"So he kissed you and then what happened?" Ino asked excited while she was making the hoops for the lanterns.
Sakura exiled her breath. The work was going so smooth she was making the paper in a round shape and Hinata and Ten Ten were painting the paper in a bright red color and writing wishes on them. It was her own mistake for bringing last night's events up:"We sat down and talked things through he understood how I felt and he left."
Hinata looked up and directed her gaze at Sakura's face:"Wow Sakura-chan it must have been so hard to say things like that. You were so in love with Sasuke-kun when we were little and all through the war. " Sakura fell silent. Hinata's words were so true well except the last part. She didn't know what period was when she stopped feeling anything for Sasuke but she was sure that it was before the war. There was a moment during the battles when Sasuke showed up and team 7 fought together again and she felt all warm and fuzzy on the inside but she realized that it was only happiness because they were together. Then Ino's words disturbed her memories:
"Sakura you are so disappointing. You could have slept with him and then tell him that you didn't feel a thing."
"INO-CHAN!" Hinata almost screamed while her face became red like a tomato. Sakura chuckled and then turned to Ino "I am not that bitchy." Ino hummed in response than said something that made all of them laugh:"Yeah but still he is hot."
Kakashi was sitting on the couch of his small apartment reading his book. He had to start reading Icha Icha Violence because the Paradise was sitting on Sakura's table. The scene he witnessed last night was appearing and disappearing in his head throughout the whole night and day. He knew very well not dwell in other people's busyness. It was part of the reason he had kept such a private life for most of his life. But when it came to the people that were closest to him he could not ignore.
Still Kakashi could not understand why he felt like this. Seeing Sakura kiss another man made him feel something different. A feeling he almost never had. A feeling that he could never find a word for. He had planned to stop by today to see her at the hospital talk to her and get his book. But when he went there they told him that she took one day off.
He made a note to go and see her tomorrow. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. When he got to the door and opened he found Genma smiling from the other side:"Hey Kakashi, don't tell me you plan on staying here the whole day and night."
Kakashi stepped aside letting his friend enter. He then made his way to the couch and slumped on it while Genma took a seat in the armchair opposite of the couch and coffee table:"Well Genma I don't have any plans. Do you have something in mind?"
Genma smiled and twirled the always present senbon in his mouth. Then he took it out and continued:"Well me and the boys agreed to meet in a little quiet tea house, play some cards and drink some sake. You in? "
Kakashi leaned his head on the back of the couch. Friends and some drinks would help him relax and take his mind off some things. Things including Sakura so he agreed.
Sakura was making her way towards the Hokage tower. It was weird because she never got called so late in the day. Maybe Tsunade had a mission for her. She hoped so; she was starting to feel bored here in Konoha. Making the paper lantern was a good distraction today but that was just about it.
She knocked lightly on the door of Tsunade's office. After the answer came through she entered stumbling upon her shishou and Shizune piled in so much paperwork. Sakura had never seen her Shishou in so much work:"Need help?"
Tsunade looked up at Sakura:"You are helping enough by keeping the hospital in top shape.I don't need to waste your talents on a pile of paper." Shizune looked a little offended by that statement. But she quickly forgot it when Tsunade asked her for the scroll containing Sakura's mission.
She then started with a serious tone, her honey colored eyes fixed on the written information:"Sakura they need you in Kirigakure."
After the war Sakura was seen as vital kunoichi that could contribute to all of the hidden villages when it came to her medical ninjutsu. This would not be the first time she was summoned by one of the Kages so she can tend to a problem:"What is the problem Shishou?". Tsunade went over the scroll again giving a grunt:"Mei didn't state the reason but I suppose it has to be something important since she expects you" as soon as possible" like her letter says in the end. You are to pack your stuff and leave tonight. I don't want you killing yourself with travelling during the day."Sakura took the scroll from Tsunade's hand bowed a little and headed to the door but she stopped midday:"Tsunade-sama what about…"
Tsunade smiled and threw one of her pigtails on her back while saying:"Don't worry Sakura; Shizune will take care of the hospital while you are gone. Right Shizune?"The young woman didn't get the question at first but then energetically nodded and said in a loud voice:"Leave it to me!"
Kakashi showed up in Sakura's house half an hour before she had to leave. He did not know that she had a mission so when he caught her running around the house gathering random stuff she only took on missions he asked:"Where are heading this time?"Sakura was just passing by him all the time her pink hair swaying behind her back. She had already tied her forehead protector in its usual spot as headband and now she was putting together her outfit.
Wearing only the black shorts and a white tank top she was patching together her pink skirt. She finally found the time to say quickly:"Kirigakure". He continued to observe her while she prepared and was wondering how to ask her about last night. He then noticed his book laying on her couch so he went retrieve it:"I was going to bring it to you today." she said while brushing her long locks of pink hair.
He nodded slowly:"Actually I came back here last night to get it. But something happened that prevented me."She made a sound humming noise which meant she questioning him what had happened:"I saw something. You here in the kitchen with Sasuke"
She froze for a moment then looked at her feet. For some reason she was really embarrassed that Kakashi had witnessed something like that. She did not know however why she felt like that. This was Kakashi the man she could share almost everything with. Everything except stuff like that she then heard him say:"I thought you said that you don't want anything like that because you were hurt from your dreams. Sasuke was always in your dreams. That means that you will get hurt again. "
She then raised her gaze only to meet his lazy eyes. But there was something more that laziness in those eyes. Something she could not make out but still she brought all of her courage and told him in a firm voice:"Kakashi I am sorry but this is none of your busyness. Whatever happened here last night is between me and Sasuke."
He took a deep sight and got closer to her. He leaned forward so his masked lips would be close to her ear:"I thought you were a woman now. Not a stupid girl who is lost in dreams."Sakura just trembled by the touch of his warm breath on the side of her face. But then she processed his words and got angry:"I don't have the time to deal with you right now. And I don't think that I should because I don't see how this is your busyness. And before you start giving false accusations try to learn the truth for first. Now please leave because I must leave in five minutes"
Kakashi saw the anger in her eyes so he simply took his book and after placing it in his pouch walked out of her door with hands in his pockets. After he left he felt guilty:"Learn the truth then accuse." He told himself. Apparently something more had happened last night. Something he wasn't there to see. That night while he was drifting away in light conversations, cards and sake Sakura was travelling to Kirigakure anger fuelling her speed.
She did not why she took his words so serious. Sure he was her ex-sensei but that was it. They work together but he did not have any authority to pry into her personal life. She kept those thought only for a while then she decided that she must focus on her mission.
