A/N: Ok, this is my second chapter. Thank you to 'quarterdark' and 'Oblivious_Goddess' for reviewing! I'll try to make it end off on a cliff-hanger next time. I feel so giddy that someone actually read it. Possibly more of you reviewed, so thanks to whoever did, and for those who favorited it! It was my first time posting, and reading what I wrote, it was really stupid. Thank you for not flaming me but instead giving me encouraging, compliments! Ok, I'm ranting on here, so … on with the chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
Screams and shouts of 'help!' and 'someone call a doctor!' filled the garden.
Sakura went into full 'medic-mode' and pushed aside the frightened guests. They seem to realise they were ninjas, since they respectively made way for Sakura. Cat, Dog and Dragon watched from the sidelines.
Sakura got down on her knees, and made a number of hand signs. Soon a green glow emerged from both hands, searching the woman's body for a problem.
She couldn't believe she didn't see it at first.
A small, transparent arrow, with a poisoned tip, was deep within the woman's neck.
"Shit!" Sakura cursed, just as the woman began thwacking violently on the floor.
"Someone hold her down!" Sakura ordered.
In a second, Kakashi, Yuki and Dajaku were pushing her down.
Sakura remembered back when she was 15, and extracted poison form Kankuro's body. There, she had all the medical herbs and ingredients, but it looked like they were no where in sight.
She'll just have to make do.
Using her chakra fingers, she numbed the woman's neck, before slowly pulling out the arrow.
After some lightning fast hand seals, a blue glow came from her fingers. She pressed her chakra into the woman's body. Her skilled chakra went through the woman's system, getting them out of her central vein.
Slowly, the poison floated out of the woman's body, in Sakura's green glow. After dumping it in a bucket, she continued this for a few more times.
Sakura sat back, wiping some sweat from her forehead.
"She's ok,"
As if one cue, loud sighs of relief came from the guests.
"I've extracted most of the poison from her body. I'll examine it, because it can tell you a lot about the enemy. For now, she needs a lot of rest, I'll come check her up later on."
They all nodded.
Sakura glanced back at her team.
They were all smiling at her proudly.
She didn't really care if Yuki or Dajaku were impressed, it was Kakashi.
Another idiotic smile appeared on her face.
….
Sakura flopped back onto her seat.
She had just finished examining the poison.
"How is it, Panther?" Kakashi asked. He was the only other one in the room, Cat and Dog were on watch.
"This poison could paralyze you in a matter of minutes. Then you'll live a slow painful death that can't be stopped. You have to be very skilled to make this kind of poison."
Kakashi nodded. "By the looks of it, this shinobi could be jounin or higher."
"And another thing, how could we not sense him? How could we not see the arrow hit her neck? His level of chakra concealment and stealth is exceptional."
Kakashi smiled. And it wasn't one of those, 'I-don't-really-care' smiles, or those sheepish eye creases. This one was heartfelt, a soft smile Sakura never saw.
"Why are you smiling?" Sakura asked suspicious.
"You've grown greatly, Sakura."
Sakura flashed him back a great big smile.
"You're impressed, right?" she asked, like a little kid who finally went on a teeter-totter and was telling her parents.
"Very." Kakashi answered sincerely. "It kind of … makes me sad."
"Sad?"
"Yeah," he sighed. "I never really gave you any attention, I didn't really think you had potential."
Sakura frowned.
"But you took your own lead, and went to the hokage for help. You trained with your own will, wanted to join ANBU with your own request. I'm very proud of you."
Sakura gave her an equally soft smile.
"Thank you, sensei,' she whispered.
Kakashi knew that he and Sakura had a special bond.
….
"How are you feeling Ms. …?" Sakura asked politely, to the woman in bed. Yoshinao and the other guests were crowed around.
"Fine. By the way, you can call me Mitsumi-san. I am the daimyo's assistant."
Sakura nodded. "Due to ANBU restrictions, you can call me Panther."
Mitsumi nodded. "Thank you for saving my life, Panther."
"No need to thank. Anyways, I'll just check your cut."
Sakura moved her green hands to Mitsumi's neck. After searching, she found that Mitsumi was healthy.
"Well then, you're cut is fine. I'll just heal it so that it doesn't get an infection,"
"Remember, you're healthy enough to move, and do your daily business. Be careful, though." She told her after she was done.
"Thank you, Panther," Mitsumi smiled.
Just before Sakura and Kakashi were about to walk through the door, Yoshinao told her to wait.
Sakura and Kakashi stopped, and slowly turned around.
Kakashi's eyes narrowed as Yoshinao rushed over.
"That was incredible!" he exclaimed, his brown eyes wide.
"Uh-"
"And you did this thing with your hands and then this green glow came out from your hand-"
"I'm sorry, all techniques and information are confidential." Kakashi butted in rudely.
He didn't know why he had to speak so rudely, and why he had to step in between Sakura and Yohsinao, but maybe his mind just took over.
Sakura gave him a confused look.
"Oh … well then, see you-" Yoshinao was cut off again.
"Let's go," Kakashi hissed, gently pushing Sakura out the door.
"Why were you so mean to Yoshinao-sama?" Sakura whispered harshly after the door closed.
"Well, why did he have to butt into our business?" Kakashi whispered back.
"Because he's our friggin' client! He should know what's going on in his palace!"
"Why are you defending him?" Kakashi's eyes narrowed. "He may be our client, but he also could be setting this up!"
"Setting this up? What?"
"It's possible." Kakashi shrugged.
He walked past her, not walking to talk about the matter any longer.
A dumbfounded Sakura stared after him.
….
Sakura took a break from watching the garden. She knew she should keep doing her duty, but how can she concentrate if she hadn't sorted out her thoughts?
She sighed audibly, her back hitting the trunk of the tree, stretching her legs out on the branch.
Why was Kakashi acting so rudely to Yoshinao?
Maybe he was having a mood swings?
Or ... could Kakashi be
Jealous?
Jealous? Jealous of what?
Maybe he thought that I liked Yoshinao or something!
But why would Kakashi have feelings for me?
I'm 14 years his junior!
"If you're in love, age doesn't matter," Yuki stated.
Bingo.
Kakashi has been spending more time with her then his other team mates. Sometimes, she feels him looking in her direction.
And that smile …
That was like a whole different Kakashi.
Not the famous assasinator, captain ANBU.
But a caring, loving side he rarely showed anyone.
She really liked that side of Kakashi.
Usually, he'd barely give her a compliment, but these days, he's been firing them at her.
Maybe he just cares about her, like a father. But what if he's not?
A slow smile appeared on Sakura's face.
Her eyes shifted to the muscular black uniform clad shinobi couching in the trees.
The sunlight shined on his silver hair, letting it have a golden glow.
He was really handsome, Sakura always felt herself melt whenever he smiled at her.
Whenever he called her name, she always felt this nervous sensation.
Wait, hold it!
Could Sakura also like … Kakashi?
Sakura shook her head to clear her thoughts. Maybe thinking was a bad idea.
As she continued watching the garden, she made a plan in her head.
It was a stupid plan, probably going to end up hurting Kakashi.
But at least she'll know Kakashi's real feelings.
….
Kakashi tensed as he felt Sakura's eyes shift over to him.
Any second now, it will go away.
But it stayed there.
Kakashi became really self-conscious.
Am I crouching wrong?
Is there a problem?
Should I do something?
Should I move?
Chill, his inner voice ordered.
His shoulder's relaxed.
But his brain didn't .
He was literally sweating.
He could do 200 push-ups without a sweat. Without chakra.
But now, his old student was staring at him, and he was sweating.
No, cross that out. His attractive former student was-
Attractive?!
When did he think that way?
She's only 21, dammit!
Maybe he is a pedophile. Or maybe he's reading too much Icha Icha?
No, he doesn't care if a pretty voluptuous woman is interested in him, yet he cares is Sakura does?!
Well, Sakura looks really pretty, and curvy ... That pink hair, and sparkling emerald eyes.
He always knew Sakura would have a way with the guys, ever since she was little.
And that was true. Every man in Konoha wants to bed her.
Especially in that tight, black suit.
He loved women in uniform, even more if they are really talented.
And she proved to impress him, with her stealth, silence, chakra, combat and medical skills.
She deserves someone better.
But who? Kakashi seems like the only one who doesn't want to harm her.
And whenever she smiles at him, event those idiotic ones, he feels a smile tugging on his face. She is so cute.
Why would she be interested in a guy like him?
But why would she be staring at him for so long?
Dammit, Kakashi is crushing on his student!
Now, he was sweating bullets.
He quickly wiped the sweat.
Her eyes shifted.
Finally …
Now with his newfound feelings, (when was the last time he liked someone?) Kakashi decided his small plan.
He'll try not to show his feelings for her, it may freak her out, and ruin their slowly growing friendship. He can't have feelings for his comrades, its part of the rule book! He better try and get over Sakura, and soon.
Before he loses control.
He may even have to try and avoid her.
….
Kakashi called Dajaku and Yuki to tell Sakura that they're going to have a small meeting at his room.
Sakura's eyebrows furrowed.
Why couldn't Kakashi tell her himself?
As if Yuki read her mind, she answered, "I have no idea, he's been acting really strange."
Once they were inside, Kakashi and Dajaku were waiting for them.
Sakura got her plan into action: She's going to pretend to have a crush on Dajaku or Yoshinao.
Kakashi was beside Dajaku, who was beside Yuki, which means Sakura is going to stand in between Kakashi and Yuki.
Sakura hesitated, and Kakashi didn't seem too fond of this either.
Abruptedly, Sakura slid in between Dajaku and Yuki, flashing Dajaku a wink, who smiled back.
Kakashi's eyes narrowed.
He cleared his throat to stop their flirting.
"Are you two … done?" came his awfully controlled voice.
"Uh, yeah," Sakura blushed.
"Anyways, what have you guys witnessed? Anything worth mentioning, or new details on the issue?"
"We already know that the enemy is a skilled poison maker, probably jounin or higher, like what you said," Sakura stated. "He's also clad in black."
Kakashi nodded, his eyes lingering a little longer on her own.
"Yuki? Dajaku? What about you two?"
"I've listened to a conversation between the Yoshinao and another woman. Apparently Yoshinao has something to do with the seven-tailed beast. The enemy could be after that." Yuki said.
"Great, and you Dajaku?"
"Since that woman has been hit, not Yoshinao, I think that the enemy is not just after the him, but his family, or guests, too. Or she could've been a distraction. I think that 2 of us should watch inside the building, in case something happens."
Kakashi nodded. "Great idea .." he trailed off.
Should Kakashi and Sakura be together? Or Sakura and Dajaku? Maybe it should be Yuki and Sakura … but they're both gengetsu specialists, and we need 2 members with different strenghths to compliment each other-
"I think that Dajaku and I should-" Sakura was cut off.
"Are you the captain, or am I?" Kakashi growled.
What is up with Dajaku and Sakura today?
Sakura rethought her decision, if she's with Dajaku, that means … Kakashi and Yuki?
No … Sakura's conscience hissed. I don't want him being with her!
So actually, I'm also the one who's jealous.
Shit.
Kakashi thought about Sakura's decision. If she's with Dajaku, then I'm with Yuki …
I could pretend I like Yuki.
So I can find out if Sakura likes me or not!
Problem is, I'll have to stand watching them two …
It's a sacrifice I'll have to make.
"Actually, Sakura, you're right. You and Dajaku should be together and Yuki and I-"
"No!" Sakura butted in.
Kakashi's eyebrows rose.
"I mean … uh, I'm … I'm fine with that."
Kakashi nodded.
"Ok, then, Yuki and I'll be outside, and you two will be inside."
Sakura nodded slowly.
What have I gotten myself into?
….
"Sakura, are you ok?" Dajaku asked.
Sakura's head snapped back to Dajaku. She had been watching Kakashi and Yuki through the window for the thousand's time already. There were in the same tree, sitting on the same trunk.
Was that really necessary?
Does Kakashi actually want Sakura to be jealous?
Does he know that Sakura likes him?
A knot formed in Sakura's stomach. Why did she think of this plan? No one's going to be happy in the end.
Yuki giggled.
Apparently Kakashi said something funny to make her laugh.
Sakura felt like she was the only one who could laugh at Kakashi's jokes.
"Yeah, I'm fine Dajaku," Sakura gave a soft smile.
If this is how Kakahshi wants to play, then she'll play too.
"You look a little nauseas," Dajaku stated.
Sakura was nauseous.
"I'm fine." A slow smile spread across her face as she felt Kakashi look through the window at her.
Time to play.
She sauntered up to him, practically curling onto him.
She giggled. "Oh, you're so funny, Dajaku-kun,"
Dajaku stood there dumbfounded. "I am?"
Sakura gave a forced chuckle. "Don't make me laugh, now. Kuku-Kun."
She uncurled off him, and grabbed his hand.
"Let's go," she winked, walking out of window view.
She hoped she didn't over act it.
….
Kakashi's plan was going backwards.
He decided to be on the same branch as Yuki, and smiled when he felt Sakura's eyes.
When he looked back at her, his heart clenched as he watched her practically press herself onto Dajaku, and giggle like a school girl.
He must've made her laugh or something.
And then Sakura took his hand and smiled playfully at Dajaku, before walking out of sight.
What are they going to do? The questions pestered his mind. A frown appeared on his face as she just watched to window.
"Kakashi?" Yuki asked.
Dammit, I can't make Sakura jealous if I am!
"I'm fine, Yuki," he sighed, standing up abruptedly. "I think we should just watch alone." He said monotonously, jumping onto a higher branch.
Yuki frowned up at Kakashi, who was staring at the ground like it was the most interesting thing inte world.
Something was bothering him.
Maybe Sakura and Kakashi have something going on?
….
Sakura slowed her pace.
She didn't feel any better at showing Kakashi how it' s done.
She really didn't feel like playing this game anymore.
If this goes any farther, she'll probably never be with Kakashi.
"Hey, Dajaku?" she asked over her shoulder as she released his hand.
"Hmm?"
"I think we should take watch and search on our own. We'll spit up, ok?"
Dajaku frowned. "Ok,"
One second she's all flirty and the next, she's not.
"Women these days," he grumbled. "Who can understand them?"
Sakura poofed in a flurry of cherry blossoms.
….
Kakashi sighed form his lookout.
"I'm going to go check inside. In case they need help or something." He lied.
"If they need help, they'd call us."
"Don't argue with me," he hissed. "I'm not in the mood."
Yuki furrowed her eyes at the leaves swirling where Kakashi had once been.
There is definitely something going on with Sakura and Kakashi.
….
Sakura casually walked through the hallway, caught up In her thoughts.
How can I tell Kakashi that I like him?
Sakura was maybe too caught up, because she didn't realise Kakashi's chakra signature close-by.
Suddenly, he appeared in front of her, his face serious. He meant all business.
She had almost fallin onto his chest, if she didn't stop herself in time.
"We need to talk," Kakashi bit icily.
….
A/N: O_o Ohh ... What's going to happen next? Please review!
Once again, thank you to all of you that reviewed my first chapter!!
*(:-{o{{{{ It's Santa Claus! (Tilt your head to the left)