Well, updates will slow down like hell after August 27 due to school. I'll try to update as soon as I can. So enjoy the daily updates while they last.
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Disclaimer: Don't own Naruto or Kakashi. I also don't own WEEZER.
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Ch.19: A Date?
The day after the incident, Ayame, Saita, and Keiko came to visit. Sakura was feeling a little better, but was still a little shaky. Kisa came up with Hiro to apologize and check up on her. Kakashi never left her side unless it required privacy (like the bathroom or girl talk). The day after that, the man who peeked in the bath was mysteriously injured. When asked what happened, he said he fell down the stairs, but the look of fear in his eyes said different. No one asked anymore because they all thought he deserved it. Later, the man paid for the damages and was slapped with a restraining order by Sakura's friends and Kakashi. Four days later, Sakura was almost completely back to normal. Sakura decided that'd she spend the day with Saita and Ayame, so Kakashi, Sasuke, and Naruto were left alone that day.
"So, how's she doing, sensei?" asked Naruto.
"A lot better. I think she's getting over it. She's almost fully recovered. I think today's her last day."
"That's good to hear." said Sasuke.
"So what should we do for Sakura-chan?"
"Hm…maybe we should do something for her like a party or something." They sat in silence. A light bulb appeared above Naruto's head. "We should have a party for her. It'll be the four of us and I know just what to do, just stall her tomorrow and teme and I will get ready for it. Bring her to our room at 8:00 tomorrow and don't be late, sensei!"
'Somehow, I have a feeling this will be embarrassing.' thought Kakashi.
Sakura came back later that day. As soon as she came back, she changed into her sleeping clothes and plopped into bed, fast asleep. 'I guess she had a lot of fun today.' Kakashi thought. He decided to take a walk and left a note for her in case she woke up.
The night sky was glittering above him as he walked. He had no idea where he was going, he was just following where his feet decided to take him. He suddenly stopped in front of a shop. 'Huh?'
He looked up. 'A flower shop?'
'Well, it seemed like the best place to bring you.'
'What are you talking about?'
'Well, you have to stall Sakura tomorrow so I was thinking, you could take her on a date.'
'A date?'
'Well, yeah. You could ask her to the festival.'
'Okay, but a date?!'
'How else would you get your feelings known?'
'I don't know.'
'What? Too chicken?'
'What?! I am not!'
'Yeah, you are.'
'Am not!'
'Prove it!'
'Fine.'
'You have to buy her flowers and take her on a date tomorrow. You'll ask her to the festival and you will be her escort.'
'Deal. Wait, what?!'
'Deals a deal and you can't break your word.'
'Fine, but you can't interfere.'
'Done.'
The bell above the door rang. A clerk came out from the back. He looked about mid forties and had brown hair. "Hello." he said. "How may I help you this evening?"
Kakashi looked around the shop. "I'm looking for a bouquet of flowers to give to my friend."
"Sure, any clue of what you'd like to give them?"
He rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, no."
"Well, describe to me why you're giving it to your friend."
"Well, she's gotten over a traumatic experience recently so my friends and I are throwing her a party. It's my job to stall her while they get ready and I was thinking of taking her on a date."
"Oh. If you don't mind me asking, is your friends name Haruno Sakura?"
Kakashi blinked. "How did you know?"
"It was all over the news. Poor girl. Is she alright?"
"She's getting better."
"She's an incredible girl."
Kakashi chuckled and smiled. "She is. She really is."
The clerk smiled. "I know just what to give her. Wait here." The clerk went into the back and came out with a bouquet of twelve red roses and a single rose. "Here. This seems about right. What do you think."
"I think she'll love it. How much do I owe you?"
"Usually, it's about 2,000 yen for both of these, but since you're a good person and I happen to like you, I'll give you a discount. 1,400 yen."
"I couldn't, really."
"Please, I insist."
"Okay, but would you tell me your name? I'd like to thank you in some way."
"Oh no, that's not necessary. This is for a good cause, but I will tell you my name. It's Katsuya."
"Thank you." Kakashi bowed and exited the shop. Katsuya looked on as Kakashi walked towards the inn. "I wish you luck on your date and I hope she loves you back as much as you do her."
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The next morning…
Sakura sleepily rolled over to her side when she felt something was missing. She cracked her open her eyes to see what it was. Her eyes widened in panic. "Kakashi?!" She flipped off the covers and spotted a single red rose on top of a note. The note read:
Sakura,
Meet me in the lobby at 10:00. Wear something nice, but casual.
-Kakashi
Sakura was confused. 'Wear something nice? What does that mean? But he did say to meet him in the lobby at 10:00 for something. Must be important if he wants me to dress nice. I wonder what it is.'
Sakura hopped out of bed and went out into the shower. She put on a white dress with a light green sash around the middle. She put on some light make-up, a silver bracelet, some white sandals, and ran out the door.
Sakura looked around the lobby. 'Where is he? It's 10:00.' She went to the front desk. "Kisa-san, have you seen Kakashi?"
"I'm right behind you." Sakura turned around and her breath was caught in her throat. Kakashi was in a white dress shirt and black pants. "Kakashi?"
"These are for you." He said as he held out the bouquet of red roses.
"They're beautiful, but Kakashi, what are we dressed up for?"
Kakashi stood with his hand rubbing the back of his neck. "Well…I was hoping for a date with you." he said, blushing.
"A date?" Her head was reeling. 'He asked me out on a date?'
Kakashi's hand dropped from his neck. "I understand, you don't want to. Don't worry."
"N-n-no! It's just that it caught me by surprise. I'd love to." He smiled and kissed her forehead. She blushed. "Thank you, you won't regret it."
Kakashi picked up the picnic basket at his side and put the blanket under his arm. He grabbed her hand and led her out of the inn. Kisa smiled at them. 'Ahh..young love, but will it be enough, Kakashi? Will it be enough?'
Naruto and Sasuke came down the stairs. "Mornin Kisa-san. So did they leave yet?"
Kisa laughed. "Yes, they did."
"Where did sensei say he was taking her?" asked Naruto.
"He said that lake Sakura and I hid out at. They're going on a picnic." replied Sasuke.
'Lucky bastard. If he tries anything, I'll slice his hands off.'
Kisa blinked. "Which lake is that, Sasuke-san."
"Huh? Oh, it's the larger one near the forest. Why?"
Kisa looked down. "Well, although beautiful, that lake has a tragic tale attached to it."
Naruto blinked. "Really? How?"
Kisa looked at Naruto. "Well, if you could spare a moment of your time, I'd be happy to tell you."
They moved to the waiting room near the lobby. Kisa poured some tea and began. "Well, this story is real and it also explains how the lake's name came to be."
"What is it called, Kisa-san?" Naruto asked.
"It's called Crystal Tears lake, but the villagers know it as the lake of love and regret. You see, it was many centuries ago, there lived a prince and village girl. They were both quite beautiful and kind. They were both good friends and spent as much time together as possible. Everyone knew they were in love except them.
"One day, the king announced a festival to be held for a special occasion. No one knew what the occasion was, but didn't pay it any mind. The next day, a princess from another country came. The villagers celebrated her arrival.
"The princess was quite beautiful, but was also quite evil. She fell in love with the prince and tried to make him fall in love with her. All of her attempts were in vain, for the prince was in love with the village girl. Slowly, the prince realized his feelings for her and began trying to deter the princess as much as possible. Then, one day, he gave the girl a hair ribbon as a present. She loved it and started to wear it everyday.
"Soon, the festival had arrived. The villagers all wore their best kimonos and things. The village girl was undoubtedly the most beautiful of all. The princess was jealous of her and decided to break her heart, for she knew of her feelings toward the prince. The princess asked her for a minute of her time at the willow tree grove. The girl accepted.
"The prince was also sent the same message and was told to be there five minutes earlier than the girl. He complied and met her there. The princess kissed him and wouldn't let him free of her grasp. The girl saw all this and fled to the lake they used to always meet at. The prince ran after her but was stopped by the princess. He asked her why and she told him, she couldn't stand being second to the girl.
"The prince escaped and ran into the forest toward the lake, but arrived too late. She was no where to be found and her hair ribbon slowly sinking into the water. On the dock, he saw a note stained with her tears. He read it and what he read made him cry. The note said "I'm sorry. I should've known I never belonged with you. I realize that now, but I want you to know before I die, that I always loved you and always will." The prince cried her name and crystal-clear tears of regret streamed down his face. They created ripples in the water and caused the water to become crystal-clear also.
"He mourned her death and it ate at him. He wouldn't come out of his room and he chanted over and over, "If only you knew. If only you knew." A few days later, he died of a broken heart. His dying words were "The only regret I have from my mortal life is never telling you, that I had loved you too."
"It is said that the girl waits on the surface of the lake every full moon for the prince to come and he's forever cursed to run through the forest trying to reachher."
Naruto and Sasuke were deep in thought. "It seems like she thought he'd be happier without her. I wonder how they both must have felt, what was going through their heads at the time. I guess it's telling us to live for the day while we can. It's a lot like our life as shinobi, eh Sasuke?"
"Hn."
'It seems a little like what's going on with us right now, but it could be coincidence.'
"Thank you for telling us the story, Kisa-san." Said Sasuke. "Dobe, we still have to do stuff before they come back."
"Oh yeah. Bye Kisa-san!"
"Take care." said Kisa. 'It seems that Sakura-san and Kakashi-san are more special than I thought. Could it be? No, but still.'
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When everything is wrong
when I'm feeling blue
Kakashi and Sakura were walking in the village. Some of the fans stopped and glared at them. Kakashi and Sakura didn't notice, they continued to walk in the comfort and company of the other.
You are such a blessingbrings light to all of my darkness
Sakura looked up at Kakashi. "You know, you never told me what we were going to do."
Kakashi blinked and smiled. "No, I guess I didn't."
"Well are you going to tell me?"
Kakashi chuckled. "And ruin the surprise?"
Sakura pouted cutely. "Fine."
You are my best friend
and I love you,
and I love you
Yes I do
"Okay Sakura, now you have to close your eyes and no peeking." he said.
"Fine." She closed her eyes and cracked them open when she thought he wasn't open. "Sakura."
"Fine, this time I promise." She shut her eyes tightly. She felt Kakashi's hand grab her hand and led her towards something. Her legs moved hesitantly.
"Sakura, I won't let anything happen to you, now relax." Sakura nodded and followed his lead.
There is no other onethat can take your place
I feel happy inside
when I see your face
I hope you believe me
'Cause I speak sincerely
and I mean it when I tell you
Kakashi stopped and turned to face her. "Okay, you can open your eyes."
She cracked them open and they widened in surprise. "Kakashi, it's beautiful. Even more than when I was here last time."
He chuckled. "I'm glad. Come on." He led her down the dirt path to a tree near the dock on the lake. Her eyes widened. "Wow! Kakashi, how'd you find this place?"
"Well, yesterday, when you went out, I decided to check this place out."
You are my best friend
and I love you,
and I love you
Yes I do
Kakashi set up the blanket and the basket. Sakura sat down beside him and looked at the view. She heard a POP sound and turned to Kakashi who handed her a flute of champagne. "Kakashi?"
"I thought it would be a nice touch."
Sakura giggled. "I never pegged you to be romantic, but it's nice." She brushed her lips against his. "Thank you."
I'm here right beside you
I will never leave you
and I feel the pain you feel
when you start crying
They finished eating and sat next to each other, enjoying the peace. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. She was shocked at first, but sank into the embrace. A few minutes later, he rested his chin on her shoulder. "Would you like to explore the area with me?" She turned towards him and smiled softly. They both got up and walked hand in hand into the forest.
You are my best friend
and I love you,
and I love you
Yes I do
Their feet carried them to a grove. "Kakashi, look! Sakura trees!"
"Gingko trees too. It must be beautiful in the spring when the sakura blossoms bloom."
"Yeah, too bad we didn't come here earlier."
"Hey Kakashi."
"What is it?"
"Tag!" He blinked and smiled as she ran from him. "Hey, no fair!" he said.
She laughed and hid behind a tree. "You must be getting old, Kakashi, if you can't catch me."
He laughed. "I'm not old and you know it."
"Then catch me." He went right and she went to her right, dodging it. He tried left, same thing happened. Then he got an idea. He faked left and caught her as she tried to dodge it. "Looks like I win."
"Hey!" she laughed. "Okay! You can put me down." He lowered her to the ground.
She took this chance to push him backwards, but he grabbed her causing him to fall with her. "Oww." Sakura pulled her head up. "What was that for? That hurt you know." she said.
"Says the person who started this. At least you had me to break your fall."
"Falling in the grass doesn't hurt that much."
"Not unless you fall on a rock."
"Oh!" She became worried. "Are you alright?"
"Yes." His breath tickled her lips. She blushed at how close they were, but couldn't pull herself away.
She stared at his mask-covered face and hesitantly pulled down part of his mask. He did nothing to stop her. She continued to pull it down until it was off his face. She stared at his face and slowly brought her gaze to his lips. She put hers on his and kissed him. Kakashi moved his arms from his side and wrapped it over her sprawled figure. He kissed her back. She kissed him harder and licked his lower lip. He opened and she explored. Their tongues danced around each other. Kakashi moved one hand to cup the back of her head and the other to her back while she meshed her hands into his hair. They pulled back hesitantly for air. Panting, their half-lidded eyes met. Kakashi smoothed a lock of hair behind her ear. "I was wondering, if you'd like to accompany me to the festival."
She smiled and hugged him. She pulled back and met his face, their noses barely touching. "Yes." She whispered.
He kissed her again, briefly. "Come on, we have to get back to our basket." She nodded and they walked back, her head resting on his shoulder and him resting his head on hers.
You are my best friend
and I love you, and I love you
Yes I do
Yes I do...
Yes I do