Chapter 9 – Suteki da ne?
A/N:
Please forgive me! I am SO sorry for the slow update! SOSOSO Sorry! But I do have a good reason. :D I went to Japan! It was wonderful... But I am not going to spend anymore time apologizing nor telling you of my trip to the best country in the world... hehehe...
Such a dark and cold night. The moon so small and faded. No stars, no wind, just nothingness. I watched Naomi silently get up from beside me, her pale skin reflecting the little moonlight there was. Her hair fallen with despair, and her smile no longer. Her naked form made it to the bathroom door and it shut softly behind her. There she would remain until she was ready to leave, then she would do just so. Not a word, a breath, a kiss.
It was always like that. There was no feeling, there never was. I had felt it... once. Not for this blonde, no, it was for her. Such feelings beyond words nor expressions. Ironic how she had been so close for so long... I had finally identified them, and that I--
The door opened, Naomi stepped out fully clothed. Walking over to the bed, she sat down beside me. I knew what was to come, as in her hand was a bag, its contents filled to the rim.
"Kakashi..." Her pale eyes clouded over with such emptiness. "I... I have to go..." She did not wait for any answer. Soon enough, she had joined into the surrounding darkness.
I'm sorry.
7 hours earlier...
"Sakura, what on earth are you planning?"
"I'm not planning anything!" The girl grabbed the blonde by the arm and lead her through the busy lighted streets of Konoha. They passed by one of Ino's favorite store, so she stopped and gawked at the new display, her breath fogging up the glass.
"That would look great on--"
"No time!" The kunoichi continued to pull her friend, weaving in and out of crowds, her grip getting tighter and tighter. She had a goal, a destination, in which she must reach. Or it may be too late.
"Sakura, goddammit—Just stop!" The blonde halted and stubbornly ripped her arms from her friend's hold. "Tell me what's going on before I--"
"Okay! Fine." Sakura paused, glancing all around them. Hardly anyone looked familiar in winter. Everyone was wearing gloves and scarves; just completely covered head to toe in thick dull fabrics. How was she supposed to find him in this mess? God, she hated Christmas.
"Well?" Ino was ignoring the fact that crowded places overwhelmed the pink haired girl, and stood there tapping her foot annoyingly.
"I'm just looking for someone."
"Who?"
"Kakashi... --sensei." Sakura turned around saying this, pretending to be interested at the shop beside them. Her friend leaned in to look at her face.
"And why are you looking for him at..." She rolled up her sleeve and stared at her watch. "...eight-thirty?"
"N-No reason, really."
"Ah, I knew it." The blonde smiled while leaning on the window behind her. She closed her eyes for a moment, while rubbing her finger under her nose. Sakura was silent.
"What do you mean..."
"It was so totally obvious you guys had somethin' going on!" The girl laughed. "But, my question is, why him? Why out of all the free, gorgeous, and young boys in Konoha do you choose your old sensei?"
"I..."
"What is he, like, 46?"
"30." Sakura's eyes stayed glued to the ground beneath her. She must keep her face. Ino, foolish as she is, was just trying to tear her down. The blonde once again laughed cheerfully.
"What ever happened to Sasuke, ehh? I never thought you would give him up in a million years--"
"He's not who you think he is." The bitterness in her voice made Ino silent.
"Excuse me?"
"Just please, please don't chase after him anymore..."
"Not a chance! You have the old fart, mind your own business!" At that moment, Sakura just turned around and walked away. Even if her friend wanted to be with that monster, she would make sure that never happened. If he tried to do anything to Ino... she would snap.
It began to snow, and even among all of the people, Sakura felt utterly alone.
"Sakura?" She spun around only to be feet away from the one person she was seeking. "Are you alright? Ino said you were looking for me." There was a definite hint of concern in his voice, and she was happy for it.
"Aw look, she went out and bought the same scarf! How sweet..." The tall blonde hooked on his arm smiled and patted Sakura on the head. The girl did notice that both herself and Kakashi were wearing the same article of clothing. However, she did not think of the fact that they were matching like some young couple. Too bad...
"Naomi, that was from me. Remember I told you?" The blonde forced a laugh, stating she forgot.
"Sakura." He looked at her and smiled through his red garment. "How are you?"
"I'm fine. Actually, Kakashi, do you mind if me and Naomi had a chat?" The shock was evident upon both his and the blonde's faces.
"Sure doll, anything for Kaka-baby's little pet!" She skipped over to the young kunoichi and clinged onto her arm. Kakashi sighed, scratched his head, and sauntered to a bench. Then, the girls began their walk.
"So, what do you want to know? You can ask me anything! Is it about a boy? What's his name?"
"No, its about you... and Kakashi." She glanced over and noticed that Naomi's eyes had shifted colors once again, this time the same color as her own. For once, she was frightened.
"I am not surprised." The blonde smiled slightly while brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "The truth is, Sakura, there is no 'me and Kakashi'." She witnessed the young girl's eyes widen, and smiled once more.
"I had wished to leave this place for a while now. But that man, he is... complicated. I would be lying if I said I had no feelings for him... However!" She raised her index finger and pointed it at her partner. "You, my dear Sakura, must be some girl."
"Wh-What do you mean?"
"To make a man fall in love with you is one thing, but to change him is another. And to think it was Hatake Kakashi! He has the strongest walls built around him, you know. I have had my share of men and I tell you, he's definitely special." Her soft laugh rang through Sakura's ears. She couldn't believe it. Did she really have such an impact on her sensei's life?
"Don't believe me, hmm? Well if you cannot see it, you must be very blind. The man's heart is like that of a child's! He is only pushing you away because you are breaking through that protective wall he has built. So what are we going to do?" She nudged the kunoichi lightly waiting for a response.
"I... I really don't know."
"Hah! If he pushes you away, you pull him back!"
As they walked back, Sakura had decided that her respect for Naomi went way up. Well, her 'green' side anyways. Never did she think that such an annoying woman would be so full of wisdom. She supposed that she was just another example of the saying 'don't judge a book by it's cover'.
Soon enough the silver haired jounin was in sight, and it was no surprise that he had taken out one of his novels. However, as he spotted them approaching, he stashed it in a pocket and waved. His student smiled and waved back, feeling quite satisfied with herself.
"I hope you enjoyed our little chat, doll!" It took up a lot of courage to ask that girl. "Heeellloooo darling! Did you miss me?" She ran over and glomped the poor man, and Sakura couldn't help but let her jealousy surface. However, being the patient person she is, maybe, just maybe, one day she will be able to break through that wall Kakashi has. How she hoped that Naomi was right.
A/N:
I meant for this to be longer. But I thought it would be better than nothing... so maybe, if I get enough comments --cough cough-- I shall make the next chapter extra long. :D