Dear readers,
As you may have guessed it is set in a slightly AU.
What we have here are two basic timelines. Now we are situated in the past, from there we'll travel further back to the scene from the first chapter, which is four years from now. In the past Sakura is 20, Kakashi is 32 and still has his sharingan, Tsunande is still the current Hokage. My story will contain 50chapters in total, because I'd like to update often and regularly rather than batter you to death with immensely long chapters in seldom intervals. There will be KakaSaku as I promised, but a long story needs time to build up, so please be patient. I planned the whole thing through and through, let's enjoy the journey together.
Thank you for your reviews!
Have fun :-)
SquaMata
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5. Softskills: Week 1
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The pink haired woman was sitting on her chair in the kitchenette sipping some coffee. It was 7am as she heard a knock on her door. Are you kidding me? Since when is he on time?
They drank coffee together and she finished her breakfast.
"So what will our training look like?" She fumbled with her cup and seemed nervous.
"First we will work on your female side, how you dress, how you move and how you speak to get to a man. To make the start easier we will meet up with a friend of mine. She as a woman will help us a little", he told her in his calm voice, though she seemed tense and he did not miss her look of being left again. He secretly made some hand signs.
He smiled at her "You know I may be a brilliant ninja, but…"
Suddenly there were clicking sounds in her hallway growing louder like someone was walking up to them. Sakura sprung up and fell into a fight stance, Kakashi stayed aloof on the couch with his book in his hands, relaxed as always.
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The strange thing was, Kakashi's voice spoke from the hallway "As you can guess I'm not very familiar with walking in heels and wriggling my hips."
In the very same moment a clone of the famous copy-nin came in stumbling and wearing stilettos to his trademark Jounin-uniform-mask-gloves combination and tried to act very girlish. He blew her a kiss and shook his hips before he fell down with a shriek and dissolved.
Without batting an eye the real Kakashi shruggend and said in a steady voice "You see?"
They both bursted out into laughter and she relaxed instantly. Good. So she hasn't forgotten how to laugh.
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"Come on, we'll pick up Kurenai and then you'll be under her tutelage for the rest of the week when you're not working in the hospital. We will meet again for a morning spar on Sunday" continued Kakashi.
Sakura appeared kind of unconfident and uneasy, so he patted her shoulder reassuringly and winked at her.
"Everything will be fine. I promise."
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Kurenai took Sakura for a shopping trip first.
They bought her some sexy clothes and lacy underwear. After lunch they went to a hair stylist and a make-up artist. The result was an even more beautiful, young woman with wonderfully sparkling eyes and an almost happy smile. Kurenai noticed the low self-esteem of the younger Kunoichi, so she gave her a solo exercise for the rest of the day.
Sakura should get comfortable with her new belongings by trying them on, walking around and standing with her new items on in front of a mirror while looking at herself for at least full 10 minutes. She should be ready and styled at 9am with some hunger left, as Kurenai said.
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On the next day the older Kunoichi with the stunning black mane picked her up to go the outskirts of Konoha for brunch. The small country styled cottage turned out to be an insider's tip for the ones who can't decide if rather having breakfast or lunch. Sakura wore a light summer dress, white with a black lacy ribbon around her waist and black pumps, her pink hair fell in soft curls around her shoulders with a black ribbon in it for contrast. Her make-up looked natural, the mascara only highlighted her lovely green eyes.
They enjoyed their meal, they talked about what you could possibly discuss on a date and laughed about some stories of Kurenai's little devil, who recently got an admission to attend the ninja academy in fall. On their way back Kurenai showed her how to walk in heels while swinging her hips.
For the rest of the time they worked on Sakura's posture and movements inside her apartment and had a lot of fun together.
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The third day under Kurenai's tutelage started with an introduction into body language. Sakura should use her new found knowledge to flirt with a guy in a bar at a girl's night. The goal was to beguile him with subtile advances and get him to stand her a drink and tell her a secret.
The bar slowly filled up as Kurenai, Anko, Ino and Sakura sat at their table and enjoyed some drinks.
"So have you already decided who will be your victim?" Anko asked with a smirk.
Ino pointed inconspicuously at a man in jounin attire sitting at the bar. "Take him! He's a real hottie! And he looks nice, though he seems a little lonely. The perfect target!"
Kurenai considered that option for a few moments before she agreed and Sakura walked over.
The tall guy with light brown hair appeared to have the classic physique of a ninja, which normally made every woman drool, but Sakura got used to their chiselled bodies due to her robotic work at the hospital. What appealed to her the most were his friendly smile and his stunning blue eyes, he reminded her a bit of Naruto. He truly was a handsome man. She sat down next to him and ordered a small cup of sake.
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"What are you doing here?"
"I'm here with some friends, but to be honest, I need a little break to breathe. One of my friends keeps on telling stories about her new overly perfect boyfriend. It's kind of ticking me off. I don't know. And what brings you here?" While talking she looked down on the wooden bar and kept on circling one delicate digit slowly on the edge of her cup, then she smiled sadly at him and took a sip.
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"I see. Actually I came back from a long-term mission today. I just thought of having a drink or two and enjoy the silence, but it seems my evening took a turn for the better. My name is Tatsuo, it's an honor to meet such a pretty girl like you."
She gave him a deep and bright smile "My name is Sakura, nice to meet you too. I've never seen you around before. How's that?" She turned her barstool a little to face him better and that she could cross her legs pointing in his direction. They both smiled at each other.
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"Maybe you've only seen me with my white mask on and in ANBU gear before" he winked at her and took a sip of his beer.
Another cocky ANBU ass looking for a hump? As if Konoha hasn't got enough of them already! Her thoughts make her smirk, which gave him the impression she took the bait. "I thought that information would be classified?"
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Now he had to chuckle. "That's why I said MAYBE." He winked again at her and took another sip of his beer, she drank the last sip of her sake. "So I guess you're a ninja too, which rank do you have?"
She cocked her head to the side and smirked at him and whispered "Classified."
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He shook his head and they laughed. "Why didn't I see that coming! My beer's almost empty, do you want another drink? It's on me. We could share a bottle of warm sake if you want?"
She stroke the edge of her black cocktail dress. "How could I decline an offer from an elite ninja like you, Tatsuo?"
He smiled and ordered their drink.
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They sat there sparkling at each other and telling stories.
He turned out to be a really funny guy, nonetheless her suspicion got confirmed, he was clearly searching for some action tonight. Sakura's first task was fulfilled, for the second she should educe a secret from him.
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"Tatsuo, what was your wildest mission? I'm toying with the idea to sign up for ANBU, maybe you could tell me something I need to know?" She looked him deep in the eye and slowly skimmed his hand as she reached for her cup. He got serious and tensed up, but the small contact made him relax again.
"I don't know, Sakura. I shouldn't talk about my missions. You know it's classified." Then he broke their eye contact to sip from his cup.
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She smiled shyly at him. "Hu, it seems I can't withstand your beautiful eyes. Ok, I'll tell you something. ANBU is a really tough place."
She caressed his strong and palpably muscular arm. Oh my god, I haven't felt a male body for so long. I bet his body is an eye candy! Oh, where did that came from? Concentrate, Sakura! Concentrate! She told herself and focused back on his words.
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"On my last mission there was this sixteen year old boy who had stolen a secret scroll. Part of the task was to observe him. If he wouldn't open the scroll, he should be brought back to Konoha together with the scroll. You know in that case he would be imprisoned, interrogated and then he'd disappear forever. In the second scenario he would try to sell the scroll or to learn that secret jutsu described inside, he should be eliminated immediately. He told me his father invented it and it's his right to master his last jutsu before he died on a mission. These were his last words." He looked her deep in the eye.
"Would you like to do that for a living? I bet not. Being an elite ninja cuts both ways. You have a very diverse job, you travel a lot and see different things, you get to know all kinds of people, you meet beautiful girls, but the blood never leaves your hands. Maybe now you understand why I'm sitting here today, trying to focus on something more enjoyable." He stroked her cheek with his calloused fingers and smiled at her with tired eyes.
Yes, she understood. She understood how he felt, she could imagine his struggle inside, it's what she felt for too long, like being dead and functioning.
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"So your way of getting over is to compensate the bad experiences with pleasant ones, like talking with a stranger in a bar?"
He smiled "I guess so. Sometimes even I think of settling down someday and live a rooted and more tranquil life. But for now it's ok as it is. Time will tell."
Smiling he refilled their cups and they drank together.
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"Aren't your friends getting angry 'cause I'm occupying all your attention selfishly?"
Seems like we hit on a raw nerve, Sakura thought shamefully.
"Yeah maybe I should go back to them." They both smiled. She had completed her task and there wasn't another reason to stay right? Even if he was a player, she felt a little bad for killing his good mood.
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"I don't want to scare you away, don't get me wrong, but after that long mission I'm really tired and need a few hours of sleep. Thank you for your company, Sakura. It was a pleasure to meet you. We should do that again sometime, I mean if you want to?"
He looked her deep in the eyes and so did she. Then he let his fingers form a slow enchanting dance down from her arm to her hand, where he circled the back of her hand, before holding it for a few moments.
"That would be nice. Thank you for the drink and the enlightening conversation, Tatsuo. I'd love to see you again sometime!"
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She stood up and gave him a kiss on the cheek, before she was able to leave he carefully tugged her to his side, he gently put an arm around her waist, he looked her deep in the eyes and caressed her cheek before tentatively kissing her.
He didn't force her to deepen the kiss, but it was only natural for her to accept his invitation. In her rush of hormones she felt like a new woman. Never had she experienced the simple junction of two human mouths to feel that good before. Their tongues waved together gently like flames dancing in a fire.
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"Good night, Sakura", he smiled and squeezed her hand tenderly.
With wobbly legs and an honest smile the recently kissed Kunoichi went back to the girls table as he left the bar.
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After their girls' night Sakura had to work three days in a row in the hospital. It was boring routine, nothing special happened. She was looking forward to her sparring date with her Sensei.
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As she arrived at the training ground at half past seven, he was already there waiting for her.
"Sakura, you're late again."
She shook her head, "I always thought old habits die hard! Won't you tell me about your newest achievement? Normal people call it a watch."
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He raised a finger and acted dramatically, "My, my Sakura-chan. I've always owned a watch. I was just always busy with doing things here and doing things there, saving some cats and old ladies, even rescuing some cats from old ladies and sometimes I just had a lot of fun watching you three brats waiting and trying to gain some teamwork."
"I can't believe you said that yourself."
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He shrugged, "Why not? You must know teamwork is an essential goal for every shinobi. And you were the driving force in our team."
Now she was stunned and he crinkled his eye.
"Ready to spar?"
She nodded and fell into a fight stance before blocking his first hit.
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When they both felt satisfied with their corporal training, they sat down to talk and drink water.
"I heard you did well with Kurenai. You made progress. I saw it myself today, the way you move seems more feminine and gracile, you reminded me of a feisty cat."
That made her proud, he wasn't a man of words and his compliments were rare. "Aaand they told me you earned a kiss."
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Her face went red, she stuttered, "Uhm, yeah."
He smiled acknowledging at her, "I heard you did very well, so don't be ashamed, you made the best out of it. A shinobi should live every day to its fullest, you know." His happy eye crinkle made her smile.
She'll never know who was behind that henge.