I like this sequel business...
"What did you do to reinjure it like this?" Sakura eyed Kakashi.
"I well," scratching the back of his head. "I don't know how to explain it…" Kakashi laughed nervously.
"Kakashi…what did you do?" Sakura stood up.
"I…eha…"
"Come on you can tell me."
"Oh boy," Kakashi sighed. "I killed my door…"
"You killed your door?"
"Yea well I got angry at it and I started to kick it and you know."
Sakura burst out in amusement. "Kakashi, I thought you were supposed to be a genius!"
"No, I'm just a human…but my room is in pretty bad shape."
"Really, do tell."
"My ceiling collapsed. So now I have a giant gaping hole that's letting all the rain in the world soak my belongings."
"I'm sorry," Sakura patted Kakashi's head. He just sat there tail between legs, embarrassed by the room story. "This isn't your day is it?"
"No, I'm sad to say it isn't," Kakashi put his focus outside the window. The rain was clearing up. Well, at least the sun's coming out.
"I told Tsunade that you were here. This actually makes things a lot easier for you. Tonight you are going stay in this room where you will be pampered."
"How great…" Kakashi rolled his eyes.
"Anybody would love to be in your position!" Sakura sat down next to him on the bed.
"Yeah, a sprained ankle, a ruined house and a case of the worst day ever."
"Aw…it's okay," Sakura babied.
Kakashi laughed at Sakura's motherly tone. "If there's one thing you didn't pick up from Tsunade, it's the way you can make a person feel like they're five."
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" Sakura hit Kakashi playfully on the arm. "Hm…at least I don't have to be examined tomorrow."
"Don't remind me."
"Dreading it?"
"You have no idea."
"Why? I doubt Tsunade's going to have you transform into a cat again…"
"Lord I hope not."
"Oh Kakashi," Sakura stretched her legs out in front of her. "Oh poor Kakashi-sensei! You've faced Itachi, Zabuza and who knows what else, and yet you're afraid of what tomorrow will bring."
"Who said I'm scared?" Kakashi raised his eyebrows.
"Scaredy cat!" Sakura teased.
"Not funny," Kakashi fell back on the bed.
"Alright, I'll let you sleep. I'll go tell Tsunade what happened to your house. Bye Kakashi!"
"Bye Sakura, thank you!"
Kakashi slept well that night calling a nurse in every now and then for pain killers or to get him some water. He decided that he liked this night of pampering Sakura had set up for him. A cool breeze filled the room. It was a nice contrast to the hot sun beating down on Kakashi's face. Opening his eyes, his vision cleared to see that familiar green spandex suit. Everything was perfect except this…
"My eternal rival is awake! It's a good thing too because today is the day when we are examined on our skills!" Gai said boisterously.
Turning to his side to rid his vision of Gai's lower half of his body Kakashi said, "Gai, why on earth are you here?"
"Why not, just checking up on you!"
"Stupid dog…" Kakashi muttered.
"I'm sorry Kakashi, even if I may look it, my ears aren't what they used to be."
"I said what time is it?"
"It's exactly eleven o'clock." Gai responded.
"Oh," Kakashi closed his eyes with the intention of going back to sleep. "ELEVEN O'CLOCK! I'm late!" Kakashi jumped out of his bed and halfway across the room he fell down.
"Hey watch it Kakashi, we don't want you messing up that ankle of yours," Gai assisted him in getting up from the floor.
"Thanks."
"No problem!" smile
Gai escorted Kakashi (((fully dressed))) to the elevator where he was to take it up to the larger part of Tsunade's office.
"Gai, I appreciate the help and everything, but you don't have to come watch my performance." Kakashi said nonchalantly.
"Nonsense Kakashi, I have to take mine today as well!" Gai laughed out loud.
Great…
A bell dinged and the elevator doors opened. As usual, there they were; same clipboards, same desk and same people. Shizune, Jiraiya, Tsunade and Sakura all ready to decide whether or not Gai and Kakashi should stay Jonin.
"Excuse me one moment Tsunade," Jiraiya got up from his seat and confronted the two shinobi. "Listen you guys," Jiraiya lowered his voice.
"What is it Jiraiya?" Gai asked.
"Tsunade has a bad hangover and she's pretty ruthless today. Already three jonin have been lowered to the title of chunnin, so be prepared to work hard." Raising his voice a little, "So boys, do your best and remember what I told you!" Sitting back down Tsunade gave him death glare.
"Are you finished, can we start now?" Tsunade snapped.
Gai and Kakashi looked at each other and gulped. Both of them knew that Tsunade was tough, sure they expected that from her, but today she instilled the fear of being decreased in rank.
"Gai you're first!" Tsunade said harshly.
"Good luck Gai," Kakashi whispered.
"Oh I think this will go swimmingly!" Gai also whispered.
"So are you going to whisper all day?" Tsunade rubbed her head.
"I'm coming Lord Hokage!" Gai pranced to the front of the table. Shizune then proceeded to read through his stats. Thankfully there were no revisions to be made. Now came the rules. Kakashi said them to himself in his head and leaned against the wall. He closed his eyes as Sakura gave Gai jutsus to perform.
"Excuse me Lord Hokage!" The door swung open hitting Kakashi in the head.
"What is it dammit; can't you see I'm busy?" Tsunade yelled.
The assistant bowed, "Sorry, but there is an emergency at the hospital you must take care of."
"Must I do everything? Carry on with Gai, I'll be right back." There was an eager silence as Tsunade walked out of the room and slammed the door behind her. When she was gone all the remaining judged sighed and smiled obviously relieved to be rid of the source of fright in the room.
"Okay Gai," Sakura nodded her head brightly. "That was a good jutsu!"
"Why thank you, young lady." Gai posed quite flamboyantly.
Kakashi who now had a bruise on his head listened to the rest of the examination.
"Well Gai," Shizune wrapped up, "It looks like you are still fit to be called jonin!"
"Alright! Thank you very much." Gai walked over to Kakashi and slapped him on the back. "You turn my fine friend! I wish you the best of luck!"
"Kakashi Hatake you're next!" Jiraiya chuckled.
Kakashi reluctantly walked out, hands in pockets to the front of the table. Sakura gave a slight smile. She now knew his true feelings about this special day and it entertained herself to see Kakashi's pathetic look in his eye.
"I'm back," Tsunade opened the door and without saying anything took her seat once again. "Kakashi, it's good to see you again. Feeling any better?"
"To say the least," Kakashi tried to keep her mood light.
"Good." Tsunade went though the same procedure, but Kakashi couldn't help but hear giggles in the background. From the corner of his eye, he could see Gai flirting with the assistant who had retrieved Tsunade. "Keep your attention here please."
The examination went surprisingly well. Kakashi was not asked to do a transformation jutsu much to his pleasure and was just about to leave when Tsunade stopped him.
"Kakashi, I want you to do a transformation jutsu please."
"A what?" Kakashi's heart sunk.
"You heard me a transformation jutsu. We can't have a jonin who can't transform back to his original form."
"No you cannot." Kakashi concentrated his chakra. You can do this Kakashi…
"I want you to transform into this…" Tsunade brought out the same black cat he was told to transform into before.
Oh super… "Here goes…" Kakashi announced unsure.
Poof! The transformation went smoothly.
"Thank you now transform back!" Shizune anxiously demanded. Everyone was on the edge of their seat, especially Sakura.
Okay, Kakashi, transform! Kakashi successfully returned to his old self. Tsunade gave her first smile of the day, and the rest of the table let out a sigh. Kakashi too gave a laugh of relief, but he felt strangely fatigued. This is what you get for not covering your sharingan…you dumbass…
"Kakashi, you are a jonin, and do not deserve to be called anything less! Dismissed!" Jiraiya gave the thumbs up and Gai and Kakashi left the room.
When they reached the quiet streets, both of the jonin went there separate ways. Gai had invited Kakashi to a drink at the bar, but he refused saying he was going to check to see how his apartment was doing.
"Kakashi, wait up!" Sakura called.
Kakashi turned his head and waved. "Hey Sakura!"
"Allow me to escort you home Mr. Jonin," Sakura took Kakashi's arm.
"I don't know if my dad would like that," Kakashi played along.
"You did a good job today."
"Yeah well, I can't believe she made me do a transformation. Okay, maybe I can…"
"She is right though."
"Yeah, she always is." Kakashi felt a wave of dizziness.
"What are you doing tonight Kakashi?" Sakura asked.
"Um…well…nothing right now, why?"
"You want to get some dinner?"
"Is this a date?" Kakashi joked.
"Yes." Sakura said with all seriousness.
"Really?" Kakashi asked.
"No," Sakura laughed. "Just as friends Kakashi!"
"Okay, because I was going to say…"
"Don't worry; I'm not cheating on Lee. Plus, we broke up last week." Sakura smiled. Lee was currently on a mission in the Village Hidden in the Mist. "How about ramen?"
"Sounds great, I'll pay, I just need to stop by my dig site first."
"Nonsense, I offered, my treat."
"If you insist," Kakashi shrugged. His heart skipped, not out of giddiness, but of something else. It startled him and made him twitch his hand.
"Huh? Kakashi, are you okay?" Sakura asked noticing his sudden movement.
"Yeah…" But he wasn't. Once again he felt the same heart palpitation. He started to shiver and he clutched his head in pain. "Maybe I'm not."
"Kakashi! Here lay down…"
"No I can't, ugh!" Kakashi fell to his knees out of breath, the world spinning around him.
"Kakashi!"
"Sakura, help meeeeeow!"
"What? Kakashi you're, you're…"
Kakashi's image seemed to melt away. He was human no more.
"Kakashi, not again!"
No, why does this happen? "Meow!"
Kakashi the cat has returned!!!