Chapter 6 Return to Konoha
For much of the trip from Border Town to Konoha, Sakura remained quieter than usual. Her mind was still reeling from the Sasuke's revelation. If he had told her this a few years ago she would be in cloud nine. Things were different, she was different now. When he left the village about seven years ago, she forced herself to forget those feelings she harbored for the brooding Uchiha. She had started to see him in the same light as she saw Naruto. Did what transpired that night in the inn's kitchen change those platonic feelings? Of course there was also what the old innkeeper had said about her and Kakashi. That woman was old and probably senile. Kakashi only saw Sakura as a former student and now a medic ninja nothing more.
Damn just when she thought she was standing on solid ground after so many years of begging for some attention from Sasuke and then of struggling to find him and bring him home. Sasuke goes a pulls the rug from under her feet, throwing her into a chaotic ocean of emotions. She balled her fists as the anger mixed with her confusion.
Kakashi could tell something was bothering Sakura. She had become more reserved since last night and now she was evidently thinking of something serious.
"Naruto," Kakashi turned to face the young blonde whom was helping him trek through the trees. "Do know of anything that might be concerning Sakura?"
Naruto glanced over at his friend whom was lost in her thoughts unaware of the two men discussing her. "She hasn't said anything to me. But now that you mention it, Sensei, there does seem like something is up. I haven't seen her look like that in a long time."
"Ummm." Kakashi remembered Anko's remarks. Had Sakura been that embarrassed about being caught singing to him? He was sure that Anko had completely misread the situation, regarding Sakura's feelings anyways.
The tall jounin stepped out from inside the guard station at the main gate of the Village Hidden in the Leaves. Kotetsu placed his hands on his lower back and stretched. He hated guard duty. He was stuck in this tiny glass box all day and nothing ever happened. Izumo had it worse; he was assisting the Godaime today. Kotetsu smirked picturing his friend carrying heavy scrolls while being barked orders. He scratched under the bandage that crossed his face and gazed out at the trees surrounding the village.
Some movement in the trees just beyond the borders of the village got the jounin's attention. Five ninjas emerged from the foliage. He immediately recognized the group. Kotetsu rushed back into the guard station and grabbed the telephone.
"They have arrived!" he yelled into the receiver.
"They are here?" he heard a young woman say on the other end of the line. "Are they ok?"
"Yes they seem fine. They are entering the gate now."
"Shizune, give me that." Tsunade grabbed the phone. "Kotetsu, tell them to head to the hospital. I'll meet them there."
Kotetsu head the click that told him she had slammed the phone and was probably half way out of her office by now. He rushed over the crew of well-known shinobis.
"Welcome back." He said he put his arm around Anko but took it off almost instantly. The look she had given told him he was in danger of losing it if it stayed there a moment longer. "The Godaime would like to meet you in the hospital." He informed them in a more business-like tone.
"Okay, lets go." Anko said waving them all to follow. She turned back and winked at Kotetsu.
He chuckled to himself. "You never know what is going on with that one," he thought, "That's what makes exciting though."
Kakashi lay in the hospital bed, the rest of the group, which now included Shizune and Jiraiya were either standing or sitting around the bed. He had just finished telling them of his mission and the ambush while Tsunade examined him.
Anko was now reporting on her mission while Shizune examined her since she had insisted on giving everyone of the team a full check up. Anko kept trying to shoo her away with protests of I'm fine. I don't need to be pamper." A thermometer inserted into her mouth by a Shizune whom was losing her patience, quickly silenced her.
The fifth Hokage smiled at her apprentice. "This all busy of the ambush in the Land of Rain is quite troubling. I hope that it was the Aratsuki who it set up and not the actual ninjas of the Rain Village. It wouldn't help us if we also have to deal with an enemy village." She shook her head, the strain and worry showing on her seemly young face.
"The news of Orochimaru's apparent quietness isn't comforting either." Jiraiya added. He sat on the windowsill with his arms crossed. His eyes met Tsunade's, a knowing look, of how their old comrade worked, passed between them.
"Kakashi, you are healing quite well. You don't need to stay in the hospital. You'll be able to rest just as well at home. No missions for awhile though." Tsunade announced as she re-did the bandages. She walked over to Sakura and placed a hand on the younger medic's shoulder. "Good work, I'm very proud."
"Seeing as we are all done here and Kakashi-sensei is going home, I'm off for some lunch." Naruto said rubbing his hands together with excitement. "Anyone care to join me?"
"No." Sasuke replied flatly. He turned to Sakura. "Sakura, are you free later? I'd like to speak with you."
"Ummm…" Sakura hesitated. She knew what he wanted to talk about and she wasn't ready to give him an answer. But there was no excuse she could think to say. "Okay. Meet at my apartment around 9."
Sasuke nodded and left.
Kakashi tilted his head noticing the exchange between his former students. He felt suddenly a burning anger rising up within him. Of course, Sakura was with Sasuke. She had loved him ever since they were children. As for Sasuke, he was bound to notice her now that she had become a strong and beautiful woman. Kakashi could have slapped himself for thinking that a woman like her would be single.
"Fine, if none of you want to come with me. See ya later." Naruto bolted for the door.
"Hinata is at the training grounds with Shino and Kiba." Jiraiya called out to Naruto making him stop dead in his tracks.
"Hehe." The young man ran his fingers through his hair embarrassedly. "Who said anything about Hinata? Why would I need to know where she is? It's not like…" He laughed uneasily.
"Oh I just thought you would be interested to know her whereabouts." The white haired sannin smiled.
"Um…well…thanks." He left the hospital room. Through the window he could be seen heading not for Ichiraku Ramen but for the training grounds.
"If I'm free to go, I'll be heading home." Kakashi struggled to get up from the bed. He stumbled trying to reach his crutches. Sakura dashed just in time to hold him upright. He placed his arm around her and smiled gratefully at the rosy kunoichi.
Anko coughed and gave the copy ninja an "Obvious!" warning look. He grabbed the crutches and let go of Sakura as fast as possible.
"Not so fast, Kakashi. I don't think you should go home alone." Tsunade said.
"I'll accompany him, Tsunade-sama." Sakura said before anyone else could volunteer. She held up her hand to her heart as it fluttered with the thought of being alone with Kakashi. She couldn't understand why it was doing that.
Sakura and Kakashi walked into his one room flat. She placed his pack on the ledge by the window. Her eyes fell on the photo that was also placed there. She picked it up, her twelve-year-old self was smiling up at her. She laughed remembering those early days.
"That seems like a lifetime ago." Kakashi remarked at seeing her with the photo as he sat on his bed, twisting his face with pain.
"Are you in pain?" Sakura sat beside him putting one hand his shoulder and the other on his thigh, concern showing in her face.
"Not anymore." Kakashi replied softly, putting his hand over hers. A warmth spreading where their hands met.
Sakura blushed, knowing she should probably move but not wanting to. However, Kakashi removed his hand, his face darkened as if he thought better of his actions.
There wasn't time for any awkward silence since just then the door to the apartment swung open.
"Haha! I knew my old rival wouldn't have been taken down so easily." Gai eagerly came in and flashed one of his brightest and toothiest smiles.
Asuma holding a pregnant Kurenai's hand followed.
Sakura jumped off the bed as the jounins walked in. Even though there wasn't much seating in Kakashi's apartment, she figured it was best not to be seen on a single man's bed.
"Hi guys." Kakashi waved. "I see that congratulations are in order." He pointed at Kurenai's baby bump.
"Ah yea. Thanks Kakashi." Said a clearly proud father to be.
"Yes, thankfully it has also made Asuma to quit smoking." Kurenai stroked her belly lovingly. "Hello, Sakura. How are you?"
"Oh, hi." Sakura was taken aback by suddenly being addressed. " I'm well. Actually, I was just heading out."
"Really?" Kakashi blurted out without realizing what impression he might be giving.
"Yes, I want to rest and clean up since I'm meeting Sasuke later."
"Oh right," grumbled Kakashi agitated by the mention of the Uchiha.
"Make sure you and Sasuke stop by the sake lounge." Gai told her. "We are having a welcome home party for Kakashi, as well as you guys."
Kakashi followed the pinked haired kunoichi walked out of his apartment with his onyx eye. He wished he could stop her from leaving and going to Sasuke. He pushed that thought out of his mind as impossible and turned his attention to what Asuma was saying.
"Sure thing. We'll be there." At least now she wouldn't have to be alone with Sasuke. On her way out she glanced back at the copy ninja but he was occupied conversing with Asuma. She sighed and closed the door behind her.