Thank you so much for the reviews and support! Here's another chapter for you all!
Time setting: About a week since Naruto returns (He's back!)
Ages:
Sakura, Shino, Chouji: 16
Kakashi: 29
Naruto, Kiba, Ino, Shikamaru, Hinata: 15
Jiraiya: 52
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters depicted in these drabbles. They belong to Masashi Kishimoto.
Kakasaku 100 word Drabbles
Week 16: Explaining
Word count: 305
It wasn't as though Kakashi-sensei and Sakura were acting differently; he expected that after two and a half years. Sakura was still Sakura (with her temper now backed up with inhuman strength), and Kakashi-sensei still read his Icha Icha with a passion. They were still his team mates, yet there was something a little different in their eyes… something that wasn't there when he left. And Naruto was determined to find out what it was.
He went to Team Asuma. Ino complained about Sakura living on her own while she still lived with her parents. Chouji mentioned that maybe they were eating healthier. Shikamaru grumbled that Sakura has become more troublesome since her apprenticeship… then put Asuma in checkmate.
He had asked Team Kurenai. Hinata avoided eye contact and stuttered incoherently. Kiba suggested it was 'that' time of month, before being cuffed on the head by Shino. Kurenai smiled and said that they all had grown.
He reluctantly approached Team Gai. Neji brushed it off; it didn't concern him. Gai became overly concerned for his Eternal Rival's 'Springtime of youth' while Lee worried for the 'Beautiful Blossom of Konoha' and both went in search of the two (Kakashi-sensei and Sakura probably weren't going to appreciate that). Tenten apologized for not being able to help him.
He accidentally mentioned it to Anko. She realized that she hadn't 'played' with Hatake or Pinky for weeks, and left to make up for lost time (Kakashi-sensei really wasn't going to appreciate that).
Naruto released a frustrated sigh. No one seemed able to explain what he couldn't put into words. …Maybe there just wasn't a word for this almost imperceptible feeling.
Jiraiya placed his hand on Naruto's shoulder, and his explanation was exactly what Naruto was searching for.
"They were left behind. They had to find a little happiness somewhere."
AN: Ok, so I didn't update last week like I hoped. The Olympics became my obsession; I'm watching it right now, actually. Anyway, Naruto returns! ...Well technically this is his first appearance in my story, but that's beside the point. Just so everyone understands (I may not have been that clear), Naruto did not find out that Kakashi and Sakura are now together, just that they are no longer haunted by Sasuke's betrayal and Naruto's leaving; their relationship is a factor in that. I really don't think I got exactly what I was aiming for, but I hope you readers still enjoy it!
I'll probably try to update from now on on every other Friday or Saturday. Until next time!