After walking a slightly intoxicated Ino to her apartment Sakura made her way through the streets of Konoha so she can finally go home. She was so happy it was her day off tomorrow. Since it was three o'clock there was no way she could get up early in the morning if she had a shift to cover. Half way home she stopped for a minute raising her eyes to the dark skies and examining the stars that glowed like jewels in the almost black veil that was the sky. She felt the cool summer breeze brushing the skin of her exposed body parts giving her goose bumps. She was still irritated by Sasuke and his behaviour tonight but she brushed the thought away. It would do no good if she was still hovering over it.
She was prepared to continue her walk home when a very familiar voice stopped her in her pace. "A little late to be going home alone. Don't you think?" She turned her gaze in the direction from where the voice was coming from and she saw Kakashi walking slowly from an alley. She gave a slight smile and replied with a smirk "I think that if anyone jumps me they should think twice before doing so."
The Copy-nin eyed her from head to toe when he finally stated "Good point. Mind if I walk you home my apartment is in the same direction." The pink haired woman shook her head so they made their way through the now quiet part of Konoha where everyone was sleeping awaiting the new day. After a moment she broke the silence with a remark "The fact that I ran into you twice in row for one night must indicate that I should spend more time with you." She was eyeing the silver haired Jounin walking besides her awaiting his response. "Maybe" he finally said and then continued "But the fact that we haven't caught a glimpse of that unusual hair color of yours for two weeks should be saying more."
Sakura felt guilty for a moment. He was right. They had been inviting her for drinks, lunch or dinner for two weeks in a row and she always turned them down due to the fact that during the summer the work in the hospital was piling up and so were the missions. But still that was no excuse to avoid the people who were closest to her. "I know I am very sorry. But what can I do? You know summer is a busy season for literally everything. I will make it up to you starting Wednesday okay. You and the guys can come over to my house and I will cook you dinner and we can have a nice meal and catch up. "
Kakashi processed the idea and then slightly nodded telling her that he will pass on the word. They continued walking with a comfortable silence settling between them. He was watching her secretly with the corner of his eye:"Doesn't look like she is still mad on Sasuke." he thought. But the boy had made a point. Sakura was a fine young woman. A damn skilled kunoichi and one of the most beautiful women in the village. He started to notice the physical change in her body a year after the war when some of the fellow Jounin started asking him for permission to ask her out.
At first he thought that was weird. So he just waved them off saying that he didn't care. But then he realized that he wanted to protect her from getting hurt all over again by someone. And it was then when he started making threats. Later on he found out that she could handle getting hurt. After the war she had changed beyond recognition. Emotions weren't consuming her mind at all. She was cool all of the time. There was a sparkle of wises to her green emerald eyes. And that spark made them seem deeper than they were.
But that wasn't the only change towards her womanhood. She had the body to prove it. She had long slender legs that were toned with muscles so were her arms. Muscles result only from hard training and fighting. She had a slim waist but a firm chest to accompany it. Also her hair was contributing to her looks. Deciding to let it grow out again was a good choice it made her look more feminine and it defined her heart shaped face. Yes overall his little student had grown into a strong female that should not be taken so lightly. Suddenly his thoughts were interrupted.
"Can I help you with something?" He looked at her startled by her question. Seeing that he did not understand she stated "You have been staring at me for almost five minutes. Why?" He looked at his feet while walking and made a mental note "And nothing can escape those wise green eyes." He looked up to meet the little smile curling on her lips "I was just wondering if you were still upset about Sasuke tonight? I know that you really care about your personal life. And you don't say things you don't want be known."
She made a slight pause before answering "No. I am not mad or upset. Sasuke could never watch out for his words. But still it was a bit uncomfortable. And it made me think that I should clear out this situation once and for all.I don't need a man in my life right now. I am perfectly happy with things just the way they are and I don't think that is going to change in the near future."
He stopped at statement. Clearly he was out of line here. He had a girl in front of him. A girl that used to dream about love almost the whole time he knew her. She used to dream about Sasuke so much and then she rejected him he wasn't getting the picture here:"Sakura correct me if I am wrong but girls always dream about love and boyfriends don't they?"
They had made it to the front of her house. She stopped on the porch looking for her keys. When she finally dug them out from her hip pouch she gave him an answer that would occupy his thoughts a lot in the future "That is the problem Kakashi I am not a girl anymore I am a woman. And women don't chase after empty dreams and have some realistic views on these things. Especially not women who have experienced so much pain because of having such dreams. Good night"
With that statement she went inside and closed the door after her. He stayed in front of her house until the lights in her bedroom were finally off. With that he made his way back to his own apartment thinking on those sole words "Especially women who have experienced so much pain because of having such dreams."
Kakashi awoke the next morning still feeling tired after last night. He tried going back to bed but no luck. He could not fall asleep again. He slowly got up and went to the kitchen to fix up a cup of coffee for himself. He was in the village only for a week and he was already craving for another mission. The heat in the village was too strong to bear. Sure the nights were cool and pleasant but during the day everyone was seeking the shade.
This year the summer was really strong he couldn't remember the last summer that was this way. Maybe because there was none. Most of the genin right now were receiving D-rank missions watering crops. This way they could both save the plants and practice their ninjutsu. But if those were the only missions at the desk he would rather stay home.
After the refreshing coffee he got dressed and headed out to the tower. While he was walking with his masked face buried in his book he heard someone calling his name. He turned around and saw Genma carrying a stack of papers.
"Yo.I see you have your hands full there." Genma twitched an eyebrow and said a little too eager "Observative this morning are we. Shut up and help me carry these to the Hokage. She is going to nag on me again if I'm late. " Kakashi took half of the documents with a crook in his eye and saying "Always the nice person are you now?"
They were walking slowly so they would not bump into anyone on the street. The sun was already blazing through the cloudless blue sky. Kakashi could feel the heat sipping in the fabric of his clothes. After only a few minutes walking he was already covered in sweat. Genma wasn't also the life of the party:"What's eating you up all of a sudden?" he finally asked his friend when there was no indication Genma would start a conversation.
Genma made an irritated face and then burst into complains "This heat is killing me and on top of that last night you clearly saw I was rejected by that pink hared kunoichi of yours. For the third time." Kakashi yet recalled the words of his former student from last night. They were ringing like bells in his head ever since. Instead of thinking too much he just shrugged "I think you have been barking up the wrong tree for quite a while now. If she rejected you once there is no way she would change her mind. Besides there are plenty of women in this village you still haven't slept with."
In the end the senbon sucking ninja just agreed and continued complaining about the heat.
