Chapter 5: Hisashi

"Bunshin no jutsu!" And smoke engulfed Haruno Hisashi. In seconds, her clone was standing beside her, waving to the class.

"Oooh," her classmates swooned, and clapped at her amazing performance.

"Very good, Hisa-chan!" their teacher, Hyuuga Hinata, congratulated her. "You can stand with Kana-chan over there." So, Hisashi hopped happily towards her best friend.

"That was perfect, Hi-chan!" Inuzuka Kana beamed.

"You did great, too, Kana-chan!" It was an ordinary day at the Academy, and Hisashi's class had their quarterly examinations. Her first quarter was a breeze; she had already learned clone techniques, while her classmates were still struggling to feel for their inner chakra.

There was no doubt that she was the top student of this batch, far ahead for her age. Second in line was Inuzuka Kiba's niece, Kana; but still the latter's performance was what was expected of her age group.

Hisashi was exceptional.

Hinata continued grading her pupils' practicum, and in her mind she was ready to submit Hisashi's recommendation to be accelerated by two grades. It was just proper, with the child's advanced skills, that she might be the next student to have finished Academy in a year's time.

The last one being Uchiha Itachi.

But at the back of her mind, she was wary of Hisashi's progress. Her friend, Sakura, did not approve of Hisashi's choice to become a kunoichi; and it's only a matter of time before the little girl would unlock her bloodline limits and know the whole truth.

Hinata, however, was agreeable to the plan that Hisashi would be led to believe that her father was the infamous Uchiha Sasuke, instead. It would be better off that way than to tell the child her father was Madara.

At the end of the day, Haruno Hisashi was destined to be a fierce kunoichi, someone this village would be proud to have. And maybe, hopefully, someone who could bring the pride and honor to the defaced name of the Uchiha.

With no more hesitation, and a silent plea of forgiveness to her friend, Hyuuga Hinata endorsed the promotion of Haruno Hisashi to the academy's board and to the Hokage.

One week after moving, Haruno Sakura was still having a hard time settling in. Her apartment was not a problem, as that had been taken cared of soon after she arrived. The Mizukage had seen it over before heading out for the Summit.

The problem was with the weather. She had not seen a sunny day since she arrived. Mornings were forever gloomy; afternoons, very rainy. Nights were cold, and always roaring with thunders.

It's the time of the year, the people in the village said. It's the rainy season; and when summer came, it was too hot and humid. There were only two seasons. No spring, no fall, no winter. Just simple rain and sun. And sometimes, this rain made her so lethargic; she'd be too lazy to even wake up. Imagine curling up in your bed, so warm and dry under the covers; or snuggling with a pillow as you wrapped yourself with a blanket while you sat on the sofa drinking hot chocolates, or slurping ramen.

Good thing, however, her apartment was just a block away from the hospital, and she didn't have to drag herself too long on the streets.

Surprisingly, too, she had a lot of free time in this town. Back in Suna and Konoha, she tired herself with work and a lot of training. Here, she didn't have to work at the hospital. All she had to do was eight hours of training at the conference rooms teaching aspiring medic nin the basics and the staff doctors and nurses new and efficient arts of the medical ninjutsu. Someday, however, she wished that she could help around at the hospital. She figured that she'd grow tired of this loose schedule.

Sometimes, training had to be halted. Like two days ago, she was asked to attend a council meeting for they were trying to revise the jounin and ANBU team assignments, trying to require at least one medic on the team. They rushed to proposal outline before the Mizukage would return from the Summit.

Sakura would then have the evenings for studying, or going around town and acquainting herself with the place. Most of the time, she'd just prefer to lock herself up to study.

On the weekend, she decided to sleep in. It had been a long time since she had a chance to do that. The coming days may not be as relaxed as it was now, since she deemed the hospital was just taking it light for her.

Well, that was supposed to be the plan, anyway. But even before nine o'clock stroke, there was this gentle knock at the door. She ignored it and assumed that it would cease eventually. Sakura was later sitting up when the knocking had moved to her bedroom door instead!

She was about to reach for the kunai under her pillow when the person on the other side of the door openly made his chakra signature known.

Sakura couldn't help but turn that scowl into a wide grin. She was, however, feigning annoyance when she opened the door.

"And good morning to you, too, Kazekage-sama."

"Who would have thought that I could get the chance to see the world's top medic to still be sleeping when the sun's already so high up," he greeted.

"Haha! Today's your lucky day to embarrass the world's top medic," she beamed. And in that moment, they just stood there with a sincere smile for one another. They stood there silently, with an understanding that they valued their friendship more. And then she moved forward to hug him.

"I'm just glad to see you well and rested."

"I'm glad to see you, too."

"Brought you lunch, but I guess you still haven't eaten breakfast," Gaara said, as he moved away and walked back to her kitchen.

She laughed and followed him out. To say that she was relieved was an understatement. Gaara showing up just a week after their awkward parting, with no hints of bitterness whatsoever, was enough for Sakura to cry and cherish the renewal of their friendship. She was so, so glad, that they could still continue to stay like they used to be despite that moment in Suna.

However, they both know that they're back to pretenses. They'd just have to live with that for a while – again.

"Uh, you know what? I should better make myself a lot more presentable before dining with the Kazekage."

"Whatever, Sakura," he rolled his eyes. "Like you ever do that before."

"Baka!" It had been previously established that Sakura had a tight bond with the Suna siblings. Over her years of stay in Sand, she had thought of them as her own family. And that shouldn't be surprising, considering they were the only people she knew in the village.

When she returned from her morning routine, Gaara had already set everything up, ready for them to dig in.

"So, what brings you here?" she started, as she filled her plate with rice and meat.

"I have matters to discuss with the Mizukage, so I joined her convoy back here in Mist."

"Oh, I see. And how did the summit go?"

"Okay. But it's still a deadlock on what the Alliance has to do with Iwa."

"Hmmm… isn't it about time they get back on the Alliance? I mean, the former Tsuchikage is already in prison, and their new leader had sworn its loyalty."

"Exactly." It seemed that the Samurai country, Kumo and Kiri were still against the reinstatement of Iwagakure into the Alliance after the latter's betrayal during the last Shinobi World War seven years ago.

Gaara continued filling her in with details, telling her about Suna's new endeavor with Kiri, and Konoha's plans of re-evaluating its military force.

"Kakashi had asked about you, and I said you're here."

"Oh. How are they?"

"He said they're fine." And Gaara didn't bother elaborating for being cautious of what the next conversation would be. He decided that he should skip such topics first; knowing Sakura had more in store from his visit.

"Will you be busy working today?" she asked, changing the topic.

"I guess. I'd be meeting with the council after all. But I'd like to invite you to dinner. There's a small gathering at the Mizukage's place. I'm sure you'd get an invitation, but I'd like to invite you anyway."

She laughed, "Sounds fun. Sure, I'll go with you. It's not like I have anything to do today."

"And, Sakura?" he continued, his face turning straight and his voice, stern. "I should also mention that Kakashi's here."

He didn't miss the sudden change in her aura, shadowing her eyes, her whole face.

"Oh," was all she could utter. She couldn't escape the dinner now, could she? Nor would she miss Kakashi in town. Unless she deliberately come up with another excuse to avoid him.

Still, Gaara hoped that whatever happened between Sakura and Kakashi in the past could be resolved in this rare encounter.

Konohagakure. Fall, Seven years ago.

Her eyes were both shut in pain as tears and sweat flooded her face. He bit her lips to stifle a sob as the nurses around her begged her to push.

Sai was holding her hand and soothing her, Naruto was on her back embracing her, as her body shook in pain. But none of it was helping.

"Just take it out already! God damn it!" She screamed. "Take, take it out… take it out…"

"Shhhh… Sakura, it'll be over soon. I promise," whispered Naruto.

"It'd better be, because she had been waiting for this day to come. Her hospital room was prepared a week before, the staff had attended to her with all their might, and they made sure she would have a fast – and safe – labor.

True enough, she had only been laboring for eight hours. But she felt so tired. If it were up to her, she'd be sleeping in morphine by now.

Sakura didn't sign up for this. She cursed every energy, every opportunity. Every little thing she had lost because of this innocent child. Sakura had heard every moral verse of all gods, but nothing could ever make her forget what Madara had done.

Right before he died, he cursed her. She would bore the hate that would continue on with the Uchiha name. Madara planned this. That bastard made sure she conceived his child. And now, she bore the hate that she would soon pass on to this baby.

"It's a girl, Sakura-san." The nurse held the newborn towards Sai. Sakura could hear it crying, but she refused to open her eyes and look, for if she did, she wouldn't be able to mask the anger and hate towards her daughter. Instead, she turned her head away.

"She will be Hisashi," Sai whispered. "For the long wait to forgiveness, to happiness, and to peace."

"Go," Sakura ordered. "Get out of the room, all of you. Please!"

They did, including Sai and Naruto. And one she was alone in the room, she willed herself not to cry. There's no sense in doing so anymore. The child had been borne. The only way to get rid of it was to kill it. But it's too late for that now. No matter, she still couldn't bring her hand to kill the innocent. Yes, she knew that much. Her daughter was innocent.

Then again, there was no way she'd be raising her. No way in hell would she recognize that child. For it triggered a lot of painful memories she was trying so hard to forget.

She couldn't look at it without remembering Madara's filthy paws violating her. She should've aborted it when it was barely even human. But Sai and Naruto begged her not to.

Now, they'd have to raise it, wouldn't they? After all, it was them who wanted the child to live. And Konoha no longer was the place for her to stay.

Slowly, she brought herself out of bed. She only had a robe ready to cover her bloody self, and that little bag Sai had prepared for her change of clothes.

She had to get away fast. The bedside table had medicines she needed to sustain herself. It'd be enough until she was strong enough.

There was no destination in mind. Sasuke's whereabouts were unknown. Maybe she'd try to find him when she'd regain her strength. Or maybe not.

Let it be. Let her feet drag her elsewhere, so she can start herself anew. With that in mind, she opened her window and jumped right out. It was a good thing her room was on the first floor. But she barely even had a step away when she noticed movement to her right.

"Going somewhere, Sakura?"

It was Kakashi, leaning on the wall beside her window with a book in hand.

"Kakashi-sensei! What are you doing here?"

"I watched you labor. I had to know you're okay."

"I am. So if you'll excuse me." She was about to walk but he caught her arm.

"You understand that once you crossed the gates, you will be pronounced a missing-nin?"

"Yes, I do. And I don't care," she declared, retrieving her arm back.

"No, Sakura. Don't do this. It isn't fair."

"Fair for who, sensei?" This time, she turned around to face him. "For that kid?" And how about me? Is it fair that each time I look at her, I get to go back in time in that mountain?"

He didn't answer. "Let me go, Kakashi. This will be the best for me and for that child."

Still, he didn't answer. He searched deep within her eyes, and he saw something he was afraid of. She was vengeful, angry and dead serious. Nowhere was there any hint of gentleness, or even sorrow.

It broke his heart just watching this woman fall apart and into the darkness, right in front of his eyes. He didn't fight back, but instead, he pulled her in and wrapped his arms around her. She was stiff, but he just stroked her hair in an attempt to bring forth that softness inside her.

"There comes a time in a person's life," Kakashi whispered, "that things go wrong and break one's spirit. Yours ad been shattered so tragically. Pick it all up and find yourself again."

In moments, she was sobbing. At first, she tried to keep it in. But as Kakashi held her ever, ever so tightly, she was crying uncontrollably.

"S-sensei… Kakashi-sensei… Take me away. I beg you. Take me away from here…."

AN: Sorry for the late update! But here it is. Semester's about to be finished. Hopefully, I could get to update more often. Enjoy the new chapter. It get boring when Sasuke's not in the picture, ne? *winks*

I'll make a deadline. Two weeks! :)

And I have a new fic (eeek! shameless plugging). Check out Between the Shadows and the Soul. A new SasuSaku series.

Enjoy~ :3

Oh! and Hisashi means, in a few tweak of Kanji, long wait.