooms they became pretty close. Of course it doesn't mean she'll get light training. Like always Kakashi will always give her hellish training but it always pays off whenever they get in fights with bandits and some proud, useless ninjas who think highly of themselves.
"I can't wait until the competition! I wonder who'll be our opponent." Sakura said.
"Just be patient and I want you to take all of our opponents seriously. Oh! One more thing, if possible try not to cause permanent damage to them, okay?" he told her as if it's a normal thing to say.
"I'll try. I won't promise because who knows what might happen," she said while standing up.
Both of them walked to the apartment that the Hokage arranged for them. It has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, one living room, and a mini library. In short it is just right for two people to live in with all the necessities in it. Each room has its own design. Sakura's bedroom walls are colored pink, the bed is white with red lining, a bedside table with a lamp and matching alarm clock. Did I mention it's connected to her bathroom with a walk-in closet? Kakashi's bedroom walls are painted white with dark blue borders, his bed is back with silver lining, two bedside tables with one lamp each, and a drawer that has some pictures of team 7 and his old team displayed on, a closet, and his own bathroom.
They got tired of what they did for the day and decided to hit the hay. Both of them still has no idea of what surprises tomorrow may bring.
Tbc…..
Hi! I am SO SORRY for the late update. Ihad so many researches to do so I had to do those first. Anyway I managed to do this chapter. YAY!
THANK YOU! to all those who reviewed! I really liked them. Um...that's it for now! BYE!